The Cestode Community in Northern Fur Seals (\u3cem\u3eCallorhinus ursinus\u3c/em\u3e) on St. Paul Island, Alaska

The diversity and ecology of cestodes from the northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus (NFS), were examined using newly collected material from 756 humanely harvested subadult males between 2011 and 2014. NFSs were collected from five different haul-outs on St. Paul Island, Alaska. A total of 14,660 tapeworms were collected with a prevalence of 98.5% and intensity up to 107 cestodes per host (mean intensity 19.7 ± 16.5 SD). Three species of tapeworms were found: Adenocephalus pacificus (Diphyllobothriidea) was the most prevalent (prevalence 97.4%), followed by Diplogonoporus tetrapterus (49.7%), and 5 immature specimens of Anophryocephalus cf. ochotensis (Tetrabothriidea) (0.5%). Most of the cestodes found in the NFS were immature (69.7%). However, only 0.9% of cestodes were in larval (plerocercoid) stages. The species composition, prevalence and intensity of cestodes from these NFSs were not statistically different between the five separate haul-outs. Significant increases in the intensity of NFS infections were observed during the study period

Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Producing Extended-Spectrum B-Lactamases in Spain: Microbiological and Clinical Features

Extended-spectrum B-lactamases (ESBL) of the CTX-M, SHV, and TEM families were recognized in 76 (67%), 31 (27%), and 6 (5%) isolates, respectively, among 162 ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBLKp) strains obtained in a multicenter study in Spain. Predisposing factors for ESBL-Kp acquisition included invasive procedures, mechanical ventilation, and previous antimicrobial use

Tuberculosis y SIDA pediátrico: a propósito de un caso en Mozambique / Tuberculosis and pediatric AIDS: a case report in Mozambique

La Tuberculosis (TB), es una enfermedad producida por el Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, bacilo débilmente Gram positivo, aerobio, ácido-alcohol resistente, de aspecto curvo, inmóvil, no esporulado, constituye una de las enfermedades  re - emergentes en la infancia a nivel mundial, el Síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (sida) es el factor de riesgo mayor para la progresión de la TB. a pesar de que la incidencia de ambas enfermedades es baja con relación a las estadísticas mundiales según la OMS; los estados y autoridades sanitarias ponen el mayor empeño para un control eficaz y manejo adecuado de los casos registrados. Motivados con la presencia del Internacionalismo médico cubano en diversos países fue considerado de interés transmitir una experiencia, presentando el caso de un niño de 4 años de edad, raza negra, procedente de un área rural en  Nampula, Mozambique (África), donde el cuadro clínico y los complementarios confirmaron una TB pulmonar, constatando además la presencia de sida  (VIH positivo y linfocitos  CD4+ en  < 15 %). Se aplicó la terapéutica adecuada siguiendo los protocolos establecidos en Mozambique para ambas enfermedades, que permitió una mejoría del estado clínico e hizo posible un cambio en la calidad y esperanza de vida de este.Palabras clave: TUBERCULOSIS/diagnóstico, VIH, SÍNDROME DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA/terapia. ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (abbreviated TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis), is a disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Hominis, weakly Gram-positive bacillus, aerobic, acid-alcohol resistance, of curved aspect, motionless and sporeless. TB constitutes one of the re-emergent diseases in the childhood all over the world. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most important risk factor to the TB development. Despite the incidence of both diseases is low in relation to the worldwide statistics; and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the states and sanitary authorities are making a great effort to carry out an effective control and an adequate management of the cases recorded. Encouraged by the presence of the Cuban Medical Internationalist Missions in several countries the case is presented in order to transmit experience. A 4-year-old, black boy,  coming from a rural region in Mampula City, Mozambique, sub-Saharan Africa; the clinical and laboratory findings confirmed a pulmonary TB, also the presence of AIDS was verified (positive HIV and lymphocytes CD4+ in 15%). An adequate therapeutic taking into account the protocols established in Mozambique for both diseases was followed with the purpose of  improving the clinical conditions of the patient, which  made possible changes  in the quality of life and life expectancy. Key words: Tuberculosis/diagnosis, HIV, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME/therapy

Tuberculosis y SIDA pediátrico: a propósito de un caso en Mozambique / Tuberculosis and pediatric AIDS: a case report in Mozambique

La Tuberculosis (TB), es una enfermedad producida por el Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, bacilo débilmente Gram positivo, aerobio, ácido-alcohol resistente, de aspecto curvo, inmóvil, no esporulado, constituye una de las enfermedades  re - emergentes en la infancia a nivel mundial, el Síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (sida) es el factor de riesgo mayor para la progresión de la TB. a pesar de que la incidencia de ambas enfermedades es baja con relación a las estadísticas mundiales según la OMS; los estados y autoridades sanitarias ponen el mayor empeño para un control eficaz y manejo adecuado de los casos registrados. Motivados con la presencia del Internacionalismo médico cubano en diversos países fue considerado de interés transmitir una experiencia, presentando el caso de un niño de 4 años de edad, raza negra, procedente de un área rural en  Nampula, Mozambique (África), donde el cuadro clínico y los complementarios confirmaron una TB pulmonar, constatando además la presencia de sida  (VIH positivo y linfocitos  CD4+ en  < 15 %). Se aplicó la terapéutica adecuada siguiendo los protocolos establecidos en Mozambique para ambas enfermedades, que permitió una mejoría del estado clínico e hizo posible un cambio en la calidad y esperanza de vida de este.Palabras clave: TUBERCULOSIS/diagnóstico, VIH, SÍNDROME DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA/terapia. ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (abbreviated TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis), is a disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Hominis, weakly Gram-positive bacillus, aerobic, acid-alcohol resistance, of curved aspect, motionless and sporeless. TB constitutes one of the re-emergent diseases in the childhood all over the world. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most important risk factor to the TB development. Despite the incidence of both diseases is low in relation to the worldwide statistics; and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the states and sanitary authorities are making a great effort to carry out an effective control and an adequate management of the cases recorded. Encouraged by the presence of the Cuban Medical Internationalist Missions in several countries the case is presented in order to transmit experience. A 4-year-old, black boy,  coming from a rural region in Mampula City, Mozambique, sub-Saharan Africa; the clinical and laboratory findings confirmed a pulmonary TB, also the presence of AIDS was verified (positive HIV and lymphocytes CD4+ in 15%). An adequate therapeutic taking into account the protocols established in Mozambique for both diseases was followed with the purpose of  improving the clinical conditions of the patient, which  made possible changes  in the quality of life and life expectancy. Key words: Tuberculosis/diagnosis, HIV, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME/therapy

Disruption of chromosome 11 in canine fibrosarcomas highlights an unusual variability of CDKN2B in dogs.

BACKGROUND: In dogs in the western world neoplasia constitutes the most frequently diagnosed cause of death. Although there appear to be similarities between canine and human cancers, rather little is known about the cytogenetic and molecular alterations in canine tumours. Different dog breeds are susceptible to different types of cancer, but the genetic basis of the great majority of these predispositions has yet to be discovered. In some retriever breeds there is a high incidence of soft tissue sarcomas and we have previously reported alterations of chromosomes 11 and 30 in two poorly differentiated fibrosarcomas. Here we extend our observations and present a case report on detail rearrangements on chromosome 11 as well as genetic variations in a tumour suppressor gene in normal dogs. RESULTS: BAC hybridisations on metaphases of two fibrosarcomas showed complex rearrangements on chromosome 11, and loss of parts of this chromosome. Microsatellite markers on a paired tumour and blood DNA pointed to loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 11 in the CDKN2B-CDKN2A tumour suppressor gene cluster region. PCR and sequencing revealed the homozygous loss of coding sequences for these genes, except for exon 1beta of CDKN2A, which codes for the N-terminus of p14ARF. For CDKN2B exon 1, two alleles were observed in DNA from blood; one of them identical to the sequence in the dog reference genome and containing 4 copies of a 12 bp repeat found only in the canine gene amongst all species so far sequenced; the other allele was shorter due to a missing copy of the repeat. Sequencing of this exon in 141 dogs from 18 different breeds revealed a polymorphic region involving a GGC triplet repeat and a GGGGACGGCGGC repeat. Seven alleles were recorded and sixteen of the eighteen breeds showed heterozygosity. CONCLUSION: Complex chromosome rearrangements were observed on chromosome 11 in two Labrador retriever fibrosarcomas. The chromosome alterations were reflected in the loss of sequences corresponding to two tumour suppressor genes involved in cell-cycle progression. Sequencing of CDKN2B across many different breeds revealed a widespread polymorphism within the first exon of the gene, immediately before the ankyrin coding sequences

The db/db Mouse : a Useful Model for the Study of Diabetic Retinal Neurodegeneration

Background: To characterize the sequential events that are taking place in retinal neurodegeneration in a murine model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes (db/db mouse). Methods: C57BLKsJ-db/db mice were used as spontaneous type 2 diabetic animal model, and C57BLKsJ-db/+ mice served as the control group. To assess the chronological sequence of the abnormalities the analysis was performed at different ages (8, 16 and 24 weeks). The retinas were evaluated in terms of morphological and functional abnormalities [electroretinography (ERG)]. Histological markers of neurodegeneration (glial activation and apoptosis) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. In addition glutamate levels and glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) expression were assessed. Furthermore, to define gene expression changes associated with early diabetic retinopathy a transcriptome analyses was performed at 8 week. Furthermore, an additional interventional study to lower blood glucose levels was performed. Results: Glial activation was higher in diabetic than in non diabetic mice in all the stages (p<0.01). In addition, a progressive loss of ganglion cells and a significant reduction of neuroretinal thickness were also observed in diabetic mice. All these histological hallmarks of neurodegeneration were less pronounced at week 8 than at week 16 and 24. Significant ERG abnormalities were present in diabetic mice at weeks 16 and 24 but not at week 8. Moreover, we observed a progressive accumulation of glutamate in diabetic mice associated with an early downregulation of GLAST. Morphological and ERG abnormalities were abrogated by lowering blood glucose levels. Finally, a dysregulation of several genes related to neurotransmission and oxidative stress such as UCP2 were found at week 8. Conclusions: Our results suggest that db/db mouse reproduce the features of the neurodegenerative process that occurs in the human diabetic eye. Therefore, it seems an appropriate model for investigating the underlying mechanisms of diabetes-induced retinal neurodegeneration and for testing neuroprotective drugs

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Chenopodium ambrosioides

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was achieved using extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides as a reducer and coating agent at room temperature (25°C). Two molar solutions of AgNO3 (1 mM and 10 mM) and five extract volumes (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 mL) were used to assess quantity, shape, and size of the particles. The UV-Vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance at 434–436 nm of the NPs synthesized with AgNO3 10 mM and all extract volumes tested, showing a direct relationship between extract volumes and quantity of particles formed. In contrast, the concentration of silver ions was related negatively to particle size. The smallest (4.9 ± 3.4 nm) particles were obtained with 1 mL of extract in AgNO3 10 mM and the larger amount of particles were obtained with 2 mL and 5 mL of extract. TEM study indicated that the particles were polycrystalline and randomly oriented with a silver structure face centered cubic (fcc) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that disappearance of the –OH group band after bioreduction evidences its role in reducing silver ions

Do Religious Factors Influence the Attitude Toward Organ Donation Among Medical Students? A Spanish Multicenter Study

Introduction Religious factors have conditioned the attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) since the beginning of transplantation, despite the fact that most religions are in favor of transplantation. Objective To assess the impact of religious beliefs of medical students on their attitude toward ODT. Method Population under study: Medical students in Spanish universities. Study sample: Stratified by geographical area and academic course. Assessment instrument: Attitude ODT questionnaire PCID-DTO-Ríos, anonymous and self-administered. Results Of all students, 42% (n = 3907) declare themselves atheists or agnostics. The remaining 58% (n = 5368) declare themselves to be religious, the majority being Catholic (55%, n = 5102). Of the rest, 0.2% are Muslims (n = 8), 0.1% Protestants (n = 1), and the remaining 2.7% (n = 257) indicate other religious doctrines but do not want to specify it. Regarding their attitude toward ODT, those who consider themselves atheists or agnostics have a more favorable attitude than those who consider themselves religious (84% versus 76%; P < .001). Among those who follow some kind of religion, Catholics are more in favor of ODT than non-Catholics (77% vs 64%, P < .001). Note that among the religious, only 57% (n = 3050) know which religion is in favor of transplantation, while 22% (n = 1,152) consider that it has not been pronounced on the matter, 13% (n = 723) think the religion is against donation, and the remaining 8% (n = 443) do not know. Conclusion The religion professed by medical students conditions their attitude toward donation, with the atheists and agnostics being more in favor of donation.Sin financiación0.784 JCR (2019) Q4, 155/158 Immunology, 191/210 Surgery, 24/24 Transplantation0.363 SJR (2019) Q3, 254/451 Surgery, 27/41 TransplantationNo data IDR 2019UE

Prácticas utilizadas para la producción y mejora de la productividad de un módulo agroforestal

Objective: To evaluate the practices to agricultural production and productivity improvement. Design/methodology/approach: A comparatively analysis of practices performed by land producer in an agroforestry module was carried out. As well as the yield obtained in two-year period, both from the economic income point of view and diversification of plant species that were established. Results: The practices used in the module were: a) conservation (reduced tillage), b) vegetative (crop diversification, associated crops, intercropping and crop rotation) and c) agronomic (bottom fertilization and fertigation). During this study (2015-2018), 16 plant species were established. Yields and income from the sale of surplus production increased over time, which contributed to the food security and economy of the rural family. Limitations on study/implications: The present work, did not evaluate the biological efficiency of the crop association in the agroforestry module, which could give an additional value to this type of production versus monoculture systems. Findings/conclusions: The type of practices used in the production of food and fodder in an agroforestry module was documented. The production of crops in small areas, under the agroforestry approach, can represent a sustainable alternative of agricultural production for the arid and semi-arid regions and a mean to improve income and nutrition of the rural family.Objetivo. Determinar las prácticas utilizadas para la producción agrícola y mejora de la productividad de en un módulo agroforestal. Diseño/metodología/aproximación. Se realizó el análisis comparativo de las prácticas que el productor realiza en un módulo agroforestal, así como del rendimiento obtenido en dos años, desde el punto de vista económico y de diversificación de especies vegetales que fueron establecidas. Resultados. Las prácticas utilizadas en el módulo fueron: a) conservación (labranza reducida); b) vegetativas (diversificación de cultivos, cultivos asociados, cultivos intercalados y rotación de cultivos); y c) agronómicas (fertilización de fondo y fertigación). Durante el periodo evaluado (2015-2018) se establecieron 16 especies vegetales. Los rendimientos e ingresos por venta de excedentes de la producción se incrementaron con el tiempo. Lo cual contribuyó en la seguridad alimentaria y economía de la familia rural. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones. En el presente trabajo, la eficiencia biológica de la asociación en el módulo agroforestal no fue evaluada. Dicha eficiencia podría dar un valor adicional a este tipo de producción versus los sistemas de monocultivo. Hallazgos/conclusiones. Se documentaron el tipo de prácticas utilizadas en la producción de alimentos y forraje en un módulo agroforestal. La producción de cultivos en pequeñas superficies, bajo el enfoque agroforestal, es una alternativa sustentable de producción agrícola para las regiones áridas y semiáridas, asimismo es un medio para mejorar el ingreso y nutrición de la familia rural

Seasonal variability of oceanographic conditions off NW Galician waters influencing the early life trophic ecology of European hake Merluccius merluccius by stable isotope analysis

Stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbón (δ13C) have been used as tracers for analyzing the trophic ecology of European hake larvae collected during the winter and summer of 2012 off NW Galicia. The sampling times correspond to periods of high and low hake spawning activity, respectively. Trophic enrichment was analyzed using as baseline two different plankton size fractions, corresponding to micro- (55-200μm) and mesozooplankton (>200μm). During both seasons, the δ15N signatures of hake larvae showed higher values than the zooplankton fractions. The first survey carried out in late February was characterized by a preceding marked upwelling, low geostrophic velocities in the hydrographic circulation and an intense mixing of the water column. This environmental scenario is hypothesizing that originated a great nutrient availability for primary consumers showed its effect in the low δ15N values observed in plankton and hake larvae. During July, the environmental setting corresponded to period where the water column was stratified, an anticyclonic gyre was formed in the center of the study area that concentrated particles and weak upwelling conditions and strong geostrophic currents where found. This scenario was characterized hypothetically by low nutrient availability in which production is mainly based on regenerated nutrients which would explain the higher δ15N values found during this period. On the other hand, the greater δ13C values observed in summer in comparison to winter suggest differences in the energetic sources of carbon (Fig. 1). The discussion of results is centered in how oceanographic variability conditions signatures of stable isotope fractionation in the early life trophic food web influencing the variable trophic pathways of larval hake subject to contrasting environmental conditions, thereby affecting their larval nutritional condition as estimated by RNA/DNA ratios and the Fulton index. This study was financed by the projects: CRAMER-CTM2010-21856-CO3 y ECOPREGA-10MMA602021P