Defective λ interferon production in leprosy reversal with antigen and interleukin 2

[No abstract available

Severity scoring of manganese health effects for categorical regression

Characterizing the U-shaped exposure response relationship for manganese (Mn) is necessary for estimating the risk of adverse health from Mn toxicity due to excess or deficiency. Categorical regression has emerged as a powerful tool for exposure-response analysis because of its ability to synthesize relevant information across multiple studies and species into a single integrated analysis of all relevant data. This paper documents the development of a database on Mn toxicity designed to support the application of categorical regression techniques. Specifically, we describe (i) the conduct of a systematic search of the literature on Mn toxicity to gather data appropriate for dose-response assessment; (ii) the establishment of inclusion/exclusion criteria for data to be included in the categorical regression modeling database; (iii) the development of a categorical severity scoring matrix for Mn health effects to permit the inclusion of diverse health outcomes in a single categorical regression analysis using the severity score as the outcome variable; and (iv) the convening of an international expert panel to both review the severity scoring matrix and assign severity scores to health outcomes observed in studies (including case reports, epidemiological investigations, and in vivo experimental studies) selected for inclusion in the categorical regression database. Exposure information including route, concentration, duration, health endpoint(s), and characteristics of the exposed population was abstracted from included studies and stored in a computerized manganese database (MnDB), providing a comprehensive repository of exposure-response information with the ability to support categorical regression modeling of oral exposure data

Saberes docentes sobre convivencia en las escuelas secundarias

This article presents the results of a research project aimed at knowing how teachers deal with coexistence and manage conflict resolution in two secondary schools in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Based on a qualitative methodological strategy, semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the management team and tutor teachers. In addition, tutor team meetings were observed. The teachers' testimonies highlight the value of the pedagogical-didactic work characterised mainly by bonds of respect, as well as by the trust and humour built up with the students. On the other hand, they report a better youth predisposition in those subjects that have a proposal with autonomous resolution, although they emphasise that they must continue to maintain the role of class co-ordination. The results obtained show the relevance of pedagogical-didactic knowledge for classroom managment and strengthening coexistence in schools.Este artículo presenta resultados de un trabajo de investigación interesado en conocer cómo el cuerpo docente aborda la convivencia y gestiona la resolución de conflictos en dos escuelas secundarias de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. A partir de una estrategia metodológica cualitativa se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a miembros del equipo de conducción y a docentes tutores y, también, se observaron reuniones del equipo de tutores. Los testimonios docentes destacan el valor del trabajo pedagógico-didáctico caracterizado principalmente por vínculos de respeto, así como también por la confianza y el humor construido con las y los estudiantes. Por otra parte, dan cuenta de una mejor predisposición juvenil en aquellas asignaturas que tienen una propuesta de resolución autónoma, aunque resaltan que deben seguir sosteniendo el rol de coordinación de la clase. Los resultados obtenidos muestran la relevancia de los saberes pedagógicos-didácticos para el gobierno de las clases y fortalecer la convivencia en las escuelas

Planejamento urbano em tempos de pandemia: Mudanças em quatro cidades latino-americanas

A pandemia de Covid-19 exigiu do Estado políticas públicas capazes de reverter o grave cenário em áreas tão determinantes para a qualidade de vida e condições sociais como o planejamento urbano e a mobilidade. Junto com a pandemia vieram medidas de isolamento social, o crescimento do comércio eletrônico, as mudanças comportamentais no uso de transporte público, a condução de processos participativos de forma virtual, o esvaziamento dos edifícios corporativos, o home office e o fechamento do comércio tradicional, entre outras transformações ocorridas. Nesse contexto surgiram iniciativas governamentais inovadoras no campo do planejamento urbano e ordenamento territorial cuja compreensão é fundamental para a implementação de um Grande Impulso para a sustentabilidade. A presente pesquisa possui natureza exploratória e buscou identificar e compreender iniciativas governamentais no campo do planejamento urbano de quatro cidades: Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cidade do México e São Paulo, após o surgimento da pandemia de Covid-19, em especial de tipo regulatório. Inclui a revisão dos planos de ordenamento territorial, a regulação do uso e ocupação do solo, em especial a reconversão de imóveis e flexibilização normativa, o uso do espaço público, o licenciamento urbanístico e os planos urbanísticos setoriais. Os achados contribuem para alcançar cidades mais inclusivas, sustentáveis e inteligentes.Resumo .-- Introdução .-- I. Estrutura regulatória nacional e o papel dos municípios na política urbana .-- II. Revisão dos planos de ordenamento territorial durante a pandemia .-- III. Alterações das regras de parcelamento, uso e ocupação do solo durante a pandemia .-- IV. Planos urbanísticos setoriais .-- V. Simplificação do licenciamento urbanístico .-- VI. Considerações finais

Planificación urbanística en tiempos de pandemia: Cambios en cuatro ciudades latinoamericanas

Las múltiples crisis ocasionadas por la pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) tuvieron profundas consecuencias que exigieron redefinir el papel del Estado para que fuera capaz de actuar e innovar en dicho contexto, aumentando su capacidad para implementar políticas públicas que sirvieran para revertir la grave situación. La necesidad de aplicar medidas de aislamiento social, el crecimiento del comercio electrónico, los cambios de comportamiento en el uso del transporte público, la realización de procesos participativos de forma virtual, la desocupación de los edificios corporativos, la generalización del teletrabajo y el cierre del comercio tradicional, entre otras transformaciones, obligaron a buscar iniciativas gubernamentales innovadoras en el ámbito del urbanismo y el ordenamiento territorial. Esta investigación tiene carácter exploratorio y busca conocer las iniciativas gubernamentales desarrolladas en las ciudades latinoamericanas en materia de planificación urbana, especialmente los cambios legislativos, tras la irrupción de la pandemia de COVID-19. A partir de un estudio de casos múltiples, que incluye São Paulo, Bogotá, Buenos Aires y la Ciudad de México, se identifican las tendencias generales en el ámbito de la administración pública municipal y se contribuye a la formulación de posibles vías que conduzcan a ciudades más inclusivas, igualitarias y sostenibles.Resumen .-- Ingtroducción .-- I. La estructura normativa nacional y el papel de los municipios en la política urbana .-- II. Revisión de los planes de ordenamiento territorial durante la pandemia .-- III. Cambios en las normas de parcelación, uso y ocupación del suelo durante la pandemia .-- IV. Planos urbanísticos sectoriales .-- V. Simplificación de la concesión de licencias urbanísticas .-- VI. Consideraciones finales

RUNX1 and FOXP3 interplay regulates expression of breast cancer related genes

Runx1 participation in epithelial mammary cells is still under review. Emerging data indicates that Runx1 could be relevant for breast tumor promotion. However, to date no studies have specifically evaluated the functional contribution of Runx1 to control gene expression in mammary epithelial tumor cells. It has been described that Runx1 activity is defined by protein context interaction. Interestingly, Foxp3 is a breast tumor suppressor gene. Here we show that endogenous Runx1 and Foxp3 physically interact in normal mammary cells and this interaction blocks Runx1 transcriptional activity. Furthermore we demonstrate that Runx1 is able to bind to R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) and Gap Junction protein Alpha 1 (GJA1) promoters. This binding upregulates Rspo3 oncogene expression and downregulates GJA1 tumor suppressor gene expression in a Foxp3-dependent manner. Moreover, reduced Runx1 transcriptional activity decreases tumor cell migration properties. Collectively, these data provide evidence of a new mechanism for breast tumor gene expression regulation, in which Runx1 and Foxp3 physically interact to control mammary epithelial cell gene expression fate. Our work suggests for the first time that Runx1 could be involved in breast tumor progression depending on Foxp3 availability

Novel prokaryotic expression of thioredoxin-fused insulinoma associated protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (IA-2), its characterization and immunodiagnostic application

Background The insulinoma associated protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (IA-2) is one of the immunodominant autoantigens involved in the autoimmune attack to the beta-cell in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. In this work we have developed a complete and original process for the production and recovery of the properly folded intracellular domain of IA-2 fused to thioredoxin (TrxIA-2ic) in Escherichia coli GI698 and GI724 strains. We have also carried out the biochemical and immunochemical characterization of TrxIA-2icand design variants of non-radiometric immunoassays for the efficient detection of IA-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A). Results The main findings can be summarized in the following statements: i) TrxIA-2ic expression after 3 h of induction on GI724 strain yielded ≈ 10 mg of highly pure TrxIA-2ic/L of culture medium by a single step purification by affinity chromatography, ii) the molecular weight of TrxIA-2ic (55,358 Da) could be estimated by SDS-PAGE, size exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry, iii) TrxIA-2ic was properly identified by western blot and mass spectrometric analysis of proteolytic digestions (63.25 % total coverage), iv) excellent immunochemical behavior of properly folded full TrxIA-2ic was legitimized by inhibition or displacement of [35S]IA-2 binding from IA-2A present in Argentinian Type 1 Diabetic patients, v) great stability over time was found under proper storage conditions and vi) low cost and environmentally harmless ELISA methods for IA-2A assessment were developed, with colorimetric or chemiluminescent detection. Conclusions E. coli GI724 strain emerged as a handy source of recombinant IA-2ic, achieving high levels of expression as a thioredoxin fusion protein, adequately validated and applicable to the development of innovative and cost-effective immunoassays for IA-2A detection in most laboratories.Fil: Guerra, Luciano Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Faccinetti, Natalia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Trabucchi, Aldana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Rovitto, Bruno David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Sabljic, Adriana Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Poskus, Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Iacono, Ruben Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Valdez, Silvina Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; Argentin

Late pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma immediately after post-transplantation immunosuppressive treatment: a case report

Introduction We report a case of pulmonary metastatic recurrence of renal adenocarcinoma soon after radical nephrectomy that was followed by renal transplant and immunosuppressive medication. Increased risk of metastatic recurrence of renal cell carcinoma should be considered in the immediate post-transplant period when immunosuppressive medication is administered, even if nephrectomy had been performed many years earlier.Case presentation In 1986 the patient demonstrated renal insufficiency secondary to mesangial glomerulonephritis. In 1992 he underwent left side radical nephrectomy with histopathological diagnosis of clear cell adenocarcinoma. Mesangial glomerulonephritis in the remaining right kidney progressed to end-stage renal failure. In October 2000 he received a kidney transplant from a cadaver and commenced immunosuppressive medication. Two months later, several nodules were found in his lungs, which were identified as metastases from the primary renal tumor that had been removed with the diseased kidney 8 years earlier.Conclusion Recurrence of renal cell carcinoma metastases points to tumor dormancy and reflects a misbalance between effective tumor immune surveillance and immune escape. This case demonstrates that a state of tumor dormancy can be interrupted soon after administration of immunosuppressant medication.This work was partially supported by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI 02/0175), the plan Andaluz de Investigacion, and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Red de centros de Cancer, Spain

The current state of introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination into national immunisation schedules in Europe: first results of the VENICE2 2010 survey.

The Venice 2 human papillomavirus vaccination survey evaluates the state of introduction of the HPV vaccination into the national immunisation schedules in the 29 participating countries. As of July 2010, 18 countries have integrated this vaccination. The vaccination policy and achievements vary among those countries regarding target age groups, delivery infrastructures and vaccination coverage reached. Financial constraints remain the major obstacle for the 11 countries who have not yet introduced the vaccination