A two-dimensional proteome reference map of Herbaspirillum seropedicae proteins

Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic diazotroph associated with economically important crops such as rice, sugarcane, and wheat. Here, we present a 2-D reference map for H. seropedicae. Using MALDI-TOF-MS we identified 205 spots representing 173 different proteins with a calculated average of 1.18 proteins/gene. Seventeen hypothetical or conserved hypothetical ORFs were shown to code for true gene products. These data will support the genome annotation process and provide a basis on which to undertake comparative proteomic studies.     

Type designation of the oaks Quercus ballota and Q. rotundifolia (Fagaceae)

The names Quercus ballota and Q. rotundifolia (Fagaceae), referring to taxa sometimes considered conspecific with the widely distributed Q. ilex, are discussed and typified. A specimen preserved at MPU is designated as the lectotype of Desfontaines's name Q. ballota. Lamarck's name Q. rotundifolia is neotypified using a specimen preserved at VAL, with several duplicates in other European herbaria.     

Peptides and self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat: effects of intracerebral microinjections of substance P and cholecystokinin

The effects of intracerebral microinjections of substance P and cholecystokinin on self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat were studied. Intracerebroventricular administration of substance P at doses of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 micrograms produced a dose-related decrease in self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex; spontaneous motor activity, measured as a control, was not affected. Unilateral microinjections into the medial prefrontal cortex of substance P at doses of 10 and 20 micrograms produced a decrease of self-stimulation of the ipsilateral side, but self-stimulation of the contralateral cortex, used as a control, was not affected. On the contrary, cholecystokinin in both intracerebroventricular administration at doses of 100, 200 and 400 ng, or intracortical microinjections into the medial prefrontal cortex at doses of 200, 400 and 800 ng, had no effect on self-stimulation of this cortical area. These results suggest that substance P, but not cholecystokinin, could be part of the neurochemical substrate underlying self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat.     

Decay-Accelerating Factor 1 Deficiency Exacerbates Leptospiral-Induced Murine Chronic Nephritis and Renal Fibrosis

Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira, which can colonize the proximal renal tubules and persist for long periods in the kidneys of infected hosts. Here, we characterized the infection of C57BL/6J wild-type and Daf1^−/− mice, which have an enhanced host response, with a virulent Leptospira interrogans strain at 14 days post-infection, its persistence in the kidney, and its link to kidney fibrosis at 90 days post-infection. We found that Leptospira interrogans can induce acute moderate nephritis in wild-type mice and is able to persist in some animals, inducing fibrosis in the absence of mortality. In contrast, Daf1^−/− mice showed acute mortality, with a higher bacterial burden. At the chronic stage, Daf1^−/− mice showed greater inflammation and fibrosis than at 14 days post-infection and higher levels at all times than the wild-type counterpart. Compared with uninfected mice, infected wild-type mice showed higher levels of IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, with similar levels of α-smooth muscle actin, galectin-3, TGF-β1, IL-17, IFN-γ, and lower IL-12 levels at 90 days post-infection. In contrast, fibrosis in Daf1^−/− mice was accompanied by high expression of α-smooth muscle actin, galectin-3, IL-10, IL-13, and IFN-γ, similar levels of TGF-β1, IL-12, and IL-17 and lower IL-4 levels. This study demonstrates the link between Leptospira-induced murine chronic nephritis with renal fibrosis and shows a protective role of Daf1.     

Vitamin D and physical performance in elderly subjects: the Pro.V.A study

Background

The role of Vitamin D in musculoskeletal functionality among elderly people is still controversial. We investigated the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and physical performance in older adults.

Methods

2694 community-dwelling elderly women and men from the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) were included. Physical performances were assessed by: tandem test, 5 timed chair stands (TCS), gait speed, 6-minute walking (6 mW) distance, handgrip strength, and quadriceps strength. For each test, separate general linear models and loess plots were obtained in both genders, in relation to serum 25OHD concentrations, controlling for several potential confounders.

Results

Linear associations with 25OHD levels were observed for TCS, gait speed, 6 mW test and handgrip strength, but not for tandem test and quadriceps strength. After adjusting for potential confounders, linear associations with 25OHD levels were still evident for the 6 mW distance in both genders (p = .0002 in women; <.0001 in men), for TCS in women (p = .004) and for gait speed (p = .0006) and handgrip strength (p = .03) in men. In loess analyses, performance in TCS in women, in gait speed and handgrip strength in men and in 6 mW in both genders, improved with increasing levels of 25OHD, with most of the improvements occurring for 25OHD levels from 20 to 100 nmol/L.

Conclusion

lower 25OHD levels are associated with a worse coordination and weaker strength (TCS) in women, a slower walking time and a lower upper limb strength in men, and a weaker aerobic capacity (6 mW) in both genders. For optimal physical performances, 25OHD concentrations of 100 nmol/L appear to be more advantageous in elderly men and women, and Vitamin D supplementation should be encouraged to maintain their 25OHD levels as high as this threshold.     

Association between Ω3 and Ω6 fatty acid intakes and serum inflammatory markers in COPD

Dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, could modulate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) persistent inflammation. We aimed to assess the relationship between dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and serum inflammatory markers in COPD. A total of 250 clinically stable COPD patients were included. Dietary data of the last 2 years were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (122 items), which provided levels of three omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and α-linolenic acid (ALA); and two omega-6 fatty acids: linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (AA). Inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)] were measured in serum. Fatty acids and inflammatory markers were dichotomised according to their median values, and their association was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Higher intake of ALA (an anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid) was associated with lower TNFα concentrations [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.46; P=.049]. Higher AA intake (a proinflammatory omega-6 fatty acid) was related to higher IL-6 (OR=1.96; P=.034) and CRP (OR=1.95; P=.039) concentrations. Therefore, this study provides the first evidence of an association between dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and serum inflammatory markers in COPD patients.     

Direct analysis of bacterial viability in endotracheal tube biofilm from a pig model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia following antimicrobial therapy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) helps to observe the biofilms formed in the endotracheal tube (ETT) of ventilated subjects and to determine its structure and bacterial viability using specific dyes. We compared the effect of three different treatments (placebo, linezolid, and vancomycin) on the bacterial biofilm viability captured by CLSM. Eight pigs with pneumonia induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were ventilated up to 96?h and treated with linezolid, vancomycin, or placebo (controls). ETT images were microscopically examined after staining with the live/dead(?) BacLight(?) Kit (Invitrogen, Barcelona, Spain) with a confocal laser scanning microscope. We analyzed 127 images obtained by CLSM. The median ratio of live/dead bacteria was 0.51, 0.74, and 1 for the linezolid, vancomycin, and control groups, respectively (P?=?0.002 for the three groups); this ratio was significantly lower for the linezolid group, compared with the control group (P?=?0.001). Images showed bacterial biofilm attached and non-attached to the ETT surface but growing within secretions accumulated inside ETT. Systemic treatment with linezolid is associated with a higher proportion of dead bacteria in the ETT biofilm of animals with MRSA pneumonia. Biofilm clusters not necessarily attach to the ETT surface.