Galectin-3, histone deacetylases, and Hedgehog signaling:Possible convergent targets in schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis

Schistosomiasis affects approximately 240 million people in the world. Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the liver induce periportal fibrosis and hepatic failure driven by monocyte recruitment and macrophage activation, resulting in robust Th2 response. Here, we suggested a possible involvement of Galectin-3 (Gal-3), histone deacetylases (HDACs), and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling with macrophage activation during Th1/Th2 immune responses, fibrogranuloma reaction, and tissue repair during schistosomiasis. Gal-3 is highly expressed by liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) around Schistosoma eggs. HDACs and Hh regulate macrophage polarization and hepatic stellate cell activation during schistosomiasis-associated fibrogenesis. Previously, we demonstrated an abnormal extracellular matrix distribution in the liver that correlated with atypical monocyte-macrophage differentiation in S. mansoni-infected, Gal-3-deficient (Lgals3-/-) mice. New findings explored in this review focus on the chronic phase, when wild-type (Lgals3+/+) and Lgals3-/- mice were analyzed 90 days after cercariae infection. In Lgals3-/- infected mice, there was significant inflammatory infiltration with myeloid cells associated with egg destruction (hematoxylin and eosin staining), phagocytes (specifically Kupffer cells), numerically reduced and diffuse matrix extracellular deposition in fibrotic areas (Gomori trichrome staining), and severe disorganization of collagen fibers surrounding the S. mansoni eggs (reticulin staining). Granuloma-derived stromal cells (GR cells) of Lgals3-/- infected mice expressed lower levels of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and eotaxin and higher levels of IL-4 than Lgals3+/+ mice (real-time PCR). The relevant participation of macrophages in these events led us to suggest distinct mechanisms of activation that culminate in defective fibrosis in the liver of Lgals3-/- infected mice. These aspects were discussed in this review, as well as the possible interference between Gal-3, HDACs, and Hh signaling during progressive liver fibrosis in S. mansoni-infected mice. Further studies focused on macrophage roles could elucidate these questions and clear the potential utility of these molecules as antifibrotic targets

Síndrome do desfiladeiro cérvico torácico: relato de caso

A Síndrome do Desfiladeiro Cérvico Torácico (SDCT) é uma entidade clínica com sintomatologia diversa, decorrente de compressão anormal do plexo braquial, na região do desfiladeiro torácico. Esta compressão é exercida, na maioria das vezes, pelo músculo escaleno anterior, mas pode resultar também da existência de bandas musculofibróticas, alteração da morfologia da primeira costela, costelas cervicais e músculos anômalos. A SDCT pode ser classificada nos tipos arterial, venoso e neurogênico.  Neste trabalho, relatamos dois casos de pacientes com sintomatologia e presença de costela cervical que foram operadas e tiveram resultado satisfatório. A SDCT acomete mais mulheres entre 20-50 anos, com vários fatores contribuintes, chegando a limitar as atividades diárias e laborais. O tratamento clínico, frequentemente, é a conduta inicial, com o objetivo de aliviar os sintomas. Em geral, o tratamento cirúrgico tem indicação em alguns casos dependendo da sua apresentação. Apesar da SDCT ser uma condição rara, é importante considerá-la no diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes com queixas de dor e parestesias em membros superiores

Genetic parameters for growth, reproductive and maternal traits in a multibreed meat sheep population

The genetic parameters for growth, reproductive and maternal traits in a multibreed meat sheep population were estimated by applying the Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood method to an animal model. Data from a flock supported by the Programa de Melhoramento Genético de Caprinos e Ovinos de Corte (GENECOC) were used. The traits studied included birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), slaughter weight (SW), yearling weight (YW), weight gain from birth to weaning (GBW), weight gain from weaning to slaughter (GWS), weight gain from weaning to yearling (GWY), age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), gestation length (GL), lambing date (LD - number of days between the start of breeding season and lambing), litter weight at birth (LWB) and litter weight at weaning (LWW). The direct heritabilities were 0.35, 0.81, 0.65, 0.49, 0.20, 0.15 and 0.39 for BW, WW, SW, YW, GBW, GWS and GWY, respectively, and 0.04, 0.06, 0.10, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.11 for AFL, LI, GL, LD, LWB and LWW, respectively. Positive genetic correlations were observed among body weights. In contrast, there was a negative genetic correlation between GBW and GWS (-0.49) and GBW and GWY (-0.56). Positive genetic correlations were observed between AFL and LI, LI and GL, and LWB and LWW. These results indicate a strong maternal influence in this herd and the presence of sufficient genetic variation to allow mass selection for growth traits. Additive effects were of little importance for reproductive traits, and other strategies are necessary to improve the performance of these animals

Manejo cirúrgico de pacientes traumatizados por lesões elétricas: uma abordagem da fase aguda do trauma elétrico

The aim of this study is to disassemble, through scientific articles and government exposure, the main concepts related to electric shock injury. And as secondary objectives, to address a perspective of adequate treatment in this scenario and surgical steps in the management of patients traumatized by electric shock. An in-depth search of articles was carried out in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and PubMed databases, with the following Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS):Electric burns; Shock; Debridement; Hydration; Amputation. Articles were selected between the periods of 2000 to 2023, in Portuguese, to increase the level of relevance and quality of the review, given the scarcity of scientific studies on the subject. It is concluded with the analysis of these studies that the early medical intervention of an electrical trauma is essential. The correct management, before 15 days, can positively corroborate the survival rates of these patients, avoiding possible complications. However, the proportion of the accident can affect medical management, representing a problem for patients, attributing greater symptoms.El objetivo de este estudio es desmontar, a través de artículos científicos y exposición gubernamental, los principales conceptos relacionados con la lesión por descarga eléctrica. Y como objetivos secundarios, abordar una perspectiva de tratamiento adecuado en este escenario y pasos quirúrgicos en el manejo de pacientes traumatizados por descarga eléctrica. Se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva de artículos en las bases de datos Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) y PubMed, con los siguientes Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS): Quemaduras eléctricas; Choque; desbridamiento; Hidratación; Amputación. Los artículos fueron seleccionados entre los períodos de 2000 a 2023, en portugués, para aumentar el nivel de relevancia y calidad de la revisión, dada la escasez de estudios científicos sobre el tema. Se concluye con el análisis de estos estudios que la intervención médica temprana de un trauma eléctrico es fundamental. El correcto manejo, antes de los 15 días, puede corroborar positivamente las tasas de supervivencia de estos pacientes, evitando posibles complicaciones. Sin embargo, la proporción del accidente puede afectar el manejo médico, representando un problema para los pacientes, atribuyéndoles mayor sintomatología.Objetivo desse estudo é desmontar, por meio de artigos científicos e exposição governamentais, os principais conceitos que tangem a lesão por choque elétrico. E como objetivos secundários, abordar uma perspectiva de tratamento adequado nesse cenário e etapas cirúrgicas do manejo de pacientes traumatizados por choque elétrico. Foi realizada uma profunda pesquisa de artigos nas bases de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e PubMed, com os seguintes Descritores em Ciências daSaúde(DeCS):Queimaduraselétricas; Choque; Desbridamento; Hidratação; Amputação. Foram selecionados artigos entre os períodos de 2000 a 2023, no idioma Português, para ampliar o nível de relevância e a qualidade da revisão, visto a escassez de estudos científicos sobre a temática. Conclui-se com a análise desses estudos que, a intervenção médica precoce de um trauma elétrico é essencial. O manejo correto, antes dos 15 dias, pode corroborar positivamente com as taxas de sobrevida desses pacientes, evitando possíveis complicações. Contudo, a proporção do acidente pode afetar a conduta médica, representando um problema para os pacientes, atribuindo maiores sintomas

Environmental and Genetic Preconditioning for Long-Term Anoxia Responses Requires AMPK in Caenorhabditis elegans

Article on environmental and genetic preconditioning for long-term anoxia responses requires AMPK in Caenorhabditis elegans

Immunity and vaccine development efforts against Trypanosoma cruzi

Artículo de revisión especializadoTrypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the causative agent for Chagas disease (CD). There is a critical lack of methods for prevention of infection or treatment of acute infection and chronic disease. Studies in experimental models have suggested that the protective immunity against T. cruzi infection requires the elicitation of Th1 cytokines, lytic antibodies and the concerted activities of macrophages, T helper cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In this review, we summarize the research efforts in vaccine development to date and the challenges faced in achieving an efficient prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine against human CD.UTM