Succinyl-CoA Synthetase: New Antigen Candidate of Bartonella bacilliformis

BACKGROUND: Bartonella bacilliformis is the causative agent of Carrion's disease, a neglected illness with mortality rates of 40-85% in the absence of treatment. The lack of a diagnostic technique to overcome misdiagnosis and treat asymptomatic carriers is of note. This study aimed to identify new B. bacilliformis antigenic candidates that could lead to a new diagnostic tool able to be implemented in endemic rural areas. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Blood (n = 198) and serum (n = 177) samples were collected in northern Peru. Clinical data were recorded. Specific 16S rRNA amplification by RT-PCR, IFA and ELISA for IgM/IgG with whole cells as antigens was done. Western blot analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequencing detected seroreactive proteins. ELISAs for IgM/IgG for the antigenic candidates were performed. Of the population 33.3% reported at least one symptom compatible with Carrion's disease; 25.4% (IFA), 27.1% (ELISA-IgG), 33.9% (ELISA-IgM) and 38.9% (RT-PCR) of samples were positive. Four proteins were considered potential antigenic candidates, including two new antigenic candidates, succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit alpha (SCS-alpha) and succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit beta (SCS-beta). On Western blot both Pap31 and SCS-alpha interacted with IgM, while GroEL and SCS-beta interacted with IgG. The presence of specific antibodies against the antigenic candidates varied from 34.5% (IgG against SCS-alpha) to 97.2% (IgM against Pap31). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: RT-PCR and the high levels of positivity for specific ELISAs demonstrate high levels of B. bacilliformis exposure and asymptomatic carriers among inhabitants. The new antigens identified might be used as a new rapid diagnostic tool to diagnose acute Carrion's disease and identify asymptomatic carriers

Ultrasound-Assisted Melt Extrusion of Polymer Nanocomposites

A review of the latest developments in ultrasound-assisted melt extrusion of polymer nanocomposites is presented. In general, the application of ultrasound waves during melt extrusion of polymer in the presence of nanoparticles results in a more homogeneous dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. In spite of this, a lack of understanding in the field has hindered the development of this processing technique. Based on the analysis of literature on the field, key aspects are identified for a better understanding of the physical and chemical effects of ultrasound waves and the fabrication of polymer nanocomposites by means of melt extrusion

Hydrolytic Reactivity Trends among Potential Prodrugs of the O2-Glycosylated Diazeniumdiolate Family. Targeting Nitric Oxide to Macrophages for Antileishmanial Activity

Glycosylated diazeniumdiolates of structure R2NN(O)dNO-R ′ (R ′ ) a saccharide residue) are potential prodrugs of the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing but acid-sensitive R2NN(O)dNO- ion. Moreover, cleaving the acid-stable glycosides under alkaline conditions provides a convenient protecting group strategy for diazeniumdiolate ions. Here, we report comparative hydrolysis rate data for five representative glycosylated diazeniumdiolates at pH 14, 7.4, and 3.8-4.6 as background for further developing both the protecting group application and the ability to target NO pharmacologically to macrophages harboring intracellular pathogens. Confirming the potential in the latter application, adding R2NN(O)dNO-GlcNAc (where R2N) diethylamino or pyrrolidin-l-yl and GlcNAc) N-acetylglucosamin-l-yl) to cultures of infected mouse macrophages that were deficient in inducible NO synthase caused rapid death of the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania major with no host cell toxicity

Preparation and Characterization of Electrically Conductive Polymer Nanocomposites with Different Carbon Nanoparticles

Carbon nanoparticles possess a combination of high electrical and thermal transport properties, as well as low density and different morphologies that make them a good choice to reinforce plastics. Polymer nanocomposites offer great expectations for new and unexpected applications due to the possibility of changing their electrical/thermal behavior by adding nanoparticles while retaining the flexibility and processability of plastics. The possibility of electrical and thermal conduction in a polymer matrix with low amounts of nanoparticles brings opportunity for high demanding applications such as electrical conductors, heat exchangers, sensors, and actuators. Polyolefin nanocomposites offer a significant challenge due to their insulative nature and low affinity for carbon nanoparticles; due to the latter, new production tendencies are proposed and investigated

Neurocysticercosis, a Persisting Health Problem in Mexico

Human neurocysticercosis is a severe parasitic disease caused by the installation of Taenia solium larvae in the central nervous system. Neurocysticercosis is still deeply rooted in Latin-America, Africa and Asia, where it develops its complete life cycle promoted by poor sanitary conditions. It is also emerging in developed countries due to human migration. Although hard data on the evolution of the disease incidence in endemic countries are lacking, its presence is being obscured by the growth of degenerative and metabolic diseases, creating the illusion of having disappeared

Genotype-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in asymptomatic Peruvian women: a community-based study

Objective: To determine the general and genotype-specific prevalence of HPV and to identify potential risk factors for the infection in a population-based screening of Peruvian women. Results: A total of 524 samples were analyzed by PCR and a total of 100 HPV positive samples were found, of which 89 were high-risk, 19 were probably oncogenic, 9 were low-risk and 27 other HPV types. The 26–35 and 36–45 age groups showed the highest proportion of HPV positive samples with a total of 37% (37/100) and 30% (30/100), respectively. Moreover, high-risk HPV was found in 33.7% of both groups and probably oncogenic HPV in 52.6% and 31.6%, respectively. High-risk HPV were the most frequent types identified in the population studied, being HPV-52, HPV-31 and HPV-16 the most commonly detected with 17.6%, 15.7% y 12.9%, respectively. Demographic characteristics and habits were assessed in the studied population. A total of 62% high-risk HPV were detected in married/cohabiting women. Women with two children showed the highest proportion (33.8%) of high-risk HPV, followed by women with only one child (26.9%). Those women without history of abortion had a higher frequency of high-risk HPV (71.9%), followed by those with one abortion (25.8%).Revisión por pare

Conserving Ecosystem Diversity in the Tropical Andes

Documenting temporal trends in the extent of ecosystems is essential to monitoring their status but combining this information with the degree of protection helps us assess the effectiveness of societal actions for conserving ecosystem diversity and related ecosystem services. We demonstrated indicators in the Tropical Andes using both potential (pre-industrial) and recent (~2010) distribution maps of terrestrial ecosystem types. We measured long-term ecosystem loss, representation of ecosystem types within the current protected areas, quantifying the additional representation offered by protecting Key Biodiversity Areas. Six (4.8%) ecosystem types (i.e., measured as 126 distinct vegetation macrogroups) have lost >50% in extent across four Andean countries since pre-industrial times. For ecosystem type representation within protected areas, regarding the pre-industrial extent of each type, a total of 32 types (25%) had higher representation (>30%) than the post-2020 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) draft target in existing protected areas. Just 5 of 95 types (5.2%) within the montane Tropical Andes hotspot are currently represented with >30% within the protected areas. Thirty-nine types (31%) within these countries could cross the 30% CBD 2030 target with the addition of Key Biodiversity Areas. This indicator is based on the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) and responds directly to the needs expressed by the users of these countries

Engolo and Capoeira. From Ethnic to Diasporic Combat Games in the Southern Atlantic

This article provides a re-examination of the main Afrocentric narrative of capoeira origins, the engolo or ‘Zebra Dance’, in light of historical primary sources and new ethnographic evidence gathered during fieldwork in south-west Angola. By examining engolo’s bodily techniques, its socio-historical context and cultural meanings, the piece emphasises its insertion into a pastoral lifestyle and highlights the relatively narrow ethnic character of the practice in Angola. This analysis and the comparison with capoeira helps us to develop certain hypotheses about the formation, migration, and re-invention of diasporic combat games between southern Angola and coastal Brazil, and more broadly, to increase our understanding of how African cultures spread across the southern Atlantic

Factores que pueden afectar la eficiencia bioeconómica y ambiental en sistemas estacionales cubanos de producción de leche (artículo reseña)

This review aims at assessing a number of factors possibly affecting bioeconomic and environmental efficiency in seasonal dairy farming systems to be implemented as an alternative to traditional annual ones. Researchers carried out from March 1988 to February 2011 about the performance to 210 dairy farms and even livestock dairy production centers from Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, and other provinces were reviewed. Concerning statistical data, several factors were evaluated: world milk production, productivity and quality of tropical pastures and their association with consumption based on animal load, seasonal calving patterns for dairy cows as an alternative to annual calving patterns, evaluations of seasonal calving periods and time, advantages of body reserves mobility process in dairy cows, herd reproductive performance status and its effects on milk production, economy, and profitability, as well as the perspective of implementing this seasonal dairy farming systems. Results showed that seasonal milk production possibilities were scientifically and economically valid based on seasonal calving intensification levels over 60 % at the beginning of the rainy season. This is translated into potential savings in convertible currency by a marked decrease in imports of dairy products and concentrated foods supplies, a better utilization of pastures and forage as a cheaper animal food supply, lower production costs by a reduction in powder milk manufacture, and environmental benefits by diminishing negative impacts through technological changes.Se discuten posibles factores que pueden afectar la eficiencia bioeconómica de los sistemas lecheros que se desarrollen en el país como alternativa a la producción lechera anualizada tradicional. Se revisaron investigaciones de Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila y otras zonas del país, desde marzo de 1988 hasta febrero de 2011 en 210 fincas lecheras y de empresas. Se utilizaron estadísticas de producción mundial de leche, productividad y calidad de los pastos tropicales y sus relaciones con el consumo según la carga animal, los patrones de partos estacionales en vacas lecheras como alternativa a los patrones anualizados, la evaluación de períodos de ocurrencia y momentos de parto dentro de época; las ventajas del proceso de movilización de reservas corporales en vacas lecheras, el estatus reproductivo del rebaño y sus efectos sobre la producción láctea, su economía y rentabilidad, así como la perspectiva de implementación de estos sistemas estacionales como alternativa. Se confirman científica y económicamente las posibilidades de la producción estacional de leche con pariciones concentradas en más de 60 % al inicio de la etapa lluviosa, como alternativa viable y sostenible a la clásica producción de leche anualizada que practican los sistemas ganaderos en Cuba, con potenciales ahorros de moneda convertible por una menor importación de lácteos y alimentos concentrados, con ventajas ambientales por la mínima agresión al medio por esos cambios tecnológicos y la reducción de los costos de la fabricación nacional de leche en polvo