Pseudomembranous Candidiasis in HIV/AIDS Patients in Cali, Colombia

Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated yeast from the oral cavity of HIV/AIDS individuals. The use of fluconazole has increased the number of resistant or less-sensitive Candida species different than C. albicans. The purpose of this study was to identify the Candida species producing pseudomembranous candidiasis in patients suffering from AIDS, their relationship with CD4⁺ counts and their sensitivity to fluconazole and itraconazole. We studied 71 patients at a hospital in the city of Cali. Samples of white plaque were seeded on CHROMagar Candida, yeast identification was done with API 20C Aux, and susceptibility testing was determined by E test. Ninety-three yeast isolates were obtained, 52 single and 41 mixed. C. albicans was the most isolated, followed by C. glabrata. An increased frequency of isolates and variety of Candida species occurred in patients with a CD4⁺ cell count ≤100 cells/mm³ without significant differences (p = 0.29). The susceptibility study showed that 8 (8.6 %) isolates were resistant to fluconazole and 11 (11.8 %) to itraconazole, while 6 (8.8 %) C. albicans were simultaneously resistant. No association was found between the isolates of C. albicans or Candida species different than C. albicans and the use of fluconazole (p = 0.21). The results of this study indicate that in the tested population, fluconazole continues to be the best treatment option for oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients suffering from AIDS (HIV/AIDS); however, susceptibility tests are necessary in patients who present therapeutic failure.     

Wavelength dependence of biological damage induced by UV radiation on bacteria

The biological effects of UV radiation of different wavelengths (UVA, UVB and UVC) were assessed in nine bacterial isolates displaying different UV sensitivities. Biological effects (survival and activity) and molecular markers of oxidative stress [DNA strand breakage (DSB), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damage to proteins and lipids, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase] were quantified and statistically analyzed in order to identify the major determinants of cell inactivation under the different spectral regions. Survival and activity followed a clear wavelength dependence, being highest under UVA and lowest under UVC. The generation of ROS, as well as protein and lipid oxidation, followed the same pattern. DNA damage (DSB) showed the inverse trend. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that survival under UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths was best explained by DSB, oxidative damage to lipids, and intracellular ROS levels, respectively.     

Mother–calf interactions and social behavior development in Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii)

Mother–calf interactions and the behaviors of mothers during separation from their calves were examined in four Commerson’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) mother–calf pairs. Four infants were observed: 56.8 h over 30 days from birth to 263 days of age, 36.9 h over 20 days from birth to 149 days of age, 10.4 h over 3 days from birth to 2 days of age, and 15.0 h over 3 days from birth to 2 days of age. All four pairs shared common characteristics in the rate and frequencies of mother–calf interactions and the behaviors of mothers during the first week of life. After the first week, individual differences in changes in the frequency of each behavior were observed. The three behaviors considered representative of maternal care (parallel swimming, synchronous breathing, and body-to-body contact) were frequently performed in the first week; thereafter, the frequencies declined. Separate behaviors of mothers were infrequent during the first week and increased with an increase in infants’ age. Bumping by infants increased with time, suggesting an increase in soliciting by calves and conflict between mothers and calves. The frequency of flipper-to-body rubbing also changed but in a complex manner, probably because the calves needed to learn how to perform this behavior from their mothers and because initiator and recipient of this behavior can be changed quickly.     

Functional tooth units and nutritional status of older people in care homes in Indonesia

Gerodontology 2012; doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00673.x Functional tooth units and nutritional status of older people in care homes in Indonesia Objectives: To investigate the relationship between functional tooth units (FTUs) and nutritional status. Methods: One hundred females (mean age: 72.4 ± 8.2 years) at four private care homes in Jakarta, Indonesia were interviewed and clinically examined. The oral examination included the assessment of teeth, prosthetic status, and number of FTUs. The total number of FTUs was further divided by tooth composition: natural tooth against natural tooth (NN‐FTUs), natural tooth against denture (ND‐FTUs), and denture against denture (DD‐FTUs). Nutritional status was evaluated using the body mass index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Results: The mean numbers of teeth present, NN‐FTUs, ND‐FTUs, DD‐FTUs, and total FTUs were 13.1 ± 10.4, 1.7 ± 3.0, 1.2 ± 3.3, 0.4 ± 1.2 and 3.3 ± 4.4, respectively. The mean BMI and MNA scores were 24.8 ± 5.0 and 22.6 ± 2.8, respectively. Subjects with a normal BMI had a significantly higher total number of FTUs (3.6 ± 4.6) compared with underweight subjects (0.1 ± 0.3). Subjects with a normal MNA had a significantly higher number of NN‐FTU (2.6 ± 3.7) compared to those who were at risk or in a state of under‐nutrition (1.2 ± 2.4). Conclusion: This study revealed significant relationships between the number of FTUs and nutritional status. Keeping the posterior occlusion should be emphasized in order to maintain good nutritional status in older subjects.     

Combination treatment of elevated UVB radiation,CO2 and temperature has little effect on silver birch (Betula pendula) growth and phytochemistry

Elevations of carbon dioxide, temperature and ultraviolet‐B (UBV) radiation in the growth environment may have a high impact on the accumulation of carbon in plants, and the different factors may work in opposite directions or induce additive effects. To detect the changes in the growth and phytochemistry of silver birch (Betula pendula) seedlings, six genotypes were exposed to combinations of ambient or elevated levels of CO₂, temperature and UVB radiation in top‐closed chambers for 7 weeks. The genotypes were relatively similar in their responses, and no significant interactive effects of three‐level climate factors on the measured parameters were observed. Elevated UVB had no effect on growth, nor did it alter plant responses to CO₂ and/or temperature in combined treatments. Growth in all plant parts increased under elevated CO₂, and height and stem biomass increased under elevated temperature. Increased carbon distribution to biomass did not reduce its allocation to phytochemicals: condensed tannins, most flavonols and phenolic acids accumulated under elevated CO₂ and elevated UVB, but this effect disappeared under elevated temperature. Leaf nitrogen content decreased under elevated CO₂. We conclude that, as a result of high genetic variability in phytochemicals, B. pendula seedlings have potential to adapt to the tested environmental changes. The induction in protective flavonoids under UVB radiation together with the positive impact of elevated CO₂ and temperature mitigates possible UVB stress effects, and thus atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature are the climate change factors that will dictate the establishment and success of birch at higher altitudes in the future.     

Growth characteristics of Protoheliolites norvegicus (Tabulata; Upper Ordovician; Estonia)

Protoheliolites is an early heliolitine coral characterized by closely spaced corallites separated in places by sparse coenenchyme. Growth characteristics in the type species, P. norvegicus, are revealed by detailed analysis based on serial peels and thin sections of coralla from the uppermost Katian of north‐western Estonia. Colonies of this species had a strong ability to recover from damage and partial mortality, resulting in various forms of rejuvenation, regeneration, fusion and reorganization of corallites; in some cases, this involved relatively large areas of undifferentiated soft parts. The shells of commensal cornulitids became enclosed in host coralla during colony growth. Coralla of P. norvegicus exhibit distinctive growth cycles due to responses to seasonal changes. The production of new corallites by coenenchymal increase usually occurred in low‐density bands, in which corallites generally display round to subrounded transverse outlines. In high‐density bands, the corallites became crenulated, their wall thickness increased, septal development was more pronounced, and the amount of coenenchyme increased. In addition to these cyclomorphic changes, there were significant astogenetic changes during growth. Compared with the early stage of colony development, distinctive characteristics in the late astogenetic stage include a decrease in the growth rate of the colony, better coordination among corallites, maximum development of corallite crenulations and septa in high‐density bands, more numerous coenenchymal tubules and a greater proportion of corallum area occupied by coenenchyme. In general, the role of polyps in determining morphological characteristics of individual corallites, such as tabularium area, corallite crenulations and wall thickness, was subordinate to the astogeny of the colony. Growth characteristics including colony‐wide coordination of polyp behaviour and subjugation of individuals to restore the colony following damage suggest a strong astogenetic control and high level of colony integration. Protoheliolites probably arose from a heliolitine genus rather than from a nonheliolitine group as some authors have proposed.     

Interactive effects of excessive potassium and Mg deficiency on safflower

In the present work, separate and combined effects of excessive potassium and magnesium deficiency on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) were studied. Four treatments were considered: C (control treatment: complete medium containing 1.5 mM Mg), +KCl (excessive potassium treatment: complete medium added with 60 mM KCl), ?Mg (Mg-deficient treatment: containing 0.1 mM Mg), and DS (double stress treatment: Mg-deficient medium (0.1 mM Mg) added with 60 mM KCl. Excessive potassium effect on plant growth was more pronounced than that of Mg deficiency. The two stresses impaired differently plant organs; KCl application affected more roots than shoots, whereas Mg deficiency reduced only leaf biomass. Gas exchange and pigment concentrations and patterns were severely impaired by KCl and mainly by interactive effects of the two stresses. This led to obvious lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage. Mg deficiency did not induce lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, but as applied with excessive potassium, it doubled the effect of the latter. Mineral analyses showed that major cation nutrition was disturbed by KCl and combined stresses and at a lower level by magnesium deficiency. Plants did not show an enhanced selectivity of Mg and Ca over K but they improved their use efficiencies.     

Pectoral girdle and forelimb variation in extant Crocodylia: the coracoid–humerus pair as an evolutionary module

To date, all statements about evolutionary morphological transformation in Crocodylia have essentially been based on qualitative observations. In the present study, we assessed the morphological variation and covariation (integration) between the scapula, coracoid, humerus, radius, and ulna of 15 species of Crocodylidae, Alligatoridae, and Gavialis + Tomistoma using three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics. The results obtained reveal that the variation of elements within species (intraspecific) is large. However, despite this variability, variation across species (interspecific) is mainly concentrated in two dimensions where the disparity is constrained: ‘robusticity’ and ‘twist’ (forelimbs) and ‘robusticity’ and ‘flexion’ (pectoral girdle). Robusticity (first dimension of variation) embodies a set of correlated geometrical features such as the broadening of the girdle heads and blades, or the enlargement of proximal and distal bone ends. The twist is related to the proximal and/or distal epiphyses in the forelimb elements, and flexion of the scapula and coracoid blades comprises the second dimension of variation. In all crocodylians, forelimb integration is characterized by the strong correlations of a humerus–ulna–radius triad and by a radius–ulna pair, thus forming a tight forelimb module. Unexpectedly, we found that the humerus and coracoid form the most integrated pair, whereas the scapula is a more variable and relatively independent element. The integration pattern of the humerus–coracoid pair distinguishes a relatively robust configuration in alligatorids from that of the remainder groups. The patterns of variation and integration shared by all the analyzed species have been interpreted as an inherited factor, suggesting that developmental and functional requirements would have interacted in the acquisition of a semi‐aquatic and versatile locomotion at the Crocodylia node at least 65 Mya. Our findings highlight the need to incorporate the humerus–coracoid pair in biodynamic and biomechanical studies. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London     

Malaria entomological risk factors in relation to land cover in the Lower Caura River Basin,Venezuela

To explore the effects of deforestation and resulting differences in vegetation and land cover on entomological parameters, such as anopheline species composition, abundance, biting rate, parity and entomological inoculation rate (EIR), three villages were selected in the Lower Caura River Basin, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. All-night mosquito collections were conducted between March 2008-January 2009 using CDC light traps and Mosquito Magnet^(r) Liberty Plus. Human landing catches were performed between 06:00 pm-10:00 pm, when anophelines were most active. Four types of vegetation were identified. The Annual Parasite Index was not correlated with the type of vegetation. The least abundantly forested village had the highest anopheline abundance, biting rate and species diversity. Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles nuneztovari were the most abundant species and were collected in all three villages. Both species showed unique biting cycles. The more abundantly forested village of El Palmar reported the highest EIR. The results confirmed previous observations that the impacts of deforestation and resulting changes in vegetation cover on malaria transmission are complex and vary locally.