Immunomodulation of T Helper Cells by Tumor Microenvironment in Oral Cancer Is Associated With CCR8 Expression and Rapid Membrane Vitamin D Signaling Pathway

The immune system plays a key role in the protective response against oral cancer; however, the tumor microenvironment (TME) impairs this anti-cancer response by modulating T helper (Th) responses and promoting an anti-inflammatory environment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th2 effector cells (Teff) are associated with poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the main immunomodulatory mechanisms associated with the enrichment of these subsets in OSCC remain unknown. We characterized Th-like lineages in Tregs and Teff and evaluated immunomodulatory changes induced by the TME in OSCC. Our phenotypic data revealed a higher distribution of tumour-infiltrating CCR8⁺ and Th2-like Treg in OSCC compared with non-malignant samples, whereas the percentages of Th1 cells were reduced in cancer. We then analyzed the direct effect of the TME by exposing T cell subsets to cancer secretomes and observed the OSCC secretome induced CCR8 expression and reduced cytokine production from both subsets. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the co-culture with OSCC secretome induced several gene changes associated with the vitamin D (VitD) signaling pathway in T cells. In addition, proteomic analysis identified the presence of several proteins associated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by rapid membrane VitD signaling and a reduced presence of the VitD binding protein. Thus, we analyzed the effect of VitD and PGE2 and observed that VitD promotes a regulatory Th2-like response with CCR8 expression whilst PGE2 also modulated CCR8 but inhibited cytokine production in combination with VitD. Finally, we evaluated the presence of CCR8 ligand in OSCC and observed increased chemokine CCL18, which was also able to upregulate CCR8 in activated Th cells. Overall, our data showed the immunomodulatory changes induced by the TME involving CCR8 expression and regulatory Th2 phenotypes, which are associated with PGE2 mediated VitD signaling pathway and CCL18 expression in OSCC.

Molecular diversity of bovine viral diarrhea virus in uruguay

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) affects bovine production and reproduction causing significant economic losses all over the world. Two viral species has been recognized: BVDV-1 and BVDV-2, both distributed worldwide. Recently, novel specie of BVDV named HoBi-like pestivirus was discovered. The presence of BVDV was confirmed in 1996 in Uruguay, however, does not exist until today a schedule of compulsory vaccination along the country. Serological studies with samples from all Uruguayan herds were performed during 2000 and 2001 demonstrating that all of them were seropositive to BVDV with a mean prevalence of 69%. In addition, there have been no new studies done since those previously described and it is important to mention that the genetic diversity of BVD has never been described in Uruguay. Nowadays, there is strongly suspect that BVDV is one of the most important causes of reproductive failures in our herds. The aim of this study was to describe for the first time in Uruguay the genetic diversity of BVDV with samples collected from different regions along the country. Serological status of 390 non-vaccinated animals against BVDV with reproductive problems from farms of Rivera, Tacuarembó and Florida departments of Uruguay were studied. All herds were seropositive to BVDV and high proportion of animals were positive (298/390), while 4.1% (16/390) of the animals were positive to Antigen Capture ELISA test and Real Time PCR. Phylogenetic analysis performed with concatenated sequences from the 5'UTR and Npro genomic regions revealed that BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 are infecting our herds, being BVDV-1 the most frequently found. The major subtype was BVDV-1a, followed by BVDV-1i and BVDV-2b. This is the first study that describes the genetic diversity of BVDV in Uruguay and it will contribute to the elaboration of sanitization programs.

Isolation and characterization of canine parvovirus type 2C (CPV-2C) from symptomatic puppies

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a leading cause of diarrhea in puppies in several parts of the world. In this study CPV-2 was detected and recovered from puppies showing clinical disease from Montevideo, Uruguay. Samples were processed and used to infect CRFK and MDCK cells in order to isolate the virus. Out of twelve, two samples were positive for CPV-2. A genomic region of 583 bp was amplified and the molecular characterization was performed by sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Two isolated viruses (UY1 and UY2) were CPV-2c-like viruses. The comparison between the cytophatic effect (CPE) of CPV-2 (vaccinal virus) and CPV-2c (isolated virus) on primary canine cells cultures and on CRFK line cells, demonstrated that CPV-2c is less citopathogenic in CRFK than in primary cultures. Our study represents the first report on isolation and characterization of canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) in cell cultures from South American dogs.

Phylogenetic comparison of the carboxy-terminal region of glycoprotein C (gC) of bovine herpesviruses (BoHV) 1.1, 1.2 and 5 from South America (SA)

Different types and subtypes of bovine herpesvirus 1 and 5 (BoHV-1 and BoHV-5) have been associated to different clinical conditions of cattle, in such a way that type/subtype differentiation has become an essential tool for understanding the pathogenesis and epidemiology of BoHV infections. In search for a genomic region that would allow a clear distinction between BoHV-1 and BoHV-5, the carboxy-terminal portion of glycoprotein C (gC), corresponding to residues 321-450 (BoHV-1) and 301-429 (BoHV-5) of 23 South American (SA) isolates (Brazil mostly) was amplified and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence alignments revealed levels of genomic similarity ranging from 98.7 to 99.8% among BoHV-1 isolates, 88.3 to 92% between BoHV-1/BoHV-5 and 96 to 99.7% among BoHV-5 isolates. At the amino acid level, sequence similarity varied ranging from 97.5 to 99.5% among BoHV-1, 77.5 to 84.4% between BoHV-1/BoHV-5 and 92.1 to 99.5% (BoHV-5/BoHV-5). The isolates could be clearly separated into BoHV-1.1, BoHV-1.2 and BoHV-5 after phylogenetic analysis. The results suggest that the phylogenetic analysis performed here can be used as a potential molecular epidemiological tool for herpesviruses.

Increased spinal c-Fos expression with noxious and non-noxious peripheral stimulation after severe spinal contusion

The effects of severe contusive spinal cord injury (SCI), at thoracic level 8 (T8), on lumbar c-Fos expression in the spinal cord was investigated. As hypothesized, chronic SCI has a significant effect on expression of c-Fos in the dorsal spinal sensory areas with noxious and innocuous peripheral stimulation of the sciatic nerve. This alteration to stimulation effects was measured using counts of c-Fos immunoreactive cells in the dorsal horn of the L5 lumbar spinal cord in injured animals at 90 days post-injury and in uninjured controls. The number of c-Fos immunoreactive cells increased in SCI rats only after noxious peripheral stimulation (electrical and chemical) suggesting a general increase in excitability in spinal pathways (central sensitization) associated with chronic SCI. These altered responses may represent a functional anatomical reorganization of spinal cord circuitry leading to increased dorsal horn c-Fos expression as a response to severe chronic contusive damage to the spinal cord sensory pathways.

[Growth, acceptance, and tolerance with a new milk formula]

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a modified cow's milk formula on growth, tolerance and acceptability, which was studied in 2,097 infants selected from those controlled in primary health centers at Santiago, Chile: 1,119 were fed a modified cow's milk formula (LPM), while an unmodified powdered cow's milk (LP) was given to 978 controls of the same age and conditions, as well as solid foods after 4 months of age. Both experimental and control groups were followed along a 4 months period for records of anthropometric data, morbidity, acceptability and tolerance for LP and LPM. We did not find significant differences in growth (values ranging 95 to 100% of NCHS standards W/A or H/A). A slightly higher energy intake and lower protein intake was observed with LPM. Gastrointestinal symptoms were infrequently seen and of similar frequency and character in both 0 to 4 month old groups (4.3% with LPM vs. 5.3% with LP at first control). These gastrointestinal signs were more frequently recorded under LPM than with LP in the 8 to 12 months old group only at first control (colics 8% vs. 4% p < 0.01 and abnormal stools 9.4% vs. 5.5% p < 0.01). Acute acceptability expressed as percentage withdrawal from study was not significantly lower with LPM than LP (5 to 15% vs. 2% N.S.). The proposed modified formula seems to be a good alternative to powdered cow's milk for infants.

[Maternal perception of the quality of care given to their children during hospitalization]

In order to evaluate the perception of mothers on the care given to their hospitalized children, a survey was specially designed and carried out with 100 mothers on the day of their child's discharge. Hospital care was rated excellent or good by a 96%, regular or bad by 4% of surveyed mothers. Most (74%) mothers saw at least one member of the caring team acting affectionately with their children; only 2% complained that her child was reprimanded or punished. Lack of equipment or human resources and comfort facilities were frequently perceived by mothers but quality of care was generally considered to be satisfactory. This kind of studies is probably useful to improve community's health services.