Matrin 3 is a co-factor for HIV-1 Rev in regulating post-transcriptional viral gene expression

Post-transcriptional regulation of HIV-1 gene expression is mediated by interactions between viral transcripts and viral/cellular proteins. For HIV-1, post-transcriptional nuclear control allows for the export of intron-containing RNAs which are normally retained in the nucleus. Specific signals on the viral RNAs, such as instability sequences (INS) and Rev responsive element (RRE), are binding sites for viral and cellular factors that serve to regulate RNA-export. The HIV-1 encoded viral Rev protein binds to the RRE found on unspliced and incompletely spliced viral RNAs. Binding by Rev directs the export of these RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Previously, Rev co-factors have been found to include cellular factors such as CRM1, DDX3, PIMT and others. In this work, the nuclear matrix protein Matrin 3 is shown to bind Rev/RRE-containing viral RNA. This binding interaction stabilizes unspliced and partially spliced HIV-1 transcripts leading to increased cytoplasmic expression of these viral RNAs

Diferentes estratégias de visita domiciliar e seus efeitos sobre a assistência pré-natal no extremo Sul do Brasil

This non-randomized community intervention study evaluated the impact of prenatal home visits by community health agents and volunteer leaders from the Children's Mission on prenatal care among poor pregnant women in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Previously trained interviewers applied pre-coded questionnaires to the women at home, investigating demographic and reproductive characteristics, socioeconomic status, housing conditions, and prenatal care. Of the 339 pregnant women interviewed, 115 were assigned to the intervention group visited by community health agents, 116 to the group visited by volunteer leaders, and 108 to the control group. Pregnant women visited by community health agents began prenatal visits earlier than other groups, had more prenatal visits, lab tests, and clinical exams, and received more counseling on breastfeeding and iron supplementation. Participation by family members during medical consultations for pregnant women visited by volunteer leaders was higher than for community health agents. Pregnant women visited by community health agents received better prenatal care than the other groups. Home visits can improve the quality of prenatal care for poor women and increase participation by family members (mainly husbands) during the pregnancy.Este estudo do tipo intervenção comunitária controlada unicega não randomizada teve por objetivo avaliar o impacto das visitas realizadas pelos agentes comunitários de saúde e líderes voluntários da Pastoral da Criança sobre o pré-natal de gestantes pobres em Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Aplicaram-se questionários padronizados antes e depois do parto buscando conhecer suas características demográficas, reprodutivas, assistência recebida durante o pré-natal e nível sócio-econômico e condição de moradia. Estas gestantes foram divididas em três grupos, sendo dois grupos-intervenção e um controle. Dentre as 339 gestantes estudadas, 115 pertenciam ao grupo cuja intervenção foi realizada pelos agentes comunitários de saúde, 116 pelos líderes voluntários da pastoral e 108 pertenciam ao grupo controle. Gestantes visitadas pelos agentes comunitários iniciaram o pré-natal mais precocemente, realizaram maior número de consultas, exames clínicos e testes laboratoriais, foram mais comumente orientadas sobre amamentação e suplementadas com sulfato ferroso. A participação de familiares nas consultas de pré-natal foi maior entre gestantes visitadas pelos líderes voluntários. Visitas domiciliares podem melhorar a qualidade do pré-natal entre gestantes pobres e aumentar a participação de familiares, sobretudo do marido, na gestação

Síndrome cardiopulmonar por hantavírus no Triângulo Mineiro e Alto Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, 1998-2005: aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos de 23 casos Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba regions, State of Minas Gerais, 1998-2005: clinical-epidemiological aspects of 23 cases

Foram analisados os achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, laboratoriais e terapêuticos de 23 casos de síndrome cardiopulmonar por hantavírus, identificados sorologicamente ou por imunohistoquímica em hospitais do município de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Febre (100%), dispnéia (100%) e mialgias (78%) foram os sintomas mais frequentemente observados nesta casuística. Os sinais físicos mais prevalentes foram hipotensão (65%) e taquicardia (65%). Achados laboratoriais mais comuns incluíram trombocitopenia (96%), hemoconcentração (83%) e leucocitose (74%). Valores anormais de enzimas hepáticas foram encontrados em todos os pacientes testados e alterações em radiografias de tórax foram muito (95,6%) freqüentes. Em 55,5% dos pacientes, foi necessário intubação orotraqueal e suporte hemodinâmico. O presente estudo confirmou o padrão sazonal da síndrome cardiopulmonar por hantavírus na região de Uberlândia e o envolvimento, no ciclo de transmissão da doença, de grupos profissionais considerados de baixo risco de infecção. A alta (39%) taxa de letalidade e a gravidade da doença observadas neste estudo podem estar associadas ao atendimento tardio dos pacientes.<br>The epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and treatment findings from 23 cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome were analyzed. These cases were identified either serologically or immunohistochemically in hospitals in the municipality of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais. Fever (100%), dyspnea (100%) and myalgia (78%) were the symptoms most frequently observed in this sample. The most prevalent physical signs were hypotension (65%) and tachycardia (65%). The most common laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia (96%), hemoconcentration (83%) and leukocytosis (74%). Abnormal values for liver enzymes were found in all the patients tested and abnormalities in chest radiography were very frequent (95.6%). In 55.5% of the patients, orotracheal intubation and hemodynamic support were required. The present study confirmed the seasonal pattern of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in the Uberlândia region and the involvement of professional groups who are considered to be at low risk of infection, in the transmission cycle of the disease. The high lethality rate (39%) and the severity of the disease observed in this study may be related to attending to these patients at a late stage