Expression of human eukaryotic initiation factor 3f oscillates with cell cycle in A549 cells and is essential for cell viability

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transcriptional and postranslational regulation of the cell cycle has been widely studied. However, there is scarce knowledge concerning translational control of this process. Several mammalian eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) seem to be implicated in controlling cell proliferation. In this work, we investigated if the human eIF3f expression and function is cell cycle related.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The human eIF3f expression has been found to be upregulated in growth-stimulated A549 cells and downregulated in G0. Western blot analysis and eIF3f promotor-luciferase fusions revealed that eIF3f expression peaks twice in the cell cycle: in the S and the M phases. Deregulation of eIF3f expression negatively affects cell viability and induces apoptosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The expression pattern of human eIF3f during the cell cycle confirms that this gene is cell division related. The fact that eIF3f expression peaks in two cell cycle phases raises the possibility that this gene may exert a differential function in the S and M phases. Our results strongly suggest that eIF3f is essential for cell proliferation.</p

Experimental Infection and Detection of Necrotizing Hepatopancreatitis Bacterium in the American Lobster Homarus americanus

Necrotizing hepatopancreatitis bacterium (NHPB) is an obligated intracellular bacteria causing severe hepatopancreatic damages and mass mortalities in penaeid shrimp. The worldwide distribution of penaeid shrimp as alien species threatens the life cycle of other crustacean species. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the possibility of experimentally infecting the American lobster (Homarus americanus) with NHPB extracted from shrimp hepatopancreas. Homogenates from infected shrimp were fed by force to lobsters. Other group of lobsters was fed with homogenates of NHPB-free hepatopancreas. After the 15th day from initial inoculation, the presence of NHPB was detected by polymerase chain reaction in feces and hepatopancreas from lobsters inoculated with infected homogenates. Necrotized spots were observed in the surface of lobster hepatopancreas. In contrast, lobsters fed on NHPB-free homogenates resulted negative for NHPB. Evidence suggests the plasticity of NHPB which can infect crustacean from different species and inhabiting diverse latitudes. Considering the results, the American lobster could be a good candidate to maintain available NHPB in vivo

Uso de Biocolina® na alimentação de Ambystoma velasci pré-adultos

El anfibio Ambystoma velasci es una especie endémica de México sujeta a protección especial de acuerdo con la normatividad mexicana. Una de las estrategias de conservación es su mantenimiento en cautiverio siendo la alimentación uno de los aspectos más importantes a considerar. Por lo que, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la adición de Biocolina® en la dieta de adultos Ambystoma velasci como un promotor de crecimiento. Se emplearon cuatro tratamientos de Biocolina® (0%, 1%, 2% y 3%), para evaluar los parámetros productivos y determinar el efecto lineal y cuadrático (P&lt;0.05) de la adición de este suplemento al alimento. Los resultados indicaron un efecto lineal en el peso de los ajolotes tratados con alimento enriquecido con 2% de Biocolina®, así mismo el consumo de alimento se redujo con la dosis del 1% (P&lt;0.05). La Biocolina® mejoró el peso de los ajolotes y optimizó el consumo de alimento en la dosis del 1%, por lo que se considera que este suplemento podría ser una alternativa para mejorar la calidad del alimento del ajolote y reducir los costos de producción por alimentación.The amphibian Ambystoma velasci is an endemic species of Mexico subject to special protection according to Mexican regulations. One of the conservation strategies is its maintenance in captivity, being feeding one of the most important aspects to consider. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of Biocolina® in the diet of adult Ambystoma velasci as a growth promoter. Four Biocolina® treatments (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%) were used to evaluate the productive parameters and to determine the linear and quadratic (P&lt;0.05) effect of the addition of this supplement to the feed. The results indicated a linear effect on the weight of axolotl treated with feed enriched with 2% Biocolina®, and feed consumption was reduced with the 1% dose (P&lt;0.05). Biocolina® improved the weight of the salamanders and optimized feed consumption at the 1% dose, so it is considered that this supplement could be an alternative to improve the quality of axolotl feed and reduce production costs per feeding.O anfibio Ambystoma velasci é uma espécie endêmica do México sujeita a proteção especial de acordo com a regulamentação mexicana. Uma das estratégias de conservação é a sua manutenção em cativeiro, sendo a alimentação um dos aspetos mais importantes a ter em conta. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adição de Biocolina® na dieta de Ambystoma velasci adultos como promotor de crescimento. Quatro tratamentos Biocolina® (0%, 1%, 2% e 3%) foram utilizados para avaliar os parâmetros produtivos e determinar o efeito linear e quadrático (P&lt;0,05) da adição deste suplemento à ração. Os resultados indicaram um efeito linear sobre o peso dos axolotes tratados com ração enriquecida com 2% de Biocolina®, assim como o consumo de ração foi reduzido com a dose de 1% (P&lt;0,05). A Biocolina® melhorou o peso dos axolotes e otimizou o consumo de ração na dose de 1%, pelo que se considera que este suplemento poderá ser uma alternativa para melhorar a qualidade da alimentação dos axolotes e reduzir os custos de produção por ração

Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools. Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following: Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added. Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico. Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed

Effect of metal-ion doping on the optical properties of nanocrystalline ZnO thin films Effect of metal-ion doping on the optical properties of nanocrystalline ZnO thin films

Optical properties of metal ͑Al, Ag, Sb, and Sn͒-ion-implanted ZnO films have been studied by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometric techniques. The effects of metal-ion doping on the optical band gap ͑E g ͒, refractive index ͑n͒, and extinction coefficient ͑k͒ of nanocrystalline ZnO films have been studied for the similar implantation dose of all the metal ions. The ellipsometric spectra of the ion-implanted samples could be well described by considering an air/roughness/ZnO -M ͑layer 1͒/ZnO ͑layer 2͒/glass model. The band gap of ZnO films increases with Al ion doping and decreases with doping of Ag, Sb, and Sn ions. The refractive index of ZnO films in the visible spectral region increases substantially on Sb and Sn ion doping, while it decreases to some extent with Al ion doping