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Autophagy plays an essential role in body homeostasis achievement. One of the main proteins involved in this process is the LC3I, which, after lipidation, leads to the formation of LC3II that participates in the formation and maturation of autophagosome. This descriptive study verified the responses of LC3II to LC3I proteins, as well as the time-course of this ratio in mice livers after different types of acute physical exercise protocols. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were maintained three per cage with controlled temperature (22±2 °C) on a 12:12-h light-dark normal cycle with food (Purina chow) and water ad libitum. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (CT, sedentary mice), resistance (RE, submitted to a single bout of resistance exercise), endurance (EE, submitted to a single bout of endurance exercise), and concurrent (CE, submitted to a single bout of endurance combined with resistance exercise). The mice livers were extracted and used for the immunoblotting technique. The hepatic LC3B II/I ratio for the RE and EE groups were not altered during the different time-points. For the CE group, there was a decrease in this ratio 12h after exercise compared to time 0 and 18h. Also, the hepatic LC3B II/I ratios were not different among the acute physical exercise protocols along the time-course. The hepatic LC3B II/I ratio was not influenced by the endurance and resistance protocols but decreased in response to the concurrent protocol at 12h after the stimulus.

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The "first hit" to atherogenesis is driven by toll-like receptor 4, endoplasmic reticulum stress and ultimately metabolic dysfunction. In this study, we hypothesized that a flaxseed oil-enriched diet (FS) abolishes these inflammatory signaling pathway and restore metabolic homeostasis by activating the fatty acid receptor GPR120 in aorta of obese mice. Glucose homeostasis was assessed by GTT and ITT; lipidomics was performed using a Hybrid Ion Trap-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer; serum lipids were measured using colorimetric assays; GPR120 and infiltrating macrophages were analyzed by immunofluorescence; protein immunoprecipitation and gene expression were evaluated by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. There were no differences in body weight and food intake between the groups from both strains (Swiss and LDLr-KO mice). GTT and cholesterol levels were improved by FS in both mice models. Lipidomics showed an increase in ω3 (C18:3) content, meanwhile stearic acid (C18:0) was not detected in endothelial tissue in response to FS. Moreover, FS markedly decreased pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß, TNF-α, pIκBα, pIKKß) and unfolded protein response markers (ATF6 and GRP78) in aorta. In Swiss mice, GPR120 was partially involved in the ω3-mediated anti-inflammatory actions, disrupting TLR4 pathway, but not in LDLr-KO mice. Partial replacement of dietary saturated by unsaturated ω3 fatty acids contributes to inhibition of cardiovascular risk markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines and ER stress sensors and effectors in the aorta. However, downregulation of inflammation is not mediated by arterial GPR120 activation.

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We compared saline (S) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) extracts from Taenia solium (homologous species - HO) and Taenia crassiceps (heterologous species - HE) metacestodes in order to detect IgG by ELISA and immunoblot assay (IBA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the diagnosis of human neurocysticercosis (NC). CSF samples were obtained from 93 patients. Of these, 40 had NC, five had a diagnosis of probable NC, nine had central nervous system schistosomiasis or strongyloidiasis and 39 had other neurological alterations. Samples were analysed by ELISA and the results were compared with IBA in all samples with confirmed and probable NC diagnosis, in all samples with other central nervous system parasitic infection, and in 10 of those with another neurological alterations. ELISA sensitivity was 100%, 85%, 95% and 87.5% for the S-HO, S-HE, SDS-HO and SDS-HE extracts, respectively, and ELISA specificity was 100% for S-HO, S-HE, SDS-HO extracts and 97.9% for SDS-HE antigen. Immunodominant peptides detected by IBA were, by decreasing percentage of recognition: 64-68 and 45 kDa for S-HO; 108-114, 92-95, 64-68, 83 and 88 kDa for S-HE; 64-68, 108-114, 77 and 86 kDa for SDS-HO; and 108-114, 88 and 92-95 kDa for SDS-HE. Overall the homologous antigenic extracts showed higher sensitivity than the heterologous extracts in the diagnosis of NC in CSF samples. The heterologous extracts contained most of the immunodominant peptides presented in the homologous extracts, which are recognized by IgG antibodies in CSF samples.

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A comparative study of total saline extract (SE) and cyst vesicular fluid (VF) of Taenia solium metacestodes by ELISA and Western blotting assay (WB) tests was conducted to detect IgG in sera for diagnosis of human cysticercosis. Sera were obtained and analysed by ELISA in 1 : 20 and 1 : 100 dilutions from 208 individuals: 22 confirmed neurocysticercosis (NC) (group 1), 101 suspected NC (group 2), 55 with various intestinal parasitosis (group 3) and 30 healthy individuals (group 4). The WB test was carried out on SE and VF extracts with and without reducing agent, 2-beta-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in 20 sera of each group. WB using extracts without 2-ME and ELISA at 1 : 100 dilution were compared in 20 sera from each group; sensitivity and specificity were calculated using samples from groups 1, 3 and 4. By ELISA, in the 1 : 100 sera dilution reactivity was reduced for both antigens without changes in the sensitivity of the test. By WB, antigens treated with 2-ME demonstrated low specificity. For SE and VF antigens, the proteins of 24, 39-42, 47-52, 56, 64-68, 126-155 kDa and 18, 24, 26-28, 32-36, 47-52, 75 kDa, respectively, were considered immunodominant markers, with high indices of specificity, suggesting a profile for NC patients. However, as the sensitivity was found to be low, it might still not be a definitive test for NC when used alone. These data suggest WB as an indicative test to determine exposure to T. solium. ELISA and WB together may supply reliable results for the diagnosis of human cysticercosis, since appropriate purified antigens are not available yet.

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Os autores propõem procedimentos para estabelecer o controle de qualidade da própolis. Para tanto, foram adaptadas e executadas técnicas farmacopéicas e/ou desenvolvidas técnicas novas. Foram estabelecidos perfis dos teores de flavonóides, de ceras, de substâncias voláteis totais (através da perda por dessecação) e de cinzas totais. Os valores obtidos para as amostras de própolis estudadas, coletadas em um apiário-escola, foram comparados com os de própolis adquiridas no mercado. Foi estabelecido, ainda, o perfil destes parâmetros para amostras de própolis coletadas nos diferentes locais da colméla, no periodo de três anos, com coletas de inverno e verão. Os teores de flavonóides variaram entre 2,05 - 5,52 por cento.

The aim of this work was to establish a control quality methodology for propolis. For that, techniques were carried out as described in pharmacopoeias, or adapt from it. Moreover it developed new techniques. It was used propolis collected in the school apiary. Profiles of flavonoids, waxes, total volatile substances and total ashes were determined in propolis collected in different places of bees' hive. The results obtained from this propolis were compared with commercial propolis. Flavonoid drift values obtained from apiary school were established in the range between 2.05-5.52 percent.

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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is frequently seen in AIDS patients usually affecting the central nervous system (CNS), especially the leptomeninges and the cerebral hemispheres. The epidural involvement is rarely described, ranging from 3.5% to 8.3% among the CNS sites. The authors present a case of disseminated non Hodgkin lymphoma associated to vacuolar myelopathy in a 27 years-old male patient with AIDS emphasizing the importance of this differential diagnosis in the myelopathies of AIDS.

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In a 6-year period, ten cases of neurocysticercosis were diagnosed in children with ages ranging from 4 to 13 years, in a Brazilian teaching hospital. Most of the children presented epilepsy and/or raised intracranial pressure, but meningoencephalitis and psychotic reactions were also observed. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count ranged from 1 to 52 cells per mm3, with pleocytosis in 6 cases, mostly by lymphocytes and eosinophils. Antibodies to Cysticercus cellulosae were detected in the CSF in all cases. A cranial radiograph was abnormal in 5 out of 6 cases, and a computed tomographic (CT) scan in 4 out of 8 cases. Stool examination was positive for ova and/or proglottids of Taenia sp in 4 out of the 10 cases. Seven patients were treated with either praziquantel or albendazole plus dexamethasone; there were no important side effects, and surgical treatment was required in no case. Neurocysticercosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of seizures, raised intracranial pressure, meningitis and psychotic reactions in children living in or having travelled to the tropics. The diagnosis can be suspected by the presence of eosinophils in the CSF, and confirmed by imaging methods such as CT scans and by immunological tests in the CSF.

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The involvement of central nervous system in paracoccidiodomycosis has rarely been described, with an incidence rate varying from 9.99% to 27.27%. There are two basic forms of clinical presentation: meningeal and tumor-like (abscesses, granulomas, nodules, and cysts). The Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is preferentially described in cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, medulla oblonga and meninges, and exceptionally in the spinal cord. The authors present a case of paracoccidioidomycosis which diagnosis was achieved by microscopic examination of material from oral lesions and specific serology. The patient presented clinical signs of spinal cord involvement confirmed by lesions found in magnetic resonance imaging. They emphasize the inedit therapeutic response to a new antifungal agent (fluconazole) used for the first time in this kind of clinical manifestation, and the excellent prognosis when diagnosis is promptly made.

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We report the case of a 52-year-old male heterosexual patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and reactivation of Chagas' disease manifested by meningoencephalitis and myocarditis, diagnosed post-mortem. Unexplained reactivation of Chagas' disease should be included among the diagnostic criteria of AIDS in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients. On the other hand, AIDS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained reactivation of Chagas' disease.

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