Pharmacological induction of diabetes mellitus in pregnant female mice: a comparison of two doses and routes of administration.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare two routes of administration and different dosages of streptozotocin (STZ) for the pharmacological induction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant CD1 females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35 female CD1 mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 7). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced with STZ by two routes and two doses: 1) Control Group without administration of STZ (CL), 2) Intraperitoneal Group with 200 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (IP200), 3) Intraperitoneal Group with 230 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (IP230), 4) Subcutaneous Group with 200 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (SC200) and 5) Subcutaneous Group with 230 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (SC230). Body weight, food and water intake, glycemia, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR), survival, and birth rate were identified. RESULTS: The SC230 group turned out to be the most effective dose and route for the induction of GDM in pregnant females. This scheme managed to reproduce sustained hyperglycemia with high HOMA-IR, the presence of polyphagia, polydipsia, and weight loss. In addition, the birth rate and survival were high compared to the other doses and routes of administration. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a single dose of 230 mg/kg of weight by subcutaneous route supposes advantages compared to previously used models since it decreases the physiological stress due to manipulation and the costs since it does not require repeated doses or adjuvants such as high lipid diets to potentiate the diabetogenic effect of STZ. Graphical Abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-abstract-12.jpg.

Programa de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos (PROA): análisis de indicadores basados en el consumo / Antimicrobial stewardship programs: analysis of indicators of antimicrobial agents based on consumption

Objetivos: Implantar un programa de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos (PROA) para intervenir en el uso de antimicrobianos. Analizar el impacto de las intervenciones mediante indicadores basados en el consumo.Métodos: Fase 1. Creación equipo PROA: nombramiento; asesoramiento externo; formación; desarrollo programa informático. Fase 2. Análisis indicadores de consumo: estudio retrospectivo de intervención cuasi-experimental con evaluación pre-post: se evaluaron los indicadores del uso de antimicrobianos basados en el consumo en fase no-intervención y en fase intervención. El programa PROA consistió en un modelo de intervención no restrictivo.Resultados: Se formó e implantó el equipo PROA como órgano estructural y organizativo para la consulta, intervención y vigilancia del uso de antimicrobianos. Durante la fase intervención se realizaron 134 recomendaciones: terapia secuencial (12,69%), cambio de antimicrobiano/desescalada terapéutica (31,34%), suspensión de tratamiento antimicrobiano (55,97%); el grado de aceptación fue del 67,16%. Se analizaron 13 indicadores. En 11 de ellos se observó mejoría: consumo global antibacterianos (-2,26%), consumo global antifúngicos sistémicos (-40,60%), consumo carbapenémicos (-22,63%), consumo fluoroquinolonas (-16,52%), ratio macrólidos i.v./fluoroquinolonas respiratorias i.v. (17,49%), ratio metronidazol/carbapenémicos + piperacilina-tazobactam (15,82%), consumo fosfomicina (69,21%), ratio agentes anti-SASM/agentes anti-SARM (45,14%), ratio amoxicilina-clavulánico/piperacilina-tazobactam (24,38%), diversificación betalactámicos antipseudomónicos (7,61%), ratio fluconazol/equinocandinas (8,74%). Los indicadores en los que se obtuvo resultado negativo fueron: terapia secuencial (-8,89%), ratio amoxicilina/amoxicilina-clavulánico (-4,03%). ... (AU)

Objectives: Implementation of a program for optimizing the use of antibiotics (PROA) to manage the use of antimicrobials. Analyse the impact through indicators based on consumption.Methods: Phase 1. Creation of PROA: appointment; external advice; training; software development. Phase 2. Consumption indicators analysis: interventional, quasi-experimental, retrospective study with pre-post evaluation: indicators based on consumption were evaluated in non-intervention phase and in intervention phase. PROA consisted of a non-restrictive intervention model.Results: PROA was formed and implemented as a structural and managing body for the advice, intervention and monitoring of the use of antimicrobials. During the intervention phase, 134 recommendations related to sequential therapy IV/PO (12.69%), change of antimicrobial/de-escalation (31.34%), discontinuation of antimicrobial treatment (55.97%) were made; the degree of acceptance was 67.16%. 13 indicators based on consumption were analysed. 11 of them led to an improvement: antibacterials global consumption (-2.26%), systemic antifungals global consumption (-40.60%), carbapenems consumption (-22.63%), fluoroquinolones consumption (-16.52%), macrolide IV/ respiratory fluoroquinolones IV ratio (17.49%), metronidazole/carbapenem + piperacillin-tazobactam ratio (15.82%), fosfomycin consumption (69.21%), anti-MSSA agents/anti-MRSA agents ratio (45.14%), amoxicillin-clavulanic/piperacillin-tazobactam ratio (24.38%), diversification antipseudomonic beta-lactam (7.61%), fluconazole/echinocandins ratio (8.74%). Indicators with negative result were: sequential therapy IV/PO (-8.89%), amoxicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic ratio (-4.03%). ... (AU)

Register and clinical follow-up of patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in Valencia. / Registro y seguimiento clínico de pacientes con síndrome de Peutz Jeghers en Valencia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by a germline mutation of the STK11/LKB1 gene, located on chromosome 19p13.3. It is characterized by mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation, hamartomatous polyposis, and predisposition to cancer. The aim of the present study was to identify and register patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, describe the disease, and estimate its prevalence in Valencia (Spain). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A print-out of the clinical histories from 10 hospitals was obtained utilizing the ICD-9 code 759.6 from the Minimum Basic Data Set of Hospital Admissions of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. RESULTS: From a total of 405 clinical histories found, 15 (9 males and 6 females) fit the diagnostic criteria of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Mean age at diagnosis was 13.8 years and mean age at death was 54.2 years. Four males died, all from cancer. The estimated disease prevalence was 0.4/100,000 inhabitants. All the patients presented with anemia and polyps in the small bowel (80% in the duodenum, 66.7% in the ileum, and 40% in the jejunum), 93.3% underwent urgent surgical intervention and presented with intestinal invagination, and 40% of the patients developed cancer at a mean age of 48.5 years. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first register of patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in Valencia, Spain. The ICD-9 code is nonspecific for rare diseases. The duodenum was the most frequent location for polyps and the majority of cases presented with intestinal invagination, bowel obstruction, and urgent surgical intervention. A large percentage of patients presented with cancer. It would be of interest to review and evaluate the existing surveillance protocols in the Valencian Community.

Effect of Supplementation with n-3 Fatty Acids Extracted from Microalgae on Inflammation Biomarkers from Two Different Strains of Mice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is considered a chronic noncommunicable disease in which inflammation plays a main role in the progression of the disease and it is known that n-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. One of the most recent approaches is the study of the fatty acids of microalgae as a substitute for fish oil and a source rich in fatty acids EPA and DHA. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of supplementation with n-3 fatty acids extracted from microalgae on the inflammatory markers from two different strains of mice. METHODS: Mice of two strains, db/db and CD1, were supplemented with n-3 fatty acids extracted from microalgae in lyophilized form and added to food; the experiment was carried out from week 8 to 16 of life. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the percentage of TCD4+ cells producing Th1 and Th2 cytokines. RESULTS: Supplementation with microalgae fatty acids decreased the percentage of TCD4+ cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α and increased the ones producing IL-17A and IL-12 in both strains; on the other hand, supplementation decreased percentage of TCD4+ cells producing IL-4 and increased the ones producing TGF-ß. CONCLUSIONS: Microalgae n-3 fatty acids could be a useful tool in the treatment of diabetes as well as in the prevention of the appearance of health complications caused by inflammatory states.

Naegleria fowleri immunization modifies lymphocytes and APC of nasal mucosa.

We investigated whether intranasal immunization with amoebic lysates plus cholera toxin modified the populations of T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells by flow cytometry from nose-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), cervical lymph nodes (CN), nasal passages (NP) and spleen (SP). In all immunized groups, the percentage of CD4 was higher than CD8 cells. CD45 was increased in B cells from mice immunized. We observed IgA antibody-forming cell (IgA-AFC) response, mainly in NALT and NP. Macrophages from NP and CN expressed the highest levels of CD80 and CD86 in N. fowleri lysates with either CT or CT alone immunized mice, whereas dendritic cells expressed high levels of CD80 and CD86 in all compartment from immunized mice. These were lower than those expressed by macrophages. Only in SP from CT-immunized mice, these costimulatory molecules were increased. These results suggest that N. fowleri and CT antigens are taking by APCs, and therefore, protective immunity depends on interactions between APCs and T cells from NP and CN. Consequently, CD4 cells stimulate the differentiation from B lymphocytes to AFC IgA-positive; antibody that we previously found interacting with trophozoites in the nasal lumen avoiding the N. fowleri attachment to nasal epithelium.

Protective Effect of Moderate Exercise for BALB/c Mice with Salmonella Typhimurium Infection.

Moderate exercise enhances resistance to pathogen-associated infections. However, its influence on intestinal IgA levels and resistance to Salmonella typhimurium in mice has not been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of moderate exercise on bacterial resistance and the intestinal-IgA response in a murine typhoid model. Sedentary and exercised (under a protocol of moderate swimming) BALB/c mice were orally infected with Salmonella typhimurium and sacrificed on days 7 or 14 post-infection (n=5 per group). Compared with infected sedentary mice, infected exercised animals had i) lower intestinal and systemic bacterial loads; ii) higher total and specific intestinal-IgA levels, iii) a higher percentage of IgA plasma cells in lamina propria; iv) a higher level on day 7 and lower level on day 14 of intestinal α- and J-chain mRNA and plasma corticosterone, v) unchanged mRNA expression of intestinal pIgR, and vi) a higher mRNA expression of liver pIgR, α-chain and J-chain on day 7. Hence, it is likely that an increase in corticosterone levels (stress response) induced by moderate exercise increased intestinal IgA levels by enabling greater liver expression of pIgR mRNA, leading to a rise in IgA transcytosis from the liver to intestine. The overall effect of these changes is an enhanced resistance to infection.

Moderate exercise enhances expression of SIgA in mouse ileum.

The immune-suppression caused by acute stress can be reduced by a regular practice of moderate exercise which is known to modulate the expression of secretory-IgA. This antibody is essential for protection against infections and maintenance of homeostasis at the mucosal level. In order to explore the effects of moderate exercise on secretory-IgA production in ileum of the small intestine, 2 groups of mice were submitted to this protocol for 6 months, an exercise group and a sedentary group. After sacrifice, levels of secretory-IgA in intestinal fluid and levels of adrenal hormones in serum were determined by enzyme immunoenzymatic assay. IgA-plasma cells in lamina propria were evaluated by flow cytometry. Transcriptional mRNA expression in mucosa of alpha-chain, J-chain, pIgR and cytokines (Interleukin-2, -4, -6, -10, transforming growth factor-beta, interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor) were determined by RT-PCR. In comparison with sedentary mice, moderate exercised mice displayed an up-regulating effect on the production of secretory-IgA and IgA-plasma cells, on the expression of all mRNA transcripts from secretory-IgA associated proteins, and on all cytokines tested. However, serum levels of adrenal hormones were not altered. Future studies on secretory-IgA production are necessary to support the substantive effect of moderate exercise on protection and homeostasis at the intestinal level.

Morphological and enzymatic changes of the small intestine in an n0-STZ diabetes rat model.

Summary. Many studies have shown that experimental type 1 diabetes causes morphological, functional, and metabolic alterations in the small intestine. The more frequent form of the disease, type 2 diabetes, however, has been less studied. Here the influence of diabetes on the functionality of the small intestine was studied in an experimental diabetes model, with a certain degree of residual insulin secretion, specifically in the n0-STZ model. - The diabetic rats in this model were found to have glycaemia levels higher than in the controls (8.82 +/- 0.27 and 6.18 +/- 0.18 mmol/L; p < 0.01), while their plasma insulin levels were lower than in the control rats (2.65 +/- 0.32 and 3.60 +/- 0.25 ng/ml; p < 0.05). Although there were no significant variations in body weight between the two groups, both the weight and the length of the intestine were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the diabetic rats than in the controls. The sucrase and maltase activities were greater (p < 0.01) in the proximal intestine of the diabetic rats (94 +/- 8 and 234 +/- 12 mU/mg protein, respectively) than in the control rats (50 +/- 2 and 149 +/- 20 mU/mg protein, respectively). The 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase activity (mU/mg proteins) was less (p < 0.05) in the proximal and distal intestine of the diabetic rats (160 +/- 40 and 80 +/- 20, respectively) than in the controls (280 +/- 30 and 230 +/- 30, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the lactate dehydrogenase or active and total pyruvate dehydrogenase measured in the distal and proximal intestine of control and diabetic rats. In conclusion, our results show that experimental diabetes (n0-STZ model) similar to human type 2 diabetes produces certain morphological and enzymatic alterations which affect the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and the intestinal metabolism of glucose. These alterations may contribute to producing the post-prandial hyperglycaemia which characterizes diabetes.

Suspected side effects of a herbicide on dung beetle populations (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

This paper addresses the association between use of a herbicide and anecdotal reports of reduced dung degradation and dung beetle populations. Dung beetles were monthly collected at two adjacent ranches in Mexico. Ranches were similar in area, elevation, exposition, soil, and vegetation, but differed in weed control. Ranch A controlled weeds manually, and ranch B controlled unwanted vegetation with applications of the herbicide Tordon 101M. The main species recovered on each ranch (Ataenius apicalis) was significantly more abundant at ranch A than at ranch B. Conversely, similar numbers of a second species, Ataenius sculptor, were recovered from both ranches. Three lines of evidence support the tentative conclusion that herbicide applications may be causing a decline in populations of A. apicalis on ranch B. First, the greatest reductions of A. apicalis were observed during periods of herbicide application. Second, A. sculptor, apparently little affected by these same herbicide applications, is active primarily during months without herbicide applications. Third, preliminary results of laboratory studies show that exposure to herbicide can impair reproductive function of the dung beetle Canthon cyanellus.

Molecular characterization of two Arabidopsis Ire1 homologs, endoplasmic reticulum-located transmembrane protein kinases.

A major response of eukaryotic cells to the presence of unfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is to activate genes that encode ER-located molecular chaperones, such as the binding protein. This response, called the unfolded protein response, requires the transduction of a signal from the ER to the nucleus. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and mammalian cells, an ER-located transmembrane receptor protein kinase/ribonuclease called Ire1, with a sensor domain in the lumen of the ER, is the first component of this pathway. Here, we report the cloning and derived amino acid sequences of AtIre1-1 and AtIre1-2, two Arabidopsis homologs of Ire1. The two proteins are located in the perinuclear ER (based on heterologous expression of fusions with green fluorescent protein). The expression patterns of the two genes (using beta-glucuronidase fusions) are nearly nonoverlapping. We also demonstrate functional complementation of the sensor domains of the two proteins in yeast and show that the Ire1-2 protein is capable of autotransphosphorylation. These and other findings are discussed in relation to the involvement of these genes in unfolded protein response signaling in plants.

Hostigamiento psicológico en el trabajo / Mobbing

En numerosas ocasiones se ha puesto de manifiesto la relación entre aspectos psicosociales del trabajo y ciertas disfunciones relacionadas con la salud de los trabajadores. El acoso u hostigamiento psicológico en el trabajo es una situación de riesgo a la que no se suele atender. La situación de hostigamiento psicológico es comprendida, generalmente, como parte de la cultura organizacional por lo que es difícil relacionarla con las consecuencias que los trabajadores acosados presentan. En este sentido, el objetivo del presente trabajo es definir tal situación, exponer sus características y modos de ocurrencia, así como el análisis de sus posibles causas. El conocimiento de estas situaciones de riesgo es muy importante para su prevención y posible tratamiento (AU)

In numerous occasions it has shown the relationship between psychosocial aspects of the work and certain problems related with the worker's health. The psychological pursuit or mobbing in the work are a situation of risk to which importance is not usually given. The behaviours of psychological harassment are lived, often, like part of the organizational culture and they are not related with the pathologies that the harassed person presents. The aim of this paper is to define the situation of mobbing, to expose their characteristics and occurrence ways, as well as the analysis of their possible causes. Knowing these situations of risk and their consequences has very important for their prevention and possible treatment (AU)

African-American and Latina adolescent mothers' infant feeding decisions and breastfeeding practices: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To explore minority teen mothers' perceptions of breastfeeding and the influences on infant feeding choices. METHODS: A qualitative study using semistructured ethnographic interviews and focus groups involving 35 Latina and African-American girls in Chicago between the ages of 12 and 19 years who were primiparous and were currently pregnant or had delivered within the past 3 months. RESULTS: Adolescents identified three main influences on infant feeding decisions and practices: (a) their perceptions of the benefits of breastfeeding, (b) their perceptions of the problems with breastfeeding, and (c) influential people. In this study, teens reported no single influence which determined infant feeding choices. The decision to breastfeed was a dynamic process. Teens recognized that breastfeeding offered many benefits including facilitating maternal-child bonding and promoting the baby's health, but concern was raised regarding a potential for excessive attachment between teen mother and baby. Fear of pain, embarrassment with public exposure, and unease with the act of breastfeeding acted as barriers for teenagers who were considering breastfeeding. Teenagers discussed the breast pump as a strategy in dealing with these barriers. The adolescents' mothers continued to be an important influence. CONCLUSIONS: The ranges of perceptions and influences that minority adolescent mothers have identified as affecting their infant feeding choices, illustrated and explained in the teens' own words, are helpful to health care providers as they counsel teen mothers about infant feeding options.

In vitro activities of six new fluoroquinolones against Brucella melitensis.

We have tested the in vitro activities of eight fluoroquinolones against 160 Brucella melitensis strains. The most active was sitafloxacin (MIC at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited [MIC90], 0.12 microg/ml). In decreasing order, the activities (MIC90s) of the rest of the tested fluoroquinolones were as follows: levofloxacin, 0.5 microg/ml; ciprofloxacin, trovafloxacin, and moxifloxacin, 1 microg/ml; and ofloxacin, grepafloxacin, and gatifloxacin, 2 microg/ml.

Effect of miglitol administration to non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats.

1. The effect of the acute or chronic oral administration of miglitol (Bay M 1099 alpha-glucosidase inhibitor) to non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats was studied. 2. The acute oral administration of miglitol (10 mg/kg b.w.) reduced significantly the increment of blood glucose after oral maltose (2 g/kg b.w.) overload (364 +/- 58 and 205 +/- 12 mmol/90 min, without and with miglitol respectively; P < 0.05). 3. Under chronic oral administration of miglitol (10 mg/kg b.w.), two days after the start of treatment the blood glucose dropped from 7.53 +/- 9.59 to 4.40 +/- 5.50 mmol/l. The plasma insulin, cholesterol, or triglycerides levels were not modified. 4. A significant reduction (P < 0.01) in water and food intake was observed. Normal rats values were not affected by miglitol treatment.

In vitro study of the effect of miglitol on carbohydrate digestion and intestinal metabolism in normal and non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats.

The effect of miglitol was studied (20 mg/kg body weight), administered intraduodenally alone or together with maltose, on the absorption and intestinal metabolism of glucose during its translocation from the lumen of the intestine to the blood, using in vitro perfused preparations of complete small intestine-pancreas, proximal small intestine alone, or distal small intestine alone, isolated from normal and non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats. In the absence of a luminal administration of maltose in normal rats, the glucose uptake from the vascular perfusate was greater in the presence (0.52 +/- 0.04 mmol/h) than in the absence (0.39 +/- 0.02 mmol/h) of miglitol (p < 0.05). In diabetic rats, no significant variations were observed in glucose uptake from the vascular perfusate as an effect of miglitol, but the glucose uptake in the presence of this drug was significantly less (p < 0.05) than that observed in normal rats. Portal lactate was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in diabetic than in normal rats and, after administration of miglitol, rose in both normal and diabetic rats, the rise being significantly greater in normal than in diabetic rats (p < 0.01). When maltose was administered luminally (2 g/kg body weight), the values of portal glucose in both normal and diabetic rats were significantly less in the presence of miglitol in the complete as well as in the distal and proximal small intestine preparations (p < 0.05); the glucose uptake from luminal administered maltose was greater in the presence of miglitol in diabetic (p < 0.05) and in normal (p < 0.05) rats except in the complete small intestine of normal rats; and no significant differences were observed in portal lactate levels between normal and diabetic rats in the presence of miglitol. In conclusion, our results show that miglitol administered luminally at the doses employed here, as well as reducing the transport of glucose from the lumen of the intestine into the blood supply, significantly stimulate intestinal glucose metabolism.