Gabriel Betanzos-Cabrera

Gatifloxacin, Moxifloxacin, and Balofloxacin Resistance due to Mutations in the gyrA and parC Genes of Staphylococcus epidermidis Strains Isolated from Patients with Endophthalmitis, Corneal Ulcers and Conjunctivitis

Aims:Staphylococcus epidermidis is considered a commensal bacterium; however, it is frequently isolated from ocular infections showing a multidrug resistance. Ciprofloxacin-resistant strains have been isolated from ocular infections; however, resistance to quinolone, such as gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin, is not often studied, consequently the resistance mechanism is unknown. Our aim was to address the quinolone resistance and to explore the resistance mechanism in S. epidermidis strains isolated from ocular infections. Methods:S. epidermidis strains were isolated from patients with conjunctivitis (n = 23), endophthalmitis (n = 14) and corneal ulcers (n = 7). Minimum inhibition concentrations were determined by broth and agar dilution methods for moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, balofloxacin, rufloxacin and pazufloxacin. Mutations were identified by sequencing the gyrA and parC genes, and their expression was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: We found that 13.6% (6/44) of the strains were quinolone resistant. In endophthalmitis, 21.4% were gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and balofloxacin resistant. In corneal ulcers, 14.2, 14.2 and 28.5% were gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and balofloxacin resistant, respectively, and in conjunctivitis only 4.3% were gatifloxacin resistant. The 6 strains with quinolone resistance showed mutations at Ser84Phe for the gyrA gene, and Ser80Phe for the parC gene. Gatifloxacin did not change the expression levels of gyrA and parC genes. Conclusion:S. epidermidis strains isolated from three ocular pathologies were gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin resistant due to mutations on the gyrA and parC genes.

Mice fed with a high fat diet show a decrease in the expression of "toll like receptor" (TLR)2 and TLR6 mRNAs in adipose and hepatic tissues

INTRODUCTION Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), which include Toll-like Receptor (TLRs) and Nacht leucine-rich repeat proteins (NLRP/NALPs), are molecules of innate immunity able to recognize a wide variety of ligands present in microorganisms and human tissues. Adipocytes (fat cells) may play an important role in the physiological regulation of their own immune responses via TLRs. During obesity, the inflammatory pathway is triggered and insulin responsiveness is altered in fat tissue as a result of TLR4 activation by dietary lipids. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigate if other PRR family members could also participate in the inflammatory processes in the adipose tissue of obese mice. METHODS The mRNA expression of TLRs, the NLRP3-inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-lbeta), IL-6, and TNFα in the hepatic and adipose tissues of mice fed with a high fat diet (HFD) were studied by RT-PCR. RESULTS Adipose tissue from mice fed with a HFD had decreased expression levels of TLR2, TLR6 and TLR7 and was similar to the pattern in hepatic tissue HFD mice. IL-6 and TNF-α expression also were decreased in adipose tissue of mice fed with a HFD. NLRP3-inflammasome expression was not modified. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the low expression of TLR2, and TLR6 in the mice fed with a HFD could be regulating the inflammation induced by the diet employed in this study.

Antibacterial activity of fresh pomegranate juice against clinical strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis

Background Polyphenols have received a great deal of attention due to their biological functions. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a polyphenol-rich fruit. In the past decade, studies testing the antimicrobial activity of pomegranates almost exclusively used solvent extracts instead of fresh pomegranate juice (FPJ). The use of FPJ instead of solvent extracts would reduce toxicity issues while increasing patient acceptance. We established a model to test FPJ as a natural antimicrobial agent. Objective To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of FPJ on clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis strains. Design Sixty strains of S. epidermidis isolated from ocular infections were grown in the presence of FPJ, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth and agar dilution methods. Results FPJ at 20% had a MIC equal to 100% (MIC100%) on all 60 strains tested. This inhibition of FPJ was confirmed by the growth kinetics of a multidrug-resistant strain exposed to different concentrations of FPJ. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of FPJ was compared against commercial beverages containing pomegranate: Ocean Spray® had a MIC100% at 20%, followed by Del Valle® with a MIC15% at 20% concentration only. The beverages Jumex® and Sonrisa® did not have any antimicrobial activity. FPJ had the highest polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. Conclusions Overall, FPJ had antimicrobial activity, which might be attributed to its high polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity.

Channel Glass-based Detection of Human Short Insertion/Deletion Polymorphisms by Tandem Hybridization

The development and critical evaluation of new technologies for identifying genetic polymorphisms will rapidly accelerate the discovery and diagnosis of disease-related genes. We report a novel way for distinguishing a new class of human DNA polymorphisms, short insertion/deletion polymorphisms (indels). A sensor with cylindrical pores named channel glass in combination with tandem hybridization, which uses a 5′-fluorescent labeled stacking probe and microarray-based short allele-specific oligonucleotide (capture probe) was investigated. This methodology allows indels to be detected individually and rapidly with small quantities of target DNA. This establishes a reliable quantitative test. Approaches for simultaneously hybridizing different targets to arrayed probes, designed to detect various indels in parallel, were examined. Five markers were consistently detected in a single hybridization. Possible factors impeding the hybridization reaction process are discussed.

Current Therapies Focused on High-Density Lipoproteins Associated with Cardiovascular Disease

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) comprise a heterogeneous family of lipoprotein particles divided into subclasses that are determined by density, size and surface charge as well as protein composition. Epidemiological studies have suggested an inverse correlation between High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. HDLs promote reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and have several atheroprotective functions such as anti-inflammation, anti-thrombosis, and anti-oxidation. HDLs are considered to be atheroprotective because they are associated in serum with paraoxonases (PONs) which protect HDL from oxidation. Polyphenol consumption reduces the risk of chronic diseases in humans. Polyphenols increase the binding of HDL to PON1, increasing the catalytic activity of PON1. This review summarizes the evidence currently available regarding pharmacological and alternative treatments aimed at improving the functionality of HDL-C. Information on the effectiveness of the treatments has contributed to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate plasma levels of HDL-C, thereby promoting the development of more effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases. For that purpose, Scopus and Medline databases were searched to identify the publications investigating the impact of current therapies focused on high-density lipoproteins.

EFECTO DE UNA BEBIDA A BASE DE NOPAL (NOPALEA COCHENILLIFERA (L) SALM-DYCK) EN PACIENTES DE UNA POBLACIÓN RURAL DE HIDALGO, MÉXICO; ENSAYO CLÍNICO PILOTO

INTRODUCTION cactus pear has been used in Mexican traditional medicine. However, clinical studies are limited to demonstrate the effectiveness as anti-diabetic. OBJECTIVE to evaluate the effect of a fresh beverage made from Nopalea cochenillifera (l.) Salm-dyck on glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. METHODS the beverage (50 g/250 mL) was daily administered in twenty patients for 30 days. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION differences statistically significant were found in some time of the supplementation for all measured variables excepting for glucose levels, this suggests that values might be significant to a longer administration or bigger doses. CONCLUSIONS although preliminary data, the results demonstrated that cactus pear used in this study may be an alternative for the management of patients with diabetes type 2. Nevertheless, further trials must be conducted with a bigger sample size and more control groups so that the effectiveness can be fully evaluated.