Virulence Factors of the Gut Microbiome Are Associated with BMI and Metabolic Blood Parameters in Children with Obesity.

The development of metabolic diseases is linked to the gut microbiota. A cross-sectional study involving 45 children (6 to 12 years old) was conducted to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements, food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), and feces samples were obtained. Using the body mass index (BMI) z-score, we categorized each participant as normal weight (NW), or overweight and obese (OWOB). We determined 2 dietary profiles: one with complex carbohydrates and proteins (pattern 1), and the other with saturated fat and simple carbohydrates (pattern 2). The microbial taxonomic diversity and metabolic capacity were determined using shotgun metagenomics. We found differences between both BMI groups diversity. Taxa contributing to this difference, included Eubacterium sp., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Dialister, Monoglobus pectinilyticus, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Intestinibacter bartlettii, Bacteroides intestinalis, Bacteroides uniformis, and Methanobrevibacter smithii. Metabolic capacity differences found between NW and OWOB, included the amino acid biosynthesis pathway, the cofactor, carrier, and vitamin biosynthesis pathway, the nucleoside and nucleotide biosynthesis and degradation pathways, the carbohydrate-sugar degradation pathway, and the amine and polyamine biosynthesis pathway. We found significant associations between taxa such as Ruminococcus, Mitsuokella multacida, Klebsiella variicola, and Citrobacter spp., metabolic pathways with the anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary data. We also found the microbiome's lipooligosaccharide (LOS) category as differentially abundant between BMI groups. Metabolic variations emerge during childhood as a result of complex nutritional and microbial interactions, which should be explained in order to prevent metabolic illnesses in adolescence and maturity. IMPORTANCE The alteration of gut microbiome composition has been commonly observed in diseases involving inflammation, such as obesity and metabolic impairment. Inflammatory host response in the gut can be a consequence of dietary driven dysbiosis. This response is conducive to blooms of particular bacterial species, adequate to survive in an inflammatory environment by means of genetical capability of utilizing alternative nutrients. Understanding the genomic and metabolic contribution of microbiota to inflammation, including virulence factor prevalence and functional potential, will contribute to identifying modifiable early life exposures and preventive strategies associated with obesity risk in childhood.

Lack of evidence for Mycoplasma spp. in bulk tank milk of herds located in mid-western Colombia / Falta de evidencia para Mycoplasma spp. en leche de tanques de enfriamiento de hatos del centro-occidente colombiano

ABSTRACT Mycoplasma spp. is reported as a highly contagious mastitis-causing bacteria in dairy cattle, without successful or low response to most common antibiotic treatments due to the lack of cell wall. In Colombia it has been reported in the Central Andean region during 2014. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. in bulk tank milk using microbiological and molecular diagnosis. A random longitudinal study enrolling 220 commercial dairy farms located in four provinces of the mid-western region of Colombia from four pasteurizer companies was performed. Bulk tank milk samples were collected once monthly for three months period for determining somatic cell count (SCC) and microbiological and molecular diagnosis of Mycoplasma spp. cultures were done without pre-enrichment procedures directly in mycoplasma agar with cefoperazone to inhibit growth of opportunistic microorganisms, plates were incubated under 37° C and atmosphere of 10% CO2 and inspected during a 10d period. Molecular analysis was done by a multiplex PCR using specific primers targeting the 16S-23S rARN gene of Mycoplasma spp. and from non-pathogenic bacteria occasionally found in milk. LnSCC average of included dairy farms was 6.19 x103 cells/mL, Mycoplasma spp. was not isolated during microbiological cultures, and no DNA belonging to the species was detected by PCR in the 220 bulk tanks milk, with an estimated prevalence lower than 2.3%. This finding shows that there is not microbiological or molecular evidence that demonstrates the presence of the pathogen in the milk from the mid-western region of Colombia at herd level.

RESUMEN Mycoplasma spp. está descrito como una bacteria causante de mastitis altamente contagiosa en ganado lechero, sin o con baja respuesta a tratamientos antibióticos convencionales debido a que carece de pared celular. En Colombia ha sido reportado en la región Andina Central durante 2014. El objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia de Mycoplasma spp. en leche de tanques de enfriamiento empleando diagnósticos microbiológicos y moleculares. Se realizó un estudio aleatorio longitudinal que incluyó 220 lecherías comerciales en cuatro departamentos del centro-occidente colombiano acopiadas por cuatro compañías pasteurizadoras. Se recolectaron muestras de leche del tanque de enfriamiento mensualmente durante tres meses para determinar el recuento de células somáticas (SCC) y el diagnóstico microbiològico y molecular de Mycoplasma spp. Los cultivos se realizaron sin procedimientos de preenriquecimiento directamente en agar micoplasma con cefoperazona para inhibir crecimiento de microorganismos oportunistas, los agares se incubaron a 37° C con una atmosfera del 10% CO2 e inspeccionados durante 10d. Los análisis moleculares se realizaron por PCR multiplex usando cebadores específicos para los genes 16S-23S rRNA del Mycoplasma spp. y de algunas bacterias oportunistas ocasionales en la leche. El promedio del LnSCC fue de 6.19 x103 células/ mL, Mycoplasma spp. no fue aislado de los cultivos microbiológicos y no se encontró ADN de a esta especie mediante PCR en los 220 tanques de leche. Lo anterior indica una prevalencia estimada menor a 2,3%. Se concluye que no existe evidencia micro-biológica ni molecular para demostrar la presencia del patógeno en la leche de la región centro-occidente colombiana a nivel de hato.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND MECHANISTIC STUDIES OF UREQUINONA, A MOLECULE FROM ROOTS OF PENTALINON ANDRIEUXII MUELL-ARG THAT HEALS MURINE LEISHMANIA MEXICANA INFECTION.

In this work we tested both the in vitro and in vivo anti-Leishmania mexicana activity of a molecule we originally identified in the root of Pentalinon andrieuxii Muell-Arg, a plant that is widely used in Mayan traditional medicine. The chemical name of this molecule is 24-methylcholesta-4-24(28)-dien-3-one, but for simplicity's sake, we assigned the short and trivial name of urequinona that will be used throughout this work. It induces necrosis and apoptosis of promastigotes cultured in vitro and extensive ultrastructural damage of amastigotes. It also induces production of Interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ by splenic cells from infected and urequinona treated mice stimulated in vitro with parasite antigen (Ag) but inhibits the production of IL-6 and IL-12p70 by bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) infected in vitro and then treated with urequinona. It also induces activation of transcription factors such as NFkB and AP-1 (NFkB/AP-1) in RAW reporter cells. We also developed a novel pharmaceutical preparation of urequinona encapsulated in hydroxyethyl cellulose for dermal application that significantly reduced (P < 0.05) experimentally induced ear lesions of C57BL/6 mice. We conclude the preparation containing this molecule is a good candidate for a novel anti-leishmanial drug's preparation.

Different distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence profiles of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clinical mastitis in six countries.

Staphylococcus aureus is recognized worldwide as one of the main contagious mastitis agents in cattle and can express a set of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence-associated genes that explain the wide range of outcomes of intramammary infections. Staphylococcus aureus strains are heterogeneous: their different resistance and virulence patterns, associated with host-level factors and treatment factors, are related to the severity of infection. The aim of this study was to determine phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility, occurrence of selected antimicrobial resistance genes and other virulence genes in 93 S. aureus strains isolated from clinical mastitis in 6 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, the United States (New York State), and South Africa. These isolates were tested against a total of 16 drugs (amoxicillin-clavulanate, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefquinome, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, lincomycin, oxacillin, penicillin, rifampin, spiramycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, tylosin) by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, and examined for the presence of 6 antibiotic-resistance genes (blaZ, mecA, mecC, ermA, ermB, ermC) and 6 virulence-associated genes (scn, chp, sak, hla, hlb, sea) via PCR analysis. The phenotypic results of this study revealed the presence of 19.4% penicillin-resistant strains, whereas 22.6% of the strains were classified as having resistance (5.4%) or intermediate resistance (17.2%) to erythromycin. Most (96.8%) of the isolates were inhibited by cephalosporins, and all were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate. Two strains (1 from Germany, 1 from Italy) were resistant to oxacillin and were positive for mecA. Among the other antimicrobial resistance genes, the most frequently detected was blaZ (46.2%), and 32.3% of the isolates were positive for erm genes: ermC (21.5%) and ermB (10.8%). The most prevalent virulence gene was hla (100%), followed by hlb (84.9%) and sea (65.6%). These results show a low prevalence of antibiotic multidrug resistance in S. aureus isolates, even if the detection of selected antimicrobial resistance genes did not always correspond with the occurrence of phenotypic antibiotic resistance; the immune evasion cluster gene prevalence was quite low in the samples analyzed.

Bacteremia by colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolate: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections are a major public health problem worldwide, requiring the use of "old" antibiotics such as polymyxin B and E (colistin). However, there is concern regarding the emergence of isolates resistant to these antibiotics. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 64-year-old mestizo man hospitalized in an intensive care unit of a health institution in Colombia with identification and clinical and molecular typing of a colistin- and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolate with mechanisms of resistance to colistin not previously reported, causing bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a strain of A. baumannii with mechanisms of resistance to colistin not previously reported in a patient with bacteremia who required treatment with multiple antibiotic schemes and had an adequate response.

Microencapsulated feruloyl esterase-producing lactobacilli ameliorate lipid profile and glycaemia in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

The effect of oral administration of spray-dried microcapsules of feruloyl esterase (FE) producing Lactobacillus fermentum CRL1446 (Lf) and Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1231 (Lj) on high fat diet-induced obese mice was investigated to evaluate whether these strains could be used as a biotherapeutic for obesity. Swiss albino mice were divided into a normal diet fed group receiving empty microcapsules (control), a high fat diet plus empty microcapsules (HFD group), HFD plus microcapsules with Lf (HFD-Lf group) and HDF plus microcapsules with Lj (HFD-Lj group). Microcapsules containing Lf or Lj at a dose of ~107 cells/day/mouse were given orally for 7 weeks. Body weight gain, adiposity index, plasma leptin, lipid profiles, glycaemia, insulinemia, oral glucose tolerance, intestinal FE, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were determined. Administration of lactobacilli (HFD-Lf and HFD-Lj groups) improved metabolic parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels) and cardiovascular risk indicators (37-46% decrease of atherogenic index), and reduced body weight gain (29-38%), adiposity index (42-62%), plasma leptin levels, liver weight and fat deposition in liver. Intestinal FE activities significantly increased in HFD-Lf (62%) and HFD-Lj group (48%), thus improving hepatic GR activity (42% increment) compared to HFD group. Moreover, L. johnsonii increased HDL-cholesterol and L. fermentum reduced blood glucose to levels similar to the control. These FE-producing lactobacilli have the potential to improve biomarkers involved in obesity by increasing intestinal FE activity.

Decanethiol functionalized silver nanoparticles are new powerful leishmanicidals in vitro.

We evaluated, for the first time, the leishmanicidal potential of decanethiol functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNps-SCH) on promastigotes and amastigotes of different strains and species of Leishmania: L. mexicana and L. major isolated from different patients suffering from localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and L. mexicana isolated from a patient suffering from diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). We recorded the kinetics of promastigote growth by daily parasite counting for 5 days, promastigote mobility, parasite reproduction by CFSE staining's protocol and promastigote killing using the propidium iodide assay. We also recorded IC50's of promastigotes and amastigotes, therapeutic index, and cytotoxicity by co-culturing macrophages with AgNps-SCH or sodium stibogluconate (Sb) used as reference drug. We used Sb as a reference drug since it is used as the first line treatment for all different types of leishmaniasis. At concentrations 10,000 times lower than those used with Sb, AgNps-SCH had a remarkable leishmanicidal effect in all tested strains of parasites and there was no toxicity to J774A.1 macrophages since > 85% were viable at the concentrations used. Therapeutic index was about 20,000 fold greater than the corresponding one for Sb treated cells. AgNps-SCH inhibited > 80% promastigote proliferation in all tested parasites. These results demonstrate there is a high leishmanicidal potential of AgNps-SCH at concentrations of 0.04 µM. Although more studies are needed, including in vivo testing of AgNps-SCH against different types of leishmaniasis, they can be considered a potential new treatment alternative.

The association between subclinical mastitis around calving and reproductive performance in grazing dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of subclinical mastitis (SCM) on calving-to-first-service interval (CFS), calving-to-conception interval (CC), and on the number of services per conception (S/C) in grazing Holstein and Normande cows. Primiparous (n=43) and multiparous (n=165) cows were selected from five dairy herds. Two composite milk samples were aseptically collected from each cow at drying-off, and then every week during the first postpartum month. One sample was used for somatic cell count (SCC), and the other one for bacteriological analysis. Cows were followed up to 300 d after calving. Non-parametric and parametric survival models, and negative binomial regression were used to assess the association between SCM, evaluated by SCC and milk culture, and reproductive indices. Staphylococcus aureus, CNS, and Streptococcus uberis were the most frequent isolated pathogens. Subclinical mastitis in the first month of lactation was not associated with CFS; however, the CC interval was longer in cows with SCM compared to healthy cows, the former also had a higher number of S/C.

Remediación de residuos sólidos contaminados con Cr(vi) por un hongo filamentoso / Remediation of waste contaminated with Cr (VI) by a filamentous fungus

La biotecnología ambiental recurre a organismos capaces de reducir los niveles de metales pesados, entre ellos el Cr(VI), contenido en residuos y efluentes agroindustriales. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar la biorremediación de un residuo como pulpa de limón contaminada con Cr(VI) y el efecto del metal sobre el crecimiento fúngico. Se utilizaron tres hongos filamentosos como Aspergillus niger; Penicillium expansum y P. islandicum para remediar pulpa de limón (residuo) contaminada con Cr(VI) (50 mg/L) que se realizó en las siguientes condiciones de cultivo: la pulpa se suplementó con urea, 0,006; (NH4) 2SO4, 0,012; KH2PO4,0,003 y KCl, 0,001 g/ g; 105 conidios/g, a pH 2,5, 30°C y 96 h de incubación. Se estudió el efecto tóxico de diferentes concentraciones (5; 10; 20 y 50 mg/L) del metal sobre el desarrollo del hongo de mayor eficiencia de remediación (Ef. por ciento). Aspergillus niger; obtuvo mayor EF. de remediación (97 por ciento) respecto a Penicillium expansum (95 por ciento) y P. islandicum (94 por ciento), del residuo contaminado con 50 mg/L de Cr(VI). Se determinó que la presencia de Cr(VI) y no su concentración estimuló la maduración temprana (48 h) de los conidios (blancos a negros) de A. niger, sin que se observe alteraciones en el micelio con respecto al control (72h), desarrollado en la pulpa sin el metal. En conclusión, A. niger fue más resistente y presentó altas Ef. de remediación de Cr(VI) de residuos sólidos, este proceso es una alternativa a las tecnologías físico-químicas, debido que los microorganismos pueden remover selectivamente diferentes iones de zonas contaminadas.

Environmental biotechnology uses organisms capable of reducing levels of heavy metals, including the Cr (VI), contained in waste and agro-industrial effluents. The objective of this work was to study bioremediation of waste contaminated with Cr(VI) lemon pulp and the effect of the metal on the fungal growth. We used three filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus niger; Penicillium expansum and P. islandicum to remedy pulp from lemon (residue) contaminated with Cr(VI) (50 mg/L) that was conducted in the following conditions of cultivation: the pulp is supplemented with urea, 0.006; (NH4) 2SO4, 0.012; KH2PO4, 0.003 and KCl, 0.001 g / g; 105 conidia/g, at pH 2.5, 30 ° C and 96 h of incubation. We studied the toxic effect of different concentrations (5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/L) of the metal on the development of the fungus increased efficiency of remediation (Ef. percent). Aspergillus niger; obtained greater EF. remediation (97 percent) with respect to Penicillium expansum (95 percent) and P. islandicum (94 percent), 50 mg/L of Cr (VI)-contaminated waste. It was determined that the presence of Cr (VI) and not its concentration stimulated early maturation (48 h) of conidia (white on black) from A. niger, unless you observe alterations in the mycelium as compared to the control (72 h), developed in the pulp without the metal. In conclusion, A. niger was stronger and presented high Ef. remediation of Cr (VI) waste, this process is an alternative to physico-chemical technologies, due to the micro-organisms be removed selectively different ions from contaminated areas.

Analysis of the genotypic diversity of strains of Helicobacter pylori isolated from pediatric patients in Mexico.

Genotypic differences in Helicobacter pylori play an important role in infection. We characterized the diversity of the cagA, cagE, babA2, and vacA genes in H. pylori strains isolated from pediatric patients and the relationship between these genes and clinical disease. Additionally, we employed the Neighbor-net algorithm to predict the behavior of the genotypes of the strains isolated from patients. Of 93 patients analyzed, 32 were positive for infection. A total of 160 H. pylori strains (five isolates per positive patient) were analyzed. A total of 91% and 83% of strains possessed the cagA and cagE genes, respectively. For the vacA gene, 84% of strains possessed the s1 allele, 15% the s2 allele, 81% the m1 allele and 13.8% the m2 allele. The babA2 gene was present in 79% of strains. Infection with H. pylori strains with the vacA (s1m1) genotype was associated with risk of esophagitis and gastritis (p=0.0001). The combination of cagA and vacA (s1m1) was significantly associated with abdominal pain (p=0.002); however, EPIYA type was not significantly associated with abdominal pain. A total of 16 different genotypes were identified; the most common genotype was vacAs1m1cagA+cagE+babA2+ (47.5%). A total of 84% of pediatric patients were infected by at least two and up to five different genotypes. The network recovered two genotype groups (A: strains with vacAs1 and B: strains with vacAs2). The presence of multiple paths in the network suggests that reticulate events, such as recombination or reinfection, have contributed to the observed genotypic diversity.

Mujeres violentadas durante el embarazo y el parto: experiencias de parteras en Jalisco, México / Abused women during pregnacy and childbirth : experience from midwives in Jalisco, Mexico

OBJETIVO: explorar la experiencia y perspectiva de parteras con mujeres violentadas durante el embarazo y el parto en Jalisco, México. METODOLOGIA: se llevó a cabo un estudio cualitativo en zona rural de Jalisco, México, entre mayo y octubre de 2011 con 24 parteras, utilizando la entrevista individual, modalidad historia de vida pautada y la asamblea participativa regional como técnicas de indagación; posteriormente, los discursos fueron analizados bajo el modelo actancial semiótico. RESULTADOS : familiaridad de las parteras con la violencia hacia la mujer durante el embarazo y el parto, atribuida principalmente a aspectos de género y ruralidad; señalan al binomio violencia-embarazo como factor de riesgo para presentar problemas obstétricos, siendo la violencia física la que más encuentran y a la pareja como principal agresor. Resalta su capacidad de diálogo y escucha activa en identificación de violencia. Refieren posibilidad de ser escuchadas en la generación de acciones frente a este problema. DISCUSION:necesidad de asumir una postura política estatal sobre la partería, que permita reconocer su papel en la sociedad y la posibilidad de incorporarlas en las acciones que hacen frente al problema de la violencia, y valorar los elementos propios de su ejercicio en la detección y manejo de estas mujeres.

OBJECTIVE:to explore the experiences and perspectives that a group of midwives from Jalisco, Mexico had with women who were abused during pregnancy and childbirth . METHODOLOGY: a qualitative study was conducted in a rural zone of Jalisco, Mexico, between May and October 2011 with 24 midwives. The techniques used to obtain the data were: individual interviews, life history, and the participatory regional assembly. After collecting the discourses, these were analyzed using the semiotic actantial model. RESULTS:the midwives are familiar with the violence exercised against women during the pregnancy and birth process; this is mainly attributed tolocation- and sex-related aspects,which in turn shows the combination of pregnancy and violence as a risk factor for obstetrical problems. In addition, physical violence was the most common type of abuse, and the woman’s partner was the main aggressor. Finally, the midwives’ ability to speak, listen and identify the cases of violence is worth mentioning. CONCLUSION: it is necessary to assume a political stance on midwives that would help recognize their goal in society and incorporate them into any actions taken to stop domestic violence while valuing the midwives’ efforts to identify and aid thesemothers.

Disfunción diafragmática inducida por ventilación mecánica / Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction

The ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is a group of disorders caused by the inactivity of the diaphragm muscle during controlled mechanical ventilation. From a structural point of view, the diaphragm subjected to mechanical ventilation undergoes an atrophy process, in which decreased synthesis and increased muscle protein degradation are observed. Recent research has identified different molecular signaling pathways that link both processes in the diaphragm, describing compelling evidence that shows that oxidative stress contributes to this phenomenon. Also, functional changes characterized by a reduction in stress and fatigue resistance, associated with an increase in the maximum shortening velocity are observed. The purpose of the present review is to analyze the impact of mechanical ventilation on the structure and function of the diaphragm muscle. Clinical implications and potential preventive steps are discussed. Since the duration of mechanical ventilation is the primary responsible for the absence of mechanical stimulation on the diaphragm, the use of ventilatory strategies for successful early weaning and early use of partial modalities should be the main pillars in the prevention of this condition.

La disfunción diafragmática inducida por ventilación mecánica consiste en un conjunto de alteraciones producidas por la inactividad del músculo diafragma durante la ventilación mecánica controlada. A nivel estructural, el diafragma sometido a ventilación mecánica experimenta un proceso de atrofia por desuso, en el que se observa una disminución de la síntesis y aumento en la degradación de proteínas musculares. Recientemente se han identificado diferentes rutas de señalización molecular que vinculan ambos procesos en el diafragma, existiendo evidencia fehaciente que el estrés oxidativo contribuye a este fenómeno. Concomitantemente, se han observado cambios funcionales caracterizados por una reducción de la fuerza y resistencia a la fatiga, asociado a un incremento en la velocidad máxima de acortamiento. El objetivo principal de esta revisión es analizar el impacto de la ventilación mecánica sobre la estructura y función del músculo diafragma. Además se discuten implicancias clínicas y potenciales intervenciones preventivas para esta emergente entidad. Dado que el tiempo de permanencia en ventilación mecánica controlada es el principal factor responsable de la ausencia de estímulo mecánico sobre el diafragma, el empleo de estrategias de destete ventilatorio precoz y el uso temprano de modalidades parciales, debieran constituir los pilares de su prevención.

Overexpression of a monomeric form of the bovine odorant-binding protein protects Escherichia coli from chemical-induced oxidative stress.

Mammalian odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are soluble lipocalins produced in the nasal mucosa and in other epithelial tissues of several animal species, where they are supposed to serve as scavengers for small structurally unrelated hydrophobic molecules. These would include odorants and toxic aldehydes like 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), which are end products of lipid peroxidation; therefore OBP might physiologically contribute to preserve the integrity of epithelial tissues under oxidative stress conditions by removing toxic compounds from the environment and, eventually, driving them to the appropriate degradative pathways. With the aim of developing a biological model based on a living organism for the investigation of the antioxidant properties of OBP, here we asked whether the overexpression of the protein could confer protection from chemical-induced oxidative stress in Escherichia coli. To this aim, bacteria were made to overexpress either GCC-bOBP, a redesigned monomeric mutant of bovine OBP, or its amino-terminal 6-histidine-tagged version 6H-GCC-bOBP. After inducing overexpression for 4 h, bacterial cells were diluted in fresh culture media, and their growth curves were followed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH), two reactive oxygen species whose toxicity is mainly due to lipid peroxidation, and menadione, a redox-cycling drug producing the superoxide ion. GCC-bOBP and 6H-GCC-bOBP were found to protect bacterial cells from the insulting agents H2O2 and tBuOOH but not from menadione. The obtained data led us to hypothesize that the presence of overexpressed OBP may contribute to protect bacterial cells against oxidative stress probably by sequestering toxic compounds locally produced during the first replication cycles by lipid peroxidation, before bacteria activate their appropriate enzyme-based antioxidative mechanisms.

[Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction]. / Disfunción diafragmática inducida por ventilación mecánica.

The ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is a group of disorders caused by the inactivity of the diaphragm muscle during controlled mechanical ventilation. From a structural point of view, the diaphragm subjected to mechanical ventilation undergoes an atrophy process, in which decreased synthesis and increased muscle protein degradation are observed. Recent research has identified different molecular signaling pathways that link both processes in the diaphragm, describing compelling evidence that shows that oxidative stress contributes to this phenomenon. Also, functional changes characterized by a reduction in stress and fatigue resistance, associated with an increase in the maximum shortening velocity are observed. The purpose of the present review is to analyze the impact of mechanical ventilation on the structure and function of the diaphragm muscle. Clinical implications and potential preventive steps are discussed. Since the duration of mechanical ventilation is the primary responsible for the absence of mechanical stimulation on the diaphragm, the use of ventilatory strategies for successful early weaning and early use of partial modalities should be the main pillars in the prevention of this condition.

Noninferiority trial on the efficacy of premilking teat disinfectant against naturally occurring new intramammary infections using a novel 2-step diagnostic process.

The objective of the study was to evaluate premilking teat disinfectant efficacy with the use of a novel diagnostic protocol against a positive control. The evaluation of efficacy was based on establishing noninferiority of a new premilking teat disinfectant compared with an existing premilking teat disinfectant. Approximately 200 cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups. Study personnel were blinded as to cow allocation and identification of the premilking disinfectants. Quarters were disinfected using a dip cup before milking with either the control or experimental product. The disinfectant was left on the teat for approximately 30s before being wiped off in preparation for milking. Quarter-level bacteriological infection status was established at the beginning of the study and quarter milk samples were collected biweekly thereafter. Bacteriological analyses were performed only when somatic cell counts in milk samples crossed a parity-specific threshold. Poisson regression models were used to analyze data. The difference in the rate of new intramammary infections was small and the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval of the rate difference was smaller than a predefined noninferiority limit. Based on the observed difference in new intramammary infections rate between the experimental and control product, it was concluded that the experimental disinfectant was not inferior compared with the positive control. The protocol used in this study proposes a valid and economically attractive methodology to evaluate the efficacy of teat disinfectants relative to a positive control.

Patients with chronic-form paracoccidioidomycosis present high serum levels of IgE anti-paracoccidioides brasiliensis Gp70.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a disease caused by the Paracoccidioides genus, which includes P. brasiliensis and the new phylogenetic species P. lutzii. Resistance to this infection has been correlated with a Th1 pattern of cellular immune response, while susceptibility is correlated to an intense humoral immune response with an increase in IgE levels. Serum levels of IgE and IgG anti-gp70 and anti-exoantigen in chronic PCM were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed a higher gp70 concentration in somatic antigen (SA) than in cell-free antigen (CFA) preparation and significantly higher levels of IgE and IgG anti-gp70 in chronic PCM patients' serum (n = 12) than in normal human serum (n = 12) (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed a strong correlation between IgG and IgE anti-gp70 (r = 0.8424). Additionally, IgE purified from a pool of acute and chronic PCM patient's serum was analyzed by immunoblotting. The patients with the acute form of the disease showed strong bands for gp43 and gp70 in SA but only for gp43 in CFA. In patients with the chronic form, solely the gp43 band was observed. In conclusion, we found that SA is a better source of gp70 than CFA is, and chronic PCM patients show high levels of IgE anti-gp70. This finding suggests that the Th2 immune response is potentially induced by gp70 in PCM disease, which calls for further study.

Equine pythiosis: report in crossed bred (Criole Venezuelan) horses.

Pythium insidiosum is a pathogenic oomycete known since 1890 that causes pythiosis in mammals. In this report, seven P. insidiosum isolates were recovered from Venezuelan horses and were characterized. The strains were recovered from biopsied tissues and kunkers collected from granulomatous masses located on the hind limb and from a nodular lesion in the left upper eyelid, which decrease the ability of the horses to be used for working purposes. The methods used to identify P. insidiosum isolates were based on the production of sporangia and zoospores, histopathology and PCR assay. To further characterize these strains, portions of the 18S rRNA genes of the seven isolates were sequenced. The sequences showed high homology to previously described P. insidiosum DNA sequences available in GenBank. Similar studies based on the morphological, histological and molecular data identified the etiological agent in samples of granulomatous lesions in these equines as P. insidiosum. In America, the infection has been diagnosed more frequently in equines of Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and the United States of America.

Preeclampsia: mediadores moleculares del daño placentario / Preeclampsia: molecular mediators of placental damage

La preeclampsia se constituye como una de las complicaciones más serias del embarazo y una causa importante de mortalidad materna y perinatal. Pese a ser una de las patologías del embarazo más estudiadas, muchas dudas e incertidumbre rondan aún acerca de su mecanismo fisiopatológico. En esta revisión se intenta hacer un análisis sobre las nuevas teorías acerca de la fisiopatología de la preeclampsia, dando énfasis en las distintas moléculas que transfieren el daño placentario hacia el territorio sistémico.

Preeclampsia is one of the most serious gestational disease which causes maternal and perinatal mortality. In spite of being one of the most studied pathologies of the pregnancy there are many concerns around its physiopathology. In this review we attempt to analyze the new preeclampsia physiopathology theories, giving emphasis in the different molecules that transfer the placental damage towards the systemic territory.

Miocarditis y bloqueo aurículo-ventricular fetal asociado a lupus eritematoso sistémico materno / Myocarditis and atrioventricular block associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una de las patologías autoinmunes más frecuentes durante el embarazo, asociándose con distintas complicaciones fetales y neonatales, sobre todo cardíacas, secundario al traspaso de anticuerpos maternos a través de la placenta. Estos anticuerpos se unen a los cardiomioci-tos fetales, desencadenando una respuesta inflamatoria local que determina la aparición de lesiones que pueden ser permanentes y letales. Presentamos el caso de una paciente embarazada con LES, en la cual se observó en el feto la presencia de bloqueo aurículo-ventricular de primer grado y signos sugerentes de miocarditis. Estas complicaciones se caracterizan por un aumento en la morbimortalidad perinatal, por lo que las estrategias actuales están dirigidas a la detección precoz de éstas y también en la prevención de las mismas. Un tratamiento estándar aun es tema de investigación, pese a los reportes que muestran la efectividad de corticoides como la dexametasona. En embarazadas con anticuerpos anti-Ro positivo se recomienda efectuar ecocardiograma fetal seriados cada 1-2 semanas desde la semana 16, para detectar precozmente anomalías cardiacas sobre las cuales pudiese intervenirse.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most common autoimmune disease during pregnancy, associated with various fetal and neonatal complications, especially heart disease, secondary to the transfer of maternal antibodies through the placenta. These antibodies bind to fetal cardiomyocytes, triggering a local inflammatory response that determines the appearance of lesions that may become permanent and deadly. We report a pregnant patient with SLE, in which was observed the presence of atrioventricular block of 1st degree and signs suggestive of myocarditis in the fetus. These complications are characterized by an increase in fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, so that current strategies are aimed at early detection of these and also in preventing them. A standard therapy for atrioventricular block is still matter of investigation, although corticosteroids like dexamethasone have been reported to be effective for associated cardiomyo-pathy. Serial echocardiograms and obstetric sonograms, performed at least every 1-2 weeks starting from the 16th week of gestational age, are recommended in anti-Ro/SSA-positive pregnant women to detect early fetal abnormalities that might be a target of preventive therapy.

Ejercicio y prevención de obesidad y diabetes mellitus gestacional / Exercise in the prevention of excessive gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes

La obesidad y la diabetes tipo 2 están aumentando a nivel mundial y generan gran morbilidad y mortalidad, y afectan al paciente, la familia y al sistema de salud. Los niveles bajos de actividad física están contribuyendo con la epidemia de obesidad y diabetes tipo 2 en mujeres en edad fértil. La mayoría de las mujeres siguen el sedentarismo o suspende el ejercicio cuando se dan cuenta del embarazo, lo cual predispone al desarrollo de diabetes gestacional y a ganancia excesiva de peso durante el embarazo. Está demostrado que el ejercicio durante el embarazo es seguro para la madre y el feto, y brinda beneficios fisiológicos, psicológicos, metabólicos y mejora la capacidad física de una manera similar al periodo preconcepcional. Aunque no está definida la prescripción de ejercicio exacta durante el embarazo, actualmente se recomienda lograr un nivel de actividad física de mínimo 16 MET Hora por semana, o preferiblemente 28 MET Hora por semana, e incrementar la intensidad del ejercicio a más del 60 por ciento de la frecuencia cardiaca de reserva, para disminuir el riesgo de obesidad o ganancia excesiva de peso en el embarazo, diabetes gestacional y quizás trastornos hipertensivos asociados al embarazo. Por lo tanto, el ejercicio puede ser una estrategia adecuada para prevenir estas patologías que generan morbilidad y mortalidad materna y fetal.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are increasing worldwide and generate high morbidity and mortality and affect the patient, family and the health system. Low levels of physical activity are contributing to the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes in women of childbearing age. Most women are sedentary or stop exercising when they realize the pregnancy, which predisposes to the development of gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. There is ample evidence that exercise during pregnancy is safe for mother and fetus and provides physiological, psychological, metabolic benefits, and improving physical capacity in a manner similar to the preconception period. Although not defined the exact exercise prescription during pregnancy, achieve currently recommended level of physical activity at least 16 MET H per week, or preferably 28 MET H per week, and increase the intensity of exercise over 60 percent of heart rate reserve to reduce the risk of obesity or gain excessive weight during pregnancy, gestational diabetes and perhaps hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Therefore, exercise may be an appropriate strategy to prevent these pathologies leading to morbidity and mortality maternal and fetal.