Association of immune responses of Zebu and Holstein-Friesian cattle and resistance to mycobacteria in a BCG challenge model

Mycobacterium bovis is the main cause of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in cattle and can also infect humans. Zebu cattle are considered more resistant to some infectious diseases compared with Holstein‐Friesian (HF) cattle, including BTB. However, epidemiological studies may not take into account usage differences of the two types of cattle. HF cattle may suffer greater metabolic stress due to their more or less exclusive dairy use, whereas Zebu cattle are mainly used for beef production. In experiments conducted so far, the number of animals has been too small to draw statistically robust conclusions on the resistance differences between these cattle breeds. Here, we used a BCG challenge model to compare the ability of naïve and vaccinated Zebu and HF cattle to control/kill mycobacteria. Young cattle of both breeds with similar ages were housed in the same accommodation for the duration of the experiment. After correcting for multiple comparisons, we found no difference between naïve HF and Zebu (ρ = 0.862) cattle. However, there was a trend for vaccinated HF cattle to have lower cfu numbers than non‐vaccinated HF cattle (ρ = 0.057); no such trend was observed between vaccinated and non‐vaccinated Zebu cattle (ρ = 0.560). Evaluation of antigen‐specific IFNγ secretion by PBMC indicated that Zebu and HF cattle differed in their response to mycobacteria. Thus, whilst there may be difference in immune responses, our data indicate that with the number of animals included in the study and under the conditions used in this work, we were unable to measure any differences between Zebu and HF cattle in the overall control of mycobacteria. Whilst determination of different susceptibilities between Zebu and HF cattle using the BCG challenge model will require larger numbers of animals than the number of animals used in this experiment, these data should inform future experiments

Nitric Oxide Not Apoptosis Mediates Differential Killing of Mycobacterium bovis in Bovine Macrophages

To identify the resistance phenotype against Mycobacterium bovis in cattle, we used a bactericidal assay that has been considered a marker of this trait. Three of 24 cows (12.5%) were phenotyped as resistant and 21 as susceptible. Resistance of bovine macrophages (MΦ) to BCG challenge was evaluated for its association with SLC11A1 GT microsatellite polymorphisms within 3′UTR region. Twenty-three cows (95.8%) had a GT(13) genotype, reported as resistant, consequently the SLC11A1polymorphism was not in agreement with our bactericidal assay results. MΦ of cows with resistant or susceptible phenotype were challenged in vitro with virulent M. bovis field strain or BCG, and nitric oxide production, bacterial killing and apoptosis induction were measured in resting and LPS-primed states. M. bovis field strain induced more apoptosis than BCG, although the difference was not significant. Resistant MΦ controlled better the replication of M. bovis (P<0.01), produced more nitric oxide (P<0.05) and were slightly more prone to undergo apoptosis than susceptible cells. LPS pretreatment of MΦ enhanced all the functional parameters analyzed. Inhibition of nitric oxide production with n (G)-monomethyl-L-arginine monoacetate enhanced replication of M. bovis but did not modify apoptosis rates in both resistant and susceptible MΦ. We conclude that nitric oxide production not apoptosis is a major determinant of macrophage resistance to M. bovis infection in cattle and that the influence of SLC11A1 gene 3′UTR polymorphism is not associated with this event

PhDAY 2020 -FOO (Facultad de Óptica y Optometría)

Por cuarto año consecutivo los doctorandos de la Facultad de Óptica y Optometría de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid cuentan con un congreso propio organizado por y para ellos, el 4º PhDAY- FOO. Se trata de un congreso gratuito abierto en la que estos jóvenes científicos podrán presentar sus investigaciones al resto de sus compañeros predoctorales y a toda la comunidad universitaria que quiera disfrutar de este evento. Apunta en tu agenda: el 15 de octubre de 2020. En esta ocasión será un Congreso On-line para evitar que la incertidumbre asociada a la pandemia Covid-19 pudiera condicionar su celebración

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Endonuclease G takes part in AIF-mediated caspase-independent apoptosis in Mycobacterium bovis-infected bovine macrophages

Abstract Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis encodes different virulence mechanisms to survive inside of host cells. One of the possible outcomes in this host–pathogen interaction is cell death. Previous results from our group showed that M. bovis induces a caspase-independent apoptosis in bovine macrophages with the possible participation of apoptosis inducing factor mitochondria associated 1 (AIFM1/AIF), a flavoprotein that functions as a cell-death regulator. However, contribution of other caspase-independent cell death mediators in M. bovis-infected macrophages is not known. In this study, we aimed to further characterize M. bovis-induced apoptosis, addressing Endonuclease G (Endo G) and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1). In order to accomplish our objective, we infected bovine macrophages with M. bovis AN5 (MOI 10:1). Analysis of M. bovis-infected nuclear protein extracts by immunoblot, identified a 15- and 43-fold increase in concentration of mitochondrial proteins AIF and Endo G respectively. Interestingly, pretreatment of M. bovis-infected macrophages with cyclosporine A, a mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor, abolished AIF and Endo G nuclear translocation. In addition, it also decreased macrophage DNA fragmentation to baseline and caused a 26.2% increase in bacterial viability. We also demonstrated that PARP-1 protein expression in macrophages did not change during M. bovis infection. Furthermore, pretreatment of M. bovis-infected bovine macrophages with 3-aminobenzamide, a PARP-1 inhibitor, did not change the proportion of macrophage DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest participation of Endo G, but not PARP-1, in M. bovis-induced macrophage apoptosis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report associating Endo G with caspase-independent apoptosis induced by a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Desarrollo y validación de dos inmunoensayos para la detección de Brucella canis en perros

Canine brucellosis is a cause of reproductive failure and early detection in infected dogs remains a challenge. The aim of the present study was to test two antigens to be used in two different immunoassays for the detection of Brucella canis infection in dogs: one from Brucella canis RM6/66 sonicated crude antigen (CA-iELISA) and the other using the immunodominant protein GroEL (GroEL-iELISA). The cut-off point was determined using sera from infected dogs; subsequently, reproducibility was measured and a coefficient of variation (CV) below 15 % was obtained for negatives and positives with the CA-iELISA, whereas, for the GroEL-iELISA they were higher than 15 %. In the robustness test, there were significant differences for the GroEL-iELISA, but not for the CA-iELISA. The selectivity test showed cross-reactivity with Leptospira interrogans in the CA-iELISA, and with L. interrogans and Salmonella spp. in the GroEL-iELISA. From the sample stability tests, it was demonstrated that samples should be stored at room temperature for no more than 2 hours, at 4 ºC for no more than 24 hours and can be kept at -20 ºC for up to 30 days. Finally, sensitivity and specificity were calculated, resulting in 100 % for both CA-iELISA; sensitivity of 44 % and specificity of 67 % for GroEL-iELISA. In conclusion, the CA-iELSA proved to be better at detecting Brucella canis than the GroEL-iELISALa brucelosis canina es causa de falla reproductiva y la detección temprana en los perros infectados sigue siendo un desafío. El objetivo del presente estudio fue probar dos antígenos para ser utilizados en dos diferentes inmunoensayos, para la detección de infección por Brucella canis en perros: uno a partir de antígeno crudo sonicado de Brucella canis RM6/66 (CA-iELISA) y otro utilizando la proteína inmunodominante GroEL (GroEL-iELISA). Se determinó el punto de corte usando sueros de perros infectados; posteriormente, se midió la reproducibilidad y se obtuvo un coeficiente de variación (CV) debajo de 15 % para negativos y positivos con el CA-iELISA, mientras que, para el GroEL-iELISA fueron superiores a 15 %. En la prueba de robustez, hubo diferencias significativas para el GroEL-iELISA, más no para el CA-iELISA. La prueba de selectividad mostró reacción cruzada con Leptospira interrogans en el CA-iELISA, y con L. interrogans y Salmonella spp. en el GroEL-iELISA. A partir de las pruebas de la estabilidad de la muestra se demostró que éstas deben almacenarse a temperatura ambiente no más de 2 horas, a 4 ºC no más de 24 horas y pueden mantenerse a -20 ºC hasta 30 días. Finalmente, se calcularon la sensibilidad y especificidad, resultando 100 % ambas para el CA-iELISA; una sensibilidad de 44 % y especificidad de 67 % para el GroEL-iELISA. En conclusión, el CA-iELSA demostró ser mejor en detectar a Brucella canis que el GroEL-iELISA

Genetically Related Mycobacterium bovis Strains Displayed Differential Intracellular Growth in Bovine Macrophages

Molecular typing of bacterial isolates provides a powerful approach for distinguishing Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) genotypes. It is known that M. bovis strain virulence plays a role in prevalence and spread of the disease, suggesting that strain virulence and prevailing genotypes are associated. However, it is not well understood whether strain virulence correlates with particular genotypes. In this study, we assessed the in vitro intracellular growth of 18 M. bovis isolates in bovine macrophages as an indicator of bacterial virulence and sought a relationship with the genotype identified by spoligotyping. We found 14 different spoligotypes&mdash;11 were already known and three spoligotypes had never been reported before. We identified 2 clusters that were phylogenetically related, containing 10 and 6 strains, respectively, and 2 orphan strains. Intracellular growth and phagocytic rates of 18 M. bovis strains were heterogeneous. Our results suggest that M. bovis intracellular growth and phagocytosis are independent of the bacterial lineage identified by spoligotyping

MOESM1 of Endonuclease G takes part in AIF-mediated caspase-independent apoptosis in Mycobacterium bovis-infected bovine macrophages

Additional file 1. CsA does not affect Mycobacterium bovis growth in vitro. We incubated 1 × 105 mycobacteria in RPMI during 24 h with or without CsA, bacterial growth was calculated by plating serial dilutions and CFU counting

Polyhydroxyester Films Obtained by Non-Catalyzed Melt-Polycondensation of Natural Occurring Fatty Polyhydroxyacids

Free-standing polyesters films from mono and polyhydroxylated fatty acids (C16 and C18) have been obtained by non-catalyzed melt-condensation polymerization in air at 150°C. Chemical characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 13C Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C MAS–NMR) has confirmed the formation of the corresponding esters and the occurrence of hydroxyl partial oxidation, which extent depends on the type of hydroxylation of the monomer (primary or secondary). Generally, polyester films obtained are hydrophobic, insoluble in common solvents, amorphous and infusible as revealed by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. In ω-polyhydroxy acids, esterification reaction with primary hydroxyls is preferential and, therefore, the structure can be defined as linear with variable branching depending on the amount of esterified secondary hydroxyls. The occurrence side oxidative reactions like the diol cleavage are responsible for chain cross-linking. Films are thermally stable up to 200–250°C though this limit can be extended up to 300°C in the absence of ester bonds involving secondary hydroxyls. By analogy with natural occurring fatty polyesters (i.e., cutin in higher plants), these polymers are proposed as biodegradable and non-toxic barrier films or coatings to be used, for instance, in food packing.España Mineco CTQ2011-24299Junta de Andalucía-FEDER TEP-7418. JH-