Marcadores moleculares para la taxonomía e identificación del género Brucella (Alphaproteobacteria) / Molecular markers for the taxonomy and identification of the genus Brucella (Alphaproteobacteria)

Introducción: El género Brucella está incluido en la familia Brucellaceae que pertenece al orden Rhizobiales y es reconocido por su alto grado de patogenicidad. Las bacterias de este género son responsables de la brucelosis, enfermedad que ha sido reportada como una de las zoonosis más importantes a nivel mundial por su incidencia en el ganado y el hombre. Los estudios previos para la clasificación taxonómica del género, se han basado fundamentalmente en el análisis del gen 16S ARNr. Sin embargo, pocas investigaciones se han dirigido a la identificación de marcadores moleculares que distingan a sus miembros de otros grupos de bacterias. Objetivo: Identificar inserciones en secuencias de proteínas conservadas, que pudieran ser utilizados como marcadores moleculares para la taxonomía y diagnóstico de especies del género Brucella. Métodos: Las secuencias homólogas de las proteínas analizadas fueron obtenidas de bases de datos internacionales y, posteriormente, alineadas con el programa ClustalX2, para ello fueron considerados los parámetros sugeridos en la literatura. Resultados: Se identificaron inserciones en las proteínas oxoglutarato deshidrogenasa (componente E1) y ADN ligasa A específicas del género Brucella. Conclusiones: Las inserciones halladas pueden ser empleadas como complemento a los métodos tradicionales de clasificación taxonómica y para el diagnóstico molecular de bacterias incluidas en el género Brucella(AU)

Introduction: Brucella is a genus from the Brucellaceae family, Rhizobiales order. This genus is recognized for its high pathogenicity. Brucella bacteria cause brucellosis, a disease reported as one of the most important zoonoses worldwide due to its incidence in cattle and people. Previous studies on taxonomic classification of the genus have been mainly based on the analysis of gene 16S rDNA. However, few studies have been aimed at identification of molecular markers distinguishing its members from other groups of bacteria. Objective: Identify insertions in preserved protein sequences which could be used as molecular markers for the taxonomy and diagnosis of species from the Brucella genus. Methods: The homologous sequences for the proteins analyzed were obtained from international databases and aligned with the software ClustalX2, considering the parameters suggested in the literature. Results: Insertions were identified in the proteins oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (component E1) and DNA ligase A, specific of the genus Brucella. Conclusions: The insertions found may be used as complements to the traditional methods for taxonomic classification and for the molecular diagnosis of bacteria from the genus Brucella(AU)

SF1-Specific AMPKα1 Deletion Protects Against Diet-Induced Obesity.

AMPK is a cellular gauge that is activated under conditions of low energy, increasing energy production and reducing energy waste. Current evidence links hypothalamic AMPK with the central regulation of energy balance. However, it is unclear whether targeting hypothalamic AMPK has beneficial effects in obesity. Here, we show that genetic inhibition of AMPK in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) protects against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity by increasing brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and subsequently energy expenditure. Notably, this effect depends upon the AMPKα1 isoform in steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) neurons of the VMH, since mice bearing selective ablation of AMPKα1 in SF1 neurons display resistance to diet-induced obesity, increased BAT thermogenesis, browning of white adipose tissue, and improved glucose and lipid homeostasis. Overall, our findings point to hypothalamic AMPK in specific neuronal populations as a potential druggable target for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by inhabitants of Holguín, Eastern Region, Cuba / Estudio etnobotánico de las plantas medicinales usadas por los habitantes de Holguín, Región Oriental, Cuba

The present study was aimed to archive the etnhnomedicinal knowledge of plants used by inhabitants of seven villages of Holguín, Eastern region, Cuba. The ethnomedicinal information was collected through interviews. The collected data were analyzed through use value (UV), informant consensus factor (Fic) and fidelity level (FL). A total of 195 species of plants distributed in 166 genera belonging to 70 families were identified for the treatment of 17 ailment categories. The most treated conditions were digestive and liver disorders. The most important species according to their use value were Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson (0.236) and Annona muricata L. (0.194). Cancer and tumors had the Fic value of 0.94. A total of 19 species has a highest FL of 100 percent. This was the first ethnobotanical survey conducted in Holguín region, which will contribute to preserve valuable information of medicinal plants that may otherwise be lost to future generations.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo registrar el conocimiento etnomedicinal de las plantas usadas por los pobladores en 7 comunidades de Holguín, Región Oriental, Cuba. La información fue recogida a través de entrevistas y analizada cuantitativamente mediante indicadores etnobotánicos: valor de uso (UV), factor del consenso de los informantes (Fic) e índice de fidelidad (FL). Fueron reportadas un total de 195 especies de plantas, distribuidas en 166 géneros y 70 familias, para el tratamiento de 17 categorías de usos. Las indicaciones más frecuentes fueron los problemas digestivos y del hígado. Las especies medicinales con mayor UV fueron Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson (0.236) y Annona muricata L. (0.194). Cáncer y tumores tuvieron el valor más alto de Fic (0.94). Solo 19 especies presentaron un valor de FL de 100 %. Este primer estudio contribuirá a preservar la información de las plantas medicinales y que esta no se pierda en las futuras generaciones.

Hypothalamic AMPK-ER Stress-JNK1 Axis Mediates the Central Actions of Thyroid Hormones on Energy Balance.

Thyroid hormones (THs) act in the brain to modulate energy balance. We show that central triiodothyronine (T3) regulates de novo lipogenesis in liver and lipid oxidation in brown adipose tissue (BAT) through the parasympathetic (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS), respectively. Central T3 promotes hepatic lipogenesis with parallel stimulation of the thermogenic program in BAT. The action of T3 depends on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-induced regulation of two signaling pathways in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH): decreased ceramide-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which promotes BAT thermogenesis, and increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, which controls hepatic lipid metabolism. Of note, ablation of AMPKα1 in steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) neurons of the VMH fully recapitulated the effect of central T3, pointing to this population in mediating the effect of central THs on metabolism. Overall, these findings uncover the underlying pathways through which central T3 modulates peripheral metabolism.

Anti-CD26 autoantibodies are involved in rheumatoid arthritis and show potential clinical interest.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show low serum levels of the Ag dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV/CD26), both soluble CD26 (sCD26) concentration and its DPP-IV activity. The aim of this study was to test if anti-DPP-IV/CD26 Abs (Anti-CD26) cleared sCD26. DESIGN & METHODS: Serum Anti-CD26 and Total titers (as comparison) of isotypes IgA, IgM and IgG as well as sCD26 concentration and DPP-IV activity were measured in a cohort of RA patients undergoing different biological and non-biological therapies (n=105) and controls (n=50). RESULTS: Anti-CD26 levels were increased approximately two-fold for each isotype in RA, were not related to the sCD26 clearance, showed several correlations with disease activity parameters, were significantly higher in smokers and they were not ACPA. Anti-CD26 Igs showed high diagnostic power (82% sensitivity and 96% specificity) and their levels differed amongst the different groups of patients stratified by the type of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: As DPP-IV/CD26 is associated to factors triggering RA in the lung and periodontal tissue, these results suggest that Anti-CD26 isotypes may participate in pathogenesis and may be useful as biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and/or precision medicine.

CD26 Expression on T Helper Populations and sCD26 Serum Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

We studied dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV, CD26) expression in different T helper cells and serum soluble DPP-IV/sCD26 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, correlated these with disease activity score (DAS), and examined how they were affected by different therapies, conventional or biological (anti-TNF, anti-CD20 and anti-IL6R or Ig-CTLA4). The percentage of CD4+CD45R0+CD26- cells was greatly reduced in patients (up to 50%) when compared with healthy subjects. Three other subsets of CD4 cells, including a CD26high Th1-associated population, changed variably with therapies. Data from these subsets (frequency and staining density) significantly correlated with DAS28 or DAS28 components but different in each group of patients undergoing the different therapies. Th17 and Th22 subsets were implicated in RA as independent CCR4+ and CCR4- populations each, with distinct CD26 expression, and were targeted with varying efficiency by each therapy. Serum DPP-IV activity rather than sCD26 levels was lower in RA patients compared to healthy donors. DPP-IV and sCD26 serum levels were found related to specific T cell subsets but not to disease activity. We conclude that, according to their CD26 expression, different cell subsets could serve to monitor RA course, and an uncharacterized T helper CD26- subset, not targeted by therapies, should be monitored for early diagnosis.

Estabilidad de dos tinturas de Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit (ítamo real) / Stability of two Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit (ítamo real) tinctures

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit (ítamo real) se emplea tradicionalmente y en estomatología por la acción antiinflamatoria. Objetivos: evaluar la estabilidad de 2 tinturas de ítamo real almacenadas en condiciones de refrigeración y temperatura ambiente durante 1 año...

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Point (ítamo real) is traditionally used in dentistry due to its antiinflammatory effect. Objectives: to evaluate the stability of two itamo real tinctures stored under refrigeration conditions and at room temperature for one year...

Estabilidad de dos tinturas de Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit (ítamo real) / Stability of two Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit (ítamo real) tinctures

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit (ítamo real) se emplea tradicionalmente y en estomatología por la acción antiinflamatoria. Objetivos: evaluar la estabilidad de 2 tinturas de ítamo real almacenadas en condiciones de refrigeración y temperatura ambiente durante 1 año...(AU)

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Point (ítamo real) is traditionally used in dentistry due to its antiinflammatory effect. Objectives: to evaluate the stability of two itamo real tinctures stored under refrigeration conditions and at room temperature for one year...(AU)