Some bacteria from the gut microflora have been shown to modify cell-surface glycans. In this study, human intestinal cultured cells were incubated with bacteria-derived soluble factors and infected with rotavirus. Results show

that only bacterial soluble factors that increase cell-surface galactose namely, those of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus casei were able to efficiently block rotavirus infections. Increasing cell-surface galactose using galactosyltransferase resulted in a similar blockage of rotavirus infections. These results indicate that manipulation selleck of cell-surface intestinal glycans by bacterial soluble factors can prevent rotavirus infection in a species-specific manner, and should now be considered a potential therapeutic approach against rotavirus infection. (C) 2011 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Volasertib Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“Aims: This study evaluated the hypothesis that exogenous nitric oxide (NO) supplementation during acute

hemodilution with plasma expander (PE) provides beneficial effects on cardiac function.\n\nMain methods: Acute hemodilution in golden Syrian hamsters was induced by a 40% of blood volume exchange with dextran 70 kDa. Intravascular NO supplementation after hemodilution was accomplished with a NO donor, diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA NONOate). The test group was treated with DETA NONOate, while the control group received only vehicle. Left ventricular cardiac function was studied selleckchem using pressure-volume measurements obtained with a miniaturized conductance catheter.\n\nKey findings: Cardiac output increased to 122 +/- 5% and 107 +/- 1% of the baseline in the group treated with NO donor and the vehicle group, respectively. Stroke work per stroke volume (SW/SV) after hemodilution reduced to 90% of the baseline and the NO donor significantly reduced SW/SV compared to the vehicle. The minimum rate of pressure change (dP/dt(min)) was significantly lower in animals treated with the NO donor compared to vehicle

treated animals. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased to 62 +/- 5% of the baseline in the NO donor group whereas the vehicle group SVR decreased to 83 +/- 5% of the baseline. Using intravital microscopy analysis of microvessel in the dorsal skinfold window chamber, we established that the NO donor group induced significant vasodilation compared to the vehicle group.\n\nSignificance: NO supplementation in an acute hemodilution with PE has beneficial effects on cardiac performance. However, the NO supplementation effects with a NO donor are dose-independent and short-lasting. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“It is suggested to determine the degree of electron transfer between metal M and nonmetal X in MX(n) halides from equalization of the M ionization potential and the X electron affinity, i.e.