Initiation of motility by steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) sperm: membrane ion exchangers and pH sensitivity.

Initiation of motility in salmonid sperm is sensitive to the pH of the extracellular medium, however, the basis of this sensitivity is not clear. Sperm incubated in an immobilization buffer (SI) at low pH ( approximately 7.1-7.2) become motile when diluted with activating medium (AM) at high ( approximately 8.5) but not low pH. Based on this observation, various agents were tested to determine whether the onset of steelhead sperm motility upon activation with high pH AM, following incubation with low pH SI, could be blocked by inhibiting membrane exchangers postulated to be important in intracellular pH (pHi) regulation. Amiloride (inhibitor of proton:sodium exchange), SITS and DIDS (inhibitors of anion exchange) and bafilomycin A 1 (inhibitor of H(+)-ATPase activity) were not effective in this experimental design. However, regardless of SI pH, DIDS was effective in blocking motility as was replacing chloride with thiocyanate or including the chloride channel blocker, niflumic acid, in SI suggesting that chloride efflux plays a key role in motility initiation. Nonetheless, the results of this study suggest that the rapid onset of sperm motility with activation at high pH following incubation at low pH is probably not based on rapid adjustment of pHi via membrane exchangers/transporters but rather due to an effect of pH on motility-associated processes at the extracellular surface of the sperm.

[Mini-mental state examination: proposal of protocol to be used]. / Examen del estado Mini-Mental: propuesta de una normativa para su aplicación.

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is currently one of the most widely used tools for the assessment and screening of cognitive impairment despite a number of issues raised regarding the sensitivity of some subtests and the negative impact of advanced age and poor education. The informal use of invalidated and poor quality translations of the MMSE into Spanish language is widespread, and presumably this further increases some of the uncertainties linked to this test. The result may be misleading, not only as it may overestimate the prevalence of dementia but because it decreases interrater consistency with a view to epidemiological projects. A validated translation of the MMSE into Spanish is therefore much needed. Such a version would not only pay attention to educational and age issues but it would also take into account potential cultural and linguistics inter-community difference of some subtests when specifically applied in Spain which may represent another potential source of inconsistency throughout the country. Furthermore, subtle inhomogeneities in the way the test is administered may result in gross intra-rater and inter-rater variability, hence further decreasing reliability. On the basis of experience gained from a large hospital-based experience in administering the traditional MMSE to neurological patients we propose a standardized version to apply MMSE in Spanish with the alm to improve reliability. This is a preliminary step toward developing a reliable and sensitive Spanish version of the MMSE.

[Depression and Parkinson's disease: neurobiologic foundations and therapeutic management]. / Depresión y enfermedad de Parkinson: bases neurobiológicas y manejo terapéutico.

The prevalence of depression in Parkinson's disease (PD) is estimated to be around 40% and generally takes the form of dysthymia. Although psychological factors probably contribute to depression, data point to a relation to structural and biochemical changes linked to PD. Thus, the onset of motor impairment is often preceded by a depressive episode, although there is no consistency between the seriousness of motor disability and depression. Furthermore, depression aggravates the memory and language impairments of PD and is thought to be a risk factor for developing dementia. Regional cerebral blood flow abnormalities in the medial frontal and cingulate cortices and low 5-HIIA concentrations in cerebro-spinal fluid suggest that degeneration of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system as well as dorsal raphe changes may be implicated. Assessment of depression in PD is difficult, as none of the currently available scales were specifically designed for patients with this disease Furthermore, there is a lack of well-controlled studies showing that current antidepressants are effective in PD patients or are safe for use when the motor, cognitive and autonomic impairments of PD are present.

[In vitro activity of disinfectants against bacteria isolated in water for hemodialysis]. / Activité in vitro de désinfectants vis-à-vis de bactéries isolées d'eau pour hémodialyse.

The bactericidal and sporicidal activities of six disinfectants (Acétoper, Cidex, Phagoseptyl, Pyosynthène, Bétadine, Sterlane) were studied against 21 bacterial strains recovered from hemodialysis machines, and against two bacterial spores. AFNOR methods were used (NF T. 72-151, NF T. 72-171 et NF T. 72-231). Only Acétoper presented a bactericidal and sporicidal activity. A disparity in bactericidal concentrations was observed among Gram negative bacteria. Phenolic compound (Phagoseptyl) was not influenced by interfering substances. pH have a clear effect upon Cidex and Bétadine activities. Statistical analysis (variance and multiple comparisons test of Ryan-Einot) showed the significant role of the type of bacteria and the nature of disinfectants. These compounds were classified according to their increasing activity as following: Cidex, Sterlane, Phagoseptyl, Bétadine, Pyosynthène, Acétoper.

[Ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, rifampin: in vitro bactericidal activity of double and triple drug combinations against strains of atypical mycobacteria]. / Ciprofloxacine, clarithromycine, rifampicine: activité bactéricide in vitro de doubles et triple associations sur des souches de mycobactéries atypiques.

Bactericidal activity of ciprofloxacin (CIP), clarithromycin (CLA), rifampin (RIF) alone and in combinations was studied against five atypical mycobacteria (4 isolates from patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and 1 collection strain) by time killing curves method. Drugs were used at their attainable serum levels: CIP (1 microgram/ml), CLA (2 micrograms/ml), RIF (16 micrograms/ml). The decrease in CFU in comparison to inoculum (10(6)-10(7) CFU/ml) was evaluated by viable counts after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days of incubation at 35-37 degrees C. Drug combinations enhanced slightly the killing of drugs alone. CIP+CLA was the most effective against MAC strains whereas CIP+RIF appeared as the best combination against rapidly growing species except M. phlei which was the most resistant strain.

[Kinetics of bactericidal and sporicidal effects of a disinfectant against bacteria isolated from hospital units]. / Cinétiques des effets bactéricides et sporicides d'un désinfectant sur des bactéries isolées de l'environnement hospitalier.

The bactericidal and sporicidal activities of a peracetic acid disinfectant commonly used in hospitals (Acetoper 200) was studied using three bacterial species recovered in water from hemodialysis machines and humidifiers, i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia liquefaciens, and Bacillus subtilis (spores). The method used was derived from AFNOR norms NF T 72-151 and NF T 72-231. For each strain, three concentrations of disinfectant were tested. Counts were performed every five minutes for one hour to evaluate killing kinetics. For both Gram-negative organisms, survival curves were biphasic, whereas B. subtilis counts decreased logarithmically. Both concentration and time influenced the 5 log10 decrease in counts. With S. liquefaciens and B. subtilis (spores), the 5 log10 decrease was not reached with low levels of disinfectant. In every case, the D value decreased substantially with increasing levels of disinfectant.

Atividade de 3 ureidopenicilinas sobre bacilos gram negativos isolados no Recife / Activity of 3 ureidopenicillins on gram negative bacillus isolated in Recife

O estudo comparativo da atividade da azlocilina, da mezlocilina e da piperacilina sobre 123 cepas de bactérias Gram-negativas isoladas nos hospitais do Recife foi efetuado mediante a determinaçäo das CIM e das CBM pela microtécnica de diluiçäo em caldo. Estas três ureidopenicilinas apresentaram uma boa atividade contra E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Proteus indol positivo e Klebsiella. Todas as cepas de Pseudomonas foram sensíveis à Azlocilina e à Piperacilina

[Comparative effect of apalcillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics against the Bacteroides fragilis group]. / Activité comparée de l'apalcilline à celle d'autres bêtalactamines vis-à-vis de Bacteroides du groupe fragilis.

The in vitro activity of apalcillin was compared with those of mezlocillin, piperacillin, cefoxitin, cefotaxime and cefotetan against 50 strains of Bacteroides fragilis group. The minimal concentrations were determined by a microdilution method in Wilkins-Chalgren medium and subculturing on agar. On the basis of MICs and MBCs range, the activity of apalcillin was similar to that of other beta-lactam antibiotics; cefoxitin was slightly more active. The mode MICs were as follow: apalcillin = 16 micrograms/ml, mezlocillin = 8 micrograms/ml, piperacillin = 2 micrograms/ml, cefoxitin = 8 micrograms/ml, cefotaxime = 8 and 32 micrograms/ml, cefotetan = 4 micrograms/ml. All the strains of B. thetaiotaomicron and B. vulgatus were susceptible to the six beta lactam compounds. The MBCs and MICs were similar. Apalcillin had the greatest bactericidal activity.

[Influence of the inoculum effect on minimal inhibitory concentrations of 3 derivatives of 5-nitro-imidazole and 11 other antibiotics on Bacteroides fragilis]. / Influence de l'effet inoculum sur les concentrations minimales inhibitrices de trois dérivés du 5-nitro-imidazole et onze autres antibiotiques sur Bacteroides du groupe fragilis.

Three nitro-imidazole derivatives and eleven other antibiotics were studied for both their antimicrobial activity and the degree to which they produced inoculum effect on twenty strains of Bacteroides fragilis group. Five inocula were studied ranging from 10(5) to 10(9) CFU/ml. Statistical analysis show the significant influence of inoculum and those of strains. Nitro-imidazole derivatives exhibited a large inoculum effect while other antibiotics exhibited only a minimal to-no-inoculum effect.

[Comparative bactericidal kinetics of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin alone and in combination against strains of group D Streptococcus]. / Cinétiques de bactéricidie comparées de la ciprofloxacine, de l'ofloxacine et de la péfloxacine seules et en association sur des souches de streptocoques du groupe D.

Killing curves method was used to study bactericidal activity of the three quinolones, alone and in combination with penicillin, amoxicillin, fosfomycin, netilmicin, vancomycin against six isolates of enterococci. Alone, ofloxacin showed the most initial bactericidal effect but ciprofloxacin was the most frequently bactericidal without any regrowth in 24 hours. The combinations with beta-lactams and netilmicin were sometimes synergistic in 24 hours; fosfomycin increased initial bactericidal effect.

[Post-antibiotic effect of ciprofloxacin alone and in combination on Streptococcus faecalis]. / Effet post-antibiotique de la ciprofloxacine seule et en association sur Streptococcus faecalis.

Post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of ciprofloxacin has been studied on 2 strains of S. faecalis in the logarithmic phase after 2 exposure times and at concentrations ranging 0.5-10 times the MIC. At the end of the exposure period the antimicrobial is removed by dilution. Similar PAE is observed for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, higher than for pefloxacin. Ciprofloxacin-fosfomycin or ciprofloxacin-vancomycin combinations are indifferent or even antagonistic (vancomycin) in regards to PAE. Ciprofloxacin-penicillin or ciprofloxacin-netilmicin are weakly synergistic.

[Cytomorphological study of the action of ornidazole against Bacteroides fragilis]. / Etude cyto-morphologique de l'action de l'ornidazole sur Bacteroides fragilis.

The action of ornidazole on Bacteroides fragilis at the following concentrations, 4 MIC--MIC--MIC/2--MIC/4, is observed by electron microscopy, transmission and scanning, for 18 to 48 hours. The primary effect on ultrastructure was characterized by a distinct change in the morphology with filament formations and abnormal forms. Secondary effects were significant change in the distribution of ribosomes and abnormal cell division. No significant alterations in the peripheral cell wall were observed.

[In vitro study of the combination of pefloxacin with other antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus group D]. / Etude in vitro de l'association de la péfloxacine à d'autres antibiotiques sur Pseudomonas aeruginosa et les Streptocoques du groupe D.

The comparative susceptibility of 50 isolates of enterococci and 50 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to pefloxacin and different antibiotics was tested using MIC determination. The results showed only 6% sensitive strains of enterococci and 36% of P. aeruginosa. The high level resistant streptococci against aminoglycosides and resistant Pseudomonas strains have weakly higher MIC than sensitive strains. The activity of the combination of pefloxacin and other antibiotics was determined by a checkerboard micromethod. Fractional concentration index (FIC and FBC) show most frequently addition, uncommonly synergy.

[Sodium and potassium content of some fresh, frozen and canned vegetables]. / Contenido de sodio y potasio de algunos vegetales frescos, congelados y enlatados.

Sodium and potassium content was determined in fresh, frozen and canned green peas, corn and green beans, as well as in fresh and canned tomatoes. Flame photometry was the method used for this analysis, as the AOAC recommends. Among the fresh products tested, green beans yielded the lowest sodium and potassium contents, with 2.2 and 150.2 mg/100 g, respectively. The highest sodium content was found in green peas, with 31.8 mg/100 g, and the highest potassium values were determined in tomatoes and green peas, with 271.7 and 271.3 mg/100 g, values which are not statistically different. In regard to frozen products, green beans also presented the lowest values of these cations, with 3.0 mg/100 g sodium, and 111.0 mg/100 g potassium. The highest averages were detected in green peas, with a sodium content of 149.4 mg/100 g, and 145.1 mg/100 g potassium. In general, all canned products tested showed higher sodium and lower potassium values than those found in fresh or frozen products. The highest sodium content (317.3 mg/100 g) was found in canned green peas, and the lowest (127.4 mg/100 g), in canned tomatoes. With respect to potassium, the highest values corresponded to canned tomatoes, with 168.8 mg/100 g, and the lowest to corn, with 7.6 mg/100 g.

Estudio bromatológico de dos tipos de bizcochos / Bromatologycal study of 2 types of bicuits

Se determinó la variación del peso de la unidad, composición química proximal, contenido de tiamina y riboflavina, aporte de calcio, fósforo, hierro, sodio, potasio y contenido energético en dos tipos diferentes de bizcochos (simples y rellenos). Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una composición química porcentual similar en ambos productos. No hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a contenido de vitaminas y minerales (excepto calcio). El peso neto promedio fue de 28,8 g y 45,7 g para bizcocho simple y relleno respectivamente y fue estadísticamente superior al declarado en el envase. El principal valor nutricional de estos productos está en su aporte energético que es de 109 + ou - 9 kcal por unidad para el bizcocho simple y 171 + ou - 12 para el relleno. El contenido de vitaminas y minerales es de escasa importancia

[Sodium and potassium content of various Chilean foods]. / Contenido de sodio y potasio en algunos alimentos chilenos.

Sodium and potassium contents of 40 high-protein dietary products were determined in order to complete the Table de Composición Química se Alimentos Chilenos (Chemical Composition Table of Chilean Foods). These cations' level must be strictly controlled in diets of many renal and heart patients. In Chile, Nutritionists who are in charge of preparing these diets, do not have a national composition table related to the sodium and potassium content for most of the food products. Samples of fluid cow's milk, dried milk with different fat contents, some cheeses, hen eggs, bovine entrails, some meat derivates and several meat cuts, including bovine, pork, lamb and chicken were studied.

Evaluacion nutritiva y sensorial de raciones del programa de complementacion de la alimentacion de la Junta Nacional de Auxilio Escolar y Becas (JNAEB). / Nutritional and sensorial evaluation of foodstuffs from the food suplementation program of the National Committe of Assistence to Schoolchildren (JNAEB)

Debido a la importancia que tiene la alimentacion en ninos en edad escolar se estimo interesante, como un primer paso, evaluar nutritiva y sensorialmente dos guisos concentrados y enlatados: base de carbonada y base de menestron, provenientes de tres industrias nacionales, los cuales son distribuidos a escolares chilenos a traves de los programas de Complementacion de la Alimentacion aplicados por la JNAEB. Del estudio realizado cabe destacar que solo dos de las 6 lotes analizados cumplen con lo declarado en cuanto a contenido proteico. La alimentacion complementaria de solo una de las industrias alcanza a superar el numero de calorias exigidas por la JNAEB. Sin embargo, en cuanto a contenido de proteinas todas estan dentro de las especificaciones. La calidad sensorial de los guisos es significativamente diferente dependiendo de la industria de las fabricas, siendo el color el parametro que presento mayor deterioro en todos los casos

Contenido de sodio y potasio en algunos alimentos chilenos. / Sodium and potassium contents in some Chilean foods

Con el proposito de completar la Tabla de Composicion Quimica de Alimentos Chilenos, se seleccionaron 40 productos alimenticios de alto valor proteinico a fin de investigar su contenido de sodio y potasio. Estos cationes deben ser rigurosamente controlados en las dietas de muchos enfermos renales o cardiacos Por esta razon, es necesario que los profesionales nutricionistas a cuyo cargo esta la confeccion de estas dietas, cuenten con datos suficientes y actualizados en cuanto ao contenido de sodio y potasio de la mayor parte de los alimentos. Se analizaron muestras de leche fluida de vaca, leches en polvo con diferentes contenidos de materia grasa, alguns tipos de quesos, huevos de gallina, visceras de vacuno, ciertos derivados carnicos y diversos cortes de carnes de vacuno, cerdo, cordero y pollo