Synthesis and Characterization of Stiff, Self-Crosslinked Thermoresponsive DMAA Hydrogels.

Stiff thermosensitive hydrogels (HG) were synthesized by self-crosslinking free radical polymerization of -dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), adjusting the degree of swelling by carboxylate-containing sodium acrylate (NaAc) or a 2-oxazoline macromonomer (MM). The formation of hydrogels was possible due to the self-crosslinking property of DMAA when polymerized with peroxodisulfate initiator type. The MM was synthetized by the ring-opening cationic polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOxa) and methyl-3-(oxazol-2-yl)-propionate (EsterOxa), and contained a polymerizable styryl endgroup.

Spinal cord compression by multiple cysticercosis.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic infection involving the central nervous system in endemic areas. Notably, spinal involvement occurs in only 0.7%-3% of patients.

The Biology and Phylogenetics of Potato virus S Isolates from the Andean Region of South America.

Biological characteristics of 11 Potato virus S (PVS) isolates from three cultivated potato species (Solanum spp.) growing in five Andean countries and 1 from Scotland differed in virulence depending on isolate and host species. Nine isolates infected Chenopodium quinoa systemically but two others and the Scottish isolate remained restricted to inoculated leaves; therefore, they belonged to biologically defined strains PVS and PVS, respectively.

Genetic diversity and natural selection of Plasmodium vivax multi-drug resistant gene (pvmdr1) in Mesoamerica.

Background: The Plasmodium vivax multidrug resistant 1 gene (pvmdr1) codes for a transmembrane protein of the parasite's digestive vacuole. It is likely that the pvmdr1 gene mutations occur at different sites by convergent evolution. In here, the genetic variation of pvmdr1 at three sites of the Mesoamerican region was studied.

Temporal genetic changes in Plasmodium vivax apical membrane antigen 1 over 19 years of transmission in southern Mexico.

Background: Mexico advanced to the pre-elimination phase in 2009 due to a significant reduction in malaria cases, and since 2000, Plasmodium vivax is the only species transmitted. During the last two decades, malaria transmission has been mostly local and isolated to a few regions. It is important to gain further insights into the impact of control measures on the parasite population structure.

Molecular Imprinted Silica with West Nile Antibody Templates show Specific and Selective Binding in Immunoassays.

A new molecular imprinting technique was developed for molecularly imprinted polymer particles (MIPs). Particles were synthesized using organic silane chemistries by a sol-gel process, where the relative amount of active monomers was complementary matched to the relative amount of surface charges of the West Nile antibody template. Synthesized MIPs showed specific binding to affinity purified polyclonal West Nile antibodies (WNA) with a loading capacity of 80 µg/mg, while MIPs absorbed non-specific proteins at a loading capacity of 28 µg/mg.

Spectrum of BRCA1/2 variants in 940 patients from Argentina including novel, deleterious and recurrent germline mutations: impact on healthcare and clinical practice.

Unlabelled: mutations in Latin America are scarcely documented and in serious need of knowledge about the spectrum of BRCA pathogenic variants, information which may alter clinical practice and subsequently improve patient outcome. In addition, the search for data on testing policies in different regions constitutes a fundamental strength for the present study, which analyzes gene sequences and large rearrangements in 940 probands with familial and/or personal history of breast/ovary cancer (BOC). In non-mutated DNA samples, Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification assays (MLPA) were used for the analysis of large rearrangements.

Diversity and evolutionary genetics of the three major Plasmodium vivax merozoite genes participating in reticulocyte invasion in southern Mexico.

Background: Reported malaria cases in the Americas had been reduced to about one-half million by 2012. To advance towards elimination of this disease, it is necessary to gain insights into how the malaria parasite is evolving, including the emergence, spread and persistence of new haplotypes in affected regions. In here, the genetic diversity of the three major P.

Effectiveness of combined chloroquine and primaquine treatment in 14 days versus intermittent single dose regimen, in an open, non-randomized, clinical trial, to eliminate Plasmodium vivax in southern Mexico.

Background: In Mexico, combined chloroquine (CQ) and primaquine (PQ) treatment has been used since the late 1950s to treat Plasmodium vivax infections. Although malaria transmission has declined, current treatment strategies must be evaluated to advance towards malaria elimination.

Methods: The clinical and parasitological outcome of treating symptomatic P.

Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax in Latin America: polymorphism and evolutionary relationships of the circumsporozoite gene.

Background: The origins and dispersal of Plasmodium vivax to its current worldwide distribution remains controversial. Although progress on P. vivax genetics and genomics has been achieved worldwide, information concerning New World parasites remains fragmented and largely incomplete.

Molecular and epidemiological characterization of Plasmodium vivax recurrent infections in southern Mexico.

Background: In southern Mexico, malaria transmission is low, seasonal, and persistent. Because many patients are affected by two or more malaria episodes caused by Plasmodium vivax, we carried out a study to determine the timing, frequency, and genetic identity of recurrent malaria episodes in the region between 1998 and 2008.

Methods: Symptomatic patients with more than one P.

Plasmodium vivax: impaired escape of Vk210 phenotype ookinetes from the midgut blood bolus of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis.

The site in the midguts of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis where the development of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein Vk210 phenotype is blocked was investigated, and compared to its development in An. albimanus. Ookinete development was similar in time and numbers within the blood meal bolus of both mosquito species.

Susceptibility of three laboratory strains of Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae) to coindigenous Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein phenotypes in southern Mexico.

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.

Bacteria in midguts of field-collected Anopheles albimanus block Plasmodium vivax sporogonic development.

Bacterial infections were investigated in midguts of insectary and field-collected Anopheles albimanus Weidemann from southern Mexico. Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter amnigenus 2, Enterobacter sp., and Serratia sp.

Plasmodium vivax: ookinete destruction and oocyst development arrest are responsible for Anopheles albimanus resistance to circumsporozoite phenotype VK247 parasites.

Anopheles albimanus and An. pseudopunctipennis differ in their susceptibilities to Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite phenotypes. An.

Is the course of neurocysticercosis modified by treatment with antihelminthic agents?

Background: Neurocysticercosis, occasionally associated with long-term neurologic sequelae such as epilepsy or hydrocephalus, is more often a condition characterized by a benign course and spontaneous remission without permanent neurologic symptoms. This variability in outcome has led to difficulties in the interpretation of studies of the effectiveness of drugs used to treat this condition.

Objective: To evaluate the relative efficacy of two antihelminthic agents against each other and against symptomatic treatment alone.

A proposal for classification of neurocysticercosis.

The complicated pathophysiological and immunological changes in the central nervous system of patients with neurocysticercosis produce a variety of signs and symptoms, which complicate the clinical and surgical management of this disease. A complete and objective classification is needed, to improve the medical approach as a whole. We studied 336 patients, in whom we classified neurocysticerosis according to criteria of viability and location of the parasite in the CNS: active form (37.