Bioactive properties of Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts / Propriedades bioativas de extratos de folhas e frutos de Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae)

Abstract Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Resumo Persea lingue Ness é uma árvore que vive principalmente na floresta temperada do centro-sul do Chile. As folhas são usadas na etnomedicina. O fruto é uma drupa similar ao abacate e que nunca foi pesquisada anteriormente. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a citotoxicidade em células leucêmicas e as atividades antibacterianas, assim como algumas características químicas do extrato de fruto e da folha do P. lingue. As atividades antibacterianas foram determinadas pelo método da inibição do crescimento bacteriano em meio líquido empregando-se bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. As linhagens celulares leucêmicas, Kasumi-1 e Jurkat foram usadas para avaliar a atividade citotóxica em ensaios empregando-se iodeto de propídio e AlamarBlue. Foram avaliados os teores totais de fenóis, flavonóides, taninos condensados, alcalóides e lipídeos presentes nos extratos das folhas e dos frutos. As atividades antioxidantes de ambos os extratos também foram avaliadas. O extrato das folhas foi o que apresentou o maior conteúdo de fenóis, taninos condensados e flavonóides totais e a maior atividade antioxidante. Já o extrato de fruto apresentou a maior quantidade de lipídios e alcaloides e a melhor atividade antibacteriana contra Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium e Micrococcus luteus. Já o extrato das folhas apresentou apenas atividade contra M. luteus. Em relação à atividade citotóxica, apenas o extrato do fruto apresentou citotoxicidade contra as linhagens celulares Jurkat e Kasumi-1. Em resumo, o extrato do fruto de P. lingue é uma potencial fonte de moléculas com atividade biológica para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a serem utilizados em alguns tipos de leucemia, bem como agente antibacteriano.

Bioactive properties of persea lingue ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts

Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Bioactive properties of Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts / Propriedades bioativas de extratos de folhas e frutos de Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae)

Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Persea lingue Ness é uma árvore que vive principalmente na floresta temperada do centro-sul do Chile. As folhas são usadas na etnomedicina. O fruto é uma drupa similar ao abacate e que nunca foi pesquisada anteriormente. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a citotoxicidade em células leucêmicas e as atividades antibacterianas, assim como algumas características químicas do extrato de fruto e da folha do P. lingue. As atividades antibacterianas foram determinadas pelo método da inibição do crescimento bacteriano em meio líquido empregando-se bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. As linhagens celulares leucêmicas, Kasumi-1 e Jurkat foram usadas para avaliar a atividade citotóxica em ensaios empregando-se iodeto de propídio e AlamarBlue. Foram avaliados os teores totais de fenóis, flavonóides, taninos condensados, alcalóides e lipídeos presentes nos extratos das folhas e dos frutos. As atividades antioxidantes de ambos os extratos também foram avaliadas. O extrato das folhas foi o que apresentou o maior conteúdo de fenóis, taninos condensados e flavonóides totais e a maior atividade antioxidante. Já o extrato de fruto apresentou a maior quantidade de lipídios e alcaloides e a melhor atividade antibacteriana contra Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium e Micrococcus luteus. Já o extrato das folhas apresentou apenas atividade contra M. luteus. Em relação à atividade citotóxica, apenas o extrato do fruto apresentou citotoxicidade contra as linhagens celulares Jurkat e Kasumi-1. Em resumo, o extrato do fruto de P. lingue é uma potencial fonte de moléculas com atividade biológica para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a serem utilizados em alguns tipos de leucemia, bem como agente antibacteriano.

Bioactive properties of Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts / Propriedades bioativas de extratos de folhas e frutos de Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae)

Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Persea lingue Ness é uma árvore que vive principalmente na floresta temperada do centro-sul do Chile. As folhas são usadas na etnomedicina. O fruto é uma drupa similar ao abacate e que nunca foi pesquisada anteriormente. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a citotoxicidade em células leucêmicas e as atividades antibacterianas, assim como algumas características químicas do extrato de fruto e da folha do P. lingue. As atividades antibacterianas foram determinadas pelo método da inibição do crescimento bacteriano em meio líquido empregando-se bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. As linhagens celulares leucêmicas, Kasumi-1 e Jurkat foram usadas para avaliar a atividade citotóxica em ensaios empregando-se iodeto de propídio e AlamarBlue. Foram avaliados os teores totais de fenóis, flavonóides, taninos condensados, alcalóides e lipídeos presentes nos extratos das folhas e dos frutos. As atividades antioxidantes de ambos os extratos também foram avaliadas. O extrato das folhas foi o que apresentou o maior conteúdo de fenóis, taninos condensados e flavonóides totais e a maior atividade antioxidante. Já o extrato de fruto apresentou a maior quantidade de lipídios e alcaloides e a melhor atividade antibacteriana contra Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium e Micrococcus luteus. Já o extrato das folhas apresentou apenas atividade contra M. luteus. Em relação à atividade citotóxica, apenas o extrato do fruto apresentou citotoxicidade contra as linhagens celulares Jurkat e Kasumi-1. Em resumo, o extrato do fruto de P. lingue é uma potencial fonte de moléculas com atividade biológica para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a serem utilizados em alguns tipos de leucemia, bem como agente antibacteriano.

Bioactive properties of Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts

Abstract Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Resumo Persea lingue Ness é uma árvore que vive principalmente na floresta temperada do centro-sul do Chile. As folhas são usadas na etnomedicina. O fruto é uma drupa similar ao abacate e que nunca foi pesquisada anteriormente. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a citotoxicidade em células leucêmicas e as atividades antibacterianas, assim como algumas características químicas do extrato de fruto e da folha do P. lingue. As atividades antibacterianas foram determinadas pelo método da inibição do crescimento bacteriano em meio líquido empregando-se bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. As linhagens celulares leucêmicas, Kasumi-1 e Jurkat foram usadas para avaliar a atividade citotóxica em ensaios empregando-se iodeto de propídio e AlamarBlue. Foram avaliados os teores totais de fenóis, flavonóides, taninos condensados, alcalóides e lipídeos presentes nos extratos das folhas e dos frutos. As atividades antioxidantes de ambos os extratos também foram avaliadas. O extrato das folhas foi o que apresentou o maior conteúdo de fenóis, taninos condensados e flavonóides totais e a maior atividade antioxidante. Já o extrato de fruto apresentou a maior quantidade de lipídios e alcaloides e a melhor atividade antibacteriana contra Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium e Micrococcus luteus. Já o extrato das folhas apresentou apenas atividade contra M. luteus. Em relação à atividade citotóxica, apenas o extrato do fruto apresentou citotoxicidade contra as linhagens celulares Jurkat e Kasumi-1. Em resumo, o extrato do fruto de P. lingue é uma potencial fonte de moléculas com atividade biológica para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a serem utilizados em alguns tipos de leucemia, bem como agente antibacteriano.

Bioactive properties of Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts.

Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii in food processing: a review.

Probiotics are increasingly being added to food in order to develop products with health-promoting properties. Particularly, Saccharomyces cereviceae var. boulardii yeast is recently being investigated like a starting-culture for development of functional and probiotic foods. Although the literature is abundant on the beneficial effects of S. boulardii on health, slight information is available on the effects of supplementing this probiotic to food systems. The aim of this paper is to examine the applications of S. boulardii to different food matrices and its implication in food processing (stability, sensorial properties and other technological implications) and the concomitant effects on nutrition and health.

Effect of exercise duration on pro-oxidants and pH in exhaled breath condensate in humans

Exercise promotes pulmonary oxidative imbalance. In this regard, some evidence has been obtained from the study of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) during urban races, in which the factors involved in the occurrence of this process are still not characterized. In this paper, under laboratory conditions, both the role of time of exercise on the generation of pro-oxidants (H2O2, NO2-) and pH have been assessed in EBC of 16 under-trained subjects who completed three tests of cycloergometric exercise at low intensity (30 % of VO2 max) with a duration of 10, 30, and 90 min. Samples were obtained as follows: immediately before and at 80 min post exertion in each test. In the 90-min test, an increase in H2O2, NO2- concentration in EBC at 80 min post exertion with no changes in the pH was observed. Total O2 consumption and total ventilation weakly correlated with the changes in H2O2 and NO2-. In conclusion, the concentration of pro-oxidants in the EBC depends on the duration of the exercise when it is performed at low intensity under laboratory conditions (AU)

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Effect of exercise duration on pro-oxidants and pH in exhaled breath condensate in humans.

Exercise promotes pulmonary oxidative imbalance. In this regard, some evidence has been obtained from the study of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) during urban races, in which the factors involved in the occurrence of this process are still not characterized. In this paper, under laboratory conditions, both the role of time of exercise on the generation of pro-oxidants (H2O2, NO2 (-)) and pH have been assessed in EBC of 16 under-trained subjects who completed three tests of cycloergometric exercise at low intensity (30 % of VO2 max) with a duration of 10, 30, and 90 min. Samples were obtained as follows: immediately before and at 80 min post exertion in each test. In the 90-min test, an increase in H2O2, NO2 (-) concentration in EBC at 80 min post exertion with no changes in the pH was observed. Total O2 consumption and total ventilation weakly correlated with the changes in H2O2 and NO2 (-). In conclusion, the concentration of pro-oxidants in the EBC depends on the duration of the exercise when it is performed at low intensity under laboratory conditions.

Increase of pro-oxidants with no evidence of lipid peroxidation in exhaled breath condensate after a 10-km race in non-athletes

It is a well-established fact that exercise increases pro-oxidants and favors oxidative stress; however, this phenomenon has been poorly studied in human lungs. Pro-oxidative generation (H2O2, NO2 −), lipid peroxidation markers (MDA), and inflammation (pH) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) have been determined through data from 10 active subjects who ran 10 km; samples were obtained immediately before, at 20, and at 80 min post-exertion. In EBC, the concentration of H2O2at 80 min post-exertion was increased. NO2 − concentration showed a tendency to increase at 80 min post-exertion, with no variations in MDA and pH. No variations of NO2 − were found in plasma, while there was an increase of NO2 − at 80 min post-exertion in the relation between EBC and plasma. NO2 − in EBC did not correlate to plasmatic NO2 −, while it did correlate directly with H2O2 in EBC, suggesting a localized origin for the exercise-related NO2 − increase in EBC. MDA in plasma did not increase nor correlate with MDA in EBC. In conclusion, high-intensity exercise increases lung-originated pro-oxidants in non-athlete subjects with no evidence of early lipid peroxidation and changes in the pH value in EBC

Morphology and Distribution of Sensilla on the Antennae of Hylamorpha elegans Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Considering that sensilla constitute important functional elements of sensory systems in insects, the aim of this study was to determine the type and distribution of sensilla in the antennae of Hylamorpha elegans Burmeister examined by scanning electron microscopy. Hylamorpha elegans antennae are lamellate and consist of the scape, pedicel, and flagellum. The antennal club of this beetle consists of three terminal plates: proximal, middle, and distal lamellae. Four types of sensilla were observed in the lamellae from both sexes: sensilla trichoidea, chaetica, coeloconica, and placodea. Antennal length was larger in males than in females, and significant sexual variation in the number of sensilla placodea and sensilla coeloconica was observed.

Increase of pro-oxidants with no evidence of lipid peroxidation in exhaled breath condensate after a 10-km race in non-athletes.

It is a well-established fact that exercise increases pro-oxidants and favors oxidative stress; however, this phenomenon has been poorly studied in human lungs. Pro-oxidative generation (H(2)O(2), NO(2) (-)), lipid peroxidation markers (MDA), and inflammation (pH) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) have been determined through data from 10 active subjects who ran 10 km; samples were obtained immediately before, at 20, and at 80 min post-exertion. In EBC, the concentration of H(2)O(2) at 80 min post-exertion was increased. NO(2) (-) concentration showed a tendency to increase at 80 min post-exertion, with no variations in MDA and pH. No variations of NO(2) (-) were found in plasma, while there was an increase of NO(2) (-) at 80 min post-exertion in the relation between EBC and plasma. NO(2) (-) in EBC did not correlate to plasmatic NO(2) (-), while it did correlate directly with H(2)O(2) in EBC, suggesting a localized origin for the exercise-related NO(2) (-) increase in EBC. MDA in plasma did not increase nor correlate with MDA in EBC. In conclusion, high-intensity exercise increases lung-originated pro-oxidants in non-athlete subjects with no evidence of early lipid peroxidation and changes in the pH value in EBC.

BRCA mutations and outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC): experience in ethnically diverse groups.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with BRCA mutations have better prognosis than nonhereditary cases matched for histology and stage and age at diagnosis, especially Ashkenazi Jews (AJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data on 700 highly ethnically heterogeneous patients diagnosed with stage Ic-IV EOC and evaluated for BRCA status between 1995 and 2009 in American, Israeli, and Italian medical centers. RESULTS: The ethnicities of the 190 patients (median age 55.5 years, range 31-83 years) were AJ, Jewish non-Ashkenazi, Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, or unknown. Ninety were BRCA1/2 carriers (71 BRCA1 and 19BRCA2). The most common mutations in AJ and non-AJ origins were 185delAG and 6174delT. Non-Jewish Caucasians exhibited the widest variation (>20 mutation subtypes). BRCA carriers had significantly prolonged median overall survival (93.6 months) compared with noncarriers (66.6 months; 95% confidence interval 44.5-91.7, P = 0.0081). There was no difference in progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate a wide variety of BRCA mutations in a highly ethnically diverse EOC population, and confirm that EOC BRCA mutation carriers have better prognosis with longer median survival than patients with nonhereditary disease. The contribution of unclassified BRCA variants to cancer etiology remains undetermined.

Influence of copper on root exudate patterns in some metallophytes and agricultural plants.

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to determine the root exudation patterns in two Cu-metallophytes (Oenothera picensis and Imperata condensata) and two agricultural plants (Lupinus albus and Helianthus annuus). Plants were grown in nutrient solution at increasing Cu doses (0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2mgCuL(-1)), and plant growth, root elongation, Cu accumulation and root exudates were measured. All plants showed a decrease of over 60% in root elongation at the highest Cu supply level, being O. picensis the most sensitive specie and showing the highest shoot and root Cu concentrations (116 and 2657µgCug(-1), respectively), which were six fold higher than the other species. Differences in root exudation patterns of low molecular weight organic acids were found, with extremely high amounts of succinic acid exuded by O. picensis (1049µmolg(-1)h(-1)), and citric acid by I. condensata (164µmolg(-1)h(-1)). In metallophytes, the organic acid exudation was increased even with no root elongation, meanwhile agricultural plants exuded citric acid at constant levels. Exudation of phenolic compounds was highly species-dependent, with catechin mainly exuded by I. condensata, (2.62µmolg(-1)h(-1)) cinnamic acid by O. picensis (5.08µmolg(-1)h(-1)) and coumaric acid exclusively exuded by H. annuus (13.6µmolg(-1)h(-1)) at high Cu levels. These results indicated that differences in root exudation patterns among metallophytes and agricultural plants could affect their Cu tolerance. Particularly, the higher exudation rate showed by I. condensata can be an effective exclusion mechanism to tolerate high Cu concentrations, supporting its use in Cu phytostabilization programs.

Indicación quirúrgica tardía en trauma renal: experiencia de 15 años del Hospital San Juan De Dios / Delayed surgical indication for renal trauma: 15 years of experience in the Hospital San Juan De Dios

Introducción: El trauma renal está involucrado en 10 por ciento de los traumatizados, el estudio de imágenes nos ha permitido manejar más conservadoramente a estos pacientes, sin embargo los parámetros clínicos siguen siendo una valiosa herramienta de vigilancia que nos permitirá tomar una conducta quirúrgica oportuna. Objetivo: Análisis de la indicación quirúrgica tardía en pacientes con trauma renal en los últimos 15años en el Servicio de Urología del Hospital San Juan de Dios. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes hospitalizados en Servicio de Urología entre los años 1994 y 2008, se obtienen 70 fichas clínicas, se registra edad, sexo, mecanismo de lesión, estudio de imágenes y tratamiento. La edad promedio fue de 31 años, sexo masculino (85 por ciento), el mecanismo de lesión fue: agresión de terceros en 39 por ciento, caída de altura (22 por ciento), accidente de tránsito (20 por ciento), deportes 10 por ciento y otros 9 por ciento; traumatismo cerrado en 52 pacientes y penetrante en 18 casos ;Grado I: 40 por ciento; GII: 17 por ciento; GIII: 17 por ciento; GIV: 23 por ciento, GV: 3 por ciento. Se define como tardía a la exploración quirúrgica después de una semana ocurrido el accidente. Resultados: Catorce pacientes (20 por ciento) se intervinieron quirúrgicamente en forma tardía; se operaron8 de los 52 pacientes con trauma renal cerrado (15 por ciento), en 6 de ellos se realizó nefrectomía por riñones patológicos, 2 pacientes presentaron a la semana post accidente una caída del hematocrito asociado a hematuria severa, se realizó en uno de ellos drenaje más nefrorrafia y en otro nefrectomía simple. De los pacientes con trauma penetrante se operaron 4 pacientes (22 por ciento), en dos pacientes por un descenso del hematocrito en menos de 48 horas; un tercer paciente se exploró porque se detecta un crecimiento de la masa palpable al examen físico y un 4º paciente cuya indicación

Introduction: Renal trauma is involved in 10 percent of trauma cases, image studies have allowed us to handle these patients with more conservative criteria, and nevertheless clinical parameters continue being a valuable monitoring tool that allows us to take an opportune surgical conduct. Objective: Analysis of delayed surgical indication in patients with renal trauma in the last 15 years in the Service of Urology of the Hospital San Juan de Dios. Material and methods: Retrospective study of patients hospitalized in the Urology unit, between years 1994 and 2008. 70 clinical charts are obtained, and age, sex, mechanism of injury, image studies and treatment are registered. The age average was of 31 years, masculine sex (85 percent), the injury mechanism was: third party aggression in 39 percent, fallen of height (22 percent), traffic accident (20 percent), sports 10 percent and other 9 percent. Trauma was closed in 52 patients and penetrating in 18 cases. Grade I: 40 percent; GII: 17 percent; GIII: 17 percent; GIV: 23 percent, GV: 3 percent. Delayed surgical exploration is defined as the one performed after one week of the accident. Results: Fourteen patients (20 percent) had delayed surgery; 8 of the 52 patients with closed renal trauma were operated (15 percent), in 6 of them a nephrectomy was performed due to pathological kidneys, 2patients presented to the week post In 2 patients a hematocrit fall and severe hematuria was seen a week after the accident, in one of them a drainage and nephrorrafy was performed and in the other a simple nephrectomy.Of the patients with penetrating trauma 4 patients were operated (22 percent). In two patients because a fall of the hematocrit in less than 48 hours, a third patient was explored because of a growing mass detected at physical examination, and a 4th patient whose surgical indication was determined by clinical parameters of infection, in him an infected urinoma was drained...

Green liquor dregs effect on Kraft mill secondary sludge composting.

Increased Kraft pulp mill production generates increased solid wastes. In response, composting has emerged as an interesting alternative for disposal of these solid wastes. A central composite factor design was used to investigate the influence of incubation conditions (dregs addition and operation time) on chemical and biological parameters, determining the best in-vessel conditions in order to develop a correct composting design. Dregs helped reduce the pH drop that occurs at the beginning of the process. Biological activities presented high values during the active phase, followed by a decrease with stable final values along with N-NH(4)(+) and N-NO(3)(-) trend, which were indicative of mature compost. Dregs addition had not significant effect on the biological activities during composting of Kraft mill sludge. However, moderate amounts of dregs (between 5% and 8%) at operation time of 60-70 days would be the best compromise.

Compromiso de la grasa periganglionar como factor de riesgo en linfadenectomía inguinal modificada en cáncer de pene / Involvement of the perinodal fat as a risk factor in modified inguinal lymphnode dissection for penile cancer

Introducción: La linfadenectomía en cáncer de pene cumple un importantísimo rol en la etapificación y tratamiento. Históricamente ha sido subutilizada por la morbilidad asociada al procedimiento quirúrgico. Objetivo: Análisis de la linfadenectomía inguinal modificada, su rol etapificador y el compromiso de la grasa periganglionar como factor de mal pronóstico. Material y método: Revisión retrospectiva de 40 linfadenectomías inguinales modificadas, realizadas en 20 pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de pene, entre los años 1995 y 2009. La edad promedio de los pacientes estudiados fue de 63,8 años, con un tiempo de evolución promedio de la lesión de 8,2 meses. La histología en la totalidad de los casos fue carcinoma escamoso, realizándose como primera aproximación quirúrgica 8penectomías parciales y 12 totales. Técnica quirúrgica utilizada: Linfadenectomía inguinal modificada. Resultados: Se realizaron 22 linfadenectomías profilácticas, obteniéndose ganglios inguinales superficiales (+) en 4 oportunidades y ganglios profundos (+) en 1 de ellas. Se realizaron 18 linfadenectomías terapéuticas, obteniéndose ganglios inguinales superficiales (+) en 12 procedimientos y ganglios profundos (+) en 4 de ellos. La sobrevida general a 5 años, fue de 15 por ciento y la específica de 10 por ciento.Los factores de mal pronóstico fueron la indiferenciación lesional, el compromiso de ganglios inguinales profundos y el compromiso de la grasa periganglionar. Discusión: No existiendo actualmente exámenes con adecuada sensibilidad y especificidad para detectar el compromiso ganglionar inguinal en el cáncer de pene, se plantea como rol primario de la Linfadenectomía, la etapificación; sin embargo, su rol terapéutico es el más importante, pudiendo ser curativo especialmente en pacientes con micrometástasis. Detectados factores de mal pronóstico, como el compromiso de la grasa periganglionar, se podría mejorar la sobrevida de la enfermedad en pacientes seleccionados con terapias...

Introduction: Lymphnode dissection (LND) in penile cancer (PC) plays an important role both in staging andtreatment. Historically, LND has been underused due to the morbidity associated to the surgical procedure. Objective: To study modified inguinal LND for staging and to evaluate involvement of the perinodal fat as a factor for poor prognosis. Material and method: A retrospective review of 40 modified inguinal LND performed in 20 patients with a diagnosis of PC between 1995 and 2009 was done. Mean age was 63.8 years. The lesion had been present an average of 8.2 month prior to the diagnosis. In all cases, the biopsy showed squamus cell carcinoma. Surgical procedure was partial penectomy in 8 patients and total penectomy in 12 cases. All patients underwent modified inguinal LND. Results: Twenty two prophylactic LND were performed. In 4 cases, (+) superficial lymphnodes were obtained and in 1 case, (+) deep lymphnodes were found. Eighteen therapeutic LND were done. In 12 LND, (+) superficial nodes were found and in 4 cases, deep (+) lymphnodes were found. Overall survival at 5 years was 15 percent, whereas the specific survival was 10 percent. Poor prognostic factors were the following: high histologic grade, involvement of deep inguinal nodes and involvement of the perinodal fat. Discussion: Currently, there are no tests with enough sensitivity and specificity to detect lymphnode involvement in PC. Therefore, LND has an important role in staging; however, its therapeutic role is even more important; the procedure might be curative in patients with micrometastases. When poor prognostic factors such as involvement of the perinodal fat are found, survival could be improved using adjuvant therapies like radiation therapy or combined chemotherapy.

A screening and prevention programme serving an ethnically diverse population of women at high risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.

INTRODUCTION: We describe a screening and prevention programme primarily targeting under-served minority women at high risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Women attending this Bellevue Hospital Center (BHC) Clinic were either self-referred from a variety of special outreach programmes or referred internally by medical professionals caring for relatives or friends. Our objective was to delineate referral sources and preliminary risk-assessment findings in relation to demographic features in this population. METHODS: Following a detailed family and personal history intake and physical examination, each woman on her initial visit is categorized into a low (standard) risk, high-risk or indeterminate-risk group. Women found to be at high risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancers are referred for further testing, additional screening measures, or participation in chemoprevention trials. All other women are counselled concerning follow-up and lifestyle issues. RESULT: Between 2003 and 2007, 171 women for whom complete information was obtained were analysed. Thirty-four of the women were Caucasians (19.8%) and 137 (80.2%) were ethnically diverse minority women. Sixty-two (36.2%) were found to be at high risk with a median age of 42 years. The majority of the high-risk women were referred to the clinic by medical professionals (58%), most of whom were from within the BHC health care system. In fact, one-fourth of the referrals were women who carried a diagnosis of cancer, mostly arising in the breast, and who were concerned with risks to other family members. Trends in genetic testing results indicate fewer mutations among high-risk Asians than among other ethnicities. CONCLUSION: Accurate risk assessments and implementation of screening and prevention measures have been challenging during the first few years of operation. Nevertheless, the need for providing consultation from internal referrals and the potential for genetic and psychosocial research in an ethnically diverse population are powerful incentives for continuing to evolve these services.

Epidemiología de la Insuficiencia Renal Aguda grave: un estudio prospectivo multicéntrico en la Región Metropolitana / Epidemiology of severe acute renal failure in Metropolitan Santiago

Background: There is a paucity of information about the epidemiology of acute renal failure in Chile. Aim: To perform a prospective multicentric survey of severe acute renal failure in Chile. Material and methods: All patients admitted to ten hospitals in Metropolitan Santiago, during a period of six months with severe acute renal failure, were studied. The criteria for severity was the requirement of renal replacement therapy. All patients information was gathered in special forms and the type of renal replacement therapy and evolution was registeres. Results: One hundred fourteen patients were studied (65 males, age range 18 to 87 years). The calculated incidence of acute renal failure was 1.03 cases per 1000 hospital discharges. The onset was nosocomial in 79 subjects (69%) and community acquired in the rest. Renal failure was oliguric in 64 cases (56%) and in 60% of patients it had two or more causative factors. Sepsis, isolated or combined with other causes, was present in 51 of patients. Other causes included ischemia in 47%, surgery in 26%, exogenous toxicity in 25%, endocenous toxicity in 11%, acute glomerular damage in 6% and obstructive uropathy in 6%. Cardiac surgery was responsible for 47% of post operative cases of acute renal failure. Intermittent conventional hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement techniques and daily prolonged hemodialysis were used in 66%, 29% and 2% of patients, respectively. Overall mortality was 45% and it was higher in oliguric patients. Gender, age, cause or the type of therapy did not influence survival. Nine percent of surviving patients had some degree of kidney dysfunction at discharge. Conclusions: There is still a great space for prevention of severe acute renal failure in Chile, considering the main etiologies found in this study.

Resonance energy transfer determination of the distance between the four cysteine-364 residues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.

Each of the four subunits of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase has one cysteine residue (Cys-364) that is protected against alkylation by MnATP and that is thought to be located at (or close to) the active site (M. Alvear, M. V. Encinas, S. Latshaw, R. G. Kemp, and E. Cardemil, 1992, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1119, 35-38). To determine the distance relationships between these residues within this tetrameric enzyme, we have derivatized one of these reactive thiols with N-acetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine (AEDANS) and the others progressively with 4-[N-[(acetoxy)ethyl]-N-methylamino]-7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (ANBD). In the doubly labeled protein nonradiative singlet-singlet energy transfer between AEDANS (donor) and ANBD (acceptor) was observed. The efficiency of the energy transfer is proportional to the number of occupied acceptor sites. From these data it has been determined that one of the acceptor sites is 33 A from the donor, and the remaining two sites are 44-46 A from the donor. Cross-linking experiments revealed that mainly cross-linked dimers were produced upon reaction of the enzyme with o-phthalaldehyde and dithiobissuccinimidylpropionate. We interpret these results as an indication that this tetrameric enzyme is most likely composed of an association of two dimers.