Bumble bee parasite strains vary in resistance to phytochemicals

Nectar and pollen contain diverse phytochemicals that can reduce disease in pollinators. However, prior studies showed variable effects of nectar chemicals on infection, which could reflect variable phytochemical resistance among parasite strains. Inter-strain variation in resistance could influence evolutionary interactions between plants, pollinators, and pollinator disease, but testing direct effects of phytochemicals on parasites requires elimination of variation between bees. Using cell cultures of the bumble bee parasite Crithidia bombi, we determined (1) growth-inhibiting effects of nine floral phytochemicals and (2) variation in phytochemical resistance among four parasite strains. C. bombi growth was unaffected by naturally occurring concentrations of the known antitrypanosomal phenolics gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. However, C. bombi growth was inhibited by anabasine, eugenol, and thymol. Strains varied >3-fold in phytochemical resistance, suggesting that selection for phytochemical resistance could drive parasite evolution. Inhibitory concentrations of thymol (4.53-22.2 ppm) were similar to concentrations in Thymus vulgaris nectar (mean 5.2 ppm). Exposure of C. bombi to naturally occurring levels of phytochemicals—either within bees or during parasite transmission via flowers—could influence infection in nature. Flowers that produce antiparasitic phytochemical, including thymol, could potentially reduce infection in Bombus populations, thereby counteracting a possible contributor to pollinator decline

Regulation of immune responses in primary biliary cholangitis: a transcriptomic analysis of peripheral immune cells

Copyright \ua9 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.Background & Aims: In patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), the serum liver biochemistry measured during treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid-the UDCA response-accurately predicts long-term outcome. Molecular characterization of patients stratified by UDCA response can improve biological understanding of the high-risk disease, thereby helping to identify alternative approaches to disease-modifying therapy. In this study, we sought to characterize the immunobiology of the UDCA response using transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets. Methods: We performed bulk RNA-sequencing of monocytes and TH1, TH17, TREG, and B cells isolated from the peripheral blood of 15 PBC patients with adequate UDCA response (“responders”), 16 PBC patients with inadequate UDCA response (“nonresponders”), and 15 matched controls. We used the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis to identify networks of co-expressed genes (“modules”) associated with response status and the most highly connected genes (“hub genes”) within them. Finally, we performed a Multi-Omics Factor Analysis of the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis modules to identify the principal axes of biological variation (“latent factors”) across all peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets. Results: Using the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, we identified modules associated with response and/or disease status (q < 0.05) in each peripheral blood mononuclear cell subset. Hub genes and functional annotations suggested that monocytes are proinflammatory in nonresponders, but antiinflammatory in responders; TH1 and TH17 cells are activated in all PBC cases but better regulated in responders; and TREG cells are activated-but also kept in check-in responders. Using the Multi-Omics Factor Analysis, we found that antiinflammatory activity in monocytes, regulation of TH1 cells, and activation of TREG cells are interrelated and more prominent in responders. Conclusions: We provide evidence that adaptive immune responses are better regulated in patients with PBC with adequate UDCA response

Critical shortfalls in the management of PBC: Results of a UK-wide, population-based evaluation of care delivery

\ua9 2023 The Author(s)Background & Aims: Guidelines for the management of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) were published by the British Society of Gastroenterology in 2018. In this study, we assessed adherence to these guidelines in the UK National Health Service (NHS). Methods: All NHS acute trusts were invited to contribute data between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022, assessing clinical care delivered to patients with PBC in the UK. Results: We obtained data for 8,968 patients with PBC and identified substantial gaps in care across all guideline domains. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was used as first-line treatment in 88% of patients (n = 7,864) but was under-dosed in one-third (n = 1,964). Twenty percent of patients who were UDCA-untreated (202/998) and 50% of patients with inadequate UDCA response (1,074/2,102) received second-line treatment. More than one-third of patients were not assessed for fatigue (43%; n = 3,885) or pruritus (38%; n = 3,415) in the previous 2 years. Fifty percent of all patients with evidence of hepatic decompensation were discussed with a liver transplant centre (222/443). Appropriate use of second-line treatment and referral for liver transplantation was significantly better in specialist PBC treatment centres compared with non-specialist centres (p <0.001). Conclusions: Poor adherence to guidelines exists across all domains of PBC care in the NHS. Although specialist PBC treatment centres had greater adherence to guidelines, no single centre met all quality standards. Nationwide improvement in the delivery of PBC-related healthcare is required. Impact and implications: This population-based evaluation of primary biliary cholangitis, spanning four nations of the UK, highlights critical shortfalls in care delivery when measured across all guideline domains. These include the use of liver biopsy in diagnosis; referral practice for second-line treatment and/or liver transplant assessment; and the evaluation of symptoms, extrahepatic manifestations, and complications of cirrhosis. The authors therefore propose implementation of a dedicated primary biliary cholangitis care bundle that aims to minimise heterogeneity in clinical practice and maximise adherence to key guideline standards

Effect of Quinoa Seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in Diet on some Biochemical Parameters and Essential Elements in Blood of High Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level

Monitoring Metabolic Reactions in Erythrocytes Using Nmr-Spectroscopy

The kinetics of several metabolic reactions in intact human erythrocytes and in lysates were studied using 1H spin-echo and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The reactions monitored involved the following enzymes: (1) arginase, (2) glutathione reductase, (3) glutathione synthetase, (4) gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase, (5) di- and tripeptidase, and (6) NAD-glycohydrolase; the first six enzymes are cytosolic whilst the latter is membrane associated. Detailed kinetics of the arginase reaction are given together with the rate of arginine transport into the cells