RESUMO
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which has the capacity to infect all warm-blooded animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of visual defects in the Colombian population; however, the association between genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes and susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis has not been studied in this population. This work evaluates the associations between polymorphisms in genes coding for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (rs1799964, rs1800629, rs1799724, rs1800630, and rs361525), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) (rs16944, rs1143634, and rs1143627), IL-1α (rs1800587), gamma interferon (IFN-γ) (rs2430561), and IL-10 (rs1800896 and rs1800871) and the presence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a sample of a Colombian population (61 patients with OT and 116 healthy controls). Genotyping was performed with the "dideoxynucleotide (ddNTP) primer extension" technique. Functional-effect predictions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were done by using FuncPred. A polymorphism in the IL-10 gene promoter (-1082G/A) was significantly more prevalent in OT patients than in controls (P = 1.93e-08; odds ratio [OR] = 5.27e+03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18 to 8.739; Bonferroni correction [BONF] = 3.48e-07). In contrast, haplotype "AG" of the IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1800896 and rs1800871) was present at a lower frequency in OT patients (P = 7e-04; OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.35). The +874A/T polymorphism of IFN-γ was associated with OT (P = 3.37e-05; OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 2.478 to 7.12; BONF = 6.07e-04). Haplotype "GAG" of the IL-1ß gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1143634, rs1143627, and rs16944) appeared to be significantly associated with OT (P = 0.0494). The IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-1ß polymorphisms influence the development of OT in the Colombian population.
Assuntos
Citocinas/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Toxoplasmose Ocular/genética , Alelos , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Colômbia , Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Feminino , Frequência do Gene , Redes Reguladoras de Genes , Genótipo , Haplótipos , Humanos , Masculino , Regiões Promotoras GenéticasRESUMO
Strains of Agaricus brasiliensis require special procedures for conservation. Thus, the objective of this research was to establish conservation and maintenance procedures A. brasiliensis strain PSWC838 from the University of Pennsylvania (ABWC838) and an A. brasiliensis strain from the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (ABC). The medium in which mycelia grew the quickest for both strains was selected using a multifactorial design with 2 strains, 4 culture media, and incubation for 5 different times; the growth rate (mm/day) was the response variable. Analysis of variance showed that the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and potato extract did not display a significantly different growth rate, and PDA was selected for safety reasons. We also evaluated the viability of the strains grown on PDA and 0.2% activated carbon after 3 months of storage in sterile distilled water. A factorial design was applied with 2 factors, the strain and incubation for 10 different times. The Tukey post hoc test indicated that ABC showed quicker and more homogeneous growth than ABWC838. Finally, the results showed that pieces of mycelium of ABC and ABWC838 strains inoculated on the PDA medium with 0.2% activated carbon and preserved in sterile distilled water at 18 ± 1°C showed 100% viability after 3 months of storage. Moreover, the results of semiquantitative biochemical tests confirmed that the production of laccases and amylases was preserved in these strains after storage in sterile water, enhancing their ability to degrade substrates containing lignin and starchy waste.
Assuntos
Agaricus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Preservação Biológica/métodos , Meios de Cultura , Destilação , Micélio/crescimento & desenvolvimento , ÁguaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of various metabolic conditions, has become epidemic and causes increased morbidity and mortality. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare lymphocyte proliferation under two different stimuli, Concanavalin A (ConA) and insulin, in a group of patients with MetS (Group 1) and a healthy group (Group 2). METHODS: Group 1 consisted of 53 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for MetS. Group 2 consisted of 63 patients without MetS. All individuals were evaluated for lipid profile and glycemia. Lymphocyte extraction and culture were performed for each subject and lymphocyte proliferation was assessed using the Alamar blue technique. RESULTS: There was no gender difference between both groups, but in terms of age, there was a significant difference. The use of Con A at concentrations of 1 and 5 µg/mL induced a high lymphocyte proliferation in both groups. In contrast, when different concentrations of insulin were added, no significant changes in lymphocyte proliferation were observed. However, the proliferation of lymphocytes was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 under insulin stimulus, which did not happen under ConA stimulation. Even after age and gender correction, this difference was maintained. CONCLUSIONS: The increased lymphocyte proliferative response to insulin in patients with MetS found in this study suggests a role of the lymphocyte response to insulin in the pathophysiology of MetS. This response may be used as an immuno-biological marker for MetS, although further studies to evaluate its clinical usefulness need to be conducted.