Recuento de Staphylococcus aureus y de coliformes, con previa recuperación de celulas injuriadas

p.291-295En el presente trabajo se analizaron 20 muestras de leche en polvo con el objeto de determinar el porcentaje de células injuriadas de Staphylococcus aureus y de coliformes durante los procesos de elaboración de dicho producto (calor y desecación). Estas muestras fueron seleccionadas de un total de 80 por haber sido detectada en ellas presencia de Staphylococcus aureus. Se siguió una metodología de aceptación general (Speck, 1976) y las determinaciones fueron efectuadas con y sin recuperación previa de células injuriadas. Se encontró que el porcentaje de células injuriadas osciló entre el 18,5 y el 77,7 por ciento en el caso de Staphylococcus aureus y entre el 25 y el 62,5 por ciento, en el caso de los coliformes. Cuando no se observó aumento en el recuento, con previa recuperación de células injuriadas, debe asumirse que la contaminación es posterior a la elaboración. En el caso de las bacterias coliformes, esta contaminación posterior parece más factible y los numerosos recuentos negativos se explican por el muy bajo porcentaje de supervivencia a los procesos de elaboración de la leche en polvo: 0,002 por ciento (Chopin, Mocquot y Le Graet, 1977)

Bovine lactoferrin-induced CCL1 expression involves distinct receptors in monocyte-derived dendritic cells and their monocyte precursors

Lactoferrin (LF) exhibits a wide range of immunomodulatory activities including modulation of cytokine and chemokine secretion. In this study, we demonstrate that bovine LF (bLF) up-modulates, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, CCL1 secretion in monocytes (Mo) at the early stage of differentiation toward dendritic cells (DCs), and in fully differentiated immature Mo-derived DCs (MoDCs). In both cell types, up-modulation of CCL1 secretion is an early event following bLF-mediated enhanced accumulation of CCL1 transcripts. Notably, bLF-mediated up-regulation of CCL1 involves the engagement of distinct surface receptors in MoDCs and their Mo precursors. We show that bLF-mediated engagement of CD36 contributes to CCL1 induction in differentiating Mo. Conversely, toll-like receptor (TLR)2 blocking markedly reduces bLF-induced CCL1 production in MoDCs. These findings add further evidence for cell-specific differential responses elicited by bLF through the engagement of distinct TLRs and surface receptors. Furthermore, the different responses observed at early and late stages of Mo differentiation towards DCs may be relevant in mediating bLF effects in specific body districts, where these cell types may be differently represented in physiopathological conditions

Cross-calibration of eight-polar bioelectrical impedance analysis versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the assessment of total and appendicular body composition in healthy subjects aged 21-82 years.

Aim: To calibrate eight-polar bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the assessment of total and appendicular body composition in healthy adults.Research design: A cross-sectional study was carried out.Subjects: Sixty-eight females and 42 males aged 21-82 years participated in the study.Methods: Whole-body fat-free mass (FFM) and appendicular lean tissue mass (LTM) were measured by DXA; resistance (R) of arms, trunk and legs was measured by eight-polar BIA at frequencies of 5, 50, 250 and 500 kHz; whole-body resistance was calculated as the sum R of arms, trunk and legs.Results: The resistance index (RI), i.e. the height(2)/resistance ratio, was the best predictor of FFM and appendicular LTM. As compared with weight (Wt), RI at 500 kHz explained 35% more variance of FFM (R-adj(2) =0.92 vs 0.57), 45% more variance of LTMarm (R-adj(2) = 0.93 vs 0.48) and 36% more variance of LTleg (R-adj(2) = 0.86 vs 0.50) (p < 0.001 for all). The contribution of age to the unexplained variance of FFM and appendicular LTM was nil or negligible and the RI x sex interactions were either not significant or not important on practical grounds. The percent root mean square error of the estimate was 6% for FFM and 8% for LTMarm and LTMleg.Conclusion: Eight-polar BIA offers accurate estimates of total and appendicular body composition. The attractive hypothesis that eight-polar BIA is influenced minimally by age and sex should be tested on larger samples including younger individuals

Endogenous CCL2 neutralization restricts HIV-1 replication in primary human macrophages by inhibiting viral DNA accumulation

Macrophages are key targets of HIV-1 infection. We have previously described that the expressionof CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) increases during monocyte differentiation to macrophages and it is furtherup-modulated by HIV-1 exposure. Moreover, CCL2 acts as an autocrine factor that promotes viral replication ininfected macrophages. In this study, we dissected the molecular mechanisms by which CCL2 neutralization inhibitsHIV-1 replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), and the potential involvement of the innate restrictionfactors protein sterile alpha motif (SAM) histidine/aspartic acid (HD) domain containing 1 (SAMHD1) and apolipoproteinB mRNA-editing, enzyme-catalytic, polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) family members.Results:CCL2 neutralization potently reduced the number of p24 Gag+cells during the course of either productive orsingle cycle infection with HIV-1. In contrast, CCL2 blocking did not modify entry of HIV-1 based Virus Like Particles, thusdemonstrating that the restriction involves post-entry steps of the viral life cycle. Notably, the accumulation of viralDNA, both total, integrated and 2-LTR circles, was strongly impaired by neutralization of CCL2. Looking for correlates ofHIV-1 DNA accumulation inhibition, we found that the antiviral effect of CCL2 neutralization was independent of themodulation of SAMHD1 expression or function. Conversely, a strong and selective induction of APOBEC3A expression,to levels comparable to those of freshly isolated monocytes, was associated with the inhibition of HIV-1 replicationmediated by CCL2 blocking. Interestingly, the CCL2 neutralization mediated increase of APOBEC3A expression was typeI IFN independent. Moreover, the transcriptome analysis of the effect of CCL2 blocking on global gene expressionrevealed that the neutralization of this chemokine resulted in the upmodulation of additional genes involved in thedefence response to viruses.Conclusions:Neutralization of endogenous CCL2 determines a profound restriction of HIV-1 replication in primaryMDM affecting post-entry steps of the viral life cycle with a mechanism independent of SAMHD1. In addition, CCL2blocking is associated with induction of APOBEC3A expression, thus unravelling a novel mechanism which mightcontribute to regulate the expression of innate intracellular viral antagonistsin vivo. Thus, our study may potentially leadto the development of new therapeutic strategies for enhancing innate cellular defences against HIV-1 and protecting macrophages from infection

The usefulness of Moynihan questionnaire in the evaluation of knowledge on healthy diet of patients undergoing cardiology rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to test the usefulness of Moynihan questionnaire in the evaluation of knowledge on healthy diet of patients undergoing cardiology rehabilitation. METHODS: We enrolled 51 patients (pts): 41 men and 10 women, mean age 67.97 +/-11.2 years. The case study included: 21 pts that underwent coronary bypass surgery, 16 pts replaced plastic tube, 14 pts had surgery for the other reasons. All pts underwent nutritional investigation by a dietitian. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were detected and, by the end, the Moynihan questionnaire was administrated. Pts underwent nutritional coaching, and questionnaire and dietary assessment were rechecked after 3 months. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean Questionnaire score was 22.4 +/- 3.2 points, decreased to 20.6 +/-3.1 points after 3 months (p<0.05). A detailed analysis of the questions showed that the major informations gaps were related to consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of fat and salt. In addition pts have acquired more general knowledge about food composition. CONCLUSIONS: The Moynihan questionnaire is an useful instrument of evaluation of dietary knowledge even in selected patients population. In the present study involving patients after cardiac surgery the main difficulties were related to high age of pts, the low cultural level and, mainly, to the post-surgery stress. However, an increase of correct answers as well as an increased knowledge about food composition were detected after educational intervention performed by the dietitian

L'assorbimento del glucosio in dialisi peritoneale: strumenti utili per il team multidisciplinare

Dialysis patients are often affected by protein energy wasting and the maintenance of an optimal nutritional state is a difficult goal to achieve. Moreover protein energy wasting is one of the strongest risk factors for mortality in chronic dialysis patients. To estimate glucose absorption in peritoneal dialysis is essential to determine patient's dietary energy requirements and to prevent possible metabolic complications. The currently accepted methods of estimating glucose absorption are two. The first one is based on the average glucose absorption of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and is calculated with the Grodstein et al. formula. The second one is based on the Peritoneal equilibration test curves (D/D0 formula, Bodnar et al.) and takes into account transport characteristics. None of the two formulas perfectly calculated the absolute glucose absorption, even if the D/D0 is much closer to the true value, compared to Grodstein et al. formula. In this paper we described the multidisciplinary management experience of peritoneal dialysis patients, with a focus on the estimation of the patient's energy requirements. Analyzing glucose absorption in a systematic way and monitoring the changes in glucose absorption during the time could significantly contribute to adjusting nutritional treatment. However it is always necessary to critically evaluate the results obtained by both formulas

Salute renale per tutti e ovunque: riflessioni al femminile sul tema centrale della Giornata Mondiale del Rene 2020

The goal of the World Kidney Day 2020 (WKD) is "the promotion of public health by ensuring universal, equitable and sustainable access to care, making access to health for all people and social categories equitable". Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a complex and "demanding" health problem for patients and professionals, particularly in the more advanced stages of the disease. In addition to factors such as the so-called systemic conditions and risk factors, sex-related factors intervene in women, which can further complicate the CKD trend. For these reasons, one of the objectives of the World Kidney Day is that prevention and early treatment are included in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and that common strategies are implemented to promote awareness of this pathology. The woman has always played a central role in the "coordination" of family life and "taking care", a role transversal to the different ethnic groups, as evidenced also by the data relating to living kidney donation. This article gives a reflection on some issues related to prevention and treatment of CKD from a female perspective, such as what strategies to identify to implement prevention in the family starting from nutrition, such as the advice for the preparation of a diet plan respectful of the traditions of the country of origin, the identification and treatment of risk factors in order to implement strategies aimed at prevention dedicated to the female world and which style distinguishes the female approach to care | (Gender_nephrology

Renal transplant: gender differences

Renal transplantation represents the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease, leading to improved quality of life and life-expectancy for most of the patients. However, gender disparities are evident both in access and in outcomes of kidney transplantation. Women on dialysis are less likely to be on the waiting list for kidney transplantation and to receive an organ from a deceased donor or living donor. Several biological and sociocultural aspects could explain this disparity. On the contrary, more women than men are living kidney donors. Italian women are the first organ donors for living transplants in Europe. The gender difference in living donation is certainly affected by different comorbidities, but such a marked trend highlights a greater predisposition to donate of women, especially in the family context. Some differences are also found in kidney outcomes, even not fully understood. Our paper analyzes the main differences in different aspects of kidney transplantation related to gender, including nutritional aspects

Telemedicina tra clinica e nutrizione nella Malattia Renale Cronica (MRC): appunti di esperienze al femminile

In Italy, starting from 2015, the date of publication of the guidelines on the 2014-2020 Digital Growth Strategy, technological evolution in medicine has provided encouraging results. The term telemedicine is now in common use, and it is also indicated at an encyclopedic level as "the set of technical and health care monitoring tools, created through systems designed to provide quick access to both medical specialists and patients, regardless of the place where they are respectively located". Nowadays, in the COVID era, the need for social distancing has highlighted the contribution of digital technology to healthcare in terms of access to care and healthcare spending. With regard to chronic kidney disease, telemedicine has always proved essential in improving patients' quality of life, as in the case of peritoneal dialysis. The remote management and monitoring of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis has not only proved to radically change and improve patients' quality of life in replacement therapy, but has also reduced costs. There are some situations in which telemonitoring can guarantee the maintenance of an adequate quality of life for patients in the different stages of the disease. Thanks to the constant commitment of some groups of professionals where the largest part is represented by the "pink quota", it was possible to experiment and implement evaluation protocols for the renal patient in conservative and replacement treatment in some of the most central aspects of care: medical and dietary therapy

APOBEC3G/3A Expression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Individuals Following Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Containing Cenicriviroc or Efavirenz

Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) family members are cytidine deaminases that play crucial roles in innate responses to retrovirus infection. The mechanisms by which some of these enzymes restrict human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication have been extensively investigated in vitro. However, little is known regarding how APOBEC3 proteins affect the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection in vivo and how antiretroviral therapy influences their expression. In this work, a longitudinal analysis was performed to evaluate APOBEC3G/3A expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected individuals treated with cenicriviroc (CVC) or efavirenz (EFV) at baseline and 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks post-treatment follow-up. While APOBEC3G expression was unaffected by therapy, APOBEC3A levels increased in CVC but not EFV arm at week 48 of treatment. APOBEC3G expression correlated directly with CD4+ cell count and CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio, whereas APOBEC3A levels inversely correlated with plasma soluble CD14. These findings suggest that higher APOBEC3G/3A levels may be associated with protective effects against HIV-1 disease progression and chronic inflammation and warrant further studies