Incidence and prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel diseases, in midwestern of São Paulo State, Brazil

CONTEXTO: No Brasil, a incidência e prevalência populacionais das doenças inflamatórias intestinais são desconhecidas. OBJETIVO: Neste trabalho, estimou-se esses parâmetros na área que abrange a antiga região de saúde DIR 11, no centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Usou-se um registro sequencial de 115 pacientes (>15 anos de idade) com doenças inflamatórias intestinais, residindo na área de estudo, atendidos durante período de 20 anos (1986-2005) em hospital de referência. Estimou-se, para quatro períodos consecutivos de 5 anos, as incidências e prevalências de acordo com os tipos de doença e do sexo de doentes. As suas inter-relações foram analisadas utilizando o modelo de regressão linear de Poisson. RESULTADOS: Na região, as doenças inflamatórias intestinais foram predominantes em mulheres jovens, da raça branca, residindo na zona urbana.A incidência da retocolite foi maior que a da doença de Crohn e das colites não classificadas, e diferentemente dessas duas ultimas, mostrou decréscimo no último período (2001-2005). Neste mesmo período, a taxa da incidência para a retocolite foi de 4,48 casos/100.000 habitantes, para a doença de Crohn atingiu 3,50 casos/100.000 habitantes e a das colites não classificadas foi de 1,75 casos/100.000 habitantes. As prevalências atingiram os valores de 14,81 casos/100.000 habitantes para a retocolite, 5,65 casos/100.000 habitantes para a doenças de Crohn e 2,14 casos/100.000 habitantes. Considerando todas as doenças inflamatórias a prevalência atingiu o valor de 22,61 casos/100.000 habitantes. CONCLUSÃO:A incidência dessas doenças inflamatórias intestinais nessa região é baixa, igualando-se aos países da América Latina e do sul da Europa e sua crescente prevalência justifica políticas de saúde para as suas abordagens.

Relationship of IL-1 and TNF-alpha polymorphisms with Helicobacter pylori in gastric diseases in a Brazilian population

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase: A potential target for the development of drugs to treat T-cell- and apicomplexan parasite-mediated diseases

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of nucleosides and deoxynucleosides, generating ribose 1-phosphate and the purine base, which is an important step of purine catabolism pathway. The lack of such an activity in humans, owing to a genetic disorder, causes T-cell impairment, and thus drugs that inhibit human PNP activity have the potential of being utilized as modulators of the immunological system to treat leukemia, autoimmune diseases, and rejection in organ transplantation. Besides, the purine salvage pathway is the only possible way for apicomplexan parasites to obtain the building blocks for RNA and DNA synthesis, which makes PNP from these parasites an attractive target for drug development against diseases such as malaria. Hence, a number of research groups have made efforts to elucidate the mechanism of action of PNP based on structural and kinetic studies. It is conceivable that the mechanism may be different for PNPs from diverse sources, and influenced by the oligomeric state of the enzyme in solution. Furthermore, distinct transition state structures can make possible the rational design of specific inhibitors for human and apicomplexan enzymes. Here, we review the current status of these research efforts to elucidate the mechanism of PNP-catalyzed chemical reaction, focusing on the mammalian and Plamodium falciparum enzymes, targets for drug development against, respectively, T-Cell and Apicomplexan parasites-mediated diseases.

Medicinal plants' hosting ability for nematode meloidogyne javanica and m. incognita

Baida, F.C., D.C. Santiago, L. H. I. Vidal, L. C. Baida, C. T. Stroze. 2011. Medicinal Plants' Hosting Ability for Nematode Suitability Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. Nematropica 41: 150-153.Medicinal plants can be attacked by pests, diseases and nematodes, which can compromise the quality and quantity of their healing properties and their yield. The aim of this study was to analyse the reaction of 15 medicinal plant species to the nematode Meloidogyne spp. The seedlings were produced by seed germination or cuttings under greenhouse conditions. A completely random experimental pattern of 15 treatments and 10 replications was chosen for the study. The seedlings were inoculated with approximately 5000 eggs + J(2)/plant 20 days after planting. Plant height and fresh and dry leaf weight, were measured 60 days after planting. The roots were collected, thoroughly washed and stained with Philoxine B and then processed to extract the eggs to determine the reproduction factor. For M. incognita the results showed that Chamomile was susceptible with RF = 1,64 making it a good host, and the other plants were resistant (RF < 1), and for M. javanica that all the plants showed resistance (RF < 1), Myrrh, Rue and Balsam demonstrating immunity (RF = 0).

Speech-language therapy for treatment of dysphagia and dysphonia in systemic granulomatous diseases: granulomatous diseases: dysphagia and dysphonia treatments

The granulomatous lesions are frequently founded in infectious diseases and can involve the larynx and pharynx and can cause varying degrees of dysphonia and dysphagia. There is still no systematic review that analyzes effectiveness of speech therapy in systemic granulomatous diseases. Research strategy: A systematic review was performed according to Cochrane guideline considering the inclusion of RCTs and quasi-RCTs about the effectiveness of speech-language therapy to treat dysphagia and dysphonia symptoms in systemic granulomatous diseases of the larynx and pharynx. Selection criteria: The outcome planned to be measured in this review were: swallowing impairment, frequency of chest infections and voice and swallowing symptoms. Data analysis: We identified 1,140 citations from all electronic databases. After an initial shift we only selected 9 titles to be retrieved in full-text. After full reading, there was no RCT found in this review and therefore, we only described the existing 2 case series studies. Results: There were no randomized controlled trials found in the literature. Therefore, two studies were selected to be included only for narratively analysis as they were case series. Conclusion: There is no evidence from high quality studies about the effectiveness of speech-language therapy in patients with granulomatous diseases of the larynx and pharynx. The investigators could rely in the outcomes suggested in this review to design their own clinical trials.

Parasites and Diseases of Mullets (Mugilidae)

The following treatment of parasites, diseases and conditions affecting mullet hopefully serves several functions. It acquaints someone involved in rearing mullets with problems he can face and topics he should investigate. We cannot go into extensive illustrative detail on every species or group, but do provide a listing of most parasites reported or known from mullet and some pertinent general information on them. Because of these enumerations, the paper should also act as a review for anyone interested in mullet parasites or the use of such parasites as indicators about a mullet's diet and migratory behavior. Unfortunately, limited space prohibits us from presenting all the references used. The paper also deals with the public health aspects of eating or selling mullet, whether the product is to be raw, cooked, salted or smoked.

Phosphene Thresholds Elicited by Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Retinal Diseases

PURPOSE. To evaluate electrically evoked phosphene thresholds (EPTs) in healthy subjects and in patients with retinal disease and to assess repeatability and possible correlations with common ophthalmologic tests. METHODS. In all, 117 individuals participated: healthy subjects (n = 20) and patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP, n = 30), Stargardt's disease (STG, n = 14), retinal artery occlusion (RAO, n = 20), nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION, n = 16), and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG, n = 17). EPTs were determined at 3, 6, 9, 20, 40, 60, and 80 Hz with 5+5-ms biphasic current pulses using DTL electrodes. Subjects were examined twice (test-retest range: 1-6 weeks). An empirical model was developed to describe the current-frequency relationship of EPTs. Visual acuity, visual field (kinetic + static), electrophysiology (RP, RAO, STG: Ganzfeld-electroretinography [ERG]/multifocal-ERG; POAG: pattern-ERG; NAION: VEP), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, and tonometry were assessed. RESULTS. EPTs varied between disease groups (20 Hz: healthy subjects: 0.062 +/- 0.038 mA; STG: 0.102 +/- 0.097 mA; POAG: 0.127 +/- 0.09 mA; NAION: 0.244 +/- 0.126 mA; RP: 0.371 +/- 0.223 mA; RAO: 0.988 +/- 1.142 mA). In all groups EPTs were lowest at 20 Hz. In patients with retinal diseases and across all frequencies EPTs were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects, except in STG at 20 Hz (P = 0.09) and 40 Hz (P = 0.17). Test-retest difference at 20 Hz was 0.006 mA in the healthy group and 0.003-0.04 mA in disease groups. CONCLUSIONS. Considering the fast, safe, and reliable practicability of EPT testing, this test might be used more often under clinical circumstances. Determination of EPTs could be potentially useful in elucidation of the progress of ophthalmologic diseases, either in addition to standard clinical assessment or under conditions in which these standard tests cannot be used meaningfully. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00804102.) (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012; 53: 7440-7448) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-9612

Organ-specific autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile dermatomyositis patients

Objectives To our knowledge, no study assessed simultaneously a variety of organ-specific autoantibodies and the prevalence of organ-specific autoimmune diseases in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (ISLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate organ-specific autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases in JSLE and JDM patients. Methods Forty-one JSLE and 41 JDM patients were investigated for autoantibodies associated with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, type I diabetes mellitus (TIDM, autoimmune thyroiditis (AT), autoimmune gastritis and coeliac disease (CD). Patients with positive antibodies were investigated for the respective organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Results Mean age at diagnosis was higher in ISLE compared to JDM patients (10.3 +/- 3.4 vs. 7.3 +/- 3.1 years, p=0.0001). The frequencies of organ-specific autoantibodies were similar in JSLE and JDM patients (p>0.05). Of note, a high prevalence of TIDM and AT autoantibodies was observed in both groups (20% vs. 15%, p=0.77 and 24% vs. 15%, p=0.41; respectively). Higher frequencies of ANA (93% vs. 59%, p=0.0006), anti-dsDNA (61% vs. 2%, p<0.0001), anti-Ro, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-La and IgG-aCL were observed in JSLE (p<0.05). Organ-specific autoimmune diseases were evidenced only in ISLE patients (24% vs. 0%, p=0.13). Two ISLE patients had TIDM associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis and another had subclinical thyroiditis. Another JSLE patient had CD diagnosis based on iron deficiency anaemia, anti-endomysial antibody, duodenal biopsy compatible to CD and response to a gluten-free diet. Conclusions Organ-specific diseases were observed solely in ISLE patients and required specific therapy. The presence of these antibodies recommends the evaluation of organ-specific diseases and a rigorous follow-up.

Essays on geography and diseases

This dissertation explores how diseases contributed to shape historical institutions and how health and diseases are still affecting modern comparative development. The overarching goal of this investigation is to identify the channels linking geographic suitability to diseases and the emergence of historical and modern insitutions, while tackling the endogenenity problems that traditionally undermine this literature. I attempt to do so by taking advantage of the vast amount of newly available historical data and of the richness of data accessible through the geographic information system (GIS). The first chapter of my thesis, 'Side Effects of Immunities: The African Slave Trade', proposes and test a novel explanation for the origins of slavery in the tropical regions of the Americas. I argue that Africans were especially attractive for employment in tropical areas because they were immune to many of the diseases that were ravaging those regions. In particular, Africans' resistance to malaria increased the profitability of slaves coming from the most malarial parts of Africa. In the second chapter of my thesis, 'Caste Systems and Technology in Pre-Modern Societies', I advance and test the hypothesis that caste systems, generally viewed as a hindrance to social mobility and development, had been comparatively advantageous at an early stage of economic development. In the third chapter, 'Malaria as Determinant of Modern Ethnolinguistic Diversity', I conjecture that in highly malarious areas the necessity to adapt and develop immunities specific to the local disease environment historically reduced mobility and increased isolation, thus leading to the formation of a higher number of different ethnolinguistic groups. In the final chapter, 'Malaria Risk and Civil Violence: A Disaggregated Analysis for Africa', I explore the relationship between malaria and violent conflicts. Using georeferenced data for Africa, the article shows that violent events are more frequent in areas where malaria risk is higher.

Development of new molecular methods for the diagnosis and the study of viral diseases of fish

The increase in aquaculture operations worldwide has provided new opportunities for the transmission of aquatic viruses. The occurrence of viral diseases remains a significant limiting factor in aquaculture production and for the sustainability. The ability to identify quickly the presence/absence of a pathogenic organism in fish would have significant advantages for the aquaculture systems. Several molecular methods have found successful application in fish pathology both for confirmatory diagnosis of overt diseases and for detection of asymptomatic infections. However, a lot of different variants occur among fish host species and virus strains and consequently specific methods need to be developed and optimized for each pathogen and often also for each host species. The first chapter of this PhD thesis presents a complete description of the major viruses that infect fish and provides a relevant information regarding the most common methods and emerging technologies for the molecular diagnosis of viral diseases of fish. The development and application of a real time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of lymphocystivirus was described in the second chapter. It showed to be highly sensitive, specific, reproducible and versatile for the detection and quantitation of lymphocystivirus. The use of this technique can find multiple application such as asymptomatic carrier detection or pathogenesis studies of different LCDV strains. The third chapter, a multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS), infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) and sleeping disease (SD) in a single assay. This method was able to efficiently detect the viral RNA in tissue samples, showing the presence of single infections and co-infections in rainbow trout samples. The mRT-PCR method was revealed to be an accurate and fast method to support traditional diagnostic techniques in the diagnosis of major viral diseases of rainbow trout.

Expression, regulation and clinical significance of soluble and membrane CD14 receptors in pediatric inflammatory lung diseases

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory lung diseases are a major morbidity factor in children. Therefore, novel strategies for early detection of inflammatory lung diseases are of high interest. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized via Toll-like receptors and CD14. CD14 exists as a soluble (sCD14) and membrane-associated (mCD14) protein, present on the surface of leukocytes. Previous studies suggest sCD14 as potential marker for inflammatory diseases, but their potential role in pediatric lung diseases remained elusive. Therefore, we examined the expression, regulation and significance of sCD14 and mCD14 in pediatric lung diseases. METHODS: sCD14 levels were quantified in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with infective (pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, CF) and non-infective (asthma) inflammatory lung diseases and healthy control subjects by ELISA. Membrane CD14 expression levels on monocytes in peripheral blood and on alveolar macrophages in BALF were quantified by flow cytometry. In vitro studies were performed to investigate which factors regulate sCD14 release and mCD14 expression. RESULTS: sCD14 serum levels were specifically increased in serum of children with pneumonia compared to CF, asthma and control subjects. In vitro, CpG induced the release of sCD14 levels in a protease-independent manner, whereas LPS-mediated mCD14 shedding was prevented by serine protease inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time the expression, regulation and clinical significance of soluble and membrane CD14 receptors in pediatric inflammatory lung diseases and suggests sCD14 as potential marker for pneumonia in children.

DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL SYNTHETIC ANTIOXIDANTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS RELATED DISEASES

Free radicals play an important role in many physiological processes that occur in the human body such as cellular defense responses to infectious agents and a variety of cellular signaling pathways. While at low concentrations free radicals are involved in many significant metabolic reactions, high levels of free radicals can have deleterious effects on biomolecules like proteins, lipids, and DNA. Many physiological disorders such as diabetes, ageing, neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury are associated with oxidative stress.1 In particular, the deleterious effects caused by I/R injury developed during organ transplantation, cardiac infarct, and stroke have become the main cause of death in the United States and Europe.1,2 In this context, we synthesized and characterized a series of novel indole-amino acid conjugates as potential antioxidants for I/R injury. The synthesis of indole-phenol conjugate compounds is also discussed. Phenolic derivatives such as caffeic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), resveratrol, and its analogues are known for their significant antioxidative properties. A series of resveratrol analogues have been designed and synthesized as potential antioxidants. The radical scavenging mechanisms for potential antioxidants and assays for the in vitro evaluation of antioxidant activities are also discussed.

Diseases in neonatal foals. Part 1: the 30 day incidence of disease and the effect of prophylactic antimicrobial drug treatment during the first three days post partum

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Neonatal diseases have been grouped and analysed but up-to-date statistically significant information about the incidence and prevalence of diseases in foals is limited. Since the 1950s it has been a common management practice to administer a 3 day course of antimicrobial drugs to neonatal foals. This was shown to significantly reduce the incidence of infections (Platt 1977). Since then management practices have improved and it is widely believed that prophylactic antimicrobial drugs are no longer necessary in foal rearing. OBJECTIVES: To determine the 30 day incidences or prevalences (depending on case definition) of various diseases and conditions in the neonatal foal and ascertain the influence of a prophylactic 3 day treatment on the frequency of infections. METHODS: The population consisted of Thoroughbred foals born on stud farms in the Newmarket (UK) area in 2005 (n = 1031). Depending on the stud farm's practice in the use of prophylactic antimicrobial drugs, 2 groups of newborn foals (treated and untreated) were identified and followed for 30 days. RESULTS: The 30 day incidences of infectious diseases under study were between 0.2% (osteomyelitis) and 5.85% (systemic disease with diarrhoea). The overall incidence for 'total infectious diseases' was 8.27%. The most commonly observed noninfectious condition was limb deformities (12.11% of all foals). There was no significant difference in the incidence of infectious diseases between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Infectious diseases are still an important problem in neonatal foals requiring further investigation as to which factors other than antimicrobial prophylaxis are relevant for disease prevention. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The results provide an up-to-date overview about the frequencies of various neonatal foal diseases. They do not support the traditional prophylactic use of antimicrobials to prevent infectious diseases in healthy newborn foals. However, it should be noted that this study was not a randomised controlled trial and therefore does not provide the strongest possible evidence for this conclusion.

Extracellular DNA traps in allergic, infectzious, and autoimmune diseases

Extracellular DNA traps are part of the innate immune response and are seen with many infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. They can be generated by several different leukocytes, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes, as well as mast cells. Here, we review the composition of these extracellular DNA-containing structures as well as potential mechanisms for their production and function. In general, extracellular DNA traps have been described as binding to and killing pathogens, particularly bacteria, fungi, but also parasites. On the other hand, it is possible that DNA traps contribute to immunopathology in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as bronchial asthma. In addition, it has been demonstrated that they can initiate and/or potentiate autoimmune diseases. Extracellular DNA traps represent a frequently observed phenomenon in inflammatory diseases, and they appear to participate in the cross-talk between different immune cells. These new insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases may open new avenues for targeted therapies.

International horse movements and spread of equine diseases: Equine Infectious Anaemia and Glanders - two examples

International trade with horses is important and continuously increasing. Therefore the risk of spread of infectious diseases is permanently present. Within this context the worldwide situation of equine vector-borne diseases and of other diseases which are notifiable to the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE), is described. Furthermore it provides estimates of the numbers of horse movements between these countries, as well as information on import requirements and preventive measures for reducing the risk of disease spread. According to TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System of the European Union) data from 2009 and 2010 81 horses per week were imported from North America into Europe, 42 horses per week from South America, 11 horses per week from the North of Africa and the African horse sichness free-zone of South Africa, 28 per week from the Middle East and the rest of Asia and approximately 4 horses per week from Australia / Oceania. Trade within the European Union resulted amongst others in the introduction of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) from Roma- nia into other European countries. Another example is the suspected case of glanders which occurred after importation of horses from Leb- anon via France and Germany into Switzerland in July 2011.