RESUMEN
Sponges are fundamental components of coral reef communities and, unfortunately, like other major benthic members, they too have been impacted by epizootic and panzootic events. We report on the prevalence of disease-like conditions affecting populations of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta across shallow and mesophotic coral reefs off La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR) and Mona Island Marine Reserve (MIMR) in Puerto Rico. Four different conditions affecting X. muta were observed during our surveys, of which 3 have been previously reported: cyclic spotted bleaching (CSB; apparently non-lethal), Xestospongia-tissue wasting disease (X-TWD; apparently lethal), and sponge orange band disease (SOB; sparsely associated with X-TWD infected individuals). Additionally, we describe a fourth condition, Xestospongia-tissue hardening condition (X-THC), a previously unreported disease recently observed along the insular shelf margin off LPNR and MIMR. Within LPNR, a total of 764 specimens of X. muta were inspected and measured. Of these, 590 sponges (72.2%) had CSB, 25 (3.27%) had signs of X-TWD, 7 (0.92%) had SOB, and the remaining 142 (18.6%) were apparently healthy. Three colonies inhabiting upper mesophotic depths on the LPNR insular shelf showed signs of CSB and X-TWD. At MIMR, video-transect surveys revealed a total of 514 colonies, of which 40 (7.78%) had signs of CSB and/or XTWD, 14 (2.72%) were affected by X-THC, while the remaining 460 (89.5%) showed no external signs of disease and appeared healthy. The presence of 4 concomitant disease-like conditions in barrel sponges of Puerto Rico is alarming, and indicative of the deteriorating status of Caribbean coral reefs.
Asunto(s)
Antozoos , Xestospongia , Animales , Arrecifes de Coral , Ecosistema , Puerto Rico/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Many reports describe the decolourization of dyes by fungal enzymes. However, these enzymes do not contribute to dye mineralization but only to its biotransformation into less coloured or colourless molecules persisting in solution. Therefore, it is essential to analyse the identity of the metabolites produced during enzymatic treatments and its biodegradation into an appropriate system. The present work examines the decolourization/detoxification of a simulated effluent (containing Acid Blue 74) by fungal enzymes and proposes a secondary treatment using an anaerobic system to improve the enzymatic decolourization through the complete mineralization of the dye. Ligninolytic enzymes were produced by solid culture using the thermo-tolerant fungus Fomes sp. EUM1. The enzymes produced showed a high rate of decolourization (>95 % in 5 h) and were stable at elevated temperature (40 °C) and ionic strength (NaCl, 50 mM). Isatin-5-sulphonic acid was identified via (1)H-NMR as oxidation product; tests using Daphnia magna revealed the non-toxic nature of this compound. To improve the enzymatic degradation and avoid coupling reactions between the oxidation products, the effluent was subjected to an anaerobic (methanogenic) treatment, which achieved high mineralization efficiencies (>85 %). To confirm the mineralization of isatin-5-sulphonic acid, a specific degradation study, which has not been reported before, with this single compound was conducted under the same conditions; the results showed high removal efficiencies (86 %) with methane production as evidence of mineralization. These results showed the applicability of an anaerobic methanogenic system to improve the enzymatic decolourization/detoxification of Acid Blue 74 and achieve its complete mineralization.
Asunto(s)
Colorantes/metabolismo , Coriolaceae/enzimología , Restauración y Remediación Ambiental/métodos , Proteínas Fúngicas/metabolismo , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/metabolismo , Biocatálisis , Biodegradación Ambiental , Colorantes/análisis , Coriolaceae/química , Proteínas Fúngicas/química , Industria Textil , Aguas Residuales/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
The basics caused by the transportation of a patient in serious condition within the same hospital are varied, all of them involving a risk to the patient's stability and a responsibility for the accompanying professionals. The care that supposes the appropriate attention to the patient and the need for coordination among the parties make it necessary to homogenize the transfer criteria and those of the necessary previous maneuvers. This work has been carried out based on the lack of an intervention system that guides this practice. This work describes the possible intrahospital itineraries, the transport of this kind of patient, the phases of this type of transport as well as the most frequent physiologic alterations. The purpose of all this is to develop an action algorithm for the serious patient's intrahospital transportation and to reduce the incidence of adverse events during this transfer. A classification system that makes it possible to calculate the level of risk and to anticipate the care needs that a patient may require during the transfer is presented.
Asunto(s)
Transporte de Pacientes/métodos , Transporte de Pacientes/normas , Humanos , Guías de Práctica Clínica como AsuntoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: We describe a patient diagnosed as suffering from a skull base osteochondroma which affected the atlantooccipital joint and originated in the occipital condyle. It also displayed a growth toward the foramen magnum, which was resected using an extreme lateral transcondylar approach. CASE REPORT: Patient aged 35, with a one year history of vertiginous seizures and unsteady gait, associated with cervical pain that irradiated to the right upper extremity, dysphagia, changes in the tone of the voice and distal numbness of the four extremities. The patient was made to lie in the three quarter prone position and an incision was made in the skin from the C3 spinous apophysis to a point 2 cm below the end of the mastoid process, in relation with the transversal apophysis of C1. The intervention continued with early identification and rotation of the vertebral artery; total resection of the tumour (osteochondroma) with its base in the right occipital condyle and growth toward the foramen magnum, in which the greater resection of the posteromedial third of the condyle is included. CONCLUSIONS: The location of osteochondromas can vary widely, and the condyle is one of the least frequent places inside the occipital bone. The approach employed provides excellent access to the region, in particular to the atlantooccipital joint. The width and angle of exposition are increased as compared with the traditional suboccipital approach, which facilitates the radical resection of the lesion with no neural retraction and without any surgical complications.
Asunto(s)
Articulación Atlantooccipital , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos , Osteocondroma , Neoplasias de la Base del Cráneo , Adulto , Articulación Atlantooccipital/patología , Articulación Atlantooccipital/cirugía , Foramen Magno/cirugía , Humanos , Hueso Occipital/patología , Hueso Occipital/cirugía , Osteocondroma/diagnóstico , Osteocondroma/patología , Osteocondroma/cirugía , Neoplasias de la Base del Cráneo/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Base del Cráneo/patología , Neoplasias de la Base del Cráneo/cirugía , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
The geographic distribution of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein phenotypes from patient blood used to infect colonized Anopheles albimanus and An. pseudopunctipennis was investigated in southern Mexico. Parasite phenotype types were determined in blood samples by a polymerase chain reaction and oligoprobe hybridization or by immunofluorescent assay of sporozoites. The proportion of infected mosquitoes and the number of oocysts per mosquito confirmed previous in vitro observations indicating that An. albimanus is more susceptible to VK210 and that An. pseudopunctipennis is more susceptible to VK247. All patients living on the coast were infected with VK210 and most patients living above 170 meters above sea level had VK247. Both phenotypes infected patients from intermediate altitudes. These results concur with the distribution of the anophelines, indicating that An. albimanus is the main vector of the phenotype VK210, but that An. pseudopunctipennis transmits both phenotypes. These conditions have direct implications on parasite transmission rates and malaria epidemiology in Mexico.
Asunto(s)
Anopheles/parasitología , Insectos Vectores/parasitología , Malaria Vivax/epidemiología , Plasmodium vivax/clasificación , Altitud , Animales , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/análisis , Antimaláricos/uso terapéutico , Cloroquina/uso terapéutico , Cartilla de ADN/química , ADN Protozoario/química , ADN Protozoario/aislamiento & purificación , Femenino , Fluoroinmunoensayo , Humanos , Malaria Vivax/sangre , Malaria Vivax/parasitología , Masculino , México/epidemiología , Hibridación de Ácido Nucleico , Fenotipo , Plasmodium vivax/química , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Prevalencia , Primaquina/uso terapéutico , Recurrencia , Análisis de RegresiónRESUMEN
The susceptibility to two coindigenous Plasmodium vivax Grassi & Feletti phenotypes VK210 and VK247 of three colonized Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann strains (white-striped, green and brown) from southern Mexico was investigated. Mosquitoes of the three strains were simultaneously fed with P. vivax-infected patient blood and examined 1 wk later for the presence of oocysts. The circumsporozoite protein phenotype type (VK210 and VK247) was determined by immunoflorescence of salivary gland sporozoites using monoclonal antibodies. The proportions of specimens infected and the number of oocyst per mosquito indicated that all mosquito strains were more susceptible to the phenotype VK210 than to VK247, but the white-striped strain was more susceptible to both parasite phenotypes than the other two strains.
Asunto(s)
Anopheles/parasitología , Plasmodium vivax/patogenicidad , Proteínas Protozoarias/análisis , Animales , Animales de Laboratorio , Anopheles/genética , Antígenos de Protozoos/análisis , Antígenos de Protozoos/genética , México , Fenotipo , Proteínas Protozoarias/genéticaRESUMEN
We examined the recent panorama of ADD related deaths in Mexico in an effort to assess the overall impact of control measures that may vary in space and time. We pay particular attention to mortality rates recorded between 1985-1995, that is, before and after the cholera emergency. The aim is to focus on the social groups at risk, using time series data represented in the form of images and produced by a geographic information system (GIS). We show the potential of such methods to define populations at risk and support the decision process.
Asunto(s)
Cólera/mortalidad , Diarrea/mortalidad , Características de la Residencia , Enfermedad Aguda , Preescolar , Diarrea/epidemiología , Diarrea/prevención & control , Brotes de Enfermedades/prevención & control , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Funciones de Verosimilitud , Modelos Lineales , México/epidemiología , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
The susceptibilities to coindigenous Plasmodium vivax of colonized Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis from southern Mexico were investigated by simultaneous feeding with infected blood obtained from patients. The genes encoding circumsporozoite protein variant types (VK210 and VK247) in blood samples were determined by PCR and oligonucleotide probe hybridization. A. albimanus was more susceptible to VK210, and A. pseudopunctipennis was more susceptible to VK247.
Asunto(s)
Anopheles/parasitología , Insectos Vectores/parasitología , Malaria Vivax/parasitología , Plasmodium vivax/inmunología , Animales , Anopheles/inmunología , Anopheles/fisiología , Variación Antigénica , Antígenos de Protozoos/genética , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades , Humanos , Inmunidad Innata , Insectos Vectores/inmunología , Insectos Vectores/fisiología , Modelos Logísticos , Malaria Vivax/inmunología , Malaria Vivax/transmisión , México , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Proteínas Protozoarias/genéticaRESUMEN
We propose the use of generalized tree models (GTMs) to analyze data from entomological field studies. Generalized tree models can be used to characterize environments with different mosquito breeding capacity. A GTM simultaneously analyzes a set of predictor variables (e.g., vegetation coverage) in relation to a response variable (e.g., counts of Anopheles albimanus larvae), and how it varies with respect to a set of criterion variables (e.g., presence of predators). The algorithm produces a treelike graphical display with its root at the top and 2 branches stemming down from each node. At each node, conditions on the value of predictors partition the observations into subgroups (environments) in which the relation between response and criterion variables is most homogeneous.
Asunto(s)
Anopheles/fisiología , Animales , Anopheles/crecimiento & desarrollo , México , Plantas , ReproducciónRESUMEN
We report nosocomial infection with Vibrio cholerae 01, in four seriously ill individuals and one infant in Guatemala. Nosocomial cholera occurs in developing countries in Latin America and should be suspected in hospitalized patients with diarrhea, especially during community outbreaks, in order to institute appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and control measures.
Asunto(s)
Cólera/epidemiología , Infección Hospitalaria/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades , Adulto , Cólera/complicaciones , Cólera/prevención & control , Infección Hospitalaria/complicaciones , Infección Hospitalaria/prevención & control , Diarrea/etiología , Femenino , Guatemala/epidemiología , Humanos , Lactante , Control de Infecciones/métodos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadAsunto(s)
Infecciones Oportunistas Relacionadas con el SIDA/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones Bacterianas/tratamiento farmacológico , Dietilcarbamazina/uso terapéutico , Filaricidas/uso terapéutico , Micosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Candidiasis/tratamiento farmacológico , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neumonía por Pneumocystis/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
We report a family with three generations affected by an autosomal dominant centronuclear palsy. This gene is characterized by ptosis that begins in childhood and a slowly progressive weakness that starts in the second decade of life, involving face, neck and limbs. In this stage, muscle pan associated to exercise or cold muscle spasms may appear. The gene is expressed with differing intensity in each individual. Myopathic electromyographic alterations are only found in functionally impaired subjects. Muscle biopsy shows type I fiber atrophy and central nuclei in a high percentage of fibers, specially in type I fibers.
Asunto(s)
Parálisis/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Parálisis/patología , Linaje , FenotipoRESUMEN
Landscape characteristics that may influence important components of the Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann life cycle, including potential breeding sites, suitable diurnal resting sites, and possible sources of blood meals, were analyzed at 14 villages in a malarious area of southern Mexico. An. albimanus adults were collected weekly in each village using UV-light traps between July 1991 and August 1992. Based on rainfall, the study was divided into 6 seasonal periods. Villages were considered to have high mosquito abundance when >5 mosquitoes per trap per night were collected during any 1 of the 6 seasonal periods. The extension and frequency of 11 land cover types surrounding villages were determined using aerial photographs and subsequently verified through field surveys. Elevation was the main landscape feature that separated villages with low and high mosquito abundance. All villages with high mosquito abundance were below 25 m. Transitional and mangrove land cover types were found only in the high mosquito abundance group. Flooded areas as potential breeding sites and potential adult resting sites in unmanaged pastures were significantly more frequent in areas surrounding villages with high mosquito abundance. No significant differences in density of cattle and horses were found among village groups. Overall, surrounding breeding sites located at low elevations in flooded unmanaged pastures seemed to be the most important determinants of An. albimanus adult abundance in the villages.
Asunto(s)
Anopheles , Animales , Ambiente , Humanos , México , Densidad de PoblaciónRESUMEN
A 62 years old male with a slowly progressive focal myopathy is presented. He had noticed weakness in the lower limbs for three years and weakness in the upper limbs for one year. He had bilateral atrophy of quadriceps and biceps muscles, absence of knee jerks and hypertrophy of the calves. Needle EMG showed myopathic motor units. Hystological study was compatible with muscular dystrophy. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of this patient are in keeping with what has been described as "Quadriceps Myopathy" as a form of a muscular dystrophy.
Asunto(s)
Distrofias Musculares/diagnóstico , Biopsia , Electromiografía , Humanos , Pierna , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Músculo Esquelético/patologíaRESUMEN
Spatial and seasonal variations on Anopheles albimanus larval densities and their plant associations were investigated in larval habitats in southern Mexico between April 1989 and May 1990. Thirty-four plant groups were dominant in larval habitats. Dense larval populations were associated with 3 genera of plants, Cynodon, Echinocloa and Fimbristylis and no larvae were found in habitats with Salvinia and Rhizophora. Low significant positive or negative associations were documented with the other 12 plant genera. Larval habitats were classified according to the morphology of their dominant plants. Higher larval densities were observed in the groups characterized by relatively short emergent vegetation. The distribution of habitat-types within 5 identified vegetation units showed a significantly dependent relationship. For the entire study period, highest larval densities were detected in flooded pasture/grassland vegetation units. For all vegetation units, higher larval densities were found when the dominant plant type covered between 25-50% of the breeding site. The integration of data from habitat-types into vegetation units did not result in loss of information.
Asunto(s)
Anopheles , Ecología , Animales , Larva , México , Densidad de Población , Dinámica Poblacional , Estaciones del AñoRESUMEN
It was developed a computer system which allows the amplification, digitalization, signal averaging and analysis of the: time domain, first derivative and fast Fourier transform of the ECG signal. Through this methods it was possible to detect late-potentials that arise from morphologically altered myocardium with abnormalities in the conduction velocity. To validate the system 28 studies were done in 15 normal subjects (Group 1), ten in patients with recent or old myocardial infarction (Group 2), and 3 studies in patients with myocardial infarction and sustained ventricular tachycardia during the coronary care unit stay or documented by ambulatory electrocardiogram (Group 3). Of the 31 variables documented of the time domain, first derivative and frequency domain, the RMS voltage of the last 40 msegs. of the filtered QRS al 25 Hz., the crossings through the base line of the first derivative in lead Y and the RMS voltage of the last 40 msegs. with the fast Fourier Transform analysis, from 3.9 to 304.7 Hz., allowed the identification of patients in group 3 from group 1 (p less than 0.0001). By the other hand, the RMS voltage of the first derivative in lead Y, the peak to peak amplitude of the first derivative in lead Z and the RMS voltage of the first derivative in lead Z differentiate group 3 from group 2 (p less than 0.002). It is concluded that the first derivative, the frequency domain and the time domain, in this sequence, are useful in the identification of late potentials in the terminal portions of the filtered QRS.