Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death of children up to five years old in the developing countries. Among the etiological diarrheal agents are atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli ...(aEPEC), one of the diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes that affects children and adults, even in developed countries. Currently, genotypic and biochemical approaches have helped to demonstrate that some strains classified as aEPEC are actually E. albertii, a recently recognized human enteropathogen. Studies on particular strains are necessary to explore their virulence potential in order to further understand the underlying mechanisms of E. albertii infections. Here we demonstrated for the first time that infection of fragments of rat intestinal mucosa is a useful tool to study the initial steps of E. albertii colonization. We also observed that an E. albertii strain can translocate from the intestinal lumen to Mesenteric Lymph Nodes and liver in a rat model. Based on our finding of bacterial translocation, we investigated how E. albertii might cross the intestinal epithelium by performing infections of M-like cells in vitro to identify the potential in vivo translocation route. Altogether, our approaches allowed us to draft a general E. albertii infection route from the colonization till the bacterial spreading in vivo.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Platinum(II) complexes bearing N‐heterocyclic carbenes based guanosine and caffeine have been synthesized by unassisted C−H oxidative addition, leading to the corresponding trans‐hydride complexes. ...Platinum guanosine derivatives bearing triflate as counterion or bromide instead of hydride as co‐ligand were also synthesized to facilitate correlation between structure and activity. The hydride compounds show high antiproliferative activity against all cell lines (TC‐71, MV‐4‐11, U‐937 and A‐172). Methyl Guanosine complex 3, bearing a hydride ligand, is up to 30 times more active than compound 4, with a bromide in the same position. Changing the counterion has no significant effect in antiproliferative activity. Increasing bulkiness at N7, with an isopropyl group (compound 6), allows to maintain the antiproliferative activity while decreasing toxicity for non‐cancer cells. Compound 6 leads to an increase in endoplasmic reticulum and autophagy markers on TC71 and MV‐4‐11 cancer cells, induces reductive stress and increases glutathione levels in cancer cells but not in non‐cancer cell line HEK‐293.
Platinum(II) complexes bearing NHCs based on guanosine undergo a substantial increase in antiproliferative activity when changing the ligand trans to the NHC from bromide to hydride. Compound 6 leads to an increase in reductive stress and increase in glutathione levels in cancer cells but not in non‐cancer cells.
The present study combined a DGGE and barcoded 16S rRNA pyrosequencing approach to assess bacterial composition in the water of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with a shallow raceway system ...(SRS) for turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and sole (Solea senegalensis). Barcoded pyrosequencing results were also used to determine the potential pathogen load in the RAS studied. Samples were collected from the water supply pipeline (Sup), fish production tanks (Pro), sedimentation filter (Sed), biofilter tank (Bio), and protein skimmer (Ozo; also used as an ozone reaction chamber) of twin RAS operating in parallel (one for each fish species). Our results revealed pronounced differences in bacterial community composition between turbot and sole RAS, suggesting that in the systems studied there is a strong species-specific effect on water bacterial communities. Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in the water supply and all RAS compartments. Other important taxonomic groups included the phylum Bacteriodetes. The saltwater supplied displayed a markedly lower richness and appeared to have very little influence on bacterial composition. The following potentially pathogenic species were detected: Photobacterium damselae in turbot (all compartments), Tenacibaculum discolor in turbot and sole (all compartments), Tenacibaculum soleae in turbot (all compartments) and sole (Pro, Sed and Bio), and Serratia marcescens in turbot (Sup, Sed, Bio and Ozo) and sole (only Sed) RAS. Despite the presence of these pathogens, no symptomatic fish were observed. Although we were able to identify potential pathogens, this approach should be employed with caution when monitoring aquaculture systems, as the required phylogenetic resolution for reliable identification of pathogens may not always be possible to achieve when employing 16S rRNA gene fragments.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown cause. Absence of specific targets and biomarkers compromise the development of new therapeutic strategies and of ...innovative tools to stratify patients and assess their responses to treatment. Here, we investigate changes in neuroprotective-neuroinflammatory actions in the spinal cord of
SOD1
G93A
mice, at presymptomatic and symptomatic stages to identify stage-specific biomarkers and potential targets. Results showed that in the presymptomatic stage, there are alterations in both astrocytes and microglia, which comprise decreased expression of GFAP and S100B and upregulation of GLT-1, as well as reduced expression of CD11b, M2-phenotype markers, and a set of inflammatory mediators. Reduced levels of Connexin-43, Pannexin-1, CCL21, and CX3CL1 further indicate the existence of a compromised intercellular communication. In contrast, in the symptomatic stage, increased markers of inflammation became evident, such as NF-κB/Nlrp3-inflammasome, Iba1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and M1-polarizion markers, together with a decreased expression of M2-phenotypic markers. We also observed upregulation of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis, Connexin-43, Pannexin-1, and of microRNAs (miR)-124, miR-125b, miR-146a and miR-21. Reduced motor neuron number and presence of reactive astrocytes with decreased GFAP, GLT-1, and GLAST further characterized this inflammatory stage. Interestingly, upregulation of miR-155 and downregulation of MFG-E8 appear as consistent biomarkers of both presymptomatic and symptomatic stages. We hypothesize that downregulated cellular interplay at the early stages may represent neuroprotective mechanisms against inflammation, SOD1 aggregation, and ALS onset. The present study identified a set of inflamma-miRNAs, NLRP3-inflammasome, HMGB1, CX3CL1-CX3CR1, Connexin-43, and Pannexin-1 as emerging candidates and promising pharmacological targets that may represent potential neuroprotective strategies in ALS therapy.
Natural dietary agents have attracted considerable attention due to their role in promoting health and reducing the risk of diseases including cancer. Ginger, one of the most ancient known spices, ...contains bioactive compounds with several health benefits. 6‐Gingerol constitutes the most pharmacologically active among such compounds. The aim of the present work was to review the literature pertaining to the use of ginger extract and 6‐gingerol against tumorigenic and oxidative and inflammatory processes associated with cancer, along with the underlying mechanisms of action involved in signaling pathways. This will shed some light on the protective or therapeutic role of ginger derivatives in oxidative and inflammatory regulations during metabolic disturbance and on the antiproliferative and anticancer properties. Data collected from experimental (in vitro or in vivo) and clinical studies discussed in this review indicate that ginger extract and 6‐gingerol exert their action through important mediators and pathways of cell signaling, including Bax/Bcl2, p38/MAPK, Nrf2, p65/NF‐κB, TNF‐α, ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, ROS/NF‐κB/COX‐2, caspases‐3, ‐9, and p53. This suggests that ginger derivatives, in the form of an extract or isolated compounds, exhibit relevant antiproliferative, antitumor, invasive, and anti‐inflammatory activities.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the aromatic profiles of both traditional goat Coalho cheese and cheeses added with isolated and combined probiotics, during 28 days of storage. The cheeses were ...named as follows: C, with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and L. lactis subsp. cremoris; L, with Lactobacillus acidophilus; P, with Lactobacillus paracasei; B, with Bifidobacterium lactis; and M, a “mixed” culture with the three probiotic microorganisms. Based on the results, it was verified that both the use of different cultures of probiotic lactic bacteria and the length of storage affect the volatile profile. The length of storage had the most influence on the number of volatiles produced. A total of twenty five aromatic compounds were identified in the goat cheese; of these twenty five, there were six alcohols, four hydrocarbons, four terpenes, three acids, three ketones, three aldehydes and two esters. Esters and ketones can have a positive influence on goat Coalho cheese, since their pleasant aroma can help minimize other undesirable odours.
•Probiotic bacteria and storage affect the flavour in goat Coalho cheese.•Storage time influenced the increased production of volatile compounds in goat Coalho cheese.•The probiotic mix of bacteria cultures led to production of volatile compounds from the 1st day following processing.
Abstract
Background
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treatment is aimed at inducing remission to prevent joint destruction and disability. However, it is unclear what is the long-term impact on ...health-related outcomes of the timing of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) initiation in JIA. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term impact of the time between JIA onset and the initiation of a bDMARD in achieving clinical remission, on physical disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Methods
Adult JIA patients registered in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) and ever treated with bDMARD were included. Data regarding socio-demographic, JIA-related characteristics, disease activity, physical disability (HAQ-DI), HRQoL (SF-36), and treatments were collected at the last visit. Patients were divided into 3 groups (≤ 2 years, 2–5 years, or > 5 years), according to the time from disease onset to bDMARD initiation. Regression models were obtained considering remission on/off medication, HAQ-DI, SF-36, and joint surgeries as outcomes and time from disease onset to bDMARD start as an independent variable.
Results
Three hundred sixty-one adult JIA patients were evaluated, with a median disease duration of 20.3 years (IQR 12.1; 30.2). 40.4% had active disease, 35.1% were in remission on medication, and 24.4% were in drug-free remission; 71% reported some degree of physical disability. Starting a bDMARD > 5 years after disease onset decreased the chance of achieving remission off medication (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.06, 0.92;
p
= 0.038). Patients who started a bDMARD after 5 years of disease onset had a higher HAQ and worse scores in the physical component, vitality, and social function domains of SF-36, and more joint surgeries when compared to an earlier start.
Conclusion
Later initiation of bDMARDs in JIA is associated with a greater physical disability, worse HRQoL, and lower chance of drug-free remission in adulthood.
In this study, the survival of the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5), Lactobacillus casei subsp. paracasei (L. casei 01) and Bifidobacterium lactis (BB12) incorporated in a Brazilian ...semi-hard goat cheese (coalho) when exposed to in vitro simulated conditions of digestion was assessed. The inhibitory effects of these probiotic bacteria were also evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in the goat coalho cheese during refrigerated storage. At the end of the in vitro digestion, all of the probiotic tested strains presented decreased (p<0.05) viable cell counts (5.5–6.0logcfu/g) with respect to those determined before exposure to the mouth conditions (7–8logcfu/g). L. casei subsp. paracasei presented inhibition rate of 7.87% and 23.63% against S. aureus on the 14th and 21st day of storage at 10°C, respectively; against L. monocytogenes these values were 12.96 and 32.99%. Positive inhibition rates of B. lactis toward S. aureus were found on the 1st, 14th and 21st days of storage (16.32%, 10.12% and 3.67%, respectively); and against L. monocytogenes only on the 1st day of storage (3.28%). From these results, goat coalho cheese could be an interesting carrier of probiotic strains of L. acidophilus, L. casei subsp. paracasei and B. lactis. Moreover, L. casei subsp. paracasei, could be used as protective culture for delaying the growth of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes in goat coalho cheese.
•Probiotic bacteria were incorporated in a semi-hard goat cheese (coalho).•Probiotic bacteria survived when exposed to artificial digestion.•Goat cheese presented protective effect on the probiotic bacteria survivability.•Probiotic bacteria inhibited pathogenic bacteria in goat cheese.
Abstract This article analyses Christian missionaries working on converting Muslim Iranians to Christianity. Their methods are based on a logic of rupture and discontinuity with Islam, presenting ...Christianity as the solution to a moral-political crisis of Iranians in the Islamic Republic. Anti-Islam is the focus of this conversion discourse. In a transnational Christian network formed by Iranians and non-Iranians, the evangelical missionaries work with methodology that breaks and dialogues with society and the local culture of their target audience, presenting evangelical Christianity as an alternative for Iranians. This research was carried out based on participant observation in missionary groups and Christian churches for Iranians, via digital media and face-to-face, contributing to the understanding of the conversion of Muslims to evangelical Christianity.
The article discusses Indigenous caring relations in everyday practices involving children, in which co-learning approaches, as well as peer-to-peer learning processes, are grounded in territory. We ...revisit a set of learning encounters that unfolded as part of the Intercultural Training Programme for Indigenous Educators in Southeast Brazil. The course is part of the Minas Gerais Federal University's (UFMG) Faculty of Education where, since 2006, it has trained and qualified Indigenous teachers to deliver Primary and Secondary education. In the text we argue in favour of the 'school for many', highlighting the pedagogical possibilities that emerge from the course's ethnographic focus and, more specifically, from two care-taking learning scenarios with and among children. The records of these activities allow us to envision an educational agenda that includes such topics, respecting and dialoguing with Indigenous cosmologies and traditions; one that assumes this dialogue to be a fundamental part of Indigenous peoples' resistance and respect for life.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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