32 research outputs found

    Processamento de batata (Solanum tuberosum L.) : fritura

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    Genetic vaccine for tuberculosis (pVAXhsp65) primes neonate mice for a strong immune response at the adult stage

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    Abstract\ud \ud \ud \ud Background\ud \ud Vaccination of neonates is generally difficult due to the immaturity of the immune system and consequent higher susceptibility to tolerance induction. Genetic immunization has been described as an alternative to trigger a stronger immune response in neonates, including significant Th1 polarization. In this investigation we analysed the potential use of a genetic vaccine containing the heat shock protein (hsp65) from Mycobacterium leprae (pVAXhsp65) against tuberculosis (TB) in neonate mice. Aspects as antigen production, genomic integration and immunogenicity were evaluated.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud Hsp65 message and genomic integration were evaluated by RT-PCR and Southern blot, respectively. Immunogenicity of pVAXhsp65 alone or combined with BCG was analysed by specific induction of antibodies and cytokines, both quantified by ELISA.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud This DNA vaccine was transcribed by muscular cells of neonate mice without integration into the cellular genome. Even though this vaccine was not strongly immunogenic when entirely administered (three doses) during early animal's life, it was not tolerogenic. In addition, pVAXhsp65 and BCG were equally able to prime newborn mice for a strong and mixed immune response (Th1 + Th2) to pVAXhsp65 boosters administered later, at the adult life.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud \ud These results suggest that pVAXhsp65 can be safely used as a priming stimulus in neonate animals in prime-boost similar strategies to control TB. However, priming with BCG or pVAXhsp65, directed the ensuing immune response triggered by an heterologous or homologous booster, to a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern of response. Measures as introduction of IL-12 or GM-CSF genes in the vaccine construct or even IL-4 neutralization, are probably required to increase the priming towards Th1 polarization to ensure control of tuberculosis infection.The authors are grateful to Secretaria da Saúde do Estado de São Paulo for providing BCG and to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) that supported this study with a grant (Proc. No. 03/06348-7).The authors are grateful to Secretaria da Saúde do Estado de São Paulo for providing BCG and to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) that supported this study with a grant (Proc. No. 03/063487)

    Violent behavior of patients living in psychiatric residential facilities: A comparison of male patients with different violence histories

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    People with severe mental disorders and a history of violence are often seen as a difficult-to-manage segment of the population. In addition, this group is usually characterized by a high risk of crime recidivism, and poor compliance with community and aftercare programs. To investigate a sample of male patients living in Residential Facilities (RFs) with a history of violent behavior against people and to compare their characteristics with those of never-violent residents; to analyze the associations between aggressive behaviors in the last two years and a history of previous violence; and, to assess the predictors of aggressive behaviors. This study is part of a prospective observational cohort study which involved 23 RFs in Northern Italy. A comprehensive set of sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related information was gathered, and standardized assessments were administered to each participant. Also a detailed assessment of aggressive behaviors in the past two years was carried out. The study involved 268 males: 81 violent and 187 never-violent. Compared to never-violent patients, violent patients were younger, with a higher proportion of personality disorders, and have displayed an increased number of aggressive behaviors in the last two years. The presence of a history of violent behavior in the past significantly increases the probability of committing aggressive acts in the future

    The effect of service satisfaction and spiritual well-being on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.

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    Quality of life (QOL) has been considered an important outcome measure in psychiatric research and determinants of QOL have been widely investigated. We aimed at detecting predictors of QOL at baseline and at testing the longitudinal interrelations of the baseline predictors with QOL scores at a 1-year follow-up in a sample of patients living in Residential Facilities (RFs). Logistic regression models were adopted to evaluate the association between WHOQoL-Bref scores and potential determinants of QOL. In addition, all variables significantly associated with QOL domains in the final logistic regression model were included by using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). We included 139 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum. In the final logistic regression model level of activity, social support, age, service satisfaction, spiritual well-being and symptoms' severity were identified as predictors of QOL scores at baseline. Longitudinal analyses carried out by SEM showed that 40% of QOL follow-up variability was explained by QOL at baseline, and significant indirect effects toward QOL at follow-up were found for satisfaction with services and for social support. Rehabilitation plans for people with schizophrenia living in RFs should also consider mediators of change in subjective QOL such as satisfaction with mental health services

    The Stomatognathic System's Role in the Postural Stabilization in Subjects Suffering from Whiplash Injury Part 1: Patients with Physiological Occlusion

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    Aim of this study is analyze the effects of dental occlusion on postural stability in patients with previous whiplash and normal occlusion. Materials and methods: 36 adult patients with previous whiplash and normal occlusion (good alignment, 1 st class or mild 2 nd class deep bite for mandibular retrusion) were selected. The patients were suffering from masticatory muscles pain caused by clenching during sleep. Exclusion criteria: use of psych drugs. To simulate the conditions of sleep (with a reduction of proprio-and esteroceptive inputs for postural management performed by CNS), we used postural Romberg analysis (feet together, closed eyes)on stabilometric platform changing occlusal parameters only, under the following conditions: 1) in occlusal rest position, 2) in centric occlusion, 3) in clenching, 4) with occlusal disengage with cotton rolls and 5) in clenching on cotton rolls. Time of each test: 15 seconds. It was performed a statistical analysis with T-test comparing between them the mean of all tests. Results: stabilometry data (postural ball and ellipse) show better postural performances in centric occlusion and clenching in centric occlusion, and a worsening in all tests with occlusal disengage (with statistically significant difference - p<0.05). Conclusions: postural instability caused by whiplash increases muscles tone and dental clenching as compensatory effects, with onset of facial pain. An occlusal disengage (like an occlusal splint to reduce clenching)induces a postural worsening in patients with normal occlusion, while centricocclusion increases the stability. These results suggest that stomatognathic organ has a new physiological function: the posture stabilization

    Exposure to Mycobacterium avium Decreases the Protective Effect of the DNA Vaccine pVAXhsp65 Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Induced Inflammation of the Pulmonary Parenchyma

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    This work investigated the effect of previous Mycobacterium avium exposure on the protective ability of the DNA vaccine pVAXhsp65 against inflammation in the pulmonary parenchyma. BALB/c mice were presensitized with heat-killed M. avium and then immunized with three doses of pVAXhsp65 prior to challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. M. avium sensitization induced high levels of spontaneous IL-5 production that were concomitant with a positive delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction; antigen-specific IFN-gamma production was also observed upon splenocyte stimulation. Prior exposure to M. avium resulted in altered cytokine and antibody production induced by immunization with pVAXhsp65; instead of a Th1 response, vaccinated mice previously exposed to M. avium developed a strong Th2 response. This switch to a Th2 response coincided with the loss of the anti-inflammatory effect of pVAXhsp65 vaccination previously observed in the pulmonary parenchyma of mice infected with M. tuberculosis. These results suggest that exposure to environmental mycobacteria can modulate immune responses induced by mycobacterial vaccines other than bacillus Calmette-Guerin.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

    A utilização das aplicações digitais «Peak & Neuronation» para a inclusão dos adultos idosos: um estudo de caso na USALBI

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    Atendendo à degeneração fisiológica e cognitiva associada ao envelhecimento é importante que se promovam iniciativas que previnam situações que possam aumentar as demências junto dos idosos. O objetivo da investigação realizada foi averiguar se a utilização das aplicações digitais Peak & Neuronation podem contribuir para o envelhecimento ativo dos idosos, no que diz respeito ao treino cognitivo que as mesmas proporcionam. Foi envolvida a turma de 18 alunos da disciplina de Informática da Universidade Sénior Albicastrense (USALBI) com idades entre os 56-80 anos. A metodologia aplicada foi a de carácter qualitativo: o estudo de caso; observação não participante; inquéritos por questionário; entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise dos dados foi recolhida em 12 sessões práticas de utilização das APPs demonstraram ser uma mais valia e que devem ser referenciadas como ferramentas digitais no âmbito do treino cognitivo dos idosos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Bacille Calmette-Guérin/DNAhsp65 prime-boost is protective against diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice but not in the streptozotocin model of type 1 diabetes

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    Type I diabetes is a disease caused by autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas that leads to a deficiency in insulin production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic potential of a prime-boost strategy involving bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and the pVAXhsp65 vaccine (BCG/DNAhsp65) in diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6 mice and also in spontaneous type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. BCG/DNAhsp65 vaccination in NOD mice determined weight gain, protection against hyperglycaemia, decreased islet inflammation, higher levels of cytokine production by the spleen and a reduced number of regulatory T cells in the spleen compared with non-immunized NOD mice. In the STZ model, however, there was no significant difference in the clinical parameters. Although this vaccination strategy did not protect mice in the STZ model, it was very effective in NOD mice. This is the first report demonstrating that a prime-boost strategy could be explored as an immunomodulatory procedure in autoimmune diseases. © 2013 British Society for Immunology
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