Genetic and serologic surveillance of rotavirus with P[8] and P[4] genotypes in feces from children in the city of Chihuahua, northern Mexico

Rotavirus vaccine was developed using the most prominent G and P genotypes circulating in children population. Therefore, severe gastroenteritis has been reduced around the world. This study investigated the G and P rotavirus genotypes circulating in children from two hospitals in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico. Additionally, polyclonal antibodies against Rotavirus Wa strain were used to determine their homotypic and heterotypic reactivity to both P[8] and P[4] genotypes. G1, G2, and G3 VP7 genotypes and P[8] and P[4] VP4 genotypes were detected in common and uncommon combinations as well as mixed infectious. The predominant combination was G1P[8]. Phylogenetic analysis of VP4 gene revealed the presence of P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages of P[8] genotype and P[4]-5 lineage of P[4] genotype. All but five G1P[8] rotavirus were detected by polyclonal anti-Rotavirus Wa strain. Mutation analysis revealed differences in three of the four neutralizing epitopes previously reported to VP8* subunit of VP4 protein. Results of this study offer insights over genetic variants of field rotavirus that could be detected in a homotypic and heterotypic way by antibodies elicited to rotavirus with P[8] genotype. [Int Microbiol 2016; 19(1):27-32]Keywords: rotavirus · viral genotypes · lineages of virus · epitopes · Chihuahua, Mexico      &nbsp

CÉLULAS DENDRÍTICAS EN LA INMUNOPATOLOGÍA DEL VIRUS DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA HUMANA

En México, como en el resto de los países del mundo, el SIDA ha sido considerado como un serio problema de salud pública. El VIH-1 tiene la capacidad de infectar diversos tipos celulares: células T, macrófagos y células dendríticas (CD). Estas últimas, son cruciales en la defensa contra agentes infecciosos y juegan un papel importante en la patogénesis del virus, constituyen una de las primeras células en ser infectadas en mucosa periférica y están distribuidas en vagina,ectocervix y mucosa anal; permitiendo así el contacto con el VIH-1 durante la exposición sexual.Recientemente se ha demostrado que una proteína de membrana tipo II denominada DC-SIGN, participa en la unión del VIH-1 a las CD. Este receptor, es el responsable de mediar la infección a las células T a través de CD, utilizandolas como portadoras permitiendo que el virus tenga acceso a tejido linfático, su mayor sitio de replicación, contribuyendo de esta manera a la patogénesis del VIH/SIDA.Palabras clave: SIDA, VIH, Células dendríticas   AIDS, HIV, dendrtitic cel

INFECCIONES OPORTUNISTAS PRESENTES EN INDIVIDUOS CON VIH/SIDA: VIRUS DEL HERPES SIMPLE TIPO 1 Y 2, CITOMEGALOVIRUS Y HERPESVIRUS TIPO 8 ASOCIADO A SARCOMA DE KAPOSI

Las enfermedades oportunistas abarcan un conjunto de patologías que, como su nombre lo indica, aprovechan "oportunamente" la disminución en la calidad de respuesta del sistema inmune de los pacientes VIH-1 positivos para proliferar en el organismo. En muchos casos, se trata de enfermedades que no aparecerían si el sistema inmunológico se encontrara en su estado normal, sin embargo, esto no significa que sean enfermedades exclusivas de las personas con VIH. Cuando una persona esta infectada con VIH, su sistema inmunológico se ve comprometido es decir, disminuye notablemente su capacidad de atacar a microorganismos patógenos, debido a una reducción en las cuentas de linfocitos T CD4+ (< 200/μl). A partir de este momento, en el que el sistema inmune se encuentra suprimido, diversos microorganismos oportunistas desencadenan una serie de infecciones y algunos tipos de cáncer en el individuo. Una gran proporción de las co-infecciones virales observadas en la infección VIH-SIDA son producidas por miembros de la familia Herpesviridae. En un estudio efectuado en nuestro laboratorio de  seroprevalencia por Citomegalovirus, Virus del Herpes Simple tipo 2 y Virusdel Herpes tipo 8 relacionado con Sarcoma de Kaposi, en pacientes infectados con VIH/SIDA bajo tratamiento antiretroviral encontramos que, de un total de 31 individuos infectados con VIH, el 100% presentaron anticuerpos para Citomegalovirus, un 35% para el Virus del Herpes Simple tipo 2 y un 22% para el Virus del Herpes tipo 8 relacionado con el Sarcoma de Kaposi.Palabras Clave: VIH-1, Infecciones Oportunistas, Herpesviridae.HIV-1, Opportunistic infections, Herpesviridae

Antitumor activity of colloidal silver on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Colloidal silver has been used as an antimicrobial and disinfectant agent. However, there is scarce information on its antitumor potential. The aim of this study was to determine if colloidal silver had cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and its mechanism of cell death.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with colloidal silver (ranged from 1.75 to 17.5 ng/mL) for 5 h at 37°C and 5% CO₂atmosphere. Cell Viability was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion method and the mechanism of cell death through detection of mono-oligonucleosomes using an ELISA kit and TUNEL assay. The production of NO, LDH, and Gpx, SOD, CAT, and Total antioxidant activities were evaluated by colorimetric assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Colloidal silver had dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in MCF-7 breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis, shown an LD₅₀(3.5 ng/mL) and LD₁₀₀(14 ng/mL) (*P < 0.05), significantly decreased LDH (*P < 0.05) and significantly increased SOD (*P < 0.05) activities. However, the NO production, and Gpx, CAT, and Total antioxidant activities were not affected in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. PBMC were not altered by colloidal silver.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present results showed that colloidal silver might be a potential alternative agent for human breast cancer therapy.</p

Dissemination of Metarhizium anisopliae of low and high virulence by mating behavior in Aedes aegypti

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by <it>Aedes </it>mosquitoes. It is a threat for public health worldwide and its primary vector <it>Aedes aegypti </it>is becoming resistant to chemical insecticides. These factors have encouraged studies to evaluate entomopathogenic fungi against the vector. Here we evaluated mortality, infection, insemination and fecundity rates in <it>A. aegypti </it>females after infection by autodissemination with two Mexican strains of <it>Metarhizium anisopliae</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two <it>M. anisopliae </it>strains were tested: The Ma-CBG-1 least virulent (lv), and the Ma-CBG-2 highly virulent (hv) strain. The lv was tested as non mosquito-passed (NMP), and mosquito-passed (MP), while the hv was examined only as MP version, therefore including the control four treatments were used. In the first bioassay virulence of fungal strains towards female mosquitoes was determined by indirect exposure for 48 hours to conidia-impregnated paper. In the second bioassay autodissemination of fungal conidia from fungus-contaminated males to females was evaluated. Daily mortality allowed computation of survival curves and calculation of the LT₅₀by the Kaplan-Meier model. All combinations of fungal sporulation and mating insemination across the four treatments were analyzed by χ². The mean fecundity was analyzed by ANOVA and means contrasted with the Ryan test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Indirect exposure to conidia allowed a faster rate of mortality, but exposure to a fungal-contaminated male was also an effective method of infecting female mosquitoes. All females confined with the hv strain-contaminated male died in fifteen days with a LT₅₀of 7.57 (± 0.45) where the control was 24.82 (± 0.92). For the lv strain, it was possible to increase fungal virulence by passing the strain through mosquitoes. 85% of females exposed to hv-contaminated males became infected and of them just 10% were inseminated; control insemination was 46%. The hv strain reduced fecundity by up to 99%, and the lv strain caused a 40% reduction in fecundity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The hv isolate infringed a high mortality, allowed a low rate of insemination, and reduced fecundity to nearly zero in females confined with a fungus-contaminated male. This pathogenic impact exerted through sexual transmission makes the hv strain of <it>M. anisopliae </it>worthy of further research.</p

Mouse mammary tumor virus-like gene sequences are present in lung patient specimens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have reported on the presence of Murine Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV)-like gene sequences in human cancer tissue specimens. Here, we search for MMTV-like gene sequences in lung diseases including carcinomas specimens from a Mexican population. This study was based on our previous study reporting that the INER51 lung cancer cell line, from a pleural effusion of a Mexican patient, contains MMTV-like <it>env </it>gene sequences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The MMTV-like <it>env </it>gene sequences have been detected in three out of 18 specimens studied, by PCR using a specific set of MMTV-like primers. The three identified MMTV-like gene sequences, which were assigned as INER6, HZ101, and HZ14, were 99%, 98%, and 97% homologous, respectively, as compared to GenBank sequence accession number <ext-link ext-link-id="AY161347" ext-link-type="gen">AY161347</ext-link>. The INER6 and HZ-101 samples were isolated from lung cancer specimens, and the HZ-14 was isolated from an acute inflammatory lung infiltrate sample. Two of the <it>env </it>sequences exhibited disruption of the reading frame due to mutations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In summary, we identified the presence of MMTV-like gene sequences in 2 out of 11 (18%) of the lung carcinomas and 1 out of 7 (14%) of acute inflamatory lung infiltrate specimens studied of a Mexican Population.</p

Bioinsecticidas: su empleo, producción y comercialización en México

Una de las ventajas de la biotecnología agrícola ha sido el impulso del empleo de bioinsecticidas, los cuales tienen como objetivo primordial proteger al ambiente y mejorar la calidad de los alimentos. La industria de los bioinsecticidas incluye agentes microbianos de control (bacterias, hongos, virus, protozoarios y nemátodos), organismos entomófagos (depredadores y parasitoides), compuestos orgánicos y organismos y plantas transgénicas. Se tiene estimado que en México el empleo de Bacillus thuringiensis para control de plagas en campo es de un 4% al 10% del total de insecticidas, y la producción y el empleo de diferentes hongos entomopatógenos y organismos entomófagos es cada vez mayor, principalmente en las regiones agrícolas. Además, se ha iniciado la producción de otro tipo de bacterias, baculovirus, nemátodos y extractos de plantas, aunque con un mercado nacional muy pequeño. Para incrementar el consumo de bioinsecticidas en México se requiere de mayor investigación científica y de factibilidad económica, que se enfoquen a mejorar la producción y calidad de los mismos, con el fin de garantizar la efectividad del producto final

Desarrollo de vacunas basadas en bacterias lácticas para inducir inmunidad en mucosas contra VIH

En el presente trabajo se desarrolló un nuevo sistema de expresión de la proteína gp120 del VIH basado en bacterias lácticas, induciendo inmunidad humoral. Nuestros datos indican que la administración oral de L. lactis modificada para expresar la gp120 induce anticuerpos sistémicos y locales (a nivel de mucosas) específicos, así como también estimulan la producción de linfocitos específicos contra el VIH y se asocia a un incremento en la expresión de CD4 y de Mac en las mucosas. La inducción de inmunidad en mucosas usando bacterias lácticas modificadas para presentar en mucosas antígenos del VIH puede representar una estrategia tecnológica para desarrollar una vacuna contra el SIDA efectiva y segura

In Vitro Tumor Cell Growth Inhibition Induced by Lophocereus marginatus (DC.) S. Arias and Terrazas Endophytic Fungi Extracts

Endophytic fungi have become potential sources of antitumor agents, particularly against antineoplastic-resistant cancer cells, with marginal or nil adverse effects for the oncological patient. Endophytic fungi were isolated from stems of the Lophocereus marginatus cactus, commonly found in Mexico. Methanol extracts were then obtained from fungus liquid cultures and their effects on tumor cell growth against murine lymphoma (L5178Y-R), human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were evaluated at concentrations ranging from 31 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL via the colorimetric 3- [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide reduction assay, using monkey kidney epithelial (MA-104) and human peripheral mononuclear (PBMC) cells as controls. Furthermore, we obtained the IC50 and the selectivity index (SI) was calculated from the IC50 ratio of normal and tumor cells. In addition, molecular identification of fungi showing cytotoxic activity was determined, using internal transcribed spacer molecular markers. PME-H001, PME-H002, PME-H005, PME-H007, and PME-H008 filamentous fungus strain extracts showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) tumor cell growth inhibition. In particular, they significantly (p &lt; 0.05) inhibited L5178Y-R cell growth, whereas the least susceptible cell line was HT-29. The endophytic strain PME-H008 of Cladosporium sp. caused the highest growth inhibition percentage against L5178Y-R and HT-29 cells with 96.6% (p &lt; 0.01) and 42.5% (p &lt; 0.05) respectively, and the highest SIs against L5178Y-R cells with 2.4 and 2.9 for MA-104 and PBMCs, respectively, whereas the PME-H005 extract showed SIs of 2.77 and 1.5 against MCF-7 and L5178Y-R cells, respectively, as compared with PBMCs. In addition, the endophytic strain PME-H007 of Metarhizium anisopliae caused the highest percentage of growth inhibition (p &lt; 0.01) against MCF-7 cells with 55.8% at 250 µg/mL. We demonstrated in vitro antitumor effects of L. marginatus endophytic fungi. Further research will involve the isolation and in vivo testing of bioactive compounds