Acute aerocystitis in Piaractus mesopotamicus: Participation of eicosanoids and pro-inflammatory cytokines

A total of 360 pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) were used to study vascular permeability (VP) and inflammatory cell component (CC) in induced aerocystitis in P. mesopotamicus through inoculation of inactivated Aeromonas hydrophila, and the effect of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It was observed that after inoculation of A. hydrophila, the maximum VP occurred 180 min post-stimulus (MPS). Pretreatment with anti-inflammatory drugs inhibited VP, and the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone was seen earlier than the effects caused by meloxicam and indomethacin. Inoculation of the bacterium caused a gradual increase in the accumulation of cells, which reached a maximum 24 h post-stimulus (HPS). Pretreatment with dexamethasone, indomethacin and meloxicam reduced the accumulation of lymphocytes, thrombocytes, granulocytes and macrophages. There was no significant difference between the different doses of the drugs tested. The results suggest that eicosanoids and pro-inflammatory cytokines participate in chemical mediation in acute inflammation in pacus. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

A novel function for CUGBP2 in controlling the pro-inflammatory stimulus in H9c2 cells: Subcellular trafficking of messenger molecules

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that chronic inflammation plays an important role in heart hypertrophy and cardiac diseases. However, the fine-tuning of cellular and molecular mechanisms that connect inflammatory process and cardiac diseases is still under investigation. Many reports have demonstrated that the overexpression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and other prostanoids, is correlated with inflammatory processes. Increased level of prostaglandin E2 was also found in animal model of left ventricle of hypertrophy. Based on previous observations that demonstrated a regulatory loop between COX-2 and the RNA-binding protein CUGBP2, we studied cellular and molecular mechanisms of a pro-inflammatory stimulus in a cardiac cell to verify if the above two molecules could be correlated with the inflammatory process in the heart. A cellular model of investigation was established and H9c2 was used.We also demonstrated a regulatory connection between COX-2 and CUGBP2 in the cardiac cells. Based on a set of different assays including gene silencing and fluorescence microscopy, we describe a novel function for the RNA-binding protein CUGBP2 in controlling the pro-inflammatory stimulus: subcellular trafficking of messenger molecules to specific cytoplasmic stress granules to maintain homeostasis. © 2013 International Federation for Cell Biology.

Propolis and its constituent caffeic acid suppress LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory response by blocking NF-κB and MAPK activation in macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevance Propolis is a bee product with numerous biological and pharmacological properties, such as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. It has been used in folk medicine as a healthy drink and in food to improve health and prevent inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about its mechanism of action. Thus, the goal of this study was to verify the antioxidant activity and to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis by addressing its intracellular mechanism of action. Caffeic acid was investigated as a possible compound responsible for propolis action. Materials and methods The antioxidant properties of propolis and caffeic acid were evaluated by using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging method. To analyze the anti-inflammatory activity, Raw 264.7 macrophages were treated with different concentrations of propolis or caffeic acid, and nitric oxide (NO) production, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator, was evaluated by the Griess reaction. The concentrations of propolis and caffeic acid that inhibited NO production were evaluated on intracellular signaling pathways triggered during inflammation, namely p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK1/2), the transcription nuclear factor (NF)-κB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), through Western blot using specific antibodies. A possible effect of propolis on the cytotoxicity of hepatocytes was also evaluated, since this product can be used in human diets. Results Caffeic acid showed a higher antioxidant activity than propolis extract. Propolis and caffeic acid inhibited NO production in macrophages, at concentrations without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, both propolis and caffeic acid suppressed LPS-induced signaling pathways, namely p38 MAPK, JNK1/2 and NF-κB. ERK1/2 was not affected by propolis extract and caffeic acid. In addition, propolis and caffeic acid did not induce hepatotoxicity at concentrations with strong anti-inflammatory potential. Conclusions Propolis exerted an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action and caffeic acid may be involved in its inhibitory effects on NO production and intracellular signaling cascades, suggesting its use as a natural source of safe anti-inflammatory drugs. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

High levels of heat shock protein 70 are associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and may differentiate early- from late-onset preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE), a specific syndrome of pregnancy, can be classified into early and late onset, depending on whether clinical manifestations occur before or after 34 weeks' gestation. We determined whether plasma concentrations of Hsp60 and Hsp70 were related to circulating cytokine levels, as well as kidney and liver functions, in early- and late-onset PE. Two hundred and thirty-seven preeclamptic women (95 with early- and 142 with late-onset PE) were evaluated. Plasma levels of Hsp60, Hsp70, and their specific antibodies, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-10, IL-12, and soluble TNF-α-receptor I (sTNFRI) concentrations, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Concentrations of Hsp70, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, and sTNFRI were significantly elevated in patients with early-onset PE compared with women with late-onset PE; IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the early-onset PE group. Concentrations of urea, uric acid, proteinuria, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also significantly higher in early-onset PE. The percentage of infants with intrauterine growth restriction was also significantly higher in women with early-onset PE. There were positive correlations between Hsp70 levels and TNF-α, TNFRI, IL-1β, IL-12, GOT, GPT, LDH, and uric acid concentrations in early-onset PE group. Thus, early-onset PE was associated with greater maternal and fetal impairment. There are differences in pathophysiology between early- and late-onset PE, highlighting by the difference in Hsp70 levels. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Compartmentalization of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in renal-transplanted pregnant women

Objective: We evaluated whether chronic exposure to immunosuppression in transplant recipients modulate the placental inflammatory cytokine levels associated to gestational tolerance mechanisms. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 12 renal transplanted pregnant under immunosuppressive regimen treatment and 10 healthy women in second/third trimester of gestation. Term placental tissues (decidua and chorionic villi) were also obtained after elective caesarean. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were measured, as also in placental homogenates, by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) combined with flow cytometry and, TGF-β and IL-18 were measured by ELISA. Results: Serum levels of IL-6 (p=0.0001) and TNF-α (0.0112) were higher in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and in decidua the spectrum of increased pro inflammatory cytokines was wider: IL-1β (p=0.0001), IL-6 (p=0.0001), IL-8 (p=0.0001), IL-12p70 (p=0.0001), TGF-β (p=0.0089) and TNF-α (p=0.0002). TGF-β1 was particularly increased in decidual compartment (p=0.001). In the chorionic villous, pro inflammatory profile also were maintained. High IL-1β (p=0.0001), IL-6 (p=0.0001), IL-8 (p=0.0001) and TNF-α (p=0.0001) levels establish a similar pattern to that seem in decidua. Conclusion: Immunosuppressors may impair the immune response, but when associated with pregnancy the cytokine levels seems to shift a proinflammatory profile in placental compartments, which might also impact on the gestational outcomes in transplanted mothers. © 2013 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Alteration in cellular viability, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide production in nephrotoxicity generation by Amphotericin B: Involvement of PKA pathway signaling

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Temas de debate acerca del contenido, el método y la organización de la planificación en pro de la infancia y la juventud

Incluye Bibliografía

Comportamiento del gasto social en los 80: ¿pro o contracíclico?; estudio de 7 países de América Latina

Borrador para discusión

Cultivo e composição química de Ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) sob déficit hídrico intermitente no solo

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Substrato e irrigação em ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da resistência à fadiga de instrumentos rotatórios do Sistema Pro Taper Universal por meio de ensaio dinâmico

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação das características geométricas, dimensionais, de flexibilidade e resistência torcional dos instrumentos de NiTi do Sistema Pro Taper Universal para retratamento

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A parceria público-privada do Instituto Ayrton Senna e a Prefeitura Municipal de Benevides - PA: entre os desafios (pro)postos e os limites da realidade

A tese intitulada “A parceria público-privada com o Instituto Ayrton Senna e a Prefeitura de Benevides/PA: entre os desafios (pro)postos e os limites da realidade”, cujo problema se refere à relação existente entre as orientações emanadas pela parceria entre o Instituto Ayrton Senna (IAS) e a Prefeitura Municipal de Benevides (PMB), executadas por meio dos Programas Acelera Brasil e Se Liga, e o processo de interferência na política de educação municipal e, consequentemente, no “fazer pedagógico” dos professores. Como questão central, definiu-se: Quais as implicações dos Programas Acelera Brasil e Se Liga (do IAS), no município de Benevides/PA no período de 2010-2012, no contexto de redefinição do papel do Estado, na gestão educacional municipal e na melhoria da qualidade do ensino? O estudo objetivou analisar a implantação e desenvolvimento dessa parceria entre o IAS e a PMB, com vistas a compreender a dinâmica vivenciada pelos diferentes sujeitos envolvidos no processo, as relações construídas, suas formas de atuação e significado da parceria para o Município. Com essa perspectiva analisa-se a crise estrutural do capital e a emergência do “terceiro setor”, como aspecto central para compreender as reformas que se seguiram, sobretudo, a partir dos anos de 1990. Trabalha-se a temática das parcerias público-privadas com o IAS a partir de três eixos de análise: gestão, autonomia e qualidade do ensino, abordados em suas particularidades ao longo do texto. A fundamentação teórico-metodológica pautou-se no materialismo histórico-dialético, assumindo os estudos e análises nessa perspectiva e defendeu-se a importância teórica e política de compreender esse fenômeno das parcerias público-privadas em sua totalidade, em sua materialidade no ensino público, principalmente as vivenciadas para a correção de fluxo em Benevides/PA. O estudo caracteriza-se por ser um estudo de caso, cujas fontes privilegiadas para a obtenção dos dados centraram-se em entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 18 (dezoito) profissionais da educação que atuaram no município durante a vigência dos programas (professores, supervisores, diretores de escola, ex-secretários de educação) e na observação não participante. Das análises realizadas constatou-se que a parceria entre Prefeitura Municipal de Benevides e Instituto Ayrton Senna atendeu as determinações do MEC, buscando alcançar os patamares requeridos no IDEB que, subjacente à política de enfrentamento do fracasso escolar, priorizaram orientações e propostas pautadas em critérios gerenciais para promover a concorrência entre as instituições públicas; a gestão democrática, embora constitua a retórica dos gestores, não é constatada em práticas empreendidas pelos sujeitos objetos da pesquisa, no Município, cujas ações estiveram mais próximas do modelo gerencial defendido pelo IAS e; que a busca pela propalada qualidade do ensino produziu a intensificação no trabalho dos professores, cujo nível de exigência por resultados e cumprimento de metas, por vezes, irreais, (pro)postos pela parceria provocou, nos profissionais da educação envolvidos, a impossibilidade de vivências de gestão democrática e de qualidade socialmente referenciada.