S-Nitrosoglutathione formation at gastric pH is augmented by ascorbic acid and by the antioxidant vitamin complex,Resiston

Context: Exogenous nitrogen oxides must be made bioavailable to sustain normal physiology because nitric oxide synthase (NOS) deficient mice are viable. In the stomach, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is formed from ingested nitrite and high levels of airway glutathione (GSH) that are cleared and swallowed. However, gastric GSNO may be broken down by nutrients like ascorbic acid (AA) before it is absorbed.

Objective: To study the effect of AA on GSNO formation and stability.

Materials and methods: GSH and nitrite were reacted with or without 5?mM AA or Resiston (5?mM AA with retinoic acid and α-tocopherol). GSNO was measured by reduction/chemiluminescence and HPLC. AA and reduced thiols were measured colorimetrically. O-Nitrosoascorbate and AA were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

Results: GSNO was formed in saline and gastric samples (pH ～4.5) from physiological levels of GSH and nitrite. Neither AA nor Resiston decreased [GSNO] at pH >3; rather, they increased [GSNO] (0.12?±?0.19?μM without AA; 0.42?±?0.35?μM with AA; and 0.43?±?0.23?μM with Resiston; n?=?4 each; p?≤?0.05). However, AA compounds decreased [GSNO] at lower pH and with incubation >1?h. Mechanistically, AA, but not dehydroascorbate, increased GSNO formation; and the O-nitrosoascorbate intermediate was formed.

Conclusions: AA, with or without other antioxidants, did not deplete GSNO formed from physiological levels of GSH and nitrite at pH >3. In fact, it favoured GSNO formation, likely through O-nitrosoascorbate. Gastric GSNO could be a NOS-independent source of bioavailable nitrogen oxides.     

Russian “Successful” Clone B0/W148 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing Genotype: a Multiplex PCR Assay for Rapid Detection and Global Screening

We describe a multiplex PCR assay to detect the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype variant B0/W148, which is considered a “successful” clone of M. tuberculosis, widespread in Russia. Specificity and sensitivity of the assay were 100% based on the analysis of a collection of 516 M. tuberculosis isolates of different genotypes and origins. This assay may be used for accurate and simple detection and surveillance of this clinically and epidemiologically important variant of M. tuberculosis.     

Acute effects of aerobic exercise on mood and hunger feelings in male obese adolescents: a crossover study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of exercise intensity on anxiety, mood states and hunger in obese adolescents. METHODS: Subjects were eight male obese adolescents (age 15.44 +/- 2.06y; BMI 33.06 +/- 4.78 kg/m2). Each subject underwent three experimental trials: 1) Control, seated for 30 min; 2) Low intensity exercise (LIE) - exercise at 10% below ventilatory threshold (VT); 3) High intensity exercise (HIE) - exercise at 10% above VT. Anxiety (STAI Trait/State), mood (POMS) and hunger (VAS) were assessed before and immediately after the experimental sessions. Comparisons between trials and times were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests, respectively. Associations between variables were described using a Spearman test. RESULTS: The largest increase in hunger was observed after LEI (914.22%). Both exercise sessions increased anxiety, fatigue and decreased vigor (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acute exercise bouts are associated with negative changes in anxiety and mood, and with increases in hunger in obese adolescents.     

The chicken chorioallantoic membrane model in biology,medicine and bioengineering

The chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a simple, highly vascularized extraembryonic membrane, which performs multiple functions during embryonic development, including but not restricted to gas exchange. Over the last two decades, interest in the CAM as a robust experimental platform to study blood vessels has been shared by specialists working in bioengineering, development, morphology, biochemistry, transplant biology, cancer research and drug development. The tissue composition and accessibility of the CAM for experimental manipulation, makes it an attractive preclinical in vivo model for drug screening and/or for studies of vascular growth. In this article we provide a detailed review of the use of the CAM to study vascular biology and response of blood vessels to a variety of agonists. We also present distinct cultivation protocols discussing their advantages and limitations and provide a summarized update on the use of the CAM in vascular imaging, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and toxicology.     

Markers of systemic inflammation in delayed pressure urticaria

Background We have previously reported, increased plasma IL‐6 concentration in chronic urticaria. In addition, it has been suggested that IL‐6 and C‐reactive protein (CRP) may be useful markers of the disease activity. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a systemic inflammation is present in delayed pressure urticaria (DPU). Methods Plasma IL‐6 and serum CRP concentrations, biomarkers of acute phase response, were measured in DPU, and the healthy subjects matched by age, gender, and BMI using ELISA method. Results DPU patients showed significantly higher plasma IL‐6 and serum CRP concentrations than the healthy subjects. Conclusions Similarly to the known locally increased IL‐6 activity in DPU lesions, the elevated circulating levels of IL‐6 and CRP have been currently found in DPU. This indicates that the disease induces a systemic inflammatory process, termed the acute phase response.     

Nocardiosis: an overview and additional report of 28 cases in cattle and dogs

Phenotypic characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and clinical-epidemiological features of 28 Nocardia strains isolated from 19 cases of bovine mastitis, eight cutaneous-subcutaneous lesions and one case of pneumonia in dogs were evaluated. Microbiological, biochemical, cytological and scanning electron microscopy methods were used in diagnosis. Nocardia asteroides type IV, Nocardia otitidiscaviarum,Nocardia nova (type III) and Nocardia farcinica (type V) were isolated from bovine milk, bronchial lavage and/or cutaneous-subcutaneous abscesses in dogs. Nocardial bovine mastitis was diagnosed predominantly in clinical cases, in dairy herds with poor environmental hygienic conditions between milking and inappropriate intramammary therapy. Canine nocardiosis was observed commonly in animals co-infected with distemper virus. Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim (92.8%), amikacin (92.8%) and ceftiofur (92.8%) were the most effective drugs in 28 isolates. Multiple drug resistance to three or more and five or more antimicrobials was observed in ten (35.7%) and three (10.7%) strains, respectively, predominantly with use of cloxaxillin, cefoperazone and ampicillin. The species (type) classification, clinical-epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis, multiple-drug resistance and public health considerations in Nocardia strains isolated from cattle and dogs in Brazil are discussed, with special reference to report of bovine mastitis by N. otitidiscaviarum by first time in Brazil and the similarity between Nocardia species isolated from human and animal origin.     

A randomized trial of amodiaquine and artesunate alone and in combination for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children from Burkina Faso

Combining artesunate (AR) with existing antimalarial drugs may improve cure rates, delay emergence of resistance and reduce parasite clearance time. In order to investigate the latter, we conducted a randomized clinical trial testing the AR plus amodiaquine (AQ) combination for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Burkina Faso. Children aged 1-15 years were randomly assigned to either AQ (10 mg/kg) or AR (4 mg/kg first day then half dose) or AQ + AR (AQAR) as a single daily dose under supervision for three consecutive days for all groups. Follow-up lasted 28 days. Primary endpoints were parasite and fever clearance time. Eighty-seven children were evaluated: 27 received AQ, 27 AR and 33 AQAR. Using an intention to treat analysis, fever clearance time was similar in the three groups. However, it was significantly faster in the AR (1.21 days; P = 0.02) and AQAR groups (1.19 days; P < 0.01) than in the AQ group (1.46 days) when excluding other concomitant causes of fever. Parasite clearance time was faster in AR (1.13 days; P = 0.008) and AQAR groups (1.13 days; P < 0.01) than in the AQ group (1.6 days). All children cleared their parasites by day 14, including the child with Late Parasitological Failure (LPF) at day 7 after rescue treatment. Only one child (4%) from the AR group and one (4%) from the AQ group presented with asymptomatic parasitaemia at day 7 and day 21, respectively (LPF). Gametocyte carriage was not detectable in any group during follow-up nor was any adverse reaction observed. While resistance to first-line treatment (chloroquine) is already established in the country, AQ and AR used alone or in combination therapy proved highly efficacious in our study. Burkina Faso stands in a very good situation for an internationally recommended switch to AR-containing combination as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Including AQ in this regimen seems the best option.