Characterization of Chicken IgY Specific to Clostridium difficile R20291 Spores and the Effect of Oral Administration in Mouse Models of Initiation and Recurrent Disease

Indexación: Web of Science; Scopus.Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are the leading cause of world-wide nosocomial acquired diarrhea. The current main clinical challenge in CDI is the elevated rate of infection recurrence that may reach up to 30% of the patients, which has been associated to the formation of dormant spores during the infection. We sought to characterize the effects of oral administration of specific anti-spore IgY in mouse models of CDI and recurrent CDI. The specificity of anti-spore IgY was evaluated in vitro. In both, initiation mouse model and recurrence mouse model, we evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of anti-spore IgY, respectively. Our results demonstrate that anti-spore IgY exhibited high specificity and titers against C. difficile spores and reduced spore adherence to intestinal cells in vitro. Administration of anti-spore IgY to C57BL/6 mice prior and during CDI delayed the appearance of the diarrhea by 1.5 day, and spore adherence to the colonic mucosa by 90%. Notably, in the recurrence model, co-administration of anti-spore IgY coupled with vancomycin delayed the appearance of recurrent diarrhea by a median of 2 days. Collectively, these observations suggest that anti-spore IgY antibodies may be used as a novel prophylactic treatment for CDI, or in combination with antibiotics to treat CDI and prevent recurrence of the infection.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00365/ful

Ideas de los alumnos acerca del mol. Estudio curricular

In this paper a display is made of the controversy about the concept of m01 and the convenience of introducing it in the school "curricula" at the age in which nowadays is made. The results we have obtained from the research carried out on the difficulties experienced by 15 to 19 year old students in understanding this concept and other related concepts are given

Influence of dose and route of administration on the outcome of infection with the virulent Neospora caninum isolate Nc-Spain7 in pregnant sheep at mid-gestation

Experimental infections in pregnant sheep have been focused on studying the effect of the time of challenge on the outcome of N. caninum infection, whereas the impact of the dose and route of challenge has not been studied in depth. Therefore, clinical outcome, immune responses, parasite detection and burden, and lesion severity in placental tissues and foetal brains were investigated in 90-day-pregnant sheep inoculated intravenously with 105 (G1), 104 (G2), 103 (G3), or 102 (G4) tachyzoites or subcutaneously with 104 (G5) tachyzoites of the virulent Nc-Spain7 isolate and an uninfected group (G6). Comparing challenge doses, G1 was the only group that had 100% abortion. Likewise, IFN¿ levels in G1 increased earlier than those in other intravenously infected groups, and IgG levels on day 21 post-infection (pi) were higher in G1 than those in other intravenously infected groups. Concerning vertical transmission, G1 shows a higher parasite burden in the foetal brain than did G2 and G3. Comparing routes of administration, no differences in foetal survival rate or parasite load in the foetal brain were found. Although G2 had higher IFN¿ levels than G5 on day 10 pi, no differences were found in humoral immune responses. Because the outcome after intravenous infection with 105 tachyzoites was similar to that observed after intravenous infection with 106 tachyzoites used in a previous work (100% abortion and vertical transmission), we conclude that it may be reasonable to use 105 tachyzoites administered by the intravenous route in further experiments when assessing drugs or vaccine candidates

Advances in geobotany and new tools in biogeographic and bioclimatic maps: Sierra de Guadarrama National Park

20 páginas, 14 tablas, 3 mapas

Identity and functional characterisation of the transporter supporting the Na+-dependent high-affinity NO3− uptake in Zostera marina L.

Zostera marina is a seagrass, a group of angiosperms that evolved from land to live submerged in seawater, an environment of high salinity, alkaline pH and usually very low NO3−. In 2000, we reported the first physiological evidence for the Na+-dependent high-affinity NO3− uptake in this plant. Now, to determine the molecular identity of this process, we searched for NO3− transporters common to other vascular plants encoded in Z. marina's genome. We cloned two candidates, ZosmaNPF6.3 and ZosmaNRT2 with its partner protein ZosmaNAR2. ZosmaNAR2 expression levels increase up to 4.5-fold in Z. marina leaves under NO3−-deficiency, while ZosmaNRT2 and ZosmaNPF6.3 expressions were low and unaffected by NO3−. NO3− transport capacity, kinetic properties and H+ or Na+-dependence were examined by heterologous expression in the Hansenula polymorpha high-affinity NO3− transporter gene disrupted strain (∆ynt1). ZosmaNPF6.3 functions as a H+-dependent NO3− transporter, without functionality at alkaline pH and apparent dual kinetics (KM = 11.1 µM at NO3− concentrations below 50 µM). ZosmaNRT2 transports NO3− in a H+-independent but Na+-dependent manner (KM = 1 mM Na+), with low NO3− affinity (KM = 30 µM). When ZosmaNRT2 and ZosmaNAR2 are co-expressed, a Na+-dependent high-affinity NO3− transport occurs (KM = 5.7 µM NO3−), mimicking the in vivo value. These results are discussed in the physiological context, providing evidence that ZosmaNRT2 is a Na+-dependent high-affinity NO3− transporter, the first of its kind to be functionally characterised in a vascular plant, that requires ZosmaNAR2 to achieve the necessary high-affinity for nitrate uptake from seawater.Research Funds of Malaga University, Grant/Award Number: 0837002020 B4‐2021‐08; Andalusia Regional Government, Grant/Award Number: GLOCOMA‐FEDER‐UCA 18‐107243; Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA

ZFESNET GPS network to study the evolution of the seismic cycle of stress and strain associated to the El Salvador Fault zone

El Salvador se caracteriza por la presencia de fallas de desgarre sísmicamente activas subparalelas a la zona de subducción. Estas estructuras han sido las responsables de la mayoría de los terremotos destructivos que han tenido lugar a lo largo de la costa Pacífica en el arco volcánico centroamericano, desde Guatemala hasta Costa Rica. La Zona de Falla de El Salvador (ZFES) es una de las principales estructuras tectónicas de la región estudiada, y posiblemente la estructura donde se está acomodando la mayor parte del movimiento paralelo a la zona de subducción. En este trabajo se presenta la Red GPS ZFESNET, establecida en 2007 con el fin de cuantificar la deformación que se está produciendo actualmente asociada a la ZFES. La determinación de deformaciones y esfuerzos acumulados a partir de datos GPS permitirá complementar los datos geológicos existentes y contribuir a una correcta evaluación de la peligrosidad sísmica para esta zona, así como al mejor entendimiento de los datos de sismicidad histórica y paleosismicidad.El Salvador is characterized by the presence of active strike-slip faults subparallel to the trench. These structures have been responsible for most of the destructive earthquakes along the volcanic arc parallel to the pacific coast, from Guatemala to Costa Rica. The El Salvador fault zone is one of the main tectonic structures of the region, and it is possibly the most relevant structure accommodating trench-parallel motion. In this work we present the ZFESNET GPS network, established in 2007 with the aim to quantify the deformation and stress fields controlled by the current activity of the ESFZ. The determination of deformations and stresses from systematic GPS measurements will contribute to improve the seismic hazard assessments in the region and to a better understanding of the historical and paleoseismic activity in the areaDepto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Safety and efficacy of the bumped kinase inhibitor BKI-1553 in pregnant sheep experimentally infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites

Neospora caninum is one of the main causes of abortion in cattle, and recent studies have highlighted its relevance as an abortifacient in small ruminants. Vaccines or drugs for the control of neosporosis are lacking. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs), which are ATP-competitive inhibitors of calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), were shown to be highly efficacious against several apicomplexan parasites in vitro and in laboratory animal models. We here present the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of BKI-1553 in pregnant ewes and foetuses using a pregnant sheep model of N. caninum infection. BKI-1553 showed exposure in pregnant ewes with trough concentrations of approximately 4 µM, and of 1 µM in foetuses. Subcutaneous BKI-1553 administration increased rectal temperatures shortly after treatment, and resulted in dermal nodules triggering a slight monocytosis after repeated doses at short intervals. BKI-1553 treatment decreased fever in infected pregnant ewes already after two applications, resulted in a 37–50% reduction in foetal mortality, and modulated immune responses; IFN¿ levels were increased early after infection and IgG levels were reduced subsequently. N. caninum was abundantly found in placental tissues; however, parasite detection in foetal brain tissue decreased from 94% in the infected/untreated group to 69–71% in the treated groups. In summary, BKI-1553 confers partial protection against abortion in a ruminant experimental model of N. caninum infection during pregnancy. In addition, reduced parasite detection, parasite load and lesions in foetal brains were observed

Rootstock effects on scion gene expression in maritime pine

Pines are the dominant conifers in Mediterranean forests. As long-lived sessile organisms that seasonally have to cope with drought periods, they have developed a variety of adaptive responses. However, during last decades, highly intense and long-lasting drought events could have contributed to decay and mortality of the most susceptible trees. Among conifer species, Pinus pinaster Ait. shows remarkable ability to adapt to different environments. Previous molecular analysis of a full-sib family designed to study drought response led us to find active transcriptional activity of stress-responding genes even without water deprivation in tolerant genotypes. To improve our knowledge about communication between above- and below-ground organs of maritime pine, we have analyzed four graft-type constructions using two siblings as rootstocks and their progenitors, Gal 1056 and Oria 6, as scions. Transcriptomic profiles of needles from both scions were modified by the rootstock they were grafted on. However, the most significant differential gene expression was observed in drought-sensitive Gal 1056, while in drought-tolerant Oria 6, differential gene expression was very much lower. Furthermore, both scions grafted onto drought-tolerant rootstocks showed activation of genes involved in tolerance to abiotic stress, and is most remarkable in Oria 6 grafts where higher accumulation of transcripts involved in phytohormone action, transcriptional regulation, photosynthesis and signaling has been found. Additionally, processes, such as those related to secondary metabolism, were mainly associated with the scion genotype. This study provides pioneering information about rootstock effects on scion gene expression in conifers.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (AGL2015-66048-C2-1-R; RTI2018-098015-B-I00), and by University of Alcalá (UAH-AE 2017-2).Peer reviewe

Un análisis exploratorio de la relación entre pobreza multidimensional y conflicto armado : el caso de Antioquia en Colombia

RESUMEN: Este artículo analiza la relación entre pobreza y conflicto armado en Antioquia, Colombia. El análisis de la pobreza está enmarcado en el enfoque de las capacidades de Sen, el cual conforma la base conceptual del índice de pobreza multidimensional (IPM) desarrollado por Alkire y Foster. El IPM es calculado con información derivada de la base de datos Sisbén, la cual se utiliza para seleccionar la población atendida por los programas de asistencia social del Gobierno colombiano. Este artículo consideró tres dimensiones de pobreza: estándares de vida, salud, y educación. El conflicto armado fue medido por medio de datos de conteo acerca de la ocurrencia de eventos de violencia registrados entre 1996 y 2010 en cada municipalidad de Antioquia. Luego, la relación entre la pobreza y el conflicto armado se analizó mediante métodos exploratorios y no paramétricos como las distribuciones kernel. Los resultados sugieren que el IPM es robusto con respecto a la elección del umbral de pobreza multidimensional. Los mapas de caja y bigotes sugieren que los pobres están localizados en las regiones periféricas de Antioquia. Las distribuciones kernel muestran que las áreas más afectadas por el conflicto, usualmente, tienen altos niveles de pobreza multidimensional.ABSTRACT: This paper analyses the relationship between poverty and armed conflict in Antioquia, Colombia. The poverty analysis it uses is framed according to Sen’s capability approach, which constitutes the conceptual basis for the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) subsequently developed by Alkire and Foster. The MPI is measured employing data from the government database SISBEN, which is used by the Colombian authorities to identify beneficiaries of social assistance programmes. The paper considers three poverty dimensions: living standards, health, and education. Armed conflict is measured using count data on violent events recorded for every municipality in the Department of Antioquia between 1996 and 2010. The relationship between poverty and armed conflict is then analysed using exploratory and non-parametric methods such as kernel distributions. Results suggest that the MPI is robust when compared multidimensional cutoffs. The MPI box-plot maps suggest that poor people are located in Antioquia’s peripheral areas. Kernel distributions show that areas most affected by conflict tend to show higher levels of multidimensional poverty