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Biomedical subjects

A C Rosa

Publications and source records attributed to A C Rosa.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Interactions of Escherichia coli strains of non-EPEC serogroups that carry eae and lack the EAF and stx gene sequences with undifferentiated and differentiated intestinal human Caco-2 cells.

Escherichia coli strains of non-EPEC serotypes that carry eae and lack the EAF and the Shiga toxin (stx) gene sequences have been found in acute diarrhea. Both the cell association and the cell entry of these strains in human intestinal epithelial cells were studied as a function of cell differentiation and polarization. The eae+/EAF-/stx- non-EPEC E. coli strains invaded undifferentiated Caco-2 cells more efficiently than differentiated cells. In contrast, prototype EPEC strain E2348/69 did not show significative differences from invasion rates of undifferentiated and differentiated cells. The uptake of these strains was greatly enhanced by pretreatment of differentiated Caco-2 cells with EGTA. These results suggest that the eae+/EAF-/stx- non-EPEC E. coli invasion of intestinal cells may be dependent on receptors expressed on the surface of undifferentiated cells and the basolateral pole of differentiated cells.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Escherichia coli strains of non-enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) serogroups that carry EAE and lack the EPEC adherence factor and Shiga toxin DNA probe sequences.

This study was conducted to characterize the virulence potential of 59 Escherichia coli strains carrying EAE and lacking the enteropathogenic E. coli adherence factor and Shiga toxin probe sequences. In hybridization studies, all strains carried the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-associated DNA sequences. Of the other 15 virulence DNA sequences tested, HLY was the most frequent (44.1%); 17 combinations of these sequences were found, but strains carrying EAE only (EAE profile) were the most frequent (35.6%). Except for 1 cytodetaching strain, all others adhered to HeLa and Caco-2 cells, most of which (approximately 75.0%) showed variations of the localized adherence pattern. Actin accumulation was detected in 75.9% of the nondetaching strains. Most strains had LEE, probably inserted in pheU (49.2%), and presented a nontypeable intimin (83.1%). Translocated intimin receptor-derived DNA sequences correlated with enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic E. coli in 61.0% and 32.0% of the strains, respectively. Thirty-five different serotypes were found. Only strains with the EAE profile were associated with diarrhea (P=.039).

Actins↗

Chromosomal G-dark bands determine the spatial organization of centromeric heterochromatin in the nucleus.

Gene expression can be silenced by proximity to heterochromatin blocks containing centromeric alpha-satellite DNA. This has been shown experimentally through cis-acting chromosome rearrangements resulting in linear genomic proximity, or through trans-acting changes resulting in intranuclear spatial proximity. Although it has long been been established that centromeres are nonrandomly distributed during interphase, little is known of what determines the three-dimensional organization of these silencing domains in the nucleus. Here, we propose a model that predicts the intranuclear positioning of centromeric heterochromatin for each individual chromosome. With the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal microscopy, we show that the distribution of centromeric alpha-satellite DNA in human lymphoid cells synchronized at G(0)/G(1) is unique for most individual chromosomes. Regression analysis reveals a tight correlation between nuclear distribution of centromeric alpha-satellite DNA and the presence of G-dark bands in the corresponding chromosome. Centromeres surrounded by G-dark bands are preferentially located at the nuclear periphery, whereas centromeres of chromosomes with a lower content of G-dark bands tend to be localized at the nucleolus. Consistent with the model, a t(11; 14) translocation that removes G-dark bands from chromosome 11 causes a repositioning of the centromere, which becomes less frequently localized at the nuclear periphery and more frequently associated with the nucleolus. The data suggest that "chromosomal environment" plays a key role in the intranuclear organization of centromeric heterochromatin. Our model further predicts that facultative heterochromatinization of distinct genomic regions may contribute to cell-type specific patterns of centromere localization.

Cell Nucleus↗

Effects of handling and storage on sterile dental instruments.

The microbial contamination post-sterilization of dental instruments has been the object of permanent study. The aim of the present study was to evaluate factors affecting long-term sterility of dental instruments sterilized in the dry-oven or autoclave at the Central Sterilizing Service of the School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires stored under room temperature and humidity conditions. Half of the 192 samples were placed in standard closed metal containers and sterilized in a dry-oven (D.O), and the remaining half were placed in perforated metal containers and sterilized in an autoclave (A). All the samples were placed in sterilizing paper bags for medical use. Post sterilization, each group (DO and A) was divided into: Group I: minimal handling (control); Group II: wrapping torn mechanically (1 cm); Group III: wrapping torn manually (1 cm). All the samples were stored a closed cabinet. Contamination was evaluated at 30 and 180 days, by seeding under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Temperature was monitored throughout the experiment, and ranged between 20 degrees C and 31 degrees C (x: 24 degrees C +/- 3.9). Humidity was measured with a digital hygrometer, and ranged between 40% and 60% (x: 54% +/- 10). Group I evidenced no microbial contamination, unlike Groups II and III. Our results evidence that 1) dry oven or autoclave sterilized material that is handled properly during storage remains sterile regardless of variations in temperature and humidity; 2) improper handling affects sterility, and contamination is time-dependent.

Alloys↗

Automatic detection of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) sequences in sleep: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: The analysis of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) provides important microstructural information on arousal instability and on EEG synchrony modulation in the sleep process. This work presents a methodology for automatic classification of the micro-organization of human sleep EEG, using the CAP paradigm. METHODS: The classification system is composed of 3 parts: feature extraction, detection and classification. The feature extraction part is an EEG generation model-based maximum likelihood estimator. The detector part for the CAP phases A and B is done by a variable length template matched filter, while the classification criteria part is implemented on a state machine ruled-based decision system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of the automatic classifier on a group of 4 middle-aged adults are presented. The high agreement between the detector and visual scoring is very promising in the achievement of a fully automated scoring system, although a more exhaustive evaluation program is needed.

Adult↗

Enteropathogenicity markers in Escherichia coli isolated from infants with acute diarrhoea and healthy controls in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Faeces from urban children < 2 years old with acute diarrhoeal illness and from non-diarrhoeal infants (controls) were examined for Escherichia coli and other enteropathogens. A total of 990 E. coli isolates from 100 patients and 50 controls was tested for enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) serotype (O:H), adherence to HEp-2 cells after incubation for 3 and 6 h, fluorescent actin staining (FAS), DNA hybridisation with EAF, eaeA, STh, STp and EAggEC probes and production of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and verocytotoxin (VT) with Y1 and Vero cells. EPEC were the most prevalent enteropathogens in patients (32.7%; and 14% in controls). Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) were not detected. The rate of isolation of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was identical in both groups. Among the EPEC isolates the prevalent serotypes were O111:H2, O55:NM and O119:H6. Localised adherence (LA) was found significantly more frequently in isolates from patients (19.6%) than controls (2.1%). All LA-positive EPEC isolates were FAS+ and eaeA+, but only 75.2% of them hybridised with the EAF probe. Diffusely adhering E. coli (DAEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC) were found with equal frequency in patients and controls. Twenty-seven E. coli isolates were negative for EAF but positive for eaeA and FAS and produced LA in 6-h adherence tests. These EAF-/eaeA+ strains were the only putative enteropathogen identified in seven patients and were not found in controls. The ability of these strains to elicit ultrastructural cell alterations and cell-signalling events was evaluated in Caco-2 cells (human colon carcinoma cell line) by the gentamicin invasion assay and by transmission electron microscopy. The numbers of intracellular bacteria in cell invasion tests varied from 0.4% to 1.6% of the cell-associated bacteria after a 6-h incubation period. Tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins was assessed in HEp-2 cells by immunofluorescence microscopy and all strains gave positive results. EAF-/eaeA+ E. coli strains express most of the virulence properties found among true EPEC strains and can be a relevant cause of infant diarrhoea in developing countries.

Acute Disease↗

Oral microbiota and implant type membranes.

Candida albicans (Ca), Staphylococcus aureus (Sa), Streptococcus sanguis (Ss), Actinomyces naeslundii (An), Actinomyces odontolyticus (Ao), Porphyromona spp (P spp), Candida glabrata (Cg), Candida krusei (Ck), and Rhodotorula spp (R spp) were tested with equal pieces of biodegradable membranes. Membranes pretreated with saliva or clorhexidine and nontreated control membranes were tested in three different culture media containing 0.1 mL homologous suspension for each strain under study. Incubation was performed at 37 degrees C for 48 hours for aerobiosis and for five days for anaerobiosis. Macroscopy and microscopy were carried out. Membranes were removed, washed, and resuspended. Samples were sonicated, and the supernatant was disseminated on brain heart infusion broth or blood agar. Incubation was repeated, colony-forming unit counts were performed, and statistical analysis was carried out using analysis of variance transforming results to Log10 (x + 1), the highest interaction level was used to calculate standard error. Orthogonal contrast was used to compare the different microorganisms under study. Highest adhesion was found with Ca, Cg, Ck, Sa, and Ss. A sufficient quantity of Actinomyces could not be recovered from the membranes. Results with P spp were poor, confirming lower gram-negative adhesion. Replicate flasks with Ss and Ca were cultivated. Membranes were removed after washing and subjected to scanning electron microscopy, as were untreated control pieces. A cavelike surface was observed. Streptococcus sanguis adhering to the membranes showed extracellular projections. Candida and gram-positive cocci showed great recovery capacity.

Actinomyces↗

Acremonium kiliense peritonitis complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: report of two cases.

Two cases of peritonitis caused by Acremonium kiliense in patients receiving a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment are reported. Diagnosis was established by direct examination and cultures of dialysis effluent, secretion of catheter-exit-site and from the tip of the catheter. Management of fungal peritonitis includes catheter removal, since in this infection the result of systemic antifungal therapy is inconsistent.

Acremonium↗

A simple format for exchange of digitized polygraphic recordings.

A simple digital format supporting the technical aspects of exchange and storage of polygraphic signals has been specified. Implementation of the format is simple and independent of hard- or software environments. It allows for any local montages, transducers, prefiltering, sampling frequencies, etc. At present, 7 laboratories in various countries have used the format for exchanging sleep-wake recordings. These exchanges have made it possible to create a common database of sleep records, to compare the analysis algorithms local to the various laboratories to each other by applying these algorithms to identical signals, and to set up a computer-aided interlaboratory evaluation of manual and automatic analysis methods.

Algorithms↗

Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis in a field clinic in Bahia, Brazil: a report of eight cases.

Eight Bahian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis who had 20 or more ulcerative lesions of short duration are described. Of five identifications of isolated parasites, four were Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis and one was L. mexicana amazonensis. All but one had positive Montenegro tests initially, and all did after treatment. All had circulating anti-leishmanial antibodies and five responded well to glucantime therapy suggesting a functioning immune response. This is quite different to the anergic hansenoid leishmaniasis seen with L. mexicana amazonensis infections in Brazil. Possible reasons for the occurrence of this type of leishmaniasis are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗

The second case of peritonitis due to Histoplasma capsulatum during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Brazil.

This paper reports a case of infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum apparently restricted to the peritoneum in a woman submitted to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Diagnosis was established by direct examination and culture of dialysis effluent. Although the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost in Brazil, is not considered a region of high endemicity for histoplasmosis, this is the second case of infection occurring in a patient during CAPD.

Brazil↗