Ocular alterations in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi

Ocular conditions, anti-Leishmania antibodies and total protein of the aqueous humor were studied in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania ( Leishmania) chagasi. Fifty dogs were analyzed and assigned into two groups of 25 animals each. All animals were submitted to routine ophthalmic exam. Results showed that 76% of the affected animals presented ocular signs, being uveitis the predominant. The mean of total protein in the aqueous humor of animals with uveitis was higher ( P < 0.05) when compared to the mean of animals with other ocular signs or no clinical sign. The anti- Leishmania chagasi antibody values in plasma were superior to those found in the aqueous humor (P < 0.05).

Infection by Austrodiplostomum compactum metacercariae in fish from the Nova Avanhandava reservoir, Tiete river, São Paulo State, Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the infection by the Austrodiplostomum compactum metacercariae in fishes from the Nova Avanhandava Reservoir, low Tiete river, São Paulo State, Brazil. The parasites were collected from eye (aqueous and vitreous humor), fixed in AFA solution and stained with carmine. The morphometric analysis was performed using a computerized system for analysis of images QWin Lite 2.5 (Leica). Prevalence, mean intensity of infection and abundance of infected fish were calculated. of the 22 species of fish registered, five were infected by metacercariae: Hoplias malabaricus, Metynnis maculatus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Satanoperca pappaterra and Schizodon imparts. of the 627 fish evaluated, 34% were infected. A higher prevalence was observed in P. sqnamosissionis and S. pappaterra. Schizodon nasutus and M. maculatus are new hosts reported for A. compactum metacercariae.

Psicoterapia grupal no transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo

There are few published papers about group psychotherapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and usually restricted psychoeducational, support or cognitive-behavioral approaches. This article describes the experience of group psychotherapy for OCD patients started in 1996 in Botucatu Medical School - Unesp, São Paulo, Brazil. The two-hour sessions occur once a month, with 6 to 10 female patients, and are based on psychodramatic techniques. Psychotropic prescriptions are given after the sessions. In the beginning, aggressive obsessions were more prominent and were reported with much anguish and shame. Gradually, the themes changed from OCD specific issues (symptoms, pharmacological treatment, outcome, need of exposure and response prevention) to deeper and more personal psychodynamic aspects. The psychodramatic approach (techniques of double, mirror, role inversion, search for prymary scenes) has mostly shown: difficulty in accepting their own human mistakes or negative emotions due to excessive personal demands. This seems to generate guilt, low self-esteem, idealization of others, difficulty in enjoying pleasant situations, fear of taking responsibilities and of losing control (madness/aggressiveness). The group has been considered very important by the patients, since sharing experiences helps to diminish feelings of isolation, shame and guilt, stimulates the exposure to feared situations and enhances self-esteem. The fact that all participants have the same disorder favors group cohesion and provides relief, as they see in the others some of their afflictions and are able to share similar feelings and experiences. Many times the burden of the symptoms are dealt with humor. The confidence in such therapeutic setting is helping the identification and resolution of personal conflicts and contributing to the adherence to pharmacological treatment. The group also provides valuable training experiences for resident physicians in psychiatry.

Evaluation of IFA, MAT, ELISAs and immunoblotting for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs

The study evaluated the efficiency of diagnostic laboratory methods to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs. 18-mixed breed pigs were used during the experiment; these were divided into two groups, G1 (infected group, n = 10) and G2 (uninfected group, n = 8). Infection was performed with 4 × 10 4 VEG strain oocysts at day 0 by the oral route in G1 animals. All pigs were euthanized at day 60, when retina, aqueous humour, and blood samples were collected. Anti-T. gondii antibody levels were assessed in serum (s) and aqueous humour (ah) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), modified agglutination test (MAT), m-ELISA (using crude membranes from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen) and r-ELISA (using rhoptries from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) of samples from the retina were performed by using Tox4 and Tox5 primers. Antibody titers of G1 animals ranged from 128 to 1024 and from 16 to 256 in serum and aqueous humour, respectively. There were differences in the correlation coefficients between IFA(s) × IFA (ah) (r = 0.62, P = 0.05), MAT(s) × MAT (ah) (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001); however, there was no significant difference between r-ELISA(s) × r-ELISA (ah) (r = 0.14, P = 0.7). Antibodies present in serum and aqueous humour recognized similar antigens. Samples of retina were positive by PCR in 30% (3/10) of infected pigs. G2 animals remained without antibody levels and were PCR negative throughout the experiment. These results suggest that the use of a combination of tests and immunoblotting for paired aqueous humour and serum samples could improve the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Obesidade e sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e desesperança em mulheres sedentárias e não sedentárias

The aim of this field study was to verify if there is a relation between obesity and symptoms of depression, anxiety and hopelessness in 40 women aged 30,35 on average (± 8,60), divided into two groups: non-sedentary ones, characterized for doing a physical activity at least three times a week for three weeks in a row and sedentary ones, characterized by not practicing any type of regular physical activity when recruited. The method consisted of: objective evaluations of humor, through Beck Inventories of Anxiety (BAI), Depression (BDI) and Hopelessness (BHS) and Physical Evaluation, including total body mass, height, waist and hip circumferences and skin folds thickness. Calculations of the body mass index (BMI), of the waist/hip index (WHI) and of the percentage of corporal fat (%F) were performed in order to evaluate the presence and level of obesity. Results of the analysis of regression to square minimum supported the initial hypothesis concerning the existence of a relation between obesity and psychic symptoms only in sedentary women (BDI/WHI, p=0,035, BDI/BMI, p=0,009, BDI/%G, p=0,019, BAI/BMI, p=0,009, BAI/%G, p=0,037, BHS/WHI, p=0,025, BHS/BMI, p=0,041), once the relation of dependency could not be confirmed in non-sedentary women BDI/WHI, p=0,750, BDI/BMI, p=0,141, BDI/%G, p=0,064, BAI/WHI, p=0,729, BAI/BMI, p=0,384, BAI/%G, p=0,246, BHS/WHI, p=0,491, BHS/BMI, p=0,986, BHS/%G, p=0,322) and the greater the level of obesity, the greater the level of psychic symptoms in both groups. These observations seem to point out that the practice of physical activities was a factor of minimization of presence and intensity of psychic symptoms in non-sedentary women.

Mast cells modulate the inflammatory process in endotoxin-induced uveitis

Purpose: To investigate the role of mast cells and annexin-A1 (Anxa1) in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Methods: EIU was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the paws of rats, which were then sacrificed after 24 and 48 h. To assess EIU in the absence of mast cells, groups of animals were pretreated with compound 48/80 (c48/80) and sacrificed after 24 h after no treatment or EIU induction. The eyes were used for histological studies and the aqueous humor (AqH) pool was used for the analysis of transmigrated cells and Anxa1 levels. In inflammatory cells, Anxa1 expression was monitored by immunohistochemistry. Results: After 24 h, rats with EIU exhibited degranulated mast cells, associated with elevated numbers of infiltrating leukocytes and the high expression of Anxa1 in the AqH and the neutrophils. After 48 h of EIU, the mast cells were intact, indicating granule re-synthesis, and there was a reduction of neutrophil transmigration and an increase in the number of mononuclear phagocytic cells in ocular tissues. Anxa1 expression was decreased in neutrophils but increased in mononuclear phagocytic cells. In the animals pretreated with c48/80 and subjected to EIU, mast cells responded to this secretagogue by degranulating and few transmigrated neutrophils were observed. Conclustions: We report that mast cells are a potential source of pharmacological mediators that are strongly linked to the pathophysiology of EIU, and the endogenous protein Anxa1 is a mediator in the homeostasis of the inflammatory process with anti-migratory effects on leukocytes, which supports further studies of this protein as an innovative therapy for uveitis. © 2011 Molecular Vision.

En memoria de Pedro Vuskovic

Para quienes compartimos con Pedro Vuskovic una experiencia de amistad y colaboración profesional a lo largo de muchos años, la noticia de su fallecimiento en México nos ha provocado un sentimiento de profundo pesar. No sólo por las circunstancias mismas de su muerte, al cabo de una cruel enfermedad que fue minando gradualmente su capacidad física -aunque no la intelectual- sino por la pérdida de un latinoamericano de gran valía, de un maestro formador de numerosas generaciones de jóvenes de nuestro continente, y del compañero de tantas jornadas de lucha intelectual y política. Pedro ingresó a la CEPAL en 1950, prácticamente desde los inicios de la institución. Por espacio de casi 20 años realizó en su seno una brillante labor profesional, habiendo culminado su carrera en ella como Director de la División de Desarrollo. Sus aportes fueron decisivos para la estructuración y difusión del pensamiento cepalino, en una época en la que bullían las inquietudes de una pléyade de talentosos economistas y otros cientistas sociales. Eran los años de la posguerra, los cincuenta y los sesenta, cuando era menester "construir" a América Latina. Y Pedro Vuskovic colocó muchos ladrillos en esa colectiva construcción teórico-política que ha tenido tanta trascendencia para los países de la región. Coetáneamente, fue profesor en los programas de capacitación de la CEPAL y del ILPES, a la vez que impartía clases en la Escuela de Economía y en la de Sociología de la Universidad de Chile, así como en la Escuela de Economía de la Universidad de Concepción. Al retirarse de la CEPAL se incorporó de lleno a la actividad académica, desempeñándose como Director del Instituto de Economía de la Universidad de Chile, para luego pasar a ocupar un lugar de primer plano en la política chilena. En noviembre de 1970 fue designado Ministro de Economía por el Presidente Salvador Allende y en junio de 1972 pasó a ocupar el cargo de Vicepresidente Ejecutivo de la Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, con rango de Ministro, el que desempeñó hasta septiembre de 1973. Cuando las circunstancias políticas lo llevaron al exilio en México, país que lo acogió generosamente, como a tantos otros latinoamericanos que enfrentaban problemas similares, Pedro siguió desarrollando una importante labor académica, primero en el Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas, donde dirigió el Instituto de Estudios Económicos de América Latina, y posteriormente en el Centro de Investigaciones Interdisciplinarias en Humanidades de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, donde fue designado Coordinador de un programa de estudios sobre pobreza y alternativas de desarrollo en diversos países de Latinoamérica. Aun cuando será recordado por su importante actuación política, su labor como académico y economista debe ser especialmente destacada. Junto con ser un expositor brillante, metódico e incisivo, que dominaba sus temas con gran sapiencia y amplitud, Pedro sentía un especial regocijo de estar con la juventud, estimularla intelectualmente y ser estimulado por ella. Las muchas generaciones de estudiantes latinoamericanos que tuvieron la fortuna de ser sus alumnos pueden dar testimonio de ello. A su vocación de investigador y maestro, Pedro Vuskovic unía una profunda sensibilidad política y social, que lo llevó a tomar como propia la causa de los pobres y los desamparados de América Latina, cuya situación pudo conocer muy tempranamente en su vida a través de los numerosos trabajos que realizó dentro del ámbito de la CEPAL. Fue tenaz y consecuente en sus ideas y principios, y luchó por ellas en todas las arenas en que estuvo situado --académicas y políticas- hasta el final de su vida. Quienes fuimos sus amigos y colegas recordamos también su bonhomía, sentido del humor y gran calidad humana, rasgos que iban unidos a una lealtad a toda prueba a sus principios valóricos. Nuestra despedida es con emoción; Pedro Vuskovic nos deja un legado de recuerdos y enseñanzas que tendremos siempre presentes. En nombre de sus amigos y colegas, Jacobo Schatan, Ex Director de la División Agrícola Conjunta CEPAL/FAO

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the annexin A1 protein and its mimetic peptide Ac2-26 in models of ocular inflammation in vivo and in vitro

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a protein that displays potent anti-inflammatory properties, but its expression in eye tissue and its role in ocular inflammatory diseases have not been well studied. We investigated the mechanism of action and potential uses of AnxA1 and its mimetic peptide (Ac2-26) in the endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) rodent model and in human ARPE-19 cells activated by LPS. In rats, analysis of untreated EIU after 24 and 48 h or EIU treated with topical applications or with a single s.c. injection of Ac2-26 revealed the anti-inflammatory actions of Ac2-26 on leukocyte infiltration and on the release of inflammatory mediators; the systemic administration of Boc2, a formylated peptide receptor (fpr) antagonist, abrogated the peptide's protective effects. Moreover, AnxA1-/- mice exhibited exacerbated EIU compared with wild-type animals. Immunohistochemical studies of ocular tissue showed a specific AnxA1 posttranslational modification in EIU and indicated that the fpr2 receptor mediated the anti-inflammatory actions of AnxA1. In vitro studies confirmed the roles of AnxA1 and fpr2 and the protective effects of Ac2-26 on the release of chemical mediators in ARPE-19 cells. Molecular analysis of NF-κB translocation and IL-6, IL-8, and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression indicated that the protective effects of AnxA1 occur independently of the NF-κB signaling pathway and possibly in a posttranscriptional manner. Together, our data highlight the role of AnxA1 in ocular inflammation, especially uveitis, and suggest the use of AnxA1 or its mimetic peptide Ac2-26 as a therapeutic approach. Copyright © 2013 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Caixas alegóricas cinéticas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo por dinâmica molecular da estabilidade conformacional de dímeros do peptídeo Eumenine mastoparan-AF em água e mistura TFE-água

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação dos efeitos citotóxicos, genotóxicos, mutagênicos, antigenotóxicos, antimutagênicos e anticarcinogênicos do Lupinus albus em camundongos Mus musculus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Prospecção das interações mastoparano-membrana em proteolipossomos como modelo para o desenvolvimento racional de novos agentes antimicrobianos

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC

Efeito das plantas medicinais Curcuma zedoaria e Camellia sinensis no controle da halitose

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fabricação e caracterização morfológica de filmes layer-by-layer de DODAB/FTALOCIANINA de níquel

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desenvolvimento e avaliação em simulador do ecossistema microbiano humano de uma bebida simbiótica à base de extratos aquosos de quinoa (chenopodium quinoa willd) e de soja

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