Mannose-binding lectin complement pathway plays a key role in complement activation by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) is a dimorphic fungal pathogen that causes paracoccidioidomycosis the most severe deep mycosis from South America Although cell mediated immunity is considered the most efficient protective mechanism against Pb infection mechanisms of innate immunity are poorly defined Herein we investigated the interaction of the complement system with high and low virulence isolates of Pb We demonstrated that Pb18 a high virulence Pb Isolate when incubated with normal human serum (NHS) induces consumption of hemolytic complement and when immobilized promotes binding of C4b C3b and C5b-C9 Both low virulence (Pb265) and high virulence (Pb18) isolates consumed C4 C3 and mannose-binding learn (MBL) of MBL-sufficient but not of MBL-deficient serum as revealed by deposition of residual C4 C3 and MBL on immune complexes and mannan However higher complement components consumption was observed with Pb265 as compared with Pb18 The suggested relationship between low virulence and significant complement activation properties of Pb isolates was confirmed by the demonstration that virulence attenuation of Pb 18 results in acquisition of the ability to activate complement Conversely reactivation of attenuated Pb18 results in loss of the ability to activate complement Our results demonstrate for the first time that Pb yeasts activate the complement system by the lectin pathway and there is an Inverse correlation between complement activating ability and Pb virulence These differences could exert an influence on Innate immunity and severity of the disease developed by infected hosts (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Motion cue analysis for parkinsonian gait recognition

This paper presents a computer-vision based marker-free method for gait-impairment detection in Patients with Parkinson's disease (PWP). The system is based upon the idea that a normal human body attains equilibrium during the gait by aligning the body posture with Axis-of-Gravity (AOG) using feet as the base of support. In contrast, PWP appear to be falling forward as they are less-able to align their body with AOG due to rigid muscular tone. A normal gait exhibits periodic stride-cycles with stride-angle around 45o between the legs, whereas PWP walk with shortened stride-angle with high variability between the stride-cycles. In order to analyze Parkinsonian-gait (PG), subjects were videotaped with several gait-cycles. The subject's body was segmented using a color-segmentation method to form a silhouette. The silhouette was skeletonized for motion cues extraction. The motion cues analyzed were stride-cycles (based on the cyclic leg motion of skeleton) and posture lean (based on the angle between leaned torso of skeleton and AOG). Cosine similarity between an imaginary perfect gait pattern and the subject gait patterns produced 100% recognition rate of PG for 4 normal-controls and 3 PWP. Results suggested that the method is a promising tool to be used for PG assessment in home-environment.

Avaliação do efeito citotóxico da lectina da esponja marinha Cliona varians contra células de leucemia mielóide crônica

In this study, a BCR-ABL expressing human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cell line (K562) was used to investigate the antitumoral potential of a novel lectin (CvL) purified from the marine sponge Cliona varians. CvL inhibited the growth of K562 cells with an IC50 value of 70 g/ml, but was ineffective to normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the same range of concentrations tested (180 g/ml). Cell death occurred after 72 h of exposure to the lectin and with sign of apoptosis as analysed by DAPI staining. Investigation of the possible effectors of this process showed that cell death occurred in the presence of Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and involved a caspase-independent pathway. Confocal fluorescence microscopy indicated a major role for the lysosomal protease cathepsin B in mediating cell death. Accordingly, pre-incubation of K562 cells with the cathepsin inhibitor L-trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane (E-64) abolished the cytotoxic effect of CvL. Furthermore, we found upregulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and down-modulation of p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B (NFB) expression in CvL-treated cells. These effects were accompanied by increased levels of p21 and downmodulation of pRb, suggesting that CvL is capable of cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these findings suggest that cathepsin B acts as death mediator in CvL-induced cytotoxicity possibly in a still uncharacterized connection with the membrane death receptor pathway

Homogalactanas sulfatadas da alga Codium isthmocladum com atividade anticoagulante

Since the first description of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds, the biological activities of these compounds have been evaluated under different aspects and experimental procedures. Among the broad biological activities presented by seaweed polysaccharides, anticoagulant action appears as a promising function. In this present study we have obtained sulfated polysaccharides from the green seaweed Codium isthmocladium by proteolytic digestion, followed by separation into five fractions (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.2) by sequential acetone precipitation. The chemical analyses have demonstrated that all fractions are composed mainly by sulfated polysaccharides. The anticoagulant activity of these fractions was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time test (PT) using citrate normal human plasma. None fraction has shown anticoagulant activity by PT test. Furthermore, all of them have shown anticoagulant activity by aPTT test. These results indicated that the molecular targets of these sulfated polysaccharides are mainly in the intrinsic via of the coagulation cascade. Agarose gel electrophoresis in 1,3-diaminopropane acetate buffer, pH 9.0, stained with 0.1% toluidine blue showed the presence of two or three bands in several fractions while the fraction 0.9 showed a single spot. By anion exchange chromatography, the acid polysaccharides from the 0.9 acetone fraction were separated into two new fractions eluted respectively with 2.0 and 3.0 M NaCl. These compounds showed a molecular weight of 6.4 and 7.4 kDa respectively. Chemical analyses and infrared spectroscopy showed that Gal 1 and Gal 2 are sulfated homogalactans and differ one from the other in degree and localization of sulfate groups. aPPT test demonstrated that fractions 2,0 and 3,0M (Gal1 and Gal 2, respectively) have anticoagulant activity. This is the first time that anticoagulant sulfated homogalatans have been isolated from green algae. To prolong the coagulation time to double the baseline value in the aPTT, the required amount of sulfated galactan 1 (6,3mg) was similar to low molecular heparin Clexane®, whereas only 0,7mg of sulfated galactan 2 was needed to obtain the same effect. Sulfated galactan 2 in high doses (250mg) induces platelet aggregation. These results suggest that these galactans from C. isthmocladum have a potential application as an anticoagulant drug

Ação de polissacarídeos sulfatados de Fucus Vesiculosus na Hemostasia e no sistema complemento

Fucans are a family of sulfated homo and teropolysaccharides respectively, composed mainly of a- (1®2) and a- (1®3) linked by L-fucose residues. Properties such as the ability to act as an anti-contraceptive, to reduce cholesterol levels, and to act as an anti-tumor agent are much related. We have focused our attention on the anticoagulant properties, platelet aggregation, hemorrhagic activity and complement system in vitro of commercial fucoidan (F) and their purified fractions (F1, F2 and F3) from Fucus vesiculosus obtained from fractionation of the fucoidan with different concentrations of acetone 1, 2 and 3v. These compounds were chemically characterized and the fucoidan (F) was modified by desulfation. The anticoagulant activity of the compounds was assessment by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombine time assay (PT) using citrated normal human plasma. The results of APPT test showed that F, F1 and F2 have high anticoagulants activities 240.0 s (5 µg). The F3 showed 73.7 s in the same concentrations. The results obtained with PT test to F, F1, F2 and F3 were 81.5 s, 120.0 s, 57.1 and 32.5 s respectively with 50 µg. The dessulfated polymer showed a decrease in the anticoagulant activity in these two tests. Platelet aggregation assay was measured turbidimetrically with platelet aggregometer by method of Born. The aggregation platelet with F and fractions F1, F2 and F3 exhibited a two-phase answer in the concentration of 5 mg/mL with maximum aggregation of 76.36 ± 10.3% ; 69.54 ± 9.40%; 75.94 ± 9.01%; 51.13 ± 9.59% respectively. However, was observed a hipoaggregate profile F (15.17 ± 5.2%), F1 (7.40 ± 3.04 %), F2 (19.1 ± 5.41%) and F3 (5.09 ± 3.02%) at 0.1 mg/mL. The hemorrhagic activity assay was carried in Wistar rats and showed that these compounds have low hemorrhagic effect when compared to heparin. The complement system ( alternative pathway was made using non-sensibilized rabbit red blood cells The results of complement system essay showed that F , F2 and F3 have action inhibitory in relation to the group control 0.544, 0.697, 0.622 and 0.958 respectively The results showed that these compounds have action on this system. Interaction of the polisaccharides with proteins C3 and C4 showed that the fraction F1 stimulated the activity assay hemolytic using red blood cells

A curva de regressão da gonadotrofina coriônica humana é útil no diagnóstico precoce da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional pós-molar?

OBJETIVO: avaliar a utilidade da curva de regressão normal da gonadotrofina coriônica humana (hCG) no diagnóstico precoce de neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional pós-molar (NTG). MÉTODOS: estudo longitudinal, incluindo 105 pacientes com mola hidatiforme completa (MHC) acompanhadas no Centro de Doenças Trofoblásticas de Botucatu, entre 1998 e 2005. Os títulos da hCG sérica foram mensurados quinzenalmente em todas as pacientes. Curvas individuais de regressão da hCG das 105 pacientes foram estabelecidas. A comparação entre a curva de regressão normal estabelecida em nosso serviço com as curvas individuais da hCG foi usada no rastreamento e diagnóstico (platô/ascensão) de NTG. O número de semanas pós-esvaziamento quando a hCG excedeu o limite normal foi comparado com o número semanas em que a hCG apresentou platô/ascensão. RESULTADOS: das 105 pacientes com MHC, 80 apresentaram remissão espontânea (RE) e 25 desenvolveram NTG. Das 80 pacientes com RE, 7 (8,7%) apresentaram, inicialmente, dosagem da hCG acima do normal, mas, no devido tempo, alcançaram a remissão. Todas as 25 pacientes com NTG apresentaram desvio da curva normal da hCG em 3,8±2,5 semanas e mostraram platô ou ascensão em 8,4±2,9 semanas (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: a curva de regressão normal da hCG pós-molar pode ser útil para diagnóstico de NTG.

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus from home-treated peritoneal dialysis patients

Staphylococcus aureus is the main agent of infections during peritoneal dialysis (PD). The presence of S. aureus in the nasal cavity has been extensively studied and suggested as a risk factor of dialysis-related infections, whereas coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species are frequently considered part of the normal human microbiota. The aim of this study was to identify Staphylococcus in the nasal cavity, pericatheter skin and peritoneal effluent from PD patients, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial activity evolution in vitro. Thirty-two chronic PD patients were observed during 12 months and had nasal and pericatheter skin samples collected for culture. When peritonitis was detected, samples were also collected from the peritoneal effluent for culture. The activity of several antimicrobial drugs (penicillin G, oxacillin, cephalothin, ofloxacin, netilmicin and vancomycin) against different Staphylococcus species was measured by using the agar drug diffusion assay (Kirby-Bauer method). Staphylococcus was separated into S. aureus, S. epidermidis and other CNS species in order to determine the in vitro resistance level. S. epidermidis resistance to oxacillin progressively increased during the study period (p < 0.05). Resistance to ofloxacin was inexpressive, whereas resistance to netilmicin and vancomycin was not detected. of the oxacillin-resistant species (n = 74), 83% were S. epidermidis, 13% other CNS and 4% S. aureus (p < 0.05). Regarding multidrug resistant strains (n = 45), 82% were S. epidermidis, 13% other CNS, and 5% S. aureus (p < 0.05). This study shows the relevance of resistance to oxacillin and CNS multi-drug resistance, particularly concerning S. epidermidis, in PD patients.

Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity of pentadactylin isolated from Leptodactylus labyrinthicus on melanoma cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morphology and incidence of torus palatinus and mandibularis in Brazilian Indians

The incidence and morphology of torus platinus and mandibularis was verified in 200 Indians, residents of two Brazilian Indian Reserves in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A low incidence of both types of exostoses was observed, with torus palatinus occurring more frequently than mandibularis. These structures did not occur in individuals less than 10 years of age. Flattened torus palatinus predominated in relation to the other forms.

Função dos jogos e brinquedos na vida da criança

The author first describes the role of playing games and toys on physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children. He further discusses how they should be selected in relation to the various stages of child growth.

ANALISE MORFOLOGICA DE 'SPINA MENTALIS' DE MANDIBULAS HUMANAS ADULTAS DE BRASILEIROS BRANCOS E NEGROS

This study was carried out to verify the morphology of the spina mentalis. We observed 275 human adult mandibles of both sexes and ethnic groups. An analysis of the results allows the following conclusions. The spina mentalis exists in 90.04% ±1.8 of the mandibles of Whites and Negroes. The typical form with four tubercles, as described by some authors, is rarely found. In most cases it is characterized by the presence of: two upper tubercles (27.27%±7.2), two superior tubercles and one inferior (24.72%±6.7), and one elongated median tubercle (24.0%±6.6); The forms and volumes of the tubercles are very irregular and seem not to depend on age, sex or ethnic group. The spina was absent in 9.8%±3.2 of the cases, especially in mandibles of White teethless individuals. An hypertrophic spina mentalis, generally formed at the expense of the upper tubercle, was observed in only 1.45%±0.5 of the cases.

Clinical significance of supplementary innervation of the lower incisor teeth: a dissection study of the myelohyoid nerve

In view of the relevance of the mylohyoid nerve to clinical difficulties in achieving deep analgesia of the lower incisors, a dissection study was undertaken. Dissections from 29 adult cadavers of both sexes were studied with the aid of a dissecting microscope. The following observations were made: a supplementary branch of the mylohyoid nerve entered the mandible through accessory foramina in the lingual side of the mandibular symphysis in 50% of the cases; it generrally arose from the right side (76.9%) and entered the inferior retromental foramen (84.6%); the mylohyoid nerve branch either ended directly in the incisor teeth and the gingiva or joined the ipsilateral or contralateral incisive nerve. In view of this information concerning the high incidence of possible involvement of the mylohyoid nerve in mandibular sensory innervation, it is advisable to block it whenever intervention in the lower incisors is indicated. Routine mylohyoid injection is recommended after mental nerve block. If the inferior alveolar nerve is chosen for anesthetic purposes, additional mylohyoid injection should be given only if pain persists. The mylohyoid injection should be given at the inferior retromental foramen on the median aspect of the inferior border of the mandible through extraoral approach.

Aspectos imunogeneticos na pesquisa da etiologia da catarata senil

The immunogenetic study of senile cataract showed that the association with the HLA antigens and Ia antigens suggests an influence of the antigenicity for cataractogenesis, but not a peculiar specificity. However, the investigation of the immunoglobulins in lens suggest that the lens pathology may be produced by antibodies reacting with the lens capsule and consequently interfering with the lens epithelial metabolism, and contributes to the complex mechanism of cataract formation.