Prevalencia de Fasciola hepatica y Paramphistomidae en bovinos de doble propósito en una hacienda del trópico bajo andino colombiano / Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Paramphistomidae in dual purpose cattle in a farm in the Colombian low Andean tropic

RESUMEN En muchos países la fasciolosis y la paramfistomosis representan un grave problema para la salud del sector pecuario. En Colombia hay registros de ambas distomatosis en bovinos, la mayoría en el trópico alto andino, las cuales generan pérdidas econômicas anuales cercanas a 40 000 000 000 COP. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la prevalencia de fasciolosis y paramfistomosis en vacunos de la hacienda La Candelaria, Caucasia (Colombia), y la presencia de caracoles hospederos intermediarios. Para cumplirlo, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se recolectaron heces de los animales y se hizo el diagnóstico mediante la técnica modificada de Dennis. Se establecieron las prevalencias de los digeneos de acuerdo con el sexo, peso, edad y raza. Se recolectaron caracoles dulciacuícolas en la zona estudiada y se identificaron por morfologia. Se analizaron 466 muestras fecales de 178 bovinos, de las razas Cebú (Bos indicus), BON (blanco orejinegro) y del cruce entre ellas. Se diagnosticaron F. hepatica y Paramphistomidae con prevalencias del 2,2% y 30,9%, respectivamente. En el 1,1% de los vacunos se diagnosticó coinfección. Ambas trematodosis prevalecieron en las hembras (p = 0,03). Se identificaron moluscos dulciacuícolas Ampullariidae, Physidae y Planorbidae sin estadios larvarios de digeneos. Se concluyó que los bovinos de doble propósito de la hacienda La Candelaria están expuestos a F. hepatica y Paramphistomidae, y, probablemente, se infectan en los predios de la hacienda. Paramphistomidae es más prevalente que F. hepatica, lo cual concuerda con lo descrito en algunos estudios realizados en hatos del trópico alto andino colombiano. Paramphistomidae se encontró en todos los grupos etarios.

ABSTRACT Fasciolosis and paramphistomosis are a major health problem for the livestock economy worldwide. In Colombia, both distomatosis are reported in cattle, particularly in high Andean tropics, with annual economic losses close to COP 40 billion. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis and paramphistomosis in cattle from La Candelaria farm, Caucasia (Colombia), and the presence of intermediate host snails. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with non-probability convenience sampling. Stool samples were collected from the animals and the diagnosis was made using the modified Dennis technique. Digenea prevalence were determined according to sex, weight, age, and race. Freshwater snails were collected in the studied area and were identified by morphology. 400 and 66 fecal samples from 178 bovines of the Zebu (Bos indicus), BON (white-eared white) breeds and the cross between them were analyzed. Fasciola hepatica and Paramphistomidae were diagnosed with a prevalence of 2,2% and 30,9%, respectively. Coinfection was diagnosed in 1,1% of the cattle. Both trematodosis were most frequent in females (p = 0,03). Freshwater molluscs Ampullariidae, Physidae and Planorbidae without digenea larval stages were identified. It was concluded that dual-purpose cattle from La Candelaria farm are exposed to F. hepatica and Paramphistomidae and are probably infected on the farm grounds. Paramphistomidae was more prevalent than F. hepatica, which agrees with other studies in herds from the Colombian high Andean tropics. Paramphistomidae was found in all age groups.

[Guillain-Barre syndrome in pregnancy]. / Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en el embarazo.

TITLE: Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en el embarazo.

Smell and Taste Dysfunction in COVID-19 Is Associated With Younger Age in Ambulatory Settings: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since the initial anecdotal reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from China, a growing number of studies have reported on smell and/or taste dysfunction (STD). Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency and severity of STD in COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the association with demographic characteristics, hospital admission, symptoms, comorbidities, and blood biomarkers. METHODS: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study on patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (n=846) and controls (n=143) from 15 Spanish hospitals. Data on STD were collected prospectively using an in-person survey. The severity of STD was categorized using a visual analog scale. We analyzed time to onset, recovery rate, time to recovery, hospital admission, pneumonia, comorbidities, smoking, and symptoms. RESULTS: STD was at least 2-fold more common in COVID-19-positive patients than in controls. COVID-19-positive hospitalized patients were older, with a lower frequency of STD, and recovered earlier than outpatients. Analysis stratified by severity of STD showed that more than half of COVID-19 patients presented severe loss of smell (53.7%) or taste (52.2%); both senses were impaired in >90%. In the multivariate analysis, older age (>60 years), being hospitalized, and increased C-reactive protein were associated with a better sense of smell and/or taste. COVID-19-positive patients reported improvement in smell (45.6%) and taste (46.1%) at the time of the survey; in 90.6% this was within 2 weeks of infection. CONCLUSION: STD is a common symptom in COVID-19 and presents mainly in young and nonhospitalized patients. More studies are needed to evaluate follow-up of chemosensory impairment.

Smell and taste dysfunction in COVID-19 is associated with younger age in ambulatory settings: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Since the initial anecdotal reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from China, a growing number of studies have reported on smell and/or taste dysfunction (STD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency and severity of STD in COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the association with demographic characteristics, hospital admission, symptoms, comorbidities, and blood biomarkers. METHODS: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study on patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (n=846) and controls (n=143) from 15 Spanish hospitals. Data on STD were collected prospectively using an in-person survey. The severity of STD was categorized using a visual analog scale. We analyzed time to onset, recovery rate, time to recovery, hospital admission, pneumonia, comorbidities, smoking, and symptoms. RESULTS: STD was at least 2-fold more common in COVID-19-positive patients than in controls. COVID-19-positive hospitalized patients were older, with a lower frequency of STD, and recovered earlier than outpatients. Analysis stratified by severity of STD showed that more than half of COVID-19 patients presented severe loss of smell (53.7%) or taste (52.2%); both senses were impaired in >90%. In the multivariate analysis, older age (>60 years), being hospitalized, and increased C-reactive protein were associated with a better sense of smell and/or taste. COVID-19-positive patients reported improvement in smell (45.6%) and taste (46.1%) at the time of the survey; in 90.6% this was within 2 weeks of infection. CONCLUSION: STD is a common symptom in COVID-19 and presents mainly in young and nonhospitalized patients. More studies are needed to evaluate follow-up of chemosensory impairment

INTRODUCCIÓN: Desde los informes anecdóticos iniciales de China sobre la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), ha habido un número creciente de estudios que describen disfunción del olfato y/o del gusto (DOG). OBJETIVO: El objetivo fue investigar la frecuencia y la gravedad de la DOG en pacientes con COVID-19 y evaluar su asociación con características demográficas, ingreso hospitalario, síntomas, comorbilidades y biomarcadores sanguíneos. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal multicéntrico en pacientes con SARS-CoV-2 positivo (n=846) y controles (n=143) de 15 hospitales españoles. Los datos de DOG fueron recopilados de manera prospectiva con una encuesta realizada en persona. La gravedad de la DOG se clasificó por escala visual analógica. Se analizaron el tiempo de aparición de DOG, tasa de recuperación, tiempo de recuperación, ingreso hospitalario, diagnóstico de neumonía, comorbilidades, tabaquismo y síntomas. RESULTADOS: La DOG fue al menos 2 veces más común en pacientes COVID-19 en comparación con los controles. Los pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 eran mayores, presentaban una menor frecuencia de DOG y se recuperaron antes que los pacientes ambulatorios. El análisis estratificado por gravedad de la DOG mostró que más de la mitad de los sujetos con COVID-19 presentaron pérdida severa del olfato (53,7%) o del gusto (52,2%), en> 90% este deterioro fue de ambos sentidos. En el análisis multivariante, una edad mayor (>60 años), ser hospitalizado y un mayor nivel de proteína C reactiva fueron factores asociados con un mejor sentido del olfato y/o sabor. Los pacientes positivos para COVID-19 informaron una mejoría del olfato (45,6%) y del gusto (46,1%) en el momento de la encuesta, de ellos, un 90,6% en menos de dos semanas después de la infección. CONCLUSIÓN: DOG es un síntoma común en COVID-19, y principalmente presente en pacientes jóvenes y no hospitalizados. Se necesitan más estudios para evaluar el seguimiento de la discapacidad quimio-sensorial

Loading efficacy and binding analysis of retinoids with milk proteins: a short review.

In this review, the loading efficacies of retinoids with milk proteins are investigated. It has been shown that milk proteins ß-lactoglobulin, α-, and ß-caseins bind retinol and retinoic acid via hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and H-bonding contacts causing minor alterations of protein secondary structure. Hydrophobic contact is predominant in retinoid-protein conjugation and several amino acids are involved in complex formation, stabilized by H-bonding network. Loading efficacy of retinoid was about 30-50% with retinol forming more stable protein conjugates. Milk proteins can transport retinoid to target molecules.

Testosterone and its dimers alter tRNA morphology.

The morphology of tRNA was studied upon conjugation with testosterone and its aliphatic and aromatic dimers, using multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling. Structural analysis showed that testosterone binds tRNA through A62, A64, C60, C61, C63, G51, U50 and U59 bases. The binding affinity was testosterone dimer-aromatic>testosterone dimer-aliphatic>testosterone. The steroid loading efficacy was 35-45%. Transmission electron microscopy showed major changes in tRNA morphology upon testosterone interaction with an increase in the diameter of the tRNA aggregate, indicating encapsulation of testosterone by tRNA.

Review on the targeted conjugation of anticancer drugs doxorubicin and tamoxifen with synthetic polymers for drug delivery.

In this review, the binding and loading efficacy (LE) of anticancer drugs doxorubicin (DOX), tamoxifen (Tam) and its metabolites 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-Hydroxytam) and endoxifen (Endox) with several synthetic polymers poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) polyamidoamine (mPEG-PAMAM-G3), and polyamidoamine (PAMAM-G4) dendrimers were compared in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. The results of multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling of conjugated drug-polymer were examined. Structural analysis showed that drug-polymer conjugation occurs mainly via H-bonding and hydrophobic contacts. The order of binding is PAMAM-G4 > mPEG-PAMAM-G3 > PEG-6000 with 4-hydroxttamoxifen forming more stable conjugate than tamoxifen and endoxifen. Doxorubicin shows stronger affinity for PAMAM-G4 than tamoxifen and its metabolites. The drug LE was 30-55%. TEM showed significant changes in the carrier morphology upon drug encapsulation. Modeling also showed that drug is located in the surface and in the internal cavities of PAMAM with DOX forming more stable polymer conjugates.

PEG and mPEG-anthracene conjugate with trypsin and trypsin inhibitor: hydrophobic and hydrophilic contacts.

The conjugation of trypsin (try) and trypsin inhibitor (tryi) with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) anthracene (mPEG-anthracene) was investigated in aqueous solution, using multiple spectroscopic methods, thermodynamic analysis, and molecular modeling. Thermodynamic parameters ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG showed protein-PEG bindings occur via H-bonding and van der Waals contacts with trypsin inhibitor forming more stable conjugate than trypsin. As polymer size increased more stable PEG-protein conjugate formed, while hydrophobic mPEG-anthracene forms less stable protein complexes. Modeling showed the presence of several H-bonding contacts between polymer and amino acids that stabilize protein-polymer conjugation. Polymer complexation induces more perturbations of trypsin inhibitor structure than trypsin with reduction of protein alpha-helix and major increase in random structures, indicating protein structural destabilization.

Effect of testosterone and its aliphatic and aromatic dimers on DNA morphology.

Conjugation of DNA with testosterone and it aliphatic dimer (alip) and aromatic dimer (arom) was investigated in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. Multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling were used to characterize steroid-DNA binding and DNA morphology. Spectroscopic analysis showed that testosterone binds DNA via A7, A16, A17, T8, T15 and T18 nucleobases with overall binding constants Ktest-DNA=1.8 (±0.4)×104M-1, Ktest-dimeralip-DNA=5.7 (±0.7)×104M-1 and Ktest-dimer-arom-DNA=7.3 (±0.9)×104M-1. The binding affinity increases in this order: testosterone dimer-aromatic>testosterone dimer-aliphatic>testosterone. The steroid loading efficacy was 40-50%. Transmission electron microscopy showed major changes in DNA morphology as testosterone-DNA interaction occurred with increase in the diameter of the DNA aggregate, indicating encapsulation of testosterone by DNA. Modeling showed the presence of several nucleobases attached to testosterone with the free binding energy of -4.93Kcal/mol.

Targeted conjugation of breast anticancer drug tamoxifen and its metabolites with synthetic polymers.

Conjugation of antitumor drug tamoxifen and its metabolites, 4-hydroxytamxifen and ednoxifen with synthetic polymers poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) polyamidoamine (mPEG-PAMAM-G3) and polyamidoamine (PAMAM-G4) dendrimers was studied in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. Multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling were used to characterize the drug binding process to synthetic polymers. Structural analysis showed that drug-polymer binding occurs via both H-bonding and hydrophobic contacts. The order of binding is PAMAM-G4>mPEG-PAMAM-G3>PEG-6000 with 4-hydroxttamoxifen forming more stable conjugate than tamoxifen and endoxifen. Transmission electron microscopy showed significant changes in carrier morphology with major changes in the shape of the polymer aggregate as drug encapsulation occurred. Modeling also showed that drug is located in the surface and in the internal cavities of PAMAM with the free binding energy of -3.79 for tamoxifen, -3.70 for 4-hydroxytamoxifen and -3.69kcal/mol for endoxifen, indicating of spontaneous drug-polymer interaction at room temperature.

An overview on the delivery of antitumor drug doxorubicin by carrier proteins.

Serum proteins play an increasing role as drug carriers in the clinical settings. In this review, we have compared the binding modalities of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) to three model carrier proteins, human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and milk beta-lactoglobulin (ß-LG) in order to determine the potential application of these model proteins in DOX delivery. Molecular modeling studies showed stronger binding of DOX with HSA than BSA and ß-LG with the free binding energies of -10.75 (DOX-HSA), -9.31 (DOX-BSA) and -8.12kcal/mol (DOX-ß-LG). Extensive H-boding network stabilizes DOX-protein conjugation and played a major role in drug-protein complex formation. DOX complexation induced major alterations of HSA and BSA conformations, while did not alter ß-LG secondary structure. The literature review shows that these proteins can potentially be used for delivery of DOX in vitro and in vivo.

Review on the binding of anticancer drug doxorubicin with DNA and tRNA: Structural models and antitumor activity.

In this review, we have compared the results of multiple spectroscopic studies and molecular modeling of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) bindings to DNA and tRNA. DOX was intercalated into DNA duplex, while tRNA binding is via major and minor grooves. DOX-DNA intercalation is close to A-7, C-5, *C-19 (H-bonding with DOX NH2 group), G-6, T-8 and T-18 with the free binding energy of -4.99kcal/mol. DOX-tRNA groove bindings are near A-29, A-31, A-38, C-25, C-27, C-28, *G-30 (H-bonding) and U-41 with the free binding energy of -4.44kcal/mol. Drug intercalation induced a partial B to A-DNA transition, while tRNA remained in A-family structure. The structural differences observed between DOX bindings to DNA and tRNA can be the main reasons for drug antitumor activity. The results of in vitro MTT assay on SKC01 colon carcinoma are consistent with the observed DNA structural changes. Future research should be focused on finding suitable nanocarriers for delivery of DOX in vivo in order to exploit the full capacity of this very important anticancer drug.

tRNA conjugation with chitosan nanoparticles: An AFM imaging study.

The conjugation of tRNA with chitosan nanoparticles of different sizes 15,100 and 200 kDa was investigated in aqueous solution using multiple spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Structural analysis showed that chitosan binds tRNA via G-C and A-U base pairs as well as backbone PO2 group, through electrostatic, hydrophilic and H-bonding contacts with overall binding constants of KCh-15-tRNA=4.1 (±0.60)×10(3)M(-1), KCh-100-tRNA=5.7 (±0.8)×10(3)M(-1) and KCh-200-tRNA=1.2 (±0.3)×10(4)M(-1). As chitosan size increases more stable polymer-tRNA conjugate is formed. AFM images showed major tRNA aggregation and particle formation occurred as chitosan concentration increased. Even though chitosan induced major biopolymer structural changes, tRNA remains in A-family structure.

Microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of chitosan-DNA conjugates.

Conjugations of DNA with chitosans 15 kD (ch-15), 100 kD (ch-100) and 200 kD (ch-200) were investigated in aqueous solution at pH 5.5-6.5. Multiple spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to locate the chitosan binding sites and the effect of polymer conjugation on DNA compaction and particle formation. Structural analysis showed that chitosan-DNA conjugation is mainly via electrostatic interactions through polymer cationic charged NH2 and negatively charged backbone phosphate groups. As polymer size increases major DNA compaction and particle formation occurs. At high chitosan concentration major DNA structural changes observed indicating a partial B to A-DNA conformational transition.

Structural analysis of doxorubicin-polymer conjugates.

Synthetic polymers poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) polyamidoamine (mPEG-PAMAM-G3) and polyamidoamine (PAMAM-G4) dendrimers were used for encapsulation of antibiotic drug doxorubicin (Dox) and its analogue N-(trifluoroacetyl) doxorubicin (FDox) in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. Multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling were used to characterize the drug binding process to synthetic polymers. Structural analysis showed that drug-polymer binding occurs via both H-bonding and hydrophobic contacts. The order of binding is PAMAM-G4>mPEG-PAMAM-G3>PEG-6000 with Dox forming more stable conjugate than FDox. Transmission electron microscopy showed significant changes in carrier morphology with major changes in the shape of the polymer aggregate as drug encapsulation occurred. Modeling also showed that drug is located in the surface and in the internal cavities of PAMAM with the free binding energy of -4.14 kcal/mol for Dox and -3.93 kcal/mol for FDox, indicating of spontaneous drug-polymer interaction at room temperature.

The role of polymer size and hydrophobic end-group in PEG-protein interaction.

We investigated the interaction between polyethylene (glycol) (PEG) and human (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution, using multiple spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling. The two important polymer characteristics, size and PEG hydrophobic end-group are studied in order to determine the effect of each one on PEG-protein interaction. The bindings of PEG and mPEG-anthracene with serum albumins occur via hydrophobic and H-bonding contacts with the binding affinity PEG-6000>mPEG-anthracene>PEG-3000 for BSA and EG-6000>PEG-3000>mPEG-anthracene for HSA. Modeling showed different protein binding sites are involved in PEG-BSA and PEG-HSA complexes. Several H-bonding systems between PEG and different amino acids are stabilizing polymer-protein complexes. The free binding energies of -6.48 (PEG-BSA) and -6.36 kcal/mol (PEG-HSA) showed that the interaction process is spontaneous at room temperature. Minor alterations of protein alpha-helix and beta-sheet structures were observed upon PEG complexation.

Effect of polymer molecular weight on chitosan-protein interaction.

We present a comprehensive study of the interactions between chitosan nanoparticles (15, 100 and 200 kDa with the same degree of deacetylation 90%) and two model proteins, i.e., bovine (BSA) and human serum albumins (HSA), with the aim of correlating chitosan molecular weight (Mw) and the binding affinity of these naturally occurring polymers to protein. The effect of chitosan on the protein secondary structure and the influence of protein complexation on the shape of chitosan nanoparticles are discussed. A combination of multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermodynamic analysis were used to assess the polymer-protein complex formation. Results revealed that the three chitosan nanoparticles interact with BSA to form chitosan-BSA complexes, mainly through hydrophobic contacts with the affinity order: 200>100>15 kDa. However, HSA-chitosan complexation is mainly via electrostatic interactions with the stability order: 100>200>15 kDa. Furthermore, the association between polymer and protein causes a partial protein conformational change by a major reduction of α-helix from 63% (free BSA) to 57% (chitosan-BSA) and 57% (free HSA) to 51% (chitosan-HSA). Finally, TEM micrographs clearly revealed that the binding of serum albumins with chitosan nanoparticles induces a significant change in protein morphology and the shape of the polymer.

Applications of chitosan nanoparticles in drug delivery.

We have reviewed the binding affinities of several antitumor drugs doxorubicin (Dox), N-(trifluoroacetyl) doxorubicin (FDox), tamoxifen (Tam), 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-Hydroxytam), and endoxifen (Endox) with chitosan nanoparticles of different sizes (chitosan-15, chitosan-100, and chitosan-200 KD) in order to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan nanocarriers in drug delivery systems. Spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies showed the binding sites and the stability of drug-polymer complexes. Drug-chitosan complexation occurred via hydrophobic and hydrophilic contacts as well as H-bonding network. Chitosan-100 KD was the more effective drug carrier than the chitosan-15 and chitosan-200 KD.

The white band disease type II pathogen in Puerto Rico / El patógeno de la enfermedad de la banda blanca tipo II en Puerto Rico

The white band disease type I (WBD-I) epizootic event of the early 1980’s resulted in significant changes in the structure and composition of coral communities throughout the wider Caribbean. The disease decimated populations of acroporid corals throughout their geographic distribution and it is still affecting the surviving and recovering populations of these corals in a number of localities in the wider Caribbean. The putative pathogen for this syndrome (WBD-I) was never identified. A second pattern of white band was described later as white band type II (WBD-II). A potential pathogen named Vibrio charchariae was identified but Koch’s postulates were never fulfilled. In this work, we present results of a preliminary approach to confirm the identity of the pathogen of WBD-II. During the fall months of 2004, samples of Acropora cervicornis with signs of WBD-II were collected from a small population in Mario reef, an isolated patch reef off La Parguera, southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Bacteria extracted from these samples were isolated in TCBS agar, grown in Glycerol Seawater agar, and then used to inoculate separated, healthy-looking colonies of the same population in the same reef. Isolation, culture, and inoculations of bacteria were conducted under controlled conditions within hours of collection, and no microorganisms that were not already in the reef community were introduced with these experiments. Some of the newly inoculated colonies developed the disease signs within 24 hr. These were subsequently sampled and bacterial re-isolated to be identified, thus complying with the first steps to fulfill Koch ’s postulates for this disease. Rates of advance of the disease signs varied between 0.5 and 2 cm/day. Preliminary analyses indicated that the potential cause of WBD-II is a Vibrio species very close to Vibrio harveyi, a synonymy of V. charchariae. All inoculated coral colonies that developed the signs of WBD-II, behaved as the naturally infected colonies, and all of them showed no signs of the disease after two months of the inoculation when water temperatures dropped due to winter in the area. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 59-67. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.

El evento epizoótico de la enfermedad de banda blanca tipo I (WBD-I) al principio del decenio de 1980 causó cambios significativos en la composición de las comunidades coralinas a todo lo largo del Gran Caribe. La enfermedad eliminó altas proporciones de las poblaciones de acropóridos y aún hoy continua afectando la recuperación de sus poblaciones en muchas localidades. El agente causante de esta enfermedad (WBD-I) nunca fue identificado. Un conjunto de características diferentes de esta enfermedad fue descrito en 1998, como banda blanca tipo II (WBD-II), y la bacteria Vibrio charchariae fue identificada como la posible causante. Sin embargo, los postulados de Koch nunca se cumplieron. En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de estudios preliminares para identificar el agente causante de WBD-II en el Caribe. Durante los meses de otoño del 2003 y 2004, recolectamos muestras de Acropora cervicornis con signos de WBD-II en Mario, un arrecife de parche aislado en La Parguera, costa sur occidental de Puerto Rico. Las bacterias extraídas de estas muestras fueron aisladas en agar TCBS, criadas en agar Glicerol Agua de mar y luego utilizadas para infectar colonias separadas sin signos de enfermedad en la misma población y localidad. El aislamiento, cultivo e inoculación de bacterias se hizo en condiciones controladas, y no introdujimos ningún microorganismo que no hubiera estado previamente en el arrecife. Algunas de las colonias inoculadas desarrollaron signos de la enfermedad en 24 hr. Tomamos muestras de estas colonias y las bacterias fueron nuevamente aisladas para ser identificadas y así completar los postulados de Koch. Las tasas de avance de los signos de la enfermedad variaron entre 0.5 y 2 cm/día. Preliminarmente confirmamos que la causa de WBD-II es una especie de Vibrio muy cercana a Vibrio harveyi, sinónimo de V. charchariae. Todas las colonias coralinas inoculadas que desarrollaron signos de WBD-II se comportaron como las colonias infectadas naturalmente y ninguna de ellas presentó signos de la enfermedad al cabo de dos meses, cuando las temperaturas del agua descendieron con el invierno.

Análisis de validez convergente y discriminante de la versión experimental castellana del Cuestionario de Depresión Estado-Rasgo (ST-DEP) / Analysis of convergent and discrimant validity of the Spanish experimental version of the State-Trait Depression Questionaire (ST-DEP)

Introducción. El presente trabajo presenta las evidencias de validez convergente y discriminante de la versión experimental castellana del Cuestionario de Depresión Estado- Rasgo (ST-DEP). Este cuestionario se ofrece como una herramienta novedosa, puesto que ofrece una alternativa a la mayoría de las escalas utilizadas para evaluar depresión, las cuales difieren en los contenidos que evalúan y en la estimación de los diferentes niveles de depresión. Metodología. El estudio se realizó con 300 sujetos adultos jóvenes (103 hombres y 197 mujeres). La media de edad fue de 21,82 y la desviación típica fue de 2,74 para los hombres y de 22,26, con una desviación típica de 3,66, para las mujeres. Los participantes recibieron información acerca de la investigación y participaron voluntariamente. Resultados y conclusiones. Los resultados indican altas y significativas correlaciones del ST-DEP con las medidas de depresión (BDI y CBD-R), mostrando así la validez convergente del cuestionario. También aparecen altas y significativas correlaciones con el STAI, confirmando lo reportado acerca de la comorbilidad entre ambos trastornos y las altas puntuaciones en ansiedad que presentan en sujetos con depresión. Por su parte, las correlaciones con el STAXI-2 fueron bajas y en la mayoría de los casos no significativas, lo cual evidencia la validez divergente del ST-DEP

Introduction. This article reports data on the convergent and divergent validity of the Spanish adaptation of Spielberger’s State-Trait Depression Questionnaire (STDEP). This questionnaire is a new tool because it offers an alternative to the obstacles found in most of the depression assessment scales that are differentiated in the content they evaluate and their estimation of depression levels. Methodology. The present study was carried out with a sample of 300 participants (103 males and 197 females), with mean age of 21.82 (2.74 s.d.) for males and 22.26 (3.66 s.d.) for females. All participants received information about the investigation and participated voluntarily. Results and conclusions. The results indicate high and significant correlations of the Spanish ST-DEP scales with other depression measures (BDI, BDQ-R), thus showing the convergent validity of this questionnaire. Highly significant correlations between the Spanish STDEP and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) also appear, confirming that reported about the comorbidity between both disorders and the high scores in anxiety that subjects with depression have. In contrast, correlations with the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2) were low and non-significant in most cases, which demonstrated the divergent validity of the ST-DEP