Physiological responses and microbiota shifts after spermidine administration as a postbiotic on rodents fed a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The consumption of a high-fat high-fructose diet partly resemble the western dietary patterns, which is closely associated with excessive body adiposity and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, this unhealthy regime produces unfavourable changes on the faecal microbiota, potentially interfering with microorganisms postbiotic function, such as spermidine, a natural polyamine that has been involved in the control of weight gain. The study aimed to analyse the repercussions of spermidine supplementation on somatic measurements, metabolic markers, and the faecal microbiota profile of rats fed a diet rich in fat and fructose. Indeed, Wistar males with oral administration of spermidine (20 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks were evaluated for food and energy intake, biochemical markers, and faecal microbiota signatures. The daily use of spermidine decreased weight gain ( P < 0.01), reduced feed efficiency ( P < 0.01), and attenuated visceral fat deposition ( P < 0.01), although no effect on energy intake, hepatic weight, triglyceride and glucose index and atherogenic indexes. Similarly, the consumption of spermidine partially restored the presence of microbial species, notably Akkermansia muciniphila. Elevated concentrations of this species were linked to a decrease in triglycerides ( P = 0.04), indicating that the supplementation of spermidine might contribute to managing energy fuel homeostasis in association with an obesogenic diet.

Evaluación del efecto acaricida de Momordica charantia, Megaskepasma erythrochlamys y Gliricidia sepium sobre Rhipicephalus microplus / Acaricidal effect of Momordica charantia, Megaskepasma erythrochlamys and Gliricidia sepiumon the Rhipicephalus microplus

RESUMEN Objetivo. Se evaluó la actividad acaricida de Momordica charantia (Mc), Megaskepasma erythrochlamys (Me) y Gliricidia sepium (Gs) sobre Rhipicephalus microplus (Rm). Materiales y métodos. Se realizó la marcha fitoquímica preliminar de hojas del extracto metanólico de Mc (EMc), del extracto etanólico de Me (EMe) y del extracto acetónico de Gs (EGs) a través de la técnica de colorimetría y cromatografía en capa delgada (CCD). La actividad acaricida se realizó a través de pruebas in-vitro utilizando la prueba de inmersión de larvas (LIT) y la prueba de inmersión de adultos (AIT). Para las pruebas in-situ se usaron bovinos en pastoreo infestados naturalmente con garrapatas, utilizando las CL50 obtenidas en las pruebas in-vitro AIT; posteriormente las teleoginas se llevaron a incubación para evaluar su capacidad reproductiva. Resultados. Se determinó la presencia de varios grupos de metabolitos secundarios de interés acaricida. Se demostró el efecto acaricida de los extractos de las plantas sobre teleoginas; aunque sólo EGs mostró actividad larvicida. Los extractos a 160 mg/mL afectaron el ciclo de vida de Rm inhibiendo la ovoposición en un 46.9%, 66.1% y 84.03% (p<0.05) para EGs, EMc y EMe, respectivamente. Por otro lado, en las pruebas in situ se observó diferencia significativa (p<0.05) entre el tratamiento de EMc y EMe respecto a los grupos controles. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos son prometedores para fortalecer la posibilidad de vinculación de los extractos de estas plantas dentro de planes integrados de control de garrapatas en sistemas de producción de bovinos.

ABSTRACT Objective. The acaricidal activity of Momordica charantia (Mc), Megaskepasma erythrochlamys (Me) and Gliricidia sepium (Gs) on Rhipicephalus microplus (Rm) was evaluated. Materials and methods. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of leaves of the methanolic extract of Mc (EMc), the ethanolic extract of Me (EMe) and the acetone extract of Gs (EGs) were carried out through the technique of colorimetry and thin layer chromatography (CCD). The acaricidal activity was performed through in-vitro tests using the larval immersion test (LIT) and the adult immersion test (AIT). For in-situ tests, grazing cattle naturally infested with ticks were used, using the LC50 obtained from the in-vitro AIT tests; later the teleogines were taken to incubation to evaluate their reproductive capacity. Results. The presence of several groups of secondary metabolites of acaricidal interest was determined. The acaricidal effect of the extracts of the plants on teleogines was demonstrated; although only EGs showed larvicidal activity. Extracts at 160 mg/mL affected the life cycle of Rm by inhibiting ovoposition in 46.9%, 66.1% and 84.03% (p<0.05) for EGs, EMc and EMe, respectively. On the other hand, the in-situ tests showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the treatment of EMc and EMe with respect to the control groups. Conclusions. The results obtained are promising to strengthen the possibility of linking the extracts of these plants into integrated plans for the control of ticks in cattle systems.

Phylogeographic, genomic, and meropenem susceptibility analysis of Burkholderia ubonensis.

The bacterium Burkholderia ubonensis is commonly co-isolated from environmental specimens harbouring the melioidosis pathogen, Burkholderia pseudomallei. B. ubonensis has been reported in northern Australia and Thailand but not North America, suggesting similar geographic distribution to B. pseudomallei. Unlike most other Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species, B. ubonensis is considered non-pathogenic, although its virulence potential has not been tested. Antibiotic resistance in B. ubonensis, particularly towards drugs used to treat the most severe B. pseudomallei infections, has also been poorly characterised. This study examined the population biology of B. ubonensis, and includes the first reported isolates from the Caribbean. Phylogenomic analysis of 264 B. ubonensis genomes identified distinct clades that corresponded with geographic origin, similar to B. pseudomallei. A small proportion (4%) of strains lacked the 920kb chromosome III replicon, with discordance of presence/absence amongst genetically highly related strains, demonstrating that the third chromosome of B. ubonensis, like other Bcc species, probably encodes for a nonessential pC3 megaplasmid. Multilocus sequence typing using the B. pseudomallei scheme revealed that one-third of strains lack the "housekeeping" narK locus. In comparison, all strains could be genotyped using the Bcc scheme. Several strains possessed high-level meropenem resistance (≥32 µg/mL), a concern due to potential transmission of this phenotype to B. pseudomallei. In silico analysis uncovered a high degree of heterogeneity among the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen cluster loci, with at least 35 different variants identified. Finally, we show that Asian B. ubonensis isolate RF23-BP41 is avirulent in the BALB/c mouse model via a subcutaneous route of infection. Our results provide several new insights into the biology of this understudied species.

Complete Genome Sequence of Human Coronavirus OC43 Isolated from Mexico.

We report the complete genome sequence of the first Mexican human coronavirus (HCoV) OC43, obtained by new-generation sequencing and a metagenomic approach, isolated from a child hospitalized with pneumonia. The genome is closely related to the other OC43 genome sequences available, ranging from 99.8% to 98.2% nucleotide sequence identity.

Guía de práctica clínica para enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico / Clinical Practice guideline for Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objetivo: brindar una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia más reciente para el diagnóstico y tratamiento del reflujo gastroesofágico teniendo en cuenta la efectividad y seguridad de las intervenciones dirigidas a pacientes, personal asistencial, administrativo y entes gubernamentales de cualquier servicio de atención en Colombia

Guía de práctica clínica para la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico / Clinical practice guideline for disease caused by gastroesophageal reflux

Objetivo: brindar una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia más reciente para el diagnóstico y tratamiento del reflujo gastroesofágico teniendo en cuenta la efectividad y seguridad de las intervenciones dirigidas a pacientes, personal asistencial, administrativo y entes gubernamentales de cualquier servicio de atención en Colombia. Materiales y métodos: esta guía fue desarrollada por un equipo multidisciplinario con apoyo de la Asociación Colombiana de Gastroenterología, el Grupo Cochrane ITS y el Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se desarrollaron preguntas clínicas relevantes y se realizó la búsqueda de guías nacionales e internacionales en bases de datos especializadas. Las guías existentes fueron evaluadas en términos de calidad y aplicabilidad; 1 guía cumplió los criterios de adaptación, por lo que se decidió adaptar 3 preguntas clínicas. El Grupo Cochrane realizó la búsqueda sistemática de la literatura. Las tablas de evidencia y recomendaciones fueron realizadas con base en la metodología GRADE. Las recomendaciones de la guía fueron socializadas en una reunión de expertos con entes gubernamentales y pacientes. Resultados: se desarrolló una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con reflujo gastroesofágico en Colombia. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico y manejo oportuno de los pacientes con ERGE contribuirá a disminuir la carga de la enfermedad en Colombia, así como de las enfermedades asociadas.

Objective: To provide a clinical practice guideline with the latest evidence for diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux for patients, caregivers, administrative and government bodies at all levels of care in Colombia. Materials and Methods: This guide was developed by a multidisciplinary team with the support of the Colombian Association of Gastroenterology, Cochrane STI Group and Clinical Research Institute of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Relevant clinical questions were developed and the search for national and international guidelines in databases was performed. Existing guidelines were evaluated quality and applicability. One guideline met the criteria for adaptation, so the group decided to adapt 3 clinical questions. Systematic literature searches were conducted by the Cochrane Group. The tables of evidence and recommendations were made based on the GRADE methodology. The recommendations of the guide were socialized in a meeting of experts with government agencies and patients. Results: An evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux was developed for the Colombian context. Conclusions: The opportune detection and appropriate management of gastroesophageal reflux would contribute to the burden of the disease in Colombia and its associated diseases.

Manejo de un sangrado por úlcera posligadura de várices esofágicas mediante prótesis metálica autoexpandible: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Management of a Bleeding Ulcer by Post-esophageal Ligation of Varices with Self Expanding metal Stents: Case Report and Literature Review

Los inicios del manejo del sangrado variceal con compresión directa datan de 1930 por Westphal y colaboradores. Después, en 1950, se desarrolló el balón de Sengstaken-Blakemore, definido por Panes y colaboradores como la primera línea de terapia; en 1980, a nivel de várices esofágicas y en várices gástricas, se empleaba el balón de Linton-Nachlass (1, 2). Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente con cirrosis hepática por hepatitis C, Child B, con várices esofágicas, a las cuales se les realizó ligadura en dos ocasiones por sangrado y en la segunda ocasión por inminencia de ruptura, esta última llevada a cabo dos semanas antes del evento. El paciente muestra un cuadro clínico compatible con hemorragia de vías digestivas altas masiva, con evidencia endoscópica de úlcera esofágica sangrante que no mejora con terlipresina, ni escleroterapia con adrenalina, ni compresión local con balón de acalasia. En consecuencia, como terapia de rescate se decide colocar un stent esofágico metálico autoexpandible parcialmente recubierto (por no contar con totalmente recubierto en el momento), con control parcial del sangrado. Es recomendable el uso del stent como terapia de rescate para el sangrado por várices esofágicas refractarias. Debe emplearse el diseñado especialmente para esta indicación (SX-Ella Danis), como un puente para poder estabilizar al paciente y realizar una terapia definitiva como la TIPS, tal cual como se procedió en un nuestro paciente.

Early treatment of bleeding varices with direct compression dates from the work by Westphal et al. in 1930. Later in 1950, Sengstaken-Blakemore developed their balloon which Panes and collaborators defined as the first line of therapy for esophageal varices in 1980 while they used the Linton-Nachlass balloon for gastric varices (1, 2). This study presents the clinical case of a patient with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C, (Child B) with esophageal varices which were ligated on two different occasions because of bleeding. On the second occasion a rupture was imminent and ligation occurred two weeks prior to the event. The patient presented a clinical picture compatible with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding with endoscopic evidence of a bleeding esophageal ulcer that did not improve with terlipressin, sclerotherapy with adrenaline, or balloon dilatation. Consequently, it was to use a partially covered self-expanding metal esophageal stent for salvage therapy since a completely covered stent was not available at that time. Stenting achieved partial control of bleeding. We recommend the use of stenting with a stent specifically designed for this indication (SX-Ella Danis) as salvage therapy for refractory bleeding from esophageal varices. The stent can be used as a bridge to stabilize the patient in order to perform TIPS as the definitive treatment, as in the case of our patient.

Breast cancer brain metastases: a review of the literature and a current multidisciplinary management guideline.

Breast cancer represents the second most frequent etiology of brain metastasis (BM). It is estimated that 10-30 % of patients with breast cancer are diagnosed with BM. Breast cancer BM are increasing due to the aging population, detection of subclinical disease, and better control of systemic disease. BM is a major cause of morbidity and mortality affecting neurocognition, speech, coordination, behavior, and quality of life. The therapy of BM remains controversial regarding use and timing of surgical resection, application of whole-brain radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and systemic drugs in patients with particular tumor subtypes. Despite numerous trials, the range of interpretation of these has resulted in differing treatment perspectives. This paper is a review of the state of the art and a multidisciplinary guideline on strategies to improve the therapeutic index in this situation.

Ozone sensitivity to its precursor emissions in northeastern Mexico for a summer air pollution episode.

A summer episode was modeled to address the expected response of ambient air O3 to hypothetical emission control scenarios in northeastern Mexico, and in particular in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA). This region is of interest because the MMA holds one of the worst air quality problems in the country and levels of air pollutants in the rest of northeastern Mexico are starting to be a concern. The MM5-SMOKE-CMAQ platform was used to conduct the numerical experiments. Twenty-four control scenarios were evaluated, combining the level of emission controls of O3 precursors (NO(x) and volatile organic compounds [VOCs]) from 0% to 50%. For the MMA, VOC-only controls result in the best option to reduce O3 concentrations, though the benefit is limited to the urban core. This same strategy results in negligible benefits for the rest of northeastern Mexico. NO(x) controls result in an increase in O3 concentration within the MMA of up to 20 ppbv and a decrease at downwind locations of up to 11 ppbv, with respect to the base-case scenario. Indicator ratios were also used to probe for NO(x)-sensitive and VOC-sensitive areas. Locations with an important influence of NO(x) point sources (i.e., Monclova and Nava/Acuña) are quite sensitive to changes in NO(x) emissions. Border cities in the Rio Bravo/Grande Valley tend to be marginally NO(x)-sensitive. Overall, the MMA seems to be dominated by a VOC-sensitive regime, while the rest of the region would tend to have a NO(x)-sensitive response. The results obtained serve to expand the current knowledge on the chemical regimes that dominate this region (VOC- or NO(x)-sensitive), and thus could help guide public policies related to emission regional control strategies.

Evidence for multiple introductions and clonality in Spanish populations of Fusarium circinatum.

Fusarium circinatum is thought to have been moved around the world with pine planting stock consisting, most probably, of infected seed. In this effort, we investigate the genetic structure of F. circinatum in Spain and globally. In total, 223 isolates were studied from five regions in northern Spain and eight countries. Eight microsatellite markers revealed 66 multilocus genotypes (MLGs). Minimum spanning network analysis of MLGs by region within Spain as well as globally, discriminant analysis of principal components, and analysis of molecular variance revealed that Spanish populations are significantly differentiated and structured into two distinct groups, each one including one of the dominant genotypes observed. This result suggests that two independent introductions occurred into Spain that subsequently underwent clonal divergence and admixture. This result is further supported by the linkage disequilibrium and clonality observed for F. circinatum populations in northern Spain. The maintenance of differentiation between the clusters could result from the lack of or rare sexual reproduction in Spain. Possible introduction pathways from other countries and subsequent routes of dispersion of F. circinatum in Spain are discussed.

Esofagitis eosinofílica en adultos, una entidad clínico-patológica emergente / Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults, an emerging clinicopathological entity

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a clinicopathologic primary disease of the esophagus, characterized by dense eosinophilic infiltration and it is currently identified as an emerging global entity capable of producing dysphagia and food impaction in adults. Objective: Review of the literature and analysis of the current evidence related to eosinophilic esophagitis in adults. Methods: An electronic search was performed in PubMed to identify relevant literature regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of EE. The MeSH terms: ‘Eosinophilic esophagitis’ AND ‘adults’, were used including studies from 1975 to 2012, in English and Spanish written papers. Results: A total of 467 articles were identified in PubMed, where 374 correspond to adults. Eighty percent of the papers were published during the last six years, being mostly case reports or series. Although the pathogenesis is unknown, our review suggests a multifactorial cause, with an altered immune response and genetic component associated to it. At the same time, it was found that adult patients often have a long history of intermittent dysphagia or food impaction. Currently, there is no established consensus for histological diagnosis; however, eosinophilic infiltration of 15 per high power field is accepted. The most commonly used treatment in adults is topical corticosteroids. Although EE is a chronic disease, it does not seem to have a significant impact on morbimortality. Conclusions: Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with immunoallergic compromise, which requires clinical and histological diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach to understand its natural history is suggested, thus developing future therapeutic approaches.

Introducción: La esofagitis eosinofílica (EE) es una enfermedad clínico-patológica primaria del esófago, caracterizada por infiltración eosinofílica densa y actualmente identificada como una entidad emergente a nivel mundial, capaz de producir disfagia e impactación alimentaria en adultos. Objetivo: Revisión de la literatura y análisis de la evidencia actual de EE en el adulto. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda electrónica en PubMed para identificar literatura relevante sobre epidemiología, patogenia, presentación clínica,diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico. Se utilizaron los términos MeSH: ‘Eosinophilic esophagitis’ AND ‘adults’, incluyendo estudios publicados desde 1975 a 2012, en idiomas inglés y español. Resultados: Un total de 467 artículos se identificaron en PubMed, donde 374 corresponden a adultos. Durante los últimos seis años se publicó el 80 por ciento de ellos, siendo en su mayoría informes de casos o series de casos. Aunque la patogenia es desconocida, la presente revisión sugiere que es multifactorial, con alteración de la respuesta inmune y componente genético. Se encontró que los pacientes adultos presentan frecuentemente una larga historia de disfagia o impactación alimentaria. Actualmente, no existe un consenso establecido para el diagnóstico histológico, sin embargo, la infiltración eosinofílica de 15/campo de gran aumento es aceptada. El tratamiento más comúnmente indicado en adultos son los corticoesteroides tópicos. Aunque la EE es una patología crónica, no parece impactar significativamente la morbimortalidad. Conclusiones: La EE es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica con compromiso inmunoalérgico, que requiere un diagnóstico clínico e histológico. Se sugiere un enfoque multidisciplinario con el fin de comprender su historia natural, desarrollando así futuros enfoques terapéuticos.

[Economical body platform for neonatal rats stereotaxic surgery]. / Plataforma economica para cirugia estereotaxica en rata neonata.

INTRODUCTION: Usually, most commercial platforms that adapt to the stereotaxic apparatus in neonatal rats or small animals, to carry out surgery are very expensive. Moreover, the operator must have certain experience in its handling. DEVELOPMENT: The present work presents two platforms, one of them made in acrylic and the other of expanded polystyrene. These adapt perfectly to conventional stereotaxic apparatus, while operator does not require a great entrainment to carry out the surgical procedure. Histological slides of the prefrontal cortex, ventral hippocampus and basolateral amygdala from adult rats (postnatal day 70), staining with cresyl violet are shown. The neonatal lesions were made at postnatal day 7 with ibotenic acid applied in the prefrontal cortex, ventral hippocampus or basolateral amygdala. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that it is possible to carry out lesions or to apply drugs in neonatal rats, by using an acrylic or expanded polystyrene adaptor for the stereotaxic apparatus. These have the advantage of being economic and having a simple design. Also, the type of anesthesia used in neonatal lesion rats, is discussed.

Allele frequencies for 12 autosomal short tandem repeat loci in two Bolivian populations.

Two hundred and sixty unrelated subjects who asked for paternity testing at two Bolivian Laboratories in La Paz and Santa Cruz were studied. The loci D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, TH01, TPOX, and CSF1PO were typed from blood samples, amplifying DNA by polymerase chain reactions and electrophoresis. Allele frequencies were estimated by simple counting and the unbiased heterozygosity was calculated. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was studied and gene frequencies were compared between the two samples. All loci conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg law and allele frequencies were similar in samples from the two cities. The Bolivian gene frequencies estimated were significantly different from those described for Chile and the United States Hispanic-Americans for most of the loci.

Allele frequencies for 12 autosomal short tandem repeat loci in two bolivian populations

Two hundred and sixty unrelated subjects who asked for paternity testing at two Bolivian Laboratories in La Paz and Santa Cruz were studied. The loci D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, TH01, TPOX, and CSF1PO were typed from blood samples, amplifying DNA by polymerase chain reactions and electrophoresis. Allele frequencies were estimated by simple counting and the unbiased heterozygosity was calculated. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was studied and gene frequencies were compared between the two samples. All loci conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg law and allele frequencies were similar in samples from the two cities. The Bolivian gene frequencies estimated were significantly different from those described for Chile and the United States Hispanic-Americans for most of the loci.

Influencia de variables clínicas y lipídicas en la magnitud de la lipemia postradial de sujetos con y sin hipertrigliceridemia / Influence of clinical and lipid variables on the magnitude of postprandial lipemia in subjects with and without hipertriglyceridemia

Introducción. La lipemia postprandial se caracteriza por el aumento de la permanencia en circulación de lipoproteínas ricas en triglicéridos que pueden producir aterosclerosis siendo esta una importante causa de muerte en nuestro medio Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de variables lipídicas y antropométricas en la magnitud de la lipemia postprandial de sujetos con y sin hipertrigliceridemia Material y métodos. Se estudiaron 48 sujetos de uno y otro género, con triglicéridos basales mayores a 200mg/dL, que ingirieron una carga lipídica estandarizada (desayuno con 30g de grasa) y fueron seguidos durante siete horas recolectando sangre total cada hora para determinar los triglicéridos postprandiales y con estos datos hallar la magnitud de la lipemia postprandial. Este dato se correlacionó con variables clínicas como la edad, el índice de masa corporal, la circunferencia de la cintura, entre otras y con variables lipídicas como colesterol total, colesterol de HDL y LDL y triglicéridos basales Resultados. Se encontró alteración en el aclaramiento de triglicéridos postprandiales en sujetos que tenían una concentración basal de triglicéridos por encima de 186 mg/dl. Las variables clínicas que más correlacionaron con la magnitud de la lipemia postprandial fueron la edad (p=0.009) y el perímetro de la cintura (p=0.043), mientras que las variables lipídicas mejor relacionadas con la lipemia postprandial fueron la concentración de triglicéridos basales (p=<0.001), el colesterol VLDL (p=<0.001) y el colesterol HDL (p=0.041) Conclusión. Las variables que podrían predecir el comportamiento de los triglicéridos postprandiales en los individuos de este estudio son la edad, el perímetro de la cintura, el colesterol VLDL, el colesterol HDL y la concentración de triglicéridos basales.

Bleeding Canker on Mesquite in Peru caused by Phytophthora syringae.

Mesquite (Prosopis pallida (Wildenow) Kunth) is a drought-tolerant tree widely distributed in the northern Pacific Coast of South America. This species prevents soil erosion, provides shade, conserves prairies, supports bee nutrition, and provides fruits for human and animal consumption. Since the spring of 2004, bark lesions and bleeding cankers were observed on trunks and branches of 70% of declining mesquite trees in some parks at Ica in southern Peru. Badly affected trees were killed by the disease. Isolations were made from the edge of necrotic lesions of the inner bark and roots using PARPH medium (2) and incubated at 22°C for 7 days. A Phytophthora species was consistently isolated from lesions of 10 mesquite trees, and six pure cultures (PS-87-PS-92) were obtained by transferring hyphal tips and characterized. Colonies were stellate on V8 juice agar (VJA; 2 g CaCO3, 200 ml of V8 juice, and 15 g of agar in 800 ml of distilled water), uniform to slightly radiate on corn meal agar (Oxoid Ltd., London, England), and knotty on PDA (Biokar Diagnostics, Beauvais, France). On VJA at 22°C, the average radial growth rate for the six isolates was 1.7 mm per day. Colonies grew slowly at 5 and 25°C with 0.4 and 0.7 mm per day growth rate, respectively. There was no growth at 30°C. Catenulate hyphal swellings formed on VJA and liquid media (1.5% sterile soil extract). Sporangia were persistent, ovoid to obpyriform, semipapillate with narrow exit pores (<5.0 µm in diameter), 32.3 to 39.7 × 21.0 to 27.2 µm, with a length/width ratio of 1.4:1 to 1.6:1. Sporangia were produced by cutting 5-mm disks from the advancing margin of a colony on VJA and adding disks to 10 ml of 1.5% sterile soil extract for 4 to 5 days at 22°C under fluorescent light. Isolates were homothallic with spherical oogonia, 32 to 35 µm in width with paragynous antheridia, and aplerotic oospores, 26 to 31 µm. These characteristics fit the descriptions of Phytophthora syringae (Kleb.) Kleb. (1). Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions on the isolates and comparison with other sequences in GenBank showed that they were identical to P. syringae (Accession No. AJ854297 from Citrus limon). In 2005, two methods were used to inoculate mesquite with two isolates. One method used two 20-mm-diameter branches of five 5-year-old mesquite trees where a 5-mm wound was made with a cork borer and a 5-mm block of the agar culture was placed under the bark and sealed with Parafilm. Another method used 10 4-month-old potted plants that received a 30-ml drench of a 104 zoospores/ml suspension per plant. Controls received clean agar blocks and a sterile water drench for 10 control pots. Two weeks after inoculation, black areas and resinosis were observed around inoculated wounds. Inoculated branches produced cankers of 4.7 to 6.8 cm2, 4 weeks after inoculations. Twenty days after inoculation of roots, wilting and root rots of seedlings occurred. No symptoms were found on the control plants. P. syringae was reisolated from the diseased branches and root rots and pure cultures were established. This test was repeated for both methods with similar results. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. syringae in Peru and the first description of this pathogen on mesquite worldwide. References: (1) D. C. Erwin and O. K. Ribeiro. Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul MN. 1996. (2) S. N. Jeffers and S. B. Martin. Plant Dis. 70:1038, 1986.

Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from imported frozen chicken meat in the Canary islands.

To determine the prevalence of Salmonella enterica serotypes in imported frozen chicken meat, 406 samples (whole chicken, legs, and breast meat) were analyzed for Salmonella according to ISO6579 rules, serotypes were assigned, and phage typing was conducted for Salmonella serotypes Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Heidelberg. The overall frequency of Salmonella isolation was 16.5%. By country of origin, the highest percentage of cases was found among the samples from France followed by samples from Brazil. The differences between legs and breast meat were significant. The most frequently isolated serotype of Salmonella was Enteritidis, followed by Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Salmonella Virchow. By country of origin, we identified a large percentage of serotype Salmonella Enteritidis in the samples imported from Brazil. There was a greater diversity of serotypes isolated from the French samples, and Salmonella Enteritidis was not the dominant strain. In the samples from the United States, the only serotype isolated was Salmonella Kentucky, although a smaller number of samples was analyzed. The Salmonella Enteritidis phage type that prevailed in both France and Brazil was 4. Phage types 204c and 204 were identified for Salmonella Typhimurium, and phage types 8, 31, and 37 were identified for Salmonella Virchow.

Estructura de las asociaciones de las estrellas de mar (Asteroidea) en arrecifes rocosos del Golfo de California, México / Sea star (Asteroidea) association structures on the rocky reef in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Sea stars are invertebrates that play relevant roles in rocky and coral reefs: they occupy different levels in food webs and may act as top predators. There are numerous studies on taxonomy and biogeography of the class in the eastern tropical Pacific, but information about the attributes and composition of its assemblages is scant. The objectives of this study were the examination and comparison of asteroid community structure from four regions of the Gulf of California, Mexico, characterized by the presence of rocky reefs, and the search for possible associations between pairs of species. In August 2004 we visited four locations in the western gulf: Bahia de Los Angeles (29 degrees N), Santa Rosalia (27 degrees N), Loreto (26 degrees N) and La Paz (24 degrees N), and censuses sea stars using 50 m2 belt transects (N=93). Abundance and species richness was estimated, as well as diversity (H'), evenness (J') and taxonomic distinctness (delta*); then, all variables were compared among regions with analysis of variance. In addition, an ordination analysis was run looking for groups of locations with similar faunistic composition. Our results showed that Loreto Bay had the highest richness and abundance of asteroids, probably because it presents a large number of habitats and multiple food sources; these conditions seem to favor the occurrence of rare species and of detritivores. However, there were no significant interregional differences among ecological indices, nor we detected groups of locations singled out because of its species composition. Thus, community structure of sea stars in rocky areas of the Gulf of California is quite homogeneous and do not change with latitude. This is a consequence of the fact that all regions under analysis had the species Phataria unifascialis and Pharia pyramidatus as dominant in number. There were significant positive associations between three pairs of species: apparently competition is not particularly relevant to control sea star community structure in the Gulf.