Análise sorológica revela circulação de vírus influenza C, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

The circulation of influenza C viruses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was studied when significant levels of antibodies were detected (56.7%) with hemagglutination inhibition test, used as a standard methodology for influenza virus studies.Foi estudada no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, a circulação de vírus influenza C detectando-se níveis significativos de anticorpos (56,7%) através de reação de inibição de hemaglutinação, o qual é considerada como padrão para estudos em influenzavíru

Curso evolutivo da microalbuminúria em pacientes com diabete melito tipo 2 (DM2)

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The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications

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

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

Curso evolutivo da microalbuminúria em pacientes com diabete melito tipo 2 (DM2)

03

Highly purified glycosylphosphatidylinositols from Trypanosoma cruzi are potent proinflammatory agents

Intracellular protozoan parasites are potent stimulators of cell-mediated immunity. The induction of macrophage proinflammatory cytokines by Trypanosoma cruzi is considered to be important in controlling the infection and the outcome of Chagas' disease. Here we show that the potent tumour necrosis factor–α-, interleukin–12- and nitric oxide-inducing activities of T.cruzi trypomastigote mucins were recovered quantitatively in a highly purified and characterized glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor fraction of this material. The bioactive trypomastigote GPI fraction was compared with a relatively inactive GPI fraction prepared from T.cruzi epimastigote mucins. The trypomastigote GPI structures were found to contain additional galactose residues and unsaturated, instead of saturated, fatty acids in the sn–2 position of the alkylacylglycerolipid component. The latter feature is essential for the extreme potency of the trypomastigote GPI fraction, which is at least as active as bacterial endotoxin and Mycoplasma lipopeptide and, therefore, one of the most potent microbial proinflammatory agents known

Serological analysis reveals circulation of influenza C viruses, Brazil Análise sorológica revela circulação de vírus influenza C, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

The circulation of influenza C viruses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was studied when significant levels of antibodies were detected (56.7%) with hemagglutination inhibition test, used as a standard methodology for influenza virus studies.<br>Foi estudada no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, a circulação de vírus influenza C detectando-se níveis significativos de anticorpos (56,7%) através de reação de inibição de hemaglutinação, o qual é considerada como padrão para estudos em influenzavíru