Enteric Nervous System: Identification of a Novel Neuronal Sensory Network in the Duodenal Epithelium.

The communication between the intestinal epithelium and the enteric nervous system has been considered indirect. Mechanical or chemical stimuli activate enteroendocrine cells inducing hormone secretion, which act on sub-epithelial nerve ends, activating the enteric nervous system. However, we identified an epithelial cell that expresses NKAIN4, a neuronal protein associated with the β-subunit of Na/K-ATPase.

Consequences of zinc deficiency on zinc localization, taurine transport, and zinc transporters in rat retina.

The colocalization of taurine and zinc transporters (TAUT, ZnTs) has not been explored in retina. Our objective is to evaluate the effect of the intracellular zinc chelator N,N,N,N-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) on zinc localization and colocalization TAUT and ZnT-1 (of plasma membrane), 3 (vesicular), and 7 (vesicular and golgi apparatus) in layers of retina by immunohistochemistry. To mark zinc, it was used cell-permeable fluorescent Zinquin ethyl ester.

Occurrence of Helicobacter spp. and Fecal Bacterial Contamination in High-altitude Aquatic Environments from the Andes.

The occurrence of Helicobacter spp. and fecal bacterial contamination was investigated in high-altitude environments from the Northeastern Andes of Venezuela. Helicobacter DNA was detected by PCR in streams, drinking and irrigation waters, and one culture from drinking water by the HP enrichment medium for selection of Helicobacter pylori, which displayed 98.

Autologous tumor cells/bacillus Calmette-Guérin/formalin-based novel breast cancer vaccine induces an immune antitumor response.

Autologous cancer cell vaccines represent a multivalent patient-specific treatment. Studies have demonstrated that these immunotherapies should be combined with immunomodulators to improve results. We tested in breast cancer the antitumor effects of a 200 µg autologous tumor cells homogenate combined with 0.

Evidence of Helicobacter spp. in freshwaters from Roraima Tepui, Guayana Shield, South America.

Helicobacter presence and viability in waters is not well characterized. The identification of natural reservoirs and infection sources may provide novel insights into its waterborne transmission. The goal of this study was to investigated the occurrence of Helicobacter spp.

Thrombin selectively induces transcription of genes in human monocytes involved in inflammation and wound healing.

Thrombin is essential for blood coagulation but functions also as a mediator of cellular signalling. Gene expression microarray experiments in human monocytes revealed thrombin-induced upregulation of a limited subset of genes, which are almost exclusively involved in inflammation and wound healing. Among these, the expression of F3 gene encoding for tissue factor (TF) was enhanced indicating that this physiological initiator of coagulation cascade may create a feed-forward loop to enhance blood coagulation.

Heterogeneity of cag genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in the esophageal mucosa of dyspeptic patients and its relation to histopathological outcomes.

Background: A high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the esophageal mucosa of dyspeptic Venezuelan patients has been reported. We aimed to assess the genetic composition of the cag genotypes of H. pylori and its relation to histopathological outcomes in the gastroesophageal mucosa.

Schlieren measurements in the round cylinder of an optically accessible internal combustion engine.

This paper describes the design and experimental application of an optical system to perform schlieren measurements in the curved geometry of the cylinder of an optically accessible internal combustion engine. Key features of the system are a pair of cylindrical positive meniscus lenses, which keep the beam collimated while passing through the unmodified, thick-walled optical cylinder, and a pulsed, high-power light-emitting diode with narrow spectral width. In combination with a high-speed CMOS camera, the system is used to visualize the fuel jet after injection of hydrogen fuel directly into the cylinder from a high-pressure injector.

High resolution fluorescence microscopy evidence on the transport of immunoglobulins. Differences between mammalian IgG, F(ab')2 and avian IgY.

We describe the subcellular localization of horse F(ab')(2) and IgG, and ostrich IgY labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) administered IV to mice. We used wide field high sensitivity fluorescence microscopy deblurred by 3-dimensional blind deconvolution of kidney, liver, lungs and brain sections. Sections were obtained from mice sacrificed 15 min, 1 or 5 h after receiving FITC-immunoproteins, counter-stained with DAPI (4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and Evans blue.

Horse IgG- and ostrich IgY-F(ab')₂ groups have different affinities for mice erythrocytes and lymphocytes. Implications for avian immunoglobulin therapeutic usefulness.

We used high sensitivity and resolution fluorescence microscopy to study the interaction of ostrich IgY, horse F(ab')₂ and horse IgG with mice lymphocyte and erythrocyte plasma membrane. The immunoglobulins were labeled with fluorescein isotiocyanate (FITC). Our results show an interaction of IgY with lymphocyte plasma membrane which does not result in endocytosis of the labeled protein.

High frequency of Helicobacter pylori in the esophageal mucosa of dyspeptic patients and its possible association with histopathological alterations.

Background: Helicobacter pylori gastric colonization is known to be high in symptomatic subjects. However, only a few reports on the presence of H. pylori in the esophageal mucosa have been published.

High prevalence of DNA from non-H. pylori helicobacters in the gastric mucosa of Venezuelan pet dogs and its histological alterations.

Non-H. pylori helicobacters (NHPH) have been demonstrated as gastric spiral-shaped bacteria in specimens obtained from dogs; however, their roles in the pathogenesis of upper gastrointestinal disease have not yet been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of NHPH DNA in the gastric mucosa of dogs and its association with histopathology.

Scorpion toxins modify phytopathogenic fungus physiology. A possible source of new fungicides.

Seven toxins (F1-F7) were purified from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom on a C18 HPLC column. The compounds were fungitoxic on Macrophomina phaseolina. The molecular masses of F1-F7 were (Da) 1061.

Apoptogenic peptides from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom acting against the SKBR3 breast cancer cell line.

Two novel peptides named neopladine 1 and neopladine 2 were purified from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom and found to be active on human breast carcinoma SKBR3 cells. Mass spectrometry molecular masses of neopladine 1 and 2 were 29918 and 30388 Da, respectively. Their N-terminal sequences were determined by Edman degradation.

Detection of Helicobacter in the digestive tract of an Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis).

Helicobacter spp. occur in the digestive system of a broad range of animal taxa, including marine mammals. Only one formally recognized species, Helicobacter cetorum, has been described in marine mammals.

Inhibition of cholinesterase activity by soil extracts and predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) to select relevant pesticides in polluted soils.

The correlation of predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) with cholinesterase activity inhibition detected in soil extracts was determined. PEC was derived from organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CA) compounds applied to a flower crop area. Samples of surface soil (0 - 30 cm in depth) and subsurface soil (30 to 60 cm in depth) were taken from a flower crop area in which OP pesticides such as acephate ((RS)-N-[methoxy(methylthio)phosphinoyl]acetamide), dimethoate (2-dimethoxyphosphinothioylthio-N-methylacetamide) and methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), and CA pesticides such as carbendazim (methyl benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate), carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) and methomyl (S-methyl (EZ)-N-(methylcarbamoyloxy) thioacetimidate) were applied for two years.

Expression of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis CHS3 in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae chs3 null mutant demonstrates its functionality as a chitin synthase gene.

We report the isolation and sequencing of CHS3, a gene that encodes one of several chitin synthases in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a medically important fungus restricted geographically to Latin America. The gene contains a single open reading frame of 3817 bp with two introns (71 and 86 bp) and encodes a 1220 amino acid polypeptide with high similarity to other fungal chitin synthases. Northern analysis reveals a high expression of CHS3 in the pathogenic yeast-like phase of the fungus and at the end of the mycelium-yeast transition.

Antibacterial activity of six novel peptides from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom. A fluorescent probe study of microbial membrane Na+ permeability changes.

Six novel peptides (named bactridines) were isolated from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom. From mass spectrometry molecular masses were 6916, 7362, 7226, 7011, 7101 and 7173 Da (bactridines 1-6). Bactridines 1 and 2 were sequenced by Edman degradation.

Localization of taurine transporter, taurine, and zinc in goldfish retina.

Taurine and zinc interact during structural and functional development of the rat retina and during the process of regeneration of retinal fragments from goldfish. These observations formed the basis for evaluating the regional correlation between the localization of the taurine transporter, taurine content and labile zinc content in goldfish retina. In the retina, the taurine transporter is expressed in photoreceptors, the outer plexiform layer, the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer.

Seasonal sebaceous patch in the nectar-feeding bats Leptonycteris curasoae and L. yerbabuenae (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae): phenological, histological, and preliminary chemical characterization.

Many species of bats secrete a wide variety of substances, frequently associated with olfactory communication. We characterized a seasonal phenomenon of dorsal sebaceous secretion in the Curaçaoan long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris curasoae, in Venezuela, and the lesser long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, in Mexico. The phenology of the sebaceous patch was determined, a histological analysis of the affected area was conducted using specimens of L.

Effect of leukocyte inhibitors benzydamine and cyclophosphamide, on lung injury caused by Tityus discrepans scorpion venom.

We studied the effects of benzydamine (BZ) and cyclophosphamide (CP) on acute lung injury caused by Tityus discrepans venom. Mice (male, IVIC strain, approximately 25g) were pretreated with either BZ (20microg/g) or CP (100microg/g) i.p.

Initial volume of a drug before it reaches the volume of distribution: pharmacokinetics of F(ab')2 antivenoms and other drugs.

Fast disappearance of F(ab')2 antivenoms from the plasma compartment [Sevcik et al., 2004. Modelling Tityus scorpion venom and antivenom pharmacokinetics.

Isolation and partial characterization of proteins with vasodegenerative and proinflammatory properties from the egg-nests of Hylesia metabus (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

The Hylesia genus comprises a group of Neotropical moths ubiquitous in the Americas from Arizona to Argentina. One of the species of the Hylesia genus in Venezuela, French Guyana, and Trinidad has been identified as Hylesia metabus (Cramer 1775) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). In Venezuela, these moths are found in abundance in the mangrove (Avicennia spp.