Could post-weaning dietary chia seed mitigate the development of dyslipidemia, liver steatosis and altered glucose homeostasis in offspring exposed to a sucrose-rich diet from utero to adulthood?

The present work analyzes the effects of dietary chia seeds during postnatal life in offspring exposed to a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) from utero to adulthood. At weaning, chia seed (rich in α-linolenic acid) replaced corn oil (rich in linoleic acid) in the SRD. At 150 days of offspring life, anthropometrical parameters, blood pressure, plasma metabolites, hepatic lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis were analyzed. Results showed that chia was able to prevent the development of hypertension, liver steatosis, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Normal triacylglycerol secretion and triacylglycerol clearance were accompanied by an improvement of de novo hepatic lipogenic and carnitine-palmitoyl transferase-1 enzymatic activities, associated with an accretion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the total composition of liver homogenate. Glucose homeostasis and plasma free fatty acid levels were improved while visceral adiposity was slightly decreased. These results confirm that the incorporation of chia seed in the diet in postnatal life may provide a viable therapeutic option for preventing/mitigating adverse outcomes induced by an SRD from utero to adulthood.

Metazoan parasites of Brama australis from southern Chile: a tool for stock discrimination?

The metazoan parasites of 403 specimens of the southern ray's bream Brama australis from three localities in southern Chile (Lebu 36° 70' S; 73° 40' W, Calbuco 41° 50' S; 73° 08' W and Punta Arenas 53° 10' S; 70° 50' W) were recorded. More than 23 400 parasite specimens belonging to 12 taxa were registered. Metazoan parasites were dominated by the copepod Hatschekia conifera, constituting 97% of the total number of parasites; the larval cestode Hepatoxylon trichiuri was the second most important parasite (2·1% of the total number of parasites). The remaining 10 species constituted <1% of the metazoan parasites. Parasitological evidence, based on univariate and multivariate analysis, does not support the existence of discrete stocks in the studied zone.

Does a facultative precocious life cycle predispose the marine trematode Proctoeces cf. lintoni to inbreeding and genetic differentiation among host species?

Intraspecific variability in parasite life cycle complexity (number of hosts and species of hosts in the life cycle) may have an impact how parasite genetic variation is partitioned among individual parasites, host individuals or host species within a given area. Among digenean trematodes, a three-host life cycle is common. However, a few species are precocious and may reach sexual maturity in what is typically regarded as the second intermediate host. The objective of this study was to determine whether a precocious life cycle predisposes digeneans to possible inbreeding or genetic subdivision among host species. As a study system, we used the digenean Proctoeces cf. lintoni whose metacercariae precociously mature (facultative) without a cyst wall in the gonads of multiple sympatric species of keyhole limpets (Fissurella spp.), typically regarded as the second intermediate hosts. Genotyped parasites were collected from four species of limpets and the clingfish Sicyases sanguineus, the third and final host where sexual maturity occurs. We found very high microsatellite diversity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium over all genotyped individuals, and little to no genetic structuring among parasites collected from the different host species. The fact that metacercariae do not encyst in the keyhole limpets, coupled with the high mixing potential of an aquatic environment, likely promote panmixia in local populations of P. cf. lintoni.

Dietary Salba (Salvia hispanica L) seed rich in α-linolenic acid improves adipose tissue dysfunction and the altered skeletal muscle glucose and lipid metabolism in dyslipidemic insulin-resistant rats

This work reports the effect of dietary Salba (chia) seed rich in n-3 α-linolenic acid on the morphological and metabolic aspects involved in adipose tissue dysfunction and the mechanisms underlying the impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in the skeletal muscle of rats fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). Rats were fed a SRD for 3 months. Thereafter, half the rats continued with SRD while in the other half, corn oil (CO) was replaced by chia seed for 3 months (SRD+chia). In control group, corn starch replaced sucrose. The replacement of CO by chia seed in the SRD reduced adipocyte hypertrophy, cell volume and size distribution, improved lipogenic enzyme activities, lipolysis and the anti-lipolytic action of insulin. In the skeletal muscle lipid storage, glucose phosphorylation and oxidation were normalized. Chia seed reversed the impaired insulin stimulated glycogen synthase activity, glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate and GLUT-4 protein levels as well as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

Is Anisakis simplex s.l. a biological marker for stock identification of Strangomera bentincki from Chile?

The absence of the larval Anisakis simplex s. l. in samples from central Chile but heavy infections in fish from southern localities suggest the existence of two stocks of Strangomera bentincki, one closely associated with the central coast of Chile (landing port San Antonio and Talcahuano, c. 33° 30' S-36° 40' S) and the other associated with southern Chile (landing port Puerto Montt, c. 41° 30' S). Results confirm the usefulness of metazoan parasites, like A. simplex s. l. as biological markers.

Permanent genetic resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 February 2011-31 March 2011

This article documents the addition of 111 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, Anopheles nuneztovari sensu lato, Asellus aquaticus, Calopteryx splendens, Calopteryx virgo, Centaurea aspera, Centaurea seridis, Chilina dombeyana, Proctoeces cf. lintoni and Pyrenophora teres f. teres.

Metazoan parasites as biological tags for stock discrimination of whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri

Examination of 248 adult specimens of whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri from five localities along the Brazilian coast revealed 8735 parasites belonging to 41 metazoan species. Samples from Ceará to Bahia and Rio de Janeiro to Santa Catarina showed a high level of correct assignation (92 and 87%, respectively) and cross assignation (i.e. almost all specimens misidentified in Ceará were assigned to Bahia and almost all specimens misidentified in Bahia were classified as Ceará), so samples were pooled in the northern and south-eastern samples, and Rio Grande do Sul was considered a southern area. Eight parasite species were characteristic of the northern localities, five species were found just in the area associated with south-eastern localities and two species were characteristic of the southern area providing first evidence of stock discreteness. The multivariate discriminant analysis successfully discriminated three groups of localities associated with three stocks of M. furnieri in Brazil: a northern stock associated with Ceará and Bahia, a south-eastern stock related to Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina and a southern stock in the area of Rio Grande do Sul, which could be considered as the northern limit of the stock associated with the Common Fishing Zone of Uruguay and Argentina.

Two new species of Choricotyle Van Beneden & Hesse (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae), parasites from Anisotremus scapularis and Isacia conceptionis (Haemulidae) from northern Chilean coast

Two new species, Choricotyle scapularis and Choricotyle isaciencis (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae), are described from the gills of haemulid fishes, Anisotremus scapularis and Isacia conceptionis, respectively, in San Jorge Bay, northern Chile (23 degrees 42'S, 70 degrees 24'W); they are compared with the known species in the genus. Diagnostic characters for C. scapularis includes the number of hooks in the male copulatory organ, a developed isthmus, the shape of the haptor, and the number of testes. The diagnostic characters for C. isaciensis include the presence of an oval accesory sclerite in the clamps, the number of testes, the number of hooks in the male copulatory organ, and the relative clamp peduncle size.

Impact of antibiotic treatment on bacterial resistance rates from patients with hospital-acquired infection

We assessed the impact of antibiotic administration prior to sample collection on the bacterial resistance rates from patients with nosocomial infection. Every individual susceptibility report was assessed in real time at the bedside of the patient by a team composed of infectious diseases and internal medicine specialists as well as clinical microbiologists for clinical significance and appropriateness of the specimen. The report also stated the kind, source and origin of the infection, history of administration of any antibiotic during the last month prior to sample collection. To evaluate the impact of previous antibiotic administration, resistance rates were calculated separately among the group of patients with and without history of antibiotic treatment. A crude univariate analysis was performed to assess the significance of the differences between groups for every species-antibiotic pair. Patients who had received ciprofloxacin showed significantly higher rates of Escherichia coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, broad-spectrum cephalosporins and gentamicin. A higher rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was observed in patients who were given gentamicin. A stratified analysis showed that the previous antibiotic administration continued to be a risk factor for increased resistance rates regardless of the hospital ward or the source of the infection. This study demonstrates the influence of previous antibiotic administration on bacterial resistance rates although this fact is barely taken into account by the laboratory when constructing the cumulative susceptibility data. Real time clinical validation of the individual susceptibility reports, performed by a multidisciplinary team prior to the data entering, might be a suitable approach to get more reliable susceptibility rates to guide the rational selection of antimicrobial empirical therapy in patients with hospital-acquired infections who have been given antimicrobial treatment prior to specimen collection.

Similarity and structure of the ectoparasite communities of rockfish species from the southern Chilean coast in a temporal scale

The understanding of the patterns and processes underlying the structure of parasite communities has progressed significantly in the last years; however, much of the evidence available to date on parasite community comes from unconfirmed studies. In this study the ectoparasite communities of 2 related rockfishes, Sebastes capensis and Helicolenus lengerichi, from the southern Chilean coast (ca. 40 °S) were examined to determine whether their specific compositions are similar, structured in non-random ways, and repeatable among years. From 2001 to 2004, 189 specimens of S. capensis and 101 of H. lengerichi were examined, 10 and 9 parasite species were recorded in S. capensis and H. lengerichi, respectively. Component ectoparasite communities of these hosts were taxonomically similar (60%), but the abundances and prevalences of their parasites differed significantly among years and between hosts. The most prevalent species were Lepeophtheirus chilensis, and Microcotyle sp. for S. capensis, and Microcotyle sp., Juanetia continentalis, and Interniloculus chilensis for H. lengerichi. Infracommunities of S. capensis showed higher species richness and parasite numbers than those of H. lengerichi. The similarity among infracommunities (measured as parasite abundance) varied significantly among years both within and between hosts. Despite this, temporal nestedness patterns were observed in infracommunities of these hosts, suggesting that their ectoparasite communities are structured and might be predictable in time, at least in the southern Chilean coast where they share the same habitat.

Alternative Indicators for Monitoring the Quality of a Continuous Intervention Program on Antibiotic Prescribing during Changing Healthcare Conditions

We recently published on the impact of a four-phase hospital-wide intervention program designed to optimize the quality of antibiotic use, where a multidisciplinary team (MDT) could modify prescription at the last phase. Because health care quality was changing during the last 5 years (late 1999 to early 2004), we developed certain indicators to monitor the quality of our intervention over time. Different periods were defined as baseline (pre-intervention), initial intervention-active control, pre-crisis control, crisis control, post-crisis control and end of crisis control. Major indicators were rates of prescription modification by the MDT; prescription for an uncertain infection and a novel index formula (RIcarb) to estimate the rationale for carbapenem use. We assessed 2115 antimicrobial prescriptions. Modification of prescription rate was 30% at the beginning and decreased thereafter up to stable levels. Rate of prescriptions ordered for cases of both uncertain infection and unknown source of infection decreased significantly after intervention (i.e. from baseline to active control). In contrast, a doubling of culture-directed prescriptions was observed between these periods. RIcarb values lower and higher than 60% (modal, cut-off) were assumed as carbapenem overuse and underuse, respectively. Overuse was observed at the pre-intervention, while pronounced underuse was shown during the crisis (RIcarb, 45% and 87%, respectively). The present study demonstrates that certain indicators, other than the widely adopted impact outcomes, are a suitable tool for monitoring the quality of a continuous, long-term, active intervention on antimicrobial prescribing practice, especially when applied in a changing healthcare setting.

Efficacy of amoxicillin-sulbactam, given twice-a-day, for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: a clinical trial based on a pharmacodynamic model

The present multicenter study reports the results of a clinical trial, designed on the basis of a pharmacodynamic study published previously (Bantar et al., J. Chemother 2000; 12: 223-227) to assess the efficacy of amoxicillin/sulbactam (875 mg/125 mg), given orally twice-a-day for 7 days in the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Eighty-four evaluable subjects older than 19 years with clinical symptoms and features suggestive of CAP, consulting from June 2000 to March 2002 and meeting the PORT risk class I through III, were enrolled in the study. Mean age (y +/- standard deviation) was 46.7 +/- 16.3 and 62% of the patients had some co-morbidity predisposing for CAP. Several individuals (77.4%) fell into a low-risk class (i.e. PORT I or II) and 22.6% of patients belonged to a moderate-risk class at the start of treatment. Six patients (6.45%) had pneumococcal bacteremia. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the organism most frequently isolated (61.9% of all the patients in whom an etiologic diagnosis was made), followed by Haemophilus influenzae. Clinical success was observed in 97.6% of the patients (confidence interval 95%, 94.3%-100%). Almost all the individuals with clinical success became afebrile within the first 3 days of therapy. Ten patients (11.8%) reported mild or moderate adverse events (especially diarrhea) possibly related to the antimicrobial therapy, but this did not lead to withdrawal from the trial. The results of this study suggest that amoxicillin/sulbactam (875 mg/125 mg) is an efficacious and well tolerated option for treating patients with CAP belonging to a low-moderate risk class and support the use of a short, oral (7-day) b.i.d. regimen.

Metazoan parasite fauna of the bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, from Northern Chile. Influence of host age and sex

The metazoan parasite fauna of Hippoglossina macrops (n = 123) from northern Chile (30 degrees S) is quantitatively described for the first time, and the role of host age and sex was evaluated. Twelve parasite species were recovered, including 5 ectoparasites (2 Monogenea, 2 Copepoda and 1 Piscicolidae) and 7 endoparasites (1 Digenea, 3 Cestoda, 2 Acanthocephala, and 1 Nematoda). The copepod Holobomolochus chilensis, the monogenean Neoheterobothrium sp., the adult acanthocephalan Floridosentis sp. and the hirudinean, Gliptonobdella sp. are new geographical and host records. The most prevalent ectoparasitic species were the monogenean, Neoheterobothrium sp. and the copepod, H. chilensis. Among endoparasites, the acanthocephalans Floridosentis sp. and Corynosoma australe were most prevalent and abundant. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection for most parasitic species were not affected by host sex, however the prevalence of Floridosentis sp. was significantly greater in males. Intensity of infection was positively correlated with host age for Neoheterobothrium sp., and negatively correlated for Floridosentis sp. and H. chilensis. The helminth species richness of the host H. macrops was lower compared to related flatfishes from the Northern Hemisphere. The relationship of the helminth fauna of H. macrops, its feeding habits and ecological habitats are discussed.

Progenesis in Proctoeces lintoni (Fellodistomidae), a parasite of Fissurella crassa (Archaeogastropoda) in a latitudinal gradient in the Pacific Coast of South America

The fellodistomid Proctoeces lintoni is a common parasite of the gonads of key-hole limpets Fissurella spp. (Archaeogastropoda). It has also been found in the mantle of Octopus vulgaris and as an intestinal parasite of haemulid and gobiesocid fishes. Fissurella crassa, a host for progenetic P. lintoni, can be found from Huarmey, Peni (10 degrees S) to Chiloé, Chile (42 degrees S). Proctoeces lintoni has been found parasitizing fishes and molluscs from Callao, Peni (12 degrees S) to Valdivia, Chile (39 degrees S). Progenesis is thought to be a latitude-dependent phenomenon, and high progenesis is expected at higher latitude. In the present article, the association between latitude and progenesis was examined over a latitudinal gradient of about 3,000 km. Data suggest that progenesis of P. lintoni infecting F. crassa was not associated with latitude. Low levels of progenesis found in the Peruvian population could be a consequence of parasite-induced mortality rather than of low latitude, as would be predicted by the latitude dependence hypothesis.

Metazoan parasites of the jack mackerel Trachurus murphyi (Teleostei, Carangidae) in a latitudinal gradient from South America (Chile and Peru)

The metazoa parasite fauna of the jack mackerel Trachurus murphyi Nichols 1920, obtained from seven ports from a latitudinal gradient of more than 30 degrees (From Paita Peru: 05 degrees 10' S to Talcahuano, Chile 36 degrees 40' S) was quantitatively described. 21 species of metazoan parasites were recorded (Monogenea 4, Digenea 3, Cestoda 5, Acanthocephala 2, Nematoda 4, Copepoda 2, Isopoda 1). Only four parasites (Lernanthropus trachuri, Ceratothoa gaudichaudii, Corynosoma australis, Anisakis simplex) were common to the seven ports. Only twelve species reach prevalence over 5% in at least one port. Main characteristic of the parasite fauna is the sparse of adult helminthes, specifically digenean and the dominance of larval forms, at both qualitative and quantitative levels. There are not evidence of changes in the parasite community along a latitudinal gradient, but at least Anisakis simplex (larvae) shows a trend in both, prevalence and mean intensity, increasing from north to south.

Extensive cutaneous necrosis associated with anticardiolipin antibodies

Extensive cutaneous necrosis (ECN) associated with antiphospholipid antibodies is a rare presentation. We describe 2 patients with ECN and high titers of anticardiolipin antibodies. The mechanism by which these antibodies act has not been established and there is still controversy regarding treatment of these patients without established guidelines. In the few documented cases the use of pulse steroid therapy, anticoagulants, fibrinolytic agents, plasmapheresis, or a combination of them has shown some benefit. Early recognition and treatment of the antiphospholipid syndrome may limit the extent of thrombotic complications that can result in tissue necrosis.

Metazoan parasite infracommunities of Menticirrhus (Teleostei: Sciaenidae): an amphi-oceanic approximation

Metazoan infracommunities of Menticirrhus ophicephalus from the south Pacific Ocean and M. americanus from the south Atlantic Ocean were analyzed and compared. The metazoan parasite infracommunities of M. ophicephalus showed higher values of total number of parasite individuals/host and parasite species richness than that of M americanus, but M. americanus showed higher values of parasite species diversity. The infracommunities of ectoparasites showed higher values of total number of parasite individuals/host, richness, and frequency of dominance in M. ophicephalus; in contrast, endoparasites showed higher values of these infracommunity descriptors in M. americanus. Ecological analysis of the marine fish parasite infracommunities using the total number of components (ecto- and endoparasites) could hide some patterns of the community structure; thus, a separate analysis of only ecto- or endoparasites is recommended. Additional studies monitoring the influence of the "upwelling ecosystem" and the El Niño-Southern oscillation event on the fish parasite communities are necessary to determine the real influence of these ecological disturbances on the structure of fish parasite communities in South America.

Metazoan parasite infracommunities in five sciaenids from the central Peruvian Coast

Parasitological analysis of 237 Menticirrhus ophicephalus, 124 Paralonchurus peruanus, 249 Sciaena deliciosa, 50 Sciaena fasciata and 308 Stellifer minor from Callao (Perú) yielded 37 species of metazoan parasites (14 Monogenea, 11 Copepoda, 4 Nematoda, 3 Acanthocephala, 1 Digenea, 1 Aspidobothrea, 1 Eucestoda, 1 Isopoda and 1 Hirudinea). Only one species, the copepoda Bomolochus peruensis, was common to all five hosts. The majority of the components of the infracommunities analyzed are ectoparasites. The Brillouin index (H) and evenness (J') were applied to the fully sampled metazoan parasite infracommunities. High values of prevalence and mean abundance of infection are associated to the polyonchoinean monogeneans; the low values of J' reinforce the strong dominance of this group in the studied communities. The paucity of the endoparasite fauna may be a consequence of the unstable environment due to an upwelling system, aperiodically affected by the El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomena.

The metazoan parasites of Stellifer minor (Tschudi, 1844): an ecological approach

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the parasite fauna of the sciaenid Stellifer minor (Tschudi) from Chorrillos, Perú, was made. Some characteristics of the infectious processes, in terms of intensity and prevalence of infection, as a function of host sex and size, are given. Moreover, comments on the characteristics of the parasite fauna, related with host role in the marine food webs are included. The parasite fauna of Stellifer minor taken off Chorrillos, Perú, include the monogeneans Pedocotyle annakohni, Pedocotyle bravoi, Rhamnocercus sp. and Cynoscionicola sp., the digenean Helicometra fasciata, the adult acantocephalan Rhadinorhynchus sp. and the larval Corynosoma sp., the nematode Procamallanus sp., the copepods Caligus quadratus, Clavellotis dilatata and Bomolochus peruensis and one unidentified isopod of the family Cymothoidae. A distinctive characteristic of the parasite fauna (Metazoa) of S. minor is the almost absence of larval forms.