Lactobacillus rhamnosus RC007 intended for feed additive: immune-stimulatory properties and ameliorating effects on TNBS-induced colitis

Lactobacillus rhamnosus RC007 is a potential probiotic bacterium that can exert beneficial effects as supplement for animal feed, by improving the immune status in healthy host, and by providing therapeutic benefits to infected/inflamed animals. The aim of the present work was to evaluate in vivo the beneficial properties of L. rhamnosus RC007, intended for animal feed, when administered to healthy and trinitro-benzene-sulfonic-acid (TNBS) colitis induced BALB/c mice. The administration of L. rhamnosus RC007 to healthy mice during 10 days increased the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and the number of immunoglobulin A+ cells in the lamina proper of the small intestine. Significant increases of monocyte chemotactic protein 1, interleukin (IL)-10 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations, and in the ratio between anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10/TNF-α) were observed in intestinal fluids after administration of bacteria. In the inflammation model, less body weight loss, macroscopic and histological damages in the large intestine were accompanied by increased IL-10/TNF-α ratio in the intestinal fluids of mice from the L. rhamnosus-TNBS group when compared to the TNBS group. In a healthy host, the oral administration of L. rhamnosus RC007 kept the gut immune system stimulated allowing a faster response to noxious stimulus. Mice that received L. rhamnosus RC007 also decreased the severity of the intestinal inflammation.

Theoretical and experimental differential cross sections for electron impact excitation of the electronic bands of furfural

We report results from a joint experimental and theoretical investigation into electron scattering from the important industrial species furfural (C5H4O2). Specifically, differential cross sections (DCSs) have been measured and calculated for the electron-impact excitation of the electronic states of C5H4O2. The measurements were carried out at energies in the range 20-40 eV, and for scattered-electron angles between 10° and 90°. The energy resolution of those experiments was typically ∼80 meV. Corresponding Schwinger multichannel method with pseudo-potential calculations, for energies between 6-50 eV and with and without Born-closure, were also performed for a sub-set of the excited electronic-states that were accessed in the measurements. Those calculations were undertaken at the static exchange plus polarisation-level using a minimum orbital basis for single configuration interaction (MOB-SCI) approach. Agreement between the measured and calculated DCSs was qualitatively quite good, although to obtain quantitative accord, the theory would need to incorporate even more channels into the MOB-SCI. The role of multichannel coupling on the computed electronic-state DCSs is also explored in some detail.

Experimental and theoretical cross sections for positron scattering from the pentane isomers

Isomerism is ubiquitous in chemistry, physics, and biology. In atomic and molecular physics, in particular, isomer effects are well known in electron-impact phenomena; however, very little is known for positron collisions. Here we report on a set of experimental and theoretical cross sections for low-energy positron scattering from the three structural isomers of pentane: normal-pentane, isopentane, and neopentane. Total cross sections for positron scattering from normal-pentane and isopentane were measured at the University of Trento at incident energies between 0.1 and 50 eV. Calculations of the total cross sections, integral cross sections for elastic scattering, positronium formation, and electronic excitations plus direct ionization, as well as elastic differential cross sections were computed for all three isomers between 1 and 1000 eV using the independent atom model with screening corrected additivity rule. No definitive evidence of a significant isomer effect in positron scattering from the pentane isomers appears to be present.

Excitation of vibrational quanta in furfural by intermediate-energy electrons

We report cross sections for electron-impact excitation of vibrational quanta in furfural, at intermediate incident electron energies (20, 30, and 40 eV). The present differential cross sections are measured over the scattered electron angular range 10°-90°, with corresponding integral cross sections subsequently being determined. Furfural is a viable plant-derived alternative to petrochemicals, being produced via low-temperature plasma treatment of biomass. Current yields, however, need to be significantly improved, possibly through modelling, with the present cross sections being an important component of such simulations. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other cross sections for vibrational excitation of furfural available in the literature, so the present data are valuable for this important molecule.

Uso y competición por plantas alimenticias entre Pithecia aequatorialis (Primates: Pitheciidae) y otros animales en la Amazonía peruana

En este reporte proporcionamos información sobre plantas alimenticias del huapo negro (Pithecia aequatorialis) y sus competidores en bosque de altura de la microcuenca del río Itaya, Amazonía peruana. De mayo a noviembre del 2009 y de enero a abril del 2010 seguimos silenciosamente a dos grupos familiares con el propósito de registrar las plantas cuyos frutos forman parte de su dieta. Durante los contactos tuvimos 90 eventos alimenticios en 48 especies de plantas agrupadas en 24 familias. De ellas, 36 habitan en bosque de colina baja y el resto en bosque de terraza alta. La mayor diversidad de plantas alimenticias está agrupada en siete familias que en conjunto representaron el 60.4%, sobresaliendo entre ellas las familias Moraceae (8 especies), Fabaceae (6 especies) y Annonaceae (4 especies). Los frutos en su mayoría fueron consumidos en estado maduro, siendo el mesocarpio el más apreciado (40%). Entre los mamíferos, siete de los competidores fueron primates, siendo el principal el pichico pardo (Saguinus lagonotus) y entre las aves el tucán de cuello blanco (Ramphastos tucanus). Finalmente, los frutos de Pseudolmedia laevigata (Moraceae) fueron los más preferidos por los competidores (7 especies de mamíferos y 2 de aves).

Intermediate energy cross sections for electron-impact vibrational-excitation of pyrimidine

We report differential cross sections (DCSs) and integral cross sections (ICSs) for electron-impact vibrational-excitation of pyrimidine, at incident electron energies in the range 15-50 eV. The scattered electron angular range for the DCS measurements was 15°-90°. The measurements at the DCS-level are the first to be reported for vibrational-excitation in pyrimidine via electron impact, while for the ICS we extend the results from the only previous condensed-phase study [P. L. Levesque, M. Michaud, and L. Sanche, J. Chem. Phys. 122, 094701 (2005)], for electron energies ⩽12 eV, to higher energies. Interestingly, the trend in the magnitude of the lower energy condensed-phase ICSs is much smaller when compared to the corresponding gas phase results. As there is no evidence for the existence of any shape-resonances, in the available pyrimidine total cross sections [Baek et al., Phys. Rev. A 88, 032702 (2013); Fuss et al., ibid. 88, 042702 (2013)], between 10 and 20 eV, this mismatch in absolute magnitude between the condensed-phase and gas-phase ICSs might be indicative for collective-behaviour effects in the condensed-phase results.

Novel experimental setup for time-of-flight mass spectrometry ion detection in collisions of anionic species with neutral gas-phase molecular targets

We report a novel experimental setup for studying collision induced products resulting from the interaction of anionic beams with a neutral gas-phase molecular target. The precursor projectile was admitted into vacuum through a commercial pulsed valve, with the anionic beam produced in a hollow cathode discharge-induced plasma, and guided to the interaction region by a set of deflecting plates where it was made to interact with the target beam. Depending on the collision energy regime, negative and positive species can be formed in the collision region and ions were time-of-flight (TOF) mass-analysed. Here, we present data on O₂ precursor projectile, where we show clear evidence of O^- and O₂^- formation from the hollow cathode source as well as preliminary results on the interaction of these anions with nitromethane, CH₃NO₂. The negative ions formed in such collisions were analysed using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The five most dominant product anions were assigned to H^-, O^-, NO^-, CNO^- and CH₃NO₂^-.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of the lamellae of oocytes in atretic follicles in relation to different processes of cell death

Atresia is the process through which non-selectable oocytes are eliminated; it involves apoptosis and/or autophagy. This study used immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques to characterize the lamellae present in the cytoplasm of oocytes in follicles in the process of atresia in prepubertal and adult Wistar rats. The results indicate that the lamellae are positive to tubulin and myosin immunodetection under light and electron microscopy. Labeling is greater with anti-tubulin and lesser with anti-myosin. Our observations indicate that lamellae are present in oocytes at the initial antral stage in prepubertal rats; that is, from day 14 post-birth to adult age. We were able to determine that the increase in altered lamellae principally occurs in the apoptotic cells rather than in the autophagic cells.

Hepatitis C virus long-term persistence in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with haemophilia. Detection of occult genotype 1

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from chronic hepatitis C virus-infected persons can harbour viral variants that are not detected in plasma samples. We explored the presence and persistence of HCV genotypes in plasma and PBMC cultures from 25 HCV-monoinfected and 25 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with haemophilia. Cell cultures were performed at different time points between 1993 and 2010-2011, and the HCV genome was examined in culture supernatants. Sequential plasma samples were studied during the same time period. Analysing sequential plasma samples, 21% of patients had mixed-genotype infections, while 50% had mixed infections determined from PBMC culture supernatants. HIV coinfection was significantly associated with the presence of mixed infections (OR = 4.57, P = 0.02; 95% CI = 1.38-15.1). In our previous study, genotype 1 was found in 72% of 288 patients of this cohort. Similar results were obtained with the sequential plasma samples included in this study, 69% had genotype 1. However, when taking into account plasma samples and the results from PBMC supernatants, genotype 1 was identified in 94% of the population. The PBMC-associated variants persisted for 10 years in some subjects, emphasizing their role as long-term reservoirs. The presence of genotype 1 in PBMC may be associated with therapeutic failure and should not be disregarded when treating haemophilic patients who have been infected by contaminated factor concentrates. The clinical implications of persistent lymphotropic HCV variants deserve further examination among multiple exposed groups of HCV-infected patients.

Situación actual de primates en bosques de alta perturbación del nororiente de la Amazonía peruana

En el nororiente peruano, el área comprendida entre la cuenca baja del río Tigre y sub cuenca del río Nanay es una de las más impactadas por las actividades del hombre. Con excepción del río Itaya y bajo Nanay, para el resto del área no existe información acerca de los primates que habitan, ni de las amenazas para sus poblaciones; motivo por el cual nos propusimos a la conducción de este estudio. De Febrero a Julio del 2013 fueron llevados a cabo censos por transecto y entrevistas a cazadores. Durante el recorrido de 1 218 km fueron registrados 373 grupos pertenecientes a 10 especies, siendo los más comunes <em>Saguinus lagonotus</em> (104 grupos) y <em>Lagothrix poeppigii</em> (61 grupos). Grupos más pequeños fueron para <em>Alouatta seniculus </em>(3–4 individuos)<em> </em>y <em>Callicebus discolor </em>(2–4 individuos) y la más grande para <em>Saimiri macrodon</em>. La densidad poblacional más alta fue para <em>S. macrodon </em>(30,4 individuos/km²) seguido de <em>S. lagonotus </em>(25,8 individuos/km²) y la más baja para <em>A. seniculus</em> (1,4 individuos/km²) y <em>C. discolor</em> (2,3 individuos/km²). Durante los censos no observamos ni escuchamos vocalizaciones de <em>Ateles belzebuth</em>, en tanto que <em>A. seniculus </em> estuvo ausente en el Alto Itaya. Entre las actividades, la caza y deforestación con diversos fines son las principales amenazas, por lo tanto, serían las responsables para la extinción local de <em>A. belzebuth </em>y escasa población de <em>A. seniculus</em> y <em>C. discolor.</em>

Integral cross sections for electron impact excitation of vibrational and electronic states in phenol

We report on measurements of integral cross sections (ICSs) for electron impact excitation of a series of composite vibrational modes and electronic-states in phenol, where the energy range of those experiments was 15-250 eV. There are currently no other results against which we can directly compare those measured data. We also report results from our independent atom model with screened additivity rule correction computations, namely, for the inelastic ICS (all discrete electronic states and neutral dissociation) and the total ionisation ICS. In addition, for the relevant dipole-allowed excited electronic states, we also report f-scaled Born-level and energy-corrected and f-scaled Born-level (BEf-scaled) ICS. Where possible, our measured and calculated ICSs are compared against one another with the general level of accord between them being satisfactory to within the measurement uncertainties.

Blocking and bridging ligands direct the structure and magnetic properties of dimers of pentacoordinate nickel(II)

Dinuclear pentacoordinate nickel(ii) complexes of the formula [(NiTp*)2(μ-L)] (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate; L = oxalate (); oxamate (); oxamidate (); OC(4-Cl-C6H4N)C(4-Cl-C6H4N)O ()) and {[Ni(N3-mc)]2(μ-L)}(PF6)2 (N3-mc = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; L = oxalate (); oxamate ()) have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized (IR, (1)H NMR). X-ray structures of show nickel(ii) in a square pyramidal geometry and different supramolecular interactions. Magnetic measurements for show strong antiferromagnetic interactions across the bridging ligand [: J = -36.8 cm(-1), g = 2.16; : J = -43.6 cm(-1), g = 2.12; : J = -51.1 cm(-1), g = 2.12; : J = -39.7 cm(-1), g = 2.18; : J = -35.4 cm(-1), g = 2.20; : J = -44.3 cm(-1), g = 2.18]. Magneto-structural correlations between the magnitude of the magnetic coupling and the different blocking ligands, the different bridging ligands, the distortion of the coordination environment of Ni(ii) and the planarity between the bridging ligand and the basal plane of the Ni(ii) environment have been established for all complexes.

ALAT-2014 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Practice Guidelines: questions and answers

ALAT-2014 COPD Clinical Practice Guidelines used clinical questions in PICO format to compile evidence related to risk factors, COPD screening, disease prognosis, treatment and exacerbations. Evidence reveals the existence of risk factors for COPD other than tobacco, as well as gender differences in disease presentation. It shows the benefit of screening in an at-risk population, and the predictive value use of multidimensional prognostic indexes. In stable COPD, similar benefits in dyspnea, pulmonary function and quality of life are achieved with LAMA or LABA long-acting bronchodilators, whereas LAMA is more effective in preventing exacerbations. Dual bronchodilator therapy has more benefits than monotherapy. LAMA and combination LABA/IC are similarly effective, but there is an increased risk of pneumonia with LABA/IC. Data on the efficacy and safety of triple therapy are scarce. Evidence supports influenza vaccination in all patients and anti-pneumococcal vaccination in patients <65years of age and/or with severe airflow limitation. Antibiotic prophylaxis may decrease exacerbation frequency in patients at risk. The use of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics are justified in exacerbations requiring hospitalization and in some patients managed in an outpatient setting.

Providers Expectations on Telemedicine: A Qualitative Research in a Large Healthcare Network of Latin America

The benefits of Telemedicine make it a viable, reliable and useful discipline for dispensing health care. This qualitative study is aimed to understand the expectations, opinions and previous knowledge of the professionals about telemedicine at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.

RESULTS

Professionals realize that Telemedicine is inserted into their usual practice in an informal way. They consider telemedicine as an alternative to the traditional delivery of health care, but are afraid of their role in health care is undermined. Professionals point out very specific applications of Telemedicine such as monitoring the health of patients remotely, drug doses adjustments and sharing clinical information.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that professionals are not familiar with telemedicine and will be necessary to develop a training plan before implementation.

Self-harm in children placed in a Court-Mandated Holding and Education Centre: analysis of socio-demographic variables and influence of implementation of judicial measures

OBJECTIVES

To analyze and understand the existence of self-harming behavior in a detention centre for minors.

METHODS

Review of self-harm cases detected in a population of 94 inmates in 2013.

RESULTS

26.5% of young offenders have conducted some form of self injury. 28% of individuals with self harming behaviors have more than 6 episodes over the period of internment. Self-beating is the most common type of self-harm performed by this group. Inmates serving sentences in the therapeutic section tend to present spillover effects in terms of self-injury.

DISCUSSION

The population held in prison show higher percentages of self-harm than amongst the general population. The chosen type of behavior is determined by the institution. Inmates that present greater mental fragility tend to perform these behaviors and in greater number.

Densidad de ungulados en bosques de baja y alta presión de caza en el nororiente de la Amazonía peruana

Se proporciona información sobre tamaño de rebaño en pecaríes y densidad poblacional de éstos y otros ungulados para los bosques de baja y alta presión de caza del nororiente peruano. Durante el recorrido de 610 km de transecto de noviembre-diciembre 2012 en bosques de baja presión de caza y de 1218 km desde febrero-junio y agosto-octubre 2013 en bosques de alta presión de caza, fueron registrados 76 y 40 encuentros pertenecientes a seis y cinco especies, respectivamente; siendo los más comunes <em>Pecari tajacu</em> (35%) y <em>Mazama americana</em> (28%). El tamaño de rebaño en <em>P. tajacu</em> varió desde 2 a 8 individuos (tamaño promedio: 3,4±1,6 a 6±1,2). La densidad poblacional estimada para los ungulados fue más alta en bosques de baja presión de caza sobresaliendo <em>Tayassu pecari</em> con 23,8 individuos/km², seguido por <em>P. tajacu </em>con 14,4 individuos/km², en tanto que la más baja fue para <em>Tapirus terrestris</em> (0,08 individuos/km²) y correspondió a los bosques de alta presión de caza. En los bosques de baja presión de caza, los encuentros más frecuentes con ungulados ocurrieron en el palmal de altura (46%) y palmal de planicie (31%), en tanto que en el pantano arbóreo no hubo encuentros.

Elastic differential cross sections for C₄F₆ isomers in the 1.5-200 eV energy electron impact: similarities with six fluorine containing molecules and evidence of F-atom like scattering

We report absolute elastic differential cross sections for electron interactions with the C4F6 isomers, hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene (1,3-C4F6), hexafluoro-2-butyne (2-C4F6), and hexafluorocyclobutene (c-C4F6). The incident electron energy range is 1.5-200 eV, and the scattered electron angular range for the differential measurements varies from 15° to 150°. In all cases the absolute scale of the differential cross section was set using the relative flow technique, with helium as the reference species. Atomic-like behaviour in these scattering systems is shown here for the first time, and is further investigated by comparing the elastic cross sections for the C4F6 isomers with other fluorinated molecules, such as SF6 and CnF6 (n = 2, 3, and 6). We note that for all the six-F containing molecules, the scattering process for electron energies above 30 eV is indistinguishable. Finally, we report results for calculations of elastic differential cross sections for electron scattering from each of these isomers, within an optical potential method and assuming a screened corrected independent atom representation. The level of agreement between these calculations and our measurements is found to be quite remarkable in all cases.

New evidence of replication of hepatitis C virus in short-term peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures

BACKGROUND

Even though hepatocytes are the main site for hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have also been proposed as a suitable site for HCV replication. However, this issue still remains under discussion. We have previously developed an innovative system where HCV-RNA can be recovered during PBMC culture from HCV infected patients. Thus, the aim of this work was to use this novel approach in order to observe the evolution and replication of HCV genotype 1b in the PBMC of an HIV-HCV coinfected patient.

METHODS

HCV-RNA was extracted from serum, uncultured PBMC and PBMC culture at day 6, 20 and 33. The evolutionary analysis was performed using the direct sequences of three viral regions: 5'UTR, E2 and NS5A. Additionally, E2 region was cloned in order to extend the evolutive analysis.

RESULTS

In the present work, the molecular characterization of HCV along the culture showed a clear dynamic evolving process with the appearance of several nucleotide or amino acid changes in the three regions analyzed. Furthermore, the population analysis of E2 clones showed emerging and loss of lineages which indicate the fast evolutive dynamics of this system.

CONCLUSIONS

Since evolution can take place only if the virus is replicating in the culture, this finding constitutes an important evidence of viral replication in PBMC. Moreover, this extrahepatic compartment could be very important due to the presence of distinctive variants that could be responsible for resistance to treatment, viral pathogenesis and other clinical implications.

Differential cross sections for intermediate-energy electron scattering from α-tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol: excitation of electronic-states

We report on measurements of differential cross sections (DCSs) for electron impact excitation of a series of Rydberg electronic-states in α-tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA). The energy range of these experiments was 20-50 eV, while the scattered electron was detected in the 10°-90° angular range. There are currently no other experimental data or theoretical computations against which we can directly compare the present measured results. Nonetheless, we are able to compare our THFA DCSs with earlier cross section measurements for Rydberg-state electronic excitation for tetrahydrofuran, a similar cyclic ether, from Do et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 134, 144302 (2011)]. In addition, "rotationally averaged" elastic DCSs, calculated using our independent atom model with screened additivity rule correction approach are also reported. Those latter results give integral cross sections consistent with the optical theorem, and supercede those from the only previous study of Milosavljević et al. [Eur. Phys. J. D 40, 107 (2006)].