BALB/c and C57BL/6 Mice Cytokine Responses to Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Are Independent of Parasite Strain Infectivity

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease, which affects 6-7 million people worldwide. Different strains of T. cruzi present specific genotypic and phenotypic characteristics that affect the host-pathogen interactions, and thus, the parasite has been classified into six groups (TcI to TcVI). T. cruzi infection presents two clinical phases, acute and chronic, both with distinct characteristics and important participation by the immune system. However, the specific contributions of parasite and host factors in the disease phases are not yet fully understood. The murine model for Chagas' disease is well-established and reproduces important features of the human infection, providing an experimental basis for the study of host lineages and parasite strains. Thus, we evaluated acute and chronic infection by the G (TcI) and CL (TcVI) strains of T. cruzi, which have distinct tropisms and infectivity, in two inbred mice lineages (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) that display variable degrees of susceptibility to different T. cruzi strains. Analysis of the parasite loads in host tissues by qPCR showed that CL strain established an infection faster than the G strainat the same time, the response in BALB/c mice, although diverse in terms of cytokine secretion, was initiated earlier than that in C57BL/6 mice. At the parasitemia peak in the acute phase, we observed, either by confocal microscopy or by qPCR, that the infection was disseminated in all groups analyzed, with some differences concerning parasite tropismat this point, all animals responded to infection by increasing the serum concentrations of cytokines. However, BALB/c mice seemed to better regulate the immune response than C57BL/6 mice. Indeed, in the chronic phase, C57BL/6 mice still presented exacerbated cytokine and chemokine responses. In summary, our results indicate that in these experimental models, the deregulation of immune response that is typical of chronic Chagas' disease may be due to control loss over pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines early in the acute phase of the disease, depending primarily on the host background rather than the parasite strain.FAPESPCAPESCNPqUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Bioquim, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Bioquim, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/51475-3FAPESP: 2014/21338-2CNPq: 302068/2016-3Web of Scienc

Relato de caso de uma apresentação atípica de glomerulonefrite difusa aguda

A glomerulonefrite difusa aguda (GNDA) é uma afecção glomerular que em geral, apresenta-se como síndrome nefrítica, caracterizada pela presença de hematúria, edema e hipertensão, com graus variáveis de proteinúria, embora nem todas as manifestações precisem estar presentes. Ocorre com certo predomínio em crianças em idade pré-escolar, sendo mais rara entre menores de 2 anos e em adultos com mais de 40 anos. Geralmente é precedida, em cerca de duas a três semanas, por infecção de via aérea superior ou de quadro de piodermite. O objetivo de relatar um caso de paciente que apresentou manifestação atípica de GNDA com necessidade de tratamento dialítico, é de enfatizar a importância de investigação nefrológica adequada, com realização de biópsia renal para diagnóstico,tratamento e prognóstico

Postural adjustments and kinematic index finger features in frail older adults under different equilibrium constraints

Background: Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are significantly affected by age and may represent restrictions on functional independence. Previous studies in young adults have already highlighted that changing postural stability (i.e., seated vs. upright posture) affects the motor planning and APAs. In frail older adults (FOAs), the effect of these different conditions of postural stability have not yet been established, and the present study aimed to disentangle this issue. Methods: Participants executed an arm-pointing task to reach a diode immediately after it turned on, under different conditions of stability (seated with and without foot support and in an upright posture). A kinematic profile of the index finger and postural electromyographic data were registered in their dominant-side leg muscles: Tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris, and semitendinosus. Results: The main finding of this study was that the adopted posture and body stabilization in FOAs did not reflect differences in APAs or kinematic features. In addition, they did not present an optimal APA, since postural muscles are recruited simultaneously with the deltoid. Conclusion: Thus, FOAs seem to use a single non-optimal motor plan to assist with task performance and counterbalance perturbation forces in which they present similar APAs and do not modify their kinematics features under different equilibrium constraints

Pectus Excavatum and Pectus Carinatum in dogs

Background: Deformities of the anterior thoracic wall are called pectus: pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. Pectus excavatum is characterised by dorsal deviation of the caudal region of the sternum while pectus carinatum consists of protrusion of the sternum and/or adjacent cartilage. Both defects may remain symptom-free, but respiratory and cardiac abnormalities have been reported. Another deformity observed in dogs is the swimming dog syndrome, which consists of the lateral opening of the thoracic and pelvic limbs, associated with the pedalling movement. These disorders are frequently reported in medical practice, are considered rare among canines. This report aims to describe a case of pectus excavatum associated with the swimming dog syndrome (Case 1) and another case of pectus carinatum (Case 2).Case: In Case 1, an approximately 45-day-old male American Pitbull canine had difficulty standing. Physical examination revealed hyperextension of the thoracic and pelvic limb joints and flattening of the thorax. After radiographic examination, pectus excavatum and the swimming dog syndrome were confirmed. The conservative treatment with splinting and hydrotherapy was chosen. At the 3-month follow-up, slight improvement in the limbs and irregular and unsatisfactory growth of the thorax leading to episodes of dyspnoea were observed. In Case 2, a female Pug, approximately 2 months old, had a thorax deformity. Physical examination revealed thorax protrusion, confirmed on radiography as pectus carinatum. Conservative therapy was provided using compressive bandage. One month later, the tutor reported improvement in the condition and absence of respiratory changes.Discussion: Pectus deformities has low incidence, and cases to pectus carinatum, there is a sexual predisposition, that is, males are more predisposed, differing from Case 2, a female dog. In the cases of pectus excavatum, no genetic alteration was directly related to its occurrence, although familial occurrence is reported in humans, as in Case 1, in which the patient was the only one of this litter to present this deformity. Though the possibility is lower, the acquired aetiology has been described in other cases. In pectus carinatum, there is the possibility of an acquired aetiology, which corroborates Case 2, considering that the canine had no history of inbreeding, nor family history. However, it is important consider racial predisposition, where there is an increasing number of cases of pectus carinatum in brachycephalic canines. Respiratory symptoms are frequently reported in cases of pectus excavatum, which the evolution of the condition occurred in Case 1, that can be explained by the displacement of organs or the restriction to ventilation. Humans have shown that pectus excavatum reduces static lung function. Case 2 showed no clinical signs, despite this presented dextrocardia, which in the future may confer cardiac dysfunctions. The diagnosis for pectus is considered simple. Performed only by radiography, it can be complemented by echocardiography. In both cases, conservative treatment was the choice. However, in Case 1 there was no success due to the degree of patient involvement, unlike Case 2, which had a better development of the thoracic wall, ensuring better quality of life for the patient. Thus, it is possible to conclude that some differences were found in these two reported cases when compared to others described in the literature.  The radiographic diagnosis is confirmatory, and the therapy must be adequate to the degree of thoracic wall deformity. In addition, the prognosis is more reserved for pectus excavatum than pectus carinatum

Effects of weight divisions in time-motion of female high-level Brazilian Jiu-jitsu combat behaviors

Coaches and psychologists can use time-motion analysis to elaborate specific interventions for female BJJ athletes, increasing specific training context and reducing unnecessary psychological and physical demands and injuries. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze high-level BJJ female athletes in the 2020 Pan-American Games by comparing the weight categories on the time-motion analysis. The time-motion analysis (i.e., approach, gripping, attack, defensive actions, transition, mounting, guard, side control, and submissions) of 422 high-level female BJJ combats was divided and compared by weight category as follows: Rooster (n = 8), Light Feather (n = 18), Feather (n = 122), Light (n = 84), Middle (n = 74), Medium Heavy (n = 44), Heavy (n = 36), Super Heavy (n = 36), using p ≤ 0.05. The main results indicated that the Super heavyweight category [3.1 (5.8;119.9) s] had a shorter gripping time than other weight categories, p ≤ 0.05. In contrast, roosters [7.2 (3.5;64.6) s] had longer gripping, transition [14.0 (4.8;29.6) s], and attack time [76.2 (27.7, 93.2)] than the light feather, middlers, and heavier weight categories, p ≤ 0.05. These findings should be considered for the psychological interventions and training prescription

Análise dos metabólitos secundários da mangifera indica linneaus como possibilidade de tratamento alternativo para a síndrome pós covid-19 / Analysis of secondary metabolites of mangifera indica linneaus as na alternative treatment possibility for the post-covid-19 syndrome

Desde os tempos mais remotos o ser humano vem fazendo uso de plantas medicinais para cura de seus males espirituais e físicos. Porém, o uso dessas plantas era feito de maneira empírica onde o conhecimento foi sendo construindo de maneira experimental e observado, passando de pais para filhos. Contudo, estudos científicos tornaram seu consumo ainda mais popular e o os tratamentos a base de plantas medicinais vêm se tornando cada vez mais comum. Durante a pandemia do vírus SARS-CoV-2, causador da Covid-19, as folhas verdes de mangueira estavam sendo utilizadas para tratar a chamada síndrome pós Covid-19. Portanto, o presente trabalho buscou identificar através de testes fitoquímicos qualitativos, os principais constituintes das folhas de Mangifera indica Linnaeus, onde durante esse procedimento foram identificados fenóis, taninos, flavonóides, catequinas, saponinas, esteroides, triterpenos e alcaloides no extrato bruto e em suas frações, que confrontados à literatura mostraram que a planta possui potencial para tratar os sintomas da síndrome. Porém são necessários estudos de quantificação e caracterização para saber ao certo quais efeito essas substâncias podem atuar contra as sequelas da síndrome

Modulation of the Effects of Lung Immune Response on Bone Marrow by Oral Antigen Exposure

Allergic airway inflammation is attenuated by oral tolerization (oral exposure to allergen, followed by conventional sensitization and challenge with homologous antigen), which decreases airway allergen challenge-induced eosinophilic infiltration of the lungs and bone marrow eosinophilia. We examined its effects on bone marrow eosinophil and neutrophil production. Mice of wild type (BP-2, BALB/c, and C57BL/6) and mutant strains (lacking iNOS or CD95L) were given ovalbumin (OVA) or water (vehicle) orally and subsequently sensitized and challenged with OVA (OVA/OVA/OVA and H2O/OVA/OVA groups, resp.). Anti-OVA IgG and IgE, bone marrow eosinophil and neutrophil numbers, and eosinophil and neutrophil production ex vivo were evaluated. T lymphocytes from OVA/OVA/OVA or control H2O/OVA/OVA donors were transferred into naïve syngeneic recipients, which were subsequently sensitized/challenged with OVA. Alternatively, T lymphocytes were cocultured with bone marrow eosinophil precursors from histocompatible sensitized/challenged mice. OVA/OVA/OVA mice of the BP-2 and BALB/c strains showed, relative to H2O/OVA/OVA controls, significantly decreased bone marrow eosinophil counts and ex vivo eosinopoiesis/neutropoiesis. Full effectiveness in vivo required sequential oral/subcutaneous/intranasal exposures to the same allergen. Transfer of splenic T lymphocytes from OVA/OVA/OVA donors to naive recipients prevented bone marrow eosinophilia and eosinopoiesis in response to recipient sensitization/challenge and supressed eosinopoiesis upon coculture with syngeneic bone marrow precursors from sensitized/challenged donors