RESUMO

Condyloma acuminata (CA), or genital warts, are benign proliferative epidermal or mucous lesions that are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly the low-risk types 6 and 11. HPV variants are defined as viral sequences that share identity in the nucleotide sequence of the L1 gene greater than 98%. Based on this criterion, HPV6 and 11 variant lineages have been studied, and there are ongoing attempts to correlate these genetic variants with different clinical findings of infection. Therefore, the aims of this study were to detect variants and nucleotide alterations present in the E6 regions of HPV types 6 and 11 found in CA samples, to correlate the HPV presence with the clinical-pathological data of the patients, and to determine phylogenetic relationships with variants from other places in the world. The E6 regions of 25 HPV6 samples and 7 HPV11 samples from CA were amplified using PCR with specific primers. The products were ligated to a cloning vector and five colonies of each sample were sequenced to observe the nucleotide alterations. Twelve samples were identified as the HPV6B3 variant, presenting the mutation (guanine) G474A (adenine), and one of them also showed the mutation (thymine) T369G. The other 13 patients were positive for HPV6B1 without nucleotide alterations. In the analysis of the HPV11 samples, all patients showed the mutations T137C and (cytosine) C380T. One patient also presented the nucleotide alteration T410C. None of the mutations found in the 32 analyzed samples resulted in amino acid changes. Patient age, local occurrence, and HIV infection did not show significant association with HPV infection. Besides, the data found in this study did not show a relationship with the geographical region of isolation when compared to other data from different regions of the world. In this way, despite the nucleotide alterations found, it was not possible to observe amino acid changes and variants grouping according to geographical region.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with chronic liver disease, resulting in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Approximately 20% of HCV infections are spontaneously resolved. Here, we assessed the hierarchical relevance of host factors contributing to viral clearance. METHODS: DNA samples from 40 resolved infections and 40 chronic HCV patients paired by age were analyzed. Bivariate analysis was performed to rank the importance of each contributing factor in spontaneous HCV clearance. RESULTS: Interestingly, 63.6% of patients with resolved infections exhibited the protective genotype CC for SNP rs12979860. Additionally, 59.3% of patients with resolved infections displayed the protective genotype TT/TT for SNP ss469415590. Moreover, a ranking of clearance factors was estimated. In order of importance, the IL28B CC genotype (OR 0.197, 95% CI 0.072-0.541) followed by the INFL4 TT/TT genotype (OR 0.237, 95% CI 0.083-0.679), and female gender (OR 0.394, 95% CI 0.159-0.977) were the main predictors for clearance of HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: HCV clearance is multifactorial and the contributing factors display a hierarchical order. Identifying all elements playing role in HCV clearance is of the most importance for HCV-related disease management. Dissecting the relevance of each contributing factor will certainly improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of HCV infection.

Assuntos

Hepacivirus/isolamento & purificação , Hepatite C/virologia , Adulto , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Feminino , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Genótipo , Hepacivirus/classificação , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatite C/genética , Hepatite C/imunologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Fatores Sexuais

RESUMO

Helicobacter pylori cause chronic inflammation favouring gastric carcinogenesis, and its eradication may prevent malignant transformation. We evaluated whether H. pylori infection and its eradication modify the expression of inflammatory mediators in patients with chronic gastritis. Furthermore, we assessed whether microRNAs modulate inflammatory pathways induced by H. pylori and identified miRNA-gene interaction networks. mRNA and protein expression of TNFA, IL6, IL1B, IL12A, IL2 and TGFBRII and miRNAs miR-103a-3p, miR-181c-5p, miR-370-3p, miR-375 and miR-223-3p were evaluated in tissue samples from 20 patients with chronic gastritis H. pylori negative (Hp-) and 31 H. pylori positive (Hp+), before and three months after bacterium eradication therapy, in comparison with a pool of Hp- normal gastric mucosa. Our results showed that H. pylori infection leads to up-regulation of TNFA, IL6, IL12A and IL2 and down-regulation of miRNAs. Bacterium eradication reduces the expression of TNFA and IL6 and up-regulates TGFBRII and all investigated miRNAs, except miR-223-3p. Moreover, transcriptional profiles of inflammatory mediators and miRNAs after eradication are different from the non-infected group. Deregulated miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were observed in the Hp+ group before and after eradication. Therefore, miRNAs modulated cytokine expression in the presence of H. pylori and after its eradication, suggesting that miRNAs participate in the pathological process triggered by H. pylori in the gastric mucosa.

Assuntos

Gastrite/metabolismo , Infecções por Helicobacter/metabolismo , Helicobacter pylori/imunologia , MicroRNAs/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Mucosa Gástrica/imunologia , Mucosa Gástrica/metabolismo , Mucosa Gástrica/microbiologia , Gastrite/imunologia , Gastrite/microbiologia , Expressão Gênica , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Redes Reguladoras de Genes , Infecções por Helicobacter/imunologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Humanos , Imunidade Inata , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Masculino , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem

RESUMO

Though benign, giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) can become aggressive and can exhibit a high mitotic rate, necrosis and rarely vascular invasion and metastasis. GCTB has unique histologic characteristics, a high rate of multinucleated cells, a variable and unpredictable growth potential and uncertain biological behavior. In this study, we sought to identify genes differentially expressed in GCTB, thus building a molecular profile of this tumor. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunohistochemistry and analyses of methylation to identify genes that are putatively associated with GCTB. The expression of the ADAM23 and CDKN2A genes was decreased in GCTB samples compared to normal bone tissue, measured by qPCR. Additionally, a high hypermethylation frequency of the promoter regions of ADAM23 and CDKN2A in GCTB was observed. The expression of the MAP2K3, MMP14, TIMP2 and VIM genes was significantly higher in GCTB than in normal bone tissue, a fact that was confirmed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The set of genes identified here furthers our understanding of the molecular basis of GCTB.

RESUMO

AIM: This study is the second report from a single experiment planned to determine if acupuncture at LI4 and SP6, or at the sacral points, could produce any harm in the pregnancy outcome of Wistar rats, as has been hypothesised in traditional knowledge. Here, we observe if these points can be harmful to the health of pregnant Wistar rats. METHODS: A total of 48 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: total control, where rats were left in cages without manipulation; anesthetised control, where rats were manipulated and anesthetised but did not receive electroacupuncture; and peripheral point and sacral point groups, where rats were anesthetised and received 6 sessions of electroacupuncture at 4 acupuncture points: LI4 and SP6, and BL27 and BL28, respectively. In the 19th day of pregnancy the rats were killed and examined. The primary endpoints were levels of glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) creatinine and histological changes of liver and kidney. RESULTS: There were no differences between the levels of biochemical parameters. No differences were also seen regarding the histopathological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that acupuncture at the LI4, SP6 and sacral points could be harmful to the Wistar rat dams.

Assuntos

Pontos de Acupuntura , Eletroacupuntura/métodos , Região Lombossacral/fisiologia , Modelos Animais , Prenhez/fisiologia , Terapia por Acupuntura , Animais , Feminino , Gravidez , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos Wistar

RESUMO

Lung cancer is one of the most incident neoplasms in the world, representing the main cause of mortality for cancer. Many epidemiologic studies have suggested that physical activity may reduce the risk of lung cancer, other works evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the physical activity in the suppression, remission and reduction of the recurrence of tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic and anaerobic physical activity in the development and the progression of lung cancer. Lung tumors were induced with a dose of 3mg of urethane/kg, in 67 male Balb - C type mice, divided in three groups: group 1_24 mice treated with urethane and without physical activity; group 2_25 mice with urethane and subjected to aerobic swimming free exercise; group 3_18 mice with urethane, subjected to anaerobic swimming exercise with gradual loading 5-20% of body weight. All the animals were sacrificed after 20 weeks, and lung lesions were analyzed. The median number of lesions (nodules and hyperplasia) was 3.0 for group 1, 2.0 for group 2 and 1.5-3 (p=0.052). When comparing only the presence or absence of lesion, there was a decrease in the number of lesions in group 3 as compared with group 1 (p=0.03) but not in relation to group 2. There were no metastases or other changes in other organs. The anaerobic physical activity, but not aerobic, diminishes the incidence of experimental lung tumors.

Assuntos

Neoplasias Pulmonares/patologia , Condicionamento Físico Animal/fisiologia , Nódulo Pulmonar Solitário/patologia , Animais , Carcinógenos/toxicidade , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Progressão da Doença , Hiperplasia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/induzido quimicamente , Neoplasias Pulmonares/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Nódulo Pulmonar Solitário/induzido quimicamente , Nódulo Pulmonar Solitário/fisiopatologia , Natação , Uretana/toxicidade

RESUMO

Studies have shown that the maternal risk for Down syndrome (DS) may be modulated by alterations in folate metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of 12 genetic polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism on maternal risk for DS. In addition, we evaluated the impact of these polymorphisms on serum folate and plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA, an indicator of vitamin B_{12} status) concentrations. The polymorphisms transcobalamin II (TCN2) c.776C>G, betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) c.742A>G, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NAD(P)H) (MTHFR) c.677 C>T and the MTHFR 677C-1298A-1317T haplotype modulate DS risk. The polymorphisms MTHFR c.677C>T and solute carrier family 19 (folate transporter), member 1 (SLC19A1) c.80 A>G modulate folate concentrations, whereas the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase (MTRR) c.66A>G polymorphism affects the MMA concentration. These results are consistent with the modulation of the maternal risk for DS by these polymorphisms.

Assuntos

Síndrome de Down/etiologia , Ácido Fólico/sangue , Gravidez de Alto Risco/genética , Adulto , Betaína-Homocisteína S-Metiltransferase/genética , Vias Biossintéticas/genética , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Ferredoxina-NADP Redutase/genética , Ácido Fólico/metabolismo , Estudos de Associação Genética , Haplótipos , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Metilenotetra-Hidrofolato Redutase (NADPH2)/genética , Ácido Metilmalônico/sangue , Análise Multivariada , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Gravidez , Proteína Carregadora de Folato Reduzido/genética , Fatores de Risco , Transcobalaminas/genética

RESUMO

Viruses are the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in childhood and the main viruses involved are Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV), Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Influenzavirus A and B (FLUA and FLUB), Human Parainfluenza Virus 1, 2 and 3 (HPIV1, 2 and 3) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV). The purposes of this study were to detect respiratory viruses in hospitalized children younger than six years and identify the influence of temperature and relative air humidity on the detected viruses. Samples of nasopharyngeal washes were collected from hospitalized children between May/2004 and September/2005. Methods of viral detection were RT-PCR, PCR and HRV amplicons were confirmed by hybridization. Results showed 54% (148/272) of viral positivity. HRSV was detected in 29% (79/272) of the samples; HRV in 23.1% (63/272); HPIV3 in 5.1% (14/272); HMPV in 3.3% (9/272); HPIV1 in 2.9% (8/272); FLUB in 1.4% (4/272), FLUA in 1.1% (3/272), and HPIV2 in 0.3% (1/272). The highest detection rates occurred mainly in the spring 2004 and in the autumn 2005. It was observed that viral respiratory infections tend to increase as the relative air humidity decreases, showing significant association with monthly averages of minimal temperature and minimal relative air humidity. In conclusion, viral respiratory infections vary according to temperature and relative air humidity and viral respiratory infections present major incidences it coldest and driest periods.

Assuntos

Humanos , Criança , Microbiologia do Ar , Hibridização Genética , Técnicas In Vitro , Infecções por Paramyxoviridae , Infecções por Vírus Respiratório Sincicial , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa/métodos , Viroses , Vírus Sincicial Respiratório Humano/isolamento & purificação , Ar , Umidade , Pacientes Internados , Métodos , Temperatura

RESUMO

We evaluated the influence of allelic frequency of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) -DRB1 on the acquisition of antibody response against malaria sporozoite and merozoite peptides in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria acquired in endemic areas of Brazil. IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against four peptides of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) (amino, carboxyl, and VK210 and VK247 repeats) and peptides of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1), apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1), and Duffy-binding protein (DBP). We found an association between HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR5 alleles and lack of antibody response to CSP amino terminal, as well as an association between HLA-DR3 and the highest antibody response to MSP1 (Pv200L). In conclusion, we suggest a potential regulatory role of the HLA-DRB1 alleles in the production of antibodies to a conserved region of P. vivax CSP and MSP1 in Brazilian population exposed to malaria.

Assuntos

Alelos , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Cadeias HLA-DRB1/genética , Malária Vivax/imunologia , Plasmodium vivax/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Brasil , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Frequência do Gene , Cadeias HLA-DRB1/imunologia , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade

RESUMO

Viruses are the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in childhood and the main viruses involved are Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV), Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Influenzavirus A and B (FLUA and FLUB), Human Parainfluenza Virus 1, 2 and 3 (HPIV1, 2 and 3) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV). The purposes of this study were to detect respiratory viruses in hospitalized children younger than six years and identify the influence of temperature and relative air humidity on the detected viruses. Samples of nasopharyngeal washes were collected from hospitalized children between May/2004 and September/2005. Methods of viral detection were RT-PCR, PCR and HRV amplicons were confirmed by hybridization. Results showed 54% (148/272) of viral positivity. HRSV was detected in 29% (79/272) of the samples; HRV in 23.1% (63/272); HPIV3 in 5.1% (14/272); HMPV in 3.3% (9/272); HPIV1 in 2.9% (8/272); FLUB in 1.4% (4/272), FLUA in 1.1% (3/272), and HPIV2 in 0.3% (1/272). The highest detection rates occurred mainly in the spring 2004 and in the autumn 2005. It was observed that viral respiratory infections tend to increase as the relative air humidity decreases, showing significant association with monthly averages of minimal temperature and minimal relative air humidity. In conclusion, viral respiratory infections vary according to temperature and relative air humidity and viral respiratory infections present major incidences it coldest and driest periods.