Parasites and allergy: observations from Brazil.

Brazil is a middle-income country undergoing the epidemiological transition. Effects of changes in daily life habits, and access to clean water, sanitation and urban services on a growing urban population have contributed to a double burden of both infectious and non-communicable chronic diseases. Studies have indicated that parasite infections may modulate the human immune system and influence the development of allergic conditions such as asthma. However, there is no consensus in the published literature on the effects of parasitic infections on allergy, perhaps as a consequence of factors determining the epidemiology of these infections that vary between populations such as age of first infection, duration and chronicity of infections, parasite burden and species, and host genetic susceptibility. In this review, we discuss the observations from Brazil concerning the relationship between parasite infections and allergy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Toxocara Seropositivity, Atopy and Wheezing in Children Living in Poor Neighbourhoods in Urban Latin American

Background Toxocara canis and T. cati are parasites of dogs and cats, respectively, that infect humans and cause human toxocariasis. Infection may cause asthma-like symptoms but is often asymptomatic and is associated with a marked eosinophilia. Previous epidemiological studies indicate that T. canis infection may be associated with the development of atopy and asthma. Objectives To investigate possible associations between Toxocara spp. seropositivity and atopy and childhood wheezing in a population of children living in non-affluent areas of a large Latin American city. Methods The study was conducted in the city of Salvador, Brazil. Data on wheezing symptoms were collected by questionnaire, and atopy was measured by the presence of aeroallergen-specific IgE (sIgE). Skin prick test (SPT), total IgE and peripheral eosinophilia were measured. Toxocara seropositivity was determined by the presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies, and intestinal helminth infections were determined by stool microscopy. Findings Children aged 4 to 11 years were studied, of whom 47% were seropositive for anti-Toxocara IgG; eosinophilia >4% occurred in 74.2% and >10% in 25.4%; 59.6% had elevated levels of total IgE; 36.8% had sIgE≥0.70 kU/L and 30.4% had SPT for at least one aeroallergen; 22.4% had current wheezing symptoms. Anti-Toxocara IgG was positively associated with elevated eosinophils counts, total IgE and the presence of specific IgE to aeroallergens but was inversely associated with skin prick test reactivity. Conclusion The prevalence of Toxocara seropositivity was high in the studied population of children living in conditions of poverty in urban Brazil. Toxocara infection, although associated with total IgE, sIgE and eosinophilia, may prevent the development of skin hypersensitivity to aeroallergens, possibly through increased polyclonal IgE and the induction of a modified Th2 immune reaction

Biogeographical ancestry is associated with socioenvironmental conditions and infections in a Latin American urban population.

Racial inequalities are observed for different diseases and are mainly caused by differences in socioeconomic status between ethnoracial groups. Genetic factors have also been implicated, and recently, several studies have investigated the association between biogeographical ancestry (BGA) and complex diseases. However, the role of BGA as a proxy for non-genetic health determinants has been little investigated. Similarly, studies comparing the association of BGA and self-reported skin colour with these determinants are scarce. Here, we report the association of BGA and self-reported skin colour with socioenvironmental conditions and infections. We studied 1246 children living in a Brazilian urban poor area. The BGA was estimated using 370,539 genome-wide autosomal markers. Standardised questionnaires were administered to the children's guardians to evaluate socioenvironmental conditions. Infection (or pathogen exposure) was defined by the presence of positive serologic test results for IgG to seven pathogens (Toxocara spp, Toxoplasma gondii, Helicobacter pylori, and hepatitis A, herpes simplex, herpes zoster and Epstein-Barr viruses) and the presence of intestinal helminth eggs in stool samples (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichiuris trichiura). African ancestry was negatively associated with maternal education and household income and positively associated with infections and variables, indicating poorer housing and living conditions. The self-reported skin colour was associated with infections only. In stratified analyses, the proportion of African ancestry was associated with most of the outcomes investigated, particularly among admixed individuals. In conclusion, BGA was associated with socioenvironmental conditions and infections even in a low-income and highly admixed population, capturing differences that self-reported skin colour miss. Importantly, our findings suggest caution in interpreting significant associations between BGA and diseases as indicative of the genetic factors involved

Teste de Recuperabilidade dos Ativos aplicado à Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná - SANEPAR

Orientador : Luciano Márcio SchererMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas. Curso de Especialização em Contabilidade e FinançasInclui referênciasResumo : Em virtude da convergência das normas brasileiras de contabilidade ao padrão internacional, muitos assuntos tornaram-se relevantes para análise e aprofundamento teórico, bem como a necessidade de uma associação prática. Alguns destes conceitos teóricos trouxeram mudanças significativas a realidade empresarial brasileiras, influenciando inclusive nos resultados econômicos, bem como na necessidade de um controle paralelo para atendimento as regras tributárias, denominado Regime Tributário de Transição, instituído pela Receita Federal do Brasil. Neste contexto, a análise teórica do Pronunciamento 01 do Comitê de Pronunciamentos Contábeis, referente ao Teste de Recuperabilidade de Ativos, destaca-se pelas técnicas necessárias para sua aplicabilidade, que dentre elas existe a subjetividade inerente a cada setor produtivo, que gerencialmente influencia nos resultados deste teste, como por exemplo a definição das unidades geradoras de caixa, rateio de ativos corporativos e cálculo do valor presente líquido dos ativos testados. Essa subjetividade na aplicação do Teste de Recuperabilidade está presente em todos os ramos empresariais, mas neste trabalho, procura-se demonstrar as principais características do setor de saneamento básico, tomandose por base de estudo as informações da Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná - SANEPAR, em vista de que existem diferenças consideráveis entre as empresas deste setor, em relação as regiões geográficas do Brasil, por intermédio de sua evidenciação prática

Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de la asociación de la infección por Toxocara canis con atopia y asma

La toxocariasis humana es la helmintiasis cosmopolita más importante del mundo. La infección puede modular la respuesta inmune del huésped paraténico infectado, y se sugiere que es un factor de riesgo importante para el desarrollo de asma y estar asociado con niveles elevados de diferentes marcadores de atopia. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática y un metanálisis de la asociación entre la toxocariasis humana con asma y enfermedades atópicas. La búsqueda bibliográfica identificó 1705 artículos sobre la asociación de Toxocara spp con asma. Luego, se seleccionaron 24 artículos con base en los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, siguiendo los protocolos PRISMA. Estos trabajos sirvieron para analizar datos de asociación como factor de riesgo de aumento del asma e investigar la asociación de esta infección con la aparición de marcadores de atopia (IgE específica). Los resultados no indicaron asociación entre asma y seropositividad a Toxocara spp, aunque hubo una tendencia positiva (OR 1,47; IC 95% 0.92-2.33). Sin embargo, cuando los estudios se clasificaron por tipo se encontró una asociación positiva en los estudios de tipo caso-control (OR 1,69; IC 95% 1.06-2.70). Además, hubo una asociación positiva con este marcador atópico en el análisis de la asociación de la toxocariasis con la IgE específica (OR 1.77; IC 95% 1.19-2.64). La evidencia encontrada no fue del todo concluyente respecto a la posibilidad de tener infección por T. canis como factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de asma, aunque existe una tendencia estadística positiva. Por otro lado, la asociación con resultados de IgE específica respalda hallazgos previos en la literatura, donde las infecciones por helmintos pueden estimular la producción de este tipo de anticuerpos, lo que lleva a una asociación positiva con la atopia.The human toxocariasis is the most important cosmopolite helminth infection in the world. The infection can modulate the immune response of the infected paratenic host, and it is suggested that it is an important risk factor for the development of asthma and be associated with increased levels of different markers of atopy. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between human toxocariasis with asthma and atopic diseases. The literature search identified 1705 papers on the association of Toxocara spp with asthma, Then, 24 papers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, following the PRISMA protocols. These papers served to analyze association data as a risk factor for increased asthma and investigate the association of this infection with the appearance of atopy markers (specific IgE). The results did not indicate association between asthma and Toxocara spp seropositivity, although there was a positive trend (OR 1.47; 95% CI 0.92-2.33). However, when studies were classified by type a positive association in the case-control type studies was found (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.06-2.70). Furthermore, there was a positive association with this atopic marker in the analysis of the association of toxocariasis with specific IgE (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.19-2.64). The evidence found was not entirely conclusive regarding the possibility of having T. canis infection as a risk factor for the development of asthma, although there is a positive statistical trend. On the other hand, the association with specific IgE results supports previous findings in the literature, where helminth infections can stimulate the production of this type of antibody, leading to a positive association with atopy

Cultivo hidropônico de Physalis angulata L.: crescimento e produção sob doses de nitrogênio

The Physalis angulata L. species has attracted interest due to the production of compounds with pharmacological activity and its potential for fruiticulture. Given that it is a fast-growing and highly productive species, determining the most adequate nitrogen (N) doses could contribute to higher crop yields. This study aimed at assessing the influence of N concentrations, in a hydroponic system, on the growth and production of P. angulata, as well as determining the critical N level in leaves. The experiment was conducted in individual pots with nutrient solutions, applying a completely randomized design and twelve replications, using five N doses (0 mg L-1, 56 mg L-1, 112 mg L-1, 168 mg L-1 and 224 mg L-1). Growth and production indices, amount of total N on leaves and stems and critical N levels were assessed. The increase of N doses in the nutrient solution influenced plant growth and fruit production, as well as the accumulation of total N in the leaves and stems. Based on the maximum economic yield, a dose of 162 mg L-1 of N is recommended for hydroponics, which provided a fruit yield of 7.27 g m-2 and critical total N level in leaves of 51.98 g kg-1.A espécie Physalis angulata L. tem se destacado devido à produção de compostos com atividade farmacológica e ao seu potencial para a fruticultura. Por apresentar crescimento rápido e grande produtividade, a definição de doses de nitrogênio (N) mais adequadas pode contribuir para maiores rendimentos da cultura. Objetivou-se avaliar a influência de concentrações de N, em sistema hidropônico, sobre o crescimento e produção de plantas de P. angulata, bem como determinar o nível crítico de N nas folhas. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos individuais com soluções nutritivas, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com doze repetições, utilizando-se cinco doses de N (0 mg L-1, 56 mg L-1, 112 mg L-1, 168 mg L-1 e 224 mg L-1). Foram avaliados os índices de crescimento e produção, a quantificação do N total nas folhas e caules e o nível crítico de N. O aumento das doses de N na solução nutritiva influenciou o crescimento das plantas e a produção de frutos, bem como o acúmulo de N total nas folhas e caules. Com base na máxima produtividade econômica, recomenda-se para o cultivo hidropônico a dose de 162 mg L-1 de N, que proporcionou produtividade dos frutos de 7,27 g m-2 e nível crítico de N total nas folhas de 51,98 g kg-1

Segurança biológica e ensaio in vitro de expressão gênica em PBMC de caninos vacinados experimentalmente contra Toxocara canis

Toxocariasis is a neglected zoonosis with a high prevalence and impact on the public health of impoverished populations in the world, its causative agent is the nematode of the genus Toxacara. Broad-spectrum antiparasitics are currently used to deal with the disease, however, there is no vaccine to prevent it. The objective of this research was to evaluate the biological safety of experimental clinical trials of reverse vaccinology; and also, to evaluate the in vitro response of PBMC of canines previously vaccinated with the recombinant proteins rTcVcan and rTcCad of Toxocara canis, through the gene expression assay measured by RT-qPCR of IL-5, IL-6, IL-17. , IL-10, TNF-α and INF-Ɣ cytokines. As result, once the clinical trials for the vaccination of the puppies were carried out, no differences were observed with respect to the reference ranges of the hematology analysis, as well as the analyzes of the liver and kidney functions in the puppies and; on the other hand, in the gene expression assays in PBMC, only the ACTB gene was successfully expressed, the cytokine genes did not present statistically significant results. In conclusion, the applied formulations were not toxic and had no adverse effects on the experimental animals and gene expression assays in PBMC of vaccinated puppies with the recombinant rTcVcan and rTcCad proteins against T. canis did not show conclusive results regarding the success of these procedures in the first phase of the experimental vaccine.La toxocariasis es una zoonosis desatendida de alta prevalencia e impacto en la salud pública de poblaciones empobrecidas del mundo, su agente causal es el nematodo del género Toxacara. Actualmente se utilizan antiparasitarios de amplio espectro para afrontar la enfermedad, sin embargo, no existe una vacuna para prevenirla. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la seguridad biológica de ensayos clínicos experimentales de vacunología inversa; y así mismo evaluar la respuesta in vitro de PBMC de caninos previamente vacunados con las proteínas recombinantes rTcVcan y rTcCad de Toxocara canis, a través del ensayo de expresión génica medida por RT-qPCR de citocinas IL-5, IL- 6, IL-17A, IL-10, TNF-α e INF-Ɣ. Como resultado, una vez realizados los ensayos clínicos para la vacunación de los cachorros, no se observaron diferencias con respecto a los rangos de referencia de los análisis de hematología, así como de los análisis de las funciones hepática y renal en los cachorros y; por otra parte, en los ensayos de expresión génica en PBMC, únicamente el gen ACTB se expresó con éxito, los genes referentes a las citocinas no presentaron resultados estadísticamente significativos. En conclusión, las formulaciones aplicadas no fueron tóxicas y no tuvieron efectos adversos en los animales experimentales y los ensayos de expresión génica en PBMC de los cachorros vacunados con las proteínas recombinantes rTcVcan y rTcCad contra T. canis no presentaron resultados concluyentes con respecto al éxito de estos procedimientos en la primera fase de la vacuna experimental.A toxocaríase é uma zoonose negligenciada de alta prevalência e impacto na saúde pública de populações empobrecidas no mundo, seu agente causal é o nematóide do gênero Toxacara. Atualmente, antiparasitários de amplo espectro são usados ​​para tratar a doença, mas não há vacina para preveni-la. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a segurança biológica de ensaios clínicos experimentais de vacinologia reversa; e também avaliar a resposta in vitro de PBMC de caninos previamente vacinados com as proteínas recombinantes rTcVcan e rTcCad de Toxocara canis, através do ensaio de expressão gênica medida por RT-qPCR das citocinas IL-5, IL-6, IL-17. , IL-10, TNF-α e INF-Ɣ. Como resultado, uma vez realizados os ensaios clínicos para a vacinação dos filhotes, não foram observadas diferenças com relação aos intervalos de referência da análise hematológica, bem como das análises das funções hepática e renal nos filhotes e; por outro lado, nos ensaios de expressão gênica em PBMC, apenas o gene ACTB foi expresso com sucesso, os genes relacionados a citocinas não apresentaram resultados estatisticamente significativos. Em conclusão, as formulações aplicadas não foram tóxicas e não causaram efeitos adversos nos animais experimentais e os ensaios de expressão gênica em PBMC dos filhotes vacinados com as proteínas recombinantes rTcVcan e rTcCad contra T. canis não apresentaram resultados conclusivos quanto ao sucesso dos esses procedimentos na primeira fase da vacina experimental

Unique and combined effect of gender, type of sport and competitive experience on psychological skills

As habilidades psicológicas podem ter efeitos de variáveis nominais isoladas e/ou combinadas explicando de alguma forma a sua variabilidade. O presente estudo teve os seguintes objetivos: i) examinar os efeitos isolados do contexto, experiência competitiva, tipo de esporte e do sexo sobre o uso de habilidades psicológicas, ii) verificar o efeito combinado ou interativo entre sexo, experiência competitiva e tipo de esporte no uso das habilidades psicológicas e iii) investigar o poder preditivo das variáveis explicativas (sexo, tipo de esporte e experiência competitiva) sobre as variáveis psicológicas, nos contextos de treinamento e de competição. Os participantes foram 357 atletas entre 18 e 40 anos (M = 25,69, DP = 5,61), sendo 278 do sexo masculino e 79 do sexo feminino. A versão brasileira do Test of Performance Strategies-2 foi aplicado uma hora antes da competição. O sexo, tipo de esportes e experiência competitiva tiveram efeito significativo no relaxamento, controle emocional e definição de objetivos. Sexo também foi o único preditor de relaxamento, na situação de treino, e de controle emocional e de relaxamento, na situação de competição. Tipo de esporte e experiência competitiva foram bons preditores de definição de objetivos, na situação de treino, enquanto que na situação de competição, apenas experiência competitiva predisse definição de objetivos. Além disso, o contexto (treino ou competição) teve efeito significativo sobre definição de objetivos, automatização, relaxamento e imagética. A interação entre sexo/tipo de esportes teve efeito sobre diálogo interno (treino), e tipo de esportes/experiência competitiva teve efeito sobre o relaxamento (treino e competição) e ativação (competição). Finalmente, experiência competitiva/sexo teve efeito significativo e combinado sobre definição de objetivo (treino). Esses resultados foram discutidos, tendo em conta suas implicações teóricas e práticas para o planejamento de intervenções da Psicologia do Esporte no Brasil.Psychological skills may have effects of isolated and/or combined nominal variables explaining their variability in some way. The present study had the following objectives: i) to examine the unique effect of context, competitive experience, type of sport and gender on the use of psychological abilities, ii) to verify the combined or interactive effect of gender, competitive experience and type of sport on psychological skills and iii) to investigate the predictive power of the explanatory variables (gender, type of sport and competitive experience) on the psychological variables, in the contexts of training and competition. e participants were 357 athletes between 18 and 40 years old (M = 25.69, SD = 5.61), 278 males and 79 females. The Brazilian version of the Test of Performance Strategies-2 was applied one hour before the competition. Gender, type of sports and competitive experience had significant effect on relaxation, emotional control and goal setting. Gender was also the only predictor of relaxation, in the training situation, and of emotional control and of relaxation, in the competitive situation. Type of sport and competitive experience were good predictors of goal setting in the training situation, while in the competitive situation, only competitive experience predicted goal setting. In addition, the context (training or competition) had a significant effect on goal setting, automaticity, relaxation and imagery. The interaction between gender/type of sports had an effect on self talk (training), and type of sports/competitive experience had an effect on relaxation (training and competition) and activation (competition). Finally, competitive experience/gender had a significant and combined effect on goal setting (training). These results were discussed, taking into account the theoretical and practical implications for the planning of interventions in the field of Sports Psychology in Brazil.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

SOX2 Co-Occupies Distal Enhancer Elements with Distinct POU Factors in ESCs and NPCs to Specify Cell State

SOX2 is a master regulator of both pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and multipotent neural progenitor cells (NPCs); however, we currently lack a detailed understanding of how SOX2 controls these distinct stem cell populations. Here we show by genome-wide analysis that, while SOX2 bound to a distinct set of gene promoters in ESCs and NPCs, the majority of regions coincided with unique distal enhancer elements, important cis-acting regulators of tissue-specific gene expression programs. Notably, SOX2 bound the same consensus DNA motif in both cell types, suggesting that additional factors contribute to target specificity. We found that, similar to its association with OCT4 (Pou5f1) in ESCs, the related POU family member BRN2 (Pou3f2) co-occupied a large set of putative distal enhancers with SOX2 in NPCs. Forced expression of BRN2 in ESCs led to functional recruitment of SOX2 to a subset of NPC-specific targets and to precocious differentiation toward a neural-like state. Further analysis of the bound sequences revealed differences in the distances of SOX and POU peaks in the two cell types and identified motifs for additional transcription factors. Together, these data suggest that SOX2 controls a larger network of genes than previously anticipated through binding of distal enhancers and that transitions in POU partner factors may control tissue-specific transcriptional programs. Our findings have important implications for understanding lineage specification and somatic cell reprogramming, where SOX2, OCT4, and BRN2 have been shown to be key factors

Unique and combined effect of gender, type of sport and competitive experience on psychological skills

As habilidades psicológicas podem ter efeitos de variáveis nominais isoladas e/ou combinadas explicando de alguma forma a sua variabilidade. O presente estudo teve os seguintes objetivos: i) examinar os efeitos isolados do contexto, experiência competitiva, tipo de esporte e do sexo sobre o uso de habilidades psicológicas, ii) verificar o efeito combinado ou interativo entre sexo, experiência competitiva e tipo de esporte no uso das habilidades psicológicas e iii) investigar o poder preditivo das variáveis explicativas (sexo, tipo de esporte e experiência competitiva) sobre as variáveis psicológicas, nos contextos de treinamento e de competição. Os participantes foram 357 atletas entre 18 e 40 anos (M = 25,69, DP = 5,61), sendo 278 do sexo masculino e 79 do sexo feminino. A versão brasileira do Test of Performance Strategies-2 foi aplicado uma hora antes da competição. O sexo, tipo de esportes e experiência competitiva tiveram efeito significativo no relaxamento, controle emocional e definição de objetivos. Sexo também foi o único preditor de relaxamento, na situação de treino, e de controle emocional e de relaxamento, na situação de competição. Tipo de esporte e experiência competitiva foram bons preditores de definição de objetivos, na situação de treino, enquanto que na situação de competição, apenas experiência competitiva predisse definição de objetivos. Além disso, o contexto (treino ou competição) teve efeito significativo sobre definição de objetivos, automatização, relaxamento e imagética. A interação entre sexo/tipo de esportes teve efeito sobre diálogo interno (treino), e tipo de esportes/experiência competitiva teve efeito sobre o relaxamento (treino e competição) e ativação (competição). Finalmente, experiência competitiva/sexo teve efeito significativo e combinado sobre definição de objetivo (treino). Esses resultados foram discutidos, tendo em conta suas implicações teóricas e práticas para o planejamento de intervenções da Psicologia do Esporte no Brasil.Psychological skills may have effects of isolated and/or combined nominal variables explaining their variability in some way. The present study had the following objectives: i) to examine the unique effect of context, competitive experience, type of sport and gender on the use of psychological abilities, ii) to verify the combined or interactive effect of gender, competitive experience and type of sport on psychological skills and iii) to investigate the predictive power of the explanatory variables (gender, type of sport and competitive experience) on the psychological variables, in the contexts of training and competition. e participants were 357 athletes between 18 and 40 years old (M = 25.69, SD = 5.61), 278 males and 79 females. The Brazilian version of the Test of Performance Strategies-2 was applied one hour before the competition. Gender, type of sports and competitive experience had significant effect on relaxation, emotional control and goal setting. Gender was also the only predictor of relaxation, in the training situation, and of emotional control and of relaxation, in the competitive situation. Type of sport and competitive experience were good predictors of goal setting in the training situation, while in the competitive situation, only competitive experience predicted goal setting. In addition, the context (training or competition) had a significant effect on goal setting, automaticity, relaxation and imagery. The interaction between gender/type of sports had an effect on self talk (training), and type of sports/competitive experience had an effect on relaxation (training and competition) and activation (competition). Finally, competitive experience/gender had a significant and combined effect on goal setting (training). These results were discussed, taking into account the theoretical and practical implications for the planning of interventions in the field of Sports Psychology in Brazil.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació