Erratum to: Leishmania infantum-specific production of IFN-γ and IL-10 in stimulated blood from dogs with clinical leishmaniosis

BACKGROUND: There is limited information available on cytokine profiles in dogs with different degrees of disease severity due to natural infection of Leishmania infantum. The aim of this study was to investigate L. infantum-specific IFN-γ and IL-10 production in blood from dogs with leishmaniosis at diagnosis and correlate these findings with disease severity, humoral immune response and blood parasitemia. METHODS: Sixty dogs were diagnosed based on physical examination, routine laboratory tests, L. infantum-specific antibody levels measured by quantitative ELISA and blood parasitemia by real-time PCR. Heparin whole blood was stimulated with L. infantum soluble antigen (LSA) and concanavalin A (ConA) and incubated for 5 days. IFN-γ and IL-10 concentrations were measured in supernatants with sandwich ELISAs. RESULTS: The majority of dogs (n = 36) were classified as LeishVet stage II (moderate disease). The rest of the dogs were classified as stage I (n = 10), III (n = 10) and IV (n = 4). Dogs classified with stage I and IIa presented significantly higher (P = 0.02) LSA IFN-γ concentrations, lower (P <0.0001) antibody levels and a tendency for lower blood parasitemia (P = 0.1) than dogs classified with stages IIb, III or IV while no differences in ConA IFN-γ or IL-10 concentrations were observed among groups. Thirty-five dogs produced significantly higher LSA IFN-γ (mean ± SD: 2320 ± 3960 pg/ml) and ConA IFN-γ (mean ± SD: 7887 ± 7273 pg/ml) when compared with 25 dogs that did not produce detectable LSA IFN-γ but produced ConA IFN-γ (mean ± SD: 4917 ± 5233 pg/ml). IFN-γ producer dogs presented lower (mean ± SD: 5750 ± 14,082 ELISA units (EU), P = 0.001) antibody levels and blood parasitemia (mean ± SD:   5 ± 10 parasites/ml, P = 0.001) when compared with IFN-γ non-producers (mean ± SD: 19,638 ± 28,596 EU and 1100 ± 5112 parasites/ml), respectively. LSA IL-10 was not detectable in 34 dogs while 49 dogs secreted ConA IL-10 (mean ± SD of 90 ± 103 pg/ml). LSA IFN-γ concentration was negatively correlated with blood parasitemia and antibody levels and positively correlated with ConA IFN-γ and LSA IL-10 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that sick dogs lacking L. infantum specific IFN-γ production in stimulated whole blood produce a strong humoral response, have a high blood parasitemia and severe clinical disease. IL-10 does not appear to be a marker of disease severity

Effect of storage on the nitro blue tetrazolium reduction test in dog blood samples

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABIntroduction: The nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test (NBTT) has been used for measuring the metabolic activity of phagocytes of mammals. Activated neutrophils transform NBT into formazan in the cytoplasm. The NBTT can detect the activation of neutrophils in peripheral blood and is used to assess neutrophil function in dogs. However, the NBTT is not used frequently in the clinical setting, as samples should be processed after blood collection. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage on NBTT in dog blood samples. Materials and Methods: Residual EDTA blood samples from 22 dogs were included of different ages, breeds, and sex. The buffy coat layer was separated from the blood and incubated with 0.1% NBT. The NBTT was performed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after the collection of blood. Blood samples were stored at 4°C until the tests were performed. Blood smears were evaluated by light microscopy, and the NBT reduction rate was reported, which represents the percentage of activated neutrophils. The NBT reduction rate was calculated after counting 300 neutrophils in each slide. Results: The means of NBTT in dog blood samples at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h were 8.3%, 8.5%, 8.7%, and 7.8%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between time points. Conclusions: This study showed that the NBTT can be performed up to 72 h after the collection of canine blood if correctly refrigerated at 4°C. This finding supports the performance of the NBTT in the clinical setting

Restricted dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotypes and genotypes in Beagles

AbstractBeagles are commonly used in vaccine trials as part of the regulatory approval process. Genetic restriction within this breed and the impact this might have on vaccine responses are rarely considered. This study was designed to characterise diversity of dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II genes in a breeding colony of laboratory Beagles, whose offspring are used in vaccine studies. DLA haplotypes were determined by PCR and sequence-based typing from genomic DNA extracted from blood. Breeding colony Beagles had significantly different DLA haplotype frequencies in comparison with pet Beagles and both groups showed limited DLA diversity. Restricted DLA class II genetic variability within Beagles might result in selective antigen presentation and vaccine responses that are not necessarily representative of those seen in other dog breeds

Acute febrile illness is associated with Rickettsia spp infection in dogs

BACKGROUND: Rickettsia conorii is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and causes Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in humans. Although dogs are considered the natural host of the vector, the clinical and epidemiological significance of R. conorii infection in dogs remains unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether Rickettsia infection causes febrile illness in dogs living in areas endemic for human MSF. METHODS: Dogs from southern Italy with acute fever (n = 99) were compared with case–control dogs with normal body temperatures (n = 72). Serology and real-time PCR were performed for Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys and Leishmania infantum. Conventional PCR was performed for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Acute and convalescent antibodies to R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were determined. RESULTS: The seroprevalence rates at first visit for R. conorii, E. canis, A. phagocytophilum and L. infantum were 44.8%, 48.5%, 37.8% and 17.6%, respectively. The seroconversion rates for R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were 20.7%, 14.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The molecular positive rates at first visit for Rickettsia spp., E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, L. infantum, Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were 1.8%, 4.1%, 0%, 2.3%, 11.1%, 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Positive PCR for E. canis (7%), Rickettsia spp. (3%), Babesia spp. (4.0%) and Hepatozoon spp. (1.0%) were found only in febrile dogs. The DNA sequences obtained from Rickettsia and Babesia PCRs positive samples were 100% identical to the R. conorii and Babesia vogeli sequences in GenBank®, respectively. Febrile illness was statistically associated with acute and convalescent positive R. conorii antibodies, seroconversion to R. conorii, E. canis positive PCR, and positivity to any tick pathogen PCRs. Fourteen febrile dogs (31.8%) were diagnosed with Rickettsia spp. infection based on seroconversion and/or PCR while only six afebrile dogs (12.5%) seroconverted (P = 0.0248). The most common clinical findings of dogs with Rickettsia infection diagnosed by seroconversion and/or PCR were fever, myalgia, lameness, elevation of C-reactive protein, thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates acute febrile illness associated with Rickettsia infection in dogs living in endemic areas of human MSF based on seroconversion alone or in combination with PCR

Las derechas en Brasil

56 p.El presente trabajo engloba una serie de textos que pertenecen al libro “O ódio como política” (São Paulo, 2018) e intentan discurrir sobre el complejo fenómeno de las derechas brasileñas desde las perspectivas política, económica, jurídica, de seguridad y derechos humanos. Textos cortos y pedagógicos que buscan la calidad académica y también el impacto político democrático en un Brasil sumido en el autoritarismo.This work includes a series of texts that belong to the book "O ódio como política" (São Paulo, 2018) and attempt to discuss the complex phenomenon of the Brazilian rights from the political, economic, legal, security and human rights perspectives. Short and pedagogical texts that seek academic quality and also the democratic political impact in a Brazil immersed in authoritarianism

La bolsonarización de Brasil

42 p.Este trabajo analizará los aspectos más importantes de la llegada de Jair Bolsonaro al poder en Brasil. Primero nos detendremos en entender cómo el nuevo presidente brasileño es uno de los actores que simboliza la ascensión de la ultraderecha mundial. Posteriormente caracterizaremos los principales elementos que nos posibilitarán analizar la onda bolsonarista que arrasó Brasil en las elecciones de 2018: el discurso antisistema, el antipartidismo, el antipetismo y el apoyo de grupos evangélicos y militares.This paper will analyse the arrival of Jair Bolsonaro to Brazilian Presidency. First of all we will discuss how the new President is one of the political actors representing the global far-right. Second, we will go deep into some elements to understand Bolsonaro´s victory in 2018 such as anti-system, anti-PT, neoconservative speeches and the support of Christian and military groups

Un algoritmo en tiempo real para etiquetado de componentes conectados en imágenes

Esta comunicación presenta un algoritmo de dos pasadas para el etiquetado en tiempo real de los componentes conexos en una imagen. El algoritmo propuesto es una buena opción frente a otras alternativas de dos y múltiples pasadas ya que ha sido diseñado considerando que su implementación en FPGAs ofrezca un buen compromiso entre recursos ocupados y velocidad de operación. Se describen dos implementaciones hardware de este algoritmo, cuyo desarrollo se ha llevado a cabo siguiendo un flujo de diseño basado en la herramienta System Generator de Xilinx.Comunidad Económica Europea MOBY-DIC FP7-IST- 248858Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España) TEC2008-04920Junta de Andalucía P08- TIC-03674Fondos Feder P08- TIC-0367

Inconsistent MHC class II association in Beagles experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum

The clinical outcome of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs varies from subclinical infection to severe disease. Researchers attribute this variability in clinical manifestations to the ability of the immune response to limit pathogen multiplication and dissemination, which is, in part, likely determined by the immune response genes. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that MHC class II genes are associated with disease outcome of experimental L. infantum infection in Beagles. Dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotypes were characterised by sequence-based typing of Beagle dogs experimentally infected with L. infantum during vaccine challenge studies. Variability of response to infection was determined by clinical score, serology and quantification of L. infantum DNA in the bone marrow over the study period. Dogs showed limited DLA diversity and the DLA profiles of dogs recruited for the different vaccine challenge studies differed. There were variable responses to infection, despite the apparent restriction in genetic diversity. One haplotype DLA-DRB1*001:02–DQA1*001:01–DQB1*002:01 was associated with increased anti-Leishmania antibodies in one infection model, but no DLA associations were found in other groups or with parasite load or clinical score. Examination of this particular DLA haplotype in a larger number of dogs is required to confirm whether an association exists with the immune or clinical responses to L. infantum infection

Resignificación del PEI : un acto deconstructivo para el mejoramiento de la convivencia escolar

RESUMEN: El presente informe de investigación da cuenta del proceso de análisis de los componentes del Proyecto Educativo Institucional (PEI) en la Institución Educativa Alfonso López Pumarejo del municipio de Puerto Berrío. La investigación se realiza desde el paradigma cualitativo, enfatizando sobre dos componentes que son esenciales y de raigambre del PEI: directivo y académico, en relación con su influencia en la convivencia escolar. El análisis de los componentes que plantea la Ley 115/94 en el PEI que fueron seleccionados para la investigación, comprende una descripción autobiográfica de la transformación institucional en torno a la convivencia escolar, develando el modelo de gestión directiva que asume el rector en la institución, la pertinencia las prácticas pedagógicas y del manual de convivencia, del currículo, su sistema de evaluación institucional, la implementación de los proyectos pedagógicos y de la participación democrática de la comunidad educativa, en la coadministración de la institución educativa. El resultado de esta investigación, permite determinar la ruta de resignificación del PEI, conforme a las recomendaciones que se presentan, y el diseño de una propuesta pedagógica que permita se actualice el PEI en perspectiva de derechos para la transformación educativa reivindicando, el sentido de lo humano, de la convivencia escolar y su proyección social en el contexto local. Esta investigación parte del sentido de responsabilidad social que tiene la educación de contribuir a la paz en el territorio. El aporte a la convivencia ciudadana se propone desde la relación Escuela-Sociedad a través de la gestión educativa. La resignificación del PEI depende de los resultados que arroje la interpretación de los mismos en la investigación y de la propuesta que para el efecto se formula en el presente informe. La investigación contribuye a la comprensión de la importancia que tiene la convivencia escolar como eje facilitador del aprendizaje, de la influencia que se ejerce positiva o negativamente, desde los componentes de gestión directiva y académicas, desarrollando competencias ciudadanas para la convivencia familiar y en la colectividad del municipio. Igualmente se propone que el PEI potencie el desarrollo humano integral de los estudiantes, facilitando el aprendizaje de la convivencia pacífica, educando en el respeto de las diferencias, en medio de las controversias que se presentan en la cotidianidad del contexto escolar y social. La educación debe proponer desde la escuela una verdadera y efectiva formación de seres humanos para la convivencia democrática en atención a la diversidad cultural de la población y sus territorios, dejando capacidad instalada para el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida de las actuales y nuevas generaciones en tiempos de violencia y postconflicto en Colombia.ABSTRACT: This research report realizes the process of analysis of the components of the institutional education project (PEI) in the Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo educational institution of the municipality of Puerto Berrío. Research is conducted from the qualitative paradigm, emphasizing on two components that are essential and the PEI roots: managerial and academic, in relation to their influence on school coexistence. Analysis of components that raises the law 115/94 in PEI that were selected for the investigation, includes an autobiographical description of the institutional transformation around the co-existence in school, revealing the model of management which assumes the rector in the institution, the relevance practices teaching and the coexistence of the curriculum, its institutional evaluation system manual , the implementation of educational projects with the democratic participation of the educational community in the co-management of the educational institution. The result of this research enables you to determine the path of resignification of the IEP in accordance with the recommendations that are presented and the design of a pedagogical proposal that upgrade rights perspective in the PEI for educational transformation that the is revindique human sense of school coexistence and social projection in the municipality. This research is based on the sense of social responsibility which has the education to contribute to peace in the territory. Contribution to coexistence is proposed from relationship school through educational management. The resignification of the PEI depends on the results that the interpretation of the results in the research and proposal which is formulated by the researcher for the purpose. The research contributes to the understanding of the importance that represents the school coexistence as a center of learning and the influence that it's from the components management and academic that it is peaceful, and to develop citizenship for family life and the Community competencies. Also intends to PEI to promote integral human development of students, facilitating the learning of peaceful coexistence, educating in respect of differences, in the midst of disputes that arise in the everyday life of the school and social context. Education should be proposed from the school a true and effective formation of human beings for democratic coexistence in attention to the cultural diversity of the population and their territories, leaving capacity for the improvement of the living conditions of the current and new generations in times of violence and post-conflict in Colombia

The effects of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and TLR agonists alone or as polyplex nanoparticles against Leishmania infantum promastigotes and amastigotes

Dogs are the main reservoir for Leishmania infantum, manifesting from a subclinical to a fatal disease. Limited treatments are available, although new antiparasitics and immunomodulators are pursued. Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) has a broad antimicrobial spectrum, including antiparasitic activity. Here, we evaluated the potential for Toll-like receptor agonists (TLRa) and PHMB alone, and as polyplex nanoparticles containing PHMB and TLR4 or TLR9 agonists, to selectively kill L. infantum. Susceptibility of L. infantum promastigotes to PHMB, miltefosine, and allopurinol was performed, and the half-maximum inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were determined. Then, DH-82 cells were infected and treated with PHMB alone or combined with TLR4a (MPLA-SM) or TLR9a (CpG ODNs) and allopurinol alone. The IC50 values of L. infantum promastigotes were PHMB (1.495 µM), miltefosine (9.455 µM), and allopurinol (0.124 µM). After infection, treated DH-82 cells displayed a lower percentage (p = 0.0316), intensity (p = 0.0002), and index of infection (p = 0.0022) when compared to non-treated cells. PHMB induced lower percentage of infection alone (p = 0.043), in combination with TLR9a (p = 0.043), and with TLR4a (p = 0.0213). Supernatants were collected and used to measure TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Increased TNF-α was observed after PHMB plus TLR4a, relative to uninfected and infected untreated macrophages (p = 0.043). PHMB combined with TLR4a shows promise as a potential anti-L. infantum drug combination, as well as inducer of proinflammatory response, as demonstrated by decreased infection and increased TNF-α production