RESUMO
This study evaluated levels for mRNA expression of 7 cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT Group, n = 23) and chronic toxoplasmosis individuals (CHR Group, n = 9) were isolated and stimulated in vitro with T. gondii antigen. Negative controls (NC) were constituted of 7 PBMC samples from individuals seronegative for toxoplasmosis. mRNA expression for cytokines was determined by qPCR. Results showed a significant increase in mRNA levels from antigen stimulated PBMCs derived from OT Group for expressing IL-6 (at P < .005 and P < .0005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively), IL-10 (at P < .0005 and P < .005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively) and TGF-ß (at P < .005) for NC group. mRNA levels for TNF-α and IL-12 were also upregulated in patients with OT compared to CHR and NC individuals, although without statistical significance. Additionally, mRNA levels for IL-27 and IFN-γ in PBMC of patients with OT were upregulated in comparison with NC individuals. Differences between OT and NC groups were statistically significant at P < .05 and P < .0005, respectively.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Citocinas/genética , Leucócitos Mononucleares/imunologia , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Ocular/imunologia , Citocinas/metabolismo , Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Estudos Prospectivos , Toxoplasmose Ocular/diagnóstico , Toxoplasmose Ocular/parasitologiaRESUMO
Polymorphisms in interleukin (IL)-18, IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ genes are associated with different levels of cytokines expression and have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-18 +105 A/C, IL-12B +1188 A/C and IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphisms were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplification refractory mutation system PCR from 90 RA patients and 186 healthy individuals. There were significant differences to IL-18 +105 A/C polymorphism between the RA and control groups (odds ratio = 3.77; P < 0.0001). Individual carriers of the variant allele C had a 3.77-fold increased risk of for RA (P = 0.0032). No association was observed for IL-12B and IFN-γ polymorphisms. Our finds suggest a possible role for IL-18 polymorphism in the RA susceptibility in studied population.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Interferon gama/genética , Subunidade p40 da Interleucina-12/genética , Interleucina-18/genética , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Adulto , Alelos , Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/patologia , Brasil , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Frequência do Gene , Humanos , Interferon gama/imunologia , Subunidade p40 da Interleucina-12/imunologia , Interleucina-18/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Polimorfismo de Fragmento de Restrição , RiscoRESUMO
Meningitis is the main manifestation of cryptococcosis in adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and other organs and systems, such as the lungs, are rarely affected in this fungal infection. To our knowledge, no case of pulmonary cryptococcosis has been described in the pediatric lupus population. Therefore, we report herein one patient with childhood SLE (C-SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome overlap that presented encapsulated Cryptococcus yeast cells in lung tissue. A 14-year-old girl was diagnosed with C-SLE. At the age of 16 years and 5 months, she presented with fever, cough and dyspnea, without headache, vomiting, and also without signs of meningeal irritation or other clinical manifestations. She was being treated with mycophenolate mofetil, hydroxychloroquine and prednisone. Chest radiography and chest computer tomography showed a single nodule in the left posterior apex and three nodular lesions in the left hemithorax respectively. Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy were normal and without isolation of bacteria or fungi. Voriconazole was empirically introduced for 21 days. Fifteen days after the first biopsy, she underwent open thoracotomy with surgical left lung biopsy and was diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis. Voriconazole was replaced with oral fluconazole and this antifungal therapy was maintained with improvement of clinical manifestations and without marked alteration of radiological images. In conclusion, we report the first case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in Sjögren's and C-SLE patient with a satisfactory clinical response to antifungal therapy. Fungal infections should be excluded in the presence of lung nodules and etiological identification is required for proper treatment.
Assuntos
Criptococose/microbiologia , Pneumopatias Fúngicas/microbiologia , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/complicações , Infecções Oportunistas/microbiologia , Síndrome de Sjogren/complicações , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico , Biópsia , Lavagem Broncoalveolar , Criptococose/diagnóstico , Criptococose/tratamento farmacológico , Criptococose/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Pneumopatias Fúngicas/diagnóstico , Pneumopatias Fúngicas/tratamento farmacológico , Pneumopatias Fúngicas/imunologia , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/diagnóstico , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/tratamento farmacológico , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/imunologia , Infecções Oportunistas/diagnóstico , Infecções Oportunistas/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções Oportunistas/imunologia , Síndrome de Sjogren/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Sjogren/tratamento farmacológico , Síndrome de Sjogren/imunologia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
The sorghum crop has grown rapidly in recent years, for being a plant with xerophilous characteristics; its production has especially increased in Northeastern Brazil due to its ability to withstand dry environments. Weeds are a major problem for grain crops, as these can significantly reduce yield, particularly when they emerge in the early stages of crops. To obtain crops resistant to weeds, studies have been conducted to demonstrate that some plants have a natural defense consisting in an organism's ability to produce metabolites that act to either inhibit or stimulate growth and development of other organisms grown in the same environment, which is called allelopathy. Sorghum is one of the plants that possess proven allelopathy, producing a set of lipid complex substances and proteins generically called sorgoleone, having as its main compound 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(Z,Z)-8',11',14'-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone, which is naturally released into the soil from their roots and trichomes, inhibiting the growth of weeds upon contact with them. Because of these inherent characteristics of the sorghum crop, the present work aims to discuss the possible benefits of using this cereal, due to its allelopathic effects, as well as to inform about the known mechanisms of production and action of the main constituent compounds of sorgoleone and other compounds produced by the plant's roots.
A cultura do sorgo cresceu rapidamente nestes últimos anos, por ser uma planta com características xerófilas, apresentando um aumento de sua produção principalmente na região nordeste devido a sua capacidade de suportar ambientes de cultivo mais secos. As ervas daninhas são um grande problema para os cultivares, pois estas podem reduzir significativamente a produção de grãos, particularmente quando surgem nas fases iniciais das culturas. Visando a obtenção de culturas resistentes às ervas daninhas, estudos têm sido realizados demonstrando que algumas plantas possuem uma defesa natural que consiste na capacidade de um organismo produzir metabólitos que atuam inibindo ou o crescimento ou o desenvolvimento de outros organismos que estão próximos; a esta capacidade dá-se o nome de alelopatia. O sorgo é uma das plantas que possuem sua alelopatia comprovada, produzindo um complexo de substâncias lipídicas e proteínas denominados genericamente de sorgoleone, tendo como seu principal composto o 2-hidroxi-5-metoxi-3-[(Z,Z)-8',11',14'-pentadecatrieno]-p-benzoquinona, que é naturalmente liberado para o solo a partir dos tricomas das suas raízes e, no momento em que entram em contato com as ervas daninhas, inibem seu crescimento. Devido a tais características inerentes à cultura do sorgo, este trabalho tem como objetivo discorrer sobre os possíveis benefícios do uso desse cereal devido a sua comprovada alelopatia, bem como informar os conhecidos mecanismos de produção e atuação dos principais compostos constituintes do sorgoleone produzidos pelas suas raízes.
RESUMO
A cultura do sorgo cresceu rapidamente nestes últimos anos, por ser uma planta com características xerófilas, apresentando um aumento de sua produção principalmente na região nordeste devido a sua capacidade de suportar ambientes de cultivo mais secos. As ervas daninhas são um grande problema para os cultivares, pois estas podem reduzir significativamente a produção de grãos, particularmente quando surgem nas fases iniciais das culturas. Visando a obtenção de culturas resistentes às ervas daninhas, estudos têm sido realizados demonstrando que algumas plantas possuem uma defesa natural que consiste na capacidade de um organismo produzir metabólitos que atuam inibindo ou o crescimento ou o desenvolvimento de outros organismos que estão próximos; a esta capacidade dá-se o nome de alelopatia. O sorgo é uma das plantas que possuem sua alelopatia comprovada, produzindo um complexo de substâncias lipídicas e proteínas denominados genericamente de sorgoleone, tendo como seu principal composto o 2-hidroxi-5--metoxi-3-[(Z,Z)-8,11,14-pentadecatrieno]-p-benzoquinona, que é naturalmente liberado para o solo a partir dos tricomas das suas raízes e, no momento em que entram em contato com as ervas daninhas, inibem seu crescimento. Devido a tais características inerentes à cultura do sorgo, este trabalho tem como objetivo discorrer sobre os possíveis benefícios do uso desse cereal devido a sua comprovada alelopatia, bem como informar os conhecidos mecanismos de produção e atuação dos principais compostos constituintes do sorgoleone produzidos pelas suas raízes. (AU)
SORGOLEONE: LIPIDIC BENZOQUINONE OF SORGHUM WITH ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS IN AGRICULTURE AS A HERBICIDE. The sorghum crop has grown rapidly in recent years, for being a plant with xerophilous characteristics; its production has especially increased in Northeastern Brazil due to its ability to withstand dry environments. Weeds are a major problem for grain crops, as these can significantly reduce yield, particularly when they emerge in the early stages of crops. To obtain crops resistant to weeds, studies have been conducted to demonstrate that some plants have a natural defense consisting in an organisms ability to produce metabolites that act to either inhibit or stimulate growth and development of other organisms grown in the same environment, which is called allelopathy. Sorghum is one of the plants that possess proven allelopathy, producing a set of lipid complex substances and proteins generically called sorgoleone, having as its main compound 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(Z,Z)-8′,11′,14′-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone, which is naturally released into the soil from their roots and trichomes, inhibiting the growth of weeds upon contact with them. Because of these inherent characteristics of the sorghum crop, the present work aims to discuss the possible benefits of using this cereal, due to its allelopathic effects, as well as to inform about the known mechanisms of production and action of the main constituent compounds of sorgoleone and other compounds produced by the plants roots. (AU)
Assuntos
Plantas Daninhas , Herbicidas/análise , Agricultura/métodos , Sorghum/classificaçãoRESUMO
A cultura do sorgo cresceu rapidamente nestes últimos anos, por ser uma planta com características xerófilas, apresentando um aumento de sua produção principalmente na região nordeste devido a sua capacidade de suportar ambientes de cultivo mais secos. As ervas daninhas são um grande problema para os cultivares, pois estas podem reduzir significativamente a produção de grãos, particularmente quando surgem nas fases iniciais das culturas. Visando a obtenção de culturas resistentes às ervas daninhas, estudos têm sido realizados demonstrando que algumas plantas possuem uma defesa natural que consiste na capacidade de um organismo produzir metabólitos que atuam inibindo ou o crescimento ou o desenvolvimento de outros organismos que estão próximos; a esta capacidade dá-se o nome de alelopatia. O sorgo é uma das plantas que possuem sua alelopatia comprovada, produzindo um complexo de substâncias lipídicas e proteínas denominados genericamente de sorgoleone, tendo como seu principal composto o 2-hidroxi-5--metoxi-3-[(Z,Z)-8,11,14-pentadecatrieno]-p-benzoquinona, que é naturalmente liberado para o solo a partir dos tricomas das suas raízes e, no momento em que entram em contato com as ervas daninhas, inibem seu crescimento. Devido a tais características inerentes à cultura do sorgo, este trabalho tem como objetivo discorrer sobre os possíveis benefícios do uso desse cereal devido a sua comprovada alelopatia, bem como informar os conhecidos mecanismos de produção e atuação dos principais compostos constituintes do sorgoleone produzidos pelas suas raízes.
SORGOLEONE: LIPIDIC BENZOQUINONE OF SORGHUM WITH ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS IN AGRICULTURE AS A HERBICIDE. The sorghum crop has grown rapidly in recent years, for being a plant with xerophilous characteristics; its production has especially increased in Northeastern Brazil due to its ability to withstand dry environments. Weeds are a major problem for grain crops, as these can significantly reduce yield, particularly when they emerge in the early stages of crops. To obtain crops resistant to weeds, studies have been conducted to demonstrate that some plants have a natural defense consisting in an organisms ability to produce metabolites that act to either inhibit or stimulate growth and development of other organisms grown in the same environment, which is called allelopathy. Sorghum is one of the plants that possess proven allelopathy, producing a set of lipid complex substances and proteins generically called sorgoleone, having as its main compound 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(Z,Z)-8′,11′,14′-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone, which is naturally released into the soil from their roots and trichomes, inhibiting the growth of weeds upon contact with them. Because of these inherent characteristics of the sorghum crop, the present work aims to discuss the possible benefits of using this cereal, due to its allelopathic effects, as well as to inform about the known mechanisms of production and action of the main constituent compounds of sorgoleone and other compounds produced by the plants roots.
Assuntos
Herbicidas/análise , Plantas Daninhas , Agricultura/métodos , Sorghum/classificaçãoRESUMO
The sorghum crop has grown rapidly in recent years, for being a plant with xerophilous characteristics; its production has especially increased in Northeastern Brazil due to its ability to withstand dry environments. Weeds are a major problem for grain crops, as these can significantly reduce yield, particularly when they emerge in the early stages of crops. To obtain crops resistant to weeds, studies have been conducted to demonstrate that some plants have a natural defense consisting in an organism's ability to produce metabolites that act to either inhibit or stimulate growth and development of other organisms grown in the same environment, which is called allelopathy. Sorghum is one of the plants that possess proven allelopathy, producing a set of lipid complex substances and proteins generically called sorgoleone, having as its main compound 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(Z,Z)-8',11',14'-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone, which is naturally released into the soil from their roots and trichomes, inhibiting the growth of weeds upon contact with them. Because of these inherent characteristics of the sorghum crop, the present work aims to discuss the possible benefits of using this cereal, due to its allelopathic effects, as well as to inform about the known mechanisms of production and action of the main constituent compounds of sorgoleone and other compounds produced by the plant's roots.
A cultura do sorgo cresceu rapidamente nestes últimos anos, por ser uma planta com características xerófilas, apresentando um aumento de sua produção principalmente na região nordeste devido a sua capacidade de suportar ambientes de cultivo mais secos. As ervas daninhas são um grande problema para os cultivares, pois estas podem reduzir significativamente a produção de grãos, particularmente quando surgem nas fases iniciais das culturas. Visando a obtenção de culturas resistentes às ervas daninhas, estudos têm sido realizados demonstrando que algumas plantas possuem uma defesa natural que consiste na capacidade de um organismo produzir metabólitos que atuam inibindo ou o crescimento ou o desenvolvimento de outros organismos que estão próximos; a esta capacidade dá-se o nome de alelopatia. O sorgo é uma das plantas que possuem sua alelopatia comprovada, produzindo um complexo de substâncias lipídicas e proteínas denominados genericamente de sorgoleone, tendo como seu principal composto o 2-hidroxi-5-metoxi-3-[(Z,Z)-8',11',14'-pentadecatrieno]-p-benzoquinona, que é naturalmente liberado para o solo a partir dos tricomas das suas raízes e, no momento em que entram em contato com as ervas daninhas, inibem seu crescimento. Devido a tais características inerentes à cultura do sorgo, este trabalho tem como objetivo discorrer sobre os possíveis benefícios do uso desse cereal devido a sua comprovada alelopatia, bem como informar os conhecidos mecanismos de produção e atuação dos principais compostos constituintes do sorgoleone produzidos pelas suas raízes.
RESUMO
In a cross-sectional study, the prevalences of intestinal parasitic infection and the associated risk factors were explored among children aged 0-10 years attending outpatient clinics in Manaus, the capital city of the north Brazilian state of Amazonas. Data indicating socio-economic level and demographic factors were collected in interviews with the accompanying parent or guardian of each child. Parasitic infections were detected by the microscopical examination of faecal samples, while nutritional status was categorized by reference to the growth curves published by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. The data collected were analysed in a mixed, logistic-regression model. Of the 451 children tested, 58.7% were found to have intestinal parasitic infection, the most prevalent parasites being Giardia lamblia (21.5%), Endolimax nana (17.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (13.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (13.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (4.9%). The prevalences of stunting, underweight and wasting among the children were 17.5%, 14.7% and 9.8%, respectively. There was no association between intestinal parasite infection and any of these indicators of malnutrition. Children whose accompanying parent/guardian was poorly educated and the elder children investigated were found to be at relatively high risk of intestinal parasitic infection (P<0.05 for each). Intestinal parasitic infections still clearly represent an important public-health problem in the northern region of Brazil.
Assuntos
Ascaríase/epidemiologia , Fezes/parasitologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Animais , Ascaris lumbricoides/isolamento & purificação , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Giardia lamblia/isolamento & purificação , Giardíase/epidemiologia , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Estado Nutricional , Contagem de Ovos de Parasitas , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
Lipase (Glycerol ester hydrolase EC 3.1.1.3.) from a Brazilian strain of Fusarium solani FSI has been investigated. The effect of different carbon sources and trace elements added to basal medium was observed with the aim of improving enzyme production. Lipase specific activity was highest (0.45 U mg(-1)) for sesame oil. When this medium was supplemented with trace elements using olive oil, corn oil and sesame oil the lipase specific activity increased to 0.86, 1.89 and 1.64 U mg(-1), respectively, after 96 h cultivation without any considerable biomass increase. The Km of this lipase using pNPP (p-nitrophenylpalmitate) as substrate, was 1.8 mM with a Vmax of 1.7 micromol min(-1) mg protein(-1). Lipase activity increased in the presence of increasing concentrations of hexane and toluene. In contrast, incubation of this enzyme with water-soluble solvents decreased its activity after 10% concentration (v/v) of the solvent. The lipase activity was stable below 35 degrees C but above this temperature activity losses were observed.