Probable role of Cutibacterium acnes in the gut of the polychaete Capitella teleta

Previously, we proposed the hypothesis that similarities in the inflammatory response observed in acne vulgaris and degenerative disc disease (DDD), especially the central role of interleukin (IL)-1β, may be further evidence of the role of the anaerobic bacterium Cutibacterium (previously Propionibacterium) acnes in the underlying aetiology of disc degeneration. To investigate this, we examined the upregulation of IL-1β, and other known IL-1β-induced inflammatory markers and neurotrophic factors, from nucleus-pulposus-derived disc cells infected in vitro with C. acnes for up to 48 h. Upon infection, significant upregulation of IL-1β, alongside IL-6, IL-8, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), was observed with cells isolated from the degenerative discs of eight patients versus non-infected controls. Expression levels did, however, depend on gene target, multiplicity and period of infection and, notably, donor response. Pre-treatment of cells with clindamycin prior to infection significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. This study confirms that C. acnes can stimulate the expression of IL-1β and other host molecules previously associated with pathological changes in disc tissue, including neo-innervation. While still controversial, the role of C. acnes in DDD remains biologically credible, and its ability to cause disease likely reflects a combination of factors, particularly individualised response to infection.

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Probable role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in lung hypertension secondary to scleroderma

Italian Journal of Medicine ◽

10.4081/itjm.2007.1.23 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 23-25

Author(s):

P. Faggioli ◽

S. Finazzi ◽

E. Vicenzi ◽

L. Giani ◽

M. Rondena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Progressive Systemic Sclerosis ◽

New Drugs ◽

Positivity Ratio ◽

Probable Role ◽

Biochemical Observation ◽

And Gender ◽

Roche Diagnostics ◽

Worse Prognosis

BACKGROUND Scleroderma, when complicated with pulmonary hypertension (PHT), presents a worse prognosis; recently treatment with new drugs seems to offer good perspectives, especially in early diagnosis and treatment. The standard approach for diagnosing PHT consists in measurement of the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by means of echodoppler. AIM OF INVESTIGATION Aim of this work is evaluating the significance of the NT-proBNP parameter, matched to echodoppler, in diagnosing scleroderma PHT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty (60) patients, who came to observation for progressive systemic sclerosis underwent echodoppler in order to measure the PAP (normal values up to 30 mmHg). NT-proBNP was determined on serum sample using ECLIA method by Modular E170 (Roche Diagnostics); manufacturer reference values for age and gender were used. Forty-three (43) patients underwent a further NT-proBNP sampling 5 days later in order to assess parameter stability. RESULTS PHT and non- PHT patients showed statistically different (p < 0,001) medians (126 vs 69 pg/ml). No pathologic values of NT-proBNP were measured in the group with PAP < 30 mmHg, while 27% of cases who had PAP between 30 and 40 showed pathologic concentrations. The positivity ratio increases to 57% in patients showing PAP > 40 mmHg. No relevant correlation (r = 0,2) was found between PAP and NT-proBNP. Mean average between the two sampling groups was 31%. CONCLUSIONS In scleroderma patients, combination of NT-proBNP and PAP seems to improve the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, especially in presence of borderline pulmonary pressure values. We therefore propose the biochemical observation of NT-proBNP when PAP is > 30 mmHg and in monitoring the evolution of the pathology.

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Spinal Tolerance and Dependence: Some Observations on the Role of SpinalN-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors and Phosphorylation in the Loss of Opioid Analgesic Responses

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2000/514020 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 33-39

Author(s):

Tony L Yaksh ◽

Xiao-Ying Hua

Keyword(s):

Nmda Receptor ◽

Opioid Analgesic ◽

Dose Effect ◽

Concurrent Treatment ◽

Analgesic Effects ◽

Delta Opioids ◽

Probable Role ◽

Pkc Isozymes ◽

The Right

The continuous delivery of opiates can lead to a reduction in analgesic effects. In humans, as in other animals, some component of this change in sensitivity seems likely to have a strong pharmacodynamic component. Such loss of effect, deemed to be tolerance in the present article, can be readily demonstrated in animals with repeated bolus and continuous intrathecal infusion of mu and delta opioids and alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. Research has shown that this loss of effect can be diminished by concurrent treatment withN-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists and by the suppression of the activity of spinal protein kinase C (PKC). This suggests in part the probable role of PKC-mediated phosphorylation in the right shift in the dose-effect curves observed with continuous opiate or adrenergic exposure. Importantly, this right shift is seen to occur in parallel with an increase in the phosphorylating activity in the dorsal horn and in the expression of several PKC isozymes. The target of this phosphorylation is not certain. Phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor enhances its functionality, while phosphorylation of the opioid receptor or associated channels seems to diminish their activity or to enhance internalization. While the focus is on several specific components, the accumulating data emphasize the biological complexity of these changes in spinal drug reactivity.

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STABILIZATION OF Bi(2223) SUPERCONDUCTING PHASE BY VANADIUM OXIDE ADDITION

International Journal of Modern Physics B ◽

10.1142/s0217979293000354 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 07 (01n03) ◽

pp. 157-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. SURESH BABU ◽

G. NARSING RAO ◽

L. BROHAN ◽

M. GANNE

Keyword(s):

Critical Current Density ◽

Current Density ◽

Flux Pinning ◽

Volume Fraction ◽

Ac Susceptibility ◽

Superconducting Phase ◽

Nominal Composition ◽

Oxide Addition ◽

Probable Role

We report on the ac susceptibility, microwave absorption and dc magnetization of Bi 2− x V x Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O y (nominal composition). The low T c (2212) phase ( T c = 85 K ) dominates in the x = 0 sample with extremly weak flux pinning. In x = 0.4 sample, both flux pinning and volume fraction of the high T c (2223) phase ( T c = 105 K ) were increased. The intragrain critical current density of the sample with x = 0.4 was estimated and found to be comparable with that of Pb doped Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O y superconductor. The data suggest that addition of V 2 O 5 in Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O y system increases the volume fraction of the high T c phase. Probable role of vanadium in enhancing the high T c (2223) phase in Bi-V-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system is discussed.

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Probable role of induced lectins in capsule formation inSquilla mantis L.

Bolletino di zoologia ◽

10.1080/11250009209386663 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 153-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gianni A. Amirante

Keyword(s):

Capsule Formation ◽

Probable Role

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Genotype and within-pod bean position microenvironment effect on seed choice for raising cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings

Acta agriculturae Slovenica ◽

10.14720/aas.2020.115.2.1345 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 115 (2) ◽

pp. 247

Author(s):

Daniel B. ADEWALE ◽

Beatrice A. NDUKA

Keyword(s):

Biomass Yield ◽

Cocoa Bean ◽

Shoot Biomass ◽

Seedling Vigour ◽

Periodic Data ◽

Length Width ◽

Probable Role ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Theobroma Cacao L

<p>The probable role of within-pod microenvironment on seed sizes, seedling vigour and biomass yield of four cocoa genotypes was investigated for two years. The respective main, sub and sub-sub plots in the split-split plot experimental design were years, genotypes and within-pod bean positions. Data were taken on cocoa bean length, width and thickness after each pod was opened. Four weekly periodic data were obtained for plant height (PH), stem girth (SG) and number of leaves (NOL); root and shoot biomass yield were also recorded. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) bean position, genotypes, years and some interaction on the studied traits. Means of the levels of the three factors differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Proximal, middle and distal positions were distinct within-pod microenvironments. The pod middle cavity housed the longest, widest and heaviest beans. Trend analysis of the growing sequences of NOL, PH and SG by the four genotypes differed with bean locations. For bean length, GGE biplot respectively identified CRIN Tc1, CRIN Tc2 and CRIN Tc3 as the best genotype for middle, proximal and the distal positions. The intra-locular space within the pod enhanced differential seed development and maturation; this was evident in the seedling vigour.</p>

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Epizootic Situation on Anaplasmosis of Small Ruminants in the Irkutsk Region

Acta biomedica scientifica ◽

10.29413/abs.2021-6.1.9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 60-68

Author(s):

O. V. Suntsova ◽

V. A. Rar ◽

O. V. Lisak ◽

I. V. Meltsov ◽

E. K. Doroschenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleotide Substitution ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Anaplasma Ovis ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Sheep Blood ◽

Irkutsk Region ◽

Probable Role

Anaplasmosis of ruminants is a group of natural focal infections caused by bacteria from the genus Anaplasma of the Anaplasmataceae family. The main etiological agent of anaplasmosis in sheep, goats, and wild ruminants is Anaplasma ovis, which parasitizes in the erythrocytes of these animals. The purpose of this study was the finding and identification of Anaplasma spp. in the blood of small ruminants using genetic methods and obtaining data on the distribution of anaplasmosis in the Irkutsk region. 20 goat blood samples, 611 sheep blood samples and 209 Dermacentor nuttalli ticks from 12 districts of the Irkutsk region were examined for the presence of Anaplasma spp. Only one type of anaplasma, A. ovis, was found among the genotyped samples. A. ovis was found in the blood of sheep and goats in all of the studied districts of the Irkutsk region. The proportion of sheep blood samples containing anaplasma DNA varied from 30 % to 85 %, in goats – from 10 % to 100 % in different districts, and averaged 57.8 % in sheep and 55,0 % in goats. Frequency of infection of D. nuttalli ticks with A. ovis was 5.7 %. The nucleotide sequences of the samples detected in the blood of small ruminants on the territory of the Irkutsk region differed from each other by a single nucleotide substitution and were identical to the sequences of the type strain Haibei, as well as the sequences of A. ovis previously found in the blood of sheep from Mongolia, deer from China, and Dermacentor niveus and Dermacentor nuttalli ticks from China. These sequences were also identical to the sequences previously found in the blood of sheep from Altai and in Dermacentor nuttalli ticks from Tuva, which indicates the wide distribution of these A. ovis genovariants in Siberia and the probable role of D. nuttalli as a carrier of the agent of anaplasmosis of small ruminants in the Irkutsk region.

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The linguistic situation in the territory of Andalusia

Palaeohispanic Languages and Epigraphies ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198790822.003.0006 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 138-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. de Hoz

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Groups ◽

Place Names ◽

Lingua Franca ◽

Personal Names ◽

Probable Role ◽

Cultural Role

In antiquity present-day Andalusia was occupied by several different peoples, among whom the main cultural role was taken by the Tartessians, subsequently the Turdetani. The first part of this chapter aims to define the limits and variety of the different ethnic groups. Thereafter, the material available to study the languages of the region is analysed: inscriptions, place names, and personal names. This material is limited and poses numerous problems, but it enables us to define linguistic zones, to emphasize the plurilingual nature of the area, to detect the probable role of Phoenician as a lingua franca, and to draw attention to certain features of Turdetanian, the most widely spoken of the vernacular languages of the region.

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The Role of Cutibacterium acnes in Intervertebral Disc Inflammation

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines8070186 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 186 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bettina Schmid ◽

Oliver Hausmann ◽

Wolfgang Hitzl ◽

Yvonne Achermann ◽

Karin Wuertz-Kozak

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Toll Like Receptor ◽

Cutibacterium Acnes ◽

Sparstolonin B ◽

Inflammatory Processes ◽

Oxide Synthase ◽

Aerobic And Anaerobic ◽

Inducible Nitric Oxide

Recently, the role of infection of the intervertebral disc (IVD) with Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) as a contributor to disc-related low back pain (LBP) has been discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how C. acnes contributes to the inflammatory processes during IVD disease. The prevalence of C. acnes infection in human IVD tissue was determined by aerobic and anaerobic culture. Thereafter, primary human IVD cells were infected with a reference and a clinical C. acnes strain and analyzed for pro-inflammatory markers (gene/protein level). In a subsequent experiment, the involvement of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway was investigated by co-treatment with sparstolonin B, a TLR2/4 inhibitor. We detected C. acnes in 10% of IVD biopsies (with either herniation or degeneration). Stimulating IVD cells with both C. acnes strains strongly and significantly upregulated expression of Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). IL-6, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and iNOS expression was reduced upon TLR2/4 inhibition in 3 out of 5 donors, whereby responders and non-responders could not be differentiated by their basal TLR2 or TLR4 expression levels. We demonstrate that exposure of IVD cells to C. acnes induces an inflammatory response that may contribute to the development of discogenic LBP by involving TLR2/4 activation, yet only in a subgroup of patients. Whether the same response will be observed in vivo and where lower inoculums are present remains to be proven in future studies.

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