RESUMO

Spinal cord injury is a traumatic lesion that causes a catastrophic condition in patients, resulting in neuronal deficit and loss of motor and sensory function. That loss is caused by secondary injury events following mechanical damage, which results in cell death. One of the most important events is inflammation, which activates molecules like proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) that provoke a toxic environment, inhibiting axonal growth and exacerbating CNS damage. As there is no effective treatment, one of the developed therapies is neuroprotection of the tissue to preserve healthy tissue. Among the strategies that have been developed are the use of cell therapy, the use of peptides, and molecules or supplements that have been shown to favor an anti-inflammatory environment that helps to preserve tissue and cells at the site of injury, thus favoring axonal growth and improved locomotor function. In this review, we will explain some of these strategies used in different animal models of spinal cord injury, their activity as modulators of the immune system, and the benefits they have shown.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Background: Currently, combined therapies could help to reduce long-term sequelae of spinal cord injury (SCI); stem cell therapy at the site of injury in combination with other therapies has shown very promising results that can be transferred to the clinical field. Nanoparticles (NPs) are versatile technologies with applications to medical research for treatments of SCI since they could deliver therapeutic molecules to the target tissue and may help to reduce the side effects of non-targeted therapies. This article's purpose is to analyze and concisely describe the diverse cellular therapies in combination with NPs and their regenerative effect after SCI. Methods: We reviewed the literature related to combinatory therapy for motor impairment following SCI that has been published by Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO host, and PubMed databases. The research covers the databases from 2001 to December 2022. Result: Animal models of SCI have shown that the combination of NPs plus stem cells has a positive impact on neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. Further research is required to better understand the effects and benefits of SCI on a clinical level; therefore, it is necessary to find and select the most effective molecules that are capable of exacerbating the neurorestorative effects of the different stem cells and then try them out on patients after SCI. On the other hand, we consider that synthetic polymers such as poly [lactic-co-glycolic acid] (PLGA) could be a candidate for the design of the first therapeutic strategy that combines NPs with stem cells in patients with SCI. The reasons for the selection are that PLGA has shown important advantages over other NPs, such as being biodegradable, having low toxicity levels, and high biocompatibility; In addition, researchers could control the release time and the biodegradation kinetics, and most importantly, it could be used as NMs on other clinical pathologies (12 studies on www.clinicaltrials.gov) and has been approved by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDA). Conclusion: The use of cellular therapy and NPs may be a worthwhile alternative for SCI therapy; however, it is expected that the data obtained from interventions after SCI reflect an important variability of molecules combined with NPs. Therefore, it is necessary to properly define the limits of this research to be able to continue to work on the same line. Consequently, the selection of a specific therapeutic molecule and type of NPs plus stem cells are crucial to evaluate its application in clinical trials.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: University students are often affected by food insecurity (FI) and this situation has been associated with low consumption of fruit/vegetables and high intake of added sugars and sweet drinks. However, there needs to be more evidence on the association between FI and dietary patterns (DPs), assessing the overall diet and allowing analysis of commonly consumed food combinations. We aimed to analyze the association between FI and DPs in university students' households. METHODS: We used data from 7659 university student households from the 2018 Mexican National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH, for its acronym in Spanish). We obtained FI levels (mild, moderate, and severe) using the validated Mexican Food Security Scale (EMSA, Spanish acronym). Two DPs were identified by principal component analysis based on the weekly frequency of consumption of 12 food groups. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted by university student and household's characteristics was applied. RESULTS: Compared to food security, households with mild-FI (OR:0.34; 95%CI:0.30, 0.40), moderate-FI (OR:0.20; 95%CI:0.16, 0.24) or severe-FI (OR:0.14; 95%CI:0.11, 0.19) were less likely to adhere to the dietary pattern "Fruits, vegetables and foods rich in animal protein" (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish or seafood, dairy products, and starchy vegetables). In addition, people with severe-FI (OR:0.51; 95% CI:0.34, 0.76) were also less likely to adhere to the dietary pattern "Traditional-Westernized" (pulses, oils or fats, sugar, sweets, industrialized drinks, foods made from corn/maize, wheat, rice, oats or bran, coffee, tea and eggs). CONCLUSIONS: In these households FI impairs the ability to consume a healthy dietary pattern (fruits/vegetables and foods rich in animal protein). In addition, the intake of foods typical of the Mexican food culture reflecting the local Western dietary pattern is compromised in households with severe-FI.

Assuntos

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: The mechanism underlying the memory improvement induced by prebiotic and probiotic supplementation remains unclear. Glucagon-like peptide type 1 (GLP-1) could play an important role since it is induced by prebiotics and enhances memory and learning. AIMS: We correlated the levels of GLP-1 with spatial memory in senile animals to determine its role in memory improvement after prebiotic and probiotic supplementation. METHODS: Senile rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) water (control); (2) Enterococcus faecium (probiotic); (3) agave inulin (prebiotic); and (4) E. faecium + agave inulin (symbiotic). Each supplement was administered by an orogastric cannula for 5 weeks. In the fifth week, spatial memory was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test (MWM). We extracted the hippocampus, intestine, and serum. GLP-1 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A significant decrease in escape latency time in the MWM was observed in all groups treated with supplements. The symbiotic group achieved the highest reduction (15.13 s ± 6.40) (p < 0.01). We did not find a significant increase in GLP-1 levels nor a direct correlation of its levels with spatial memory improvement (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prebiotic and probiotic supplementation improved spatial memory in senile animals. However, this beneficial effect did not correlate with GLP-1 levels.

Assuntos

RESUMO

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of corn dried distiller's grains (DDGS) supplementation on feed intake, total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation of beef steers fed low-quality Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus, cv. Gatton panic). Twelve Braford crossbred steers were housed in individual pens (n = 4 steers/treatment), provided with three levels of DDGS supplement: 0%, 0.6%, or 1.2% BW. Steers were blocked by live weight and randomly assigned to treatments within the block. Corn DDGS supplementation increased total OM intake (21.55, 40.23, and 56.69 g/kg BW0.75) and tract OM digestibility (46.33, 49.03, and 72.39 % DM). Total tract digestible OM, CP, NDF and EE intake also increase in response to DDGS supplementation. Forage OM intake decreased when supplementation level reached 1.2 % BW. Also, ruminal pH decreased with DDGS supplementation level (6.88, 6.47, and 6.27). No differences were observed in total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration; however, the molar proportion of acetate decreased (77.98, 73.90, and 67.29 % Total VFA) as well as acetate: propionate ratio (4.38, 3.48, and 2.74). On the contrary, propionate proportions increased (18.32, 21.86, and 24.81 % Total VFA). Levels of ammonia and lactate were within suggested values for optimal fermentation and bacterial growth. Low-quality grass supplementation with corn DDGS increased total OM intake and digestibility. Also, DDGS inclusion favorably altered volatile fatty acids profile by reducing the acetate to propionate ratio regarding forage-only diets.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação com grãos de destilação secos de milho com solúveis (DDGS) no consumo, digestão e fermentação ruminal de novilhos de corte alimentados com capim-da-índia de baixa qualidade (Megathyrsus maximus, cv. Gatton panic). Doze novilhos mestiços Braford foram alojados em baias individuais (n = 4 novilhos / tratamento), fornecidos com três níveis de suplemento de DDGS: 0%, 0,6% ou 1,2% PV. Os novilhos foram bloqueados pelo peso vivo e atribuídos aleatoriamente aos tratamentos dentro do bloco. A suplementação com DDGS de milho aumentou o consumo de matéria orgânica total (21,55, 40,23 e 56,69 g / kg PV0,75), a digestibilidade da matéria orgânica (46,33, 49,03 e 72,39% MS) e o consumo de todos os nutrientes digestíveis. O consumo de matéria orgânica da forragem diminuiu quando o nível de suplementação atingiu 1,2% PV. Além disso, o pH ruminal diminuiu com o nível de suplementação com DDGS (6,88, 6,47 e 6,27). Não foram observadas diferenças na concentração de ácidos graxos voláteis totais, no entanto, a proporção molar de acetato diminuiu (77,98, 73,90 e 67,29% de AGV total), bem como a relação acetato: propionato (4,38, 3,48 e 2,74). Pelo contrário, as proporções de propionato aumentaram (18,32, 21,86 e 24,81% Total de AGV). Os níveis de amônia e lactato estavam dentro dos valores sugeridos para fermentação ideal e crescimento bacteriano. A suplementação de gramíneas de baixa qualidade com DDGS de milho aumentou o consumo e a digestibilidade da MO total. Além disso, a inclusão de DDGS alterou favoravelmente o perfil de ácidos graxos voláteis, reduzindo a proporção de acetato para propionato em relação às dietas apenas com forragem.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Household food insecurity (FI) remains a major public health challenge worldwide. Data about perceived FI and its risk factors in Mexican university students are lacking. We aimed to assess FI's prevalence and factors affecting it among university students' households in Mexico. This cross-sectional analysis involved 7671 university students' households using the 2018 Mexican National of Household Income and Expenditure Survey data. Variables analyzed included sociodemographic characteristics, and the 12-item validated Mexican Scale for Food Security (EMSA). Multivariable logistic regression modelling was performed to identify FI risk factors. The overall household FI prevalence was 30.8%. According to FI severity, prevalence rates were 16.3% for mild-FI, 8.8% for moderate-FI, and 5.7% for severe-FI. Low socioeconomic status (OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 2.09-3.54), low education level of household's head (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.90-2.94), self-ascription to an indigenous group (OR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.41-1.79), attending public university (OR = 1.27; 95%CI: 1.13-1.43), female-headed household (OR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.13-1.40), having worked recently (OR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.07-1.33), and being in second year of studies (OR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.03-1.33), were significantly related to FI. Our results confirm that FI is highly prevalent among Mexican university students' households and that sociodemographic factors are essential in addressing this concern. Findings highlight the need for preventive programs and policies to alleviate FI.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba." This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure. This review summarizes the most recent information about N. fowleri, its pathogenic molecular mechanisms, and the neuropathological processes implicated. Additionally, this review includes the main therapeutic strategies described in case reports and preclinical studies, including the possible use of immunomodulatory agents to decrease neurological damage.

Assuntos

RESUMO

AIMS: Immunization with neural-derived peptides (INDP) has demonstrated to be a promising therapy to achieve a regenerative effect in the chronic phase of the spinal cord injury (SCI). Nevertheless, INDP-induced neurogenic effects in the chronic stage of SCI have not been explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we analyzed the effect of INDP on both motor and sensitive function recovery; afterward, we assessed neurogenesis and determined the production of cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and TNF alpha) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GAP-43). During the chronic stage of SCI, rats subjected to INDP showed a significant increase in both motor and sensitive recovery when compared to the control group. Moreover, we found a significant increase in neurogenesis, mainly at the central canal and at both the dorsal and ventral horns of INDP-treated animals. Finally, INDP induced significant production of antiinflammatory and regeneration-associated proteins in the chronic stages of SCI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that INDP has a neurogenic effect that could improve motor and sensitive recovery in the chronic stage of SCI. Moreover, our results also envision the use of INDP as a possible therapeutic strategy for other trauma-related disorders like traumatic brain injury.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Immunization with neural derived peptides (INDP), as well as scar removal (SR) and the use of matrices with bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have been studied separately and proven to induce a functional and morphological improvement after spinal cord injury (SCI). Herein, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of INDP combined with SR and a fibrin glue matrix (FGM) with MSCs (FGM-MSCs), on motor recovery, axonal regeneration-associated molecules and cytokine expression, axonal regeneration (catecholaminergic and serotonergic fibers), and the induction of neurogenesis after a chronic SCI. For this purpose, female adult Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to SCI, 60 days after lesion, rats were randomly distributed in four groups: (1) Rats immunized with complete Freund's adjuvant + PBS (vehicle; PBS-I); (2) Rats with SR+ FGM-MSCs; (3) Rats with SR+ INDP + FGM-MSCs; (4) Rats only with INDP. Afterwards, we evaluated motor recovery using the BBB locomotor test. Sixty days after the therapy, protein expression of TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, BDNF, and GAP-43 were evaluated using ELISA assay. The number of catecholaminergic and serotonergic fibers were also determined. Neurogenesis was evaluated through immunofluorescence. The results show that treatment with INDP alone significantly increased motor recovery, anti-inflammatory cytokines, regeneration-associated molecules, axonal regeneration, and neurogenesis when compared to the rest of the groups. Our findings suggest that the combination therapy (SR + INDP + FGM-MSCs) modifies the non-permissive microenvironment post SCI, but it is not capable of inducing an appropriate axonal regeneration or neurogenesis when compared to the treatment with INDP alone.

RESUMO

Sexual dimorfism refers to morphological differences between males and females of a species. It may be a result of different selection pressures acting on either or both sexes and may occur in any sexually-reproducing dioecious species, including fishes. We analyzed 63 females and 63 adult males of Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Gymnotiformes) collected by us or deposited in museum collections. Sex was identified through abdominal dissection. We measured length from snout to posterior end of anal-fin, anal-fin length, distance from anus to anal-fin origin, distance from genital papilla to anal-fin origin, body width at beginning of anal-fin, and head length. Morphometric data submitted to a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) grouped males and females according to variables related to body size (along the first component) and to head length and body height along the second and third components. Females were larger than males, whereas males had proportionally larger heads and higher bodies than females. The urogenital papilla of males and females showed differences in shape, size and relative position on the body. The female papilla was elongated horizontally, larger than that of males, and was located on a vertical line below the eye, while the papilla of the males was vertically elongated and located on a vertical line below the operculum. To our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of sexual dimorphism in a species of Rhamphichthyidae, a condition that is now known in all the currently recognized families of Gymnotiformes. (AU)

Assuntos