RESUMO
This study aims to determine the diversity of culturable thermophilic bacteria isolated from eight terrestrial hot springs in Northeastern of Algeria using the conventional methods, SDS-PAGE fingerprinting of whole-cell proteins and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition, their hydrolytic enzyme activities were also investigated. A total of 293 strains were isolated from the hot springs' water and sediment using different culture media. Overall, five distinct bacterial groups were characterized by whole-cell protein pattern analysis. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 100 selected strains, the isolates were assigned to the following three major phyla: Firmicutes (93%), Deinococcus-Thermus (5%), and Actinobacteria (2%), which included 27 distinct species belonging to 12 different phylotypes, Aeribacillus, Aneurinibacillus, Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus, Laceyella, Meiothermus, Saccharomonospora, Thermoactinomyces, Thermobifida, and Thermus. The screening for nine extracellular enzymes showed that 65.87% of the isolates presented at least five types of enzyme activities, and 6.48% of strains combined all tested enzymes (amylase, cellulase, pectinase, esculinase, protease, gelatinase, lipase, lecithinase, and nuclease). It was found that Bacillus, Anoxybacillus, Aeribacillus, and Aneurinibacillus were the genera showing the highest activities. Likewise, the study showed an abundant and diverse thermophilic community with novel taxa presenting a promising source of thermozymes with important biotechnological applications. This study showed that a combined identification method using SDS-PAGE profiles of whole-cell proteins and subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis could successfully differentiate thermophilic bacteria from Algerian hot springs.
Assuntos
Bactérias/classificação , Fontes Termais/microbiologia , Filogenia , Microbiologia da Água , Argélia , Bactérias/enzimologia , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Ativação Enzimática , Variação Genética , Temperatura Alta , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Mexico has made substantial contributions to marine turtle protection and conservation, especially since 1990. Several conservation projects entail monitoring efforts to recover nesting territories for marine turtles. The Sea Turtle Protection Program of Akumal, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, was created in 1993 and was developed by the Akumal Ecological Center. This paper provides the nesting ecology parameters for Caretta caretta over a protection period of 24 years (1995-2018). A well-defined nesting peak was observed in June, with a nesting success rate of 75.2 ± 23.0%. Nesting females showed a mean curved carapace length of 99.0 ± 5.6 cm. The mean clutch size was 108.6 ± 24.6 eggs, with variation among years. The mean incubation period was 57.2 ± 6.2 days. The hatching and emergence success rates were 87.2 ± 16.9% and 78.8 ± 24.4%, respectively. For the 926 tagged females that returned, the remigration interval peaked at 726 days, with a 12-day inter-nesting period. The results show not only the recovery of the nesting population over time but also a decrease in female size; we postulate that this decrease is due to the recruitment of young females, which has been increasingly pronounced since 2010. Hence, the Akumal rookery plays an important role in its corresponding regional management unit (Atlantic Northwest).
Assuntos
Ecossistema , Comportamento de Nidação/fisiologia , Tartarugas/fisiologia , Migração Animal/fisiologia , Animais , Tamanho da Ninhada , Feminino , Geografia , México , Tartarugas/anatomia & histologiaRESUMO
PM2.5 that have been related to public health risks, were collected during two seasons with High-Vol samplers in platforms of a Mexican subway station, which interconnects through transfers three lines having different depths. The objective was to study the influence of depth on the PM2.5 concentrations and their species. PM2.5 concentrations in cold-dry and warm-dry seasons presented statistical differences, being in average 57 and 66⯵gm-3 respectively, in the shallower line 9; 90 µgm-3 and 111 µgm-3 in line 1; and 104 and 122⯵gm-3in the deepest line 7. During the cold-dry season and warm-dry season PM2.5concentrations in the subway environment were respectively up to 3.5 times and up to 5 times greater than in the ambient air. Like PM2.5, metals analyzed with an OES-ICP presented higher concentrations in deeper lines as well as PAHs quantified with CG-MS, which ranged from 4.5 to 11.7 ngm-3. High PM2.5, metals and organic toxic concentrations found in deeper lines of the subway environment represent a risk for commuters endorsing the need for ventilation systems to reduce them. Zn, Pb, V and Ni in subway particles presented the highest solubility in artificial lysosomal fluid suggesting high bioavailability in the lung fluids.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Nanopartículas Metálicas/análise , Compostos Orgânicos/análise , Compostos Orgânicos/toxicidade , Ferrovias , Exposição Ambiental , Humanos , México , Material Particulado , Estações do Ano , Ventilação , Tempo (Meteorologia)RESUMO
Although invasive infections and mortality caused by Candida species are increasing among compromised patients, resistance to common antifungal agents is also an increasing problem. We analyzed 60 yeasts isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis using a PCR/RFLP strategy based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region to identify different Candida pathogenic species. PCR analysis was performed from genomic DNA with a primer pair of the ITS2-5.8S rDNA region. PCR-positive samples were characterized by RFLP. Restriction resulted in 23 isolates identified as C. albicans using AlwI, 24 isolates as C. parapsilosis using RsaI, and 13 as C. tropicalis using XmaI. Then, a group of all isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to a panel of previously described killer yeasts, resulting in 75% being susceptible to at least one killer yeast while the remaining were not inhibited by any strain. C. albicans was the most susceptible group while C. tropicalis had the fewest inhibitions. No species-specific pattern of inhibition was obtained with this panel of killer yeasts. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were the strains that inhibited the most isolates of Candida spp.(AU)
Embora as infecções invasivas e a mortalidade causada por espécies de Candida estejam aumentando entre pacientes comprometidos, a resistência a agentes antifúngicos comuns também é um problema crescente. Analisamos 60 leveduras isoladas de pacientes com candidíase invasiva utilizando como estratégia PCR/RFLP baseada na região espaçadora transcrita interna (ITS2) para identificar diferentes espécies patogênicas de Candida. A análise por PCR foi realizada a partir de ADN genómico com um par de iniciadores da região ITS2-5.8S rDNA. As amostras PCR-positivas foram caracterizadas por RFLP. A restrição resultou em 23 isolados identificados como C. albicans usando AlwI, 24 isolados como C. parapsilosis usando RsaI e 13 como C. tropicalis usando XmaI. Em seguida, avaliou-se o grupo de todos os isolados quanto à sua susceptibilidade a um painel de leveduras killer previamente descritas, resultando em 75% sendo suscetíveis a pelo menos uma levedura killer, enquanto que as restantes não foram inibidas por qualquer cepa. C. albicans foi o grupo mais suscetível enquanto C. tropicalis teve o menor número de inibições. Não se obteve um padrão de inibição específico da espécie com este painel de leveduras killer. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri e Wickerhamomyces anomalus foram as cepas que inibiram a maioria dos isolados de Candida spp.(AU)
Assuntos
Candida/isolamento & purificação , Fatores Matadores de Levedura/análise , Antibiose , Candidíase Invasiva/terapia , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana/métodosRESUMO
Abstract Although invasive infections and mortality caused by Candida species are increasing among compromised patients, resistance to common antifungal agents is also an increasing problem. We analyzed 60 yeasts isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis using a PCR/RFLP strategy based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region to identify different Candida pathogenic species. PCR analysis was performed from genomic DNA with a primer pair of the ITS2-5.8S rDNA region. PCR-positive samples were characterized by RFLP. Restriction resulted in 23 isolates identified as C. albicans using AlwI, 24 isolates as C. parapsilosis using RsaI, and 13 as C. tropicalis using XmaI. Then, a group of all isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to a panel of previously described killer yeasts, resulting in 75% being susceptible to at least one killer yeast while the remaining were not inhibited by any strain. C. albicans was the most susceptible group while C. tropicalis had the fewest inhibitions. No species-specific pattern of inhibition was obtained with this panel of killer yeasts. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were the strains that inhibited the most isolates of Candida spp.
Resumo Embora as infecções invasivas e a mortalidade causada por espécies de Candida estejam aumentando entre pacientes comprometidos, a resistência a agentes antifúngicos comuns também é um problema crescente. Analisamos 60 leveduras isoladas de pacientes com candidíase invasiva utilizando como estratégia PCR/RFLP baseada na região espaçadora transcrita interna (ITS2) para identificar diferentes espécies patogênicas de Candida. A análise por PCR foi realizada a partir de ADN genómico com um par de iniciadores da região ITS2-5.8S rDNA. As amostras PCR-positivas foram caracterizadas por RFLP. A restrição resultou em 23 isolados identificados como C. albicans usando AlwI, 24 isolados como C. parapsilosis usando RsaI e 13 como C. tropicalis usando XmaI. Em seguida, avaliou-se o grupo de todos os isolados quanto à sua susceptibilidade a um painel de leveduras killer previamente descritas, resultando em 75% sendo suscetíveis a pelo menos uma levedura killer, enquanto que as restantes não foram inibidas por qualquer cepa. C. albicans foi o grupo mais suscetível enquanto C. tropicalis teve o menor número de inibições. Não se obteve um padrão de inibição específico da espécie com este painel de leveduras killer. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri e Wickerhamomyces anomalus foram as cepas que inibiram a maioria dos isolados de Candida spp.
Assuntos
Humanos , Adulto , Candida/efeitos dos fármacos , Candidíase Invasiva/tratamento farmacológico , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Polimorfismo de Fragmento de Restrição , Candida/genética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana/métodos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Candidíase Invasiva/microbiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Cancer is the result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. It has recently been related to viral infections, one of which is human papillomavirus. The aim of the present study was to describe the frequency of human papillomavirus infection in patients with digestive system cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted on patients with gastrointestinal cancer at 2public healthcare institutes in Veracruz. Two tumor samples were taken, one for histologic study and the other for DNA determination of human papillomavirus and its genotypes. Anthropometric variables, risk factors, sexual habits, tumor location, and histologic type of the cancer were analyzed. Absolute and relative frequencies were determined using the SPSS version 24.0 program. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were studied. They had gastrointestinal cancer located in: the colon (62.26%), stomach (18.87%), esophagus (7.55%), rectum (7.55%), and small bowel (3.77%). Human papillomavirus was identified in 11.32% of the patients, 66.7% of which corresponded to squamous cell carcinoma and 33.3% to adenocarcinoma. Only genotype 18 was identified. Mean patient age was 61.8±15.2 years, 56.60% of the patients were men, and 43.40% were women. A total of 15.8% of the patients had a family history of cancer and 31.6% had a personal history of the disease, 38.6% were tobacco smokers, and 61.4% consumed alcohol. Regarding sex, 5.3% of the patients said they were homosexual, 3.5% were bisexual, 29.8% engaged in oral sex, and 24.6% in anal sex. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that human papillomavirus infection was a risk factor for the development of gastrointestinal cancer, especially of squamous cell origin.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/epidemiologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/epidemiologia , Feminino , Neoplasias Gastrointestinais/complicações , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Papillomaviridae , Infecções por Papillomavirus/complicações , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Comportamento SexualRESUMO
Although invasive infections and mortality caused by Candida species are increasing among compromised patients, resistance to common antifungal agents is also an increasing problem. We analyzed 60 yeasts isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis using a PCR/RFLP strategy based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region to identify different Candida pathogenic species. PCR analysis was performed from genomic DNA with a primer pair of the ITS2-5.8S rDNA region. PCR-positive samples were characterized by RFLP. Restriction resulted in 23 isolates identified as C. albicans using AlwI, 24 isolates as C. parapsilosis using RsaI, and 13 as C. tropicalis using XmaI. Then, a group of all isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to a panel of previously described killer yeasts, resulting in 75% being susceptible to at least one killer yeast while the remaining were not inhibited by any strain. C. albicans was the most susceptible group while C. tropicalis had the fewest inhibitions. No species-specific pattern of inhibition was obtained with this panel of killer yeasts. Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were the strains that inhibited the most isolates of Candida spp.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Candida/efeitos dos fármacos , Candidíase Invasiva/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Candida/genética , Candidíase Invasiva/microbiologia , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana/métodos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Polimorfismo de Fragmento de RestriçãoRESUMO
Melipona colimana Ayala is an endemic species inhabiting temperate forests of pine and oak of south of Jalisco in Mexico. During a year, it was recorded every 15 days foraging activity, environmental parameters and the development of colonies of M. colimana in its wild habitat. For five minutes every hour from 7:00 to 21:00, the bees that entered and left the hive and bringing pollen and resin were registered. Every hour the relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and light intensity was recorded and related to foraging activity. Additionally, the weight of the colonies recently transferred to wooden boxes, the number of brood combs, honey pots and pollen were registered. The time of beginning and ending of the foraging activity differs from the reports of stingless bees of tropical weather and the same happens with the pollen collection. The environmental parameters that affect other tropical stingless bees in the foraging activity also affect M. colimana in temperate climate. It was determined that the major activity season and the presence of more pollen pots in the colony is from November through February, for what it could be the best time of the year for the division and obtainance of new colonies, while the critical period of minor activity and pollen flow was during rainy season. These data may be useful for the future sustainable use of this species in temperate climate.(AU)
Melipona colimana Ayala é uma espécie endémica de clima temperado que habita nas florestas de pinho e de azinheira do sul de Jalisco, no México. Registrou-se durante um ano, todos os quinze dias, a atividade de forragem, os parâmetros ambientais e o desenvolvimento de colônias de M. colimana no seu habitat silvestre. Registrou-se durante cinco minutos, cada hora das 7:00 às 21:00, as abelhas que entraram e saíram da colmeia e as que traziam pólen e resinas. Registrou-se toda hora, a humidade relativa, temperatura, velocidade do vento e intensidade da luz e relacionaram-se à atividade de forragem. Além do mais, registrou-se o peso de colônias recém transferidas a gavetas de madeira e contabilizou-se o número de panais, potes de mel e pólen. A hora de início e de fim da atividade de forragem difere com os reportes das abelhas sem ferrão de clima tropical e o mesmo acontece com a recolecção de pólen. Os parâmetros ambientais que afetam outros meliponinos de clima tropical na forragem também afetam a M. colimana em clima temperado. Determinou-se que a temporada de maior atividade e a presença de mais potes de pólen na colônia é de Novembro a Fevereiro, razão pela qual pode ser a melhor temporada do ano para a divisão e obtenção de novas colônias, enquanto que o período crítico de menor atividade e fluxo de pólen foi durante a temporada de chuvas. Esses dados podem ser úteis para o futuro aproveitamento sustentável de esta espécie em clima temperado.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Abelhas , Comportamento Apetitivo , Ciclos de Atividade , Modelos Ambientais , Dinâmica Populacional , Zona Temperada , MéxicoRESUMO
Abstract Melipona colimana Ayala is an endemic species inhabiting temperate forests of pine and oak of south of Jalisco in Mexico. During a year, it was recorded every 15 days foraging activity, environmental parameters and the development of colonies of M. colimana in its wild habitat. For five minutes every hour from 7:00 to 21:00, the bees that entered and left the hive and bringing pollen and resin were registered. Every hour the relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and light intensity was recorded and related to foraging activity. Additionally, the weight of the colonies recently transferred to wooden boxes, the number of brood combs, honey pots and pollen were registered. The time of beginning and ending of the foraging activity differs from the reports of stingless bees of tropical weather and the same happens with the pollen collection. The environmental parameters that affect other tropical stingless bees in the foraging activity also affect M. colimana in temperate climate. It was determined that the major activity season and the presence of more pollen pots in the colony is from November through February, for what it could be the best time of the year for the division and obtainance of new colonies, while the critical period of minor activity and pollen flow was during rainy season. These data may be useful for the future sustainable use of this species in temperate climate.
Resumo Melipona colimana Ayala é uma espécie endémica de clima temperado que habita nas florestas de pinho e de azinheira do sul de Jalisco, no México. Registrou-se durante um ano, todos os quinze dias, a atividade de forragem, os parâmetros ambientais e o desenvolvimento de colônias de M. colimana no seu habitat silvestre. Registrou-se durante cinco minutos, cada hora das 7:00 às 21:00, as abelhas que entraram e saíram da colmeia e as que traziam pólen e resinas. Registrou-se toda hora, a humidade relativa, temperatura, velocidade do vento e intensidade da luz e relacionaram-se à atividade de forragem. Além do mais, registrou-se o peso de colônias recém transferidas a gavetas de madeira e contabilizou-se o número de panais, potes de mel e pólen. A hora de início e de fim da atividade de forragem difere com os reportes das abelhas sem ferrão de clima tropical e o mesmo acontece com a recolecção de pólen. Os parâmetros ambientais que afetam outros meliponinos de clima tropical na forragem também afetam a M. colimana em clima temperado. Determinou-se que a temporada de maior atividade e a presença de mais potes de pólen na colônia é de Novembro a Fevereiro, razão pela qual pode ser a melhor temporada do ano para a divisão e obtenção de novas colônias, enquanto que o período crítico de menor atividade e fluxo de pólen foi durante a temporada de chuvas. Esses dados podem ser úteis para o futuro aproveitamento sustentável de esta espécie em clima temperado.
Assuntos
Animais , Abelhas/fisiologia , Meio Ambiente , Comportamento de Nidação , Estações do Ano , Comportamento Alimentar , MéxicoRESUMO
Pathogenesis of cryptococcosis in the central nervous system (CNS) is a topic of ongoing research, including the mechanisms by which this fungus invades and infects the brain. Astrocytes, the most common CNS cells, play a fundamental role in the local immune response. Astrocytes might participate in cryptococcosis either as a host or by responding to fungal antigens. To determine the infectivity of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and Cryptococcus gattii in a human astrocytoma cell line and the induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. A glioblastoma cell line was infected with C. neoformans var. grubii and C. gattii blastoconidia labelled with FUN-1 fluorescent stain. The percentage of infection and expression of HLA class I and II molecules were determined by flow cytometry. The interactions between the fungi and cells were observed by fluorescence microscopy. There was no difference between C. neoformans var. grubii and C. gattii in the percentage infection, but C. neoformans var. grubii induced higher expression of HLA class II than C. gattii. More blastoconidia were recovered from C. neoformans-infected cells than from C. gattii infected cells. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii may have different virulence mechanisms that allow its survival in human glia-derived cells.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/microbiologia , Cryptococcus gattii/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Cryptococcus neoformans/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Linhagem Celular , Citometria de Fluxo , Antígenos HLA/análise , Humanos , Viabilidade Microbiana , Microscopia de FluorescênciaRESUMO
Trypanosoma cruzi can compromise the human central nervous system (CNS) during acute infection or reactivation in immune-suppressed hosts. Astrocytes have been identified as targets of T. cruzi's CNS infection in humans. Despite a high degree of parasitism and cellular lysis by T. cruzi in vitro the number of astrocytoma cells did not change when compared to uninfected cultures. This work evaluated cellular proliferation, changes in Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) expression as a reflection of antigen processing, and cytokine (IL-6 & IL-8) secretion in a human astrocytoma cell line exposed to a trypomastigote-derived antigen. Light microscopy was used to evaluate the number of cells; MHC molecule expression, cell cycle and cytokine secretion were assessed by flow cytometry. The number of astrocytoma cells increased proportional to the amount of antigen used and the percentage of cells in G2/M phase was higher when compared to control cultures. Antigen exposure increased expression of MHC class II, but not MHC class I in comparison to cultures incubated without antigen. Astrocytoma cell secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 was unaffected by antigen exposure. These results suggest the participation of a trypomastigote-derived mediator that induces astrocytoma cell proliferation without an inflammatory response; which may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurologic Chagas disease.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/farmacologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/metabolismo , Astrocitoma/metabolismo , Astrocitoma/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Pontos de Checagem da Fase G2 do Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/genética , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/metabolismo , Humanos , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , Microscopia , Regulação para Cima/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Melipona colimana Ayala is an endemic species inhabiting temperate forests of pine and oak of south of Jalisco in Mexico. During a year, it was recorded every 15 days foraging activity, environmental parameters and the development of colonies of M. colimana in its wild habitat. For five minutes every hour from 7:00 to 21:00, the bees that entered and left the hive and bringing pollen and resin were registered. Every hour the relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and light intensity was recorded and related to foraging activity. Additionally, the weight of the colonies recently transferred to wooden boxes, the number of brood combs, honey pots and pollen were registered. The time of beginning and ending of the foraging activity differs from the reports of stingless bees of tropical weather and the same happens with the pollen collection. The environmental parameters that affect other tropical stingless bees in the foraging activity also affect M. colimana in temperate climate. It was determined that the major activity season and the presence of more pollen pots in the colony is from November through February, for what it could be the best time of the year for the division and obtainance of new colonies, while the critical period of minor activity and pollen flow was during rainy season. These data may be useful for the future sustainable use of this species in temperate climate.
Assuntos
Abelhas/fisiologia , Meio Ambiente , Comportamento de Nidação , Animais , Comportamento Alimentar , México , Estações do AnoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Immune complexes attached to erythrocyte membrane are involved in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) pathogenesis. Currently, direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is used for AIHA diagnosis; however, its performance can be variable. The aim of this study was to design a flow cytometry protocol for simultaneous detection of IgG, IgM, IgA immune complexes and C3d attached to erythrocytes in AIHA patients . METHODS: A procedure was standardized for assessing independent or simultaneous IgG, IgM, IgA immune complexes and C3d, which were detected using secondary antibodies. The protocol developed was applied to blood samples of patients with AIHA, donors at risk of developing the disease, and healthy controls. RESULTS: Twenty-four blood samples were assessed: nine patients with AIHA, five donors at risk of developing the disease, and 10 healthy controls. In the AIHA group, all were positive for C3d, seven for IgG, four for IgA, and one for IgM. Two AIHA patients that were negative for DAT-IgG and C3d were positive for C3d by flow cytometry. CONCLUSION: Flow cytometry is a consistent method for identifying the presence of IgG, IgM, IgA immune complexes and C3d attached to erythrocytes and can be helpful for understanding the mechanisms involved in AIHA pathogenesis.
Assuntos
Complexo Antígeno-Anticorpo/imunologia , Complemento C3d/imunologia , Eritrócitos/imunologia , Eritrócitos/metabolismo , Citometria de Fluxo/métodos , Imunoglobulina A/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Imunoglobulina M/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Anemia Hemolítica Autoimune/diagnóstico , Anemia Hemolítica Autoimune/imunologia , Complexo Antígeno-Anticorpo/metabolismo , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ligação Proteica/imunologia , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, is one of the most epidemiologically important vector-borne zoonoses in Mexico. Among the 32 reported triatomine species from Mexico, Meccus mazzottii (Usinger) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is one of the most important vectors of T. cruzi in the southern part of the country. Variability among populations of triatomines has been recorded for several species (Meccus longipennis (Usinger) and Meccus pallidipennis (Stal)) that are closely related to M. mazzottii, showing an apparent influence of local environmental conditions on the biology of each population, which could modify the impact of vector control measurements. Therefore, this study sought to compare the biological features of populations of M. mazzottii from two geographically far apart areas that have similar environmental characteristics and to compare populations from close geographical areas that have different environmental characteristics. The mean longevity, percentages of mortality of nymphs, the total mean number of bloodmeals to molt (considered instar by instar), the mean number of eggs laid by females, and the percentage of hatched eggs were similar between the two localities that are geographically far apart but have similar environmental characteristics. On the other hand, important differences were noticed when a comparison was carried out on the two localities with similar environmental conditions with respect to that locality with different conditions, independent of geographic distance. Most of the studied parameters led us to conclude that the three studied populations are very highly influenced by local environmental conditions. The results of this study indicate the importance of studying the biological characteristics of local populations of triatomines to carry out specific control measurements, instead of using standard ones that could fail if they are not adapted to the target population.
Assuntos
Meio Ambiente , Geografia , Reduviidae/fisiologia , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Animal , Animais , Feminino , Fertilidade , Insetos Vetores/fisiologia , Longevidade , México , Muda/fisiologia , Ninfa/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Oviposição , Reduviidae/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
The use of lignocellulosic residues for ethanol production is limited by toxic compounds in fermenting yeasts present in diluted acid hydrolysates like acetic acid and 2-furaldehyde. The respiratory deficient phenotype gives the cell the ability to resist several toxic compounds. So the aim of this work was to evaluate the tolerance to toxic compounds present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates like acetic acid and 2-furaldehyde in Pichia stipitis and its respiratory deficient strains. The respiratory deficient phenotype was induced by exposure to chemical agents such as acriflavine, acrylamide and rhodamine; 23 strains were obtained. The selection criterion was based on increasing specific ethanol yield (g ethanol g(-1) biomass) with acetic acid and furaldehyde tolerance. The screening showed that P. stipitis NRRL Y-7124 ACL 2-1RD (lacking cytochrome c), obtained using acrylamide, presented the highest specific ethanol production rate (1.82 g g(-1 )h(-1)). Meanwhile, the ACF8-3RD strain showed the highest acetic acid tolerance (7.80 g L(-1)) and the RHO2-3RD strain was able to tolerate up to 1.5 g L(-1) 2-furaldehyde with a growth and ethanol production inhibition of 23 and 22 %, respectively. The use of respiratory deficient yeast phenotype is a strategy for ethanol production improvement in a medium with toxic compounds such as hydrolysed sugarcane bagasse amongst others.
Assuntos
Ácido Acético/farmacologia , Furaldeído/farmacologia , Pichia/efeitos dos fármacos , Pichia/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Pichia/fisiologiaRESUMO
A revision of the bibliography, as well as an analysis on the data from the specimen labels of Scena propylea (Druce) (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Euchromiina) deposited in different scientific collections, was carried out and included information from 1894 to 2010. Its geographical distribution is restricted to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt which determines this species as endemic. Data are provided on the biogeography, ecology and biology for this species. Its food plant is Thenardia floribunda (Apocynaceae) which is also endemic to Mexico. From this analysis, we propose the inclusion of both species in the document known as the Norma Oficial Mexicana 059 which encompasses the environmental protection of wild flora and fauna species native to Mexico and their risk categories, as well as the specifications for their inclusion, exclusion or change and a list of all species at risk.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Lepidópteros , Animais , MéxicoRESUMO
It has been found that certain cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-ß1) are highly expressed locally in biopsies from patients with premalignant lesions and cervical cancer, and may induce a local immune-suppression state. In particular, IL-10 is highly expressed in tumor cells and its expression is directly proportional to the development of HPV-positive cervical cancer, suggesting an important role of HPV proteins in the expression of IL-10. In fact, we demonstrated that E6 and E7 HPV proteins regulate TGF-ß1 gene expression in cervical cancer cells. Here, we found by band shifting analysis that the HPV E2 protein binds to the regulatory region of the human IL-10 gene (-2054 nt) and induces high promoter activity in epithelial cells. Additionally, cervical cancer cells transfected to express the HPV E2 protein induce elevated levels of IL-10 mRNA in human papillomavirus-infected cells. The elevated expression of IL-10 may allow for virus persistency, the transformation of cervical epithelial cells, and consequently cancer development.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Interleucina-10/genética , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/genética , Sequência de Bases , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Ensaio de Desvio de Mobilidade Eletroforética , Feminino , Humanos , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Ativação Transcricional/genéticaRESUMO
The K1 peptide is a CD8(+)T cell HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope derived from the Trypanosoma cruzi KMP-11 protein. We have previously shown that this peptide induces IFN-gamma secretion by CD8(+)T cells. The aim of this study was to characterize the frequency of K1-specific CD8(+)T cells in chagasic patients. Nineteen HLA-A2(+)individuals were selected from 50 T. cruzi infected patients using flow cytometry and SSP-PCR assays. Twelve HLA-A*0201(+)noninfected donors were included as controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with HLA-A2-K1 tetramer, showing that 15 of 19 infected patients have K1-specific CD8(+)T cells (0.09-0.34% frequency) without differences in disease stages or severity. Of note, five of these responders were A*0205, A*0222, A*0226, A*0259 and A*0287 after molecular typing. Thus, a phenotypic and functional comparison of K1-specific CD8(+)T cells from non-HLA-A*0201 and HLA-A*0201(+)infected patients was performed. The results showed that both non-HLA-A*0201 and HLA-A*0201(+)individuals have a predominant effector memory CD8(+)T cell phenotype (CCR7-, CD62L-). Moreover, CD8(+)T cells from non-HLA-A*0201 and HLA-A*0201(+)individuals expressed IL-2, IFN-gamma and perforin without any differences. These findings support that K1 peptide is a promiscuous epitope presented by HLA-A2 supertype molecules and is highly recognized by chagasic patients.
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Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Doença de Chagas/imunologia , Epitopos de Linfócito T/imunologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/imunologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Alelos , Feminino , Genótipo , Antígeno HLA-A2/genética , Antígeno HLA-A2/imunologia , Humanos , Interferon gama/biossíntese , Interleucina-2/biossíntese , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Perforina/biossínteseRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Our aims were to examine the ability of the human papillomaviruse (HPV) 16 E2 protein to induce apoptosis in a murine HPV-transformed cell line, and to evaluate its antitumor properties on HPV-associated tumors in vivo in immunocompetent mice. METHODS: HPV-transformed murine BMK-16/myc cells and human SiHa cells were transfected with the HPV 16 E2 gene to examine the effects of the E2 protein on cell growth and on the E6 and E7 oncogenes as well as DNA fragmentation and activation of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Finally, to test the antitumor effect of the E2 protein on an experimental mouse tumor model, we generated a recombinant adenovirus expressing the E2 protein. RESULTS: The E2 protein inhibited the growth of SiHa and BMK-16/myc cell lines, and repressed the E6 and E7 oncogenes. Moreover, the E2 protein induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis through activation of caspases 8 and 3 in BMK-16/myc cells. On the other hand, E2 also showed antitumor effects in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that E2 exerts pro-apoptotic activity in a murine HPV-transformed cell line as well as an antitumor effect in vivo.
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Apoptose , Transformação Celular Viral , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Terapia Genética , Papillomavirus Humano 16/fisiologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/metabolismo , Adenoviridae/genética , Adenoviridae/metabolismo , Animais , Linhagem Celular Transformada , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Fragmentação do DNA , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/uso terapêutico , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/virologia , Feminino , Vetores Genéticos/genética , Vetores Genéticos/metabolismo , Papillomavirus Humano 16/genética , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Neoplasias/virologia , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/genética , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
The systemic immune response of Trichoplusia ni after Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) exposure was evaluated by comparing the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in Bt-susceptible and -resistant T. ni strains that were either exposed or not to XenTari (Bt-XT). AMP genes were detected by RT-PCR using primers for attacin, gloverin, lebocin, lysozyme, and peptidoglycan recognition peptide (PGRP). In general, AMP genes were detected more frequently in Mexican field strains previously exposed to Bt (SALX and GTOX) than in a Mexican laboratory strain (NL), but expression was similar to the AMP expression in USA laboratory strains (US and USX). Among the AMPs, transcripts for lebocin were the least detected (11.7%) and those for lysozyme were the most detected (84.8%) in all samples. Lebocin was detected only in 2nd instar and pupa. All untreated controls expressed attacin. Attacin and gloverin were not detected in any midgut sample, and their highest detection was in pupa. Lysozyme was rarely detected in 2nd instar larvae from any strain or treatment but was detected in almost all midgut and hemolymph samples. Overall, AMPs were found more in T. ni strains previously exposed to Bt-XT, especially lebocin and globerin (1.8-fold increase) and PGRP (3.8-fold increase). The data suggest that the expression of AMPs in T. ni correlates to previous Bt exposure.