Genome sequence of bacteriophage Djungelskog isolated from an Arthrobacter globiformis culture

Actinobacteriophage Djungelskog was isolated from a sample of degraded organic material in Poughkeepsie, NY, using Arthrobacter globiformis B-2979. Its genome is 54,512 bp and encodes 86 putative protein-coding genes. Djungelskog has a siphovirus morphology and is assigned to cluster AW based on gene content similarity to actinobacteriophages.

Identifying anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in horses of Mexico

ABSTRACT Both the presence of owned dogs and stray dogs allows the spread of Toxocara, a parasite whose eggs can be found in soil, water and food. Animals, including horses, serve as definitive and paratenic hosts. In México, where consumption of horse meat is common, Toxocara is a zoonotic parasite. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in work horses and horses intended for human consumption by ELISA. ELISA was chosen for analysis as paratenic hosts do not shed Toxocara eggs in their feces. Blood samples were collected from a total of 188 horses, 94 of which were work horses and 94 horses from the slaughter house. Samples were analyzed by ELISA, and the general equine seroprevalence was found to be 44.6% (n = 188). Adult horses for slaughter had a 61.7% greater presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies (p = 0.006). Toxocara IgG antibodies were found in horses, confirming that horses are paratenic hosts and possible sources of infection for other animals and people.

Markers of tolerance development to food allergens

IgE-mediated reactions to food allergens are the most common cause of anaphylaxis in childhood. Although allergies to cow's milk, egg, or soy proteins, in contrast to peanut and tree nut allergens, resolve within the first 6 years of life in up to 60% due to natural tolerance development, this process is not well understood. At present, there is no cure or treatment for food allergy that would result in an induction of tolerance to the symptom-eliciting food. Avoidance, providing an emergency plan and education, is the standard of treatment. Oral immunotherapeutic approaches have been proven reasonable efficacy; however, they are associated with high rates of side-effects and low numbers of patients achieving tolerance. Nevertheless, mechanisms that take place during oral immunotherapy may help to understand tolerance development. On the basis of these therapeutic interventions, events like loss of basophil activation and induction of regulatory lymphocyte subsets and of blocking antibodies have been described. Their functional importance at a clinical level, however, remains to be investigated in detail. Consequently, there is eminent need to understand the process of tolerance development to food allergens and define biomarkers to develop and monitor new treatment strategies for food allergy.

A preliminary genetic map in Solea senegalensis (Pleuronectiformes, Soleidae) using BAC-FISH and next-generation sequencing

This article presents the first physical mapping carried out in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), an important marine fish species of Southern Europe. Eight probes were designated to pick up genes of interest in aquaculture (candidate genes) from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library using a method of rapid screening based on a 4-dimension PCR. Seven known and 3 unknown clones were isolated and labeled. The 10 BAC clones were used as probes to map the karyotype of the species by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Nine out of the 10 clones were localized in only 1 chromosome pair, whereas the remaining one hybridized on 2 chromosome pairs. The 2-color FISH experiments showed colocation of 4 probes in 2 chromosome pairs. In addition, 2-color FISH was carried out both with 5S rDNA and the BAC containing the lysozyme gene published previously. This first genetic map of the Senegalese sole represents a starting point for future studies of the sole genome. In addition, 7 out of the 10 BAC clones were sequenced using next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatic characterization of the sequences was carried out. Hence the anchoring of the sequences to specific chromosomes or chromosome arms is now possible, leading to an initial scaffold of the Senegalese sole genome.

The changing face of hospitalisation due to gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation

BACKGROUND

Temporal changes in the incidence of cause-specific gastrointestinal (GI) complications may be one of the factors underlying changing medical practice patterns.

AIM

To report temporal changes in the incidence of five major causes of specific gastrointestinal (GI) complication events.

METHODOLOGY

Population-based study of patients hospitalised due to GI bleeding and perforation from 1996 to 2005 in Spain. We report crude rates, and estimate regression coefficients of temporal trends, severity and recorded drug use for five frequent GI events. GI hospitalisation charts were validated by independent review of large random samples.

RESULTS

The incidence per 100 000 person-years of hospitalisations due to upper GI ulcer bleeding and perforation decreased over time [from 54.6 and 3.9 in 1996 (R² = 0.944) to 25.8 and 2.9 in 2005 (R² = 0.410) respectively]. On the contrary, the incidence per 100 000 person-years of colonic diverticular and angiodysplasia bleeding increased over time [3.3 and 0.9 in 1996 (R² = 0.443) and 8.0 and 2.6 in 2005 (R² = 0.715) respectively]. A small increasing trend was observed for the incidence per 100 000 person-years of intestinal perforations (from 1.5 to 2.3 events). Based on data extracted from the validation process, recent recorded drug intake showed an increased frequency of anticoagulants with colonic diverticular and angiodysplasia bleeding, whereas NSAID and low-dose aspirin use were more prevalent in peptic ulcer bleeding and colonic diverticular bleeding respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

From 1996 to 2005, hospitalisations due to peptic ulcer bleeding and perforation have decreased significantly, whereas the number of cases of colonic diverticular and angiodysplasia bleeding have increased.

Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in adolescents with haemophilia

Boys with haemophilia are now encouraged to exercise and take part in physical activities, but actual measures of time spent in active participation is lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain an objective measure of daily physical activity in boys with haemophilia as compared with healthy controls. The study also aimed to ascertain the social and cognitive factors associated with exercise in this population. Seventeen patients (aged 11-18 years) with haemophilia were studied and compared with 44 healthy controls (aged 10-16.5 years). Physical activity was measured by accelerometry. Psychosocial correlates were assessed using validated questionnaires. Measured physical activity levels in subjects with haemophilia were slightly higher than for the control group. Both groups spent 70% of the day inactive, with similar proportions of time in moderate and vigorous activity. Subjects with haemophilia had a favourable self-image and similar levels of anxiety as peers without a bleeding disorder. Self-efficacy scores were lower than for controls suggesting increased sensitivity to barriers and lack of acceptance of alternatives. Health beliefs did not influence physical activity, but a negative correlation of time spent in high or vigorous activity with scores for support-seeking was observed. The data demonstrate that in the appropriate social environment and with medical support, patients with haemophilia may be as physically active as their peers without a bleeding disorder. Further investigation into the psychosocial barriers of physical activity in patients with haemophilia is needed to more effectively encourage healthy behaviours.

[Old donors in liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C]

BACKGROUND

the natural history of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation (LT) is extremely variable, with progression to allograft failure in a substantial proportion of patients. The identification of factors associated with this poorer outcome may improve results. While donor age has been identified as one of the most important factors, the actual options to modify this variable are limited.

OBJECTIVES

a) to describe the natural history of HCV(+) liver transplant recipients depending on donor age ( < or = 50 years), including clinical, biochemical, and histological outcomes; and b) to identify in the subgroup of organ recipients from aged donors (= 50 years) factors associated with an aggressive course.

METHODS

a retrospective study of clinical and histological data including protocol liver biopsies for 162 HCV (+) liver transplant patients between 1997 and 2001 with at least one year of follow-up. Aggressive recurrent hepatitis C was defined as a progression to fibrosis > 1 during the first year post-LT, development of a cholestatic form of recurrent hepatitis C, and /or graft failure due to HCV during the first five years post-LT. Factors analyzed as potentially associated with recurrent hepatitis C included: a) recipient-related: demographics (age, sex), pre-transplantation (hepatocellular carcinoma, Child-Pugh classification, history of alcohol, HBV serological markers, antiviral treatment, nutritional status, biochemical variables); b) donor-related: demographics (age, sex), cause of death, grade of steatosis defined as minimal vs. moderate-severe > 10%); c) surgery-related: cold preservation and rewarming time, duration of procedure, blood transfusion; and d) post-LT management-related: immunosuppression, liver enzymes in the first 14 days post-LT, acute hepatitis post-LT, surgical complications (vascular and/or biliary).

RESULTS

patients were divided into two groups according to donor age group 1 ( < 50 years), n = 83, 51%, and group 2 (= 50 years), n = 79, 49%). Median follow-up was 5 years (range: 3 months-8.5 years). Aggressive recurrent hepatitis C occurred significantly more frequently in the older donor group (64 vs. 20.5%, p < 0.0001). In this group, potent immunosuppression -triple and quadruple regimens- (p = 0.04) and acute hepatitis post-LT (p = 0.03) were the only variables associated with aggressive recurrence. Degree of donor steatosis was not associated with the prognosis of recurrent hepatitis C.

CONCLUSION

the use of aged donors is partly responsible for the accelerated progression of hepatitis C after LT. When old donors are used we should avoid over-immunosuppression, and probably evaluate antiviral therapy in those with acute recurrent hepatitis C.

Insulin-like growth factors I and II in the sole Solea senegalensis: cDNA cloning and quantitation of gene expression in tissues and during larval development

Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) play an important role as modulators of development, growth, and reproduction. This study aimed to isolate the IGF-I and IGF-II cDNAs and determine their temporal expression pattern in different organs and throughout larval development in Senegal sole. The rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was used to obtain both full-length IGFs sequences. A high sequence similarity with other teleosts sequences was observed. Domains B and A revealed as the most evolutionary conserved. Steady-state copy numbers of IGF-I and IGF-II were also quantified in different Senegal sole tissues by real-time PCR. IGF-I and IGF-II expressed ubiquitously with the highest mRNA levels in liver (88 x 10(6) molecules/microg total RNA) and gills (14.0 x 10(6) molecules/microg total RNA) respectively. IGF-II mRNA levels were higher than IGF-I in prehatching embryos and premetamorphic larvae with a significant drop before the commencement of eye migration in metamorphosis. The abundance of IGF-II transcripts correlated positively with the growth rate during larval development. The putative role of IGF-II on metamorphosis and larval growth is discussed.

Healthcare seeking for constipation: a population-based survey in the Mediterranean area of Spain

BACKGROUND

The use of healthcare resources for the management of constipation is not well-known.

AIM

To analyse healthcare seeking for constipation, defined by three different criteria, and its related factors and to assess the frequency of use of laxatives, suppositories and enemas for the treatment of constipation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in the general community. A questionnaire comprising 21-items was developed and delivered by mail to a random sample of 506 subjects aged 18-65 years, and belonging to a Spanish population.

RESULTS

Seeking of health care was high in the sample (16%) and was similar for all definitions of constipation (over 40% of constipated subjects). It was associated with female gender, a higher educational level and two symptoms, such as prolonged defecation and abdominal pain. A 14% of the sample used laxatives, and about a 25% of constipated subjects used laxatives at least once a week. Utilization was more frequent in women, with no differences by age group.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic constipation is a problem that causes an important consumption of resources in our setting, derived from laxative use and the seeking of medical help to combat the problem. The use of these resources is higher in women.

Factores que influyen en la decisión de administrar corticoides sistémicos en la enfermedad de Crohn

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease shows periods of exacerbation and remission. Corticosteroids are the most frequently used drugs in exacerbations of disease activity. The objective of this study is to determine which clinical and laboratory parameters are associated with the therapeutic decision to administer corticosteroids during the course of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Two-hundred seven consecutive visits made by 62 patients with Crohn's disease were selected from a database. Data from visits in which corticosteroid administration was initiated (n = 65) were compared with those from visits in which this decision was not made (n = 142). Univariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were performed. The results are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis statistically significant differences were found between groups in localization, maintenance treatment, Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score, the presence of abdominal pain, mass, perianal disease, extraintestinal manifestations and all laboratory parameters (leukocytes, platelets, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein). In the multivariate analysis (with corticosteroid administration as the dependent variable) a statistically significant positive association was found between the decision to administer corticosteroids and mild (OR = 31.9; 95% CI, 6.6-154.1), moderate or severe (OR = 49.7; 95% CI, 6.1-401.3) CDAI, ileocolic localization (OR = 4.8; 95% CI, 1-22.1) and the presence of perianal disease (OR = 7.4; 95% CI, 1.5-35.9), while a negative association was found with maintenance treatment with immunosuppressant drugs (OR = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.30-0.008). The laboratory variables positively associated with corticosteroid administration were C-reactive protein and leukocyte count.

CONCLUSION

The variable with greatest predictive value for corticosteroid prescription is the CDAI score, although other clinical and laboratory variables not included in this index are also associated with corticosteroid administration. There is a negative association between the use of immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroid prescription.

Antigenicity of a recombinant NS3 protein representative of ATPase/helicase domain from hepatitis C virus

It has been shown that the Hepatitis C virus nonstructural NS3 protein possesses at least two enzymatic domains: a serine-protease domain and an adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)/helicase domain. In this report, a truncated fragment of NS3 (26 kDa), representing main epitopes from the (ATPase)/helicase domain, has been expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified by Ion Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC) with more than 90% purity. The recognition of B-cell linear epitopes in the NS3 protein was evaluated by immunoblot. The recombinant NS3 protein was reduced and carboxymethylated, and the recognition of either conformational and/or linear B-cell determinants was evaluated by ELISA. The inclusion of the recombinant NS3 protein in a third-generation diagnostic system UltraMicroELISA (UMELISA) allowed an increase in the sensitivity, due to the detection of a new variety of false-negative sera in blood donor test samples.

[Dynamic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of gallbladder dysfunction: reliability of a simple method with easy clinical application]

AIMS

Although the results of dynamic ultrasonography (DUS) are similar to those of dynamic cholescintigraphy (DCS) in the study of gallbladder function, the methodology required for this technique is laborious and sometimes complex. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of a simple method of DUS to evaluate gallbladder function using DCS as a reference.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Gallbladder function was studied using DUS and DCS in 80 consecutive patients with clinical findings compatible with gallbladder dysfunction. For DUS the ellipsoid method was used with measurement of three gallbladder diameters (transversal, longitudinal and anteroposterior) in basal conditions and after applying a cholecystokinetic stimulus (meal test); gallbladder emptying of less than 50% was considered abnormal. In DCS intravenous cholecystokinin (CCK) (0.40 IDU/kg in 20 minutes) was used as stimulus and an ejection fraction < or = 40% was considered abnormal.

RESULTS

In 15 patients (19%; 95% CI, 11-29%) abnormal gallbladder response was found using DUS. The ejection fraction in the entire group of patients studied was 48 26.2%. Ejection fraction was abnormal in 41 patients (51%; 95% IC, 40-63%) with a value of 25 8.5% and was normal in 39 patients (49%; 95% IC, 40-63%) with a value of 71.5 14.5%. The correlation coefficient between the values of gallbladder emptying calculated with DUS and the ejection fraction obtained with DCS was 0.199 (p = 0.079). When patients were divided according to gallbladder emptying measured by DUS and the ejection fraction obtained with DCS the concordance was very low (k = 0.065; EE = 0.085).

CONCLUSIONS

DUS performed using a simple technique lacks diagnostic value in gallbladder dysfunction when DCS is taken as a reference test

Photophysical, photochemical, and thermodynamic properties of shikimic acid derivatives: calycin and rhizocarpic acid (lichens)

Photophysical and photochemical parameters of the lichen metabolites calycin and rhizocarpic acid were determined. Experiments were carried out in micellar solutions of 3% Brij 35, at pH 2 and 12, and in acetonitrile. Both metabolites absorb in the UV-A and UV-B regions, and emit fluorescence in the visible region of the solar spectrum. Shifts were not observed in the absorption spectra, at pH 2 and 12. The low phi(c), between 10(-5) and 10(-2), shows that both compounds are photostable in the experimental conditions. For rhizocarpic acid, two values of pK(a) were obtained: 5.1 corresponding to the hydroxyl group, and 9.0 corresponding to the protonated nitrogen. Calycin presents only one value of pK(a): 4.9, that is attributed to the hydroxyl group. L-(+)-Gluconic-gamma-lactonic acid was used as a reference model; the compound showed greater photoinstability, demonstrating that the photodegradation observed occurs mainly in the oxolane carbonylic ring.

Equivalent outcomes during postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with lidocaine plus morphine versus morphine alone

To evaluate a possible opioid-sparing effect of intravenous lidocaine we conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Patients undergoing intraabdominal surgery under general anesthesia were treated with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in three groups: Group 1 (n = 100; morphine 1 mg/mL), Group 2 (n = 44; morphine 1 mg/mL plus lidocaine 10 mg/mL), and Group 3 (n = 51; morphine 1 mg/mL plus lidocaine 20 mg/mL). Pain was evaluated using a 0-10 visual analog scale in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) during deep inhalation at 15 and 30 min, and at 1, 2, and 4 h after arrival in the PACU, and continued after PACU discharge every 4 h for 36 h. Patients whose pain was more than 4/10 in the PACU received 2.5 mliters of the respective solutions every 7 min until pain was less than 4/10; then PCA was started. The number of bolus and cumulative drug doses during the study were recorded. Along with pain intensity, we assessed vital signs and side effects. Time to acceptance of oral liquids was also determined. Adding lidocaine 10 or 20 mg/mL to PCA morphine 1 mg/mL for acute pain treatment after abdominal surgery yielded no differences in opioid use, pain levels, or side effects.

Endemic fluorosis in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I. Identification of risk factors associated with human exposure to fluoride

In order to identify risk factors associated with human exposure to fluoride in San Luis Potosi (SLP), Mexico, a biochemical and epidemiological study was carried out in 1992. Results from the analysis of fluoride sources showed that 61% of tap water samples had fluoride levels above the optimal level of 0.7-1.2 ppm. The levels were higher after boiling. In bottled water, fluoride levels ranged from 0.33 to 6.97 ppm. These sources are important since in SLP 82% of the children drink tap water, 31% also drink bottled water, 92% prepare their food with tap water, 44% boiled all the drinking water, and 91% used infant formula reconstituted with boiled water. The prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in children (11-13 years old) increased as the concentration of water fluoride increased. At levels of fluoride in water lower than 0.7 ppm a prevalence of 69% was found for total dental fluorosis, whereas at levels of fluoride in water higher than 2.0 ppm a prevalence of 98% was found. In the same children, fluoride levels in urine were quantified. The levels increased as the concentration of water fluoride increased. Regressional analysis showed an increment of 0.54 ppm (P < 0.0001) of fluoride in urine for each ppm of fluoride in water. Fluoride urinary levels were higher in samples collected during the afternoon (1800) when compared with sample collected during the morning (1100). Taking together all these results, three risk factors for human exposure to fluoride in SLP can be identified: ambient temperature, boiled water, and food preparation with boiled water. These factors explain the prevalence of dental fluorosis in SLP.

A bimodal temperature response and effect of light intensity in the photocontrol of germination of seeds in Jussiaea suffruticosa

A bimodal temperature response is observed in the germination of seeds in Jussiaea suffruticosa, both under continuous and cyclic light treatments. Germination exhibits two maxima at around 25° C and at 40°, and a minimum in the region of 30-35°. The response depends on light intensity both under continuous and intermittent light treatments. This dependence is much more noticeable in the region of minimum germination (30°). Both preincubation in darkness at 35° and high light intensities (15 500 lux) tend to eliminate the bimodal temperature response.