RESUMO
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that drive the differentiation of T CD4+ cells into different profiles according to the nature of the antigen or immunomodulator. Propolis is a resinous product made by bees that has numerous pharmacological properties, including an immunomodulatory action. To assess whether propolis can modulate the activation of CD4+ T cells by stimulating DCs with heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (EtxB) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms affected by propolis in the differential activation of T lymphocytes. Cell viability, lymphocyte proliferation, gene expression (GATA-3 and RORc), and cytokine production (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A) were analyzed. Propolis, EtxB, and LPS induced a higher lymphoproliferation compared with the control. Propolis induced GATA-3 expression and, in combination with EtxB, maintained the baseline levels. Propolis alone or in combination with LPS inhibited RORc expression. EtxB alone and in combination with propolis increased IL-4 production. Propolis in combination with LPS prevented LPS-induced IL-17A production. These results opened perspectives for the study of biological events that may be favored by propolis by promoting Th2 activation or helping in the treatment of inflammatory conditions mediated by Th17 cells.
Assuntos
Toxinas Bacterianas , Proteínas de Escherichia coli , Própole , Toxinas Bacterianas/farmacologia , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Própole/farmacologia , Interleucina-17 , Células Th17 , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/farmacologia , Células Dendríticas , Células Th2RESUMO
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that drive the differentiation of T CD4+ cells into different profiles according to the nature of the antigen or immunomodulator. Propolis is a resinous product made by bees that has numerous pharmacological properties, including an immunomodulatory action. To assess whether propolis can modulate the activation of CD4+ T cells by stimulating DCs with heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (EtxB) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms affected by propolis in the differential activation of T lymphocytes. Cell viability, lymphocyte proliferation, gene expression (GATA-3 and RORc), and cytokine production (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A) were analyzed. Propolis, EtxB, and LPS induced a higher lymphoproliferation compared with the control. Propolis induced GATA-3 expression and, in combination with EtxB, maintained the baseline levels. Propolis alone or in combination with LPS inhibited RORc expression. EtxB alone and in combination with propolis increased IL-4 production. Propolis in combination with LPS prevented LPS-induced IL-17A production. These results opened perspectives for the study of biological events that may be favored by propolis by promoting Th2 activation or helping in the treatment of inflammatory conditions mediated by Th17 cells.
RESUMO
The aspartateguanidoacetatenickel (II) complex, [Ni(Asp)(GAA)], was synthesized and structural analysis was performed by means of the experimental methods: determination of the C, H, N and O contents, thermogravimetry, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. DFT:B3LYP/6-311G(d, p) calculations have been performed giving optimized structure and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers. Second derivative of the FT-infrared, FT-Raman and Surface Raman Enhanced Scattering (SERS) spectra, and band deconvolution analysis were also performed. Features of the FT-infrared, FT-Raman and SERS confirmed theoretical structure prediction. Full assignment of the vibrational spectrum was also supported by a carefully analysis of the distorted geometries generated by the normal modes. The Natural Bond Orbital analysis (NBO) was also carried out as a way to study the Ni (II) hybridization leading to the pseudo planar geometry of the framework, and the extension of the atomic N and O hybrid orbital of the different amino acids in the bond formation. Bands of charge transfer and d-d transitions were assigned in the UV-Vis spectrum.
Assuntos
Ácido Aspártico/química , Elétrons , Modelos Moleculares , Níquel/química , Compostos Organometálicos/química , Teoria Quântica , Análise Espectral Raman , Vibração , Conformação Molecular , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta , Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier , TermodinâmicaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we present a descriptive study of the first year of implementation of the predictive genetic testing program for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) in Cuba, which has been structured along the international guidelines for Huntington disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed from 100 individuals who requested presymptomatic diagnosis. They had been seen between February 2001 and May 2002 at the Ataxia Clinic in the province of Holguín and had completed the protocol. The participants had psychological evaluations before testing and 1 week after being informed of the result. RESULTS: The average age of the participants in the presymptomatic testing for SCA2 was 39.3 years, 62% were female. The main reasons for taking the test were family planning and risk assessment in their children. Family participation in the process was high and there were several additional sources of social support. Before the test, the subjects did not present high levels of anxiety or depression. On informing the patients of the test results indicators for anxiety and depression significantly decreased, and there were no significant differences according to whether the test result had been positive or negative. Catastrophic events were rare during the first week after the test. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a strong interest in presymptomatic diagnosis among individuals at risk for SCA2 in Holguín and a lack of significant psychological drawbacks up to 1 week after information of results.
Assuntos
Ataxias Espinocerebelares/diagnóstico , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/genética , Adaptação Psicológica , Adulto , Progressão da Doença , Emoções , Feminino , Aconselhamento Genético , Humanos , Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido , Entrevistas como Assunto , Masculino , Prontuários Médicos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Motivação , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente , Projetos Piloto , Testes Psicológicos , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/psicologia , Repetições de TrinucleotídeosRESUMO
The level structure of 149Pm has been investigated by studying the gamma rays emitted following the beta(-) decay of 149Nd (T(1/2)=1.7h). The singles and the gammagamma coincidence spectra were taken using HPGe detectors with high energy resolution. The energy and relative intensities of 198 gamma rays have been determined, 45 for the first time and several multiplets were resolved using bidimensional data analysis. A decay scheme with 51 levels has been proposed. This includes 6 new levels, at 1407, 1368, 1364, 1329, 1293 and 1181keV. The present results permitted assignments of spin and parity for a number of these levels.
RESUMO
The gamma-ray spectrum of 139La following the beta- decay of 139Ba has been studied using both singles and gammagamma coincidence spectroscopy techniques. The energies and intensities of 30 gamma-transitions have been determined, which include three new transitions placed in the level scheme. Two new levels at 1524.6 and 1900.3 keV excitation energies are proposed and a number of gamma-transitions have been confirmed. On the basis of these results a precise decay scheme is proposed.
RESUMO
The gamma-ray spectrum of 72Ge following the beta- decay of 72Ga has been studied using both single and gamma-gamma coincidence spectroscopy techniques. The energies and intensities of 110 gamma-rays have been determined, 26 of them were observed for the first time and 20 have been confirmed. Of the total number of gamma-rays observed, 95 have been placed in a proposed level scheme containing 31 levels. This includes five new levels at 2303, 2694, 3067, 3097 and 3420 keV.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia is a hereditary degenerative disorder of the nervous system. Advances in molecular genetics have made it possible to carry out presymptomatic and prenatal studies. A programme to define the strategies and principles for doing this has been devised. OBJECTIVE: To find the level of acceptance of prenatal diagnosis in couples at risk, and to determine the effect of different variables on this acceptance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a descriptive type study of a series of cases. The study group included 226 persons. Forty of these were couples of descendents and the remainder were asymptomatic descendents. We applied a questionnaire, after prior information as to the aims of the study and obtaining the consent of the participants. RESULTS: Regarding acceptance of prenatal diagnosis by couples of descendents, we found that most (77.5%) accepted this and only 2.5% did not. Prenatal diagnosis was accepted by 67.74% of the descendents themselves. CONCLUSIONS: In general there was a high level of acceptance. 159 of the 226 questioned claimed that they would like to have more children and 98.7% of these accepted the test, whilst only 0.01% refused it. The main reasons given were the hope of having healthy children and that the disease would not occur in future generations.
Assuntos
Doenças Fetais/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/diagnóstico , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/genética , Adulto , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Bioética , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/embriologiaRESUMO
The repair kinetics of the gamma rays induced DNA damage was determined in murine peripheral blood leukocytes in vivo by the comet assay. Mice were exposed to 1.0 Gy of gamma rays in a 137Cs source and samples of peripheral blood were taken from their tails at different times. The repair was evaluated per mice in separate experiments by measuring the proportion of cells with tail (comets) in each sample. An average of nearly 80% of comets was obtained at the initial time after the exposure; 2 min later the frequency decreased to 45% and continued diminishing to 22% at 15 min. This evidences the presence of a rapid repair mechanism. For a period of 25 to 40 min after exposure there was a slight but consistent increase of comets from 22 to 38% followed by a second reduction, which could be due to a late repair process that causes strand breaks and then joined them. In summary our results indicated that this system seems to be appropriate for the study of the repair capacity of cells following exposure to ionizing radiation.
Assuntos
Dano ao DNA/efeitos da radiação , Reparo do DNA/genética , Raios gama/efeitos adversos , Leucócitos/metabolismo , Animais , Radioisótopos de Césio , Dano ao DNA/genética , Eletroforese em Gel de Ágar , Etídio/metabolismo , Fluorescência , Cinética , Leucócitos/efeitos da radiação , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Radiação IonizanteRESUMO
The kinetics of damage induction and repair at different doses, and the adaptive response induced by gamma ray exposure were determined in murine leukocytes in vivo. The adaptive response was determined after an adaptive dose of 0.01 Gy and a challenge dose of 1.0 Gy administered 60 min later. DNA damage was measured by the single cell gel electrophoresis. Results indicate there is an early and efficient repair process that acts even during the exposure to radiation, which is able to reduce 80% of damaged cells. Later, an increase in damaged cells occurs, which seems to represent the breaks induced during the repair of other kinds of lesions. This suggests that mouse cells are genetically adapted to repair this kind of damage. It was found that the adaptive pretreatment reduces the percentage of damaged cells caused by the challenge dose to one third, and diminishes the damage produced during the late repair. This indicates that the early adaptive response is caused by the induction of a process that protects DNA from damage induction, i.e., synthesis of substances that scavenge free radicals.
Assuntos
Adaptação Fisiológica/efeitos da radiação , Dano ao DNA , Reparo do DNA , Raios gama , Leucócitos/efeitos da radiação , Animais , Relação Dose-Resposta à Radiação , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB CRESUMO
The radioprotective capacity of chlorophyllin was determined by measuring the reduction of gamma-ray-induced sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in murine spermatogonia in vivo. The results obtained in experiments using 100 and 200 micrograms of chlorophyllin per gram of body weight (bw) and irradiated either before or after BrdU incorporation, indicate that a chlorophyllin dose of 200 micrograms/g bw protects 100% against the induction of SCE by 0.75 Gy of gamma-rays and 100 micrograms/g bw protects less than 50%. Chlorophyllin per se did not have any effect on the SCE frequency.
Assuntos
Antimutagênicos/farmacologia , Clorofilídeos/farmacologia , Protetores contra Radiação/farmacologia , Troca de Cromátide Irmã , Espermatogônias/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Bromodesoxiuridina/metabolismo , Raios gama , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Espermatogônias/citologia , Espermatogônias/metabolismo , Espermatogônias/efeitos da radiaçãoRESUMO
Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction by gamma rays was determined in spermatogonia irradiated before or after BrdU incorporation. Furthermore, the comparison of responses obtained in spermatogonia, bone marrow and salivary gland cells was carried out in the cells irradiated after BrdU incorporation, a condition which permits a higher SCE induction. Results indicate that gamma ray exposure of spermatogonia could induce a significant increase in SCE frequency with doses as low as 0.27 Gy, either before or after BrdU incorporation. However, the increase caused by radiation exposure after BrdU incorporation in spermatogonia was nearly three times lower than that obtained in both bone marrow and salivary gland cells. These data suggest that spermatogonia are either more efficient in repairing the gamma ray-induced lesions involved in SCE production or that these cells are less prone to the induction of such lesions.