Gestational nutrient restriction under extensive grazing conditions: Effects on muscle characteristics and meat quality in heavy lambs

We evaluated maternal undernutrition effects induced by a lower natural pasture allowance (gestation days 30-143) on histological-biochemical and meat traits in muscles Semitendinosus, cranial Gluteobiceps and Supraspinatus from 200-day old male and female lambs. Maternal undernutrition increased oxidative and reduced glycolytic fibers in all muscles (P ≤ 0.01). Maternal undernutrition reduced the diameter of glycolytic fibers in the cranial Gluteobiceps of exclusively female lambs (P = 0.05) and reduced the diameter of oxidative fibers in the Supraspinatus of exclusively male lambs (P = 0.02). Maternal undernutrition increased lipid content in the Supraspinatus of females (P = 0.001), reduced lactate content (P = 0.03) and WB shear force (P = 0.02) in the Semitendinosus of females, and increased cooking losses in the Semitendinosus of males (P = 0.0069). In conclusion, gestational nutrient restriction induced fetal programming effects on muscle characteristics of lambs. Moreover, our study demonstrates that maternal undernutrition influences muscle and meat characteristics in a sex and muscle-dependent way.

Mutant prevention concentration of ozenoxacin for quinolone-susceptible or -resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Ozenoxacin (OZN) belongs to a new generation of non-fluorinated quinolones for the topical treatment of skin infections which has shown to be effective in the treatment of susceptible and resistant Gram-positive cocci. The mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of ozenoxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin was determined in quinolone-susceptible and -resistant strains including methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis with different profile of mutation in the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR). The MPC value of OZN for the methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strain susceptible to quinolones, without mutations in QRDR, was 0.05 mg/L, being 280-fold lower than that observed with ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. In methicillin-susceptible and–resistant S. aureus strains with mutations in the gyrA or/and grlA genes the MPC of OZN went from 0.1 to 6 mg/L, whereas the MPC of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin was > 50 mg/L for the same strains. For methicillin-susceptible and–resistant S. epidermidis the results were similar to those abovementioned for S. aureus. According to our results, the MPC of OZN was far below the quantity of ozenoxacin achieved in the epidermal layer, suggesting that the in vivo selection of mutants, if it occurs, will take place at low frequency. Ozenoxacin is an excellent candidate for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible and quinolone-resistant staphylococci isolated usually from skin infections.

In vitro selection of mutants resistant to ozenoxacin compared with levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in Gram-positive cocci

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency of selecting mutants resistant to ozenoxacin, a des-fluoro-(6)-quinolone active against pathogens involved in skin and skin structure infections, compared with levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in quinolone-susceptible and -resistant Gram-positive cocci.

METHODS

Forty-nine quinolone-susceptible and -resistant Gram-positive cocci strains with different profiles of mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) were examined to determine the frequency of selecting mutants resistant to ozenoxacin compared with levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. MICs and mutations in the QRDR were determined by standard broth microdilution and PCR amplification and sequencing, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean resistance rates were 3.8 × 10(-9) (range <9 × 10(-11)-1 × 10(-8)) for ozenoxacin, 9.7 × 10(-9) (range <1.1 × 10(-11)-4.2 × 10(-8)) for levofloxacin and 1.2 × 10(-8) (range <1.6 × 10(-10)-2.6 × 10(-7)) for ciprofloxacin. Spontaneous mutants resistant to ozenoxacin showed lower MICs (≤ 16 mg/L) than mutants resistant to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (≤ 512 mg/L). Additional mutations were observed only in ParC at Ser-80 in Staphylococcus spp., Ser-79 in Streptococcus agalactiae and Asp-83 and Ser-89 in Streptococcus pyogenes.

CONCLUSIONS

The probability of ozenoxacin selecting spontaneous resistant mutants in quinolone-susceptible and -resistant strains with pre-existing mutations in the QRDR is low, supporting the potential utility of ozenoxacin as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of skin infections caused by strains highly resistant to quinolones.

Clinical and microbiological findings in prosthetic joint replacement due to aseptic loosening

OBJECTIVES

A role for microorganisms in aseptic prosthetic loosening (AL) is postulated. We analyse the microbiological and clinical findings of patients with suspected AL, and compare them with patients with chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI).

METHODS

Prospective study (2011-2012) of patients with presumed AL. Evaluation of tissue samples (≥5; TS) at the time of surgery and sonication fluid (SF) of prosthesis.

RESULTS

According to positive culture in TS/SF, 89 patients were divided into: Group1: (≥2 positive-TS; n = 12); Group2: single positive-TS and concordant SF (n = 10); Group3: one positive or non-concordant TS or SF (n = 38); and Group4: cultures negative (n = 29). Positive-SF was always concordant with TS in Group 1 (75%); it was positive in 74% in Group 3. Median months (prosthesis-age: implantation to revision arthroplasty) for PJI and Group 1-4 was 21, 46, 65, 63 and 81, respectively (P < 0.001); they also had a different dynamic trend in prosthesis failure (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Several patients with suspected AL are misdiagnosed PJI. Results from SF correlated well with TS in Group 1, led us to consider single positive-TS as significant (Group 2) and to suggest that microorganisms were on the prosthesis (Group 3). We observed a correlation between microbiology and prosthesis-age, which supports that early loosening is more often caused by hidden PJI than late loosening.

Detection of the floR gene in a diversity of florfenicol resistant Gram-negative bacilli from freshwater salmon farms in Chile

Florfenicol is an important antibiotic in veterinary medicine that is used extensively in aquaculture, including salmon farming in Chile. We analysed a set of 119 florfenicol-resistant Gram-negative bacilli from seven freshwater Chilean salmon farms for the molecular determinants involved in the florfenicol resistance. Ninety-seven of these strains were glucose non-fermenting bacilli, mainly belonging to the Pseudomonas genus, whereas 22 strains were glucose-fermenters. The floR gene was detected in 26 strains (21.8%) that had been isolated from three of the seven salmon farms. Most of the floR-carrying strains were glucose fermenters (21 strains), and most of the floR-carrying strains were also resistant to streptomycin, chloramphenicol and oxytetracycline. The minimum inhibitory concentrations against florfenicol were assessed in the presence and absence of the efflux pump inhibitor Phe-Arg-beta-naphthylamide (MC-207,110). There was evidence that in the majority of non-fermenting bacteria (82 strains), florfenicol resistance was at least partially mediated by non-specific efflux pump systems. Given the diversity of antibiotic resistance patterns observed in this study in the floR-positive isolates, a single antibiotic has the potential to co-select for a diversity of resistances. For this reason, human health as well as animal health can potentially be impacted by the use of antibiotics in aquaculture. To assess this potential risk, future studies should focus on the ability of different antibiotics used in aquatic environments to co-select for multiple resistances, the molecular basis of this diversity of resistance, and whether the genes conferring resistance can be transferred to other bacteria, including those of human health concern.

Impact of steady-state lopinavir plasma levels on plasma lipids and body composition after 24 weeks of lopinavir/ritonavir-containing therapy free of thymidine analogues

OBJECTIVES

To study the impact of lopinavir/ritonavir-containing therapy on plasma lipids and body fat of HIV-infected adults and to assess whether lopinavir plasma levels at steady state are correlated with plasma lipids and body fat after 24 weeks.

METHODS

Patients had their antiretroviral therapy switched to an antiretroviral regimen containing lopinavir/ritonavir plus one or two non-thymidine analogues. Body composition was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and at week 24 and an intensive pharmacokinetic (PK) 12 h profile was performed at week 2.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were included. Plasma triglycerides (from 206 mg/dL to 261 mg/dL, P = 0.09) and total cholesterol (from 201 to 206 mg/dL, P = 0.03) increased from baseline to week 24. There was a significant rise in total fat (from 10.9 to 11.9 kg, P = 0.02) and limb fat (from 3.8 to 4.4 kg, P = 0.02) from baseline to week 24. We did not find any correlation between PK lopinavir levels and changes over time for triglycerides, cholesterol or body fat composition.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an increase in plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and a gain in both total and limb fat at 24 weeks, but these changes were not correlated with lopinavir plasma levels.

Penetration of levofloxacin into the anterior chamber (aqueous humour) of the human eye after intravenous administration

In the study presented here, levofloxacin concentrations in serum samples and the aqueous humour (AH) of 16 patients undergoing cataract extraction were measured in order to determine the penetration characteristics of levofloxacin into the AH of the non-inflamed human eye. Cataract removal was performed at various times (from 90 to 270 min) after the end of a 30-min intravenous infusion of 500 mg of levofloxacin. Serum samples were obtained 1 h after the end of levofloxacin administration (Cmax); AH and a second serum sample were taken simultaneously during the operation, and the concentrations of levofloxacin in AH (C(AH)) and serum (C(S)) were determined using a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The mean Cmax was 6.07 microg/ml (range 3.75-9.53 microg/ml, SD 1.83). The mean C(AH) at the first hour following levofloxacin administration was 1.37 microg/ml (range 1.17-1.6 microg/ml, SD 0.22) and the mean ratio (R=C(AH)/C(S)) was 0.26 (range 0.24-0.3, SD 0.02). The mean C(AH) at 125-270 min following levofloxacin administration was 1.39 microg/ml (range 0.82-1.98 microg/ml, SD 0.33) and the mean R was 0.3 (range 0.15-0.53, SD 0.11). Of 16 patients, 15 had a C(AH) of >1 microg/ml 1 h after levofloxacin administration. In conclusion, 1 h after administration of 500 mg of levofloxacin, the levels obtained were higher than the MIC at which 90% of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and certain gram-negative bacteria strains are inhibited.

Penetration of linezolid into the anterior chamber (aqueous humor) of the human eye after intravenous administration

We determined the linezolid concentrations in serum samples and aqueous humors (AHs) from 21 patients undergoing cataract extraction. Cataract removal was performed at various times (from 60 to 270 min) after the end of a 30-min infusion of 600 mg of linezolid. Serum samples were obtained 1 h after the end of linezolid administration to determine the maximum concentration of linezolid (C(max)); AHs and a second serum sample were taken simultaneously during the operation, and the concentrations of linezolid in AH (C(AH)) and serum (C(S)) were determined. The mean C(AH) 1 h after linezolid administration was 4.94 micro g/ml, and the mean ratio of C(AH) to C(S) (R = C(AH)/C(S)) was 0.43. All patients had a C(AH) of >2 micro g/ml, which was higher than the MIC at which 90% of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains are inhibited.

[Nutritional effect of bariatric surgery with Scopinaro operation. Analysis of 40 cases]

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the influence of bariatric surgery over nutritional status in patients with morbid obesity after 1 year of following. To know the influence of specific factors as age, sex and common channel's length.

DESIGN

Retrospective study from 1998-2001.

SUBJECT

All patients suffering from morbid obesity that had been operated during this period of time, 40 subjects: 28 women and 12 men with a mean age of 38 +/- 12 years old. Were studied.

METHODS

We analyzed the variations of weight and other anthropometric measures, biochemical parameters and the micronutrient (vitamins A, D, E, B12, folate, C, zinc, Calcium, Magnesium) status during 1 year of following after surgery.

RESULTS

Percentage weight loss was 29.7 +/- 2.9% without sex differences. A significant (p < 0.005) descent of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid level as well as liver function markers was observed. All the hyperglycemic disturbances were reverted. 97% and 48% of the patients developed hypovitaminosis A and D respectively, that was correlated to steatorrhea. Vitamin E deficiency was found in 72% of the patients, and zinc deficiency in 68%

CONCLUSIONS

Our expected weight loss 1 year after bariatric surgery is 30%, irrespective of sex and age. This loss is accompanied by a significant improvement in metabolic parameters, but the high prevalence of micronutrients deficiency that was found makes an early supplementation and close follow-in of these patients very advisable.

[Therapeutic efficacy of GM-CSF in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease characterized by the deposit of lipid-rich proteinaceous material in alveolar spaces. The only effective treatment known to date has been periodic alveolar lavage, a technique that is laborious and requires that the patient be under general anesthesia, with selective endotracheal-bronchial intubation. Complications are not unknown. Progress in our understandint of the pathogenesis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis has shown it to be related to changes it to be related to changes in alveolar macrophagocytic capability. We describe a patient in whom 8 weeks of subdermal GM-CSF treatment led to significant clinical, radiologic and lung function improvement.

[Application of an alternative method to counting in Neubauer chamber to determine Trichomonas vaginalis concentrations]

It was demonstrated that there is a relation of cell concentration with the parasite reading in an ELISA reader. It was determined that absorbance showed significant values in wavelengths of visible range and the possible minimum wavelength (450 nm)was chosen to guarantee the maximum sensitivity. Likewise, it was confirmed that absorbance significantly increased (p < 0.001) after the plate was filled up, it stabilized in the 40m-2h time interval when applying 100, 150, 200 or 300 ml per well of the various cell concentrations, it was proved that the optimum volume was 150 ml, a r2 = 0,9986 was reached, and the coefficient of correction(p < 0,001) and the gradient(p < 0,001)were highly significant. In the 5 x 10(4) to 1.5 x 10(7) cell/mL interval, there was an average variation coefficient of 1.75% (0.25-3.17%). Under these conditions, the quantification limit was 5,14 x 10(4) cell/mL. Finally, it was shown that the correlation of counting in Neubauer chamber and optical density was significant.

[Blood neuronal specific enolase in newborns with perinatal asphyxia]

INTRODUCTION

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a sensitive marker of brain injury after hypoxia or ischemia. There are few studies about its usefulness in asphyctic newborns.

OBJECTIVE

To study the correlation between blood NSE levels and neurological outcome in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We have determined the blood values of NSE by radioimmunoassay in 25 asphyctic term-newborns with clinical encephalopathy (of mild, moderate and severe degree) and in 22 healthy term newborns (control group). Blood samples were obtained between 24 and 72 hours after birth in all neonates. Surviving infants were followed for a variable time (median: 3.5 years; range: 1-6) and the neurological status was determined.

RESULTS

NSE levels in the group of asphyctic neonates who died or developed neurological sequelae (n= 6; mean: 116.4 ng/ml; range: 42-226) were significantly higher than NSE values in the group of asphyctic neonates who were neurologically normal at follow-up (n= 19; mean: 21.3 ng/ml; range: 7.4-40), with p< 0.001. There were not differences between NSE values in the group of asphyctic neonates who developed neurologically normal and the control group (mean: 7.6 ng/ml; range: 10.3-28.3). Sensitivity and specificity of blood NSE as predictor of poor outcome were, respectively, 100% and 78%. The combined specificity for blood NSE together with a moderate/severe encephalopathy was 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of elevated NSE values in blood after perinatal asphyxia can be a sensitive indicator of conspicuous brain damage. The combined information provided by the severity of the encephalopathy together with the blood NSE values have shown a high predictive value for neurological outcome.

Clinical trial with Secnidazole in a single dose in Venezuelan children infected by Giardia intestinalis

The aim of this work was to evaluate in an open, noncomparative study the use of secnidazole in oral suspension given to Venezuelan children infected with Giardia intestinalis, from a community in Carapita, a slum area in Caracas. Seventy children from 2 to 11 years old (38 males and 32 females) were treated with a single oral dose of secnidazole (30 mg/Kg of body weight), after clinical and parasitological evaluation to make the diagnosis of active giardiasis. The effectiveness of treatment was determined by clinical examination and parasitological evaluation of feces samples 15 days after treatment. The results showed 95% of clinical cure with a significant decrease of the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms. The parasitological cure was 98%, there were 4 failures at the end of treatment. Side effects observed after treatment were of mild intensity, lasting only few hours. These results show that a simple dose of secnidazole in an oral suspension is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for giardiasis in children and that this drug may be used as a mass treatment in risk populations.

Measurement of prethrombotic markers in the assessment of acquired hypercoagulable states

Hypercoagulable states can be detected by measuring activation peptides, enzyme-inhibitor complexes, and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, which are markers of hemostatic activation. A series of these prethrombotic markers has been evaluated in the elderly, pregnancy, diabetes and acute myocardial infarction patients (n=30 in each group) as well as in hematologic malignancies (n=42). The parameters assayed were: prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin III complexes (TAT), fibrinopeptide A (FPA), plasmin-alpha2 antiplasmin complexes (PAP) and D-Dimer. Results were compared with those obtained in a group of 30 healthy subjects. We found a significant increase of F1+2, TAT and FPA in elderly (p<0.05), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (p<0.01), hematologic malignancies (p<0.01), and pregnancy (p<0.0001), indicating a marked clotting activation. Diabetic patients under strict metabolic control only presented a moderate increase of TAT (p<0.05), suggesting a slight activation. We also observed a highly significant elevation of PAP and D-Dimer in elderly (p<0.001), AMI (p<0.0001), and malignancy (p<0.0001), indicating an activation of the fibrinolytic system. The combination of selected fibrinolytic and coagulation measurements is useful for the detection of a hypercoagulable state in conditions characterized by a risk of thrombosis.

Visual Estimation of Aflatoxin Production in Peanut with Aspergillus Norsolorinic Acid Mutants1

Peanut seed and pods are susceptible to contamination by aflatoxin (AF), a carcinogenic mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus Links Fr. and A. parasiticus Speare. Efforts to evaluate peanut lines for resistance to AF contamination have been impeded by limitations to the methodologies available for AF detection. AF cannot be seen by visible light and its detection involves grinding seed tissue in organic solvents, separation of phases, and detection by ELISA, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or thin layer chromatography. These methodologies are time-consuming, expensive, labor-intensive, and are uninformative in defining the tissues of the peanut seed and pod that are most frequently contaminated with AF. Aspergillus AF mutants which accumulate norsolorinic acid (NOR), an orange-pigmented AF pathway intermediate, provide an easy and convenient mean to detect AF contamination. A visual rating scheme for NOR contamination of peanut seed was developed that correlated favorably to HPLC detection of both NOR and AF (r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively). When screening the 38 plant progenies that comprise Tamspan 90 (a spanish cultivar), NOR was first seen in the intercotyledonary cavity and the interfacial surface of cotyledons and testae in seeds examined from infected pods. Immature pods were often heavily contaminated with NOR. Six of the 38 lines accumulated low levels of NOR in two laboratory tests. Additional studies are needed to determine if these results are predictive of aflatoxin contamination under field conditions.

Hemostatic markers in surgery: a different fibrinolytic activity may be of pathophysiological significance in orthopedic versus abdominal surgery

Without prophylaxis, patients subjected to major abdominal surgery have a risk of deep vein thrombosis of approximately 30%, while the rate varies between 40% and 60% in orthopedic surgery. The reasons for this discrepancy are not completely understood. The present study was designed to compare the pre- and postoperative behavior of different coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters in patients undergoing both types of surgery, receiving low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis. Samples were taken before operation and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. The following parameters were assessed: prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, thrombin-antithrombin III complexes, fibrinopeptide A, tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor, plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin complexes, and fibrin degradation products. We found a significant increase in the clotting markers postoperatively compared with preoperative values (P < 0.05), both in abdominal and orthopedic surgery, indicating a marked hemostatic activation which remained until postoperative day 7. A significant increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor (P < 0.01) and a decrease in tissue plasminogen activator and plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin complexes was also observed early after operation. The plasminogen activator inhibitor activity decreased, while tissue plasminogen activator and plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin levels increased significantly on days 3 and 7 (P < 0.05). Fibrin degradation products significantly increased throughout the postoperative period (P < 0.01). Preoperatively, we found higher plasminogen activator inhibitor activity and lower tissue plasminogen activator and plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin complexes (P < 0.05) in patients undergoing hip replacement compared with abdominal surgery. Fibrin degradation products were also significantly lower on postoperative day 3 in patients undergoing hip replacement (P < 0.01). We suggest that the lower preoperative fibrinolytic activation observed in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery compared with abdominal surgery might have pathophysiological consequences. Our results also indicate that the hemostatic activation persists beyond the 7th postoperative day despite prophylaxis.

Sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in a Cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in central Colombia

Lutzomyia longipalpis, 15 other species of the genus Lutzomyia, and one species of Brumptomyia were collected in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a river canyon 450 m above sea-level, in Rio Claro, Antioquia, Colombia. The presence of Lu. longipalpis is associated with the destruction of the primary forest and the development of new farmland and rural settlement in this region. The composition of species identified a different habitat for Lu. longipalpis in Colombia. Lu. yuilli and Lu. longipalpis were predominant (68.26%) followed by Lu. trapidoi, Lu. hartmani, Lu. triramula, Lu. panamensis, Lu. gomezi.

Cytogenetic Monitoring of Farmers exposed to pesticides in Colombia

We have monitored 30 pesticide-exposed workers and 30 matched controls for expression of chromosome aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in their lymphocytes. Peripheral blood cultures were set up within 3 hr after the collection of samples, and four cultures were set up from each donor. For CA analysis, 100 complete metaphase cells from each donor were evaluated. For the SCE assay, 50 complete metaphase cells from each donor were analyzed. The CA and SCE data were analyzed for differences between the two groups using the chi 2 and the Student's t-test, respectively. From the CA analysis it was obvious that the overwhelming majority of aberrations were chromatid breaks and isochromatid breaks; therefore, only these data are presented and used for statistical analysis. Isochromatid breaks were counted as two breaks each and chromatid breaks as one in calculating the total chromatid break frequencies. Statistical evaluation of the data indicates that there is no significant difference (p > 0.05; chi 2 test) between the exposed and the nonexposed groups based on chromatid breaks per 100 cells (1.2 +/- 0.3 and 1.5 +/- 0.2, respectively) and total chromatid breaks per 100 cells (1.7 +/- 0.3 and 2.1 +/- 0.2, respectively). No significantly difference between the two groups (p > 0.05, Student's t-test) was observed with SCE frequencies (5.0 +/- 1.1 and 4.8 +/- 0.9, respectively). Linear regression analysis indicates that the data were not influenced by age, cigarette smoking, or alcohol consumption. It is assuring that the exposure conditions among these Indian farmers have not caused detectable increases of chromosome damage using standard assays; this suggests the lack of serious long-term health problems. However, periodic monitoring of such exposed populations should be conducted using the same or other more sensitive assays. In addition, other populations with exposure to different types of pesticides in Colombia should also be investigated.