Objective
This study aimed to investigate the effects of FK506 on experimental sepsis immunopathology. It investigated the effect of FK506 on leukocyte recruitment to the site of infection, systemic ...cytokine production, and organ injury in mice with sepsis.
Methods
Using a murine cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) peritonitis model, the experiments were performed with wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in the gene
Nfat1
(
Nfat1
−/−
) in the C57BL/6 background. Animals were treated with 2.0 mg/kg of FK506, subcutaneously, 1 h before the sepsis model, twice a day (12 h/12 h). The number of bacteria colony forming units (CFU) was manually counted. The number of neutrophils in the lungs was estimated by the myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. The expression of CXCR2 in neutrophils was determined using flow cytometry analysis. The expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophage was determined using ELISA. The direct effect of FK506 on CXCR2 internalization was evaluated using HEK-293T cells after CXCL2 stimulation by the BRET method.
Results
FK506 treatment potentiated the failure of neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity, resulting in bacteremia and an exacerbated systemic inflammatory response, which led to higher organ damage and mortality rates. Failed neutrophil migration was associated with elevated CXCL2 chemokine plasma levels and lower expression of the CXCR2 receptor on circulating neutrophils compared with non-treated CLP-induced septic mice. FK506 did not directly affect CXCL2-induced CXCR2 internalization by transfected HEK-293 cells or mice neutrophils, despite increasing CXCL2 release by LPS-treated macrophages. Finally, the CLP-induced response of
Nfat1
−/−
mice was similar to those observed in the
Nfat1
+/+
genotype, suggesting that the FK506 effect is not dependent on the NFAT1 pathway.
Conclusion
Our data indicate that the increased susceptibility to infection of FK506-treated mice is associated with failed neutrophil migration due to the reduced membrane availability of CXCR2 receptors in response to exacerbated levels of circulating CXCL2.
A geração de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) tem crescido de forma expressiva nas últimas décadas, principalmente devido ao aumento populacional e das áreas urbanas. Dessa forma, torna-se necessário ...conhecer a quantidade e a composição desses materiais, principalmente em pequenos municípios, onde a gestão desses resíduos ainda é deficitária. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo objetiva analisar a produção de resíduos sólidos urbanos e a sua gravimetria em oito municípios do sertão de Alagoas. Como fonte de dados, utilizou-se o Plano Estadual de Resíduos Sólidos do Estado de Alagoas – Região Sertão e informações econômicas do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Uma Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) foi empregada. Os municípios se caracterizaram por apresentar baixa população urbana e baixos valores de PIB per capita. Foi observada elevada variabilidade para geração diária de RSU, com a predominância da fração orgânica, seguida pelo plástico. Em contrapartida, observou-se baixos percentuais de metais. A ACP explicou 69.2% da variância original dos dados nos dois primeiros eixos e evidenciou a forte associação entre aspectos econômicos e a composição gravimétrica dos resíduos. Visto a grande quantidade de material orgânico presente nos resíduos da área de estudo, ações de aproveitamento e destinação adequada dessa fração, como a compostagem, devem ser incentivadas.
•Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 is a new promising enzymes source for biomass hydrolysis.•A short cultivation time was enough for oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes production.•Total phenolic compounds ...were degraded during saccharification by ligninases.•Hydrolysate from pretreated bagasse was greatly fermented for bioethanol production.
Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 was cultivated by solid state fermentation on lignocellulosic residues, at 40 °C. The highest endoglucanase, exoglucanase, β-glucosidase, xylanase, β-xylosidase and laccase activities (200, 29.1, 52.1, 44.2, 1.81 and 22.04 U g−1, respectively) were obtained when using the mixture of wheat bran and soybean meal (1:1 w/w) as substrates, at 96 h of cultivation. Peroxidases highest activities were observed at 48 h (14.61 and 10.02 U g−1 for manganese and lignin peroxidase, respectively). Enzymatic saccharification of sugarcane bagasse submitted to hydrothermal alkaline pretreatment provided glucose at 7.32 g L−1 when using solid load of 13.5% (dry basis), 288.3 total units of endoglucanase/g of cellulose, 130 h and 57 °C. Ligninases present in the enzymatic solution provided a reduction of 82.3% in the concentration of total phenolic compounds during saccharification. The hydrolysate was used for ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CAT-1 and a yield of 73.5% was obtained.
Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is a frontal plane knee kinematic alteration that has been associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP) in female runners. DKV is commonly assessed in clinical practice by ...measuring frontal plane knee projection angle (FPPA) during squat tests. However, it remains unclear whether the DKV observed in these tests is similar to or correlates with that observed during running in female runners. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to correlate and compare DKV, by measuring FPPA values, in a lateral step-down (LSD) squat test and running in female runners with and without PFP. A two-dimensional (2D) video analysis of the LSD test and running was carried out for 21 asymptomatic female runners and 17 PFP female runners in order to determine FPPA values. A Pearson correlation test and a factorial ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc correction were used for statistical analysis. The FPPAs recorded in the LSD test were significantly higher than those recorded during running in the asymptomatic (16.32° ± 5.38 vs. 4.02° ± 3.26, p < 0.01) and PFP groups (17.54° ± 7.25 vs. 4.64° ± 3.62, p < 0.01). No significant differences were found in FPPA values between asymptomatic and PFP runners during the LSD test (16.32° ± 5.38 vs. 17.54° ± 7.25, p = 0.55) and running (4.02° ± 3.26 vs. 4.64° ± 3.62, p = 0.58). There was a small (r < 0.3) and non-significant (p > 0.05) correlation in FPPAs between the LSD test and running in both groups. According to our results, DKV was not similar during the LSD test and running, and there was no significant correlation in FPPA values between the LSD test and running in both groups. Therefore, clinicians and therapists should be aware of these findings when using the LSD test in clinical practice to evaluate DKV in female runners with or without PFP.
We present postmortem evidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient with severe COVID-19. Autopsies of COVID-19 confirmed cases were performed. The patient died despite ...antimicrobials, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor support. Histopathology and peripheral blood galactomannan antigen testing confirmed IPA. Aspergillus penicillioides infection was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and BLAST analysis. Further reports are needed to assess the occurrence and frequency of IPA in SARS-CoV-2 infections, and how they interact clinically.
Microorganisms capable of degrading herbicides are essential to minimize the amount of chemical compounds that may leach into other environments. This work aimed to study the potential of sandy-loam ...soil fungi to tolerate the herbicide Herburon (50% diuron) and to degrade the active ingredient diuron. Verticillium sp. F04, Trichoderma virens F28, and Cunninghamella elegans B06 showed the highest growth in the presence of the herbicide. The evaluation of biotransformation showed that Aspergillus brasiliensis G08, Aspergillus sp. G25, and Cunninghamella elegans B06 had the greatest potential to degrade diuron. Statistical analysis demonstrated that glucose positively influences the potential of the microorganism to degrade diuron, indicating a cometabolic process. Due to metabolites founded by diuron biotransformation, it is indicated that the fungi are relevant in reducing the herbicide concentration in runoff, minimizing the environmental impact on surrounding ecosystems.
BACKGROUNDLeishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) is commonly found in South American Leishmania parasites belonging to the subgenus Viannia, whereas Leishmania RNA virus 2 (LRV2) was previously thought to be ...restricted to the Old-World pathogens of the subgenus Leishmania. OBJECTIVESIn this study, we investigated the presence of LRV2 in strains of Leishmania (L.) infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), originating from different hosts, clinical forms, and geographical regions. METHODSA total of seventy-one isolates were screened for LRV2 using semi-nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. FINDINGSWe detected LRV2 in two L. infantum isolates (CUR268 and HP-EMO) from canine and human cases, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONSTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of LRV2 in the New World.
For the implementation of cellulosic ethanol technology, the maximum use of lignocellulosic materials is important to increase efficiency and to reduce costs. In this context, appropriate use of the ...pentose released by hemicellulose hydrolysis could improve de economic viability of this process. Since the Saccharomyces cerevisiae is unable to ferment the pentose, the search for pentose-fermenting microorganisms could be an alternative. In this work, the isolation of yeast strains from decaying vegetal materials, flowers, fruits and insects and their application for assimilation and alcoholic fermentation of xylose were carried out. From a total of 30 isolated strains, 12 were able to assimilate 30gL−1 of xylose in 120h. The strain Candida tropicalis S4 produced 6gL−1 of ethanol from 56gL−1 of xylose, while the strain C. tropicalis E2 produced 22gL−1 of xylitol. The strains Candida oleophila G10.1 and Metschnikowia koreensis G18 consumed significant amount of xylose in aerobic cultivation releasing non-identified metabolites. The different materials in environment were source for pentose-assimilating yeast with variable metabolic profile.
We tested the effects of fast-slow life history strategies (HS) and ascribed human values' endorsement on an individual's desirability as a long-term partner. Three hypotheses were tested through a ...mix-model design: 2 (sex: women/men) × 2 (ascribed values: social/personal) × 2 (life history strategies: slow/fast). The results showed that individuals who endorse social values (vs. personal values) and display slow HS (vs. fast HS) were evaluated as more desirable long-term partners (Hypothesis 1). In addition, men endorsing personal values and displaying fast HS were less desirable than women (Hypothesis 2). In contrast, men ascribed with social values and slow HS were not evaluated as more desirable long-term partners than women targets; no sex differences were found, failing to support hypothesis 3. Our empirical findings are in accordance with the evolutionary assumptions of mate preferences. The current results contribute to the field of mate preferences by connecting social psychology to evolutionary hypotheses for understanding romantic relationships.
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