Serum IL-23 significantly decreased in obese patients with psoriatic arthritis six months after a structured weight loss intervention

INTRODUCTION

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are frequently obese. We have previously shown decreased disease activity in patients with PsA with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 33 kg/m² following weight loss treatment with Very Low Energy Diet (VLED), resulting in a median weight loss of 18.6% at six months (M6) after baseline (BL). In this study we assessed the effects of VLED on cytokines and adipokines at M6 in the same patients with PsA and controls (matched on sex, age and weight).

METHODS

VLED (640 kcal/day) during 12 or 16 weeks, depending on BL BMI < 40 or ≥ 40 kg/m², was taken and followed by an energy-restricted diet. Cytokines and adipokines were measured with Magnetic Luminex Assays at BL and M6.

RESULTS

Serum interleukin (IL)-23, (median (interquartile range) 0.40 (0.17-0.54) ng/mL vs. 0.18 (0.10-0.30) ng/mL, p < 0.001) and leptin (26.28 (14.35-48.73) ng/mL vs. 9.25 (4.40-16.24) ng/mL, p < 0.001) was significantly decreased in patients with PsA. Serum total (tot)-adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin increased significantly. Similar findings were found in controls. Also, in patients with PsA, ∆BMI was positively correlated with ∆IL-23 (r_S = 0.671, p < 0.001). In addition, significant positive correlations were found between ΔBMI and ΔDisease Activity Score (DAS28CRP), ΔCRP, Δtumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, ΔIL-13, ∆IL-17 and Δleptin, and negative correlations between ΔBMI and Δtot-adiponectin.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight loss was associated with decreased levels of leptin and cytokines, in particular IL-23. These findings may partly explain the anti-inflammatory effect of weight reduction in PsA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02917434, registered on September 21, 2016, retrospectively registered.

GATA4 as a maestro of gut regionalization

How gut regionalization impacts microbiota and immunity is unclear. In this issue of Immunity, Earley et al. show that jejumal GATA4 expression controls bacteria colonization through retinol metabolism and IgA production. This metabolic-immune axis limits intestinal Th17 responses and immunopathology.

Clozapine-induced myocarditis: a case report and literature review

Introduction

We present the case of a male patient, 47 years old, diagnosed with schizophrenia, that was admitted at our hospital presenting a confusional state, with agitation, motor discoordination and difficulty breathing. At the blood analyses there was evidence of an increase in cardiac enzymes. The clinical manifestations had begun 5 days before, with slight leucocytosis showing in a routine blood test made after initiating clozapine, followed by fever, vomiting and progressive impairment of general clinical state.

Objectives

To describe a case of clozapine-induced myocarditis, which is a known, but rare, side effect of clozapine and to do a brief review of the existing knowledge on this matter.

Methods

The authors undertook an article review using PubMed database and a thorough analysis of the clinical case.

Results

The hypothesis of clozapine-induced myocarditis was the main diagnosis considered since the beginning, nevertheless, a thorough clinical examination and complementary tests were made and all the previous psychopharmacological treatment was suspended. The final diagnosis was based on the clinical presentation (fever, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion and impairment of general state), the elevation of CRP, PCT and TnI and findings on echocardiogram that suggested myocarditis (moderate systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle due to global hypokinesia and a non dilated left ventricle).

Conclusions

The clinical manifestations observed, the results of the complementary diagnostic tests and the review of the existing literature, allowed to make the diagnosis of clozapine-induced myocarditis. We find of considerable importance to continue to publish and study this matter as it is still insufficiently known.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

The human gut microbiota contributes to type-2 diabetes non-resolution 5-years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is efficient at inducing drastic albeit variable weight loss and type-2 diabetes (T2D) improvements in patients with severe obesity and T2D. We hypothesized a causal implication of the gut microbiota (GM) in these metabolic benefits, as RYGB is known to deeply impact its composition. In a cohort of 100 patients with baseline T2D who underwent RYGB and were followed for 5-years, we used a hierarchical clustering approach to stratify subjects based on the severity of their T2D (Severe vs Mild) throughout the follow-up. We identified via nanopore-based GM sequencing that the more severe cases of unresolved T2D were associated with a major increase of the class Bacteroidia, including 12 species comprising Phocaeicola dorei, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bacteroides caecimuris. A key observation is that patients who underwent major metabolic improvements do not harbor this enrichment in Bacteroidia, as those who presented mild cases of T2D at all times. In a separate group of 36 patients with similar baseline clinical characteristics and preoperative GM sequencing, we showed that this increase in Bacteroidia was already present at baseline in the most severe cases of T2D. To explore the causal relationship linking this enrichment in Bacteroidia and metabolic alterations, we selected 13 patients across T2D severity clusters at 5-years and performed fecal matter transplants in mice. Our results show that 14 weeks after the transplantations, mice colonized with the GM of Severe donors have impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity as compared to Mild-recipients, all in the absence of any difference in body weight and composition. GM sequencing of the recipient animals revealed that the hallmark T2D-severity associated bacterial features were transferred and were associated with the animals' metabolic alterations. Therefore, our results further establish the GM as a key contributor to long-term glucose metabolism improvements (or lack thereof) after RYGB.

Possible Benefits of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii for Obesity-Associated Gut Disorders

Metabolic disorders are an increasing concern in the industrialized world. Current research has shown a direct link between the composition of the gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes. In only a few weeks, an obesity-inducing diet can lead to increased gut permeability and microbial dysbiosis, which contributes to chronic inflammation in the gut and adipose tissues, and to the development of insulin resistance. In this review, we examine the interplay between gut inflammation, insulin resistance, and the gut microbiota, and discuss how some probiotic species can be used to modulate gut homeostasis. We focus primarily on Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a highly abundant butyrate-producing bacterium that has been proposed both as a biomarker for the development of different gut pathologies and as a potential treatment due to its production of anti-inflammatory metabolites.

POS1064 SERUM BIOMARKERS BEFORE AND AFTER A SIX MONTHS STRUCTURED WEIGHT LOSS INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND OBESITY COMPARED WITH CONTROLS

Background:

Obesity is highly overrepresented in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and associated with increased disease activity. We have previously shown in 41 patients with PsA (Caspar criteria) and obesity (here body mass index BMI ≥33 kg/m2) that weight loss treatment including Very Low Energy Liquid Diet (VLED) resulted in a median weight loss of 18.6% and concomitantly a significant improvement in CRP and disease activity in joints, entheses and skin at six months (M6) follow up.

Objectives:

To analyze serum biomarkers associated with inflammation, cartilage and bone metabolism before and after weight loss treatment in PsA patients compared with controls, without PsA or psoriasis, matched for age, sex and weight.

Methods:

The weight loss treatment included VLED (640 kcal/day) during 12 or 16 weeks (depending on baseline (BL) BMI <40 or ≥40 kg/m2), followed by a structured reintroduction of an energy restricted diet. cs/bDMARDs were held unchanged from 3 months before BL until M6. The patients were assessed with 66/68 joints counts.

Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), S100A8, S100A9, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, 8 and 13), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), B-cell activating factor (BAFF), Dickkopf (DKK)-1, sclerostin (SOST), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), osteprotegerin (OPG) and aggrecan were measured at BL and M6 in PsA patients and controls with Magnetic Luminex Assays (R&D-systems) following the manufacturer’s instructions using a Bio-Plex 200 system (BioRad). Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) (R&D-systems), carboxyterminal telopeptide of type-1 collagen (CTX-1) (Immunodiagnostics systems: IDS) and osteocalcin (IDS) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

Totally 41 PsA patients [age median 54 (IQR 48-62) yrs; 63 % women] and 39 controls [age 55 (46-60) yrs, 72 % women] were included. At M6 the weight-loss since BL was 18.7 (14.6-26.5) kg in the PsA patients and 22.6 (14.7-28.4) kg in the controls (p=0.546). Significant reductions in DAS28CRP [2.9 (2.1–3.7) vs. 2.4 (1.7–3.0)] and DAPSA [15.3(6.6-29.1) vs. 11.0 (2.8–17.6)] (p<0.001) were seen in the PsA patients.

At BL serum levels of the biomarkers were not significantly different in patients vs. controls.

After weight-loss significant reductions were seen in serum VEGF, S100A8, MMP-8, HGF, BAFF, COMP and DKK-1, whereas serum SOST and CTX-1 were significantly increased in both patients and controls (Table 1). The other biomarkers were not significantly changed.

Conclusion:

Weight loss in patients with PsA and controls was associated with lowered serum levels of several biomarkers related to inflammation and cartilage degradation, along with increased levels of biomarkers for bone turnover.

Table 1.PsA (N=41)BL median (IQR)PsA (N=41)M6 median (IQR)PsAp-valueCtrl (N=39)BL median (IQR)Ctrl (N=39)M6 median (IQR)Ctrlp-valueBMI (kg/m2)35.2 (34.1-38.1)29.8 (26.6-31.5)<0.00137.7 (36.7–41.5)30.4 (27.9–33.2)<0.001CRP (mg/L)4 (2–8.5)2 (1–6.5)0.0414 (2–6)2 (1–4)<0.001VEGF (pg/mL)79.6 (55.9–113.5)69.6 (53.1–105.3)0.01082.3 (48.0–125.9)65.0 (42.2-85.5)<0.001S100A8 (pg/mL)75.5 (48.0–99.5)63.3 (42.8–93.6)0.02171.8 (40.5–101.0)63.3 (40.3-85.7)0.006MMP-8 (pg/mL)9975.4(6811.8–14154.8)9202.6(5767.1–12049.6)0.0177494.7(4805.2-12616.9)7218.3(3466.0-9785.3)0.112HGF (pg/mL)327.9 (250.3–413.6)271.3 (206.9–331.0)<0.001307.9 (239.1–348.3)239.8 (200.3-276.0)<0.001BAFF (pg/mL)794.4 (716.4–868.2)674.6 (613.2–790.5)<0.001760.8 (664.1–827.3)678.1 (603.7–719.8)<0.001COMP (pg/mL)266.1 (209.8–366.0)217.0 (156.0–272.0)0.008293.6 (185.2–340.5)221.6 (163.5-300.0)0.018Dkk-1 (pg/mL)3608.4(3055.0–4401.3)3382.6(2802.5–4218.2)0.0023635.8(3212.8-4380.6)3480.4(2948.9–4087.3)0.007SOST (pg/mL)52.9 (32.5–65.4)60.3 (37.2–85.6)0.01450.0 (30.8–79.3)61.3(35.7–81.4)0.019CTX-1 (ng/mL)0.27 (0.20–0.39)0.51 (0.35–0.64)<0.0010.23 (0.16–0.34)0.50(0.30–0.61)<0.001

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

Enhanced carotenoid production by Rhodopseudomonas palustris ATCC 17001 under low light conditions

Carotenoids (CD) are biological pigments produced for commercial purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to study and determine the optimal conditions for increased CD production. There is no consensus in the literature about the conditions that increase CD production. Some authors stated that CD will be preferentially produced at low light intensities, at this adverse condition, microorganism will increase CD production as a survival response mechanism to get more energy. Other authors have mentioned that CD concentrations increase as the light intensity supplied increases, to avoid the overexposure of light and in turn photo-inhibition. Additionally, to increase the specific CD production is also necessary to increase the amount of biomass. In this work, the ammonium concentration (high (HAC) and low (LAC)) and the low light (LL) intensity effect on the CD production was evaluated. Data showed that a high CD-specific concentration of 8.8 mg/g_cell was obtained by using R. palustris ATCC 17001 under HAC and LL intensity. CD production was similar at HAC and LAC, suggesting that the light intensity has a greater effect on the specific CD concentration than the nitrogen concentration. In general, the results showed a low biomass production compared to the literature, with high CD synthesis.

Beneficial Effects of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Stimulation and Activation in Sickle Cell Disease Are Amplified by Hydroxyurea: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

The complex pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia (SCA) involves intravascular hemolytic processes and recurrent vaso-occlusion, driven by chronic vascular inflammation, which result in the disease’s severe clinical complications, including recurrent painful vaso-occlusive episodes. Hydroxyurea, the only drug frequently used for SCA therapy, is a cytostatic agent, although it appears to exert nitric oxide/soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) modulating activity. As new drugs that can complement or replace the use of hydroxyurea are sought to further reduce vaso-occlusive episode frequency in SCA, we investigated the effects of the sGC agonists BAY 60-2770 (sGC activator) and BAY 41-2272 (sGC stimulator) in the presence or absence of hydroxyurea on SCA vaso-occlusive mechanisms and cell recruitment both ex vivo and in vivo. These agents significantly reduced stimulated human SCA neutrophil adhesive properties ex vivo in association with the inhibition of surface β2-integrin activation. A single administration of BAY 60-2770 or BAY 41-2272 decreased tumor necrosis factor cytokine–induced leukocyte recruitment in a mouse model of SCA vaso-occlusion. Importantly, the in vivo actions of both agonists were significantly potentiated by the coadministration of hydroxyurea. Erythroid cell fetal hemoglobin (HbF) elevation is also a major goal for SCA therapy. BAY 41-2272 but not BAY 60-2770 at the concentrations employed significantly induced γ-globin gene transcription in association with HbF production in cultured erythroleukemic cells. In conclusion, sGC agonist drugs could represent a promising approach as therapy for SCA, for use either as stand-alone treatments or in combination with hydroxyurea.

Positive prostate biopsy following radiotherapy can predict metastasis-free survival in localized prostate cancer

Background/aims

To determine the impact of post-treatment biopsy results on 10-year metastasis-free survival (MFS), overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS) in localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with high-dose radiotherapy (RT).

Materials/Methods

Retrospective analysis of 232 patients with T1c-T3bN0M0 PCa who underwent a prostate biopsy 24-36 months after high-dose RT. Biopsies were categorized as positive biopsy (PB) if H&E staining showed evidence of residual malignancy and negative biopsy (NB) if no malignant cells were present. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 10-year MFS, OS and CSS rates were calculated for each group and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios. The median follow-up was 124 months (range 26-267).

Results

Sixty-two of 232 (26.7%) patients had post-treatment positive biopsies (PB). A positive post-treatment biopsy was significantly associated with a lower 10-year MFS (78.4% vs. 95.4%, p = 0.001, HR: 3.9, 95% CI: 1.8-8.3). Although patients with PB had worse outcomes that those with NB, we could not show a statistically significant difference in OS (81.0% vs. 87.9%, p = 0.282, HR: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.7-2.3) or CSS (96.2% vs. 99.4% (p = 0.201, HR. 2.4, 95% CI: 0.6-9.7). After multivariate analysis, the strongest predictor of MFS was the post-treatment biopsy status (p < 0.001, HR: 5.4, 95% CI 2.26-12.85) followed by Gleason score (p = 0.002, HR: 2.24, 95% CI 1.33-3.79).

Conclusion

A positive biopsy following RT can predict MFS in localized prostate cancer. These data highlight the relevance of achieving a local control and support the use of aggressive local therapeutic interventions for PCa.

Fitting of experimental data using a fractional Kalman-like observer

In this paper, a fractional order Kalman filter (FOKF) is presented, this is based on a system expressed by fractional differential equations according to the Riemann-Liouville definition. In order to get the best fitting of the FOKF, the cuckoo search optimization algorithm (CS) was used. The purpose of using the CS algorithm is to optimize the order of the observer, the fractional Riccati equation and the FOKF tuning parameters. The Grünwald-Letnikov approximation was used to compute the numerical solution of the FOKF. To show the effectiveness of the proposed FOKF, four examples are presented, the brain activity, the cutaneous potential recordings of a pregnant woman, the earthquake acceleration, and the Chua's circuit response.

Hepatocyte growth factor is a potential biomarker for osteoproliferation and osteoporosis in ankylosing spondylitis

We explored relations between serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), disease activity, osteoproliferation, and bone mineral density (BMD) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in comparison with healthy controls. HGF was increased especially in male AS patients and smokers and associated with both lower BMD and more chronic radiographic changes in the spine.

INTRODUCTION

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by both osteoproliferation and increased bone loss. Biomarkers are requested to predict the processes. The aims of this study were to compare serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in AS patients with healthy controls (HC) and to explore the associations with disease activity, osteoproliferation, and bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS

Serum from AS patients (modified NY-criteria) and HC was analyzed for HGF, MMP-3, and VEGF with ELISA. Disease activity parameters were collected. Osteoproliferation was assessed with modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) and BMD was measured in femoral neck.

RESULTS

Totally, 204 AS patients and 80 sex and age matched HC were included. Serum HGF was higher in the AS patients compared with the HC, whereas serum MMP-3 and VEGF were not. Serum HGF was also higher in smokers and in the male AS patients positively correlated with age, BASMI, and mSASSS, and negatively correlated with BMD. The biomarkers were all positively associated with ESR, CRP, and WBC. In multiple linear regression analysis serum HGF remained associated with higher mSASSS and lower BMD, after adjusting for age, sex, CRP, smoking, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum HGF was increased in male AS patients and associated with higher mSASSS and lower BMD. In addition, serum HGF was positively associated with risk factors for osteoproliferation such as age, CRP and smoking. HGF could be a potential biomarker of importance for the bone metabolism in AS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00858819.

Fractional observer to estimate periodical forces

In the present work we propose a fractional state observer with constant gain to estimate the periodical force exerted on a mechanical system by measuring only its displacement. The state observer is designed from both the Fourier series that approximates the periodical force and the equations of the damped harmonic oscillator that represents the behavior of the system. Specifically, the reconstruction of the force is carried out from the estimates of the series coefficients, which in fact are part of the dynamical system that composes the observer. Adams-Bashforth-Moulton method is used to compute the fractional derivatives of the observer in the Liouville-Caputo sense. Experiments based on real data are presented to show the advantages of using a fractional observer in the reconstruction of forces.

Abstract P5-22-04: Efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block for reducing acute post-mastectomy pain

Background: Mastectomy is associated with acute and chronic postoperative pain. This study investigated the efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block (TPB) compared to local anesthetic of surgical wound (LASW) in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy.

Methods: This phase 3, randomized controlled, single blind, parallel arms and superiority clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TPB compared to LASW on acute pain at rest and motion at 24 hours post-mastectomy, measured by a visual analog scale (VAS). The study size of 60 patients is determined to have 90% power to detect a difference of 20% in acute pain in favor of TPB. In TPB group use of ultrasound was mandatory to guide puncture of intervertebral space T3 for infiltrating 0.5% bupivacaine at dose of 1.5 mg/kg. In LASW group was used bupivacaine 0.5% at dose of 1.5mg/kg on subcutaneous tissue of surgical area. VAS was used to measure surgical pain at rest and motion in 2,4,6,12 and 24 hours post-operatives for both groups. Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier:NCT02609321.

Findings: From 08-2015 to 09-2016, 60 breast cancer patients were enrolled; 3 dropped off consent. Mean age was 51 year; 78% had stage II and III; and 65% receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy.There were no significant differences in the VAS pain measurement for the groups of BWT compared to LASW in the 24 hour measurement, neither at rest (P=0.6525) nor in movement (P=0.7929). There were no significant differences in both groups for repeated pain measurements (5 measures mean), total dose of opioid administration, time to first dose of opioids or adverse events.

Conclusions: There were not statistical differences for post-mastectomy acute pain in first 24 hours between TPB and LASW patients. According our findings the use of TPB should not routinely recommended for breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy.

Citation Format: Herazo-Maya F, Egurrola J, Restrepo CE, Torres L, Palacios L, Ossa CA, Borrero M, Angel GA, Marquez JJ, Valencia S, Perez A, Oyola JC, Lobo L, Gomez R, Garcia H. Efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block for reducing acute post-mastectomy pain [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-22-04.

Combining a hybrid robotic system with a bain-machine interface for the rehabilitation of reaching movements: A case study with a stroke patient

Reaching and grasping are two of the most affected functions after stroke. Hybrid rehabilitation systems combining Functional Electrical Stimulation with Robotic devices have been proposed in the literature to improve rehabilitation outcomes. In this work, we present the combined use of a hybrid robotic system with an EEG-based Brain-Machine Interface to detect the user's movement intentions to trigger the assistance. The platform has been tested in a single session with a stroke patient. The results show how the patient could successfully interact with the BMI and command the assistance of the hybrid system with low latencies. Also, the Feedback Error Learning controller implemented in this system could adjust the required FES intensity to perform the task.

Cardiovascular risk protection from the Mediterranean diet and olive oil. A transcriptomic update in humans

This review highlights the human studies that explore the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and olive oil, based on gene expression analysis. We summarized consistent human transcriptomic studies on cardiovascular risk, based on TMD and olive oil interventions, with real life doses and conditions. A literature review was carried out leading up to February 2016. The results show that the TMD, specially supplemented with virgin olive oil, produces beneficial changes in the transcriptomic response of relevant genes in cardiovascular risk such as CAT, GPX1 and SIRT2. p65 and MCP-1, IL1B, IL6, CXCL1, INF-γ, ARHGAP15 and IL7R, which are involved in inflammation; and ABCA1, SR-B1, PPARBP, PPARα, PPARγ, PPARδ, CD-36 and COX-1, which play an important role in cholesterol efflux. The available data illustrate a transcriptomic effect on atherosclerosis, inflammation and oxidative stress pathways as well as the mentioned genes.

Sensor fault detection and isolation system for a condensation process

This article presents the design of a sensor Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) system for a condensation process based on a nonlinear model. The condenser is modeled by dynamic and thermodynamic equations. For this work, the dynamic equations are described by three pairs of differential equations which represent the energy balance between the fluids. The thermodynamic equations consist in algebraic heat transfer equations and empirical equations, that allow for the estimation of heat transfer coefficients. The FDI system consists of a bank of two nonlinear high-gain observers, in order to detect, estimate and to isolate the fault in any of both outlet temperature sensors. The main contributions of this work were the experimental validation of the condenser nonlinear model and the FDI system.

Evaluation of native plant flower characteristics for conservation biological control of Prays oleae

Several studies have shown that manipulating flowering weeds within an agroecosystem can have an important role in pest control by natural enemies, by providing them nectar and pollen, which are significant sources of nutrition for adults. The aim of this study was to assess if the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae), and five of its main natural enemies, the parasitoid species Chelonus elaeaphilus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Apanteles xanthostigma (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Ageniaspis fuscicollis (Dalman) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Elasmus flabellatus (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), as well as the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), can theoretically access the nectar from 21 flowering weeds that naturally occur in olive groves. Thus, the architecture of the flowers as well as the mouthpart structure and/or the head and thorax width of the pest and its enemies were analyzed. The results suggested that all beneficial insects were able to reach nectar of the plant species from Apiaceae family, i.e. Conopodium majus (Gouan) Loret, Daucus carota L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill., as well as Asparagus acutifolius L., Echium plantagineum L., Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., Raphanus raphanistrum L., Lonicera hispanica Boiss. et Reut., Silene gallica L., Spergula arvensis L., Hypericum perforatum L., Calamintha baetica Boiss. et Reut, Malva neglecta Wallr. and Linaria saxatilis (L.) Chaz. P. oleae was not able to access nectar from five plant species, namely: Andryala integrifolia L., Chondrilla juncea L., Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter, Sonchus asper (L.) Hill and Lavandula stoechas L.

Detection of diabetic foot hyperthermia by infrared imaging

In diabetic foot, the occurrence of an ulcer is often associated with hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is defined as a temperature greater than 2.2°C in a given region of one of the foot compared to the temperature of the same region of the contralateral foot. Unfortunately, hyperthermia is not yet assessed in current diabetic foot therapy. In this paper, we propose an easy way to detect a possible hyperthermia by using an infrared camera. A specific acquisition protocol of the thermal images is proposed. A dedicated image analysis is developed: it is composed of a contour detection of the 2 feet using the Chan and Vese active contour method associated to the ICP rigid registration technique. Among 85 type II diabetes persons recruited in the Dos de Mayo hospital in Lima, Peru, 9 individuals show significant hyperthermia. It is expected that the new possibility of detecting hyperthermia in hospitals or in diabetic health centers which is now available, thanks to the proposed method, will help in reducing foot ulcer occurrence for diabetic persons.

Assessing reproductive and endocrine parameters in male largescale suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus) along a contaminant gradient in the lower Columbia River, USA

Persistent organochlorine pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are stable, bioaccumulative, and widely found in the environment, wildlife, and the human population. To explore the hypothesis that reproduction in male fish is associated with environmental exposures in the lower Columbia River (LCR), reproductive and endocrine parameters were studied in male resident, non-anadromous largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus) (LSS) in the same habitats as anadromous salmonids having conservation status. Testes, thyroid tissue and plasma collected in 2010 from Longview (LV), Columbia City (CC), and Skamania (SK; reference) were studied. Sperm morphologies and thyrocyte heights were measured by light microscopy, sperm motilities by computer-assisted sperm motion analysis, sperm adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with luciferase, and plasma vitellogenin (VTG), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) by immunoassay. Sperm apoptosis, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear DNA fragmentation, and reproductive stage were measured by flow cytometry. Sperm quality parameters (except counts) and VTG were significantly different among sites, with correlations between VTG and 7 sperm parameters. Thyrocyte heights, T4, T3, gonadosomatic index and Fulton's condition factor differed among sites, but not significantly. Sperm quality was significantly lower and VTG higher where liver contaminants and water estrogen equivalents were highest (LV site). Total PCBs (specifically PCB-138, -146, -151, -170, -174, -177, -180, -183, -187, -194, and -206) and total PBDEs (specifically BDE-47, -100, -153, and -154) were negatively correlated with sperm motility. PCB-206 and BDE-154 were positively correlated with DNA fragmentation, and pentachloroanisole and VTG were positively correlated with sperm apoptosis and negatively correlated with ATP. BDE-99 was positively correlated with sperm counts and motility; T4 was negatively correlated with counts and positively correlated with motility, thus indicating possible androgenic mechanisms and thyroid endocrine disruption. Male LSS proved to be an informative model for studying reproductive and endocrine biomarkers in the LCR.

Calpains mediate epithelial-cell death during mammary gland involution: mitochondria and lysosomal destabilization

Our aim was to elucidate the physiological role of calpains (CAPN) in mammary gland involution. Both CAPN-1 and -2 were induced after weaning and its activity increased in isolated mitochondria and lysosomes. CAPN activation within the mitochondria could trigger the release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors, whereas in lysosomes it might be essential for tissue remodeling by releasing cathepsins into the cytosol. Immunohistochemical analysis localized CAPNs mainly at the luminal side of alveoli. During weaning, CAPNs translocate to the lysosomes processing membrane proteins. To identify these substrates, lysosomal fractions were treated with recombinant CAPN and cleaved products were identified by 2D-DIGE. The subunit b(2) of the v-type H(+) ATPase is proteolyzed and so is the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2a (LAMP2a). Both proteins are also cleaved in vivo. Furthermore, LAMP2a cleavage was confirmed in vitro by addition of CAPNs to isolated lysosomes and several CAPN inhibitors prevented it. Finally, in vivo inhibition of CAPN1 in 72-h-weaned mice decreased LAMP2a cleavage. Indeed, calpeptin-treated mice showed a substantial delay in tissue remodeling and involution of the mammary gland. These results suggest that CAPNs are responsible for mitochondrial and lysosomal membrane permeabilization, supporting the idea that lysosomal-mediated cell death is a new hallmark of mammary gland involution.