Presence of polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetase in culturable bacteria associated with Aplysina fulva and Aplysina caissara (Porifera).

Culture-dependent and -independent studies have provided access to symbiont genes and the functions they play for host sponges. Thus, this work investigates the diversity, presence of genes of pharmacological interest, biological activities and metabolome of the bacteria isolated from the sponges Aplysina caissara and Aplysina fulva collected on the southwestern Atlantic Coast. The genes for Polyketide Synthases types I and II and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases were screened in more than 200 bacterial strains obtained, from which around 40% were putatively novel.

C1q and HBHA-specific IL-13 levels as surrogate plasma biomarkers for monitoring tuberculosis treatment efficacy: a cross-sectional cohort study in Paraguay.

Introduction: New diagnostic tools are needed to rapidly assess the efficacy of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate several immune biomarkers in an observational and cross-sectional cohort study conducted in Paraguay.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with clinically and microbiologically confirmed PTB were evaluated before starting treatment (T0), after 2 months of treatment (T1) and at the end of treatment (T2).

FOXO1 regulates wound-healing responses in human gingival fibroblasts.

Background And Objective: Forkhead box-O 1 (FOXO1) is a transcription factor actively involved in oral wound healing at the epithelial barrier. However, less is known regarding the role of FOXO1 during the tissue repair response in the connective tissue compartment. This study explored the involvement of FOXO1 in the modulation of fibroblast activity related to wound healing.

The Experience of Testing for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) at a Single Diagnostic Center in Paraguay before the Introduction of Vaccination.

Soon after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute for Health Sciences Research (IICS) of the National University of Asunción, Paraguay became a testing laboratory (COVID-Lab) for SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-Lab testing performance was assessed from 1 April 2020 to 12 May 2021. The effect of the pandemic on the IICS and how the COVID-Lab contributed to the academic and research activities of the institute were also assessed.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Paraguay: Detection and Surveillance with an Economical and Scalable Molecular Protocol.

SARS-CoV-2 variant detection relies on resource-intensive whole-genome sequencing methods. We sought to develop a scalable protocol for variant detection and surveillance in Paraguay, pairing rRT-PCR for spike mutations with Nanopore sequencing. A total of 201 acute-phase nasopharyngeal samples were included.

Uncoupled inflammatory, proliferative, and cytoskeletal responses in senescent human gingival fibroblasts.

Background And Objective: Aging is characterized by a decline in tissue structure and function that may be explained by the development of cellular senescence. However, the acquisition of specific phenotypic responses in senescent gingival fibroblasts is still poorly understood. Here, we have analyzed whether proliferation of primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts may affect different cell functions relevant to cellular senescence and tissue deterioration.

Inhibitory effect of serotype a of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans on the increased destructive potential of serotype b.

Objective: The serotype b of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) induces higher cytokine production in dendritic cells (DCs) compared with the other serotypes. However, this increased immunostimulatory potential was modified when DCs were co-infected with the other A.

Alveolar bone resorption and Th1/Th17-associated immune response triggered during Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced experimental periodontitis are serotype-dependent.

Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans expresses several virulence factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Based on the antigenicity of the O-polysaccharide component of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), different A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes have been described.

Serotype a of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans down-regulates the increased serotype b-induced cytokine and chemokine production in dendritic cells.

Objective: In Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, different serotypes have been described based on LPS antigenicity. Mixed infection with the different A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes is frequent in periodontitis patients; accordingly, the role of this bacterial species in the pathogenesis of periodontitis may differ depending whether patients or periodontal lesions harbour one or more of the A.

Regulatory T Lymphocytes in Periodontitis: A Translational View.

Periodontitis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory disease in which the disruption of the balance between host and microbiota interactions is key to the onset and progression of the disease. The immune homeostasis associated with periodontal health requires a regulated immuno-inflammatory response, during which the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is essential to ensure a controlled response that minimizes collateral tissue damage. Since Tregs modulate both innate and adaptive immunity, pathological conditions that may resolve by the acquisition of immuno-tolerance, such as periodontitis, may benefit by the use of Treg immunotherapy.

Role of dendritic cells in peanut allergy.

The prevalence of peanut allergy (PA) has increased, affecting approximately 1.1% of children in Western countries. PA causes life-threatening anaphylaxis and frequently persists for life.

Differential human Th22-lymphocyte response triggered by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotypes.

Objective: In Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, different serotypes have been described based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigenicity. When T lymphocytes were stimulated with these serotypes, different patterns of T-helper (Th)1 and Th17-type of immune responses were reported. Recently, two new Th phenotypes have been described and named Th9 and Th22 lymphocytes; however, their role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis remains unclear.

Differential expression of CC chemokines (CCLs) and receptors (CCRs) by human T lymphocytes in response to different Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotypes.

In Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, different serotypes have been described based on LPS antigenicity. Recently, our research group has reported a differential immunogenicity when T lymphocytes were stimulated with these different serotypes. In particular, it was demonstrated that the serotype b of A.

Differential expression of CC chemokines (CCLs) and receptors (CCRs) by human T lymphocytes in response to different Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotypes.

Unlabelled: In Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, different serotypes have been described based on LPS antigenicity. Recently, our research group has reported a differential immunogenicity when T lymphocytes were stimulated with these different serotypes. In particular, it was demonstrated that the serotype b of A.

Robust Axonal Regeneration Occurs in the Injured CAST/Ei Mouse CNS.

Axon regeneration in the CNS requires reactivating injured neurons' intrinsic growth state and enabling growth in an inhibitory environment. Using an inbred mouse neuronal phenotypic screen, we find that CAST/Ei mouse adult dorsal root ganglion neurons extend axons more on CNS myelin than the other eight strains tested, especially when pre-injured. Injury-primed CAST/Ei neurons also regenerate markedly in the spinal cord and optic nerve more than those from C57BL/6 mice and show greater sprouting following ischemic stroke.

Testing for minimal consciousness in complex partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Impaired consciousness in epilepsy has a major negative impact on quality of life. Prior work suggests that complex partial seizures (CPS) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), which both cause loss of consciousness, affect similar frontoparietal networks. Milder involvement in CPS than in GTCS may spare some simple behavioral responses, resembling the minimally conscious state.

Effects of bone- and air-tissue inhomogeneities on the dose distributions of the Leksell Gamma Knife calculated with PENELOPE.

Monte Carlo simulation with PENELOPE (version 2003) is applied to calculate Leksell Gamma Knife dose distributions for heterogeneous phantoms. The usual spherical water phantom is modified with a spherical bone shell simulating the skull and an air-filled cube simulating the frontal or maxillary sinuses. Different simulations of the 201 source configuration of the Gamma Knife have been carried out with a simplified model of the geometry of the source channel of the Gamma Knife recently tested for both single source and multisource configurations.

Dosimetry for radiocolloid therapy of cystic craniopharyngiomas.

The dosimetry for radiocolloid therapy of cystic craniopharyngiomas is investigated. Analytical calculations based on the Loevinger and the Berger formulas for electrons and photons, respectively, are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The role of the material of which the colloid introduced inside the craniopharyngioma is made of as well as that forming the cyst wall is analyzed.