Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen associated with a wide variety of infections in humans. The ability of MRSA to infect companion animals has gained ...increasing attention in the scientific literature. In this study, 334 dogs were screened for MRSA in two cities located in Rio de Janeiro State. The prevalence of MRSA in dogs was 2.7%. Genotyping revealed isolates from sequence types (ST) 1, 5, 30, and 239 either colonizing or infecting dogs. The genome of the canine ST5 MRSA (strain SA112) was compared with ST5 MRSA from humans-the main lineage found in Rio de Janeiro hospitals-to gain insights in the origin of this dog isolate. Phylogenetic analysis situated the canine genome and human strain CR14-035 in the same clade. Comparative genomics revealed similar virulence profiles for SA112 and CR14-035. Both genomes carry S. aureus genomic islands νSAα, νSAβ, and νSAγ. The virulence potential of the canine and human strains was similar in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Together, these results suggest a potential of canine MRSA to infect humans and vice versa. The circulation in community settings of a MRSA lineage commonly found in hospitals is an additional challenge for public health surveillance authorities.
The extinction risk of sharks, rays and chimaeras is higher than that for most other vertebrates due to low intrinsic population growth rates of many species and the fishing intensity they face. The ...Arabian Sea and adjacent waters border some of the most important chondrichthyan fishing and trading nations globally, yet there has been no previous attempt to assess the conservation status of species occurring here. Using IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Categories and Criteria and their guidelines for application at the regional level, we present the first assessment of extinction risk for 153 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras. Results indicate that this region, home to 15% of described chondrichthyans including 30 endemic species, has some of the most threatened chondrichthyan populations in the world. Seventy‐eight species (50.9%) were assessed as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable), and 27 species (17.6%) as Near Threatened. Twenty‐nine species (19%) were Data Deficient with insufficient information to assess their status. Chondrichthyan populations have significantly declined due to largely uncontrolled and unregulated fisheries combined with habitat degradation. Further, there is limited political will and national and regional capacities to assess, manage, conserve or rebuild stocks. Outside the few deepsea locations that are lightly exploited, the prognosis for the recovery of most species is poor in the near‐absence of management. Concerted national and regional management measures are urgently needed to ensure extinctions are avoided, the sustainability of more productive species is secured, and to avoid the continued thinning of the regional food security portfolio.
Microplastics and nanomaterials are applied in a myriad of commercial and industrial applications. When leaked to natural environments, such small particles might threaten living organisms' health, ...particularly when considering their potential combination that remains poorly investigated. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical effects of polyethylene (PE; 64-125 μm in size, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg·L−1) single and combined with an engineered nanomaterial applied in antifouling coatings, the copper-aluminium layered double hydroxides (Cu-Al LDH; 0.33, 1.0, and 3.33 mg·L−1) in the flatfish Solea senegalensis larvae (8 dph) after 3 h exposure, in a full factorial design. Particles ingestion, histopathology, and biochemical biomarkers were assessed.
Fish larvae presented <1 PE particles in their gut, independently of their concentration in the medium. The histological health index showed minimal pathological alterations at PE combined exposure, with a higher value observed at 1 mg LDH·L−1 × 0.1 mg PE·L−1. Gut deformity and increased antioxidant defences (catalase), neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase), and aerobic energy production (electron transport system) were observed at PE ≥ 1.0 mg·L−1. No oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) or alterations in the detoxification capacity (glutathione-S-transferase) was observed on single and combined exposures. PE, combined or not with Cu-Al LDH, does not seem to compromise larvae's homeostasis considering levels reported so far in the marine and aquaculture environments. However, harsh effects are expected with MP contamination rise, as projections suggest.
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•Solea senegalensis presented low PE particles in their gut after 3 h exposure.•Such ingestion increased antioxidant defences, neurotransmission, and energy consumption.•PE microplastics alone and combined with nanoclays induced histological alterations.•Energy consumption increased under combined exposure.
Lipid molecules, such as policosanol, ergosterol, sphingomyelin, omega 3 rich phosphatidylcholine, α-tocopherol, and sodium butyrate, have emerged as novel additions to the portfolio of bioactive ...lipids. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss these lipids, and their activity against obesity and mental or neurological disorders, with a focus on their proposed cellular targets and the ways in which they produce their beneficial effects. Furthermore, this available information is compared with that provided by in silico Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) models in order to understand the usefulness of these tools for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. Accordingly, it was possible to highlight how these lipids interact with various cellular targets related to the molecule transportation and absorption (e.g., α-tocopherol transfer protein for α-Tocopherol, ATP-binding cassette ABC transporters or Apolipoprotein E for sphingomyelins and phospholipids) or other processes, such as the regulation of gene expression (involving Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins for ergosterol or Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in the case of policosanol) and inflammation (the regulation of interleukins by sodium butyrate). When comparing the literature with in silico Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, it was observed that although they are useful for selecting bioactive molecules when compared in batch, the information they provide does not coincide when assessed individually. Our review highlights the importance of considering a broad range of lipids as potential bioactives and the need for accurate prediction of ADMET parameters in the discovery of new biomolecules. The information presented here provides a useful resource for researchers interested in developing new strategies for the treatment of obesity and mental or neurological disorders.
Seed exudates are plant-derived natural bioactive compounds consisting of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic molecules. Plant seed exudates have been poorly studied against parasite ...nematodes. This study was undertaken to identify proteins in the Myracrodruon urundeuva seed exudates and to assess the anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus, an important parasite of small ruminants. M. urundeuva seed exudates (SEX) was obtained after immersion of seeds in sodium acetate buffer. SEX was fractionated with ammonium sulfate at 0-90% concentration to generate the ressuspended pellet (SEXF1) and the supernatant (SEXF2). SEX, SEXF1, and SEXF2 were exhaustively dialyzed against distilled water (cut-off: 12 kDa) and the protein contents determined. Mass spectrometry analyses of SEX, SEXF1, and SEXF2 were done to identify proteins and secondary metabolites. The seed exudates contained protease, protease inhibitor, peptidase, chitinase, and lipases as well as the low molecular weight secondary compounds ellagic acid and quercetin rhamnoside. SEX inhibited H. contortus larval development (LDA) (IC50 = 0.29 mg mL-1), but did not affect larval exsheathment (LEIA). On the other hand, although SEXF1 and SEXF2 inhibited H. contortus LEIA (IC50 = 1.04 and 0.93 mg mL-1, respectively), they showed even greater inhibition efficiency of H. contortus larval development (IC50 = 0.29 and 0.42 mg mL-1, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show the anthelmintic activity of plant exudates against a gastrointestinal nematode. Moreover, it suggests the potential of exuded proteins as candidates to negatively interfere with H. contortus life cycle.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study evaluated the effect of the supplementation of total dietary fiber from apple, banana or passion fruit processing by-products on the post-acidification, total titratable acidity, bacteria ...counts and fatty acid profiles in skim milk yoghurts co-fermented by four different probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus L10 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL04, HN019 and B94. Apple and banana fibers increased the probiotic viability during shelf-life. All the fibers were able to increase the short chain and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents of yoghurts compared to their respective controls. A synergistic effect between the type of fiber and the probiotic strain on the conjugated linoleic acid content was observed, and the amount of α-linolenic acid was increased by banana fiber. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that fruit fibers can improve the fatty acid profile of probiotic yoghurts and point out the suitability of using fibers from fruit processing the by-products to develop new high value-added fermented dairy products.
► Apple and banana fibers increased the probiotic viability during shelf-life. ► Fibers increased the short chain and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents. ► Fiber type and probiotic strain had synergistic effect on conjugated linoleic acid content. ► The amount of α-linolenic acid was increased by banana fiber.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality for different forms of cancer based on the combination of light, molecular oxygen, and a photosensitizer (PS) compound. When activated by light, the ...PS generates reactive oxygen species leading to tumor destruction. Phthalocyanines are compounds that have already shown to be efficient PSs for PDT. Several examples of carbohydrate substituted phthalocyanines have been reported, assuming that the presence of carbohydrate moieties could improve their tumor selectivity. This work describes the photoeffects of symmetric and asymmetric phthalocyanines with d-galactose (so-called GPh1, GPh2, and GPh3) on HeLa carcinoma cells and their involvement in cell death. Photophysical properties and in vitro photodynamic activities for the compounds considered revealed that the asymmetric glycophthalocyanine GPh3 is very efficient and selective, producing higher photocytotoxicity on cancer cells than in nonmalignat HaCaT. The cell toxiticy after PDT treatment was dependent upon light exposure level and GPh3 concentration. GPh3 causes cell cycle arrest at the metaphase stage leading to multiple spindle poles, mitotic catastrophe, followed by apoptosis in cancer cells. These effects were partially negated by the pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Together, these results indicate that GPh3 is an excellent candidate drug for PDT, able to induce selective tumor cell death.
This study investigated the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects of the essential oil of
Ocimum gratissimum
(EOOG) in aortas and mesenteric vascular beds isolated from rats. EOOG (3–300 µg/mL) ...relaxed the tonic contractions induced by phenylephrine (0.1 µmol/L) in isolated aortas in a concentration-dependent manner in both endothelium-containing and endothelium-denuded preparations. This effect was partially reversed by L-NAME (100 µmol/L) but not by indomethacin (10 µmol/L) or TEA (5 mmol/L). In mesenteric vascular beds, bolus injections of EOOG (30, 50, 100, and 300 ng) decreased the perfusion pressure induced by noradrenaline (6 µmol/L) in endothelium-intact preparations but not in those treated with deoxycholate. L-NAME (300 µmol/L) but not TEA (1 mmol/L) or indomethacin (3 µmol/L) significantly reduced the vasodilatory response to EOOG at all of the doses tested. Our data showed that EOOG exerts a dose-dependent vasodilatory response in the resistance blood vessels of rat mesenteric vascular beds and in the capacitance blood vessel, the rat aorta. This action is completely dependent on endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release in the mesenteric vascular beds but only partially dependent on NO in the aorta. These novel effects of EOOG highlight interesting differences between resistance and capacitance blood vessels.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, FSPLJ, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
is an histophagous parasite that infects flatfish, namely turbot (
), and cause significant losses in aquaculture units. The available measures for
control have limited efficiency, and some cause ...harm to fish. Hence, sustainable and natural control strategies are urgently needed. This study evaluated the in vitro bioactivity of the ethanol extract of
calyces on
population growth rate (PGR), oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione-
-transferases (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total glutathione (TG) and catalase (CAT), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), activity and gene expression of proteases as major virulence factors.
extract inhibited parasite PGR (IC
= 1.57 mg mL
), and caused significant changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (LOEC = 0.22 mg mL
), especially GPx, TG, and CAT. The activity of proteases was also severely inhibited (IC
= 0.76 mg mL
), and gene expression of catepsin 90 and leishmanolysin proteases was downregulated. Organic acids and phenolic phytochemicals in hibiscus extract are potentially responsible for the antiprotozoal bioactivity herein determined. Therefore,
extract can be a promising disease-control alternative against the ciliate proliferation, cellular defense mechanisms and pathogenicity. Still, its applicability in aquaculture settings, and potential effects on farmed fish, should be further elucidated.
The nine countries sharing the Amazon forest accounted for 89% of all malaria cases reported in the Americas in 2008. Remote sensing can help identify the environmental determinants of malaria ...transmission and their temporo-spatial evolution. Seventeen studies characterizing land cover or land use features, and relating them to malaria in the Amazon subregion, were identified. These were reviewed in order to improve the understanding of the land cover/use class roles in malaria transmission. The indicators affecting the transmission risk were summarized in terms of temporal components, landscape fragmentation and anthropic pressure. This review helps to define a framework for future studies aiming to characterize and monitor malaria.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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