Maternal adaptive immunity influences the intestinal microflora of suckling mice

The microflorae in the intestine of breast-fed infants are distinct from those that typically populate the intestine of formula-fed infants. Although the acquisition of passive immunity through breast-feeding may play a critical role in influencing the pattern of bacterial colonization of the gut, the precise mechanisms underlying the differences in the commensal microflorae of breast and formula-fed children have not been established. We hypothesized that the assemblage of commensal microflorae in suckling and weaned mice may be influenced by the maternal adaptive immune system. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the intestinal microflorae of mice reared in the presence (wild-type) or absence of an intact maternal immune system (T- and B-cell deficient). Several types of bacteria (Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Clostridium perfringens, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides) were isolated and enumerated from both the small and large intestine of 10-, 18-, 25- and 40- to 60-d old mice using selective media. The densities of bacteria were significantly lower in the small intestine of weaned mice that were reared by wild-type (WT) compared with immunodeficient (ID) dams. However, the microflorae were generally more abundant in the large intestine of suckling pups reared by WT compared with ID dams. Our results indicate that intestinal microflorae change throughout the suckling phase of development and that the maternal adaptive immune system influences the pattern and abundance of bacteria within the gut in an age- and site-specific manner.     

Dengue prevention and control: a review of studies on knowledge, beliefs, and practices

This article aims to contribute to dengue control programs through a review of recent studies on knowledge, beliefs, and practices concerning dengue and dengue prevention. The results show that adequate knowledge of dengue and prevention methods are found in close association with high rates of domiciliary infestation by Aedes aegypti. This suggests that traditional education strategies, although efficient in transmitting information, have failed to change population behavior. Qualitative studies reveal two important issues that appear to explain these attitudes: representations of dengue and risks associated with mosquitoes and difficulties in avoiding infestation of household water recipients due to sanitation problems in communities.     

Reliability of the IOLMaster in measuring corneal power changes after photorefractive keratectomy

PURPOSE: To test the accuracy of the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss) in detecting corneal power changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, 2nd University of Naples, Naples, Italy. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-five consecutive eyes that had PRK (mean -5.13 diopters [D] +/- 2.98 [SD] [range +0.25 to -16.25 D]) were analyzed. The data included preoperative and postoperative (1, 3, and 6 months) subjective refraction and computerized keratometry. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the changes in the subjective refraction at the corneal plane and the changes in keratometry. RESULTS: The mean difference between the changes in refraction and the measured corneal changes was 0.75 +/- 1.13 D (range -3.84 to +7.68 D) at 1 month, 0.92 +/- 1.10 D (range -0.87 to +7.93 D) at 3 months, and 0.75 +/- 0.98 D (range -1.70 to +3.85 D) at 6 months. The difference was significant (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Automated keratometry provided by the IOLMaster did not accurately reflect the effective refractive changes after PRK, particularly in eyes that had a high dioptric treatment.     

Combined spatial, contrast, and temporal functions perimetry in mild glaucoma and ocular hypertension

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic ability of a new perimetric procedure in glaucoma. METHODS: Pulsar perimeter shows white circular sinusoidal grating patterns with decreasing amplitude, 5 degrees in diameter, 500 msec in duration in 66 locations. The stimuli scale combines spatial resolution and contrast. The stimuli were shown with centrifugal wave motion at 8 cyl/deg (K6W) or pulse at 30 Hz (T30W). Fifty-six normal eyes and 82 eyes with ocular hypertension and mild glaucoma were included. These 82 cases were classified into four levels of diagnostic certainty, from 0 (ocular hypertension) to 3 (mild glaucoma). RESULTS: Mean examination time was 3:49 min. Specificity was 96.4% (T30W) and 94.6% (K6W). Sensitivities for levels 0 and 3 were 34.5% to 100% (T30W) and 24.1 % to 75% (K6W). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas for T30W at levels 1, 2, and 3 were 0.88, 0.94, and 0.99. The ROC areas for K6W were 0.83, 0.91, and 0.97. There was good correlation between both Pulsar perimetries (r=0.88), but it was lower with conventional perimetry (r=0.58 for T30W and r=0.59 for K6W). CONCLUSIONS: The novel Pulsar T30W perimetry may be helpful for the study of mild glaucoma and ocular hypertension.     

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of oxazolidin-2-ones structurally related to linezolid

Compounds structurally related to the known antimicrobial drug linezolid were selected in order to evaluate the influence of electron-withdrawing properties and altered geometric features as a result of the N-substituent modification. After a preliminary study of molecular modeling, cinnamoyl-, pyridin- and pyrimidinoxazolidin-2-ones were synthesized. None of the new compounds showed antibacterial activity.     

Functional consequences of immune cell adhesion to endothelial cells

Research regarding the interactions between the endothelium and immune cells has undergone a significant expansion during the past decade. Major shifts of emphasis have been the norm, from the production of a detail catalog of the cell surface receptors and counter-receptors acting at the interface between the vascular endothelium and circulating cells to a more mechanistic account of leukocyte/endothelium interactions. The past five years has seen new, groundbreaking developments in the field, with exiting studies aimed at understanding the functional consequences of the direct contact of endothelial cells and leukocytes. Based on early work to be discussed below, new data on local chemokine production and cell-to-cell contacts, attempt to clarify the physiopathological significance of these events. The exceptional anatomical arrangement of endothelial cells insures a permanent contact of the endothelium with leukocytes, an event likely to result in cellular signals originating from direct cell contact or through the action of soluble factors produced by endothelial cells or immune cells. As we will discuss, current evidence supports the idea that endothelial cells present at vascular endothelium as well as at specialized high endothelial venules, play not only a critical role in the homing and recruitment of immune cells but that it can also influence the outcome of the immune response. Additionally, new evidence clearly corroborates the idea that B and T lymphocytes as well as NK cells can modulate endothelial cell function.     

Immunoglobulin therapy to control lung damage in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

BACKGROUND: Lung damage progression is the most frequent condition in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Appropriate immunoglobulin dose adjustments and follow-up guidelines to evaluate this have not been well established. Objective: To assess the evolution of lung damage once stable residual serum levels of IgG over 600 mg/dl had been achieved. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 24 adult patients consecutively diagnosed with CVID, with no previous intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. IVIG dose, total serum IgG level, bacterial infection rate, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax were monitored over 2 years. Moreover, outcome data were determined by measurement of chronic pulmonary disease (CPD). RESULTS: IVIG dose variability (205-372 mg/kg/21 days) to obtain the required serum IgG levels was determined. Patients with CPD needed higher doses than those without CPD (p=0.045). A significant reduction in severe and mild infections/patient-year was observed during treatment. Overall, there were no changes in PFTs and HRCT scores in patients without CPD, but both improved in patients with CPD. An increase of over 15% in overall HRCT score was detected in two patients without evidence of impairment in either clinical status or PFT values. CONCLUSIONS: Residual levels of total IgG over 600 mg/dl may help prevent progression of lung damage in patients with CVID. Levels of IgG, clinical manifestations and PFTs seem sufficient for routine follow-up. HRCT examination of the thorax, at least biennially, may help to identify patients in whom lung injury is progressing even though they may remain symptom-free and with stable PFTs.     

Hypericum androsaemum infusion increases tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced mice hepatotoxicity in vivo

Increasing evidence regarding free radical generating agents indicates that the sustained production of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause hepatotoxicity. Being a short chain analog of lipid peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) is metabolized into free radical intermediates by cytochrome P450 in hepatocytes, which initiate lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion and cell damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the putative protective effect of Hypericum androsaemum lyophilised infusion against t-BHP-induced mice hepatotoxicity in vivo, which has already been shown to be antioxidant in vitro. However, the results showed that the oral pretreatment with Hypericum androsaemum infusion (4, 20 and 100 mg/kg) for 4 days before a single intraperitoneal dose of t-BHP (1.8 mmol/kg) potentiated the t-BHP-induced hepatotoxicity. In fact, it was observed a potentiation in the depletion of total glutathione and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and increase in oxidised glutathione (GSSG) level. Also the histopathological evaluation of the mice livers revealed that the infusion raised the incidence of liver lesions induced by t-BHP. These data do not corroborate any effect of Hypericum androsaemum infusion as hepatoprotector, but rather as a potentiator of hepatotoxicity in the present experimental conditions.     

Potential antipsoriatic avarol derivatives as antioxidants and inhibitors of PGE(2) generation and proliferation in the HaCaT cell line

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships for a series of 14 new avarol derivatives as antioxidants and inhibitors of cell proliferation and PGE(2) generation in human keratinocytes are described. Compound 6 (thiosalicylic derivative) was the most potent inhibitor of superoxide generation in human neutrophils and also potently inhibited PGE(2) generation in the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. Compound 7(3'-methylaminoavarone) presented the best antiproliferative profile, by the inhibition of (3)H-thymidine incorporation in HaCaT cells, with potency similar to the reference compound anthralin. None of the avarol derivatives showed any sign of cytotoxicity measured as LDH release in treated keratinocytes. The potency and pharmacological profile of derivatives are also discussed.     

Environment and illness in the Calchaquí Valley (Salta, Argentina): phytotherapy for osteo-articular and cardio-circulatory diseases

The aim of this work is to analyze and discuss the phytotherapy employed for two kinds of diseases, osteo-articular and cardio-circulatory, among the inhabitants of Molinos (Calchaquí Valley, Salta Province, Northwestern Argentina). These diseases take their origin in certain environmental conditions as well as the rural activities characteristic of the zone. The observations and interviews conducted among "medicos campesinos" (traditional healers) and the general population provided valuable information concerning the relationship between man and his environment, as it relates to health-illness processes. As a result of our research, we present a chart of the 25 recorded diseases and the 42 plant species employed in their therapy, considering the organs used, the ways of preparation and administration, as well as the geographic origin.