Early physical activity promotes lower prevalence of chronic diseases in adulthood

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

Implications of obesity for tendon structure, ultrastructure and biochemistry: A study on Zucker rats

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

Genetic of the ABO blood system and its link with the immune system

Peter J. D'Adamo, autor do livro Eat Right For Your Type, escreve que o grupo O representa o primeiro tipo sangüíneo que surgiu nos humanos e também afirma que os grupos sangüíneos constituem as bases do sistema imune. Recentes estudos filogenéticos realizados em primatas humanos e não humanos estabeleceram que o gene A representa a forma ancestral dos genes que ocupam o locus ABO. Associações entre os grupos sangüíneos ABO, doenças infecciosas, não infecciosas e imunodeficiências também foram relatadas. Diante das proposições do autor, as quais se opõem às informações resultantes de recentes estudos moleculares e filogenéticos, nossa intenção é apresentar algumas reflexões sobre a genética e a evolução dos genes do sistema ABO e as conexões deste sistema com o sistema imune.

Incidence of self-reported hearing loss and associated risk factors among the elderly in São Paulo, Brazil: the SABE survey

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

Modulation of eosinophil generation and migration by Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang (R))

The effects of Vimang((R)), an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaccae), on cell migration in an experimental model of asthma was investigated. In vivo treatment of Toxocara canis-infected BALB/c mice for 18 days with 50 mg/kg Vimang((R)) reduced eosinophil migration into the bronchoalveolar space and peritoneal cavity. Also, eosinophil generation in bone marrow and blood eosinophilia were inhibited in infected mice treated with Vimang((R)). This reduction was associated with inhibition of IL-5 production in serum and eotaxin in lung homogenates. In all these cases the effects of Vimang((R)) were more selective than those observed with dexamethasone. Moreover, Virnang((R)) treatment is not toxic for the animals, as demonstrated by the normal body weight increase during infection. These data confirm the potent anti-inflammatory effect of Vimang R and support its potential use as an alternative therapeutic drug to the treatment of eosinophilic disorders including those caused by nematodes and allergic diseases. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphometric and ultrastructure features of the ventral prostate of rats (Rattus norvegicus) submitted to long-term nicotine treatment

The harmful effects of nicotine on male genital system fertility have been reported in experimental and clinical studies. However, its effects on prostatic cells and glandular pathogenesis remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyse the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural alterations, in addition to stereology, of the ventral lobe of the prostate of rats, submitted to chronic nicotine administration, as well as to establish the relationship between these changes and prostate diseases. Twelve male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into two experimental groups: group I (nicotine) and group II (control). Samples of the ventral prostate were collected, processed and submitted to histological analysis, acid phosphatase histochemistry and ultrastructural analysis by transmission and scanning electron microscopies. The results showed that in the nicotine group, the secretory epithelial cells of the ventral lobe of the prostate were atrophied, and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia occurred and reduced the expression of acid phosphatase. The disorganisation of organelles involved in the glandular secretory process, accompanied by biomembrane destructuring, was also observed. In conclusion, nicotine causes drastic alterations in the secretory epithelium of the ventral prostate, compromising its function. Furthermore, nicotine also induces premalignant lesions in the prostate gland, thus representing a risk factor in the development of prostate diseases.

MKK3/6-p38 MAPK negatively regulates murine MMP-13 gene expression induced by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in immortalized periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Matrix metalloprotease-13 (MMP-13) or collagenase-3 is involved in a number of pathologic processes such as tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal diseases. These conditions are associated with extensive degradation of both connective tissue and bone. This report examines gene regulation mechanisms and signal transduction pathways involved in Mmp-13 expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines in periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. Mmp-13 mRNA expression was increased 10.7 and 9.5 fold after stimulation with IL-1 beta (5 ng/mL) and TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL), respectively. However, inhibition of p38 MAPKinase with SB203580 resulted in significant (p < 0.001) induction (23.2 and 18.1 fold, respectively) of Mmp-13 mRNA as assessed by real time PCR. Negative regulation of IL-1 induced Mmp-13 expression was confirmed by inhibiting p38 MAPK gene expression with siRNA. Transient transfection of dominant negative forms of MKK3 and MKK6 also resulted in increased levels of Mmp-13 mRNA after IL-1 beta stimulation. Mmp-13 mRNA expression induced by TNF-alpha was decreased by JNK and ERK inhibition. Western blot and zymogram analysis indicated that Mmp-13 protein expression induced by the proinflammatory cytokines were also upregulated by inhibition of p38 MAPK. Reporter gene experiments using stable cell lines harboring 660-bp sequence of the murine Mmp-13 proximal promoter indicated that transcriptional mechanisms were at least partially involved in this negative regulation of Mmp-13 expression by p38 MAPK and upstream MKK3/6. These results suggest a negative transcriptional regulatory mechanism mediated by p38 MAPK and upstream MKK3/6 on Mmp-13 expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines in PDL fibroblasts. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V./International Society of Matrix Biology. All rights reserved.

Recombinant expression and characterization of a Xylella fastidiosa cysteine protease differentially expressed in a nonpathogenic strain

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited, Gram-negative bacterium responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) in sweet oranges. In the present study, we present the recombinant expression, purification and characterization of an X. fastidiosa cysteine protease (dubbed Xylellain). The recombinant Xylellain ((HIS)Xylellain) was able to hydrolyze carbobenzoxy-Phe-Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Z-FR-MCA) and carbobenzoxy-Arg-Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Z-RR-MCA) with similar catalytic efficiencies, suggesting that this enzyme presents substrate specificity requirements similar to cathepsin B. The immunization of mice with (HIS)Xylellain provided us with antibodies, which recognized a protein of c. 31 kDa in the X. fastidiosa pathogenic strains 9a5c, and X. fastidiosa isolated from coffee plants. However, these antibodies recognized no protein in the nonpathogenic X. fastidiosa J1a12, suggesting the absence or low expression of this protein in the strain. These findings enabled us to identify Xylellain as a putative target for combating CVC and other diseases caused by X. fastidiosa strains.

Ticks associated with armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) and anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) of Emas National Park, State of Goias, Brazil

This study was conducted in October 1998 and November 1999 in the Emas National Park (131,868 ha), a savanna-type cerrado region situated in the far south of Goias State, Brazil, near the geographic center of South America (15degrees-23degrees S; 45degrees-55degrees W). Animals were captured with the aid of nets and anesthetized (15 mg/kg ketamine + 1 mg/kg xylasine) in order to collect ticks for identification and to establish laboratory colonies. They included giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) (n = 4) and yellow armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) (n = 6). Free-living ticks (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were collected from the field by using a 1 X 2-m flannel cloth. Free-living ticks were identified as Amblyomma sp., A. cajennense, and A. triste. Adult ticks collected from anteaters were identified as Amblyomma cajennense and A. nodosum and from armadillos as A. pseudoconcolor and A. nodosum. The relevance of these host-tick relationships to possible mechanisms underlying emergence of tick-borne pathogens of importance to public health is discussed.

Molecular epidemiology of virulent Rhodococcus equi from foals in Brazil: virulence plasmids of 85-kb type I, 87-kb type I, and a new variant, 87-kb type III

We investigated the prevalence of virulent Rhodococcus equi in clinical isolates from 41 foals (19 sporadic and seven endemic cases) in Brazil between 1991 and 2003. of the 41 virulent isolates, six contained an 85-kb type I plasmid, 33 contained an 87-kb type I plasmid, both of which have been found in isolates from the Americas, and the remaining two contained a new variant, which did not display the EcoRI, EcoT221 and BamHI digestion patterns of the 11 representative plasmids already reported (85-kb types I-IV; 87-kb types I and II; 90-kb types I-V). We tentatively designated the new variant as the '87-kb type III' plasmid, because its BamHI digestion pattern is similar to that of the 87-kb type I plasmid. This is the first report of the molecular epidemiology surveillance of virulent R. equi in clinical isolates from Brazilian foals. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation and thermal characterization of inclusion complex of Brazilian green propolis and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Anaplasmataceae agents in free-ranging Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

Anaplasmataceae organisms comprise a group of obligate intracellular gram-negative, tick-borne bacteria that can infect both animals and humans. In the present work we investigate the presence of Ehrlichia, Anaplasrna, and Neorickettsia species in blood samples from Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), using both molecular and serologic techniques. Blood was collected from 143 deer captured along floodplains of the Parana River, near the Porto Primavera hydroelectric power plant. Before and after flooding, marsh deer were captured for a wide range research program under the financial support of São Paulo State Energy Company (CESP), between 1998 and 2001. Samples were divided into four groups according to time and location of capture and named MS01 (n = 99), MS02 (n = 18) (Mato Grosso do Sul, before and after flooding, respectively), PX (n = 9; Peixe River, after flooding), and AGUA (n = 17; Aguapei River, after flooding). The seroprevalences for Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were 76.76% and 20.2% in MS01, 88.88% and 5.55% in MS02, 88.88% and 22.22% in PX, and 94.12% and 5.88% in AGUA, respectively. Sixty-one animals (42.65% of the total population) were PCR-positive for E. chaffeensis PCR (100.0% identity based on 16S rRNA, dsb, and groESL genes). Seventy deer (48.95% of the total population) were PCR-positive for Anaplasma spp. (99.0% of identity with A. platys, and in the same clade as A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis, and A. platys based on 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis). Our results demonstrate that Brazilian marsh deer are exposed to E. chaffeensis and Anaplasma spp. and may act as reservoirs for these rickettsial agents, playing a role in disease transmission to humans and other animals. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Amblyomma cajennense Ticks on the Immune Response of BALB/c Mice and Horses

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of recombinant glutathione-S-transferase from Xylella fastidiosa

Xylella fastidiosa is an important pathogen bacterium transmitted by xylem-feedings leafhoppers that colonizes the xylem of plants and causes diseases on several important crops including citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) in orange and lime trees. Glutathione-S-transferases (GST) form a group of multifunctional isoenzymes that catalyzes both glutathione (GSH)-dependent conjugation and reduction reactions involved in the cellular detoxification of xenobiotic and endobiotic compounds. GSTs are the major detoxification enzymes found in the intracellular space and mainly in the cytosol from prokaryotes to mammals, and may be involved in the regulation of stress-activated signals by suppressing apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1. In this study, we describe the cloning of the glutathione-S-transferase from X. fastidiosa into pET-28a(+) vector, its expression in Escherichia coli, purification and initial structural characterization. The purification of recombinant xfGST (rxfGST) to near homogeneity was achieved using affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). SEC demonstrated that rxfGST is a homodimer in solution. The secondary and tertiary structures of recombinant protein were analyzed by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The enzyme was assayed for activity and the results taken together indicated that rxfGST is a stable molecule, correctly folded, and highly active. Several members of the GST family have been extensively studied. However, xfGST is part of a less-studied subfamily which yet has not been structurally and biochemically characterized. In addition, these studies should provide a useful basis for future studies and biotechnological approaches of rxfGST. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling regional macroeconomic interactions: situation and perspectives for macroeconomic coordination in Latin America. Background paper prepared for the REDIMA workshop on Modeling Macroeconomic Coordination in the Andean Community, (Santiago, Chile 22 October 2003)""

Includes bibliography