Th17 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus share functional features with Th17 cells from normal bone marrow and peripheral tissues

This study was designed to investigate the functional heterogeneity of human Th17 and how their plasticity shapes the nature of immune cell responses to inflammation and autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated functional Th17 cell subsets based on the profile of cytokine production in peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow aspirates (BM) and lymph node biopsies (LN) from healthy individuals (n = 35) and PB from SLE patients (n = 34). Data were analysed by an automated method for merging and calculation of flow cytometric data, allowing us to identify eight Th17 subpopulations. Normal BM presented lower frequencies of Th17 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.05) and lower amount of IL-17 per cell (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02), compared to normal PB and LN biopsies. In the latter tissues were found increased proportions of Th17 producing TNF-α or TNF-α/IL-2 or IFN-γ/TNF-α/IL-2, while in BM, Th17 producing other cytokines than IL-17 was clearly decreased. In SLE patients, the frequency of Th17 was higher than in control, but the levels of IL-17 per cell were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Among the eight generated subpopulations, despite the great functional heterogeneity of Th17 in SLE, a significant low proportion of Th17 producing TNF-α was found in inactive SLE, while active SLE showed a high proportion producing only IL-17. Our findings support the idea that the functional heterogeneity of Th17 cells could depend on the cytokine microenvironment, which is distinct in normal BM as well as in active SLE, probably due to a Th1/Th2 imbalance previously reported by our group

Stereology shows that damaged liver recovers after protein refeeding

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the putative effects of a low-protein diet on the three-dimensional structure of hepatocytes and determine whether this scenario could be reversed by restoring the adequate levels of protein to the diet. Methods: Using design-based stereology, the total number and volume of hepatocytes were estimated in the liver of mice in healthy and altered (by protein malnutrition) conditions and after protein renutrition. Results: This study demonstrated a 65% decrease in the liver volume (3302 mm3 for the control for undernourished versus 1141 mm3 for the undernourished group) accompanied by a 46% reduction in the hepatocyte volume (8223 μm3 for the control for undernourished versus 4475 μm3 for the undernourished group) and a 90% increase in the total number of binucleate hepatocytes (1 549 393 for the control for undernourished versus 2 941 353 for the undernourished group). Reinstating a normoproteinic diet (12% casein) proved to be effective in restoring the size of hepatocytes, leading to an 85% increase in the total number of uninucleate hepatocytes (15 988 560 for the undernourished versus 29 600 520 for the renourished group), and partially reversed the liver atrophy. Conclusions: Awareness of these data will add to a better morphologic understanding of malnutrition-induced hepatopathies and will help clinicians improve the diagnosis and treatment of this condition in humans and in veterinary practice

Influence of the temperature on the carrier capture into self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and atomic-force microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate the size evolution of InAs quantum dots on GaAs(001) as a function of the amount of InAs material. Different families of islands were observed in the AFM images and unambiguously identified in the PL spectra, together with the signal of the wetting layer. PL measurements carried out at low and intermediate temperatures showed a thermal carrier redistribution among dots belonging to different families. The physical origin of this behavior is explained in terms of the different temperature dependence of the carrier-capture rate into the quantum dots. At high temperatures, an enhancement of the total PL-integrated intensity of the largest-sized quantum dots was attributed to the increase of diffusivity of the photogenerated carriers inside the wetting layer. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.931016279628

Stem cell factor and its soluble receptor (c-kit) in serum of asthmatic patients- correlation with disease severity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SCF (stem cell factor) is a pleiotropic cytokine exerting its role at different stages of bone marrow development and affecting eosinophil activation, mast cells and basophil chemotaxis and survival. The aim of the study was to assess concentration of SCF and its soluble receptor c-kit (sc-kit) in peripheral blood of patients with asthma referring it to asthma severity and phenotype.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study involved 107 patients with bronchial asthma, well characterized with respect to severity and 21 healthy controls. Concentration of SCF and sc-kit in the patients serum were measured by ELISA method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean serum SCF level in the group of asthmatics (n = 88) was significantly higher as compared to healthy controls (1010 pg/ml ± 37 vs 799 ± 33; p < 0,001). The level of SCF was higher in patients with severe asthma as compared to patients with non-severe asthma (1054 +/- 41 pg/ml vs 819 +/- 50; p < 0,01) and correlated with dose of inhaled glucocorticosteroids taken by the patients to achieve asthma control (R = 0,28; p < 0,01). The mean sc-kit serum level did not differ between asthmatic patients and healthy controls, however the level of sc-kit in non-severe asthmatics was significantly higher as compared to patients with severe asthma and healthy controls. In asthmatic patients (n = 63) the level of sc-kit correlated positively with FEV1% predicted value (R = 0,45; p < 0,001) and MEF25% predicted value (R = 0,33; p < 0,01). The level of sc-kit inversely correlated with the dose of inhaled glucocorticosteroids taken by the patients (R = -0,26; p < 0,01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Serum levels of SCF and its soluble receptor c-kit seem to be reflect asthma severity suggesting a role for these molecules in asthmatic inflammation.</p

CHARACTERIZATION AND USE OF IN NATURA AND CALCINED RICE HUSKS FOR BIOSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS IONS FROM AQUEOUS EFFLUENTS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Heavy metal removal by adsorption using rice husks as a bioadsorbent was evaluated as an alternative for wastewater treatment. Batch equilibrium experiments and kinetic sorption studies were performed using monocoinponent solutions of Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cu(I I) in surface samples of in natura (RH) and calcined rice husks (RHA). RHA showed higher potential for removing lead and copper. Experimental data for adsorption isotherms of lead and copper were adjusted by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevick (D-R) models, being better represented by the Langmuir model. The calcination of RI-I increased its surface area, improving its adsorption properties. From a morphological analysis obtained by SEM and diffraction patterns (XRD), a longitudinal fibrous and amorphous structure was observed for RI-I. TGA results indicated a total mass loss of around 60% for RH and 24.5% for RNA.293619633Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Doppler and birth weight Z score: predictors for adverse neonatal outcome in severe fetal compromise

BACKGROUND: An adequate placental perfusion is crucial for the normal growth and well being of the fetus and newborn. The blood flow through the placenta can be compromised in a variety of clinical situations, always causing important damage to the gestation. Our objective is to identify significant predictors for adverse neonatal outcome in severe fetal compromise. METHODS: Consecutive premature fetuses at between 25 and 32 weeks with severe placental insufficiency were examined prospectively. Inclusion criteria were: (i) singletons (ii) normal anatomy; (iii) abnormal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index (PI); (iv) abnormal cerebroplacental ratio; (v) middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI < - 2SD ("brain sparing"); (vi) last Doppler examination performed within 24 hours prior to delivery. All 46 patients that met criteria and started the study were followed to the end. We considered as independent potential predicting variables: absent or reversed end diastolic flow in umbilical artery, abnormal ductus venosus S/A ratio, absent or reversed flow during atrial contraction in the ductus venosus and birth weight Z score. Outcome parameters were: neonatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine the optimal model for the prediction of neonatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. In this analysis birth weight Z score index showed the strongest association OR = 1,87 [1,17-2,99] with all neonatal outcome, all other independent variables were excluded for the optimal model. There was no mortality for the group with normal birth weight Z score. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that birth weight Z score is the strongest predictor of adverse neonatal outcome in severe placental insufficiencies. Such use of Z scores, allowing to get rid of gestational age or sex covariates could be extended to estimated fetal weight and might help in making important decisions in the management of compromised pregnancies

The Growth Pattern of Brazilian Canela-Preta Chickens with Different Plumages Reared in Two Rearing Systems

ABSTRACT Growth pattern is essential for economically efficient poultry production. In this study, we aimed to describe the growth curve of chickens of the Canela-Preta breed reared in two different rearing systems, considering their different plumage colors. Initially, 204 one-day-old male and female chicks were randomly distributed in confinement and semi-confinement (102 animals in each system) without separation by gender. The animals were individually identified by wing and foot plastic brands and were weighted every seven days. The body weight and age records were used to estimate the growth curves of the following factors using the Richards model: plumage color, gender, and rearing system. The likelihood ratio test was used to verify the equality of parameters and identify nonlinear models to compare the growth patterns of the evaluated groups. The growth pattern of Canela-Preta chickens changed as a function of gender, plumage color, and rearing system. Females with black plumage, black and gold hens, and males with black and white plumage showed greater sensitivity to changes in rearing systems. Within-breed selection strategies for specific colors can improve the use of growth pattern differences, improving production efficiency. Semi-confinement is suitable for rearing Canela-Preta chickens with any plumage color, as these animals meet the free-range poultry niche market requirements

Antibiotic-induced disruption of the microbiome exacerbates chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea and can be mitigated with autologous faecal microbiota transplantation

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is well documented to disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to poor treatment outcomes and a heightened risk of adverse toxicity. Although strong associations exist between its composition and gastrointestinal toxicity, its causal contribution remains unclear. Our inability to move beyond association has limited the development and implementation of microbial-based therapeutics in chemotherapy adjuncts with no clear rationale of how and when to deliver them. METHODS/RESULTS: Here, we investigate the impact of augmenting the gut microbiome on gastrointestinal toxicity caused by the chemotherapeutic agent, methotrexate (MTX). Faecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) delivered after MTX had no appreciable impact on gastrointestinal toxicity. In contrast, disruption of the microbiome with antibiotics administered before chemotherapy exacerbated gastrointestinal toxicity, impairing mucosal recovery (P < 0.0001) whilst increasing diarrhoea severity (P = 0.0007) and treatment-related mortality (P = 0.0045). Importantly, these detrimental effects were reversed when the microbiome was restored using autologous FMT (P = 0.03), a phenomenon dictated by the uptake and subsequent expansion of Muribaculaceae. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first data to show that clinically impactful symptoms of gastrointestinal toxicity are dictated by the microbiome and provide a clear rationale for how and when to target the microbiome to mitigate the acute and chronic complications caused by disruption of the gastrointestinal microenvironment. Translation of this new knowledge should focus on stabilising and strengthening the gut microbiome before chemotherapy and developing new microbial approaches to accelerate recovery of the mucosa. By controlling the depth and duration of mucosal injury, secondary consequences of gastrointestinal toxicity may be avoided.Hannah R.Wardill, Stijn A.R.van der Aa, Ana R.da Silva Ferreira, Rick Havinga, Wim J.E.Tissing, Hermie J.M.Harmse

Rede de cuidado em saúde mental: visão dos coordenadores da estratégia saúde da família

RESUMO Objetivo Objetivou-se analisar a visão de coordenadores da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) sobre a conformação da rede de saúde mental no município de Pelotas/RS. Método Estudo descritivo e exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com seis coordenadores de ESF no ano de 2012. Para a coleta dos dados, foi utilizada a entrevista semiestruturada, e os resultados foram avaliados por análise temática. Resultados A rede construída pelos coordenadores é composta por poucos serviços formais e focada no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS), e a rede informal é descrita com maiores pontos de cuidado. As trocas de corresponsabilidade no cuidado em rede ocorrem de forma frágil, sem o diálogo necessário. Conclusão Os coordenadores demonstram pouco conhecimento da rede formal de cuidado e uma atenção focada nos serviços da ESF e no CAPS. Reconhecem a importância de haver políticas públicas que valorizem e ampliem os espaços informais de cuidado no território