Glutamine dipeptide supplementation improves clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome

ABSTRACT The effect of glutamine dipeptide (GDP) supplementation in patients with diabetic foot syndrome was evaluated. A total of 22 patients took part in the study. GDP was supplied in 10 g sachets, and was dissolved in water immediately before use, with ingestion once a day, after lunch or after dinner (20 g/day) over a period of 30 days. Quantification of foot insensitive areas, oxidative stress, blood cytokines, and biochemical, hematological and toxicological parameters was performed before and after GDP supplementation. We observed an increase in blood levels of interferon-&#945; (P=0.023), interferon-&#947; (P=0.038), interleukin-4 (P=0.003), interleukin-6 (P=0.0025), interleukin-7 (P=0.028), interleukin-12 p40 (P=0.017), interleukin-13 (P=0.001), leukocytes (P=0.037), eosinophils (P=0.049), and typical lymphocytes (P<0.001) due to GDP administration. In addition, we observed a reduced number (P=0.048) of insensitive areas on the foot, and reduction (P=0.047) of fasting hyperglycemia. Patients also showed increased blood high density lipoprotein (P<0.01) and protein thiol groups (P=0.004). These favorable results were associated with the absence of renal and hepatic toxicity. These results are of clinical relevance, since supplementation with GDP over 30 days improved clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome

La Duquesa de Cardona en 1640

Catalina Fernández de Córdoba fue la mujer del duque Enrique de Cardona, que murió en julio de 1640, en la etapa inicial de la Revuelta Catalana. La duquesa, que hasta entonces había llevado la vida convencional de una aristócrata, se vio obligada jugar un papel político, que pasó de ser una posible intermediaria entre Cataluña y la Corte. a convertirse en rehén de los rebeldes, junto con sus hijos. El artículo expone la actuación pública de la duquesa en estos meses dramáticos

Supplementary Material for: Temporal Gene Expression in the Hippocampus and Peripheral Organs to Endotoxin-Induced Systemic Inflammatory Response in Caspase-1-Deficient Mice

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Caspase-1 (casp1), a key protease involved in the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), controls the brain expression of a set of eight genes: <i>Nos2</i> and <i>Ptgs2 </i>(nitric oxide synthase 2 and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, two inducible enzymes), <i>Cxcl1</i> and <i>Cxcl10</i> (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 and ligand 10), <i>Tgtp</i> and <i>Gbp2</i> (T cell-specific GTPase 1 and guanylate-binding protein 2, two GTPases), <i>Adamts1 </i>(a disintegrin-like and metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 1, a metalloprotease) and <i>Il1rn</i> (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist). Our objective was to ascertain whether casp1 also controlled the peripheral expression of these genes and, if so, to compare their central versus peripheral patterns of gene expression in immune and endocrine tissues during SIRS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Wild-type (wt) and casp1 knockout (casp1^-/-) mice were injected with either saline or a high dose of endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 800 μg/mice i.p.). Saline-injected mice were immediately euthanized after injection, whereas LPS-injected mice were sacrificed 6 and 12 h after LPS administration. Hippocampal, splenic and adrenal gene expressions were determined by real-time PCR. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, casp1^-/- mice showed a lower inflammatory response than wt mice. The expression levels of powerful proinflammatory factors such as <i>Nos2</i> and <i>Ptgs2</i> was reduced in casp1^-/- mice. Moreover, a hierarchical clustering analysis aimed at studying patterns of gene coexpression revealed large alterations in the hippocampal pattern of casp1^-/- mice. Surprisingly, the expression of <i>Adamts1 </i>was increased in the hippocampus and adrenals of casp1^-/- mice. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The resilience of casp1^-/- mice to SIRS lethality is associated with a lower inflammatory response, loss of hippocampal gene coexpression patterns, and increased hippocampal <i>Adamts1 </i>gene expression. The latter might be beneficial for casp1^-/- mice, since ADAMTS1 is likely to play a role in neuronal plasticity. The mechanisms described here may help the development of either novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets against SIRS/sepsis

Antigenic and genetic variations in European and North American equine influenza virus strains (H3N8) isolated from 2006 to 2007

Equine influenza virus (EIV) surveillance is important in the management of equine influenza. It provides data on circulating and newly emerging strains for vaccine strain selection. To this end, antigenic characterisation by haemaggluttination inhibition (HI) assay and phylogenetic analysis was carried out on 28 EIV strains isolated in North America and Europe during 2006 and 2007. In the UK, 20 viruses were isolated from 28 nasopharyngeal swabs that tested positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All except two of the UK viruses were characterised as members of the Florida sublineage with similarity to A/eq/Newmarket/5/03 (clade 2). One isolate, A/eq/Cheshire/1/06, was characterised as an American lineage strain similar to viruses isolated up to 10 years earlier. A second isolate, A/eq/Lincolnshire/1/07 was characterised as a member of the Florida sublineage (clade 1) with similarity to A/eq/Wisconsin/03. Furthermore, A/eq/Lincolnshire/1/06 was a member of the Florida sublineage (clade 2) by haemagglutinin (HA) gene sequence, but appeared to be a member of the Eurasian lineage by the non-structural gene (NS) sequence suggesting that reassortment had occurred. A/eq/Switzerland/P112/07 was characterised as a member of the Eurasian lineage, the first time since 2005 that isolation of a virus from this lineage has been reported. Seven viruses from North America were classified as members of the Florida sublineage (clade 1), similar to A/eq/Wisconsin/03. In conclusion, a variety of antigenically distinct EIVs continue to circulate worldwide. Florida sublineage clade 1 viruses appear to predominate in North America, clade 2 viruses in Europe