Gene expression of inflammatory immune factors and clinical parameters in diabetes and nondiabetes patients with periodontal disease

Objective: This study evaluated clinical, glucose, and immunological parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to those without systemic alterations (NDM), both with generalized chronic periodontitis. Methodology: Twenty-one patients were selected with indications of tooth loss. Surgeries were performed using the Widman flap modified to obtain a gingival collar at 1 mm from the gingival margin. Before the surgical procedure, the following clinical parameters were evaluated: pocket probing depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Fasting glucose levels (FGL) and glycosylated hemoglobin Hba1c (HbA1c) were also assessed. During the surgery, gingival tissue samples were collected and frozen for later laboratorial analysis. The samples were processed to obtain mRNA, cDNA and determine the gene expression of the immune parameters IL-1-β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 and NF-kB by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed statistically considering p<0.05. Results: The clinical and glucose parameters BOP, FGL, and HbA1c were statistically higher in the DM group. RNAm levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-kB were higher in the DM group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The presence of diabetes and hyperglycemic status increase the levels of pro-inflammatory immune factors and severity of the periodontal disease.

Camel Colostrum Composition, Nutritional Value, and Nutraceuticals

Colostrum is an important source of nutrients and immune factors for the newborn. The nutrient profile and immunological composition of colostrum vary from species to species. The composition and characteristics of the colostrum of human, cows, and goats have been the subject of several studies. The study of the characteristics of camel colostrum is more recent. In this chapter, the current understanding of the composition of camel colostrum (i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, oligosaccharides, fats, vitamins, and minerals) is reviewed. A complete comparison with other animal colostrum in whole composition and nutritional value of camel colostrum will be investigated in the current chapter. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the vast research, underlining the significance of camel colostrum in feeding of human beings and to predict the potential possible role of camel colostrum that can play in the functional products market in the future.

Lead Exposure Induces Structural Damage, Digestive Stress, Immune Response and Microbiota Dysbiosis in Intestine of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix)

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common toxic heavy metals in water, and it can cause harm to aquatic animals and humans when released into the environment. In the present study, the effects of Pb exposure on the morphology, digestive enzyme activity, immune function and microbiota structure of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) intestines within 96 h were detected. Moreover, the correlation between them was analyzed. The results showed that Pb exposure could severely damage the intestinal morphology on the one hand, including significantly shortening the intestinal villi’s length, increasing the goblet cells’ number, causing the intestinal leukocyte infiltration, and thickening the intestinal wall abnormally, and on the other hand, increasing the activity of intestinal digestive enzyme (trypsin and lipase). In addition, the mRNA expressions of structure-related genes (Claudin-7 and villin-1) were down-regulated, and the immune factors (IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α) were up-regulated after Pb exposure. Furthermore, data of the MiSeq sequencing showed that the abundance of membrane transport, immune system function and digestive system of silver carp intestinal microbiota was decreased, and the cellular antigens was increased. Finally, the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) found that there were correlations between silver carp’s intestinal microbiota and intestinal morphology and immune factors. In conclusion, it is speculated that Pb may damage the intestinal barrier of silver carp, leading the microbiota dysbiosis, which further affects the intestinal immune and digestive function.

Variants in relation to clinical manifestation of rabies in dogs

Rabies is one among the most dangerous diseases reported to have a wider range of incubation period and clinical signs. The disease is manifested as furious or paralytic forms in dogs. The combined effects of virulence and pathogenicity of the virus along with host immune factors are the main variables leading to variation in manifestation of the disease. This paper reports the finding of a study conducted in rabies positive canine cases to correlate the role of pathophysiological factors in clinical manifestation of rabies. A total of 23 rabies positive cases were studied and their anamnesis collected. Male dogs less than 5 years of age constituted major proportion of rabies positive cases. Site of bite was observed as a critical factor in disease manifestation. Anti-rabies prophylactic vaccination had significant effect as none of the vaccinated animals developed furious form of rabies. But paralytic form was found in irregularly vaccinated dogs, probably due to effect of vaccination imparting partial immune response in these animals.

Administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP101 in an Elderly Nursing Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immunological and Nutritional Impact

The elderly population living in nursing homes is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 although individual susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection may be related to the host microbiota. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP101 on the functional (Barthel index), cognitive (GDS/FAST), and nutritional (MNA) status as well as on the nasal and fecal inflammatory profiles of elderly residents living in a nursing home that is highly affected by COVID-19. A total of 25 residents participated in the trial, which involved the daily ingestion of a dairy product (L. salivarius MP101: 9.3 log10 CFU per unit) for 4 months. Nasal and fecal samples were analyzed for 37 immune factors at recruitment and at the end of the study. After the trial, no change in the GDS/FAST scores were found but, in contrast, the values for the Barthel index and the MNA score improved significantly. The concentrations of some immune factors changed significantly after the trial, including a decrease in the concentrations of BAFF/TNFSF13B, APRIL/TNFSF13, IL8, IL31, osteopontin, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2, and an increase in chitinase 3-like 1, IL19, IL35, and pentraxin 3 was also observed. In conclusion, L. salivarius MP101 seems to be a promising strain for improving or maintaining health in this highly vulnerable population.