Bacterial lipopolysaccharide forms aggregates with apolipoproteins in male and female rat brains after ethanol binges

Alcohol binge drinking allows the translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the gut to the blood, which activates the peripheral immune system with consequences in neuroinflammation. A possible access/direct signaling of LPS to/in the brain has not yet been described under alcohol abuse conditions. Apolipoproteins are compounds altered by alcohol with high affinity to LPS which may be involved in its transport to the brain or in its elimination. Here, we explored the expression of small components of LPS, in its free form or bound to apolipoproteins, in the brain of female and male rats exposed to alcohol binges. Animals received ethanol oral gavages (3 g/kg every 8 h) for 4 days. LPS or its components (Lipid A and core), LPS-binding protein, corticosterone, lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), apolipoproteins (ApoAI, ApoB, and ApoE), and their receptors were measured in plasma and/or in nonperfused prefrontal cortex (PFC) and cerebellum. Brain LipidA-apolipoprotein aggregates were determined by Western blotting and confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. In animals exposed to alcohol binges: 1) plasma LPS-binding protein was elevated in both sexes; 2) females showed elevations in plasma ApoAI and corticosterone levels; 3) Lipid A formed aggregates with ApoAI in the female PFC and with ApoB in males, the latter showing Toll-like receptor 4 upregulation in PFC but not females. These results suggest that small bacterial components are present within the brain, forming aggregates with different apolipoproteins, depending on the sex, after alcohol binge intoxications. Results may have implications for the crosstalk between alcohol, LPS, and neuroinflammation.

Reelin Plasma Levels Identify Cognitive Decline in Alcohol Use Disorder Patients During Early Abstinence: The Influence of APOE4 Expression

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein E (APOE)-4 isoform, reelin, and clusterin share very-low-density liporeceptor and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 receptors and are related to cognition in neuropsychiatric disorders. These proteins are expressed in plasma and brain, but studies involving plasma expression and cognition are scarce.

METHODS

We studied the peripheral expression (plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells) of these proteins in 24 middle-aged patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosed at 4 to 12 weeks of abstinence (t = 0) and 34 controls. Cognition was assessed using the Test of Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Alcoholism. In a follow-up study (t = 1), we measured reelin levels and evaluated cognitive improvement at 6 months of abstinence.

RESULTS

APOE4 isoform was present in 37.5% and 58.8% of patients and controls, respectively, reaching similar plasma levels in ε4 carriers regardless of whether they were patients with AUD or controls. Plasma reelin and clusterin were higher in the AUD group, and reelin levels peaked in patients expressing APOE4 (P < .05, η2 = 0.09), who showed reduced very-low-density liporeceptor and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. APOE4 had a negative effect on memory/learning mainly in the AUD group (P < .01, η2 = 0.15). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified plasma reelin as a good indicator of AUD cognitive impairment at t = 0. At t = 1, patients with AUD showed lower reelin levels vs controls along with some cognitive improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Reelin plasma levels are elevated during early abstinence in patients with AUD who express the APOE4 isoform, identifying cognitive deterioration to a great extent, and it may participate as a homeostatic signal for cognitive recovery in the long term.

Oleoylethanolamide attenuates the stress-mediated potentiation of rewarding properties of cocaine associated with an increased TLR4 proinflammatory response

The lipid-derived messenger oleoylethanolamide (OEA) has been involved in multiple physiological functions including metabolism and the immune response. More recently, OEA has been observed to affect reward-related behavior. Stress is a major risk factor for drug use and a predictor of drug relapse. In the laboratory, social stress has been largely studied using the social defeat (SD) model. Here, we explored the effects of different OEA administration schedules on the increased rewarding properties of cocaine induced by SD. In addition, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory action of OEA pretreatment in TLR4 expression caused by SD in the cerebellum, a novel brain structure that has been involved in the development of cocaine addiction. Adult OF1 mice were assigned to an experimental group according to the stress condition (exploration or SD) and treatment (OEA before SD, OEA before conditioning or subchronic OEA treatment). Mice were administered with OEA i.p (10 mg/kg) 10 min previously to the corresponding event. Three weeks after the last SD encounter, conditioned place preference (CPP) was induced by a subthreshold cocaine dose (1 mg/kg). As expected, socially defeated mice presented greater vulnerability to the cocaine reinforcing effects and expressed CPP. Conversely, this effect was not observed under a non-stressed condition. Most importantly, we observed that OEA pretreatment before SD or before conditioning prevented cocaine CPP in defeated mice. Biochemical analysis showed that OEA administration before SD decreased proinflammatory TLR4 upregulation in the cerebellum caused by social stress. In summary, our results suggest that OEA may have a protective effect on stress-induced increased cocaine sensitivity by exerting an anti-inflammatory action.

Alcohol binge drinking induces downregulation of blood-brain barrier proteins in the rat frontal cortex -but not in the hippocampus- that is not prevented by OEA pretreatment

Alcohol binge drinking promotes neuroinflammation which could be partially mediated by the passage of ABD-induced peripheral inflammatory molecules to the brain parenchyma through the blood-brain barrier. The BBB is sealed by tight junction proteins, which regulate the access of substances to the brain. Whether ABD alters the BBB or not remains controversial. Here, we measured the expression of BBB proteins in frontal cortex and hippocampus after an ABD procedure that was previously shown to induce neuroinflammation in the FC, and checked neuroinflammation in the hippocampus. Oleoylethanolamide is known to inhibit ABD-induced neuroinflammation in rat FC but the mechanisms of action are not clear: whereas OEA protects against alcohol-induced breakdown of the TJ proteins in the gut barrier reducing peripheral inflammation, its effect in the TJ of the BBB remains unknown. Here, we studied whether OEA (5 mg/kg, before each gavage) prevented alcohol-induced BBB dysfunction by measuring the expression of zona-occludens, occludin, and laminin in FC and hippocampus. ABD animals showed reduced laminin and occludin levels in the FC, indicative of BBB dysfunction, which is concordant with previous findings showing ABD-induced neuroinflammation in this brain region. OEA did not prevent ABD-induced changes in the BBB proteins in the FC, suggesting that the OEA main mechanism of action to inhibit neuroinflammation in this brain region is not related to prevention of TJ proteins alteration in the BBB. In the hippocampus, this ABD protocol did not alter BBB protein levels and no markers of neuroinflammation were found elevated.

Experiencing Public Spaces in Southern Chile: Analysing the Effects of the Built Environment on Walking Perceptions

In Latin American cities, the built environment is facing crucial challenges in the 21st century, not only in terms of the redesign of the physical environment, but also how to remodel public spaces as healthier places for walking and social interaction. The objective of this article is to evaluate the effects of the built environment on walking perceptions in a central neighbourhood in the intermediate city of Valdivia, Chile. The methodology integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to explore which elements of the physical built environment ease and hinder walkability. Depthmap software and Simpson's Diversity Index are used to evaluate connectivity and diversity of land uses at street level. Additionally, the People Following method and 26 walking interviews are conducted using the Natural Go-Along technique to analyse pedestrians' perceptions about their mobility environment. The results show that the factors that promote walkability mainly include streets with high connectivity values, wide pavements, diversity of greening, and facade characteristics of buildings with architectural heritage causing tranquillity, longing, and happiness. On the contrary, factors that inhibit walkability are related to poor-quality and narrow sidewalks, cars parked on sidewalks, dirty streets, and motorized traffic and vehicular noise causing negative emotions in walking perceptions such as tiredness, anger, disgust, discomfort, and insecurity, with negative effects on the well-being of residents that vary according to age and gender. Finally, recommendations are oriented to improve public spaces in central areas in southern Chile, to address moving towards more liveable and inclusive environments and support well-being through urban design in these types of context.

Upregulation of TLR4/MyD88 pathway in alcohol-induced Wernicke’s encephalopathy: Findings in preclinical models and in a postmortem human case

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a neurologic disease caused by vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency (TD), being the alcohol use disorder its main risk factor. WE patients present limiting motor, cognitive, and emotional alterations related to a selective cerebral vulnerability. Neuroinflammation has been proposed to be one of the phenomena that contribute to brain damage. Our previous studies provide evidence for the involvement of the innate immune receptor Toll-like (TLR)4 in the inflammatory response induced in the frontal cortex and cerebellum in TD animal models (animals fed with TD diet [TDD] and receiving pyrithiamine). Nevertheless, the effects of the combination of chronic alcohol consumption and TD on TLR4 and their specific contribution to the pathogenesis of WE are currently unknown. In addition, no studies on TLR4 have been conducted on WE patients since brains from these patients are difficult to achieve. Here, we used rat models of chronic alcohol (CA; 9 months of forced consumption of 20% (w/v) alcohol), TD hit (TDD + daily 0.25 mg/kg i.p. pyrithiamine during 12 days), or combined treatment (CA + TDD) to check the activation of the proinflammatory TLR4/MyD88 pathway and related markers in the frontal cortex and the cerebellum. In addition, we characterized for the first time the TLR4 and its coreceptor MyD88 signature, along with other markers of this proinflammatory signaling such as phospo-NFκB p65 and IκBα, in the postmortem human frontal cortex and cerebellum (gray and white matter) of an alcohol-induced WE patient, comparing it with negative (no disease) and positive (aged brain with Alzheimer’s disease) control subjects for neuroinflammation. We found an increase in the cortical TLR4 and its adaptor molecule MyD88, together with an upregulation of the proinflammatory signaling molecules p-NF-ĸB and IĸBα in the CA + TDD animal model. In the patient diagnosed with alcohol-induced WE, we observed cortical and cerebellar upregulation of the TLR4/MyD88 pathway. Hence, our findings provide evidence, both in the animal model and the human postmortem brain, of the upregulation of the TLR4/MyD88 proinflammatory pathway in alcohol consumption–related WE.

Disinhibition-Like Behavior Correlates with Frontal Cortex Damage in an Animal Model of Chronic Alcohol Consumption and Thiamine Deficiency

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is induced by thiamine deficiency (TD) and mainly related to alcohol consumption. Frontal cortex dysfunction has been associated with impulsivity and disinhibition in WKS patients. The pathophysiology involves oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and inflammatory responses leading to neuronal death, but the relative contributions of each factor (alcohol and TD, either isolated or in interaction) to these phenomena are still poorly understood. A rat model was used by forced consumption of 20% (w/v) alcohol for 9 months (CA), TD hit (TD diet + pyrithiamine 0.25 mg/kg, i.p. daily injections the last 12 days of experimentation (TDD)), and both combined treatments (CA+TDD). Motor and cognitive performance and cortical damage were examined. CA caused hyperlocomotion as a possible sensitization of ethanol-induced excitatory effects and recognition memory deficits. In addition, CA+TDD animals showed a disinhibited-like behavior which appeared to be dependent on TDD. Additionally, combined treatment led to more pronounced alterations in nitrosative stress, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis and cell damage markers. Correlations between injury signals and disinhibition suggest that CA+TDD disrupts behaviors dependent on the frontal cortex. Our study sheds light on the potential disease-specific mechanisms, reinforcing the need for neuroprotective therapeutic approaches along with preventive treatments for the nutritional deficiency in WKS.

Effects of Alcohol Binge Drinking and Oleoylethanolamide Pretreatment in the Gut Microbiota

Introduction

Chronic alcohol consumption is known to cause gut dysbiosis (changes in microbiota composition and/or function, disruptive of the normal host–microbiota interactions). However, little is known about the changes that alcohol binge drinking induces in the gut microbiota. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that a protocol of alcohol binge drinking, known to induce neuroinflammation in previous studies, also promotes intestinal dysbiosis, and we explored how oleoylethanolamide (OEA, an acylethanolamide proven to counteract alcohol binge drinking-induced neuroinflammation) pretreatment modulates alcohol-induced dysbiosis.

Methods

Alcohol binges were forced by gavage three times per day during 4 consecutive days; OEA pretreatment (intraperitoneal or intragastric) was administered before each alcohol gavage. Stool microbiota composition was assessed by next-generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing, prior and after the 4-day alcohol binge protocol.

Results

Alcohol binge drinking reduced the richness of the gut microbiota and changed the microbial community, reducing Lactobacillus among other genera. Pretreatment with OEA in the alcohol-administered rats decreased the richness, evenness, and Shannon indices to a greater extent with respect to alcohol alone, also changing the community structure. Microbial interactions in the association network were further decreased following OEA administration in the alcohol group, with respect to the water administration. The synergistic interaction between alcohol binge and OEA was affected by the route of administration of OEA, since oral and i.p. administrations differently changed the community structure.

Conclusion

Results suggest that alcohol binge drinking produces a clear dysbiosis in animals; we observed that the well-known protective actions of OEA in the context of alcohol abuse might not be related to OEA-induced changes in alcohol-induced dysbiosis. These are observational results, and thus, further research will be needed for a complete understanding of the biological significance of the observed changes.

Cerebellar and cortical TLR4 activation and behavioral impairments in Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Pharmacological effects of oleoylethanolamide

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder whose etiology is a thiamine deficiency (TD), with alcoholism being the main underlying cause. Previous evidence suggests the presence of initial neuroinflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress in the physiopathology, although the specific molecular mechanisms underlying TD-induced brain damage and behavioral disabilities are unknown. We explored the specific role of the innate immune receptor TLR4 in three murine models of WKS, based on the combination of a thiamine-deficient diet and pyrithiamine injections (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) over time. The Symptomatic Model (SM) allowed us to describe the complete neurological/neurobehavioral symptomatology over 16 days of TD. Animals showed an upregulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway both in the frontal cortex (FC) and cerebellum and clear motor impairments related with cerebellar dysfunction. However, in the Pre-Symptomatic Model (PSM), 12 days of TD induced the TLR4 pathway upregulation in the FC, which correlated with disinhibited-like behavior, but not in the cerebellum, and no motor impairments. In addition, we tested the effects of the biolipid oleoylethanolamide (OEA, 10 mg/kg, i.p., once daily, starting before any symptom of the pathology is manifested) through the Glucose-Precipitated Model (GPM), which was generated by glucose loading (5 g/kg, i.v., last day) in thiamine-deficient animals to accelerate damage. Pretreatment with OEA prevented the TLR4-induced signature in the FC, as well as an underlying incipient memory disability and disinhibited-like behavior. This study suggests a key role for TLR4 in TD-induced neuroinflammation in the FC and cerebellum, and it reveals different vulnerability of these brain regions in WKS over time. Pre-treatment with OEA counteracts TD-induced TLR4-associated neuroinflammation and may serve as co-adjuvant therapy to prevent WKS-induced neurobehavioral alterations.

Monocyte and Lymphocyte Activation and Regulation in Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Therapy Effects

Analysis of gut barrier status, monocyte and lymphocyte activation and T regulatory (Treg) cells at diagnosis before and after therapy, in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Analysis of differential effects of interferon beta (IFN-β), glatiramer acetate (GA) and natalizumab. Thirty-five patients with untreated MS were included. Gut barrier status (serum concentrations of intestinal fatty acid binding protein), monocyte (serum levels of soluble CD14, soluble CD163 and interleukin 6) and T lymphocyte activation (CD4 + DR+ and CD8 + DR+) and Treg (CD4 + CD25highFoxP3+) cells were analyzed. Patients with clinical isolated syndrome and relapsing-remitting forms were treated with IFN-β or GA, and immune characteristics were reevaluated following up after 6 months. A sample of 56 stable RR MS patients, in treatment with IFN-β, GA or natalizumab, and 50 healthy individuals were included as controls. Gut barrier status was similar in MS patients and healthy controls. Untreated patients with relapsing-remitting and primary progressive patterns of MS showed increased serum levels of soluble CD14. At baseline, significant increases in activated T lymphocytes and Treg were detected in patients. A significant decrease of CD4 + DR+, CD8 + DR+, and Treg percentages after 6 months of therapy was observed. In previously treated patients, IFN-β, GA, or natalizumab therapies were associated with a comparable cell proportion of activated lymphocytes and Treg. MS patients have a baseline state characterized by monocyte and lymphocyte activation, not related with gut barrier lesion. An increase in Treg number, correlated with activated T CD8+ lymphocytes, was detected. Treatment with IFN-β, GA or natalizumab was associated with a comparable decrease in activated lymphocytes and Treg. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Modeling of volatile and phenolic compounds and optimization of the process conditions for obtaining balanced extra virgin olive oils

The main objective of this paper is to obtain extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) which are balanced in volatile and phenolic compounds. An experimental design was performed and response surface methodology was applied. The factors for malaxation were: temperature 20-40 °C, time 30-90 min, and hole diameter of hammer-crusher 4.5-6.5 mm. The results show that high temperatures and small hole diameter must be used in order to obtain a higher content in phenolic compounds, while for volatile compounds a low temperature and large hole diameter must be used. The models predict that the best and more balanced EVOO are obtained with the hole diameter of greater size and a medium-low temperature. Thus, for a hammer-crusher hole diameter of 6.5 mm 337 and 356 mg/kg total HPLC phenols were obtained for malaxation temperature of 20 and 25 °C, respectively and, likewise, 12.7 and 11.5 mg/kg total LOX volatiles.

Long-Term Effects of Intermittent Adolescent Alcohol Exposure in Male and Female Rats

Alcohol is a serious public health concern that has a differential impact on individuals depending upon age and sex. Patterns of alcohol consumption have recently changed: heavy episodic drinking—known as binge-drinking—has become most popular among the youth. Herein, we aimed to investigate the consequences of intermittent adolescent alcohol consumption in male and female animals. Thus, Wistar rats were given free access to ethanol (20% in drinking water) or tap water for 2-h sessions during 3 days, and for an additional 4-h session on the 4th day; every week during adolescence, from postnatal day (pnd) 28–52. During this period, animals consumed a moderate amount of alcohol despite blood ethanol concentration (BEC) did not achieve binge-drinking levels. No withdrawal signs were observed: no changes were observed regarding anxiety-like responses in the elevated plus-maze or plasma corticosterone levels (pnd 53–54). In the novel object recognition (NOR) test (pnd 63), a significant deficit in recognition memory was observed in both male and female rats. Western Blot analyses resulted in an increase in the expression of synaptophysin in the frontal cortex (FC) of male and female animals, together with a decrease in the expression of the CB2R in the same brain region. In addition, adolescent alcohol induced, exclusively among females, a decrease in several markers of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, in which epigenetic mechanisms, i.e., histone acetylation, might be involved. Taken together, further research is still needed to specifically correlate sex-specific brain and behavioral consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure.

Short-term effect of crunch exercise frequency on abdominal muscle endurance

Despite core exercise programs are broadly used to increase muscle function and to promote low back health, there is a lack of scientific evidence on some of the most important characteristics of trunk exercise programs, as for example training frequency. This study aimed to compare the short-term effect of training frequencies of 1, 2 and 3 days per week (d/wk) on abdominal muscle endurance in untrained adolescents. One hundred and eighteen high-school students (59 men and 59 women) with no previous experience in structured abdominal exercise programs were assigned randomly to groups that trained 1 d/wk (G1; N.=21), 2 d/wk (G2; N.=27), 3 d/wk (G3; N.=23), or to a control group (CG; N.=47) that did not train. The training groups performed crunch and cross-crunch exercises 1, 2 or 3 d/wk during six weeks. Before and after the training period, the bench trunk-curl test (BTC test) was carried out to assess abdominal muscle endurance. Men obtained higher BTC test scores than women before and after training. Training frequencies of 1, 2 and 3 d/wk provided a significant increase in BTC test scores; however, no significant differences between the three groups' scores were found after training. Therefore, a small dose of crunch exercise training (1 d/wk) may be sufficient stimulus to increase abdominal endurance in untrained male and female adolescents, at least during the first weeks of an abdominal exercise program, which seems a very relevant finding in terms of time-cost efficiency.

Ethanol production from glucose and xylose obtained from steam exploded water-extracted olive tree pruning using phosphoric acid as catalyst

In this work, the effect of phosphoric acid (1% w/w) in steam explosion pretreatment of water extracted olive tree pruning at 175°C and 195°C was evaluated. The objective is to produce ethanol from all sugars (mainly glucose and xylose) contained in the pretreated material. The water insoluble fraction obtained after pretreatment was used as substrate in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process by a commercial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The liquid fraction, containing mainly xylose, was detoxified by alkali and ion-exchange resin and then fermented by the xylose fermenting yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis. Ethanol yields reached in a SSF process were close to 80% when using 15% (w/w) substrate consistency and about 70% of theoretical when using prehydrolysates detoxified by ion-exchange resins. Considering sugars recovery and ethanol yields about 160g of ethanol from kg of water extracted olive tree pruning could be obtained.

The human liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) gene is activated by FOXA1 and PPARα; and repressed by C/EBPα: Implications in FABP1 down-regulation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) prevents lipotoxicity of free fatty acids and regulates fatty acid trafficking and partition. Our objective is to investigate the transcription factors controlling the human FABP1 gene and their regulation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Adenovirus-mediated expression of multiple transcription factors in HepG2 cells and cultured human hepatocytes demonstrated that FOXA1 and PPARα are among the most effective activators of human FABP1, whereas C/EBPα is a major dominant repressor. Moreover, FOXA1 and PPARα induced re-distribution of FABP1 protein and increased cytoplasmic expression. Reporter assays demonstrated that the major basal activity of the human FABP1 promoter locates between -96 and -229bp, where C/EBPα binds to a composite DR1-C/EBP element. Mutation of this element at -123bp diminished basal reporter activity, abolished repression by C/EBPα and reduced transactivation by HNF4α. Moreover, HNF4α gene silencing by shRNA in HepG2 cells caused a significant down-regulation of FABP1 mRNA expression. FOXA1 activated the FABP1 promoter through binding to a cluster of elements between -229 and -592bp, whereas PPARα operated through a conserved proximal element at -59bp. Finally, FABP1, FOXA1 and PPARα were concomitantly repressed in animal models of NAFLD and in human nonalcoholic fatty livers, whereas C/EBPα was induced or did not change. We conclude that human FABP1 has a complex mechanism of regulation where C/EBPα displaces HNF4α and hampers activation by FOXA1 and PPARα. Alteration of expression of these transcription factors in NAFLD leads to FABP1 gen repression and could exacerbate lipotoxicity and disease progression.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated islet hypervascularization and inflammation contribute to progressive reduction of β-cell mass

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) results from insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion. Insulin resistance initially causes compensatory islet hyperplasia that progresses to islet disorganization and altered vascularization, inflammation, and, finally, decreased functional β-cell mass and hyperglycemia. The precise mechanism(s) underlying β-cell failure remain to be elucidated. In this study, we show that in insulin-resistant high-fat diet-fed mice, the enhanced islet vascularization and inflammation was parallel to an increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF). To elucidate the role of VEGF in these processes, we have genetically engineered β-cells to overexpress VEGF (in transgenic mice or after adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene transfer). We found that sustained increases in β-cell VEGF levels led to disorganized, hypervascularized, and fibrotic islets, progressive macrophage infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine production, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. This resulted in impaired insulin secretion, decreased β-cell mass, and hyperglycemia with age. These results indicate that sustained VEGF upregulation may participate in the initiation of a process leading to β-cell failure and further suggest that compensatory islet hyperplasia and hypervascularization may contribute to progressive inflammation and β-cell mass loss during T2D.

Foxa1 reduces lipid accumulation in human hepatocytes and is down-regulated in nonalcoholic fatty liver

Triglyceride accumulation in nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) results from unbalanced lipid metabolism which, in the liver, is controlled by several transcription factors. The Foxa subfamily of winged helix/forkhead box (Fox) transcription factors comprises three members which play important roles in controlling both metabolism and homeostasis through the regulation of multiple target genes in the liver, pancreas and adipose tissue. In the mouse liver, Foxa2 is repressed by insulin and mediates fasting responses. Unlike Foxa2 however, the role of Foxa1 in the liver has not yet been investigated in detail. In this study, we evaluate the role of Foxa1 in two human liver cell models, primary cultured hepatocytes and HepG2 cells, by adenoviral infection. Moreover, human and rat livers were analyzed to determine Foxa1 regulation in NAFL. Results demonstrate that Foxa1 is a potent inhibitor of hepatic triglyceride synthesis, accumulation and secretion by repressing the expression of multiple target genes of these pathways (e.g., GPAM, DGAT2, MTP, APOB). Moreover, Foxa1 represses the fatty acid transporter protein FATP2 and lowers fatty acid uptake. Foxa1 also increases the breakdown of fatty acids by inducing peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation and ketone body synthesis. Finally, Foxa1 is able to largely up-regulate UCP1, thereby dissipating energy and consistently decreasing the mitochondria membrane potential. We also report that human and rat NAFL have a reduced Foxa1 expression, possibly through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway. We conclude that Foxa1 is an antisteatotic factor that coordinately tunes several lipid metabolic pathways to block triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes. However, Foxa1 is down-regulated in human and rat NAFL and, therefore, increasing Foxa1 levels could protect from steatosis. Altogether, we suggest that Foxa1 could be a novel therapeutic target for NAFL disease and insulin resistance.

Altered glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in a mouse line with activated polyamine catabolism

Ubiquitous activation of polyamine catabolism has been demonstrated to have protective effects in mice on fat accumulation and insulin sensitivity/glucose tolerance in, both, normal conditions and after a high fat diet. We have analyzed the endocrine pancreas functionality in four months-old male mice overexpressing the rate limiting enzyme in the polyamine catabolism, spermidine/spermine N¹-acetyltransferase (SSAT). The pancreatic SSAT activity was 37-fold elevated in the transgenic mice, which reduced the total pancreatic and islet pools of spermidine (71%) and spermine (69%), and increased putrescine and N¹-acetyl spermidine. Reduction in the islet ATP levels (65%) was accompanied with increased transcription of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (1.5-fold) and Foxa2 (2.7-fold), and reduced HNF4α (67%) and HNF1α (92%), insulin 1 (47%), insulin 2 (50%), and Glut2 (57%). Moreover, the SSAT transgenic mice also presented increased beta cell area, decreased insulin production, and altered glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. It has been hypothesized that the acute activation of the polyamine catabolism produces a futile cycle that greatly decreases the energy reserves of the cell. The lower energy status would activate the energy expenditure regulator, AMPK, which would consequently repress the PI3K/Akt pathway, and activate the transcription factor Foxa2.

Temephos resistance and esterase activity in the mosquito Aedes aegypti in Havana, Cuba increased dramatically between 2006 and 2008

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) control programmes in Cuba rely on the application of the organophosphate temephos for larval control. Hence, the monitoring of resistance to this insecticide is an essential component of such programmes. Here, 15 field populations from different municipalities of Havana City were assayed for resistance to temephos. High levels of resistance were detected in all strains and resistance ratios were highly correlated with esterase activity (P = 0.00001). Populations from three municipalities were tested in both 2006 and 2008; resistance and esterase activities both significantly increased during this 2-year period. Synergist studies demonstrated that neither glutathione transferases nor monooxygenases were associated with the increase in resistance to temephos in this period. The duration of the efficacy of commercial formulations of temephos in controlling Ae. aegypti populations in Havana City was reduced by the high level of temephos resistance observed; hence these data are of clear operational significance for the dengue control programme in Cuba. New integrated strategies to avoid further increases in temephos resistance in Cuba are necessary.

Lava cave microbial communities within mats and secondary mineral deposits: implications for life detection on other planets

Lava caves contain a wealth of yellow, white, pink, tan, and gold-colored microbial mats; but in addition to these clearly biological mats, there are many secondary mineral deposits that are nonbiological in appearance. Secondary mineral deposits examined include an amorphous copper-silicate deposit (Hawai'i) that is blue-green in color and contains reticulated and fuzzy filament morphologies. In the Azores, lava tubes contain iron-oxide formations, a soft ooze-like coating, and pink hexagons on basaltic glass, while gold-colored deposits are found in lava caves in New Mexico and Hawai'i. A combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular techniques was used to analyze these communities. Molecular analyses of the microbial mats and secondary mineral deposits revealed a community that contains 14 phyla of bacteria across three locations: the Azores, New Mexico, and Hawai'i. Similarities exist between bacterial phyla found in microbial mats and secondary minerals, but marked differences also occur, such as the lack of Actinobacteria in two-thirds of the secondary mineral deposits. The discovery that such deposits contain abundant life can help guide our detection of life on extraterrestrial bodies.

Interaction between Hhex and SOX13 modulates Wnt/TCF activity

Fine-tuning of the Wnt/TCF pathway is crucial for multiple embryological processes, including liver development. Here we describe how the interaction between Hhex (hematopoietically expressed homeobox) and SOX13 (SRY-related high mobility group box transcription factor 13), modulates Wnt/TCF pathway activity. Hhex is a homeodomain factor expressed in multiple endoderm-derived tissues, like the liver, where it is essential for proper development. The pleiotropic expression of Hhex during embryonic development and its dual role as a transcriptional repressor and activator suggest the presence of different tissue-specific partners capable of modulating its activity and function. While searching for developmentally regulated Hhex partners, we set up a yeast two-hybrid screening using an E9.5-10.5 mouse embryo library and the N-terminal domain of Hhex as bait. Among the putative protein interactors, we selected SOX13 for further characterization. We found that SOX13 interacts directly with full-length Hhex, and we delineated the interaction domains within the two proteins. SOX13 is known to repress Wnt/TCF signaling by interacting with TCF1. We show that Hhex is able to block the SOX13-dependent repression of Wnt/TCF activity by displacing SOX13 from the SOX13 x TCF1 complex. Moreover, Hhex de-repressed the Wnt/TCF pathway in the ventral foregut endoderm of cultured mouse embryos electroporated with a SOX13-expressing plasmid. We conclude that the interaction between Hhex and SOX13 may contribute to control Wnt/TCF signaling in the early embryo.

Transcriptional regulation of cytochrome p450 genes by the nuclear receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4alpha, NR2A1) is a nuclear receptor (NR) required for liver development and for controlling the expression of many hepatic-specific genes associated with important metabolic pathways. Many studies have also identified HNF4alpha as a direct transactivator of numerous xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes, suggesting that this factor is a global regulator which supports CYP transcription in the liver. Moreover, HNF4alpha expression displays a significant variability in human liver which may account for a proportion of the inter-individual variability in the expression of drug-metabolism genes and the clearance rate of a wide variety of prescribed drugs. In the last few years, a number of complex interactions and cross-talks between HNF4alpha and other transcription factors and coregulators have also surfaced, and the impact on CYP gene expression has been demonstrated. Thus, it is now clear that HNF4alpha modulates CYP expression in the liver by interacting with the xenosensor receptors (PXR and CAR), the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), the feeding-fasting cycle target PGC-1alpha, the sexual-dimorphism factor Stat5b, and other liver-enriched factors, such as C/EBPs. In addition to regulating drug elimination pathways, HNF4alpha also triggers pleiotropic effects on cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, glucose homeostasis and inflammation. As a whole, current evidence indicates that HNF4alpha is a central regulator in the network of NRs that integrates drug-metabolism not only with the liver intermediate metabolism, but also with a number of patho-physiological conditions where the CYP expression is altered. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss these studies and their conclusions, with particular emphasis on the role of HNF4alpha in the regulation of drug-metabolizing CYP genes in the human liver.

Evolution of anthropogenic aerosols in the coastal town of Salina Cruz, Mexico: part II particulate phase chemistry

An analysis of atmospheric gases and particles during periods of land and sea breezes in a coastal city in southwest Mexico indicates limited removal of total particle mass by deposition during periods when the air resides over the ocean. The average PM(2.5) mass concentrations for land and sea breeze samples were 25+/-1.0 and 26+/-1.0 microg m(-3), respectively. The average sum of the ion concentrations (NH(4)(+), SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), Na(+), Cl(-)) were 10 and 11.8 microg m(-3) for the samples taken during land and sea breeze periods. The average total carbon concentrations were 6.0 and 5.3 microg m(-3) for land and sea breeze periods. The mass of sulfate in particles of ocean origin, 3.3+/-2.8 microg m(-3), is marginally higher than those originating from the land, 2.0+/-0.8 microg m(-3), presumably as a result of the conversion of SO(2) recirculated from the city. The fraction of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium ions in rainwater samples is almost a factor of two higher than the fraction measured on filtered air samples. The rainwater also contains significant concentrations of elemental and organic carbon. This study, although extending over a period of only 15 days, with limited chemical samples, suggests that recirculation of anthropogenic particles from coastal cities should be taken into consideration when diagnosing and predicting air quality in such regions.

Expression of IGF-I in pancreatic islets prevents lymphocytic infiltration and protects mice from type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetic patients are diagnosed when beta-cell destruction is almost complete. Reversal of type 1 diabetes will require beta-cell regeneration from islet cell precursors and prevention of recurring autoimmunity. IGF-I expression in beta-cells of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated transgenic mice regenerates the endocrine pancreas by increasing beta-cell replication and neogenesis. Here, we examined whether IGF-I also protects islets from autoimmune destruction. Expression of interferon (IFN)-beta in beta-cells of transgenic mice led to islet beta(2)-microglobulin and Fas hyperexpression and increased lymphocytic infiltration. Pancreatic islets showed high insulitis, and these mice developed overt diabetes when treated with very-low doses of STZ, which did not affect control mice. IGF-I expression in IFN-beta-expressing beta-cells of double-transgenic mice reduced beta(2)-microglobulin, blocked Fas expression, and counteracted islet infiltration. This was parallel to a decrease in beta-cell death by apoptosis in islets of STZ-treated IGF-I+IFN-beta-expressing mice. These mice were normoglycemic, normoinsulinemic, and showed normal glucose tolerance. They also presented similar pancreatic insulin content and beta-cell mass to healthy mice. Thus, local expression of IGF-I prevented islet infiltration and beta-cell death in mice with increased susceptibility to diabetes. These results indicate that pancreatic expression of IGF-I may regenerate and protect beta-cell mass in type 1 diabetes.

Photobiomodulation of Pain and Inflammation in Microcrystalline Arthropathies: Experimental and Clinical Results

OBJECTIVE

This article presents the results of laser therapy in crystal (hydroxyapatite, calcium pyrophosphate, and urates) deposition-induced arthritis in rats and the clinical applications in humans.

BACKGROUND DATA

Microcrystalline arthropathies are prevalent among geriatric patients, who are more vulnerable to the side effects of drugs. The effectiveness of laser therapy for pain relief, free of side effects, has been reported in painful conditions.

METHODS

Two milligrams of each of the above-mentioned crystals was injected in both joints of the back limbs in three groups of rats; these groups were then treated with laser irradiation. Three other groups received no treatment after the injections. We determined the plasmatic levels of inflammatory markers (fibrinogen, prostaglandin E2, and TNF(alpha)), tissues (prostaglandin E(2)) and conducted anatomopathological studies. Twenty-five patients with acute gout arthritis were randomized into two groups and treated over 5 days: group A, diclofenac 75 mg orally, twice a day; and group B, laser irradiation once a day. Forty-nine patients with knee chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy were randomized into two groups and treated over 21 days; group A, diclofenac 50 mg orally, twice a day; and group B, laser irradiation once a day. Thirty patients with shoulder chronic hydroxyapatite arthropathy were randomized into two groups and treated over 21 days; group A, diclofenac 50 mg orally, twice a day; and group B, laser irradiation once a day.

RESULTS

Fibrinogen, prostaglandin E(2), and TNF(alpha) concentrations in the rats injected with crystals and treated with laser decreased significantly as compared with the groups injected with crystals without treatment. Both laser therapy and diclofenac achieved rapid pain relief in patients with acute gouty arthritis without significant differences in efficacy. Laser therapy was more effective than diclofenac in patients with chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy and in patients with chronic apatite deposition disease.

CONCLUSION

Laser therapy represents an effective treatment in the therapeutic arsenal of microcrystalline arthropathies.

In vivo Gene Transfer to Healthy and Diabetic Canine Pancreas

Gene therapy may provide new treatments for severe pancreatic disorders. However, gene transfer to the pancreas is difficult because of its anatomic location and structure, and pancreatitis is a serious concern. Like the human pancreas, the canine pancreas is compact, with similar vascularization and lobular structure. It is therefore a suitable model in which to assess gene transfer strategies. Here we examined the ability of adenoviral vectors to transfer genes into the pancreas of dogs in which pancreatic circulation had been clamped. Adenoviruses carrying the beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene were injected into the pancreatic-duodenal vein and the clamp was released 10 min later. These dogs showed beta-gal-positive cells throughout the pancreas, with no evidence of pancreatic damage. beta-Gal was expressed mainly in acinar cells, but also in ducts and islets. Moreover, transduction was prominent in connective tissue of the lobe septa. beta-Gal expression in the exocrine pancreas of a diabetic dog was also found to be similar to that observed in healthy dogs. Thus, efficient gene transfer to canine pancreas in vivo may be achieved by adenovirus injection after clamping pancreatic circulation. This technique may be used to assay new gene therapy approaches for diabetes mellitus and other pancreatic disorders.

He-Ne laser on microcrystalline arthropathies

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this work is to assess the anti-inflammatory capacity of He-Ne laser therapy as determined by the plasmatic levels of inflammatory markers, fibrinogen, and TNFalpha and by histopathological study in rats with arthropathy induced by calcium pyrophosphate crystals.

BACKGROUND DATA

Microcrystalline arthropathies are a group of diseases characterized by the deposit of different crystals in joints.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two milligrams of dicalcium pyrophosphate crystals (DCPP) were injected in both joints of the lower limbs of rats during 2 days. A group was treated with laser of He-Ne (6 mW) on the injected joints during 3 consecutive days. After 96 h of the first injection, animals were sacrificed to determine TNFalpha using the ELISA method and fibrinogen was assessed using spectrophotometry. Sections from the lower limbs were used for histopathology.

RESULTS

A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in plasma fibrinogen levels and TNFalpha was noted between the control group and the laser-treated group. The histological transversal section of a posterior limb joint of a rat injected with DCPP showed fibroadipose tissue with diffuse chronic infiltrate. The histopathology of the group of rats injected with DCPP and subsequently treated with He-Ne laser showed no inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

He-Ne laser treatment in the microcrystalline arthropathy induced in rats by DCPP injection might have an antiinflammatory effect, evaluated by fibrinogen plasma levels and TNF-alpha (inflammatory markers) and by the histopathology regressive process.

A leishmanin skin test survey in the human population of l'Alacantí region (Spain): implications for the epidemiology of Leishmania infantum infection in southern Europe

A study of leishmanin skin test reactors was carried out in 1997 and 1998 in an endemic region in southeast Spain, to estimate the magnitude of and the factors related to subclinical Leishmania infantum infection. In the main focus of leishmaniasis in the region, 11.5% of the children and 52.8% of the adults reacted to the skin test. Among the adults, the response was significantly greater for males and for those who had resided in the area for > or = 15 years. In the whole region, 3.7% 14-year-old students reacted to the skin test, with no gender differences. The main factors related to a positive skin test result were having a parent or sibling recovered from leishmaniasis (relative risk = 14) and living in the rural periphery of the region as opposed to the metropolitan area (relative risk = 4). These results indicate a high frequency of subclinical leishmaniasis in the region. We postulate that the decline in childhood visceral leishmaniasis in southern Europe in the second half of the 20th century is related to social changes, which gave rise to a less frequent exposure at a young age as well as a lowered susceptibility to disease through nutritional and immune improvements.

[Neonatal reflexes variability in the normal full term neonate during the neurological exam]

It has been stated that findings in neonatal neurological examinations can play a role as a pointer to adverse developmental outcome. The description of the examinations, and their presence or absence differed among authors without clear reference to their physiological variability ranges. We approached the study of some neonatal behaviours and reflexes in 143 examinations made on 113 healthy newborn babies from the maternity wards by looking at the influence that perinatal environmental factors which are considered normal, can play in these examinations. The results showed that the flexion answer of the Babinski reflex increased significantly between the first and third day of life (c2= 4.4478; p= 0.03495) in the same way there was an increase in the stepping reflex (c2= 3.999; p= 0.04552) in the righting reflex (c2= 4.9342; p= 0.02633) and in the supporting reaction (c2= 11.7874; p= 0.0006). This was significantly reduced in the caesarean section deliveries (c2= 7.1209; p= 0.0076). Head reaction was only detectable during the Brazelton behavioural states 1 to 3 (c2= 3.8911; p= 0.04854) and the same thing happened with the stepping reflex (c2= 4.9370; p= 0.02629). We discuss the utility of neonatal reflexes scoring scales in predicting the neurodevelopmental outcome of the newborn baby.

Fatty acid composition of mature breast milk according to the mothers diet during pregnancy

Mothers taking 200 g of fish per week, showed a greater content in mature breast milk of n-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA. AA was not decreased. Vitamin D content was low despite mothers were living in a sunny and temperate area. The content of 25 hydroxyvitamin D is increased in the group on fish intake, probably pointing out its marine source.

Fatty acid absorption in preterms on formulas with and without long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and in terms on formulas without these added

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have beneficial effects in preterm neurophysiological development and are semi-essential. Their levels and variation in plasma and red cells in term and preterms are better known than their intestinal absorption. In this paper the absorption of supplemented arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is evaluated in a preterm group.

DESIGN

Four newborn randomized groups were studied. Group T comprised 11 terms on regular formula. Preterms: group P (n=9) was on a classic preterm formula.

INTERVENTION

groups PA (n=9) and PB (n=13) were on the same formula but PB contained AA and DHA in similar proportion to breast milk. At 20 days a 3 day metabolic balance was taken for Ca, P(i), Mg, total fat and individual fatty acids (C8-C24, saturated unsaturated).

RESULTS

Calcium absorption was (mean+/-s.d.) 51+/-13% in terms. In preterms it was respectively 45+/-18, 38+/-11 and 37+/-21%. Total fat absorption was 92.0+/-8.0% in terms, and from 95.0+/-2.0 to 91.0+/-8.0% in preterms. Absorption of 8:0, 10:0 and 12:0 showed a very high and constant rate despite significant intake differences (715-33 mg/kg/day). Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid were absorbed in the three groups at around 94% regardless of a greater LA intake in group P. Details of absorption (mg/kg/day) were: for AA, intake 17+/-7, fecal excretion 5+/-4, net retention 12+/-5 (75.0+/-18%); for DHA, intake 10+/-3, fecal excretion 3+/-2, net retention 6+/-4 (62.3+/-30%).

CONCLUSION

Intestinal absorption of fatty acids is high and is comparable in terms and preterms as regards the studied acids. Longer acids were less well absorbed. The supplemented amounts of AA and DHA were less well absorbed and probably not impairing calcium absorption.

SPONSORSHIP

University of Alicante, University of Miguel Hernández.

Beyond prejudice as simple antipathy: hostile and benevolent sexism across cultures

The authors argue that complementary hostile and benevolent components of sexism exist across cultures. Male dominance creates hostile sexism (HS), but men's dependence on women fosters benevolent sexism (BS)--subjectively positive attitudes that put women on a pedestal but reinforce their subordination. Research with 15,000 men and women in 19 nations showed that (a) HS and BS are coherent constructs that correlate positively across nations, but (b) HS predicts the ascription of negative and BS the ascription of positive traits to women, (c) relative to men, women are more likely to reject HS than BS, especially when overall levels of sexism in a culture are high, and (d) national averages on BS and HS predict gender inequality across nations. These results challenge prevailing notions of prejudice as an antipathy in that BS (an affectionate, patronizing ideology) reflects inequality and is a cross-culturally pervasive complement to HS.