Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in patients: from path physiology to therapy.

Coronavirus is a family of ARN positive single-stranded belonging to the family of Coronaviridae. There are several families of coronavirus that transmit more or less serious diseases. However, the so-called coronavirus-19 (SARS-CoV2) is the one that is currently causing most of the problems; in fact, biological dysfunctions that this virus causes provoke damage in various organs, from the lung to the heart, the kidney, the circulatory system, and even the brain. The neurological manifestations caused by viral infection, as well as the hypercoagulopathy and systemic inflammation, have been reported in several studies. In this review, we update the neurological mechanisms by which coronavirus-19 causes neurological manifestation in patients such as encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, lacunars infarcts, neuropsychiatry disorders such as anxiety and depression, and vascular alterations. This review explains (a) the possible pathways by which coronavirus-19 can induce the different neurological manifestations, (b) the strategies used by the virus to cross the barrier system, (c) how the immune system responds to the infection, and (d) the treatment than can be administered to the COVID-19 patients.

Potentially inappropriate medications in older adults living with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) among older (≥ 65 years) people living with HIV (O-PLWH) in the region of Madrid. METHODS: We analysed the dispensation registry of community and hospital pharmacies from the Madrid Regional Health Service (SERMAS) for the period between 1 January and 30 June 2017, looking specifically at PIMs according to the 2019 Beers criteria. Co-medications were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. RESULTS: A total of 6 636 451 individuals received medications. Of these individuals, 22 945 received antiretrovirals (ARVs), and of these 1292 were O-PLWH. Overall, 1135 (87.8%) O-PLWH were taking at least one co-medication, and polypharmacy (at least five co-medications) was observed in 852 individuals (65.9%). A PIM was identified in 482 (37.3%) O-PLWH. Factors independently associated with PIM were polypharmacy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 7.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.16-9.72] and female sex (aOR 1.75; 95% CI 1.30-2.35). The distribution of PIMs according to ATC drug class were nervous system drugs (n = 369; 28.6%), musculoskeletal system drugs (n = 140; 10.8%), gastrointestinal and metabolism drugs (n = 72; 5.6%), cardiovascular drugs (n = 61; 4.7%), respiratory system drugs (n = 13; 1.0%), antineoplastic and immunomodulating drugs (n = 10; 0.8%), and systemic anti-infectives (n = 2; 0.2%). Five drugs accounted for 84.8% of the 482O PLWH with PIMs: lorazepam (38.2%), ibuprofen (18.0%), diazepam (10.2%), metoclopramide (9.9%), and zolpidem (8.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of PIMs is highly prevalent in O-PLWH. Consistent with data in uninfected elderly people, the most frequently observed PIMs were benzodiazepines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Targeted interventions are warranted to reduce inappropriate prescribing and polypharmacy in this vulnerable population.

Effects of Fiber Purified Extract of Carob Fruit on Fat Digestion and Postprandial Lipemia in Healthy Rats.

Increased postprandial lipemia is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Carob fruit extract (CFE) contains condensed tannins, and their intake has been inversely related to CVD. The objective was to evaluate the in vitro pancreatic lipase activity in the presence of CFE and the in vivo effect of CFE on postprandial lipemia of healthy Wistar rats in acute and subchronic digestibility studies and to relate it with changes in fat digestion and absorption. CFE significantly reduced pancreatic lipase activity. A peak delay and a dose-dependent decrease in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol areas under the curve were observed, effects that increased after the subchronic treatment. The levels of nondigested, nonabsorbed triglycerides of the remaining intestinal lumen fat were significantly higher in the maximum dose of CFE administrated versus the control ( P < 0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time the hypolipemic properties of CFE from the first administration, modifying postprandial lipemia by reducing the extents of fat digestion and absorption.

Can nonalcoholic beer, silicon and hops reduce the brain damage and behavioral changes induced by aluminum nitrate in young male Wistar rats?

Aluminum consumption has been associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies suggest that regular beer intake reverses the pro-oxidant and inflammatory statuses induced by aluminum nitrate intoxication. This paper aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of non-alcoholic beer (NABeer), silicon or hops, as well as their effect on animal behavior (e.g. curiosity, immobilization, rearing, grooming, swimming) and brain antioxidant enzyme (activity and gene expression) and anti-inflammatory status in aluminum nitrate intoxicated rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) Control, 2) Aluminum nitrate (450 µg/kg/day), 3) Aluminum nitrate plus NABeer, 4) Aluminum nitrate plus hops, and 5) Aluminum nitrate plus silicon. Hops showed the highest in vitro antioxidant capacity and silicon the highest anticholinesterase activity. In the Aluminum group the brain aluminum/silicon ratio increased with impairment of brain antioxidant and inflammatory statuses. NABeer, silicon and hops block the negative effect on the in vivo antioxidant and inflammatory statuses induced by Aluminum nitrate and improve swimming and rearing behavioral tests. The various positive results suggest that NABeer is useful as a functional multi-target drink in the prevention of some neurodegenerative events caused by aluminum intoxication. More studies are required to conclude present results.

A comprehensive approach to formulation of seaweed-enriched meat products: From technological development to assessment of healthy properties.

Meat consumption is influenced by various kinds of factors, among them health implications. Different strategies can be effective in developing meat-based functional foods. These basically entail reducing the presence of compounds with negative health implications and enhancing the presence of beneficial compounds. This article reviews a comprehensive model for the development of meat-based functional foods based on a presentation of the research achieved in terms of the design and development of qualitatively and quantitatively modified meat products (frankfurters, patties and restructured steaks). These were reformulated to incorporate nutrients associated with three different seaweeds (wakame-Undaria pinnatifida; nori-Porphyra umbilicalis; and sea spaghetti-Himanthalia elongata) as sources of bioactive substances, while simultaneously reducing sodium and fat and improving fatty acid profiles. Those seaweeds were chosen, because in terms of composition and health implications, abundance on Spanish coasts, relatively widespread consumption, and suitability in terms of flavour and colour they are better suited than others for use as ingredients in new products. It also discusses the consequences of the use of this type of meat-based functional foods (combination of pork meat and 5% of each seaweed with or without hypercholesterolaemic agent included in the diets) on growing animals (Wistar male rats), and their effects on different aspects of lipoprotein metabolism, oxidative stress and liver structure. This article, then, reports a comprehensive approach to the production of seaweed-enriched meat products, considering aspects of technological development aimed at achieving the functional effect.

Fiber purified extracts of carob fruit decrease carbohydrate absorption.

The postprandial state plays a central role in the development and setting of chronic diseases. Condensed tannins (CT) are polyphenols with a known ability to modify carbohydrate digestion and absorption. The high concentration of CT in the pulp of carob fruit suggests a potential antidiabetic effect. The aim of this work was to analyze the in vitro and in vivo effects of carob fruit extract (CFE) on the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. α-Glucosidase activity and glucose diffusion were tested in vitro using 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mg mL-1 CFE concentrations. Two in vivo absorption studies, acute and subchronic, were carried out in four groups of 6 two-month-old male Wistar rats (control and CFE 25, 50 and 150 mg per kg b.w.), administering 1 mL of olive oil and 0.5 g per kg b.w. of glucose solution by oral gavage. CFE significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity, through a competitive mechanism, from 1 mg mL-1, and also reduced glucose diffusion in a dose-dependent manner. In the acute study, CFE (50 and 150 mg per kg b.w.) significantly reduced the area under the curve (AUC) of blood glucose. Subchronic CFE administration induced further AUC decreases; and CFE at 150 mg per kg b.w. reduced sodium-glucose-linked transporter-1 (SGLT1) levels in the duodenum. This study demonstrates the hypoglycemic properties of CFE, highlighting its potential role as a suitable nutritional strategy in diabetic patients.

Heart Cycle: facilitating the deployment of advanced care processes.

Current trends in health management improvement demand the standardization of care protocols to achieve better quality and efficiency. The use of Clinical Pathways is an emerging solution for that problem. However, current Clinical Pathways are big manuals written in natural language and highly affected by human subjectivity. These problems make their deployment and dissemination extremely difficult in real practice environments. Furthermore, the intrinsic difficulties for the design of formal Clinical Pathways requires new specific design tools to help making them relly useful and cost-effective. Process Mining techniques can help to automatically infer processes definition from execution samples and, thus, support the automatization of the standardization and continuous control of healthcare processes. This way, they can become a relevant helping tool for clinical experts and healthcare systems for reducing variability in clinical practice and better understand the performance of the system.

Neuroprotective Properties of Standardized Extracts of Hypericum perforatum on Rotenone Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Hipericum perforatum is a well-known herbal for its antidepressant property. Recently, it has been shown to have nootropic effects against neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of chronic administration of two standardized extract of Hypericum perforatum SHP1 rich in hyperforin (6%) and SHP2 extract poor in hyperforin (0.2%) on the neurodegeneration induced by chronic administration of rotenone in rats. Quercetin in liposomes, one active constituent, was tested in the same experimental conditions. The animals received pretreatments with SHP1 (4 mg/Kg, ip), SHP2 (4 mg/Kg, ip) or quercetin liposomes (25 and 100 mg/kg, ip) 60 min before of rotenone injection (2.5 mg/kg) for 45 days. Pretreatment of the animals with SHP1 and SHP2 efficiently halted deleterious toxic effects of rotenone, revealing normalization of catalepsy in addition to amelioration of neurochemical parameters. Also, SHP1 reduced neuronal damage, diminishing substantia nigra dopaminergic cell death caused by the pesticide, indicating benefit of neuroprotective therapy. In general, the SHP1 was more active than SHP2. In addition, SHP1 inhibited the apoptotic cascade by decreasing Bax levels. The results presented here indicate that mainly hyperforin and quercetin, may be involved in the neuroprotective action of Hypericum standardized extracts. Combination of dietary antioxidants could provide better therapeutic advantage for the management of Parkinson, and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore H. perforatum standardized extract enriched in hyperforin, could be a better alternative for depressed elderly patients with degenerative disorders exhibiting elevated oxidative stress status.

Paclitaxel-loaded polyester nanoparticles prepared by spray-drying technology: in vitro bioactivity evaluation.

Paclitaxel (PTX), an antimicrotubular agent used in the treatment of ovarian and breast cancer, was encapsulated in nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymers using the spray-drying technique. Morphology, size distribution, drug encapsulation efficiency, thermal degradation and drug release were characterized. MCF7 cells were employed to evaluate the efficacy of the systems on cell cycle and cytotoxicity. The particle size was in the range 0.8-1 µm. The incorporation efficiency of PTX was more than 80% in all NPs obtained. In vitro drug release took place during 35 days, and drug release rates were in the order PCL > PLGA 50:50 > PLGA 75:25. Unloaded NPs showed to be cytocompatible at MCF7 cells. PTX-loaded NPs demonstrated the release of the drug block cells in the G2/M phase. All PTX-loaded formulations showed their efficacy in killing MCF7 cells, mainly PTX-loaded PLGA 50:50 and PLGA 75:25 that cause a decrease in cell viability lower than 20%.

Effect of walnut-enriched meat on the relationship between VCAM, ICAM, and LTB4 levels and PON-1 activity in ApoA4 360 and PON-1 allele carriers at increased cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular risk depends largely on paraoxonase (PON-1) and apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) gene polymorphisms. To compare the effects of consumption of walnut-enriched meat versus low-fat meat (LM) on selected soluble adhesion molecules and leukotrienes (LTB4). SUBJECTS/METHODS: In all 22 subjects at increased cardiovascular risk were taken. It is a non-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled study. Two 5-week experimental periods separated by 4-6 week wash-out interval. Participants consumed walnut-enriched meat during one period and LM during the other. Diet characteristics, HDLc, Apo A1, paraoxonase, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and LTB4 were analysed. PON-1 55, PON-1 192 and APOA4 360 polymorphism effects were also assessed. RESULTS: Individuals consuming walnut-enriched meat displayed higher paraoxonase activity (P<0.001), lower levels of sICAM and aVCAM (P=0.046, P=0.012, respectively) and leukotriene B4 (P=0.044), and lower paraoxonase-1/HDLc and paraoxonase-1/Apo A1 ratios (both, P<0.001) than those consuming LM. Paraoxonase levels correlated negatively with those of sICAM (r=-0.471, P<0.01). Significant decreases (at least P<0.05) were observed in sICAM concentrations in PON-1 55LM+MM, PON-1 QQ192 and APOA4-2 carriers while decreases in sVCAM in QR+RR and APOA4-1 carriers were observed. Paraoxonase-1/HDLc and paraoxonase-1/Apo A1 ratios were significantly influenced by paraoxonase polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: Walnut-enriched meat appears as a functional meat as consumed in the framework of a mix diet lowered the concentration of some selected inflammatory chemoattractant biomarkers. This effect was largely influenced by PON-1 and Apo A4-360 polymorphisms.

The effect of consuming meat enriched in walnut paste on platelet aggregation and thrombogenesis varies in volunteers with different apolipoprotein A4 genotype / El efecto del consumo de carne enriquecida en pasta de nuez sobre la agregacion plaquetaria y la trombogenesis varia en voluntarios con diferente genotipo para la apolipoproteina A4

Background and aim: Low-fat meat (LM) has been considered adequate under a cardiovascular disease point of view. Meat enriched in walnut paste (WM) consumption produces beneficial antithrombogenic effects but with striking inter-individual variability that may be related to gene polymorphism. Variants in the APOA4 gene (APOA4) polymorphism are known to affect the cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to compare the effects of consumption of WM and LM on platelet aggregation, production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin I2 (PGI2), and the TXA2/PGI2 ratio in 22 volunteers with different APOA4 polymorphism. Subjects and Methods: Six volunteers carried the Gln allele (APOA4-2) while 16 were homozygous for the His allele (APOA4-1). Platelet aggregation, TXA2 (measured as TXB2), PGI2 (measured as 6-keto-PGF1α), and the thrombogenic ratio (TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α) were determined at baseline and at weeks 3 and 5 for the WM and LM dietary periods. Results: Platelet aggregation decreased significantly (P<0.05) more in APOA4-1 than in APOA4-2 volunteers at 3-wk WM period, while TXB2 levels dropped more in APOA4-2 than in APOA4-1 volunteers at 5-wk WM period. TXB2 levels and the TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α ratio decreased significantly more (P<0.05) after 5 wk treatment in APOA4-2 than in APOA4-1 carriers on the WM diet than on the LM counterpart. However, 6-keto-PGF1α levels increased more (P<0.05) in APOA4-1 than in APOA4-2 volunteers after the 5-wk WM period than after the 5-wk LM diet. Conclusions: Present results suggest that consumption of WM with respect to LM decrease the thrombogenic risk more in Gln carriers than in His/His (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivos: La carne con bajo contenido graso (LM) se considera adecuada bajo el punto de vista cardiovascular. La ingesta de carne enriquecida en pasta de nuez (WM), mejora los efectos antitrombogénicos con una variabilidad inter-individual que puede estar relacionada con el polimorfismo genético. Variaciones en los genes APOA4 (APOA4) del polimorfismo afectan el riesgo cardiovascular. Este estudio compara los efectos de la ingesta de WM y LM sobre la agregación plaquetaria, la producción de tromboxano A2 (TXA2) y prostaciclina I2 (PGI2), y el cociente TXA2/PGI2 ratio en 22 voluntarios con diferentes polimorfismos APOA4. Material y métodos: Seis voluntarios portaban el alelo Gln (APOA4-2) frente a los 16 homozigotos para el alelo His (APOA4-1). La agregación plaquetaria, el TXA2 (medido como TXB2), la PGI2 (medida como 6-keto-PGF1α), y el cociente trombogenético (TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α) se determinaron al comienzo y en las semanas 3 y 5 de los periodos de WM y LM. Resultados: La agregación plaquetaria disminuyó significativamente más (P <0.05) en los voluntarios APOA4-1 que en los APOA4-2 en la semana 3 del periodo WM. El descenso de los niveles de TXB2 fue mayor para los voluntarios APOA4-2 que para los APOA4-1 en la semana 5 del periodo WM. Después de 5 semanas con dieta WM, la concentración de TXB2 y el cociente TXB2/6-keto- PGF1α disminuyeron significativamente más (P<0.05) en los individuos APOA4-2 que en los APOA4-1 que con la dieta LM. Sin embargo, después de 5 semanas, la dieta WM con respecto a la LM incrementó más (P <0.05) los niveles de 6-keto-PGF1α en los voluntarios APOA4-1 que en los APOA4-2. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que la ingesta de WM en comparación d LM, disminuye más el riesgo trombogénico en los voluntarios portadores de Gln que en los que His/His (AU)

The effect of consuming meat enriched in walnut paste on platelet aggregation and thrombogenesis varies in volunteers with different apolipoprotein A4 genotype.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Low-fat meat (LM) has been considered adequate under a cardiovascular disease point of view. Meat enriched in walnut paste (WM) consumption produces beneficial antithrombogenic effects but with striking inter-individual variability that may be related to gene polymorphism. Variants in the APOA4 gene (APOA4) polymorphism are known to affect the cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to compare the effects of consumption of WM and LM on platelet aggregation, production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin I2 (PGI2), and the TXA2/PGI2 ratio in 22 volunteers with different APOA4 polymorphism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Six volunteers carried the Gln allele (APOA4-2) while 16 were homozygous for the His allele (APOA4-1). Platelet aggregation, TXA2 (measured as TXB2), PGI2 (measured as 6-keto-PGF1α), and the thrombogenic ratio (TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α) were determined at baseline and at weeks 3 and 5 for the WM and LM dietary periods. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation decreased significantly (P<0.05) more in APOA4-1 than in APOA4-2 volunteers at 3-wk WM period, while TXB2 levels dropped more in APOA4-2 than in APOA4-1 volunteers at 5-wk WM period. TXB2 levels and the TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α ratio decreased significantly more (P<0.05) after 5 wk treatment in APOA4-2 than in APOA4-1 carriers on the WM diet than on the LM counterpart. However, 6-keto-PGF1α levels increased more (P<0.05) in APOA4-1 than in APOA4-2 volunteers after the 5-wk WM period than after the 5-wk LM diet. CONCLUSIONS: Present results suggest that consumption of WM with respect to LM decrease the thrombogenic risk more in Gln carriers than in His/His.

Beer consumption reduces cerebral oxidation caused by aluminum toxicity by normalizing gene expression of tumor necrotic factor alpha and several antioxidant enzymes.

Aluminum (Al)-induced neurotoxicity is well known and different salts of aluminum have been reported to accelerate oxidative damage to biomolecules. The present study has examined whether silicon consumed in the form of silicic acid or beer could potentially inhibit aluminum toxicity in the brain. Male mice were administered with Al(NO(3))(3) orally at a dose of 450 mg/kg/day in drinking water for 3 month. Experimental mice were given Al(NO(3))(3) along with 50 mg/L of silicic acid or with 0.5 ml/day of beer. Al brain levels in the Al group were four times higher than those of control mice while silicic acid and beer group values were 40% lower than those of the Al group. We have observed that beer prevented accumulation of lipid damage significantly, which resulted from aluminum intake. Decline in the expression of mRNA of endogenous antioxidant enzymes associated with aluminum administration was also inhibited by beer and silicic acid. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) RNA expression was normalized in silicic acid and beer groups. Very high and significant correlations were found for the different parameters tested suggesting that moderate consumption of beer, due to its silicon content, effectively protects against the neurotoxic effects of aluminum.

Standardized Hypericum perforatum reduces oxidative stress and increases gene expression of antioxidant enzymes on rotenone-exposed rats.

Since oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of dementia and depression, this study was designed to investigate the pro-oxidant activity of rotenone, the protective role of standardized extract of Hypericum perforatum (SHP), as well as the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes, in brain homogenates of rats following exposure to rotenone and SHP extract. Quercetin in liposomes, one active constituent, was tested in the same experimental conditions to serve as a positive control. The animals received pretreatment with SHP (4 mg/kg) or quercetin liposomes (25 and 100 mg/kg) 60 min before of rotenone injection (2 mg/kg). All treatments were given intraperitoneally in a volume of 0.5 ml/kg body weight, for 45 days. Rotenone treatment increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). The content of reduced glutathione (GSH) was decreased due to chronic rotenone treatment. Rotenone significantly induced the gene expression of CuZnSOD, MnSOD; CAT and GPx in brain. In contrast, SHP extract exerted an antioxidant action which was related with a decreased of MnSOD activity and mRNA levels of some antioxidant enzymes evaluated. Liposomal quercetin treatment resulted in a significant preservation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes and a decreased in the mRNA levels of these antioxidant enzymes. One possible mechanism of action of SHP extract may be related to quercetin in protecting neurons from oxidative damage. Therefore standardized extract of H. perforatum could be a better alternative for depressed elderly patients with degenerative disorder exhibiting elevated oxidative stress status.

Arsenic uptake and accumulation in curly endives (Cichorium endivia L.) irrigated with contaminated water.

Arsenic accumulation in vegetables for direct human consumption represents a concern for food safety purposes. This potential problem can be of economic importance particularly in much appreciated, high-quality horticultural products. In this work, a greenhouse set of experiments were conducted to evaluate possible phytotoxic effects and arsenic accumulation in the production of curly endives with arsenic contaminated water.Two concentration levels (0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L) and two arsenic species (As+3 and As+5) were considered. Dry mass production tended to be reduced as As+3 concentration increased in irrigation water. However, As+5 treatments did not show significant dry mass production differences with a blank (control experiment). As accumulation in plant increased with As concentration in irrigation waters, following a linear trend. Nevertheless, the increase of accumulated As was not statistically significant for As+5 at 0.5 mg/L. Calculated biological absorption coefficients resulted in higher than previous values reported in the literature, which was attributed here to the source of arsenic (irrigation water). Considering field values for As+5/As+3 ratio and averaged concentrations in water, the obtained results support that there is not a short-or medium-term risk to food safety in the curly endive crop in the region of Castilla y León (Spain).

Klebsiella typing: pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in comparison with O:K-serotyping.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing and O:K-serotyping of Klebsiella in two different epidemiological settings. METHODS: One hundred and four bacteremia isolates without known epidemiological relation and 47 isolates from an outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were K-typed by countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CCIE), O-typed by an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using the restriction enzyme XbaI. RESULTS: Typing data for the 104 bacteremia isolates were compared with regard to typability, number of types, maximum number of isolates per type, and the Discriminative Index (DI). O-typing combined with K-typing (DI 0.98) as O:K-serotyping (DI 0.99) gave a very discriminative typing system, whereas O-typing alone was not very discriminative (DI 0.76). PFGE (DI 1.00) was a more discriminative typing method than O:K-serotyping, as it could subdivide 13/22 O:K-serotypes into smaller groups. Isolates with the same PFGE-type had the same O:K-serotype, indicating that isolates with different O- and/or K-types could be expected to be of different PFGE-types. Typing of the 47 isolates from the outbreak in the NICU showed that 38 isolates belonged to a single clone, and that during an epidemic limited in time and space, differences in the electrophoretic patterns of up to five bands between a parental pattern type and a subtype may be found in the PFGE profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Both O:K-serotyping and PFGE typing are highly discriminative typing methods. PFGE is the most discriminative method and is excellent for typing outbreaks with few isolates. If large numbers of isolates are to be typed, a more convenient strategy might be first to K- or O:K-serotype isolates followed by PFGE typing of possible identical isolates. Since K- or O:K-serotyping is a definitive typing method, while PFGE typing is a comparative one, PFGE cannot, for the time being, replace O:K-serotyping for surveillance purposes.

Pharmacological modification of endogenous antioxidant enzymes by ursolic acid on tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible protective effects of ursolic acid against CCl4-induced alterations of antioxidant defence enzymes in vivo as well as its effects against CCl4-intoxication in vitro. Pre-treatment of rats with ursolic acid significantly reduced serum levels of glutamate-oxalate-transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase previously increased by administration of CCl4. Treatment with ursolic acid also significantly reversed the decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activities and glutathione levels in the liver, as the concentration of reduced glutathione was increased and the content of oxidized glutathione decreased in ursolic acid treated groups. Levels of lipid peroxidation were higher in the CCl4 group but the increase was also reduced after drug treatment (p < 0.01 for 1, 2.5 and 5 mmol/kg). In vitro results indicated that addition to the culture medium of ursolic acid (p < 0.01 for 500 microM) resulted in a reduction of glutamate-oxalate-transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and in a good survival rate for the CCl4-intoxicated hepatocytes. Ursolic acid also ameliorated lipid peroxidation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to CCl4, as demonstrated by a reduction in malondialdehyde production. Moreover, ursolic acid (50-500 microM) showed radical scavenging properties in terms of hydroxyl formation. The results obtained suggest that ursolic acid treatment can normalize the disturbed antioxidant status of rats intoxicated with CCl4 by maintaining the levels of glutathione and by inhibiting the production of malondialdehyde due to its radical scavenging properties.

Antioxidant activity of Fraxetin: in vivo and ex vivo parameters in normal situation versus induced stress.

The aim of this paper was to study the influence of Fraxetin (7,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxv coumarin) treatment in a Drosophila melanogaster experimental model, analyzing several parameters in normal situations and instances of induced oxidative stress. Fraxetin treatment was introduced at different ages. Antigravity capacity and survival parameters were evaluated as in vivo assays, and levels of oxidative status, glutathione and lipid peroxidation, as ex vivo assays. The stress situation was induced by negative geotaxis, so physical exercise enhanced its basal metabolism, generating free radicals, which are probably implicated in the molecular damage related to the aging process. In our study, all treatment groups demonstrated a beneficial effect on the evaluated parameters. So, in vivo Fraxetin protects fruit flies against oxidative stress and improves the survival parameters. Moreover, Fraxetin prevents oxidative stress by an important increase in antioxidant reserves of GSH, and peroxidative damage is preserved by Fraxetin treatments.

Volatilisation of triallate as affected by soil texture and air velocity.

The rate of volatilisation of the formulated herbicide triallate was investigated in a wind tunnel under controlled wind-speed conditions. An experimental set-up is described which allows the monitoring of wind speed (w.s.), soil-water content, and the temperature of air and soil. A system controlling soil-water content is also described. The influence of air velocity and soil texture was investigated measuring the cumulative volatilisation losses of triallate from soil. The herbicide volatilisation losses after application ranged from 40% at 3 m/s to 53% at 9 m/s for loam soil and from 60% at 3 m/s to 73% at 9 m/s for sandy soil.

Water activity and temperature effects on germination and growth of Eurotium amstelodami, E. chevalieri and E. herbariorum isolates from bakery products.

This study investigated the effect of temperature (5-30 degrees C), water activity (0.775-0.90 aw) and their interactions on the temporal rates of germination and mycelial growth of three species of Eurotium on flour wheat sucrose medium. Germination was quite rapid at aw >0.85, with an almost linear increase with time for all isolates. However, under more extreme water stress, germination was slower. The aw minima for germination were usually lower than those for growth and varied with temperature. The effect of aw x temperature interactions on the lag phases (h) prior to germination and on the germination rates (h-1) were predicted using the Gompertz model modified by Zwietering. Eurotium spp. had shown short lag times at 0.90 aw over a wide range of temperatures. At marginal temperatures, lag phases were significantly longer, especially at >15 degrees C. The temperature x aw profiles for mycelial growth varied between species in terms of rates (mm d(-1)). Predictions of the effect of important environmental factors, such as temperature, aw and their interactions on lag times to germination, germination rates and mycelial growth, are important in the development of hurdle technology approaches to predict fungal spoilage in food products.