Immunomodulatory activity of itraconazole in lung

Purpose: To evaluate the in vivo effects of ITC as an immunomodulator on various immunological mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in pulmonary homogenates.Methods: Two experimental groups consisting of 25 BALB/c mice each were used: (a) PBS-treated mice and (b) ITC-treated mice (1 mg/mouse/day). The animals were treated daily via gavage for 8 weeks. Five mice from each group were sacrificed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and cytokine levels assessed in the supernatants of lung macerates using the Bio-Plex system. Five lungs from each experimental group, after 8 weeks of treatment, were used for histopathological analysis.Results: Compared with the control group, ITC-treated mice showed significant changes in the pulmonary levels of 50 % of the molecules evaluated: IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, TNF-α, eotaxin, MIP- 1α, MIP-2, and LIF were significantly upregulated. In contrast, IL-1β, IL-15, IL-2, IL-1α, and VEGF were downregulated.Conclusion: Although histopathological examination did not show changes in lung cell infiltrates, ITC exerted a marked immunomodulatory effect at the pulmonary level in healthy BALB/c mice.Keywords: Immunomodulation, Itraconazole, Antifungal drug, Histopathological examinatio

Lysozyme plays a dual role against the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

In order to determine the role of lysozyme, an antimicrobial peptide belonging to the innate immune system, against the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, co-cultures of the MH-S murine alveolar macrophages cell line with P. brasiliensis conidia were done; assays to evaluate the effect of physiological and inflammatory concentrations of lysozyme directly on the fungus life cycle were also undertaken. We observed that TNF-&#945;-activated macrophages significantly inhibited the conidia to yeast transition (p = 0.0043) and exerted an important fungicidal effect (p = 0.0044), killing 27% more fungal propagules in comparison with controls. Nonetheless, after adding a selective inhibitor of lysozyme, the fungicidal effect was reverted. When P. brasiliensis propagules were exposed directly to different concentrations of lysozyme, a dual effect was observed. Physiologic concentrations of the enzyme facilitated the conidia-to-yeast transition process (p < 0.05). On the contrary, inflammatory concentrations impaired the normal temperature-dependant fungal transition (p < 0.0001). When yeast cells were exposed to lysozyme, irrespective of concentration, the multiple-budding ability was badly impaired (p < 0.0001). In addition, ultra-structural changes such as subcellular degradation, fusion of lipid vacuoles, lamellar structures and interruption of the fibrilar layer were observed in lysozyme exposed conidia. These results suggest that lysozyme appears to exert a dual role as part of the anti-P. brasiliensis defense mechanisms.Com a finalidade de determinar o papel da lisozima, um peptídeo antimicrobiano que pertence ao sistema imune inato, contra o fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, foram feitas co-culturas de uma linha de macrófagos alveolares murinos (MH-S) com as conídias do fungo na presença ou não do TNF-&#945; e/ou um inibidor da lisozima; também foram feitos ensaios que avaliaram o efeito das concentrações fisiológicas e inflamatórias de lisozima diretamente sobre o ciclo de vida do fungo. Observamos que os macrófagos ativados com a citoquina tiveram um efeito significativo na inibição da transição conídia/levedura (p = 0,0043) e exerceram um efeito fungicida importante (p = 0,0044), matando mais de 27% das propágulas do fungo em comparação com os macrófagos não ativados. No entanto, após ser o inibidor seletivo da lisozima adicionado, o efeito fungicida foi revertido. Quando os propágulos do fungo foram expostos diretamente a diferentes concentrações da lisozima, um duplo efeito foi observado. Assim, as concentrações fisiológicas da enzima facilitaram o processo de transição conídia-levedura (p < 0,05). Contrariamente, as concentrações inflamatórias prejudicaram a transição fúngica (p < 0,0001). Quando as leveduras foram expostas a qualquer concentração de lisozima, sua capacidade de multi-brotação foi gravemente prejudicada (p < 0,0001). Além disso, mudanças ultra-estruturais, como a sub degradação, a fusão dos vacúolos dos lípidos, estruturas lamelares e interrupção da camada fibrilar foram observadas em conídios expostos à lisozima. Estes resultados sugerem que a lisozima poderia exercer um duplo papel no mecanismo antifúngico contra P. brasiliensis

Análisis de citas en trabajos de grado y prácticas académicas de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad de Antioquia como método para el estudio del uso de bases de datos, bibliotecas y centros de documentación de la universidad

RESUMEN: Este estudio, se basó en una revisión de citas bibliográficas registradas en algunas prácticas académicas y trabajos de grado de estudiantes de pregrado y posgrado de últimos semestres de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad de Antioquia, entregados al CENDOI entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2012. El análisis de estas citas resultó ser un método muy eficiente, ya que no interfirió en el comportamiento del colectivo estudiado y posibilitó la obtención de un buen nivel de detalle de información respecto al uso de bibliotecas y centros de documentación de la Universidad y, así mismo, el uso de las bases de datos bibliográficas suscritas por la Universidad de Antioquia durante estos dos últimos años. Las conclusiones de esta investigación, permitieron al Centro de Documentación de Ingeniería CENDOI: observar los usos y las necesidades informacionales de los estudiantes en sus últimos semestres, comprobar de alguna manera la eficiencia de los servicios de Alfabetización Informacional ALFIN ofrecidos por el Sistema de Bibliotecas de la Universidad y finalmente visualizar la necesidad de reforzar las colecciones y servicios orientados a las áreas de mayor interés de estos estudiantes. Palabras clave: Análisis de citas, bibliotecas universitarias, estudios de usuarios, uso de información, centros de documentación, bases de datos

Incidencia del entorno familiar en las habilidades comunicativas de los niños y niñas de 5 años del Centro de desarrollo Infantil “Pequeños Exploradores”.

Analizar la incidencia del entorno familiar en las habilidades comunicativas de los niños y niñas de 5 años del Centro de desarrollo Infantil Pequeños ExploradoresLa presente investigación se realizó con el objetivo deanalizar la incidencia que tieneentorno familiar en las habilidades comunicativas de los niños y niñas de 5 años del Centro de desarrollo Infantil Pequeños Exploradores. El interés se despertó al ver la poca motivaciónque presentaban los niños y niñas para participar en las experiencias pedagógicas relacionadas a la lectura de cuentos, de expresión oral y comunicativa. Debido a esta situación se hizo un estudio que permitiera identificar cuáles eran esos factores familiares que estaban generando esa desmotivación en los niños y niñas y la falta de participación en el aula para este tipo de actividades escolares. Al tener una respuesta ante ello se pensó en crear una propuesta de intervención en la cual los padres de familia se lograrán sensibilizar frente a la importancia de brindar un acompañamiento escolar a sus hijos e hijas para garantizar el éxito escolar en los siguientes años.Gracias a las acciones implementadas en esa propuesta se logró cambiar miradas desde el propio centro educativo hasta las familias del grupo objeto de estudio, pues lograron reconocer que los niños y niñas en medio de su desarrollo integral necesitan espacios formativos donde se motive a la escucha, el habla, la lectura y la preescritura; aspectos que son generadores de las habilidades comunicativas y que les permitirá desenvolverse en la sociedad

Executive function and computer-based training in children aged 7-12 with intellectual disability

ABSTRACT: A comparative study of executive function (planning and flexibility components) presented by a computerized cognitive training program applied to children with intellectual disabilities. Few studies found on intervention in population with intellectual disabilities involving computer programs about executive functioning, and focused on neuropsychological processes as educational support. In this study, a population sample of 20 boys and girls in Antioquia (Colombia) diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, between 7 and 12 years of age, divided into an experimental group (10) and a control group (10) was used. The study used a pretest-posttest design; the case group had a training process with the computer software Lumosity for 15 sessions, 3 times a week, with an intensity of 40 minutes each (20 for flexibility and 20 for planning) as components of executive function. Comparing these components of executive function (before and after the process), in the case group and the control group are significant results that demonstrate the generation change in the components of planning and flexibility in this population; It is also possible to validate the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training programs.RESUMEN: Se presenta un estudio comparativo de la función ejecutiva (componentes de planeación y flexibilidad), por medio de un programa de entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado aplicado a niños y niñas con discapacidad intelectual. La discapacidad intelectual es una problemática mundial y local en constante crecimiento, sin embargo, son pocos los estudios encontrados en cuanto a procesos de intervención para población con discapacidad intelectual que involucran programas computarizados en relación con el funcionamiento ejecutivo y que sirvan como referente tanto para procesos de acompañamiento neuropsicológico como pedagógico. En este estudio, se empleó una muestra poblacional de 20 niños y niñas antioqueños (colombianos) con diagnóstico de discapacidad intelectual, entre los 7 y 12 años de edad, divididos en grupo caso (10) y grupo control (10). El estudio empleó un diseño pretest-postest; el grupo caso tuvo un proceso de entrenamiento con el programa computarizado Lumosity durante 15 sesiones, 3 veces por semana, con una intensidad de 40 minutos cada una, 20 minutos para flexibilidad y 20 minutos para planeación, como componentes de la función ejecutiva. Al comparar estos componentes de la función ejecutiva (antes y después del proceso), tanto en el grupo caso como en el grupo control, se encuentran resultados significativos que demuestran la generación de cambio en los componentes de planeación y flexibilidad en esta población; asimismo, se logra validar la efectividad del programa de entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado

Asociación entre calidad de vida relacionada con salud y factores sociodemográficos y antropométricos en una institución de salud de Medellín, Colombia

Introduction: &nbsp;Quality of life is related to health, thus defined as the subjective perception of an individual´s current capacity to carry out meaningful activities. Such perception is influenced by the current state of health which is turn affected by aging processes. Objective: To characterize the quality of life related to health and its possible associations with the anthropometric and sociodemographic characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess health-related quality of life in the elderly. The study counted 145 participants, ranging from the ages between sixty and ninety-two, who voluntarily participated in the study; A health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) with social and demographic questions was administered.&nbsp; Height and weight measurements were also taken. With this information, a univariate analysis was carried out. Results: For the total result of the SF-36 questionnaire, it was found that 60.7% of the participants presented a good quality of life related to health.63.4% of the participants in this study were women and, 67.6% of the overall sample were placed as having upper-middle income. Also, most of the participants were found to have basic schooling (67.6). Regarding social security, 81.4% of the sample belonged to social security health plans and (48.3%) was found to have overweight. Conclusions: As a result of the analysis carried out, recommendations such as the implementation of social security protection and coverage programs for the elderly, specifically benefitting the females, older adults and those belonging to the subsidized social security system, can be provided.Introducción. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud se define como la percepción subjetiva e influenciada por el estado de salud actual sobre la capacidad para realizar aquellas actividades importantes para un individuo, la cual puede verse afectada en el adulto mayor por procesos de envejecimiento. Objetivo. Caracterizar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y las posibles asociaciones con factores antropométricos y sociodemográficos de la población adulta mayor. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con intención analítica y de corte transversal en el que se evaluó la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adultos mayores. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por 145 personas con edades entre los 70 y 92 años que participaron voluntariamente en el estudio y a quienes se les aplicó el cuestionario SF-36 con preguntas sociales y demográficas, además se realizó toma de medidas de talla y peso. Con la información recolectada se procedió a realizar un análisis univariado. Resultados. El 60,7&nbsp;% de los participantes presentó una buena calidad de vida relacionada con salud. Dentro de las características sociodemográficas se encontró que el 63,4&nbsp;% eran mujeres, el 67,6&nbsp;% pertenecían a estrato medio-alto, el 67,6&nbsp;% tenía escolaridad básica-media, el 81,4&nbsp;% pertenecía al régimen contributivo y el 48,3&nbsp;% tenía sobrepeso. Conclusiones. Es necesario implementar programas de protección y cubrimiento en seguridad social al adulto mayor que beneficien especialmente al género femenino, a adultos mayores de edades avanzadas y a los pertenecientes al régimen subsidiado de seguridad social

Structural and Topographic Dynamics of Pulmonary Histopathology and Local Cytokine Profiles in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Conidia-Infected Mice

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an endemic fungal infection of pulmonary origin resulting in severe disseminated disease, occurs in rural areas of most South American countries and presents several clinical forms. The infection is acquired by inhalation of specific fungal propagules, called conidia. Considering the difficulties encountered when studying the infection in humans, this work was done in mice infected by inhalation of infective fungal conidia thus mimicking the human natural infection. The lungs of mice were sequentially studied by histopathological and multiplex cytokine methods from 2 h to 16 weeks after infection to verify the course of the disease. The mycosis presented different morphologic aspects during the course of time, affecting several pulmonary compartments. Otherwise and based on the analysis of 30 cytokines, the immune response also showed heterogeneous responses, which were up or down regulated depending on the time of infection. By recognizing the different stages that correspond to the evolution of pulmonary lesions, the severity (benign, chronic or fibrotic) of the disease could be predicted and the probable prognosis of the illness be inferred

Pulmonary Abnormalities in Mice with Paracoccidioidomycosis: A Sequential Study Comparing High Resolution Computed Tomography and Pathologic Findings

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a fungal infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It occurs preferentially in rural workers in whom the disease is severe and may cause incapacitating pulmonary sequelae. Assessment of disease progression and treatment outcome normally includes chest x-rays or CT studies. Existing experimental PCM models have focused on several aspects, but none has done a radiologic or image follow-up evaluation of pulmonary lesions considered as the fungus primary target. In this study, the lungs of mice infected with fungal conidia were studied sequentially during the chronic stage of their experimental mycosis by noninvasive high resolution medical computed tomography, and at time of sacrifice, also by histopathology to characterize pulmonary abnormalities. Three basic lung lesion patterns were revealed by both techniques: nodular-diffuse, confluent and pseudo-tumoral which were located mainly around the hilus thus accurately reflecting the situation in human patients. The experimental design of this study decreases the need to sacrifice a large number of animals, and serves to monitor treatment efficacy by means of a more rational approach to the study of human pulmonary diseases. The findings we are reporting open new avenues for experimental research, increase our understanding of the mycosis pathogenesis and consequently have repercussions in patients' care