The Role of Fumonisins in the Biological Interaction between Fusarium verticillioides and Sitophilus zeamais.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the entomopathogenic capacity of the mold Fusarium verticillioides and the effect of its mycotoxins fumonisins, on the grain beetle Sitophilus zeamais. We evaluated the capacity of this fungus to infect live insects, the antifungal activity of constituents of the insect's epicuticle, and the effect of a fumonisin extract on the fitness of the insects. We found that F. verticillioides could not penetrate the cuticle of S. zeamais and that the fumonisin extract had no negative effects on the fitness of the insects. However, the progeny of the insects increased, and the fumonisin extract had repellent effects. This is the first report about the effects of fumonisins on the relationship between F. verticillioides and S. zeamais, which may provide useful information about interactions between pathogenic microorganisms and insects, especially on stored product pests.

In vitro activity of natural phenolic compounds against fluconazole-resistant Candida species: a quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis.

AIMS: To evaluate the antifungal activity and to analyse the structure-activity relationship of eleven natural phenolic compounds against four Candida species which are resistant to fluconazole. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four different species of Candida isolates were used: Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis and Candida dubliniensis. The phenolic compound carvacrol showed the highest anti-Candida bioactivity, followed by thymol and isoeugenol. The obtained minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained were used in a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis where the electronic, steric, thermodynamic and topological descriptors served as dependent variables. According to the descriptors obtained in this QSAR study, the antifungal activity of phenols has a first action specific character which is based on their interaction with plasma or mitochondrial membranes. The second action is based on a steric descriptor-the maximal and minimal projection of the area-which could explain the inability of some phenolic compounds to be biotransformed to quinones methylene by Candida species. CONCLUSIONS: According to the descriptors obtained in this QSAR study, the anti-Candida activity of ortho-substituted phenols is due to more than one action mechanism. The anti-Candida activity of phenolic compounds can be predicted by their molecular properties and structural characteristics. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results could be employed to predict the anti-Candida activity of new phenolic compounds in the search for new alternatives or complementary therapies to combat against candidiasis.

[Leptospirosis: a literature review]. / Leptospirosis: Puesta al día.

We review epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of leptospirosis. In relation to the epidemiology it is worth noting the importance of recreational and occupational risk factors, as well as the lack of data available in Chile before the year 2000, when leptospirosis became the object of epidemiological surveillance. There are many forms of clinical presentations for this disease and often signs and symptoms may be nonspecific. Thus, differential diagnosis must include many clinical entities. Laboratory diagnosis, on the other hand, is complex and not widely available. Although still controversial, a literature review supports antimicrobial treatment, with different antibiotics to choose from.

More transcontinental mislabeling in the genus Onthophagus: d'Orbigny's "African" Group 27 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae).

With more than 2300 species, Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 is a mega diverse genus within the subfamily Scarabaeinae. Recent revisions have yielded an over-abundance of redundant species names accumulated over the years as results of bad and inappropriate taxonomic practices. Indeed, the difficulty of access to public entomological collections, the usage of outdated bibliographic references, as well as the description of new species based on a few specimens, and often accompanied by diagnoses largely vague, has resulted thus far in a very large number of synonyms.

A new species of Onthophagus (Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeinae) from the Mexican Transition Zone, with remarks on its relationships and distribution.

A new American Onthophagus of the chevrolati species-group is described (Onthophagus bolivari sp. nov.), providing also identification keys to the aztecus complex. Dorsal habitus and genital structures of the new species are illustrated. The relationships and geographical distribution of the aztecus complex are discussed, giving particular attention to the evolutionary history of O. bolivari.

Foot-and-mouth disease vaccination: a multifactorial study of the influence of antigen dose and potentially competitive immunogens on the response of cattle of different ages.

Groups of 68 and 66 cattle aged 12 and 24 months respectively were each subdivided into 16 groups and inoculated with foot-and-mouth disease vaccines containing O1 Campos, A24 Cruzeiro and C3 Pando virus strains. The 140S antigen mass of the O1 and A24 valencies was varied while that of C3 was held constant. Multifactorial comparisons between the 21 day serum neutralising antibody titres showed that over most of the range there was a linear log dose response relationship. Doubling the antigen dose increased the serum antibody titres against both A24 Cruzeiro and O1 Campos by approximately 0.15 log10. The A24 antigen was about 30 times more immunogenic than the O1 with C3 intermediate between the two. At high antigen doses the responses flattened but the level at which this occurred depended on the immunogen administered. No difference could be demonstrated between the responses of 12- and 24-month-old cattle and there was no evidence of competitive inhibition or enhancement between the virus strains included in the vaccines.

[The role of the urinary hydroxyproline level in the screening for collagen diseases]. / Importanza del dosaggio dell'idrossiprolina nelle urine come screening delle malattie del collagene.

Modifications in urinary hydroxyproline concentrations were studied in various collagen degradation diseases. A significant increase in hydroxyprolinuria was found in both men and women with Paget's disease in all age groups considered. Significant increases were found in men with the same pathologies. Rheumatoid arthritis also increased urinary hydroxyproline in both males and females. It therefore seems that bone tissue pathologies are reflected in the metabolism of hydroxyproline as are articular connective tissue pathology strictly related to it.

[Partial lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency syndrome]. / Síndrome de deficiencia parcial de lecitina-colesterol aciltransferasa (LCAT).

This syndrome is a pathological entity of low incidence which mainly affects high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. We here show the first case reported in our country, observed in a 63-year-old woman who showed bilateral corneal opacity and eruptive xanthomas in both arms. The lipoprotein profile disclosed severe hypertriglyceridemia and normocholesterolemia, although the percentage of cholesteryl esters was low. Plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and HDL major apolipoproteins, A-I and A-II, were markedly decreased. The patient also showed glucose intolerance and hematological alterations related to abnormal lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes. As evaluated by the exogen substrate method, LCAT activity proved to be 82% lower in the patient than in a control subject. It is noteworthy that the patient had experienced cardiac events and presented hypertension, neither of which has been commonly documented in partial LCAT deficiency syndromes.

Kinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of a novel prodrug of N-methyldopamine at single dose in healthy volunteers.

Kinetics and cardiovascular effects of SIM2055 (CAS 103878-96-2), the 4-O-phosphate of N-methyldopamine (epinine), at single dose by the oral route were studied in 9 healthy adult volunteers (6 women and 3 men) ranging in age from 22 to 39 years. SIM2055 was administered at increasing doses (from 100 to 300 mg). Plasma concentrations of free epinine were not detectable after the 100 mg dose, but were measurable after the 200 mg and 300 mg doses. Pharmacokinetic data suggest that in man SIM2055 is promptly absorbed, quickly hydrolysed to epinine, metabolized to homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid, conjugated with sulphuric acid and excreted in large amounts into urine. The 24-h urinary recovery of the 3 metabolites considered together, expressed as a percentage of the dose of SIM2055 administered, was 78 +/- 6 with the 100 mg dose, 66 +/- 11 with the 200 mg dose and 55 +/- 6 with the 300 mg dose (mean +/- S. D.). SIM2055 was well tolerated by all subjects. After its administration, the heart rate and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure presented no systemic or clinically significant variations. No substantial changes were observed with the ECG parameters. No subject reported gastric or systemic effects during the period of observation.

Chromosome analysis and rDNA FISH in the stag beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae).

In the present work the chromosome complement (2n = 18; 8AA + XY) of the stag beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus L. (Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) is analyzed using conventional Giemsa staining, banding techniques and ribosomal fluorescent in situ hybridization (rDNA FISH). rDNA FISH remains the unique tool for providing a clear-cut identification of Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) when conventional banding methods such as silver- and CMA3-staining proved to be inadequate. The dull, homogeneous CMA3 fluorescence of all chromosomes indicates the absence of markedly GC rich compartmentalized regions in D. parallelipipedus genome. Silver impregnation inadequacy in detecting NOR regions is to be sought in the unusual extensive silver stainability of heterochromatic material which, on the contrary of what stated for vertebrates, seems to be a common feature in Scarabaeoidea species.

Karyotype analysis, banding, and fluorescent in situ hybridization in the scarab beetle Gymnopleurus sturmi McLeay (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea : Scarabaeidae).

Conventional staining, differential banding, and in situ hybridization with both ribosomal and telomeric probes to mitotic chromosomes of Gymnopleurus sturmi (Scarabaeoidea : Scarabaeidae) are described. The karyotype is distinguished by a pericentric inversion polymorphism in chromosome 3, which is either acrocentric or subtelocentric. Silver staining (Ag-NOR) and chromomycin A3 (CMA3), failed to study the detection of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs), due to the extensive silver and CMA3 stainability of all GC-rich heterochromatin. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using a Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata) rDNA probe mapped the ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA). FISH with the all-human telomeric sequences (TTAGGG)n revealed a lack of homology between the telomeric probe and the telomeres of G. sturmi. This suggests that the telomeric hesanucleotide (TTAGGG)n is not so conserved within eukaryotes as it has been hypothesized.

Ribosomal DNA location in the scarab beetle Thorectes intermedius (Costa) (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) using banding and fluorescent in-situ hybridization.

Mitotic metaphase chromosomes of the scarab beetle Thorectes intermedius (Costa) (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae) were analyzed using various banding methods and fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) with a ribosomal probe. The results obtained indicate that silver and CMA3 staining are unable to localize the chromosome sites of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). Such an inadequacy is a consequence of the extensive silver and CMA3 stainability of both constitutive heterochromatin and heterochromatin associated to the NORs.

Essential oils of three Baccharis species.

The essential oils of the aerial parts of three Baccharis species ( B. articulata, B. myrtilloides, and B. rufescens) were examined by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents were for B. articulata: beta-caryophyllene (16.8%), trans-nerolidol (15.6%); for B. myrtilloides: germacrene D (9.5%) and for B. rufescens: limonene (14.4%) and trans-nerolidol (14.5%).

[Contamination by helminths in public places of the province of Chubut, Argentina]. / Contaminación por helmintos en espacios públicos de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina.

Canine-borne helminthiases constitute a worldwide problem. Some of these parasites can originate serious pathologies in humans. Given the potential existence of these zoonoses in Argentina, horizontal surveys on contamination degree evaluated as faeces per hectare and on parasite prevalence in faeces were carried out in six localities of the Province of Chubut. The behaviour of people visiting public places was also analyzed qualitatively. All of the survey sites were contaminated with faeces and with some parasitic forms. Contamination degrees ranged from 32 to 147 faeces/ha. Toxocara sp. (17.4%), Strongyloides sp. (5.1%), and Ancylostoma. sp (5.6%) were the main genera among other parasites detected. As a whole, the analysis revealed that contamination degree, prevalence and human behaviour in relation to the exposure to the parasite would be the main factors to be taken into account in formulating control measures. Transmission risk patterns in Chubut were not homogeneous; therefore, studies and control strategies should be devised and implemented at the local scale.

Analysis of the essential oil of Grindelia discoidea.

The essential oil from aerial parts of Grindelia discoidea was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-six components were identified, representing more than 95% of the oil. The main constituents were ( E,E)-farnesol (> 9.0%) and ( Z,E)-farnesol (> 15.7%).

Leptospirosis: puesta al día / Leptospirosis: a literature review

Se revisan los aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico de laboratorio y alternativas terapéuticas para la leptos-pirosis. Destaca en la epidemiología el riesgo ocupa-cional y laboral y la falta de datos, por no haber constituido en Chile tema de vigilancia epidemiológica hasta el año 2000. Los datos clínicos evidencian una notable heterogeneidad de manifestaciones, muchas veces inespecíficas. La complejidad del diagnóstico diferencial que plantea hace necesario incluirlo en el análisis causal de múltiples situaciones clínicas. El diagnóstico de laboratorio es aún complejo y poco accesible. Aunque es todavía controvertido, el análisis de la literatura apoya el beneficio del tratamiento antimicrobiano con varias alternativas de elección.

We review epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of leptospirosis. In relation to the epidemiology it is worth noting the importance of recreational and occupational risk factors, as well as the lack of date available in Chile before the year 2000, when leptospirosis became the object of epidemiological surveillance. There are many forms of clinical presentations for this disease and often signs and symptoms may be nonspecific. Thus, differential diagnosis must include many clinical entities. Laboratory diagnosis, on the other hand, is complex and not widely available. Although still controversial, a literature review supports antimicrobial treatment, with different antibiotics to choose from.

Leptospirosis: análisis de 36 casos 1983-1984 / Leptospirosis: analysis of 36 cases 1983-1984

Se analizó el cuadro clínico y la epidemiología de 36 casos del leptospirosis hospitalizados durante los meses de verano 1983-1984, los que se estudiaron por reacción de aglutinación microscópica usando 8 a 12 antígenos. No hubo relación entre el serotipo y la forma clínica. El cuadro clínico fue variado desde una evolución febril corta o otras con compromiso hepático renal y meningitis aséptica. Los serotipos más frecuentes fueron L. grippotyphosa, L. ballum, L. canícola y L. autumnalis lo que difiere de estudios anteriores hechos en este hospital. La evolución fue benigna en todos los casos. Para el mejor conocimiento de los diferentes cuadros clínicos que se producen en el curso de la infección por leptospiras, es necesario la comprobación por el laboratorio, mediante procedimientos que actualmente tienen un alto costo