Trophic ecology and morphology of Anolis bartschi (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in Viñales National Park, Cuba

Ecología trófca y morfología de Anolis bartschi (Squamata: Dactyloidae) en el Parque Nacional Viñales, Cuba. Se conoce poco sobre la dieta de los anolinos cubanos. La morfología en lagartos está directamente relacionada con funciones ecológicas, como estrategias de forrajeo, competencias interespecífcas, o demanda energética ligada a la reproducción. Anolis bartschi es un endémico regional, restringido a las alturas cársicas del occidente de Cuba. Aquí ofrecemos datos nuevos sobre la ecología trófca de esta especie y su relación con la morfología de su cabeza. Se capturaron 131 individuos adultos, donde los machos poseen mayor tamaño del cuerpo y de la cabeza que las hembras. La mayoría de los individuos tenía presas en el estómago. Los machos consumirán más presas que las hembras, pero de menor tamaño que estas. Se detectó solapamiento trófco en época de seca, pero hubo segregamiento trófco en lluvia. Hymenoptera fue la presa más consumida por ambos sexos. Además, las hembras consumieron más Blattodea y Coleoptera, mientras los machos más Diptera. Esta especie prefere presas sedentarias en lugar de móviles. Sugerimos que esta especie prefere presas sedentarias a presas móviles. De acuerdo a nuestros datos y las observaciones de campo, A. bartschi es un forrajeador bimodal, aunque se recomiendan futuras investigaciones sobre la variación temporal (diaria y anual) en la dieta de esta especie para una apropiada clasifcación sobre su actividad forrajeadoraTrophic ecology and morphology of Anolis bartschi (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in Parque Nacional Viñales, Cuba. Little is known about the trophic ecology of most anoles of Cuba. Morphology is directly related to ecological functions in lizards, such as feeding strategies, interspecifc competition or energetic demands linked to reproduction. Anolis bartschi is a regionally endemic species, restricted to karstic hills of western Cuba. Here, we offer new insights into the trophic ecology of this species, and its relation to head morphology. We captured 131 adults; males were larger than females in size and head width. Most of them had prey in their stomachs. Males consumed more prey than females, but the latter consumed larger prey. Prey overlap within sexes was detected in the dry season, but trophic segregation occurred in the rainy season. Hymenoptera was the most frequently consumed prey in both sexes. In addition, females ate Blattodea and Coleoptera, and males consumed more Diptera. We suggest that this lizard prefers sedentary rather than mobile prey. According to our dataset and feld observations, A. bartschi is a bimodal forager lizard, but research on temporal (daily and annual) variation in diet is recommended for a proper forage classifcation of this lizard

Prostaglandin D2/J2 signaling pathway in a rat model of neuroinflammation displaying progressive parkinsonian-like pathology: potential novel therapeutic targets

Background: Prostaglandins are products of the cyclooxygenase pathway, which is implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Limited knowledge is available on mechanisms by which prostaglandins contribute to PD neurodegeneration. To address this gap, we focused on the prostaglandin PGD2/J2 signaling pathway, because PGD2 is the most abundant prostaglandin in the brain, and the one that increases the most under pathological conditions. Moreover, PGJ2 is spontaneously derived from PGD2. Methods: In this study, we determined in rats the impact of unilateral nigral PGJ2-microinfusions on COX-2, lipocalin-type PGD2 synthase (L-PGDS), PGD2/J2 receptor 2 (DP2), and 15 hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). Nigral dopaminergic (DA) and microglial distribution and expression levels of these key factors of the prostaglandin D2/J2 pathway were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. PGJ2-induced motor deficits were assessed with the cylinder test. We also determined whether oral treatment with ibuprofen improved the PD-like pathology induced by PGJ2. Results: PGJ2 treatment induced progressive PD-like pathology in the rats. Concomitant with DA neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), PGJ2-treated rats exhibited microglia and astrocyte activation and motor deficits. In DA neurons, COX-2, L-PGDS, and 15-PGDH levelsincreased significantly in PGJ2-treated rats compared to controls, while DP2 receptor levels were unchanged. In microglia, DP2 receptors were basically non-detectable, while COX-2 and L-PGDS levels increased upon PGJ2-treatment, and 15-PGDH remained unchanged. 15-PGDH was also detected in oligodendrocytes. Notably, ibuprofen prevented most PGJ2-induced PD-like pathology. Conclusions: The PGJ2-induced rat model develops progressive PD pathology, which is a hard-to-mimic aspect of this disorder. Moreover, prevention of most PGJ2-induced PD-like pathology with ibuprofen suggests a positive feedback mechanism between PGJ2 and COX-2 that could lead to chronic neuroinflammation. Notably, this is the first study that analyzes the nigral dopaminergic and microglial distribution and levels of factors of the PGD2/J2 signaling pathway in rodents. Our findings support the notions that upregulation of COX-2 and L-PGDS may be important in the PGJ2 evoked PD-like pathology, and that neuronal DP2 receptor antagonists and L-PGDS inhibitors may be novel pharmacotherapeutics to relieve neuroinflammation-mediated neurodegeneration in PD, circumventing the adverse side effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors

Inhibitory activity of Lactobacillus plantarum LMG P-26358 against Listeria innocua when used as an adjunct starter in the manufacture of cheese

Lactobacillus plantarum LMG P-26358 isolated from a soft French artisanal cheese produces a potent class IIa bacteriocin with 100% homology to plantaricin 423 and bacteriocidal activity against Listeria innocua and Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteriocin was found to be highly stable at temperatures as high as 100°C and pH ranges from 1-10. While this relatively narrow spectrum bacteriocin also exhibited antimicrobial activity against species of enterococci, it did not inhibit dairy starters including lactococci and lactobacilli when tested by well diffusion assay (WDA). In order to test the suitability of Lb. plantarum LMG P-26358 as an anti-listerial adjunct with nisin-producing lactococci, laboratory-scale cheeses were manufactured. Results indicated that combining Lb. plantarum LMG P-26358 (at 108 colony forming units (cfu)/ml) with a nisin producer is an effective strategy to eliminate the biological indicator strain, L. innocua. Moreover, industrial-scale cheeses also demonstrated that Lb. plantarum LMG P-26358 was much more effective than the nisin producer alone for protection against the indicator. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of plantaricin 423 and nisin in the appropriate cheeses over an 18 week ripening period. A spray-dried fermentate of Lb. plantarum LMG P-26358 also demonstrated potent anti-listerial activity in vitro using L. innocua. Overall, the results suggest that Lb. plantarum LMG P-26358 is a suitable adjunct for use with nisin-producing cultures to improve the safety and quality of dairy products

A novel consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophilus for increased access to functional fermented foods

Background: The lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the most studied probiotic bacterium with proven health benefits upon oral intake, including the alleviation of diarrhea. The mission of the Yoba for Life foundation is to provide impoverished communities in Africa increased access to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG under the name Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012, world's first generic probiotic strain. We have been able to overcome the strain's limitations to grow in food matrices like milk, by formulating a dried starter consortium with Streptococcus thermophilus that enables the propagation of both strains in milk and other food matrices. The affordable seed culture is used by people in resource-poor communities. Results: We used S. thermophilus C106 as an adjuvant culture for the propagation of L. rhamnosus yoba 2012 in a variety of fermented foods up to concentrations, because of its endogenous proteolytic activity, ability to degrade lactose and other synergistic effects. Subsequently, L. rhamnosus could reach final titers of 1E+09 CFU ml(-1), which is sufficient to comply with the recommended daily dose for probiotics. The specific metabolic interactions between the two strains were derived from the full genome sequences of L. rhamnosus GG and S. thermophilus C106. The piliation of the L. rhamnosus yoba 2012, required for epithelial adhesion and inflammatory signaling in the human host, was stable during growth in milk for two rounds of fermentation. Sachets prepared with the two strains, yoba 2012 and C106, retained viability for at least 2 years. Conclusions: A stable dried seed culture has been developed which facilitates local and low-cost production of a wide range of fermented foods that subsequently act as delivery vehicles for beneficial bacteria to communities in east Africa.Peer reviewe

Comparative study of mid-upper arm circumference, arm muscle area and arm fat area percentiles in Argentinean and US children aged 4-14 years

Background: mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), subcutaneous fat and muscle measurements are an alternative method to diagnose overweight and evaluate growth as well as protein and energy reserves. Aim: to compare MUAC, arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) measurements of Argentinean boys and girls (Sa) with reference curves for US boys and girls (R). Subjects and methods: data from 22,736 school-children aged 4-14 years from six Argentinean provinces were collected. MUAC and triceps skinfold thickness were measured and the derived AMA and AFA measures were calculated. Analyses were performed with GAMLSS using the R software. Differences in mean values of Sa and R were compared in percentiles 3, 50 and 97. Results: mean values of MUAC and AMA in boys and girls were higher in R than in Sa at all ages; conversely, AFA values were lower. Conclusions: our results confirm differences in upper arm anthropometry of Argentinean school-children with respect to the US reference. The higher adipose tissue and lower skeletal muscle mass observed in Argentinean children could be partly associated with the different ethnic origin of both populations. However, differences should be interpreted in the context of an obesogenic environment, which has favored a calorie-protein imbalance

Study protocol for the multicentre cohorts of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, infants, and acute clinical cases in Latin America and the Caribbean: The ZIKAlliance consortium

Background: The European Commission (EC) Horizon 2020 (H2020)-funded ZIKAlliance Consortium designed a multicentre study including pregnant women (PW), children (CH) and natural history (NH) cohorts. Clinical sites were selected over a wide geographic range within Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the dynamic course of the ZIKV epidemic. Methods: Recruitment to the PW cohort will take place in antenatal care clinics. PW will be enrolled regardless of symptoms and followed over the course of pregnancy, approximately every 4 weeks. PW will be revisited at delivery (or after miscarriage/abortion) to assess birth outcomes, including microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities according to the evolving definition of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). After birth, children will be followed for 2 years in the CH cohort. Follow-up visits are scheduled at ages 1-3, 4-6, 12, and 24 months to assess neurocognitive and developmental milestones. In addition, a NH cohort for the characterization of symptomatic rash/fever illness was designed, including follow-up to capture persisting health problems. Blood, urine, and other biological materials will be collected, and tested for ZIKV and other relevant arboviral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever) using RT-PCR or serological methods. A virtual, decentralized biobank will be created. Reciprocal clinical monitoring has been established between partner sites. Substudies of ZIKV seroprevalence, transmissio

Novedades sobre la distribución del lagarto endémico Anolis bartschi (Sauria: Dactyloidae)

The distribution records enable ecologist to manage species population for conservation, specially endemic and threatened species. The genus Anolis is represented in Cuba by 64 species, most of it endemic. One of the most habitat-restricted species is Anolis bartschi, this species inhabits crevices and walls on karstic hills in Sierra de los Órganos, Pinar del Río province. In this paper we offer new distribution records of A. bartschi. We review the bibliographic records available since 1958 to 2018. In addition, we visited, at least once, 45 localities at Sierra de los Órganos since 2014 to 2018. We report 23 new localities for A. bartschi and we corroborate that the distribution of this species is limited to the karstic elevations of Sierra de los Órganos. An assessing of the species population is needed to establish a conservation protocol to reduce human impact in this lizard populations, especially those that are beyond the limits of the protected areas of the province, because are the most vulnerable to habitat modification.Los datos de distribución de especies permiten un mejor manejo de sus poblaciones en aras de la conservación, sobre todo aquellas que son endémicas y amenazadas. El género Anolis en Cuba comprende 64 especies, donde la mayoría son endémicas, y es el género que más representantes posee entre los lagartos Cubanos. Esta especie es una de las más restringidas respecto a su hábitat, pues habita en las paredes y oquedades de las elevaciones cársicas (mogotes) de la Sierra de los Órganos en Pinar del Río. En este trabajo ofrecemos nuevos datos sobre la distribución de A. bartschi en la provincia. Se consultó la bibliografía disponible desde 1958 hasta 2018 sobre la distribución de A. bartschi, y además se visitaron 45 localidades en toda la provincia de Pinar del Río, realizándose al menos una visita a cada una desde 2014 hasta 2018. Se adicionan 23 nuevos registros de distribución para A. bartschi. Se comprueba que la especie se limita a las alturas cársicas de la Sierra de los Órganos, en la Cordillera de Guaniguanico. Se debe establecer un protocolo para el seguimiento y evaluación del impacto antrópico sobre las poblaciones de esta especie, sobre todo las que habitan fuera de las áreas protegidas, pues son las más susceptibles a las modificaciones del hábitat

Enrofloxacine residues in carcass of chickens from four slaughterhouse, San Francisco county, Zulia state, Venezuela

El estudio se realizó con la finalidad de conocer la realidad actual y local referida al uso de antibióticos a nivel de granjas de pollos de engorde; para ello se elaboró una encuesta epidemiológica (validez de constructo y confiabilidad de alfa cronbach (0,91)) y se indagó la presencia de residuos de antibióticos en tejidos de pollos beneficiados en cuatro plantas del municipio San Francisco del estado Zulia. Venezuela. La medición se efectuó mediante la técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). El muestreo se basó en estimaciones del consumo de pollo por familia y constó de 20 canales obtenidos directamente de las empresas. Los resultados de la encuesta mostraron uso generalizado de antibióticos y preferencia por la enrofoxacina (51%), por su supuesta doble acción profiláctica (promotor de crecimiento) y terapéutica, por lo que se convirtió en centro de la indagación. Los datos de la medición de residuos evidencian niveles importantes de los metabolitos (enrofloxacina y ciprofloxacina) en dos de las cuatro plantas estudiadas, con diferencias significativas entre ellas (valor F= 174,77; P= 0,05). Dichos datos sugieren el incumplimiento del tiempo de retiro del medicamento, previa salida de las aves a matadero y reaviven la discusión sobre sus efectos adversos en la salud pública de los consumidores.412 - [email protected] study was made with the purpose of knowing present and local reality, referred to the use of antibiotics at level of farms of fattening chickens: for it an epidemiological survey was elaborated (validity of constructo and trustworthiness of alpha cronbach (0.91)) and the presence of weave antibiotic remainders was investigated of chickens benefited in four plants of the San Francisco County, Zulia State, Venezuela. The measurement took place by means of the technique of liquid chromatography of hi-res (HPLC). The sampling was based on estimations of the consumption of chicken by family and consisted of 20 carcass, obtained directly of the companies. The results of the survey showed the generalized antibiotic use and preference by the enrofloxacin (51%) because of their supposed double prophylactic action (promotional of growth) and therapeutic, reason that became it as center of the investigation. The data about the measurement of remainders demonstrate important levels of the metabolites (enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) in two of the four studied plants, with significant differences among them (value F= 174.77; P= 0.05). These data suggest the breach of the time of retirement of medicine previous leaving of the birds to slaughter house and revive the discussion on their adverse effects in the public health of the consumers

Thioredoxin reductase is a key factor in the oxidative stress response of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1

BACKGROUND: Thioredoxin (TRX) is a powerful disulfide oxido-reductase that catalyzes a wide spectrum of redox reactions in the cell. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of the TRX system in the oxidative stress response in Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1. RESULTS: We have identified the trxB1-encoded thioredoxin reductase (TR) as a key enzyme in the oxidative stress response of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1. Overexpression of the trxB1 gene resulted in a 3-fold higher TR activity in comparison to the wild-type strain. Subsequently, higher TR activity was associated with an increased resistance towards oxidative stress. We further determined the global transcriptional response to hydrogen peroxide stress in the trxB1-overexpression and wild-type strains grown in continuous cultures. Hydrogen peroxide stress and overproduction of TR collectively resulted in the up-regulation of 267 genes. Additionally, gene expression profiling showed significant differential expression of 27 genes in the trxB1-overexpression strain. Over expression of trxB1 was found to activate genes associated with DNA repair and stress mechanisms as well as genes associated with the activity of biosynthetic pathways for purine and sulfur-containing amino acids. A total of 16 genes showed a response to both TR overproduction and hydrogen peroxide stress. These genes are involved in the purine metabolism, energy metabolism (gapB) as well as in stress-response (groEL, npr2), and manganese transport (mntH2). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings we propose that overproduction of the trxB1-encoded TR in L. plantarum improves tolerance towards oxidative stress. This response coincides with simultaneous induction of a group of 16 transcripts of genes. Within this group of genes, most are associated with oxidative stress response. The obtained crossover between datasets may explain the phenotype of the trxB1-overexpression strain, which appears to be prepared for encountering oxidative stress. This latter property can be used for engineering robustness towards oxidative stress in industrial strains of L. plantarum

Remainders of enrofloxacina in muscular and hepatic tissues of slaughtered chickens benefitted in the San Francisco municipality, Zulia state, Venezuela

El presente estudio fue conducido para determinar la presencia de residuos de enrofloxacina en los tejidos (músculo e hígado) de pollos beneficiados en cuatro plantas ubicadas en el municipio San Francisco del estado Zulia, Venezuela. Se tomó un pollo directamente de los expendios ubicados en cada planta durante cinco días consecutivos, dando un total de veinte pollos. El análisis de las muestras se realizó a través de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). La presencia de enrofloxacina se encontró por encima de los Límites Máximos de residuos sugeridos por la FDA, Codex Alimentario y EMEA, al alcanzar los siguientes resultados: 3,5 mg/kg en muslo, 3,81 mg/kg en pechuga y 3,62 mg/kg en hígado, lo cual abre un duda razonable en relación a la salud de los consumidores de pollo. Adicionalmente, se discute sobre la posibilidad de considerar contaminantes o no, a tales niveles de enrofloxacina.629 - [email protected] present study was lead to determine the presence of remainders of enrofloxacine in tissues (muscle and liver) of slaughtered chickens in four plants located in the San Francisco municipality of the Zulia state, Venezuela. A chicken was taken directly from the retail store in each plant during five consecutive days, giving a total of twenty chickens. The analysis of the samples was made through liquid chromatography of high resolution (HPLC). The enrofloxacine presence was over the Limits Maximum suggested of Remainders by FDA, Nourishing Codex and EMEA, when reaching the following results: 3.50 mg/kg in breast, 3.81 mg/kg in leg and 3.62 mg/kg in liver, which let a reasonable doubt in relation to the health of the chicken consumers. Additionally, it is discussed on the possibility of considering polluting agents or no such levels of enrofloxacine