Association of leptin receptor expression in placenta and peripheral blood mononuclear cell with maternal weight in birth outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The pregnancy period represents the most intense period of growth and development. Pre-pregnancy weight influences weight gain during pregnancy. Leptin is a hormone mainly derived from white adipose tissue, during pregnancy leptin is also produced by the placenta. It has been suggested that the effects of placental leptin on the mother may contribute to endocrine-mediated alterations in energy balance; a dysregulation in leptin levels or its receptors may lead to poor birth outcomes. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to analyze the differences in birth outcomes by maternal weight with the expression level of leptin receptor in maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and placental tissue. METHODS: Women with full-term gestation and its offspring were enrolled. Total RNA from maternal PBMC and placenta was obtained to perform the analysis of expression of the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene trough real-time PCR technique. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney u test when applicable. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between continuous variables (Stata v.13); p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between LEPR expression level and the BMI studied groups in maternal PBMC and placental tissue. Interaction between gestational weight gain (GWG) and LEPR in maternal PBMC explain in a 32% the variability of the newborn weight. CONCLUSIONS: LEPR expression level in maternal PBMC correlates with newborn measurements independent from sex. GWG can affect fetal development by increasing fetal birth weight.

Histopathological changes in the liver and stomach of Didelphis virginiana (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) during natural infection with Gnathostoma turgidum (Nematoda: Gnathostomidae).

Gnathostoma turgidum is a nematode parasite that exploits the stomach of Virginian opossums, Didelphis virginiana, in Latin America. The opossum is the definitive host of G. turgidum in the wild. Intrahepatic growth and maturation of the parasite, subsequent migration to the stomach and spontaneous expulsion are common. However, the histopathological lesions caused by G. turgidum are poorly described. A better understanding of the life cycle of this parasite and the pathological changes in natural host-parasite interactions could help to clarify the progression of human infections caused by Gnathostoma binucleatum. The aim of this work was to study morphological changes in the liver and stomach of D. virginiana during natural infection and adult worm expulsion. Three opossums naturally infected with G. turgidum were captured from an endemic area of gnathostomosis. Three uninfected opossums captured from a non-endemic area were used as controls. The opossums were sacrificed at different stages of infection (March, May and December), and a histopathological study of their livers and stomachs was conducted. Injuries in livers were observed by histopathology - areas of necrosis and collagen septa were identified. Parasites caused nodules with necrosis on the periphery of lesions, and collagen fibres were also observed in stomachs. Collagen septa may be caused by antigenic remains of the parasite. Further immunological studies are necessary to verify that stimulation is caused by these factors.

Selected heavy metals and selenium in the blood of black sea turtle (Chelonia mydas agasiizzi) from Sonora, Mexico.

The concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Mn) and selenium (Se) was analyzed in blood collected from 12 black turtles (Chelonia mydas agasiizzi) captured in Canal del Infiernillo, Punta Chueca, Mexico. The most abundant metals were Zn (63.58 µg g(-1)) and Se (7.66 µg g(-1)), and Cd was the lower (0.99 µg g(-1)). The sequential concentrations of trace metals were Zn > Se > Cu > Mn > Ni > Cd. In conclusion, this information is important as a baseline when using blood as tissue analysis of heavy metals; however, these levels could represent recent exposure in foraging grounds of black turtles in the Sea of Cortez.

Non-typhi Salmonella serovars found in Mexican zoo animals.

The aim of the present study was to determine the bacteriological prevalence of subclinical non-typhi Salmonella infections in zoo animals and to determine the most frequently isolated serovars of the bacteria. A total of 267 samples were analyzed, including fecal samples from zoo animals and rodents, insects (Musca domestica and Periplaneta americana) and samples of the zoo animal's food. Salmonella was detected in 11.6% of the samples analyzed. Characterization of the isolates was performed with serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The following serovars were isolated: S. San Diego, S. Oranienburg, S. Weltevreden, S. Braenderup, S. Derby, S. 6,7, H:en x:- and S. 3,10, H:r:-. The isolates showed seven pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns with a Jaccard coefficient≥0.75 indicating a possible common origin. The prevalence of asymptomatic infections caused by Salmonella spp. in zoo animals was high. These findings demonstrate the diversity of Salmonella serovars in several captive wild animal species.

Trichomonas vaginalis: in vitro phagocytosis of lactobacilli, vaginal epithelial cells, leukocytes, and erythrocytes.

This paper explores the interaction of two strains of Trichomonas vaginalis, of high and low virulence, with the cell types present in the microenvironment of the parasite during human infections. With the use of transmission and scanning electron microscopy the sequence of internalization by T. vaginalis of Döderlein's lactobacilli, and of vaginal epithelial cells, leukocytes, and erythrocytes was documented. Furthermore, the degradation of ingested material by colocalization of acid phosphatase activity in phagocytic vacuoles was demonstrated. Phagocytosis of all cell types analyzed was found in both strains studied, although the highly virulent strain internalized target cells more rapidly than the less virulent one. Ultrastructural evidence indicated that phagocytosis takes place through two distinct mechanisms, only one involving the formation of a phagocytic stoma, characteristic of professional phagocytes. T. vaginalis phagocytosis may be both an efficient means of obtaining nutrients for the parasite and a significant factor in the pathogenesis of trichomonal infections of the human genitourinary tract.