RESUMO
Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) stimulate immune responses in mammals but they have not been tested in species of relevance in aquaculture. In this study the immunostimulant and protective potential of orally administered AuNP against V. parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease, was determined in shrimp. Synthetized AuNP (18.57⯱â¯4.37â¯nm) were moderately dispersed with a negative ζ potential of -10.3⯱â¯0.208â¯mV (pHâ¯=â¯7). AuNP were administered (single dose) at 0.2, 2, and 20⯵g/g feed in shrimp. Hemolymph samples were withdrawn daily for 6 days. Hemolymph or hemocytes were used to determine total hemocyte counts, immune-related enzymatic activities, and expression of immune-relevant genes. Hepatopancreas was sampled for the analysis of AuNP biodistribution and histological examination. Survival was recorded daily. No mortality or toxicity signs in hepatopancreas were found. AuNP were detected in hepatopancreas. Early (24-48â¯h) immunostimulation was mainly related to immune gene up-regulation. Upon a challenge with V. parahaemolyticus, survival was higher (80%) and histopathological damages were lower in shrimp treated with the 2⯵g/g dose when compared to the control. Therefore orally administered AuNP are proposed as immunostimulants that protect shrimp against V. parahaemolyticus infection.
Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/farmacologia , Ouro/farmacologia , Nanopartículas Metálicas , Penaeidae/imunologia , Substâncias Protetoras/farmacologia , Vibrio parahaemolyticus/efeitos dos fármacos , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/administração & dosagem , Animais , Ouro/administração & dosagem , Nanopartículas Metálicas/administração & dosagem , Penaeidae/efeitos dos fármacos , Substâncias Protetoras/administração & dosagem , Distribuição Tecidual , Vibrio parahaemolyticus/fisiologiaRESUMO
While household air pollution from biomass fuel combustion has been linked to cardiovascular disease, the effects on cardiac structure and function have not been well described. We sought to determine the association between biomass fuel smoke exposure and cardiac structure and function by transthoracic echocardiography. We identified a random sample of urban and rural residents living in the high-altitude region of Puno, Peru. Daily biomass fuel use was self-reported. Participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the relationship of biomass fuel use with echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function, adjusting for age, sex, height, body mass index, diabetes, physical activity, and tobacco use. One hundred and eighty-seven participants (80 biomass fuel users and 107 non-users) were included in this analysis (mean age 59 years, 58% women). After adjustment, daily exposure to biomass fuel smoke was associated with increased left ventricular internal diastolic diameter (P=.004), left atrial diameter (P=.03), left atrial area (four-chamber) (P=.004) and (two-chamber) (P=.03), septal E' (P=.006), and lateral E' (P=.04). Exposure to biomass fuel smoke was also associated with worse global longitudinal strain in the two-chamber view (P=.01). Daily biomass fuel use was associated with increased left ventricular size and decreased left ventricular systolic function by global longitudinal strain.
Assuntos
Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/efeitos adversos , Átrios do Coração/fisiopatologia , Ventrículos do Coração/fisiopatologia , Fumaça/efeitos adversos , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/induzido quimicamente , Adulto , Idoso , Biomassa , Ecocardiografia Doppler , Feminino , Coração/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Modelos Lineares , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peru , Fumar , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Brevipalpus phoenicis s.l. is an economically important vector of the Citrus leprosis virus-C (CiLV-C), one of the most severe diseases attacking citrus orchards worldwide. Effective control strategies for this mite should be designed based on basic information including its population structure, and particularly the factors that influence its dynamics. We sampled sweet orange orchards extensively in eight locations in Brazil and 12 in Mexico. Population genetic structure and genetic variation between both countries, among locations and among sampling sites within locations were evaluated by analysing nucleotide sequence data from fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). In both countries, B. yothersi was the most common species and was found in almost all locations. Individuals from B. papayensis were found in two locations in Brazil. Brevipalpus yothersi populations collected in Brazil were more genetically diverse (14 haplotypes) than Mexican populations (four haplotypes). Although geographical origin had a low but significant effect (ca. 25%) on the population structure, the greatest effect was from the within location comparison (37.02 %). Potential factors driving our results were discussed.
Assuntos
Citrus/virologia , Variação Genética , Insetos Vetores/genética , Ácaros/genética , Doenças das Plantas/virologia , Animais , Brasil , Haplótipos , México , Ácaros/virologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND:The role of trypanocidal therapy in patients with established Chagas' cardiomyopathy is unproven.METHODS:We conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized study involving 2854 patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy who received benznidazole or placebo for up to 80 days and were followed for a mean of 5.4 years. The primary outcome in the time-to-event analysis was the first event of any of the components of the composite outcome of death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, sustained ventricular tachycardia, insertion of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, cardiac transplantation, new heart failure, stroke, or other thromboembolic event.RESULTS:The primary outcome occurred in 394 patients (27.5%) in the benznidazole group and in 414 (29.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.07; P=0.31). At baseline, a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assay was performed on blood samples obtained from 1896 patients; 60.5% had positive results for Trypanosoma cruzi on PCR. The rates of conversion to negative PCR results (PCR conversion) were 66.2% in the benznidazole group and 33.5% in the placebo group at the end of treatment, 55.4% and 35.3%, respectively, at 2 years, and 46.7% and 33.1%, respectively, at 5 years or more (P<0.001 for all comparisons)...
Assuntos
Cardiomiopatia Chagásica , Doença de ChagasRESUMO
In previous studies we described that perinatal protein deprivation facilitates the development and expression of behavioral sensitization to cocaine. In this research, we explored whether the increased reactivity observed in deprived (D) versus control (C) rats is also evident during drug-free withdrawal periods. Considering that activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) is suggested to be involved in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization, we study the effects of perinatal protein deprivation on phosphorylated ERK2 (pERK2) protein levels in the NAc (core and shell) during different drug-free withdrawal periods. To induce behavioral sensitization, C- and D-rats received a daily injection of cocaine (5-10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days and locomotor activity was performed on days 1 and 7. Cocaine-sensitized animals were left drug-free and pERK2 was assessed on withdrawal days (WD) 1, 4, 7 and 21. In the NAc core, cocaine induced ERK signaling pathway activation in a dose-dependent manner, and only D-rats showed a significant increase in pERK2 protein levels with the lowest dose of cocaine (5 mg/kg). Moreover, sensitized C-rats with 10 mg/kg showed an increase in pERK2 levels from WD7 while D-rats showed this activation on WD4, which remained increased on WD7 and 21. In contrast, in the NAc shell, only sensitized D-rats with cocaine 10 mg/kg showed ERK2 activation on WD21. These results suggest that perinatal protein deprivation facilitates the molecular processes involved in neuronal plasticity occurring during withdrawal.
Assuntos
Cocaína/farmacologia , MAP Quinases Reguladas por Sinal Extracelular/metabolismo , Desnutrição/metabolismo , Núcleo Accumbens/metabolismo , Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/metabolismo , Animais , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Atividade Motora/fisiologia , Núcleo Accumbens/efeitos dos fármacos , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Fosforilação/fisiologia , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi may play a role in pathogenesis of Chagas disease forms. Natural populations are classified into 6 Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) Tc I-VI with taxonomical status. This study aimed to identify T. cruzi DTUs in bloodstream and tissue samples of Argentinean patients with Chagas disease. PCR-based strategies allowed DTU identification in 256 clinical samples from 239 Argentinean patients. Tc V prevailed in blood from both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases and Tc I was more frequent in bloodstream, cardiac tissues and chagoma samples from immunosuppressed patients. Tc II and VI were identified in a minority of cases, while Tc III and Tc IV were not detected in the studied population. Interestingly, Tc I and Tc II/VI sequences were amplified from the same skin biopsy slice from a kidney transplant patient suffering Chagas disease reactivation. Further data also revealed the occurrence of mixed DTU populations in the human chronic infection. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence of the complexity of the dynamics of T. cruzi diversity in the natural history of human Chagas disease and allege the pathogenic role of DTUs I, II, V and VI in the studied population.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/parasitologia , Doenças Endêmicas , Trypanosoma cruzi/classificação , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Argentina/epidemiologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/epidemiologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/parasitologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/fisiopatologia , Doença de Chagas/fisiopatologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , DNA de Protozoário/análise , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Feminino , Variação Genética , Genótipo , Coração/parasitologia , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Filogenia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolamento & purificação , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The development of sensitization to the locomotor effects of morphine and cross-sensitization between morphine and cocaine were evaluated in adult rats submitted to a protein malnutrition schedule from the 14th day of gestation up to 30 days of age (D-rats), and compared with well-nourished animals (C-rats). Dose-response curves to morphine-induced locomotor activity (5, 7.5, 10 or 15 mg/kg, i.p., every other day for 5 days) revealed a shift to the left in D-rats compared to C-rats. This implies that D-rats showed behavioral sensitization to the lower dose of morphine used (5 mg/kg), which was ineffective in C-rats. Furthermore, when a cocaine challenge (10 mg/kg, i.p) was given 48 h after the last morphine administration, only D-rats exhibited cross-sensitization in morphine-pretreated animals (7.5 and 10 mg/kg). In order to correlate the differential response observed with the functioning of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system, extracellular dopamine (DA) levels were measured in the nucleus accumbens (core and shell) and the dorsal caudate-putamen. A challenge with cocaine in morphine pre-exposed animals produced an increase in DA release, but only in the nucleus accumbens "core" of D-rats. Similar DA levels were found in the nucleus accumbens "shell" and in the dorsal caudate-putamen of both groups. Finally, these results demonstrate that D-rats had a lower threshold for developing both a progressive behavioral sensitization to morphine and a cross-sensitization to cocaine. In accordance with these behavioral findings, a higher responsiveness of the nucleus accumbens core, expressed by increased DA levels, both basal and after cocaine challenge, was observed in D-rats.
Assuntos
Cocaína/farmacologia , Inibidores da Captação de Dopamina/farmacologia , Locomoção/efeitos dos fármacos , Desnutrição/fisiopatologia , Morfina/farmacologia , Entorpecentes/farmacologia , Envelhecimento , Animais , Núcleo Caudado/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Caudado/fisiopatologia , Cocaína/administração & dosagem , Cocaína/sangue , Dopamina/metabolismo , Inibidores da Captação de Dopamina/administração & dosagem , Inibidores da Captação de Dopamina/sangue , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Locomoção/fisiologia , Masculino , Morfina/administração & dosagem , Morfina/sangue , Entorpecentes/administração & dosagem , Entorpecentes/sangue , Núcleo Accumbens/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Accumbens/fisiopatologia , Gravidez , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal , Putamen/efeitos dos fármacos , Putamen/fisiopatologia , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
We studied cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions in three women with acute attacks of recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (r-LETM), recurrent-optic neuritis (r-ON) and r-LETM-CNS. Neuromyelitis Optica -immunoglobulin (IgG) antibody was positive in all cases. Brain MRI (1.5 Tesla) was performed according to protocol from consortium MS centre. We described the cranial lesions in brain MRI of acute relapses. These lesions were different from MS, most had an asymptomatic course which disappeared with time, protocol from consortium of MS centre criteria for brain MRI and seropositivity of NMO-IgG are useful tools for differentiate acute lesions of NMO/MS.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/patologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Neuromielite Óptica/patologia , Doença Aguda , Adulto , Autoanticorpos/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Neuromielite Óptica/imunologia , RecidivaRESUMO
In the current research, we assessed the influence of a protein malnutrition schedule from the 14th day of gestation up to 40 days of age (D-rats) on the rewarding properties of morphine in adult rats by means of the conditioned place preference paradigm. Well-nourished animals (C-rats) administered with different doses of morphine (0.75, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 or 24 mg/kg i.p.) exhibited a conditioning place preference with doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg, whereas in D-rats such a conditioning effect was observed with doses of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg. No adverse effects were observed in either C- or D-rats for the higher doses of morphine. In addition, when animals of both groups were pretreated twice a day for 3 days with increasing doses of morphine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg s.c.), only D-rats elicited sensitization to the conditioning effect with the lowest dose of morphine (0.75 mg/kg i.p.). Furthermore, sensitized D-rats showed a selective and significant increase in FosB expression in the nucleus accumbens (core and shell), basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, brain areas that are functionally related to the rewarding neural circuit. These results demonstrate that a deficient nutritional status during the perinatal period results in adult subjects having neural alterations, leading to an increased responsiveness to morphine and/or enhanced reinforcement effects, which correlates with an overexpression of FosB in selective brain areas related to the rewarding network.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Transtornos da Nutrição Fetal/fisiopatologia , Dependência de Morfina/fisiopatologia , Morfina/farmacologia , Deficiência de Proteína/fisiopatologia , Recompensa , Tonsila do Cerebelo/efeitos dos fármacos , Tonsila do Cerebelo/metabolismo , Tonsila do Cerebelo/fisiopatologia , Animais , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Encéfalo/fisiopatologia , Condicionamento Psicológico/efeitos dos fármacos , Condicionamento Psicológico/fisiologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Esquema de Medicação , Feminino , Sistema Límbico/efeitos dos fármacos , Sistema Límbico/metabolismo , Sistema Límbico/fisiopatologia , Dependência de Morfina/metabolismo , Entorpecentes/farmacologia , Núcleo Accumbens/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Accumbens/metabolismo , Núcleo Accumbens/fisiopatologia , Córtex Pré-Frontal/efeitos dos fármacos , Córtex Pré-Frontal/metabolismo , Córtex Pré-Frontal/fisiopatologia , Gravidez , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-fos/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-fos/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Regulação para Cima/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação para Cima/fisiologiaRESUMO
AIMS: To evaluate the antibacterial and free-radical scavenging (FRS) activities of propolis collected from three different areas of Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico [Pueblo de Alamos (PAP), Ures (UP) and Caborca (CP)]. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antibacterial and FRS activities of Sonoran propolis were determined by the broth microdilution method and the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl) assay, respectively. Propolis samples had antibacterial activity against only Gram-positive bacteria. The UP sample showed the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 100 microg ml(-1)] in a concentration-dependent manner (UP > CP > PAP). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a UP propolis constituent, had very high growth-inhibitory activity towards Gram-positive bacteria, particularly against S. aureus (MIC 0.1 mmol l(-1)). To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a strong antibacterial activity of CAPE against S. aureus. Additionally, propolis CP exhibited high FRS activity (86% +/- 0.3 at 100 microg ml(-1)) comparable with those of the reference antioxidants vitamin C (87.4% +/- 1.7 at 70 micromol l(-1)) and BHT (66.07% +/- 0.76 at 140 micromol l(-1)). The propolis compounds CAPE and rutin showed high FRS activity (90.4% +/- 0.2 and 88.5% +/- 0.8 at 70 micromol l(-1), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Sonoran propolis UP and CAPE had strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In addition, propolis CP showed potent FRS activity comparable with those of vitamin C and BHT. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Sonoran propolis and some of its constituents support further studies on the clinical applications of this natural bee product against S. aureus and several oxidative damage-related diseases.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Abelhas , Microbiologia de Alimentos , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/farmacologia , Bactérias Gram-Positivas/efeitos dos fármacos , Própole/farmacologia , Animais , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Ácido Ascórbico/farmacologia , Hidroxitolueno Butilado/farmacologia , Ácidos Cafeicos/farmacologia , Flavonas/análise , Flavonóis/análise , México , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Fenóis/análise , Álcool Feniletílico/análogos & derivados , Álcool Feniletílico/farmacologia , Própole/química , Rutina/farmacologia , Staphylococcus aureus/efeitos dos fármacos , Vitaminas/farmacologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Corticoespinal dysfunction is a common finding in primary and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PLS and ALS). AIM. To compare the behaviour of motor evoked potentials (MEP) with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with ALS and PLS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was performed a retrospective analysis of MEP recordings of 11 patients with PLS and 10 patients with sporadic ALS. Central motor conduction time and amplitude ratio were the selected variables for the statistical analysis of MEP from abductor pollicis brevis and tibialis anterior muscle from the four limbs, using non-parametric methods. RESULTS: As a general observation there was a high incidence of abnormal recordings in both groups of patients; in 30% of recording from ALS patients response to TMS was absent, but only the 4.5% in the group of PLS had the same characteristic. In PLS patients abnormal central motor conduction time was the most frequent finding, as it was the low amplitude ratio in ALS patients; both variables showed statistically significant differences between groups (Kruskall-Wallis, H = 6.32, p = 0.011; and Kruskall-Wallis, H = 5.777, p = 0.0163, respectively). CONCLUSION: Corticoespinal dysfunction has different characteristics in ALS and PLS patients, and the analysis of MEP could add useful information for differential diagnosis of these diseases.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/fisiopatologia , Potencial Evocado Motor/fisiologia , Condução Nervosa/fisiologia , Tratos Piramidais/fisiopatologia , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Magnetismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
The antioxidant properties of six medical herbs used in the traditional Paraguayan medicine were studied using free radical-generating systems. The methanol extracts from Aristolochia giberti, Cecropia pachystachya, Eugenia uniflora, Piper fulvescens, Schinus weinmannifolia and Schinus terebinthifolia protected against enzymatic and non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation in microsomal membranes of rat. C. pachystachya, E. uniflora, S. weinmannifolia and S. terebinthifolia showed the highest scavenging activity on the superoxide and DPPH radicals.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/farmacologia , Peroxidação de Lipídeos/efeitos dos fármacos , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Plantas Medicinais , Animais , Antioxidantes/administração & dosagem , Antioxidantes/uso terapêutico , Compostos de Bifenilo , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/administração & dosagem , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Medicina Tradicional , Microssomos Hepáticos/efeitos dos fármacos , Paraguai , Picratos , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagem , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The brainstem is a vital structure. Imaging and electrophysiological studies are important aids to clinical diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical, imaging and electrophysiological correlation in 28 patients with chronic brainstem lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the results of physical examination, imaging studies (CAT and MR) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BEAP) in each patient. RESULTS: There was a predominance of males in the group studied. The commonest age groups were between 25 34 and 35 44 years old. Involvement of the cranial nerves was the commonest neurological finding, and the XII cranial nerve was the one most commonly involved. The condition had persisted for 1 to 4 years in 60.8% of the patients. There was a predominance of lesions of the pons in 28.6%. In five patients classical syndromes were seen. The commonest aetiology was ischaemic cerebrovascular disease in 53.6% of the patients. The lesions were detected on MR in 86.6% of the cases and on CAT scans in only 27.3%. The BEAP was abnormal in 75% of the patients. There was close correlation between the clinical topography and results of MR (p<0.05) but little correlation with the CAT scans or PEATC. CONCLUSION: We consider that MR is the investigation of choice in these patients.
Assuntos
Isquemia Encefálica/diagnóstico , Isquemia Encefálica/fisiopatologia , Tronco Encefálico , Adulto , Isquemia Encefálica/complicações , Tronco Encefálico/irrigação sanguínea , Tronco Encefálico/diagnóstico por imagem , Tronco Encefálico/patologia , Doença Crônica , Potenciais Evocados Auditivos do Tronco Encefálico , Feminino , Humanos , Doenças do Nervo Hipoglosso/diagnóstico , Doenças do Nervo Hipoglosso/etiologia , Doenças do Nervo Hipoglosso/fisiopatologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Doenças do Nervo Vestibulococlear/diagnóstico , Doenças do Nervo Vestibulococlear/etiologia , Doenças do Nervo Vestibulococlear/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
A retrospective review of the clinical and pathologic features of 61 cases of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), all treated by primary surgical resection at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center during the period 1949-1992, was undertaken. Inguinal lymph node dissection material was evaluated in 40 cases. All carcinomas were of squamous cell type and were classified as follows: usual type, 36 cases (59%); papillary, not otherwise specified (NOS), 9 cases (15%), basaloid, 6 cases (10%); warty (condylomatous), 6 cases (10%); verrucous, 2 cases (3%), and sarcomatoid, 2 cases (3%). A high rate of nodal metastasis and poor survival were found for the basaloid and sarcomatoid neoplasms (5 of 7 patients with metastasis, 71%, and 5 of 8 dead of disease, 63%). Only 1 patient with a verruciform tumor (defined as a tumor of nonspecific papillary, warty, or verrucous type) had inguinal node metastasis and none died from penile cancer. An intermediate rate of metastasis and mortality (14 of 26, 54%, and 13 of 36, 36%, respectively) was found for typical SCC. Penile carcinomas are morphologically heterogeneous, and there is a correlation of histologic type and biologic behavior. This mandates accurate histologic subtyping by the pathologist.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Carcinoma de Células de Transição/patologia , Carcinoma Verrucoso/patologia , Neoplasias Penianas/patologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/cirurgia , Carcinoma de Células de Transição/cirurgia , Carcinoma Verrucoso/cirurgia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias Penianas/cirurgia , PrognósticoRESUMO
Low-molecular-weight RNA analysis was performed for the identification and classification of 20 Argentinian strains isolated from the root nodules of Prosopis alba. SDS-PAGE of total cellular proteins, determination of the DNA base composition, DNA-DNA reassociation experiments and physiological and biochemical tests were also carried out for these strains and the whole 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from one of the strains, strain LMG 19008T. Results of the genotypic and phenotypic characterization showed that the strains isolated in this study belong to a group that clustered in the genus Mesorhizobium. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations showed that this group is a novel species of this genus. The name Mesorhizobium chacoense sp. nov. is proposed for this species. The type strain is LMG 19008T (= CECT 5336T).
Assuntos
Filogenia , Rhizobiaceae/classificação , Rosales/microbiologia , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Argentina , Composição de Bases , Metabolismo dos Carboidratos , Primers do DNA , DNA Bacteriano/genética , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Hibridização de Ácido Nucleico , Raízes de Plantas/microbiologia , Plasmídeos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Rhizobiaceae/efeitos dos fármacos , Rhizobiaceae/genética , Rhizobiaceae/fisiologiaRESUMO
The prevalence and clinical significance of leukocytes (WBC) and immature germ cells in semen is currently a matter of controversy. The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence of leukocytospermia in semen samples from Venezuelan men and its possible effects on sperm parameters. The concentration of WBC and round cells (RC) was evaluated in 118 semen samples from 19 fertile subjects (group 1), 62 infertile patients (group II), and 37 men with varicocele (group III). Semen WBC concentration was assessed by peroxidase assay. Twenty-six (22%) of the total samples had more than 10 WBC/mL semen. Twenty of the infertile men had leukocytospermia (32%) compared with 16% in the fertile group and 8% in the varicocele group. Semen RC concentration was lower than 5 x 10(6)/mL in all groups but, in groups II and III was significantly higher compared with group I. Infertile men had the highest WBC concentration. WBC concentration was negatively correlated with progressive motility, percentage of morphologically normal sperm, and hypoosmotic swelling test in infertile men but not in the varicocele group. In this group a negative correlation was obtained between immature germ cells and normal sperm morphology. The data show that leukcytospermia occurs frequently in infertile patients and is associated with poor semen quality parameters. In contrast, in men with varicocele, the increased number of immature germ cells might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of abnormal spermatozoa.
Assuntos
Infertilidade Masculina/patologia , Leucócitos/citologia , Sêmen/citologia , Contagem de Espermatozoides , Adulto , Fertilidade , Humanos , Infertilidade Masculina/sangue , Contagem de Leucócitos , Leucócitos/patologia , Masculino , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Espermatozoides/citologia , Espermatozoides/patologia , Varicocele/sangue , Varicocele/patologia , VenezuelaRESUMO
A double-blind, randomized, clinical field trial was designed to test the efficacy and tolerance of a specific drug treatment in children in the indeterminate phase of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. Children were treated with benznidazole at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for 60 days or placebo and followed-up for 48 months. The treated children showed a significant decrease in geometric mean titers of antibodies against T. cruzi measured by indirect hemagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence, and ELISA. After a four year follow-up, 62% of the benznidazole-treated children and no placebo-treated child were seronegative for T. cruzi when tested by an ELISA using a T. cruzi flagellar calcium-binding protein (F29). Xenodiagnosis carried out after 48 months of follow-up was positive in 4.7% of the benznidazole-treated children and in 51.2% of the placebo-treated children. These results show the tolerance to and efficacy of benznidazole against T. cruzi in seropositive children six to 12 years of age. We used an early serologic marker of cure after treatment, consisting of a recombinant antigen implemented in a rapid, conventional serologic procedure.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/tratamento farmacológico , Nitroimidazóis/uso terapêutico , Tripanossomicidas/uso terapêutico , Criança , Método Duplo-Cego , HumanosRESUMO
A large introductory study of Cyclofem, a once-a-month injectable contraceptive, was conducted in three Mexican provinces. A total of 3457 healthy women participated: 640 women from rural areas (community-based component) and 2817 women from urban and suburban areas (health center-based component). A total of 20,316 women-months of treatment experience were accumulated during a one year period. Cyclofem proved its use-effectiveness (pregnancy rate of 0.03%) and its safety under routine service conditions of family planning facilities in Mexico. The overall life table continuation rate at 1 year was 26.1%. Higher continuation rates were observed in the community-based component (36.6%) as compared to the health center component (23.7%). The most common reason for method discontinuation was change of address. Only 15% of the discontinuations were attributable to the injectable contraceptive method, with the overall 1 year discontinuation rate for bleeding problems (including amenorrhea) was < 11%. These observations underscore the importance of appropriate counseling and follow-up measures, providing convenient access to repeat injections, and other service delivery issues related to continuation of Cyclofem. The results of this trial have once again demonstrated that Cyclofem is a highly effective method with an acceptable side effect profile. In addition, the study provided the elements for its approval by local health authorities and its inclusion into the Ministry of Health Family Planning Program.
PIP: The effectiveness and continuation rates associated with the once-a-month injectable contraceptive Cyclofem were investigated in an introductory trial conducted in three Mexican provinces (Sinaloa, Guanajuato, and Veracruz). Cyclofem contains 25 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate and 5 mg of estradiol cypionate. A total of 3457 women (640 women from rural communities and 2817 from urban and suburban family planning centers) were enrolled and 20,316 woman-months of treatment experience were accumulated during the 12-month study period. The mean age of study participants was 23.6 years; 70% had previously used at least one contraceptive method. There was only one pregnancy (rate, 0.03%). The overall life-table continuation rate at 1 year was 26.1%, but this rate was higher in the community-based group (36.9%) than in the health center group (22.4%). This discrepancy is presumed to reflect the greater access of clinic clients to other contraception options. Continuation was highest among women 30-34 years of age, those with low levels of education, women with five or more children, and those who did not want more children. Only 14% of discontinuations were method-related. The 1-year discontinuation rate for bleeding problems, including amenorrhea, was 10.2%. These findings indicate Cyclofem is a safe, effective method appropriate for inclusion in Mexico's Ministry of Health Family Planning Program.
Assuntos
Anticoncepcionais Femininos , Estradiol/análogos & derivados , Acetato de Medroxiprogesterona/administração & dosagem , Adolescente , Adulto , Anticoncepcionais Orais Combinados/administração & dosagem , Anticoncepcionais Orais Combinados/efeitos adversos , Combinação de Medicamentos , Escolaridade , Estradiol/administração & dosagem , Estradiol/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Humanos , Injeções Intramusculares , Acetato de Medroxiprogesterona/efeitos adversos , México , Satisfação do Paciente , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
The benefits conferred by testosterone replacement therapy are substantial, both in the short term for the eradication of symptoms of androgen deficiency, and in the long term for the prevention of osteoporosis. As with any long-term treatment there are risks that must be considered, but overall the benefits achieved far outweigh potential risk. Ideally, androgen replacement therapy should provide physiological serum testosterone levels, as well as DHT and estradiol levels, and correct the clinical symptoms of androgen deficiency in hypogonadal men. This goal is difficult to achieve because the dose dependency of androgen-dependent physiological processes is not known. Androgen preparations that are currently available do not fulfill all criteria for an ideal androgen replacement therapy. Parenteral testosterone esters are effective, safe, practical, and inexpensive. The transdermal testosterone systems provide an alternative to testosterone esters in selected patients but these preparations are expensive. Ongoing studies are showing the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy in aging men, but there is concern about side effects on cardiovascular system and prostate. Thus, clinical decision regarding testosterone therapy in older men should be better defined.