Functional Diversity of the Schistosoma mansoni Tyrosine Kinases

Schistosoma mansoni, one of the causative agents of schistosomiasis, has a complex life cycle infecting over 200 million people worldwide. Such a successful and prolific parasite life cycle has been shown to be dependent on the adaptive interaction between the parasite and hosts. Tyrosine kinases (TKs) play a key role in signaling pathways as demonstrated by a large body of experimental work in eukaryotes. Furthermore, comparative genomics have allowed the identification of TK homologs and provided insights into the functional role of TKs in several biological systems. Finally, TK structural biology has provided a rational basis for obtaining selective inhibitors directed to the treatment of human diseases. This paper covers the important aspects of the phospho-tyrosine signaling network in S. mansoni, Caenorhabditis elegans, and humans, the main process of functional diversification of TKs, that is, protein-domain shuffling, and also discusses TKs as targets for the development of new anti-schistosome drugs

Síndrome de Bartter: evaluación del desarrollo estatural y perfil metabólico

OBJECTIVE: Bartter's syndrome is one of the most important inherited diseases that cause chloride leak. The objective of this study was to report the follow-up of ten patients with the syndrome. METHODS: This observational study was based on the review of medical charts reporting the metabolic features, creatinine clearance, nutritional and anthropometric assessment of ten patients with Bartter's syndrome followed at the Nephrology Service of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), in their first and last medical appointments, after a mean follow-up period of 43 months (3-76 months). During the follow-up, the management included the administration of potassium (100%) and magnesium (60%) supplements, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (90%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (40%) and spironolactone (50%). Statistical analysis was performed comparing the results of first versus last clinical appointment by non-parametric Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Improvement of serum electrolytes and statural growth after the treatment was observed but only serum potassium [3.05mEq/L versus 3.25 mEq/L (p=0.01)] and weigh-for-age Z-score [initial median -2.47 versus -1.35 (p=0.02)] improved significantly. Out of the ten patients studied, two presented decrease of creatinine clearance with chronic kidney disease at stage 2 at the end of the follow-up. These patients had already started the follow-up with decreased creatinine clearance. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need of early treatment of patients with Bartter's syndrome in order to improve their electrolytes and nutritional condition without compromising the creatinine clearance.OBJETIVO: El síndrome de Bartter (SB) es una enfermedad rara, pero una de las más frecuentes condiciones congénitas perdedoras de cloro. Este trabajo tiene por objetivo relatar la evolución de diez pacientes con SB. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, obtenido mediante análisis de prontuarios médicos. Relata el perfil metabólico, la depuración de creatinina, el estado nutricio-nal y ponderoestatural de los diez pacientes atendidos en el ambulatorio de Tubulopatías de Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) con características clínico-laboratoriales de SB, seguidos por un periodo mediano de 43 meses (3-76 meses). Durante el seguimiento se practicó protocolo de tratamiento que consistió en la administración de suplemento de potasio (100%), magnesio (60%), anti-inflamatorios no hormonales (90%), inhibidores de enzima convertidora de angiotensina (40%) y espironolactona (50%). Se consideraron criterios de exclusión la presencia de alteraciones séricas y urinarias no compatibles con SB. El análisis estadístico constó de la comparación de datos de la primera y la última consulta, utilizándose la prueba de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: Se observó mejora numérica de los valores absolutos de los ítems evaluados y del desarrollo ponderoestatural con la terapéutica utilizada, pero solamente la calemia [mediana inicial 3,05mEq/L y final 3,25mEq/L (p=0,01)] y el escore Z de peso/edad [mediana inicial -2,47 y final 1,35 (p=0,02)] presentaron mejora significante. De los 10 pacien-tes estudiados, dos presentaban reducción de la depuración de creatinina con enfermedad renal crónica etapa 2 y en el final del seguimiento (ambos habían iniciado el seguimiento con depuración renal comprometida). CONCLUSIONES: Los datos enfatizan la necesidad de la ins-titución terapéutica precoz para mejorar los niveles séricos de los electrólitos y el estado nutricional, sin comprometer la depuración de creatinina.OBJETIVO: A síndrome de Bartter é uma doença rara, porém uma das mais frequentes condições congênitas perdedoras de cloro. Este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar a evolução de dez pacientes com a síndrome. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, descritivo, realizado pela análise de prontuários médicos relatando o perfil metabólico, a depuração de creatinina, o estado nutricional e pôndero-estatural de dez pacientes atendidos no Serviço de Nefrologia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) com características clínico-laboratoriais da síndrome de Bartter, seguidos por um período médio de 43 meses (3-76 meses). Durante o acompanhamento, o tratamento consistiu na administração de suplemento de potássio (100%), magnésio (60%), anti-inflamatórios não hormonais (90%), inibidores de enzima conversora de angiotensina (40%) e espironolactona (50%). A análise estatística constou da comparação dos dados da primeira e da última consulta, utilizando-se o teste de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOSs: Observou-se melhora dos valores absolutos dos itens avaliados e do desenvolvimento pôndero-estatural com a terapêutica empregada, porém apenas a calemia [mediana inicial 3,05mEqL e final 3,25mEqL (p=0,01)] e o escore Z de peso idade [mediana inicial -2,47 e final -1,35 (p=0,02)] apresentaram melhora significante. Dos dez pacientes estudados, dois apresentavam diminuição da depuração de creatinina com doença renal crônica estágio 2 no final do acompanhamento (ambos tinham iniciado o acompanhamento com depuração renal comprometida). CONCLUSÕES: Há necessidade da instituição terapêutica precoce para melhorar os níveis séricos dos eletrólitos e o estado nutricional dos pacientes acometidos, sem comprometer a depuração de creatinina.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Pneumonia and poverty: a prospective population-based study among children in Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Children in developing country suffer the highest burden of pneumonia. However, few studies have evaluated associations between poverty and pneumonia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective population-based study on pneumonia was carried out as part of the Latin America Epidemiological Assessment of Pneumococcus (LEAP study). Chest x-rays were obtained for children one to 35 months old with suspected pneumonia presenting to emergency care centers and hospital emergency rooms in Goiania, Brazil. Chest radiographs were evaluated according to WHO guidelines. Clustering of radiologically-confirmed pneumonia were evaluated using a Poisson-based spatial scan statistic. Associations between census socioeconomic indicators and pneumonia incidence rates were analyzed using generalized linear models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From May, 2007 to May, 2009, chest radiographs were obtained from 11 521 children with clinical pneumonia; 3955 episodes were classified as radiologically-confirmed. Incidence rates were significantly higher in very low income areas (4825.2 per 10⁵) compared to high income areas (1637.3 per 10⁵). Spatial analysis identified clustering of confirmed pneumonia in Western (RR 1.78; p = 0.001) and Southeast (RR 1.46; p = 0.001) regions of the city, and clustering of hospitalized pneumonia in the Western region (RR 1.69; p = 0.001). Lower income households and illiteracy were associated with pneumonia incidence.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In infants the risk of developing pneumonia is inversely associated with the head of household income and with the woman educational level. Areas with deprived socioeconomic conditions had higher incidence of pneumonia and should be targeted for high vaccination coverage.</p

Exposure to tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline affects early-life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Psychiatric drugs are among the leading medications prescribed for humans, with their presence in aquatic environments raising concerns relating to potentially harmful effects on non-target organisms. Nortriptyline (NTP) is a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant, widely used in clinics and found in environmental water matrices. In this study, we evaluated the toxic effects of NTP on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and early larval stages. Developmental and mortality analyses were performed on zebrafish exposed to NTP for 168 h at concentrations ranging from 500 to 46,900 µg/L. Locomotor behaviour and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were evaluated by exposing embryos/larvae to lower NTP concentrations (0.006–500 µg/L). The median lethal NTP concentration after 168 h exposure was 2190 µg/L. Although we did not identify significant developmental changes in the treated groups, lack of equilibrium was already visible in surviving larvae exposed to ≥ 500 µg/L NTP. The behavioural analyses showed that NTP was capable of modifying zebrafish larvae swimming behaviour, even at extremely low (0.006 and 0.088 µg/L) environmentally relevant concentrations. We consistently observed a significant reduction in AChE activity in the animals exposed to 500 µg/L NTP. Our results highlight acute toxic effects of NTP on the early-life stages of zebrafish. Most importantly, exposure to environmentally relevant NTP concentrations may affect zebrafish larvae locomotor behaviour, which in turn could reduce the fitness of the species. More studies involving chronic exposure and sensitive endpoints are warranted to better understand the effect of NTP in a more realistic exposure scenario

Cathepsin K induces platelet dysfunction and affects cell signaling in breast cancer - molecularly distinct behavior of cathepsin K in breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer comprises clinically and molecularly distinct tumor subgroups that differ in cell histology and biology and show divergent clinical phenotypes that impede phase III trials, such as those utilizing cathepsin K inhibitors. Here we correlate the epithelial-mesenchymal-like transition breast cancer cells and cathepsin K secretion with activation and aggregation of platelets. Cathepsin K is up-regulated in cancer cells that proteolyze extracellular matrix and contributes to invasiveness. Although proteolytically activated receptors (PARs) are activated by proteases, the direct interaction of cysteine cathepsins with PARs is poorly understood. In human platelets, PAR-1 and -4 are highly expressed, but PAR-3 shows low expression and unclear functions. Methods: Platelet aggregation was monitored by measuring changes in turbidity. Platelets were immunoblotted with anti-phospho and total p38, Src-Tyr-416, FAK-Tyr-397, and TGF beta monoclonal antibody. Activation was measured in a flow cytometer and calcium mobilization in a confocal microscope. Mammary epithelial cells were prepared from the primary breast cancer samples of 15 women with Luminal-B subtype to produce primary cells. Results: We demonstrate that platelets are aggregated by cathepsin K in a dose-dependent manner, but not by other cysteine cathepsins. PARs-3 and -4 were confirmed as the cathepsin K target by immunodetection and specific antagonists using a fibroblast cell line derived from PARs deficient mice. Moreover, through co-culture experiments, we show that platelets activated by cathepsin K mediated the up-regulation of SHH, PTHrP, OPN, and TGF beta in epithelial-mesenchymal-like cells from patients with Luminal B breast cancer. Conclusions: Cathepsin K induces platelet dysfunction and affects signaling in breast cancer cells.Associacao Beneficente de Coleta de Sangue (Colsan)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCOLSAN, Charitable Assoc Blood Collect, BR-04080006 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biochem, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilAntonio Prudente Fdn, AC Camargo Canc Ctr, AC Camargo Hosp Biobank, Dept Pathol, BR-01509010 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Cellular Gynecol Lab, Dept Gynecol, Rua Napoleao Barros 608, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biochem, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Cellular Gynecol Lab, Dept Gynecol, Rua Napoleao Barros 608, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2012/19780-3FAPESP: 2012/19851-8FAPESP: 2009/53766-5Web of Scienc

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Central Plateau, Southeastern, and Southern Brazil

This syndrome is an increasing health problem because of human encroachment into habitats of rodent reservoirs