The presence of at least two binding sites for MleR within the co

The presence of at least two binding sites for MleR within the coding region of Smu.136c suggests a complex regulatory mechanism, which has to be elucidated further by means of DNase footprinting and mutagenesis. Conclusion In summary, we showed that

the mle genes including oxdC are under the control of acid inducible promoters and that they are induced within the first 30 minutes upon acid shock. Therefore they are part of the early acid tolerance response in S. mutans, which is induced within 30 minutes after acidification [8]. Further enhancement of their transcription can be obtained by MleR and L-malate in an acidic environment. The use of gel retardation assays showed the presence of multiple binding sites for MleR, even in the coding sequence of another gene, suggesting a complex regulatory mechanism. We clearly showed that the presence of L-malate Selleck Ensartinib contributed strongly to the survival Epigenetics inhibitor of S. mutans under low pH conditions. MLF is one of the strategies aciduric bacteria have evolved to cope with low pH and to compete with other bacteria in dental plaque. S. mutans is able to carry out MLF under more acidic conditions than other Streptococci [17], thus emphasizing the dominant role of S. mutans in the oral

cavity. Methods Bacterial strains, plasmids, and culture conditions Bacterial strains and plasmids and their relevant characteristics are listed in table 2. Escherichia coli was routinely cultured in Luria Bertani (LB, Carl-Roth, Karlsruhe, Germany) medium at 37°C. E. coli strains carrying plasmids were selected with 100 μg ml-1 ampicillin, or 50 μg ml-1 spectinomycin. All Streptococcus mutans

strains were cultivated in Todd Hewitt Broth medium supplemented with 0.1% (w/v) yeast extract (THBY, Becton Dickinson, Heidelberg, Germany) or in BM [27] medium containing 0.5% sucrose (BMS) or 1% (w/v) glucose (BMG). S. mutans strains were grown at 37°C without agitation aerobically (5% CO2 enriched) in THBY or in BM medium under anaerobic conditions (80% N2, 10% H2, 10% CO2). Pre-cultures were grown in THBY medium. Selection of mutant strains was carried out with 10 μg ml-1 erythromycin, or 500 μg ml-1 spectinomycin. Table 2 Bacterial strains and plasmids used in this study. Strain/plasmid Relevant Characteristicsa second Reference/source Strains        E. coli     DH5α General cloning strain   Tuner(DE3) Expression strain Novagen    S. mutans   ATCC 700610 UA159 Wild-type, Erms, Sps This study ALSM3 UA159ΔmleR, Ermr This study ALSM20 UA159::ϕ(mleR P-luc), Spr This study ALSM13 UA159ΔmleR::ϕ(mleR P-luc), Ermr, Spr This study ALSM33 UA159::ϕ(mleS P-luc), Spr This study ALSM34 UA159ΔmleR::ϕ(mleS P-luc), Ermr, Spr This study     This study     This study Plasmids        pFW5 Suicide vector, Spr A. Podbielski [29]    pHL222 Apr, luc H.

Male predominance in the present

study probably reflects

Male predominance in the present

study probably reflects the greater exposure of males to outdoor activities such as farming, fishing and hunting. Identification of risk taking behavior among trauma patients has potential significance for the prevention of injuries. The majority of patients in this study came from the rural areas located a considerable distance from the study area. This is in contrast to Moini et al[20] who reported that animal related injuries affected both rural and urban dwellers. Farmers in rural areas are at high risk of being attacked by either wild, domestic, aquatic animals or snakes. Previous studies conducted in the United States of America reveal that animals are one of the main causes of injuries in the farming industry [22, 23], which is similar to what was found in our series. This Everolimus solubility dmso observation is at variant with Moini et al[20] who reported that animal-related injuries were more common in house wives than farmers. The finding that more than eighty percent of victims of this form of trauma had no definable source of private or governmental health care insurance at the time of their injury calls for urgent

public policy response. The prehospital care of trauma patient has been reported to be the most important factor in determining the ultimate outcome after the injury [24]. None LGK-974 in vitro of our patients had pre-hospital care; as a result the majority of them were brought in by relatives, Good Samaritan and police who are not trained on how to take care of these patients during transportation. The lack of advanced pre-hospital care and ineffective ambulance system for transportation of patients to hospitals are a major challenges in providing care for trauma patients in our environment and have contributed significantly to poor outcome of these patients. Late presentation following injury is a common

phenomenon in most developing countries including ours and is usually associated with increased rate of complications [18]. The majority of our patients presented early within Rebamipide 24 hours of their injuries. This finding is in agreement with other studies [18, 25]. Early presentation in our study reflects the low complication rate in our patients. In our study, dog bite was the most common cause of injuries and commonly affected children more than adult. This finding is in agreement with several studies that indicated dogs as the primary animal species implicated in animal related injuries ranging from 63-80% [26], but contrary to other studies which reported that equestrian traumas are common [27, 28]. Higher dog attacks in children are thought to be attributable to their size and the proximity of their face to the dogs’ mouth, and these attacks are generally related to the children’s interaction with the dog, possibly provoking the attack [29].

Site-avoidance mechanism Doxorubicin andamphotericin B 5 Site-sp

Site-avoidance mechanism Doxorubicin andamphotericin B 5. Site-specific targeting Anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-cancer, anti-infection 6. Improved transfer of hydrophilic, charged molecules Antibiotics, chelators, plasmids, and genes 7. Improved penetration into tissues Corticosteroids, anesthetics, and insulin Liposomes in parasitic diseases and infections From the time when conventional liposomes are digested by phagocytic cells in the body after intravenous management, they are ideal vehicles for the targeting drug molecules into these macrophages.

The best known instances of this ‘Trojan horse-like’ mechanism are several parasitic diseases which normally exist in the cell of MPS. They comprise leishmaniasis and several fungal infections. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection of macrophages which affects over 100 million people in tropical regions and is often deadly. The effectual dose of drugs, mostly different antimonials, Navitoclax solubility dmso is not much lower than the toxic one. Liposomes Everolimus accumulate in the very same cell population which is infected,

and so an ideal drug delivery vehicle was proposed [52]. Certainly, the therapeutic index was increased in rodents as much as several hundred times upon administration of the drug in various liposomes. Unexpectedly, and unfortunately, there was not much interest to scale up the formulations and clinically approve them after several very encouraging studies dating back to 1978. Only now, there are several continuing studies with various anti-parasitic liposome formulations in humans. These formulations use mostly ionosphere amphotericin B and are transplanted from very successful and prolific area of liposome formulations in antifungal therapy. The best results reported so far in human therapy are probably liposomes as carriers foramphotericin B in antifungal therapies.

This is the drug of choice in dispersed fungal infections which often in parallel work together with chemotherapy, immune system, or AIDS, and is frequently fatal. Unfortunately, the drug itself ROS1 is very toxic and its dosage is limited due to its ionosphere and neurotoxicity. These toxicities are normally related with the size of the drug molecule or its complex. Obviously, liposome encapsulation inhibits the accumulation of drug in these organs and radically reduces toxicity [53]. Furthermore, often, the fungus exists in the cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system; therefore, the encapsulation results in reduced toxicity and passive targeting. These benefits, however, can be associated with any colloidal drug carrier. Certainly, similar improvements in therapy were observed with stable mixed micellar formulations and micro-emulsions [54]. Additionally, it seems that many of the early liposomal preparations were in actual fact liquid crystalline colloidal particles rather than self-closed MLV.

γ-Proteobacteria O sulcatus (in total 6412 reads) JN563760 6358

γ-Proteobacteria O. sulcatus (in total 6412 reads) JN563760 6358 99.16 AB021128, Rickettsia sp. α-Proteobacteria   JN563761 learn more 35 0.55 EF633744, Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris α-Proteobacteria   JN563762 19 0.30 EF633744, Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris α-Proteobacteria O.

armadillo (in total 6311 reads) JN563763 5900 93.49 AB478978, endosymbiont of Pedicinus obtusus and AJ245596 endosymbiont of Camponotus balzanii (referred to as “Candidatus Blochmanni” endosymbionts throughout the text) γ-Proteobacteria   JN563764 60 0.95 FJ823944, uncultured Comamonas sp. β-Proteobacteria   JN563765 54 0.86 FJ868862, uncultured bacterium –   JN563766 43 0.68 FJ823944, uncultured Comamonas sp. β-Proteobacteria   JN563767 35 0.55 FJ544375, Comamonas aquatica β-Proteobacteria   JN563768 31 0.49 EU560802, uncultured bacterium –   JN563769 23 0.36 DQ407746, primary endosymbiont of Liposcelis decolor –   JN563770 21 0.33 DQ469223, uncultured bacterium –   JN563771 21 0.33 GQ845011, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Library price Nevskia sp. γ-Proteobacteria   JN563772 20 0.32 DQ860049, uncultured bacterium –   JN563773 11 0.17 AF006670, Shewanella putrefaciens γ-Proteobacteria   JN563774 11 0.17 X82133, Shewanella putrefaciens γ-Proteobacteria   JN563775 11 0.17 EU801479, uncultured bacterium –   JN563776 10 0.16 EF019306, uncultured proteobacterium –   JN563777 9 0.14 AY953252, Prevotella sp. Bacteroidetes

  JN563778 8 0.13 EU464962, uncultured bacterium –   JN563779 8 0.13 EU536078, uncultured bacterium –   JN563780 8 0.13 GQ068015, uncultured bacterium –   JN563781 8 0.13 L16490, Porphyromonas asaccharolytica Bacteroidetes   JN563782 8 0.13 AY351787, uncultured marine bacterium –   JN563783 6 0.10 EF648074, uncultured Azoarcus sp., β-Proteobacteria   JN563784 5 0.08 EF648074, uncultured Azoarcus sp., β-Proteobacteria Only the closest relatives and their 16S rDNA accession numbers (see additional

file 1: 16S rDNA gene-based phylogeny of endosymbionts in four different Otiorhynchus spp. larvae) are mentioned. In addition to the most abundant reads, which belonged either to the genus Rickettsia or were similar to “Candidatus Blochmannia” bacteria and endosymbionts of the lice Pedicinus obtusus and P. badii, numerous reads with low sequence frequency were detected (Table 1). Indeed, we Edoxaban can not fully exclude the possibility that these sequences of putative rare endosymbionts are rather artefacts e.g. due to PCR contaminations. Phylogenetic analysis of Otiorhynchus spp. endosymbionts Phylogenetic analysis of 454 sequence data was performed to establish the relationship of the partial 16S rDNA sequences to each other and to related sequences gained from public databases. Among all studied weevil species, O. sulcatus showed the lowest bacterial endosymbiotic diversity (Table 1). The vast majority of sequences in O. sulcatus (~99% of the total reads) and O.

One vertebra above and below the involved vertebra(e) were

One vertebra above and below the involved vertebra(e) were

included in the clinical target volume (CTV). However, the upper end-plate of the upper vertebra and the lower end-plate of the lower vertebra were not included in the CTV, to limit the distal and proximal borders of the treatment fields in the inter-vertebral space. To determine the planning target volume (PTV), 10 mm was added to CTV in lateral directions and 5 mm in anterior-posterior and superior-inferior directions. Treatment fields were determined by adding 7–10 mm to the PTV using multi-leaf Decitabine order collimators. Figure 1 Target volumes and reference points. Clinical target volume (CTV), (pink line); planning target volume (PTV), (dark-blue line); ICRUrp, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements reference point; IBMCrp, the International Bone Metastasis Consensus Working Party reference point. Portions of the esophagus located in thoracic radiotherapy fields, the intestines located in lumbar radiotherapy fields and the medulla spinalis in all fields were delineated as critical organs. Treatment

planning Precise PLAN®2.11 (Elekta, Crawley, UK) treatment planning system (TPS), which enables 3D conformal radiotherapy planning, AZD6244 cost was used for treatment plans. To calculate the dose distribution of the photon beam, the TPS uses an irregular field algorithm, for different depths and field sizes, based on data measures in a phantom. The algorithm takes into account the inhomogeneity of the patient’s tissue and uses an integration scheme to

evaluate the scatter component of the dose. The dose calculation grid is set to 2.5 mm. Three different treatment plans were created (1) single posterior field treatment plans using ICRUrps; (2) single posterior field treatment plans using IBMCrps; and (3) two opposed anterior-posterior (AP-PA) field plans using ICRUrps. The ICRUrp was defined as the center of the PTV, the IBMCrp was defined as the mid-vertebral body point in the central plane, and the prescription dose was normalized to these points (Figure 1). Dose distributions of treatment plans in one case are shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 Dose distributions in one case for STK38 ICRUrp single field plan (A), IBMCrp single field plan (B) and two opposed anterior-posterior field plan (C). ICRUrp, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements reference point; IBMCrp, the International Bone Metastasis Consensus Working Party reference point. The isodose lines are shown as follows: 75% (blue), 80% (yellow), 90% (dark blue), 95% (red), 100 (pink), 110% (green), 115% (orange). The nominal prescribed dose was 2000 cGy in 5 fractions using 6-MV photons for posterior fields and 18-MV for anterior fields. In AP-PA field plans, beam weights were used as 1 and 1.5–2 in AP and PA fields, while assuring the intended dose range of 90% to 110% of the prescribed dose for the PTV. No dose constraint was used in single posterior field plans.

The modulation of the host immune system induced by bacteriocins

The modulation of the host immune system induced by bacteriocins is a phenomenon much less understood when compared to other peptides or proteins, such as proteins extracted from mushrooms (such as LZ-8 (13 kDa) [27], Fip-vvo (15 kDa) [28] and FIP-fve (114 aa) [29]) and host-defense

peptides [30, 31]. In contrast to the TH2-polarized response elicited by OVA, higher mRNA expression for the TH1 cytokines TNF-α, IL-12 and INF-γ were observed in the intestine of bovicin HC5-fed mice. Liu mTOR inhibitor et al. [32] also demonstrated significant induction of IFN-γ after administration of the yam tuber storage protein dioscorin. Human cathelicidin LL-37 modulated the activity of IFN-γ on a variety of cell types [33], and pre-treatment

with LL-37 induced IFN-γ production selleck compound by monocytes, enhancing monocyte-derived dendritic cell functions, such as IL-12 secretion and TH1-polarized co-stimulatory activity [34]. Conclusions In the present work, for the first time, the effects of the oral administration of bovicin HC5 to an animal model were described. The bovicin HC5 concentration administrated to the animals (micromolar range) was greater than the quantities required for in vitro antimicrobial activity (nanomolar range). We have previously demonstrated that bovicin HC5, in higher con-centrations, was able to permeabilize membranes in an unspecific way [13], but

one should bear in mind that antimicrobial peptides can also modulate the microbial community composition in the intestine which could explain the partial destruction of small intestine cells caused by bovicin HC5 administration. Nonetheless, the impairment of the selleck intestinal cells induced by bovicin HC5 neither altered the gut permeability nor was typical of an enteropathy process. Regarding the immunostimulatory effects, the results confirmed that bovicin HC5 was able to stimulate the immune system of BALB/c mice at local level (gut immune system), by influencing the cytokine release towards TH1-polarized response. Proper pharmacokinetic studies will be needed to determine if bovicin HC5 can resist passage through the adverse conditions in the GI tract (low pH, presence of peptidolytic and proteolytic enzymes), but it should be noted that animals treated with bovicin HC5 showed more pronounced effects in the intestine compared to the animals in the negative control groups. These results suggest that the oral administration of bovicin HC5 might be a promising strategy to control microbial infections, manipulate microbial community composition or modulate immunological responses in the GI tract of the host animal. Methods Streptococcus bovis HC5 and bovicin HC5 Streptococcus bovis HC5 growth and bovicin HC5 extraction were performed as previously described [11].

Type 3 fimbrial

expression was also associated with biofi

Type 3 fimbrial

expression was also associated with biofilm growth in the majority of these strains. This is the first report describing the distinct grouping of type 3 fimbrial genes into phylogenetic clades at the species level, with strong evidence supporting inter-species lateral gene transfer. We also demonstrate the functional expression of type 3 fimbriae by strains of C. koseri and C. freundii. Phylogenetic analysis with Talazoparib individual and concatenated mrkABCD sequences revealed five distinct clades (A-E) which were strongly supported by long internal branches. The majority of the sequences grouped in clade A, which is represented by the chromosomal mrk gene cluster from the genome sequenced K. pneumoniae strain MGH78578. Clades A and B contained mrk gene clusters from K. pneumoniae (both chromosomal and plasmid origin) and E. find more coli (plasmid origin). Two mrk loci have been fully sequenced from E. coli; in both cases the mrk genes are located on a conjugative plasmid

(pMAS2027 and pOLA52, respectively) and flanked by transposon-like sequences [30, 40]. While the genomic location of the mrk genes in the additional seven E. coli strains identified in this study remains to be determined, the data presented here and in previous studies strongly suggests inter-genera lateral gene transfer of the mrk cluster [17, 28]. In contrast, the composition of clade E is entirely C. koseri sequences,

while clades C and D are represented by a unique sequence from C freundii and K. oxytoca, respectively. The presence of cko_00966 homologs downstream of representative mrk clusters in all 5 clades strongly suggests that the ancestral mrkABCD locus was also Histidine ammonia-lyase encoded next to a cko_00966 homolog and that the clades are largely related by linear descent. Notably, the relationship determined here is not congruent with the known evolutionary relationship of Klebsiella, Citrobacter, and E. coli [41], supporting the occurrence of lateral gene transfer. We propose that clade A represents the K. pneumoniae lineage, with mrk regions laterally transferred to E. coli (e.g. pMAS2027 and pOLA52) and clade E represents the C. koseri lineage. Clades B, C and D, which contain mrk sequences from K. pneumoniae, E. coli, C. freundii and K. oxytoca, are clearly under-represented and additional type 3 fimbrial gene sequences are required to confirm the groupings. Among the four genes used in the phylogenetic analysis, mrkD exhibited the highest inter-group diversity (Table 1). Thus, from the partial sequence comparisons performed in this work, the MrkD adhesin displayed greater sequence variability than the MrkA major subunit. This is inconsistent with other chaperone-usher fimbriae such as type 1 and P fimbriae, where the sequence of the adhesin (e.g. FimH, PapG) is more conserved than the major subunit protein (e.g. FimA, PapA).

201000611CrossRef 18

Lee Y-J, Yang Z-P,

201000611CrossRef 18.

Lee Y-J, Yang Z-P, learn more Lo F-Y, Siao J-J, Xie Z-H, Chuang Y-L, Lin T-Y, Sheu J-K: Slanted n-ZnO/p-GaN nanorod arrays light-emitting diodes grown by oblique-angle deposition. APL Mat 2014, 2:056101. 10.1063/1.4874455CrossRef 19. Alvi NH, Hussain S, Jensen J, Nur O, Willander M: Influence of helium-ion bombardment on the optical properties of ZnO nanorods/p-GaN light-emitting diodes. Nanoscale Res Lett 2011, 6:628. 10.1186/1556-276X-6-628CrossRef 20. Ding M, Zhao D, Yao B, Zhao B, Xu X: High brightness light emitting diode based on single ZnO microwire. Chem Phys Lett 2013, 577:88–91.CrossRef 21. Zhu GY, Xu CX, Lin Y, Shi ZL, Li JT, Ding T, Tian ZS, Chen GF: Ultraviolet electroluminescence from horizontal ZnO microrods/GaN heterojunction light-emitting diode array. Appl Phys Lett 2012, 101:041110. 10.1063/1.4739002CrossRef 22. Li X, Qi J, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Yi F, Wang Z, Zhang Y: Saturated blue-violet electroluminescence from single ZnO micro/nanowire and p-GaN film hybrid light-emitting diodes. Appl Phys Lett 2013, 102:221103. 10.1063/1.4809582CrossRef 23. Chien CT, Wu MC, Chen CW, Yang HH, Wu JJ, Su WF, Lin CS, Chen YF: Polarization-dependent confocal Raman microscopy of an individual ZnO nanorod. Appl Phys

Lett 2008, 92:223102. 10.1063/1.2938701CrossRef 24. Hsu HC, Hsu FK228 cost GM, Lai YS, Feng ZC, Tseng SY, Lundskog A, Forsberg U, Janzén E, Chen KH, Chen LC: Polarized and diameter-dependent Raman scattering from individual aluminum nitride nanowires: The antenna and cavity effects. Appl Phys Lett 2012, 101:121902. 10.1063/1.4753798CrossRef 25. Zhang Anacetrapib Q, Qi J, Li X, Yi F, Wang Z, Zhang Y: Electrically pumped lasing from single ZnO micro/nanowire and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenexulfonate)

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fumigatiaffinis and A lentulus [7, 8], whereas A fumigatus is u

fumigatiaffinis and A. lentulus [7, 8], whereas A. fumigatus is usually susceptible to the antifungals that are available for clinical treatment [19, 20]. Few clinical cases of invasive aspergillosis have been reported in which the antifungal treatment was repeatedly modified until the correct identification of the fungal agent and the administration of the appropriate antifungal treatment [17, 18]. Considering that A. fumigatus may represent a considerable part of all clinical cases of aspergillosis, molecular characterization is essential for the correct identification of species within the section Fumigati. In this study, we developed a multiplex PCR strategy that was able

to differentiate A. fumigatus from all the other related species within the section Fumigati. mTOR inhibitor We could not test all of the species of section Fumigati, as some of them are extremely rare. However, we believe that the present multiplex PCR can be widely used, as A. lentulus is more closely related to A. fumigatus than most species in section Fumigati (e.g. A. viridinutans) [4, 5], and a distinct electrophoretic profile was observed with two strains

of this species. It is expected that other species of section Fumigati that are genetically distant from A. fumigatus can be distinguished by employing Selleck Panobinostat this multiplex PCR (see additional file 2 in supplemental data). A simple electrophoresis profile after PCR amplification clearly separates two species, A. fumigatus and N. udagawae, from a second group of fungal isolates of section Fumigati. This method is furthermore amenable to automation. Compared to previously described methodologies for A. fumigatus identification within its section [10–13], the proposed method facilitates the molecular recognition of this species by employing a single multiplex PCR and avoiding the need for restriction enzymes and specialized PAK5 equipment. This approach is cheap and simple and would be very useful

in clinical labs that routinely screen and perform the molecular identification of several mould isolates. The proposed new assay proved to be specific and highly reproducible for targeting A. fumigatus within the section Fumigati and outside this section. A list of fungal species related to A. fumigatus could be identified by sequencing partial regions of βtub and rodA. A group of 14 unique species and two groups of species of section Fumigati were distinguished by point mutations in βtub and rodA. This work presents the first record of polymorphic sites available for the rapid identification of species within the section Fumigati following the analysis of more than 450 βtub and rodA sequences. This list represents a practical guide for the molecular recognition of rare fungal species, and it can certainly be expanded in the near future when more sequences of βtub and rodA are available.

Phinney [19] found

that in moderately obese, untrained su

Phinney [19] found

that in moderately obese, untrained subjects a prolonged exercise at 60% of VO2max can be sustained in the virtual absence of dietary carbohydrate (<10 g/d) for 6 wk with a surprising increase in treadmill time duration of 155% respect to baseline (from 168 to 259 minutes). In a second study [57], Phinney studied the effect of chronic ketosis on exercise performance in endurance-trained athletes finding that aerobic endurance FDA-approved Drug Library exercise by well-trained cyclists was not compromised by four weeks of ketosis. In contrast White suggested that VLCKD enhanced perception of fatigue during a 90 min walk, but in this study only RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) was significant whilst average heart rate and exercise intensity expressed at %HR max did not change. Unfortunately other performance indexes such as VO2max and blood lactate were not investigated [22]. More recently a broader study [18] www.selleckchem.com/products/MG132.html reported

that a ketogenic diet enhanced fat oxidation without detrimental effects on maximal or submaximal markers of aerobic exercise performance in obese subjects. Interestingly, to our knowledge, this is the first study published that measured the effects of VLCKD on strength performance and the authors reported no difference in strength isometric performance between VLCKD group and high carbohydrate group. Three factors should be taken into account to explain these conflicting results: 1) the time needed for keto-adapatation (approximately 7 days), 2) usage or not of electrolyte supplementation 3) the protein intake. According to the first factor, most studies have maintained the VLCKD for less than two weeks, which not sufficient to accomplish the full ketogenic metabolic adjustment (since

7 days are required for keto-adaptation leaving just a few days to see the effects of ketosis during these short dietary protocols). In our experimental design the ketogenic period was maintained for 30 days. Regarding adequate electrolyte supplementation Interleukin-2 receptor it is noteworthy that a supplement containing sodium and potassium is needed to maintain an effective nitrogen balance with functional tissue preservation [58] and the Tisanoreica® protocol reported here included an electrolyte supplementation [16]. Finally to maintain lean body mass a protein intake of 1.2–1.7 g/kg/bw with reference to body weight is required [58]. Most techniques used for weight loss in sports lead to a reduction of lean body mass with consequent negative effects on performance. The effects of the reduction in daily protein intake below 1.2 g/kg/bw during a VLCKD, includes the gradual loss of lean tissue and therefore the loss of physical performance as demonstrated by Davis [59]. The daily intake of protein during the ketogenic phase in our study was approximately 2.8 g/kg (assuming an increased protein requirement due to the very intense physical activity) [60, 61]. White et. al.