Ubiquitin of Entamoeba histolytica induces antibody response in patients with invasive amoebiasis.

Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebic liver abscess (ALA) in humans. The injury of target cells by E. histolytica includes processes controlled by the ubiquitin Ehub. Previously, we found immunodominance of Ehub glycan moieties using immunized rabbits. In this work, we analysed dominance of antibodies to the glycoprotein Ehub in the sera from 52 patients with ALA. Controls were sera from 20 healthy people living in endemic areas with a high seroprevalence of antibodies to amoebas, and 20 patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) to rule out the cross-reaction of Ehub with autoantibodies induced by liver damage. Antigens were trophozoite extract, glycoprotein Ehub and the recombinant protein E. histolytica recombinant ubiquitin (rEhub). The sera from healthy volunteers and patients with AH do not have antibodies to glycoprotein Ehub. Surprisingly, only the antibodies from patients with ALA recognized the glycoprotein Ehub, and some sera gave a faint reaction with the recombinant protein, especially because evolutionarily, the ubiquitin is conserved between species. This is the first report demonstrating that antibodies to ubiquitin Ehub are induced exclusively in patients with invasive amoebiasis, and the antibody response is mainly to the glycoprotein, indicating glycans are immunodominant. Inhibitors of the Ehub glycans could be potential treatment for amoebiasis by selectively damaging trophozoites.

Effects of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on in vitro establishment, multiplication, and acclimatization phases of Coffea arabica seedlings.

The influence of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on net photosynthesis, transpiration, photosynthetic pigment concentration, and gene expression of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase small subunit (RBCS1), during in vitro establishment, in vitro multiplication and acclimatization phases of coffee seedlings were investigated. Untreated coffee plants were considered as control, whereas treated plants were exposed to a 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field of 2 mT of magnetic induction during 3 min. This magnetic field was generated by an electromagnet, connected to a wave generator. The results revealed that magnetically treated plants showed a significant increase in net photosynthesis (85.4% and 117.9%, in multiplication and acclimatization phases, respectively), and in photosynthetic pigment concentration (66.6% for establishment phase, 79.9% for multiplication phase, and 43.8% for acclimatization phase). They also showed a differential RBCS1 gene expression (approximately twofold) and a decrease of transpiration rates in regard to their control plants. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the application of 60 Hz magnetic field to in vitro coffee plants may improve the seedlings quality by modifying some photosynthetic physiological and molecular processes, increasing their vigor, and ensuring better plant development in later stages.

Magnetically Treated Water in Phaseolus vulgaris L.: An Alternative to Develop Organic Farming in Cuba.

Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean) significantly contributes to the human diet due to its protein, vitamin and mineral contents, making it one of the major edible plant species worldwide. Currently, the genetic resources conserved in germplasm banks in Cuba have experienced a loss of viability, which makes their propagation difficult. Magnetically treated water has been used to improve the response of seeds and plants of different species. However, there is little experimental evidence on the cultivation of the common bean irrigated with magnetically treated water or its positive effects on seed germination recovery and its effects on physiological, anatomical and morphological characteristics. This study aims to evaluate the growth and development of common bean with magnetically treated water as an alternative to rejuvenate the seeds for organic agriculture. A two-group experimental design was used: a group of plants irrigated with water without a magnetic field and a group of plants irrigated with water treated with a magnetic field at induction in the range of 100 to 150 mT. There was an increase of 25% in the percentage of germination; the stomatal anatomical structures behaved normally; and the stem length, vigor index, leaf area and seed weight increased by 35, 100, 109 and 16%, respectively. The concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b pigments and carbohydrates in the plants grown with magnetically treated water were also stimulated in relation to control plants with increments of 13, 21 and 26%, respectively. The technology employed in this study did not have negative effects on the plant nor did it affect the presence of structures or the net content of the assessed compounds. Its use in the cultivation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. might represent a viable alternative for the improvement of the plant in organic farming production.

Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba.

Plants are phytochemical hubs containing antioxidants, essential for normal plant functioning and adaptation to environmental cues and delivering beneficial properties for human health. Therefore, knowledge on the antioxidant potential of different plant species and their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties is of utmost importance. Exploring this scientific research field provides fundamental clues on (1) plant stress responses and their adaptive evolution to harsh environmental conditions and (2) (new) natural antioxidants with a functional versatility to prevent and treat human pathologies. These natural antioxidants can be valorized via plant-derived foods and products. Cuba contains an enormously rich plant biodiversity harboring a great antioxidant potential. Besides opening new avenues for the implementation of sustainable agroecological practices in crop production, it will also contribute to new strategies to preserve plant biodiversity and simultaneously improve nature management policies in Cuba. This review provides an overview on the beneficial properties of antioxidants for plant protection and human health and is directed to the valorization of these plant antioxidants, emphasizing the need for biodiversity conservation.

Tissue Damage, Temperature, and pH Induced by Different Electrode Arrays on Potato Pieces (Solanum tuberosum L.).

One of the most challenging problems of electrochemical therapy is the design and selection of suitable electrode array for cancer. The aim is to determine how two-dimensional spatial patterns of tissue damage, temperature, and pH induced in pieces of potato (Solanum tuberosum L., var. Mondial) depend on electrode array with circular, elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic shape. The results show the similarity between the shapes of spatial patterns of tissue damage and electric field intensity, which, like temperature and pH take the same shape of electrode array. The adequate selection of suitable electrodes array requires an integrated analysis that involves, in a unified way, relevant information about the electrochemical process, which is essential to perform more efficiently way the therapeutic planning and the personalized therapy for patients with a cancerous tumor.

Malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar / Pulmonary cystic adenomatoid malformation

Introducción: la malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar descrita por Bartholinuis en 1687 es una entidad poco frecuente, caracterizada por un sobrecrecimiento de bronquiolos principales terminales los cuales sustituyen a los alveolos, produciendo aumento de volumen del lóbulo afectado. Objetivo: mostrar los hallazgos necrópsicos de un caso de malformación adenomatoidea quística congénita pulmonar, utilizando la clasificación propuesta por Stocker y otros. Métodos: se realiza revisión de la literatura sobre la entidad y de la historia clínica de la gestante. Resultados: se trata de una gestante de 21 años que acude al Hospital Ginecobstétrico Docente de Guanabacoa en el mes de febrero del 2010 para interrupción de la gestación por presentar un ultrasonido que a las 24 sem mostró la presencia de quistes pulmonares, desplazamiento del mediastino, hidrotórax, ascitis y polihidramnios. Este proceder se realizó con éxito y se hizo el estudio anatomopatológico del feto. Conclusiones: se diagnosticó malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar tipo III en una edad gestacional temprana, una alteración pulmonar poco frecuente, que permitió la decisión informada para la interrupción de la gestación

Introduction: congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung described by Bartholinuis in 1687 is a rare entity characterized by an overgrowth of the main terminal bronchioles which replaced the alveoli, causing enlargement of the affected lobe. Objective: to show the autopsy findings of a case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, using the classification proposed by Stocker and others. Methods: literature review on organizational and medical records of pregnant women is conducted. Results: this is a twenty- one year- old pregnant woman who goes to the Gynecobstetric Teaching Hospital of Guanabacoa in February 2010 for termination of pregnancy since an ultrasound at 24 weeks showed the presence of lung cysts, mediastinal shift, hydrothorax, ascites, and polyhydramnios. This approach was successful and the pathology study of the fetus was performed. Conclusions: type III cystic adenomatoid lung malformation was diagnosed in early gestation, which is a rare lung disorder. This situation allowed informed decision for termination of pregnancy