Occurrence of killer Candida glabrata clinical isolates

"In this work we characterized the occurrence of killer activity in 64 Candida glabrata clinical isolates under different conditions. We found that only 6.25 % of the clinical isolates tested were positive for killer activity against a Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303 sensitive strain. Sensitivity of killer activity to different values of pH and temperatures was analyzed. We found that the killer activity presented by all isolates was resistant to every pH and temperature tested, although optimal activity was found at a range of pH values from 4 to 7 and at 37ºC. We did not observe extrachromosomal genetic elements associated with killer activity in any of the positive C. glabrata isolates. The killer effect was due to a decrease in viability and DNA fragmentation in sensitive yeast.

Antineoplastic effect of iodine in mammary cancer: participation of 6-iodolactone (6-IL) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Studies in mammary cancer demonstrated that moderately high concentrations of molecular iodine (I₂) have a antiproliferative and apoptotic effect either <it>in vivo </it>as <it>in vitro</it>, however the cellular intermediated involved in these effects has not been elucidated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Virgin Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with methyl-nitrosourea (MNU: single dose ip, 50 mg/Kg bw) and the participation of arachidonic acid (AA) and PPAR receptors in the antineoplasic effect of I₂where analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>I₂-treated rats for four weeks exhibited a significant reduction in the incidence (62.5 vs. 100%) and size (0.87 ± 0.98 vs 1.96 ± 1.5 cm³) of mammary tumors. HPLC analysis showed that tumoral but not normal mammary tissue contained an elevated basal concentration of AA and significantly more AA-iodinated called 6-iodolactone (6-IL) after chronic I₂treatment. Tumors from I₂-treated rats showed fewer cells positive to proliferating cell nuclear antigen, lower blood vessel density, as well as decreases in vascular endothelial growth factor, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and PPAR type alpha (PPARα). These same tumors showed increases in the cell death markers, TUNEL-positive cells (p < 0.05) and the enzyme caspase-3 (trend), as well as significant induction of PPAR type gamma (PPARγ).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Together, these data demonstrate that the antineoplasic effect of iodine involves 6-IL formation and PPARγ induction.</p

Estudio etnobotánico y evaluación citotóxica de extractos etanólicos de plantas de uso medicinal en Tlalchi, Ixhuacán de los Reyes, Veracruz, México

Las plantas medicinales son especies vegetales que contienen sustancias empleadas con propósitos terapéuticos y pueden servir de precursores para la síntesis de nuevos fármacos. En el presente trabajo se realizó un estudio etnobotánico y toxicológico de plantas de uso medicinal de Tlalchi, Ixhuacán de los Reyes en el estado de Veracruz, México. Se registraron 22 especies distribuidas en 17 familias, destacando Asteraceae con el mayor número de frecuencia. Las especies seleccionadas fueron Solanum nigrum, Bidens pilosa, Tithonia diversifolia, Commelina diffusa, Justicia pectoralis, y Aldama dentata. Se realizó un análisis fitoquímico preliminar de las mismas, donde se obtuvo la presencia de alcaloides, flavonoides, triterpenos y saponinas. Solanum nigrum tuvo mayor toxicidad de 51.72 µg/mL. Esta última especie tuvo toxicidad en la línea celular HeLa, obteniendo una reducción del 50% de viabilidad celular a partir de las 24 h. S. nigrum podría ser un potencial agente anti-proliferativo en este tipo de células

Association between the serum concentration of triiodothyronine with components of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, and diet in euthyroid post-menopausal women without and with metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE: To determine the association between the serum concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), cardiovascular risk (CVR), and diet in euthyroid post-menopausal women without and with MetS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 120 voluntary women of an indigenous population from Tlaxcala-México. Euthyroid status was assessed measuring the serum concentration of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormones, while that of estradiol was measured to confirm the postmenopausal condition. MetS was diagnosed using the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement (AHA/NHLBI) criterion. Estimation of CVR was calculated based on the Framingham scale. Diet components were evaluated based on survey applications. Correlations, logistic regression analyses, ANOVA or Kruskall-Wallis, and chi-square tests were used to determine significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between women without MetS and women with MetS having different serum concentrations of T3. RESULTS: Triiodothyronine was positively correlated with insulin but negatively correlated with glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and CVR. Compared to women without MetS, women with MetS and low-normal T3 concentration showed a high risk for hyperglycemia and moderate/high risk for CVR. In contrast, a high-normal T3 concentration increased the risk to have a big waist circumference, a high concentration of HDL-C, and insulin resistance. Diet analysis showed a high grade of malnutrition in women from all groups. The intake of calories was positively affected by the T3 concentration, albeit it did not affect the extent of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to concentrations of TSH, total thyroxin (T4), and free T4, the concentration of serum T3 was strongly correlated with cardio-metabolic variables in euthyroid postmenopausal women. In comparison to women without MetS, a high-normal serum concentration of T3 in women with MetS is positively associated with reduced glycaemia and CVR but negatively related to body mass index (BMI), insulin, insulin resistance, and HDL-C. Although the analyzed population had a nutritional deficiency, both calories and iron intake were positively affected by the T3 concentration. Our results suggest the necessity of health programs monitoring T3 in old people in order to treat hyperglycemia, cardio-metabolic components, and the ageing anorexia

Effect of COVID-19 confinement on mental state and lifestyles in children and adolescents: a systematic review

The confinement due to COVID-19 has a psychosocial impact on the population, currently there is not enough evidence on its effects on lifestyles and mental health in children and adolescents. The objective is to know the scientific evidence accumulated between March 2020 and May 2022 on the effects of confinement on mental health and lifestyles in children and adolescents. A systematic analysis was carried out in specialized databases and the keywords were "healthy lifestyles"; "Kids"; "teenagers"; "stress"; "depression"; "anxiety"; sedentary lifestyle; “SARS-Cov-2” or “COVID-19” and “confinement”. The results yielded 3843 articles, 13 met the inclusion criteria. The results show that confinement alters mental health and promotes overweight and obesity, although online intervention studies positively promote the mental and physical health of children and adolescents in confinement. In conclusion, confinement negatively affected mental and physical health, the application of intervention studies that promote physical and mental activity will help to reduce the effects of COVID-19 confinement in children and adolescents

Excess Iodine Consumption Induces Oxidative Stress and Pancreatic Damage Independently of Chemical Form in Male Wistar Rats: Participation of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-β

Background: Human beings consume different chemical forms of iodine in their diet. These are transported by different mechanisms in the cell. The forms of iodine can be part of thyroid hormones, bind to lipids, be an antioxidant, or be an oxidant, depending on their chemical form. The excessive consumption of iodine has been associated with pancreatic damage and diabetes mellitus type 2, but the association between disease and the chemical form consumed in the diet is unknown. This research analyzes the effect of excessive iodine consumption as Lugol (molecular iodine/potassium iodide solution) and iodate on parameters of pancreatic function, thyroid and lipid profiles, antioxidant and oxidant status, the expression of IR/Akt/P-Akt/GLUT4, and transcription factors PPAR-γ and CEBP-β. Methods: Three groups of Wistar rats were treated with 300 μg/L of iodine in drinking water: (1) control, (2) KIO3, and (3) Lugol. Results: Lugol and KIO3 consumption increased total iodine levels. Only KIO3 increased TSH levels. Both induced high serum glucose levels and increased oxidative stress and pancreatic alpha-amylase activity. Insulin levels and antioxidant status decreased significantly. PPAR-γ and C/EBP-β mRNA expression increased. Conclusion: The pancreatic damage, hypertriglyceridemia, and oxidative stress were independent of the chemical form of iodine consumed. These effects depended on PPAR-γ, C/EBP-β, GLUT-4, and IR

Lugol Increases Lipolysis through Upregulation of PPAR-Gamma and Downregulation of C/EBP-Alpha in Mature 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Overweight and obesity are defined as excessive and abnormal fat accumulation that is harmful to health. This study analyzes the effect of different concentrations of the lugol solution (molecular iodine dissolved in potassium iodide) on lipolysis in cultured 3T3-L1-differentiated adipocytes. The mature adipocytes were treated with doses from 1 to 100 µm of lugol for 0.5, 6, and 24 h. The results showed that mature adipocytes exposed to lugol decrease their viability and increase caspase-3 activity with a lethal dose (LD50) of 473 µm. In mature adipocytes, lugol decreased the total intracellular lipid content, being significant at doses of 10 and 100 µm after 6 and 24 h of treatment (P<0.01), and the accumulation of intracellular triglycerides decreased after 24 h of exposure to lugol (P<0.05). Lugol treatment significantly increases the release of glycerol to the culture medium (P<0.05). The levels of adipocyte-specific transcription factors C/EBP-α were downregulated and PPAR-γ upregulated after 30 min with lugol. These results indicate a lipolytic effect of lugol dependent on PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α expression in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes