Immunomodulatory effects of inactivated Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609 on respiratory epithelial cells.

The microbiota in humans and animals play crucial roles in defense against pathogens and offer a promising natural source for immunomodulatory products. However, the development of physiologically relevant model systems and protocols for testing such products remains challenging. In this study, we present an experimental condition where various natural products derived from the registered lactic acid bacteria Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609, known for their immunomodulatory activity, were tested. These products included live and inactivated bacteria, as well as fermentation products at different concentrations and culture times. Using our established model system, we observed no morphological changes in the airway epithelium upon exposure to Pasteurella multocida, a common respiratory pathogen. However, early molecular changes associated with the innate immune response were detected through transcript analysis. By employing diverse methodologies ranging from microscopy to next-generation sequencing (NGS), we characterized the interaction of these natural products with the airway epithelium and their potential beneficial effects in the presence of P. multocida infection. In particular, our discovery highlights that among all Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609 products tested, only inactivated cells preserve the conformation and morphology of respiratory epithelial cells, while also reversing or altering the natural immune responses triggered by Pasteurella multocida. These findings lay the groundwork for further exploration into the protective role of these bacteria and their derivatives.

Tissue-specific assessment of oxidative status: Wild boar as a case study.

In recent decades, there has been a fast-growing interest in using biomarkers of oxidative stress (BOS) in conservation programs of many vertebrate species. Biomarkers of oxidative stress can be measured in different biological samples (e.g., body fluids and tissues). However, since comparisons of the same battery of BOS among tissues of the same individual are scarce in the literature, the chosen target tissues regularly rely on arbitrary decisions. Our research aimed to determine if the oxidative status of free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) naturally infected with Mycobacterium spp (etiological agent of tuberculosis, TB), varies depending on the sample where it was quantified. We compared antioxidant p-nitrophenyl esterase activity (EA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) concentrations, and total oxidative status (TOS) in serum, lung, spleen, kidney, and muscle of 63 wild boar hunter-harvested in central Spain. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in serum had higher concentrations than in other tissues. The poor agreement between serum and other tissues highlights the importance of running complete BOS assessments in the same fluid or tissue. Further, low concentrations of BOS in tissues of TB-affected individuals were observed, and significant differences between healthy and sick boar were only detected in the serum of individuals developing mild TB and in the muscle of individuals with mild or severe disease status. However, all organs from wild boars affected with mild TB were not in oxidative imbalance compared to healthy control animals, suggesting that wild boars may cope well with TB. Our data indicate that serum and other tissues can be used as BOS in field conservation programs to monitor wildlife population health. Still, context-specific validations are needed to determine the most appropriate samples to use.

Percepción estética de la sonrisa en pacientes adolescentes / Aesthetic perception of the smile in adolescent patients

RESUMEN Introducción: El atractivo facial y el atractivo de la sonrisa parecen estar irmemente relacionados entre sí. Al ser la boca el centro de la comunicación en la cara, la sonrisa se torna de gran importancia en la expresión facial y la apariencia. Objetivo: Conocer la relación entre la percepción estética de la sonrisa, el sexo y las edades en la adolescencia. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación analítica, transversal en la Clínica «Victoria de Santa Clara», de este propio municipio, desde el año 2017 al 2019. El universo de estudio fueron todos los pacientes de 12 a 25 años que acudieron a la consulta de Ortodoncia en el año 2018. La muestra quedó constituida por 100 pacientes a los cuales se les aplicó un cuestionario. Se analizaron las variables: sexo, edad, consideraciones individuales de los aspectos estéticos del rostro, influencia de la sonrisa en la vida social, el rostro y los sentimientos. Resultados: Se determinó la percepción estética de los pacientes, teniendo en cuenta en el rostro de una persona, fundamentalmente la sonrisa y los ojos, para emitir juicio de valor sobre la belleza. Conclusiones: Los pacientes expresaron sus consideraciones sobre los aspectos estéticos del rostro. El sexo y los rangos de edades se relacionaron con las variables de la sonrisa estudiadas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: facial attractiveness and smile attractiveness seems to be strongly related to each other. Smile becomes of great importance in facial expression and appearance, as the mouth is the center of communication on the face. Objective: to know the relationship among the aesthetic perception of the smile, the gender and age in adolescences. Methods: an analytical, cross-sectional research was carried out at "Victoria de Santa Clara" Clinic, located in the same municipality, from 2017 to 2019. The universe of study was all patients aged 12 to 25 years who come to the Orthodontics consultation in 2018. The sample was made up of 100 patients to whom a questionnaire was applied. Gender, age, individual considerations of the aesthetic aspects of the face, influence of the smile on social life, the face and feelings were the analyzed variables. Results: the aesthetic perception of the patients was determined taking into account the face of a person, mainly the smile and the eyes, to make a value judgment about beauty. Conclusions: the patients expressed their considerations about the aesthetic aspects of the face. Gender and age ranges were related to the smile variables studied.

Guía de evaluación estética de la sonrisa en ortodoncia / Guide of esthetic evaluation of the smile in orthodontics i: en

Introducción: El objetivo estético fundamental en los servicios de ortodoncia es conseguir una sonrisa balanceada, pues tiene una función importante en la apariencia y expresión facial. Objetivo: Confeccionar una guía de evaluación de estética de la sonrisa a partir del diagnóstico de insuficiencias detectadas en los parámetros clínicos para ello y desde las perspectivas de la satisfacción de pacientes y profesionales de ortodoncia. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación de desarrollo tecnológico, con enfoque mixto, en la Clínica Estomatológica Docente Victoria de Santa Clara de la provincia de Villa Clara, del 2017 al 2019, en una muestra no probabilística intencional que estuvo conformada por los pacientes y ortodoncistas que cumplían los criterios de inclusión establecidos a tal efecto. Resultados: Los especialistas opinaron sobre los parámetros existentes para evaluar la sonrisa y revelaron insatisfacción con la evaluación que realizaban; además, consideraron que dicha valoración es necesaria para el diagnóstico y la planificación del tratamiento. Igualmente, se determinó la percepción estética de los pacientes. Toda esta información permitió realizar el diseño de la guía, la cual fue valorada por profesores expertos en el tema, quienes estuvieron de acuerdo con los nueve parámetros propuestos, de manera que fue aceptada para su posterior aplicación clínica. Conclusiones: La guía elaborada para evaluar la estética de la sonrisa contiene parámetros clínicos que satisfacen las necesidades de pacientes y profesionales de ortodoncia.

Introduction: The fundamental esthetic objective in the orthodontics services is to get a balanced smile, because it has an important function in the appearance and facial expression. Objective: To make a guide of esthetics evaluation of the smile starting from the diagnosis of inadequacies in the clinical parameters and from perspectives of the satisfaction of patients and orthodontics professionals. Methods: An investigation of technological development, with mixed approach, was carried out in Victoria Teaching Stomatologic Clinic of Santa Clara in Villa Clara province, from 2017 to 2019, in a non probabilistic intentional sample that was conformed by the patients and orthodontists that fulfilled the established inclusion approaches to such an effect. Results: The specialists expressed an opinion on the existent parameters to evaluate the smile and revealed dissatisfaction with the evaluation that they carried out; also, they considered that this valuation is necessary for the diagnosis and planning of the treatment. Equally, the esthetic perception of the patients was determined. All this information allowed to carry out the design of the guide, which was valued by expert professors in the topic who agreed with the nine proposed parameters, so that it was accepted for its later clinical application. Conclusions: The guide elaborated to evaluate the esthetics of the smile contains clinical parameters that satisfy the necessities of patients and orthodontics professionals.

Development of a real-time SYBR Green PCR assay for the rapid detection of Dermatophilus congolensis.

Methods such as real time (RT)-PCR have not been developed for the rapid detection and diagnosis of Dermatophilus (D.) congolensis infection. In the present study, a D. congolensis-specific SYBR Green RT-PCR assay was evaluated. The detection limit of the RT-PCR assay was 1 pg of DNA per PCR reaction. No cross-reaction with nucleic acids extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, or Austwickia chelonae was observed. Finally, the RT-PCR assay was used to evaluate clinical samples collected from naturally infected animals with D. congolensis. The results showed that this assay is a fast and reliable method for diagnosing dermatophilosis.

Ocular lesions associated with Chlamydia suis in a wild boar piglet (Sus scrofa) from a semi-free range population in Spain.

The role of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a reservoir for a large number of pathogens that can affect both domestic animals and humans has been widely studied in the last few years. However, the impact of some of these pathogens on the health of wild boar populations is still being determined. This article presents a clinical case of severe bilateral keratoconjunctivitis affecting a 2-mo-old piglet from a semi-free range population in Spain. Histopathologic and microbiologic analysis revealed lesions in the cornea, choroid, and optical nerve, and Chlamydia suis was detected in the eyes bilaterally. The visual handicap resulting from this type of lesion greatly affects the survival of this affected piglet.

Helcococcus ovis isolated from a goat with purulent bronchopneumonia and pulmonary abscesses.

The current study describes the recovery of Helcococcus ovis from an adult female Verata breed goat that was euthanized because of respiratory problems and emaciation. At necropsy, the affected animal showed a purulent bronchopneumonia with scattered pulmonary abscesses and fibrous pleural adhesions. A Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped bacterium was isolated from the lung tissue and confirmed as H. ovis by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

A zoonotic ringworm outbreak caused by a dysgonic strain of Microsporum canis from stray cats.

BACKGROUND: Cats are frequent carriers of Microsporum canis and veterinary students are at high risk of exposure and acquisition of the organism a la infección. OBJECTIVES: An outbreak of zoonotic ringworm carried by a litter of stray cats is described. Four veterinary students, four dogs, and six cats living in five separate locations were affected. All had direct or indirect contact with the infected kitten litter. We tried to identify the causal dermatophyte. METHODS: Conventional and mycological culture methods were used. RESULTS: Microscopic features of scrapings and hairs treated with 20% KOH strongly suggested a M. canis etiology, and a diagnosis of ringworm was empirically supported by successful treatment of humans and animals. Nevertheless, cultures failed to show the expected morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Culture features of our strain are compared with those described by other authors for dysgonic M. canis strains. Epidemiological features are also discussed.

HCV core protein localizes in the nuclei of nonparenchymal liver cells from chronically HCV-infected patients.

Understanding the mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) pathogenesis is an important part of HCV research. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the HCV core protein (HCcAg) has numerous functional activities. These properties suggest that HCcAg, in concert with cellular factors, may contribute to pathogenesis during persistent HCV infection. HCV is capable of infecting cells other than hepatocytes. Although the extrahepatic cellular tropism of HCV may play a role in the pathophysiology of this infection, the precise biological significance of the presence of HCV components in different liver cell types presently remains to be established. In this study, HCcAg was detected in nonparenchymal liver cells of six patients out of eight positive for serum HCV RNA. Immunostaining with anti-HCcAg mAbs revealed the presence of this protein in different liver cell types such as lymphocytes, Kupffer, polymorphonuclear, pit, endothelial, stellate, and fibroblast-like cells. Interestingly, HCcAg was immunolabeled not only in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus of these cells. Remarkably, HCcAg co-localized with large lipid droplets present in stellate cells and with collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix. Moreover, HCcAg was immunolabeled in bile canaliculus suggesting the involvement of the biliary system in the pathobiology of HCV. Data suggest that nonparenchymal liver cells may constitute a reservoir for HCV replication. Besides, HCcAg may contribute to modulate immune function and fibrosis in the liver as well as steatosis.

Ultrastructural evidences of HCV infection in hepatocytes of chronically HCV-infected patients.

In this study, 13 samples of liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C were studied by transmission electron microscopy (EM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). The 13 biopsies showed ultrastructural cell damage typical of acute viral hepatitis. In four of the 13 liver biopsies enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) inside cytoplasmic vesicles and in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes were observed. We also detected the presence of unenveloped VLPs mainly in the cytoplasm and in the endoplasmic reticulum. IEM using anti-core, E1 and E2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) confirmed the specific localization of these proteins, in vivo, inside cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, this work provided evidence for hepatocellular injury related to HCV infection. It also suggested the presence of HCV-related replicating structures in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and raised the possibility of hepatitis C virion morphogenesis in intracellular vesicles.