Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Lung Cancer Patients.

Background: The main function of the HLA-G molecule in its membrane-bound and soluble forms is to inhibit the immune response by acting on CD4+ T cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells. Lung cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and annual incidence is high in both women and men. Some studies have reported an increase of HLA-G serum levels in lung cancer, probably generated by tumor cells escaping the antitumor immune response.

Determination of beta-glucosidase activity in soils with a bioanalytical sensor modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

Soil microorganisms and enzymes are the primary mediators of soil biological processes, including organic matter degradation, mineralization, and nutrient recycling. They play an important role in maintaining soil ecosystem quality and functional diversity. Moreover, enzyme activities can provide an indication of quantitative changes in soil organic matter.

Determination of the beta-glucosidase activity in different soils by pre capillary enzyme assay using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

Enzyme activities can provide indication for quantitative changes in soil organic matter (SOM). It is known that the activities of most enzymes increase as native SOM content reflecting larger microbial communities and stabilization of enzymes on humic materials. Beta-glucosidase (beta-Glu) activities have been frequently used as indicators of changes in quantity and quality of SOM.

Molecular study of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates at a neonatal high-risk unit in Merida, Venezuela.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multiresistant microorganisms which holds first place in the world as a nosocomial pathogen. Special attention has therefore been directed to specific nosocomial surveillance systems and strict infection control measures for this microorganism in which the microbiological laboratory plays an important role by applying phenotypic and genotypic methods that permit establishing their epidemiological relationship especially in hospital outbreaks. In the present study the general objective was to study MRSA strains isolated from neonates with nosocomial infections and from healthcare personnel working in the Neonatal High Risk Unit (NHRU) of the Andes University Hospital Autonomous Institute (AUHAI) in Mérida, Venezuela.

Endosulfan acute toxicity and histomorphological alterations in Jenynsia multidentata (Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes).

Toxicity tests using adult specimens of Jenynsia multidentata were carried out during 96 hours in order to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) of endosulfan. Histological alterations were determined in gills and liver. Gill damage was quantified as secondary lamellae thickness.

[Frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism among healthy children and those with neurological conditions in the state of Mérida, Venezuela].

The purpose of this study was to investigate and to compare the frequency and possible aetiology of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in healthy and sick children developing neurological disorder changes. One hundred and eighty-seven male and female children between 1 month and 4 years old, 64 with and 123 without neurological disorders, were studied in the state of Mérida, Venezuela. Serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and urinary iodine were measured by immunofluorescence and by the Sandell-Koltoff's method.