Immunohistochemical detection of S-100 in the spleen of the Philippine swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis carabanensis Castillo, 1998) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

The localization of S-100 protein in the spleen of Philippine swamp buffalo was demonstrated by immuno-staining of 14 spleen sections from seven male and seven female 2-year-old Philippine swamp buffaloes. It has been observed that this substance was present in the nerve elements, and in the endothelial cells lining the capsular arteries, trabecular arteries, penicillar arterioles and sheathed capillaries in the red pulp, and splenic arterioles in the white pulp, as well as in the macrophages and reticular cells that formed a sleeve around the penicillar arterioles and sheathed capillaries of the spleen. S-100 was absent in the lymphoid follicles and PALS of the white pulp. The localization of S-100 in the endothelial cells of sheathed capillaries is suggestive of its function in regulating the semi-permeability of the blood vessels while the demonstration of S-100 in the nerves may indicate that it is transported from gliocytes secreting it to the target cells. Absence of S-100-immunoreactive dendritic cells in the white pulp of the Philippine swamp buffalo suggests that they are not present in normal tissues and may be used as a marker of immunity. The present observations are basically similar to those in the bovine and sheep spleens except for some differences mentioned earlier

Immunohistochemical detection of S100 in the kidney of the Philippine swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis carabanensis Castillo, 1998) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

The presence of S100 protein in the kidney of Philippine swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis carabanensis) was detected using immunohistochemistry. The Avidin-Biotin Peroxidase complex method was carried out with a polyclonal antibody against S100 protein. S100 immunoreactivity was present in the thin loop of Henle, collecting ducts and tubules. Positive immunoreaction was also detected in erythrocytes and endothelial lining cells of arcuate artery and vein, interlobular artery and vein, venules, glomerular and peritubular capillaries. This is the first report of the detection and distribution of S100 protein in the swamp buffalo kidney. This study confirms that S100 can be found extraneurally and can be a useful marker for anatomic pathology

The Philippines stingless bee propolis promotes hair growth through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Although hair loss is not a horrible disease, it sometimes reduces the patients' quality of life (QOL) and increases their mental stress. Currently, there is no effective treatment for hair loss. It is known that honeybee propolis has various biological activities, including stimulating the proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes. However, little is known with the hair promoting activity of stingless bee propolis. Hence, this study investigates the hair growth-promoting activity of Philippines stingless bee propolis extract and the underlying a molecular mechanism of promoting hair growth. For the evaluation of hair growth stimulating activity, 99.5% ethanolic extract of Philippines stingless bee propolis is examined using the simple shaving model in C57BL/6N mice. Melaninization of dorsal skin and histological analysis of hair follicles (HFs) revealed that propolis promotes hair growth by stimulating HFs development. The expression of mRNA (Wnt3a, Ctnnb1/β-catenin, Lef1, and Bmp2) and protein (WNT3A and β-catenin) of selected Wnt/β-catenin associated genes explains Philippines stingless bee propolis promoting HFs development by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These results suggest that the treatment of propolis strongly promotes hair growth by stimulating the development of HFs via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This further indicates the potential of Philippines stingless bee propolis as a novel promising agricultural product for hair growth

Legumes as Functional Food for Cardiovascular Disease

Legumes are an essential food source worldwide. Their high-quality proteins, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and relatively low-fat content make these an important functional food. Known to possess a multitude of health benefits, legume consumption is associated with the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Legume crude protein isolates and purified peptides possess many cardiopreventive properties. Here, we review selected economically valued legumes, their taxonomy and distribution, biochemical composition, and their protein components and the mechanism(s) of action associated with cardiovascular health. Most of the legume protein studies had shown upregulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor leading to increased binding and uptake, in effect significantly reducing total lipid levels in the blood serum and liver. This is followed by decreased biosynthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids. To understand the relationship of identified genes from legume studies, we performed gene network analysis, pathway, and gene ontology (GO) enrichment. Results showed that the genes were functionally interrelated while enrichment and pathway analysis revealed involvement in lipid transport, fatty acid and triglyceride metabolic processes, and regulatory processes. This review is the first attempt to collate all known mechanisms of action of legume proteins associated with cardiovascular health. This also provides a snapshot of possible targets leading to systems-level approaches to further investigate the cardiometabolic potentials of legumes

Epidemiology and genetic diversity of Streptococcus suis in smallhold swine farms in the Philippines

Abstract This study aimed to determine the presence and characteristics of locally circulating strains of Streptococcus suis, the most important streptococcal pathogen in swine. Oral swab samples were collected from pigs from 664 representative smallhold farms across nine provinces in the Philippines. Isolates were identified and characterized using PCR assays. The study revealed an isolation rate of 15.8% (105/664, 95% CI: 13.0–18.6) among the sampled farms. Two hundred sixty-nine (269) S. suis isolates were recovered from 119 unique samples. Serotype 31 was the most prevalent (50/269, 95% CI: 13.9–23.2) among the other serotypes identified: 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 21, 27, 28, and 29. The detection of the three ‘classical’ S. suis virulence-associated genes showed that 90.7% (244/269, 95% CI: 87.2–94.2) were mrp - /epf - /sly -. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis further revealed 70 novel sequence types (STs). Notably, several local isolates belonging to these novel STs formed clonal complexes (CC) with S. suis strains recovered from Spain and USA, which are major pork-exporting countries to the Philippines. This study functionally marks the national baseline knowledge of S. suis in Philippines