Evaluation of Cellular Phenotypes Implicated in Immunopathogenesis and Monitoring Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in HIV/Leprosy Cases

BACKGROUND: It is now evident that HAART-associated immunological improvement often leads to a variety of new clinical manifestations, collectively termed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, or IRIS. This phenomenon has already been described in cases of HIV coinfection with Mycobacterium leprae, most of them belonging to the tuberculoid spectrum of leprosy disease, as observed in leprosy reversal reaction (RR). However, the events related to the pathogenesis of this association need to be clarified. This study investigated the immunological profile of HIV/leprosy patients, with special attention to the cellular activation status, to better understand the mechanisms related to IRIS/RR immunopathogenesis, identifying any potential biomarkers for IRIS/RR intercurrence. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Eighty-five individuals were assessed in this study: HIV/leprosy and HIV-monoinfected patients, grouped according to HIV-viral load levels, leprosy patients without HIV coinfection, and healthy controls. Phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry for T cell subsets and immune differentiation/activation markers. As expected, absolute counts of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from the HIV-infected individuals changed in relation to those of the leprosy patients and controls. However, there were no significant differences among the groups, whether in the expression of cellular differentiation phenotypes or cellular activation, as reflected by the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR. Six HIV/leprosy patients identified as IRIS/RR were analyzed during IRIS/RR episodes and after prednisone treatment. These patients presented high cellular activation levels regarding the expression of CD38 in CD8+ cells T during IRIS/RR (median: 77,15%), dropping significantly (p<0,05) during post-IRIS/RR moments (median: 29,7%). Furthermore, an increase of cellular activation seems to occur prior to IRIS/RR. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest CD38 expression in CD8+ T cells interesting tool identifying HIV/leprosy individuals at risk for IRIS/RR. So, a comparative investigation to leprosy patients at RR should be conducted

Dating of ocean sediments

The variation of cosmic ray intensity and the sedimentation rates in the past can be determined under either of the following conditions: If the titanium deposition, in addition to being uniform in space, has remained constant in the past, then the titarium concentrations yield the sedimentation rate and therefore the age of the various sediment layers. The Be10 concentrations then determine the cosmic ray intensities at various ages. If the cosmic ray intensity has varied linearly with time, the total Be10 contents of a long core together with the present day deposition rate of Be10, yields the cosmic ray intensity as a function of time. Be10 concentrations at any particular depth then determine the sedimentation rate and the rate of deposition of titanium. The results of these two methods are presented

Constructing useful theory : The case of Six Sigma

Organizational practices related to Six Sigma are believed to have resulted in improved organizational outcomes. The academic community, however, continues to lack understanding of the constructs and causal relationships underlying Six Sigma. Hence, discussion of Six Sigma is buffeted by anecdotal experience reported from practice. We evaluate Six Sigma through the lens of literature on theory development to explain why the Six Sigma constructs, assumptions, and causal relationships are inconsistent with theory development principles

Dentigerous cyst with an impacted third molar obliterating complete maxillary sinus

Dentigerous cyst is the most commonly occurring odontogenic cyst after radicular cyst and accounts for 15% of all true cysts in the jaws. The cyst is more common in mandible than in maxilla. The dentigerous cyst is commonly associated with impacted mandibular third molars. In maxilla, the incidence is rare. Dentigerous cyst in maxillary sinus in association with an impacted third molar is an uncommon entity. We present a case of dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted third molar, completely obliterating the maxillary sinus in a 28-year-old female

Dentigerous cyst with an impacted third molar obliterating complete maxillary sinus

Dentigerous cyst is the most commonly occurring odontogenic cyst after radicular cyst and accounts for 15% of all true cysts in the jaws. The cyst is more common in mandible than in maxilla. The dentigerous cyst is commonly associated with impacted mandibular third molars. In maxilla, the incidence is rare. Dentigerous cyst in maxillary sinus in association with an impacted third molar is an uncommon entity. We present a case of dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted third molar, completely obliterating the maxillary sinus in a 28-year-old female

Prehistoric cosmic ray intensity

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