Slime production and proteinase activity of Candida species isolated from blood samples and the comparison of these activities with minimum inhibitory concentration values of antifungal agents

Slime and proteinase activity of 54 strains consisting of 19 Candida parapsilosis and 35 C. albicans strains isolated from blood samples were investigated in this study. Ketoconazole, amphothericin B, and fluconazole susceptibility of Candida species were compared with slime production and proteinase activity of these species. For both Candida species, no correlation was detected between the slime activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the three antifungal agents. For both Candida species no correlation was detected between the proteinase activity and the MIC values of amphothericin B, and fluconazole however, statistically significant difference, was determined between the proteinase activity and MIC values of ketoconazole (p = 0.007). Slime production was determined by using modified Christensen macrotube method and proteinase activity was measured by the method of Staib. Antifungal susceptibility was determined through the guidelines of National Committee for Laboratory Standards (NCCLS M27-A).

Low plasma lactate concentration as a biomarker of an incompetent brain-pull: a risk factor for weight gain in type 2 diabetes patients.

OBJECTIVE: Body weight development is closely regulated by central nervous mechanisms. As has been demonstrated recently, the capability of the brain to actively demand energy from the body (brain-pull) is indispensable for the maintenance of systemic homeostasis. A deficit in this brain-pull may result in compensatory ingestive behavior followed by weight gain in the medium or long term. The aim of this study was to establish a biomarker of such an incompetent brain-pull. Since lactate is an alternative cerebral energy substrate to glucose, we investigated whether low fasting plasma lactate concentrations are associated with weight gain and increased feelings of hunger in patients with type 2 diabetes over a 3-year period. METHODS: In a population based cohort study 134 type 2 diabetes patients were examined at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Plasma lactate concentrations and additional hormones associated with food intake such as e.g. insulin, or leptin, as well as psychological variables like hunger feelings before and after a standardized breakfast were measured. The relation between fasting plasma lactate concentrations and postprandial hunger as well as follow-up weight was analyzed. RESULTS: Low fasting plasma lactate concentrations predicted a higher 3-year follow-up weight (B=-1.268, SE=0.625, p=0.04). Moreover, low fasting plasma lactate concentrations were associated with more pronounced feelings of postprandial hunger (B=-0.406, SE=0.137, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low plasma lactate concentrations may represent a biomarker of an incompetent brain-pull, which is associated with weight gain and increased postprandial hunger in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These results are in line with the view that plasma lactate can be used by the brain as an alternative energy substrate and thereby to some extent prevent overeating and obesity.

Association between pre-diagnostic circulating vitamin D concentration and risk of colorectal cancer in European populations:a nested case-control study

Objective. To examine the association between pre-diagnostic circulating vitamin D concentration, dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium, and the risk of colorectal cancer in European populations. Design Nested case-control study. Setting. The study was conducted within the EPIC study, a cohort of more than 520 000 participants from 10 western European countries. Participants: 1248 cases of incident colorectal cancer, which developed after enrolment into the cohort, were matched to 1248 controls. Main outcome measures. Circulating vitamin D concentration (25-hydroxy-vitamin-D, 25-(OH)D) was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Dietary and lifestyle data were obtained from questionnaires. Incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of colorectal cancer by 25-(OH)D concentration and levels of dietary calcium and vitamin D intake were estimated from multivariate conditional logistic regression models, with adjustment for potential dietary and other confounders. Results. 25-(OH)D concentration showed a strong inverse linear dose-response association with risk of colorectal cancer (P for trend <0.001). Compared with a pre-defined mid-level concentration of 25-(OH)D (50.0-75.0 nmol/l), lower levels were associated with higher colorectal cancer risk (<25.0 nmol/l: incidence rate ratio 1.32 (95% confidence interval 0.87 to 2.01); 25.0-49.9 nmol/l: 1.28 (1.05 to 1.56), and higher concentrations associated with lower risk (75.0-99.9 nmol/l: 0.88 (0.68 to 1.13); ≥100.0 nmol/l: 0.77 (0.56 to 1.06)). In analyses by quintile of 25-(OH)D concentration, patients in the highest quintile had a 40% lower risk of colorectal cancer than did those in the lowest quintile (P<0.001). Subgroup analyses showed a strong association for colon but not rectal cancer (P for heterogeneity=0.048). Greater dietary intake of calcium was associated with a lower colorectal cancer risk. Dietary vitamin D was not associated with disease risk. Findings did not vary by sex and were not altered by corrections for season or month of blood donation. Conclusions The results of this large observational study indicate a strong inverse association between levels of pre-diagnostic 25-(OH)D concentration and risk of colorectal cancer in western European populations. Further randomised trials are needed to assess whether increases in circulating 25-(OH)D concentration can effectively decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.

Medi ambient i equitat : la perspectiva del gènere

L'article transcriu el que va ser una sessió del seminari 'Medi ambient, trajectòries de vida i interdisciplinarietat'. Nous reptes en geografia del gènere, inserit en el programa de tercer cicle en geografia humana de la UAB, corresponent al curs 1991-1992. S'hi presenta una àmplia panoràmica d'un enfocament de gènere per a l'anàlisi dels problemes del medi ambient; això es concreta, d'una banda, en la presentació d'un esbós de la situació de les dones en relació el medi ambient; diferenciant, segons les seves especificitats d'índole diversa, entre països desenvolupats i subdesenvolupats, i, d'altra banda, en un intent de sistematització de les línies de recerca i acció que són impulsades per les estudioses i les activistes en matèria de medi ambient i gènere

In vivo quantification of neuro-glial metabolism and glial glutamate concentration using 1H-[13C] MRS at 14.1T.

Astrocytes have recently become a major center of interest in neurochemistry with the discoveries on their major role in brain energy metabolism. An interesting way to probe this glial contribution is given by in vivo (13) C NMR spectroscopy coupled with the infusion labeled glial-specific substrate, such as acetate. In this study, we infused alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats with [2-(13) C]acetate and followed the dynamics of the fractional enrichment (FE) in the positions C4 and C3 of glutamate and glutamine with high sensitivity, using (1) H-[(13) C] magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 14.1T. Applying a two-compartment mathematical model to the measured time courses yielded a glial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle rate (Vg ) of 0.27 ± 0.02 μmol/g/min and a glutamatergic neurotransmission rate (VNT ) of 0.15 ± 0.01 μmol/g/min. Glial oxidative ATP metabolism thus accounts for 38% of total oxidative metabolism measured by NMR. Pyruvate carboxylase (VPC ) was 0.09 ± 0.01 μmol/g/min, corresponding to 37% of the glial glutamine synthesis rate. The glial and neuronal transmitochondrial fluxes (Vx (g) and Vx (n) ) were of the same order of magnitude as the respective TCA cycle fluxes. In addition, we estimated a glial glutamate pool size of 0.6 ± 0.1 μmol/g. The effect of spectral data quality on the fluxes estimates was analyzed by Monte Carlo simulations. In this (13) C-acetate labeling study, we propose a refined two-compartment analysis of brain energy metabolism based on (13) C turnover curves of acetate, glutamate and glutamine measured with state of the art in vivo dynamic MRS at high magnetic field in rats, enabling a deeper understanding of the specific role of glial cells in brain oxidative metabolism. In addition, the robustness of the metabolic fluxes determination relative to MRS data quality was carefully studied.

L'ambient urbà i la criminalitat. Robatoris contra el patrimoni a la ciutat de Girona

L’estudi de la criminalitat és multifactorial, cal destriar en la mesura del possible els factorsambientals, d’entorn urbà, que poden jugar el paper de facilitadors de la delinqüència. Lestipologies delictives són diverses i amb motivacions "mòbils" diferenciats, el que confereixdificultats a l’estudi de la criminalitat, és per aquesta raó que es trien dues tipologies derobatoris contra el patrimoni per ser analitzats: robatoris amb força a interior de domicili(vivenda) i els furts, en un marc de ciutat petita-mitjana, com és el cas de Girona. Elconeixement per part de l’autor del marc urbà n’és un part essencial per desenvolupar l’estudi.Un dels objectius finalistes és aconseguir avançar en estudis de diagnosi criminal de les ciutats;així com en el coneixement dels patrons espaials que tenen les tipologies delictives i lainfluència de les característiques del disseny urbà sobre la criminalitat. La metodologia ques’implementarà serà: recerca bibliogràfica, estadística descriptiva i inferencial, sistemesd’informació geogràfica, així com la deducció a partir de la visualització de la cartografiagenerada i un treball de camp de les zones d’alta ocurrència delictiva dels delictes esmentats.Pel que fa a les hipòtesis principals: els robatoris contra el patrimoni no es concentren en àreesdegradades urbanísticament sinó ans el contrari en ambients urbans cuidats. Aquesta hipòtesies contraposa a la teoria criminal de la "Broken Windows", que esmenta que els espais urbansdegradats és on hi ha menys ocupació d’espai públic i més delinqüència. Una altra hipòtesiimportant és que els espais percebuts com a segurs, respecte les tipologies delictivesesmentades, són els més insegurs

Calidad microbiológica de las aguas de baño del embalse Conde del Guadalhorce, de Málaga (España), 2000-2005.

Background. Determine the presence and evolution of indicators microorganisms of water pollution in “Conde del Guadalhorce” reservoir, Málaga city, Spain. A second objective was to analyze pollution degree and evaluate the sanitary quality of bathing water and compliance with European Directive 76/160/CE. Method. A total of 120 water samples were collected in two bathing freshwater sites during May to September sampling period between 2000 to 2005, and the numbers of total coliforms (CT), faecal coliforms (CF) and faecal streptococci (EF) were enumerated using the membrane filtration method. We used the log-normal distribution method and calculate the logarithmic means, percentile points, ratios CF:EF, ANOVA and Pearson correlations. Results. Only two samples overcome CF limit values at Camping sampling station during 2000 year. Ratios CF:EF values were higher (> 4) during 2000 to 2002, and lower (< 0,7) during 2003 to 2005. Significant differences (ANOVA F = 3,41, ∝ < 0,01) was only observed with EF during evaluated period. There was no significant difference between concentration means at bathing water sites (ANOVA, F = 3,395, ∝ < 0,01). The counts of CT and CF were significantly correlated in Kiosko water samples, while in Camping water, significant correlation (t = 0,632, p < 0,05) was only observed with EF at the Camping station during 2000, 2003 and 2005 years. Conclusions. “Conde del Guadalhorce” reservoir showed hygienic conditions for safety bathing. Globally, water bathing quality is good. CT, CF y EF indicators were agreed with UE Directive during 2000- 2005, with exception CF at Camping station in 2000 year. CT y CF concentrations at Camping were frecuently higher than Kiosko, it could be caused to swimmers abundance and recreational activities. There was a trend towards rising EF, it could be caused to faecal pollution source of animal origin, needed to research it.

Evaluation of work-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposition in automotive painting cabins industrial cleanings

Automotive painting cabins are cleaned with several solvents, being great part of them mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), where the three xylene isomers are the most important constituents. To evaluate the work-related exposition of the cleaners that use these mixtures of solvents, xylenes have been determined in the working ambient air as well as its metabolite, o-m-p-methyl hippuric acid, has been analysed in urine to establish the dermal and respiratory exposition. This evaluation has been done in order to assess the occupational exposure to VOCs and to know the working conditions of the cleaners, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE), the engineering control and the work practices.The xylenes have been chosen as indicators of exposition because they are the main components in the cleaning solvents used, with a level of concentration between 50% and 85%.The Xylenes have an occupational exposure limit (8 h TWA) of 50 ppm (221 mg/m3) and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 100 ppm (442 mg/m3). On the other hand, the biological exposure index (BEI) for xylenes is the sum of the total methyl hippuric acids in urine at the end of the work-shift, being the value 1500 mg/g creatinine.

The efficiency of concentration methods used to detect enteric viruses in anaerobically digested sludge

The presence of enteric viruses in biosolids can be underestimated due to the inefficient methods (mainly molecular methods) used to recover the viruses from these matrices. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the different methods used to recover adenoviruses (AdV), rotavirus species A (RVA), norovirus genogroup II (NoV GII) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV) from biosolid samples at a large urban wastewater treatment plant in Brazil after they had been treated by mesophilic anaerobic digestion. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for spiking experiments to compare the detection limits of feasible methods, such as beef extract elution and ultracentrifugation. Tests were performed to detect the inhibition levels and the bacteriophage PP7 was used as an internal control. The results showed that the inhibitors affected the efficiency of the PCR reaction and that beef extract elution is a suitable method for detecting enteric viruses, mainly AdV from biosolid samples. All of the viral groups were detected in the biosolid samples: AdV (90%), RVA, NoV GII (45%) and HAV (18%), indicating the viruses' resistance to the anaerobic treatment process. This is the first study in Brazil to detect the presence of RVA, AdV, NoV GII and HAV in anaerobically digested sludge, highlighting the importance of adequate waste management.

Correlation between plasma concentration of cilazapril and haemodynamic and hormonal effects in healthy man.

1. The haemodynamic and humoral effects of cilazapril, a new angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, were evaluated in normotensive healthy volunteers. 2. Single oral doses of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg of cilazapril inhibited ACE by greater than or equal to 90% and induced the expected pattern of changes of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system. 3. Cilazapril had a long duration of action, since some ACE inhibition was still present 72 h after drug intake. 4. Cilazapril administered intravenously at doses of 5 and 20 micrograms kg-1 for 24 h did not produce any significant effects. 5. During repeated administration of cilazapril for 8 days, no accumulation of cilazaprilat was observed and the clinical tolerance was excellent. 6. In normal volunteers, cilazapril administered orally acts as a potent inhibitor of converting enzyme.

Influence of age on the haemoglobin concentration of malaria-infected patients in a reference centre in the Brazilian Amazon

Anaemia is amongst the major complications of malaria, a major public health problem in the Amazon Region in Latin America. We examined the haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of malaria-infected patients and compared it to that of malaria-negative febrile patients and afebrile controls. The haematological parameters of febrile patients who had a thick-blood-smear performed at an infectious diseases reference centre of the Brazilian Amazon between December 2009-January 2012 were retrieved together with clinical data. An afebrile community control group was composed from a survey performed in a malaria-endemic area. Hb concentrations and anaemia prevalence were analysed according to clinical-epidemiological status and demographic characteristics. In total, 7,831 observations were included. Patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection had lower mean Hb concentrations (10.5 g/dL) followed by P. vivax-infected individuals (12.4 g/dL), community controls (12.8 g/dL) and malaria-negative febrile patients (13.1 g/dL) (p < 0.001). Age, gender and clinical-epidemiological status were strong independent predictors for both outcomes. Amongst malaria-infected individuals, women in the reproductive age had considerably lower Hb concentrations. In this moderate transmission intensity setting, both vivax and falciparum malaria are associated with reduced Hb concentrations and risk of anaemia throughout a wide age range.

Lactate quartile concentration and prognosis in severe sepsis and septic shock.

Introduct ion The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) indicates that a lactate (LT) concentration greater than 4ımmol/l indicates early resuscitation bundles. However, several recent studies have suggested that LT values lower than 4ımmol/l may be a prognostic marker of adverse outcome. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and analytical prognostic parameters in severe sepsis (SS) or septic shock (ShS) according to quartiles of blood LT concentration. Methods A cohort study was designed in a polyvalent ICU. We studied demographic, clinical and analytical parameters in 148 critically ill adults, within 24ıhours from SS or ShS onset according to SSC criteria. We tested for diı erences in baseline characteristics by lactate interval using a KruskalıWallis test for continuous data or a chi-square test for categorical data and reported the median and interquartile ranges; SPSS version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results We analyzed 148 consecutive episodes of SS (16%) or ShS (84%). The median age was 64 (interquartile range, 48.7 to 71)ıyears; male: 60%. The main sources of infection were respiratory tract 38% and intra-abdomen 45%; 70.7% had medical pathology. Mortality at 28ıdays was 22.7%. Quartiles of blood LT concentration were quartile 1 (Q1): 1.87ımmol/l or less, quartile 2 (Q2): 1.88 to 2.69ımmol/l, quartile 3 (Q3): 2.7 to 4.06ımmol/l, and quartile 4 (Q4): 4.07ımmol/l or greater (Tableı1). The median LT concentrations of each quartile were 1.43 (Q1), 2.2 (Q2), 3.34 (Q3), and 5.1 (Q4) mmol/l (Pı<0.001). The diı erences between these quartiles were that the patients in Q1 had signiı cantly lower APACHE II scores (Pı=ı0.04), SOFA score (Pı=ı0.024), number of organ failures (NOF) (Pı<0.001) and ICU mortality (Pı=ı0.028), compared with patients in Q2, Q3 and Q4. Patients in Q1 had signiı cantly higher cholesterol (Pı=ı0.06) and lower procalcitonin (Pı=ı0.05) at enrolment. At the extremes, patients in Q1 had decreased 28-day mortality (Pı=ı0.023) and, patients in Q4 had increased 28-day mortality, compared with the other quartiles of patients (Pı=ı0.009). Interestingly, patients in Q2 had signiı cant increased mortality compared with patients in Q1 (Pı=ı0.043), whereas the patients in Q2 had no signiı cant diı erence in 28-day mortality compared with patients in Q3. Conclusion Adverse outcomes and several potential risk factors, including organ failure, are signiı cantly associated with higher quartiles of LT concentrations. It may be useful to revise the cutoı value of lactate according to the SSC (4 mmol/l).

Bioacumulació de 210Po a nivell subcel·lular

S’ha analitzat la concentració de 210Po en les fraccions subcel·lulars en òrgans digestius per diferents espècies de peixos. S’ha determinat que al voltant d'un 50% del 210Po es concentra en la fracció de citoplasma. La fracció de citoplasma es va separar en diferents especiacions químiques on es va determinar que la fracció de proteïna era la més enriquida en 210Po amb un 69%. Per una altra banda s'han estudiat les concentracions de metalls (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb i Hg) en relació a la concentració de 210Po on s'ha trobat una correlació entre el 210Po i els metalls de Fe i Hg per als teixits de les espècies estudiades. També s'han analitzat les concentracions de metalls respecte a la fracció de citoplasma i s'ha relacionat amb la concentració de 210Po. Amb metalls com Fe, Cu, Ni i Hg analitzats s'ha trobat una relació front a la concentració de 210Po.