Hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic potential of Pleurotus ostreatus, cultived by submerged fermentation in the high-fat diet fed rats

The ability of Pleurotus ostreatus biomass, cultived by submerged fermentation, to produce beneficial effect on lipid profile and macrophages activity during a high-fat diet (HFD) for a long-term intake was investigated. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture to measure the plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density protein (LDL), high-density protein (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, urea-blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio of rats fed on an HFD for 4 months. Dosage of lipid hydroperoxides was carried out on methanolic extract of liver tissue. Peritoneal macrophages activity was evaluated in relation to the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production, phagocytosis and lysosomal volume. The administration of P. ostreatus significantly altered the lipid profile and oxidative stress as related to the LDL and triglycerides decrease and inhibitory effects on superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production. All findings of this study lead us to suggest that the P. ostreatus maybe a beneficial agent in the hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis treatments.     

Cervicovaginal cytology in uterine adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma. Comparison of cytologic and histologic findings

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy and to characterize the findings in false-negative cases, the results of cervicovaginal cytology in 56 adenocarcinomas and 25 adenosquamous carcinomas (42 cervical, 36 endometrial, 2 metastatic and 1 arising synchronously from both cervix and endometrium) were reviewed, including review of the actual slides in 56 cases. Overall, 80% of the initial cytologic diagnoses resulted in diagnostic curettage (i.e., cytology was effectively positive); 84% of the postreview diagnosis were effectively positive. Nine cytology slides showed no malignant cells; eight of these negative smears showed repair, five were atrophic, two showed a high estrogen effect and one had enlarged atypical bare nuclei. These false-negative diagnoses were associated with an endometrial primary site (P less than .01), endometrioid histology (P less than .005), low-grade or intermediate-grade histology (P less than .005), small size of tumor (P less than .05) and absence of cervical involvement (P less than .005) in those cases in which a hysterectomy was performed. False-negative diagnoses were not associated with an absence of endocervical cells or with scanty cellularity. Of 39 cervical and 28 endometrial carcinomas with a positive cytologic diagnosis (initially or after review of the available slides), cytology correctly identified the primary site in 18% and 54% of the cases, respectively. Cytology incorrectly classified the anatomic site of four cervical and three endometrial carcinomas and considered one case arising in both the endometrium and cervix to be endometrial. Routine cervicovaginal cytology does have a role in screening for uterine glandular carcinoma; to maximize its diagnostic sensitivity, we suggest using a recommendation for curettage in the report of positive cases so that all of the varied cytologic diagnoses associated with glandular carcinomas will receive a uniform clinical response. In those cases with preserved cancer cells, a correlation can be made with the histologic type of the carcinoma, rather than with the anatomic site.     

Genotyping of Polyomavirus BK by Real Time PCR for VP1 Gene

Polyomavirus BK latently persist in different sites, including the renourinary tract, and may reactivate causing nephropathy in renal transplant recipients or hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow recipients. Based on the sequence of the VP1 gene, four genotypes have been described, corresponding to the four serologically differentiated subtypes I–IV, with different prevalence and geographic distribution. In this study, the development and clinical validation of four different Real-Time PCR assays for the detection and discrimination of BKV genotypes as a substitute of DNA sequencing are described. 379 BK VP1 sequences, belonging to the main four genotypes, were aligned and “hot spots” of mutation specific for all the strains or isolates were identified. Specific primers and probes for the detection and discrimination of each genotype by four Real-Time PCR assays were designed and technically validated. Subsequently, the four Real-Time PCR assays were used to test 20 BK-positive urine specimens from renal transplant patients, and evidenced a prevalence of BK genotype I, as previously reported in Europe. Results were confirmed by sequencing. The availability of a rapid and simple genotyping method could be useful for the evaluation of BK genotypes prevalence and studies on the impact of the infecting genotype on viral biological behavior, pathogenic role, and immune evasion strategies.     

Mitochondrial haplotypes reveal olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) population substructure in the Mediterranean

The olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) is the most important olive tree (Olea europaea) pest. In the Mediterranean basin, where 98?% of its main hosts are concentrated, it causes major agricultural losses, due to its negative effect on production and quality of both olive and olive oil. Previous phylogeographic analyses have established that Mediterranean olive fly populations are distinct from other Old World populations, but did not agree on the specific population substructure within this region. In order to achieve a higher resolution of the diversity of olive fly populations, particularly in Central and Western Mediterranean (home to 70?% of the world production), we comparatively analyzed a set of samples from Portugal in the context of published mitochondrial sequences across the species' worldwide range. Strong evidence of population substructure was found in the Central and Western Mediterranean area, with two clearly separate phylogenetic branches. Together with previously published data, our results strongly support the existence of at least three distinct Mediterranean populations of the olive fly, raise the possibility of additional regional substructure and suggest specific avenues for future research. This knowledge can be instrumental in the development of better management and control strategies for a major pest of Mediterranean agriculture.     

Effects of flask sealing and growth regulators on in vitro propagation of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

In vitro propagation of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) may offer an efficient alternative to seed propagation of this species. For optimization of in vitro propagation, different basal salt formulations, growth regulators, and culture container sealants (polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic membranes [PTFE]) were evaluated. Nodal segments cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium showed the highest shoot formation per explant (1.67). Explants cultured in flasks containing MS medium with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ benzyladenine, 0.5 mg L⁻¹ kinetin, and 0.05 mg L⁻¹ naphthaleneacetic acid, and sealed with two PTFE membranes, produced the highest number of shoots (4.04). In contrast, explants cultured in flasks without membranes showed leaf chlorosis and senescence. For plant recovery, regenerants were acclimatized in a substrate of coconut fiber and eucalyptus bark (1:1) and showed 80% survival. Our results indicated that the use of flasks with vents was beneficial for in vitro propagation of this important plant.     

High temporal and individual variation in the prevalence and intensity of chytrid infection in the southernmost Leaf Frog of the genus Pithecopus (Anura,Phyllomedusidae)

Hydrobiologia - Pithecopus rusticus is an endemic amphibian restricted to the type locality, in southern Brazil, and possibly endangered to extinction, due to habitat degradation. However, an...     

Heterologous protein production and delivery systems for Lactococcus lactis

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), widely used in the food industry, are present in the intestine of most animals, including humans. The potential use of these bacteria as live vehicles for the production and delivery of heterologous proteins of vaccinal, medical or technological interest has therefore been extensively investigated. Lactococcus lactis, a LAB species, is a potential candidate for the production of biologically useful proteins. Several delivery systems have been developed to target heterologous proteins to a specific cell location (i.e., cytoplasm, cell wall or extracellular medium). A promising application of L. lactis is its use as an antigen delivery vehicle, for the development of live mucosal vaccines. The expression of heterologous proteins and antigens as well as the various delivery systems developed in L. lactis, and its use as an oral vaccine carrier are discussed.     

Effect of interleukin-10 on the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis killing by gamma-interferon activated human neutrophils

Paracoccidioidomycosis, a deep mycosis endemic in Latin America, is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Phagocytic cells play a critical role against this fungus, and several studies have shown the effects of activator and suppressive cytokines on macrophage and monocyte functions. However, studies on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), that are the first cells recruited to the infection sites, are scarcer. Thus, the objective of this paper was to assess whether interleukin-10 (IL-10), a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, is able to block the activity of IFN-gamma-activated human PMNs upon P. brasiliensis intracellular killing, in vitro. The results showed that IFN-gamma-activated PMNs have an effective fungicidal activity against the fungus. This activity was associated with the release of high levels of H(2)O(2), the metabolite involved in phagocytic cells antifungal activities. However, the concomitant incubation of these cells with IFN-gamma and IL-10 significantly blocked IFN-gamma activation. As a consequence, PMNs killing activity and H(2)O(2) release were inhibited. Together, our results show the importance of PMNs exposure to activator or suppressor cytokines in the early stages of paracoccidioidomycosis infection.     

Using Satellite Tracking and Isotopic Information to Characterize the Impact of South American Sea Lions on Salmonid Aquaculture in Southern Chile

Apex marine predators alter their foraging behavior in response to spatial and/or seasonal changes in natural prey distribution and abundance. However, few studies have identified the impacts of aquaculture that represents a spatially and temporally predictable and abundant resource on their foraging behavior. Using satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis we examined the degree of spatial overlap between the South American sea lion (SASL) and salmon farms, and quantify the amount of native prey versus farmed salmonids in SASL diets. We instrumented eight SASL individuals with SRDL-GPS tags. Vibrissae, hair and skin samples were collected for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N analyses from five of the tagged individuals and from four males captured in a haul-out located adjacent to salmon farms. Tracking results showed that almost all the foraging areas of SASL are within close proximity to salmon farms. The most important prey for the individuals analyzed was farmed salmonids, with an estimated median (±SD) contribution of 19.7 ± 13.5‰ and 15.3 ± 9.6‰ for hair and skin, respectively. Using vibrissae as a temporal record of diet for each individual, we observed a remarkable switch in diet composition in two SASL, from farmed salmonids to pelagic fishes, which coincided with the decrease of salmon production due to the infectious salmon anemia virus that affected salmon farms in Chile at the end of 2008. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of integrating stable isotope derived dietary data with movement patterns to characterize the impacts of a non-native prey on the foraging ecology of an apex marine predator, providing important applied implications in situations where interactions between aquaculture and wildlife are common.