The relation between cartilage biomarkers (C2C,C1,2C,CS846, and CPII) and the long-term outcome of rheumatoid arthritis patients within the CAMERA trial

Introduction  

The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum biomarker levels of C2C, C1,2C, CS846, and CPII can predict the long-term course of disease activity and radiographic progression early in the disease course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).     

Occurrence of Perkinsus olseni (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) and other parasites in the venerid commercial clam Pitar rostrata from Uruguay, southwestern Atlantic coast

A study was conducted into the health status of natural populations of the venerid clam Pitar rostrata from Uruguay. Perkinsus sp. was detected in 22% of the clams. Severe hemocytic infiltration was detected in the tissues parasitized by this protozoan parasite. The sequencing of the ITS-5.8S gene cluster of the parasite confirmed that it belonged to the Perkinsus olseni species. Rickettsia or Chlamidia-like organisms were also found, with a prevalence of 11%, although without apparent host reaction; an unidentified species of Coccidia was found in the nephridia of 78% of the clams, with the intensity of infection ranging from moderate to high. A gregarine, Nematopsis-like organism was observed mainly in the epithelial cells of the intestine, without host response and with a prevalence of 56%. Of the metazoan parasites, trematodes were found in 11% of the individuals analyzed.     

Immune parameters in carpet shell clams naturally infected with Perkinsus atlanticus

Defence parameters of non-infected clams (Ruditapes decussatus) and clams heavily infected with Perkinsus atlanticus were assessed. Cellular (haemocyte density and phagocytic activity) and humoral (lysozyme and anti-bacterial activities, protein concentration and agglutination titre) parameters were measured in clams collected in an area enzootic for P. atlanticus. The infection intensity of each clam was assessed, and the immune parameters measured in the most infected clams were compared with those measured in the non-infected ones. Only the serum anti-bacterial activity and the agglutination titre were significantly different between infected and non-infected clams. The phagocytic rate, haemocyte density, lysozyme concentration and protein concentration were not statistically different but they showed the same trend in the two trials performed. Phagocytic rate, haemocyte concentration and anti-bacterial activity were higher in non-infected clams, while they had lower lysozyme concentration, serum protein concentration and agglutination titre than infected clams. Although infected and healthy clams were not different for every parameter measured, probably due to the high variability among individuals, P. atlanticus seems to affect the clam immune system, at least in advanced stages of the infection.     

Modulation of the chemiluminescence response of Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) haemocytes

The influence of several factors on the chemiluminescence (CL) activity of haemocytes from the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was studied. Haemocytes were stimulated in vitro with different concentrations of zymosan, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (adding superoxide dismutase, SOD, to the zymosan-stimulated haemocytes in order to test the specificity of the reaction). The in vitro effect of the clam pathogens Vibrio tapetis (bacteria) and a Perkinsus atlanticus-like protozoan tentatively named Pseudoperkinsus taapetis on the mussel haemocytes CL response was also assessed. To study the in vivo stimulation of haemocytes, mussels were inoculated with zymosan and the CL response of their haemocytes was subsequently measured. Zymosan added in vitro produced the highest CL response, although PMA also enhanced the CL emission and, in addition, increased the zymosan-stimulated CL. LPS and V. tapetis did not activate haemocytes. SOD significantly decreased the CL emission in zymosan-stimulated haemocytes. P. tapetis cells, as well as their extracellular products, inhibited the CL response to zymosan. Haemocytes from mussels injected with zymosan showed lower levels of stimulation than in vitro treated cells, and CL increased with time after injection.     

Fast detection of Salmonella Infantis with carbon nanotube field effect transistors

In this paper we report a fast, sensitive and label-free biosensor for the selective determination of Salmonella Infantis. It is based on a field effect transistor (FET) in which a network of single-walled carbon nantotubes (SWCNTs) acts as the conductor channel. Anti-Salmonella antibodies were adsorbed onto the SWCNTs and subsequently the SWCNTs were protected with Tween 20 to prevent the non-specific binding of other bacteria or proteins. Our FET devices were exposed to increasing concentrations of S. Infantis and were able to detect at least 100cfu/mL in 1h. To evaluate the selectivity of our FET devices, Streptococcus pyogenes and Shigella sonnei were tested as potential competing bacteria for Salmonella. At a concentration of 500cfu/mL, neither Streptococcus nor Shigella interfered with the detection of Salmonella. Therefore, these devices could be used as useful label-free platforms to detect S. Infantis and, by using the suitable antibody, other bacteria or viruses.