RESUMO

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is closely associated with cervical carcinoma. Co-infection in the endocervical environment with other microorganisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, may increase the risk of HPV infection and neoplastic progression. While in some individuals, Chlamydia trachomatis infection is resolved with the activation of Th1/IFN-γ-mediated immune response, others develop a chronic infection marked by Th2-mediated immune response, resulting in intracellular persistence of the bacterium and increasing the risk of HPV infection. This work aimed to quantify cytokines of the Th1/Th2/Th17 profile in exfoliated cervix cells (ECC) and peripheral blood (PB) of patients positive for Chlamydia trachomatis DNA, patients positive for Papillomavirus DNA, and healthy patients. Cytokine levels were quantified by flow cytometry in ECC and PB samples from patients positive for C. trachomatis DNA (n = 18), patients positive for HPV DNA (n = 30), and healthy patients (n = 17) treated at the Hospital de Amor, Campo Grande-MS. After analysis, a higher concentration of IL-17, IL-6, and IL-4 (p <0.05) in ECC; INF-γ and IL-10 (p <0.05) in PB was found in samples from patients positive for C. trachomatis DNA compared to samples from healthy patients. When comparing samples from patients positive for HPV DNA, there was a higher concentration of cytokines IL-17, IL-10, IL-6, and IL-4 (p <0.05) in ECC and IL-4 and IL-2 (p <0.05) in PB of patients positive for C. trachomatis DNA. These results suggest that induction of Th2- and Th17 mediated immune response occurs in patients positive for C. trachomatis DNA, indicating chronic infection. Our results also demonstrate a high concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ECC of patients positive for C. trachomatis DNA.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. The disease-related socioeconomic burden is expected to increase with the steadily increasing life expectancy. In spite of decades of clinical and basic research, most strategies designed to manage degenerative brain diseases are palliative. This is not surprising as neurodegeneration progresses "silently" for decades before symptoms are noticed. Importantly, conceptual models with heuristic value used to study neurodegeneration have been constructed retrospectively, based on signs and symptoms already present in affected patients; a circumstance that may confound causes and consequences. Hence, innovative, paradigm-shifting views of the etiology of these diseases are necessary to enable their timely prevention and treatment. Here, we outline four alternative views, not mutually exclusive, on different etiological paths toward neurodegeneration. First, we propose neurodegeneration as being a secondary outcome of a primary cardiovascular cause with vascular pathology disrupting the vital homeostatic interactions between the vasculature and the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment, dementia, and cerebrovascular events such as stroke. Second, we suggest that the persistence of senescent cells in neuronal circuits may favor, together with systemic metabolic diseases, neurodegeneration to occur. Third, we argue that neurodegeneration may start in response to altered body and brain trophic interactions established via the hardwire that connects peripheral targets with central neuronal structures or by means of extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated communication. Lastly, we elaborate on how lifespan body dysbiosis may be linked to the origin of neurodegeneration. We highlight the existence of bacterial products that modulate the gut-brain axis causing neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction. As a concluding section, we end by recommending research avenues to investigate these etiological paths in the future. We think that this requires an integrated, interdisciplinary conceptual research approach based on the investigation of the multimodal aspects of physiology and pathophysiology. It involves utilizing proper conceptual models, experimental animal units, and identifying currently unused opportunities derived from human data. Overall, the proposed etiological paths and experimental recommendations will be important guidelines for future cross-discipline research to overcome the translational roadblock and to develop causative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

RESUMO

ABSTRACT The HIV-1 initial viral infection may present diverse clinical and laboratory course and lead to rapid, intermediate, or long-term progression. Among the group of non-progressors, the elite controllers are those who control the infection most effectively, in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this paper, the TH1, TH2 and TH17 cytokines profiles are described, as well as clinical and laboratory aspects of an HIV-infected patient with undetectable viral load without antiretroviral therapy. Production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 was detected; in contrast IL-4 was identified. Host-related factors could help explain such a level of infection control, namely the differentiated modulation of the cellular immune response and a non-polarized cytokine response of the TH1 and TH2 profiles.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The HIV-1 initial viral infection may present diverse clinical and laboratory course and lead to rapid, intermediate, or long-term progression. Among the group of non-progressors, the elite controllers are those who control the infection most effectively, in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this paper, the TH1, TH2 and TH17 cytokines profiles are described, as well as clinical and laboratory aspects of an HIV-infected patient with undetectable viral load without antiretroviral therapy. Production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 was detected; in contrast IL-4 was identified. Host-related factors could help explain such a level of infection control, namely the differentiated modulation of the cellular immune response and a non-polarized cytokine response of the TH1 and TH2 profiles.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumen Introducción: La escala de Kujala para dolor patelofemoral es una herramienta de medición desarrollada en inglés para evaluar la calidad de vida de quienes sufren este tipo de dolor. El propósito de este estudio fue rea-tizar una adaptación cultural de esta escala al español y evaluar su reproducibilidad y validez en pacientes colombianos con dolor patelofemoral. Materiales y métodos: Basándose en las guías de la literatura se tradujo la escala de Kujala al español. Se les pidió a cuarenta pacientes con síndrome de dolor patelofemoral que completaran el cuestionario. Para evaluar la contabilidad se desarrolló por segunda vez la medición a los mismos pacientes en un periodo no mayor a 14 días. Se calculó el alfa de Cronbach (AC) y el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) para calcular la consistencia interna y la confiabilidad test-retest. El gráfico de Bland-Altman y el coeficiente de repetibilidad se usaron para determinar el error de medición. Resultados: El alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,86 y el coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue 0,97. El gráfico de Bland-Altman no mostró errores sistemáticos y el coeficiente de repetibilidad fue de 7,6 %. Conclusión: La versión en español de la escala de Kujala es una herramienta válida y confiable para evaluar calidad de vida en pacientes con dolor patelofemoral y puede ser usada en países latinoamericanos de habla hispana como Colombia.

Abstract Introduction: The Kujala patellofemoral pain scale is an assessment tool developed to evaluate the quality of life in patients with this syndrome. The aim of this study is to adapt the Kujala scale to Spanish for Latin America and to evaluate its reproducibility and validity in patients with patellofemoral pain in Colombia. Methods: Following guidelines from literature, the Kujala scale was translated to Spanish. 40 patients with patellofemoral pain were asked to complete the questionnaire. They were asked to answer it for a second time within the next 14 days to assess reliability. Cronbach's alpha (CA) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated to determine internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Bland-Altman plot and repeatability coefficient were calculated to determine the measurement error. Results: The Cronbach's alpha was 0.86 and the ICC was 0.97. The Bland-Altmanplot showed no systematic differences, and the repeatability coefficient was 7,6 %. Discussion: This Spanish version of the Kujala scale is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating quality of life in patients with patellofemoral pain and may be used in Spanish speaking countries of Latin America such as Colombia.

RESUMO

Dew formation is common in several regions of the world, but in arid and semiarid regions dew may represent an important water source for plants. In this study, we tested whether the leaves of a common shrub in the semiarid region of Brazil, Combretum leprosum Mart. (Combretaceae) absorb dew. We also identified the leaf anatomical structures that are involved in this process and tested whether dew absorption favours hydration of leaf tissues in both field and greenhouse experiments. The translucent and shiny leaf trichomes of C. leprosum absorbed dew. Leaf water absorption through hydrophilic trichomes and the presence of hydrophilic polysaccharides in C. leprosum increased its leaf water status. The presence of paraveinal mesophyll and the role of this tissue in the redistribution of water in the leaf are shown for the first time in Combretaceae.

RESUMO

A incompatibilidade de enxertia é um problema que, além de prejuízo econômico aos produtores, causa atraso no lançamento de novas cultivares-copa e portaenxertos, devido ao longo período de tempo necessário para os testes de compatibilidade. O objetivo desta revisão é fazer um apanhado das principais e mais relevantes pesquisas realizadas envolvendo o tema incompatibilidade de enxertia em espécies frutíferas, especialmente as do gênero Prunus. Incompatibilidade é um fenômeno extremamente complexo, que envolve interações anatômicas, fisiológicas, bioquímicas e moleculares entre a cultivar-copa e o portaenxerto. Sendo, por essa razão, um problema de difícil estudo. Porém, acredita-se que através de uma análise conjunta dos diversos mecanismos de incompatibilidade, se pode avançar mais rapidamente no entendimento deste fenômeno.

The graft incompatibility is a problem that causes economic loss to producers and delay in the launch of new cultivars and rootstock because of the long time required for compatibility testing. The aim of this review is to show of the most important and relevant research conducted over the years involving the graft incompatibility in fruit species, specially the genus Prunus. The graft incompatibility is an extremely complex phenomenon that involves anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular interactions between scion and rootstock. Being for this reason a difficult problem to analyze. However, it is believed that through a joint analysis of graft incompatibility the understanding of the mechanisms may advance more quickly and so allow the solution for the phenomenon.

RESUMO

A incompatibilidade de enxertia é um problema que, além de prejuízo econômico aos produtores, causa atraso no lançamento de novas cultivares-copa e portaenxertos, devido ao longo período de tempo necessário para os testes de compatibilidade. O objetivo desta revisão é fazer um apanhado das principais e mais relevantes pesquisas realizadas envolvendo o tema incompatibilidade de enxertia em espécies frutíferas, especialmente as do gênero Prunus. Incompatibilidade é um fenômeno extremamente complexo, que envolve interações anatômicas, fisiológicas, bioquímicas e moleculares entre a cultivar-copa e o portaenxerto. Sendo, por essa razão, um problema de difícil estudo. Porém, acredita-se que através de uma análise conjunta dos diversos mecanismos de incompatibilidade, se pode avançar mais rapidamente no entendimento deste fenômeno.(AU)

The graft incompatibility is a problem that causes economic loss to producers and delay in the launch of new cultivars and rootstock because of the long time required for compatibility testing. The aim of this review is to show of the most important and relevant research conducted over the years involving the graft incompatibility in fruit species, specially the genus Prunus. The graft incompatibility is an extremely complex phenomenon that involves anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular interactions between scion and rootstock. Being for this reason a difficult problem to analyze. However, it is believed that through a joint analysis of graft incompatibility the understanding of the mechanisms may advance more quickly and so allow the solution for the phenomenon.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Se realizó análisis retrospectivo de 526 pacientes con accidente cerebro-vascular ingresados entre Enero 1977-Diciembre 1988; correspondiendo a pacientes menores de 40 años una incidencia de 8,7%; en ese mismo grupo lo más frecuente fue hemorragia subaracnoidea, predominando sexo masculino. También se investigaron aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y mortalidad

Assuntos