Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) are increasingly used to test for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. Although highly specific, IGRAs have a relatively high false-negative rate in ...active TB patients. A more sensitive assay is needed. IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) is an alternative biomarker with a 100-fold-higher expression level than IFN-γ, allowing for different analysis platforms, including molecular detection. The PCR technique is already an integrated tool in most TB laboratories and, thus, an obvious platform to turn to. In this case-control study, we investigated the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a molecular assay detecting IP-10 mRNA expression following antigen stimulation of a blood sample. We included 89 TB patients and 99 healthy controls. Blood was drawn in QuantiFeron-TB gold in-tube (QFT) assay tubes. Eight hours poststimulation, IP-10 mRNA expression was analyzed, and 20 h poststimulation, IP-10 and IFN-γ protein plasma levels were analyzed using an in-house IP-10 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the official QFT ELISA, respectively. The IP-10 mRNA assay provided high specificity (98%), sensitivity (80%), and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) (0.97); however, the QFT assay provided a higher overall diagnostic potential, with specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 90%, and AUC of 0.99. The IP-10 protein assay performed on par with the QFT assay, with specificity of 98%, sensitivity of 87%, and AUC of 0.98. We have provided proof of high technical performance of a molecular assay detecting IP-10 mRNA expression. As a diagnostic tool, this assay would gain from further optimization, especially on the kinetics of IP-10 mRNA expression.
Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of decompensating events requires of both medical skills and updated technical resources. The objectives of ...this study were to search the demographic profile of hospitalized cirrhotic patients in a group of Latin American hospitals and the availability of expertise/facilities for the diagnosis and therapy of decompensation episodes.
A cross sectional, multicenter survey of hospitalized cirrhotic patients.
377 patients, (62% males; 58±11 years) (BMI>25, 57%; diabetes 32%) were hospitalized at 65 centers (63 urbans; 57 academically affiliated) in 13 countries on the survey date. Main admission causes were ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis/other infections. Most prevalent etiologies were alcohol-related (AR) (40%); non-alcoholic-steatohepatitis (NASH) (23%), hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (7%) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (6%). The most frequent concurrent etiologies were AR+NASH. Expertise and resources in every analyzed issue were highly available among participating centers, mostly accomplishing valid guidelines. However, availability of these facilities was significantly higher at institutions located in areas with population>500,000 (n=45) and in those having a higher complexity level (Gastrointestinal, Liver and Internal Medicine Departments at the same hospital (n=22).
The epidemiological etiologic profile in hospitalized, decompensated cirrhotic patients in Latin America is similar to main contemporary emergent agents worldwide. Medical and technical resources are highly available, mostly at great population urban areas and high complexity medical centers. Main diagnostic and therapeutic approaches accomplish current guidelines recommendations.
Con el objetivo de valorar las potencialidades de 50 cultivares del germoplasma cubano de yuca con importancia para el mejoramiento genético, se realizó su caracterización morfológica y agronómica. ...Se evaluaron 39 variables cualitativas y cuantitativas durante cuatro años con especial atención a los componentes del rendimiento y el porcentaje de materia seca (MS) a los 12 meses de sembrados. Como resultado se pudo identificar un grupo de cultivares de alto potencial de rendimiento y caracteres deseables para los productores: 'CPA Victoria de Girón (39,4 t.ha.sup.-1), 'Crema-1' (34,0 t.ha.sup.-1) y 'Señora' (31,7 t.ha.sup.-1). Se encontraron otras accesiones con buen rendimiento y alto contenido de materia seca: 'Yema de Huevo' (46,29% de MS), 'Clon 14' (43,98%) y 'Quintalera enana' (41,22%); esta es una característica importante con vistas a aumentar el uso industrial de la yuca en Cuba y un aspecto de interés para el programa de mejora genética del cultivo. Los resultados muestran la existencia de una variabilidad genética significativa y contribuyen a promover el uso de la biodiversidad autóctona de la yuca conservada en Cuba. Palabras clave: yuca, caracterización agronómica, materia seca, variables cualitativas In order to assess the potential of 50 cultivars from the Cuban cassava germplasm with interest for genetic improvement, an agronomic and morphological characterization was carried out. All cultivars were evaluated using 38 qualitative and quantitative variables during four years. A special attention was given to yield components and to dry matter (DM) percentage 12 months after planting. As a result, a group of three cultivars with high yield potential and desirable traits for growers was identified: 'CPA Victoria de Girón' (39.4 t.ha.sup.-1), 'Crema-1' (34,0 t.ha.sup.-1) and 'Señora' (31,7 t.ha.sup.-1). Other cultivars with acceptable yield and high dry matter content were also observed: 'Yema de Huevo' (46,29% DM), 'Clone 14' (43,98%) and 'Quintalera enana' (41,22%); this is an important feature in order to increase the industrial cassava use in Cuba and an useful aspect to the cassava breeding program. The results show the existence of a significant genetic variability and contributes to promote the use of indigenous biodiversity preserved in Cuba. Key words: cassava, agronomic characterization, dry matter, qualitative variables
A study was carried out in order to make a deep analysis of the current knowledges cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) genetic diversity, and to evaluate its phylogenetic relationship with relatives ...cultivated in Africa, and South and Central America in order to facilitate a sustainable management of the genetic resources available in Cuba. A number of 94 cultivars from the Cuban cassava germplasm were studied according to their genetic or economic importance; besides, 54 clones from Africa and America, and 13 genotypes of genetic interest were incorporated. Diversity and genetic differentiation analysis were developed from data of 34 microsatellite markers (SSR). Genetic diversity indexes evidenced the high polymorphism observed for the tested microsatellites. The plant material, coming from Cuba, showed the highest allele average number per locus with 5.8 and as Guatemala, it illustrated 100% polymorphic loci. The highest mean heterozygosity indexes (Ho) are presented by Cuba and Tanzania. The mean rate of heterozygous individuals observed (Ho) was high (0.5918 ±0.0351). These results reported in Cuba for the first time in cassava, offer an important contribution to the genetic breeding program and to the sustainable management of the cassava genetic diversity in Cuba and in the Caribbean area. Key words: genetic differentiation, Manihot, markers, polymorphism, phylogenetic relationship
Three cytotoxic triterpenes, sodwanones G 5, H 6, and I 7, have been isolated from a marine sponge. The three structures were determined by interpretation of nmr spectra, and in the case of 5, also ...on the basis of the X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray diffraction analysis of two other earlier reported sodwanones, E 3 and F 4 is also discussed. The cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines, has been tested. IC50 values between 20 and 0.02 microM were obtained. Compounds 5 and 6 were 10- and 500-fold, respectively, more cytotoxic to A-549 cells than to any of the other cell lines tested (HT-29, MEL-28, P-388).
PDF
