Changing presentation of complete hydatidiform mole at the New England Trophoblastic Disease Center over the past three decades: does early diagnosis alter risk for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia?

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Microorganisms in the female genital tract during pregnancy: tolerance versus pathogenesis

Microorganisms in the pregnant female genital tract are not always associated with pathology. The factors that influence the maternal response to microorganisms remain ill defined. We review the state of knowledge of microbe-host interactions in gestational tissues and highlight mechanisms that promote tolerance or pathogenesis. Tolerance to microorganisms is promoted during pregnancy by several mechanisms including upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators, induction of endotoxin tolerance, and possibly by regulation of autophagy. Conversely, an altered vaginal microbiota or a pre-existing viral presence may result in induction of excessive inflammation and preterm labor. Although infections play a prevalent role in preterm birth, microbes are present in gestational tissues of women with healthy outcomes and may provide beneficial functions. The complex interactions between different microbial species and the maternal immune system during gestation remain incompletely elucidated.

Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in Trypanosoma cruzi survival in the early stages of parasite host-cell interaction

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Linking genetic and environmental factors in amphibian disease risk

A central question in evolutionary biology is how interactions between organisms and the environment shape genetic differentiation. The pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused variable population declines in the lowland leopard frog (Lithobates yavapaiensis); thus, disease has potentially shaped, or been shaped by, host genetic diversity. Environmental factors can also influence both amphibian immunity and Bd virulence, confounding our ability to assess the genetic effects on disease dynamics. Here, we used genetics, pathogen dynamics, and environmental data to characterize L.yavapaiensis populations, estimate migration, and determine relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors in predicting Bd dynamics. We found that the two uninfected populations belonged to a single genetic deme, whereas each infected population was genetically unique. We detected an outlier locus that deviated from neutral expectations and was significantly correlated with mortality within populations. Across populations, only environmental variables predicted infection intensity, whereas environment and genetics predicted infection prevalence, and genetic diversity alone predicted mortality. At one locality with geothermally elevated water temperatures, migration estimates revealed source-sink dynamics that have likely prevented local adaptation. We conclude that integrating genetic and environmental variation among populations provides a better understanding of Bd spatial epidemiology, generating more effective conservation management strategies for mitigating amphibian declines.

Effects of Water-Based and Callisthenic Exercise on Freezing of Gait, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Patients With Mild to Moderate Parkinson Disease

Objective: This study aimed to analyze and compare the role of a water-based exercise program versus a combination of water and callisthenic exercises on postural control, functional independence, and freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson disease.Methods: Twenty-five community-dwelling participants with idiopathic Parkinson disease were recruited. Of these, 9 participants took part in a water-based program of physical exercises and the other 16 participants took part in a combined program that consisted of callisthenic exercises plus an aquatic exercise session. Both programs were 16 weeks in duration. The clinical evaluation assessed the festination by means of the FOG score test; postural control was verified by means of the balance test of the short physical performance battery, and the Spanish validated version of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 2 was used to assess functional independence. Participants were evaluated before and after 16 weeks of both proposed programs.Results: The results showed improvement in FOG for both groups, although a significant main effect was observed only in the patients who performed the callisthenic exercise plus an aquatic exercise program. Postural control did not show significant improvements after both proposed physical exercise programs as soon as functional autonomy. Our preliminary results suggest that training sessions with the combination of water plus callisthenic exercises may be a useful physical rehabilitation strategy for individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson disease who have FOG.

Polidocanol versus hypertonic glucose for sclerotherapy treatment of reticular veins of the lower limbs: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

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

Serum vitamin A and inflammatory markers in individuals with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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

Obturator prostheses versus free tissue transfers: a systematic review of the optimal approach to improving the quality of life for patients with maxillary defects

Patient perspectives on the treatment options for maxillary defects, which include free tissue transfers or obturator prostheses, may help eliminate current uncertainty as to the best choice of treatment plan. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with maxillary defects who had undergone restoration with obturator prostheses and/or free tissue transfers. A systematic search of Medline/PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles published before April 2015 was performed by 2 independent reviewers. A manual search of articles published from January 2005 to March 2015 was also conducted. Studies published in English that evaluated the QoL in patients with head and neck cancers were included. The Cohen kappa method was used to calculate inter-reviewer agreement. Ten studies were included. The University of Washington Head and Neck Questionnaire (UW-QOL) was most commonly used to measure QoL. The majority of maxillary defects were Class IIa-b. Two studies reported that the global QoL for patients with obturator prostheses is equivalent to or even better than that of other chronic disease populations. One study revealed no significant difference in QoL when the 2 treatment options were compared. The limited data indicate that the QoL of patients treated with obturator prostheses and that of patients free of tumors is similar. Well-designed clinical studies are necessary to draw definitive conclusions about how obturator prostheses compare with free tissue transfers in terms of affecting patient QoL.

Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi Sirtuins as Possible Drug Targets for Chagas Disease

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

Can geometric indices of heart rate variability predict improvement in autonomic modulation after resistance training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with autonomic dysfunctions that can be evaluated through heart rate variability (HRV). Resistance training promotes improvement in autonomic modulation; however, studies that evaluate this scenario using geometric indices, which include nonlinear evaluation, thus providing more accurate information for physiological interpretation of HRV, are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the influence of resistance training on autonomic modulation, using geometric indices of HRV, and peripheral muscle strength in individuals with COPD. Fourteen volunteers with COPD were submitted to resistance training consisting of 24 sessions lasting 60 min each, with a frequency of three times a week. The intensity was determined as 60% of one maximum repetition and was progressively increased until 80% for the upper and lower limbs. The HRV and dynamometry were performed at two moments, the beginning and the end of the experimental protocol. Significant increases were observed in the RRtri (4·81 ± 1·60 versus 6·55 ± 2·69, P = 0·033), TINN (65·36 ± 35·49 versus 101·07 ± 63·34, P = 0·028), SD1 (7·48 ± 3·17 versus 11·04 ± 6·45, P = 0·038) and SD2 (22·30 ± 8·56 versus 32·92 ± 18·78, P = 0·022) indices after the resistance training. Visual analysis of the Poincare plot demonstrated greater dispersion beat-to-beat and in the long-term interval between consecutive heart beats. Regarding muscle strength, there was a significant increase in the shoulder abduction and knee flexion. In conclusion, geometric indices of HRV can predict improvement in autonomic modulation after resistance training in individuals with COPD; improvement in peripheral muscle strength in patients with COPD was also observed.

Long-term evaluation of oral gavage with periodontopathogens or ligature induction of experimental periodontal disease in mice

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

RB25-207 The Spindle-Tuber Disease: One Cause of "Run-Out" Seed Potatoes

The spindle-tuber disease is one of the most prevalent potato diseases occurring in all parts of Nebraska. It has been found in all varieties tested. It does much damage to the potato crop, in that it reduces the yield and injures the market quality of the potatoes. This 1925 publication discusses the spindler-tuber disease also known as "running-out" or degeneracy of seed potatoes; the distribution of the disease; effect upon yield and quality; symptoms of the different potato varieties; transmission of the disease and experiments; rate of increase of the disease; dry land versus irrigation in western Nebraska; straw mulching versus cultivation in eastern Nebraska; planting times; harvesting; and control.

On the Ecology and Distribution of Echinococcus spp. (Cestoda: Taeniidae), and Characteristics of Their Development in the Intermediate Host. II. Comparative Studies on the Development of Larval E. multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, in the Intermediate Host

This paper reports the results of a comparative study of the development of the larval Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863), and associated tissue reaction in naturally and experimentally infected mammals representing 31 species. The histogenesis of the larval cestode was traced in detail in arvicoline rodents of several species, and interspecific differences were defined. In arvicoline rodents, the developing larva exhibited host-specific characteristics within about a month after infection was established. The tissue reaction in Microtus oeconomus was characterized by the production of a large quantity of detritus around the larva, and by the formation of a thick epithelioid zone. In one subspecies, M. oeconomus innuitus, development of the larva was retarded, and the detrital mass was often calcified; in another, M. oeconomus operarius, the detritus rarely became calcified and the larva proliferated more rapidly. In M. pennsylvanicus, the tissue reaction was minimal, and little detritus was present. The characteristics of the tissue reaction in M. montebelli placed it in an intermediate position between the aforementioned species. In Clethrionomys rutilus, a thin epithelioid zone and an outer zone of loose collagenous fibers composed the adventitial layer; exogenous budding was retarded in this vole. A minimal tissue reaction occurred in Lagurus curtatus. In Lemmus spp., larger cysts were characteristic, but areas of small-cystic proliferation were always present. Similar differences in species or subspecies of Citellus and Dicrostonyx were described. Lesions of alveolar bydatid disease in man also were studied. The invasive growth of the larval cestode in the human liver involves a process comparable to small-cystic proliferation in the natural intermediate hosts. Although the later stages of development of the larval cestode are inhibited in man, exogenous proliferation of vesicles continues for the life of the host. The lesion in man was compared with a morphologically similar formation produced by anomalous development of the larval E. granulosus in the bovine liver. The latter is distinguished by the absence of areas of small-cystic proliferation. Non-echinococcal lesions found in the tissues studied, some of which resembled foci caused by the larval E. multilocularis, were briefly discussed.

INFLUENCE OF TYPE 2 BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS NPRO ON ENHANCEMENT OF BOVINE RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS REPLICATION MEDIATED BY ANTAGONISM OF HOST CELL INTERFERON TYPE I RESPONSES

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a member of the genus Pestivirus, Family Flaviviridae. The virus can infect many species of animals of the order Artiodactyla. The BVDV genome encodes an auto protease, Npro, that degrades interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) reducing type I interferon (IFN-I) production from host cells. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a member of the genus Pneumovirus, Family Paramyxoviridae. Concurrent infection with BVDV and BRSV causes more severe respiratory and enteric disease than infection with either virus alone. Our hypothesis was that Npro modulates the innate immune responses to BVDV infection and enhances replication of BVDV or BRSV co-infection. The noncytopathic BVDV2 viruses NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP (a mutant with modified Npro fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein), NY93 infectious clone (NY93/c), wild-type NY93-BVDV2 (NY93-wt), and BRSV were evaluated in this study. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the replication kinetics and IFN-I induction in Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells following infection with each of the BVDV isolates, and (2) to characterize the influence of BVDV-mediated IFN-I antagonism on enhancement of BRSV replication in bovine turbinate (BT) cells. NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP replicated 0.4 – 1.6 TCID50 logs lower than NY93-wt in MDBK cells. NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP-infected MDBK cells synthesized IFN-I significantly higher than NY93/c- and NY93-wt-infected MDBK cells. BT cells co-infected with NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP/BRSV or NY93-wt/BRSV were evaluated to determine the effects of co-infection on BRSV replication and IFN-I induction in BT cells. BRSV RNA levels in NY93-wt/BRSV co-infected BT cells were 2.49, 2.79, and 2.89 copy number logs significantly greater than in NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP/BRSV co-infected BT cells on days 5, 7, and 9 post-infection, respectively. BVDV RNA levels in NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP-infected BT cells were 1.64 – 4.38 copy number logs lower than in NY93-wt-infected BT cells. NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP single and co-infected BT cells synthesized IFN-I significantly higher than NY93-wt single and co-infected BT cells. In summary, these findings suggest: (1) NY93/c N- Npro 18 EGFP BVDV2 induced higher levels of IFN-I than BVDV2-wt and may be useful as a safer, replicating BVDV vaccine, and (2) Enhancement of BRSV infection by BVDV co-infection is mediated by antagonism of IFN-I.

Scraping Behavior in Male White-tailed Deer as a Potential Means of Transmitting Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has become a concern for wildlife managers and hunters across the United States. High prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in older male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) suggests that sex-specific social behavior may contribute to the spread of the disease among males. Scraping is a marking behavior performed by male white-tailed deer during the rut in which a pawed depression and associated over-hanging branch are marked with saliva, glandular secretions, urine, and feces. We placed 71 and 35 motion-activated cameras on scrapes in DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in western Nebraska and eastern Iowa from Oct. – Nov. 2005 and Sept. – Nov. 2006, respectively. We recorded 5009 encounters and 1830 direct interactions. We developed an ethogram of behaviors of interest at scrapes. We found that males interacted with scrapes more frequently than females (P < 0.001). Male interactions were more complex, with 69% consisting of ≥2 observed behaviors versus 25% and 13% for females and fawns. We identified individual male deer ≥2.5 years old and determined the minimum number of different scrapes individuals visited and the number of individuals that visit a single scrape. Individuals that appeared on camera ≥5 times visited a mean of 3.9 scrapes (range = 1-15) and traveled a mean minimum distance of 978 m between consecutive scrapes. A mean of 5.1 individuals visited a single scrape, and up to 43% of individuals returned to a scrape previously visited at least once. We modeled Risk Values based on frequency of occurrence, duration, and Threat Values of each behavior, for contacting and transmitting CWD prions at scrapes. Adult males had the highest total Risk Values for contacting CWD prions (114.1) and shedding prions (59.4). The “grasp-lick branch” behavior had the highest Risk Value for adult males for both contacting and transmitting prions. Our study reveals a sex specific social behavior in male white-tailed deer that has the potential to spread chronic wasting disease between adult males in the population.