Gastroprotective effects of oral nucleotide administration

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nucleotides form the building blocks of DNA and are marketed as dietary supplements, alone or in combination with other ingredients, to promote general health. However, there has been only limited scientific study regarding the true biological activity of orally administered nucleotides. We therefore tested their efficacy in a variety of models of epithelial injury and repair. METHODS: Effects on proliferation ([(3)H] thymidine incorporation) and restitution (cell migration of wounded monolayers) were analysed using HT29 and IEC6 cells. The ability of a nucleotide mixture to influence gastric injury when administered orally and subcutaneously was analysed using a rat indomethacin (20 mg/kg) restraint model. RESULTS: In both cell lines, cell migration was increased by approximately twofold when added at 1 mg/ml (p<0.01); synergistic responses were seen when a mixture of nucleotides was used. Cell proliferation was stimulated by adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in HT29, but not in IEC6, cells. Gastric injury was reduced by approximately 60% when gavaged at 4–16 mg/ml (p<0.05), concentrations similar to those likely to be found in consumers taking nucleotide supplements. Systemic administration of nucleotides was unhelpful. CONCLUSIONS: Nucleotides possess biological activity when analysed in a variety of models of injury and repair and could provide a novel inexpensive approach for the prevention and treatment of the injurious effects of non steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and other ulcerative conditions of the bowel. Further studies on their potential benefits (and risks) appear justified

Functional analysis of novel genes differentially expressed genes in heart/hemangioblast precursor cells (H/HPC)

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Ulcerative colitis: let's talk about extent

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which clinical course varies substantially between patients. The extent of the disease is usually pointed out as one of the factors responsible for this variation. With this study, we pretended to evaluate the differences in natural history and pharmacological therapy prescription between left-sided and extended UC

Identification of differentially expressed genes in the heart precursor cells of the chick embryo

Genetic evidence has implicated several genes as being critical for heart development. However, the inducers of these genes as well as their targets and pathways they are involved with, remain largely unknown. Previous studies in the avian embryo showed that at HH4 Cerberus (cCer) transcripts are detected in the anterior endomesoderm including the heart precursor cells and later in the left lateral plate mesoderm. We have identified a promoter element of chick cCer able to drive EGFP expression in a population of cells that consistently exit from the anterior primitive streak region, from as early as stage HH3+, and that later will populate the heart. Using this promoter element as a tool allowed us to identify novel genes previously not known to potentially play a role in heart development. In order to identify and study genes expressed and involved in the correct development and differentiation of the vertebrate heart precursor cell (HPC) lineages, a differential screening using Affymetrix GeneChip system technologies was performed. Remarkably, this screening led to the identification of more than 700 transcripts differentially expressed in the heart forming regions (HFR). Bioinformatic tools allowed us to filter the large amount of data generated from this approach and to select a few transcripts for in vivo validation. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and sectioning of selected genes showed heart and vascular expression patterns for these transcripts during early chick development. We have developed an effective strategy to specifically identify genes that are differentially expressed in the HPC lineages. Within this set we have identified several genes that are expressed in the heart, blood and vascular lineages, which are likely to play a role in their development. These genes are potential candidates for future functional studies on early embryonic patterning.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Ph.D., PD and BI fellowships; FCT research grants; IGC/FCG; IBB/CBME

CONTROLO NATURAL DO PARASITISMO GASTROINTESTINAL EM CAPRINOS E EFEITO NA CONTAMINAÇÃO AMBIENTAL

Na perspetiva de um controlo integrado, é importante o estudo de métodos alternativos ao uso exclusivo de anti‑helmínticos sintéticos, e privilegiar tratamentos seletivos

Doentes Oncológicos com Síndrome Coronária Aguda Não Têm Maior Risco Hemorrágico Quando Comparados com Doentes com Características Similares - Uma Análise de Emparelhamento de Score de Propensão do Registo ProACS

Introduction: The management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in malignancy is challenging due to higher bleeding risk. Methods: We analyzed patients with cancer (active or in the previous five years) prospectively included in the ProACS registry between 2010 and 2019. Our aim was to assess safety (major bleeding, primary endpoint) and secondary efficacy endpoints (in-hospital mortality and combined in-hospital mortality, reinfarction and ischemic stroke) of ACS treatment. Propensity score matching analysis (1:1) was further performed to better understand predictors of outcomes. Results: We found 934 (5%) cancer patients out of a total of 18 845 patients with ACS. Cancer patients had more events: major bleeding (2.9% vs. 1.5%), in-hospital mortality (5.8% vs. 3.4%) and the combined endpoint (7.4% vs. 4.9%). The primary endpoint was related to cancer diagnosis (OR 1.97), previous bleeding (OR 7.09), hemoglobin level (OR 4.94), atrial fibrillation (OR 3.50), oral anticoagulation (OR 3.67) and renal dysfunction. Mortality and the combined secondary endpoint were associated with lower use of invasive coronary angiography and antiplatelet and neurohormonal blocker therapy. After propensity score matching (350 patients), there were no statistically significant differences in endpoints between the populations. Conclusion: Bleeding risk was not significant higher in the cancer population compared to patients with similar characteristics, nor were mortality or ischemic risk. The presence of cancer should not preclude simultaneous ACS treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Praziquantel-Susceptible and Praziquantel-Resistant Schistosoma mansoni Reveals Distinct Response Between Male and Female Animals

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Parasitologicalassessment and host-parasite relationship in farmed Cachara catfish fingerlings (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1889), Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Farmed fingerlings of South American catfish are frequently exposed to several parasites, but little information is available for implementing health programs for control and prevention of parasitic diseases in the hatcheries. This study evaluated the parasitic fauna of cachara catfish fingerlings (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eingenmann & Eigenmann, 1889) and the hostparasite relationship during the early stages of rearing. A total of 302 cachara fingerlings were used for parasitic diagnosis and histopathological analysis. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Trichodina heterodentata were diagnosed as the most prevalent parasites, followed by Cryptobia sp., Henneguya sp., Monogenea and Nematoda. There was a positive correlation between the size of the fish and the mean intensity of parasitism by I. multifiliis. Proliferation of mucus cells, club cells, multifocal area of degeneration, epithelial necrosis on the body surface, skin ulceration, fusion of secondary gill lamellae and inflammatory infiltration were observed in I. multifiliisinfected fish. Ciliated protozoans were the main etiological agents diagnosed, and the cachara (P. reticulatum) is a new host for T. heterodentata. In addition, ichthyophthiriasis induced severe tissue damage thus making the fingerlings susceptible to opportunistic infections.Los alevines de bagres del Sur de América en cautiverio están frecuentemente expuestos a muchos parásitos, pero poca información es evaluada para implementar programa de salud para control y prevención de enfermedades en criaderos. Este estudio evaluó la fauna de parásitos de alevines de cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eingenmann & Eingenmann, 1889) y la relación huésped-parásito durante las fases iníciales de cultivo. Un total de 302 alevines fueran sometidos a diagnóstico y análisis histopatológicos. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis y Trichodina heterodentata fueran diagnosticados como los parásitos mas prevalentes, seguidos de Cryptobia sp., Henneguya sp., Monogenea y Nematoda. Ha sido observada una correlación positiva entre la longitud de los peces y la intensidad promedio de I. multifiliis. Proliferación de células de moco, células club, áreas multifocales de degeneración, necrosis epitelial en la superficie del cuerpo, ulceración de piel, fusión de laminillas branquiales secundarias e infiltración inflamatoria fueron observados en peces infectados por I. multifiliis. Los protozoarios ciliados fueran los agentes etiológicos más importantes y el cachara (P. reticulatum) es un nuevo huésped para T. heterodentata. En adición, la ictioftiriasis indujo un daño severo favoreciendo las infecciones oportunistas en los alevines