Isolation and molecular analysis of Umhda2 a gene encoding a histone deacetylase from Ustilago maydis

By use of the polymerase chain reaction and synthetic oligonucleotides designed from conserved regions, we amplified a fragment of a gene from Ustilago maydis encoding a putative histone deacetylase. With this probe we isolated the full gene from a minigenomic library. The gene (designated as Umhda2) contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 1701bp encoding a protein of 566 amino acids. Multiple comparison analysis with other histone deacetylases suggests that the Umhda2 gene product belongs to the Rpd3-related family of proteins. The highest degree of homology with histone deacetylases from other organisms corresponded to Hdalp of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Rpd3p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with 64.2 and 62.2% of sequence similarity, respectively. It displayed a substantially lower similarity with another histone deacetylase from U. maydis (Hdalp, 52.4%). Semi-quantitative RTPCR results indicate that the gene is transcriptionally up-regulated during the in vitro yeast-to-mycelium dimorphic transition.

Determinants of patient delay among tuberculosis cases in Spain

BACKGROUND

Patient delay was investigated in a cohort of TB patients identified from May 1996 until April 1997 in 13 Autonomous Regions in Spain. The study covered almost 67% of the total Spanish population.

METHODS

Data were collected from clinical records. Using unconditional logistic regression with two different cut-off points to define 'patient delay' (the median and 75th percentile), the association between patient delay and different factors was estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 7,037 cases were included. Median and 75th percentile delays were 22 and 57 days respectively. Factors associated with patient delay greater than the median (p<0.05) were: non-respiratory symptoms of TB and age over 14 years, although the effect of age was not linear. Furthermore, an interaction was observed between intravenous drug user (IDU) and HIV status, in that, whereas patient delay was greater in IDUs than in non-IDUs among cases whose HIV status was either negative or unknown, among HIV-positive patients no such IDU-related differences were in evidence. Factors associated with extreme patient delay (greater than the 75th percentile) were essentially the same, but the above-described interaction disappeared, with IDU status showing no direct effect. In addition, likelihood of extreme patient delay increased in the case of alcoholism and female gender and decreased in the case of chronic renal failure, corticoid treatment, prison inmates and residents of old age homes.

CONCLUSION

Although there is a universally enjoyed right to health care in Spain, some groups of TB patients could nevertheless be experiencing problems in seeking medical attention.

A novel application of solid state culture: production of lipases by Yarrowia lipolytica

An extracellular lipase was produced in solid state cultures of Yarrowia lipolytica CECT 1240 using nylon sponge and several food and agroindustrial wastes (barley bran and triturated nut) as, respectively, inert support and support substrate. The highest activity was obtained with triturated nut (23 kU l(-1)) followed by sunflower oil-soaked barley bran (21 kU l(-1)). The activities were 5 fold greater those obtained in the control cultures with just inert support.

Characteristics of tuberculosis patients with positive sputum smear in Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND

Patients with positive sputum smears are those with the capacity to spread infection. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of tuberculosis in Catalonia (an autonomous community in the northeast of Spain which includes Barcelona) and to determine risk factors associated to patients with positive sputum smear test.

METHODS

New cases of tuberculosis detected by active surveillance between May 1996 and April 1997 were studied. The study was analysed as a coincident cases and controls study. The rate of incidence was calculated per 100,000 persons-year. The association of the dependent variable--case of tuberculosis with positive sputum smear--with the remainder of independent variables was determined by odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 2508 cases of tuberculosis were detected. The rate of incidence was 41.4 per 100,000 persons-year. Of these 19.4% (487/2508) were coinfected with HIV and 35.6% (893/2508) presented a positive sputum smear, which implies a rate of 14.7 per 100,000 persons-year. In an adjusted multivariate analysis, cases with positive smears were positively associated with the 15-24 (OR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.4-2.4), 25-34 (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.7-2.7) and 35-44 years (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) age compared with persons 45 years old and above; with males (OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2) and consumers of alcohol (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.7-2.7) and negatively with those under 15 years of age (OR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.1-0.2) and coinfection with HIV (OR=0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Measures to control tuberculosis transmission (prompt diagnosis, study of contacts and directly observed treatments) should be reinforced for male adults with excessive consumption of alcohol.

[Dilatation of the papilla of Vater in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in selected patients]

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively analyze the results obtained with papillary balloon dilatation (PBD) in the treatment of common bile duct stones in patients at risk of complications if endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) were performed.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Thirty-three patients were included between January 2001 and June 2003 (mean age 76.2 years). The criteria for PBD were: choledocholithiasis < or =10 mm in patients with peripapillary diverticula, hemostatic alterations, Billroth-II, and preservation of Oddi's sphincter. In 79% of the patients sedation was performed by an anesthetist. PBD was performed with a balloon catheter dilator with a diameter of 8 or 10 mm for 2 minutes. The efficacy and duration of the procedure as well as complications at 30 days and patient satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS

Stone extraction was achieved in all patients (100%). The mean duration of the procedure was 26 minutes. Two patients (6%) presented mild pancreatitis. Serum amylase was elevated in 16 patients (48%): > or =3 times (post-PBD hyperamylasemia) in 11 (33%). The procedure caused no discomfort in 25/26 (96%) of the patients sedated by an anesthetist vs 2/5 patients (49%) who underwent endoscopic sedation.

CONCLUSIONS

PBD is an effective and simple therapeutic option in the treatment of small common bile duct stones (< or =10 mm) and in patients at high risk. The duration of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is not prolonged. Complications are infrequent (6%) and mild. Post-PBD hyperamylasemia is frequent and generally without clinical importance. Sedation by an anesthetist improves patient satisfaction.

Quantification of intra- and extra-cellular thermophilic lipase/esterase production by Thermus sp

Four Thermus strains produced lipolytic activity when grown in liquid medium for 30 h at 70 degrees C. The highest total lipase/esterase activity (57 U l(-1)) was in Thermus aquaticus YT-1, followed by Thermus thermophilus HB27 and HB8 (33 and 25 U l(-1), respectively), and finally by Thermus sp. (16 U l(-1)). Extra-cellular activity was detected in T. aquaticus YT-1 and T. thermophilus HB27 (33 and 17 U l(-1)). All enzymes were stable at 80 degrees C over 30 min, and their activity towards fatty acid esters increased as substrate chain-length diminished (i.e. hydrolysis rate was up to 6-fold higher on p-nitrophenyl caproate than on laurate).

Monitoring coal-tar pitch composition changes during air-blowing by gas chromatography

A series of air-blown coal-tar pitches was studied by GC and GC-MS in order to achieve a deeper understanding of the behaviour of the different pitch components during air-blowing. Compounds present in the parent pitch were identified and quantified and then compared to those present in the air-blown pitches. The compounds observed were identical before and after the treatments, but the concentration of each compound changed with the treatment to a different extent depending on its molecular structure and consequently its reactivity to oxygen. The most reactive compounds were those with a mehylene-bridge in a five member ring, followed by those with a methyl group in their structure.

Rotavirus y adenovirus 40–41 como causantes de gastroenteritis infantil

Introducción

El rotavirus es la principal causa de diarrea grave en niños menores de 5 años, y ocasiona una elevada morbilidad y mortalidad a escala mundial. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido conocer la epidemiología de los virus entéricos que se declaran en el Sistema de Notificación Microbiológica de Cataluña (SNMC), rotavirus y adenovirus 40-41, y valorar la importancia que tienen en el contexto de la enfermedad entérica.

Material y métodos

Se han revisado retrospectivamente las declaraciones que realizan los laboratorios de los hospitales que participan en el SNMC durante los años 1995-2002. Los casos de gastroenteritis aguda se han diagnosticado por detección de antígeno en heces. Las variables analizadas han sido: edad, sexo, mes y año de aislamiento. Como métodos estadísticos se han utilizado el test de la ?2 y test de Fisher; las proporciones se han comparado utilizando la prueba binomial y el nivel de significación estadística se ha establecido en 0,05.

Resultados

Se han detectado 6.708 (94,3%) rotavirus y 409 (5,7%) adenovirus 40-41. Las gastroenteritis agudas virales han presentado mayor morbilidad en niños pequeños menores de 2 años: el 76 y el 68% de rotavirus y adenovirus, respectivamente, se han concentrado en este grupo de edad. El rotavirus se ha aislado principalmente en invierno (68%), mientras que el adenovirus, aunque se ha presentado estable en todas las estaciones, ha sido más frecuente en otoño (35,2%). Respecto a las enteritis, bacterianas y virales, vigiladas en el SNMC, el rotavirus y el adenovirus han supuesto la segunda y la cuarta causa etiológica, respectivamente, en los niños menores de 5 años, después de Campylobacter y Salmonella.

Conclusiones

De los diferentes virus que pueden causar gastroenteritis aguda, hay otros virus con frecuencias elevadas, como calici-virus y astrovirus, que no se buscan sistemáticamente, por lo que hay que valorar las frecuencias con prudencia. A pesar de esto, el rotavirus es la principal causa de la gastroenteritis viral, y afecta principalmente a edades tempranas de la vida, sobre todo a niños de 1 a 11 meses, con un claro predominio en invierno. Respecto al adenovirus 40-41, se ha presentado preferentemente en niños menores de 2 años y con mayor frecuencia en otoño. La vacunación contra el rotavirus es prioritaria para poder disminuir el alto índice de morbilidad y mortalidad que ocasiona esta enfermedad.

Meningococcal Disease in Catalonia 1 Year after Mass Vaccination Campaign with Meningococcal Group C Polysaccharide Vaccine

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal disease in Catalonia (Spain) after vaccination with the polysaccharide vaccine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cases were collected by the Statutory Diseases Reporting System.

RESULTS

176 cases were reported, an overall incidence of 2.9/100,000 persons/year. 60% of cases occurred during winter and spring. The case fatality rate was 6.3%. The highest age incidence was in children under 2 years of age (48/100,000 persons/year). Comparison of the cases detected by the Statutory Diseases Reporting System with those obtained by the Microbiological Reporting System shows that meningococcal disease surveillance in Catalonia was relatively complete (95.7%), with a positive predictive value of 66.3%. 115 cases (65%) were culture-confirmed with a rate of 1.9/100,000 persons/year. 86 (75%) cases were due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B and 21 to serogroup C (18%).

CONCLUSION

Although infections due to serogroup C have decreased after mass vaccination with the polysaccharide vaccine, it is likely that the number of infections will decrease further with the conjugate meningococcal group C vaccine.

Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric study of the oil fractions produced by microwave-assisted pyrolysis of different sewage sludges

The pyrolysis of sewage sludge was studied in a microwave oven using graphite as microwave absorber. The pyrolysis temperature ranged from 800 to 1000 degrees C depending on the type of sewage sludge. A conventional electrical furnace was also employed in order to compare the results obtained with both methods. The pyrolysis oils were trapped in a series of condensers and their characteristics such as elemental analysis and calorific value were determined and compared with those of the initial sludge. The oil composition was analyzed by GC-MS. The oils from the microwave oven had n-alkanes and 1-alkenes, aromatic compounds, ranging from benzene derivatives to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrogenated compounds, long chain aliphatic carboxylic acids, ketones and esters and also monoterpenes and steroids. The oil from the electric oven was composed basically of PAHs such as naphthalene, acenapthylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzofluoranthenes, benzopyrenes, indenepyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and anthanthrene. In contrast, these compounds were not produced in the case of microwave-assisted pyrolysis.

Interactions between irradiance and nutrient availability during astaxanthin accumulation and degradation in Haematococcus pluvialis

Fully synchronised germination of Haematococcus pluvialis astaxanthin-replete aplanospores was induced by transfer to nitrogen-sufficient conditions under either high or low light intensities, and growth, pigment content and nitrogen consumption were monitored during the cell cycle. No germination of the aplanospores was achieved in the absence of nitrate, even when cells were transferred at low light intensities. On the other hand, cell density and chlorophyll concentration increased dramatically and astaxanthin concentration decreased in N-sufficient cultures due to the germination of 100% of the aplanospores, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. No significant effect of light intensity was observed on the degradation of astaxanthin during germination. In germinated cultures, nitrogen was depleted more rapidly under high light conditions, which resulted in earlier entry into the aplanospore stage and accumulation of astaxanthin. Germination of aplanospores accompanied by astaxanthin degradation could also be obtained in the dark in nutrient-sufficient conditions although at a much lower efficiency. The results demonstrate that nutrient availability is the main factor controlling the transition between red and green stages of H. pluvialis, with astaxanthin being accumulated only when cell division has ceased. High light levels accelerate the process by increasing the rate of nutrient depletion and providing more energy for astaxanthin synthesis.

Cloning of the Pichia anomala SEC61 gene and its expression in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae sec61 mutant

In several organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeast species, the product encoded by the SEC61 gene is considered to be the core element of the translocation apparatus within the endoplasmic reticulum membrane through which translocation of secretory and membrane proteins occurs. In this study, we have cloned and characterized the homolog of the SEC61 gene from the yeast Pichia anomala. The cloned gene includes an ORF, interrupted after the first ten nucleotides by an intron of 131 bp, encoding a 479-amino acid putative polypeptide exhibiting homology to the products encoded by different eukaryotic SEC61 genes, particularly to those from other yeast species. We show that the P. anomala SEC61 gene is correctly processed (intron splicing) when expressed in S. cerevisiae and that it is able to complement the thermosensitive phenotype associated with a mutation in the S. cerevisiae SEC61 gene.

Dramatic decline of serogroup C meningococcal disease in Catalonia (Spain) after a mass vaccination campaign with meningococcal C conjugated vaccine

In the last quarter of the year 2000, the meningococcal C conjugated vaccine was incorporated into the routine vaccination schedule in Catalonia (at 2, 4 and 6 months). In addition a vaccination campaign was carried out in children <6 years of age, with a coverage of 96.2%. The effectiveness of the vaccination in this age group during 2001 and the first 28 weeks of 2002 was 100% (94.27-100%). A vaccination campaign has been carried out in 6-19-year olds during 2001 and 2002, with a coverage rate of 23.5% in the year 2001. In this age group a reduction in disease incidence was seen in the 2000-2001 season, but not in the following one.

Impact of mass vaccination with polysaccharide conjugate vaccine against serogroup C meningococcal disease in Spain

During the fourth quarter of 1997, a vaccination campaign using the meningococcal C polysaccharide vaccine was carried out in 14 autonomous regions of Spain. The remaining three regions did not participate. In the last quarter of the year 2000, a mass vaccination campaign using the meningococcal C conjugated vaccine was carried out in all regions. In the year 2001 the incidence decreased in all regions, although the decrease was greater in regions that did not vaccinate in 1997. In contrast, case fatality rates did not decrease. During 2001, the incidence rate of meningococcal C disease was still lower (0.32 per 100000 persons-year) in the regions that vaccinated in 1997 with the polysaccharide vaccine than in those that did not (0.64 per 100000 persons-year).

Corynebacterium macginleyi isolated from urine in a patient with a permanent bladder catheter

An 82-y-old male patient with a neurogenic bladder and vesical stones presented with a urinary tract infection caused by Corynebacterium macginleyi. This is the first case of isolation of C. macginleyi from a non-conjunctival specimen. The patient recovered fully with antimicrobial treatment.

Production of manganese-dependent peroxidase in a new solid-state bioreactor by Phanerochaete chrysosporium grown on wood shavings. Application to the decolorization of synthetic dyes

The production of manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium in a new solid-state bioreactor, the immersion bioreactor, operating with lignocellulosic waste, such as wood shavings, was investigated. Maximum MnP and lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity of 13.4 and 8.48 mukat/L were obtained, respectively. The in vitro decolorization of several synthetic dyes by the extracellular liquid produced in the above-mentioned bioreactor (containing mainly MnP) was carried out and its degrading ability was assessed. The highest decolorization was reached with Indigo Carmine (98%) followed by Bromophenol Blue (56%) and Methyl Orange (36%), whereas Gentian Violet was hardly decolorized (6%).

[Tuberculin test responses of tuberculosis patients]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the response of tuberculosis patients to tuberculin skin tests.

METHOD

The results of skin tests used for initial assessment of tuberculosis patients in Catalonia were reviewed (Multicenter Tuberculosis Research Project). Negative skin tests were those with indurations < 5 mm; positive tests were those with indurations measuring > or = 5 mm. Individuals were classed as having or not having risk factors for developing tuberculosis and those without risk factors were classified by age, location and extension of tuberculosis.

RESULTS

Negative skin tests were seen in 1,566 patients (23%). Negative tests were more common in patients with risk factors, significantly so in those undergoing immunosuppressant therapy (50%) or with HIV infection (61%). Negative tests were less prevalent in patients with no risk factors (13%) and, among them, in children (1%), in patients between 15 and 29 years of age (10%) or in those with non-pulmonary forms (10%). Negative tests were significantly more prevalent among patients 60 to 74 years of age (27%), those over 74 (44%), and those whose disease was pulmonary and extrapulmonary (26%) or disseminated (64%). No significant differences in induration size of positive skin tests were observed for patients with and without risk factors (including HIV infection or non-infection). A normal distribution of induration size was observed in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A negative tuberculin skin test for initial assessment should be interpreted in function of the presence or absence of risk factors, age, location or extension of tuberculosis. When a skin test is positive, the response will be similar whether or not an immunodepressant factor is present.

[HIV prevalence among homosexual and bisexual men in Spain, 1992-2000]

BACKGROUND

Our purpose was to describe the time trend in HIV seroprevalence among homo/ bisexual men.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

We analyzed 9,383 homo/ bisexual men who had a first voluntary test for HIV in 10 Spanish clinics from 1992 to 2000.

RESULTS

HIV prevalence decreased from 20.3% in 1992 to 8.4% in 2000. In the multivariate analysis this decline appeared independently associated with the testing year and the birth cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

New generations of voluntarily tested homo/bisexual men are less infected by HIV, but it is yet necessary to intensify the prevention programs.

A copper-responsive transcription factor, CRF1, mediates copper and cadmium resistance in Yarrowia lipolytica

The dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is more resistant to high copper concentrations than Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This differential tolerance to copper ions has been observed in several strains arising from non-related isolates. To investigate the molecular basis of this resistance, we obtained several copper-sensitive mutants. By complementation of one of them, we isolated the YlCRF1 gene encoding for a copper-binding transcription factor of 411 amino acids homologous to ScAce1p, CgAmt1p, and ScMac1p. Naturally occurring copper-sensitive strains lack the CRF1 allele. The YlCRF1 transcript is not induced by the addition of copper to the medium. Gene disruption demonstrated that YlCRF1 is responsible for a 4- to 5-fold increase in Y. lipolytica copper tolerance. We further show that strain Deltacrf1 is more sensitive to cadmium but not to other metals. The role of YlCrf1p as a copper-sensitive transcription factor is supported by the finding that the protein is immunolocalized in the nucleus during growth in copper-supplemented but not in copper-free medium. However, in contrast to the S. cerevisiae strain mutated in the metallothionein transcription activator ACE1, Y. lipolytica strain Deltacrf1 is still able to increase metallothionein (MTP) mRNA levels in response to copper addition. CRF1 deletion does not affect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity either. Our data suggest the existence of one or more different target genes for Crf1p, other than MTP or SOD1, and support its role as a novel copper-responsive transcription factor involved in metal detoxification.

Carriers of Neisseria meningitidis in household contacts of meningococcal disease cases in Catalonia (Spain)

A population-based study was carried out in Catalonia (Spain) from May 1998 to April 1999 to determine the prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis strains in meningococcal disease (MD) cases and their contacts, as well as the prevalence of meningococci in close contacts of patients with MD, and risk factors for its carriage. A total of 364 close contacts of 87 patients with MD were studied. Throat samples were collected by hospital staff before rifampicin chemoprophylaxis was begun. For each contact, a questionnaire was completed for sociodemographic and epidemiological data. A total of 61 contacts (an overall prevalence of 16.8%) were carriers of meningococcal strains (40 B, 10 C, 1 Z and 10 non-groupable isolates). This prevalence is two to three times higher than in the general population (5-10%). In 33/61 microbiologically confirmed cases (54%) and in 9/26 probable cases (35%), contacts carrying N. meningitidis were found. In 22/33 confirmed cases with carrier contacts, it was possible to study the phenotype of the carrier and patient strains (sero-group, serotype and serosubtype). In 14 cases (64%), both strains were identical, in four cases, only a minor change was observed, in three cases, some strain (from the case or from his contact) was non-serotypable and non-serosubtypable, and in one case, both isolates were completely different. Bivariate analysis identified five statistically significant risk factors for meningococcal carriage: age (5-9 years old), meningococcal A+C vaccination, severe household overcrowding, social class and heavy active smoking (>20 cigarettes a day). Multivariate analysis revealed that of these five variables, only heavy active smoking remained statistically significant when the other factors were controlled.