Identification by molecular techniques of halophilic bacteria producing important enzymes from pristine area in Campeche, Mexico

Abstract Isla Arena is located in the coordinate 20° 70´ N - 90° 45´ W, from Campeche, Mexico. In these estuaries, the ocean mixes with fresh water, and ecosystems are concentrated where petenes and pink flamingos proliferate. Crustaceans and mollusks abound in the sea. Despite its enormous marine wealth, there are no studies carried out on which halophilic microorganisms are present in these waters. In this work, the diversity and structure of the microbial community was investigated through a metagenomics approach and corroborated for sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. It was found that the phylum Fimicutes predominates with more than 50%, in almost the same proportion of the class Bacilli and with almost 41% of relative abundance of the order Bacillales. The sequencing results showed that one of the samples presented a high percentage of similarity (99.75%) using the Nucleotide BLAST program with a peculiar microorganism: Bacillus subtilis. This microorganism is one of the best characterized bacteria among the gram-positive ones. Our results demonstrate that B. subtilis can be an efficient source of proteases, lipases and cellulases, from halophilic microbial communities located in poorly explored areas.

Resumo Isla Arena está localizada na coordenada 20°70N - 90°45W, de Campeche, México. Nesses estuários, o oceano se mistura com a água doce e os ecossistemas se concentram onde proliferam petenos e flamingos rosa. Crustáceos e moluscos abundam no mar. Apesar de sua enorme riqueza marinha, não há estudos realizados sobre a presença de microrganismos halofílicos nessas águas. Neste trabalho, a diversidade e estrutura da comunidade microbiana foram investigadas através de uma abordagem metagenômica e corroboradas para o sequenciamento de genes 16S rRNA. Verificou-se que o filo Fimicutes predomina com mais de 50%, quase na mesma proporção da classe Bacilli e com quase 41% de abundância relativa da ordem Bacillales. Os resultados do sequenciamento mostraram que uma das amostras apresentou alto percentual de similaridade (99,75%) pelo programa Nucleotide BLAST com um microrganismo peculiar: Bacillus subtilis. Nossos resultados demonstram que B. subtilis pode ser uma fonte eficiente de proteases, lipases e celulases, provenientes de comunidades microbianas halofílicas localizadas em áreas pouco exploradas.

Identification by molecular techniques of halophilic bacteria producing important enzymes from pristine area in Campeche, Mexico / Identificação por técnicas moleculares de bactérias halofílicas que produzem enzimas importantes em área intocada de Campeche, México

Abstract Isla Arena is located in the coordinate 20° 70´ N - 90° 45´ W, from Campeche, Mexico. In these estuaries, the ocean mixes with fresh water, and ecosystems are concentrated where petenes and pink flamingos proliferate. Crustaceans and mollusks abound in the sea. Despite its enormous marine wealth, there are no studies carried out on which halophilic microorganisms are present in these waters. In this work, the diversity and structure of the microbial community was investigated through a metagenomics approach and corroborated for sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. It was found that the phylum Fimicutes predominates with more than 50%, in almost the same proportion of the class Bacilli and with almost 41% of relative abundance of the order Bacillales. The sequencing results showed that one of the samples presented a high percentage of similarity (99.75%) using the Nucleotide BLAST program with a peculiar microorganism: Bacillus subtilis. This microorganism is one of the best characterized bacteria among the gram-positive ones. Our results demonstrate that B. subtilis can be an efficient source of proteases, lipases and cellulases, from halophilic microbial communities located in poorly explored areas.

Resumo Isla Arena está localizada na coordenada 20°70'N - 90°45'W, de Campeche, México. Nesses estuários, o oceano se mistura com a água doce e os ecossistemas se concentram onde proliferam petenos e flamingos rosa. Crustáceos e moluscos abundam no mar. Apesar de sua enorme riqueza marinha, não há estudos realizados sobre a presença de microrganismos halofílicos nessas águas. Neste trabalho, a diversidade e estrutura da comunidade microbiana foram investigadas através de uma abordagem metagenômica e corroboradas para o sequenciamento de genes 16S rRNA. Verificou-se que o filo Fimicutes predomina com mais de 50%, quase na mesma proporção da classe Bacilli e com quase 41% de abundância relativa da ordem Bacillales. Os resultados do sequenciamento mostraram que uma das amostras apresentou alto percentual de similaridade (99,75%) pelo programa Nucleotide BLAST com um microrganismo peculiar: Bacillus subtilis. Nossos resultados demonstram que B. subtilis pode ser uma fonte eficiente de proteases, lipases e celulases, provenientes de comunidades microbianas halofílicas localizadas em áreas pouco exploradas.

Detection of 16SrIV-A phytoplasma DNA in Colpoptera sp. (Hemiptera: Nogodinidae) insects in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Lethal yellowing (LY) is a disease that affects coconut and other palm species. It is associated to phytoplasmas of the group 16SrIV and the only reported insect vector for this pathogen so far is Haplaxius crudus. H. crudus is present in Mexico and has been associated to 16SrIV phytoplasmas, however, it was not detectable during a LY outbreak in the coast of Yucatan, Mexico, suggesting the existence of other vector species. To test this hypothesis a survey of insects was carried out and a total of 3074 insects were captured during a year of monthly sampling. Ten taxonomic orders were identified in this sample, Hemiptera being the most abundant (N=2094), and these were classified into nine families. The leafhopper Colpoptera sp. from to the Nogodinidae family was de most abundant representing 56% of the total number of insects sampled and 23% of these samples resulted positive for LY phytoplasma by PCR detection. The BLAST comparison, virtual RFLP and phylogenetic analyses of the sequenced amplicons relate the detected phytoplasma to the subgroup 16SrIV-A. The findings presented herein suggest that Colpoptera sp. could be considered as a new putative vector of the LY-causing phytoplasmas in Mexico and a candidate for further research.

Transcriptome analysis reveals key defense-related genes upon SA induction in Cocos nucifera L.

BACKGROUND: Salicylic acid (SA) is an important regulator of genes involved in plant defense and pathogen-triggered systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Coconut is an important crop affected by several pathogens. Reported evidence suggests SA involvement in defense responses, including SAR in coconut. OBJECTIVE: To identified differentially expressed genes in leaf and root tissues of coconut plantlets, as a result of SA, that might be involved in coconut defense responses. METHODS: Comparative transcriptomic analysis by RNA-Seq of leaf and root tissues from in vitro coconut plantlets unexposed and exposed to SA 2.5 mM for 48 h. And in silico validation of gene expression by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: We identified 4615 and 3940 differentially expressed unigenes (DEUs) in leaf and root tissues respectively. Our GO analysis showed functional categories related to the induction of defense responses, such as "systemic acquired resistance" and highly enriched hormone categories, such as abscisic acid. The most abundant KEGG pathway in our results was "Biosynthesis of antibiotics". Our findings support that exogenous application of SA to plantlets induced the activation of PRs, RGAs, ICS2, NLTP2, PER4, TRXM and some WRKYs mediated by NPR1-dependent pathways. Also, we found DEUs, such as BZR1, HSL1, and WHY2 that support that SA could regulate defense-related genes through NPR1-independent pathways. CONCLUSION: The present study of massive data analysis carried out on coconut plantlets exposed to SA, generates valuable information that increases our understanding of defense molecular mechanisms in coconut and open new venues for research for the improvement of management of coconut diseases.

Identification by molecular techniques of halophilic bacteria producing important enzymes from pristine area in Campeche, Mexico.

Isla Arena is located in the coordinate 20° 70´ N - 90° 45´ W, from Campeche, Mexico. In these estuaries, the ocean mixes with fresh water, and ecosystems are concentrated where petenes and pink flamingos proliferate. Crustaceans and mollusks abound in the sea. Despite its enormous marine wealth, there are no studies carried out on which halophilic microorganisms are present in these waters. In this work, the diversity and structure of the microbial community was investigated through a metagenomics approach and corroborated for sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. It was found that the phylum Fimicutes predominates with more than 50%, in almost the same proportion of the class Bacilli and with almost 41% of relative abundance of the order Bacillales. The sequencing results showed that one of the samples presented a high percentage of similarity (99.75%) using the Nucleotide BLAST program with a peculiar microorganism: Bacillus subtilis. This microorganism is one of the best characterized bacteria among the gram-positive ones. Our results demonstrate that B. subtilis can be an efficient source of proteases, lipases and cellulases, from halophilic microbial communities located in poorly explored areas.

[Sleep-related movement and behavioural disorders in adults]. / Trastornos del movimiento y de la conducta durante el sueño en el adulto.

Sleep-related movement and behaviour disorders may have an impact on sleep quality and lead to daytime symptoms. These groups of conditions include diseases such as restless legs syndrome, periodic leg movements, and REM and NREM parasomnias. The knowledge of their clinical features and management is of utmost importance for the neurologist and sleep specialist. Frequently, these patients are referred to such specialists and it is relevant to know that certain sleep disorders may be associated with other neurological conditions.

TITLE: Trastornos del movimiento y de la conducta durante el sueño en el adulto.Los trastornos del movimiento y de la conducta durante el sueño pueden tener un impacto en la calidad del sueño del paciente y dar lugar a síntomas diurnos. En estos grupos de enfermedades se incluyen entidades como el síndrome de piernas inquietas, los movimientos periódicos de las piernas y las parasomnias del sueño de movimientos oculares rápidos (REM) y no REM. El conocimiento de sus características clínicas y nociones sobre su manejo es de gran importancia para el neurólogo y especialista en sueño por su frecuencia e impacto en la calidad del sujeto. Con frecuencia, estos pacientes son referidos a dichos especialistas, y es relevante conocer que ciertos trastornos del sueño pueden asociarse a otras enfermedades neurológicas.

[Sleep-disordered breathing as a consequence of vagus nerve stimulation]. / Alteraciones respiratorias durante el sueño a consecuencia de la estimulación del nervio vago.

INTRODUCTION: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is indicated in cases of refractory epilepsy. Its side effects are frequently minor, however, breathing disturbances during sleep have been previously reported. CASE REPORTS: Our three cases are representative of sleep-disordered breathing that occurred as a consequence of VNS activity in patients with refractory epilepsy. Sleep apnoea was observed in two patients and stridor in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome in patients with refractory epilepsy, implantation of VNS should be ideally preceded by an assessment of the breathing during sleep. Furthermore, sleep-disordered breathing should be considered as a rare complication of VNS, and sleep apnoea should be investigated alongside data regarding VNS firing.

TITLE: Alteraciones respiratorias durante el sueño a consecuencia de la estimulación del nervio vago.Introducción. La estimulación del nervio vago (ENV) es una terapia utilizada en casos de epilepsia refractaria. Sus efectos secundarios son, con frecuencia, leves; sin embargo, se han descrito previamente alteraciones respiratorias durante el sueño. Casos clínicos. Los tres casos incluidos son representativos de alteraciones respiratorias durante el sueño (apnea del sueño y estridor) que surgen a consecuencia de la actividad de la ENV. Conclusiones. Dada la elevada prevalencia del síndrome de apnea/hipopnea durante el sueño en pacientes con epilepsia refractaria, debería estudiarse su posible preexistencia en candidatos a ENV y considerarse su potencial aparición como consecuencia de la ENV en el seguimiento de pacientes con ENV activa.

Genes coding for transporters showed a rapid and sharp increase in their expression in response to lead, in the aquatic fern (Salvinia minima Baker).

Salvinia minima was assessed for its ability to accumulate lead (Pb) by exposing it to concentrations of 40µM Pb(NO3)2 during 24h. At the same time, the expression levels were quantified, of four genes coding for transporters: SmABCC (ABCC-MRP), SmATPase (ATPase-P3A), SmNhaD (Type-Na+/H+) and SmABCG (ABCG-WBC). In the absence of lead, S. minima had very low expression of those genes, when plants were exposed to the metal however, those genes showed a rapid (in just three hours or less) and sharp increase (up to 60 times) in their expression, particularly the SmNhaD (Type-Na+/H+) gene. This sharp increase in expression levels of the genes studied, occurred at the same time that the plant accumulated the highest content of lead in its tissues. The first two genes, are apparently implicated in detoxification and lead accumulation mechanisms, while the other two genes are apparently involved in maintaining cell balance (homeostatic control) and membrane integrity. Our results confirmed that S. minima is efficient for phytoremediation of water bodies contaminated by lead, as it is efficient in accumulating this metal in its tissues (bioconcentration factor; BCF) values greater than 1000, in short times of exposure. More importantly, our data on the expression profiles of four genes coding for transporters, represent a first sight scenario of the molecular basis for understanding the different mechanism of detoxification, apparently present in this aquatic fern.

Perfil de incidencia de VIH en embarazadas atendidas en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal de Lima, Perú / Incidence rate of HIV in pregnant women attended at the Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal of Lima, Perú

Resumen OBJETIVO Determinar la incidencia de la infección por VIH en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal de Lima, Perú (2007-2016). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Revisión de los resultados de los exámenes diagnósticos de VIH de mujeres embarazadas efectuados según la normativa nacional vigente que incluye las pruebas de tamizaje (inmunocromatografía o ELISA). Los reportes positivos se corroboran con exámenes confirmatorios (inmunofluorescencia indirecta y western blot). Determinación de la incidencia de VIH de acuerdo con la tendencia anual; aplicación de la correlación de Pearson y prueba de χ2 para comparar las características del perfil de incidencia. RESULTADOS Se tamizaron 113,258 mujeres embarazadas y la incidencia obtenida fue de 2.9 por cada mil. La tendencia anual fue errática, excepto entre 2014 y 2016 años en los que se advirtió una tendencia a disminuir. Solo se tamizó a 22.7% de las parejas masculinas en quienes la seroconcordancia fue 10.3%, y la serodiscordancia 12.4%. La frecuencia de seroconcordancia se correlacionó directamente con el porcentaje de parejas tamizadas e inversamente con la frecuencia de VIH (p<0.05). La condición de convivencia o madre soltera se asoció con mayor frecuencia a la falta de tamizaje de la pareja (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONES La incidencia de VIH confirmado fue errática (2007-2016). Deben proponerse estrategias para incrementar el tamizaje en las parejas de las embarazadas infectadas, teniendo en cuenta la alta frecuencia de inestabilidad de ese tipo de unión.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of HIV infection in pregnant women treated at the National Maternal and Perinatal Institute (Lima, Peru), between 2007-2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS Observational, descriptive and retrospective study. The results of the diagnostic tests of HIV in pregnant women were reviewed, carried out according to current national regulations, which includes the screening tests (immunochromatography and / or ELISA), which in case of being reactive were corroborated by confirmatory tests (indirect immunofluorescence and Western Blot). The incidence of HIV was measured according to the annual trend, and the Pearson correlation and χ2 test were applied to compare the characteristics of the incidence profile. RESULTS 113,258 pregnant women were screened, obtaining an incidence of 2.91 per thousand pregnant women, the annual trend was erratic, except between 2014 and 2016 where there was a tendency to decrease. Only 22.73% of the couples of the pregnant women were screened, the seroconcordance was 10.3%, and the serodiscordance was 12.42%. The frequency of seroconcordance correlated directly with the percentage of sifted couples and inversely with the frequency of HIV (p <0.05). The condition of coexistence or single mother was associated more frequently with the lack of screening of the couple (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The confirmed incidence of HIV was erratic (2007-2016). Strategies should be elaborated to increase the screening in the pairs of the infected pregnant women, taking into account the high frequency of the instability of said union.

Identification of up-regulated genes from the metal-hyperaccumulator aquatic fern Salvinia minima Baker, in response to lead exposure.

Lead (Pb) is one of the most serious environmental pollutants. The aquatic fern Salvinia minima Baker is capable to hyper-accumulate Pb in their tissues. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in its Pb accumulation and tolerance capacity are not fully understood. In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms that are activated by S. minima in response to Pb, we constructed a suppression subtractive hybridization library (SSH) in response to an exposure to 40µM of Pb(NO3)2 for 12h. 365 lead-related differentially expressed sequences tags (ESTs) were isolated and sequenced. Among these ESTs, 143 unique cDNA (97 were registered at the GenBank and 46 ESTs were not registered, because they did not meet the GenBank conditions). Those ESTs were identified and classified into 3 groups according to Blast2GO. In terms of metabolic pathways, they were grouped into 29 KEGG pathways. Among the ESTs, we identified some that might be part of the mechanism that this fern may have to deal with this metal, including abiotic-stress-related transcription factors, some that might be involved in tolerance mechanisms such as ROS scavenging, membrane protection, and those of cell homeostasis recovery. To validate the SSH library, 4 genes were randomly selected from the library and analyzed by qRT-PCR. These 4 genes were transcriptionally up-regulated in response to lead in at least one of the two tested tissues (roots and leaves). The present library is one of the few genomics approaches to study the response to metal stress in an aquatic fern, representing novel molecular information and tools to understand the molecular physiology of its Pb tolerance and hyperaccumulation capacity. Further research is required to elucidate the functions of the lead-induced genes that remain classified as unknown, to perhaps reveal novel molecular mechanisms of Pb tolerance and accumulation capacity in aquatic plants.

Impact of functional mandibular advancement appliances on the temporomandibular joint - a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Although many orthodontists have no doubts about the effectiveness of functional appliances for mandibular advancement, the impact on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is still in dispute. The objective of this systematic review is to examine the main effects on the TMJ of using functional appliances, both in healthy patients and in patients with a pre-existing disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Only systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials (RCTs), case-control studies and cohort studies were included. A detailed language-independent electronic search was conducted in the Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Embase databases. All studies published between 2000 and 2015 were included. RESULTS: A total of 401 articles were identified. Of these, 159 were duplicates and were excluded. On reading the title and abstract, 213 articles were excluded because they did not answer the research question, leaving a total of 29 articles. These articles were read and assessed. Following critical reading of the full text, eight articles were excluded: seven because they were considered of low quality and one because it published redundant data. As a result, 21 articles were included. CONCLUSIONS: After treatment with functional appliances, the condyle was found to be in a more advanced position, with remodelling of the condyle and adaptation of the morphology of the glenoid fossa. No significant adverse effects on the TMJ were observed in healthy patients and the appliances could improve joints that initially presented forward dislocation of the disk.

MiR-320e is a novel prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Advances in early detection and treatment have improved outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there remains a need for robust prognostic and predictive biomarkers. We conducted a systematic discovery and validation of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in two clinical trial cohorts of CRC patients. METHODS: We performed an initial 'discovery' phase using Affymetrix miRNA expression arrays to profile stage III CRC patients with and without tumour recurrence (n=50 per group) at 3-years of follow-up. All patients received adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus oxaliplatin, that is, FOLFOX, treatment. During 'validation', we analysed miRNAs using qRT-PCR in an independent cohort of 237 stage II-IV CRC patients treated with 5-FU-based chemotherapy, as well as in normal colonic mucosa from 20 healthy subjects. Association with disease recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was examined using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: In the discovery cohort, miR-320e expression was significantly elevated in stage III colon cancers from patients with vs without recurrence (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.14-1.42; P<0.0001). These results were then independently validated in stage II and III tumours. Specifically, increased miR-320e expression was associated with poorer DFS (hazard ratio (HR)=1.65; 95% CI=1.27-2.13; P=0.0001) and OS (HR=1.78; 95% CI=1.31-2.41; P=0.0003) in stage III CRC patients. CONCLUSIONS: In two clinical trial cohorts, a systematic biomarker discovery and validation approach identified miR-320e to be a novel prognostic biomarker that is associated with adverse clinical outcome in stage III CRC patients treated with 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings have important implications for the personalised management of CRC patients.

Targeting striatal metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 in Parkinson's disease: bridging molecular studies and clinical trials.

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors expressed primarily on neurons and glial cells modulating the effects of glutamatergic neurotransmission. The pharmacological manipulation of these receptors has been postulated to be valuable in the management of some neurological disorders. Accordingly, the targeting of mGlu5 receptors as a therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed, especially to manage the adverse symptoms associated to chronic treatment with classical PD drugs. Thus, the specific pharmacological blocking of mGlu5 receptors constitutes one of the most attractive non-dopaminergic-based strategies for PD management in general and for the L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) in particular. Overall, we provide here an update of the current state of the art of these mGlu5 receptor-based approaches that are under clinical study as agents devoted to alleviate PD symptoms.

Clinically important molecular features of Peruvian colorectal tumours: high prevalence of DNA mismatch repair deficiency and low incidence of KRAS mutations.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Peru has been increasing, and no data have been published on the molecular features. We explored the most relevant genetic events involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, with clinical implications. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry for mismatch-repair (MMR) proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) and microsatellite instability analysis, we evaluated the status of 90 non-selected CRC Peruvian patients followed in a nationwide reference hospital for cancer (INEN, Lima). Tumours with loss of hMLH1 were evaluated further for hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation and all cases were evaluated for the presence of KRAS and BRAF-V600E mutations. RESULTS: MMR deficiency was found in 35 (38.8%) patients. We identified an unexpected association between MMR deficiency and older age. Among the 14 cases with loss of MLH1, 10 samples exhibited hypermethylation. Of the 90 cases evaluated, 15 (16.7%) carried KRAS mutations; we found one previously unreported mutation (G13R). CONCLUSIONS: Peruvian CRC tumours exhibited the highest prevalence of MMR deficiency reported to date. The expected hereditary component was also high. The age of onset of these MMR deficient tumours was greater than that observed for non-MMR deficient cases, suggesting the ineffectiveness of the Bethesda criteria for Lynch syndrome screening in Peru. Prospective studies are warranted to define the molecular characteristics of CRC in this population.

Regulation of α2-adrenoceptor gene expression by chronic lithium treatment in rat brain.

One of the approaches for the treatment of bipolar disorder involves the coadministration of lithium, a mood stabilizer, with α2-adrenoceptor antagonists possessing an antidepressant effect. Since lithium accelerates the recovery of α2(D)-adrenoceptors following their irreversible inactivation with N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), our aim was to examine if it could be to some changes in Adra2A gene expression which codifies these adrenoceptors. Animals were treated with lithium chloride (120 mg/kg i.p.) or saline once a day for 10 days. A group of lithium- or saline-treated rats was killed 48 h after the last injection. The remaining animals were treated with EEDQ and were killed at 0.25, 4 and 14 days following this administration. Total RNA was extracted from cerebral cortex and Adra2A gene expression was measured by RT-QPCR. The results show that chronic lithium raised the Adra2A gene expression (P < 0.05), and after EEDQ administration this expression decreased to the basal level. No change in Adra2A gene expression was detected in the saline-treated group. However, EEDQ administration produced an insignificant increase in α2-adrenoceptors mRNA levels followed by a progressive decrease until basal levels. Lithium produced an overexpression of the Adra2A gene after chronic treatment that made the neuron ready to produce α2-adrenoceptors to deal with their inactivation.

Pulsed electric fields versus thermal treatment: equivalent processes to obtain equally acceptable citrus juices.

Pulsed electric field treatment has been claimed to produce more acceptable chilled citrus juices than those obtained by conventional thermal treatment. The pectin methylesterase activity and the acceptability of nine juices obtained from Clementine mandarins, Valencia oranges, and Ortanique fruits (hybrid of mandarin and orange), untreated, pasteurized (85 degrees C for 10 s), and treated by pulsed electric fields (25 kV/cm for 330 micros), were evaluated. The treatments, selected to reach a similar level of pectin methylesterase inactivation, produced juices that did not differ in acceptability from each other for the three varieties and in all cases were less acceptable than the untreated juice.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of natural extracts: application in beef meatballs.

The antioxidant and antibacterial effect of rosemary, orange and lemon extracts was investigated in cooked Swedish-style meatballs. Activity in a lard system was established for all the extracts and further determination of the development of rancidity as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances consistently showed that about 50% of the rancidity can be controlled by the citrus preparations. Two of the rosemary extracts (water soluble and oil soluble) were more effective with practically complete elimination of rancidity (TBA values) after a period of 12 days. Rosemary extract activity against lactic acid bacteria and Listeria but not Brochothrix thermosphacta was demonstrated in an agar diffusion test, but in the product only lactic acid bacteria counts were slightly reduced. Sensory analysis results, particularly aroma and acceptability scores, indicated the significant advantages in using rosemary and citrus extracts in rancidity-susceptible meat products.

Effect of chronic lithium treatment on the turnover of alpha2-adrenoceptors after chemical inactivation in rats.

One of the most effective psychotherapeutic agents in the treatment of bipolar disease is lithium. Chronic lithium treatment affects some signal transduction mechanisms such as cAMP, cGMP, inositol 1,4,5 P(3), Gi protein, protein kinase C and can also modify gene expression in rat brain. In a previous study, we observed a greater inhibitory effect of lithium on cAMP production after blockade of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex. Here we examine the influence of chronic lithium treatment on turnover of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors after their inactivation by N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) in rat cerebral cortex. After treatment with lithium for 10 days (120 mg/kg/day, i.p.), there was a significant increase in the appearance and disappearance rate constants of these adrenoceptors and a significant reduction of their half-life. These results suggest that chronic lithium administration alters the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor turnover in rat brain.