Treatment-Resistant Hypertension: An Update in Device Therapy

Resistant hypertension (RH) is a clinical condition in which the hypertensive patient has become resistant to drug therapy and is often associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several signaling pathways have been studied and related to the development and progression of RH: modulation of sympathetic activity by leptin and aldosterone, primary aldosteronism, arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and variations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (Myrtaceae), Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. (Rutaceae), Caryocar brasiliense Cambess (Caryocaraceae), Pelargonium graveolens L´Hér (Geraniaceae) and Propolis extract as in vitro Sporothrix schenckii inhibitors

Sporotrichosis, a mycosis caused by fungus of the genus Sporothrix, has the itraconazole therapy of first choice. Resistance reports have been observed to both Itraconazol and amphotericin B, culminating in treatment failures and clinical cases like pulmonary or systemic infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of essential oils from Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (Myrtaceae), Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. (Rutaceae), Caryocar brasiliense Cambess (Caryocaraceae), Pelargonium graveolens L´Hér (Geraniaceae) and pure propolis extract or associated in inhibiting of S. schenckii growth. The methods used were Kirb-Bauer, disk diffusion on agar, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Fungicide Concentration. The essential oils and the propolis extract were effective in inhibiting fungal growth, overcoming the effects of itraconazole. Itraconazole was able to inhibit the growth of S. schenckii up to a dilution of 4mg.mL-1 (10-3 dilution). The essential oils of melaleuca, geranium, lemon, all at a concentration of 10mg.mL-1 and propolis extract at a concentration of 20mg.mL-1, were able to inhibit, respectively, the development of this fungus at concentrations lower than 0.325mg.mL-1 (10-6 dilution), 0.15625mg.mL-1 (10-7 dilution), 0.325mg.mL-1 (10-4 dilution) and 0.625mg.mL-1 (10-6 dilution). Geranium and melaleuca essential oils showed the best inhibition and fungicidal potential against S. schenckii. These results suggest the importance of in vivo tests to evaluate the use of these herbal medicines as an alternative treatment against sporotrichosis

Decoding resistant hypertension signalling pathways

Resistant hypertension (RH) is a clinical condition in which the hypertensive patient has become resistant to drug therapy and is often associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several signalling pathways have been studied and related to the development and progression of RH: modulation of sympathetic activity by leptin and aldosterone, primary aldosteronism, arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and variations in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). miRNAs comprise a family of small non-coding RNAs that participate in the regulation of gene expression at post-transcriptional level. miRNAs are involved in the development of both cardiovascular damage and hypertension. Little is known of the molecular mechanisms that lead to development and progression of this condition. This review aims to cover the potential roles of miRNAs in the mechanisms associated with the development and consequences of RH, and explore the current state of the art of diagnostic and therapeutic tools based on miRNA approaches

Identification of Leptospira interrogans adhesins by shotgun phage display

Em Leptospira interrogans algumas proteínas com capacidade de ligação aos componentes de matriz extracelular foram identificadas e, em sua maioria, são fatores de virulência. Phage display é considerada uma técnica poderosa na identificação de novos ligantes, inclusive de moléculas adesinas, importantes no primeiro estágio de infecção do hospedeiro. A técnica de shotgun phage display foi utilizada visando à obtenção de ligantes à células de mamíferos. Quatro bibliotecas, por inserção de fragmentos aleatórios obtidos por sonicação do DNA de L. interrogans nos fagomídeos pG8SAET (BBT1 e BBT2) e pG3DSS (BBT5 e BBT6), foram construídas. As bibliotecas BBT1 e BBT5 contém insertos maiores e as BBT2 e BBT6 contém insertos menores, com tamanhos médios de 1500 pb e 350 pb, respectivamente. Após ensaio de panning da BBT5 contra células de mamíferos e soro fetal bovino, as sequências de clones selecionados foram analisadas quanto a orientação correta e se a fusão estava em fase com a proteína pIII. As proteínas codificadas pelos genes LIC11719, LIC10769, LIC13143 e LIC12976 foram selecionadas com estas características. Os genes que codificam a LIC12976, LIC10768, LIC10769 e LIC13418, tiveram sua conservação avaliada em diferentes sorovares da espécie patogênica L. interrogans e no sorovar Patoc da espécie de vida livre L. biflexa. As proteínas LIC12976 (selecionada pela técnica de phage display) e LIC13418 (selecionada por ferramentas de bioinformática) tiveram suas sequências amplificadas por PCR, clonadas em pGEM T easy, subclonadas em vetor de expressão pAE e expressas na fração celular correspondente ao corpúsculo de inclusão em E. coli BL21 (DE3) Star pLysS e E. coli BL21 SI, respectivamente. Após renaturação e purificação destas proteínas por cromatografia de afinidade a metal bivalente, um grupo de cinco animais BALB/c fêmeas foi imunizado. Ambas as proteínas se mostraram imunogênicas com títulos dos soros policlonais 1:256000 e 1:512000, respectivamente. Em ensaio de Western Blot os soros foram específicos no reconhecimento das proteínas recombinantes e as proteínas nativas foram verificadas em extratos de sorovares patogênicos de L. interrogans. Em ensaios de adesão, as proteínas recombinantes aderiram às células A31, LLC-PK1 e Vero e especificamente à laminina. Em ensaios de interferência em células usando laminina houve um aumento da adesão das proteínas recombinantes, o que pode ser explicado pela ligação da laminina às células e uma maior ligação das LICs estudadas. Em ensaio de localização celular usando imunofluorescência e microscopia eletrônica, foi observado que ambas as proteínas se encontram na superfície da L. interrogans. No experimento de desafio animal, a LIC12976 e a LIC13418 não se mostraram protetoras. Este trabalho contribuiu para a identificação das novas adesinas LIC13418 e LIC12976 que podem participar da virulência de leptospiras patogênicas envolvendo a primeira etapa da infecção na interação patógeno-hospedeiroIn Leptospira interrogans, proteins capable to bind to extracellular matrix components have been identified and most of them are important virulence factors. Phage display is a powerful technique to identify new ligands, including adhesin molecules that are important in the first stage of host infection. A shotgun phage display technique was used in order to obtain cell ligands. Four libraries were constructed by inserting random fragments obtained by sonication of L. interrogans DNA into phagemids pG8SAET (BBT1 and BBT2) and pG3DSS (BBT5 and BBT6). The libraries BBT1 and BBT5 contain larger inserts and BBT2 and BBT6 contain smaller inserts, with 1500 bp and 350 bp average sizes, respectively. After panning of BBT5 against mammalian cells and bovine fetal serum, the sequences of selected clones were analyzed for correct orientation and fusion with pIII protein. The proteins encoded by genes LIC11719, LIC10769, LIC13143 and LIC12976 were selected. The genes LIC12976, LIC10768, LIC10769 and LIC13418 were evaluated for their conservation in different pathogenic serovars of L. interrogans and free-living L. biflexa serovar Patoc. Proteins LIC12976 (selected by phage display technique) and also LIC13418 that was selected by bioinformatic tools, were amplified by PCR, cloned into pGEM T easy, subcloned into expression vector pAE and expressed in cellular fraction corresponding to the inclusion body in E. coli BL21 (DE3) Star pLysS and E. coli BL21 SI, respectively. After protein renaturation protocol and purification by affinity chromatography, a group of five BALB/c mice was immunized with the purified proteins. Both proteins were shown to be immunogenic with 1:256000 and 1:512000 polyclonal sera titers, respectively. In Western blot the sera were specific to recognize recombinant proteins and native proteins were detected in pathogenic L. interrogans serovars extracts. In binding assays, recombinant proteins bind to A31, LLC-PK1 and Vero cells and specifically to laminin. In interference cell assay using laminin there was an increase of recombinant protein bindings, which can be explained by the laminin binding to cells and further binding of the recombinant LICs. In cellular localization assay using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, it was observed that both are surface proteins of L. interrogans. In the animal challenge, the LIC12976 and LIC13418 were not protective. As a whole, this work contributed to the identification of LIC12976 and LIC13418 as new adhesins and they can participate in the virulence of pathogenic Leptospira in the first stage of host pathogen interaction

Incidence and transmission of dsRNA in Phaeoisariopsis griseola, the agent causing the angular leaf spot in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

O feijoeiro comum Phaseolus vulgaris apresenta grande importância alimentar e econômica para o brasileiro. No entanto, sua produtividade é baixa devido, em parte, à ocorrência de doenças. Entre essas doenças, destaca-se a mancha-angular, cujo agente causal é o fungo Pseudocercospora griseola (Sacc.) Crous & U. Braun. Micovírus ou partículas semelhantes a vírus já foram descritas em diversos fungos fitopatogênicos. Esses vírus são incapazes de penetrar e lisar as células hospedeiras, sendo a transmissão intracitoplasmática por meio da anastomose entre hifas e da esporogênese. A maior parte dos micovírus é encontrada como múltiplos fragmentos de dsRNA. Em geral, os micovírus são crípticos (latentes) em relação aos efeitos provocados no fenótipo do fungo hospedeiro, mas podem influenciar a biologia de seu hospedeiro, provocando alterações morfológicas, hiper ou hipovirulência. Por estarem associados ao fenômeno de hipovirulência, os micovírus apresentam uso potencial no biocontrole de fungos fitopatogênicos. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi caracterizar micovírus presentes em isolados de P. griseola, uma vez que recentemente estes foram detectados, pela primeira vez, nesta espécie de fungo. Para atingir este objetivo, foi realizada a caracterização de dsRNAs presentes em diferentes isolados, a análise da transmissão vertical e a obtenção de linhagens isogênicas por meio da cura de vírus. dsRNAs foram detectados em 31 dos 49 isolados de P. griseola analisados. Neste trabalho, a maioria dos isolados apresentou múltiplos fragmentos de dsRNA, que variaram de zero a 10, com tamanhos estimados entre 0,8 e 4,8 kb. O fragmento de dsRNA de 4,8 kb do isolado 29-3 foi eficientemente transmitido para os esporos assexuais. Entretanto, nem todos os fragmentos de dsRNA, entre um e seis, presentes no isolado Ig848 foram transmitidos para colônias monospóricas. Cicloheximida foi utilizada em concentração de 20 μg/mL a fim de obter a cura de micovírus. Para o isolado 29-3, este tratamento foi ineficaz, pois as três colônias repicadas em cicloheximida durante quatro gerações apresentaram o mesmo perfil de ácidos nucléicos totais presente no isolado selvagem. No caso do isolado Ig848, este mesmo tratamento eliminou os fragmentos de 2,2; 2,0; 1,8; 1,2 e 1,0 kb das colônias Ch2 e Ch4, após sete repicagens sucessivas em meio contendo cicloheximida. Diversos fungos fitopatogênicos são acometidos por infecções virais, sendo que essa variação no perfil de ácidos nucléicos presente nos isolados de P. griseola também é observada em outros patógenos de plantas. A presença de múltiplos fragmentos, em um único isolado, pode ser devido à infecção por vírus com genoma segmentado, RNA satélite, RNA defectivo ou infecções mistas. A eficiência de transmissão por meio dos conídios é variável, dependendo da espécie de fungo considerada, mas geralmente é próxima a 100%, conforme ocorreu para o isolado 29-3 de P. griseola. Tanto a cura de alguns fragmentos de dsRNA quanto a perda espontânea durante a conidiogênese, observada para o isolado Ig848, indicam a infecção por replicons independentes. Estas linhagens isogênicas, com e sem alguns fragmentos de dsRNA, terão o efeito da infecção viral avaliados em aspectos como a taxa de esporulação, o crescimento e a patogenicidade. A caracterização destes vírus, presentes em P. griseola, permitirá estudos posteriores sobre o uso destes no controle biológico da mancha-angular, o que poderá reduzir as perdas econômicas causadas por essa doença na lavoura.The common bean Phaseolus vulgaris shows great importance under feeding and economical aspects for the Brazilian people. However, its productivity has been low due to the occurrence of diseases and other factors. The angular leaf spot is distinguished among those diseases. Its causal agent is the Pseudocercospora griseola (Sacc.) Crous & U. Braun. Some mycovirus or virus-like particles were already described in several phytopathogenic fungus. Those viruses are unable to penetrating and lysing the host cells, and the intracytoplasmic transmission is accomplished by anastomosis among hyphae and the sporogenesis. Most mycovirus are found as multiple dsRNA fragments. In general, the mycovirus are cryptic (latent) concerning to the effects caused into phenotype of the host fungus, but they can affect the biology of their host by provoking morphological changes, hyper or hypovirulence. Because they are associated to the hypovirulence phenomenon, the mycoviruses show a potential use in the biocontroll of the phytopathogenic fungus. The general objective of this work was to characterize the mycovirus in the isolates of P. griseola, since they were recently detected in this fungus species for the first time. To reach this objective, the following were performed: the characterization of the dsRNA in different isolates; the vertical transmission analysis; and the obtainment of isogenic lines by the virus cure. The dsRNAs were detected in 31 from those 49 isolates of P. griseola under analysis. In the present study, most isolates showed multiple dsRNA fragments varying from zero to 10, as being the sizes estimated between 0.8 and 4.8 kb. The dsRNA fragment of 4.8 kb from the isolate was efficiently transmitted to the asexual spores. However, not all dsRNA fragments (between 1 and 6) found in the isolate Ig848 were transmitted to monosporic colonies. The cycloheximide was used at concentration of 20 µg/mL in order to obtain the mycovirus cure. This treatment was ineffective for the isolate 29-3, since those three colonies transplanted to cyclohexymide during four generations showed the same profile as the total nucleic acids found in the wild isolate. In the case of the isolate Ig848, this same chemical treatment eliminated the fragments 2.2; 2.0; 1.8; 1.2 and 1.0 kb of the colonies Ch2 and Ch4 after seven successive transplantings in medium containing cycloheximide. Several phytopathogenic fungus are attacked by viral infections, and this variation in the profile of the nucleic acid found in the P. griseola isolates is also observed in other plant pathogens. The presence of multiple fragments in only one isolate may be due to the infection by virus with segmented genome, RNA satellite, defective RNA or mixed infections. The efficiency of the transmission by conidia is variable, as depending on the fungus species under consideration, but it is usually near 100% as occurred for the isolate 29-3 of P. griseola. Either cure of some dsRNA fragments and the spontaneous loss during conidiogenesis observed for the isolate Ig848 rather indicate the infection by independent replicons. In those isogenic lines with and without some dsRNA fragments, the effect of the viral infection will be evaluated under some aspects such as the sporulation rate, growth and pathogenicity. The characterization of those viruses found in P. griseola will allow for further studies concerning to their use in the biological control of the angular leaf spot, which will turn possible to reduce the economical losses caused by this disease in agriculture.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

Mycovirus in Pseudocercospora griseola, the causal agent of angular leaf spot in common bean

Pseudocercospora griseola (Sacc.) Crous &. Braun is a widespread fungal phytopathogen that is responsible for angular leaf spot in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A number of fungal phytopathogens have been shown to harbour mycoviruses, and this possibility was investigated in populations of Pseudocercospora griseola. The total nucleic acid extracts of 61 fungal isolates were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. Small fragments (800-4800 bp) could be identified in 42 of the samples. The presence of dsRNA in isolate Ig838 was confirmed by treatment of total nucleic acid with DNase, RNase A, and nuclease S I. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of viral-like particles 40 nm in diameter in the mycelia of 2 fungal isolates, namely 29-3 and Ig838. The transmission of dsRNA by means of conidia was 100% for isolate 29-3, but there was loss of 1-6 fragments of dsRNA in monosporic colonies of isolate Ig848. Cycloheximide treatment failed to inhibit the mycovirus in isolate 29-3, but proved efficient in the elimination of the 2.2, 2.0, 1.8, 1.2 and 1.0 kb fragments in 2 colonies of isolate Ig848. The occurrence of a mycovirus in Pseudocercospora griseola was demonstrated for the first time in the present study.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq

Conhecimento da população de Viçosa, MG, sobre as formas de transmissão da aids

A aids é um dos mais graves problemas de saúde pública atuais e uma importante forma de prevenção reside no conhecimento, por parte da população, das formas de transmissão da doença. Com o objetivo de avaliar o grau de conhecimento da população da cidade de Viçosa em relação às formas de transmissão da aids, foram aplicados 376 questionários, com onze perguntas de múltipla escolha sobre as formas de transmissão da aids, bem como sexo, idade e escolaridade dos entrevistados. Os dados mostraram que as formas de transmissão enfatizadas pelas campanhas de saúde estão bem assimiladas, enquanto situações do cotidiano que não oferecem risco apresentaram elevado número de respostas incorretas. As diferenças encontradas entre os sexos não foram significativas. Quando os dados foram estratificados por idade e escolaridade, foram encontradas diferenças significativas para algumas perguntas em que as pessoas com mais de 55 anos e de menor escolaridade apresentaram maior número de respostas incorretas. Pode-se concluir que a população viçosense conhece as principais formas de transmissão da aids, mas uma parte desconhece a ausência de risco de algumas atividades cotidianas. Esses dados podem ser usados para a elaboração de campanhas de esclarecimento visando à redução do preconceito

Lepstospira interrogans shotgun phage display identified LigB as a heparin-binding protein

LigB is an adhesin from pathogenic Leptospira that is able to bind to extracellular matrix and is considered a virulence factor. A shotgun phage display genomic library was constructed and used for panning against Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan (HSPG). A phage clone encoding part of LigB protein was selected in panning experiments and showed specific binding to heparin. To validate the selected clone, fragments of LigB were produced as recombinant proteins and showed affinity to heparin and to mammalian cells. Heparin was also able to reduce the binding of rLB-Ct to mammalian cells. Our data suggests that the glycosaminoglycan moiety of the HSPG is responsible for its binding and could mediate the attachment of the recombinant protein rLB-Ct. Thus, heparin may act as a receptor for Leptospira to colonize and to invade the host tissue. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.FAPESPFAPESPCNPqCNPqFundacao ButantanFundacao Butanta

Phagocytosis of Leptospira by leukocytes from mice with different susceptibility to leptospirosis and possible role of chemokines

Abstract Background Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by pathogenic prokaryotic microbes of the genus Leptospira. Although there are several reports in the literature, host-pathogen interaction is still poorly understood. The role of chemokine expression is important on the chemotaxis, activation and regulation of immune cells. Recent studies have shown that their expression profiles play an important role on the severity of leptospirosis outcome. We evaluated the phagocytosis of Leptospira by spleens cells from C3H/HeJ, C3H/HePas and BALB/c mouse strains, respectively susceptible, intermediate and resistant to leptospirosis, and by RAW 264.7 macrophages. Besides, we evaluated the effects of CCL2 treatment on the phagocytosis. The cells were incubated with or without CCL2 chemokine, and infected with virulent L. interrogans sv Copenhageni. Cells and culture supernatants were collected for subsequent analysis. Results The number of leptospires was higher in BALB/c cells, CCL2 pre-treated or only infected groups, when compared to C3H/HeJ and C3H/HePas cells. Indeed, CCL2 activation did not interfere in the phagocytosis of Leptospira. Expression of chemokines CXCL5 and CCL8 levels were significantly inhibited in infected BALB/c cells when compared to the non-infected control. Conclusions Higher ability to phagocytosis and early modulation of some chemokines correlated with the resistance to leptospirosis disease. Exposure to CCL2 did not interfere on phagocytosis of Leptospira in our experimental conditions, but acted in the modulation of chemokines expression during Leptospira infection