Supplementation with olive oil,but not fish oil,improves cutaneous wound healing in stressed mice

Supplementation with olive and fish oils reverses the effects of stress on behavioral activities and adrenal activation. However, previous studies have not shown whether supplementation with olive and fish oil could inhibit the effects of stress on cutaneous wound healing. Thus, this study investigated the effects of supplementation with fish or olive oil on cutaneous healing in stressed mice. Mice were subjected to rotational stress and treated with olive or fish oil daily until euthanasia. An excisional lesion was created on each mouse, and 14 days later, the lesions were analyzed. In addition, murine skin fibroblasts were exposed to elevated epinephrine levels plus olive oil, and fibroblast activity was evaluated. In the in vivo studies, administration of olive oil, but not fish oil, inhibited stress‐induced reduction in wound contraction, reepithelialization, hydroxyproline levels, and blood vessel density. Stress‐induced increases in vascular endothelial growth factor expression and the numbers of macrophages and neutrophils were reversed only by olive oil. Both oils reversed stress‐induced increase in catecholamine levels and oxidative damage. In in vitro studies, olive oil treatment reversed the reduction in fibroblast migration and collagen deposition and the increase in lipid peroxidation induced by epinephrine. In conclusion, supplementation with olive oil, but not fish oil, improves cutaneous wound healing in chronically stressed mice.     

Accuracy of direct examination and culture as compared to the anatomopathological examination for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis: a systematic review

BackgroundChromoblastomycosis is a skin infection caused by dematiaceous fungi that take the form of muriform cells in the tissue. It mainly manifests as verrucous plaques on the lower limbs of rural workers in tropical countries.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this review is to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic methods for the identification of chromoblastomycosis, considering the histopathological examination as the reference test.MethodsMEDLINE, LILACS and Scielo databases were consulted using the terms “chromoblastomycosis” AND “diagnosis”. The eligibility criteria were: studies that evaluated the accuracy of tests for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis. Eleven studies were selected. Statistical analysis included the calculation of sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic methods.ResultsConsidering the histopathological examination as the reference test, the culture showed a sensitivity (S) of 37.5% - 90.9% and a specificity (Sp) of 100%; while direct mycological examination showed S = 50% - 91.6% and Sp of 100% . Considering the culture as the reference test, the serology (precipitation techniques) showed S of 36% - 99%; and Sp of 80% - 100%; while the intradermal test showed S of 83.3% - 100% and Sp of 99.4% - 100%.Study limitationsThe small number of studies and very discrepant sensitivity results among them do not allow the calculation of summary measures through a meta-analysis.ConclusionsDirect mycological examination, culture, intradermal test and serology show sensitivity and specificity values ??for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis with no significant difference between the studies.     

Novel mutations of the BSCL2 and AGPAT2 genes in 10 families with Berardinelli–Seip congenital generalized lipodystrophy syndrome

Context  Congenital generalized lipodystrophy, or Berardinelli–Seip syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in either the BSCL2 or AGPAT2 genes. This syndrome is characterized by an almost complete loss of adipose tissue usually diagnosed at birth or early infancy resulting in apparent muscle hypertrophy. Common clinical features are acanthosis nigricans, hepatomegaly with or without splenomegaly and high stature. Acromegaloid features, cardiomyopathy and mental retardation can also be present.
Design  We investigated 11 kindreds from different geographical areas of Brazil (northeast and southeast). All coding regions as well as flanking intronic regions of both genes were examined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications were performed using primers described previously and PCR products were sequenced directly.
Results  Four AGPAT2 and two BSCL2 families harboured the same set of mutations. BSCL2 gene mutations were found in the homozygous form in four kindreds (c.412C>T c.464T>C, c.518–519insA, IVS5-2A>G), and in two kindreds compound mutations were found (c.1363C>T, c.424A>G). In the other four families, one mutation of the AGPAT2 gene was found (IVS3-1G>C and c.299G>A).
Conclusions  We have demonstrated four novel mutations of the BSCL2 and AGPAT2 genes responsible for Berardinelli–Seip syndrome and Brunzell syndrome (AGPAT2-related syndrome).     

Human natural killer cells exposed to IL-2, IL-12, IL-18, or IL-4 differently modulate priming of naive T cells by monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in naive T-cell priming. Recent data suggested that natural killer (NK) cells can influence the capability of DCs to promote Th1 polarization. This regulatory function is primarily mediated by cytokines released in the microenvironment during inflammatory responses involving NK cells. In this study, we show that human NK cells exposed for short time to interleukin (IL)-12, IL-2, or IL-18, promote distinct pathways of Th1 priming. IL-12- or IL-2-conditioned NK cells induce maturation of DCs capable of priming IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells. On the other hand, IL-18-conditioned NK cells induce Th1 polarization only when cocultured with both DCs and T cells. In this case, IL-2 released by T cells and IL-12 derived from DCs during the priming process promote interferon (IFN)-gamma production. In contrast, when NK cells are exposed to IL-4, nonpolarized T cells releasing only low levels of IL-2 are generated. Thus, the prevalence of IL-12, IL-2, IL-18, or IL-4 at inflammatory sites may differentially modulate the NK-cell interaction with DCs, leading to different outcomes in naive T-cell polarization.