Seroprevalencia de la toxoplasmosis humana en Córdoba

Se realiza un estudio sobre seroprevalencia de la toxoplasmosis humana en Córdoba, mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta y hemaglutinación indirecta. La muestra encuestada se compone de 443 sueros, 356 personas supuestamente sanas (estudiantes fundamentalmente) y 87, consideradas de “alto riesgo” (enfermos del Hospital “Reina Sofía”). La positividad obtenida para el total de la muestra ha sido del 43,79 % con IFI y 53,50 % para HAI. Con respecto al sexo, la prevalencia es superior en mujeres con un 54,36 % y 70,47 % con IFI y HAI, respectivamente, en varones el 38,43 % y 44,90 % para las mismas pruebas. En relación con la procedencia de la muestra, 31,lB % con IFI y 43,25 % para HAI sobre la población normal, en la de “alto riesgo” para ambas pruebas el 95,40 %. Entre ambas pruebas hay diferencias significativas a títulos bajos, no así en diluciones altas, Concluimos que la toxoplasmosis humana está presente y difundida en las poblaciones estudiadasA seroprevalency study of human toxoplasmosis was carried out in Córdoba, using indirect immunofluorescence and indirect haemoglutination. The sample of people interviewed was made up of 443 serums, 356 supposedly healthy people (mainly students) and 87, considered “high risk” (pafients from the “Reina Sofia” Hospital). The positiveness obtained for the total of the sample was 43,79 % with IFI and 53,59 % for HAI. As regards sex of the person tested, prevalence is higher in women, with 54,36 % and 70,47 % with IFI and HAI respectively, in men the scores were 38,43 % and 44,90 % for the same tests. As far as the origin of the sample was concerned, there were 31,lB % with IFI and 43,25 % for HAI of the nornal population, in the “high risk” sample, for both tests it was 9540 %. With both tests there are significative differences in low amounts, but not in high dilutions. We conclude that human toxoplasmosis is present and widespread in the studied population

Sequence Stratigraphy and Onlap History of the Donets Basin, Ukraine: Insight into Carboniferous Icehouse Dynamics

The degree to which Permo-Carboniferous cyclothemic successions archive evidence for long-term variations in ice volume during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age is insufficiently resolved. Here we develop the sequence stratigraphy and onlap-offlap history for a 33-my interval of the Carboniferous using the U-Pb calibrated succession of the Donets Basin, Ukraine, in order to assess the relationship between sea-level, high-latitude changes in glacial extent, and climate. Integrated subsurface and outcrop data permit meter-scale correlation of 242 biostratigraphically constrained limestones and coals, and in turn individual cyclothems, across ~250 km of the Donets Basin. Rapid uniform subsidence and basinwide continuity of marker beds indicate Pennsylvanian deposition under relatively stable tectonic conditions. Three scales of sequences (avg. durations of ~140 ky, ~480 ky and 1.6 my) are recognized on the basis of stratigraphic stacking patterns and basinwide architecture of marine to terrestrial facies assemblages. The hierarchy of sequences and the geographic and stratigraphic positions of shifts in base-level sensitive facies across the Donets ramp permit the construction of an onlap-offlap history at a sub-400 ky scale. Major sea-level lowstands occur across the mid-Carboniferous boundary and during the early Moscovian. These lowstands coincide with glacial maxima inferred from high-latitude glacigenic deposits. The middle to late Pennsylvanian is characterized by a stepwise onlap, culminating in an earliest Gzhelian highstand, suggesting contraction of Carboniferous ice sheets prior to the initiation of Early Permian glaciation. The stratigraphic position of climate sensitive facies within individual Donets cyclothems indicates a turnover from seasonal sub-humid or semi-arid climate to everwet conditions during the late lowstand and maximum ice sheet accumulation. Comparison of the stratigraphic and aerial distribution of coals and evaporites in the Donets Basin with the onlap-offlap history further indicates everwet conditions during lowstands and inferred glacial maxima and drier climate during onlap and inferred ice sheet contraction at the intermediate (~0.8 to 1.6 my) and long (106 yr) time-scales. Taken together, the relationship between inferred climate and glacioeustasy suggests a likely teleconnection between high-latitude ice sheet behavior and low-latitude atmospheric dynamics

Coronin 1B Controls Endothelial Actin Dynamics at Cell-Cell Junctions and Is Required for Endothelial Network Assembly

Development and homeostasis of blood vessels critically depend on the regulation of endothelial cell-cell junctions. VE-cadherin (VEcad)-based cell-cell junctions are connected to the actin cytoskeleton and regulated by actin-binding proteins. Coronin 1B (Coro1B) is an actin binding protein that controls actin networks at classical lamellipodia. The role of Coro1B in endothelial cells (ECs) is not fully understood and investigated in this study. Here, we demonstrate that Coro1B is a novel component and regulator of cell-cell junctions in ECs. Immunofluorescence studies show that Coro1B colocalizes with VEcad at cell-cell junctions in monolayers of ECs. Live-cell imaging reveals that Coro1B is recruited to, and operated at actin-driven membrane protrusions at cell-cell junctions. Coro1B is recruited to cell-cell junctions via a mechanism that requires the relaxation of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. By analyzing the Coro1B interactome, we identify integrin-linked kinase (ILK) as new Coro1B-associated protein. Coro1B colocalizes with α-parvin, an interactor of ILK, at the leading edge of lamellipodia protrusions. Functional experiments reveal that depletion of Coro1B causes defects in the actin cytoskeleton and cell-cell junctions. Finally, in matrigel tube network assays, depletion of Coro1B results in reduced network complexity, tube number and tube length. Together, our findings point toward a critical role for Coro1B in the dynamic remodeling of endothelial cell-cell junctions and the assembly of endothelial networks

An Investigation into Healthcare-Data Patterns

Visualising complex data facilitates a more comprehensive stage for conveying knowledge. Within the medical data domain, there is an increasing requirement for valuable and accurate information. Patients need to be confident that their data is being stored safely and securely. As such, it is now becoming necessary to visualise data patterns and trends in real-time to identify erratic and anomalous network access behaviours. In this paper, an investigation into modelling data flow within healthcare infrastructures is presented; where a dataset from a Liverpool-based (UK) hospital is employed for the case study. Specifically, a visualisation of transmission control protocol (TCP) socket connections is put forward, as an investigation into the data complexity and user interaction events within healthcare networks. In addition, a filtering algorithm is proposed for noise reduction in the TCP dataset. Positive results from using this algorithm are apparent on visual inspection, where noise is reduced by up to 89.84%

Effect of GnRH and D-Chloprostenol application on pregnancy and prolificacy rates on Pelibuey ewes

ABSTRACT Objective. Was to evaluate the effect of GnRH and D-Chloprostenol application on pregnancy and prolificacy rates on Pelibuey ewes. Materials and methods. Forty five ewes were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: T1(n=15), day 0: sponges with 65 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) + 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and sponge removal (day 12) + breeding by natural mating (days 12-15); T2 (n=15), day 0: 50 μg gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) + 7.5 mg D-Chloprostenol (day 5) + 50 μg GnRH (day 7) + insemination at fixed time (AIFT) 12 to 14 h after last injection of GnRH; T3 (n=15), 100 μg GnRH (day 0) + 7.5 mg D-Chloprostenol (day 5) + 100 μg GnRH (day 7) + AIFT 12 to 14 h after last injection of GnRH. Results. The average concentration of progesterone (P4) in blood was 1.22 ± 0.74 ng/mL, which was used to verify ovarian activity at the beginning of the treatments. 100% of the T1 ewes presented estrus, beginning at 38.4±9.56 h after sponge removal. There were differences (p0.05) among the treatments where the values were 1.2, 1.4 and 1.4 lambs/ewe for T1, T2 and T3, Conclusions. The results of this study show that the use of GnRH and D-Chloprostenol did improve pregnancy rates but did not improve prolificacy in tropical ewe

Maximal respiratory pressure reference equations in healthy adults and cut-off points for defining respiratory muscle weakness

[Abstract] Introduction: Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PImax/PEmax) reference equations obtained in healthy people are needed to correctly interpret respiratory muscle strength. Currently, no clear cut-off points defining respiratory muscle weakness are available. We aimed to establish sex-specific reference equations for PImax/PEmax in a large sample of healthy adults and to objectively determine cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted across 14 Spanish centres. Healthy non-smoking volunteers aged 18-80 years stratified by sex and age were recruited. PImax/PEmax were assessed using uniform methodology according to international standards. Multiple linear regressions were used to obtain reference equations. Cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness were established by using T-scores. Results: The final sample consisted of 610 subjects (314 females; 48 [standard deviation, SD: 17] years). Reference equations for PImax/PEmax included body mass index and a squared term of the age as independent variables for both sexes (p<0.01). Cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness based on T-scores ≥2.5 SD below the peak mean value achieved at a young age were: 62 and 83cmH2O for PImax and 81 and 109cmH2O for PEmax in females and males, respectively. Conclusion: These reference values, based on the largest dataset collected in a European population to date using uniform methodology, help identify cut-off points for respiratory muscle weakness in females and males. These data will help to better identify the presence of respiratory muscle weakness and to determine indications for interventions to improve respiratory muscle function

Inferring Gene-Phenotype Associations via Global Protein Complex Network Propagation

BACKGROUND: Phenotypically similar diseases have been found to be caused by functionally related genes, suggesting a modular organization of the genetic landscape of human diseases that mirrors the modularity observed in biological interaction networks. Protein complexes, as molecular machines that integrate multiple gene products to perform biological functions, express the underlying modular organization of protein-protein interaction networks. As such, protein complexes can be useful for interrogating the networks of phenome and interactome to elucidate gene-phenotype associations of diseases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We proposed a technique called RWPCN (Random Walker on Protein Complex Network) for predicting and prioritizing disease genes. The basis of RWPCN is a protein complex network constructed using existing human protein complexes and protein interaction network. To prioritize candidate disease genes for the query disease phenotypes, we compute the associations between the protein complexes and the query phenotypes in their respective protein complex and phenotype networks. We tested RWPCN on predicting gene-phenotype associations using leave-one-out cross-validation; our method was observed to outperform existing approaches. We also applied RWPCN to predict novel disease genes for two representative diseases, namely, Breast Cancer and Diabetes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Guilt-by-association prediction and prioritization of disease genes can be enhanced by fully exploiting the underlying modular organizations of both the disease phenome and the protein interactome. Our RWPCN uses a novel protein complex network as a basis for interrogating the human phenome-interactome network. As the protein complex network can capture the underlying modularity in the biological interaction networks better than simple protein interaction networks, RWPCN was found to be able to detect and prioritize disease genes better than traditional approaches that used only protein-phenotype associations

Abamectin and emamectin in grapes of Vitis vinifera L. from a district of the Valley of Ica-Peru

Context: In 14 districts of the valley of Ica-Peru, Vitis vinifera L. plants are cultivated that produce grapes for consumption as table grapes and raisins (dried grapes); at the same time, for the production of wines and Piscos. Aims: To determine the levels of abamectin and emamectin in grapes of Vitis vinifera L from a district of the Valley of Ica-Peru. Methods: 30 lots (30 kg) of Moscatel grape variety V. vinifera L. were collected from six countryside (artisanal and organic cultivation) of the San Juan Bautista district. The extraction of abamectin (ABM) and emamectin benzoate (EMB) from the grapes was carried out with acetonitrile; it was quantified by means of Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The maximum permissible limit values (MRL) were established at 0.010 ppm for both insecticides. Results: The determined levels of abamectin and emamectin in grapes were 0.0012-0.015 ppm and 0.0013-0.013 ppm, respectively. Values higher than the maximum permissible limits of abamectin were found in batches A2 (0.0102 ppm), C1 (0.015 ppm), C5 (0.0113 ppm), and F2 (0.012 ppm); emamectin benzoate in lots B1 (0.0113 ppm), B4 (0.013 ppm) and C4 (0.012 ppm). Using the Shapiro-Wilk, Anderson Darling and Student’s t tests, it was found that the global means of the values of the two insecticides in grapes are lower than the MRL. According to the global analysis of variance, the means of the concentrations of both insecticides were not different between the six sampling zones (countryside). Conclusions: The insecticides abamectin and emamectin are below the maximum permissible limit values (0.010 ppm) in Moscatel grapes of Vitis vinifera L., so the residual effect would not have implications for human health

7th Drug hypersensitivity meeting: part two

No abstract availabl

Conservation and Diversity of Seed Associated Endophytes in Zea across Boundaries of Evolution, Ethnography and Ecology

Endophytes are non-pathogenic microbes living inside plants. We asked whether endophytic species were conserved in the agriculturally important plant genus Zea as it became domesticated from its wild ancestors (teosinte) to modern maize (corn) and moved from Mexico to Canada. Kernels from populations of four different teosintes and 10 different maize varieties were screened for endophytic bacteria by culturing, cloning and DNA fingerprinting using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) of 16S rDNA. Principle component analysis of TRFLP data showed that seed endophyte community composition varied in relation to plant host phylogeny. However, there was a core microbiota of endophytes that was conserved in Zea seeds across boundaries of evolution, ethnography and ecology. The majority of seed endophytes in the wild ancestor persist today in domesticated maize, though ancient selection against the hard fruitcase surrounding seeds may have altered the abundance of endophytes. Four TRFLP signals including two predicted to represent Clostridium and Paenibacillus species were conserved across all Zea genotypes, while culturing showed that Enterobacter, Methylobacteria, Pantoea and Pseudomonas species were widespread, with γ-proteobacteria being the prevalent class. Twenty-six different genera were cultured, and these were evaluated for their ability to stimulate plant growth, grow on nitrogen-free media, solubilize phosphate, sequester iron, secrete RNAse, antagonize pathogens, catabolize the precursor of ethylene, produce auxin and acetoin/butanediol. Of these traits, phosphate solubilization and production of acetoin/butanediol were the most commonly observed. An isolate from the giant Mexican landrace Mixteco, with 100% identity to Burkholderia phytofirmans, significantly promoted shoot potato biomass. GFP tagging and maize stem injection confirmed that several seed endophytes could spread systemically through the plant. One seed isolate, Enterobacter asburiae, was able to exit the root and colonize the rhizosphere. Conservation and diversity in Zea-microbe relationships are discussed in the context of ecology, crop domestication, selection and migration