Ultrasound in schistosomiasis mansoni

We reviewed ultrasound features in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. The alterations that we observed in acute and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis are described. The advantages and disadvantages of using ultrasound patterns in the evaluation of liver fibrosis are discussed. Other diseases that are important in the differential diagnosis of schistosomal liver fibrosis are presented. Ultrasound is an effective and flexible diagnostic tool in the evaluation of a variety of diseases. It presents no harmful effects to patients, allowing non-invasive studies in hospitalized patients and in other facilities

The Zulliger-CS in Elderly on Hemodialysis and the Relationship Between External Variables

Abstract: The use of reliable instruments is an ethical condition to exert psychological evaluation. The aim of the study was to investigate the validity of the Zulliger test in the evaluation of elderly with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with focus on cognitive constructs and interpersonal relationshipsof elderly with Chronic Kidney Disease; and investigate the relationship with external variables. The 60 participants, 30 from the Clinical Group (CG) and 30 from the Non-Clinical Group (NCG), answered a socio-demographic protocol, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Zulligertest in the Comprehensive System. The CG presented decrease of variables Xu% (p = .031,d = .58), R (p = .002,d = .78), Fd (p = .021,d = .65) and isolation (p = .006,d = .61), rise in X-%, and PHR>GHR. There was a positive association between time since diagnosis and family support (rho = .403,p = .027). Findings confirm the relevance of the Zulligertest and family support as a health potentiator

Age and Diet Affect Gene Expression Profile in Canine Skeletal Muscle

We evaluated gene transcription in canine skeletal muscle (biceps femoris) using microarray analysis to identify effects of age and diet on gene expression. Twelve female beagles were used (six 1-year olds and six 12-year olds) and they were fed one of two experimental diets for 12 months. One diet contained primarily plant-based protein sources (PPB), whereas the second diet contained primarily animal-based protein sources (APB). Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome Arrays were used to hybridize extracted RNA. Age had the greatest effect on gene transcription (262 differentially expressed genes), whereas the effect of diet was relatively small (22 differentially expressed genes). Effects of age (regardless of diet) were most notable on genes related to metabolism, cell cycle and cell development, and transcription function. All these genes were predominantly down-regulated in geriatric dogs. Age-affected genes that were differentially expressed on only one of two diets were primarily noted in the PPB diet group (144/165 genes). Again, genes related to cell cycle (22/35) and metabolism (15/19) had predominantly decreased transcription in geriatric dogs, but 6/8 genes related to muscle development had increased expression. Effects of diet on muscle gene expression were mostly noted in geriatric dogs, but no consistent patterns in transcription were observed. The insight these data provide into gene expression profiles of canine skeletal muscle as affected by age, could serve as a foundation for future research pertaining to age-related muscle diseases

Post-transcriptional control during chronic inflammation and cancer: a focus on AU-rich elements

A considerable number of genes that code for AU-rich mRNAs including cytokines, growth factors, transcriptional factors, and certain receptors are involved in both chronic inflammation and cancer. Overexpression of these genes is affected by aberrations or by prolonged activation of several signaling pathways. AU-rich elements (ARE) are important cis-acting short sequences in the 3′UTR that mediate recognition of an array of RNA-binding proteins and affect mRNA stability and translation. This review addresses the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are common between inflammation and cancer and that also govern ARE-mediated post-transcriptional control. The first part examines the role of the ARE-genes in inflammation and cancer and sequence characteristics of AU-rich elements. The second part addresses the common signaling pathways in inflammation and cancer that regulate the ARE-mediated pathways and how their deregulations affect ARE-gene regulation and disease outcome

Correlação interobservador das alterações morfológicas das vias biliares em pacientes com esquistossomose mansoni pela colangiorressonância magnética Evaluation of morphological changes of the biliary tree by magnetic resonance cholangiography in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni: interobserver agreement

OBJETIVO: Descrever as alterações das vias biliares pela colangiografia por ressonância magnética (CPRM) na esquistossomose hepatoesplênica e avaliar a concordância interobservador da CPRM na detecção de colangiopatia esquistossomótica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo e transversal em 24 pacientes com a forma hepatoesplênica da esquistossomose mansoni e em 6 pacientes sadios, como grupo controle, com avaliação da via biliar pela CPRM. As alterações da via biliar consideradas foram: distorção, afilamento, estenose, dilatação e irregularidade. Foi calculada a concordância interobsevador para alteração da via biliar com o teste de McNemar e o índice kappa (&#954;). RESULTADOS: A concordância interobservador na caracterização de distorção e afilamento da via biliar foi quase perfeita (&#954; = 0,867; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95% [0,512-1,0] e &#954; = 0,865; IC 95% [0,51-1,0], respectivamente). A concordância foi substancial para a estenose (&#954; = 0,78; IC 95% [0,424-1,0]), moderada para dilatação (&#954; = 0,595; IC 95% [0,247-0,942]) e regular para afilamento (&#954; = 0,229; IC 95% [0,095-0,552]). CONCLUSÃO: As alterações observadas nas vias biliares foram, em ordem decrescente de ocorrência: distorção, afilamento, estenose, dilatação e irregularidade. A concordância interobservador para sinais de colangiopatia esquistossomótica foi quase perfeita para distorção e afilamento e substancial para estenose.<br>OBJECTIVE: To describe changes of the biliary tree demonstrated by magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in patients with the hepatosplenic presentation of schistosomiasis mansoni, and evaluating the interobserver agreement in the detection of schistosomal cholangiopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional study involving 24 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and 6 healthy patients (control group) submitted to biliary tree evaluation by MRC. The following changes of the biliary tree were considered: distortion, thinning, stenosis, dilation and irregularity. The interobserver agreement in the detection of biliary tree changes was calculated with the McNemar's test and the kappa index of agreement (&#954;). RESULTS: The interobserver agreement in the detection of distortion and thinning of the biliary tree was almost perfect (&#954; = 0.867; confidence interval [CI] 95% [0.512-1.0] and &#954; = 0.865; CI 95% [0.51-1.0], respectively). There was a substantial agreement for stenosis (&#954; = 0.78; CI 95% [0.424-1.0]), moderate agreement for dilation (&#954; = 0.595; CI 95% [0.247-0.942]) and mild agreement for thinning (&#954; = 0.229; CI 95% [0.095-0.552]). CONCLUSION: In a decreasing order of frequency, the changes of the biliary tree were observed: distortion, thinning, stenosis, dilation and irregularity. The interobserver agreement for signs of schistosomal cholangiopathy was almost perfect for distortion and thinning, and substantial for stenosis