Epidemiology and impact of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus with ß-lactam antibiotic inoculum effects in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogen. Several phenotypes are associated with worsened CF clinical outcomes including methicillin-resistance and small-colony-variants. The inoculum effect (IE) is characterized by reduced ß-lactam susceptibility when assessed at high inoculum. The IE associates with worse outcomes in bacteremia and other high-density infections, and may therefore be relevant to CF. The prevalence of IE amongst a CF cohort (age ≥18 years), followed from 2013 to 2016, was investigated. Yearly methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were screened at standard (5 × 105 CFU/mL) and high (5 × 107 CFU/mL) inoculum against narrow-spectrum anti-Staphylococcal ß-lactams and those with anti-pseudomonal activity common to CF. A ≥ 4-fold increase in minimum inhibitory concentration between standard and high inoculum defined IE. Isolates underwent blaZ sequencing and genotyping and were compared against published genomes. Fifty-six percent (99/177) of individuals had MSSA infection. MSSA was observed at ≥105 CFU/mL in 44.8% of entry sputum samples. The prevalence of the IE was 25.0%-cefazolin; 13.5%-cloxacillin; 0%-meropenem; 1.0%-cefepime; 5.2%-ceftazidime; and 34.4%-piperacillin-tazobactam amongst baseline MSSA isolates assessed. blaZ A associated with cefazolin IE (P = 0.0011), whereas blaZ C associated with piperacillin-tazobactam IE (P < 0.0001). Baseline demographics did not reveal specific risk factors for IE-associated infections, nor were long-term outcomes different. Herein, we observed the IE in CF-derived MSSA disproportionally for cefazolin and piperacillin-tazobactam and this phenotype strongly associated with underlying blaZ genotype. The confirmation of CF being a high density infection, and the identification of high prevalence of MSSA with IE in CF supports the need for prospective pulmonary exacerbation treatment studies to understand the impact of this phenotype.

Evaluation of chitosan salt properties in the production of AgNPs materials with antibacterial activity.

In this study, water-soluble chitosan salts (chitosan amine sulfopropyl salts) were prepared from chitosan samples with different molecular weights and deacetylation degrees. These soluble-in-water polymer salts allowed us to produce, in an eco-friendly and facile method, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with better control on size and polydispersity, even at large silver concentrations than their corresponding chitosan sample. Chitosan salt-based materials (films and scaffolds) were analyzed in terms of antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC23915 or Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. 3D scaffolds enhanced the effect of the chitosan-AgNPs combination compared to the equivalent films.

Variation in blubber cortisol levels in a recovering humpback whale population inhabiting a rapidly changing environment.

Glucocorticoids are regularly used as biomarkers of relative health for individuals and populations. Around the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), baleen whales have and continue to experience threats, including commercial harvest, prey limitations and habitat change driven by rapid warming, and increased human presence via ecotourism. Here, we measured demographic variation and differences across the foraging season in blubber cortisol levels of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) over two years around the WAP. Cortisol concentrations were determined from 305 biopsy samples of unique individuals. We found no significant difference in the cortisol concentration between male and female whales. However, we observed significant differences across demographic groups of females and a significant decrease in the population across the feeding season. We also assessed whether COVID-19-related reductions in tourism in 2021 along the WAP correlated with lower cortisol levels across the population. The decline in vessel presence in 2021 was associated with a significant decrease in humpback whale blubber cortisol concentrations at the population level. Our findings provide critical contextual data on how these hormones vary naturally in a population over time, show direct associations between cortisol levels and human presence, and will enable comparisons among species experiencing different levels of human disturbance.

Association of Candida albicans and Cbp+ Streptococcus mutans with early childhood caries recurrence.

Early childhood caries (ECC) recurrence occurs in approximately 40% of treated cases within one year. The association of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans with the onset of ECC is well known. Also, S. mutans strains harboring collagen-binding proteins (Cbps) avidly bind to collagen-rich dentin and are linked to increased caries risk. Here, we investigated the presence of Cbp+ S. mutans and C. albicans in saliva and dental plaque of children with varying caries statuses, and their salivary microbiome. In this cross-sectional study, 143 children who were caries-free (n = 73), treated for ECC with no signs of recurrence after 6 months (n = 45), or treated for ECC and experiencing recurrence within 6 months following treatment (n = 25) were enrolled. Co-infection with C. albicans and S. mutans, especially Cbp+ S. mutans, was strongly associated with caries recurrence. Subjects of the recurrence group infected with Cbp+ S. mutans showed a greater burden of Candida spp. and of Mutans streptococci in dentin than those infected with Cbp- strains. Salivary microbiome analysis revealed that Streptococcus parasanguinis was overrepresented in the caries recurrence group. Our findings indicate that Cbp+ S. mutans and C. albicans are intimately associated with caries recurrence, contributing to the establishment of recalcitrant biofilms.

Esterification and modification of [1-14C] n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae reared under linoleic or α-linolenic acid-based diets and variable environmental salinities.

To elucidate the in vivo endogenous ability of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae to deacylate and reacylate phospholipids and to elongate and desaturate PUFAs, 20 days post hatch (DPH) fish were incubated with either [1-14C]20:4n-6 bound to PC and PE, or with free [1-14C]-labelled fatty acids (18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3). The modulation capacity of both low LC-PUFAs but high 18C PUFAs precursors dietary supply and increasing salinity on larval fatty acid metabolic pathways was also investigated. [1-14C]DHA was incorporated into larval tissues to a lower extent than [1-14C]ARA or [1-14C] EPA. [1-14C]ARA was significantly less abundant in larval tissues when provided bound to PE than when esterified into PC, indicating that PC is a better phospholipid source to provide LC-PUFA to pikeperch larvae. Radioactivity was mainly recovered into phospholipids, especially that of the three LC-PUFAs ARA, EPA and DHA. All substrates were primarily incorporated into PC except [1-14C]ARA which significantly did into PI. Both [1-14C]EPA and [1-14C]DHA showed a similar esterification pattern into lipid classes: PC > PE > PI > TAG, with [1-14C]DHA presenting the highest esterification into PE of all radiolabelled compounds (26.3% vs 3.6-14.2%). Although higher rearing salinities tended to increase ∆6 desaturase activity, no radioactivity from [1-14C]18:2n-6 or [1-14C]18:3n-3 was detected in ARA or EPA, proving a deficiency of Δ5 activity and the inability of pikeperch to biosynthesize DHA. This work provides novel information on the lipid metabolism of pikeperch at early development necessary for the design of live prey enrichment protocols and dietary formulations adapted to larval metabolic capabilities.

Functional diversification of teleost Fads2 fatty acyl desaturases occurs independently of the trophic level.

The long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis capacity of fish varies among species, with trophic level hypothesised as a major factor. The biosynthesis capacity is largely dependent upon the presence of functionally diversified fatty acyl desaturase 2 (Fads2) enzymes, since many teleosts have lost the gene encoding a Δ5 desaturase (Fads1). The present study aimed to characterise Fads2 from four teleosts occupying different trophic levels, namely Sarpa salpa, Chelon labrosus, Pegusa lascaris and Atherina presbyter, which were selected based on available data on functions of Fads2 from closely related species. Therefore, we had insight into the variability of Fads2 within the same phylogenetic group. Our results showed that Fads2 from S. salpa and C. labrosus were both Δ6 desaturases with further Δ8 activity while P. lascaris and A. presbyter Fads2 showed Δ4 activity. Fads2 activities of herbivorous S. salpa are consistent with those reported for carnivorous Sparidae species. The results suggested that trophic level might not directly drive diversification of teleost Fads2 as initially hypothesised, and other factors such as the species' phylogeny appeared to be more influential. In agreement, Fads2 activities from P. lascaris and A. presbyter were similar to their corresponding phylogenetic counterparts Solea senegalensis and Chirostoma estor.

A longitudinal characterization of the Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis airway microbiome.

A diverse microbiota exists within the airways of individuals with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (nCFB). How the lung microbiome evolves over time, and whether changes within the microbiome correlate with future disease progression is not yet known. We assessed the microbial community structure of 133 serial sputa and subsequent disease course of 29 nCFB patients collected over a span of 4-16 years using 16S rRNA paired-end sequencing. Interestingly, no significant shifts in the microbial community of individuals were observed during extended follow-up suggesting the microbiome remains relatively stable over prolonged periods. Samples that were Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture positive displayed markedly different microbial community structures compared to those that were positive for Haemophilus influenzae. Importantly, patients with sputum of lower microbial community diversity were more likely to experience subsequent lung function decline as defined by annual change in ≥-1 FEV1% predicted. Shannon diversity values <1 were more prevalent in patients with FEV1 decline (P = 0.002). However, the relative abundance of particular core microbiota constituents did not associate with risk of decline. Here we present data confirming that the microbiome of nCFB individuals is generally stable, and that microbiome-based measurements may have a prognostic role as biomarkers for nCFB.

The effect of preparation processes on the physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial activity of chitooligosaccharides.

The bioactivities of chitooligosaccharides are markedly influenced by the degree of acetylation, degree of polymerization or molecular weight and pattern of acetylation. Thus, it is crucial to identify reproducible processes that will give rise to well-defined chitooligosaccharides and establish methods for their posterior physicochemical characterization in order to advance in the knowledge of their bioactivity. Chitooligosaccharides were prepared by two different processes. The first used chitosanase enzymatic hydrolysis and the second consisted of a two-step procedure based on chemical hydrolysis followed by chitosanase hydrolysis. Chitooligosaccharides produced in the second process were composed of 63 % of fully deacetylated sequences and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Better antibacterial activity was found for those obtained in the first process composed of 27 % of fully deacetylated sequences. Therefore, a low percentage of free amino groups and the presence of acetylated sequences are necessary in these molecules to exert good antibacterial capacity.

Reacciones Adversas a Medicamentos reportadas como resultado de la implementación de Atención Farmacéutica en la Farmacia Institucional DIGEMID - Ministerio de Salud de Perú / Adverse drug reactions reported as a result of the implementation of pharma- ceutical care in the Institutional Pharmacy DIGEMID - Ministry of Health

Objetivos: Determinar el resultado de la implementación de la Atención Farmacéutica en las notificaciones de sospechas de reacciones adversas de medicamentos (RAM) en los pacientes ambulatorios de la Farmacia Institucional de la DIGEMID. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional y transversal del año 2013. Se emplearon las fichas farmacoterapéuticas de los pacientes atendidos en el año 2013. Se seleccionaron las fichas de los pacientes que tuvieron notificación de sospecha de RAM. Resultados: Se recolectó las notificaciones de sospecha de RAM de 44 pacientes ambulatorios de la Farmacia Institucional de DIGEMID y se procedió a analizar las notificaciones de la RAM. Se notificaron 77 sospecha de RAM y el mayor porcentaje fueron los de trastorno gastrointestinal (26,0%). El medicamento causante del mayor porcentaje de RAM fue carbamazepina (6,7%), siendo los medicamentos relacionados con el sistema nervioso los que presentaron más RAM (28,9%), Según la gravedad la RAM más frecuente fueron las serias (61%) y en cuanto a la categoría de la causalidad el más frecuente fue "probable" (43,1%). Conclusión: La implementación de la atención farmacéutica tuvo un resultado positivo en las notificaciones de las sospechas de RAM en la Farmacia Institucional de DIGEMID

Objectives: To determine the result of the implementation of Pharmaceutical Care in the notifications of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the outpatients of the institutional pharmacy DIGEMID. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013. The pharmacotherapeutic records of the patients that have been seen in 2013 were taken to carry out this study. Particularly, the patients who were reporting suspected ADRs were selected. Results: 44 Notifications of suspected ADR of outpatients from the Institutional Pharmacy of DIGEMID were collected and analyzed. PRM was the most common adverse reaction detected (PRM 5) with 35%. 77 suspected ADRs were related to gastrointestinal disorders (26.0%); this represented the highest percentage. The drug which caused the biggest percentage of the ADRs was nervous system one (28.9%). Regarding the gravity, the serious ADR’s were the most common ones (61%) and taking into account the category of the most frequent ones, causality was "likely" (43.1%). Conclusion: The implementation of pharmaceutical care had a positive result in the notifications of suspected ADR in the institutional pharmacy DIGEMID

Determinacion de la sensibilidad in vitro de diferentes cepas de Trypanosoma cruzi al benznidazol y al extracto de hoja de la planta Zanthoxylum chiloperone / Determination of the in vitro sensitivity of different Trypanosoma cruzi strains to benznidazole and the leaf extract of the plant Zanthoxylum chiloperone

Se evaluo la sensibilidad in vitro al benznidazol y al extracto de hojas de la planta Zanthoxylum chiloperone de diez cepas del Trypanosoma cruzi. Se utilizaron formas epimastigotas de las cepas, pertenecientes a diferentes linajes, diferente procedencia geografica, incluidas tres de Paraguay, y aisladas de hospederos distintos, abarcando humanos, triatominos y animales silvestres. El grado de sensibilidad a la droga y al extracto vegetal fue estimado por el porcentaje de lisis de los parasitos a las 24 y 48 horas de exposicion. Se observo un amplio rango de variacion en el porcentaje de lisis entre las cepas, de 22,2% a 90,8% a la concentracion del benznidazol de 200 ug/mL, con el hallazgo de una cepa con sensibilidad nula al mismo. Con respecto al extracto vegetal, tres concentraciones fueron testadas, de 500, 700 y 900 ug/mL, observandose variaciones en los porcentajes de lisis entre las cepas con las dos primeras concentraciones, entre un 2,1% y 100%, con lisis total en todas las cepas a la concentracion de 900 ug/mL. No se observo asociacion entre la diversidad de respuesta a los compuestos y la clasificacion de las cepas ni con su origen geografico y tipo de hospedero. Estas diferencias observadas resaltan la heterogeneidad de las poblaciones naturales del T. cruzi, aspecto importante a tener en cuenta en los estudios de sensibilidad a quimioterapeuticos y en los tamizajes primarios de nuevos antichagasicos. Asi mismo, se destaca la eficacia del extracto vegetal sobre diferentes cepas de este parasito.

Campaña de atención farmacéutica como estrategia de implementación de los servicios farmacéuticos: experiencia Perú / Pharmaceutical care campaign as a strategy for implementation of pharmaceutical services: experience Peru

Introducción: Se necesita mostrar las actividades farmacéuticas enfocadas en el cuidado de los pacientes, logrando un uso efectivo y seguro del medicamento y, finalmente, alcanzar las metas terapéuticas de los pacientes. Objetivo: Describir las actividades realizadas en una campaña de atención farmacéutica como estrategia para la implementación de servicios farmacéuticos. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, que incluyó a pacientes que asistieron a la farmacia institucional el día de la campaña, quienes recibieron al menos uno de los 3 servicios siguientes: 1. Información sobre medicamentos usando un atril con láminas; 2. Medición de la presión arterial; 3. Seguimiento farmacoterapéutico. Resultados: Se desarrollaron las tres actividades programadas. Un total de 815 personas estuvieron interesadas en la información brindada con el atril con láminas. Un total de 96 personas acudieron para que se les midiera la presión arterial (un 62,5% varones y el resto mujeres). El promedio de edad fue de 67,83 años (desviación estándar [DE]: 13,624). El 25% de los pacientes presentó valores de presión arterial por encima del objetivo terapéutico. El servicio de SFT fue solicitado por 39 pacientes (un 66,66% mujeres y el resto varones). El promedio de edad fue de 64,7 años (DE: 19,7). En 33 se detectaron problemas reales relacionados con los medicamentos, y en 7 problemas potenciales habiéndose tomado el Segundo Consenso de Granada como referencia para la clasifi cación. Se notificaron 12 reacciones adversas a medicamentos, el 50% graves. Conclusión: El desarrollo de la campaña farmacéutica ha permitido obtener datos sobre el uso de medicamentos en enfermedades crónicas y las reacciones adversas, así como valorar en qué medida los pacientes alcanzan sus objetivos terapéuticos. En definitiva, se muestra la urgente necesidad de que los pacientes ambulatorios reciban de modo sistemático servicios farmacéuticos que logren optimizar sus tratamientos farmacológicos(AU)

Introduction: It needs to show pharmaceutical activities focused on patient care, achieving safe and effective use of medication and finally achieve the therapeutic goals of patients. Objective: To describe the activities carry out in a pharmaceutical care campaign as strategy for pharmaceutical service implementation. Material and methods: An observational, descriptive, transversal, which included patients who attended institutional pharmacy day of the campaign, who received at least one of the three following services: 1) drug information using a music stand with sheet; 2) pressure measurement blood, and 3) pharmaceutical care. Results: We developed the 3 programmed activities. 815 people were interested in the information provided with the flip chart. A total of 96 people came for blood pressure measured, 62.5% being male and the other women. The mean (standard deviation) age was 67.83 (13,624). 25% of patients had values greater than 140/90 mmHg. Pharmacotherapy follow up service was requested by 39 patients, 66.66% women and other men. The mean (SD) age was 64.7 (19.7). 33 real DRP and 7 potential DRP were detected. It was notifi ed 12 reports of adverse drug reactions, with 50% of serious gravity. Conclusion: The development of pharmaceutical campaign has yielded data on medication use in chronic diseases, adverse reactions and to what extent patients reach their therapeutic goals, which shows the urgent need for patients to receive services in a systematic achieve optimized pharmaceutical drug treatments for outpatients(AU)

Effect of oxygen injection in a reclaimed wastewater pipeline on the microbiological quality of water.

In this work the influence of oxygen injection on the inactivation of microbiological indicators during reclaimed wastewater transportation was studied. Experiments were carried out in a completely filled gravity pipe (62 km long), at two different periods of the year and with three different oxygen doses (7, 15 and 30 mg L(-1)). Microbiological parameters studied were faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci and somatic coliphages. As a consequence of the oxygen injection, a significant inactivation of the microbiological parameters was observed during the aerobic stretch of the pipe. Later, once the oxygen had been consumed, inactivation stopped and even a slight regrowth of the microbial population took place. Inactivations were within the range of 0.6-1.0 log10 units, in most cases. No significant differences between inactivations for the different microbiological parameters were found, except for the somatic coliphages. A relationship between the inactivation degree and oxygen dose and organic matter content was observed. The biofilm played an important role in the inactivation process. The injection of oxygen contributes to improving the microbiological quality of reclaimed wastewater during its transport by pipelines, helping to diminish the subsequent on-site disinfection requirements.

Immuno-enzymatic evaluation of the recombinant TSSA-II protein of Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs and human sera: a tool for epidemiological studies.

The rTSSA-II (recombinant Trypomastigote Small Surface II) antigen was evaluated by ELISA to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in sera from naturally infected dogs and humans. For this evaluation ELISA-rTSSA-II was standardized and groups were classified according to the results obtained through xenodiagnosis, ELISA and PCR. Sensitivity (Se), Specificity (Sp), Kappa index (KI) and area under curve (AUC) were determined. The Se was determined by using 14 sera from dogs infected with T. cruzi VI (TcVI) whereas Sp was determined by using 95 non-chagasic sera by xenodiagnosis, ELISA-Homogenate and PCR. The performance of ELISA-rTSSA-II in dog sera was high (AUC=0·93 and KI=0·91). The Se was 92·85% (1 false negative) and Sp was 100%. Two sera from dogs infected with TcI and 1 with TcIII were negative. For patients infected with T. cruzi, reactivity was 87·8% (36/41), there was only 1 indeterminate, and Sp was 100%. Fifty-four sera from non-chagasic and 68 sera from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis did not react with rTSS-II. ELISA-rTSSA-II showed a high performance when studying sera from naturally infected dogs and it also presented 100% Sp. This assay could be an important tool to carry out sero-epidemiological surveys on the prevalence of T. cruzi circulating lineages in the region.

Dynamic expression of the p53 family members p63 and p73 in the mouse and human telencephalon during development and in adulthood.

p63 and p73, family members of the tumor suppressor p53, are critically involved in the life and death of mammalian cells. They display high homology and may act in concert. The p73 gene is relevant for brain development, and p73-deficient mice display important malformations of the telencephalon. In turn, p63 is essential for the development of stratified epithelia and may also play a part in neuronal survival and aging. We show here that p63 and p73 are dynamically expressed in the embryonic and adult mouse and human telencephalon. During embryonic stages, Cajal-Retzius cells derived from the cortical hem co-express p73 and p63. Comparison of the brain phenotypes of p63- and p73- deficient mice shows that only the loss of p73 function leads to the loss of Cajal-Retzius cells, whereas p63 is apparently not essential for brain development and Cajal-Retzius cell formation. In postnatal mice, p53, p63, and p73 are present in cells of the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle, a site of continued neurogenesis. The neurogenetic niche is reduced in size in p73-deficient mice, and the numbers of young neurons near the ventricular wall, marked with doublecortin, Tbr1 and calretinin, are dramatically decreased, suggesting that p73 is important for SVZ proliferation. In contrast to their restricted expression during brain development, p73 and p63 are widely detected in pyramidal neurons of the adult human cortex and hippocampus at protein and mRNA levels, pointing to a role of both genes in neuronal maintenance in adulthood.

Niveles séricos del antígeno prostático específico (PSA) dentro de la campaña de prevención del cáncer de próstata / Serum levels of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the prostate cancer prevention campaign

La determinación del antígeno prostático específico (PSA) forma parte del diagnóstico del cáncer de próstata. Como en condiciones patológicas sus niveles aumentan, es considerado marcador tumoral útil de diagnóstico de cáncer de próstata en forma precoz. Determinamos los niveles séricos de PSA, dentro de la campaña “Semana de la Próstata” organizado por la Cátedra de Urología del Hospital de Clínicas en Octubre 2007. De los 89 pacientes, el 86,5% presentó niveles de PSA entre 0 y 4ng/ml, 10,1% entre 4 y 10 ng/ml y el 3,4% entre 10 y 40 ng/ml respectivamente. Se realizó una distribución por edad y se determinaron las medias de los valores de PSA en los mismos. El 12,4% del grupo E1 (41 a 50 años) con 0,5ng/ml de PSA, el 52,8% del grupo E2 (51 a 60 años) con 7,4ng/ml de PSA, el 28,1% del grupo E3 (61 a 70 años) con 5,2ng/ml de PSA y el 6,7% del grupo E4 (71 a 80 años) con 1,5 ng/ml de PSA. Hallándose valores más elevados de PSA en el grupo E2 y E3, no así en el grupo E4. En relación al tacto rectal (TR) y los valores del PSA, el 31,5%(28) presentaron TR normal con un valor medio de PSA de 3,4. Mientras que el 65,1% (58) presentaban TR patológico con valores medios de PSA de 7,17 en 55 pacientes y sólo 3 pacientes con TR patológico presentaron niveles de PSA por debajo de 2,5 ng/ml. El TR resultó ser la variable con mayor poder de discriminación, con respecto al resultado de PSA en estos pacientes.

The determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is part of the diagnosis of prostate cancer.It is considered an useful tumor marker for early diagnosis of porostate cancer because in pathological conditions its levels increase.Serum levels of PSA were determined within the campaign "Prostate Week" organized by the Department of Urology of the Hospital de Clínicas in October 2007.;Of the 89 patients, 86.5% had PSA levels between 0 and 4 ng/ml, 10.1% between 4 and 10 ng/ml and 3.4% between 10 and 40 ng/ml respectively. An age distribution was made and the mean of PSA values were determined in each group. Twelve point four percent of group E1 (41 to 50 years) had 0.5 ng/ml of PSA, 52.8% of group E2 (51 to 60 years) 7.4 ng/ml PSA, 28.1% of E3 group (61 to 70 years) 5.2 ng/ ml of PSA and 6.7% of the E4 group (71 to 80 years) had 1.5 ng/ml of PSA.The highest values of PSA were found in E2 and E3 groups, but not in the E4 group. In relation to digital rectal examination (DRE) and PSA values, 31.5% (28) showed normal DRE with a mean value of PSA of 3.4 while 65.1% (58) had pathological DRE with mean values of PSA of 7.17 in 55 patients and only 3 patients had pathological TR with PSA levels below 2.5 ng/ml. The DRE was the variable with the greatest ability to discriminate in relation to the results of PSA in these patients.

Neurons in the white matter of the adult human neocortex.

The white matter (WM) of the adult human neocortex contains the so-called "interstitial neurons". They are most numerous in the superficial WM underlying the cortical gyri, and decrease in density toward the deep WM. They are morphologically heterogeneous. A subgroup of interstitial neurons display pyramidal-cell like morphologies, characterized by a polarized dendritic tree with a dominant apical dendrite, and covered with a variable number of dendritic spines. In addition, a large contingent of interstitial neurons can be classified as interneurons based on their neurochemical profile as well as on morphological criteria. WM- interneurons have multipolar or bipolar shapes and express GABA and a variety of other neuronal markers, such as calbindin and calretinin, the extracellular matrix protein reelin, or neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, and nitric oxide synthase. The heterogeneity of interstitial neurons may be relevant for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and schizophrenia. Interstitial neurons are most prominent in human brain, and only rudimentary in the brain of non-primate mammals. These evolutionary differences have precluded adequate experimental work on this cell population, which is usually considered as a relict of the subplate, a transient compartment proper of development and without a known function in the adult brain. The primate-specific prominence of the subplate in late fetal stages points to an important role in the establishment of interstitial neurons. Neurons in the adult WM may be actively involved in coordinating inter-areal connectivity and regulation of blood flow. Further studies in primates will be needed to elucidate the developmental history, adult components and activities of this large neuronal system.

Identification of genotypes of Giardia intestinalis of human isolates in Egypt.

In Egypt, the genotyping study of Giardia intestinalis in human is limited. To determine the prevalence of G. intestinalis, faecal samples were collected from Egypt. Samples were concentrated using density gradient centrifugation. The samples were subjected to PCR and DNA sequence analysis for TPI gene. Prevalence of Giardia infection was 34.6% of 52 examined. DNA sequence showed that the Assemblage B was the most prevalent (80%) genotype, the 15% of the positive samples belonged to Assemblage E, and the 5% of them belonged to Assemblage A. Certainly, both genotypes A and B are highly common in human worldwide. However, up to now, Assemblage E had not been known to be infectious for humans. Therefore, this is the first time that Assemblage E is reported in human. However, further analyses of a second locus are required to confirm this result. The extent to which Giardia-infected cattle in Egypt might pose a risk of human infection is unknown.