The role of l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in bacterial translocation

This study investigated the nitric oxide (NO) role as a mediator of arginine on bacterial translocation (BT) and gut damage in mice after intestinal obstruction (IO). The effects of pretreatment with arginine with or without NO inhibition on the systemic and local immunological response were also assessed. Mice were categorized into four groups. Group ARG received chow containing 2 % arginine, while group ARG + l-NAME received the same diet plus l-NAME (N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) by gavage. The IO and Sham groups were fed standard chow. After 7 days, animals were gavaged with radiolabeled Escherichia coli, anesthetized and subjected to IO, except the Sham group. Animals were euthanized after 18 h, and BT was evaluated in the mesenteric lymph nodes, blood, liver, spleen and lungs. In another experiment, the intestinal injury was assessed regarding intestinal permeability and ileum histological analyses. Intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, serum IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines were assessed. Arginine reduced BT, but NO inhibition enhanced BT compared with the ARG group (p < 0.05). Intestinal permeability in the ARG and ARG + l-NAME groups was similar but decreased when compared with the IO group (p < 0.05). Histological preservation was observed. Arginine treatment increased IL-10 and sIgA levels when compared with the Sham and IO groups (p < 0.05). The cytokines and sIgA concentrations were similar in the ARG + l-NAME and Sham groups. Arginine appeared to reduce BT and its effects on the modulation of cytokines and secretory IgA in mice after IO are mediated by NO production.     

Metallothionein responses in the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) after exposure to trivalent arsenic

The main objective of this work was to evaluate arsenic effects on metallothionein (MT) induction by exposing a freshwater Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) to different concentrations of this metalloid. The presence of MT-like proteins was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and compared with a standard rabbit MT. In addition, the polarographic response showed good correspondence between standard MT and MT-like curves from C. fluminea, allowing MT quantification. The results show that clams exposed to different concentrations of arsenic are able to induce significant levels of MTs. Although variability was found in MT induction, significant differences in MT levels were found after 28 days of exposure in all treatments in comparison with the controls, suggesting that exposure to arsenic induced MT-like proteins in C. fluminea.     

Diet of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus microtarsus) (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) in a Brazilian cerrado: patterns of food consumption and intrapopulation variation

The diet of the gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus was studied in a cerrado remnant in south-eastern Brazil through the analysis of faeces sampled from adult individuals. Patterns of food resource consumption were assessed using the statistics of per cent occurrence. Intrapopulation variation in the number of food items detected in faeces as a function of relevant factors was inferred using generalized linear models. The latter statistical formalism also allowed variation in the number of food items detected in faeces to be interpreted in terms of rate ratios among levels of significant factors. Insects, spiders, snails and fruits were detected in the faeces of G. microtarsus , with insects, particularly termites, beetles and ants, being the most frequently detected food resource. These food resources were consumed in proportion to their relative abundance in the cerrado, suggesting that G . microtarsus is an opportunistic forager feeding primarily on insects. The generalized linear model identified sex, season and food resource as significant factors affecting the number of food items detected in faeces, as well as interactions between sex and season and season and food resource. Rate ratios calculated between sexes within seasons showed that the number of food items detected in the faeces of males was larger than that detected in the faeces of females in the warm-wet and cool-dry seasons. Rate ratios calculated between seasons within sexes showed different trends in the number of food items detected in faeces for each significant food resource. It is suggested that differences in the number of food items detected in faeces between sexes within season and between seasons within sexes are related to energetic requirements associated with reproduction.     

Production of moss‐dominated biocrusts to enhance the stability and function of the margins of artificial water bodies

Margins of water reservoirs associated with dams can have high‐frequency tides, promoting soil erosion and nutrient leaching. We propose the use of biocrusts for restoration and ecological engineering purposes, due to their poikilohydric character, to stabilize reservoir margins. We promoted biocrust growth under controlled conditions, testing two types of substrate: native sand and organic substrate. After 2 months, biocrusts grew on organic substrate covering almost all the area, but not on native sand. This fast and easy nature‐based solution for soil stabilization can be used as an environmental engineering tool in highly degraded sites.     

APC Inhibits Ligand-Independent Wnt Signaling by the Clathrin Endocytic Pathway

1. Download high-res image (220KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Immunoglobulin G galactosylation and sialylation are associated with pregnancy-induced improvement of rheumatoid arthritis and the postpartum flare: results from a large prospective cohort study

Introduction  

Improvement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during pregnancy has been causatively associated with increased galactosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycans. Since previous studies were small, did not include the postpartum flare and did not study sialylation, these issues were addressed in the present study.