The Role of Nicotinic Receptors on Ca2+ Signaling in Bovine Chromaffin Cells.

Chromaffin cells have been used as a physiological model to understand neurosecretion in mammals for many years. Nicotinic receptors located in the cells' membrane are stimulated by acetylcholine, and they participate in the exocytosis of chromaffin granules, releasing catecholamines in response to stress. In this work, we discuss how the participation of nicotinic receptors and the localization of active zones in the borders of the cytoskeleton can generate local calcium signals leading to secretion. We use a computational model of a cytoskeleton cage to simulate Ca2+ levels in response to voltage and acetylcholine pulses. We find that nicotinic receptors are able to enhance the differences between local and average calcium values, as well as the heterogeneous distributions around the active zones, producing a non-linear, highly localized Ca2+ entry that, although consisting of a few ions, is able to improve secretion responses in chromaffin cells. Our findings emphasize the intricate interplay among nicotinic receptors, the cytoskeleton, and active zones within chromaffin cells as an example of Ca2+-dependent neurosecretion in mammals.

Antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli strains in healthy pets from Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Antibiotic resistance constitutes a significant public health challenge, with diverse reservoirs of resistant bacteria playing pivotal roles in their dissemination. Among these reservoirs, pets are carrying antibiotic-resistant strains. The objective of this study was to assess the resistance profiles of Escherichia coli, and the prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli strains in dogs and cats from Tamaulipas, Mexico. A total of 300 stool samples (150 dogs and 150 cats) from healthy pets were subjected to analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and the identification of ESBLs were carried out by disc diffusion method. The presence of resistance genes, class 1, 2, and 3 integrons (intI1, intI2, and intI3) and phylogroups was determined by PCR analysis. The findings reveal that 42.6% (128/300) of the strains exhibited resistance to at least one of the eight antibiotics assessed, and 18.6% (56/300) demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR), that distributed across 69 distinct resistance patterns. Altogether 2.6% of E. coli strains (8/300) were confirmed as TEM and CTX-M type ESBL producers. These outcomes underscore the roles of dogs and cats in Tamaulipas as reservoirs for the dissemination of MDR and/or ESBL strains. The results underscore the necessity for conducting prevalence studies on ESBL-producing E. coli, forming a foundation for comprehending the present scenario and formulating strategies for the control and mitigation of this issue.

Endoparasitism and risk factors in horses from ethnic communities in Andean areas of southern Chile.

Parasitic infections are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in horses worldwide. In the Andean mountainous regions of Chile, horses are a highly valued specie, playing a key role as working animals also providing support in cattle transhumance grazing into high mountainous areas during dry season. The breeding and maintenance of horses in the mountainous region of La Araucanía in Chile is a key issue allowing to the subsistence economy of communities with a strong ethnic component represented by Mapuche-Pehuenche origin families. However, the health status of these animals is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine endoparasitic infections in horses from this area and the main factors that may influence parasitism. Thus, a cross-sectional study performed in 126 working horses from Andean region was achieved by using different coproparasitologycal analyses, resulting in a 97,6% of prevalence of endoparasitism with the strongyle eggs showing the highest prevalence of infection in analysed horses (96%) followed by Oxyuris equi (27%), Parascaris equorum (17,5%) and protozoans including ciliates (11,1%), Blastocystis spp (5,6%), Giardia spp (2,4%) and Cryptosporidium spp (1,6%) highlighting zoonotic relevance of some of these species. Concerning risk factors, the high prevalence suggests that exposure was high regardless of age or sex. The higher proportion of infected horses were grazing compared to those stabled, likewise drinking non-potable water, being these the main risks factors linked to the high prevalence of horse infections in Andean communities here studied.

Impact of different levels of handling on Solea senegalensis culture: effects on growth and molecular markers of stress.

Aquaculture routine practices may cause stress induction on the fish and compromise their welfare affecting the production. This experiment aimed to evaluate the potential links between handling during culture with stress responses and growth on Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). We worked with two fish cohorts in terms of initial body weight and culture stage: Trial 1 included specimens in the fattening stage (226 ± 4.96 g) and Trial 2 animals in the pre-fattening stage (27.20 ± 0.44 g). The tested culture protocol, which lasted 6 and 4 months for Trial 1 and 2, respectively, mainly reduced handling-derived stressors in the experimental tanks via lowering routine samplings to a minimum. This decrease of the handling-derived stress was reflected in both trials with lower concentration of circulating cortisol in blood plasma from the experimental fish when compared to controls. Moreover, the proposed protocol promoted higher growth in the fish cultured in the less disturbing protocol in Trial 2. Higher specific growth rates and mean body weight and length were reported. In order to further explore the potential beneficial effects of our protocol, we studied the musculoskeletal from Trial 2 gene expression of key genes regulating glucocorticoid signaling pathway and apoptosis: glucocorticoid receptors 1 and 2 (gr1, gr2), heat shock protein 90 AA (hsp90aa), and caspase 6 (casp6). In line with the cortisol reduced level in this trial, gr1, hsp90aa, and casp6 genes showed lower expression in the samples coming from the experimental group. The findings of this study provide valuable information to the aquaculture industry for the management of Solea senegalensis stress and welfare.

Vesicle Fusion as a Target Process for the Action of Sphingosine and Its Derived Drugs.

The fusion of membranes is a central part of the physiological processes involving the intracellular transport and maturation of vesicles and the final release of their contents, such as neurotransmitters and hormones, by exocytosis. Traditionally, in this process, proteins, such SNAREs have been considered the essential components of the fusion molecular machinery, while lipids have been seen as merely structural elements. Nevertheless, sphingosine, an intracellular signalling lipid, greatly increases the release of neurotransmitters in neuronal and neuroendocrine cells, affecting the exocytotic fusion mode through the direct interaction with SNAREs. Moreover, recent studies suggest that FTY-720 (Fingolimod), a sphingosine structural analogue used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, simulates sphingosine in the promotion of exocytosis. Furthermore, this drug also induces the intracellular fusion of organelles such as dense vesicles and mitochondria causing cell death in neuroendocrine cells. Therefore, the effect of sphingosine and synthetic derivatives on the heterologous and homologous fusion of organelles can be considered as a new mechanism of action of sphingolipids influencing important physiological processes, which could underlie therapeutic uses of sphingosine derived lipids in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and cancers of neuronal origin such neuroblastoma.

α3ß4 Acetylcholine Nicotinic Receptors Are Components of the Secretory Machinery Clusters in Chromaffin Cells.

The heteromeric assembly of α3 and ß4 subunits of acetylcholine nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) seems to mediate the secretory response in bovine chromaffin cells. However, there is no information about the localization of these nAChRs in relationship with the secretory active zones in this cellular model. The present work presents the first evidence that, in fact, a population of these receptors is associated through the F-actin cytoskeleton with exocytotic machinery components, as detected by SNAP-25 labeling. Furthermore, we also prove that, upon stimulation, the probability to find α3ß4 nAChRs very close to exocytotic events increases with randomized distributions, thus substantiating the clear dynamic behavior of these receptors during the secretory process. Modeling on secretory dynamics and secretory component distributions supports the idea that α3ß4 nAChR cluster mobility could help with improving the efficiency of the secretory response of chromaffin cells. Our study is limited by the use of conventional confocal microscopy; in this sense, a strengthening to our conclusions could come from the use of super-resolution microscopy techniques in the near future.

Development of the hypersecretory phenotype in the population of adrenal chromaffin cells from prehypertensive SHRs.

The hypersecretory phenotype of adrenal chromaffin cells (CCs) from early spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) mainly results from enhanced Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR). A key question is if these abnormalities can be traced to the prehypertensive stage. Spontaneous and stimulus-induced catecholamine exocytosis, intracellular Ca2+ signals, and dense-core granule size and density were examined in CCs from prehypertensive and hypertensive SHRs and compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). During the prehypertensive stage, the depolarization-elicited catecholamine exocytosis was ~ 2.9-fold greater in SHR than in WKY CCs. Interestingly, in half of CCs the exocytosis was indistinguishable from WKY CCs, while it was between 3- and sixfold larger in the other half. Likewise, caffeine-induced exocytosis was ~ twofold larger in prehypertensive SHR. Accordingly, depolarization and caffeine application elicited [Ca2+]i rises ~ 1.5-fold larger in prehypertensive SHR than in WKY CCs. Ryanodine reduced the depolarization-induced secretion in prehypertensive SHR by 57%, compared to 14% in WKY CCs, suggesting a greater contribution of intracellular Ca2+ release to exocytosis. In SHR CCs, the mean spike amplitude and charge per spike were significantly larger than in WKY CCs, regardless of age and stimulus type. This difference in granule content could explain in part the enhanced exocytosis in SHR CCs. However, electron microscopy did not reveal significant differences in granule size between SHRs and WKY rats' adrenal medulla. Nonetheless, preSHR and hypSHR display 63% and 82% more granules than WKY, which could explain in part the enhanced catecholamine secretion. The mechanism responsible for the heterogeneous population of prehypertensive SHR CCs and the bias towards secreting more medium and large granules remains unexplained.

Reconstruction of the absorption spectrum of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 optical mutants from the in vivo signature of individual pigments.

In this work, we reconstructed the absorption spectrum of different Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 optical strains by summing the computed signature of all pigments present in this organism. To do so, modifications to in vitro pigment spectra were first required: namely wavelength shift, curve smoothing, and the package effect calculation derived from high pigment densities were applied. As a result, we outlined a plausible shape for the in vivo absorption spectrum of each chromophore. These are flatter and slightly broader in physiological conditions yet the mean weight-specific absorption coefficient remains identical to the in vitro conditions. Moreover, we give an estimate of all pigment concentrations without applying spectrophotometric correlations, which are often prone to error. The computed cell spectrum reproduces in an accurate manner the experimental spectrum for all the studied wavelengths in the wild-type, Olive, and PAL strain. The gathered pigment concentrations are in agreement with reported values in literature. Moreover, different illumination set-ups were evaluated to calculate the mean absorption cross-section of each chromophore. Finally, a qualitative estimate of light-limited cellular growth at each wavelength is given. This investigation describes a novel way to approach the cell absorption spectrum and shows all its inherent potential for photosynthesis research.

Development of a New Negative Obstacle Sensor for Augmented Electric Wheelchair.

Due to pathologies or age-related problems, in some disabled people, motor impairment is associated with cognitive and/or visual impairments. This combination of limitations unfortunately leads to an inability to move around independently. Indeed, their situation does not allow them to use a conventional electric wheelchair, for safety reasons, and for the moment there is no other technological solution providing safe movement capacity. This lack of access to an autonomous travel solution has the consequence of weakening the intellectual, personal, social, cultural and moral development, as well as the life expectancy, of the people concerned. In this context, our team is working on the development of an optoelectronic system that secures the displacement of electric wheelchairs. This is a large project that requires the development of several functionalities such as: the anti-collision of the wheelchair with its environment, the prevention of falls from the wheelchair on uneven levels, and the adaptation of the system mechanically and electronically to the majority of commercially available electric wheelchair models, among others. In this article, we introduce our solution for detecting dangerous height differences, also called "negative obstacles", through the creation of a dedicated sensor. This sensor works by optical triangulation and can embed several laser beams in order to extend its detection zone. It has the particularity of being robust in direct sunlight and rain and has a sufficiently high measurement rate to be suitable for the displacement of electric wheelchairs. We develop an adapted algorithm, and point out compromises, in particular between the orientation of the laser beams and the maximal speed of the wheelchair.

In vitro anti-erosive property of a mint containing bioactive ingredients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vitro protective effect of a mint formulation containing (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg-mint) on root dentin exposed to a highly erosive environment in the presence and absence of proteolytic challenge. METHODS: Root dentin specimens were subjected to an erosion-remineralization cycling model (6×/day; 5 days) that included 5-minute immersion in 1% citric acid and 60-minute immersion in remineralization solution (RS). At the remineralization half-time, the specimens were treated (n= 20) with EGCg-mint, RS (negative control) or sodium fluoride (1,000 ppm of NaF; positive control). Half of the specimens were kept overnight in RS (pH cycling) and the other half in RS with Clostridium histolyticum collagenase (pH-proteolytic cycling). Erosion depth was measured using optical profilometry and data analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α= 0.05). RESULTS: Under pH-cycling, NaF resulted in statistically lower erosion depth compared to EGCg-mint (P= 0.020) and RS (P= 0.005). Under pH-proteolytic cycling, EGCg-mint and NaF significantly decreased the tissue loss (erosion depth, P< 0.001) compared to the RS. The EGCg-mint exhibited an anti-erosion property on root dentin under a proteolytic challenge. NaF presented an anti-erosion property regardless of the erosive cycling model. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The anti-erosive action of an over-the-counter mint, containing active ingredients, including epigallocatechin-3-gallate, is likely by the protective mechanisms of the dentin extracellular matrix.

Protein translation associated to PERK arm is a new target for regulation of metainflammation: A connection with hepatocyte cholesterol.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress is a cellular phenomenon that has been associated with metabolic disorders, contributing to the development of obesity, fatty liver disease, and dyslipidemias. Under metabolic overload conditions, in cells with a high protein-secretory activity, such as hepatocytes and Langerhans ß cells, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is critical in to maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis). UPR integrated by a tripartite signaling system, through activating transcription factor 6, protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and inositol-requiring enzyme 1, regulates gene transcription and translation to resolve stress and conserve proteostasis. In the current study, we demonstrated in hepatocytes under metabolic overload by saturated palmitic and stearic fatty acids, through activation of PERK signaling and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) transcription factor, an association with the expression of cyclooxygenase 2. More important, isolated exosomes from supernatants of macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharides can also induce a metainflammation phenomenon, and when treated on hepatocytes, induced a rearrangement in cholesterol metabolism through sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein A-I, and ABCA1. Moreover, we demonstrate the cellular effect of terpene-derived molecules, such as cryptotanshinone, isolated of plant Salvia brandegeei, regulating metainflammatory conditions through PERK pathway in both hepatocytes and ß cells. Our data suggest the presence of a modulatory mechanism on specific protein translation process. This effect could be mediated by eukaryotic initiation factor-4A, evaluating salubrinal as a control molecule. Likewise, the protective mechanisms of unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and palmitoleic acid were confirmed. Therefore, modulation of metainflammation suggests a new target through PERK signaling in cells with a high secretory activity, and possibly the regulation of cholesterol in hepatocytes is promoted via exosomes.

Prognostic value of a new semiquantitative score system for adenosine stress myocardial perfusion by CMR.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides information on myocardial ischemia through stress perfusion studies. In clinical practice, the grading of induced perfusion defects is performed by visual estimation of their extension. The aim of our study is to devise a score of the degree of ischemia and to test its prognostic value. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2011, patients with diagnosed or suspected coronary artery disease underwent stress perfusion CMR. A score of ischemic burden was calculated on the basis of (1) stress-induced perfusion defect, (2) persistence, (3) transmurality, and (4) stress-induced contractile defect. Follow-up was censored after 4 years and primary end-point was defined by a composite of death, heart failure episode, acute coronary syndrome, and ventricular arrhythmias. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the strength of the association between the CMR ischemic variables, and the composite outcome. RESULTS: Forty-four of the 128 patients (34%) presented with adverse events, while 84 (66%) did not. Sixty-one patients (48%) had negative perfusion studies while 67 (52%) showed perfusion defect. Patients with positive perfusion studies and adverse events (n = 39) had higher number of segments with persistent defect (3.3 vs 1.3, p = 0.001) and highest score (19.6 vs 13.3 p = 0.012) than patients with positive perfusion studies and absence of events (n = 28). The number of segments with persistent defect showed the strongest predictive value of adverse events (OR 1.54; CI 1.19-2.00; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The score of ischemic burden proposed herein has prognostic value. Persistence of a perfusion defect has the strongest impact on prognosis. KEY POINTS: • Cardiovascular magnetic resonance provides information on myocardial ischemia by visual estimation of the presence of perfusion defects induced by stress. • There is not a standardized method for grading perfusion defects which, in practice, is performed by visual estimation of their extension. • As proven in this study, the integration of several parameters of perfusion defects (in addition to extension) into a semiquantitative score has prognostic value.

A PCR-RFLP assay for discrimination of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto and Taenia spp. in dogs stool.

In order to develop a method of identification and discrimination of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto from faecal samples of dogs infected with taeniid eggs (Echinococcus spp., Taenia spp.), a combined strategy of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragments of Lenght Polymorphisms (RFLP) was proposed. Initially, a pair of primers was designed to amplify a fragment of the 12 Subunit of ribosomal RNA gene (12SrRNA) from mitochondrial DNA. The amplified product was digested by SspI restriction enzyme, which in E. granulosus kept the intact fragment of 160 basis pairs (bp), while in Taenia spp. produced two fragments (62 bp and another of 98 bp). The method was tested using positive controls of DNA, in faecal samples experimentally contaminated with eggs of E. granulosus and Taenia spp. and in dogs naturally infected. In all of them, reproducible results were obtained and the primers were specific to amplify only Taeniidae DNA. The sensitivity of the technique was tested, achieving amplification of DNA extractions with a single egg. In conclusion, the technique developed was optimal and easy to identify patent infections by E. granulosus s.s., constituting a possible alternative for epidemiological studies in dogs, especially in endemic areas where this infection occurs.

The role of F-actin in the transport and secretion of chromaffin granules: an historic perspective.

Actin is one of the most ubiquitous protein playing fundamental roles in a variety of cellular processes. Since early in the 1980s, it was evident that filamentous actin (F-actin) formed a peripheral cortical barrier that prevented vesicles to access secretory sites in chromaffin cells in culture. Later, around 2000, it was described that the F-actin structure accomplishes a dual role serving both vesicle transport and retentive purposes and undergoing dynamic transient changes during cell stimulation. The complex role of the F-actin cytoskeleton in neuroendocrine secretion was further evidenced when it has been proved to participate in the scaffold structure holding together the secretory machinery at active sites and participate in the generation of mechanical forces that drive the opening of the fusion pore, during the first decade of the present century. The complex vision of the multiple roles of F-actin in secretion we have acquired to date comes largely from studies performed on traditional 2D cultures of primary cells; however, recent evidences suggest that these may not accurately mimic the 3D in vivo environment, and thus, more work is now needed on adrenomedullary cells kept in a more "native" configuration to fully understand the role of F-actin in regulating chromaffin granule transport and secretion under physiological conditions.

DNA extraction in Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp. eggs in dogs stool samples applying thermal shock.

The extraction of DNA in taeniid eggs shows complications attached to the composition of stool samples and the high resistance of eggs to degradation. The objective of this study was to test a method of DNA extraction in taeniid eggs by applying a thermal shock to facilitate the chemical-enzymatic degradation of these elements. A group of six tubes containing 1 ml of dog stool sample was spiked with eggs of Echinococcus granulosus and another group of six with Taenia pisiformis. Samples were floated with supersaturated sugar solution and centrifuged. The upper portion of each tube (500 µl) was aspirated and deposited in 1.5 ml tubes. Three tubes from each group were incubated at -20 °C and then at 90 °C, the remaining three from each group, incubated at room temperature. Proteinase K and lysis buffer were added to each tube and incubated for 12 h at 58 °C. The lysis effect was evaluated by microscopy at 3, 6 and 12 h and integrity by electrophoresis in 1% agarose gels. With the same experimental scheme, the thermal shock effect was evaluated in extractions of 1, 2, 3 and 4 eggs of each species and the DNA was quantified. Additionally, the protocol was applied in samples of 4 dogs diagnosed with natural infection by Taeniidae worms. Finally, all the extractions were tested by PCR amplification. Both E. granulosus and T. pisiformis eggs showed a similar response in the tests. In samples without treatment, the lysis effect was poor and showed no differences over time, but in those subjected to thermal shock, eggs degradation increased with time. In both treatments, there was no DNA loss integrity. The protocol applied to limited amounts of eggs yielded PCR products in 100% of the samples exposed to thermal shock, allowing PCR amplifications up to 1 egg. In non-exposed samples, the results were not replicable. However, DNA quantification showed low values in both treatments. In turn, DNA extractions with thermal shock in infected dog samples finally yielded PCR amplifications in 100%. It was concluded that thermal shock facilitates the DNA extraction for molecular analysis in taeniid eggs. The technique is effective extracting DNA even from a single egg and also to analyze natural infections samples with a relatively simple implementation.

Ceramide Metabolism Balance, a Multifaceted Factor in Critical Steps of Breast Cancer Development.

Ceramides are key lipids in energetic-metabolic pathways and signaling cascades, modulating critical physiological functions in cells. While synthesis of ceramides is performed in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is altered under overnutrition conditions, proteins associated with ceramide metabolism are located on membrane arrangement of mitochondria and ER (MAMs). However, ceramide accumulation in meta-inflammation, condition that associates obesity with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, favors the deregulation of pathways such as insulin signaling, and induces structural rearrangements on mitochondrial membrane, modifying its permeability and altering the flux of ions and other molecules. Considering the wide biological processes in which sphingolipids are implicated, they have been associated with diseases that present abnormalities in their energetic metabolism, such as breast cancer. In this sense, sphingolipids could modulate various cell features, such as growth, proliferation, survival, senescence, and apoptosis in cancer progression; moreover, ceramide metabolism is associated to chemotherapy resistance, and regulation of metastasis. Cell⁻cell communication mediated by exosomes and lipoproteins has become relevant in the transport of several sphingolipids. Therefore, in this work we performed a comprehensive analysis of the state of the art about the multifaceted roles of ceramides, specifically the deregulation of ceramide metabolism pathways, being a key factor that could modulate neoplastic processes development. Under specific conditions, sphingolipids perform important functions in several cellular processes, and depending on the preponderant species and cellular and/or tissue status can inhibit or promote the development of metabolic and potentially breast cancer disease.

Glioblastoma: does the pre-treatment geometry matter? A postcontrast T1 MRI-based study.

BACKGROUND: The potential of a tumour's volumetric measures obtained from pretreatment MRI sequences of glioblastoma (GBM) patients as predictors of clinical outcome has been controversial. Mathematical models of GBM growth have suggested a relation between a tumour's geometry and its aggressiveness. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective clinical study was designed to study volumetric and geometrical measures on pretreatment postcontrast T1 MRIs of 117 GBM patients. Clinical variables were collected, tumours segmented, and measures computed including: contrast enhancing (CE), necrotic, and total volumes; maximal tumour diameter; equivalent spherical CE width and several geometric measures of the CE "rim". The significance of the measures was studied using proportional hazards analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier and univariate Cox survival analysis showed that total volume [p = 0.034, Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.574], CE volume (p = 0.017, HR = 1.659), spherical rim width (p = 0.007, HR = 1.749), and geometric heterogeneity (p = 0.015, HR = 1.646) were significant parameters in terms of overall survival (OS). Multivariable Cox analysis for OS provided the later two parameters as age-adjusted predictors of OS (p = 0.043, HR = 1.536 and p = 0.032, HR = 1.570, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with tumours having small geometric heterogeneity and/or spherical rim widths had significantly better prognosis. These novel imaging biomarkers have a strong individual and combined prognostic value for GBM patients. KEY POINTS: • Three-dimensional segmentation on magnetic resonance images allows the study of geometric measures. • Patients with small width of contrast enhancing areas have better prognosis. • The irregularity of contrast enhancing areas predicts survival in glioblastoma patients.

Antifungal activity of caspofungin in experimental infective endocarditis caused by Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is a disease characterised by heart valve lesions, which exhibit extracellular matrix proteins that act as a physical barrier to prevent the passage of antimicrobial agents. The genus Candida has acquired clinical importance given that it is increasingly being isolated from cases of nosocomial infections. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the activity of caspofungin compared to that of liposomal amphotericin B against Candida albicans in experimental infective endocarditis. METHODS: Wistar rats underwent surgical intervention and infection with strains of C. albicans to develop infective endocarditis. Three groups were formed: the first group was treated with caspofungin, the second with liposomal amphotericin B, and the third received a placebo. In vitro sensitivity was first determined to further evaluate the effect of these treatments on a rat experimental model of endocarditis by semiquantitative culture of fibrinous vegetations and histological analysis. FINDINGS: Our semiquantitative culture of growing vegetation showed massive C. albicans colonisation in rats without treatment, whereas rats treated with caspofungin showed significantly reduced colonisation, which was similar to the results obtained with liposomal amphotericin B. CONCLUSIONS: The antifungal activity of caspofungin is similar to that of liposomal amphotericin B in an experimental model of infective endocarditis caused by C. albicans.

F-actin cytoskeleton and the fate of organelles in chromaffin cells.

In addition to playing a fundamental structural role, the F-actin cytoskeleton in neuroendocrine chromaffin cells has a prominent influence on governing the molecular mechanism and regulating the secretory process. Performing such roles, the F-actin network might be essential to first transport, and later locate the cellular organelles participating in the secretory cycle. Chromaffin granules are transported from the internal cytosolic regions to the cell periphery along microtubular and F-actin structures. Once in the cortical region, they are embedded in the F-actin network where these vesicles experience restrictions in motility. Similarly, mitochondria transport is affected by both microtubule and F-actin inhibitors and suffers increasing motion restrictions when they are located in the cortical region. Therefore, the F-actin cortex is a key factor in defining the existence of two populations of cortical and perinuclear granules and mitochondria which could be distinguished by their different location and mobility. Interestingly, other important organelles for controlling intracellular calcium levels, such as the endoplasmic reticulum network, present clear differences in distribution and much lower mobility than chromaffin vesicles and mitochondria. Nevertheless, both mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum appear to distribute in the proximity of secretory sites to fulfill a pivotal role, forming triads with calcium channels ensuring the fine tuning of the secretory response. This review presents the contributions that provide the basis for our current view regarding the influence that F-actin has on the distribution of organelles participating in the release of catecholamines in chromaffin cells, and summarizes this knowledge in simple models. In chromaffin cells, organelles such as granules and mitochondria distribute forming cortical and perinuclear populations whereas others like the ER present homogenous distributions. In the present review we discuss the role of transport systems and the existence of an F-actin cortical structure as the main factors behind the formation of organelle subpopulations in this neuroendocrine cell model. This article is part of a mini review series on Chromaffin cells (ISCCB Meeting, 2015). Cover image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13322.

The position of mitochondria and ER in relation to that of the secretory sites in chromaffin cells.

Knowledge of the distribution of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in relation to the position of exocytotic sites is relevant to understanding the influence of these organelles in tuning Ca(2+) signals and secretion. Confocal images of probes tagged to mitochondria and the F-actin cytoskeleton revealed the existence of two populations of mitochondria, one that was cortical and one that was perinuclear. This mitochondrial distribution was also confirmed by using electron microscopy. In contrast, ER was sparse in the cortex and more abundant in deep cytoplasmic regions. The mitochondrial distribution might be due to organellar transport, which experiences increasing restrictions in the cell cortex. Further study of organelle distribution in relation to the position of SNARE microdomains and the granule fusion sites revealed that a third of the cortical mitochondria colocalized with exocytotic sites and another third located at a distance closer than two vesicle diameters. ER structures were also present in the vicinity of secretory sites but at a lower density. Therefore, mitochondria and ER have a spatial distribution that suggests a specialized role in modulation of exocytosis that fits with the role of cytosolic Ca(2+) microdomains described previously.