Daily intake of household-produced milk kefir on Salmonella Typhimurium infection in C57BL/6 mice: mortality, microbiota modulation, and immunological implications.

Aims: Salmonellosis, a major global cause of diarrheal diseases, significantly impacts the intestinal microbiome. Probiotic-rich beverages, such as kefir, are increasingly utilized as alternative health-promoting beverages associated with various microbiota benefits. This study investigated the repercussions of daily consumption of household-produced milk kefir on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in C57BL-6 mice.

Effect of vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on divergent pig genetic groups.

The bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) causes a chronic infectious respiratory disease in pigs, leading to important economic losses. This study aimed to compare the immune response of the local Piau breed and a commercial line to Mhp vaccination. For this, two phases were carried out.

Exposure to the herbicide tebuthiuron affects behavior, enzymatic activity, morphology and physiology of the midgut of the stingless bee Partamona helleri.

Partamona helleri is an important pollinator in the Neotropics. However, this bee faces an increased risk of pesticide exposure, potentially affecting both individual bees and entire colonies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the herbicide tebuthiuron on behavior, antioxidant activity, midgut morphology, and signaling pathways related to cell death, cell proliferation and differentiation in P.

Short communication: Goat mastitis and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland affecting milk production and quality in dairy herds, is often associated with Staphylococcus spp. in goats. Neutrophils are crucial in combating infections by migrating into milk and deploying various defense strategies, including the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of DNA, histones, and bactericidal proteins.

Consumption of yacon flour and energy-restricted diet increased the relative abundance of intestinal bacteria in obese adults.

Prebiotics can alter the gastrointestinal environment, favoring the growth of health-promoting bacteria. Although yacon is a functional food, with prebiotic properties (fructooligosaccharides), its effects on the intestinal microbiota have not been investigated yet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of yacon flour consumption and energy-restricted diet in the intestinal microbiota in adults with excess body weight.

Bioavailability of Li-enriched mushrooms and protection against oxidative stress in pigs: First study in vivo.

Mycelia and mushrooms are able to bioaccumulate minerals. Lithium is the active principle of drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases. However, a dietary source of Li can reduce the side effects of these drugs.

Hemocyte morphology of worker subcastes of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Hemocytes are cells present in the hemolymph of insects that play a role in combating invasive pathogens, ensuring defense by the immune system in these organisms. While the types of hemocytes are well known in some insect representatives, data on these cells in Hymenoptera are limited to certain bees and wasps, with little information available for ants. Among ants, the genus Atta has environmental and economic importance, forming highly organized colonies consisting of the queen and workers, with the latter subdivided into subcastes: gardeners, waste removers, foragers, and soldiers, which are exposed to different pathogens.

Toxicology of arsenate, arsenite, cadmium, lead, chromium, and nickel in testes of adult Swiss mice after chronic exposure by intraperitoneal route.

Background: Some residues such as the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr VI), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As), this last one in its oxidized forms + 5 (arsenate) and + 3 (arsenite), can cause injuries to human health, so they are currently considered environmental health emergencies. In the testis, heavy metals can cause morphological and functional damage due to constant exposure acting chronically in individuals. Thus, we aimed to determine the toxicological mechanism of As, As, Cd, Cr VI, and Ni that leads to testicular damage and establish for the first time an order of toxicity among these studied heavy metals.

Impact of Early Arsenic Exposure on the Mineral Content and Oxidative Status of the Liver and Kidney of Pubescent and Adult Rats.

This study evaluated the effect of prepubertal arsenic exposure in the liver and kidney of pubescent rats and their reversibility 30 days after arsenic withdrawal. Male pups of Wistar rats (21 days old) were divided into two groups (n = 20/group): control animals received filtered water, and exposed rats received 10 mg L arsenic from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 51. The liver and kidney of 52 days old rats (n = 10/group) were examined to investigate the effects of arsenic on micromineral content, antioxidant enzyme activity, histology, and biochemistry parameters.

Circulating oxidative stress and acute phase protein levels in horses infested with ticks.

Ticks have saliva rich in immunoregulatory molecules that interfere with the host's physiology in order to feed. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of acute phase proteins and circulating oxidative stress in response to infestation by Amblyomma sculptum and Dermacentor nitens in two breed horses, Mangalarga Marchador and Breton Postier, to define resistance or susceptibility to ticks. Among the oxidative stress markers, we observed lower malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in horses with tick infestation, consequently not altering the antioxidant enzymes.

LG-G12 Restores Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Health in Obesity Mice on Ceftriaxone Therapy.

Gut microbiota imbalance is associated with the occurrence of metabolic diseases such as obesity. Thus, its modulation is a promising strategy to restore gut microbiota and improve intestinal health in the obese. This paper examines the role of probiotics, antimicrobials, and diet in modulating gut microbiota and improving intestinal health.

Morphophysiological alterations in fruit-eating bats after oral exposure to deltamethrin.

Deltamethrin (DTM) is a synthetic pyrethroid widely used in the cultivation and management of several crops due to its insecticidal action. Application to crops of pyrethroids such as DTM can result in the exposure of water and fruit consumed by fruit bats having a high pyrethroid content which may be harmful. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of short-term oral exposure of the fruit-eating bats (Artibeus lituratus) to two concentrations of DTM (0.

Protective immunity triggered by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-based biopharmaceuticals attenuates cardiac parasitism and prevents mortality in Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Chagas disease is a potentially fatal infection in 21 endemic Latin America countries for which the effectiveness of reference antiparasitic chemotherapy is limited. Thus, we developed three biopharmaceuticals and evaluated the effectiveness of different immunization strategies (recombinant protein NTPDase-1 [rNTPDase-1], DNA plasmid encoding Trypanosoma cruzi NTPDase-1 [TcNTPDase-1] and DNA-NTPDase-1 prime/rNTPDase-1 boost [Prime-boost]) based on the surface ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (ecto-NTPDase) enzyme of T. cruzi in animals challenged with a virulent strain (Y) of this parasite.

Immunomodulatory activity of trifluoromethyl arylamides derived from the SRPK inhibitor SRPIN340 and their potential use as vaccine adjuvant.

The serine/arginine-rich protein kinases (SRPK) specifically phosphorylate their substrates at RS-rich dipeptides, which are abundantly found in SR splicing factors. SRPK are classically known for their ability to affect the splicing and expression of gene isoforms commonly implicated in cancer and diseases associated with infectious processes. Non-splicing functions have also been attributed to SRPK, which highlight their functional plasticity and relevance as therapeutic targets for pharmacological intervention.

Association between cytokine levels and anthropometric measurements: a population-based study.

Obesity is currently considered a public health problem with pandemic proportions and is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which can predispose to the development of several chronic diseases and metabolic complications. This cross-sectional population-based study, conducted with 743 Brazilian adults, aimed to evaluate the association between inflammatory cytokines with anthropometric measurements. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, behavioural and biochemical variables were collected.

The SRPK inhibitor N-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) isonicotinamide (SRPIN340) increases the immune response against metastatic melanoma in mice.

Cancers have a strong relationship with immune cells in their microenvironment, which significantly influences tumor proliferation and progression. Thus, pharmacological strategies that stimulate the immune system to combat tumor cells are promising for better therapeutic efficacy. Deregulated expression of the splicing regulatory serine arginine protein kinases (mostly SRPK1 and SRPK2) has been found in different cancer types, leading to the expression of isoforms related to tumor growth and metastasis.

Hibiscus ( L.) supplementation increases butyrate synthesis and reduces inflammatory cells, attenuating the formation of aberrant crypt foci in BALB/c mice induced to pre-neoplastic lesions.

The development of colorectal cancer involves some morphological changes, and in the initial stage, pre-neoplastic lesions called aberrant crypt foci (ACF) appear. Thus, an intervention with sources of bioactive compounds such as Hibiscus sabdariffa L., rich in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, could attenuate the risk of developing these lesions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties.

Exposure to copper sulfate impairs survival, post-embryonic midgut development and reproduction in Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti is a vector of several global human viruses responsible for high human morbidity and mortality. The method to prevent the transmission of vector-borne viruses is mainly based on the control of the insect vector using insecticides. Among these chemicals, copper sulfate is a compound widely used in agriculture with the potential to be used as an alternative to control these insects.

Impact of copper sulfate on survival, behavior, midgut morphology, and antioxidant activity of Partamona helleri (Apidae: Meliponini).

Copper sulfate (CuSO) is widely used in agriculture as a pesticide and foliar fertilizer. However, the possible environmental risks associated with CuSO use, particularly related to pollinating insects, have been poorly studied. In this study, we evaluated both lethal and sublethal effects of CuSO on the stingless bee Partamona helleri.

Effect of the consumption of yacon flour and energy-restricted diet on glycation markers, and association between these markers and factors linked to obesity in adults with excess body weight: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: Regardless of the positive effect of yacon on metabolic markers, this food contains fructose molecules, which can originate advanced glycation end products (AGEs). High AGEs serum concentrations can contribute to excess body weight. We evaluated the effect of consuming an energy-restricted diet and yacon flour on glycation markers concentrations, and the associations between these markers and factors linked to obesity in adults with excess body weight.

Prepubertal arsenic exposure alters phosphoproteins profile, quality, and fertility of epididymal spermatozoa in sexually mature rats.

Arsenic intoxication affects male reproductive parameters of prepubertal rats. Besides, morphological and functional alterations in their testis and epididymis may remain after withdrawal of arsenic insult, causing potential impairment in male fertility during adulthood. In this study, we aimed at analyzing the effect of prepubertal arsenic exposure on the fecundity of epididymal sperm from sexually mature Wistar rats, assessing fertility indexes, sperm parameters, and sperm phosphoproteins content.

Behavior of Salmonella Enteritidis and Shigella flexneri during induction and recovery of the viable but nonculturable state.

Bacteria may enter into a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state as a response to stresses, such as those found in food processing. Cells in the VBNC state lose the ability to grow in a conventional culture medium but man recover culturability. The viability, culturability and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) of Salmonella Enteritidis and Shigella flexneri were evaluated under stress conditions to induce a VBNC state.

Green Tea Infusion Ameliorates Histological Damages in Testis and Epididymis of Diabetic Rats.

Green tea is a popular drink used for therapeutic purposes to mitigate the consequences of diabetes. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the potential of green tea infusion to ameliorate structural and enzymatic damages caused by hyperglycemia in the testis and epididymis of Wistar rats. For that, nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (negative control and diabetes control, respectively) received 0.

Acute consumption of a shake containing cashew and Brazil nuts did not affect appetite in overweight subjects: a randomized, cross-over study.

Purpose: Evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies suggests that nut consumption provides satiety and may contribute to the management of obesity. However, the effect of acute intake of nuts on appetite responses remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of a shake containing 30 g of cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.

Effects of yacon flour associated with an energy restricted diet on intestinal permeability, fecal short chain fatty acids, oxidative stress and inflammation markers levels in adults with obesity or overweight: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial.

Objective: Yacon flour is rich in bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds and fructooligosaccharides (FOS)), and may therefore reduce the risk of diseases associated with excess body weight. However, its effect on fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA), intestinal permeability, oxidative stress and inflammation markers has not been studied in adult humans with excess body weight. Thus, we evaluated the effect of the consumption of yacon flour on these variables.