Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of tissues outside central nervous system in bovine rabies

We performed a histopathological and immunohistochemical study of tissues outside the central nervous system in 48 cases of bovine rabies confirmed by direct immunofluorescence and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the central nervous system. In the bovines of this study, mononuclear inflammation in all ganglia (trigeminal, spinal, stellate, and celiac) and adrenal medulla was observed. This injury also occurred in 85 % of neuro-pituitaries in 55 % of pars intermediate and 15 % of the pars distalis of pituitary evaluated. IHC was positive in 92.31 % of lumbar spinal ganglia, 90.9 % of trigeminal ganglia, stellate ganglia of 41.67 and 16.67 % of the celiac ganglia. One of the evaluated adrenal (1/17) showed strong immunohistochemical labeling in the cytoplasm of pheochromocytes. The pituitary IHC was positive in one case in the neurohypophysis (1/20) and in one case in the pars intermedia of the adenohypophysis (1/20). Data from this study indicate that in suspected cases of rabies, besides the complex pituitary rete mirabile and trigeminal ganglion, the evaluation of other ganglia, particularly the lumbar spinal, and adrenal may also contribute to the diagnosis and understanding of the clinical presentation and pathogenesis of the disease in bovines.     

IL-7 induces sCD127 release and mCD127 downregulation in human CD8+ T cells by distinct yet overlapping mechanisms,both of which are impaired in HIV infection

The IL-7 receptor specific α chain, CD127, can be expressed both as a membrane-associated (mCD127) and a soluble form (sCD127), however, the mechanisms involved in their regulation remain to be defined. We first demonstrated in primary human CD8⁺ T cells that IL-7-induced downregulation of mCD127 expression is dependent on JAK and PI3K signaling, whereas IL-7-induced sCD127 release is also mediated by STAT5. Following stimulation with IL-7, expression of alternatively spliced variants of the CD127 gene, sCD127 mRNA, is reduced, but to a lesser degree than the full-length gene. Evaluation of the role of proteases revealed that MMP-9 was involved in sCD127 release, without affecting the expression of mCD127, suggesting it does not induce direct shedding from the cell surface. Since defects in the IL-7/CD127 pathway occur in various diseases, including HIV, we evaluated CD8⁺ T cells derived from HAART-treated HIV-infected individuals and found that IL-7-induced (1) downregulation of mCD127, (2) release of sCD127, and (3) expression of the sCD127 mRNA were all impaired. Expression of mCD127 and sCD127 is, therefore, regulated by distinct, but overlapping, mechanisms and their impairment in HIV infection contributes to our understanding of the CD8⁺ T cell dysfunction that persists despite effective antiretroviral therapy.     

Association between interferon lambda 3 rs12979860 polymorphism and clinical outcome in dengue virus‐infected children

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune‐related genes have been shown to play a role in driving the development of the severe phenotypes of dengue virus (DENV) infection. We assessed the association between IFNL3 gene SNP (rs12979860) and dengue clinical outcomes in children. Patients with dengue‐related symptoms (aged 1–15 years) admitted at a public hospital in Northeast Brazil were invited to participate. The association between rs12979860 polymorphism and dengue classification and clinical signs and symptoms were analysed. A total of 206 DENV‐infected children were included: 53.4% of the infections were classified as severe dengue. The T allele carriers had higher risk of developing severe dengue when compared to CC genotype carriers (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 0.98–3.32 p = .054). The T allele carriers also showed longer fever episodes when compared to patients with the CC genotype (OR: 1.90; 95%CI: 1.07–3.38; p = .027). On the other hand, the ones carrying the CT/TT genotype had 70% lower chance of developing thrombocytopenia when compared to those with the CC genotype (OR: 0.30; 95%CI: 0.08–0.88; p = .042). Our findings demonstrated that the T allele carriers of the IFNL3 gene had higher risk of developing severe dengue, suggesting a link between IFN‐λ expression and DENV immunopathogenesis.     

MMP‐9 expression increases according to the grade of squamous intraepithelial lesion in cervical smears

Studies about cervical carcinogenesis have demonstrated the increased expression of matrix‐metalloproteinase (MMP) according to the grade of cervical intraepithelial lesions. Considering the importance of innovative techniques to introduce noninvasive and rapid diagnoses for patients, this study aimed to perform MMP‐9 immunocytochemistry in cervical smears according to the cytopathological diagnoses, in order to monitor MMP activity in cervical smears. This cross‐sectional study investigated the expression of MMP‐9 in normal cervical smears, inflammatory cervical smears, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cervical carcinoma. Cervical smears from 630 women were collected for cytopathological diagnoses and immunocytochemistry. Women with squamous intraepithelial lesions showed an increase in MMP‐9 expression, with moderate to intense staining occurring with increasing cervical lesion grade. The prevalence of moderate to intense MMP‐9 staining was 9% in normal cervical smears, 12% in cervical inflammation, 24% in low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 92% in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 100% in cervical carcinoma cases. In the specific case of LSIL, we found that association with MMP‐9 is more evident when there is the simultaneous presence of an infectious agent. Thus, the expression of MMP‐9 in cervical smears increases according to the grade of cervical lesion and LSIL in the presence of infectious agents showed higher MMP‐9 expression than women with LSIL without infectious agents. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:827–833. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Relationship Between Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Shoulders Posture in Healthy Individuals and Moderate to Severe Asthmatic Patients

Introduction. Asthma overloads respiratory muscles causing changes in posture. Objectives. To evaluate shoulder position in asthmatics and its correlation to the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 19 asthmatics (study group) and 20 healthy volunteers (control group). Assessment of PEFR was used to determine airway obstruction. Shoulder position was quantified as the ratio between the front and back measurements, in centimeters, of the distance between the two outermost points of each scapula. Shoulder position measurement (SPM) ratio data from both groups were compared and correlated to PEFR. Results. The asthmatics presented lower PEFR (279 ± 64 L/min) and SPM (0.88: range 0.83–0.9) than did control subjects (555 ± 100 L/min and 0.97: range 0.95–1, respectively) (p < 0.001). There was a correlation between PEFR and SPM (asthmatics r = 0.8; controls r = 0.5). Conclusion. Determining SPM ratios allowed us to identify those postural alterations that correlated with pulmonary function in asthmatics and in healthy individuals. Further investigation is needed before SPM can be used as a tool for clinical evaluation of asthma patients.     

Bone repair following bone grafting hydroxyapatite guided bone regeneration and infra-red laser photobiomodulation: a histological study in a rodent model

The aim of the investigation was to assess histologically the effect of laser photobiomodulation (LPBM) on a repair of defects surgically created in the femurs of rats. Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into four groups: group I (control); group II (LPBM); group III (hydroxyapatite guided bone regeneration; HA GBR); group IV (HA GBR LPBM). The animals in the irradiated groups were subjected to the first irradiation immediately after surgery, and it was repeated every day for 2 weeks. The animals were killed 15 days, 21 days and 30 days after surgery. When the groups irradiated with implant and membrane were compared, it was observed that the repair of the defects submitted to LPBM was also processed faster, starting from the 15th day. At the 30th day, the level of repair of the defects was similar in the irradiated groups and those not irradiated. New bone formation was seen inside the cavity, probably by the osteoconduction of the implant, and, in the irradiated groups, this new bone formation was incremental. The present preliminary data seem to suggest that LPMB therapy might have a positive effect upon early wound healing of bone defects treated with a combination of HA and GBR.     

Identification of swainsonine as a glycoside inhibitor responsible for Sida carpinifolia poisoning

The indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine has been identified as the toxic constituent of Sida carpinifolia, a native perennial shrub-like plant, reported to produce neurological disorders in goats and ponies in southern Brazil. Swainsonine was detected in dry ground plant material after extraction and analysis by both liquid and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The swainsonine concentration was 0.006% on a dry weight basis. The clinical and pathological features of this lysosomal storage disease were similar to those observed in Swainsona, Oxytropis, Astragalus, and Ipomoea poisonings with multiple cytoplasm vacuoles in neurons, acinar pancreatic cells, hepatocytes, and renal tubular cells.     

Group for the re-education of eating habits: a holistic experience in health from the family perspective

This study describes the experience of the development of a family educational program to develop healthier eating habits. The program can enable the population to evaluate its quality of life. It can be justified if we consider obesity as a risk factor for the aging population in Brazil and the unpreparedness of the health system and society regarding this subject. The present work, which lasted two months, was carried out in a micro-area of the municipal district of Ribeir?o Preto with groups of around 13 people. Most of the participants were women who cooperated with the making of healthier menus. In order to give continuity to the process, maintenance groups were created. This program can contribute to self-care and self-commitment, giving support to healthier life styles.