The metabolic footprint of Clostridia and Erysipelotrichia reveals their role in depleting sugar alcohols in the cecum

BACKGROUND

The catabolic activity of the microbiota contributes to health by aiding in nutrition, immune education, and niche protection against pathogens. However, the nutrients consumed by common taxa within the gut microbiota remain incompletely understood.

METHODS

Here we combined microbiota profiling with an un-targeted metabolomics approach to determine whether depletion of small metabolites in the cecum of mice correlated with the presence of specific bacterial taxa. Causality was investigated by engrafting germ-free or antibiotic-treated mice with complex or defined microbial communities.

RESULTS

We noted that a depletion of Clostridia and Erysipelotrichia from the gut microbiota triggered by antibiotic treatment was associated with an increase in the cecal concentration of sugar acids and sugar alcohols (polyols). Notably, when we inoculated germ-free mice with a defined microbial community of 14 Clostridia and 3 Erysipelotrichia isolates, we observed the inverse, with a marked decrease in the concentrations of sugar acids and polyols in cecal contents. The carbohydrate footprint produced by the defined microbial community was similar to that observed in gnotobiotic mice receiving a cecal microbiota transplant from conventional mice. Supplementation with sorbitol, a polyol used as artificial sweetener, increased cecal sorbitol concentrations in antibiotic-treated mice, which was abrogated after inoculation with a Clostridia isolate able to grow on sorbitol in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that consumption of sugar alcohols by Clostridia and Erysipelotrichia species depletes these metabolites from the intestinal lumen during homeostasis. Video abstract.

Predicting antimicrobial mechanism-of-action from transcriptomes: A generalizable explainable artificial intelligence approach

To better combat the expansion of antibiotic resistance in pathogens, new compounds, particularly those with novel mechanisms-of-action [MOA], represent a major research priority in biomedical science. However, rediscovery of known antibiotics demonstrates a need for approaches that accurately identify potential novelty with higher throughput and reduced labor. Here we describe an explainable artificial intelligence classification methodology that emphasizes prediction performance and human interpretability by using a Hierarchical Ensemble of Classifiers model optimized with a novel feature selection algorithm called Clairvoyance; collectively referred to as a CoHEC model. We evaluated our methods using whole transcriptome responses from Escherichia coli challenged with 41 known antibiotics and 9 crude extracts while depositing 122 transcriptomes unique to this study. Our CoHEC model can properly predict the primary MOA of previously unobserved compounds in both purified forms and crude extracts at an accuracy above 99%, while also correctly identifying darobactin, a newly discovered antibiotic, as having a novel MOA. In addition, we deploy our methods on a recent E. coli transcriptomics dataset from a different strain and a Mycobacterium smegmatis metabolomics timeseries dataset showcasing exceptionally high performance; improving upon the performance metrics of the original publications. We not only provide insight into the biological interpretation of our model but also that the concept of MOA is a non-discrete heuristic with diverse effects for different compounds within the same MOA, suggesting substantial antibiotic diversity awaiting discovery within existing MOA.

Androgen deprivation therapy in patients with localized disease: Comparison with curative intent treatments and time to castration resistance. Results of the Spanish Prostate Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND

The effect of primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well documented. The objective of the present study was to analyze the outcome of tumors treated with ADT as primary therapy in the Spanish Prostate Cancer Registry (19.4% of the series).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were classified in three groups: 1) with low/intermediate risk clinically localized tumors; 2) with high risk and locally advanced (T3-4) tumors; 3) with metastatic tumors. Time to castration resistance and overall cancer-specific survival were analyzed. In non-metastatic tumors, survivals in patients treated with ADT were compared with data from patients who underwent local treatments from the Spanish Prostate Cancer Registry.

RESULTS

703 cases were analyzed. There were significant differences in the time to castration resistance, which was lower in the group of metastatic tumors. During follow-up, there were 179 deaths (25.5%) of which 89 (12.6%) were due to PCa. After 3 years of ADT, only 14.6% of patients in group 1 had died (1% due to PCa), 20.5% in group 2 and 46.8% in group 3 (9.2% and 31.3% due to PCa, respectively). Cancer-specific survival was significantly worse in group 1 using ADT than radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. In high-risk and locally advanced tumors, ADT also had a lower cancer-specific survival than local treatments.

CONCLUSION

A longer time until the castration resistance was observed in patients with well- and intermediate-risk localized tumors treated with ADT. Patients with metastatic tumors showed the shortest time to castration resistance.

Transition memories: experiences of trans adult women with hormone therapy and their beliefs on the usage of hormone blockers to suppress puberty

PURPOSE

In recent years, an increasing number of specialized gender clinics have been prescribing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs to adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD) to suppress puberty. This paper presents qualitative research on the hormone therapy (HT) experiences of older trans-people and their views on puberty suppression. The main aim of this research was to explore the psychological aspects of hormonal treatments for gender non-conforming adults, including the controversial use of puberty suppression treatments.

METHODS

Using a semi-structured interview format, ten adult trans-women were interviewed (mean age: 37.4) to explore their personal histories regarding GD onset and development, their HT experiences, and their views on the use of GnRH analogs to suppress puberty in trans-children and adolescents.

RESULTS

the interview transcripts were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method from which several themes emerged: the onset of GD, childhood experiences, experiences with puberty and HT, views on the puberty suspension procedure, and the effects of this suspension on gender identity and sexuality.

CONCLUSIONS

The interviews showed that overall, the participants valued the new treatment protocol due to the opportunity to prevent the severe body dysphoria and social phobia trans-people experience with puberty. It seems that the risk of social isolation and psychological suffering is increased by the general lack of acceptance and stigma toward trans-identities in the Italian society. However, during gender transitions, they highlight the need to focus more on internal and psychological aspects, rather than over-emphasize physical appearance. This study gives a voice to an under-represented group regarding the use of GnRH analogs to suppress puberty in trans-individuals, and collected firsthand insights on this controversial treatment and its recommendations in professional international guidelines.

The Long-Term Impairment in Redox Homeostasis Observed in the Hippocampus of Rats Subjected to Global Perinatal Asphyxia (PA) Implies Changes in Glutathione-Dependent Antioxidant Enzymes and TIGAR-Dependent Shift Towards the Pentose Phosphate Pathways: Effect of Nicotinamide

We have recently reported that global perinatal asphyxia (PA) induces a regionally sustained increase in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels and GSSG/GSH ratio, a decrease in tissue-reducing capacity, a decrease in catalase activity, and an increase in apoptotic caspase-3-dependent cell death in rat neonatal brain up to 14 postnatal days, indicating a long-term impairment in redox homeostasis. In the present study, we evaluated whether the increase in GSSG/GSH ratio observed in hippocampus involves changes in glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the enzymes reducing glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and hydroperoxides, respectively, as well as catalase, the enzyme protecting against peroxidation. The study also evaluated whether there is a shift in the metabolism towards the penthose phosphate pathway (PPP), by measuring TIGAR, the TP53-inducible glycolysis and apoptosis regulator, associated with delayed cell death, further monitoring calpain activity, involved in bax-dependent cell death, and XRCC1, a scaffolding protein interacting with genome sentinel proteins. Global PA was induced by immersing fetus-containing uterine horns removed by a cesarean section from on term rat dams into a water bath at 37 °C for 21 min. Asphyxia-exposed and sibling cesarean-delivered fetuses were manually resuscitated and nurtured by surrogate dams. Animals were euthanized at postnatal (P) days 1 or 14, dissecting samples from hippocampus to be assayed for glutathione, GR, GPx (all by spectrophotometry), catalase (Western blots and ELISA), TIGAR (Western blots), calpain (fluorescence), and XRCC1 (Western blots). One hour after delivery, asphyxia-exposed and control neonates were injected with either 100 μl saline or 0.8 mmol/kg nicotinamide, i.p., shown to protect from the short- and long-term consequences of PA. It was found that global PA produced (i) a sustained increase of GSSG levels and GSSG/GSH ratio at P1 and P14; (ii) a decrease of GR, GPx, and catalase activity at P1 and P14; (iii) a decrease at P1, followed by an increase at P14 of TIGAR levels; (iv) an increase of calpain activity at P14; and (v) an increase of XRCC1 levels, but only at P1. (vi) Nicotinamide prevented the effect of PA on GSSG levels and GSSG/GSH ratio, and on GR, GPx, and catalase activity, also on increased TIGAR levels and calpain activity observed at P14. The present study demonstrates that the long-term impaired redox homeostasis observed in the hippocampus of rats subjected to global PA implies changes in GR, GPx, and catalase, and a shift towards PPP, as indicated by an increase of TIGAR levels at P14.

Analysis of the effectiveness of training school personnel in the management of food allergy and anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND

Food allergy is a very frequent and increasingly common disease in children and adolescents. It affects quality of life and can even be life-threatening. Given that 10-18% of allergic/anaphylactic food reactions take place in schools, it is essential to provide school personnel with training on the management of reactions.

METHODS

The Allergy Unit of Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Spain, organized a conference entitled "Management of Food Allergy in Children and Adolescents in School Centers" during which teachers, cooks, cafeteria monitors, and summer-camp leaders underwent a training course. Attendees filled out a questionnaire with eight questions before and after the course to assess their self-efficacy in management of food allergy and anaphylaxis. The results were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 191 people participated (51% dining-room monitors, 24% teachers, 13% cooks, and 12% other professions). The areas in which the attendees presented the lowest confidence before receiving the course were recognition of symptoms and treatment of the reactions/anaphylaxis. The mean score for each of the eight concepts evaluated improved after the training course. This improvement was significant in the management of anaphylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the usefulness of a self-efficacy scale in school personnel as a tool to assess the ability to manage food allergy and anaphylaxis. It can help to identify problem areas in which more specific training programs can be implemented.

Characterization of Phenyalanine Hydroxylase Gene Mutations in Chilean PKU Patients

Phenylketonuria (PKU, OMIM 261600) is an autosomal recessive disease, caused by mutations in the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase (PAH) gene situated in chromosome 12q22-q24.2. This gene has 13 exons. To date, 991 mutations have been described. The genotype is one of the main factors that determine the phenotype of this disease.

OBJECTIVE

Characterize PKU genotype and phenotype seen in Chilean PKU patients.

METHODS

We studied the PAH gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and/or sequencing techniques to identify pathogenic mutations in 71 PKU subjects. We classified the phenotype according to Guldberg predicted value.

RESULTS

We identified 26 different mutations in 134 of the 142 alleles studied (94.4%), 88.7% of the subjects had biallelic pathogenic mutations while 11.3% had only one pathogenic mutation identified. Compound heterozygous represented 85.9% of the cases. Exon 7 included the majority of mutations (26.9%) and 50% of mutations were missense. The most frequent mutations were c.1066-11G > A, c.442-?_509+?del and p.Val388Met. The majority of subjects (52.3%) had the classic phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The most frequent mutations in our Chilean PKU population were p.Val388Met, c.442?_509+?del and c.1066-11G > A. It is possible to predict phenotype by detecting the genotype, and use this information to determine disease prognosis and adjust patient's medical and nutritional management accordingly.

Study of β2-Glycoprotein I Polymorphisms in Patients With Chronic Renal Failure as a Predisposing Factor for the Development of Anti-β2-Glycoprotein I Auto-Antibodies

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin (Ig)A anti-β₂-glycoprotein I (aB2GP1) antibodies are associated with thrombotic events, cardiovascular morbidity, and death in dialysis patients. About 30% of patients with chronic renal disease are positive for IgA aB2GP1; however, the origin of these antibodies is unknown. It has been speculated that dialysis membranes, age, or etiology of renal base disease are possible precipitating factors, although these factors do not appear to be the source of antibodies. B2GP1 is a protein of 326 amino acids grouped into five domains. Eight polymorphisms have been described; the most important are Val/Leu²⁴⁷, which appears to predispose aB2GP1 antibody production in patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome, and Trp/Ser³¹⁶, which appears to have protective antibody production of aB2GP1.

METHODS

DNA samples from 92 patients with renal failure on hemodialysis were randomly collected with a 1:1 ratio for the positivity for IgA aB2GP1. Forty-six samples were positive for IgA aB2GP1 (group 1) and 46 negative for IgA aB2GP1 (group 2). All samples were anonymized to study polymorphism Val/Leu²⁴⁷ and polymorphism Trp/Ser³¹⁶.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between those who were positive or negative for IgA aB2GP1 in patients with renal failure treated with hemodialysis and the polymorphism located in codons 247 and 316.

CONCLUSIONS

The two groups of patients have the same prevalence in polymorphisms 247 and 316, and therefore there appears not to be a genetic predisposition in our population. New trigger factors must be studied.

Participation of protein kinases and phosphatases in the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction and calcium influx in human spermatozoa

In human spermatozoa, protein kinases have a role in the acrosome reaction (AR) induced by a variety of stimuli. However, there is disagreement or a lack of information regarding the role of protein kinases and phosphatases in the progesterone (P)-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺ ]_i ). In addition, there are no studies regarding the role of Ser/Thr and Tyr phosphatases and there are contradictory results regarding the role of Tyr kinases in the P-induced acrosome reaction. Here, we performed a simultaneous evaluation of the involvement of protein kinases and phosphatases in the P-induced acrosome reaction and in the P-induced calcium influx. Motile spermatozoa were capacitated for 18 h and different aliquots were allocated to treated or control groups and then evaluated for their ability to undergo the acrosome reaction and to increase [Ca²⁺ ]_i in response to P. The acrosome reaction was evaluated using Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA)-FITC, and [Ca²⁺ ]_i was evaluated using fura 2AM. At all of the concentrations tested, PKA inhibitors significantly reduced the percentage of the P-induced acrosome reaction (p < 0.001). However, only the highest concentrations of PKA inhibitors reduced the P-induced calcium influx; lower concentrations of PKA inhibitors did not affect it. Similar results were apparent for PKC inhibitors and for tyrosine kinase inhibitors. None of the Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitors affected the P-induced acrosome reaction or the P-induced calcium influx, except for the PP2B inhibitors that significantly reduced the P-induced acrosome reaction without affecting calcium influx. Finally, the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors significantly blocked the P-induced acrosome reaction and reduced the amplitude of the P-induced calcium transient (p < 0.001) as well as the amplitude of the plateau phase (p < 0.01). The data suggest that protein kinases and possibly PP2B have a role on the acrosome reaction at some point downstream of calcium entry and that Tyr phosphatases have a role on the acrosome reaction upstream of calcium entry.

Modulation of Postnatal Neurogenesis by Perinatal Asphyxia: Effect of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptor Agonists

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is associated to delayed cell death, affecting neurocircuitries of basal ganglia and hippocampus, and long-term neuropsychiatric disabilities. Several compensatory mechanisms have been suggested to take place, including cell proliferation and neurogenesis. There is evidence that PA can increase postnatal neurogenesis in hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVZ), modulated by dopamine, by still unclear mechanisms. We have studied here the effect of selective dopamine receptor agonists on cell death, cell proliferation and neurogenesis in organotypic cultures from control and asphyxia-exposed rats. Hippocampus and SVZ sampled at 1-3 postnatal days were cultured for 20-21 days. At day in vitro (DIV) 19, cultures were treated either with SKF38393 (10 and 100 µM, a D₁ agonist), quinpirole (10 µM, a D₂ agonist) or sulpiride (10 μM, a D₂ antagonist) + quinpirole (10 μM) and BrdU (10 μM, a mitosis marker) for 24 h. At DIV 20-21, cultures were processed for immunocytochemistry for microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2, a neuronal marker), and BrdU, evaluated by confocal microscopy. Some cultures were analysed for cell viability at DIV 20-21 (LIVE/DEAD kit). PA increased cell death, cell proliferation and neurogenesis in hippocampus and SVZ cultures. The increase in cell death, but not in cell proliferation, was inhibited by both SKF38393 and quinpirole treatment. Neurogenesis was increased by quinpirole, but only in hippocampus, in cultures from both asphyxia-exposed and control-animals, effect that was antagonised by sulpiride, leading to the conclusion that dopamine modulates neurogenesis in hippocampus, mainly via D₂ receptors.

Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of fruits and vegetables evaluated by the Ames test and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay / Mutagenicidad y citotoxicidad de frutas y vegetales evaluadas por el test de Ames y el ensayo del bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difeniltetrazolio (MTT)

The mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of the aqueous (H2O) and ethanolic (EtOH) extracts of fruits and vegetables were studied by the Ames test and the MTT assay. A significant mutagenic activity was found for three H2O extracts of broccoli ( Brassica oleracea), carrot ( Dacus carota) and licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra) and for one EtOH extract of kiwi ( Ananas sativus ) of the nine species analyzed. The frameshift tester strain TA98 was reverted by broccoli (2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 mg/mL; p < 0.01) and carrot (9.6 mg/mL; p < 0.001) aqueous extracts and by kiwi (9.6 mg/mL; p < 0.0001) EtOH extract, whereas strain TA100 was only sensitive to the mutagens of licorice H,O extract, within the nine fruits and vegetables tested. The mutagenic response of the extracts was not altered by the presence of S9 mix. Cytotoxicity was only found for three of the nine species tested. Percentage cytotoxic ac tivities at 4.8 mg/mL in pineapple ( Actinidin diasinensis) and garlic ( Allium sativum) H,O extracts were 77 and 91 %, respectively. Licorice EtOH extract was the only one that showed a cytotoxic activity at all of the concentrations used. The percentage of cytotoxic activity of licorice extract was 63% at 0.24 mg/mL and increased with increasing concentration of licorice up to 4.8 mg/mL. Thus, licorice (EtOH) extract was the most cytotoxic of the species tested.

Protective Effect of a Lactobacillus salivarius Strain of Human Origin

The protective effect of a Lactobacillus salivariusstrain from human faeces (HA8) was evaluated against the cytotoxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) and N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. L. salivariusHA8 strain showed a moderate protective effect against NPYR and weak against NDBA and NPIP. No protective effect against cytotoxicity of NDMA was observed at the bacterial population used. To test the effect of L. salivariusHA8 on cytokine production (interleukin-1 ± (IL-1 ±), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-≥)), the human macrophage cell line (THP-1) was cultured in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). L. salivariusHA8 induced IL-1 ±, IL-8 and TNF-≥ releases when cells were stimulating with and without LPS.

Fibronectin stimulates human sperm capacitation through the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A pathway

STUDY QUESTION

Does fibronectin (Fn) stimulate the sperm capacitation process in humans?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Fibronectin stimulates human sperm capacitation.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Capacitation is a process that occurs in the oviduct. It has been suggested that some molecules present in the oviductal fluid and cells as well as proteins present in the cumulus oophorus could be involved in the modulation of sperm function and their acquisition of fertilizing capacity. Fibronectin is a glycoprotein that is present in the fluid and the oviduct epithelium, and its receptor (alpha 5 beta 1 integrin) is present in human sperm. When alpha 5 beta 1 (α5β1) integrin binds to fibronectin, intracellular signals similar to the process of sperm capacitation are activated.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Human sperm were selected via a percoll gradient and were then incubated in non-capacitated medium (NCM) or reconstituted capacitated medium (RCM), in the presence or absence of fibronectin for different time periods. A total of 39 donors were used during the study, which lasted 3 years.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Freshly ejaculated sperm from healthy volunteers were obtained by masturbation. All semen samples were normal according to the World Health Organization parameters. Six approaches were used to determine the effects of fibronectin on sperm capacitation: chlortetracycline (CTC) assay, heterologous co-culture of human sperm with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC), measurement of cyclic (c) AMP levels, activity of protein kinase A (PKA), phosphorylation of proteins in tyrosine (Tyr) residues, and induction of acrosome reaction with progesterone.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

When sperm were incubated in RCM in the presence of Fn, we observed differences with respect to sperm incubated in RCM without Fn (control): (i) a 10% increase in the percentage of sperm with the B pattern (capacitated sperm) of CTC fluorescence from the beginning of capacitation (P < 0.001); (ii) an effect on both the concentration of cAMP (P < 0.05) and PKA activity (P < 0.05) during early capacitation; (iii) an increase in the degree of phosphorylation of proteins on tyrosine residues after 60 min of capacitation (P < 0.01); (iv) an increase in the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm in response to progesterone (P < 0.05); and (v) a decrease in the percentage of sperm attached to BOEC (P < 0.05). Moreover, we noted that the effect of Fn was specific and mediated by alpha 5 beta 1 integrin (P < 0.001). Fn by itself had no effect on sperm capacitation.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This study was carried out with sperm from young adult men. Men with abnormal semen samples were excluded. The results cannot be directly extrapolated to other mammalian species.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Currently, male subfertility has become a huge public health problem, which makes it imperative to develop new treatments. This is a novel discovery that extends our current knowledge concerning normal and pathological sperm physiology as well as events that regulate the process of fertilization.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This study was supported by grants from FONDECYT (1130341, E.S.D. and 1120056, P.M.) and FONCYT (PIP 2011-0496, S.P.-M). The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Novel fiber-rich lentil flours as snack-type functional foods: an extrusion cooking effect on bioactive compounds

The effect of extrusion processing on inositol phosphates.

Manufactured silver nanoparticles of different sizes induced DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage in hepatoma and leukaemia cells and in dermal and pulmonary fibroblasts

Many classes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized and widely applied, but no conclusive information on their potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity mechanisms is available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the potential genotoxic effects (DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage) of 4.7 nm coated and 42 nm uncoated AgNPs, using the comet assay, in four relevant human cell lines (hepatoma, leukaemia, and dermal and pulmonary fibroblasts) in order to understand the impact of such nanomaterials on cellular DNA. The results indicated that in all cell lines tested, 4.7 nm coated (0.1-1.6 μg ml⁻¹) and 42 nm uncoated (0.1-6.7 μg ml⁻¹) AgNPs increased DNA strand breaks in a dose- and size-dependent manner following 24 h treatment, the smaller AgNPs being more genotoxic. Human pulmonary fibroblasts showed the highest sensitivity to the AgNPs. A modified comet assay using endonuclease III and formamidopyrimidine- DNA glycosylase restriction enzymes showed that in tumoral and normal human dermal fibroblasts, pyrimidines and purines were oxidatively damaged by both AgNPs, but the damage was not size-dependent. However, in human pulmonary fibroblasts, no oxidative damage was observed after treatment with 42 nm AgNPs. In conclusion, both AgNP sizes induced DNA damage in human cells, and this damage could be related to oxidative stress.

Virus and Antibody Diagnostics for Swine Samples of the Dominican Republic Collected in Regions Near the Border to Haiti

The Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola, and reportable transboundary animal diseases have been introduced between the two countries historically. Outbreaks of severe teschovirus encephalomyelitis in pigs began occurring in Haiti in February 2009, and a field and laboratort study in April 2010 indicated that the teschovirus disease is prevalent in many regions in Haiti including areas near the border with DR and that other viral disease agents, including CSF virus (CSFV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and swine influenza virus (SIV), are present in the swine population in these regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the introduction of teschovirus encephalomyelitis from Haiti to DR and to identify the other viral disease agents present in the swine population in regions of DR near the border with Haiti. Six of 7 brains and 6 of 7 spinal cords collected from pigs with central nervous system (CNS) signs were positive in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for PTV. Genome sequencing on the Dominican PTV and phylogenetic analysis on the polyprotein of PTV strains indicate that the sequence of the Dominican PTV is 99.1% identical to the Haitian isolate and closely related to other PTV-1 strains in the world. Among 109 serum samples tested, 65 (59.6%) were positive for antibodies to PCV-2, and 51 (46.8%) were positive for antibodies to CSFV. Fifty-four of the 109 serum samples were tested for antibodies to other agents. Among the 54 samples, 20 (37.0%) were seropositive to PTV-1, 17 (31.5%) tested seropositive to SIV H3N2, 12 (22.2%) were seropositive to SIV H1N1, and 1 (1.9%) was seropositive to PRRSV.

Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of the genus Orestias (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae) in the southern Chilean Altiplano: the relevance of ancient and recent divergence processes in speciation

This study presents phylogenetic molecular data of the Chilean species of Orestias to propose an allopatric divergence hypothesis and phylogeographic evidence that suggests the relevance of abiotic factors in promoting population divergence in this complex. The results reveal that diversification is still ongoing, e.g. in the Ascotán salt pan, where populations of Orestias ascotanensis restricted to individual freshwater springs exhibit strong genetic differentiation, reflecting putative independent evolutionary units. Diversification of Orestias in the southern Altiplano may be linked to historical vicariant events and contemporary variation in water level; these processes may have affected the populations from the Plio-Pleistocene until the present.

Preclinical report on allogeneic uterus transplantation in non-human primates

STUDY QUESTION

Is it possible to perform allogeneic uterus transplantation (UTx) with a donation from a live donor in a non-human primate species and what immunosuppression is needed to prevent rejection?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Allogeneic UTx in the baboon is a donor- and recipient-safe surgical procedure; immunosuppression with induction therapy and a triple protocol should be used.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

UTx may become a treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility. Autologous UTx models have been developed in non-human primates with reports on long-term survival of the uterine grafts. STUDY DESIGN, SIZEAND DURATION: This experimental study included 18 female baboons as uterus donors and 18 female baboons as uterus recipients. The follow-up time was 5-8 weeks.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS

Uterus retrieval was performed with extended hysterectomy including bilateral uterine and internal iliac arteries and ovarian veins. After UTx, with vascular anastomoses unilateral to the internal iliac artery and the external iliac vein, the uterus recipients received one of the following: no immunosuppression (n = 4); monotherapy (oral slow release tacrolimus) (n = 4) or induction therapy (antithymocyte globulin) followed by triple therapy (tacrolimus, mycophenolate, corticosteroids; n = 10). Surgical parameters, survival, immunosuppression and rejection patterns were evaluated.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The durations of uterus retrieval and recipient surgery were around 3 and 3.5 h, respectively. The total ischemic time was around 3 h. All the recipients and the donors survived the surgery. All the recipients presented rejection to some extent within the first weeks following UTx. In one recipient, the uterus was of normal appearance at the end of the study period. In spite of occasional high (>60 ng/ml) blood levels of tacrolimus, there was no evidence of nephrotoxicity.

LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION

This initial non-human primate allogeneic UTx study indicates that further research is needed to optimize immunosuppression protocols in order to avoid uterine rejection.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The findings suggest that allogeneic UTx in primate species is feasible but continued work on this issue is needed.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council, ALF University of Gothenburg, Hjalmar Svensson Foundation and by Jane and Dan Olsson Research Foundation. The authors do not have any competing interest.

Fatty acids profiles of some Spanish wild vegetables

Polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important role in human nutrition, being associated with several health benefits. The analyzed vegetables, in spite of its low fat content, lower than 2%, present a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids of n-3, n-6 and n-9 series, such as α-linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, respectively. Wild edible plants contain in general a good balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. The present study tries to contribute to the preservation and valorization of traditional food resources, studying the fatty acids profile of 20 wild vegetables by gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionization detection. Results show that species in which leaves are predominant in their edible parts have in general the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratios: Rumex pulcher (5.44), Cichorium intybus (5.14) and Papaver rhoeas (5.00). Due to the low n-6/n-3 ratios of the majority of the samples, they can be considered interesting sources of n-3 fatty acids, especially those with higher total fat amount, such as Bryonia dioica, Chondrilla juncea or Montia fontana, with the highest contents of α-linolenic acid (67.78, 56.27 and 47.65%, respectively). The wild asparaguses of Asparagus acutifolius and Tamus communis stand out for their linoleic acid content (42.29 and 42.45%, respectively). All these features reinforce the interest of including wild plants in diet, as an alternative to the variety of vegetables normally used.

Complement C3 Genotyping of Slow and Fast Variants by Real Time PCR-High Resolution Melting

“Slow” and “Fast” C3 complement variants (C3S and C3F) result from a g.304C>G polymorphism that changes arginine to glycine at position 102. C3 variants are associated with complement-mediated diseases and outcome in transplantation. In this work C3 genotyping is achieved by a Real Time PCR - High Resolution Melting (RT-PCR-HRM) optimized method. In an analysis of 49 subjects, 10.2% were C3FF, 36.7% were C3SF and 53.1% were C3SS. Allelic frequencies (70% for C3S and 30% for C3F) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and similar to those published previously. When comparing RT-PCR-HRM with the currently used Tetraprimer-Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR (T-ARMS-PCR), coincidence was 93.8%. The procedure shown here includes a single primer pair and low DNA amount per reaction. Detection of C3 variants by RT-PCR-HRM is accurate, easy, fast and low cost, and it may be the method of choice for C3 genotyping.

Biofiltration of hydrogen sulfide by Sulfolobus metallicus at high temperatures

Biofiltration of reduced sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide has been mainly applied to emissions at mild temperatures (25 to 35 °C). However, an important number of industrial gaseous emission containing sulfur compounds, from diverse industrial sectors (petroleum refinery, cellulose production, smelting, rendering plants and food industries) are emitted at temperatures over 50 °C. Most of the studies on thermophilic systems report that a higher elimination capacity can be obtained at elevated temperature, allowing the design of smaller equipment for the same loading rate than that required for removing the same load under mesophilic conditions. A biotrickling filter inoculated with Sulfolobus metallicus, which operates at three different residence times, 60, 80 and 120 s, and two different temperatures (45 and 55 °C) for treating H(2)S is reported. The input loads of H(2)S were progressively increased from 0 to 100 gS/m(3). The aim of this study was to determine the capacity and ability of S. metallicus to oxidize H(2)S at high temperatures. The better removal capacity of H(2)S obtained was 37.1 ± 1.7 gS/m(3) h at 55 °C for a residence time of 120 s. The difference of the removal capacity of H(2)S between the two temperatures was 4 g/m(3) h on average of sulfur removal for the different residence times.

Mycobacterium abscessus infection in transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium abscessus is a ubiquitous, rapidly growing mycobacterium that colonizes organic surfaces. It is a potential pathogen, especially in immunosuppressed patients, including transplant recipients in whom disease can range from localized cutaneous lesions to disseminated infections. The purpose of this study was to describe the 12-year impact from January 1997 to December 2009 of M. abscessus infection among solid organ and bone marrow transplantations performed in adults and children.

METHODS

Information was obtained from the database of our Microbiology Department concerning samples, culture methods, and in vitro susceptibility testing. Isolates were classified as contaminants (C), colonization (CL), or disease (D) following standard criteria. We reviewed the medical records of affected subjects.

RESULTS

M abscessus was isolated in 76 patients (28 C, 18 CL, and 30 D), including 11 recipients, namely 8 (73%) classified as disease displaying 1 bone marrow case and solid organ cases--4 (50%) pulmonary (2 after cystic fibrosis), 2 renal, and 1 heart transplant patients. All were adults. The localization of infection showed 2 disseminated cases, both of whom shows cutaneous primary lesions, and 6 localized in 3 cases cutaneous and in 3, respiratory.

CONCLUSION

Diseases caused by M abscessus have increased in the last 5 years, possibly due to the greater number of transplants and the more focused search for the lesions. Most isolates were from lung cases, especially those with infections prior to transplantation. Respiratory and cutaneous samples were predominant, with skin lesions being an important site of primary symptom previous to dissemination of infection. Although the optimal regimen remains undefined, a favorable outcome depended mainly on a rapid diagnosis and inception of treatment following susceptibility test results.

Participation of the sperm proteasome during in vitro fertilisation and the acrosome reaction in cattle

In this work, we have investigated the role of the bovine sperm proteasome during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the acrosome reaction (AR). Motile spermatozoa, obtained by a swim-up method in Sperm-Talp medium, were capacitated for 3.5 h and incubated in the presence or absence of the specific proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin for 30 and 60 min. Then, the spermatozoa were co-incubated with mature bovine cumulus oocytes and after 48 h the cleavage rate of inseminated oocytes was evaluated. In addition, we evaluated the participation of the sperm proteasome during the progesterone-induced AR. Capacitated spermatozoa were incubated for 30 min with or without epoxomicin, then progesterone was added and the ARs were evaluated using the dual fluorescent staining technique 'Hoechst and chlortetracycline'. The results indicate that the proteasome inhibitor decreased the cleavage rate of oocytes inseminated with treated spermatozoa. In addition, acrosomal exocytosis levels were statistically significantly higher in the samples treated with the AR inducer progesterone than in control samples in the absence of the inducer. However, the progesterone-induced AR was significantly reduced by previous treatment of the spermatozoa with epoxomicin (P < 0.001). These observations indicate that the bovine sperm proteasome participates in the IVF and AR processes.

Prevalence of sensitization to lipid transfer proteins and profilins in a population of 430 patients in the south of Madrid

BACKGROUND

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) and profilins are the most important panallergens in the management of patients who are allergic to pollen and plant food in our area. LTPs are highly stable proteins that can induce systemic symptoms after ingestion. Profilins are labile proteins that are present in pollens and vegetables. Considered markers of several types of pollen sensitization, they are responsible for cross-reactivity between pollens and vegetables. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of sensitization to LTP and profilin using skin prick tests (SPTs) in patients referred to our allergy unit for any complaint (not only pollen and plant food allergy).

METHODS

The study sample comprised 430 consecutive patients who were evaluated using their medical history and SPTs with pollen, date palm profilin, and peach extract enriched in Pru p 3 (30 g/mL) as an LTP marker.

RESULTS

We found that 52 (12.1%) patients were sensitized to profilin and 53 (12.3%) to LTP. Pollen allergy was diagnosed in 53% and plant food allergy in 11%. In the LTP-sensitized group and the profilin-sensitized group, 37.7% and 34.6% of the patients had plant food allergy, respectively. Thirty-three patients (62.3%) were sensitized to LTP but had no symptoms after eating vegetables.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the real rate of sensitization to profilin and LTP in a population sensitized to allergens other than pollens and plant foods. Twelve percent of patients were sensitized to both profilin and LTP. A large proportion of LTP-sensitized patients had no symptoms at the time of the study.

Pilot study: alterations of intestinal microbiota in obese humans are not associated with colonic inflammation or disturbances of barrier function

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation contributing to insulin-resistance. Gut barrier alterations, described in animal models of obesity, probably favour inflammation. This has not been hitherto described in obese humans.

AIM

To evaluate gut permeability in asymptomatic obese and its association with plasma (C-reactive protein (CRP), arachidonate/eicosapentaenoate ratio) and faecal (calprotectin and leptin) markers of inflammation and microbiota alterations.

METHODS

A total of 13 obese (age: 33.9 ± 11.5 years; BMI: 35.9 ± 5.0 kg/m²) and 11 control subjects (age: 30.3 ± 8.1 years; BMI: 23.5 ± 2.4 kg/m²) were recruited. Gut permeability was assessed by the lactulose-mannitol-sucralose test, plasma fatty acids by gas chromatography, faecal calprotectin and leptin by Elisa and faecal microbiota by G+C profiling.

RESULTS

C-reactive protein was increased in the obese subjects (P = 0.01), but neither the plasma arachidonate/eicosapentaenoate ratio, the faecal levels of calprotectin and leptin, nor the gut permeability were altered. The faecal microbiota was altered in the obese (P = 0.0002), with predominance of bacterial populations having a lower G+C content and decreased concentrations of high G+C populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic obese individuals with systemic low-grade inflammation do not have evidence of colonic inflammation or gut barrier alteration; however, the biodiversity of their intestinal microbiota is affected.

[Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial palmar arch, following endoscopic carpal tunnel release. A case report]

Pseudo-aneurysm of the superficial palmar arch following carpal tunnel release is exceptional and thus poorly reported. We present one observation, recorded on more than 1300 hands treated by endoscopic release using the "Chow" technique by a single surgeon. Ultra-sonography could be used in an attempt to locate the superficial palmar arch and thus prevent vascular damage at surgery.

VEGF in the muscular layer of placental blood vessels: immuno-expression in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction and its association with the antioxidant status

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE), a disorder occurring in 5% of all pregnancies, remains largely unknown, but early placental hypoxia and oxidative stress are known to be involved in the mechanism of the syndrome. Maternal plasma and placental tissue samples were collected from PE, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and normotensive pregnant patients. The immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), malondialdehyde (MDA) production and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px) were determined in the placental tissue. F2-isoprostane concentration and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) were determined in maternal plasma. We found that the PE and IUGR groups showed a higher expression of VEGF in the muscular layer of fetal chorionic vessels. In addition, increased plasma F2 isoprostane levels and a significant reduction of FRAP in the plasma of PE women, as well as a lower activity of SOD in PE placentas and a higher activity of GSH-Px in IUGR placentas were found. Additionally, lower PlGF and higher sFlt1 levels were observed in the maternal plasma of PE and IUGR than control. We concluded that in a hypoxic environment, the placenta expresses VEGF in the muscular layer of fetal vessels. The development of PE could be related to the increased expression of VEGF, with decreased placental SOD activity and a decrease of both plasma F2-isoprostane and FRAP levels. In turn, the development of IUGR could be related to the association of decreased plasma FRAP levels and increased placental GSH-Px activity.

Geometry influence on the transmission spectra of dielectric single layers of spheres with different compactness

The transmission of spectra of different dielectric spheres single layer arrangements has been measured. High dielectric permittivity (epsilon=7) spheres of several millimeters of diameter were used to build the samples whose transmission was measured in the microwave range. The behavior of lattices arranged in square and triangular geometries have been compared in a number of different compactness cases. The same patterns measured have also been calculated by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Spectra from different geometrical arrangements of the same compactness (measured with the same filling fraction value) are very similar in some cases. Based on the level of similarity we propose three compactness regions. The high compactness region, where the structure effect is important, presents spectra clearly different for the two geometries. In a medium compactness region spectra are almost identical, suggesting a dominant effect of single sphere effects. Finally, in the low compactness region, the spectra from the two geometrical configurations diverge again as the Bragg diffraction values are approached.

263 IN VITRO FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT OF CUMULUS - OOCYTE COMPLEXES COLLECTED BY ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FOLLICULAR ASPIRATION IN LLAMAS TREATED WITH GONADOTROPIN

We have previously documented that both FSH and eCG are equally effective in inducing ovarian superstimulation in llamas, resulting in the recovery of a high number of expanded COC suitable for in vitro fertilization (Ratto et al. 2005 Theriogenology 63, 2445-2457). The objective of the study was to evaluate the ovarian response, morphology, and competence of COC collected by ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration in llamas treated with FSH or eCG. Llamas were assigned randomly into 2 groups (n = 16 per group) and treated for 48 h after follicle ablation with (1)25 mg of FSH (Folltropin, Bioniche Animal Health Canada Inc., Belleville, Canada) i.m. twice daily for 4 d; or (2) 1000IU of eCG (Novormon, Bioniche Animal Health Canada) as a single i.m. dose. The starting of gonadotropin treatment was considered Day 0. Both groups were given an i.m. dose of 5 mg of Armour Standard LH (Lutropin, Bioniche Animal Health Canada) on Day 6, and COC were collected by transvaginal ultrasound follicle aspiration of all follicles ≥7 mm on Day 7. The ovarian response was assessed by transrectal ultrasonography using a 7.5-MHz linear-array transducer (Aloka SSD-500, Clinics, Santiago, Chile) immediately before oocyte collection at 24 to 26 h after LH treatment in both groups. The COC were classified as expanded, compact, denuded, or degenerated. Expanded COC collected from FSH- (n = 147) and eCG-treated llamas (n = 141) were fertilized in vitro using epididymal sperm as previously described (Ratto et al. 2006 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 97, 246-257). Gametes were co-incubated at 38.5°C in air with 5% CO2 and high humidity for 18 h. After in vitro fertilization, presumptive zygotes were co-culture in SOF medium supplemented with 0.6% of BSA with llama granulosa cells at 39°C, 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 for 7 days. Embryo development was evaluated on Days 2, 5, and 7 of in vitro culture (Day 0 = IVF). Data were analyzed by Student’s t-test or Fisher’s exact test and presented as mean ± SEM. The FSH and eCG treatment groups did not differ with respect to the number of follicles ≥7 mm at the time of COC collection (16.0 ± 2.7 v. 14.0 ± 1.9; P = 0.5), the number of COC collected (11.5 ± 1.9 v. 9.7 ± 1.2; P = 0.4), or the collection rate per follicle aspirated (77.0 v. 71.5%; P = 0.2). No difference was detected between FSH and eCG-treated llamas in the number of expanded COCs (9.8 ± 1.4 v. 9.4 ± 1.2; P = 0.8). The percentage of presumptive zygotes to develop into 2 to 8 cells on Day 2 (65.3 v. 63.1), morulas on Day 5 (46.2 v. 42.5), and blastocyst stage on Day 7 (23.1 v. 20.5) did not differ (P > 0.05) between FSH and eCG-treated llamas, respectively. In conclusion, FSH and eCG treatments were equally effective for ovarian superstimulation and oocyte collection. The recovery of a high number of expanded COC can be used directly for in vitro fertilization and their competence is not affected by gonadotropin treatment. The study was supported by Convenio Desempeño en Investigacion (2007-DGI-CDA-04), Universidad Catolica de Temuco.