Ignacio Osuna Ramírez

Genetic Polymorphisms of Interleukin-1 Alpha and the Vitamin D Receptor in Mexican Mestizo Patients with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common diagnosis in patients with back pain, a leading cause of musculoskeletal disability worldwide. Several conditions, such as occupational activities, gender, age, and obesity, have been associated with IDD. However, the development of this disease has strong genetic determinants. In this study, we explore the possible association between rs1800587 (c.-949C>T) of interleukin-1 alpha (IL1A) and rs2228570 (c.2T>V) and rs731236 (c.1056T>C) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and the development of IDD in northwestern Mexican Mestizo population. Gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism, in two groups matched by age and gender: patients with symptomatic lumbar IDD (n = 100) and subjects with normal lumbar-spine MRI-scans (n = 100). Distribution of the mutated alleles in patients and controls was 27.0% versus 28.0% (P = 0.455) for T of rs1800587 (IL1A); 53.0% versus 58.0% (P = 0.183) for V of rs2228570 (VDR); and 18.0% versus 21.0% (P = 0.262) for C of rs731236 (VDR). Our results showed no association between the studied polymorphisms and IDD in this population. This is the first report on the contribution of gene polymorphisms on IDD in a Mexican population.

Fungal spore concentrations in indoor and outdoor air in university libraries, and their variations in response to changes in meteorological variables

The fungal spore concentration (FSC) in the air poses a risk for human health. This work studied the FSC in university libraries and how it is affected by environmental factors. A total of 347 samples were obtained using a Microbio MB2® Aerosol Sampler. The wind speed (WS), cross wind (CW), temperature (T), relative humidity (HR), barometric pressure (BP) and dew point (DP) were recorded using a Kestrel® 4500 weather station. The median indoor/outdoor FSC was 360/1230 CFU m−3. FSC correlated inversely with BP, HR and DP; and positively with WS and CW; whereas T showed negative or positive correlation with FSC, depending on the region or sampling time. Eleven fungal genera were found and the dominant isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus oryzae. All fungi identified are known to be allergenic. It was concluded that environmental variables can influence the air FSC in different ways.

Density-Independent Infection During in vitro Interaction of Mesocyclops edax and Second-Stage Larvae of Gnathostoma turgidum

Abstract. While infection by Gnathostoma turgidum (Stossich) in the definitive host, the Virginian opossum, Didelphis virginiana (Kerr), has been described in wildlife, the complete life cycle of the parasite is unknown. Development of early third-stage larvae of Gnathostoma spp. in vitro-infected cyclopoids has been evaluated previously. However, factors involved in viability of copepods as first-intermediate hosts for G. turgidum and that maintain the life cycle of the parasite in endemic areas of gnathostomosis have not been well studied. In this study, in vitro capability of Mesocyclops edax (Forbes) to ingest second-stage larvae of G. turgidum, and density-dependence relationship with the parasitic load were determined. Average ingestion of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15 densities were 3.5 ± 0.3, 7.5 ± 0.6, and 10.8 ± 1.0, respectively; whereas parasitic loads of each density in M. edax after interaction were 1.7 ± 0.3, 2 ± 0.3, and 1.8 ± 0.3. Parasitic loads of copepods exposed to each density of second-stage larvae were not statistically different. Ingestion capacity by M. edax in vitro for larvae was directly proportional to density of larvae. However, the parasitic load tended to remain constant regardless of density of larvae to which the copepod was exposed. The behavior might be limited by the size of the host or co-evolutionary strategies that favor viability and maintenance of the life cycle of the parasite in wildlife.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Serovars of Leptospira in Dogs, Related Human Seropositive

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com is typically transmitted through direct contact of oral or nasal mucosa, with contaminated urine or water, and dogs are at risk of infection from drinking contaminated water [1,2]. Dogs play an important role as potential indicators of areas with high endemicity for leptospirosis. Thus, recognizing and preventing canine leptospirosis has implications for human health as well as dogs [3]. This disease is caused by a spirochete of pathogenic strains of the genus Leptospira, affecting wild and domestic animals, as well as man. Despite being a treatable disease, human leptospirosis is a significant public health problem.