Investigating luxS gene expression in lactobacilli along lab-scale cocoa fermentations

Previous metagenomic analyses have suggested that lactobacilli present potential for Quorum Sensing (QS) in cocoa fermentation, and in the present research, laboratory scale fermentations were carried out to monitor the expression of luxS, a universal marker of QS. For that, 96 h-fermentations were studied, as follows: F0 (non inoculated control), F1 (inoculated with yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria), F2 (inoculated with yeasts and acetic acid bacteria), F3 (inoculated with yeasts only). The parameters evaluated were: plate counting, quantification of key enzymes and analysis of volatile organic compounds associated with key sensory descriptors, using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, QS was estimated by the quantification of the expression of luxS genes by Reverse Transcriptase Real-Time PCR. The results demonstrated that microbial succession occurred in pilot scale fermentations, but no statistical differences for microbial enumeration and α-diversity index were observed among experiments and control. Moreover, it was not possible to make conclusive correlations of enzymatic profile and fermenting microbiota, likely due to the intrinsic activity of plant hydrolases. Regarding to the expression of luxS genes, in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum they were active along the fermentation, but for Limosilactobacillus fermentum, luxS was expressed only at early and middle phases. Correlation analysis of luxS expression and production of volatile metabolites evidenced a possible negative association of Lp. Plantarum with fermentation quality. In conclusion, these data corroborate former shotgun metagenomic analysis by demonstrating the expression of luxS by lactobacilli in pilot scale cocoa fermentation and evidence Lp. Plantarum is the main lactic acid bacteria related to its expression.

Validation of "CENTR(AR)" walking trails: Different field criteria do not lead to different physical activity intensities in people with COPD

BACKGROUND

Validating walking trails is essential to promote physical activity (PA) safely and confidently in people with COPD.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to validate predetermined light, moderate, and vigorous intensities of walking trails in people with COPD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included individuals with COPD walking in predetermined light, moderate and vigorous intensity trails. Activity intensity and volume outcomes were collected. Dyspnoea and fatigue (modified Borg scale), energy expenditure (EE, Sensewear), heart rate (HR, HR monitor), time spent in different PA intensities, and cadence (ActiGraph) were recorded and used to classify PA intensity.

RESULTS

Twenty people with COPD [71(7) years, 80 % male, FEV1%predicted 65.6(11.6)] were included. Fatigue differed significantly between light and moderate [3.0(2.0;4.0) vs 3.4(2.5;4.5), p = 0.01], but not vigorous (3.5[2.5-4.0]) tracks. Dyspnoea [2.3(1.5) vs 2.7(1.6) vs 2.6(1.4)], EE [5.1(0.8) vs 4.9(0.5) vs 4.6(0.8) METs], HR [92.5(11.1) vs 93.7(18.6) vs 95.4(15.0) beats/min] and cadence [115.1(104.0;120.3) vs 104.7(99.6;117.6) vs 111.2(99.9;118.5) steps/min] were similar across trails (p > 0.05). Time spent in light and moderate PA, EE volume, walking time, and step count increased along with the proposed intensity levels (p < 0.01). Walking trails were categorised as moderate intensity in most participants.

CONCLUSION

Walking trails were safe and valid for practising moderate-intensity PA in people with COPD. Participants adjusted their physiological responses and perceived symptoms to match a moderate intensity.

Analysis of microbial communities of ocular prostheses and anophthalmic sockets using 16S rRNA gene sequencing

Ocular prostheses are liable to host microbial adhesion, which can favor conjunctival inflammation. Knowing the microbiota of the ocular prosthesis and anophthalmic socket is important for predicting infection-related pathogens. This study evaluated the microbiota of the prostheses and anophthalmic sockets of six individuals by 16S rRNA sequencing. The microbial abundance and diversity were analyzed using the Operational Taxonomic Units at the genus level. Forty-seven phyla, capturing 1,258 named genera, were recorded in the sample set. In both sites, the most frequent genera were Fusobacterium, Staphylococcus, Prevotella, and Streptococcus. The microbial abundance was higher for the anophthalmic socket than for the prosthesis. Alpha diversity showed no significant differences in bacterial richness or diversity between sites. Although the microbial abundance in the anophthalmic socket was higher, both sites had similar microbiota with high diversity and low dominance among the genera.

Soil-plant system and potential human health risk of Chinese cabbage and oregano growing in soils from Mn- and Fe-abandoned mines: microcosm assay

In Portugal, many abandoned mines are often close to agricultural areas and might be used for plant food cultivation. Soils in the vicinity of two Mn- and Fe-abandoned mines (Ferragudo and Rosalgar, SW of Portugal) were collected to cultivate two different food species (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt and Origanum vulgare L.). Chemical characterization of the soil-plant system and potential risk of adverse effects for human health posed by plants associated with soil contamination, based on the estimation of hazard quotient (HQ), were assessed in a microcosm assay under greenhouse conditions. In both soils, the average total concentrations of Fe and Mn were above the normal values for soils in the region and their concentration in shoots of both species was very high. Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis grew better in Ferragudo than in Rosalgar soils, and it behaved as an excluder of Cu, Mn, Fe, S and Zn in both soils. The HQ for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in the studied species grown on both soils was lower than unit indicating that its consumption is safe. The high Mn tolerance found in both species might be due in part to the high contents of Fe in the soil available fraction that might contribute to an antagonism effect in the uptake and translocation of Mn. The obtained results emphasize the need of further studies with different food crops before cultivation in the studied soils to assess health risks associated with high metal intake.

Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity from peels and seeds of melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) and their antiproliferative effect in cancer cells

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) has high economic value and in recent years, its production has increased; however, part of the fruit is wasted. Usually, inedible parts such as peel and seeds are discarded during processing and consumption. Extracts of melon residues were prepared and their phenolic compounds, antioxidants and antiproliferative activities were evaluated. Total phenolic compounds were found in hydroethanolic, hydromethanolic, and aqueous extracts, especially for melon peel (1.016 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g). Flavonoids total content found for melon peel aqueous extract was 262 µg of catechin equivalent (CA)/100 g. In all extracts of melon peel significant amounts of gallic acid, catechin, and eugenol were found. For total antioxidant capacity, reported as ascorbic acid equivalent, the hydroethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts in peels and hydromethanolic in seeds were 89, 74, and 83 mg/g, respectively. Different extracts of melon showed iron and copper ions chelating activity at different concentrations, especially melon peel aqueous extract, reaching values of 61% for iron and 84% for copper. The hydroethanolic extract of melon peel presented a significant ability for hydroxyl radicals scavenging (68%). To assess the antiproliferative potential in human cancer cell lines, such as kidney carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, cervical adenocarcinoma and cervical carcinoma, MTT assay was performed. The proliferation was inhibited by 20–85% at extracts concentrations of 0.1–1.0 mg/mL in all cancer cell lines. The results suggest that melon residues extracts display a high antioxidant activity in in vitro assays and have effective biological activity against the growth of human tumor cells.

Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Reduce Airway Inflammation in a Model of Dust Mite Triggered Allergic Inflammation

PURPOSE

The use of tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs) to control exacerbated immune responses may be a prophylactic and therapeutic option for application in autoimmune and allergic conditions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of TolDC administration in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation caused by mite extract.

METHODS

Mouse bone marrow-derived TolDCs were induced by incubation with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and dexamethasone, and then characterized by flow cytometry and cytokine production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the in vivo model of Blomia tropicalis-induced allergy, mice transplanted with antigen-pulsed TolDCs were sensitized intraperitoneally with B. tropicalis mite extract (BtE) adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide. After challenge by nasal administration of BtE, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lungs, spleen and serum were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

Induction of TolDCs was efficiently achieved as shown by low expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, programmed death-ligand (PD-L) 2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-10, upon LPS stimulation in vitro. Transplantation of 1 or 2 doses of BtE-pulsed TolDCs reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and lungs as well as mucus deposition. Moreover, compared to saline-injected controls, TolDC-treated mice showed lower serum levels of anti-BtE immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies as well as reduced Gata3 and IL-4 gene expression in the lungs and decreased IFN-γ levels in the supernatant of splenocyte cultures Transplantation of TolDCs increased the percentage of the regulatory T cells in the spleen and the lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventive treatment with TolDCs protects against dust mite-induced allergy in a mouse model, reinforcing the use of tolerogenic dendritic cells for the management of allergic conditions.

Wine wastes as carbon source for biological treatment of acid mine drainage

Possible use of wine wastes containing ethanol as carbon and energy source for sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) growth and activity in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) is studied for the first time. The experiments were performed using anaerobic down-flow packed bed reactors in semi-continuous systems. The performance of two bioreactors fed with wine wastes or ethanol as carbon sources is compared in terms of sulphate reduction, metals removal and neutralization. The results show that efficient neutralization and high sulphate removal (>90%) were attained with the use of wine wastes as substrate allowing the production of effluents with concentrations below the required local legislation for irrigation waters. This is only possible provided that the AMD and wine wastes are contacted with calcite tailing, a waste material that neutralizes and provides buffer capacity to the medium. The removal of metals using wine wastes as carbon source was 61-91% for Fe and 97% for both Zn and Cu. The lower removal of iron, when wine waste is used instead of ethanol, may be due to the presence of iron-chelating compounds in the waste, which prevent the formation of iron sulphide, and partial unavailability of sulphide because of re-oxidation to elemental sulphur. However, that did not affect significantly the quality of the effluent for irrigation. This work demonstrates that wine wastes are a potential alternative to traditional SRB substrates. This finding has direct implication to sustainable operation of SRB bioreactors for AMD treatment.

Prognostic factors of the results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a cardiology hospital

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the early and late results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a cardiology hospital and to try to detect prognostic determinants of both short- and long-term survival.

METHODS

A series of 557 patients who suffered cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) at the Dante Pazzanese Cardiology Institute over a period of 5 years was analyzed to examine factors predicting successful resuscitation and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Ressuscitation maneuvers were tried in 536 patients; 281 patients (52.4%) died immediately, and 164 patients (30.6%) survived for than 24 hours. The 87 patients who survived for more than 1 month after CRA were compared with nonsurvivors. Coronary disease, cardiomyopathy, and valvular disease had a better prognosis. Primary arrhythmia occurred in 73.5% of the >1-month survivor group and heart failure occurred in 12.6% of this group. In those patients in whom the initial mechanism of CRA was ventricular fibrillation, 33.3% survived for more than 1 month, but of those with ventricular asystole only 4.3% survived. None of the 10 patients with electromechanical dissociation survived. There was worse prognosis in patients included in the extreme age groups (zero to 10 years and 70 years or more). The best results occurred when the cardiac arrest took place in the catheterization laboratories. The worst results occurred in the intensive care unit and the hemodialysis room.

CONCLUSION

The results in our series may serve as a helpful guide to physicians with the difficult task of deciding when not to resuscitate or when to stop resuscitation efforts.

Treatment Of Middle-Apical Level Root Fracture In Necrotic Teeth

The purpose of this paper is to present two case reports of dental trauma with middle-apical level root fractures and pulp necrosis. The treatment consisted of programmed applications of calcium hydroxide until a calcified barrier was formed at the fracture level. The technique presented here proved efficient in treating horizontal fractures at the middle and apical thirds of the root.

[Impact of environmental changes on sand fly ecology in southern Brazil]

Tree felling around a chicken coop and periodic insecticide spraying at the Palmital farm in the county of Terra Boa in southern Brazil impacted the ecology of sand fly species. The most prevalent species (51.6%) before clearing the trees and insecticide spraying was Lutzomyia migonei (França, 1920), and it is now Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) (89.8%). There was a highly significant difference between the proportions of L. whitmani reported by this paper (89.8%) and another publication before the tree felling and insecticide spraying (32,6%).

Clinical effects of intermittent, intravenous cyclophosphamide in severe systemic lupus erythematosus

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide in the treatment of severe systemic lupus erythematosus, 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evidence of severe renal involvement or systemic vasculitis, consecutively admitted to the hospital were studied. Cyclophosphamide was administered intravenously at a dosage of 1.0 g/m2 monthly, during 6 months and maintained every 3 months during 12 additional months. Of 10 patients with active lupus nephritis, a reduction or disappearance of proteinuria and maintenance of normal renal function was recorded in 6. Improvement of renal function was observed in 4 out of 7 patients with renal insufficiency at initial evaluation; resolution of renal insufficiency was more frequently observed in patients with recent onset renal failure. At the end of the follow-up (18.0 +/- 14.5 months) disappearance or reduction of nephrotic range proteinuria was recorded in 6 out of 14 patients; there was progression toward renal failure in 4 patients (20%). Response to intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy was observed in 4 of 5 patients with severe extrarenal SLE. Side effects, recorded in 12 patients, were mild and transient and in no patient was the treatment discontinued. Four patients died during the follow-up, although in 2 of them the deaths were not attributable to therapy. Even though this was an open and uncontrolled study, intermittent, intravenous cyclophosphamide was an effective therapy for severe, steroid refractory SLE.

Migraine, serum serotonin and platelet 5-HT2 receptors

In spite of recent theories about the aetiopathogenesis of migraine, serotonin continues to play a central role, explaining the efficacy of almost all migraine prophylactic drugs. In migraineurs with and without aura we measured (by HPLC-EC) the serum serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels between as well as during headache attacks. Between attacks of migraine with aura and at the beginning of attacks of both types of migraine the serum 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentration was significantly increased. These results were corroborated by 3H-spiperone binding to platelet membranes: in migraineurs with aura in the attack-free interval, there was a significant decrease in its Bmax, which suggests down-regulation of 5-HT2 receptors. In conclusion, we have verified that migraine with aura differs biochemically from migraine without aura.