Reliability and validity of the Mexican teachers' physical activity questionnaire (MTPAQ) in a subsample of female Mexican teachers

BACKGROUND

Reliable and valid instruments are needed to estimate physical activity levels. The purposes of this study were to estimate the reliability and validity of the Physical Activity Questionnaire (MTPAQ) in a subsample of the Mexican Teachers Cohort study.

METHODS

We completed telephone interviews and clinical examinations of 82 teachers. Two MTPAQ, five International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-long form, and two accelerometer (AC) measures were used to determine physical activity levels throughout 24 months. Moderate and walking physical activity (MWPA min/week), vigorous physical activity (VPA min/week), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity minutes per week (MVPA min/week) were estimated for each instrument. Pearson, Intra-class correlations and deattenuated adjustments were used to determine the reliability and validity of MTPAQ.

RESULTS

MWPA and MVPA min/week of MTPAQs were moderately correlated (r ≥ 0.54) to min/week of IPAQ-long form. MWPA and MVPA min/week average MTPAQ and MTPAQ1 and average AC, AC1 and AC2 were fairly correlated (r ≥ 0.20). A higher correlation was observed when correlation coefficients were attenuated (r ≥ 0.32).

CONCLUSIONS

MTPAQ1 is a reliable and valid tool to measure physical activity levels.

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BROWN SWISS AND MESTIZO BOVINE IN HUMID TROPIC

The ability of ruminants to regulate body temperature depends on the genotype. Dairy breeds are generally more sensitive to heat stress than beef breeds. Higher-producing animals are more susceptible to heat stress because they generate more metabolic heat. The objective of evaluating reproductive performance as a response of adaptability to the management and climatic conditions of the Humid Tropics. 78 animals were used (40 Brown Swiss, from Puno and 38 Mestizas from local origin) raised in humid tropic conditions. Parametric statistics are presented as analysis of measures of central tendency and dispersion, non-parametric statistics by frequency analysis, the χ2 test of independence was used to detect differences, α = 0.05. The categorized and continuous dependent variables were evaluated with Student's t test using SPSS Software v.23. The mean age at first estrus in Brown Swiss was 12.43 months, in mestizo cattle 18.68 months (P <0.05). Average age of first calving in Brown Swiss of 25.25 months versus mestizo cattle 28.34 months (P <0.05). Interval from calving to the first service in Brown Swiss was 99.29 days. Open days observed in Brown Swiss was 107.29 days. The pregnancy rate at the first service in Brown Swiss was 70.0% pregnancy at the first service and 30.0% at the second service, for the mestizo genotype it was 68.4% at the first service, 28.9 at the second and 2.6 at the third service (P> 0.05; X2 = 0.50; p = 0.47). It is concluded that bovine animals of the Brown Swiss genotype have a good reproductive performance in the Humid Tropic climate compared to the Mestizo genotype

Oxygen saturation as a predictor of mortality in hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 in a public hospital in Lima, Peru

INTRODUCTION

Peru is among the top ten countries with the highest number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical features of hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 and to determine the prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to Hospital Cayetano Heredia; a tertiary care hospital in Lima, Peru. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 369 patients (median age 59 years [IQR:49-68]; 241 (65.31%) male) were included. Most patients (68.56%) reported at least one comorbidity; more frequently: obesity (42.55%), diabetes mellitus (21.95%), and hypertension (21.68%). The median duration of symptoms prior to hospital admission was 7 days (IQR: 5-10). Reported in-hospital mortality was 49.59%. By multiple Cox regression, oxygen saturation (SaO2) values of less than 90% on admission correlated with mortality, presenting 1.86 (95%CI: 1.02-3.39), 4.44 (95%CI: 2.46-8.02) and 7.74 (95%CI: 4.54-13.19) times greater risk of death for SaO2 of 89-85%, 84-80% and <80%, respectively, when compared to patients with SaO2 >90%. Additionally, age >60 years was associated with 1.88 times greater mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxygen saturation below 90% on admission is a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. In settings with limited resources, efforts to reduce mortality in COVID-19 should focus on early identification of hypoxemia and timely access to hospital care.

Threshold stability using active fixation LV lead

Introduction

The proper functioning of the CRT devices depends on the correct positioning of the electrodes, sometimes being compromised by the absence of suitable epicardial veins, leads instability or unacceptable high thresholds, among other. In 2017, a novel quadripolar active fixation LV lead was released with an innovative helical mechanism that expands to attach the lead within the vessel.

Objectives

Study the impact of the active fixation LV lead on threshold stability and dislocations.

Methods

We included 127 consecutive patients undergoing CRT between September 2017 to December 2019 in one hospital. They were randomly assigned: 62p active fixation VI leads vs 65p standard VI leads. LV thresholds, capture losses and dislocations were collected at standard pacing checks (1 week, 2 months, 6 months).

Results

The mean age of the sample was 73,9±8,4 years. 75% patients were male and 48,4% suffered ischemic cardiomyopathy. The two groups were similar according to this variables. 5 (7.7%) dislocations were reported in the control group against 2 (3.2%) in the active fixation group (n.s). The mean threshold (V) at the moment of the implant was 1,4 in the active fixation vs 1,41 in the standard LV leads; at the first visit 1,55 vs 1,99; at two months 1,59 vs 2,13 and at six months 1,74 vs 2,48.

The threshold stability is shown in Figure 1.

Conclusions

– The active fixation LV lead provides higher threshold stability than the conventional one.

– There is a non-significant tendency to reduce dislocations.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 type III secretion system effector NopC blocks nodulation with Lotus japonicus Gifu

The broad-host-range bacterium Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 cannot nodulate the model legume Lotus japonicus Gifu. This bacterium possesses a type III secretion system (T3SS), a specialized secretion apparatus used to deliver effector proteins (T3Es) into the host cell cytosol to alter host signaling and/or suppress host defence responses to promote infection. However, some of these T3Es are recognized by specific plant receptors and hence trigger a strong defence response to block infection. In rhizobia, T3Es are involved in nodulation efficiency and host-range determination, and in some cases directly activate host symbiosis signalling in a Nod factor-independent manner. In this work, we show that HH103 RifR T3SS mutants, unable to secrete T3Es, gain nodulation with L. japonicus Gifu through infection threads, suggesting that plant recognition of a T3E could block the infection process. To identify the T3E involved, we performed nodulation assays with a collection of mutants that affect secretion of each T3E identified in HH103 RifR so far. The nopC mutant could infect L. japonicus Gifu by infection thread invasion and switch the infection mechanism in Lotus burttii from intercellular infection to infection thread formation. Lotus japonicus gene expression analysis indicated that the infection-blocking event occurs at early stages of the symbiosis.

Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome and Secretome From Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reveal New Mechanisms for the Modulation of Inflammation and Immune Activation

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been used in over 800 clinical trials with encouraging results in the field of transplant medicine and chronic inflammatory diseases. Today, Umbilical Cord (UC)-derived MSC are the second leading source used for clinical purposes, mainly due to its easy access and superior immune modulatory effects. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of immune suppressive activities have not been fully understood, research over the last decade strongly suggests that MSC-mediated benefits are closely related to activation of secretome networks. Nevertheless, recent findings also point to cytokine-independent mechanisms as key players of MSC-mediated immune modulation. Here, we set up a robust in vitro immune assay using phytohemagglutinin- or anti-CD3/CD28-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in cell-to-cell interaction or in cell-contact independent format with UC-MSC and conducted integrated transcriptome and secretome analyses to dissect molecular pathways driving UC-MSC-mediated immune modulation. Under inflammatory stimuli, multiparametric analyses of the secretome led us to identify cytokine/chemokine expression patterns associated with the induction of MSC-reprogrammed macrophages and T cell subsets ultimately leading to immune suppression. UC-MSC transcriptome analysis under inflammatory challenge allowed the identification of 47 differentially expressed genes, including chemokines, anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules found also in UC-MSC-immunosupressive secretomes, including the novel candidate soluble IL-2R. This study enabled us to track functionally activated UC-MSC during immune suppression and opened an opportunity to explore new pathways involved in immunity control by UC-MSC. We propose that identified immunomodulatory molecules and pathways could potentially be translated into clinical settings in order to improve UC-MSC-therapy quality and efficacy.

Optimized Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Integrated into In Situ Nasal Gel for Enhancing Brain Delivery of Flibanserin

Background and Aim

Flibanserin (FLB) is a multifunctional serotonergic agent used for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women via oral administration. FLB has a reported limited oral bioavailability of 33% that could be attributed to the drug’s first-pass metabolism. In addition, FLB has a pH-dependent solubility that could be a challenging factor for drug dissolution in the body neutral fluid, and consequently, absorption via mucosal barriers. Thus, this work aims at investigating the potential of utilizing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to enhance nose-to-brain drug delivery.

Methods

Box-Behnken design was applied to explore the impact of solid lipid % (SL%, X₁), liquid lipid % (LL%, X₂), and sonication time (ST, X₃) on particle size. The optimized NLC formulation was characterized and incorporated into gellan gum in situ gel. The prepared gel was subjected to in vitro drug release, in vivo pharmacokinetic performance, and histopathological assessment in rats.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative effect for both SL% and ST on NLCs size. In contrast, a significant positive effect was observed for the LL%. The optimized formulation showed spherical shape with vesicular size of 114.63 nm. The optimized FLB-NLC in situ gel exhibited adequate stability and enhanced in vitro release compared to raw FLB control gel. The plasma and brain concentrations of the drug after nasal administration in rats increased by more than 3–6-fold, respectively, compared to raw FLB in situ gel. In addition, the histopathological studies revealed the absence of any pathological signs.

Conclusion

The aforementioned results highlight the safety of FLB-NLC in situ nasal gel and its potential to improve the drug bioavailability and brain delivery.

Novel Barbiturate-Nitrate Compounds Inhibit the Upregulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Gene Expression in Intestinal Inflammation through a cGMP-Mediated Pathway

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease. Barbiturate nitrate hybrid compounds have been designed to inhibit MMP secretion and enzyme activity. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of barbiturate-nitrate hybrid compounds and their component parts using models of intestinal inflammation in vitro. Cytokine-stimulated Caco-2 cells were used in all in vitro experiments. The NO donors SNAP and DETA-NONOate were used to study the effect of NO on MMP-9 mRNA. Mechanistic elucidation was carried out using the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, ODQ, and the cGMP analogue, 8-Bromo-cGMP. Further experiments were carried out to elucidate the role of NF-κB. NO donors exerted an inhibitory effect on MMP-9 mRNA in cytokine-stimulated cells. While the non-nitrate barbiturates had a limited effect on MMP-9 expression, the hybrid compounds inhibited MMP-9 expression through its NO-mimetic properties. No effect could be observed on mRNA for MMP-1 or MMP-2. The sGC inhibitior, ODQ, abolished the nitrate-barbiturate inhibition of MMP-9 gene expression, an effect which was reversed by 8-Br-cGMP. This study shows that the barbiturate scaffold is suitable for hybrid design as an MMP-9 inhibitor in cytokine-stimulated Caco-2 cells. The inhibition of MMP-9 levels was largely mediated through a reduction in its mRNA by a sGC/cGMP pathway mediated mechanism.

Construction and demolition waste applications and maximum daily output in Spanish recycling plants

The pursuit of construction sustainability has driven the use of partially or wholly waste-based eco-materials. New applications are being sought for recycled aggregate (RA) to further the use of this material and ensure the survival of the construction and demolition waste (C&DW) industry. RA, currently used in the construction of pavements, fills and embankments and only incipiently to manufacture structural or non-structural concrete, is a mere 8.99% of the total aggregate extracted in EU countries where RA is produced. Against this backdrop, the utility of this study lies in the overview afforded of RA typology, the application of the product in bound or unbound materials, the pursuit of new applications, structural or otherwise, and the assessment of daily maximum output by C&DW recycling facilities in Spain. The findings show that irrespective of its origin, RA most commonly adopts the form of wet mix macadam, gravel or sand used primarily in unbound applications with only dubious quality standards. Plant managers contend that RA from clean waste can feasibly be used in bound applications that require higher-performance materials. Maximum daily output varies widely, with capacity under 200 t d^-1 in 30% of the plants. One of the conclusions drawn is that the current business model is in need of revision, with an emphasis on aggregate quality control (certification) and the adoption of technology for separating out impurities, pollutants and undesirable materials to improve the quality of RA.

Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 syrM inactivation affects the expression of a large number of genes, impairs nodulation with soybean and extends the host-range to Lotus japonicus

Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 RifR is a broad host-range rhizobial strain able to nodulate with soybean and Lotus burttii, but it is ineffective with L. japonicus. Here, we study the role of the HH103 RifR SyrM protein in the regulation of gene expression and its relevance in symbiosis with those three legumes. RNAseq analyses show that HH103 SyrM is an important transcriptional regulator not only in the presence of inducer flavonoids but also in its absence. Lack of SyrM increases Nod factors production and decreases genistein-mediated repression of exopolysaccharide production in HH103. In symbiosis, mutation of syrM partially impaired interaction with soybean but improves effectiveness with L. burttii and extends the host-rage to L. japonicus Gifu. In addition, HH103 syrM mutants enter in both Lotus species by infection threads, whereas HH103 uses the more primitive intercellular infection to enter into L. burttii roots These symbiotic phenotypes were previously observed in two other HH103 mutants affected in symbiotic regulators, nodD2 and nolR, revealing that in S. fredii HH103 numerous transcriptional regulators finely modulate symbiotic gene expression.

HIV treatment in Guinea-Bissau: room for improvement and time for new treatment options

Despite advances in the treatment quality of HIV throughout the world, several countries are still facing numerous obstacles in delivering HIV treatment at a sufficiently high quality, putting patients' lives in jeopardy. The aim of this status article is to give an overview of HIV treatment outcomes in the West African country, Guinea-Bissau, and to assess how newer treatment strategies such as long-acting injectable drugs or an HIV cure may limit or stop the HIV epidemic in this politically unstable and low-resource setting. Several HIV cohorts in Guinea-Bissau have been established and are used as platforms for epidemiological, virological, immunological and clinical studies often with a special focus on HIV-2, which is prevalent in the country. The Bandim Health Project, a demographic surveillance site, has performed epidemiological HIV surveys since 1987 among an urban population in the capital Bissau. The Police cohort, an occupational cohort of police officers, has enabled analyses of persons seroconverting with estimated times of seroconversion among HIV-1 and HIV-2-infected individuals, allowing incidence measurements while the Bissau HIV Cohort and a newer Nationwide HIV Cohort have provided clinical data on large numbers of HIV-infected patients. The HIV cohorts in Guinea-Bissau are unique platforms for research and represent real life in many African countries. Poor adherence, lack of HIV viral load measurements, inadequate laboratory facilities, high rates of loss to follow-up, mortality, treatment failure and resistance development, are just some of the challenges faced putting the goal of "90-90-90″ for Guinea-Bissau well out of reach by 2020. Maintaining undetectable viral loads on treatment as a prerequisite of a cure strategy seems not possible at the moment. Thinking beyond one-pill-once-a-day, long-acting antiretroviral treatment options such as injectable drugs or implants may be a better treatment option in settings like Guinea-Bissau and may even pave the way for an HIV cure. If the delivery of antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa in a sustainable way for the future should be improved by focusing on existing treatment options or through focusing on new treatment options remains to be determined.

Interhospital Sepsis Code in Catalonia (Spain): Territorial model for initial care of patients with sepsis

Sepsis is a syndromic entity with high prevalence and mortality. The management of sepsis is standardized and exhibits time-dependent efficiency. However, the management of patients with sepsis is complex. The heterogeneity of the forms of presentation can make it difficult to detect and manage such cases, in the same way as differences in training, professional competences or the availability of health resources. The Advisory Commission for Patient Care with Sepsis (CAAPAS), comprising 7 scientific societies, the Emergency Medical System (SEM) and the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut), have developed the Interhospital Sepsis Code (CSI) in Catalonia (Spain). The general objective of the CSI is to increase awareness, promote early detection and facilitate initial care and interhospital coordination to attend septic patients in a homogeneous manner throughout Catalonia.

Effect on Platelet Function of Metal-Based Nanoparticles Developed for Medical Applications

Nanomaterials have been recently introduced as potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the medical field. One of the main concerns in relation to the use of nanomaterials in humans is their potential toxicity profile and blood compatibility. In fact, and due to their small size, NPs can translocate into the systemic circulation even after dermal contact, inhalation, or oral ingestion. Once in the blood stream, nanoparticles become in contact with the different components of the blood and can potentially interfere with normal platelet function leading to bleeding or thrombosis. Metallic NPs have been already used for diagnosis and treatment purposes due to their unique characteristics. However, the potential interactions between metallic NPs and platelets has not been widely studied and reported. This review focuses on the factors that can affect platelet activation and aggregation by metal NPs and the nature of such interactions, providing a summary of the effect of various metal NPs on platelet function available in the literature.

Persistent central inflammation and region specific cellular activation accompany depression- and anxiety-like behaviours during the resolution phase of experimental colitis

Depression and anxiety-related psychological symptoms are increasingly recognised as important co-morbidities in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced colitis is an animal model of IBD in which afferent activation of the gut-brain axis can be assessed and explored as a source of behavioural change. Exposure of adult male Wistar rats to DSS (5%) in drinking water induced distal colitis. In parallel to local inflammatory responses in the gut wall, increased expression of IL-6 and iNOS was found in the cerebral cortex and an increase in ventricular volume. Immunoreactivity of immediate early gene FosB/ΔFosB activation was measured as an index of cellular activation and was increased in the nucleus accumbens and dorsal raphe nucleus in acutely colitic animals. Following resolution of the acute colitic response, sustained anhedonia in the saccharin preference test, immobility in the forced swim test, reduced burying behaviour in the marble burying test, and mild signs of anxiety in the elevated plus maze and light/dark box were observed. Central increases in iNOS expression persisted during the recovery phase and mapped to reactive microglia, particularly those found in the parenchyma surrounding circumventricular regions. Evidence of associated nitration was also found. Sustained increases in ventricular volume and reduced T2 magnetic resonance relaxometry time in cortical regions were observed during the recovery period. FosB/ΔFosB activation was evident in the dorsal raphe during recovery. Persistent central inflammation and cellular activation may underpin the emergence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in experimental colitis.

Regulation of Protein Secretion Systems Mediated by Cyclic Diguanylate in Plant-Interacting Bacteria

The ubiquitous second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is involved in the regulation of different processes in bacteria. In phytopathogens, intracellular fluctuations in the concentration of this molecule contribute to the lifestyle switching from a motile and virulent stage to a sessile and biofilm-forming phase. Among the virulence mechanisms used by bacterial pathogens, different specific type secretion systems (TSSs) and the effector proteins that they translocate are included. Some of these TSS are conceived to suppress host immune responses during bacterial colonization. The modulation of the expression of secretion systems components and/or effector proteins can be influenced by c-di-GMP levels at transcriptional, translational, or post-translational levels and can take place directly by binding to specific or global regulators, or via transducer proteins. Different genera of plant-interacting bacteria have been analyzed to shed some light in the implications of c-di-GMP in the regulation of host plant colonization through protein secretion systems. Expression of (1) adhesins secreted by Type 1 secretion systems to bind the host plant in Pectobacterium (formerly Erwinia) and some beneficial Pseudomonas strains; (2) catalytic exoproteins delivered by Type 2 secretion systems to break plant cell wall in Dickeya; (3) effectors secreted by Type 3 secretion systems to suppress plant immunity in Xanthomonas; or (4) the activity of Type 6 secretion systems to export an ATPase in Pseudomonas, are finely tuned by c-di-GMP levels. In this minireview, we summarize the knowledge available about the implications of c-di-GMP in the regulation of protein secretion in different plant-interacting bacteria. Topic: Secretion systems and effector proteins of phytopathogenic and beneficial bacteria regulated by NSM.

Comparative Study of the Antimicrobial Effect of Nanocomposites and Composite Based on Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Using Cu and Cu/Cu2O Nanoparticles and CuSO4

Nanocomposites and a composite based on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) were synthesized using commercial copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs), copper/cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu|Cu₂O-NPs), and copper sulfate (CuSO₄), respectively. The Cu|Cu₂O-NPs were synthesized using chemical reduction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesis of Cu|Cu₂O-NPs yielded a mixture of Cu and Cu₂O, with metal Cu having a spherical morphology of approximately 40 nm in diameter and Cu₂O with a diameter of 150 nm. To prepare the nanocomposites (NCs) and the composite material (MC), the NPs and the CuSO₄ salt were incorporated into the PBAT matrix in concentrations of 1, 3, and 5% p/p via an ex situ method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and agar diffusion assays were used for structural, thermomechanical, and antimicrobial characterization. Results showed that the reinforcements did not modify the chemical structure of the PBAT and only slightly increased the percentage of crystallization. The mechanical and thermal properties of the PBAT did not change much with the addition of fillers, except for a slight increase in tensile strength and thermal stability, respectively. The agar diffusion antimicrobial assays showed that the NCs and MCs had good inhibitory responses against the nonresistant strains Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus. The MCs based on CuSO₄ had the highest biocidal effect, even against the resistant bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii.

Biodiversity of rhizobia present in plant nodules of Biserrula pelecinus across Southwest Spain

Biodiversity studies of native Mesorhizobium spp. strains able to nodulate the annual herbaceous legume Biserrula pelecinus L. in soils from Southwest Spain have been carried out. One or two isolates per plant, 30 in total, were randomly selected for further characterization. There was no association between the presence of mesorhizobia nodulating-B. pelecinus and the chemical or textural properties of the soils. The isolates were tested for their symbiotic effectiveness on this forage legume under greenhouse conditions and characterized on the basis of physiological parameters: carbon source utilisation (API 50CH), 16S rRNA sequencing and ERIC-PCR, lipopolysaccharide, protein and plasmid profiles. Our results show that in spite of the great diversity found among the native isolates, most of them belong to the genus Mesorhizobium, the exception being strain B24 which sequence matches 97.52% with Neorhizobium huautlense; this is the first description of a Neorhizobium strain effectively nodulating-biserrula plants. Results of a field trial indicated that some of these isolates could be recommended as inoculants for this legume. B24=DSM 28743=CECT 8815; ENA (HF955513) 16S rRNA sequences of isolates B13, B18, B26, B30 and B1 are deposited at ENA under numbers LS999402 to LS999406, respectively.

Autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis in urban domestic animals (Felis catus / Canis lupus familiaris) from central-western Venezuela

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by intracellular protozoa of the Leishmania genus that are spread and transmitted by sandflies. Natural infection and clinical disease in domestic cats and dogs appear to be rare or perhaps largely under-reported in endemic areas. However, previous reports on infected domestic animals usually implicate the same Leishmania species that affect humans in tropical and subtropical areas of the world suggesting a potential role for zoonotic transmission. In the present study we assessed a representative sample of cats and dogs from endemic urban / suburban areas of Lara state in central western Venezuela. In both dogs and cats, cutaneous disease exhibits a spectrum of manifestations that range from single papules or nodules, which may evolve into ulcerative, plaque-like or scaly lesions. Cytochrome b (cyt b) PCR gene sequence analysis revealed L. mexicana as the causative agent in all cases, including two human cases proceeding from the same study area at the same time the study was carried out. In order to improve our understanding on feline/canine infection with Leishmania mexicana, and address potential zoonotic concerns it is necessary to characterize its enzootic reservoirs and vectors as well as the possible anthropophilic players linking to the peridomestic and domestic cycles.

Hydrogel-based delivery of Il-10 improves treatment of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening progressive lung disorder with limited therapeutic options. While interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic cytokine, its utility in treating lung fibrosis has been limited by its short half-life. We describe an innovative hydrogel-based approach to deliver recombinant IL-10 to the lung for the prevention and reversal of pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung injury. Our studies show that a hyaluronan and heparin-based hydrogel system locally delivers IL-10 by capitalizing on the ability of heparin to reversibly bind IL-10 without bleeding or other complications. This formulation is significantly more effective than soluble IL-10 for both preventing and reducing collagen deposition in the lung parenchyma after 7 days of intratracheal administration. The anti-fibrotic effect of IL-10 in this system is dependent on suppression of TGF-β driven collagen production by lung fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. We conclude that hydrogel-based delivery of IL-10 to the lung is a promising therapy for fibrotic lung disorders.