RESUMO
Coastal lagoons are ecosystems that are considered providers of a variety species of commercial value to the humans. However, they are currently threatened by a variety of anthropogenic-derived impacts, including environmental pollution by microplastics (MPs). For these reasons, it is necessary to identify suitable biomonitors for monitoring MP activities in aquatic environments and for estimating human ingestion of MPs from the consumption of commercial shellfish species. Therefore, our aims were to identify the anthropogenic activities that supply MPs into a coastal lagoon in the southern Gulf of Mexico and their variety; to determine whether oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are suitable biomonitors to perform MPs monitoring activities and to conduct an estimation of how many MPs could a human consume by the ingestion of a commercial portion of oysters harvested in this coastal lagoon. Our results noted that MP concentrations from water and sediment collected in Laguna de Terminos were 210,000 and 11.3 times higher than values reported in other protected areas worldwide. MPs chemical composition revealed that fishing and urban activities supply mainly polyethylene (21.1 %), poly (butadiene) diol (12.6 %) and polyethylene terephthalate (9.5 %). It was also determined that oysters did not reflect the spatial distribution of MPs within the study area and that a human could consume up to 806.1 MPs per 237.1 g serving of an oyster cocktail. Finally, a coastal lagoon polluted with MPs increases the risk of affecting species used for human consumption.
Assuntos
Crassostrea , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Humanos , Microplásticos , Ecossistema , Plásticos , Frutos do Mar , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: CD147 is the main inducer of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases, which are critically involved in different inflammatory diseases. Our objective was to assess whether in vitro stimulation with Th1 and Th17 cytokines modulate CD147 production in monocytes from psoriasis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum CD147 levels were measured in 60 psoriasis patients and 60 healthy controls. Furthermore, CD14+ monocytes were cultured and stimulated with TNF, IFN-g or IL-17A, and CD147 production was measured. RESULTS: Serum CD147 levels were higher in psoriasis patients (median 1866, IQR 1517-2355 pg/mL vs. 1686, 1382-1947 pg/mL; p=0.023), allowing to distinguish between patients and controls (AUC-ROC 0.632 ± 0.0509). Baseline CD147 production was similar in monocytes from patients and controls (1298, 769-1645 pg/mL vs. 1290, 1048-1976 pg/ml, respectively). Stimulation with IL-17A (1638, 1426-2027 pg/mL; p<0.001), but no other cytokine, was associated with increased production of CD147 in monocytes from psoriatic patients. In contrast, none of the cytokines increased CD147 production in monocytes from healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: CD147 production by activated monocytes is a cytokine-dependent process, specifically by cytokines of the Th17 phenotype instead of those belonging to the Th1 phenotype. CD147 is a novel inflammatory mediator that could be a therapeutic target in psoriasis.
Assuntos
Basigina/biossíntese , Interleucina-17/metabolismo , Monócitos/metabolismo , Psoríase/metabolismo , Adulto , Basigina/sangue , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Humanos , Interleucina-17/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Psoríase/sangue , Psoríase/diagnósticoRESUMO
The intestinal epithelium constitutes a first line of defense of the innate immune system. Epithelial dysfunction is a hallmark of intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The actin cytoskeleton controls epithelial barrier integrity but the function of actin regulators such as cortactin is poorly understood. Given that cortactin controls endothelial permeability, we hypothesized that cortactin is also important for epithelial barrier regulation. We found increased permeability in the colon of cortactin-KO mice that was accompanied by reduced levels of ZO-1, claudin-1, and E-cadherin. By contrast, claudin-2 was upregulated. Cortactin deficiency increased RhoA/ROCK1-dependent actomyosin contractility, and inhibition of ROCK1 rescued the barrier defect. Interestingly, cortactin deficiency caused increased epithelial proliferation without affecting apoptosis. KO mice did not develop spontaneous colitis, but were more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium colitis and showed severe colon tissue damage and edema formation. KO mice with colitis displayed strong mucus deposition and goblet cell depletion. In healthy human colon tissues, cortactin co-localized with ZO-1 at epithelial cell contacts. In IBDs patients, we observed decreased cortactin levels and loss of co-localization with ZO-1. Thus, cortactin is a master regulator of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in vivo and could serve as a suitable target for pharmacological intervention in IBDs.
Assuntos
Actomiosina/metabolismo , Colite/imunologia , Cortactina/metabolismo , Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais/imunologia , Mucosa Intestinal/patologia , Quinases Associadas a rho/metabolismo , Proteína rhoA de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Animais , Apoptose , Proliferação de Células , Colite/induzido quimicamente , Cortactina/genética , Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Sulfato de Dextrana , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Imunidade Inata , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Proteína da Zônula de Oclusão-1/metabolismo , Proteína rhoA de Ligação ao GTP/genéticaRESUMO
Pomegranate extract, vanillin and geraniol were studied as natural antimicrobials on strawberry juice. Strawberry juice was treated with each agent at two concentrations: pomegranate extract at 180 and 360 µg/mL; vanillin at 2.5 and 5 mg/mL; and geraniol at 0.6 and 1.2 µL/mL. After being treated, juices were stored at 5 °C and microbiological, physicochemical and sensory studies were carried out. Also, a second batch of juice was inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (10(5) CFU/mL) before being treated, to safety study. Geraniol and vanillin, at both concentrations tested, were highly effective in reducing the native microflora on strawberry juice (more than 3 log cycles), extending the microbiological shelf-life of the product. Moreover, both antimicrobials improved the product safety by reducing inoculated E. coli O157:H7. Furthermore, vanillin showed a significant increase in polyphenol content compared to untreated juice. On the other hand, pomegranate extract applied at the highest concentration showed important reductions on mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, but no effect on yeast and molds and inoculated E. coli. Even though vanillin and geraniol incorporation on strawberry juice had a negative effect on its sensory quality, pomegranate extract had no impact on the sensory attributes evaluated. Combinations of the biopreservatives could be studied in order to decrease the concentration of the antimicrobials, reducing the effects on strawberry juice sensory characteristics.
RESUMO
The exchange of substances between metazoan and the environment takes place across transporting epithelia that have two fundamental differentiated features: tight junctions (TJ) and apical/basolateral polarity. Usually, reviews of the structure and function of transporting epithelia follow a historical description of major biological findings, but seldom refer to the fact that it also required fundamental theoretical changes in the physics and chemistry involved. We make a brief description of the concatenation of both types of achievements, in which it becomes clear that the major source of conflicts was the enzyme Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (also referred to as "the pump"), because of its intrinsic mechanisms and its asymmetric expression on one side of epithelial cells only (polarity). This enzyme is also the receptor of the newly recognized hormone ouabain, whose chief function is to modulate cell contacts, such as TJs, several types of cell-cell contacts participating in polarization (as gauged through ciliogenesis).
Assuntos
Células Epiteliais/fisiologia , Epitélio/fisiologia , Ouabaína/metabolismo , Junções Íntimas/fisiologia , Transporte Biológico , Cílios/metabolismo , Claudina-2 , Humanos , Permeabilidade , ATPase Trocadora de Sódio-PotássioRESUMO
The 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17ß-HSD) are key enzymes involved in the formation (reduction) and inactivation (oxidation) of sex steroids. Several types have been found in vertebrates including fish, as well as in invertebrates like Caenorhabditis elegans, Ciona intestinalis and Haliotis diversicolor supertexta. To date limited information is available about this enzyme in parasites. We showed previously that Taenia solium cysticerci are able to synthesize sex steroid hormones in vitro when precursors are provided in the culture medium. Here, we identified a T. solium 17ß-HSD through in silico blast searches in the T. solium genome database. This coding sequence was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the pcDNA 3.1(+) expression vector. The full length cDNA contains 957bp, corresponding to an open reading frame coding for 319 aa. The highest identity (84%) at the protein level was found with the Echinococcus multilocularis 17ß-HSD although significant similarities were also found with other invertebrate and vertebrate 17ß-HSD sequences. The T. solium Tsol-17ßHSD belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) protein superfamily. HEK293T cells transiently transfected with Tsol17ß-HSD induced expression of Tsol17ß-HSD that transformed 3H-androstenedione into testosterone. In contrast, 3H-estrone was not significantly transformed into estradiol. In conclusion, T. solium cysticerci express a 17ß-HSD that catalyzes the androgen reduction. The enzyme belongs to the short chain dehydrogenases/reductase family and shares motifs and activity with the type 3 enzyme of some other species.
Assuntos
17-Hidroxiesteroide Desidrogenases/genética , 17-Hidroxiesteroide Desidrogenases/metabolismo , Hormônios Esteroides Gonadais/biossíntese , Taenia solium/enzimologia , Taenia solium/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Androstenodiona/biossíntese , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Clonagem Molecular , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Testosterona/biossínteseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort that is associated with altered bowel habit. Both its prevalence and clinical characteristics vary throughout Latin America. A percentage of patients does not seek medical attention, therefore a reliable prevalence figure can only be established by interviewing non-selected populations. AIMS: To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of IBS symptoms in non-selected subjects in Santiago, Chile. METHODS: A total of 437 shopping mall visitors above the age of 15 years (246 women) participated in the study by answering the Rome II validated questionnaire for IBS. The demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, comorbidities, and a family history of IBS were registered. RESULTS: A total of 64.1% subjects reported having gastrointestinal symptoms and 28.6% had symptoms suggestive of IBS. When the subjects with IBS symptoms were compared with the asymptomatic individuals, a predominance of women (65.6 vs. 42.9, P<.001) and a greater cholecystectomy frequency (33.6 vs. 12.9% P<.05) were observed in the former. The age of symptom onset was 30.4 years. An equal percentage of subjects (42.4%) presented with diarrhea and constipation and 15.2% presented with alternating IBS. Participants with a higher educational level reported a lower percentage of IBS (P<.05). A family history of the disease was present in 40% of the subjects with IBS, compared with 14.9% in the asymptomatic individuals (P<.05). Only 39.2% of the subjects had seen a physician for their symptoms and the treatment and tests ordered were inappropriate. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IBS symptoms in the population studied is one of the highest described. Therefore, health teams should have the necessary knowledge and skill required for its management.
Assuntos
Síndrome do Intestino Irritável/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Chile/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Qualidade de Vida , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Our studies were performed to investigate the effects of the aqueous extracts of Cecropia pachystachya and Larrea divaricata. These plants are used in folkloric medicine in infusion and were administered orally (0.76 g/kg) to male Albino Swiss mice for 16 days, on drink intake, organ weight/body weight (OW/BW x 100) ratio, histology, broqueoalveolar fluid (BALF) and elevated plus-maze (EPM). Feeding as well as body weight were unaffected by the consumption of these extracts. There were no signs of toxicity in BALF, morbidity or mortality during the study. C. pachystachya caused an increase in relative kidney OW/BW (p Assuntos
Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos
, Cecropia
, Larrea
, Aprendizagem em Labirinto/efeitos dos fármacos
, Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia
, Análise de Variância
, Animais
, Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar
, Rim/anatomia & histologia
, Rim/efeitos dos fármacos
, Fígado/anatomia & histologia
, Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos
, Pulmão/anatomia & histologia
, Pulmão/efeitos dos fármacos
, Masculino
, Camundongos
, Tamanho do Órgão/efeitos dos fármacos
, Fitoterapia
, Extratos Vegetais/toxicidade
, Folhas de Planta
, Estatísticas não Paramétricas
, Testes de Toxicidade
RESUMO
Polymorphous silicon thin films (pm-Si) have been deposited from mixtures of dichlorosilane and hydrogen, using argon as the diluting gas by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The deposition conditions were chosen to simultaneously obtain both Si nanocrystallites and an amorphous silicon matrix in the as-grown samples. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies show the crystallinity of Si domains whose dimensions are in the interval of 2-14 nm. The surface passivation state of the silicon nanocrystals was inferred from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Two optical absorption edges, corresponding to the amorphous matrix and the Si nanocrystals, were observed for all the pm-Si thin films. Intense visible photoluminescence was observed for the as-grown samples. The possibility of using these thin films for the down-conversion effect in silicon solar cells is discussed.
Assuntos
Cristalização/métodos , Membranas Artificiais , Nanoestruturas/química , Nanoestruturas/ultraestrutura , Nanotecnologia/métodos , Silanos/química , Silício/química , Gases , Temperatura Alta , Substâncias Macromoleculares/química , Teste de Materiais , Conformação Molecular , Tamanho da Partícula , Propriedades de SuperfícieRESUMO
El estudio corresponde a la presentación de 2 casos clínicos con fractura radicular horizontal (tercio apical, tercio 1⁄2), tratadas con el agregado del trióxido mineral (MTA). En ambos casos las piezas sufrieron la fractura por trauma y el MTA se utilizo sin acción quirúrgica, vale decir, se coloco intraconducto. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la viabilidad de la terapia en estos casos, recordando que es necesario realizar nuevas investigaciones para demostrar la efectividad del material.
The study corresponds to the presentation of two clinical cases with horizontally root fractures (apical third, 1⁄2 third) treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). In both cases the pieces suffered fracture for trauma and the MTA was used without surgical action, is worth saying, its place in root canal. The intention of the study is to know the viability of the therapy in these cases, remembering that it is necessary to realize new investigations to demonstrate the efficiency of the material.