Identification of clinical,epidemiological and laboratory risk factors for leprosy reactions during and after multidrug therapy

This cross-sectional retrospective study evaluated 440 leprosy patients; 57% (251/440) had leprosy reactions during and/or after multidrug therapy, 80.5% (202/251) of whom presented with multibacillary leprosy. At diagnosis, positive bacterial index (BI) [odds ratio (OR) = 6.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-10.1)] or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (OR = 9.15; 95% CI: 5.4-15.5) in skin smears, anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 (anti-PGL-1) ELISA (OR = 4.77; 95% CI: 2.9-7.9), leucocytosis (OR = 9.97; 95% CI: 3.9-25.7), thrombocytopenia (OR = 5.72; 95% CI: 2.3-14.0) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.4-4.0) were potential markers for the development of reactions during treatment. After treatment, positive BI (OR = 8.47; 95% CI: 4.7-15.3) and PCR (OR = 6.46; 95% CI: 3.4-12.3) in skin smears, anti-PGL-1 ELISA (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.3-3.9), anaemia (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.2-4.5), leucocytosis (OR = 4.14; 95% CI: 1.5-11.6) and thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.70; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) were risk factors for the occurrence of reactions during the study period. The identification of groups with an increased risk for developing reactions will allow for the timely development of a treatment plan to prevent nerve damage and, therefore, the appearance of the disabling sequelae associated with the stigma of leprosy.     

Biogenic antimicrobial silver nanoparticles produced by fungi

Aspergillus tubingensis and Bionectria ochroleuca showed excellent extracellular ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NP), spherical in shape and 35?±?10 nm in size. Ag NP were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and photon correlation spectroscopy for particle size and zeta potential. Proteins present in the fungal filtrate and in Ag NP dispersion were analyzed by electrophoresis (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Ag NP showed pronounced antifungal activity against Candida sp, frequently occurring in hospital infections, with minimal inhibitory concentration in the range of 0.11–1.75 μg/mL. Regarding antibacterial activity, nanoparticles produced by A. tubingensis were more effective compared to the other fungus, inhibiting 98.0 % of Pseudomonas. aeruginosa growth at 0.28 μg/mL. A. tubingensis synthesized Ag NP with surprisingly high and positive surface potential, differing greatly from all known fungi. These data open the possibility of obtaining biogenic Ag NP with positive surface potential and new applications.     

Analysis of protein content in pollen loads produced in north-west Spain

An analysis was made of the protein content of pollen loads produced by the bees in a hive situated in Viana do Bolo (Ourense, north-west Spain), to establish whether or not the relative quantity of protein in the pollen of each plant species influences the preference made by the bee of the flowers that supply pollen to the hive. This analysis was performed on all types of pollen that formed more than 5% of the pollen spectrum. Pollen load samples were collected directly from the hive from March to September. Pollen loads were separated by colour, and their specific homogeneity was confirmed microscopically. The Bradford method has been used for protein extraction and spectrophotometry was used for the determination of protein content. The results show that the different pollen loads have high protein content. Pollen of the plant species that reached relatively higher percentages in the pollen spectrum are also those that have the highest protein content. These were Cytisus scoparius type, uncultivated Poaceae, Quercus robur type, Sanguisorba minor, Salix fragilis and Spergularia rubra type. The pollen of the systematic units, which had pollen loads that could be identified at the level of species, maintained a constant value of protein content independently of the date the samples were obtained. The pollen of the systematic units, which had pollen loads that could be identified at the level of pollen type, has varied in protein content in the analyses performed on samples obtained on different dates. This result is due to the fact that the different species that integrate the pollen type flower on different dates, and thus have a pollenkitt with different characteristics.     

Synthesis and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of naphthoquinone-containing triazoles: Electrochemical studies on the effects of the quinoidal moiety

In our continued search for novel trypanocidal compounds, twenty-six derivatives of para- and ortho-naphthoquinones coupled to 1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated against the infective bloodstream form of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Compounds 17–24, 28–30 and 36–38 are described herein for the first time. Three of these novel compounds (28–30) were found to be more potent than the standard drug benznidazole, with IC₅₀/24 h values between 6.8 and 80.8 μM. Analysis of the toxicity to heart muscle cells led to LC₅₀/24 h of <125, 63.1 and 281.6 μM for 28, 29 and 30, respectively. Displaying a selectivity index of 34.3, compound 30 will be further evaluated in vivo. The electrochemical properties of selected compounds were evaluated in an attempt to find correlations with trypanocidal activity, and it was observed that more electrophilic quinones were generally more potent.     

Fish oil supplementation for two generations increases insulin sensitivity in rats

We investigated the effect of fish oil supplementation for two consecutive generations on insulin sensitivity in rats. After the nursing period (21 days), female rats from the same prole were divided into two groups: (a) control group and (b) fish oil group. Female rats were supplemented with water (control) or fish oil at 1 g/kg body weight as a single bolus for 3 months. After this period, female rats were mated with male Wistar rats fed on a balanced chow diet (not supplemented). Female rats continued to receive supplementation throughout gestation and lactation periods. The same treatment was performed for the next two generations (G1 and G2). At 75 days of age, male offspring from G1 and G2 generations from both groups were used in the experiments. G1 rats did not present any difference with control rats. However, G2 rats presented reduction in glycemia and lipidemia and improvement in in vivo insulin sensitivity (model assessment of insulin resistance, insulin tolerance test) as well as in vitro insulin sensitivity in soleus muscle (glucose uptake and metabolism). This effect was associated with increased insulin-stimulated p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation and lower n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio, but not with activation of proteins from insulin signaling (IR, IRS-1 and Akt). Global DNA methylation was decreased in liver but not in soleus muscle. These results suggest that long-term fish oil supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in association with increased insulin-stimulated p38 activation and decreased n-6:n-3 ratio in skeletal muscle and decreased global DNA methylation in liver.     

Effect of forced aeration on citric acid production by Aspergillus sp. mutants in SSF

Citric acid (CA) is one of the most important products of fermentation in the world. A great variety of agro-industrial residues can be used in solid state fermentation. Aspergillus niger parental strain (CCT 7716) and two strains obtained by mutagenesis (CCT 7717 and CCT 7718) were evaluated in Erlenmeyer flasks and glass columns using citric pulp (CP) as substrate/support, sugarcane molasses and methanol. Best results using glass columns (forced aeration) were found in the fourth day of fermentation: 278.4, 294.9 and 261.1 g CA/kg of dry CP with CCT 7716, CCT 7718 and CCT 7717, respectively. In Erlenmeyer flasks (aeration by diffusion) CA reached 410.7, 446.8 and 492.7 g CA/kg of dry CP with CCT 7716, CCT 7718 and CCT 7717, respectively. The aeration by diffusion improved CA production by the three strains. A data acquisition system specially developed for biotechnological processes analysis was used to perform the respirometric parameters measurement.     

A biophysical characterization of the folded domains of KCTD12: insights into interaction with the GABAB2 receptor

Recent investigations have shown that members of the KCTD family play important roles in fundamental biological processes. Despite their roles, very limited information is available on their structures and molecular organization. By combining different experimental and theoretical techniques, we have here characterized the two folded domains of KCTD12, an integral component and modulator of the GABA_B2 receptor. Secondary prediction methods and CD spectroscopy have shown that the N‐terminal domain KCTD12_BTB assumes an α/β structure, whereas the C‐terminal domain KCTD12_H1 is predominantly characterized by a β‐structure. Binding assays indicate that the two domains independently expressed show a good affinity for each other. This suggests that the overall protein is likely endowed with a rather compact structure with two interacting structured domains joint by a long disordered region. Notably, both KCTD12_BTB and KCTD12_H1 are tetrameric when individually expressed. This finding could modify the traditional view that ascribes only to POZ/BTB domain a specific oligomerization role. The first quantification of the affinity of KCTD12_POZ/BTB for the C‐terminal region of GABA_B2 shows that it falls in the low micromolar range. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that a GABA_B2‐related peptide is able to bind KCTD12_BTB with a very high affinity. This peptide may represent a useful tool for modulating KCTD12/GABA_B2 interaction in vitro and may also constitute the starting point for the development of peptidomimetic compounds with a potential for therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seed germination requirements of Trembleya laniflora (Melastomataceae), an endemic species from neotropical montane rocky savannas

Trembleya laniflora is an endemic shrub from neotropical montane rocky savannas of southeastern Brazil. It has been indicated as a potential candidate for ecological restoration of abandoned iron‐ore mines due to heavy metal accumulation. Here, we evaluated the seed germination requirements of T. laniflora. Seeds collected in 2005 and 2008 were set to germinate under a broad range of temperature and light conditions. Seed viability was estimated by dissecting seeds under a dissecting microscope for embryo presence/absence. Seeds were photoblastic and optimum temperature range was 20–25°C, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. Seeds were viable after 42 months of storage, which together with small seeds that easily get buried and light requirement for germination suggest formation of soil seed banks. Except the large fraction of embryoless seeds, almost all tested seeds germinated when incubated under light conditions; therefore, T. laniflora should be regarded to have nondormant seeds. Easiness of burial resulting from small seed size and positive photoblastism may both contribute to incorporation into soil seed banks. Our data suggest that the long‐term storage of T. laniflora seeds provides a useful strategy for plant reintroduction.