Negative correlation between phospholipase and esterase activity produced by Fusarium isolates

Fusarium species have emerged as one of the more outstanding groups of clinically important filamentous fungi, causing localized and life-threatening invasive infections with high morbidity and mortality. The ability to produce different types of hydrolytic enzymes is thought to be an important virulence mechanism of fungal pathogens and could be associated with the environment of the microorganism. Here, we have measured the production of two distinct lipolytic enzymes, phospholipase and esterase, by sixteen Fusarium isolates recovered from the hospital environment, immunocompromised patients’ blood cultures, foot interdigital space scrapings from immunocompromised patients, and foot interdigital space scrapings from immunocompetent patients (4 isolates each). Fourteen of these 16 isolates were identified asFusarium solani species complex (FSSC) and two were identified as F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC). Some relevant genus characteristics were visualized by light and electron microscopy such as curved and multicelled macroconidia with 3 or 4 septa, microconidia, phialides, and abundant chlamydospores. All Fusarium isolates were able to produce esterase and phospholipase under the experimental conditions. However, a negative correlation was observed between these two enzymes, indicating that a Fusarium isolate with high phospholipase activity has low esterase activity and vice versa. In addition, Fusarium isolated from clinical material produced more phospholipases, while environmental strains produced more esterases. These observations may be correlated with the different types of substrates that these fungi need to degrade during their nutrition processes.

Swimming training down-regulates plasma leptin levels, but not adipose tissue ob mRNA expression

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of endurance training on leptin levels and adipose tissue gene expression and their association with insulin, body composition and energy intake. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: trained (N = 18) and sedentary controls (N = 20). The trained group underwent swimming training for 9 weeks. Leptin and insulin levels, adiposity and leptin gene expression in epididymal and inguinal adipose tissue were determined after training. There were no differences in energy intake between groups. Trained rats had a decreased final body weight (-10 percent), relative and total body fat (-36 and -55 percent, respectively) and insulin levels (-55 percent) compared with controls (P < 0.05). Although trained animals showed 56 percent lower leptin levels (2.58 ± 1.05 vs 5.89 ± 2.89 ng/mL in control; P < 0.05), no difference in leptin gene expression in either fat depot was demonstrable between groups. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that lower leptin levels in trained rats were due primarily to their lower body fat mass. After adjustment for total body fat, leptin levels were still 20 percent (P < 0.05) lower in exercised rats. In conclusion, nine weeks of swimming training did not affect leptin gene expression, but did lead to a decrease in leptin levels that was independent of changes in body fat.

Influência da ordem e estádios da lactação no perfil bioquímico sangüíneo de cabras da raça Saanen / Influence of parity and stage of lactation on the blood biochemical profile of Saanen goats

O perfil bioquímico sérico de cabras da raça Saanen lactantes foi investigado com o objetivo de analisar as variações fisiológicas e a influência da ordem e estádio da lactação, em função de possíveis biomarcadores, para monitorar o balanço energético, adequação metabólica durante a lactação. Foram analisadas amostras de sangue de cabras lactantes de primeira, segunda e terceira lactação, colhidas da veia jugular em tubo vacutainer com gel separador para obtenção de soro e determinação das concentrações de proteínas, metabólitos, minerais e enzimas. Observou-se influência da ordem de lactação nos valores das proteínas totais, glicose, triglicérides, cálcio total e ionizado, aspartato aminotransferase (AST), fosfatase alcalina e dos estádios da lactação nas concentrações séricas das proteínas totais, glicose, triglicérides, magnésio, AST e fosfatase alcalina. Conclui-se que glicose, triglicérides, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, magnésio, AST e fosfatase alcalina são biomarcadores eficazes para detecção de desbalanço energético e mineral em cabras lactantes.

The serum biochemical profile of Saanen dairy goat was investigated with the purpose of analyzing the physiological variations and the influence of lactation order and stage in terms of possible biomarkers to monitor the energetic balance and the metabolic adequacy during lactation. Blood samples were taken from lactating goats at first, second and third lactation. They were collected from the jugular vein in a vacutainer tube with separator gel to obtain sera and to determine protein, metabolite, mineral and enzyme concentrations. The lactation order influence was observed on total protein, glucose, triglycerides, total and ionized calcium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase values and the lactation stages on serum concentrations of total proteins, glucose, triglycerides and magnesium, AST and alkaline phosphatase. It was inferred that glucose, triglycerides, total calcium, ionized calcium, magnesium, AST and alkaline phosphatase are effective biomarkers to detect the energetic and mineral imbalance in Saanen dairy goats.