15 research outputs found
Shiga Toxin Detection Methods : A Short Review
The Shiga toxins comprise a family of related protein toxins secreted by
certain types of bacteria. Shigella dysenteriae, some strain of Escherichia
coli and other bacterias can express toxins which caused serious complication
during the infection. Shiga toxin and the closely related Shiga-like toxins
represent a group of very similar cytotoxins that may play an important role in
diarrheal disease and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The outbreaks caused by this
toxin raised serious public health crisis and caused economic losses. These
toxins have the same biologic activities and according to recent studies also
share the same binding receptor, globotriosyl ceramide (Gb3). Rapid detection
of food contamination is therefore relevant for the containment of food-borne
pathogens. The conventional methods to detect pathogens, such as
microbiological and biochemical identification are time-consuming and
laborious. The immunological or nucleic acid-based techniques require extensive
sample preparation and are not amenable to miniaturization for on-site
detection. In the present are necessary of techniques of rapid identification,
simple and sensitive which can be employed in the countryside with
minimally-sophisticated instrumentation. Biosensors have shown tremendous
promise to overcome these limitations and are being aggressively studied to
provide rapid, reliable and sensitive detection platforms for such
applications.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure
CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative
Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research
Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study
Background Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health
Changes in oxidative metabolism and memory and learning in a cerebral hypoperfusion model in rats
Introduction: Chronic hypoperfusion in rats produces memory and learning impairments due to permanent occlusion of commun carotid arteries (POCCA). Molecular mechanisms leading to behavioural disorders have been poorly studied. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to characterise oxidative metabolism disorders and their implications in memory and learning impairments. Methods: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in cortex, hippocampus and striatum homogenates at 24 hours and at 22 days after the lesion. Haematoxylin–eosin staining and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity were performed on coronal sections. Behavioural impairments were explored using the Morris water maze (MWM). Escape latencies were determined in all behavioural studies. Results: The lesion induced a significant increase (P < .01) in CAT activity in the cortex at 24 hours, while SOD activity was significantly higher (P < .01) in the cortex and hippocampus at 22 days. An intense vacuolization was observed in the cortex and striatum as a result of the lesion. A neuronal loss in the striatum and hippocampus was observed. The glial reaction increased in the cortex and striatum. Visual alterations were observed in the lesion group with the lowest evolution time (P < .001). Escape latencies, corresponding to MWM schemes for long-term and short-term memory evaluation increased significantly (P < .05) in both groups of lesioned animals. Conclusion: It was concluded that changes in SOD and CAT activities indicate a possible implication of oxidative imbalance in the pathology associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. In addition, the POCCA model in rats is useful for understanding mechanisms by which cerebral hypoperfusion produces memory and learning impairments. Resumen: Introducción: La hipoperfusión cerebral en ratas, mediante la oclusión permanente de las arterias carótidas comunes (OPACC), induce alteraciones de la memoria y el aprendizaje. Los mecanismos moleculares han sido poco estudiados y el objetivo del trabajo consiste en caracterizar las alteraciones del metabolismo oxidativo, de la memoria y del aprendizaje. Métodos: Mediante la OPACC se determinó a las 24 h y 22 días de la lesión la actividad de la superóxido dismutasa y la catalasa en el hipocampo, la corteza y el cuerpo estriado. Se realizó una tinción con hematoxilina-eosina y un marcaje con GFAP de cortes coronales. Los trastornos conductuales se exploraron mediante la prueba del laberinto acuático de Morris. Resultados: La lesión indujo un incremento (p < 0,01) de la actividad de la catalasa en la corteza a las 24 h, mientras que la superóxido dismutasa aumentó significativamente (p < 0,01) en la corteza y el hipocampo a los 22 días. Se observó una intensa vacuolización y pérdida neuronal. La respuesta glial estuvo incrementada en la corteza y el cuerpo estriado. Fue perceptible la afectación en la visión (p < 0,001), y las latencias de escape al evaluar la memoria a largo y corto plazo aumentaron considerablemente (p < 0,05) en ambos grupos de animales lesionados. Conclusiones: Los cambios en las actividades de las enzimas apuntan a una posible implicación del disbalance oxidativo en la patología asociada a la hipoperfusión cerebral crónica. La OPACC resulta útil para entender los mecanismos por los cuales la hipoperfusión cerebral conduce a las alteraciones de los procesos de memoria y aprendizaje. Keywords: Hypoperfusion, Rats, Oxidative metabolism, Behavioural disorders, Morris maze, Learning impairments, Palabras clave: Hipoperfusión, Ratas, Oxidativo, Oclusión, Carótidas, Morri
Alteraciones del metabolismo oxidativo y de la memoria y el aprendizaje en un modelo de hipoperfusión cerebral en ratas
Resumen: Introducción: La hipoperfusión cerebral en ratas, mediante la oclusión permanente de las arterias carótidas comunes (OPACC), induce alteraciones de la memoria y el aprendizaje. Los mecanismos moleculares han sido poco estudiados y el objetivo del trabajo consiste en caracterizar las alteraciones del metabolismo oxidativo, de la memoria y del aprendizaje. Métodos: Mediante la OPACC se determinó a las 24 h y 22 días de la lesión la actividad de la superóxido dismutasa y la catalasa en el hipocampo, la corteza y el cuerpo estriado. Se realizó una tinción con hematoxilina-eosina y un marcaje con GFAP de cortes coronales. Los trastornos conductuales se exploraron mediante la prueba del laberinto acuático de Morris. Resultados: La lesión indujo un incremento (p < 0,01) de la actividad de la catalasa en la corteza a las 24 h, mientras que la superóxido dismutasa aumentó significativamente (p < 0,01) en la corteza y el hipocampo a los 22 días. Se observó una intensa vacuolización y pérdida neuronal. La respuesta glial estuvo incrementada en la corteza y el cuerpo estriado. Fue perceptible la afectación en la visión (p < 0,001), y las latencias de escape al evaluar la memoria a largo y corto plazo aumentaron considerablemente (p < 0,05) en ambos grupos de animales lesionados. Conclusiones: Los cambios en las actividades de las enzimas apuntan a una posible implicación del disbalance oxidativo en la patología asociada a la hipoperfusión cerebral crónica. La OPACC resulta útil para entender los mecanismos por los cuales la hipoperfusión cerebral conduce a las alteraciones de los procesos de memoria y aprendizaje. Abstract: Introduction: Chronic hypoperfusion in rats produces memory and learning impairments due to permanent occlusion of commun carotid arteries (POCCA). Molecular mechanisms leading to behavioural disorders have been poorly studied. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to characterise oxidative metabolism disorders and their implications in memory and learning impairments. Methods: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in cortex, hippocampus and striatum homogenates at 24 hours and at 22 days after the lesion. Haematoxylin-eosin staining and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity were performed on coronal sections. Behavioural impairments were explored using the Morris water maze (MWM). Escape latencies were determined in all behavioural studies. Results: The lesion induced a significant increase (P<.01) in CAT activity in the cortex at 24 hours, while SOD activity was significantly higher (P<.01) in the cortex and hippocampus at 22 days. An intense vacuolization was observed in the cortex and striatum as a result of the lesion. A neuronal loss in the striatum and hippocampus was observed. The glial reaction increased in the cortex and striatum. Visual alterations were observed in the lesion group with the lowest evolution time (P<.001). Escape latencies, corresponding to MWM schemes for long-term and short-term memory evaluation increased significantly (P<.05) in both groups of lesioned animals. Conclusion: It was concluded that changes in SOD and CAT activities indicate a possible implication of oxidative imbalance in the pathology associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. In addition, the POCCA model in rats is useful for understanding mechanisms by which cerebral hypoperfusion produces memory and learning impairments. Palabras clave: Hipoperfusión, Ratas, Oxidativo, Oclusión, Carótidas, Morris, Keywords: Hypoperfusion, Rats, Oxidative metabolism, Behavioural disorders, Morris maze, Learning impairment
Innovative sensors for age-related diseases
Point-of-care diagnosis is evolving together with the fast development in terms of detection and quantification ability of the sensing techniques. This chapter covers 5 different topics of innovative (bio)sensors that were designed with the aim of giving new insights to overcome many of the hurdles that still impair the widespread use of portable sensing technology. Novelty was achieved by applying inexpensive materials with tuned functions and refined recognition towards biomarkers of various age-related pathologies. Diverse strategies were followed in order to attain improved properties on relevant parameters of sensor performance such as selectivity, sensitivity, biocompatibility and autonomy. Thus, the foreseen biomedical applications are vast.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from IBEROS project (Instituto de Bioingeniería en Red para el Envejecimiento Saludable, INTERREG POCTEP/0245_IBEROS_1_E) supported by FEDER, also within the cooperation region of Galicia/Spain and North of Portugal. CBQF also acknowledges the scientific collaboration under the FCT project UID/Multi/50016/2019