Lysozyme plays a dual role against the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

In order to determine the role of lysozyme, an antimicrobial peptide belonging to the innate immune system, against the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, co-cultures of the MH-S murine alveolar macrophages cell line with P. brasiliensis conidia were done; assays to evaluate the effect of physiological and inflammatory concentrations of lysozyme directly on the fungus life cycle were also undertaken. We observed that TNF-&#945;-activated macrophages significantly inhibited the conidia to yeast transition (p = 0.0043) and exerted an important fungicidal effect (p = 0.0044), killing 27% more fungal propagules in comparison with controls. Nonetheless, after adding a selective inhibitor of lysozyme, the fungicidal effect was reverted. When P. brasiliensis propagules were exposed directly to different concentrations of lysozyme, a dual effect was observed. Physiologic concentrations of the enzyme facilitated the conidia-to-yeast transition process (p < 0.05). On the contrary, inflammatory concentrations impaired the normal temperature-dependant fungal transition (p < 0.0001). When yeast cells were exposed to lysozyme, irrespective of concentration, the multiple-budding ability was badly impaired (p < 0.0001). In addition, ultra-structural changes such as subcellular degradation, fusion of lipid vacuoles, lamellar structures and interruption of the fibrilar layer were observed in lysozyme exposed conidia. These results suggest that lysozyme appears to exert a dual role as part of the anti-P. brasiliensis defense mechanisms.Com a finalidade de determinar o papel da lisozima, um peptídeo antimicrobiano que pertence ao sistema imune inato, contra o fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, foram feitas co-culturas de uma linha de macrófagos alveolares murinos (MH-S) com as conídias do fungo na presença ou não do TNF-&#945; e/ou um inibidor da lisozima; também foram feitos ensaios que avaliaram o efeito das concentrações fisiológicas e inflamatórias de lisozima diretamente sobre o ciclo de vida do fungo. Observamos que os macrófagos ativados com a citoquina tiveram um efeito significativo na inibição da transição conídia/levedura (p = 0,0043) e exerceram um efeito fungicida importante (p = 0,0044), matando mais de 27% das propágulas do fungo em comparação com os macrófagos não ativados. No entanto, após ser o inibidor seletivo da lisozima adicionado, o efeito fungicida foi revertido. Quando os propágulos do fungo foram expostos diretamente a diferentes concentrações da lisozima, um duplo efeito foi observado. Assim, as concentrações fisiológicas da enzima facilitaram o processo de transição conídia-levedura (p < 0,05). Contrariamente, as concentrações inflamatórias prejudicaram a transição fúngica (p < 0,0001). Quando as leveduras foram expostas a qualquer concentração de lisozima, sua capacidade de multi-brotação foi gravemente prejudicada (p < 0,0001). Além disso, mudanças ultra-estruturais, como a sub degradação, a fusão dos vacúolos dos lípidos, estruturas lamelares e interrupção da camada fibrilar foram observadas em conídios expostos à lisozima. Estes resultados sugerem que a lisozima poderia exercer um duplo papel no mecanismo antifúngico contra P. brasiliensis

GAPS-megacities: A new global platform for investigating persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in urban air

A pilot study was initiated in 2018 under the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network named GAPS-Megacities. This study included 20 megacities/major cities across the globe with the goal of better understanding and comparing ambient air levels of persistent organic pollutants and other chemicals of emerging concern, to which humans residing in large cities are exposed. The first results from the initial period of sampling are reported for 19 cities for several classes of flame retardants (FRs) including organophosphate esters (OPEs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) including new flame retardants (NFRs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD). The two cities, New York (USA) and London (UK) stood out with ∼3.5 to 30 times higher total FR concentrations as compared to other major cities, with total concentrations of OPEs of 15,100 and 14,100 pg/m3, respectively. Atmospheric concentrations of OPEs significantly dominated the FR profile at all sites, with total concentrations in air that were 2-5 orders of magnitude higher compared to other targeted chemical classes. A moderately strong and significant correlation (r = 0.625, p < 0.001) was observed for Gross Domestic Product index of the cities with total OPEs levels. Although large differences in FR levels were observed between some cities, when averaged across the five United Nations regions, the FR classes were more evenly distributed and varied by less than a factor of five. Results for Toronto, which is a "reference city" for this study, agreed well with a more in-depth investigation of the level of FRs over different seasons and across eight sites representing different urban source sectors (e.g. traffic, industrial, residential and background). Future sampling periods under this project will investigate trace metals and other contaminant classes, linkages to toxicology, non-targeted analysis, and eventually temporal trends. The study provides a unique urban platform for evaluating global exposome.Fil: Saini, Amandeep. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Harner, Tom. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Chinnadhurai, Sita. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Schuster, Jasmin K.. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Yates, Alan. Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Sweetman, Andrew. Lancaster Environment Centre; Reino UnidoFil: Aristizabal Zuluaga, Beatriz H.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Jiménez, Begoña. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Manzano, Carlos A.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Gaga, Eftade O.. Eskisehir Technical University; TurquíaFil: Stevenson, Gavin. National Measurement Institute; AustraliaFil: Falandysz, Jerzy. Uniwersytet Gdanski; PoloniaFil: Ma, Jianmin. Peking University; ChinaFil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Kannan, Kurunthachalam. Nyu Grossman School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Tominaga, Maria. Sao Paulo State Environmental Company; BrasilFil: Jariyasopit, Narumol. No especifíca;Fil: Rojas, Nestor Y.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Amador-Muñoz, Omar. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Sinha, Ravindra. Patna University; IndiaFil: Alani, Rose. University of Lagos; NigeriaFil: Suresh, R.. No especifíca;Fil: Nishino, Takahiro. Tokyo Metropolitan Research Institute for Environmental Protection; JapónFil: Shoeib, Tamer. American University In Cairo; Egipt

Global intercomparison of polyurethane foam passive air samplers evaluating sources of variability in SVOC measurements

Polyurethane foam passive air samplers (PUF-PAS) are the most common type of passive air sampler used for a range of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including regulated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and emerging contaminants (e.g., novel flame retardants, phthalates, current-use pesticides). Data from PUF-PAS are key indicators of effectiveness of global regulatory actions on SVOCs, such as the Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. While most PUF-PAS use similar double-dome metal shielding, there is no standardized dome size, shape, or deployment configuration, with many different PUF-PAS designs used in regional and global monitoring. Yet, no information is available on the comparability of data from studies using different PUF-PAS designs. We brought together 12 types of PUF-PAS used by different research groups around the world and deployed them in a multi-part intercomparison to evaluate the vari-ability in reported concentrations introduced by different elements of PAS monitoring. PUF-PAS were deployed for 3 months in outdoor air in Kjeller, Norway in 2015-2016 in three phases to capture (1) the influence of sampler design on data comparability, (2) the influence of analytical variability when samplers are analyzed at different laboratories, and (3) the overall variability in global monitoring data introduced by differences in sampler configurations and analytical methods. Results indicate that while differences in sampler design (in particular, the spacing between the upper and lower sampler bowls) account for up to 50 % differences in masses collected by samplers, the variability introduced by analysis in different laboratories far exceeds this amount, resulting in differences spanning orders of magnitude for POPs and PAHs. The high level of variability due to analysis in different laboratories indicates that current SVOC air sampling data (i.e., not just for PUF-PAS but likely also for active air sampling) are not directly comparable between laboratories/monitoring programs. To support on-going efforts to mobilize more SVOC data to contribute to effectiveness evaluation, intercalibration exercises to account for uncertainties in air sampling, repeated at regular intervals, must be established to ensure analytical comparability and avoid biases in global-scale assessments of SVOCs in air caused by differences in laboratory performance

Environmental variation of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in two tropical Andean Colombian cities using passive samplers

10 páginasPassive air-sampling data of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) taken in Manizales (a medium-sized city) and Bogotá (a megacity), Colombia, were analyzed in order to identify potential sources of pollution and the possible influence of meteorological variables like temperature and precipitation. The results indicate important differences in levels of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs between Bogotá and Manizales, attributed to differences in site characteristics and potential local/regional sources. Higher PCDD/Fs concentrations were observed in Bogotá (373 fg/m3) compared to those observed in Manizales, with mean levels ranging from 64 fg/m3 in a residential zone to 151 fg/m3 around a vehicular-influenced area. Higher dl-PCBs concentrations were observed in the industrial area of Manizales compared to those observed in Bogotá, with mean levels of 6668 fg/m3 and 4388 fg/m3 respectively

Expresion of th1-th2 cytokines and their relation with the inducide nitricoxide synthaer (nos) in the lungs of balb

IP 2213-04-153-97Incluye anexos.en la paracoccidioidomicosis pulmonar experimental: Ensayos Invivo / LuzElena Cano ... [et al.]. -- En:;Infectio. -- Vol. 4, no. 1 (jun. 15-17 2000). -- Participaciondel factorde nerosis tumoral alfa (TNF- ) enla;respuesta inmune contra el paracoccidioides brasiliens / Luz Elena Cano ... [et al.]. -- En: Infectio. -- Vol.;5, no. 2 (jun. 2001).;Papel protector del oxido nitrico en la paracoccidioimicosis pulkmonar experimental y su relacion con algunas;citoquinas: ensayos in vivo / Luz Elena Cano ... [et al.].--En: PrimerasJornadas Interuniversitarias de;Investigacion biomedica ( 1 : 2001 oct. 31, nov. 1-2 : Medellin,Colombia). -- Medellin : Corporacion para;Investigaciones Biomedicas, 2001. -- p. -- 28 cm. -- ARTICULO(S)EN REVISTA: Papel protector del oxido nitrico;PONENCIA(S) EN CONGRESO: Papel protector del oxido nitricoenlaparacoccidioidomicosis pulmonar;experimental: ensayos In vivo / Luz Elena Cano ... [et al.].-'- en: Congreso CIB (5 :1999 dic. : 9-10 :;Medellin, Colombia). -- Medellin : Corporacion para Investigaciones Biologicas, 1999. -- p. -- 28 cm. --;Protective role of nitric oxide on experimental pulmonaryparacoccidioidomycosis in vivo assays / Luz Elena;Cano ... [et al.]. -- En: Congress of the International Societyfor Humanand Animal Mycology. -- (14 : 2000;May. 8-12 : Buenos Aires ; Argentina). -- Buenos Aires : Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel, 2000. -- p. -- 28 cm. -

Mecanismo fungicida de macrófagos murinos activados mediado por el óxido nítrico contra conidias de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis :papel del TNF-a

IP 2213-04-1021-98Incluye anexos.contra el Paracoccidioides brasiliensis / Angel Gonzalez,MartaE. Uran, Beatriz H. Aristizabal, Erika Caro,;PONENCIA(S) EN CONGRESO: Participacion del factor de necrosistumoral alfa(TNF-a) en la respuesta inmune;Jorge H. Sahaza, Angela Restrepo y Luz E. Cano. -- En: 5 Congreso de enfermedades infecciosas.;infecciosas

Gene expression analysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis transition from conidium to yeast cell

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infectious process relies on the initial expression of virulence faactors that are assumed to be controlled by molecular mechanisms through which the conidia and/or mycelial fragments convert to yeast cells. In order to analyze the profile of the thermally-induced dimorphic gene expression, 48 h C-L transition cultures which had been incubated at 36 degrees C were studied. By this time approximately 50% of the conidial population had already reverted to yeast form cells. At this transition time, an EST-Orestes library was constructed and characterized. As a result, 79 sequences were obtained, of which 39 (49.4%) had not been described previously in other libraries of this fungus and which could represent novel exclusive C-Y transition genes. Two of these sequences are, among others, cholestanol delta-isomerase, and electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinoneoxidoreductase (ETF-QO). The other 40 (50.6%) sequences were shared with Mycelia (M), Yeast (Y) or Mycelia to yest transition (M-Y) libraries. An important component of this group of sequences is a putative response regulator receiver SKN7, a protein of high importance in stress adaptation and a regulator of virulence in some bacteria and fungi. This is the first report identifying genes expressed during the C-Y transition process, the initial step required to understand the natural history of P brasiliensis conidia induced infection.Colciencias, Bogota-Colombia[22130412669]Colciencias, Bogota-Colombia[476-2002]Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin ColombiaFAPESP, BrazilCNPq, BrazilACIN - Antioqui

Methodology for Anti Gene Anti IGI I Therapy of Malignant Tumours

13The aim of this study was to establish the criteria for methodology of cellular “anti-IGF-I” therapy of malignant tumours and particularly for glioblastoma multiforme. The treatment of primary glioblastoma patients using surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy was followed by subcutaneous injection of autologous cancer cells transfected by IGF-I antisense/triple helix expression vectors. The prepared cell “vaccines” should it be in the case of glioblastomas or other tumours, have shown a change of phenotype, the absence of IGF-I protein, and expression of MHC-I and B7. The peripheral blood lymphocytes, PBL cells, removed after each of two successive vaccinations, have demonstrated for all the types of tumour tested an increasing level of CD8+ and CD8+28+ molecules and a switch from CD8+11b+ to CD8+11. All cancer patients were supervised for up to 19 months, the period corresponding to minimum survival of glioblastoma patients. The obtained results have permitted to specify the common criteria for “anti-IGF-I” strategy: characteristics sine qua non of injected “vaccines” (cloned cells IGF-I(−) and MHC-I(+)) and of PBL cells (CD8+ increased level

Caracterización y obtención de cepas mejoradas de hongos entomopatógenos.

IP 2251-12-330-95Incluye también Etapa 3.aislamientos de Beauveria bassiana de una coleccion de hongosentomopatogenos de Cenicafe / Beatriz Elena;Valdes Duque, Patricia Eugenia Velez Arango. -- En: Revista colombiana deentomologia. -- vol. 24, no. 1-2;(ene.-jun. 1998); p.61-66. -- ISSN 01200488 -- Analisis delavariabilidadgenetica del hongo entomopatogeno;Beauveria bassiana con marcadores RAPD / Ana Milena ValderramaF., Marco Aurelio Cristancho A., Bernardo;Chaves C. -- En: Revista colombiana de entomologia. -- vol. 26,no. 1-2 (ene.-jun. 2001); p. 25-29. -- ISSN;01200488 -- Estandarizacion de una metodologia para obtener cultivos monoesporicos del hongo Beauveria;bassiana / Maria Nancy Estrada V., Patricia E. Velez A., JuanCarlos LopezN. -- En: Cenicafe : revista del;Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Cafe. -- vol. 48, no. 1(ene.-mar. 1997); p. 59-65. -- ISSN 01200488 --;detection of Beauvericin from the entomopathogenic fungus: Beauveria bassiana / J.W.V. Arboleda, F.B. Deldago;and A.J. Valencia. -- En: International Colloquium on Invertebrate Pathology and Microbial Control (ICIPMC),;Annual Meeting of the SIP, International Conference on BacillusThuringiensis (ICBt). (8, 25, 6 : 2002 Aug.;18-23) -- ARTICULO(S) EN REVISTA: Actividad enzimatica dehongosy su patogenicidad sobre Hypothenemus hampei;/ Fernando Delgado Blandon, Yamel Lopez Forero, Elsa MariaGiraldo Cardozo. -- En: Revista manejo integrado de;plagas. -- No. 60 (2001); p. 43-49 -- Actividad lipoliticay proteoliticade Beauveria bassiana y Metarhizium;anisopliae y su relacion con la patogenicidad sobre Hypothenemushampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) / Elsa Maria;Giraldo Cardozo ... [et al.]. -- En: Revista colombiana deentomologia. --vol. 27, no. 1-2 (ene.-jun. 2001);p. 61-65. -- ISSN 01200488 -- Caracterizacion de aislamientosdeBeauveriabassiana y Metarhizium anisopliae;de la coleccion de Cenicafe / Patricia E. Velez A... [et al.].-'- en: Revista colombiana de entomologia. --;vol. 25, no. 3-4 (jul.-dic. 1999); p. 191-207. -- ISSN 012488'-- Caracterizacion bioquimica cualitativa de;Colombiana de Entomologia, Socolen (28 : 2001 ago. 8-10 :Pereira, Colombia) -- [s.l. : s.n.], 2001 -- p. ; 28;cm. -- Avances en el estudio de la toxina beauvericina producidapor el hongo Beauveria bassiana patogenico a;Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) / JorgeWilliam Arboleda V., Fernando Delgado B. -- En:;Congreso de la Sociedad Colombiana de Entomologia, Socolen(28:2001 ago.8-10 : Pereira, Colombia) -- [s.l.;: s.n.], 2001 -- p. ; 28 cm. -- Biologia de Phymastichus coffeaLasalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae);endoparasitoide de la broca del cafe, en tres altitudes diferentes de la zonacafetera colombiana / Fernando;Cantor R. ... [et al.]. -- En: Congreso de la Sociedad Colombiana de Entomologia, Socolen (28 : 2001 ago. 8-10;: Pereira, Colombia) -- [s.l. : s.n.], 2001 -- p. ; 28 cm.--Produccion de anticuerpos policlonales para;deteccion de Beauvericina del hongo entomopatogeno Beauverianabassiana /Jorge W. Arboleda V., Fernando;Delgado B., Arnubio Valencia J. -- En: Congreso de la SociedadColombianade Entomologia, Socolen. (29 : 2002;jul. 18-19 : Monteria, Colombia) -- [s.l. : s.n.], 2002 --p.;28 cm. --Polyclonal antibodies productions to;Caracterizacion de cultivos monoesporicos del hongo Beauveriabassiana / Maria Nancy Estrada Valencia,;Patricia Eugenia Velez Arango, Esther Cecilia Montoya Restrepo.'-- en: Cenicafe : revista del Centro Nacional;de Investigaciones de Cafe. -- vol. 48, no. 4 (oct.-dic. 1997);p. 217-224. -- ISSN 01200275 -- Esporulacion,;germinacion y patogenicidad de aislamientos monoesporicosde Beauveria bassiana / Maria Nancy Estrada Velez;... [et al.]. -- Cenicafe : revista del Centro Nacional deInvestigacionesde Cafe. -- vol. 50, no. 1;(ene.-mar. 1999); p. 5-23. -- ISSN 01200275 -- Caracterizacionenzimaticay patogenicidad de aislamientos de;Beauveria bassiana sobre la broca del cafe / Beatriz ElenaValdes D., Patricia Eugenia Velez Arango, Esther;Cecilia Montoya Restrepo. -- Cenicafe : revista del CentroNacional de Investigaciones de Cafe. -- vol. 50,;no. 2 (abr.-jun. 1999); p. 106-118. -- ISSN 01200275 -- Evaluacion en campo de un aislamiento de Beauveria;bassiana seleccionado por resistencia a la luz ultravioleta /Sandra Patricia Tobar H., Patricia Eugenia Velez;Arango, Esther Cecilia Montoya Restrepo. -- En: Revista del Centro Internacional de Investigacion de Cafe. --;01200275.;PONENCIA(S) EN CONGRESO: Transformacion de Beauveria bassianacon la proteina verde fluorescente y proteasas;de Metarhizium anisopliae / Carmenza E. Gongora B. -- En:Congreso de la Sociedad Colombiana de Entomologia,;Socolen (28 : 2001 ago. 8-10 : Pereira, Colombia) -- [s.l.: s.n.], 2001 -- p. ; 28 cm. -- Taller con;caficultores experimentadores para evaluar Beauveria bassianaenel control de Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari);(Coleoptera: Scolytidae) / Francisco Javier Posada Florez...[et al.]. --En: Congreso de la Socieda