Quantitative and functional evaluation of innate immune responses in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluate the frequency and functional response of innate immune cells in peripheral blood (PB) from patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and healthy controls upon activation with agonists of the Toll-like receptors (TLR) TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9. In addition, several nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these TLR genes were examined. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to perform immunophenotyping and evaluate the expression of cell surface markers. Levels of cytokines in the culture supernatants were evaluated using cytometric bead array technology. SNPs in the TLR genes were evaluated from genomic DNA using different sequencing techniques. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that the frequency of CD1d-restricted TCR invariant natural killer T cells in PB was significantly reduced in the patients with CVID. A marked, though not significant, reduction in absolute numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and natural killer cells was also observed in these patients. Interestingly, CD80 and CD86 expression on innate cells upon stimulation with TLR ligands was not altered in the patients although 3 of them exhibited low baseline levels of these surface molecules on monocytes compared to healthy controls. We also observed a significant increase in TNF-alpha levels in supernatants of PB mononuclear cells from CVID patients after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Finally, no association was found between the presence of nonsynonymous SNPs within the TLR genes and the clinical presentation of CVID. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our study demonstrates than innate immune responses are disturbed in some CVID patients and prompts the evaluation of innate immunity genes as candidates to explain the CVID clinical phenotype.

La suplementación estratégica de bucerros manejados en pasturas con predominio de Hymenachne amplexicaulis estimula las conductas de ingestión y mejora la ganancia de peso / Strategic supplementation of buffalo calves managed in pastures with a predominance of Hymenachne amplexicaulis stimulates ingestion behavior and improves weight gain

Introducción: En Colombia, la producción bufalina viene creciendo de forma importante. Los búfalos se adaptan bien a zonas aluviales, que se caracterizan por la presencia de especies de gramíneas nativas, como Hymenachne amplexicaulis. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de diferentes tipos de suplementación sobre el desempeño productivo y comportamiento ingestivo de bucerros manejados en pasturas con predominio de Hymenachne amplexicaulis. Materiales y métodos: Treinta bucerros Murrah, con 67.5 (DE=2) kg de peso y 4 meses de edad, se asignaron, aleatoriamente, sí son tres tratamientos: SS: sin suplementación; SM: suplemento mineral y SM+C: suplemento mineral + balanceado (0.5% peso corporal). Los animales pastorearon en praderas con predominio de Hymenachne amplexicaulis, y en la noche recibieron el suplemento en corrales. Las variables estudiadas fueron la ganancia de peso y el tiempo destinado a realizar diferentes conductas de ingestión, además de las tasas de bocados y estaciones de alimentación. Resultados: El consumo diario de mezcla mineral fue de 33.8 g en los dos grupos suplementados, y el de balanceado de 149.3 g. La oferta de SM y de SM+C produjo un incremento extra en la ganancia de peso de 68 y de 227 g, respectivamente (p <0.001). Los animales suplementados presentaron mayor tiempo de pastoreo (p<0.001) y menor tiempo de rumia (p =0.001). La relación beneficio/costo, para los tratamientos SM y SM+C, fue de 4.2 y 4.3, respectivamente. Conclusión: Bajo las condiciones de estudio, las dos estrategias de suplementación evaluadas mejoraron el desempeño de los animales y presentaron viabilidad económica, en especial la oferta simultanea de mezcla mineral y de alimento balanceado.

Introduction: In Colombia, buffalo production has been growing significantly. Buffaloes adapt well to alluvial areas, which are characterized by the presence of native grass species, such as Hymenachne amplexicaulis. Objective: To evaluate the effect of different strategies of supplementation on the productive performance and ingestive behavior of calves managed in pastures with a predominance of Hymenachne amplexicaulis. Materials and methods: Thirty Murrah calves, weighing 67.5 (SD=2) kg and 4 months old, were randomly assigned to three treatments: SS: no supplementation; SM: mineral supplement and SM+C: mineral supplement + concentrate (0.5% body weight). The animals grazed in meadows with a predominance of Hymenachne amplexicaulis, and at night they received the supplement in pens. The variables studied were weight gain and time spent on different eating behaviors, in addition to biting rate and feeding stations. Results: The mineral mixture consumption was 33.8 g in the SM and SM+C groups, and the balanced consumption was 149.3 g. The supply of SM and SM+C produced an extra increase in weight gain of 68 and 227 g, respectively (p < 0.001). Supplemented animals grazed longer (p<0.001) and ruminated less time (p =0.001). The benefit/cost ratio for the SM and SM+C treatments was 4.2 and 4.3, respectively. Conclusion: Under the study conditions, the supplementation strategies evaluated improved the performance of the animals and presented economic viability, especially the simultaneous offer of mineral mix and balanced feed.

Apoptosis as a mechanism of natural resistance to HIV-1 infection in an exposed but uninfected population.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, has been reported not only as a pathogenic mechanism, but also as a mechanism of resistance and control of a variety of infections. Particularly during HIV-1 infection, apoptosis is the main mechanism by which infected and uninfected CD4+ lymphocytes are eliminated. However, apoptosis as a mechanism of natural resistance to HIV infection has this far not been explored. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether apoptosis could explain, at least in part, the natural resistance to HIV infection observed in some exposed but uninfected individuals (ESN). RESULTS: Our data shows that peripheral blood monocytes in the ESN group has a predisposition to undergo spontaneous apoptosis, as well as apoptosis induced by HIV infection in vitro, compared with monocyte population from the control group at low risk of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that, in some ESN individuals, monocytes could play an important role in the control of HIV infection by undergoing apoptosis. However, since the variability among individuals is large, studies with larger cohorts focusing in monocyte apoptosis as pathogenic mechanisms are required.

The anatomical substrate of the turning behaviour seen after lesions in the nigrostriatal dopamine system.

Studies of the fibre connections of the substantia nigra suggest that the behavioural results of changes in the activity in the striatal dopamine-containing system are mediated by a pathway from the striatum to the substantia nigra and thence to the thalamus. Small discrete electrolytic lesions in the appropriate part of the crus cerebri interrupt the striatonigral axons without damage to the nigrostriatal system. Such lesions inhibit turning induced by activation of striatal dopamine receptors. Similarly, turning induced by apomorphine in rats lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine is inhibited by damage to the ipsilateral ventromedial area of thalamus which receives fibres from the substantia nigra.

Glutamate-dependent long-term presynaptic changes in corticostriatal excitability.

We have previously shown that brief high frequency stimulation of the anteromedial prefrontal cortex induces a long-term decrease in excitability of the glutamatergic corticostriatal terminal field. In contrast, a long-term increase in presynaptic corticostriatal excitability may be induced by presenting two brief cortical tetanizing stimuli separated by 2-3 min such that the second tetanus coincides with a period of increased excitability elicited by the first. In the present study, we examined the glutamate receptor subtypes involved in these long-term changes in presynaptic excitability. A specific glutamate receptor antagonist was infused into the rat striatum 10-25 min prior to either a single or double cortical tetanic stimulation. To eliminate the participation of intrinsic striatal cells, a subset of animals received a striatal kainic acid lesion eight to 20 days before the recording experiment. Antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate and metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes were effective in blocking the decrease in excitability induced by single cortical tetanic stimulation whereas an antagonist of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid/kainate receptor did not prevent the induction of a long-term reduction in excitability. In contrast, each of these antagonists prevented the induction of a long-term increase in excitability. These long-term modifications in excitability of the presynaptic glutamate axon terminals appear to be induced by similar mechanisms to those postulated to operate in long-term potentiation and depression. These enduring changes in presynaptic excitability are likely to represent important mechanisms for the selective modification of information processing in the striatum.

Molecular characterization of the CCR 5 gene in seronegative individuals exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

BACKGROUND: Both clinical and laboratory evidence in exposed seronegative (ESN) individuals to human HIV-1 has suggested the existence of mechanisms of natural resistance to the infection. A 32 base-pair deletion in the gene that codes for the CCR5, which is the main coreceptor for HIV-1, confers a high degree of resistance to HIV-1 infection. However, the genotype Delta32/Delta32 is present only in 2-4% of Caucasoid ESN individuals suggesting the existence of other mechanisms of protection. Mutations different from Delta32 have also been proposed as playing a role in resistance/susceptibility to this infection. OBJECTIVE: To screen for different mutations along the entire coding region of the ccr5 gene that can potentially explain the persistent seronegativity in a group of ESN individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Of a total of 86 individuals analyzed for Delta32 mutation by the PCR technique, 36 scored HIV seropositive (SP) and 50 were ESN. The entire group of ESN individuals was screened for other mutations in the ccr5 gene by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The frequency of the mutant allele Delta32 was 4% (4/100) for ESN individuals and 4.2% (3/72) for SP individuals. The homozygous mutant genotype (Delta32/Delta32) was found in only 2% (1/50) of ESN individuals, but in no SP individuals. The heterozygous genotype was found in 8.3% (3/36) of SP individuals and in 4% (2/50) of ESN individuals. The differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the groups were not statistically significant. A comparison between the observed and the expected genotypic frequencies showed that they were significantly different for the ESN group, suggesting a protective, yet indirect effect of the mutant genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The screening of the entire coding region of the ccr5 gene in all ESN did not revealed no other mutations that could account for resistance to HIV-1 infection. Although the CCR5 molecule is the most important coreceptor for HIV-1, mutations in this gene do not account for most of the cases of natural resistance to this virus that have so far been reported.

Electrophysiological thalamic responses evoked by dopamine-receptor stimulation into the striatum.

Electrophysiological experiments were performed in rats anesthetized with halothane to examine the effects of acutely administering drugs into the striatum on the responses of cells from the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus (VMT). VMT cells increased their discharge to striatal administration of apomorphine only if the injection was performed in the ventral portion of the nucleus. However, an increase in VMT firing rate was observed after administration of either glutamate or picrotoxin into the dorsomedial area of the striatum. Each of the nuclei which could have relayed the information from the striatum to VMT were lesioned with kainic acid in preliminary operations prior the acute recording experiment. Lesions of the globus pallidus or the entopeduncular nucleus did not alter VMT response to striatal apomorphine administration, only lesions of substantia nigra abolished the observed increase in VMT cell discharge. It was concluded: that within the striatum there are highly significant topographical differences determined by the electrophysiological response induced in VMT after striatal-dopamine receptor stimulation; and that the increase in firing rate seen in VMT after the administration of apomorphine in the striatum is mediated by a relay in the substantia nigra.

Excitability changes induced in the striatal dopamine-containing terminals following frontal cortex stimulation.

The excitability of the dopamine-containing terminal field in the striatum (St) following frontal cortex (FC) stimulation was investigated in halothane-anesthetized rats. Either glutamic acid (GLU, 6.2 mM) or square pulses (a train of 25 pulses, 500-800 microA/0.3 ms: 1 Hz/20 s) were used to stimulate FC. To stimulate St monophasic square wave pulses (10-4000 microA/0.5 ms/1 Hz) were delivered. Excitability was measured by determining the threshold for antidromic activation of substantia nigra cells. Threshold was defined as the minimum current required for antidromic invasion of the cell on 100% of non-collision trials. The mean threshold current was 1029 +/- 167 microA. Following FC stimulation a significant decrease (30%) in excitability was observed in most cases (80%). No correlation between firing rate and threshold fluctuations was observed. It is concluded that FC activity decreases the excitability of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal terminal field. Whether this is a direct or an indirect effect is discussed.

Amphetamine-induced changes in nigrostriatal terminal excitability are modified following repeated amphetamine pretreatment.

To investigate neural mechanisms associated with behavioral sensitization to amphetamine, we studied the effect of an intrastriatal infusion of amphetamine on nigrostriatal axon terminal electrical excitability in rats following withdrawal from repeated systemic treatment. Rats were injected with amphetamine 2.5 mg/kg s.c. or saline daily for 4 days. Either 24 h or 14 days after the last injection, extracellular recordings were obtained from dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, in a blind design in which the experimenter did not know the pretreatment regime. In order to assess the electrical excitability of the nigrostriatal axonal field, neurons were activated antidromically by stimulating their terminal fields in the striatum. As previously reported, striatal infusion of amphetamine (1 microM/0.3 microliter) in control animals resulted in a significant reduction in excitability as indicated by an increase in striatal stimulus current necessary to evoke antidromic activity. In contrast, intrastriatal amphetamine administration to amphetamine-pretreated animals did not decrease excitability. Spontaneous firing rates and patterns of cell discharge did not differ between saline- and amphetamine-treated animals. The chronic amphetamine-induced change in the effect of an acute intrastriatal amphetamine infusion on nigrostriatal terminal excitability may be due to enduring alterations in the amphetamine-induced release of dopamine and other striatal neurotransmitters or to changes in the sensitivity of presynaptic hetero- and/or autoreceptors on the dopaminergic axons.

Electrophysiology of ventromedial striatal neurons during movement.

The firing rate of ventromedial striatal cells was studied in rats trained to run in place on a rotating turntable treadmill. Animals were trained to run clockwise and counter-clockwise as they propelled a turntable for a water reward. After a period of training, Parylene C coated stainless steel wire electrodes were chronically implanted for single unit recording. Nearly all ventromedial striatal cells increased their firing rate concomitant with locomotion in the treadmill (32 of 36 cells). The magnitude of this response was influenced by the order of testing and by the direction of circling relative to the side of brain being recorded. The increase in firing rate was greater during the first test of the day and was greater when animals circled contralateral to the side of the recording electrode than when they circled ipsilateral to the recorded side.

A study of granulocyte respiratory burst in patients with allergic bronchial asthma.

The respiratory burst of phagocytes plays an important role in the tissue damage that accompanies the inflammatory response. One of these conditions is allergic bronchial asthma, therefore, to evaluate the activation state of peripheral granulocytes the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites was evaluated using Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL) and reduction of cytochrome C by superoxide. The resting granulocytes of the asthmatic patients under crisis showed a higher LCL compared to the noncrisis patients and control subjects. The granulocytes stimulated with PMA presented a significant increase in the respiratory burst in both groups of asthmatics. The granulocytes of noncrisis asthmatics challenged with Ops-Zym and with fMLP + Ops-Zym showed a higher metabolic activity, whereas the asthmatics under crisis presented no difference between reactive oxygen generation and that of the control group. The quantitative analysis of superoxide generation by granulocytes of the same patients did not show differences among the groups. Our findings suggest that the granulocytes of crisis and noncrisis asthmatics seem to be in a hyperreactive state and with a higher metabolic response when compared to the control group. However, the patients present a different behavior depending on stimulus used to activate cells. This could indicate that in peripheral blood exist different granulocyte populations depending on the inflammatory response taking place in the respiratory tract.

Normal expression of IFN-gammaR in four patients with uncommon mycobacterial infection phenotypes.

Several primary immunodeficiency diseases affecting the interleukin 12/interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) pathway have been identified, most of them characterized by recurrent and protracted infections produced by intracellular microorganisms, particularly by several species of mycobacteria. In the present study we analyzed the expression of IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT-1) in 4 children with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of uncommon clinical presentation. These molecules were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting in B cells transformed with Epstein-Barr virus and mutations were scanned by single-strand conformational polymorphisms and DNA sequencing. The expression of IFN-gammaR1 was normal in all 4 patients. The genetic analysis of IFN-gammaR1 and IFN-gammaR2 coding sequences did not reveal any mutation. The expression of the STAT-1 molecule was similar in patients and healthy controls; however, when the phosphorylation of this transcription factor in response to IFN-gamma activation was evaluated by Western blot, a significant lower signal was evident in one patient. These data indicate that there are no alterations in the expression or function of the IFN-gammaR chains in these patients. However, the low level of STAT-1 phosphorylation found in one of these patients might be explained by a defect in one of the molecules involved in the signal transduction pathway after IFN-gamma interacts with its receptor. In the other three patients the inability to eliminate the mycobacteria may be due to a defect in another effector mechanism of the mononuclear phagocytes.

[The handicaps and the need for services among the aged detected in the health survey OARS-Vigo]. / Discapacidades y necesidades de servicios en las personas mayores detectadas en la encuesta de salud OARS-Vigo.

BACKGROUND: In populational studies the standardized questionnaires of multidimensional functional evaluation, particularly the Older Americans Resources and Services Program-Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (OARS), have shown to be the most adequate tools to evaluate the elderly persons living within the community. METHODS: A health care survey was performed by personal interview in the homes of a stratified randomized sample of people over the age of 65 years in Vigo, Galicia, Spain obtained from the Municipal Inhabitants Patronage (n = 841) using complete validated versions of OARS in the Spanish and Gallician languages. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe/absolute handicap in the basic functional areas among this population over 65 years was 7.7% in physical health, 6.2% in mental health, 5.2% in economic resources, 6.7% in social work, and 9.5% in daily life activities (DLA). Twenty-two percent of the population presented severe/absolute handicaps in at least one of the dimensions. One point nine percent of the population studied required institutionalization: 2.6% required economic aid, 1.4% required home help for the instrumental DLA and 1.1% required help for both the basic and the instrumental DLA although these were not being provided. One point three percent were found to be ideal candidates for a telealarm/teleaid program. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the OARS questionnaire in Spain is useful to obtain information to be applied in the planning of health care services directed at elderly people.

Utility of Histoscanning™ prior to prostate biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: HistoScanning™ (HS) is a method of ecographic diagnosis of prostate cancer. We analyze the effectiveness of the HS realization prior to the biopsies for the prostate adenocarcinoma diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From August to October 2012 we have carried out a study with HS prior to the biopsies in 32 patients. In all cases sextants transrectal biopsies have been realized (two cores in each sextant) in the periphery zone. In those sextants in which there were suspicious areas with HS, the biopsies were addressed to those areas. Transperineal biopsies were added to those zones placed in the half-front or apical prostatic zone. The medium age was 63.7 years (range 40-82) with a medium PSA of 8.0 ng/ml (range 3.5-36.2) and a medium prostatic volume of 46.6cc (range 18.2-103.2). In eight cases it was the first biopsy, in 14 cases they were repetition biopsies and 10 patients had a previous diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma (8 in a program of active surveillance and 2 T1a in RTU of previous prostate). RESULTS: In the 32 patients a medium of 7,5 zones were biopsied (range 6-9) with a total of 239 zones studied. There were identified a medium of 3.2 zones with suspicious areas (ZS) with HS (range 2-5) with a total of 103 ZS. In 72 zones of 25 patients it was found adenocarcinoma or PIN (2 PIN, 11 score Gleason 6, 7 score Gleason 7, 3 score Gleason 8 and 2 score Gleason 9). There were 35 positive false zones in 20 patients (11 normal parenquima and 9 chronic inflammation). Negative falses were produced in 5 zones in 5 patients (2PIN, 2 score Gleason 6 and 1 score Gleason 7) although in all 5 cases adenocarcinoma was encountered (o discovered) in other zones. The HS presented a sensibility of a 93.5% with a specificity of 79.5%. The positive predictive value was of the 67.35% with a negative predictive value of 96.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of being a selected serie, with a high rate of patients with adenocarcinoma, the exploration with HS has presented a great sensibility and a high negative predictive value. These data, although they must be confirmed in less selected series, state that the prior exploration with HS can help as in the diagnostic in the biopsies as in the follow-up of programs of active surveillance.

Amoxicillin-Loaded Sponges Made of Collagen and Poly[(methyl vinyl ether)-co-(maleic anhydride)] for Root Canal Treatment: Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Cell Compatibility.

The difficulty of eliminating Enterococcus faecalis and other bacteria infecting dental root canals makes it desirable to develop formulations capable of sustained release of antibiotics within the canal. With this function in view, in this work we compared the mechanical, drug release and biocompatibility properties of amoxicillin-loaded collagen (CL) and CL complexed with poly[(methyl vinyl ether)-co-(maleic anhydride)] (PVMMA), with or without glutaraldehyde (GTA) or the natural product genipin (GN) as cross-linker. Collagen was not denatured by complexation with PVMMA. Only CL-PVMMA-GN sponges did not disintegrate during 7 days exposure to cell culture medium (un-cross-linked CL disintegrated within 24 h and un-cross-linked CL-PVMMA within 4 days), and CL-PVMMA-GN sponges also exhibited the most appropriate combination of mechanical properties (hardness, modulus of deformability and plasticity). CL-PVMMA-GN sponges absorbed aqueous medium faster than other cross-linked formulations, but their maximum uptake was less; and drug release from CL-PVMMA-GN sponges tended to be faster than from any other, except un-cross-linked CL-PVMMA, maximum release taking about 4 days. No formulation significantly altered the viability of L929 fibroblast-like mouse connective tissue cells, but cells growing on sponges showed signs of non-adherence. It is concluded that genipin-cross-linked CL-PVMMA sponges merit further investigation as antibiotics vehicles and aids to tissue regeneration in the dental root canal.

Tamizaje para sífilis en donantes de sangre y reactividad simultánea con otros marcadores en la Fundación Hematológica Colombia / Screening for syphilis in blood donors and simultaneous reactivity with other markers in the Fundación Hematológica Colombia / O rastreamento da sífilis em doadores de sangue e reativida- de simultânea com outros marcadores na Fundação Hemato - logia da Colombia

El presente artículo se propone caracterizar los donantes voluntarios de sangre que presentaron reactividad contra \r\nTreponema pallidum\r\n durante el periodo 2006-2011 y conocer la reactividad simultánea con otros marcadores en un \r\nbanco de sangre colombiano. Para ello, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de corte transversal en el banco de sangre \r\nFundación Hematológica Colombia, Bogotá (Colombia). La población de estudio estuvo conformada por registros de \r\ndonantes voluntarios de sangre que presentaron reactividad en el tamizaje para \r\nTreponema pallidum\r\n y otros marca\r\n-\r\ndores entre 2006 y 2011.\r\nLa población de estudio estuvo conformada por 11.203 registros de donantes voluntarios de sangre, el promedio de \r\nedad fue de 43,27 ± 12,04 años, de los cuales el 56,2% (n=6.296) pertenecía al género masculino, el 11,1% (n=1.246) \r\nde los sujetos con tamizaje para sífilis presentaron coinfección para los marcadores de reactividad simultánea con \r\nsífilis; el de mayor presentación fue Anti-Core con un 67,7% (n=900), seguido de VIH con 10,3%. La prevalencia de \r\nsífilis del periodo de estudio fue de 1,9%.\r\nEn conclusión, se logró describir claramente las características generales de la población con tamizaje para sífilis, \r\nademás se encontraron datos estadísticamente significativos por género. Es importante conocer este tipo de compor\r\n-\r\ntamiento con el fin de fortalecer los procesos de selección de donantes de sangre y demostrar que la reactividad \r\nsimultánea no es un proceso aislado en un banco de sangre.

Objective: describe voluntary blood donors who showed \r\nreactivity to Treponema pallidum during 2006-2011 and \r\nto identify simultaneous reactivity with other markers \r\nin a Colombian blood bank. Materials and methods: a \r\nretrospective cross-sectional study was performed at the \r\nFundación Hematológica Colombia, Bogotá-Colombia. \r\nThe records of volunteer blood donors that showed reac\r\n-\r\ntivity for screening for Treponema pallidum and other \r\nmarkers of simultaneous screening during 2006-2011 \r\nwere included. Results: A total of 11.203 records of \r\nvoluntary blood donors were included; the mean age was \r\n43.27 ± 12.04 years, 56.2% males (n = 6.296), 11.1% \r\n(n = 1.246) of subjects with syphilis had co-infection \r\nand syphilis screening for markers simultaneous reacti\r\n-\r\nvity with syphilis. The greatest incidence was Anti Core \r\nwith 67.7% (n = 900), followed by HIV with 10.3%, \r\nthe prevalence of syphilis of the study period was 1.9%. \r\nConclusions: the general characteristics of the popula\r\n-\r\ntion with syphilis screening were clearly determined. \r\nThere is a statistically significant difference among the \r\ngenders. It is important to note this kind of behavior in \r\norder to reinforce the processes of blood donor selection, \r\nand to demonstrate that simultaneous reactivity is not an \r\nisolated process in the blood bank.

Objetivo: caracterizar os doadores voluntários de sangue \r\nque apresentaram reatividade contra \r\nTreponema pallidum\r\ndurante 2006-2011 e para conhecer a reatividade simul\r\n-\r\ntânea com outros marcadores em um banco de sangue \r\nna Colombia. Materiais e métodos: foi realizado um \r\nestudo transversal retrospectivo no banco de sangue da \r\nFundação de Hematologia Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. \r\nA população do estudo consistiu de registros de doadores \r\nde sangue voluntários que apresentaram reatividade para \r\na triagem de Treponema pallidum e outros marcadores \r\ndurante 2006-2011. Resultados: a população do estudo \r\nconsistiu de 11.203 registros de doadores voluntários de \r\nsangue, a idade média foi de 43,27 ± 12,04 anos, sendo \r\nque 56,2% (n = 6.296) pertenciam ao sexo masculino, \r\n11,1% (n = 1.246) dos indivíduos tiveram co-infecção \r\npara os marcadores reatividade simultânea com a sífilis, \r\na maior incidência foi de Anti-Core com 67,7% (n = \r\n900), seguido por HIV com 10,3%, a prevalência de \r\nsífilis do período de estudo foi de 1,9%. Conclusão: foi \r\npossível descrever claramente as características gerais \r\nda população com sífilis também encontramos dados \r\nestatisticamente significativas por sexo. É importante \r\nconhecer esse tipo de comportamento, a fim de fortalecer \r\nos processos de seleção de doadores de sangue e também \r\nmostrar que a reatividade simultânea não é um processo \r\nisolado no banco de sangue.

Absorción de nutrientes en corderos alimentados con dietas con diferentes cantidades de fósforo / Nutrient absorption in lambs fed diets containing different amounts of phosphorus

Objective. Evaluate the effect of increasing P intake on nutrient digestibility, and compare the true and apparent absorption coefficients of P and Ca in lambs. Materials and methods. Twenty-four Santa Ines sheep, with an average weight of 33.6 ± 1.6 kg, were distributed into four treatments (0, 2, 4 and 6 g/day of supplementary P) with forage: concentrate ratio of 70:30. The study of apparent nutrient digestibility was conducted during the first week, using the total feces collection method. During the second week, after injection of 7.4 MBq of 32P and 7.7 MBq of 45Ca, apparent (AAC) and true (TAC) absorption coefficients of P and Ca were determined. The lambs were kept in metabolic cages. Results. The increase in P intake did not affect (p>0.05) dry matter, crude protein, NDF or ADF digestibility, but the TAC of P and Ca and mineral matter digestibility decreased. The AAC was not affected (p=0.10). A cubic relationship was observed between P intake and TAC (TAC=2.16–1.95X+0.55X2-0.04X3; R2=0.38) and linear relationship with the TAC of Ca (TAC=0.559–0.03X; R2=0.26). TAC and AAC values were different (p<0.001). Conclusions. The increase in P intake doesn’t impact organic matter digestibility, but does affect P and Ca absorption. Apparent digestibility is not a reliable parameter to determine the efficiency of P and Ca absorption.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del incremento en la ingestión de P sobre la digestibilidad de los nutrientes, y comparar los coeficientes de digestibilidad real y aparente de Ca y P en ovinos. Materiales y métodos. Veinticuatro ovinos de la raza Santa Inés, con 33.6±1.6 kg de peso, fueron asignados a cuatro tratamientos (0, 2, 4 y 6 g/día de P suplementario) con relación forraje:concentrado de 70:30. El estudio de digestibilidad aparente de los nutrientes se realizó la primera semana usando el método de colecta total de heces. La segunda semana, luego de inyectar 7.4 MBq de 32P y 7.7 MBq de 45Ca, se realizó el estudio de absorción real (CAV) y aparente (AAC), en jaulas de estudio de metabolismo. Resultados. El incremento en la ingestión de P no afectó (p>0.05) la digestibilidad aparente de la materia seca, proteína bruta, FDN o FDA. El CAV de Ca y de P y la digestibilidad de la materia mineral presentaron una reducción. EL AAC no fue afectado (p=0.10). La ecuación CAV=2.16–1.95X+0.55X2-0.04X3 (R2 = 0.38) explicó la relación entre el CAV de P y el incremento en su ingestión, y la ecuación TAC=0.559 – 0.03X (R2=0.26), la relación entre el CAV de Ca y la ingestión de P. Los valores de AAC y CAV difirieron entre sí (p<0.001). Conclusiones. La ingestión de P no afectó la digestibilidad de la fracción orgánica del alimento, pero sí la absorción de P y Ca. El coeficiente de absorción aparente no fue un parámetro confiable para determinar la eficiencia de absorción de P y Ca.

Primer premolar maxilar con tres conductos. A propósito de un caso / Maxillary first premolar with three canals. A case report

El éxito en el tratamiento de conductos radiculares va a depender entre otras cosas, del conocimiento de la morfología interna y externa de los dientes. Los primeros premolares maxilares presentan una amplia variación en la configuración de las raíces y los conductos radiculares, que debemos estudiar para el correcto diagnóstico y plan de tratamiento. Presentamos un caso clínico de un primer premolar superior con dos raíces y tres conductos

The success of root canal treatment depends on the knowledge of the internal and external tooth morphology among other things. Maxillary first premolars are said to exhibit large variation in root canal morphology we must know to make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. This article reports a case of an upper left first premolar with two roots and three Canals

The corrosion of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments in sodium hypochlorite.

AIM: To evaluate the corrosion resistance of nickel-titanium (NiTi) endodontic rotary instruments immersed in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution. METHODOLOGY: The corrosion performance of NiTi instruments (S1 25 mm, ProTaper Dentsplay Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) was evaluated using commercial 5.25% NaOCl solution (pH = 12.3), and the same solution partially neutralized adding H2SO4 to reach pH = 10.1. Electrochemical measurements were carried out using a potentiostat equipped with a five-channel zero resistance ammeter (ZRA) for galvanic current measurements. The instruments were sectioned into three parts (cutting part, noncutting part and shank) and degreased with acetone and rinsing with demineralized water prior to being immersed in NaOCl solution for testing. Each set of the three parts constituted one 'virtual' instrument through the ZRA, giving access to the galvanic currents that circulate between the three parts. Nine instruments were employed to check the reproducibility of the electrochemical measurements. RESULTS: The corrosion potential (E(corr)) of the NiTi alloy reached the passive domain in approximately 20 s of immersion in the solution having a pH 10.1. After this initial period the potential remained steady, indicating that stable passivation was achieved. However, at pH 12.3 no stationary state was achieved even after 6000 s of immersion time. Thus, the alloy was not stable in this medium from a corrosion point of view. CONCLUSIONS: The corrosion resistance of NiTi alloy was enhanced by lowering the pH of NaOCl solution to 10.1, which allows the system to reach the stability domain of the passivating species TiO2 and NiO2.