Fatores preditivos da violência na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre

O trabalho objetiva ampliar a compreensão da criminalidade, por meio da aplicação de um modelo empírico, queverifica a correlação entre os índices de criminalidade e variáveis socioeconômicas selecionadas nos 31 municípiosda Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre – RMPA. A importância do estudo consiste em identificar variáveis com altacorrelação com o crime, localizando-as espacialmente, o que possibilita aos gestores públicos a elaboração de políticasde prevenção à violência focadas em áreas e grupos sociais específicos, garantindo a eficácia dos resultado

Stress conditions in the host induce persister cells and influence biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A

INTRODUCTION: Studies have demonstrated that pathogens react to the harsh conditions in human tissues by inducing mechanisms that promote survival. METHODS: Persistence and biofilm-forming ability were evaluated during stress conditions that mimic those in the host. RESULTS: Carbon-source availability had a positive effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A adhesion during hypoxia, accompanied by a decrease in pH. In contrast, iron limitation led to decreased surface-adherent biomass, accompanied by an increase medium acidification and lactate levels. Interestingly, iron starvation and hypoxia induced persister cells in planktonic culture. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the role of host stress in the virulence of S. epidermidis

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Histoplasma capsulatum Yeast and Mycelium Reveals Differential Metabolic Shifts and Cell Wall Remodeling Processes in the Different Morphotypes

Histoplasma capsulatum is a thermally dimorphic fungus distributed worldwide, but with the highest incidence in the Americas within specific geographic areas, such as the Mississippi River Valley and regions in Latin America. This fungus is the etiologic agent of histoplasmosis, an important life-threatening systemic mycosis. Dimorphism is an important feature for fungal survival in different environments and is related to the virulence of H. capsulatum, and essential to the establishment of infection. Proteomic profiles have made important contributions to the knowledge of metabolism and pathogenicity in several biological models. However, H. capsulatum proteome studies have been underexplored. In the present study, we report the first proteomic comparison between the mycelium and the yeast cells of H. capsulatum. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the proteomic profile of the two phases of H. capsulatum growth, mycelium, and yeast. In summary, 214 and 225 proteins were only detected/or preferentially abundant in mycelium or yeast cells, respectively. In mycelium, enzymes related to the glycolytic pathway and to the alcoholic fermentation occurred in greater abundance, suggesting a higher use of anaerobic pathways for energy production. In yeast cells, proteins related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle and response to temperature stress were in high abundance. Proteins related to oxidative stress response or involved with cell wall metabolism were identified with differential abundance in both conditions. Proteomic data validation was performed by enzymatic activity determination, Western blot assays, or immunofluorescence microscopy. These experiments corroborated, directly or indirectly, the abundance of isocitrate lyase, 2-methylcitrate synthase, catalase B, and mannosyl-oligosaccharide-1,2-alpha-mannosidase in the mycelium and heat shock protein (HSP) 30, HSP60, glucosamine-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase, glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase, and N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase in yeast cells. The proteomic profile-associated functional classification analyses of proteins provided new and interesting information regarding the differences in metabolism between the two distinct growth forms of H. capsulatum

Proteomic Analysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis During Infection of Alveolar Macrophages Primed or Not by Interferon-Gamma

Although members of the Paracoccidioides complex are not obligate intracellular pathogens, they present the ability to survive and multiply inside epithelial cells and phagocytes of mammals, which may favor the spread of the fungus in host tissues. Macrophages resident in the lung are the first line of defense against paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), presenting mechanisms to control the pathogen dissemination through the granuloma formation or eliminating the fungus through phagocytosis. Phagocytosis triggers an oxidative burst, in which there is an increase in the production of toxic elements, derived from oxygen and nitrogen. The interior of the phagolysosome is a harsh environment to the internalized pathogens, since in addition to the oxygen and nitrogen reactive species, microorganisms face nutrient shortages and proteases activity. Through the NanoUPLC-MSE technology, we analyzed the proteomic response of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis during the infection of alveolar macrophages primed or not by interferon gamma (IFN-γ). At 6 hs post-infection, only (IFN-γ)-primed macrophages were able to kill the fungus. We observed the regulation of amino acids degradation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, respiratory chain, ATP synthesis, glyoxylate cycle, as well as an increase in the expression of defense proteins related to oxidative stress, heat shock, and virulence factors under both conditions analyzed. However, some pathways described as essential for the survival of pathogens inside macrophages were observed only or with higher intensity in yeast cells recovered from non-primed macrophages, as phosphate pentoses pathway, methylcitrate cycle, synthesis of cell wall components, and mitochondrial activity. The data indicate that the intracellular environment of non-primed macrophages could be more permissive to the survival and multiplication of P. brasiliensis. The identification of key molecules for the establishment of infection can help the understanding of the nature of the parasite–host relationship and pathogenesis of PCM

The Homeostasis of Iron, Copper, and Zinc in Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis, Cryptococcus Neoformans Var. Grubii, and Cryptococcus Gattii: A Comparative Analysis

Iron, copper, and zinc are essential for all living organisms. Moreover, the homeostasis of these metals is vital to microorganisms during pathogenic interactions with a host. Most pathogens have developed specific mechanisms for the uptake of micronutrients from their hosts in order to counteract the low availability of essential ions in infected tissues. We report here an analysis of genes potentially involved in iron, copper, and zinc uptake and homeostasis in the fungal pathogens Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, and Cryptococcus gattii. Although prior studies have identified certain aspects of metal regulation in Cryptococcus species, little is known regarding the regulation of these elements in P. brasiliensis. We also present amino acid sequences analyses of deduced proteins in order to examine possible conserved domains. The genomic data reveals, for the first time, genes associated to iron, copper, and zinc assimilation and homeostasis in P. brasiliensis. Furthermore, analyses of the three fungal species identified homologs to genes associated with high-affinity uptake systems, vacuolar and mitochondrial iron storage, copper uptake and reduction, and zinc assimilation. However, homologs to genes involved in siderophore production were only found in P. brasiliensis. Interestingly, in silico analysis of the genomes of P. brasiliensis Pb01, Pb03, and Pb18 revealed significant differences in the presence and/or number of genes involved in metal homeostasis, such as in genes related to iron reduction and oxidation. The broad analyses of the genomes of P. brasiliensis, C. neoformans var. grubii, and C. gattii for genes involved in metal homeostasis provide important groundwork for numerous interesting future areas of investigation that are required in order to validate and explore the function of the identified genes and gene pathways

Efferent Pathways in Sodium Overload-Induced Renal Vasodilation in Rats

Hypernatremia stimulates the secretion of oxytocin (OT), but the physiological role of OT remains unclear. the present study sought to determine the involvement of OT and renal nerves in the renal responses to an intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline. Male Wistar rats (280-350 g) were anesthetized with sodium thiopental (40 mg. kg(-1), i.v.). A bladder cannula was implanted for collection of urine. Animals were also instrumented for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal blood flow (RBF). Renal vascular conductance (RVC) was calculated as the ratio of RBF by MAP. in anesthetized rats (n = 6), OT infusion (0.03 mu g . kg(-1), i.v.) induced renal vasodilation. Consistent with this result, ex vivo experiments demonstrated that OT caused renal artery relaxation. Blockade of OT receptors (OXTR) reduced these responses to OT, indicating a direct effect of this peptide on OXTR on this artery. Hypertonic saline (3 M NaCl, 1.8 ml . kg(-1) b.wt., i.v.) was infused over 60 s. in sham rats (n = 6), hypertonic saline induced renal vasodilation. the OXTR antagonist (AT; atosiban, 40 mu g . kg(-1) . h(-1), i.v.; n = 7) and renal denervation (RX) reduced the renal vasodilation induced by hypernatremia. the combination of atosiban and renal denervation (RX+AT; n = 7) completely abolished the renal vasodilation induced by sodium overload. Intact rats excreted 51% of the injected sodium within 90 min. Natriuresis was slightly blunted by atosiban and renal denervation (42% and 39% of load, respectively), whereas atosiban with renal denervation reduced sodium excretion to 16% of the load. These results suggest that OT and renal nerves are involved in renal vasodilation and natriuresis induced by acute plasma hypernatremia.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Goias (FAPEG)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Fed Goias, Ctr Neurosci & Cardiovasc Physiol, Inst Biol Sci, Dept Physiol Sci, Goiania, Go, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Fac Phys Educ, Inst Biol Sci, BR-38400 Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Goias, Inst Biol Sci, Mol Biol Lab, Goiania, Go, BrazilUniv Fed Goias, Inst Biol Sci, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, Goiania, Go, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol, São Paulo, BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Goias (FAPEG): 2012/0055431086Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Goias (FAPEG): 2009/10267000352CNPq: 477832/2010-5CNPq: 483411/2012-4Web of Scienc