Modulation of rotavirus severe gastroenteritis by the combination of probiotics and prebiotics

Abstract Annual mortality rates due to infectious diarrhea are about 2.2 million; children are the most vulnerable age group to severe gastroenteritis, representing group A rotaviruses as the main cause of disease. One of the main factors of rotavirus pathogenesis is the NSP4 protein, which has been characterized as a viral toxin involved in triggering several cellular responses leading to diarrhea. Furthermore, the rotavirus protein NSP1 has been associated with interferon production inhibition by inducing the degradation of interferon regulatory factors IRF3, IRF5, and IRF7. On the other hand, probiotics such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in combination with prebiotics such as inulin, HMO, scGOS, lcFOS have been associated with improved generalized antiviral response and anti-rotavirus effect by the reduction of rotavirus infectivity and viral shedding, decreased expression of NSP4 and increased levels of specific anti-rotavirus IgAs. Moreover, these probiotics and prebiotics have been related to shorter duration and severity of rotavirus diarrhea, to the prevention of infection and reduced incidence of reinfections. In this review we will discuss in detail about the rotavirus pathogenesis and immunity, and how probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species in combination with prebiotics have been associated with the prevention or modulation of rotavirus severe gastroenteritis. Keywords Rotavirus · Pathogenesis · Probiotics · Prebiotic

Análisis comparativo: entrevista realista de selección, satisfacción en el trabajo e intención de permanencia

El presente trabajo extiende el estudio de Littlewood et al. (2005) al comparar las variables de entrevista realista de selección (ERS), satisfacción en el trabajo (ST) y la intención de permanencia en la organización (IP) en una muestra de 162 estudiantes de licenciatura y 258 de maestría. Se utilizó un cuestionario con 26 preguntas, se obtuvieron niveles de confiabilidad superiores a 0.60, y se encontró que sí existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las variables ERS e IP, pero no en el nivel de ST

Beta-3 adrenergic receptor blockade prevents alterations in feeding behavior in lymphoma-bearing mice in a sex-dependent manner

Introduction: Cancer cachexia is a metabolic syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of adipose and muscular tissue and is characterized by a reduced food intake. Local b-3 adrenergic receptor activation in adipose tissue induces lipolysis, whereas b-3 signaling in tumors has been shown to be tumorigenic in some cancer models. Therefore, b-3 signaling may be a therapeutic target in cancer cachexia. The aim of this study was to assess the role of b-3 adrenergic signaling in feeding behavior, body composition, and tumor progression in the L5178Y-R murine lymphoma model. Methods: In our study we used BALB/c mice of both sexes, which were divided in tumor-free and tumor-bearing groups. For the tumor model, L5178Y-R lymphoma cells were subcutaneously administered into animals right flank. These groups of mice intraperitoneally received L-748,337, a beta-3 antagonist, at a 50 mg/kg/day dose, starting the day after tumor implantation. Food and water intake were monitored every other day and body mass index (BMI) was calculated at the end of the experiment. Animals were euthanized for necropsy, when endpoint criteria were achieved. Transcriptional expression of Ucp-1, a molecular marker of thermogenesis, was quantified in interscapular adipose tissue. Results: We observed a 15% and 35% reduction in food intake in tumor-bearing male and female mice, respectively. This effect was not observed in male mice treated with the b-3 adrenergic receptor antagonist L-748,337. In females, such an effect persisted despite beta-3 blocking. Reduced water intake was also observed in tumor-bearing animals, which was not altered by beta-3 antagonism. We also observed that tumor-free mice of both sexes showed reduced water intake after L-748,337 treatment. Furthermore, reduced BMI was observed in tumor-bearing animals of both sexes, which was not changed by b-3 blocking. Interscapular adipose tissue loss was observed in females (51.06%) but not in males. Additionally, 1.7-fold and 4.4-fold reduction in Ucp-1 gene expression was shown in tumor-bearing males and females, respectively. Decreased final tumor weight was observed only in tumor-bearing females treated with L-748,337 (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusion: In L5178Y-R tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, selective blocking of beta-3 adrenergic signaling prevents alterations in food intake in a sex-dependent manner

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth by an Asteraceae family plant methanol extract.

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral Gram-negative bacterium associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa, peptic ulcer, and gastric adenocarcinoma; it is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Treatment prescribed to patients with gastric ulcer has failed in many cases mainly due to antibiotic resistance and important side effects such as taste disturbances, vaginal candidiasis, and pseudomembranous colitis. Interest in botanical medicine is increasing as a viable alternative to the traditional one. Plant leaves of the Asteraceae family are used to treat diarrhea, ulcers and rheumatism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts from plants of the Asteraceae family against H. pylori growth in vitro, using the colorimetric tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. We observed that methanolic extracts from plants of the Asteraceae family showed up to 82% H. pylori growth inhibition (MIC at 500 µg/mL).The results of the present study contribute to the body of knowledge of medicinal plants with antimicrobial potential, particularly against H. pylori

Recombinant Proteins as Antigens in Serological Diagnosis of Brucellosis

Brucellosis is considered the major zoonosis in developing countries. In susceptible animal species, diagnosis of brucellosis remains a challenge due to the variety of clinical signs that it shares with a wide range of diseases. At present, isolation of Brucella is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of brucellosis; because of its low sensitivity and becoming potentially hazardous to laboratory technicians, serology is used for the detection of specific antibodies induced by infection. However, since traditional methods commonly show drawbacks and do not differentiate between vaccinated and naturally infected animals, it is necessary to search and test immunoreactive molecules for specific diagnosis of Brucella-infected cattle, thus significantly reducing the killing of suspected herds mainly due to vaccination. Advances in biotechnology have allowed exploring the use of recombinant proteins as antigens to avoid the risk involved in the use of viable Brucella strains. The benefit of using recombinant proteins, such as outer membrane proteins (OMP) and other non-lipopolysaccharide (non-LPS) molecules as antigens, for serological diagnosis is promising, but there are still many concerns about their application. The aim of the present work is to show advances in the use of recombinant antigens and discuss their advantages and potential use as markers for the serological diagnosis in brucellosis

Response of obesity-resistant BALB/c mice to a ketogenic diet

Introduction. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet in which the body undergoes metabolic adjustments that stimulate ketogenesis, thereby increasing circulating ketone bodies. Loss of body weight is attributed to these adjustments, as well as neuroprotective properties. However, the mechanisms involved are still not fully elucidated. That aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a ketogenic diet on body composition, feeding behavior and glucose metabolism in mice of the BALB/c strain, a mouse model resistant to obesity. Materials and methods. BALB/c mice of both sexes, 12 weeks old, were divided into KD and control groups, which received a ketogenic diet (Research Diets) or standard chow (LabDiet 5001), respectively, for 23 days. Throughout the experiment, body weight gain, water and food intake were measured, whereas body mass index (BMI), the percentage of interscapular, inguinal, and visceral adipose tissue and blood b-hidroxybutyrate levels were measured at the end of the protocol. In addition, glucose tolerance tests were carried out at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Results. Similar body weight gain (10%) was observed in males and females on KD compared to the control group (p\u3c0.05). However, a higher BMI was observed only in males. The KD group consumed 50% less food in both sexes, whereas water consumption was diminished 25% in males and 50% in females, compared to the control (p= 0.0001). The estimated energy intake was lower (12 Kcal) in males on ketogenic diet, but not in females. Regarding the metabolic state at day 23, in KD mice levels of b-hidroxybutyrate increased to 0.4 mmol/L in males and 0.7 mmol/L in females. Mice of both sexes on KD showed increased inguinal and visceral fat, when compared to the control group on standard chow. At day 23, the glucose tolerance test showed an increase in the area under the curve, indicating impaired glucose tolerance, in both males and females on KD. Conclusions. In obesity-resistant BALB/c mice, the consumption of a ketogenic diet for a short period induces a state of nutritional ketosis accompanied by weight gain, increased fat tissue, and impaired glucose intolerance

Bioactive Products From Plant-Endophytic Gram-Positive Bacteria

Endophytes constitute plant-colonizing microorganisms in a mutualistic symbiosis relationship. They are found in most ecosystems reducing plant crops’ biotic and abiotic stressors by stimulating immune responses, excluding plant pathogens by niche competition, and participating in antioxidant activities and phenylpropanoid metabolism, whose activation produces plant defense, structural support, and survival molecules. In fact, metabolomic studies have demonstrated that endophyte genes associated to specific metabolites are involved in plant growth promotion (PGP) by stimulating plant hormones production such as auxins and gibberellins or as plant protective agents against microbial pathogens, cancer, and insect pests, but eco-friendly and eco-safe. A number of metabolites of Gram-positive endophytes isolated from agriculture, forest, mangrove, and medicinal plants, mainly related to the Firmicutes phyla, possess distinctive biocontrol and plant growth-promoting activities. In general, Actinobacteria and Bacillus endophytes produce aromatic compounds, lipopeptides, plant hormones, polysaccharides, and several enzymes linked to phenylpropanoid metabolism, thus representing high potential for PGP and crop management strategies. Furthermore, Actinobacteria have been shown to produce metabolites with antimicrobial and antitumor activities, useful in agriculture, medicine, and veterinary areas. The great endophytes diversity, their metabolites production, and their adaptation to stress conditions make them a suitable and unlimited source of novel metabolites, whose application could reduce agrochemicals usage in food and drugs production

EXPRESSION OF HIV TYPE 1 GLYCOPROTEIN 120 FROM A MEXICAN AIDS PATIENT IN A BACULOVIRUS SYSTEM

El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue la implementación de un sistema vector de expresión en baculovirus en células de insecto (IC-BECS), para la expresión de la proteína recombinante gp120 del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Para esto, se aislaron secuencias de la proteína gp120 de una paciente mexicano con SIDA, y del plásmido de referencia HXB2, los cualesse clonaron en forma independiente en el plásmido pFastBac1. Posteriormente, se utilizaron estos plásmidos para transformar E. coli DH10Bac conteniendo el bacmido bMON14272 del baculovirus AcMNPV, para luego inducir una transposición sitio dirigida para transferir el genoma de gp120 del VIH al bacmido del baculovirus. Se detectó el baculovirus recombinante de Bac-69-1 (paciente) yel plásmido de referencia Bac-HX-4, utilizando la técnica de PCR y la fenotipificación de colonias. Después se encapsuló el genoma desnudo baculoviral en liposomas para su transfección al cultivo de células de insecto Sf9. Se utilizaron, además, análisis de Western blot (que se revelaron por quimioluminiscencia e hidrólisis de peróxido de hidrógeno) para laidentificación de la expresión de la proteína gp120. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron la generación de dos baculovirus recombinantes que expresaron la gp120 del paciente mexicano de SIDA o el plásmido de referencia. Se discute el potencial de utilizar a los baculovirus recombinantes de gp120 como vacunas del VIH en México.Palabras claves: VIH, gp120, SIDA, pacientes Mexicanos, baculovirus, cultivo de células de insecto.HIV, gp120, AIDS, Mexican patient, baculovirus, insect cell culture.Resume

Comparison of Functional Outcomes Between the First and Second Knee in Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty With Diverse Intervals Between Stages

Background: The objective of the study was to analyze if the length of interval time between stages influenced functional and quality of life outcomes in patients with staged bilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study between 93 patients with an interval between stages of 6-8 months (6-month group), 112 of 12-14 months (1-year group), and 108 of 24-26 months (2-year group). Outcome variables were Knee Society scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities, Short Form, and patient satisfaction. Results: Overall, the mean follow-up for the first TKA was 8.2 (range, 7-10) years, and for the second TKA, 6.7 (range, 5-10) years. At last follow-up, functional and patient-related outcomes were similar for both knees, regardless of the interval. However, mental score and patient satisfaction were significantly better for the second than for the first TKA in the 2-year group. Age did not correlate significantly with the functional scores but was significantly correlated with the mental score. Conclusion: The performing staged bilateral TKA with a wide interval between surgeries provided equivalent functional outcomes and quality of life for both knees. Postoperative outcomes were not affected by the length of the time interval between procedures or age. Our results can help the surgeon to inform the patients reliably about what they can expect in the delay of a second knee replaced. Thus, patients could make an informed decision