Immunomodulatory effect of dopamine in human keratinocytes and macrophages under chronical bisphenol-A exposure conditions.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter that links the nervous and the immune system. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor with a wide distribution in the environment that is used in the manufacturing of plastic products. Evidence shows that BPA can interfere with the central dopaminergic transmission; however, there are no previous reports of this effect outside the central nervous system.

Losartan impairs HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast migration through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced pro-inflammatory profile in human endometrial stromal cells.

A deep interaction between the endometrium and the invading trophoblast occurs during implantation in humans, with the acquisition of uterine receptivity to the invading embryo promoted by an elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the endometrium, and the invasiveness of decidualizing endometrial stromal cells, augmented by trophoblast-derived signals. Considering that usage of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers, among other renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, here we aim to analyse the involvement of AT1 receptor in the reciprocal dialogue occurring between endometrial stroma and trophoblast cells. In human endometrial stromal cells (T-HESC) pre-incubated with a decidualization cocktail, angiotensin (Ang) II increased protein expression of prolactin and FOXO1, markers of endometrial decidualization, while promoting nuclear translocation of FOXO1.

Immunoexpression of Trefoil Factor 1 in Non-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Canine Gastric Tissues.

TFF1 expression is markedly reduced in human GCs, suggesting that TFF1 is a tumor suppressor for human gastric cancer. The present study evaluated the expression and distribution pattern of TFF1 in paraffin-embedded canine gastric tissue samples, including normal mucosa (n = 3), polyps (n = 8), carcinomas (n = 31) and their adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (n = 30), neoplastic emboli (n = 14), and metastatic lesions (n = 9), by immunohistochemistry (IHC). All normal gastric tissues expressed TFF1 in the superficial foveolar epithelium and mucopeptic cells of the neck region.

Identification of as Reservoirs for .

South American Camelids have an increasing relevance in local economies, worldwide. These animals are bred for their meat, fur and as companion and therapy animals. Thus, their sanitary status should be well-established.

Immunostimulatory Effects Triggered by Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 Probiotic Strain Involve Activation of Dendritic Cells and Interferon-Gamma Production.

Probiotics can modulate the immune system, conferring beneficial effects on the host. Understanding how these microorganisms contribute to improve the health status is still a challenge. Previously, we have demonstrated that Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 implants itself and persists in the murine gastrointestinal tract, and enhances and skews the profile of cytokines towards the Th1 phenotype in several biological models.

Age-dependent biochemical dysfunction in skeletal muscle of triple-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer`s disease.

The emergence of Alzheimer`s disease as a systemic pathology shifted the research paradigm toward a better understanding of the molecular basis of the disease considering the pathophysiological changes in both brain and peripheral tissues. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of disease progression on physiological relevant features of skeletal muscle obtained from 3, 6 and 12 month-old 3xTg-AD mice, a model of Alzheimer`s disease, and respective agematched nonTg mice. Our results showed that skeletal muscle functionality is already affected in 3-month-old 3xTg-AD mice as evidenced by deficient acetylcholinesterase and catalase activities as well as by alterations in fatty acid composition of mitochondrial membranes.

Validation of an electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry method for quantification of total chromium and chromium(VI) in wild mushrooms and underlying soils.

An ETAAS method was validated to quantify total Cr and Cr(VI) in mushrooms and the underlying soils. The method includes a sample pretreatment for total Cr dissolution using a wet acid digestion procedure and a selective alkaline extraction for Cr(VI). The limits of detection were, expressed in microg/L, 0.

A case study of molinate application in a Portuguese rice field: herbicide dissipation and proposal of a clean-up methodology.

This study was designed to monitor molinate losses in surface and underground waters during Ordram application in a rice field situated in central Portugal. Water samples were collected from different sites, before, during and about one month and a half after Ordram application. Molinate quantification was based on a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method followed by gas chromatography with flame photometric detector (GC-FPD) analysis, and led to the conclusion that the herbicide was dissipated in the environment, reaching levels as high as 3.

Nosocomial outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase SHV-5-producing isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Athens, Greece.

Seven nonrepetitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates producing the clavulanic acid-inhibited extended-spectrum beta-lactamase SHV-5 were isolated in the same hospital in Athens, Greece, from 1998 to 2002. All isolates except one were clonally related, and the bla(SHV-5) gene was chromosomally located. This study underlined that this gene, which is widespread in Enterobacteriaceae in Greece, may disseminate also in P.

Alternative diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough immunization schedule to evoke a Th2 tetanus and a Th1 pertussis immune response.

In a previous study, using BALB/c mice, we found that while diphtheria (D), tetanus (T) and whooping cough (Pw, whole-cell Bordetella pertussis) immunization induces a Th1/Th2 tetanus response and memory T cells able to proliferate in response to in vitro stimulation with B. pertussis, DTPa immunization induces a Th2 tetanus immune response and no memory T cells that recognize B. pertussis as stimulus.

Whole-cell Bordetella pertussis vaccine component modulates the mouse immune response to an unrelated soluble antigen.

Several factors are involved in the selective activation of Th1 or Th2 cells, such as different physical characteristics of antigens and the type of antigen-presenting cells involved in the immune response, among others. To study the influence of a particulate antigen on Th1/Th2 cell differentiation during the immune response to another antigen, we analysed the immune response to tetanus toxoid (soluble antigen) in BALB/c mice immunized with one of the three following vaccines: tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (DT), or DT associated with whole-cell Bordetella pertussis or its soluble antigens (DTPw and DTPa, respectively). Similar total antibody levels were observed for all vaccines.

[Cytokines induced by experimental anti-tetanus immunization. Vaccine formulation effect].

Several factors are involved in the selective activation of T helper 1 or T helper 2 cells, such as the type of antigen-presenting cells involved in the immune response and the different physical characteristics of antigens. The aim of this work was to evaluate if adding other antigens to tetanus toxoid modifies the original immune response. BALB/c mice were immunized with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids associated with whole-cell Bordetella pertussis (DTPw vaccine), B.