20 research outputs found

    Valor da marca na perspectiva do colaborador da marca CTT

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    Mestrado em MarketingA forma como uma organização cuida dos seus colaboradores reflete-se na forma de como os colaboradores vão cuidar dos clientes. A construção e a valorização de uma marca, são fatores chave na criação de vantagem competitiva. A literatura apresenta diferentes abordagens ao Brand Equity, sendo que este conceito merece grande interesse do ponto de vista académico, debruçando-se sobre a perspetiva do consumidor e a perspetiva financeira. O Employee Brand Equity (EBE), a terceira dimensão, ocorre quando um colaborador tem um conhecimento efetivo acerca da marca para a qual trabalha, refletindo-se em comportamentos e atitudes relacionadas com os objetivos que a marca pretende transmitir para o exterior. O EBE permite fornecer insights de como a organização pode gerir internamente a sua marca bem como permite avaliar os benefícios subsequentes do modelo para a marca uma vez que é extremamente relevante para o setor dos serviços. O presente trabalho centra-se no papel do colaborador na construção e entrega da promessa da marca CTT - Correios de Portugal S.A. Foi avaliada a relação entre as diferentes variáveis que constituem o modelo EBE sendo que a metodologia adotada passou pela realização de um estudo quantitativo com aplicação de questionários online aos colaboradores da marca, obtido-se 619 respostas. Foram realizadas análises para aferir o impacto das variáveis nas dimensões, sendo que os resultados demonstram que a escala aplicada por King et al., (2012) se adequa. Os resultados confirmam a importância do colaborador na construção do valor da marca, como principal fonte para o público externo.The development of a brand, is considered critical factor of success, which creates competitive advantage in the market. This work focus on Brand Equity by Employee perspective, also called "third perspective of Brand Equity". There are two perspectives which deserve interest in marketing literature and in management environment: consumer based brand equity and financial based brand equity. Employee Brand Equity (EBE), occurs when an Employee have knowledge about the brand, which is reflected on behaviors and attitudes related with the brand goals to external public. EBE gives the insights about how the company can manage internally the brand, consenting evaluate the benefits through brand and holding strong relevance for service organizations. The present study has the focal point the role of employee in brand promise delivery in CTT - Correios de Portugal S.A. Data was collected through a quantitative online survey resulting in a sample of 619 employees. We analyze the relationship between the variables using a multiple regression analyses to evaluate the impact of the variables in the constructs. Our results demonstrating that the scale developed previously by King et al., (2012) fit in the context of this study. The results confirm the Brand Endorsement and Brand Loyalty as consequent variables of EBE, considering that the Brand Endorsement have and stronger impact than Brand Loyalty. Moreover, the Brand Commitment is influenced positively by the Role Clarity. The results confirm that the brand commitment of employees are important when we're talking about Brand Equity. Employees are channel for external consumer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Learning the biochemical basis of axonal guidance: using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model

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    Aim: Experimental models are a powerful aid in visualizing molecular phenomena. This work reports how the worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) can be effectively explored for students to learn how molecular cues dramatically condition axonal guidance and define nervous system structure and behavior at the organism level. Summary of work: A loosely oriented observational activity preceded detailed discussions on molecules implied in axonal migration. C. elegans mutants were used to introduce second-year medical students to the deleterious effects of gene malfunctioning in neuron response to extracellular biochemical cues and to establish links between molecular function, nervous system structure, and animal behavior. Students observed C. elegans cultures and associated animal behavior alterations with the lack of function of specific axon guidance molecules (the soluble cue netrin/UNC-6 or two receptors, DCC/UNC-40 and UNC-5H). Microscopical observations of these strains, in combination with pan-neuronal GFP expression, allowed optimal visualization of severely affected neurons. Once the list of mutated genes in each strain was displayed, students could also relate abnormal patterns in axon migration/ventral and dorsal nerve cord neuron formation in C. elegans with mutated molecular components homologous to those in humans. Summary of results: Students rated the importance and effectiveness of the activity very highly. Ninety-three percent found it helpful to grasp human axonal migration, and all students were surprised with the power of the model in helping to visualize the phenomenon.This work has been funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020 and by the projects, NORTE01-0145-FEDER-000039 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-085468, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This work has been also funded by ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122). Additionally, C.V. and D.V.C. were supported by the FCT individual fellowships 2022.11176.BD and SFRH/BD/147826/2019, respectively

    Aripiprazole offsets mutant ATXN3-induced motor dysfunction by targeting dopamine D2 and serotonin 1A and 2A receptors in C. elegans

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    The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole is a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of psychotic, mood, and other psychiatric disorders. Previous drug discovery efforts pinpointed aripiprazole as an effective suppressor of Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) pathogenesis, as its administration resulted in a reduced abundance and aggregation of mutant Ataxin-3 (ATXN3) proteins. Dopamine partial agonism and functional selectivity have been proposed as the main pharmacological mechanism of action of aripiprazole in the treatment of psychosis; however, this mechanism remains to be determined in the context of MJD. Here, we focus on confirming the efficacy of aripiprazole to reduce motor dysfunction in vivo, using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model of MJD, and on unveiling the drug targets required for its positive action against mutant ATXN3 pathogenesis. We employed pharmacogenetics and pharmacological approaches to identify which dopamine and serotonin receptors are critical for aripiprazole-mediated improvements in motor function. We demonstrated that dopamine D2-like and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors play important roles in this process. Our findings strengthen the relevance of dopaminergic and serotoninergic signaling modulation against mutant ATXN3-mediated pathogenesis. The identification of aripiprazole’s cellular targets, relevant for MJD and perhaps other neurodegenerative diseases, may pave the way for prospective drug discovery and development campaigns aiming to improve the features of this prototypical compound and reduce side effects not negligible in the case of aripiprazole.This work was funded by FEDER through the Competitiveness Internationalization Operational Program (POCI) and by National funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-0 31987, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122; by National funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020). Additionally, this project was supported by the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF). A.J., J.P.-S., D.V.-C., and J.D.S. were supported by the FCT individual fellowships SFRH/BD/76613/2011, PD/BDE/127834/2016, SFRH/BD/147826/2019, and PD/BD/128074/2016, respectively

    Arbustus unedo essence: morphological and genetic characterization of the strawberry tree of Castelo de Paiva

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    O medronheiro é um arbusto da região mediterrânica que pode ser encontrada por todo o país. Ao contrário do que verifica na região sul do país, no concelho de Castelo de Paiva é atribuída uma reduzida importância económica a esta espécie. Com o intuito de preservar e potenciar a produção desta espécie e contribuir para a dinamização da economia do concelho, procedeu-se à caracterização morfológica e genética de uma amostra da população de medronheiros de Castelo de Paiva. A caracterização morfológica e genética foi realizada para um total de 10 genótipos. Para tal recolheram-se 70 folhas aleatoriamente em cada árvore. Em 40 folhas mediu-se o comprimento, largura, comprimento do pedúnculo, peso fresco, peso seco e determinou-se a área foliar. Dos caracteres morfológicos analisados, aqueles que se revelaram mais úteis na distinção dos vários genótipos foram: comprimento do pedúnculo, peso fresco e peso seco. As restantes 30 folhas foram utilizadas para a caracterização genética. Esta caracterização foi realizada recorrendo a um marcador de DNA, ISSR. Os 5 primeiros exemplaresutilizados na técnica de ISSR demonstraram-se polimórficos. Os resultados da caracterização genética sugerem que a variabilidade genética na população é média a alta.The strawberry tree is a shrub native in the Mediterranean region and it can be found throughout Portugal. Unlike the case in the southern region of the country, in Castelo de Paiva a minor economic importance is given to this species. In order to preserve, to enhance the production of this species and to contribute to the boosting of the economy of the region, we proceeded to the characterization of a small sample population of this fruit tree of Castelo de Paiva in what concerns to its morphology and genetics. The morphological and genetic characterization was performed for a total of 10 genotypes. For this, 70 leaves were randomly collected from each tree. For 40 leaves, it was measured the length, the width, the peduncle length, the wet weight, the dry weight and determined the leaf area. Of the morphological characteristics analyzed, the ones that proved most useful in distinguishing the various genotypes were: the length peduncle, the wet weight and the dry weight. The remaining 30 leaves were used in the genetic characterization. This characterization was performed using a DNA marker, the ISSR. The 5 primers used in the ISSR technique proved to be polymorphic. The results from the genetic characterization suggest that variability in population genetics is medium to high

    The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study

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    Background and Aims Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions. Methods The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated. Key Results Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented. Conclusions Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades

    Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

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    Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

    Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

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    Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

    Howler monkeys are the reservoir of malarial parasites causing zoonotic infections in the Atlantic forest of Rio de Janeiro.

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    BACKGROUND:Although malaria cases have substantially decreased in Southeast Brazil, a significant increase in the number of Plasmodium vivax-like autochthonous human cases has been reported in remote areas of the Atlantic Forest in the past few decades in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, including an outbreak during 2015-2016. The singular clinical and epidemiological aspects in several human cases, and collectively with molecular and genetic data, revealed that they were due to the non-human primate (NHP) parasite Plasmodium simium; however, the understanding of the autochthonous malarial epidemiology in Southeast Brazil can only be acquired by assessing the circulation of NHP Plasmodium in the foci and determining its hosts. METHODOLOGY:A large sampling effort was carried out in the Atlantic forest of RJ and its bordering states (Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo) for collecting and examining free-living NHPs. Blood and/or viscera were analyzed for Plasmodium infections via molecular and microscopic techniques. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In total, 146 NHPs of six species, from 30 counties in four states, were tested, of which majority were collected from RJ. Howler monkeys (Alouatta clamitans) were the only species found infected. In RJ, 26% of these monkeys tested positive, of which 17% were found to be infected with P. simium. Importantly, specific single nucleotide polymorphisms-the only available genetic markers that differentiate P. simium from P. vivax-were detected in all P. simium infected A. clamitans despite their geographical origin of malarial foci. Interestingly, 71% of P. simium infected NHPs were from the coastal slope of a mountain chain (Serra do Mar), where majority of the human cases were found. Plasmodium brasilianum/malariae was initially detected in 14% and 25% free-living howler monkeys in RJ and in the Espírito Santo (ES) state, respectively. Moreover, the malarial pigment was detected in the spleen fragments of 50% of a subsample comprising dead howler monkeys in both RJ and ES. All NHPs were negative for Plasmodium falciparum. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Our data indicate that howler monkeys act as the main reservoir for the Atlantic forest human malarial parasites in RJ and other sites in Southeast Brazil and reinforce its zoonotic characteristics

    Serotype-associated immune response and network immunoclusters in children and adults during acute Dengue virus infection

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    Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Office of Blood Research and Review. Silver Spring, MD, USA.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Office of Blood Research and Review. Silver Spring, MD, USA.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Microbiologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica. Laboratório de Tecnologias Urbanas e Rurais. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica. Laboratório de Tecnologias Urbanas e Rurais. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica. Laboratório de Tecnologias Urbanas e Rurais. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado do Pará. Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde. Departamento de Patologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.The present study was designed as an exploratory investigation to characterize the overall profile of chemokines, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokines during acute DENV infection according to DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-4 serotypes and age: children: 3x), except PDGF in which no fold change was observed. Moreover, despite the age ranges, DENV-1 and DENV-4 presented increased levels of VEGF, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum but decreased levels of PDGF, while DENV-2 exhibited increased levels of CXCL8, CCL4, and IL-12. Noteworthy was that DENV-2 showed increased levels of IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13, and maintained an unaltered levels of PDGF at younger ages (<1–10 yo and 11–20 yo), whereas in older ages (21–40 yo and 41–75 yo), the results showed increased levels of CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α, but lower levels of PDGF. In general, DENV infection at younger age groups exhibited more complex network immunoclusters as compared to older age groups. Multivariate analysis revealed a clustering of DENV cases according to age for a set of soluble mediators especially in subjects infected with DENV-2 serotype. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the profile of circulating soluble mediators differs substantially in acute DENV according to age and DENV serotypes suggesting the participation of serotype-associated immune response, which may represent a potential target for development of therapeutics and could be used to assist medical directive for precise clinical management of severe cases
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