Serological screening of the Schistosoma mansoni adult worm proteome

BackgroundNew interventions tools are a priority for schistosomiasis control and elimination, as the disease is still highly prevalent. The identification of proteins associated with active infection and protective immune response may constitute the basis for the development of a successful vaccine and could also indicate new diagnostic candidates. In this context, post-genomic technologies have been progressing, resulting in a more rational discovery of new biomarkers of resistance and antigens for diagnosis.Methodology/Principal FindingsTwo-dimensional electrophoresed Schistosoma mansoni adult worm protein extracts were probed with pooled sera of infected and non-infected (naturally resistant) individuals from a S. mansoni endemic area. A total of 47 different immunoreactive proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Although the different pooled sera shared most of the immunoreactive protein spots, nine protein spots reacted exclusively with the serum pool of infected individuals, which correspond to annexin, major egg antigen, troponin T, filamin, disulphide-isomerase ER-60 precursor, actin and reticulocalbin. One protein spot, corresponding to eukaryotic translation elongation factor, reacted exclusively with the pooled sera of non-infected individuals living in the endemic area. Western blotting of two selected recombinant proteins, major egg antigen and hemoglobinase, showed a similar recognition pattern of that of the native protein.Concluding/SignificanceUsing a serological proteome analysis, a group of antigens related to the different infection status of the endemic area residents was identified and may be related to susceptibility or resistance to infection

Relações de Gênero e a Atuação de Psicólogos na Oncologia: Subsídios para a Saúde Masculina

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-04-30T15:59:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_193.pdf: 369150 bytes, checksum: 1f41c97cd0589b3c399f81f27df09302 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-04-30T15:59:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_193.pdf: 369150 bytes, checksum: 1f41c97cd0589b3c399f81f27df09302 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-04-30T16:06:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_193.pdf: 369150 bytes, checksum: 1f41c97cd0589b3c399f81f27df09302 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-30T16:06:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_193.pdf: 369150 bytes, checksum: 1f41c97cd0589b3c399f81f27df09302 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilInstituto Mário Penna. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilO câncer vem sendo considerado um problema de saúde pública com maior índice de mortalidade entre a população masculina. Este estudo tem como objetivo identificar e analisar os relatos de psicólogos sobre a assistência voltada ao público masculino no âmbito da oncologia. Na perspectiva da Pesquisa Descritiva e Exploratória e dos Estudos de Gênero, foi elaborado um questionário semiestruturado respondido por 113 psicólogos de diferentes regiões do Brasil. Observou-se a incipiência de ações voltadas para o público masculino e um maior reconhecimento das necessidades específicas das mulheres. Os entrevistados apontaram para dificuldades de adesão dos homens às atividades dos serviços de psicologia e ao tratamento oncológico, revelando implicações dos aspectos socioculturais e institucionais. Os dados apontam para o processo de genderificação das instituições de saúde e a necessidade de inclusão do tema das masculinidades no âmbito do SUS.Cancer has been considered a problem of public health with the highest mortality ratings among the male population. This paper aims to identify and analyze the report of psychologists about the specialized attention towards the male public in the field of oncology. According to the Descriptive and Exploratory Research and the Gender Studies’ perspective, a semi-structured questionnaire was elaborated and it was answered by 113 Brazilian psychologists. Through the answers, the lack of specific actions to the male public was observed in comparison to the recognition of the specific women’s necessity. The interviewed ones pointed out the difficulties that men have to join the psychology services with the oncological treatment, exposing implications from the social-cultural and institutional aspects. The results points to the process of genderization of the health institutions and the necessity to include the theme of masculinity in the ambit of SUS.El cáncer ha sido considerado un problema de salud pública con tasas de mortalidad más elevadas entre los hombres. Este estudio buscó identificar y analizar las opiniones de psicólogos sobre la asistencia dirigida al público masculino en la oncología. A la vista de la investigación descriptiva y exploratoria y de los estudios de género, fue criado un cuestionario semi-estructurado, respondido por 113 psicólogos del Brasil. Se observó una escasez de acciones dirigidas al público masculino y un mayor reconocimiento de las necesidades de las mujeres. Los entrevistados informaron las dificultades en la adhesión de los hombres a las actividades de los servicios de psicología y al tratamiento oncológico, revelando implicaciones de los aspectos socioculturales e institucionales. Los resultados relevan el proceso de genderificación de las instituciones de salud y la necesidad de inclusión de la cuestión de lã

Concepções de psicólogos sobre o adoecimento de homens com câncer

Resumo: Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar as concepções de psicólogos sobre a experiência de adoecimento em homens com câncer. Na perspectiva da Pesquisa Qualitativa e dos referenciais das Teorias de Gênero, foram entrevistados 13 psicólogos que atuam em serviços especializados em oncologia de Belo Horizonte–MG. Os resultados apontam para as implicações do processo de socialização e construção da identidade masculina na experiência de adoecimento por câncer, refletindo em dificuldades de mobilização e adesão ao tratamento oncológico. Ao enfatizar a dimensão biológica, a estruturação psíquica e os aspectos socioculturais como constituintes dessas singularidades, o discurso dos entrevistados indica o determinismo e a culpabilização destes sujeitos, desconsiderando aspectos organizacionais e institucionais que contribuem para esse cenário. Observa?se a necessidade de construção de espaços crítico?reflexivos que possibilitem a discussão sobre as especificidades de gênero nos serviços de saúde, na perspectiva da universalidade, equidade e integralidade. Palavras?chave: neoplasias; gênero e saúde; masculinidade; saúde do homem; Psicologia Social

Câncer y masculinidades: sentidos atribuidos a la enfermedad y a el tratamiento oncológico

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-03-04T18:39:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_100.pdf: 483235 bytes, checksum: ad6510c0f4d0d28fe52db60b2a6aa574 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-03-04T18:41:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_100.pdf: 483235 bytes, checksum: ad6510c0f4d0d28fe52db60b2a6aa574 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2015-03-04T18:49:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_100.pdf: 483235 bytes, checksum: ad6510c0f4d0d28fe52db60b2a6aa574 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-04T18:49:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_100.pdf: 483235 bytes, checksum: ad6510c0f4d0d28fe52db60b2a6aa574 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilInstituto Mário Penna. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilApesar do crescente investimento na implantação de políticas públicas e programas de saúde voltados para a prevenção e diagnóstico precoce, o câncer ainda apresenta-se como uma das principais causas de morte em todo o mundo, com maior letalidade entre o público masculino. Na perspectiva da Pesquisa Qualitativa e ancorado nos pressupostos das Teorias de Gênero, este estudo teve como objetivo compreender as sentidos que os homens atribuem ao processo de adoecimento por câncer e ao tratamento oncológico. Foram entrevistados 16 pacientes, com diferentes tipos de neoplasias, internados em um hospital público, referência em oncologia, na cidade de Belo Horizonte - MG. Os resultados apontam para implicações do processo de socialização e construção da identidade masculina na maneira como os homens vivenciam o adoecimento e se vinculam às práticas de cuidado. A nova condição e as limitações impostas pela enfermidade e a rotina assistencial não-familiar, mostram-se incoerentes com a posição socialmente atribuída aos homens e contrárias aos padrões estabelecidos pelo modelo de masculinidade hegemônica, contribuindo para sentimentos de medo, tristeza e angústia. A necessidade de afastamento das atividades laborais e os reflexos do tratamento no exercício da sexualidade foram destacados pelos participantes, contribuindo para a sensação de redução e perda da masculinidade. Observa-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de ações em saúde que considerem a dimensão de gênero, favorecendo assim o reconhecimento das necessidades de saúde específicas e as singularidades do público masculino.From the perspective of Qualitative Research and anchored on the assumptions Gender's Theories, this study aimed to understand the meanings that men attribute to the illness process of cancer and oncologic treatment. We interviewed 16 patients with different types of cancer, admitted to a public hospital, oncology reference, in the city of Belo Horizonte - MG. The results point to implications of the socialization process and the construction of masculine identity in the way that men experience the illness and are linked to the practices of care. The new condition and the limitations imposed by illness and routine care unfamiliar, appear incoherent with the position social attributed to men and contrary to the standards established by the model of hegemonic masculinity, contributing to feelings of fear, sadness and distress. The necessity of depart of labor activities and the reflections of treatment in the exercise of sexuality were highlighted by participants, contributing to the sense of reduction and loss of masculinity. Observes the need of developing of public health efforts to consider the gender dimension, favoring the recognition of specific health needs and singularities of the male audience.En vista de la investigación cualitativa y anclado en las Teorías de Género, este estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender los sentidos que los hombres atribuyen al proceso de la enfermedad del cáncer y a el tratamiento oncológico. Entrevistamos a 16 pacientes con diferentes tipos de cáncer, admitidos en un hospital público de referencia en oncología, en la ciudad de Belo Horizonte - MG. Los resultados apuntan a las implicaciones del proceso de socialización y la construcción de la identidad masculina en cómo los hombres experimentan la enfermedad y se vinculan a las prácticas de cuidado. La nueva condición y las limitaciones impuestas por la enfermedad y la rutina de cuidado familiar, parecen coincidir con la posición socialmente asignados a los hombres y las contrarias a las normas establecidas por el modelo de masculinidad hegemónica, lo que contribuye a los sentimientos de miedo, tristeza y angustia. La necesidad de apartamiento de las actividades laborales y los reflejos de lo tratamiento en el ejercicio de la sexualidad fueron destacados por los participantes, lo que contribuye a la sensación de reducción y pérdida de la masculinidad. Se observa la necesidad de desarrollo de actividades de salud públicas a considerar la dimensión de género, favoreciendo el reconocimiento de las necesidades de salud específicas y singularidades del público masculino

Genetic Epidemiology of Fecal Egg Excretion During Schistosoma mansoni Infection in an Endemic Area in Minas Gerais, Brazil

There is considerable variation in the level of fecal egg excretion during Schistosoma mansoni   infections. Within a single endemic area, the distribution of egg counts is typically overdispersed, with the majority of eggs excreted coming from a minority of residents. The purpose of this study was to quantify the influence of genetic factors on patterns of fecal egg excretion in a rural study sample in Brazil. Individual fecal egg excretions, expressed in eggs per gram of feces, were determined by the Kato-Katz method on stool samples collected on three different days. Detailed genealogic information was gathered at the time of sampling, which allowed assignment of 461 individuals to 14 pedigrees containing between 3 and 422 individuals. Using a maximum likelihood variance decomposition approach, we performed quantitative genetic analyses to determine if genetic factors could partially account for the observed pattern of fecal egg excretion. The quantitative genetic analysis indicated that between 21-37% of the variation in S. mansoni egg counts was attributable to additive genetic factors and that shared environment, as assessed by common household, accounted for a further 12-21% of the observed variation. A maximum likelihood heritability (h2) estimate of 0.44 ± 0.14 (mean ± SE) was found for the 9,604 second- and higher-degree pairwise relationships in the study sample, which is consistent with the upper limit (37%) of the genetic factor determined in the variance decomposition analysis. These analyses point to the significant influence of additive host genes on the pattern of S. mansoni fecal egg excretion in this endemic area

Cytokine profile, proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt in circulating mononuclear cells from individuals during the chronic intestinal phase of Schistosomiasis mansoni infection

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2014-06-16T12:44:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cytokine profile.pdf: 3149759 bytes, checksum: cf43916157d8279f1d5361396fd1143b (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-16T12:44:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cytokine profile.pdf: 3149759 bytes, checksum: cf43916157d8279f1d5361396fd1143b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Escola de Enfermagem. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais.Escola de Enfermagem. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Brasilia, DF, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Clínica Médica, Cirurgia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Belo Horizonte, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Belo Horizonte, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Cirurgia. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilBackground :The immune response to Schistosoma mansoni is characterized by a granulomatous reaction around the parasite eggs that are trapped in the host liver, and this reaction modulates the immune response during the chronic phase of the disease. The typical peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) response of patients during the chronic intestinal phase of infection is characterized by a decreased response to an S. mansoni soluble egg antigen. To obtain a greater understanding of Schistosoma infections, this study investigated the effects of the soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble adult worm antigen (SWAP) of S. mansoni on cellular proliferation, cytokine production, and ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in PBMCs from infected (XTO) and egg-negative (NI) individuals living in the same endemic area. Methods : The activation status was evaluated by cell immunophenotypic staining (cytometry). The cell proliferation assay was by CFSE method. Cytokine detection assay (Th1 and Th2) was by Cytometric Bead and Array phosphorylation status was by ELISA. Results : The XTO, NI and BD (blood donor) individuals from an area not endemic for schistosomiasis were compared. The CD4+ T lymphocyte proliferation rate was lower in the XTO group, but not the NI group, after SEA stimulation compared to the BD group. The CD8+ T cell proliferation rate was lower in the XTO group in the unstimulated cultures and after both SEA and SWAP stimulation compared to the BD group. Cytokine analysis after either SEA or SWAP stimulation showed a balanced cytokine pattern in the XTO and NI groups. ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation were only marginally detected in all groups; however, a decrease in ERK 1/2 phosphorylation was observed in the SWAP-stimulated XTO group compared to both the NI and BD groups. Conclusions : The data indicate that SEA-stimulated CD4+ T cells from infected patients have a lower proliferation rate than the same cells from the NI group. Furthermore, we observed that SWAP stimulation influences ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the XTO group

Induction of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells during Human Hookworm Infection Modulates Antigen-Mediated Lymphocyte Proliferation.

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2014-12-02T12:58:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Induction of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells during Human Hookworm Infection Modulates Antigen-Mediated Lymphocyte Proliferation.pdf: 583244 bytes, checksum: 380031abcfa9a222d6ee2c5e979d06ea (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2014-12-02T13:07:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Induction of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells during Human Hookworm Infection Modulates Antigen-Mediated Lymphocyte Proliferation.pdf: 583244 bytes, checksum: 380031abcfa9a222d6ee2c5e979d06ea (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-02T13:07:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Induction of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells during Human Hookworm Infection Modulates Antigen-Mediated Lymphocyte Proliferation.pdf: 583244 bytes, checksum: 380031abcfa9a222d6ee2c5e979d06ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Hospital das Clínicas. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Brazil/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Brazil/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Escola de Enfermagem. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais. Brazil/ Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilHookworm infection is considered one of the most important poverty-promoting neglected tropical diseases, infecting 576 to 740 million people worldwide, especially in the tropics and subtropics. These blood-feeding nematodes have a remarkable ability to downmodulate the host immune response, protecting themselves from elimination and minimizing severe host pathology. While several mechanisms may be involved in the immunomodulation by parasitic infection, experimental evidences have pointed toward the possible involvement of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in downregulating effector T-cell responses upon chronic infection. However, the role of Tregs cells in human hookworm infection is still poorly understood and has not been addressed yet. In the current study we observed an augmentation of circulating CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in hookworm-infected individuals compared with healthy non-infected donors. We have also demonstrated that infected individuals present higher levels of circulating Treg cells expressing CTLA-4, GITR, IL-10, TGF-b and IL-17. Moreover, we showed that hookworm crude antigen stimulation reduces the number of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ T regulatory cells co-expressing IL-17 in infected individuals. Finally, PBMCs from infected individuals pulsed with excreted/secreted products or hookworm crude antigens presented an impaired cellular proliferation, which was partially augmented by the depletion of Treg cells. Our results suggest that Treg cells may play an important role in hookworm-induced immunosuppression, contributing to the longevity of hookworm survival in infected people