Ozone modified hypothalamic signaling enhancing thermogenesis in the TDP-43 transgenic model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disease, has no effective treatment. Recent evidence supports a strong metabolic component in ALS pathogenesis. Indeed, metabolic abnormalities in ALS correlate to disease susceptibility and progression, raising additional therapeutic targets against ALS.

Enterococcus populations in artisanal Manchego cheese: biodiversity, technological and safety aspects.

Enterococci represent a considerable proportion of the microbiota in Manchego cheeses. In this study, a total of 132 enterococci isolated from good quality Manchego cheeses from two dairies at different ripening times were genotypically characterized and identified using molecular techniques. Representative isolates from the clusters obtained after genotyping were assayed for some enzymatic activities considered to have a potential role in cheese ripening, and for 2,3-butanedione and acetoin production, evaluation of odor intensity and appearance in milk and safety evaluation.

Genotypic and technological characterization of Leuconostoc isolates to be used as adjunct starters in Manchego cheese manufacture.

Twenty-seven Leuconostoc (Ln.) isolates from Manchego cheese were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods, and their technological abilities studied in order to test their potential use as dairy starter components. While phenotypic diversity was evaluated by studying the biochemical characteristics of technological interest (i.

Switching to sirolimus in renal transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus: a safe option.

Introduction: The presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in renal transplant recipients is an independent risk factor for death and graft failure. Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) favored by the use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) is one of the main causes of graft loss, whereas sirolimus (SRL) has proven to maintain better graft function with lower rates of CAN.

Objectives And Methods: We developed a protocol to evaluate the safety of SRL in transplant recipients with respect to HCV.

Genotypic and technological characterization of Lactococcus lactis isolates involved in processing of artisanal Manchego cheese.

Aims: Genotypic and technological characterization of wild lactococci isolated from artisanal Manchego cheese during the ripening process for selection of suitable starter cultures.

Methods And Results: A total of 114 isolates of lactococci were typed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Sixteen distinct RAPD-PCR patterns, at a similarity level of 73%, were obtained.

Nocturnal ultrafiltration profiles in patients on APD: impact on fluid and solute transport.

In order to prevent morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD), sodium and water balance as well as a minimal level of small-solute clearances are needed. The impact of three nocturnal peritoneal ultrafiltration (UF) profiles on UF and small solute clearance in patients on automated PD (APD) was studied: constant glucose concentration of 1.36% (flat) or modifying the glucose concentration of the heater bag (descendant: 3.

[Molecular diagnosis of adult dominant polycystic kidney disease in the Canary Islands].

Adult dominant polycystic kidney disease is an hereditary condition responsible for 6% of end-stage renal failure in Spain. Two genes were located in chromosomes 16 and 4 as related to this age-dependent disease in the 90s (PKD1 and PKD2). The diagnosis can be easily achieved by sonographic study, but molecular analysis by means of linkage analysis has the advantage of an early diagnosis in asymptomatic genetic carriers, with a view to the preventive follow-up of these subjects and genetic counselling.

Steroids and bone density in patients with functioning kidney allografts.

Introduction: Osteopenia and osteoporosis after renal transplantation have been associated with factors related to the cause of end-stage renal disease, as well as to clinical events and therapeutic factors in the posttransplant period. We studied the prevalence of low bone density (LBD) according to WHO criteria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a cohort of 106 patients (54 men and 52 women) with functioning renal allografts, who underwent bone densitometry (DEXA) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

Genetic diversity, dynamics, and activity of Lactobacillus community involved in traditional processing of artisanal Manchego cheese.

A total of 248 strains of predominant lactobacilli isolated during the manufacture and ripening of artisanal Manchego cheeses obtained from two dairies were obtained and the genetic diversity of 197 investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR). 51 isolates could not be lysed and were therefore not genotyped. Forty-two distinct RAPD patterns, grouped in six major clusters at a similarity level of 54%, were obtained.

[Valsartan in patients with arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The lapaval study].

Unlabelled: Arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus give rise to a situation of high cardiovascular risk. The potential renoprotection from inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system is a valid option in this type of patient.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of valsartan on blood pressure (BP) and renal function in albuminuric patients with type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of lactobacilli isolated from Spanish goat cheeses.

Lactic acid bacteria from 18 Spanish goat cheeses produced by seven dairies were isolated to evaluate the genetic diversity of this bacterial community. 136 representative isolates were characterized by phenotyping and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) analysis. Ten species were identified with predominance of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp.

Characterization of Lactobacillus strains and monitoring by RAPD-PCR in controlled fermentations of "Almagro" eggplants.

The characterization of 23 Lactobacillus strains was performed. The strains were assayed for biogenic amine-forming capacity, hydrogen peroxide production, pectin esterase, cellulase and polygalacturonase production, growth rate, acidifying capacity and salt tolerance. Three strains were selected which belonged to the species, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum.

Genetic diversity (RAPD-PCR) of lactobacilli isolated from "Almagro" eggplant fermentations from two seasons.

Genetic diversity of 323 strains of lactobacilli isolated from an Almagro eggplant manufacturing plant was analyzed by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Thirty-four distinct RAPD patterns were obtained with 95% of isolates grouped into 18 main clusters. Genetic diversity was higher in brines from season II, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum/cellobiosus being the species with the greatest number of genotypes.

Polyphasic study of the genetic diversity of lactobacilli associated with 'Almagro' eggplants spontaneous fermentation, based on combined numerical analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns.

Aims: The goal of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the complex natural ecosystem present in the spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants by a polyphasic approach based on molecular techniques.

Methods And Results: Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were applied to 149 Lactobacillus isolates obtained from that fermentation process. Two random primers, OPL-05 and ArgDei-For, and two rare-cutting enzymes, SfiI and SmaI, chosen after preliminary testing on the basis of band intensity and distribution, were used.

Identification of lactic acid bacteria from spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants by SDS-PAGE whole cell protein fingerprinting.

In order to complete the previously performed phenotypic identification [Sánchez et al., 2000. Int.

Effect of freezing on the spontaneous fermentation and sensory attributes of Almagro eggplants.

A study of the physico-chemical and microbiological processes taking place during the spontaneous fermentation of eggplant fruits that had been frozen after blanching revealed a delay in the onset of the active fermentation stage, which has been ascribed to the adverse effect of the freezing temperature employed on the lactic acid bacteria involved in fermentation. The species most affected by freezing were L. fermentum and L.

Contribution of starter culture to the sensory characteristics of fermented Almagro eggplants.

Trial fermentations were performed using three experimental starter cultures with a view to selecting the most appropriate starter for use in the manufacture of Almagro eggplants. The lactic acid bacterial strains used in the starters had previously been isolated from spontaneous fermentations. The combined action of the obligate heterofermentative species Lactobacillus brevis and the facultative heterofermentative species L.

[Epidemiologic study of infection by hepatitis C virus in a hemodialysis unit].

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of infection, the frequency of HCV genotypes and the epidemiology characteristics among the patients in hemodialysis treatment in one 25 years old hospital hemodialysis center and one 15 years old secondary unit by a transversal cross-section study in 1998.

Patients And Methods: 171 hemodialyzed-patients were studied. Patients sera were analyzed by the presence of HCV antibodies anti-VHC by a enzymoimmunoassay (Abbott Cientifica) and the presence of antibodies was confirmed by a line immunoassay (Inno-LIA HCV AbIII) and by the presence of VHC-RNA by reverse transcriptase PCR (Cobas Amplicor HCV).

Biochemical characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants.

A total of 149 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants were characterized and identified. Of the isolates, 148 were determined as belonging to the genus Lactobacillus. A coccoid, gram-positive database-negative isolate was obtained in the early stages of fermentation.

Influence of sodium chloride concentration on the controlled lactic acid fermentation of "Almagro" eggplants.

The effect of a commercial Lactobacillus starter and sodium chloride concentration on the fermentation of "Almagro" eggplants (Solanum melongena L. var. esculentum depressum) was studied.

Effects of the novel multiple-action agent carvedilol on severe nephrosclerosis in renal ablated rats.

Antihypertensive drugs have differing effects on renal hemodynamics and morphology. We analyzed whether the use of a new beta adrenoceptor antagonist and vasodilator, carvedilol (CVD), slows the progression of nephrosclerosis and whether the renoprotective effect as well as reduction in cardiac hypertrophy is dependent on the degree of blood pressure reduction. Fifty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed among five groups: group I served as untreated controls with 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx); group II, sham (no renal ablation or drug treatment); group III, CVD 5 (5/6 Nx and treatment with oral CVD at 5 mg/kg/day); group IV, CVD 10 (5/6 Nx and treatment with oral CVD at 10 mg/kg/day); and group V, CVD 20 (5/6 Nx and treatment with oral CVD at 20 mg/kg/day).

Cross-sectional assessment of nutritional and immune status in renal patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Malnutrition prevalence and immunocompetence were assessed in uremic patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Forty-two males and twenty-four females with kidney disease treated with CAPD were distributed into three groups according to the length of time they had been undergoing dialysis. Group 0 included patients beginning dialysis; group 1, patients undergoing CAPD for < 30 mo; and group 2, patients undergoing CAPD for > 30 mo.