Previously, we reported that PC12 cells with decreased Dp71 expression (antisense-Dp71 cells) display deficient nerve-growth-factor-induced neurite outgrowth. In this study, we show that disturbed neurite outgrowth of antisense-Dp71 cells is accompanied by decreased adhesion activity on laminin, collagen and fibronectin. In wild-type cells, the immunostaining of Dp71 and beta1-integrin overlaps in the basal area contacting the substrate, but staining of both proteins decrease in the antisense-Dp71 cells. Morphology of antisense-Dp71 cells at the electron microscopic level is characterized by the lack of filopodia, cellular projections involved in adhesion. Our findings suggest that Dp71 is required for the efficient PC12 cell attachment to beta1-integrin-dependent substrata and that decreased adhesion activity of the antisense-Dp71 cells could determine their deficiency to extend neurites.

These results indicate that high-intensity chronic exercise reduces BDNF protein level in fast muscles and increases Bdnf mRNA levels in slow muscles.

Few studies have screened fresh orange juice for the presence of foodborne pathogens. This study therefore evaluated the microbiological quality and occurrence of Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, and diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes (DEP) in fresh-squeezed orange juice purchased from street vendors in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. The general hygienic practices of street vendors were poor. All 100 samples analyzed were positive for aerobic mesophilic bacteria, with concentrations ranging from 2.41 to 6.03 log CFU/mL. A total of 90 (90%), 35 (35%), and 14 (14%) samples were positive for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli, respectively, present with concentrations ranging from < 1 to 4.84 log CFU/mL, < 3 to > 1,100 MPN/mL, and < 3 to 210 MPN/mL, respectively. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples, whereas Shigella sonnei was isolated from one sample. Two samples were positive for DEP; one harbored ETEC strains and the other STEC strains. Our results highlight the elevated risk for consumer health associated with the ingestion of fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Background and objectives: Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle secrete adiponectin, a hormone abundantly secreted by adipocytes, that through the adiponectin receptor, regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. Adiponectin appears to protect skeletal muscles from inflammatory damage induced by oxidative stress. It has been suggested that decreased adiponectin levels could be associated with pathologic conditions, including obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, some studies suggest that exercise could have a beneficial effect by increasing adiponectin levels, but this observation remains controversial. It is also unknown if physical exercise modifies adiponectin expression in skeletal muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic exercise on serum adiponectin and adiponectin expression in slow-twitch (soleus) and fast-twitch (plantaris) muscles in healthy rats. Materials and methods: Two-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups with n = 6 in each group: control (C), moderate-intensity training (MIT), and high-intensity training (HIT). The rats were conditioned to run on a treadmill for the 8-week period. Forty-eight hours after the last session, blood samples were collected for adiponectin measurements and total RNA was isolated from plantaris and soleus muscles to measure by RT-qPCR adiponectin receptor 1 and adiponectin mRNA expression level. Results: MIT and HIT groups had reduced adiponectin protein levels in serum and the plantaris muscle, but not changes in adiponectin protein were observed in the soleus muscle. No significant differences in Adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) gene expression were observed following intense or moderate exercise in either muscle group studied. Conclusions: Our study shows that decreasing levels of circulating adiponectin is a result of physical exercise and should not be generalized as a predictive marker of disease.