Impacts of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone development, and intestinal gene expression of broilers fed a nutrient reduced diet.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, bone ash, bone 3-D microstructure, nutrient digestibility, and gene expression of intestinal biomarkers in broilers fed a regular or nutrient-reduced diet. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate. Two main factors were coccidial vaccine and dietary treatments. The dietary treatments included: 1) a positive control (PC; normal nutrient levels); 2) a negative control (NC; with a reduction of 0.15% of Ca and avP and 5% of essential amino acid (EAA) and crude protein relative to PC); 3) NC + 500 FTU/kg of phytase; and 4) NC + 1,500 FTU/kg of phytase. No interaction effect of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, bone ash, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was observed. For the main effect, birds fed the NC diet showed lower (P = 0.007) BWG during d 0 to 21 compared to PC birds, whereas supplementing 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg phytase increased BWG to the similar level to the PC. During d 0 to 21, vaccinated birds had a lower (P < 0.001) FI and better (P = 0.045) FCR compared to unvaccinated birds. Birds fed the NC diet resulted a decrease in tibia fat-free dry bone weight (P = 0.012), ash weight (P = 0.005), ash percentage (P < 0.001), and ash concentration (P = 0.019) compared to the PC group at d 21, whereas supplementing phytase at 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg in NC diet was able to improve these bone parameters to the similar level to the PC; however, vaccination did not have any effect on bone ash. Similarly, birds fed with the NC diet showed had significant lower bone microstructure levels including bone volume, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content (P < 0.001), and supplementing phytase at 1,500 FTU/kg improved these parameters. Vaccination improved AID of nitrogen (P < 0.001). Birds from the NC and both phytase supplementation groups had a higher (P = 0.001) AID of Ca compared to the PC. Supplementing phytase at 500 FTU/kg or 1,500 FTU/kg improved (P < 0.001) AID of P compared to the NC. Additionally, the NC had a lower AID of DM than the PC, whereas supplementing phytase at 500 FTU/kg or 1,500 FTU/kg improved DM digestibility (P = 0.0299). In conclusion, supplementation of phytase at 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg improved growth performance, bone mineralization, and nutrient digestibility regardless of vaccination, with a more pronounced effect when supplementing phytase at 1,500 FTU/kg.

Immune-Mediated Diseases from the Point of View of Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology.

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) represent a large group of diseases (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis) evidenced by systemic inflammation and multiorgan involvement. IMIDs result in a reduced quality of life and an economic burden for individuals, health care systems, and countries. In this brief descriptive review, we will focus on some of the common biological pathways of these diseases from the point of view of psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (PNIE). PNIE consists of four medical disciplines (psychology, nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system), which are key drivers behind the health-disease concept that a human being functions as a unit. We examine these drivers and emphasize the need for integrative treatments that addresses the disease from a psychosomatic point of view.

Biological Role of Nutrients, Food and Dietary Patterns in the Prevention and Clinical Management of Major Depressive Disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a growing disabling condition affecting around 280 million people worldwide. This complex entity is the result of the interplay between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, and compelling evidence suggests that MDD can be considered a disease that occurs as a consequence of an evolutionary mismatch and unhealthy lifestyle habits. In this context, diet is one of the core pillars of health, influencing multiple biological processes in the brain and the entire body. It seems that there is a bidirectional relationship between MDD and malnutrition, and depressed individuals often lack certain critical nutrients along with an aberrant dietary pattern. Thus, dietary interventions are one of the most promising tools to explore in the field of MDD, as there are a specific group of nutrients (i.e., omega 3, vitamins, polyphenols, and caffeine), foods (fish, nuts, seeds fruits, vegetables, coffee/tea, and fermented products) or dietary supplements (such as S-adenosylmethionine, acetyl carnitine, creatine, amino acids, etc.), which are being currently studied. Likewise, the entire nutritional context and the dietary pattern seem to be another potential area of study, and some strategies such as the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated some relevant benefits in patients with MDD; although, further efforts are still needed. In the present work, we will explore the state-of-the-art diet in the prevention and clinical support of MDD, focusing on the biological properties of its main nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns and their possible implications for these patients.

A General Overview on the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) consists of using of pure oxygen at increased pressure (in general, 2-3 atmospheres) leading to augmented oxygen levels in the blood (Hyperoxemia) and tissue (Hyperoxia). The increased pressure and oxygen bioavailability might be related to a plethora of applications, particularly in hypoxic regions, also exerting antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and angiogenic properties, among others. In this review, we will discuss in detail the physiological relevance of oxygen and the therapeutical basis of HBOT, collecting current indications and underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, potential areas of research will also be examined, including inflammatory and systemic maladies, COVID-19 and cancer. Finally, the adverse effects and contraindications associated with this therapy and future directions of research will be considered. Overall, we encourage further research in this field to extend the possible uses of this procedure. The inclusion of HBOT in future clinical research could be an additional support in the clinical management of multiple pathologies.

Chemistry characterization and antioxidant activity of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L, Clusiaceae) cultivated in Colombia / Caracterización química y actividad antioxidante del mangostino (Garcinia mangostana L, Clusiaceae) cultivado en Colombia

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and inhibitory activities of the ethanolic extracts of the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) grown in Montenegro, Quindío, Colombia, in three stages of maturation, including the edible (pulp) and inedible parts (pericarp and peduncle). The alcoholic samples were phytochemically characterized by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and by Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); the antioxidant capacities were also evaluated by the diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical method and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), in addition to the inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and the total content of phenols and flavonoids. The tests detected phytochemical compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, quinones and xanthones, to which the antioxidant activity and the inhibition of AChE presented, can be attributed. In conclusion, the inedible parts of mangosteen contain higher proportions of secondary metabolites, these being the most promising sources for industrial use.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue el de evaluar las actividades antioxidantes e inhibitoria de acetilcolinesterasa de los extractos etanólicos del mangostino (Garcinia mangostana L.) de Montenegro, Quíndio, Colombia, en tres estados de maduración, incluyendo las partes comestibles (pulpa) y no comestibles (pericarpio y pedúnculo). Las muestras alcohólicas fueron caracterizadas fitoquímicamente por Cromatografía de Capa Delgada (CCD), Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Eficiencia (HPLC) y Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier (FT-IR); la capacidad antioxidante fue evaluada también por el método de captación del radical libre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracilo (DPPH• dejar el radical en superíndice) y la Capacidad de Absorción de Radicales de Oxígeno (ORAC), adicionalmente la actividad inhibitoria de la acetilcolinesterasa (AchE) y el contenido total de fenoles y flavonoides. Se detectaron compuestos fitoquímicos como fenoles, flavonoides, alcaloides, quinonas y xantonas, a quienes se les puede atribuir las actividades antioxidantes y de inhibición de la acetilcolinesterasa. En conclusión, las partes no comestibles del mangostino contienen una mayor proporción de metabolitos secundarios, siendo las fuentes más promisorias para uso industrial.

Analysis of Visuospatial Abilities in Chiari Malformation Type I.

The involvement of the cerebellum in visuospatial abilities has been evidenced in numerous studies, based on the cerebellar-cortical circuitry. This domain has been evaluated in several patients with cerebellar disorders, but the assessment of visuospatial processing in Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is scarce. The aim of this study is to analyze the visuospatial performance between CM-I adult patients and healthy controls. Participants have been tested using Block Design and Visual Puzzles subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Benton Judgment of Line Orientation test, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test. The anxious-depressive symptomatology, the physical pain, and the premorbid intelligence have been controlled for, as well. The CM-I patients showed a significantly lower performance; however, after analyzing and controlling for the effect of clinical variables and psychopathological symptomatology, the main effect was maintained for visual puzzles and line orientation tasks. The findings suggest that CM-I patients show a poorer performance in tasks that require an exercise of perceptual reasoning without motor demand, accompanied by visualization and mental imagery of the stimuli. This study contributes towards the reinforcement of the evidence on the cognitive alterations associated to CM-I.

Enhancing the bioproduction of value-added aroma compounds via solid-state fermentation of sugarcane bagasse and sugar beet molasses: Operational strategies and scaling-up of the process.

Bioproduction of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) products starting with low-cost raw materials has become significant in the biorefinery concept. Thus, the solid-state fermentation (SSF) of agro-industrial residues using GRAS strains appears as alternative to obtain aroma compounds. Here, the SSF of the mixture sugarcane bagasse/sugar beet molasses was used for producing a mixture of value-added fruit-like compounds. The study aimed to enhance the production and ester selectivity evaluating three operational strategies at three scales (0.5, 4.5 and 22 L) using non-sterilized residues. While the average total volatile production was 120 mgVol per gram of dry substrate (g-1ITS), fed-batch operation promoted the highest increases in the ester content up to 57 mgEst g-1ITS, an 88 and 59% more than in the static-batch and intermittent mixing modes respectively. Alternative operational strategies have compensated the scale-up adverse effects in the bioproduction, moving towards a sustainable large-scale application in a circular economy scheme.

[Recommendations for the use of ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema at IMSS]. / Recomendaciones para el uso de ranibizumab en edema macular diabético en el IMSS.

Diabetic macular edema can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy. It represents the main cause of vision loss in diabetes type I and II with a prevalence of 3-10% in diabetic patients of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Our aim is to elaborate treatment guidelines and provide recommendations for the use of intravitreal ranibizumab for diabetic medical edema at IMSS. Nine retina specialists and 10 ophthalmologists from IMSS high specialty medical units gathered to discuss the bibliographic evidence for the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab for this disease, in order to create consensus on its use in the institution. Intravitreal ranibizumab injection should be used on patients presenting diffuse or cystic diabetic macular edema who have strict metabolic control and visual acuity between 20/30 and 20/200 ETDRS, as well as structural features, such as inferior foveal limit of 280 µm and ischemic areas no larger than 50% of the central foveal area. Treatment regime should consist of a loading charge of three monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.5 mg, followed by monthly follow-ups and treatment as needed according to anatomic and functional criteria. This consensus decision-making process on the criteria to treat and re-treat patients with this drug will result in better health outcomes than those currently observed among patients with diabetic macular edema at IMSS.

El edema macular diabético se presenta en cualquier etapa de la retinopatía diabética y representa la principal causa de pérdida de visión en las diabetes tipo I y II, con una prevalencia que va del 3 al 10% en pacientes diabéticos del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). El objetivo de este trabajo es elaborar una guía de tratamiento y recomendaciones para el uso de ranibizumab intravítreo en pacientes con edema macular diabético en el IMSS. Se llevó a cabo una reunión de expertos (9 retinólogos y 10 oftalmólogos) de las unidades médicas de alta especialidad del IMSS para realizar una revisión crítica de la eficacia y seguridad del ranibizumab para esta enfermedad y llegar a un consenso sobre el uso de este antiangiogénico en la institución. Las inyecciones de ranibizumab intravítreo se aplicarían a pacientes con edema macular diabético del tipo difuso o quístico, con un control metabólico estricto, agudeza visual en un rango de 20/30 a 20/200 ETDRS y criterios estructurales, como el límite foveal inferior a 280 µm y zonas isquémicas de no más del 50% de la zona central foveal. El esquema de tratamiento consistiría en una dosis de carga de tres inyecciones mensuales de ranibizumab de 0.5 mg y posteriormente seguimiento mensual y tratamiento por razón necesaria según criterios anatómicos y funcionales. El consenso sobre los criterios de tratamiento y retratamiento con este medicamento garantizará mejores resultados clínicos en pacientes con edema macular diabético en el IMSS.

Molecular Dynamics and Virtual Screening Analysis of Lanosterol Derivatives from Ganoderma Medicinal Mushrooms (Agaricomycetes) as Selective Ligands of Human Androgen Receptor.

Male sex hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone play important roles in several physiological and pathological processes. The biological activities of the aforementioned metabolites are mediated by the multidomain androgen receptor (AR), which is therefore a well-studied drug target. Ganoderma mushroom lanostanoid extracts have previously been shown to exert antiandrogenic activity; therefore, this work aims to identify which lanostane derivatives might act as selective ligands for AR. Because protein flexibility is of paramount importance for ligand binding, different conformations of AR were sampled to account for binding modes within a ligand binding site, then subjected to virtual screening against a metabolite library. Fifteen Ganoderma lanostanoids were selected as AR ligands, according to their calculated binding affinity to this nuclear receptor. The results show the relevance of certain structural and chemical aspects of our ligands, such as the presence of a ketonic group on C-3, which influences the process through which they bind to AR.

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the composition of rhizobacterial communities of two Chilean Andisol pastures.

The effect of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization on composition of rhizobacterial communities of volcanic soils (Andisols) from southern Chile at molecular level is poorly understood. This paper investigates the composition of rhizobacterial communities of two Andisols under pasture after 1- and 6-year applications of N (urea) and P (triple superphosphate). Soil samples were collected from two previously established sites and the composition of rhizobacterial communities was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). The difference in the composition and diversity between rhizobacterial communities was assessed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis and the Shannon-Wiener index. In Site 1 (fertilized for 1 year), PCR-DGGE targeting 16S rRNA genes and MDS analysis showed that moderate N application (270 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)) without P significantly changed the composition of rhizobacterial communities. However, no significant community changes were observed with P (240 kg P ha(-1) year(-1)) and N-P application (270 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) plus 240 kg P ha(-1) year(-1)). In Site 2 (fertilized for 6 years with P; 400 kg P ha(-1) year(-1)), PCR-DGGE targeting rpoB, nifH, amoA and alkaline phosphatase genes and MDS analysis showed changes in rhizobacterial communities only at the highest rate of N application (600 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)). Quantitative PCR targeting 16S rRNA genes also showed higher abundance of bacteria at higher N application. In samples from both sites, the Shannon-Wiener index did not show significant difference in the diversity of rhizobacterial communities. The changes observed in rhizobacterial communities coincide in N fertilized pastures with lower soil pH and higher pasture yields. This study indicates that N-P application affects the soil bacterial populations at molecular level and needs to be considered when developing fertilizer practices for Chilean pastoral Andisols.

Single photon fluorescent microlithography for live-cell imaging.

Using fluorescent dyes to trigger the polymerization of a commercial polyurethane resin allows a rapid fabrication of micrometer and submicrometer sized fluorescent structures by one-photon absorption. Here, we show that standard He-Ne lasers emitting at 632.8 nm can be used to start the photopolymerization and that very low laser power is required. This procedure allows the fabrication of fiduciary fluorescent references on standard glass coverslips, mica sheets, or gold-coated coverslips for laser scanning or standard fluorescent microscopy. The biocompatibility of the polymerized resin with cells in culture was tested by growing Xenopus melanophores and a standard laser scanning microscope was used to demonstrate that it is possible to use equipment readily available in several laboratories. We show that fluorescent structure with less than 10 nm in height may be used as references in fluorescence microscopy allowing a smooth environment for cell growth. Different dyes were tested and the conditions for one-photon polymerization were outlined.

Peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes con cirrosis mayores de 65 años / Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients over 65 years

Fundamento y objetivo: Estudiar los episodios de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (PBE) en pacientes cirróticos mayores de 65 años y comparar sus características y su evolución clínica dentro de una cohorte de pacientes cirróticos con PBE. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional y retrospectivo sobre todas las altas hospitalarias con diagnóstico de PBE en el período de enero de 2003 a diciembre de 2005, con un total de 158 episodios. Se valoró el episodio de PBE desde su diagnóstico hasta la muerte o el fin de seguimiento por otras causas del paciente. Se dividió la cohorte en 2 grupos, según edad superior a 65 años (grupo 1: 73 episodios) o edad inferior o igual a 65 años (grupo 2: 86 episodios). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y comparativo de ambos grupos y posteriormente se realizó un análisis de supervivencia mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier (comparadas mediante el test log-rank) y valoración de los factores predictivos independientes mediante regresión de Cox en la cohorte global. Resultados: En el grupo 1 el 74% de los pacientes eran varones y la edad media (desviación estándar) fue de 72,8 (5,6) años, y la distribución según la clasificación de Child-Pugh fue del 8,2 (A), del 68,5 (B) y del 23,3% (C). La etiología de la cirrosis fue vírica en el 65,8% de los casos. Comparado con el grupo 2, se observó mayor frecuencia de insuficiencia renal al ingreso, prevalencia de hepatocarcinoma y etiología vírica, mientras que las cifras de bilirrubina eran superiores en el grupo 2. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 23,3%. Se observó una supervivencia a los 3 y a los 6 meses del 69,5 y del 54,8% y en el grupo 2 del 80,3 y del 78,4%, respectivamente (p=0,001). La edad superior a 65 años, la existencia de hepatocarcinoma y la presión arterial media superior a 75mmHg al ingreso fueron factores predictivos independientes de mortalidad (AU)

Aims: Our aim was to study the episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients older than 65 years. Their clinical characteristics were compared with a cohort of cirrhotic patients with SBP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on all hospital discharged patients diagnosed with SBP in the period from January 2003 to December 2005, obtaining a total of 158 episodes. Two groups of patients were created: those over 65 (group 1: 73 episodes) and those aged }65 years (group 2: 86 episodes). A descriptive study, an analysis of survival by Kaplan Meier curves (compared with log-rank test) and a Cox regression analysis was conducted comparing the two groups. Results: In Group 1, males were 74%, the average age was 72.4 (SD 4.2) years, and the Child-Pugh distribution was 8.2% (A), 68.5% (B) and 23.3% (C).The most usual etiology of cirrhosis was viral (65.8%). In comparison with group 2, there was a superior frequency of renal impairment at admission, hepatocellular carcinoma and a viral etiology. Yet the bilirubin levels were higher in group 2. In-hospital mortality rate was 23.3%. The survival at 3 and 6 months was of 69.5% and 54.8%, while in group 2 it was 80.3% and 78.4% respectively (p=0001). An age> 65 years, the existence of hepatocellular carcinoma and a Mean Arterial Pressure <75mm Hg at admission, in the overall cohort, were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: An age above 65 years is an independent predictor of mortality following the development of an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients (AU)

Polyhydroxylated spirostanol saponins from the tubers of Dioscorea polygonoides.

Three new polyhydroxylated spirostanol saponins (1-3) were isolated from the tubers of Dioscorea polygonoides. The structures of these new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and the results of acid or enzymatic hydrolysis as (23S,24R,25S)-23,24-dihydroxyspirost-5-en-3beta-yl O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (23S,25R)-12alpha,17alpha,23-trihydroxyspirost-5-en-3beta-yl O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), and (23S,25R)-14alpha,17alpha,23-trihydroxyspirost-5-en-3beta-yl O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), respectively.