Biochemical and cellular studies of three human 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase variants responsible for pathological reduced L-serine levels.

In the brain, the non-essential amino acid L-serine is produced through the phosphorylated pathway (PP) starting from the glycolytic intermediate 3-phosphoglycerate: among the different roles played by this amino acid, it can be converted into D-serine and glycine, the two main co-agonists of NMDA receptors. In humans, the enzymes of the PP, namely phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (hPHGDH, which catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of this pathway), 3-phosphoserine aminotransferase, and 3-phosphoserine phosphatase are likely organized in the cytosol as a metabolic assembly (a "serinosome"). The hPHGDH deficiency is a pathological condition biochemically characterized by reduced levels of L-serine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid and clinically identified by severe neurological impairment.

Effects of supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products to dairy cows from the day of dry-off through early lactation.

The scope of this experiment was to study the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; NutriTek, Diamond V) on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count, rumination activity, and immunometabolic profile (inflammation) of dairy cows during the peripartum period. Postpartum inflammation severity was evaluated as the liver functionality index (LFI). The LFI is based on profiles of specific blood inflammatory markers in the first month of lactation.

Silibinin-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (SLB-HP-β-CD) complex prevents apoptosis in liver and kidney after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: We investigated the protective effect of silibinin on rat liver and kidney after hepatic inschemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods And Materials: Sixty three male Wistar-type rats (median age 13 weeks; average weight 314 g) were subjected to I/R injury of the liver. They were randomly divided into three groups: Sham (n = 7), Control (C, n = 28) and Silibinin (Si, n = 28).

Tuberculosis and comorbidities in urban areas in Argentina. A gender and age perspective.

Introduction: Tuberculosis continues to be a major health problem in the world with an incidence of more than 10 million cases in 2015. There are factors that change the risk of developing the disease after infection, as well as the presentation of the disease.

Objective: To determine the main comorbidities and demographic, clinical and microbiological characteristics of tuberculosis adult patients in Argentina from a gender and age perspective.

Risk factors associated with tuberculosis mortality in adults in six provinces of Argentina.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a cause of illness and death across the world, especially in developing countries and vulnerable population groups. In 2013, 1.5 million died from the disease worldwide.

[Trends of tuberculosis in the Fifth Health Region, Buenos Aires Province, years 2000-2011].

The aim of this study was to describe the trends in tuberculosis (TB) in the Fifth Health Region (RSV) in the Buenos Aires Province. A trend study allowed the evaluation of the average variation of change in the incidence rate (IR) using simple linear regression expressed as a mean annual variation (VAP). The number of reported TB cases and IR per 100 000 population of all TB cases, pulmonary TB (PTB) and bacteriologically confirmed PTB from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2011, were analyzed by age groups: 0-14; 15-29 and over 64 years of age.

Mortality, severe acute respiratory infection, and influenza-like illness associated with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Argentina, 2009.

Introduction: While there is much information about the burden of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in North America, little data exist on its burden in South America.

Methods: During April to December 2009, we actively searched for persons with severe acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness (ILI) in three sentinel cities. A proportion of case-patients provided swabs for influenza testing.

Bactericidal and hemolytic activities of synthetic peptides derived from granulysin.

Granulysin is a human polypeptide produced by cytolytic cells active against a broad range of microbes. Three peptides covering the regions 25-50 (Gr-1 and Gr-2) and 39-62 (Gr-3) of granulysin were synthesized, and their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was evaluated. The most active peptide was Gr-1C, containing a disulphide bridge, with Minimal Inhibitory Concentration value of 10.

Delay in tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in four provinces of Argentina.

Setting: Public health care services in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Jujuy and Santa Cruz, Argentina.

Objective: To evaluate delays in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment and associated risk factors in departments and administrative areas of four Argentine provinces.

Design: Cross-sectional survey including retrospective medical record review and patient interviews.

[In-vitro activity of two hybrid synthetic peptides having antimicrobial activity against mycobacteria].

The increase in both Mycobacterium tuberculosis human clinical isolates resistant to the essential drugs and cases of disseminated micobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium avium Complex, underlines the need to investigate new antimicobacterial agents. The antimicrobial peptides are a new group of active antibiotics with a particular mechanism of action. Some of them, like cecropin and melittin, isolated from insects, have demonstrated good in vitro activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Evaluation of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for detection of tuberculosis in Argentinean population.

Pathozyme-Myco G (Myco G), M, A, and TB complex plus (Omega Diagnostics Ltd., Alloa, Scotland) were evaluated for the serological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in an Argentinean population. Sera from 58 patients with pulmonary TB, 24 subjects with pulmonary mycobacteriosis or mycoses (pulmonary MM group), and 45 subjects with other underlying disorders (control group) were analyzed.

[Effect of influenza epidemics on mortality in Santa Fe, Argentina, during 1992-1999].

Objectives: To define the effect of influenza epidemics on mortality and to establish the best criterion for predicting mortality so as to provide a method for advance warning of the severity of an influenza epidemic.

Methods: The study was carried out in La Capital, a department in Santa Fe province, Argentina, during 1992-1999. In order to fulfill the first objective, a retrospective analysis was performed with mortality data for pneumonia and influenza in persons over 65 years of age, using the auto-regressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA).

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of measuring IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to the recombinant 16-kilodalton antigen of mycobacterium tuberculosis in childhood tuberculosis.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of the recombinant 16-kDa antigen (re-Ag16) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children.

Materials: Seventy-four children with active TB, 49 apparently healthy contact children and 149 children suffering from non-mycobacterial diseases were evaluated. Detection of anti 16-kDa antigen IgG, IgM and IgA was performed by enzyme-immunoassay.

Antibody response to culture filtrate antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during and after treatment of tuberculosis patients.

Setting: Many authors have shown rising titres of anti-mycobacterial antibodies after a few months of anti-tuberculosis treatment. This humoral response might persist for years, making the discrimination between current and old disease difficult.

Objective: Characterisation of the humoral response to culture filtrates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis before and after treatment of tuberculous patients in order to identify those antigens that could provide information about disease activity.

Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus subgroups A and B infections in Santa Fe, Argentina.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has two major antigenic groups, A and B. The implications of these variants in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of RSV infection are not well defined. This study was undertaken to compare the two RSV subgroups in patients admitted to hospital.

[Utility of gas chromatography for the identification of mycobacterial species].

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has altered the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis in both industrialized and developing countries. Serious diseases caused by mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mostly belonging to the M. avium-intracellulare complex (MAC), have become very common in association with severe immunosuppression.

[Characterization of fatty acids and mycolic acid degradation products in mycobacterial species of major incidence in Argentina].

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has altered the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis in both industrialized and developing countries. Serious diseases caused by mycobacteria other that M. tuberculosis, mostly belonging to the M.

[Etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infections among children younger than 5 years old in Santa Fe].

The etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ARI) and nasopharyngeal bacterial carriage in children less than 5 years old living in Santa Fe city, Argentina, was studied. A total of 518 children were included in the study: 450 suffering from ARI and 68 asymptomatic children. Blood samples, pleural effusions and nasopharyngeal secretions (NS) were obtained from children for bacterial isolations.

Heart transplantation in Chagas' disease. 10 years after the initial experience.

Background: Heart transplantation (HT) as a therapeutic option for end-stage chronic Chagas' heart disease (CCHD) is controversial. Reactivation of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and recurrence of the disease in the allograft are likely to occur. Furthermore, active myocarditis has been reported to predispose patients to an increased incidence and severity of rejection.

Effects of work and diet on progesterone secretion, short luteal phases and ovulations without estrus in postpartum F1 crossbred dairy cows.

The effects of work and diet supplementation on progesterone secretion and on incidence of short luteal phases and ovulations without estrus was investigated in 40 postpartum F(1) crossbred dairy cows. These cows were allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups: Group SPNW, supplement-nonworking; Group SPW, supplement-working; Group NSNW, nonsupplement-nonworking; and Group NSW, nonsupplement-working. After calving, working cows pulled sledges with a load of 300 to 450 Newtons(N); 4 hours per day 4 days per week, for a total of 100 days over a 1-year period.

[Occlusion of patent ductus using the Rashkind system. Initial experience].

Three patients were submitted to the Rashkind device technique for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus. The percutaneous transvenous technique was employed in every cases. A 12 mm prosthesis was utilized in one case and 17 mm prostheses in the other two cases.

[Chronic active hepatitis and possible relationship with immunosuppressive therapy].

A 54-year-old man with Chagas cardiomyopathy that was submitted to a heart transplantation and five months later presented a progressive increase in liver enzymes. Diagnosis of chronic active hepatitis was confirmed by histopathologic studies. A transitory interruption of treatment with azathioprine and the posterior re-introduction of small doses, as well as the use of lesser amounts of cyclosporin-A improved the clinical and laboratory pictures.