A low pre-existing anti-NS1 humoral immunity to DENV is associated with microcephaly development after gestational ZIKV exposure.

Background: Gestational Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with the development of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), which includes microcephaly and fetal demise. The magnitude and quality of orthoflavivirus-specific humoral immunity have been previously linked to the development of CZS. However, the role of ZIKV NS1-specific humoral immunity in mothers and children with prenatal ZIKV exposure and CZS remains undefined.

Re-emerging threat of Trypanosoma cruzi vector transmission in El Salvador, update from 2018 to 2020.

Background: Since the late twentieth century, Chagas disease gained global attention to suppress the vector burden as a main control strategy in endemic countries. In Central America, multi-national initiative successfully achieved significant reduction in the estimated disease prevalence as well as elimination of the region's principal vector species at the time in 2012. While the last decade has witnessed significant changes in ecosystem-such as urbanization and replacement of the main vector species-that can possibly affect the vector's habitation and residual transmission, the up-to-date vector burden in the region has not been evaluated thoroughly due to the cessation of active vector surveillance.

Soy protein supplement intake for 12 months has no effect on sexual maturation and may improve nutritional status in pre-pubertal children.

Aim: To evaluate the intake of a soy protein-based supplement (SPS) and its effects on the sexual maturation and nutritional status of prepubertal children who consumed it for a year.

Methods: Healthy children (n = 51) were recruited and randomly assigned to consume the lunch fruit juice with (n = 29) or without (n = 22) addition of 45 g of a commercial soy protein-based supplement (SPS) over 12 months. Nutritional assessment including anthropometry (bodyweight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm circumference), body mass index (BMI), upper arm muscle area, arm muscle circumference, upper arm area, upper arm fat area data were derived from measures using usual procedures; age and gender-specific percentiles were used as reference.

Effect of Daily Exposure to an Isolated Soy Protein Supplement on Body Composition, Energy and Macronutrient Intake, Bone Formation Markers, and Lipid Profile in Children in Colombia.

A soy protein-based supplement may optimize bone health, support physical growth, and stimulate bone formation. This study aimed to assess the effect of a daily soy protein supplement (SPS) on nutritional status, bone formation markers, lipid profile, and daily energy and macronutrient intake in children. One hundred seven participants (62 girls), ages 2 to 9, started the study and were randomly assigned to lunch fruit juice with (n = 57, intervention group) or without (n = 50, control group) addition of 45 g (230 Kcal) of a commercial SPS during 12 months; 84 children (51 girls, 33 boys) completed the study (45 and 39 intervention and control, respectively).

Identification of proteins from human permanent erupted enamel.

Proteins from the extracellular matrix of enamel are highly specific and necessary for proper enamel formation. Most proteins are removed from the matrix by enamel proteases before complete mineralization is achieved; however, some residual protein fragments persist in the mineralized matrix of erupted enamel. So far, only amelogenin peptides obtained by traditional bottom-up proteomics have been recovered and identified in human permanent erupted enamel.

Monitoring pesticide use and associated health hazards in Central America.

We established methods for monitoring pesticide use and associated health hazards in Central America. With import data from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama for 2000-2004, we constructed quantitative indicators (kg active ingredient) for general pesticide use, associated health hazards, and compliance with international regulations. Central America imported 33 million kg active ingredient per year.

[Insulin-like growth factor receptor I signaling in a breast cancer cell line].

Introduction: In vitro studies strongly suggest that proliferation, migration and cell survival of breast cancer cell lines are significantly affected by activation of the IGF type 1 receptor (IGF-IR).

Objective: The phosphorylation by IGF-I of IGF-IR and the intracellular signaling molecules Akt (PI-3K pathway) and Erk1/2 (MAPK pathway) was characterized in a human breast cancer cell lines.

Materials And Methods: The study compared a standard breast adenocarcinoma line (MCF-7) cell line with a line (CSC 1595) derived from an infiltrating ductal breast cancer in a Colombian patient.

Insulin-mediated acceleration of breast cancer development and progression in a nonobese model of type 2 diabetes.

Epidemiologic studies suggest that type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases breast cancer risk and mortality, but there is limited experimental evidence supporting this association. Moreover, there has not been any definition of a pathophysiological pathway that diabetes may use to promote tumorigenesis. In the present study, we used the MKR mouse model of T2D to investigate molecular mechanisms that link T2D to breast cancer development and progression.

Insulin-like growth factor-I regulates the liver microenvironment in obese mice and promotes liver metastasis.

Among the mechanisms implicated in the tumor-promoting effects of obesity, signaling by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin has received considerable attention. However, the emerging realization that obesity is associated with chronic inflammation has prompted other consideration of how the IGF-I axis may participate in cancer progression. In the present study, we used two mouse models of chronic (LID) and inducible (iLID) igf-1 gene deficiency in the liver to investigate the role of IGF-I in regulating the host microenvironment and colorectal carcinoma growth and metastasis in obese mice.

The insulin-like growth factor-1 binding protein acid-labile subunit alters mesenchymal stromal cell fate.

Age-related osteoporosis is accompanied by an increase in marrow adiposity and a reduction in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the binding proteins that stabilize IGF-1. To determine the relationship between these proteins and bone marrow adiposity, we evaluated the adipogenic potential of marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from mice with decreased serum IGF-1 due to knockdown of IGF-1 production by the liver or knock-out of the binding proteins. We employed 10-16-week-old, liver-specific IGF-1-deficient, IGFBP-3 knock-out (BP3KO) and acid-labile subunit knock-out (ALSKO) mice.

Growth hormone protects against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in states of low circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).

Early after estrogen loss in postmenopausal women and ovariectomy (OVX) of animals, accelerated endosteal bone resorption leads to marrow expansion of long bone shafts that reduce mechanical integrity. Both growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) are potent regulators of bone remodeling processes. To investigate the role of the GH/IGF-1 axis with estrogen deficiency, we used the liver IGF-1-deficient (LID) mouse.

Serum IGF-1 determines skeletal strength by regulating subperiosteal expansion and trait interactions.

Strong correlations between serum IGF-1 levels and fracture risk indicate that IGF-1 plays a critical role in regulating bone strength. However, the mechanism by which serum IGF-1 regulates bone structure and fracture resistance remains obscure and cannot be determined using conventional approaches. Previous analysis of adult liver-specific IGF-1-deficient (LID) mice, which exhibit 75% reductions in serum IGF-1 levels, showed reductions in periosteal circumference, femoral cross-sectional area, cortical thickness, and total volumetric BMD.

Serum complexes of insulin-like growth factor-1 modulate skeletal integrity and carbohydrate metabolism.

Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -1 is secreted mainly by the liver and circulates bound to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), either as binary complexes or ternary complexes with IGFBP-3 or IGFBP-5 and an acid-labile subunit (ALS). The purpose of this study was to genetically dissect the role of IGF-1 circulatory complexes in somatic growth, skeletal integrity, and metabolism. Phenotypic comparisons of controls and four mouse lines with genetic IGF-1 deficits-liver-specific IGF-1 deficiency (LID), ALS knockout (ALSKO), IGFBP-3 (BP3) knockout, and a triply deficient LID/ALSKO/BP3 line-produced several novel findings.

Plasma glucose and the action of calorie restriction on aging.

We tested the hypothesis that retardation of aging by caloric restriction is due in part to decreased levels of plasma glucose over the life span. Male C57BL/6 mice expressing a human GLUT4 minigene (transgenic [TG] mice) and their nontransgenic littermates (NTG mice) were maintained under specific pathogen-free conditions. Mice were fed ad libitum (A mice) or 40% less than ad libitum (R mice) from age 6 weeks.

Factors associated with routine mass antimicrobial usage in fattening pig units in a high pig-density area.

One hundred and seven fattening pig units randomly selected in Catalonia (Spain) were surveyed during 2001-2003, in order to determine the frequency of the prophylactic use of antimicrobials and mass treatments against respiratory and enteric disease outbreaks. Logistic regression and regression tree analysis were done to determine the factors associated with the on-farm mass antimicrobial usage. Fifty-eight per cent of the surveyed farms used mass antimicrobial prophylaxis; among them, 39% used two or more antimicrobials.

Epidemiology of salmonella infections in pig units and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the strains of Salmonella species isolated.

One hundred and thirteen finishing pig units and 74 sow units in Catalonia, Spain, were examined to determine the prevalence of salmonella infections and the factors that could be associated with them. Pooled faecal samples were taken from the finishing units, and samples of faeces were collected from individual sows. The Salmonella isolates were serotyped, phage typed and examined for their antimicrobial susceptibility to 18 common antimicrobial drugs.

Comparison of two commercial ELISAs for the serological diagnosis of salmonellosis in pigs.

Serum samples from 361 pigs (194 fattening pigs and 167 sows) were examined by means of two commercial ELISAs (Svanovir; Svanova Biotech and Salmotype; Labor Diagnostik) used for the serological diagnosis of salmonellosis in pigs; 211 of the samples came from farms of known bacteriological status and the other 150 were collected randomly from 60 farms of unknown status. The ELISAs were done according to the manufacturers' directions and the samples were categorised accordingly. The results were compared by using a linear regression analysis and by the calculation of Kappa values.

The combination of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and treadmill exercise lowers gain in body fat mass and enhances lean body mass in high fat-fed male Balb/C mice.

Nearly half of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese, which may be related to increased energy intake combined with lack of physical activity.

Mutations in the quinolone-resistance determining region (QRDR) of Salmonella strains isolated from pigs in Spain.

Quinolone-resistance determining region (QRDR) of Gyrase A gene was sequenced in 54 Salmonella strains of pig origin that have different quinolone-resistance patterns. Those strains accounted for 12 different serotypes. Mutations at Ser83 or Asp87 were predominant in the studied isolates.

Several Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype 4,5,12:i:- phage types isolated from swine samples originate from serotype typhimurium DT U302.

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, plasmid profiling, and phage typing were used to characterize and determine possible genetic relationships between 48 Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolates of pig origin collected in Catalonia, Spain, from 1998 to 2000. The strains were grouped into 23 multidrug-resistant fljB-lacking S.

Liver-specific igf-1 gene deletion leads to muscle insulin insensitivity.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) mediate a variety of signals involved in mammalian development and metabolism. To study the metabolic consequences of IGF-I deficiency, we used the liver IGF-I-deficient (LID) mouse model. The LID mice show a marked reduction (approximately 75%) in circulating IGF-I and elevated growth hormone (GH) levels.

Age, fatigue, and excitation-contraction coupling in masseter muscles of rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine if masseter muscle endurance changes with increasing age and, if so, to examine mechanisms of fatigue. Characteristics of fatigue were measured under isometric conditions using high-frequency stimulation of anterior deep masseter (ADM) muscles of male Fischer 344 rats, 5 to 24 months old, and fed a hard (HD) or a soft (SD) diet. Potentiating effects of caffeine on ADM muscle performance in vitro were also examined.

Analysis of the effects of growth hormone, voluntary exercise, and food restriction on diaphyseal bone in female F344 rats.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of growth hormone, exercise, and weight loss due to food restriction on tibial diaphyseal bone and on tibial muscle mass. Thirteen-month-old female F344 rats were divided into six groups: group 1, baseline controls (B); group 2, age-matched controls (C); group 3, GH treated (GH); group 4, voluntary wheel running exercise (EX); group 5, GH + EX; and group 6, food restricted (FR). The dose of GH was 2.