Effector memory CD4+ T cells are associated with cognitive performance in a senior population

Objective: Immunosenescence and cognitive decline are common markers of the aging process. Taking into consideration the heterogeneity observed in aging processes and the recently described link between lymphocytes and cognition, we herein explored the possibility of an association between alterations in lymphocytic populations and cognitive performance. Methods: In a cohort of cognitively healthy adults (n = 114), previously characterized by diverse neurocognitive/psychological performance patterns, detailed peripheral blood immunophenotyping of both the innate and adaptive immune systems was performed by flow cytometry. Results: Better cognitive performance was associated with lower numbers of effector memory CD4(+) T cells and higher numbers of naive CD8(+) T cells and B cells. Furthermore, effector memory CD4(+) T cells were found to be predictors of general and executive function and memory, even when factors known to influence cognitive performance in older individuals (e.g., age, sex, education, and mood) were taken into account. Conclusions: This is the first study in humans associating specific phenotypes of the immune system with distinct cognitive performance in healthy aging.

High-level of viral genomic diversity in cervical cancers: a Brazilian study on human papillomavirus type 16

Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the third most frequent cancer among women worldwide and is associated with persistent infection by carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The combination of large populations of viral progeny and decades of sustained infection may allow for the generation of intra-patient diversity, in spite of the assumedly low mutation rates of PVs. While the natural history of chronic HPVs infections has been comprehensively described, within-host viral diversity remains largely unexplored. In this study we have applied next generation sequencing to the analysis of intra-host genetic diversity in ten ICC and one condyloma cases associated to single HPV16 infection. We retrieved from all cases near full-length genomic sequences. All samples analyzed contained polymorphic sites, ranging from 3 to 125 polymorphic positions per genome, and the median probability of a viral genome picked at random to be identical to the consensus sequence in the lesion was only 40%. We have also identified two independent putative duplication events in two samples, spanning the L2 and the L1 gene, respectively. Finally, we have identified with good support a chimera of human and viral DNA. We propose that viral diversity generated during HPVs chronic infection may be fueled by innate and adaptive immune pressures. Further research will be needed to understand the dynamics of viral DNA variability, differentially in benign and malignant lesions, as well as in tissues with differential intensity of immune surveillance. Finally, the impact of intralesion viral diversity on the long-term oncogenic potential may deserve closer attention.

Urbanismo participativo e resiliência das comunidades: especificação de uma aplicação

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia e Gestão de Sistemas de Informação

Ajustamento da criança à separação ou divórcio dos pais

Objetivo: O presente artigo procura relacionar e analisar evidências empíricas e teóricas sobre o impacto e os fatores associados ao impacto da separação ou divórcio dos pais no ajustamento da criança. Método: Realizou-se uma revisão agregativa da literatura, recorrendo às palavras-chave “divorce adjustment”, “child divorce” e “divorce impact”, nas bases de dados JSTOR, PsycInfo, SciELO e Medline e em livros da especialidade. Resultados: Respostas adaptativas e desadaptativas da criança são descritas, assim como potenciais resultados positivos. São principalmente discutidos os fatores mediadores e moderadores frequentemente referenciados na literatura no impacto da separação ou divórcio dos pais no ajustamento da criança. Entre esses estão: características da criança, problemas financeiros, sintomatologia psicopatológica dos pais, qualidade das práticas parentais e conflito interparental. Conclusão: Com base nas evidências empíricas e perspectivando o divórcio como uma transição desenvolvimental, levantamos a hipótese de que os problemas de ajustamento apresentados pelas crianças com pais divorciados possam ser mais bem explicados por outros fatores do que pelo divórcio/separação per se. Finalmente assumimos uma inovação conceptual de que essa transição familiar pode significar uma oportunidade de crescimento e de promoção desenvolvimental.