Comparison of two wild rodent species as sentinels of environmental contamination by mine tailings

BACKGROUND

Contamination with heavy metals is among the most hazardous environmental concerns caused by mining activity. A valuable tool for monitoring these effects is the use of sentinel organisms. Particularly, small mammals living inside mine tailings are an excellent study system because their analysis represents a realistic approach of mixtures and concentrations of metal exposure.

PURPOSE

We analyzed metal tissue concentrations and DNA damage levels for comparison between genders of a sentinel (Peromyscus melanophrys) and a nonsentinel (Baiomys musculus) species. Also, the relationship between DNA damage and the distance from the contamination source was evaluated.

METHODS

This study was conducted in an abandoned mine tailing at Morelos, Mexico. Thirty-six individuals from both species at the exposed and reference sites were sampled. Metal concentrations in bone and liver of both species were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and DNA damage levels were assayed using the alkaline comet assay.

RESULTS

In general, concentrations of zinc, nickel, iron, and manganese were statistically higher in exposed individuals. A significant effect of the organ and the site on all metal tissue concentrations was detected. Significant DNA damage levels were registered in the exposed group, being higher in B. musculus. Females registered higher DNA damage levels than males. A negative relationship between distance from the mine tailing and DNA damage in B. musculus was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider that B. musculus is a suitable species to assess environmental quality, especially for bioaccumulable pollutants--such as metals--and recommend that it may be considered as a sentinel species.

Vertebral endplate changes are not associated with chronic low back pain among Southern European subjects: a case control study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on the association between vertebral endplate changes and low back pain are contradictory. This study was designed to assess whether this association exists among Southern European subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients in this study serving as cases were 35-50 years of age with low back pain lasting >90 days, for whom a lumbar MR imaging had been prescribed. Controls were subjects 35-50 years of age, having a cranial MR imaging for headache with normal findings, and no history of clinically relevant LBP. Two hundred forty cases and 64 controls were recruited consecutively in the radiology services across 6 cities in Spain. Imaging findings and subject characteristics were gathered through previously validated instruments. Radiologists who interpreted MRI were blinded to the subject characteristics. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to assess the association of vertebral endplate changes with LBP, adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, lifetime exposure to smoking, physical activity, disk degeneration, and the interaction between disk degeneration and vertebral endplate changes.

RESULTS

Vertebral endplate changes were found in 80.4% of the cases and in 87.5% of the controls. In the regression model, disk degeneration was the only variable showing a confounding effect. Results showed that after adjusting for disk degeneration, the presence of vertebral endplate changes is associated with the absence of chronic LBP (OR for LBP: 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10-0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

In Southern European subjects, vertebral endplate changes are not associated with chronic LBP.

Major dietary patterns and risk of coronary heart disease in middle-aged persons from a Mediterranean country: the EPIC-Spain cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

No previous study has assessed the association between major dietary patterns and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a large cohort from a Mediterranean country.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied prospectively 40,757 persons, aged 29-69 years, participating in the Spanish cohort of the EPIC study. Food consumption was collected between 1992 and 1996 with a validated history method. Individuals were followed-up until 2004 through record linkage with hospital discharge registers, population-based registers of myocardial infarction, and mortality registers to ascertain CHD events (fatal and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction or angina requiring revascularization). Two major dietary patterns were identified from factor analysis. The first pattern was labeled as Westernized, because of the frequent consumption of refined cereals and red meat; the second was called the evolved Mediterranean pattern, because of the frequent intake of plant-based foods and olive oil. During a median follow-up of 11 years, 606 CHD events were ascertained. No association was found between the Westernized pattern and CHD risk. In contrast, the score for the evolved Mediterranean pattern was inversely associated with CHD risk (p for trend = 0.0013); when compared with the lowest quintile of the evolved Mediterranean pattern score, the multivariable hazard ratios for CHD were 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61-0.98) for the second quintile, 0.64 (95% CI 0.50-0.83) for the third quintile, 0.56 (95% CI 0.43-0.73) for the fourth quintile, and 0.73 (95% CI 0.57-0.94) for the fifth quintile.

CONCLUSION

A Mediterranean diet, as consumed in this study population, was associated with a lower risk of CHD.

Pain in clinical oncology: patient satisfaction with management of cancer pain

BACKGROUND

Despite effective analgesic therapy, inadequate pain control is frequently perceived by patients and caregivers.

AIMS

To assess satisfaction with management of pain in cancer patients.

METHODS

Between January and May 2007, a cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in 64 Medical Oncology Departments throughout Spain. A total of 525 outpatients with oncological diseases completed a questionnaire with demographic data, characteristics and intensity of pain, and perceptions and attitudes towards pain management at the time of a routine clinical visit. Physicians also completed a questionnaire with tumour-related and treatment-related data. Cluster analysis was used to classify patients into three groups (satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied or neutral, dissatisfied) according to pain intensity and satisfaction with treatment.

RESULTS

Patients satisfied with their analgesic treatment (33%) had lower pain intensities and, when regularly asked about their pain, considered their physicians to be more involved in their treatment. Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied patients (neutral) (44%) had higher mean pain intensities. Two-thirds of them achieved marked relief of their pain and also thought that physicians were aware of their situation. Dissatisfied patients (23%) had moderate to severe pain intensities, and said that they were asked less frequently about their pain, and thought that their physicians were less involved in their analgesic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Physician-patient communication and information provided to patients are essential aspects of patient perceptions and attitudes towards control of cancer-related pain. Pain is seen as a condition that may be controlled but affects the capacity to lead a normal life.

Identification of miRNAs as potential modulators of tissue factor expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome

BACKGROUND

Tissue factor (TF) is the main initiator of the coagulation cascade and elements that may upregulate its expression might provoke thrombotic events. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are autoimmune diseases characterized by a high TF expression in monocytes.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in TF expression and to evaluate their levels in SLE and APS patients.

METHODS

An in silico search was performed to find potential putative binding sites of miRNAs in TF mRNA. In vitro validation was performed transfecting cells expressing TF (THP-1 and MDA-MB-231) with oligonucleotide miRNA precursors and inhibitors. Additionally, reporter assays were performed to test for the binding of miR-20a to TF mRNA. Levels of miRNAs and TF were measured by quantitative (qRT-PCR) in patients with APS and SLE.

RESULTS

Overexpression of miRNA precursors, but not inhibitors, of two of the members of cluster miR-17∼92, for example miR-19b and miR-20a, in cells expressing TF decreased TF mRNA, protein levels, and procoagulant activity between 30% and 60%. Reporter assays showed that miR-20a binds to TF mRNA. Finally, we measured levels of miR-19b and miR-20a in monocytes from patients with APS and SLE and observed significantly lower miRNAs levels in comparison with healthy subjects inversely correlated with the levels of TF.

CONCLUSIONS

Down-regulation of miR-19b and miR-20a observed in patients with SLE and APS could contribute to increased TF expression and thus provoke the hypercoagulable state characteristic of these patients.

Sonic hedgehog stimulates proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells

Regulation of cell renewal in the periodontium is a critical cell function that has not been clarified. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted signaling molecule that plays a key role during development and adult tissue homeostasis. In the present study, we have analyzed the role played by Shh in human periodontal ligament stem cell (HPLSC) proliferation. HPLSC were isolated with anti-STRO-1 antibodies. Shh increased the expression of GLI1 and PTC-1 and selectively stimulated cell proliferation in STRO-1(+) derived from adult periodontal ligament. Shh components were localized to primary cilia in STRO-1(+) cells after Shh stimulation. STRO-1(+) also expressed Shh, suggesting an autocrine-regulated phenomenon. Thus, we propose that Shh plays a critical role in the regulation of cell proliferation in STRO-1(+)/HPLSC.

Influence of nomenclature in the interpretation of lumbar disk contour on MR imaging: a comparison of the agreement using the combined task force and the nordic nomenclatures

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The CTF nomenclature had not been tested in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability and diagnostic confidence in the interpretation of disk contours on lumbar 1.5T MR imaging when using the CTF and the Nordic nomenclatures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five general radiologists from 3 hospitals blindly and independently assessed intravertebral herniations (Schmorl node) and disk contours on the lumbar MR imaging of 53 patients with low back pain, on 4 occasions. Measures were taken to minimize the risk of recall bias. The Nordic nomenclature was used for the first 2 assessments, and the CTF nomenclature, in the remaining 2. Radiologists had not previously used either of the 2 nomenclatures. κ statistics were calculated separately for reports deriving from each nomenclature and were categorized as almost perfect (0.81-1.00), substantial (0.61-0.80), moderate (0.41-0.60), fair (0.21-0.40), slight (0.00-0.20), and poor (<0.00).

RESULTS

Categorization of intra- and interobserver agreement was the same across nomenclatures. Intraobserver reliability was substantial for intravertebral herniations and disk contour abnormalities. Interobserver reliability was moderate for intravertebral herniations and fair to moderate for disk contour.

CONCLUSIONS

In conditions close to clinical practice, regardless of the specific nomenclature used, a standardized nomenclature supports only moderate interobserver agreement. The Nordic nomenclature increases self-confidence in an individual observer's report but is less clear regarding the classification of disks as normal versus bulged.

Exercise training and cytokines in breast cancer survivors

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effects of an 8-week (aerobic+strength) exercise training program (3 sessions/week) on the circulating cytokine levels of breast cancer survivors. We randomly allocated 16 female survivors of breast cancer (mean±SD age: 50±5 years) to an intervention or usual care (control) group (N=8 in each group). The intervention group followed an 8-week exercise program consisting of 3 sessions/week (session duration: 90 min). We measured the levels of the following cytokines before and after the intervention: beta-NGF, CTACK, eotaxin, FGF basic, G-CSF, gmCSFα, HGF, ICAM1, IFNα2, IFNγ, IL1α, IL1ß, IL1ra, IL2, IL2ra, IL3, IL4, IL6, IL7, IL8, IL9, IL10, IL12, IL13, IL15, IL16, IL17, IL18, IP10, LIF, MCS-F, MIP1α, MIP1β, MIF, MCP1, MCP3, MIG, PDGF bb, SCF, SCGFβ, SDF1α, TRAIL, TNFα, TNFβ, VCAM1, and VEGF. We only observed a significant interaction (group*time) effect for CTACK ( P=0.016), with mean values remaining stable in the intervention group but increasing over time in controls. The intervention program did not induce a significant decrease in the main breast cancer-related cytokines such as IL6 and IL8. A combined (aerobic+strength) 8-week exercise training intervention did not induce major changes in the basal cytokine levels of breast cancer survivors.

[Antioxidants and diabetes mellitus: review of the evidence]

INTRODUCTION

An increase in the oxidative stress and a decrease in the antioxidant levels have been described in diabetic patients, that have been related with the etiopathogenesis of diabetes and its chronic complications.

METHODS

We performed a non-systematic review to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and diabetes, and the possible effects of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.

RESULTS

The intervention studies including different antioxidants have not demonstrated any beneficial effect on cardiovascular and global morbimortality in different populations, including diabetic patients. Neither of these studies has demonstrated a beneficial effect of antioxidant supplementation on the prevention of diabetes. According to these studies, these substances can decrease lipid peroxidation, LDL-cholesterol particles oxidation and improve endothelial function and endothelial-dependent vasodilatation, without significant improvement in the metabolic control of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence does not support the use of high doses of antioxidants on the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.

[Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry in Spain for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 (NADYA-SENPE Group)]

OBJECTIVE

To report the data of the Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.

METHODOLOGY

We compiled the data from the on-line registry introduced by the responsible Units for the monitoring of HPN from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2009. Included fields were: age, sex, diagnosis and reason for HPN, access path, complications, beginning and end dates, complementary oral or enteral nutrition, activity level, autonomy degree, product and fungible material supply, withdrawal reason and intestinal transplant indication.

RESULTS

2007: 133 patients with HPN were registered (61 males and 72 females), belonging to 21 hospitals. Average age for the 119 patients older than 13 years old was 53.7 ± 14.9 years, and 3.6 ± 3.6 y. for the 14 patients under 14 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (24%), followed by intestinal motility disorders and actinic enteritis (14% both). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (43%), malabsorption (27%), and intestinal obstruction (23%). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (69%), followed by implanted port-catheters (27%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.92 episodes/103 HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 50% of the cases. By the end of 2007, 71.4% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (57.5%). 26% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. 2008: 143 patients with HPN were registered (62 males and 81 females), belonging to 24 hospitals. Average age for the 133 patients older than 13 years old was 54.7 ± 13.9 years, and 3.7 ± 0.6 y. for the 10 patients under 14 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (20%), followed by actinic enteritis (14%) and intestinal motility disorders (13% ). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (44%), malabsorption (28%), and intestinal obstruction (20%). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (60%), followed by implanted port-catheters (29%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.50 episodes/10³ HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 67% of the cases. By the end of 2008, 71.6% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (52.4%). 29% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. 2009: 158 patients with HPN were registered (62 males and 96 females), belonging to 24 hospitals. Average age for the 149 patients older than 13 years old was 55.2 ± 13.0 years. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (25%), followed by actinic enteritis (12%) and intestinal motility disorders (11%). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (42%), malabsorption, and intestinal obstruction (23% both). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (60%), followed by implanted port-catheters (36%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.67 episodes/10³ HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 58% of the cases. By the end of 2009, 79.2% of the patients remained active; full oral nutrition was the most frequent reason to end HPN (48%). 23% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

We observe an increase in registered patients with respect to previous years, with a very different prevalence among regions. Neoplasia remains as the main pathology since 2003. We observe a decrease in catheter-related infections in the last two years, being the 2008 rate the smallest since the register's beginning.

Impact of prescribed cleaning and disinfectant use on microbial contamination in the home

AIMS

To identify and quantify the presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, hepatitis A and norovirus in households and to assess the effect of chlorine and quaternary ammonium-based disinfectants following a prescribed use.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eleven sites distributed in kitchen, bathroom, pet and children's areas of two groups of 30 homes each: (i) a nonprescribed disinfectant user group and (ii) a disinfectant protocol user group. During the 6-week study, samples were collected once a week except for week one when sample collection occurred immediately before and after disinfectant application to evaluate the disinfectant protocol. The concentration and occurrence of bacteria were less in the households with prescribed use of disinfectants. The greatest reductions were for E. coli (99%) and Staph. aureus (99·9999%), respectively. Only two samples were positive for HAV, while norovirus was absent. Disinfection protocols resulted in a significant (P < 0·05) microbial reduction in all areas of the homes tested compared to homes not using a prescribed protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that disinfectant product application under specific protocol is necessary to achieve greater microbial reductions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Prescribed protocols constitute an important tool to reduce the occurrence of potential disease-causing micro-organisms in households.

[Treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors]

Chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) is still the main cause of long-term non-neoplastic morbidity and mortality in patients receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Treatment consists of a combination of corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. There is no standardized therapy for cases in which this treatment fails. Recent experimental studies and clinical trials in humans have yielded promising results for imatinib, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase enzymes involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. This article reviews pathophysiologic aspects of scleroderma in the context of GVHD and systemic sclerosis, the experimental bases for the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in these diseases, and the first clinical results.

Variability of the L-Histidine decarboxylase gene in allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Nonsynonymous polymorphisms in genes coding for histamine-metabolizing enzymes, diamine oxidase and histamine N-methyltransferase are related to the risk of developing allergic diseases. The role of polymorphisms in the histidine decarboxylase gene remains unexplored. The objective of this study is to identify novel polymorphisms in the human histidine decarboxylase gene and to analyse the clinical association of nonsynonymous polymorphisms with rhinitis.

METHODS

We performed a single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis of the histidine decarboxylase gene sequence. The presence of two nonsynonymous polymorphisms Thr31Met (rs17740607) and Glu644Asp (rs2073440) was analysed in 442 unrelated patients with allergic rhinitis, 233 of whom also had asthma, and in 486 healthy subjects.

RESULTS

We observed three novel polymorphisms designated as ss50402829, ss50402830 and ss50402831-(rs17740607) with allele frequencies = 0.005, 0.208 and 0.073, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed for the histidine decarboxylase Glu644Asp (rs2073440) polymorphism, with OR (95% CI) values for homozygous carriers of the Glu644 allele equal to 3.12 (1.75-5.56, P < 0.00005) for all patients, 3.38 (1.54-7.44, P = 0.002) for patients with rhinitis alone, and 2.92 (1.43-5.95), P = 0.003 for patients with rhinitis + asthma, when compared with healthy controls. A significant Glu644 gene-dose effect was observed for overall patients (P = 0.0001), for patients with rhinitis alone (P = 0.005) and for patients with rhinitis + asthma (P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

The HDC allele Glu644 in homozygosity increases the risk of developing rhinitis in the studied population. This adds to increasing evidence supporting a prominent role of genetic variations related to histamine homeostasis in the risk to develop allergic diseases.

[The Spanish Home Enteral Nutrition registry of the year 2009: from the NADYA-SENPE group]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the Home Enteral Nutrition Characteristics (HEN) recorded by the group NADYA-SENPE during 2009.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

collection and analysis of the data voluntary recorded in the HEN registry from the NADYA-SENPE group from January 1st to December 31st.

RESULTS

6.540 HEN patients were registered, 5.11% more than the previous year and 6,649 episodes (3,135 in women, 47,93%) from 32 different hospitals. 6,238 of them (95,38%) were over 14 years. The mean age of the patients under 14 yr was 3,67 ± 2,86 and it was 72,10 ± 16,89 in those over 14 yr group. The base illness registered more frequently was the neurological disorders in 2,732 (41,77%) patients, followed by cancer patients in 1,838; 28,10%. The enteral access route was registered in 1,123 (17,17%) of the episodes, being more frequent the administration by nasogastric tube 562 (50,04%). The mean length of nutritional treatment by episode was 323 days (10,77 months). 606 episodes of HEN ended, being the principal reasons for discontinuing treatment the patient death in 295 (48,68%) occasions. The transition to oral feeding occurred in 219 (36,14%) cases. Patients maintained normal activity in 2162 (32,55%) HEN episodes and 2,468 (37,13%) cases were living "bed-couch". The level of dependence was "total" in 2,598 (39,07%) of the episodes recorded. The nutritional formula was provided by the hospital in 4,183 (62,91%) cases and by the reference pharmacy in 2,262 (el 34,02%). Consumables were provided by the hospital in 3,531 (53,11%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of HEN patients recorded increased from the year 2008, continuing the gradual growth increase since the start of registration. The characteristics of the patients remain in the same profile as in previous years.

[Transversal study on the prevalence of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in Spain: data from NADYA group]

Patients with intestinal failure who receive HPN are at high risk of developing MBD. The origin of this bone alteration is multifactorial and depends greatly on the underlying disease for which the nutritional support is required. Data on the prevalence of this disease in our environment is lacking, so NADYA-SEMPE group has sponsored this transversal study with the aim of knowing the actual MBD prevalence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective data from 51 patients from 13 hospitals were collected. The questionnaire included demographic data as well as the most clinically relevant for MBD data. Laboratory data (calciuria, PTH, 25 -OH -vitamin D) and the results from the first and last bone densitometry were also registered.

RESULTS

Bone mineral density had only been assessed by densitometry in 21 patients at the moment HPN was started. Bone quality is already altered before HPN in a significant percentage of cases (52%). After a mean follow up of 6 years, this percentage increases up to 81%. Due to retrospective nature of the study and the low number of subjects included it has not been possible to determine the role that HPN plays in MBD etiology. Only 35% of patients have vitamin D levels above the recommended limits and the majority of them is not on specific supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

HPN is associated with very high risk of MBD, therefore, management protocols that can lead to early detection of the problem as well as guiding for follow up and treatment of these patients are needed.

[Spanish home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the year 2008 from the NADYA-SENPE group]

AIM

To present the results of the Spanish home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the year 2008 from the NADYA-SENPE group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We recorded the HEN registry data from January 1st to December 31st 2008.

RESULTS

The number of patients registered in this period was 6206 (51% male) with up to 6,279 episodes of HEN, from 31 Spanish hospitals. Most of the patients (95%) were older than 14 yr. Mean age was 4.83±3.29 yr in the children group, and 70.75±18.14 yr in the adult group (older than 14 yr). Neurological disorders (39%) and cancer (27%) were the two most prevalent diagnoses. The oral route was the most frequently used (43,4%), followed by nasogastric tube (40,4%), and gastrostomy tube (14,7%). Mean length of treatment was 305,36 days (10 months). The principal reasons for discontinuing treatment were death (43%) and progress to oral diet (40%). Only 33% of the patients had a normal activity level, being limited in different grades in the rest of the patients. Most of the patients required partial (25%) or total help (38%). The enteral formula was provided by the hospital in 65% of the cases and by private pharmacies in 32%. The disposables were provided by the hospital (82,4%) and primary care services (17,2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The number and the age of the patients registered have increased comparing to previous years, with little variations in the rest of analyzed variables. The increase in the length of treatment could reflect misreporting of the weaning process in the registry.

Effects of using mixed wine yeast cultures in the production of Chardonnay wines

The effect of using mixed cultures of non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts in the physicochemical and sensory qualities of the wines were analyzed in this study. Based on growth curves, sugar consumption and glycerol production in synthetic must, Candida membranifaciens L1805 was selected from a group of four Candidas spp. isolates from Chile and Argentina. This yeast was subsequently used in combination with S. cerevisiae in Chardonnay must. A monoculture of S. cerevisiae was used as control. The wines fermented with mixed cultures had lower volatile acidity and ethanol concentration than the control. Furthermore, the chromatographic analysis showed that the wines from mixed cultures presented differences in the concentration of esters and propanol. These characteristics positively influenced the sensory qualities of the wines produced with mixed cultures, which was reflected in the preference for these wines by a panel of enologists. This study shows that the use of non-Saccharomyces yeasts could be a strategy to obtain distinctive wines using the native microorganisms from each winemaking area.

Peptides targeting Toll-like receptor signalling pathways for novel immune therapeutics

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of key proteins that permit mammals to detect microbes and endogenous molecules, which are present in body fluids, cell membranes and cytoplasm. They confer mechanisms to the host for maintaining homeostasis, activating innate immunity and inducing signals that lead to the activation of adaptive immunity. TLR signalling induces the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-viral genes through different and intricate pathways. However, persistent signalling can be dangerous and all members of the TLR family are involved in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, allergy, cancer and aging. The pharmaceutical industry has begun intensive work developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches based on both activation and inhibition of TLR triggering. Further, clinical trials are pending to evaluate TLR agonists as novel vaccine adjuvants and for the treatment of infectious diseases, allergic diseases and asthma. Since systemic, metabolic and neuroendocrine changes are elicited by inflammation, TLR activity is susceptible of regulation by hormones and neuroendocrine factors. Neuroendocrine mediators are important players in modulating different phases of TLR regulation contributing to the endogenous control of homeostasis through local, regional and systemic routes. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important signal molecule of the neuroendocrine-immune network that has recently emerged as a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders by controlling innate and adaptive immunity. This review shows current advances in the understanding of TLR modulation by VIP that could contribute to the use of this natural peptide as a therapeutic tool.