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Due to similar manifestations, some authors have proposed a potential correlation between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This link has long been recognized and debated, with some authors arguing that these disorders frequently occur comorbid but distinct while others believe they are part of the same spectrum. The aim of our study was to explore the prevalence and correlates of autistic traits in 55 OCD patients and 55 matched controls and to assess possible autistic dimensions predictive of higher OCD symptoms. All participants were assessed with the Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum-Short Version (OBS-SV) and the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum). The OCD group scored significantly higher in both questionnaires. Total OBS-SV scores and domains were significantly correlated with all AdAS Spectrum domains and total score. The AdAS Spectrum total, Verbal Communication and Inflexibility and adherence to routine domain scores were significant positive predictors of higher OBS-SV scores. Lastly, when two clusters of subjects ( high and low autism ) were determined, Inflexibility and adherence to routine domain presented the greatest influence in forming the clusters. Our findings support the association between OCD and autistic traits in the adult population, supporting the hypothesis of a neurodevelopmental basis for these psychiatric conditions.

Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp 245 is a model plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. The first cross-talk with plants takes place within the roots. Roots cells growth is constrained by the primary cell wall (CW). Also, neighboring CW form the apoplast that should affect cells signaling and biochemical messages. Studies on CW phenolic composition ferulate (FA), diferulates (DFA) and p-coumarate and polyamines (PA) metabolisms of A. baldaniorum Sp 245- inoculated roots and on bacterial PA production in culture media should help to understand more about the mechanisms involved in Azospirillum-root association. For this purpose, CW-bound FA, DFA and p-coumarate contents, putrescine (put) and spermidine contents, diamine and polyamine oxidases activities, and H2O2 content of Cucumis sativus roots from dark grown seedlings inoculated with A. baldaniorum Sp 245 were determined. Also, bacterial PA production under constant agitation or static conditions was evaluated. Results showed lesser contents of all phenolics, and higher FA/DFA ratio in CW of inoculated roots that should be responsible for roots growth promotion. Also, the increased put content, DAO activity, and H2O2 production in the roots should be associated to A. baldaniorum Sp 245 growth promotion in early stages. Finally, the participation of both PA in A. baldaniorum Sp 245 biofilm formation was demonstrated., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS.)

Mannheimia haemolytica is the causal agent of the shipping fever in bovines and produces high economic losses worldwide. This bacterium possesses different virulence attributes to achieve a successful infection. One of the main virulence factors expressed by a pathogen is through adhesion molecules; however, the components participating in this process are not totally known. The present work identified a M. haemolytica 41 kDa outer membrane protein (Omp) that participates in bacterial adhesion. This protein showed 100% identity with the OmpH from M. haemolytica as determined by mass spectrometry and it interacts with sheep fibrinogen. The 41 kDa M. haemolytica OmpH interacts with bovine monocytes; a previous incubation of M. haemolytica with a rabbit hyperimmune serum against this Omp diminished 45% cell adhesion. The OmpH was recognized by serum from bovines affected by acute or chronic pneumonia, indicating its in vivo expression; moreover, it showed immune cross-reaction with the serum of rabbit infected with Pasteurella multocida. The OmpH is present in biofilms and previous incubation of M. haemolytca with rabbit serum against this protein diminished biofilm, indicating this protein's participation in biofilm formation. M. haemolytica OmpH is proposed as a relevant immunogen in bovine pneumonia protection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The invertebrate immune system possesses a mechanism named extracellular traps (ETs), it has been identified that this mechanism immobilizes and kills pathogens. ETs formation induces modification of histones, chromatin decondensation, and mixes with granule molecules, releasing them into the extracellular space as a defense mechanism. In the present review, we provide an overview on the identification of triggering stimuli such as pathogens, PAMPs, DAMPs, and chemical stimuli, discuss the participation of potential signaling pathways involving MAPK, PI3K, PKC, and ERK molecules that lead to NADPH oxidase or mitochondrial ROS production, and explore the potential relationship with several proteins such as myeloperoxidase, heat sock proteins, peroxinectin, elastase, and apolipoproteins. Furthermore, we also discuss the association of ETs with other immune mechanisms that could collaborate in the elimination of pathogens., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In crustaceans, it has been suggested that specific protection against pathogens could be triggered by vaccines and biological response modifiers; although the specific mechanisms of this protection have not been clarified yet. In the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus, a humoral lectin (CqL) binds its own granular hemocytes through a specific receptor (CqLR) and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we challenged in vivo crayfishes with immunostimulants, β-glucan (200 μg/kg) or LPS (20 μg/kg), and identified the participation of cellular and humoral mechanisms. The stimulants generated a complex modification in the total hemocytes count (THC), as well as in the proportion of hemocyte subsets. At 2 h after the challenge, the largest value in THC was observed in either challenged crayfishes. Furthermore, at the same time, hyaline hemocytes were the most abundant subset in the hemolymph; after 6 h, granular hemocytes (GH) were the most abundant hemocyte subset. It has been observed that a specific subset of GH possesses a CqLR that has been related to ROS production. After 2 and 6 h of the β-glucan challenge, a significant increase in CqLR expression was observed in the three circulating hemocyte subsets; also, an increased expression of CqL was detected in a granular hemocytes sub-population. After 2 and 6 h of stimulation, the specific activity of the serum lectin challenged with β-glucan was 250% and 160% higher than in the LPS-treated-group, respectively (P < 0.05). Hemocytes from challenged crayfishes were stimulated ex vivo with CqL, ROS production was 180% higher in hemocytes treated with β-glucan + CqL than in hemocytes treated with LPS + CqL (P < 0.05). The results evidence the effectivity of immune stimulators to activate specific crayfish defense mechanisms, the participation of CqL and its receptor (CqLR) could play an important role in the regulation of immune cellular functions, like ROS production, in Cherax quadricarinatus., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The study examines the use of macrobeads for the controlled-release of bacteria. Macrobeads were prepared by an easy dripping-technique using 20/80 wt/wt chitosan-starch blends and sodium tripolyphosphate as cross-linking agent. The resulting polymeric matrix was examined by SEM, XRD, TGA, and solid-RMN. The swelling-equilibrium, thermal behaviour, crystallinity, and size of macrobeads were affected by the autoclave-sterilization. The diameter of the sterilized xerogel was c.a. 1.6 mm. The results suggested that ionotropic-gelation and neutralization were the mechanisms underlying hydrogel formation. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) were loaded into macrobeads separately or co-inoculated. Bacteria loaded macrobeads were dried and stored. Bacteria survived at least 12 months in orders of 10 9 CFU of A. brasilense/g and 10 8 CFU of P. fluorescens/g. Bacterial release in sterile saline solution tended to a super Case-II transport mechanism. Polymeric-matrix release efficiently both PGPB in natural soils, which uncovers their potential for the formulation of novel and improved biofertilizers., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In crustaceans, lectins and hemocytes of the innate immune system provide the first line of defense. Although evidence points to the potential role of lectins in regulating hemocyte activity, the processes underlying the lectin activation have not been evaluated. In the present study, the receptor for CqL, a humoral lectin from Cherax quadricarinatus specific for galactose/sialic acid, was identified in a granular subset of hemocytes. The CqL receptor (CqLR) is a 490-kDa glycoprotein, composed of four identical 120-kDa subunits. As shown by immunohistochemistry, CqL at 7.5 μg/mL as optimal dose, after 2 min, induced, specifically on granular hemocytes, increased phosphorylation of serine (152%), threonine (192%), and tyrosine (242%) as compared with non-treated hemocytes; moreover, CqL induced increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Specific kinase inhibitors showed inhibition (P < 0.001) of ROS production induced by CqL. These results strongly suggest that CqL actively participated in the generation of ROS through kinases induced by a CqLR in a subset of granular hemocytes of the crayfish C. quadricarinatus. The results provide strong evidence that CqL activates, through specific granular hemocytes, receptors that modulate cellular functions in C. quadricarinatus., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Azospirillum is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) genus vastly studied and utilized as agriculture inoculants. Isolation of new strains under different environmental conditions allows the access to the genetic diversity and improves the success of inoculation procedures. Historically, the isolation of this genus has been performed by the use of some traditional culture media. In this work we characterized the physiology and biochemistry of five different A. brasilense strains, commonly used as cereal inoculants. The aim of this work is to contribute to pose into revision some concepts concerning the most used protocols to isolate and characterize this bacterium. We characterized their growth in different traditional and non-traditional culture media, evaluated some PGPR mechanisms and characterized their profiles of fatty acid methyl esters and carbon-source utilization. This work shows, for the first time, differences in both profiles, and ACC deaminase activity of A. brasilense strains. Also, we show unexpected results obtained in some of the evaluated culture media. Results obtained here and an exhaustive knowledge revision revealed that it is not appropriate to conclude about bacterial species without analyzing several strains. Also, it is necessary to continue developing studies and laboratory techniques to improve the isolation and characterization protocols., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Lectins participate in the immune mechanisms of crustaceans. They have been considered as humoral receptors for pathogen-associated molecular patterns; however, some reports suggest that lectins could regulate crustacean cellular functions. In the present study, we purified and characterized a serum lectin (CqL) from the hemolymph of Cherax quadricarinatus by affinity chromatography and determined its participation in the regulation of hemocytes' oxidative burst. CqL is a 290-kDa lectin in native form, constituted by 108, 80, and 29-kDa subunits. It is mainly composed of glycine, alanine, and a minor proportion of methionine and histidine. It showed no carbohydrates in its structure. CqL is composed of several isoforms, as determined by 2D-electrophoresis, and shows no homology with any crustacean protein as determined by Lc/Ms mass spectrometry. CqL agglutinated mainly rat and rabbit erythrocytes and showed a broad specificity for monosaccharides such as galactose, glucose, and sialic acid, as well as for glycoproteins, such as porcine stomach and bovine submaxillary mucin and fetuin. It is a Mn(2+)-dependent lectin. CqL recognized 8% of crayfish granular hemocytes and increased 4.2-fold the production of hemocytes' superoxide anion in vitro assays when compared with non-treated hemocytes. This effect showed the same specificity for carbohydrates as hemagglutination; moreover, superoxide dismutase and diphenyleneiodonium chloride were effective inhibitors of CqL oxidative-activation. The CqL homoreceptor is a 120-kDa glycoprotein identified in the hemocytes lysate. Our results suggest that CqL participates actively in the regulation of the generation of superoxide anions in hemocytes using NADPH-dependent mechanisms., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Characterization of biological tissues in ultrasound images is often tackled using empirical pre-Rayleigh distributions. However, the absence of a theoretical explanation to these distributions hinders their improvement and clinical interpretation. This paper presents a novel model that extends classic statistical theories to speckle in biological tissues and explains the existing pre-Rayleigh distributions. Furthermore, statistics derived from the proposed model outperform the state of the art in skin tissue characterization. Finally, promising results in characterization of skin melanoma tumors set the basis for the development of reliable ultrasound-based diagnosis techniques.

We previously reported that Azospirillum brasilense induced a more elastic cell wall and a higher apoplastic water fraction in both wheat coleoptile and flag leaf. These biophysical characteristics could permit increased growth. Knowledge of the biochemical effects the bacteria could elicit in plant cell walls and how these responses change plant physiology is still scarce. The objective of this work was to analyze whether A. brasilense Sp245 inoculation affected elongation and extensibility of growing cucumber (Cucumis sativus) hypocotyls and ionically bound cell wall peroxidase activities. Hypocotyl tip and basal segments were excised from A. brasilense Sp245-inoculated cucumber seedlings growing in darkness under hydroponic conditions. Elongation, cell wall extensibility, cell wall peroxidase activities against ferulic acid and guaiacol and NADH oxidase activities were analyzed. Azospirillum-inoculated cucumber seedlings grew bigger than non-inoculated ones. Dynamic cell wall differences were detected between inoculated and non-inoculated hypocotyls. They included greater acid-induced cell wall extension and in vivo elongation when incubated in distilled water. Although there was no difference between treatments in either region of the hypocotyl NADH oxidase and ferulic acid peroxidase activities were lower in both regions in inoculated seedlings. These lesser activities could be delaying the stiffening of cell wall in inoculated seedlings. These results showed that the cell wall is a target for A. brasilense growth promotion., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To quantify the impact on self-reported visual functioning of spectacle provision for school-aged children in Oaxaca, Mexico., Methods: The Refractive Status Vision Profile (RSVP), a previously validated tool to measure the impact of refractive correction on visual functioning, was adapted for use in rural children and administered at baseline and 4 weeks (27.3 +/- 4.4 days) after the provision of free spectacles. Visual acuity with and without correction, age, sex, and spherical equivalent refraction were recorded at the time of follow-up., Results: Among 88 children (mean age, 12 years; 55.7% girls), the median presenting acuity (uncorrected or with original spectacles), tested 4 weeks after the provision of free spectacles, was 6/9 (range, 6/6-6/120). Significant improvements in the following subscales of the RSVP were seen for the group as a whole after the provision of free spectacles: function, 11.2 points (P = 0.0001); symptoms, 14.3 points (P < 0.0001); total score, 10.3 points (P = 0.0001). After stratification by presenting vision in the better-seeing eye, children with 6/6 acuity (n = 22) did not have significant improvement in any subscale; those with acuity of 6/7.5 to 6/9 (n = 34) improved only on function (P = 0.02), symptoms (P = 0.005), and total score (P = 0.003); and those with acuity of 6/12 or worse improved on total score (P < 0.0001) and all subscales. Subjects (n = 31) with uncorrected myopia of -1.25 D or more had a mean improvement in total score of 15.9 points (P < 0.0001), whereas those with uncorrected myopia between -0.50 and -1.00 D inclusive (n = 53) had a mean improvement of 8 points (P = 0.01)., Conclusions: Provision of spectacles to children in this setting had a significant impact on self-reported function, even at modest levels of baseline visual disability. The correlation between presenting vision/refraction and improvement and the failure of children 6/6 at baseline to improve offer evidence for a real effect.

The GlcNAc-specific adhesin from Mannheimia haemolytica (MhA) has been shown to participate in pathogenicity of mannheimiosis due to its capacity to adhere to tracheal epithelial cells and activate the oxidative burst of bovine neutrophils. In this work, we purified the MhA receptor from bovine neutrophils (MhAr) by affinity chromatography on MhA-Sepharose. The MhAr, which corresponded to approximately 2% of the protein from cell lysate, is a glycoprotein mainly composed of Glu, Ala, Ser, Gly, and Asp, without cysteine. The glycan portion, which corresponds to 20% by weight, is composed of GalNAc, GlcNAc, Man, Gal, and NeuAc. The receptor is a 165-kDa glycoprotein, as determined by molecular sieve chromatography under native conditions; SDS-PAGE analysis shows a heterodimer of 83 and 80 kDa subunits. This work suggests that the GlcNAc-containing receptor plays a relevant role by activating bovine neutrophils through non-opsonic mechanisms.

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [acetylsalicylic acid (ASS), naproxen, nimesulide and piroxicam] decreased adrenaline- or dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated glycerol release in isolated adipocytes. We aimed to determine the mechanism of this NSAIDs action. 2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decreased cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity in rat adipocyte lysates and in a commercial bovine heart PKA holoenzyme. If added before cAMP, NSAIDs impaired PKA activation by the cyclic nucleotide; however, if PKA was first activated by cAMP, NSAIDs were ineffective. NSAIDs were also ineffective against PKA catalytic subunits. 3. Consequently, NSAIDs lowered hormone-sensitive lipase translocation from cytosol to lipid storage droplets in adipocytes lysates, the critical event to promote lipolysis. 4. These results indicate that inhibition of PKA activation explains NSAIDs-induced decrease in adrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. We suggest that reproduction of such inhibition in nociceptive cells might enhance the understanding of the mechanism underlying the analgesic effects of NSAIDs.

Neutrophils participate in host protection and central to this process is the regulation of oxidative mechanisms. We purified by affinity chromatography the receptor for the GlcNAc-specific WGA from CD14+ CD16+ cell lysates (WGAr). The receptor is a 141 kDa glycoprotein constituted by two subunits of 78 and 63 kDa. It is mainly composed of Ser, Asx, and Gly, and, in a minor proportion, His, Cys, and Pro. Its glycan portion contains GlcNAc, Gal, and Man; NeuAc and GalNAc were identified in a minor proportion. The amino acid sequence of the WGA receptor was predicted from tryptic peptides by MALDI-TOF, both subunits showed homology with cytokeratin type II (26 and 29% for the 78 and 63 kDa subunits, respectively); the 78 kDa subunit showed also homology with the human transferrin receptor (24%). Antibodies against WGAr induce higher oxidative burst than WGA, determined by NBT reduction; however, this effect was inhibited (p < 0.05) with GlcNAc suggesting that WGAr participates as mediator in signal transduction in neutrophils.

Azospirillum-plant association is accompanied by biochemical changes in roots which, in turn, promote plant-growth and tolerance to water stress. To shed light on the possible factors underlying these effects, roots from Azospirillum brasilense Sp245-inoculated Triticum aestivum seedlings growing in darkness under osmotic stress were analyzed for phospholipid (PL) composition, fatty acid (FA) distribution profiles and degree of unsaturation of the major PL classes. Azospirillum inoculation diminished ion leakage and increased 2,3,5-tripheniltetrazolium reducing ability in roots of well irrigated and water-stressed wheat seedlings. Total root PL content remained unaltered in all treatments. Six PL classes were detected, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) comprising over 80% of the total. While water stress increased PC content and diminished that of PE, none of these changes were observed either under Azospirillum inoculation alone or when both treatments were combined. The major FAs found in both PC and PE were 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3. Higher PC and lower PE unsaturation than in well irrigated controls were observed in roots from Azospirillum-inoculated, water-stressed seedlings. Azospirillum inoculation could contribute to protect wheat seedlings from water stress through changes in the FA distribution profiles of PC and PE major root phospholipids.

Azospirillum spp. is a well known plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium. Azospirillum-inoculated plants have shown to display enhanced lateral root and root hair development. These promoting effects have been attributed mainly to the production of hormone-like substances. Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been described to act as a signal molecule in the hormonal cascade leading to root formation. However, data on the possible role of NO in free-living diazotrophs associated to plant roots, is unavailable. In this work, NO production by Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 was detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (6.4 nmol. g-1 of bacteria) and confirmed by the NO-specific fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2 DA). The observed green fluorescence was significantly diminished by the addition of the specific NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO). Azospirillum-inoculated and noninoculated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) roots were incubated with DAF-2 DA and examined by epifluorescence microscopy. Azospirillum-inoculated roots displayed higher fluorescence intensity which was located mainly at the vascular tissues and subepidermal cells of roots. The Azospirillum-mediated induction of lateral root formation (LRF) appears to be NO-dependent since it was completely blocked by treatment with cPTIO, whereas the addition of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside partially reverted the inhibitory effect of cPTIO. Overall, the results strongly support the participation of NO in the Azospirillum-promoted LRF in tomato seedlings.

Effectiveness of treatment with domiciliary nocturnal noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is analyzed in a group of patients with chronic alveolar hypoventilation of different etiologies. It was applied with two levels of pressure (BiPAP) via nasal mask. Criteria for evaluation were symptomatology and improvement in gas exchange. Data were analyzed by Student t tests. A total of 13 patients were included, mean age 55.7 range 20 to 76 years (5 male 8 female). Main diagnosis was tuberculosis in 6, four of them having had surgical procedure (thoracoplasty 2, frenicectomy 1 and neumonectomy 1), myopathy 3 (myasthenia gravis 1, muscular dystrophy 1 and diaphragmatic paralysis 1), obesity-hypoventilation syndrome 1, escoliosis 1, bronchiectasis 1 and cystic fibrosis 1. These last two patients were on waiting list for lung transplantation. At the moment of consultation, the symptoms were: dysnea 13/13 (100%), astenia 13/13 (100%), hypersomnolency 10/13 (77%), cephalea 9/13 (69%), leg edema 6/13 (46%), loss of memory 6/13 (46%). Regarding gas exchange, they showed hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Mean follow up was of 2.2 years (range 6 months to 4 years). Within the year, all 13 patients became less dyspneic. Astenia, hypersomnolency, cephalea, leg edema and memory loss disappeared. Improvement in gas exchange was: PaO2/FiO2 from 269 +/- 65.4 (basal) to 336.7 +/- 75.3 post-treatment (p = 0.0018). PaCO2 from 70.77 +/- 25.48 mmHg (basal) to 46.77 +/- 8.14 mmHg (p = 0.0013). Ventilatory support was discontinued en 5 patients: three because of pneumonia requiring intubation and conventional mechanical ventilation, two of them died and one is still with tracheostomy; One patient with bronchiectasis and one with cystic fibrosis were transplanted. The remaining eight patients are stable. In conclusion, chronic alveolar hypoventilation can be effectively treated with domiciliary nocturnal noninvasive ventilation. Long term improvement in symptomatology and arterial blood gases can be obtained without significant complications.

A 37 year old female smoker was admitted with an acute episode of fever and pulmonary infiltrates followed by respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in less than 24 hours. After empiric antibiotic therapy fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were carried out. Abnormal findings were limited to highly increased eosinophilic count in BAL. Blood eosinophils were normal. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia was diagnosed and methyl prednisolone was administered; 48 hours afterwards, infiltrates had partially resolved and the patient was weaned from ventilator. After two years follow up, she has not had recurrences of the episode, is asymptomatic and her chest Xray is normal. A review of the literature is presented and physiopathological mechanisms for acute eosinophilic pneumonia are considered. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare but potentially curable cause of respiratory failure that should be included in diagnostic considerations.