Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis in humans and is responsible for 100,000 deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of death due to a protozoan parasite. Pathogenesis appears to result from the potent cytotoxic activity of the parasite, which kills host cells within minutes. Although the mechanism is unknown, it is well established to be contact-dependent. The life cycle of the parasite alternates with two forms: the resistant cyst and the invasive trophozoite. The adhesive interactions between the parasite and surface glycoconjugates of host cells, as well as those lining the epithelia, are determinants for invasion of human tissues, for its cytotoxic activity, and finally for the outcome of the disease. In this review we present an overview of the information available on the amebic lectins and adhesins that are responsible of those adhesive interactions and we also refer to their effect on the host immune response. Finally, we present some concluding remarks and perspectives in the field.

No abstract

The incidence of yeast infections has increased significantly over the past few years, constituting a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalised patients. The rapid identification of candidiasis is important for the clinical management of patients and to facilitate tracing the sources of infections in hospitalized patients. Here, we report a retrospective, single-centre study of Candida spp. distribution and antifungal susceptibility from January 2011 to May 2013 at a hospital in México City, regarding the importance of elucidating the identity of the infection-causing Candida species in order to improve prophylactic measures and treatment. Clinical data were collected from patient medical records and the laboratory database. Isolates were initially identified using standard mycology techniques, and then confirmed by PCR-based system using amplification of intergenic spacers (rDNA ITS) and restriction length polymorphism of PCR products after sequence-specific enzymatic cleavage (PCR-RFLP). We observed no shift from C. albicans to nonalbicans Candida species: Candida albicans (73.7%) was the most prevalent species isolated, while C. dubliniensis was not identified in this study. Antifungal susceptibility was determined using FUNGITEST ® ; 17.4% of C. albicans isolates were resistant to fluconazole and 21.7% to itraconazole. Multiplex PCR microsatellite analysis of the clinical C. albicans isolates using primers for the CAI, CAIII and CAVI loci identified 29 different alleles for CAI, 8 alleles for CAIII and 31 for CAVI. The combined discriminatory power of these three microsatellites was 0.98, which was considered reliable for molecular typing. Genetic analysis of these isolates revealed a clonal population with a total of 62 genotypes from the examined isolates.

No abstract

Candidiasis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection in HIV patients, and its presence is ascribed mainly to the persistence of the original infecting strain. The latter might acquire genetic variations during interaction with the host, reflecting the adaptation of the strain. Here, we report the case of a 32-year-old man complaining of asthenia, irregular hyperpyrexia, and dry cough, who was admitted to the emergency unit. Laboratory examination showed positivity for HIV. Dark violet macular lesions and ulcerated lesions with verrucous erosion were observed at the tip of the nose, whereas an ulcer without exudates was noted in the pubic region. Candida albicans was recovered from the skin by scraping these lesions. Cultures from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were negative for bacteria and opportunistic fungi but were positive for Candida albicans. The isolates from the skin and BAL were typed by PCR-RFLP and Candida albicans was identified. Analysis by microsatellite length polymorphisms, established that the pubic isolate was a genetic variant of the isolate from the nose and mouth. This suggested a microevolutionary event. Despite clinical support, the patient died of multiple organ failure.

La habilitación de fórmulas que contribuyan a reducir cuantitativamente y mitigar cualitativamente la virulencia de los conflictos de carácter territorial, en particular en la España autonómica, es un reto continuo que se ha afrontado desde distintas perspectivas. La ahora desarrollada se centrará en explorar las posibilidades que pueden derivarse de las estrategias compartidas por actuaciones de mediación, arbitraje o conciliación.El trabajo rastrea, desde una referencia al constitucionalismo global, la esencia y peculiaridad de los conflictos territoriales, la peculiaridad de los conflictos territoriales y las posibilidades a explorar para su solución con carácter previo a la judicialización de los mismos.Una mención especial se referenciará a las experiencias de apertura directa a los ciudadanos de canales de participación integrados en los mecanismos negociadores y decisorios.

No abstract

The scale and ambition of nationwide interconnected greenways and trails merits their recognition as a distinctive stage of third generation (G3) greenways, referred to here as G3+.• Lessons learned from the experience of developing nationwide greenways, such as the Trans CanadaTrail and the Sendero de Chile, have received limited scholarly attention to date. • A model of a virtuous cycle brings attention to the reliance of large-scale greenways development on the positive feedback between political and public support for the network connectivity.A new generation of greenways has emerged in recent years, the most ambitious of which are nationwide, interconnected networks of multi-use, multi-purpose greenways and trails, clustered under a single national vision. However, because these initiatives have been the focus of so few research studies, opportunities to glean lessons from their planning and implementation have been limited. This paper contributes to addressing this knowledge gap by presenting a comparative account of two networks, the Trans Canada Trail in Canada and Sendero de Chile in Chile. Using document analysis and interviews with officials closely involved in their development, the evolution of both networks is documented over time, emphasizing similarities and differences related to their planning and implementation. Both initiatives have faced significant challenges in reaching their connection goals and have availed themselves of a diverse range of opportunities and strategies to advance their agendas. A simple model of a virtuous cycle is proposed to highlight the positive feedback-between political and public support, sustained funding, partnership development, accessibility for urban residents, and connectivity of the network-generated by sustained network expansion over time. It is hoped that the insights offered from this analysis may offer guidance to inform the development of similar scale projects elsewhere.