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Zuniga C, Quintana E, Zuniga E, Lorca E, Cament R, Escobar L, Garcia B, Enos D, Taylor S, Castillo A, Hellman E, Aldunate T, Herrera P, Ruiz A, Arce I, Mª Francisca C, Sabando V, Letelier M. POS-319 TELENEPHROLOGY AS A PUBLIC POLICY FOR THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH CKD AT THE PRIMARY HEALTH LEVEL. CHILEAN EXPERIENCE. Kidney Int Rep 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2022.01.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Benites N, Hora A, Mello P, Laes M, Brandão P, Melville P, Zuniga E. Genotypic evaluation of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus spp. isolated from bovine clinical mastitis. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-11984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Bovine clinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus spp. is a serious and widespread disease in the world of dairy farming. Antimicrobial therapy is of fundamental importance in the prevention and treatment of infectious mastitis, but the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials acts as a determining factor for the spread of the disease. The present study evaluated the resistance profiles of 57 Staphylococcus spp. isolated from bovine clinical mastitis to beta-lactams and gentamicin, relating characteristics of phenotype (in vitro susceptibility tests) and genotype (detection and expression of genes encoding resistance - mecA, mecALGA251, blaZ, femA, femB, and aacA-aphD - using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively). One or more genes coding for resistance to different antimicrobials were detected in 50 Staphylococcus spp. isolates. The femA and femB genes were the most frequent (75.4% for both). The observed expression of the genes was as follows: blaZ (60%), femA (39.5%), aacA-aphD (50%), femB (32.6%), mecA (8.3%), and mecALGA251 (0%). Considering the relevance of the genus Staphylococcus to bovine mastitis, this study aimed to elucidate aspects regarding the genotypic and phenotypic profiles of these microorganisms so as to contribute to the development of effective strategies for mastitis control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A.S. Hora
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil
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Ebelt ND, Zuniga E, Marzagalli M, Zamloot V, Blazar BR, Salgia R, Manuel ER. Salmonella-Based Therapy Targeting Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Restructures the Immune Contexture to Improve Checkpoint Blockade Efficacy. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120617. [PMID: 33339195 PMCID: PMC7765568 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment have changed dramatically in recent years with the advent of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Among these, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) using monoclonal antibodies has shown tremendous promise in approximately 20% of patients. In order to better predict patients that will respond to ICB treatment, biomarkers such as tumor-associated CD8+ T cell frequency, tumor checkpoint protein status and mutational burden have been utilized, however, with mixed success. In this study, we hypothesized that significantly altering the suppressive tumor immune landscape in NSCLC could potentially improve ICB efficacy. Using sub-therapeutic doses of our Salmonella typhimurium-based therapy targeting the suppressive molecule indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (shIDO-ST) in tumor-bearing mice, we observed dramatic changes in immune subset phenotypes that included increases in antigen presentation markers, decreased regulatory T cell frequency and overall reduced checkpoint protein expression. Combination shIDO-ST treatment with anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 antibodies enhanced tumor growth control, compared to either treatment alone, which was associated with significant intratumoral infiltration by CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Ultimately, we show that increases in antigen presentation markers and infiltration by T cells is correlated with significantly increased survival in NSCLC patients. These results suggest that the success of ICB therapy may be more accurately predicted by taking into account multiple factors such as potential for antigen presentation and immune subset repertoire in addition to markers already being considered. Alternatively, combination treatment with agents such as shIDO-ST could be used to create a more conducive tumor microenvironment for improving responses to ICB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy D. Ebelt
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (N.D.E.); (E.Z.); (M.M.); (V.Z.)
| | - Edith Zuniga
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (N.D.E.); (E.Z.); (M.M.); (V.Z.)
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (N.D.E.); (E.Z.); (M.M.); (V.Z.)
| | - Vic Zamloot
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (N.D.E.); (E.Z.); (M.M.); (V.Z.)
| | - Bruce R. Blazar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Edwin R. Manuel
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (N.D.E.); (E.Z.); (M.M.); (V.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(626)-218-2452
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Snyder AD, Zuniga E, Ma L, Steinberg JL, Woisard K, Narayana PA, Lane S, Schmitz J, Moeller FG. Examination of preliminary behavioral and effective connectivity findings from treatment response to citalopram in cocaine use disorder: A dynamic causal modeling study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2020; 303:111127. [PMID: 32593950 PMCID: PMC8948471 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We sought effective (directional) connectivity parameters associated with response to citalopram in cocaine use disorder (CUD) by conducting a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment with participants diagnosed with CUD (n = 13) and matched healthy controls (HC; n = 17). CUD participants showed a positive correlation between bilateral DLPFC-to-putamen effective connectivity and treatment effectiveness score. These preliminary results support further investigation of prefrontal-striatal interactions in response to treatment in CUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Snyder
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies; Department of Psychiatry.
| | - E Zuniga
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
| | - L Ma
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies; Department of Radiology
| | - J L Steinberg
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies; Department of Psychiatry
| | - K Woisard
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies; Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - P A Narayana
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - S Lane
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - J Schmitz
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - F G Moeller
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies; Department of Psychiatry; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
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Ebelt ND, Zuniga E, Johnson BL, Diamond DJ, Manuel ER. 5-Azacytidine Potentiates Anti-tumor Immunity in a Model of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2020; 11:538. [PMID: 32296439 PMCID: PMC7136411 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors evolve a variety of mechanisms to escape immune detection while expressing tumor-promoting molecules that can be immunogenic. Here, we show that transposable elements (TE) and gene encoded, tumor-associated antigens (TAA), which can be both highly immunogenic and tumor-promoting, are significantly upregulated during the transition from pre-malignancy to malignancy in an inducible model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Coincident with the increased presence of TEs and TAAs was the downregulation of gene transcripts associated with antigen presentation, T cell recruitment and intrinsic anti-viral responses, suggesting a unique strategy employed by PDAC to possibly augment tumorigenesis while escaping detection by the immune system. In vitro treatment of mouse and human PDAC cell lines with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (Aza) resulted in augmented expression of transcripts for antigen presentation machinery and T cell chemokines. When immunocompetent mice implanted with PDAC were therapeutically treated with Aza, we observed significant tumor regression that was not observed in immunocompromised mice, implicating anti-tumor immunity as the principal mechanism of tumor growth control. Analysis of PDAC tumors, immediately following Aza treatment in immunocompetent mice, revealed a significantly greater infiltration of T cells and various innate immune subsets compared to control treatment, suggesting that Aza treatment enhances tumor immunogenicity. Thus, augmenting antigen presentation and T cell chemokine expression using DNA methyltransferase inhibitors could be leveraged to potentiate adaptive anti-tumor immune responses against PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy D. Ebelt
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Edith Zuniga
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Johnson
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Don J. Diamond
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Edwin R. Manuel
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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Ebelt ND, Zuniga E, Manuel ER. YIA20-004: Altering the Local Immune Landscape in Lung Cancer to Improve Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2020. [DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2019.7461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Ebelt ND, Zuniga E, Passi KB, Sobocinski LJ, Manuel ER. Hyaluronidase-Expressing Salmonella Effectively Targets Tumor-Associated Hyaluronic Acid in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 19:706-716. [PMID: 31694889 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cancer cells forms a barrier that often limits the ability of chemotherapeutic drugs and cytotoxic immune subsets to penetrate and eliminate tumors. The dense stromal matrix protecting cancer cells, also known as desmoplasia, results from the overproduction of major ECM components such as collagens and hyaluronic acid (HA). Although candidate drugs targeting ECM components have shown promise in increasing penetration of chemotherapeutic agents, severe adverse effects associated with systemic depletion of ECM in peripheral healthy tissues limits their use at higher, more effective doses. Currently, few strategies exist that preferentially degrade ECM in tumor tissue over healthy tissues. In light of this, we have developed an attenuated, tumor-targeting Salmonella typhimurium (ST) expressing functional bacterial hyaluronidase (bHs-ST), capable of degrading human HA deposited within PDAC tumors. Our data show that bHs-ST (i) targets and colonizes orthotopic human PDAC tumors following systemic administration and (ii) is efficiently induced in vivo to deplete tumor-derived HA, which in turn (iii) significantly increases diffusion of Salmonella typhimurium within desmoplastic tumors. BHs-ST represents a promising new tumor ECM-targeting strategy that may be instrumental in minimizing off-tumor toxicity while maximizing drug delivery into highly desmoplastic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy D Ebelt
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Edith Zuniga
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Kevin B Passi
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Lukas J Sobocinski
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Edwin R Manuel
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California.
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Salaberry S, Saidenberg A, Zuniga E, Gonsales F, Melville P, Benites N. Microbiological analysis and sensitivity profile of Staphylococcus spp. in subclinical mastitis of dairy goats. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-8205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Subclinical mastitis in goats causes economic losses and risks to public health. Given the need for research that shows the most isolated staphylococci species and sensibility tests comparing the resistance between coagulase-negative (CNS) and positive Staphylococcus (CPS) goats with subclinical mastitis, the aim of this study was to identify the microorganisms isolated from milk samples of goats with subclinical mastitis, as well as define the staphylococci species and determine the sensitivity profile of Staphylococcus spp. to antimicrobials. To collect samples, tests were performed for mug of black background and California mastitis test (CMT), collecting milk from CMT positive animals. A total of 226 samples from seven herds of dairy goats was collected and forwarded to the laboratory, where they were seeded for the isolation of the microorganism and implementing the antibiotic sensibility test. Of these, 122 samples had bacterial growth and the most isolated staphylococci species were: S. epidermidis (24.55%), S. lugdunensis (15.40%) and S. intermedius (13.64%). Samples showed increased resistance to antimicrobials: penicillin (81.8%), oxacillin (60.0%) and ampicillin (55.5%). Greater sensitivity to: enrofloxacin (99.1%), erythromycin (98.2%), gentamicin (98.2%) and vancomycin (98.2%) were observed. The S. epidermidis showed higher antimicrobial resistance to amoxicillin and penicillin than S. lugdunensis and S. intermedius. Similar resistance in vitro between CNS and CPS was observed to most antimicrobials. It is important to control the overuse of antibiotics to prevent the emergence of resistant strains.
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Dedicova B, Bermudez C, Prias M, Zuniga E, Brondani C. High-throughput transformation pipeline for a Brazilian japonica rice with bar gene selection. Protoplasma 2015; 252:1071-83. [PMID: 25488347 PMCID: PMC4491359 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-014-0741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this work was to establish a transformation pipeline for upland Curinga rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica) with bar gene selection employing bialaphos and phosphinothricin as selection agents. The following genes of interest: AtNCED3, Lsi1, GLU2, LEW2, PLD-alpha, DA1, TOR, AVP1, and Rubisco were cloned into the binary vector p7i2x-Ubi and were transferred into Agrobacterium strain EHA 105. Embryogenic calli derived from the mature embryos were transformed, and transgenic cells and shoots were selected on the medium supplemented with bialaphos or phosphinothricin (PPT) using a stepwise selection scheme. Molecular analyses were established using polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot for the bar gene and the NOS terminator. Overall, 273 putative transgenic plants were analyzed by Southern blot with 134 events identified. In total, 77 events had a single copy of the transgene integrated in the plant genome while 29 events had two copies. We tested backbone integration in 101 transgenic plants from all constructs and found 60 transgenic plants having no additional sequence integrated in the plant genome. The bar gene activity was evaluated by the chlorophenol red test and the leaf painting test using phosphinothricin with several transgenic plants. The majority of T0 plants carrying the single copy of transgene produced T1 seeds in the screen house.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dedicova
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture A.A. 6713, Cali, Colombia,
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Groff M, Zuniga E, Crump G, Wang K. Missexpression of Human JAGGED1 Causes Disorganization of The Biliary Tree in Zebrafish Consistent With a Biliary Atresia Phenotype. J Surg Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2012.10.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Zuniga E, Hernandez D. [The importance of children for the elderly and changes in reproductive behavior (a study of three rural communities in Mexico)]. Estud Demogr Urbanos Col Mex 1994; 9:211-271. [PMID: 12291013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
"This study analyzes the importance of children in the care of elderly populations in rural communities [in Mexico].... In particular, the perception of elders about the value of their children is analyzed, especially the role children play in their economic contribution to the household or their instrumental value to it at different stages of their lives.... With respect [to] the condition in which children support their parents in their old age the economic assistance given was studied too. Finally, the preference regarding family size of those 60 years or older [is] given, as well as the view points of women on the need to control fertility and reduce family size. Three different types of cost are studied: the economic cost of supporting and caring for children, the emotional cost of their upbringing and the health cost of multiple pregnancies and births." (SUMMARY IN ENG)
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