High dose cholecalciferol supplementation causing morning blood pressure reduction in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy

We evaluated the association of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN), blood pressure (BP) and Vitamin D (VD) levels before and after high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation (4000/10,000) UI/day) for 12 weeks in patients (N = 67) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Based on this prospective controlled pilot study, patients were divided into group 1 (N = 23 with CAN) and group 2 (N = 44 without CAN). At baseline, group 1 had higher systolic BP (SBP) during sleep (115 ± 14 vs. 107 ± 12 mmHg, p = 0.04) and lower nocturnal dipping (3 ± 5 vs. 8 ± 6%, p = 0.009). Among those with loss of nocturnal dipping, 45.4% (20/44) had CAN, while in normal nocturnal dipping group it occurred only in 13% (3/23) (p = 0.007). Non-dipper group had worse CAN parameters when compared to dipper group [Very low frequency (VLF) (2.5 ± 0.5vs.2.8 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.01), total power (TP) (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.01), Valsalva coefficient (1.5 ± 0.4 vs. 1.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.06)]. After VD, only group 1 improved CAN parameters [TP (2.5 ± 0.4 vs. 2.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.01) and VLF (2.2 ± 0.4 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.03). Group 1 presented a reduction in morning SBP (120 ± 20 vs. 114 ± 17 mmHg, p = 0.038) and in morning SBP surge (13 ± 13 vs. 5 ± 14, p = 0.04). High-dose VD was associated with improved CAN parameters and reduced awake SBP and morning SBP surge. These findings suggest that VD may benefit patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. ISRCTN32601947, registration date: 31/07/2017.

MRSA/MSSA causing infections: prevalence of mecA gene

Introduction Staphylococcus aureus is part of the human flora, present in the skin and mucous membranes but can become pathogenic, causing a wide spectrum of infections that were initially treated with penicillin. However, were observed some strains with resistance to this antibiotic and, therefore was developed a new antibiotic, the methicillin. After its introduction, arose the first S. aureus with resistance to methicillin (MRSA) due to the presence of a gene known as mecA that encodes an altered penicillin binding protein (PBP2a). In Europe, it is estimated that MRSA are associated to 44% of hospital acquired infections and its mortality rate is around 20%.

Objectives Prevalence of MRSA strains in different types of infection in Coimbra district.

Methodology Were analysed a total of 539 isolates of S. aureus previously characterized to the antibiotic susceptibility profile in the Hospital and University Center of Coimbra. Through the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin we classified our strains into MRSA and S. aureus methicillin-sensitive (MSSA); simultaneously, the mecA gene was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Results Of the 539 isolates, 49% were considered MRSA and 51% MSSA. All MRSA isolates express the mecA gene, but from the total of 276 MSSA, 191 show this gene but do not express it. MRSA isolates were mostly from respiratory tract samples (48%) and blood cultures (21%) while MSSA were isolated in skin and soft tissue samples (35%).

Conclusion MRSA are considered one of the primary pathogens for the development of pneumonia and septicaemia due to its highly virulent potential and the increasing expression of genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, infections caused by MRSA continue with highly representability in the clinical context and their dissemination is a public health problem.

Activity of Antarctic fungi extracts against phytopathogenic bacteria

This study aims to obtain secondary metabolites extracts from filamentous fungi isolated from soil and marine sediments from Antarctic ecosystems and to assess its potential antibacterial activity on Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae (phytopathogenic bacteria causing diseases in pepper and tomato and passionfruit, respectively). Among the 66 crude intracellular and extracellular extracts obtained from fungi recovered from soil and 79 obtained from marine sediment samples, 25 showed the ability to prevent the growth of X. euvesicatoria in vitro and 28 showed the ability to prevent the growth of X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae in vitro. Intracellular and extracellular extracts from soil fungi inhibited around 97% of X. euvesicatoria and 98% of X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae at 2·1 mg ml^-1 . The average inhibition rates against X. euvesicatoria and X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae for intracellular and extracellular extracts from marine sediments fungi were around 96 and 97%, respectively, at 3·0 mg ml^-1 . Extracts containing secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity against X. euvesicatoria and X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae were obtained, containing possible substitutes for the products currently used to control these phytopathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Micro-organisms from extreme ecosystems, such as the Antarctic ecosystem, need to survive in harsh conditions with low temperatures, low nutrients and high UV radiation. Micro-organisms adapt to these conditions evolving diverse biochemical and physiological adaptations essential for survival. All this makes these micro-organisms a rich source of novel natural products based on unique chemical scaffolds. Discovering novel bioactive compounds is essential because of the rise in antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms and the emergence of new infections. Fungi from Antarctic environments have been proven to produce bioactive secondary metabolites against various micro-organisms, but few studies have shown activity against Xanthomonas phytopathogens.

Steering microtubule shuttle transport with dynamically controlled magnetic fields

Nanoscale control of matter is critical to the design of integrated nanosystems. Here, we describe a method to dynamically control directionality of microtubule (MT) motion using programmable magnetic fields. MTs are combined with magnetic quantum dots (i.e., MagDots) that are manipulated by external magnetic fields provided by magnetic nanowires. MT shuttles thus undergo both ATP-driven and externally-directed motion with a fluorescence component that permits simultaneous visualization of shuttle motion. This technology is used to alter the trajectory of MTs in motion and to pin MT motion. Such an approach could be used to evaluate the MT-kinesin transport system and could serve as the basis for improved lab-on-a-chip technologies based on MT transport.

Antioxidant Therapies for Ulcerative Dermatitis: A Potential Model for Skin Picking Disorder

Skin Picking Disorder affects 4% of the general population, with serious quality of life impacts, and potentially life threatening complications. Standard psychoactive medications do not help most patients. Similarly, Mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis (skin lesions caused by excessive abnormal grooming behavior) is very common in widely used inbred strains of mice, and represents a serious animal welfare issue and cause of mortality. Treatment options for Ulcerative Dermatitis are largely palliative and ineffective. We have proposed mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis as a model for human Skin Picking Disorder based on similar epidemiology, behavior, and its comorbidity and mechanistic overlap with hair pulling (trichotillomania). We predicted that mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis would be treated by N-Acetylcysteine, as this compound is highly effective in treating both Skin Picking Disorder and Trichotillomania. Furthermore, we hypothesized that N-Acetylcysteine’s mode of action is as a precursor to the production of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione in the brain, and therefore intranasal glutathione would also treat Ulcerative Dermatitis. Accordingly, we show in a heterogenous prospective trial, the significant reduction in Ulcerative Dermatitis lesion severity in mice receiving either N-acetylcysteine (oral administration) or glutathione (intranasal). The majority of mice treated with N-acetylcysteine improved slowly throughout the course of the study. Roughly half of the mice treated with glutathione showed complete resolution of lesion within 2-4 weeks, while the remainder did not respond. These findings are the first to show that the use of N-acetylcysteine and Glutathione can be curative for mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis. These findings lend additional support for mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis as a model of Skin Picking Disorder and also support oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis as the mechanism of action for these compounds. As N-Acetylcysteine is poorly tolerated by many patients, intranasal glutathione warrants further study as potential therapy in Skin Picking, trichotillomania and other body-focused repetitive behavior disorders.

Regulating Brownian fluctuations with tunable microscopic magnetic traps

A major challenge to achieving positional control of fluid borne submicron sized objects is regulating their Brownian fluctuations. We present a magnetic-field-based trap that regulates the thermal fluctuations of superparamagnetic beads in suspension. Local domain-wall fields originating from patterned magnetic wires, whose strength and profile are tuned by weak external fields, enable the bead trajectories within the trap to be managed and easily varied between strong confinements and delocalized spatial excursions that are described remarkably well by simulations.

First record of Aquanirmus major Cicchino & González Acuña (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) on the Great Grebe, Podiceps major Boddaert (Aves: Podicipedidae) in Brazil

This report is the first record of a species of Aquanirmus in Brazil and it increases the known geographical distribution of A. major Cicchino & González Acuña, a species recently described based on material collected in Argentina and Chile.

Manipulation of magnetically labeled and unlabeled cells with mobile magnetic traps

A platform of discrete microscopic magnetic elements patterned on a surface offers dynamic control over the motion of fluid-borne cells by reprogramming the magnetization within the magnetic bits. T-lymphocyte cells tethered to magnetic microspheres and untethered leukemia cells are remotely manipulated and guided along desired trajectories on a silicon surface by directed forces with average speeds up to 20 microm/s. In addition to navigating cells, the microspheres can be operated from a distance to push biological and inert entities and act as local probes in fluidic environments.

Magnetic wire traps and programmable manipulation of biological cells

We present a multiplex method, based on microscopic programmable magnetic traps in zigzag wires patterned on a platform, to simultaneously apply directed forces on multiple fluid-borne cells or biologically inert magnetic microparticles or nanoparticles. The gentle tunable forces do not produce damage and retain cell viability. The technique is demonstrated with T-lymphocyte cells remotely manipulated (by a joystick) along desired trajectories on a silicon surface with average speeds up to 20 microm/s.

Anti-in?ammatory effect ofSolanum lycocarpum fruits

The croton oil-induced mouse ear oedema test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, and carrageenan-induced peritonitis were used to study the anti-inflammatory effects of the crude ethanol extract and its alkaloid fraction from Solanum lycocarpum fruits. The alkaloid fraction induced a dose-dependent reduction in ear oedema formation and leukocyte migration, suggesting that S. lycocarpum fruits may contain steroidal alkaloids accounting for the anti-inflammatory effect of the crude ethanol extract.

Leaf gas exchange and carbohydrates in tropical trees differing in successional status in two light environments in central Amazonia

Monoculture and mixed stands of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) and tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata Willd.) trees were established on degraded land in central Amazonia to compare leaf gas exchange parameters between plants grown in sunlight in an open field and in shade beneath a balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale Cav.) canopy. Shading increased specific leaf area by about 50% in both species. Shading reduced height and diameter growth of S. macrophylla, whereas it increased these parameters for D. odorata. Light-saturated photosynthesis (Amax), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) were higher in S. macrophylla than in D. odorata. In S. macrophylla, Amax was higher in sun leaves (12.9 +/- 0.9 micromol m-2 s-1) than in shade leaves (10.2 +/- 1.0 micromol m-2 s-1), whereas light environment had no significant effect on Amax of D. odorata. In both species, CO2-saturated photosynthesis (Apot) was higher in sun leaves (22 +/- 1.4 micromol m-2 s-1) than in shade leaves (17-20 +/- 0.8 micromol m-2 s-1). Stomatal conductance and E increased in sun leaves of S. macrophylla by 45 and 38%, respectively, whereas light environment did not affect gs and E of D. odorata. Photorespiration rates (Pr) varied from 28 to 36% of net photosynthesis (A) at ambient atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca) but declined to around 7% of A at higher Ca. Leaf dark respiration (Rd) and the CO2 compensation point (Gamma) were lower in shade-grown plants than in open-grown plants. Compared with shade-grown plants, total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations increased by 56% in S. macrophylla and by 30% in D. odorata in the open field. Leaf nitrogen (NL) concentrations were higher in open-grown plants than in shade-grown plants of both species, and TNC and NL concentrations were negatively correlated (r = -0.77). High TNC accumulation in S. macrophylla in the open field suggests that photosynthesis is unlikely to be growth-limiting at this site. We conclude that photosynthetic parameters of D. odorata are less affected by light environment than those of S. macrophylla, indicating that D. odorata has lower physiological plasticity to light than S. macrophylla.

The N-terminal region of the Oenococcus oeni bacteriophage fOg44 lysin behaves as a bona fide signal peptide in Escherichia coli and as a cis-inhibitory element, preventing lytic activity on oenococcal cells

The function of the N-terminal region of the Oenococcus oeni phage fOg44 lysin (Lys44) as an export signal was investigated. We observed that when induced in Escherichia coli, Lys44 was cleaved between residues 27 and 28 in a SecA-dependent manner. Lys44 processing could be blocked by a specific signal peptidase inhibitor and was severely reduced by modification of the cleavage site. The lethal effect of Lys44 expression observed in E. coli was ascribed to the presence of its N-terminal 27-residue sequence, as its deletion resulted in the production of a nontoxic, albeit active, product. We have further established that lytic activity in oenococcal cells was dependent on Lys44 processing. An active protein with the molecular mass expected for the cleaved enzyme was detected in extracts from O. oeni-infected cells. The temporal pattern of its appearance suggests that synthesis and export of Lys44 in the infected host progress along with phage maturation. Overall, these results provide, for the first time, experimental evidence for the presence of a signal peptide in a bacteriophage lysin. Database searches and alignment of protein sequences support the prediction that other known O. oeni and Lactococcus lactis phages also encode secretory lysins. The evolutionary significance of a putative phage lysis mechanism relying on secretory lytic enzymes is tentatively discussed, on the basis of host cell wall structure and autolytic capacity.

[Application of the Portuguese version of the abbreviated instrument of quality life WHOQOL-bref]

INTRODUCTION

The need of short instruments to evaluate Quality of life determines World Health Organization Quality of Life Group (WHOQOL Group) to develop an abbreviated version of the WHOQOL-100, the WHOQOL-bref. The objective is to present the Brazilian field trial of the WHOQOL-bref.

METHODS

WHOQOL-bref is composed by 26 questions divided in four domains: physical, psychological, social relationships and environment. The evaliation instrument, BDI (beck depression inventory) and BHS (beck hopelessness scale) were used in a 300 subjects sample in Porto Alegre, South Brazil.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

The instrument showed a good performance concerning internal consistency, discriminant validity, criterion validity, concurrent validity and test-retest reliability. The intrument allies good psychometric performance and practicity for use which puts it as an interesting option to evaluate quality of life in Brazil.

[Application of the Portuguese version of the instrument for the assessment of quality of life of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-100)]

OBJECTIVE

The WHOQOL group have developed an instrument to evaluate Quality of Life, the WHOQOL-100, available in 20 different languages (WHOQOL Group, 1998). The field trial of the portuguese version of the instrument is presented.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty patients from four main medical areas (Psychiatry, Clinical, Surgery and Ginecology) of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and 50 controls were evaluated with the Portuguese version of the WHO Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-100), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in Porto Alegre, south Brazil.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The instrument showed a good psychometric performance with good internal consistency, discriminant validity, criterion validity, concurrent validity and reliability. The authors conclude that the intrument is ready for use in Brazil, it being important to evaluate its performance in other regions and with different samples.

Gene organization in a central DNA fragment of Oenococcus oeni bacteriophage fOg44 encoding lytic, integrative and non-essential functions

The nucleotide sequence of a DNA fragment previously shown to contain the attachment site (attP) of Oenococcus oeni phage fOg44 (. Arch. Virol. 143, 523-536) has been determined. Sequence analysis indicated that this 6226bp EcoRI fragment harbours an integrase gene, in the vicinity of a direct repeat rich region defining attP, as well as genes encoding a muramidase-related lysin (Lys) and a holin polypeptide (Hol). Transcriptional studies suggested that lys and hol are mainly co-expressed, late in the lytic cycle, from a promotor located upstream of lys. Between the lytic cassette and the phage integration elements three additional open reading frames were found: orf217 and orf252 of unknown function and orf72, the putative product of which bears 32% identity with acidic excisionases from other Gram positive phages. We have established that the first two orfs, as well as the predicted promotor of orf72, are included in a 2143-bp DNA segment missing from the genome of the deletion mutant fOg44Delta2. Although lysogens of fOg44 and fOg44Delta2 exhibited similar properties, each phage produced two distinguishable types of lysogenic strains, differing in inducibility and immunity to other oenophages.

Genome diversity in temperate bacteriophages of Oenococcus oeni

The genome structure of six bacteriophages of Oenococcus oeni was compared. Two distinct groups with no apparent restriction site conservation were defined. In members of the alpha group (fOgML34, fOg4029, fOg30 and fOg218) a 7.5 kb region containing the origin of DNA packaging (cos) was highly conserved. Stretches of DNA heterogeneity could also be assigned to particular regions and were mostly evident in the right area of the genomes. fOg44 and fOgPSU1 (beta group) were indistinguishable in the left half of their genomes, including cos, but were markedly dissimilar in other regions. Strong labelling signals detected in cross-hybridizations involving members of different groups were confined to fragments centrally located in their physical maps. The attachment site (attP) of fOg44 was assigned to this conserved region. It is suggested that recombination events at this location may have been important in generating the observed diversity of oenophage genomes.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of pOg32, a cryptic plasmid from Leuconostoc oenos

Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of Leuconostoc oenos plasmid pOg32 (2544 bp) revealed three open reading frames (ORFs) in one of the DNA strands preceded by putative promoters and ribosome binding sites. ORF1 corresponded to a polypeptide similar to the replication proteins (Rep) of pT181 plasmid family. A nucleotide sequence like the double strand origin (DSO) of the same plasmid family was found inside the presumptive rep gene. ORF2 is capable of encoding a protein resembling the recombination enzyme (Pre) of two lactobacilli plasmids. Immediately upstream of the presumed pre gene, a sequence similar to the consensus RSA regions of those plasmids was encountered. Between ORF3 and ORF1, a sequence comparable to the RSB consensus region of the single strand origin ssoA was detected. The putative RSB region was located at the 3'-end of an imperfect palindrome which may be a single stranded origin. The described features, common to other small plasmids of Gram-positive bacteria, suggest that pOg32 replicates by the rolling circle mechanism. The amino acid sequence encoded by ORF3 was not similar to any known protein.

Inter-strain relationships among wine leuconostocs and their divergence from other Leuconostoc species, as revealed by low frequency restriction fragment analysis of genomic DNA

Thirty Leuconostoc oenos strains, representing 28 different isolates, were distributed into 20 genomic groups according to PFGE patterns of restriction digests. The 8 bp-specific enzymes Sfi I, Not I and Asc I cleaved the Leuc. oenos DNA in a mean of 17, 11 and four fragments respectively and Sma I produced more than 50 fragments per genome. The strain differentiating capacity of the four enzymes was similar; only two related genomic groups failed to be distinguished by Asc I or Not I. Genomic relationships between Leuc. oenos strains were quantified by numerical analysis of Not I and Sfi I banding patterns. More than half of the strains, including the starters ML34 and PSU-1, formed a major cluster. The average size of the Leuc. oenos genome was estimated as 1.86 Mb. Although similar values were obtained for the genomes of Leuc. mesenteroides, Leuc. pseudomesenteroides, Leuc. gelidum and Leuc. citreum, a significant divergence between wine and non-wine species was inferred from comparisons of genome cleavage frequencies, determined with five different enzymes.

Restriction analysis of PBS 1-related phages

The Bacillus subtilis bacteriophages AR 9, 3 NT, and I 10 belong to the same group as the widely used bacteriophage PBS 1. These four phages have in common, among other properties, flagellotropic adsorption to host cells and total substitution of thymine by uracil in their DNAs. We tested the action of different restriction endonucleases on the four genomes. Among 14 enzymes, which did cut the DNAs into discrete fragments, six are known as having at least one thymine residue in their recognition sequences. The electrophoretical patterns of the digested DNAs from the four phages show strong similarities. Nevertheless, the differences are sufficient to allow a clear distinction between them.

Phlebectasia within the sural nerve

During the period of one year, 222 patients were submitted to corrective surgery for varicose veins of the lower limbs; in 170 the short saphenous vein was removed. In ten of the latter patients there was phlebectasia of veins lying within the sural nerve. Intra-operative phlebography showed communicating veins between the area of phlebectasia and the deep venous system. These atypical communicating veins directed the venous flow toward the fibular and posterior tibial veins. The authors discuss the importance of these findings.