Animal Rennets as Sources of Dairy Lactic Acid Bacteria

The microbial composition of artisan and industrial animal rennet pastes was studied by using both culture-dependent and -independent approaches. Pyrosequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene allowed to identify 361 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) to the genus/species level. Among lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Streptococcus thermophilus and some lactobacilli, mainly Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus reuteri, were the most abundant species, with differences among the samples. Twelve groups of microorganisms were targeted by viable plate counts revealing a dominance of mesophilic cocci. All rennets were able to acidify ultrahigh-temperature-processed (UHT) milk as shown by pH and total titratable acidity (TTA). Presumptive LAB isolated at the highest dilutions of acidified milks were phenotypically characterized, grouped, differentiated at the strain level by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR analysis, and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Only 18 strains were clearly identified at the species level, as Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus lactis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, and Streptococcus thermophilus, while the other strains, all belonging to the genus Enterococcus, could not be allotted into any previously described species. The phylogenetic analysis showed that these strains might represent different unknown species. All strains were evaluated for their dairy technological performances. All isolates produced diacetyl, and 10 of them produced a rapid pH drop in milk, but only 3 isolates were also autolytic. This work showed that animal rennet pastes can be sources of LAB, mainly enterococci, that might contribute to the microbial diversity associated with dairy productions.     

Transfer factor prevents relapses in herpes keratitis patients: A pilot study

Transfer Factor is a dialysable moiety obtained from immune lymphocytes. It has been successfully used for the treatment of several viral infections including labial and genital herpes. In the present study, thirty-three patients with low immune response to HSV antigens and suffering from herpes ocular infections were orally treated with HSV-specific transfer factor (TF). Their relapse index was reduced from 20.1 before treatment to 0.51 after TF administration, with only 6/33 patients relapsing. Although this is not a placebo-controlled-randomized study, the results suggest that TF specific for HSV antigens may be efficacious for preventing relapses of ocular herpes infections as has been the case with genital and labial localisations.Abbreviations CMI Cell-mediated immunity - CMV Cytomegalo-virus - EBV Epstein-Barr virus - HIV Human immunodeficiency virus - HK Herpes keratitis - HSV Herpes simplex virus - IRI Individual relapse index - KU Kerato-uveitis - LMT Leucocyte migration test - LST Lymphocyte stimulation test - MIF Migration inhibition factor - RHK Relapsing herpes keratitis - TF Transfer factor     

Cognitive Modulation of Psychophysical,Respiratory and Autonomic Responses to Cold Pressor Test

In healthy subjects with high hypnotisability (highs) under hypnosis, subjectively effective suggestions for analgesia abolish the increases in blood pressure associated with cold pressor test (cpt) by reducing the peripheral vascular resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the suggestions of analgesia on the responses to cpt in healthy highs (n = 22) and in low hypnotisable participants (lows, n = 22) out of hypnosis. Cpt was administered without (CPT) and with suggestions for analgesia (CPT+AN). Psychophysical (pain intensity, pain threshold, cpt duration (time of immersion) and pain tolerance, defined as the difference between cpt duration and pain threshold), respiratory (amplitude and frequency) and autonomic variables (tonic skin conductance, mean RR interval (RR = 1/heart rate), blood pressure, skin blood flow) were studied. The suggestions for analgesia increased cpt duration and RR in both groups, but decreased pain intensity and enhanced pain threshold only in highs; in both groups they did not modulate systolic blood pressure, tonic skin conductance and skin blood flow; thus, increased parasympathetic activity appears responsible for the heart rate reduction induced by suggestions in both groups. In conclusion, our findings show that suggestions modulate pain experience differentially in highs and lows, and are partially effective also in lows. We hypothesize that the mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of suggestions in healthy lows may be involved also in their efficacy in chronic pain patients with low hypnotisability.     

A 23-year study of mortality and development of co-morbidities in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery (laparoscopic gastric banding) in comparison with medical treatment of obesity

Although obesity-related type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia in the elderly have been increasing worldwide, the associations among visceral fat accumulation, skeletal muscle indices (mass, strength, and quality) and cardiovascular diseases in T2DM remain poorly investigated. We enrolled 183 Japanese T2DM inpatients (126 men, 57 women; mean age 64.7 ± 12.6 years, ± SD). The estimated-visceral fat area (eVFA) and skeletal muscle mass were measured by each device using bioelectrical impedance analysis method. We also measured grip strength by dynamometer and motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV). We analyzed the difference in skeletal muscle indices between T2DM patients with and without visceral fat accumulation, and examined the impact of skeletal muscle indices on cardiovascular diseases in patients with visceral fat accumulation. The prevalence of sarcopenia defined by the Consensus of Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle mass were both lower in the visceral fat accumulation (+) group than in (−) group. However, the prevalence of weak hand grip strength was similar in the visceral fat accumulation (−) and (+) groups, indicating that considerable patients with visceral fat accumulation had weak grip strength in spite of fair skeletal muscle mass. Muscle quality [grip strength (kg)/arm muscle mass (kg)] was significantly lower in patients with visceral fat accumulation. Multiple regression analysis identified eVFA, MCV and sex as significant and independent determinants of muscle quality. In visceral fat accumulation (+) group, the patients with low muscle quality had longer duration of diabetes, lower eGFR, higher serum adiponectin, lower MCV and higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, compared to the patients with high muscle quality. Finally, sex- and age-adjusted models showed significant association between low muscle quality and cardiovascular diseases in all subjects (odds ratio 2.28, p = 0.012), especially in patients with visceral fat accumulation (odds ratio 2.72, p = 0.018). T2DM patients with visceral fat accumulation had low muscle quality, and patients with low muscle quality were more affected with cardiovascular diseases.     

A new insight into the oxidative mechanism of caffeine and related methylxanthines in aprotic medium: May caffeine be really considered as an antioxidant?

Background

Antioxidant properties have been recently suggested for caffeine that seems showing protective effects against damages caused by oxidative stress. In particular, a HO scavenging activity has been ascribed to caffeine. Even if the oxidation of caffeine has been widely studied, the antioxidant mechanism is still far to be understood.

Lymphatic Endothelial Tumors Induced by Intraperitoneal Injection of Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant

Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood and lymphatic vessels. In mice, only tumors of the blood vessel endothelium (haemangiomas) have been thus far reported. Here we describe a highly reproducible method for the induction of benign tumors of the lymphatic endothelial cells (lymphangiomas) in mice by intraperitoneal injection of incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Morphological and histopathological studies of the lesions revealed the presence of cells at various levels of vascular development. The lymphangiomas developed in the peritoneal cavity and expressed the endothelial markers CD31/PECAM (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule), CD54/ICAM-1 (InterCellular Adhesion Molecule-1), and CD102/ICAM-2, as well as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor Flk-1, the endothelial cell specific receptors Tie-1 and Tie-2 and the lymphatic endothelial cell specific Flt4 receptor as shown byin situhybridization. The Flk-1 and Flt4 receptors were also identified in immunoblots of the tumors and in cells cultured from them. When induced in β-galactosidase knock-in Flt4^+/−mice, the tumor endothelia could be stained blue in a number of tumor cells although the staining was of lower intensity than in normal lymphatic vessels. The tumor-derived cells could be propagatedin vitroand they spontaneously differentiated, forming vessel-like structures. Murine lymphangiomas thus represent a highly reproducible and convenient source of lymphatic endothelial cells.     

CCK8 peptide derivatized with diphenylphosphine for rhenium labelling: synthesis and molecular mechanics calculations.

A novel CCK8 derivative bearing a chelating agent at its N- end and its oxo-rhenium(V) complex have been synthesized and characterized. The chelating agent N-[N-13-(diphenylphosphino)propionyl]glycyl]cysteine (PN2S) ligand, the coordination set of which is made by the phosphorus atom of phosphine, the nitrogen atoms of the two amido groups and the sulphur atom of cysteine, has been used due to its high affinity towards the oxo-rhenium(V) moiety. Molecular modelling studies indicate that the CCK8 peptide adopts the right conformation for cholecystokinin receptor binding, and that modifications on the N-terminal side of CCK8 obtained by introducing chelating agents and its metal complexes should not affect the interaction with CCK(A) receptor.     

Influence of training on the response to exercise of adrenocorticotropin and growth hormone plasma concentrations in human swimmers

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of adrenocorticotropin ([ACTH]) and growth hormone ([GH]) concentrations to a typical aerobic swimming set during a training season. Nine top-level male endurance swimmers (age range 17–23 years) were tested during three training sessions occurring 6, 12 and 18 weeks after the beginning of the season. During each session, after a standard warm-up, the swimmers performed a training set of 15 × 200-m freestyle, with 20 s of rest between repetitions, at a predetermined individual speed. Blood samples were collected before warm-up and at the end of the training set. A few days before each session, the individual swimming velocity corresponding to the 4 mmol · l⁻¹ blood lactate concentration (v ₄) was assessed as a standard of aerobic performance. Aerobic training affected v ₄ levels, which were highest 18 weeks after the beginning of the season; at the same time, while [ACTH] response was attenuated, [GH] response was enhanced. These results could be considered as adaptations to the exercise intensity. In our training programme, these adaptations seemed to have occurred between the 12th and 18th weeks of the training season. Accepted: 21 April 1998