Glucose transport and utilization are altered in the brain of rats deficient in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Long-chain polyunsaturated (n-3) fatty acids have been reported to influence the efficiency of membrane receptors, transporters and enzymes. Because the brain is particularly rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3), the present study addresses the question of whether the 22:6 n-3 fatty acid deficiency induces disorder in regulation of energy metabolism in the CNS. Three brain regions that share a high rate of energy metabolism were studied: fronto-parietal cortex, hippocampus and suprachiasmatic nucleus. The effect of the diet deficient in n-3 fatty acids resulted in a 30-50% decrease in DHA in membrane phospholipids. Moreover, a 30% decrease in glucose uptake and a 20-40% decrease in cytochrome oxidase activity were observed in the three brain regions. The n-3 deficient diet also altered the immunoreactivity of glucose transporters, namely GLUT1 in endothelial cells and GLUT3 in neurones. In n-3 fatty acid deficient rats, GLUT1-immunoreactivity readily detectable in microvessels became sparse, whereas the number of GLUT3 immunoreactive neurones was increased. However, western blot analysis showed no significant difference in GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein levels between rats deficient in n-3 fatty acids and control rats. The present results suggest that changes in energy metabolism induced by n-3 deficiency could result from functional alteration in glucose transporters.     

Analysis of oxidative stress-induced protein carbonylation using fluorescent hydrazides

Protein carbonyl detection has been commonly used to analyze the degree of damage to proteins under oxidative stress conditions. Most laboratories rely on derivatization of carbonyl groups with dinitrophenylhydrazine followed by Western blot analysis using antibodies against the dinitrophenyl moiety. This paper describes a protein carbonyl detection method based on fluorescent Bodipy, Cy3 and Cy5 hydrazides. Using this approach, Western blot and immunodetection are no longer needed, shortening the procedure and increasing accuracy. Combination of Cy3 and Cy5 hydrazides allows multiplexing analyses in a single two-dimensional gel. Derivatization with Bodipy hydrazide allows easy matching of the spots of interest and those obtained by general fluorescent protein staining methods, which facilitates excising target proteins from the gels and identifying them. This method is effective for detecting protein carbonylation in samples of proteins submitted to metal-catalyzed oxidation "in vitro" and assessing the effect of hydrogen peroxide and chronological aging on protein oxidative damage in yeast cells.     

Postantibiotic effect of various antibiotics on Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from water systems

The postantibiotic effects (PAE) of azithromycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin were investigated against Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) strains isolated from several hot water systems of different buildings in Istanbul. Each strain in logarithmic phase of growth was exposed to concentrations of antibiotics equal to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 4× MIC for 1?h. Recovery periods of test cultures were evaluated after centrifugation using the viable counting method. The mean values of PAEs for the strains of L. pneumophila, azithromycin at a concentration equal to and 4 times of MIC values were found 1.75?±?0.28 h and 4.06?±?0.44?h, for clarithromycin 2.98?±?0.70?h and 4.18?±?0.95?h, for ciprofloxacin 2.97?±?0.63?h and 4.70?±?0.63?h, for levofloxacin 2.05?±?0.33?h and 3.78?±?0.46?h, respectively. All of the antibiotics showed increased PAE values in a concentration-dependent manner. The findings of our study may play useful role in selecting the appropriate timing of doses during therapy with antimicrobials to treat patients infected with L. pneumophila.     

Detection of quantitative trait loci for resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections in Creole goats

This study aimed to identify regions of the genome affecting resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in a Creole goat population naturally exposed to a mixed nematode infection (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Oesophagostomum columbianum) by grazing on irrigated pasture. A genome‐wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) scan was performed on 383 offspring from 12 half‐sib families. A total of 101 microsatellite markers were genotyped. Traits analysed were faecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), eosinophil count and bodyweight (BW) at 7 and 11 months of age. Levels of activity of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and activity of immunoglobulin E (IgE) anti‐Haemonchus contortus L3 crude extracts and adult excretion/secretion products (ESPs) were also analysed. Using interval mapping, this study identified 13 QTL for parasite resistance. Two QTL linked with FEC were found on chromosomes 22 and 26. Three QTL were detected on chromosomes 7, 8 and 14 for eosinophil counts. Three QTL linked with PCV were identified on chromosomes 5, 9 and 21. A QTL for BW at 7 months of age was found on chromosome 6. Lastly, two QTL detected on chromosomes 3 and 10 were associated with IgE anti‐L3, and IgE anti‐ESP was linked with two QTL on chromosomes 1 and 26. This study is the first to have identified regions of the genome linked with nematode resistance in a goat population using a genome scan. These results provide useful tools for the understanding of parasite resistance in small ruminants.     

Molecular subtype is determinant on inflammatory status and immunological profile from invasive breast cancer patients

Breast cancer consists in a chronic inflammatory disease with multiple biological and clinical behaviors. Based on high throughput technologies data, this disease is currently classified according to the molecular expression of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and human epidermal growth factor (HER-2) receptors. In this study, we defined the inflammatory profile of the main molecular subtypes of breast cancer patients: luminal (ER and PR positive, HER-2 negative), HER-2 enriched (HER-2 positive) and triple negative (ER, PR and HER-2 negative). Cytokines panel was assessed by measurement of TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-1, IL-10 and IL-12 plasmatic levels. Oxidative profile was assessed by determination of lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity of plasma, malondialdehyde levels, carbonyl content and nitric oxide (NO). Clinical data were correlated with inflammatory findings. Our findings demonstrated that patients bearing the luminal subtype displayed high TNF-α, TGF-β and enhanced oxidative stress levels associated with reduced IL-12. HER-2-enriched group exhibited higher levels of TNF-α, IL-12 and TGF-β associated with enhanced oxidative stress. Triple-negative subtype exhibited the most aggressive profile of disease behavior, with reduction in both TNF-α and TGF-β, with high levels of lipid peroxidation and NO. The clinical importance of our findings lies in the fact that the inflammatory status varies in distinct ways due to molecular subtype of breast cancer, opening potential therapeutic targets to future therapies.     

Tassements vertébraux chez le petit enfant : présentation d’un cas et discussion étiologique

Vertebral compression fractures among children are less common and described than among adults. We report a case of a 3-year-old boy presenting with low back pain. The bone scan revealed multiple vertebral compression fractures. This case leads us to discuss the main etiologies of vertebral compression fractures in pediatric population: traumatic causes, secondary osteoporosis and its many underlying etiologies, and primary osteoporosis (mainly osteogenesis imperfecta and idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis).     

Secondary succession impairment in restored mangroves

In this work it was hypothesized that secondary succession on sites that have been managed by single planting of mangrove species is compromised by residual stressors, which could reduce the ecosystem??s structural development and lower its functions. Forest structure and environmental characteristics of three planted mangrove stands are compared with reference sites. Structural attributes showed significant differences in the comparison of planted and reference stands. Avicennia schaueriana was the dominant species within both natural regeneration and old-growth stands in terms of basal area (99.2 and 99.4?%, 69.6 and 84.5?%, and 59.0 and 87.1?% for Itacorubi, Saco Grande, and Ratones, respectively). Restoration stands were dominated by Laguncularia racemosa (80.6 and 94.2?% for Saco Grande and Ratones, respectively), except at one site (Itacorubi), where A. schaueriana prevailed (99.7?%). Even though restoration and regeneration stands at Itacorubi showed similar species composition and dominance, cohort sorting revealed an inferior regeneration potential in the restoration stand. Multiple correlation analysis indicated that variables related to elevation disruptions (p _w ?=?0.521) were the environmental drivers responsible for the differences observed in forest structure. At restoration sites an impaired pattern of secondary succession was observed, indicating that single species plantings may be ineffective if characteristics of the site, as well as of the area surrounding it, are not considered. The inadequate management of restoration sites can therefore have implications for both immediate and long-term large-scale ecosystem services.