Interação do fator reumatóide e Entamoeba histolytica

The amoebae's cytotoxicity test and the amoebae's lysis test were used to show possible interactions between rheumatoid factor (RF) and Entamoeba histolytica. Amoebae's cytotoxic activity (ACA) was inhibited by affinity chromatography purified antiamoebae rabbit IgG (RIgG). Enhanced inhibition could be demonstrated with RIgG plus RF. But the same marked inhibition of ACA could be seen when replacing RF by heat inactivated normal human serum as a control. About 50% amoebae's lysis occurred when amoebae were brought together with native normal human serum (NNHS) as a source of complement. Amoebae's lysis increased to 60% when incubated with NHS plus human antiamoebae antibodies. No further augmentation could be obtained by the addition of RF. Using RIgG instead of human antibodies the lysis rate did not increase. Incubation of amoebae, NNHS, RIgG and RF even reduced amoebae's lysis. RF neither has an effect on ACA nor on complement mediated AL in vitro.Testes para citotoxicidade e lise amebiana foram utilizados para demonstrar uma possível interação entre o fator reumatóide e a Entamoeba histolytica. A atividade citotóxica amebiana foi inibida pela IgG antiameba de coelho purificada através de cromatografia. Constatou-se inibição aumentada com IgG antiameba de coelho mais fator reumatóide. A mesma inibição acentuada da atividade citotóxica amebiana pôde ser constatada quando se substituiu o fator reumatóide por soro humano normal, inativado pelo calor, como controle. Cerca de 50% de lise amebiana ocorreu quando as amebas foram misturadas com soro normal humano como fonte de complemento. A lise amebiana aumentou para 60% quando incubadas com soro humano normal, acrescido de anticorpos humanos antiameba. Nenhum aumento adicional pode ser obtido pela adição de fator reumatóide. Usando IgG antiameba de coelho em vez de anticorpos humanos, a proporção de lise não aumentou. A incubação de amebas com soro humano normal, IgG antiameba de coelho e fator reumatóide reduziu acentuadamente a lise amebiana. O fator reumatóide não teve efeito na atividade citotóxica amebiana, nem na lise amebiana mediada pelo complemento in vitro

Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs and leishmaniasis in Europe.

Leishmaniasis is endemic in Europe and the prevalence of latent infection in the Mediterranean region is high. Reports describing opportunistic leishmaniasis in European patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha antagonist drugs are rapidly accumulating. For other granulomatous infections, risk of opportunistic disease varies by mode of TNF-alpha antagonism. This study explores whether this may also be the case for leishmaniasis. We ascertained the relative frequency of exposure to different TNF antagonist drugs among published cases of opportunistic leishmaniasis in Europe and compared this with the prescription of these drugs in Europe. We found that risk of opportunistic leishmaniasis is higher in patients receiving anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies (infliximab or adalimumab) compared with patients treated with the TNF-receptor construct etanercept. Clinicians may want to consider these observations, which suggest that etanercept should be favoured over anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies in individuals living in or visiting areas endemic for leishmaniasis until evidence from prospective research is available. A European adverse event reporting system is required to identify rare opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory biotherapies

Comprehensive study of proteasome inhibitors against Plasmodium falciparum laboratory strains and field isolates from Gabon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence and spread of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>resistance to almost all available antimalarial drugs necessitates the search for new chemotherapeutic compounds. The ubiquitin/proteasome system plays a major role in overall protein turnover, especially in fast dividing eukaryotic cells including plasmodia. Previous studies show that the 20S proteasome is expressed and catalytically active in plasmodia and treatment with proteasome inhibitors arrests parasite growth. This is the first comprehensive screening of proteasome inhibitors with different chemical modes of action against laboratory strains of <it>P. falciparum</it>. Subsequently, a selection of inhibitors was tested in field isolates from Lambaréné, Gabon.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epoxomicin, YU101, YU102, MG132, MG115, Z-L₃-VS, Ada-Ahx₃-L₃-VS, lactacystin, bortezomib (Velcade^®), gliotoxin, PR11 and PR39 were tested and compared to chloroquine- and artesunate-activities in a standardized <it>in vitro </it>drug susceptibility assay against <it>P. falciparum </it>laboratory strains 3D7, D10 and Dd2. Freshly obtained field isolates from Lambaréné, Gabon, were used to measure the activity of chloroquine, artesunate, epoxomicin, MG132, lactacystin and bortezomib. Parasite growth was detected through histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) production. Raw data were fitted by a four-parameter logistic model and individual inhibitory concentrations (50%, 90%, and 99%) were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Amongst all proteasome inhibitors tested, epoxomicin showed the highest activity in chloroquine-susceptible (IC50: 6.8 nM [3D7], 1.7 nM [D10]) and in chloroquine-resistant laboratory strains (IC50: 10.4 nM [Dd2]) as well as in field isolates (IC50: 8.5 nM). The comparator drug artesunate was even more active (IC50: 1.0 nM), whereas all strains were chloroquine-resistant (IC50: 113 nM).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The peptide α',β'-epoxyketone epoxomicin is highly active against <it>P. falciparum </it>regardless the grade of the parasite's chloroquine susceptibility. Therefore, inhibition of the proteasome is a highly promising strategy to develop new antimalarials. Epoxomicin can serve as a standard to compare new inhibitors with species-specific activity.</p

Theaterauszeichnungen in Österreich

Auszeichnungen, Preise und Ehrungen gibt es in fast allen Bereichen des menschlichen Lebens. Theater bildet da keine Ausnahme. Beinahe jede Bühne vergibt zumindest Ehrenmitgliedschaften um großartige Leistungen ihrer Mitarbeiter zu honorieren und sie ans eigene Haus zu binden. Eine fortschreitende Akzeptanz und Begeisterung für den Berufszweig Schauspielerei forciert einen immer stärker werdenden Wettbewerb. Will man erfolgreich sein muss man, wie in vielen anderen Gebieten auch, Außergewöhnliches leisten. Theaterpreise werden vergeben um die besten dieser außergewöhnlichen Leistungen zu prämieren und auf ihre Schöpfer aufmerksam zu machen. Sozusagen „die Spreu vom Weizen“ zu trennen, könnte man als eine ihrer Hauptaufgaben bezeichnen. Zusätzlich bringen sie Theater allgemein mehr ins Bewusstsein der Medien und Rezipienten. Ein weiterer, nicht zu unterschätzender Faktor, ist der Wunsch der Ausgezeichneten selbst, durch sammeln verschiedenster Ehrungen nicht mehr Teil einer Masse zu sein, sondern als Individuum wahrgenommen zu werden. –Und in Folge dessen als einzigartiges Wesen auch nach dem Tod in Erinnerung zu bleiben. Die vorliegende Diplomarbeit geht bis zu einem gewissen Grad dem Wunsch des Menschen nach Ruhm und Unsterblichkeit nach, genauso wie der Frage, warum Wettkampf ein wichtiger Teil der Gesellschaft geworden ist. Zudem wird anhand exemplarischer österreichischer Theaterauszeichnungen für Sprechtheater eine übergeordnete Struktur aufgezeigt und die Beispiele mit ihrer Geschichte, ihren Kriterien und ihrer sozialen Verankerung beleuchtet

Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten an die Uni?

Die vorliegende Diplomarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Mitarbeit von Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten als ExpertInnen in eigener Sache an einem Seminar der Universität Wien, konkreter dem Institut für Bildungswissenschaften. Das Seminar trägt den Titel „Partizipation von Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten – in Forschungsfelder der Heil- und Integrativen Pädagogik“ und wurde im Wintersemester 2008/09 sowie im Sommersemester 2009 als semesterübergreifende Lehrveranstaltung angeboten. Neun Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten übernahmen dabei die Funktion von Co-LehrveranstaltungsleiterInnen und LeiterInnen von Forschungsgruppen. Gemeinsam mit zwei bis vier Studierenden führten sie Forschungsprojekte zu Themenbereichen durch, die sie zuvor selbstständig ausgewählt hatten. Inhaltliche, methodische sowie theoretische Aspekte der Durchführung der Forschung wurden dabei im Rahmen des Seminares erläutert. Die dem empirischen Teil dieser Diplomarbeit zu Grunde liegende Forschungsfrage lautet: Inwiefern leistet die Teilnahme von Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten im Rahmen forschungsgeleiteter universitärer Lehre in der Tradition Inklusiver Forschung einen Beitrag, Empowerment-Prozesse in Gang zu setzen? Die gesamte Diplomarbeit ist um diese Forschungsfrage herum aufgebaut. Dazu werden zunächst Grundbegriffe geklärt, die die Basis dieser Forschungsfrage bilden. Hier wird auch ein Arbeitsraster des Empowerment-Konzeptes erarbeitet, der in weiterer Folge grundlegend bei der Auswertung der Ergebnisse verwendet wird. Es folgen Ausführungen zur Konzeption des empirischen Teils der Arbeit, der in Rahmen einer Qualitativen Sozialforschung mit den Erhebungsinstrumenten Problemzentriertes Interview und Teilnehmende Beobachtung arbeitet. Als Auswertungsmethode dient die Grounded Theory nach Glaser/Strauss sowie einer Erweiterung dessen durch Charmaz. Die dadurch gefundenen Ergebnisse werden ausführlich dargestellt.This thesis deals with the collaboration of people with learning difficulties with students in a university seminar at the Department of Education at the University of Vienna. The course „Participation of People with Learning Difficulties – in the fields of study of Curative Education“ was arranged in the semesters 2008/09 and 2009, which accords to the period of data acquisition. Nine people with learning difficulties slipped into the role of co-teachers and senior researchers, the so-called experts. They chose topics für their research projects and worked together with two to four students. Aspects of theory and approach have been illustrated in the context of the course. The experimental part of this thesis focuses on the following research question: How does the the participation of people with learning difficulties in academic teaching in the tradition of inclusive research contribute to launch empowerment processes? To elaborate this question, fundamental terms have to be cleared. The experimantal part is composed as Qualitative Research. For that participating observation and a specific interviewing technique are used. The methodological approach used in this study is Grounded Theory according to Glaser/Strauss and enlargements by Kathy Charmaz

Is flow cytometry better in counting malaria pigment-containing leukocytes compared to microscopy?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Detection of malaria pigment (or haemozoin; Hz)-containing leukocytes may have prognostic relevance in malaria; however, studies reported conflicting results, with microscopic counts suggestive of being inaccurate and imprecise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Numbers of Hz-containing leukocytes from a malaria patient obtained with a flow cytometer counting 50.000 gated events were compared with thin film microscopy as applied under field conditions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Flow cytometry identified 5.8% Hz-containing monocytes and 1.8% Hz-containing neutrophils. The microscopic examination yielded 10% and 13% of Hz-containing monocytes, as well as 0% and 0.5% of Hz-containing neutrophils for observers one and two, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Novel, robust and affordable cytometric methods should be evaluated in the field as they may assist in utilizing Hz-containing cells as clinically useful parameter.</p

Higher IL-10 levels are associated with less effective clearance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites

The implications of high levels of the immune regulatory cytokine IL-10 in Plasmodium falciparum malaria are unclear. IL-10 may down-regulate pro-inflammatory responses and also exacerbate disease by inhibiting anti-parasitic immune functions. To study possible inhibiting effects on parasite clearance, IL-10 plasma levels were determined in 104 Tanzanian children, 1 to 4 years old, with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, and analysed for association with parasite densities during 3 days of anti-malarial treatment. Higher baseline IL-10 plasma levels were associated with statistically significantly higher parasite densities after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. These associations could not be explained by differences in initial parasitaemia, temperature, age, sex or type of treatment. Induction of high IL-10 production might be a direct or indirect mechanism whereby the parasite evades the immune response

Prospective evaluation of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of non-falciparum and mixed-species malaria in Gabon

Background: The recommendation of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria is supported by a plethora of high quality clinical trials. However, their recommendation for the treatment of mixed-species malaria and the large-scale use for the treatment of non-falciparum malaria in endemic regions is based on anecdotal rather than systematic clinical evidence. Methods: This study prospectively observed the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated non-falciparum or mixed-species malaria in two routine district hospitals in the Central African country of Gabon. Results: Forty patients suffering from uncomplicated Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale or mixed-species malaria (including Plasmodium falciparum) presenting at the hospital received artemether-lumefantrine treatment and were followed up. All evaluable patients (n = 38) showed an adequate clinical and parasitological response on Day 28 after oral treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (95% confidence interval: 0.91,1). All adverse events were of mild to moderate intensity and completely resolved by the end of study. Conclusions: This first systematic assessment of artemether-lumefantrine treatment for P. malariae, P. ovale and mixed-species malaria demonstrated a high cure rate of 100% and a favourable tolerability profile, and thus lends support to the practice of treating non-falciparum or mixed-species malaria, or all cases of malaria without definite species differentiation, with artemether-lumefantrine in Gabon. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0072577