Early Events Associated with Infection of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection of Primary B-Cells

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is closely associated with the development of a vast number of human cancers. To develop a system for monitoring early cellular and viral events associated with EBV infection a self-recombining BAC containing 172-kb of the Epstein Barr virus genome BAC-EBV designated as MD1 BAC (Chen et al., 2005, J.Virology) was used to introduce an expression cassette of green fluorescent protein (GFP) by homologous recombination, and the resultant BAC clone, BAC-GFP-EBV was transfected into the HEK 293T epithelial cell line. The resulting recombinant GFP EBV was induced to produce progeny virus by chemical inducer from the stable HEK 293T BAC GFP EBV cell line and the virus was used to immortalize human primary B-cell as monitored by green fluorescence and outgrowth of the primary B cells. The infection, B-cell activation and cell proliferation due to GFP EBV was monitored by the expression of the B-cell surface antigens CD5, CD10, CD19, CD23, CD39, CD40 , CD44 and the intercellular proliferation marker Ki-67 using Flow cytometry. The results show a dramatic increase in Ki-67 which continues to increase by 6–7 days post-infection. Likewise, CD40 signals showed a gradual increase, whereas CD23 signals were increased by 6–12 hours, maximally by 3 days and then decreased. Monitoring the viral gene expression pattern showed an early burst of lytic gene expression. This up-regulation of lytic gene expression prior to latent genes during early infection strongly suggests that EBV infects primary B-cell with an initial burst of lytic gene expression and the resulting progeny virus is competent for infecting new primary B-cells. This process may be critical for establishment of latency prior to cellular transformation. The newly infected primary B-cells can be further analyzed for investigating B cell activation due to EBV infection

Corrigendum - Functional mobility and balance in community dwelling elderly submitted to multisensory versus strength exercises

CorrigendumAlfieri FM, Riberto M, Gatz LS, et al. Functional mobility and balance in community dwelling elderly submitted to multisensory versus strength exercises. Clin Interv Aging. 2010;5:181–185.Error in author listJosé Maria Santarém was incorrectly included as an author in “Functional mobility and balance in community dwelling elderly submitted to multisensory versus strength exercises” published in Clinical Interventions in Aging.Fábio Marcon Alfieri1, Marcelo Riberto2, Lucila Silveira Gatz3, Carla Paschoal Corsi Ribeiro2, José Augusto Fernandes Lopes2, Linamara Rizzo Battistella2 1São Paulo Adventist University Center, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital of Clinics of the University of São Paulo, 3Degree in Physical Education, São Paulo, BrazilRead the original articl

Comparison of multisensory and strength training for postural control in the elderly

Fábio Marcon Alfieri,1 Marcelo Riberto,2 Lucila Silveira Gatz,3 Carla Paschoal Corsi Ribeiro,4 José Augusto Fernandes Lopes,4 Linamara Rizzo Battistella41São Paulo Adventist University Center, São Paulo, 2Faculty of Medicine in Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 3Physical Educator, São Paulo, 4School of Medicine, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinics Hospital of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilObjective: The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of multisensory versus muscle strengthening to improve postural control in healthy community-dwelling elderly.Participants: We performed a single-blinded study with 46 community-dwelling elderly allocated to strength (GS, n = 23; 70.18 ± 4.8 years 22 women and 1 man) and multisensory exercises groups (GM, n = 23; 68.8 ± 5.9 years; 22 women and 1 man) for 12 weeks.Methods: We performed isokinetic evaluations of muscle groups in the ankle and foot including dorsiflexors, plantar flexors, inversion, and eversion. The oscillation of the center of pressure was assessed with a force platform.Results: The GM group presented a reduction in the oscillation (66.8 ± 273.4 cm2 to 11.1 ± 11.6 cm2; P = 0.02), which was not observed in the GS group. The GM group showed better results for the peak torque and work than the GS group, but without statistical significance.Conclusion: Although the GM group presented better results, it is not possible to state that one exercise regimen proved more efficacious than the other in improving balance control.Keywords: postural control, aging, exercise, multisensory, strengthenin

Left atrial speckle tracking analysis in patients with mitral insufficiency and history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract The occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), especially in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), is related to the degree of left atrial (LA) myopathy, remodeling and fibrosis, that are responsible of LA electrical inhomogeneity and abnormal conduction velocities. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently enabled the quantification of longitudinal myocardial LA deformation dynamics. Our aim was to investigate by STE the effects of the occurrence of paroxysmal AF on LA myocardial deformation, in a population of patients with asymptomatic chronic MR. We compared two groups of a total of 197 patients with MR: 54 with history of paroxysmal AF and 143 with MR alone. Subgroups were created according to MR degree. Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) was measured in all subjects. Values were obtained by averaging all segments (global PALS), measured in the 4-chamber and 2-chamber views. Compared to the mild MR group (46.1 ± 4.9%), global PALS was lower in moderate MR group (22.1 ± 5.8%) and further reduced in the severe MR group (13.9 ± 4.2%; overall P < 0.0001 by ANOVA, P < 0.05 for all pair-wise comparisons). Besides, in each MR group, patients with history of paroxysmal AF presented a global PALS significantly reduced (overall P < 0.0001 by ANOVA). After multivariate analysis, global PALS was significantly and independently associated with paroxysmal AF. STE enables noninvasive quantification of LA dysfunction due to MR and paroxysmal AF. MR have a major negative impact on LA function. In patients with MR, the history of paroxysmal AF is associated to a further impair of LA myocardial reservoir function

Effectiveness of an exercise program on postural control in frail older adults

F&aacute;bio Marcon Alfieri,1,2 Marcelo Riberto,3 &Agrave;ngels Abril-Carreres,4 Maria Bold&oacute;-Alcaine,4 Elisabet Rusca-Castellet,4 Roser Garreta-Figuera,4 Linamara Rizzo Battistella51S&atilde;o Paulo Adventist University Center, S&atilde;o Paulo, Brazil; 2Institute of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Hospital of Clinics, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, Brazil; 3School of Medicine in Ribeir&atilde;o Preto, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, Brazil; 4University Hospital M&uacute;tua Terrassa Department of Rehabilitation, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; 5School of Medicine, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinics Hospital of University of S&atilde;o Paulo, S&atilde;o Paulo, BrazilBackground: Exercise programs have proved to be helpful for frail older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an exercise program with a focus on postural control exercises in frail older adults.Method: Twenty-six older adults (76.7 &plusmn; 4.9 years) deemed clinically stable, chosen from the Falls Unit, University Hospital M&uacute;tua Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain, participated in this single-group study. Volunteers&#39; postural control was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the Guralnik test battery, and their static and dynamic posturography were evaluated using the Synapsys Posturography System&reg;. These evaluations were performed before and after the intervention program, which included an educational session and two weekly 1-hour sessions over an 8-week period of stretching exercises, proprioception, balance, and motor coordination. Data were analyzed using the Student&#39;s t-test or the Wilcoxon test, with a significance level of 5%.Results: The TUG and Guralnik tests did not show significant differences. Concerning static posturography, there was improvement in the base of support (P = 0.006), anteroposterior displacement with eyes open (P = 0.02) and closed (P = 0.03), and the total amplitude of the center of pressure with eyes closed (P = 0.02). Regarding dynamic posturography, a decrease of the oscillation speed in the anteroposterior direction (P = 0.01) was observed in individuals with their eyes open.Conclusion: The program used in this study was safe and was able to promote some improvement in postural control, especially in the anteroposterior direction and in the base of support. However, it is noteworthy that further improvements could be obtained from a program of longer duration and greater frequency.Keywords: balance, aging, intervention, fall

Concentration of cytokines in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and fibromyalgia

Marta Imamura,1 Rosa Alves Targino,1 Wu Tu Hsing,2,3 Satiko Imamura,1 Raymundo Soares Azevedo,3 Lucy Santos Villas Boas,4 Tania Regina Tozetto-Mendoza,5 F&aacute;bio Marcon Alfieri,1,6 Thais Raquel Filippo,1 Linamara Rizzo Battistella1,71Clinical Research Center, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of S&atilde;o Paulo Medical School, S&atilde;o Paulo, 2Division of Physical Medicine, Center for Acupuncture, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, S&atilde;o Paulo, 3Department of Pathology, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, S&atilde;o Paulo, 4Laboratory of Medical Investigation LIM-52-HCFMUSP, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, S&atilde;o Paulo, 5Tropical Laboratory of Hematology/Medical Research Laboratory-LIM&nbsp;52, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, S&atilde;o Paulo, 6Program of Master in Health Promotion, S&atilde;o Paulo Adventist University Center, S&atilde;o Paulo, 7Department of Legal Medicine, Medical Ethics, Social and Labor Medicine &ndash; Medicine School, University of S&atilde;o Paulo, S&atilde;o Paulo, BrazilIntroduction: Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis may present a relationship with the concentration of cytokines. The aim of this study was to compare the serum concentrations of IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1&szlig;, and IL-8 in patients with knee osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.Materials and methods: The study included 53 women (71.2&plusmn;7.6 years old) diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis with moderate-to-severe pain (visual analog scale &gt;4) for at least 3 months. Sixty women (54.1&plusmn;8.1 years old) diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria and with moderate-to-severe pain (visual analog scale &gt;4) also participated in this study. For the dosage of cytokines, blood was collected in the morning: 5 mL from the cubital vein. The material was centrifuged at 4&deg;C, separated into 100 &micro;L aliquots and stored at -80&deg;C until processing. Serum concentrations of the studied cytokines were assessed using the BD Cytometric Bead Array method. Data were analyzed with Student&rsquo;s t-test and the Mann&ndash;Whitney U test.Results: We found higher levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1&szlig; in fibromyalgia patients. After adjustment of age as a covariate, there was no statistically significant difference in the concentration of any cytokine between fibromyalgia and knee osteoarthritis patients.Conclusion: Patients with knee osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia with the same duration and intensity of pain demonstrate similar concentrations of cytokines. Aging may play a role in cytokine profile, a finding not so extensively addressed in the literature and one that should be further investigated.Keywords: cytokines, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, agin