ArtinM offers new perspectives in the development of antifungal therapy

The thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), the most frequent systemic mycosis that affects the rural populations in Latin America. Despite significant developments in antifungal chemotherapy, its efficacy remains limited since drug therapy is prolonged and associated with toxic side effects and relapses. In response to these challenges, it is now recognized that several aspects of antifungal immunity can be modulated to better deal with fungal infections. A common idea for halting fungal infections has been the need to activate a cell-based, pro-inflammatory Th1 immune response to improve the fungal elimination. ArtinM, a D-mannose binding lectin from Artocarpus heterophyllus, has the property of modulating immunity against several intracellular pathogens. Here, we review the immunomodulatory activity of ArtinM during experimental PCM in mice. Both prophylactic and therapeutic protocols of ArtinM administration promotes a Th1 immune response balanced by IL-10, which outstandingly reduces the fungal load in organs of the treated mice while maintaining a controlled inflammation at the site of infection. A carbohydrate recognition-based interaction of ArtinM with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) accounts for initiating the immunomodulatory effect of the lectin. The precise identification of the TLR2 N-glycan(s) targeted by ArtinM may support novel basis for the development of antifungal therapy

Schistosoma mansoni rSm29 Antigen Induces a Regulatory Phenotype on Dendritic Cells and Lymphocytes From Patients With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

The immune response induced by Schistosma mansoni antigens is able to prevent immune-mediated diseases. Conversely, the inflammatory response in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), although responsible for controlling the infection, is also associated with the pathogenesis of disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the S. mansoni Sm29 antigen to change certain aspects of the profiles of monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and lymphocytes from subjects with CL in vitro. Expression of surface molecules and intracellular cytokines in the MoDCs and lymphocytes as well as the proliferation of Leishmania braziliensis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines were evaluated in culture supernatants by ELISA. It was observed that stimulation by rSm29 increased the frequency of expression of CD83, CD80, CD86, and IL-10R in MoDCs compared to non-stimulated cultures. Additionally rSm29 decreased the frequency CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing CD28 and increased the frequency of CD4+CD25hi and CD4+CTLA-4+ T lymphocytes. Addition of rSm29 to cultures increased IL-10 levels and decreased levels of IL-12p40 and IFN-γ, while not altering TNF levels compared to non-stimulated cultures. This study showed that rSm29 induced a regulatory profile in MoDCs and lymphocytes and thereby regulated the exaggerated inflammation observed in CL. Considering that there are few therapeutic options for leishmaniasis, the use of rSm29 may be an alternative to current treatment and may be an important strategy to reduce the healing time of lesions in patients with CL

The antiapoptotic effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor reduces infarct size and prevents heart failure development in rats

Background/Aim. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces myocardial injury and improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI). We investigated the early alterations provided by G-CSF and the chronic repercussions in infarcted rats. Methods. Male Wistar rats (200-250g) received vehicle (MI) or G-CSF (MI-GCSF) (50 mu g/kg, sc) at 7, 3 and 1 days before MI surgery. Afterwards MI was produced and infarct size was measured 1 and 15 days after surgery. Expression of anti-and proapoptotic proteins was evaluated immediately before surgery. 24 hours after surgery, apoptotic nuclei were evaluated. Two weeks after MI, left ventricular (LV) function was evaluated, followed by in situ LV diastolic pressure-volume evaluation. Results. Infarct size was decreased by 1 day pretreatment before occlusion (36 +/- 2.8 vs. 44 +/- 2.1% in MI; P<0.05) and remained reduced at 15 days after infarction (28 +/- 2.2 vs. 36 +/- 1.4% in MI; P<0.05). G-CSF pretreatment increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein expression, but did not alter Bax in LV. Apoptotic nuclei were reduced by treatment (Sham: 0.46 +/- 0.42, MI: 15.5 +/- 2.43, MI-GCSF: 5.34 +/- 3.34%; P<0.05). Fifteen days after MI, cardiac function remained preserved in G-CSF pretreated rats. The LV dilation was reduced in MI-G-CSF group as compared to MI rats, being closely associated with infarct size. Conclusion. The early beneficial effects of G-CSF were essentials to preserve cardiac function at a chronic stage of myocardial infarction2813340CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informaçã

Anfíbios de Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, Amazônia Brasileira.

No presente estudo fornecemos uma lista de espécies de anfíbios de Santa Isabel do Rio Negro na Amazônia Brasileira. As amostragens foram realizadas de março a abril de 2012 em dois conjuntos de trilhas de 3 km de extensão, usando os seguintes métodos: (1) armadilhas de interceptação e queda com cerca direcionadora; (2) amostragens visuais e auditivas simultâneas; (3) encontros ocasionais. As trilhas foram instaladas ao norte (rio Daraá) e ao sul (rio Ayuanã) do rio Negro. Registramos 40 espécies de anuros e uma espécie de salamandra, pertencentes a 20 gêneros e nove famílias. A composição de espécies foi comparada com as de 16 outros estudos desenvolvidos nas áreas de endemismo Guiana, Imeri e Jaú, onde a riqueza de espécies variou de 21 a 63, e a similaridade, de 23 a 100%. A anurofauna das duas áreas estudadas foi mais similar à de Flota Faro, localizada na Amazônia Oriental, do que à de um sítio mais próximo, Departamento del Guainía, Colômbia. O índice de similaridade foi extremamente variável entre os sítios da mesma ou de distintas áreas de endemismo. Esse padrão também foi observado nas análises de agrupamento. Como esperado, áreas geograficamente mais próximas foram mais similares na composição da anurofauna. No entanto, a anurofauna do Parque Nacional do Jaú (área de endemismo Jaú) foi mais similar à de Manaus (área de endemismo Guiana) do que à do rio Ayuanã, que pretence à mesma área de endemismo que o Parque Nacional do Jaú. Os limites das áreas de endemismo podem ser melhor definidos para outros vertebrados terrestres, como aves e mamíferos, do que para anfíbios e répteis Squamata.A species list of amphibians from Santa Isabel do Rio Negro in Brazilian Amazonia is provided. Collections were made from March–April 2012 along each of two 3-km trails with the following sampling methods: (1) pitfall traps with drift fences; (2) visual and auditory surveys; and (3) chance encounters. The trail at Daraá is north of the Rio Negro, whereas the other in Ayuanã is south of the river. Forty species of anurans and one salamander species representing 20 genera and nine families were recorded. The species composition was compared with those of 16 other studies conducted in the Guiana, Imeri, and Jaú areas of endemism, where species richness varies from 21–63, and similarity indices range from 23–100%. The anuran fauna at our sites resembles that of Flota Faro in eastern Amazonia more than it does that of the nearest site in the Departamento del Guainía of Colombia. The index of similarity is extremely variable between sites of the same and distinct areas of endemism. This pattern also was observed in the cluster analysis. As expected, geographically close areas have similar faunal compositions. However, the anuran fauna of Parque Nacional do Jaú (Jaú area of endemism) resembles that of Manaus (Guiana area of endemism) more closely than it does that of the Ayuanã River, which belongs to the same area of endemism as Parque Nacional do Jaú. The limits of the areas of endemism are better defined by the presence / absence of other terrestrial vertebrates, such as birds and mammals, than by the assemblage of amphibians and squamate reptiles

PROP1 and CTNNB1 expression in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas with or without β-catenin mutations

INTRODUCTION: Activating mutations in exon 3 of the &#946;-catenin gene are involved in the pathogenesis of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. Recently, the interaction between &#946;-catenin and PROP1 has been shown to be responsible for pituitary cell lineage determination. We hypothesized that dysregulated PROP1 expression could also be involved in the pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas OBJECTIVES: To determine whether dysregulated gene expression was responsible for tumor pathogenesis in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, the &#946;-catenin gene was screened for mutations, and the expression of the &#946;-catenin gene and PROP1 was evaluated. &#946;-catenin gene was amplified and sequenced from 14 samples of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. PROP1 and &#946;-catenin gene expression was assessed by real-time RT-PCR from 12 samples, and &#946;-catenin immunohistochemistry was performed on 11 samples. RESULTS: Mutations in the &#946;-catenin gene were identified in 64% of the adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas samples. Evidence of &#946;-catenin gene overexpression was found in 71% of the tumors with &#946;-catenin mutations and in 40% of the tumors without mutations, and &#946;-catenin immunohistochemistry revealed a nuclear staining pattern for each of the analyzed samples. PROP1 expression was undetectable in all of the tumor samples. CONCLUSION: We found evidence of &#946;-catenin gene overexpression in the majority of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, and we also detected a nuclear &#946;-catenin staining pattern regardless of the presence of a bcatenin gene mutation. These results suggest that WNT signaling activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. Additionally, this study was the first to evaluate PROP1 expression in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, and the absence of PROP1 expression indicates that this gene is not involved in the pathogenesis of this tumor, at least in this cohort

O ensino de comunicação em enfermagem: um desafio

The use of video has been described in the literature as favourable to changes in behaviours during communication. This study aimed at verifying the effect of a training programme in the use of categories of confirmation and discordance during the interaction (oral communication) between students and patients. The results evidenced the predominance of confirmation categories in interactions: there were no significant changes in the interaction profile before and after training. Authors concluded that the teaching of communication abilities has to be done during the undergraduate course and not only in one course or period.El uso del video ha sido descrito en la literatura como favorable a los cambios de comportamientos durante la comunicación. Este estudio buscó verificar el efecto de un entrenamiento en el empleo de categorías de confirmación y desconfirmación durante la interacción (comunicación oral) entre alumno y paciente hospitalizado. Los resultados evidenciaron el predominio de las categorías de confirmación en las interacciones: no hubo cambios significativas en el perfil de interacción antes y después del entrenamiento. Concluimos que la enseñanza de habilidades comunicativas debe ser hecha durante todo el curso de graduación y no puede ser de la responsabilidad solamente de una disciplina o período.O uso do vídeo tem sido descrito na literatura como favorável a mudanças de comportamentos durante a comunicação. Este estudo buscou verificar o efeito de um treinamento no emprego de categorias de confirmação e desconfirmação durante a interação (comunicação oral) entre aluno e paciente hospitalizado. Os resultados evidenciaram predomíno das categorias de confirmação nas interações; não houve mudanças significativas no perfil interacional antes e após o treinamento. Conclui-se que o ensino de habilidades comunicativas deva ser feito ao longo de todo o curso de graduação e não ser da responsabilidade apenas de uma disciplina ou período

Molecular Basis for Defining the Pineal Gland and Pinealocytes as Targets for Tumor Necrosis Factor

The pineal gland, the gland that translates darkness into an endocrine signal by releasing melatonin at night, is now considered a key player in the mounting of an innate immune response. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the first pro-inflammatory cytokine to be released by an inflammatory response, suppresses the translation of the key enzyme of melatonin synthesis (arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase, Aanat). Here, we show that TNF receptors of the subtype 1 (TNF-R1) are expressed by astrocytes, microglia, and pinealocytes. We also show that the TNF signaling reduces the level of inhibitory nuclear factor kappa B protein subtype A (NFKBIA), leading to the nuclear translocation of two NFKB dimers, p50/p50, and p50/RelA. The lack of a transactivating domain in the p50/p50 dimer suggests that this dimer is responsible for the repression of Aanat transcription. Meanwhile, p50/RelA promotes the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide, which inhibits adrenergically induced melatonin production. Together, these data provide a mechanistic basis for considering pinealocytes a target of TNF and reinforce the idea that the suppression of pineal melatonin is one of the mechanisms involved in mounting an innate immune response

BAJUBÁ

Este trabalho trata do estudo do vocabulário de grupo (ou gíria de grupo), conhecido como bajubá, utilizado pela comunidade LGBTT (Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transgêneros) na cidade de Palmas, Tocantins. O objetivo é descrever os vocábulos que tenham traços de procedência/origem nas línguas africanas, considerando o uso da linguagem como representação sócio-histórica e cultural pertencente a um grupo. O estudo é do tipo pesquisa de campo, descritivo e qualitativo. Os autores Santos (2011), Mendonça (2012), Pessoa de Castro (2005), Preti (1983), Vip e Libi (2006), Lopes (2012) e Beniste (2011) serviram de suporte teórico e metodológico. Os resultados da análise do corpusapresentam traços de procedência das línguas do grupo Niger-Congo, subgrupo bantu e oeste-africano ou sudanês.This paper dealswith the in-group vocabulary (or in-group slang) known as bajubá, employed by the LGBTT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite and transgender) community in the city of Palmas city, in the State of Tocantins. Its purpose is to describe&nbsp;wordswhich have traits of provenance/origin in African languages, considering the use of the language as a socio-historical and cultural heritage belonging to a group. This study is a descriptive and qualitative field research. The authors Santos (2011), Mendonça (2012), Pessoa de Castro (2005), Petri (1983), Vip andLibi (2006), Lopes (2012) and Beniste (2011) supplied the theoretical and methodological support. The results of the corpus analysis presenttraits of provenance of the Niger-Congo group, Bantu and West-African or Sudanese subgroup. &nbsp