Use of the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique for bacteria detection in Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae) (L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacteria associated with insects can have a substantial impact on the biology and life cycle of their host. The checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique is a semi-quantitative technique that has been previously employed in odontology to detect and quantify a variety of bacterial species in dental samples. Here we tested the applicability of the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique to detect the presence of <it>Aedes aegypti</it>-associated bacterial species in larvae, pupae and adults of <it>A. aegypti</it>.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Using the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique we could detect and estimate the number of four bacterial species in total DNA samples extracted from <it>A. aegypti </it>single whole individuals and midguts. <it>A. aegypti </it>associated bacterial species were also detected in the midgut of four other insect species, <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis, Drosophila melanogaster</it>, <it>Bradysia hygida </it>and <it>Apis mellifera</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique can be employed to study the microbiota composition of mosquitoes. The method has the sensitivity to detect bacteria in single individuals, as well as in a single organ, and therefore can be employed to evaluate the differences in bacterial counts amongst individuals in a given mosquito population. We suggest that the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique is a straightforward technique that can be widely used for the characterization of the microbiota in mosquito populations.</p

Cathepsin B-associated Activation of Amyloidogenic Pathway in Murine Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Brain Cortex

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is caused by genetic deficiency of alpha-l-iduronidase and impairment of lysosomal catabolism of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. In the brain, these substrates accumulate in the lysosomes of neurons and glial cells, leading to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Their storage also affects lysosomal homeostasis-inducing activity of several lysosomal proteases including cathepsin B (CATB). In the central nervous system, increased CATB activity has been associated with the deposition of amyloid plaques due to an alternative pro-amyloidogenic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), suggesting a potential role of this enzyme in the neuropathology of MPS I. In this study, we report elevated levels of protein expression and activity of CATB in cortex tissues of 6-month-old MPS I (Idua -/- mice. Besides, increased CATB leakage from lysosomes to the cytoplasm of Idua -/- cortical pyramidal neurons was indicative of damaged lysosomal membranes. The increased CATB activity coincided with an elevated level of the 16-kDa C-terminal APP fragment, which together with unchanged levels of beta-secretase 1 was suggestive for the role of this enzyme in the amyloidogenic APP processing. Neuronal accumulation of Thioflavin-S-positive misfolded protein aggregates and drastically increased levels of neuroinflammatory glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes and CD11b-positive activated microglia were observed in Idua -/- cortex by confocal fluorescent microscopy. Together, our results point to the existence of a novel CATB-associated alternative amyloidogenic pathway in MPS I brain induced by lysosomal storage and potentially leading to neurodegeneration

Almanac 2014: Global Health and Cardiovascular Disease

Moderna definicija pojma globalnoga zdravlja obuhvaća više od brige o zanemarenim bolestima i nerazvijenim zemljama. Postojeće inicijative usredotočuju se na poboljšanje zdravlja, smanjenje nerazmjera te zaštitu od globalnih prijetnji, pokušavajući utjecati na zdravstvenu praksu, politiku i sustave. Zanimanje za istraživanje globalnoga zdravlja raste, s obzirom na epidemiološku tranziciju koja se trenutačno zbiva u zemljama s malim i srednjim BDP-om te rastući epidemiološki značaj kardiovaskularnih i drugih nezaraznih bolesti nauštrb zaraznih bolesti i prehrambenih deficijencija. Razni vidovi tih bolesti – dosad zanemareni, kao što su epidemiologija, prevencija, dijagnostika i liječenje, predmet su rasprave u publikacijama o globalnom zdravlju, što vodi do boljeg razumijevanja zdravlja kao javnoga dobra neovisnoga o državnim granicama. Znanstveni dokazi podupiru šire inicijative u kojima vlade, udruge i civilno društvo moraju dijeliti odgovornosti i financijsko breme kako bi postigli zdravstvenu ravnopravnost - glavni cilj globalnoga zdravlja.The modern definition of Global Health has expanded its scope beyond neglected diseases and low-income and underdeveloped countries. The current initiatives focus on improvement of health, reduction of disparities and protection against global threats, seeking for interaction with health practices, policies and systems. There has been a growing interest on Global Health research, given the epidemiological transition currently underway in low and mid-income countries and the increasing epidemiological importance of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases, to the detriment of infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Various aspects – formerly neglected – of these diseases, such as epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and therapy, have been addressed in Global Health publications, leading to a better understanding of the importance of health as a public good, beyond borders. Scientific evidence supports broader initiatives in which governments, foundations and the civil society must share responsibilities and funding to achieve health equity, the main goal of Global Health

Immunomodulatory effects of recombinant BCG expressing pertussis toxin on TNF-alpha and IL-10 in a bladder cancer model

Background: Since successful treatment of superficial bladder cancer with BCG requires proper induction of Th1 immunity, we have developed a rBCG-S1PT strain that induced a stronger cellular immune response than BCG. This preclinical study was designed to compare the modulatory effects of BCG and rBCG-S1PT on bladder TNF-alpha and IL-10 expression and to evaluate antitumour activity. Methods: For Experiment I, the MB49 bladder cancer cell line was used in C57BL/6 mice. Chemical cauterization of the bladder was performed to promote intravesical tumor implantation. Mice were treated by intravesical instillation with BCG, rBCG-S1PT or PBS once a week for four weeks. After 35 days the bladders were removed and weighed. TNF-<alpha and IL-10 cytokine responses were measured by qPCR. Experiment II was performed in the same manner as Experiment I, except the animals were not challenged with MB49 tumor cells. Results: rBCG-S1PT immunotherapy resulted in bladder weight reduction, compared to the BCG and control group. There were increases in TNF-alpha in the BCG-treated group, as well as increases in TNF-alpha and IL-10 mRNA in the rBCG-S1PT group. Conclusion: These data indicate a significant reduction of bladder tumor volume for the rBCG group, compared to the BCG and PBS groups. This suggests that rBCG could be a useful substitute for wild-type BCG and that the potential modulation between TNF-alpha and IL-10 cytokine productions may have therapeutic value

Критерии оценки когнитивных нарушений после инсульта

Резюмированы определенные современные вопросы, с которыми сталкиваются неврологи и семейные врачи при выявлении и оказании помощи больным, у которых наблюдается ухудшение неврологического состояния в виде прогрессирования когнитивной дисфункции после развития инсульта.Резюмовано окремі сучасні питання, з якими стикаються неврологи і сімейні лікарі при виявленні та наданні допомоги хворим, у яких спостерігається погіршення неврологічного стану у вигляді прогресування когнітивної дисфункції після розвитку інсульту.Some urgent issues faced by neurologists and general practitioners when revealing and rendering medical aid to the patients with aggravation of the neurological state in the form of progression of post−stroke cognitive dysfunction are summarized

A Brazilian regional basic diet-induced chronic malnutrition drives liver inflammation with higher ApoA-I activity in C57BL6J mice

Malnutrition is still considered endemic in many developing countries. Malnutrition-enteric infections may cause lasting deleterious effects on lipid metabolism, especially in children living in poor settings. The regional basic diet (RBD), produced to mimic the Brazilian northeastern dietary characteristics (rich in carbohydrate and low in protein) has been used in experimental malnutrition models, but few studies have explored the effect of chronic RBD on liver function, a central organ involved in cholesterol metabolism. This study aimed to investigate whether RBD leads to liver inflammatory changes and altered reverse cholesterol metabolism in C57BL6/J mice compared to the control group, receiving a standard chow diet. To evaluate liver inflammation, ionized calcium-binding adapter protein-1 (IBA-1) positive cell counting, interleukin (IL)-1b immunohistochemistry, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and IL-10 transcription levels were analyzed. In addition, we assessed reverse cholesterol transport by measuring liver apolipoprotein (Apo)E, ApoA-I, and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) by RT-PCR. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was measured to assess liver function. RBD markedly impaired body weight gain compared with the control group (Po0.05). Higher hepatic TNF-a (Po0.001) and IL-10 (Po0.01) mRNA levels were found in RBD-challenged mice, although without detectable non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Marked IBA-1 immunolabeling and increased number of positive-IBA-1 cells (presumably Kupffer cells) were found in the undernourished group. No statistical difference in serum ALT was found. There was also a significant increase in ApoA-I mRNA expression in the undernourished group, but not ApoE and LCAT, compared with the control. Altogether our findings suggested that chronic RBD-induced malnutrition leads to liver inflammation with increased ApoA-I activity

Fatores que interferem no desempenho de usuários de implante coclear em testes de percepção de fala

Objetivo : analisar os fatores que interferem no desempenho de usuários de implante coclear em testes de percepção de fala.Métodos : foram aplicados questionários e testes de percepção de fala em 25 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, portadores de perda auditiva neurossensorial e usuários de IC unilateral.Resultados : - 48% dos participantes atingiram bom desempenho nos resultados dos testes de percepção de fala, apresentando porcentagens maiores ou iguais a 50 % de acertos. - Os participantes que obtiveram melhores resultados não são necessariamente os que possuem maior idade auditiva. - Dos 12 participantes que atingiram desempenho acima de 50%, 10 (83,3%) foram implantados mais precocemente (até 5 anos). - O uso do AASI na orelha contralateral influenciou significantemente nos índices de reconhecimento das palavras ou sentenças. - Os participantes que iniciaram o uso de AASI mais cedo não foram necessariamente os que apresentaram melhores resultados nos testes.Conclusão : a ativação mais precoce dos IC mostrou-se uma variável importante no desempenho dos testes. - O uso do AASI na orelha contralateral influenciou significantemente nos índices de reconhecimento das palavras ou sentenças

Dietary availability patterns of the brazilian macro-regions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Epidemiological studies have raised concerns about the role of dietary patterns on the risk of chronic diseases and also in the formulation of better informed nutrition policies.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The development of a dietary availability patterns according to geographic regions in Brazil.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>The 2002-2003 Brazilian Household Budget Survey was conducted in 48,470 households. Dietary availability patterns were identified by Principal Component Analysis using as a unit of analysis the survey's Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) and purchased amounts for 21 food groups. Each of the extracted dietary availability patterns was regressed on socioeconomics categories.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no differences in dietary availability patterns between urban and rural areas. In all regions, a rice and beans pattern was identified. This pattern explained 15% to 28% of the variance dependent on the region of the country. In South, Southeast and Midwest regions, a mixed pattern including at least 10 food groups explaining 8% to 16% of the variance. In the North region (Amazon forest included) the first pattern was based on fish and nuts and then it was designed as regional pattern. In multiple linear regression the rice and beans pattern was associated with the presence of adolescents in the households, except for North region, whereas the presence of adolescents was associated with the Regional pattern. A mixed patterns were associated with a higher income and education (p < 0.05), except in the South region.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The rice and beans and regional dietary availability patterns, both considered healthy eating patterns are still important in the country. Brazil has taken many actions to improve nutrition as part of their public health policies, the data of the Household Budget Survey could help to recognize the different food choices in the large regions of the country.</p