Identification of Mycobacteria by Thin Layer Chromatographic Analysis of Mycolic Acids and Conventional Biochemical Method: Four Years of Experience

Mycolic acids analysis by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) has been employed by several laboratories worldwide as a method for fast identification of mycobacteria. This method was introduced in Brazil by our laboratory in 1992 as a routine identification technique. Up to the present, 861 strains isolated were identified by mycolic acids TLC and by standard biochemical tests; 61% out of these strains came as clinical samples, 4% isolated from frogs and 35% as environmental samples. Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains identified by classical methods were confirmed by their mycolic acids contents (I, III and IV). The method allowed earlier differentiation of M. avium complex - MAC (mycolic acids I, IV and VI) from M. simiae (acids I, II and IV), both with similar biochemical properties. The method also permitted to distinguish M. fortuitum (acids I and V) from M. chelonae (acids I and II) , and to detect mixed mycobacterial infections cases as M. tuberculosis with MAC and M. fortuitum with MAC. Concluding, four years experience shows that mycolic acids TLC is an easy, reliable, fast and inexpensive method, an important tool to put together conventional mycobacteria identification methods.

Mothers' and Fathers' Early Relationship With Their Infant: Similar Yet Temporally Discordant Themes [La relation initiale des parents avec leur nourrisson: Th��mes similaires quoique temporellement discordants]

Objective: To examine first-time mothers' and fathers' themes in their relationship with their infant, how these themes change during the first four months postpartum, and similarities and differences in mothers' and fathers' themes. Participants: Eighteen first-time mother-father couples were separately interviewed at one; six and 16 weeks postpartum. Data Analysis: Audio-taped, transcribed interviews were analysed using a Grounded Theory approach. Results: Our findings reveal a common set of themes for mothers and fathers in relation to the infant : 1: Discovery, 2: Physical Proximity, 3: Emotional Closeness, 4: Initiation of Complementary Interactions and 5: Commitment to Love and Care. However, there was a striking lack of concordance between mothers and fathers for these themes at each point in time. Conclusions: Mothers' and fathers' experience of the early relationship with their infant is unique. Focussing on maternal as well as paternal ways of experiencing the early relationship with their infant sets the way to understanding early developing relationships in the family context.

Effect of testosterone on immunocompetence, parasite load, and metabolism in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Testosterone can benefit individual fitness by increasing ornament colour, aggressiveness, and sperm quality, but it can also impose both metabolic and immunological costs. However, evidence that testosterone causes immuno suppression in freely living populations is scant. We studied the effects of testosterone on one component of the immune system (i.e., the cell-mediated response to phytohaemagglutinin), parasite load, and metabolic rate in the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768). For analyses of immunocompetence and parasitism, male lizards were implanted at the end of the breeding season with either empty or testosterone implants and were returned to their site of capture for 5-6 weeks before recapture. For analyses of the effects of testosterone on metabolic rate, male lizards were captured and implanted before hibernation and were held in the laboratory for 1 week prior to calorimetry. Experimental treatment with testosterone decreased the cell-mediated response to the T-cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin and increased mean metabolic rate. No effects of testosterone on the number of ectoparasites, hemoparasites, and resting metabolic rate could be detected. These results are discussed in the framework of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis and the immuno-redistribution process hypothesis. [Authors]

Study of gene flow through a hybrid zone in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) using microsatellites

The common shrew (Sorer araneus) is subdivided into several chromosomal races. As hybrid zones between them have been characterized, this organism is of particular interest in studying the role of chromosomes in speciation. Six microsatellite loci were used to evaluate the level of gene how in the S. araneus hybrid zone between the Cordon and Valais races. Most of these loci were very polymorphic, the total number of alleles detected per locus ranging from 3 to 20. Using Mantel tests, we showed that the effect of rivers as barriers to gene flow is less important at this sampling scale. The effect of the chromosomal race is of particular importantance in diminishing gene flow.

MRI following severe perinatal asphyxia: preliminary experience.

In 30 children suffering from severe perinatal asphyxia an attempt was made to determine the early prognostic signs of severe hypoxic-ischemic brain injury with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten early (1-4 days of age), 16 intermediate (2-4 weeks of age), and 38 late MRI (older than 1 month of age) procedures were performed on a 2.35 T MR-system. Severe cerebral necrosis was suspected by T2 hyperintensity of the white matter, with blurred limits to the cortex in early MRI, and was confirmed by T1 hyperintensity of the cortex in intermediate MRI. Severe cerebral necrosis was established at 3 months of age. Of the 11 children with this pattern (group A), 8 had severe and 3 had moderate cerebral palsy on subsequent examination. Thirteen children (group B) had normal late MRI scans; none developed severe cerebral palsy or marked mental retardation. Two children (group C) had focal ischemic lesions. Four children had intracranial hemorrhage (group D). Groups A and B did not differ in the severity of their perinatal histories and findings, suggesting that MRI during the first 3 months is of significant prognostic value.

Aplicaci��n de la ingenier��a del software sobre la herramienta MATE: Common y DMLib

Aquest projecte intenta implantar una metodologia de treball sobre MATE. MATE es una eina de sintonitzaci�� d'aplicacions paral��leles sorgida de la tesis doctoral d'Anna Sikora a 2003. Vistos els resultats obtinguts, es va decidir donar un pas endavant i convertir-la en un producte software Open Source. Per fer-ho ha sigut necessari aplicar una serie d'est��ndards i fer un proces de tests. En aquest treball s'ha creat part de la metodologia i s'han modificat dos dels m��duls principals.

Fonaments i actuacions de lideratge sist��mic d'un equip de b��squet professional i futures aplicacions

El treball de recerca ���Fonaments i actuacions de lideratge sist��mic d���un equip de b��squet professional i futures aplicacions��� fa l���an��lisi d���una experi��ncia real vinculada al m��n de l���esport professional. Es pret��n donar a con��ixer com l���estructuraci�� del coneixement de l���entrenador pot afavorir el bon funcionament de l���equip. L���estructuraci�� ens genera criteri i coher��ncia a l���hora de prendre decisions.Es reconeix a l���entrenador com una persona treballadora, apassionada per la seva feina i en constant creixement individual. Valors com la humilitat, l���entusiasme, el comprom��s, la generositat i l���autoexig��ncia es converteixen en adjectius fonamentals del nostre entrenador.L���estudi en l���autoconeixement en conceptes com lideratge, nivells neurol��gics, talent i motivaci�� esdevenen el pal de paller en la construcci�� de l���equip. Un equip amb identitat pr��pia, on el benefici pel b�� com�� (equip) est�� per sobre de tot, cooperatiu, comprom��s, i on la figura de l���entrenador intu��tiu amb coneixement influeix m��s per convenciment que per autoritat.El treball del dia a dia de l���entrenador i de l��equip es fonamenta en l���organitzaci�� dels pilars de l���entrenador: flexibilitat, creixement de l���entrenador, equip, marges col��lectiu i individual s��n els motors del bon funcionament del col��lectiu. En el treball presentat, es destaca la import��ncia de saber diferenciar, en el rendiment d���un equip, dues vessants: una m��s objectiva (t��cnica, t��ctica, estrat��gia i f��sica) i l���altra on el factor hum�� ��s determinant. La investigaci�� aprofundeix en aquest segon factor i el reconeix com a preferent. Per acabar es presenten tot un seguit d���actuacions utilitzades al llarg de la investigaci�� amb la finalitat de generar, mantenir i millorar l���equip al mateix temps que es mostren diferents eines per tal d���optimitzar l���efici��ncia de les actuacions. La investigaci�� pret��n ser una experi��ncia ��til i enriquidora a l���hora d���estructurar el coneixement per tal de poder ser utilitzat en futures aplicacions.

Analisi espacial del canvi clim��tic al continent europeu. Incerteses i exposicions principals

El canvi clim��tic del segle XXI ��s una realitat, hi ha moltes evid��ncies cient��fiques que indiquen que l���escalfament del sistema clim��tic ��s inequ��voc. Malgrat aix��, tamb�� hi ha moltes incerteses respecte els impactes que pot comportar aquest canvi clim��tic global. L���objectiu d���aquest projecte ��s estudiar la possible evoluci�� futura de tres variables clim��tiques, que s��n el rang de la temperatura di��rna a prop de la superf��cie (DTR), la temperatura mitjana a prop de la superf��cie (MT) i la precipitaci�� mensual (PL_mes) i valorar l���exposici�� que poden experimentar diferents cobertes del s��l i diferents regions biogeogr��fiques del continent europeu davant d���aquests possibles patrons de canvi. Per aix�� s���han utilitzat Models Clim��tics Globals que fan projeccions de variables clim��tiques que permeten preveure el possible clima futur. Mitjan��ant l���aplicatiu inform��tic Tetyn s���han extret els par��metres clim��tics dels conjunts de dades del Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, del futur (TYN SC) i del passat (CRU TS). Les variables obtingudes s���han processat amb eines de sistemes d���informaci�� geogr��fica (SIG) per obtenir els patrons de canvi de les variables a cada coberta del s��l. Els resultats obtinguts mostren que hi ha una gran variabilitat, que augmenta amb el temps, entre els diferents models clim��tics i escenaris considerats, que posa de manifest la incertesa associada a la modelitzaci�� clim��tica, a la generaci�� d���escenaris d���emissions i a la naturalesa din��mica i no determinista del sistema clim��tic. Per�� en general, mostren que les glaceres seran una de les cobertes m��s exposades al canvi clim��tic, i la mediterr��nia, una de les regions m��s vulnerables

Improving the Patient and Client Experience (PDF 3.92 MB)

New set of standards aimed at improving patient care

Gross Hemoglobinuria and Oliguria are Common Transient Complications of Sclerotherapy for Venous Malformations: Review of 475 Procedures.

Estudi retrospectiu per analitzar la incid��ncia, factors de risc i tractament de la hemoglobinuria macrosc��pica i oliguria despr��s del tractament de malformacions venoses amb escleroter��pia. Un total de 475 procediments es van realitzar en 131 malalts usant etanol, sulfat tetradecil s��dic o ambdos. Hemoglobinuria temporal es va donar despr��s del 34% de procediments i el 57% d���aquests es van asociar amb oliguria temporal. Aquest risc augmenta amb el increment de dosis. La resoluci�� de la hemoglobinuria i oliguria va ser satisfact��ria en tots els malalts. El risc d���hemoglobinuria augmenta a les malformacions que afecten les extremitats inferiors i a les de localitzacions m��tiples.

Immunod��ficience commune variable: ce qu'il faut savoir [Common variable immune deficiency: what you need to know].

Common variable immune deficiency is the most frequent primary immune deficiency, characterized mainly by a disorder of B lymphocytes differentiation and a deficit in immunoglobulins. The clinical manifestations include recurrent infections, non-infectious lung and digestive involvements, autoimmune diseases, and an increased susceptibility to cancers. Recent breakthroughs have been made in the understanding of some genetic mechanisms of the disease. Replacement therapy with intravenous immunoglobulins remains the treatment of choice, which allows significant improvement in the survival and quality of life. However progress should be made in the understanding of the pathophysiology and in the early detection of this disease, since a delay in the diagnosis may have harmful consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality.