Candida krusei M4CK Produces a Bioemulsifier That Acts on Melaleuca Essential Oil and Aids in Its Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity.

Surface-active compounds (SACs) of microbial origin are an active group of biomolecules with potential use in the formulation of emulsions. In this sense, the present study aimed to isolate and select yeasts from fruits that could produce SACs for essential oil emulsions. The Candida krusei M4CK was isolated from the Byrsonima crassifolia fruit to make SACs. This emulsification activity (E24) was equal to or greater 50% in all carbon sources, such as olive oil, sunflower oil, kerosene, hexane, and hexadecane. E24 followed exponential growth according to the growth phase. The stability of emulsions was maintained over a wide range of temperatures, pH, and salinity. The OMBE4CK (melaleuca essential oil emulsion) had better and more significant inhibitory potential for biofilm reduction formation. In addition, bioemulsifier BE4CK alone on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm showed few effective results, while there was a significant eradication for Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. The biofilms formed by S. aureus were eradicated in all concentrations of OMBE4CK. At the same time, the preformed biofilm by E. coli and P. aeruginosa were removed entirely at concentrations of 25 mg/mL, 12.5 mg/mL, and 6.25 mg/mL. The results show that the bioemulsifier BE4CK may represent a new potential for antibiofilm application.

The Potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 in the Development of Alginate-Based Gel Formulations with Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in developing alginate-based gel formulations to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. Initially, the antagonistic actions of three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 10863, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917, Limosilactobacillus fermentum ATCC 23271) were evaluated against S. aureus ATCC 25923. All tested LAB inhibited S. aureus, but the highest activity was observed for L. plantarum ATCC 14917 (p < 0.05). The antimicrobial effects of L. plantarum ATCC 14917 cell suspensions, sonicate cells extract, and cell-free supernatants (pH 5 or 7) were analyzed using a broth-based assay. The cell suspensions inhibited S. aureus at concentrations ≥ 10%, and these effects were confirmed by a time-kill assay. Alginate-based gels were formulated with cell suspensions, sonicate cells extract, and cell-free supernatant (pH 5). These formulations inhibited S. aureus growth. Based on the results, the alginate gel with cell suspensions at 10% was selected for further characterization. L. plantarum ATCC 14917 survived in the alginate-based gel, especially when stored at 5 °C. At this temperature, the L. plantarum-containing alginate gel was stable, and it was in compliance with microbiological standards. These findings suggest it can be a promising agent for the topical treatment of infections induced by S. aureus.

Baseline levels and characterization of hydrocarbons in surface marine sediments along the transportation corridor in Hudson Bay: A multivariate analysis of n-alkanes, PAHs and biomarkers.

Hudson Bay is a small arctic inland shelf sea which receives large amounts of freshwater from riverine discharges, with marine flow from the north and the Atlantic. A warming climate has resulted in an expanded open water season which will result in an increase in shipping of fuel oil and petroleum to communities and mines on the western shore, increasing the risk of hydrocarbon releases. To evaluate the status of hydrocarbons, surface sediments were collected at 34 locations in the transportation route and offshore and analysed for several types of hydrocarbons. Total hydrocarbons varied by over 25 times between sites, reaching a maximum of 1116 µg/g OC (organic carbon basis) in Hudson Strait due to low molecular weight n-alkanes from marine primary production. The gross mean for all sites was 344 µg/g OC (GSD = 173-682), roughly equivalent to other remote sites in the Canadian Arctic with no known local hydrocarbon source. n-alkanes accounted for >90 % of residues. Diagnostic ratios (e.g., Carbon Preference Index (CPI), Odd-Even Predominance (OEP)) indicated mixed sources of n-alkanes, likely due to the input from vascular plants and ombrotrophic peat in northern and western watersheds, and primary production within the Bay. The elevated proportion of high molecular weight n-alkanes at deep water sites is consistent with lotic particulate organic matter deposited in the nearshore environment and redeposited offshore. Æ©36PAHs were a small fraction (1.9 %) of hydrocarbons, with a gross mean of 5.68 µg/g OC (GSD = 3.30-9.79). PCA separated deep water sediments from nearshore and community samples due to 4 alkylated naphthalenes which usually indicate a petrogenic source but probably indicates a natural source due to the lack of other petrogenic markers. Priority PAHs (i.e., Æ©16PAH) varied from 31.5 % to 56.6 % of the Æ©36PAH residues. The concentrations of individual PAHs were well below the Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines recommended by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.

Caminho contra a dengue: relato de experiência de um projeto de extensão universitário / Path against dengue: experience report of a university extension project / El camino contra el dengue: informe de una experiencia de un proyecto de extensión universitaria

dengue é uma doença febril aguda com etiologia viral típica e de evolução benigna que é grave quando se apresenta na forma hemorrágica. Sua transmissão ocorre pela picada do Aedes aegypti, em um ciclo humano-Aedes aegypti-humano. Sendo assim, o cuidado e a prevenção contra a dengue é uma prática que deve ser sempre incentivada, especialmente em áreas de risco, além de buscar incluir a população como partícipes nas ações de prevenção contra essa arbovirose. O artigo trata-se de um relato de experiência cujo objetivo é descrever a experiência desenvolvida e vivenciada pelos acadêmicos do curso de graduação em Medicina da UniFipMoc-Afya durante o projeto de extensão "Caminho Contra a Dengue" que ocorreu em maio de 2022 no Parque Municipal Cândido Canelas, localizado no bairro Canelas, Montes Claros ­ MG. As ações realizadas tinham caráter socioeducativo, tendo como objetivo reconhecer e demarcar os determinantes da dengue dos bairros Canelas e Antônio Canelas, para se realizar uma sensibilização da comunidade local sobre as medidas preventivas contra a proliferação da doença e, dessa forma, contribuir para a integralização da saúde dos moradores. As estratégias empregadas trouxeram a reflexão, a problematização da pauta e a valorização de uma mudança de comportamento visando à diminuição da transmissão da dengue no bairro Antônio Canelas e no Canelas. Logo, esse conjunto de experiências proporcionou a possibilidade de promover um avanço no cuidado e na prevenção da dengue, colocando a própria comunidade como precursora e responsável pelos atos que irão fornecer uma promoção da saúde e melhorias em suas vidas.

Dengue is an acute febrile illness with a typical viral etiology and a benign course that is severe when it presents in the hemorrhagic form. Its transmission occurs through the bite of Aedes aegypti, in a human-Aedes aegypti-human cycle. Therefore, care and prevention against dengue is a practice that should always be encouraged, especially in risk areas, in addition to seeking to include the population as participants in prevention actions against this arbovirus. The article is an experience report whose objective is to describe the experience developed and lived by the academics of the undergraduate course in Medicine at UniFipMoc-Afya during the extension project "Caminho Contra a Dengue" that took place in May 2022 at Parque Municipal Cândido Canelas, located in the Canelas neighborhood, Montes Claros - MG. The actions carried out had a socio-educational character, with the objective of recognizing and demarcating the determinants of dengue in the Canelas and Antônio Canelas neighborhoods, in order to raise the awareness of the local community about preventive measures against the proliferation of the disease and, in this way, contribute to the integralization of the population. residents' health. The strategies used and employed brought reflection, problematization of the agenda and the appreciation of a change in behavior aimed at reducing dengue transmission in the Antônio Canelas and Canelas neighborhoods. Therefore, this set of experiences provided the possibility of promoting progress in the care and prevention of dengue, placing the community itself as a precursor and responsible for the acts that will provide health promotion and improvements in their lives.

El dengue es una enfermedad febril aguda de etiología vírica típica y evolución benigna que es grave cuando se presenta en forma hemorrágica. Su transmisión se produce por la picadura de Aedes aegypti, en un ciclo humano-Aedes aegypti-humano. Así, el cuidado y la prevención contra el dengue es una práctica que siempre debe ser incentivada, especialmente en las zonas de riesgo, y buscar incluir a la población como partícipe de las acciones preventivas contra esta arbovirosis. El artículo es un relato de experiencia cuyo objetivo es describir la experiencia desarrollada y vivida por estudiantes de pregrado de medicina de la UniFipMoc-Afya durante el proyecto de extensión "Camino Contra el Dengue", que tuvo lugar en mayo de 2022 en el Parque Municipal Cândido Canelas, ubicado en Canelas, Montes Claros - MG. Las acciones realizadas tuvieron un carácter socioeducativo, con el objetivo de reconocer y demarcar los determinantes del dengue en los barrios Canelas y Antônio Canelas, a fin de sensibilizar a la comunidad local sobre las medidas preventivas contra la proliferación de la enfermedad y contribuir así a la integralización de la salud de los residentes. Las estrategias empleadas propiciaron la reflexión, la problematización del tema y la valorización de un cambio de comportamiento dirigido a reducir la transmisión del dengue en los barrios Antônio Canelas y Canelas. Así, este conjunto de experiencias proporcionó la posibilidad de promover un avance en la atención y prevención del dengue, colocando a la propia comunidad como precursora y responsable de actos que proporcionarán una promoción de la salud y mejoras en sus vidas.

Aerobic Training Modulates the Increase in Plasma Concentrations of Cytokines in response to a Session of Exercise.

Acute physical exercise can modulate immune function. For example, acute exercise is known to increase the circulating concentration of cytokines. Exercise is also known to modulate immune function chronically. It is not known whether exercise training can result in training of the immune system. Here, we investigated the effects of six weeks of aerobic training on cytokine responses induced by acute exercise until fatigue. Twelve healthy men performed a fatiguing exercise at the anaerobic threshold (AT) intensity. After the training period, the participants performed another bout of acute exercise at the same duration and intensity of the pretraining situation. The analysis was made at the beginning, end, and at 10, 30, and 60 minutes during the recovery period. Training at AT induced a gain of 11.2% of exercise capacity. Before training, a single bout of acute exercise induced a significant increase in plasma levels of cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, sTNFR1, IL-10, CXCL10, BDNF, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin. After six weeks of aerobic training, levels of IL-6, sTNFR1, BDNF, and leptin increased to a lesser extent after an acute bout exercise at the same absolute intensity as the pretraining period. Responses to the same relative exercise intensity were similar to those observed before exercise. These results show that aerobic training is associated with training of acute immune responses to acute exercise until fatigue.

The use of low doses of methotrexate during peri-cell infusion period may be a risk factor for acute kidney injury in patients subjected to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with high mortality rates. To determine the incidence and risk factors associated with AKI in patients undergoing HSCT during the infusion period, patients admitted for HSCT from 2012 to 2015 were studied. AKI was classified according to the KDIGO (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes) criteria. We analyzed the main comorbidities, underlying conditions, types of transplant, preparative regimens, and use of potentially nephrotoxic drugs as risk factors for AKI. Among the 180 patients (median age 53 years), 69 (36.5%) developed AKI (23 KDIGO 1, 28 KDIGO 2, and 18 KDIGO 3), 49 (50.0%) undergoing allogeneic and 20 (22.3%) autologous transplantation, and 18 (9.4%) required dialysis. The main comorbidities were hypertension (38; 19.8%), and diabetes (19; 9.9%). The median pre-transplant creatinine was 0.7 mg/dl. Twenty-one patients died (10.9%). The risk factors for AKI in allogeneic HSCT were as follows: baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (RR 1.12 (1.02-1.22), p = 0.019), use of vasopressors (RR 3.72 (2.20-6.29), p < 0.001), and use of methotrexate (RR 1.83 (1.08-3.11), p = 0.025). Male gender (RR 5.91 (1.65-21.16), p = 0.006), baseline eGFR (RR 1.22 (1.04-1.43), p = 0.011), and use of aminoglycosides (RR 3.92 (1.06-14.44), p = 0.041) were the risk factors for AKI associated with autologous HSCT. During hospitalization for HSCT, AKI was a common problem. The use of a low dose of methotrexate to prevent graft versus host disease was associated with its occurrence.

Treatment of old landfill leachate with high ammonium content using aerobic granular sludge.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic granular sludge has become an attractive alternative to the conventional activated sludge due to its high settling velocity, compact structure, and higher tolerance to toxic substances and adverse conditions. Aerobic granular sludge process has been studied intensively in the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater. However, information on leachate treatment using aerobic granular sludge is very limited. METHODS: This study investigated the treatment performance of old landfill leachate with different levels of ammonium using two aerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBR): an activated sludge SBR (ASBR) and a granular sludge SBR (GSBR). Aerobic granules were successfully developed using old leachate with low ammonium concentration (136 mg L-1 NH4+-N). RESULTS: The GSBR obtained a stable chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 70% after 15 days of operation; while the ASBR required a start-up of at least 30 days and obtained unstable COD removal varying from 38 to 70%. Ammonium concentration was gradually increased in both reactors. Increasing influent ammonium concentration to 225 mg L-1 N, the GSBR removed 73 ± 8% of COD; while COD removal of the ASBR was 59 ± 9%. The GSBR was also more efficient than the ASBR for nitrogen removal. The granular sludge could adapt to the increasing concentrations of ammonium, achieving 95 ± 7% removal efficiency at a maximum influent concentration of 465 mg L-1 N. Ammonium removal of 96 ± 5% was obtained by the ASBR when it was fed with a maximum of 217 mg L-1 NH4+-N. However, the ASBR was partially inhibited by free-ammonia and nitrite accumulation rate increased up to 85%. Free-nitrous acid and the low biodegradability of organic carbon were likely the main factors affecting phosphorus removal. CONCLUSION: The results from this research suggested that aerobic granular sludge have advantage over activated sludge in leachate treatment.

Nitrite Interference with Soluble COD Measurements from Aerobically Treated Wastewater.

This study aimed to determine the interference of nitrite () with soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements from the effluent of landfill leachate treated by sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Synthetic wastewater assimilating young and old landfill leachate was used as influent for SBR1 and SBR2, respectively. A mixture of raw wastewater and landfill leachate was used as influent for SBR3. Due to the high ammonia concentration in the influent, different levels of partial nitrification were observed in all the reactors and was detected in the effluents. Theoretically, when is present in the effluent, 1 mg/L of accounts for 1.1 mg/L of COD (i.e., 1.1 mg COD/mg ) due to the oxidation of to . It was found that the value of 1.1 mg COD/mg was 3 times higher than the values obtained in the experiments with SBR1 and SBR3. In addition, the values obtained in the experiments with SBR2 were much higher than 1.1 mg COD/mg . These results suggest that the theoretical value of 1.1 mg COD/mg cannot be applied to predict the COD values caused by nitrite in the tested wastewaters. To obtain an accurate measurement of soluble COD in samples that contain nitrite, nitrite should be eliminated before the measurements.

Ammonia removal from landfill leachate by air stripping and absorption.

An old landfill leachate was pre-treated in a pilot-scale aerated packed tower operated in batch mode for total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) removal. The stripped ammonia was recovered with a 0.4 mol L(-1) H2SO4 solution, deionized water and tap water. Ca(OH)2 (95% purity) or commercial hydrated lime was added to the raw leachate to adjust its pH to 11, causing removal of colour (82%) and heavy metals (70-90% for Zn, Fe and Mn). The 0.4 molL(-1) H2SO4 solution was able to neutralize 80% of the stripped ammonia removed from 12 L of leachate. The effectiveness of the neutralization of ammonia with deionized water was 75%. Treating 100 L of leachate, the air stripping tower removed 88% of TAN after 72 h of aeration, and 87% of the stripped ammonia was recovered in two 31 L pilot-scale absorption units filled with 20 L of tap water.

Evaluation of laboratory tests for dengue diagnosis in clinical specimens from consecutive patients with suspected dengue in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a widely spread arboviral disease in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Dengue fever presents clinical characteristics similar to other febrile illness. Thus laboratory diagnosis is important for adequate management of the disease. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of real-time PCR and serological methods for dengue in a real epidemic context. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical data and blood samples were collected from consecutive patients with suspected dengue who attended a primary health care unit in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Serologic methods and real-time PCR were performed in serum samples to confirm dengue diagnosis. RESULTS: Among the 181 consecutive patients enrolled in this study with suspected dengue, 146 were considered positive by serological criteria (positive NS1 ELISA and/or anti-dengue IgM ELISA) and 138 were positive by real-time PCR. Clinical criteria were not sufficient for distinguishing between dengue and non-dengue febrile illness. The PCR reaction was pre-optimized using samples from patients with known viral infection. It had similar sensitivity compared to NS1 ELISA (88% and 89%, respectively). We also evaluated three commercial lateral flow immunochromatographic tests for NS1 detection (BIOEASY, BIORAD and PANBIO). All three tests showed high sensitivity (94%, 91% and 81%, respectively) for dengue diagnosis. CONCLUSION: According to our results it can be suggested that lateral flow tests for NS1 detection are the most feasible methods for early diagnosis of dengue.

Characterization of chronic cutaneous lesions from TNF-receptor-1-deficient mice infected by Leishmania major.

Leishmania major-infected TNF receptor 1 deficient (TNFR1 KO) mice resolve parasitism but fail to resolve lesions, while wild-type mice completely heal. We investigated the cell composition, cytokine production, and apoptosis in lesions from L. major-infected TNFR1 KO and wild-type (WT) mice. Chronic lesions from L. major-infected TNFR1 KO mice presented larger number of CD8+ T and Ly6G+ cells. In addition, higher concentrations of mRNA for IFN-γ CCL2 and CCL5, as well as protein, but lower numbers of apoptotic cells, were found in lesions from TNFR1 KO mice than in WT, at late time points of infection. Our studies showed that persistent lesions in L. major-infected TNFR1 KO mice may be mediated by continuous migration of cells to the site of inflammation due to the presence of chemokines and also by lower levels of apoptosis. We suggest that this model has some striking similarities to the mucocutaneous clinical form of leishmaniasis.

Performance of an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) in treatment of cassava wastewater / Desempenho de um Reator Anaeróbio Compartimentado (RAC) no tratamento da manipueira

The performance of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) was evaluated in the treatment of cassava wastewater, a pollutant residue. An ABR divided in four equal volume compartments (total volume 4L) and operated at 35ºC was used in cassava wastewater treatment. Feed tank chemical oxygen demand (COD) was varied from 2000 to 7000 mg L-1 and it was evaluated the most appropriated hydraulic retention time (HRT) for the best performance on COD removal. The ABR was evaluated by analysis of COD (colorimetric method), pH, turbidity, total and volatile solids, alkalinity and acidity. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried to better understand data obtained. The system showed buffering ability as acidity decreased along compartments while alkalinity and pH values were increased. There was particulate material retention and COD removal varied from 83 to 92% for HRT of 3.5 days.

O desempenho de um reator anaeróbio compartimentado (RAC) foi avaliado para o tratamento da manipueira, resíduo tóxico. Um RAC dividido em quatro compartimentos de mesmo volume (volume total 4L) e operado a 35ºC foi utilizado no tratamento da manipueira. A demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) do tanque de alimentação variou de 2000 a 7000 mg L-1 e avaliou-se o tempo de residência hidráulica (TRH) mais apropriado ao melhor desempenho do reator. O RAC foi avaliado pelas análises de DQO (método colorimétrico), pH, turbidez, sólidos totais e voláteis, alcalinidade e acidez. A Análise das Componentes Principais (PCA) foi conduzida para melhor compreensão dos dados obtidos. O sistema apresentou capacidade tamponante conforme a acidez decresceu ao longo dos compartimentos ao passo que a alcalinidade e o pH aumentaram. Houve retenção do material particulado e a remoção da DQO variou de 83 a 92% para TRH de 3,5 dias.

Performance of an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) in treatment of cassava wastewater.

The performance of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) was evaluated in the treatment of cassava wastewater, a pollutant residue. An ABR divided in four equal volume compartments (total volume 4L) and operated at 35ºC was used in cassava wastewater treatment. Feed tank chemical oxygen demand (COD) was varied from 2000 to 7000 mg L(-1) and it was evaluated the most appropriated hydraulic retention time (HRT) for the best performance on COD removal. The ABR was evaluated by analysis of COD (colorimetric method), pH, turbidity, total and volatile solids, alkalinity and acidity. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried to better understand data obtained. The system showed buffering ability as acidity decreased along compartments while alkalinity and pH values were increased. There was particulate material retention and COD removal varied from 83 to 92% for HRT of 3.5 days.

Avaliação da força e endrance da musculatura respiratória em pacientes submetidos à gastroplastia / Evaluation of respiratory muscle strenght and endurance in patients undergone to gastroplasty

O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar a força muscular respiratória pela manovacumetria e endurance pela Ventilação Voluntária Máxima (VVM) em pré e terceiro dia pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos à gastroplastia. Foram avaliados 23 pacientes do Serviço de Obesidade do Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba (SOBESI/HUEC), idade 42,04 +- 12,64 anos, sendo 4 (18%) homens e 19 (86%) mulheres, índice de massa corporal/IMC 44,33 +-5,50kg/m2. Os pacientes foram submetidos a uma avaliação fisioterapêutica específica pré-operatória onde foram realizados a Prova de Função Pulmonar (PFP)e manovacuometria para avaliação da força muscular respiratória e endurance, respectivamente. No terceiro dia pós-operatório foram obtidas as medidas de pressão inspiratória máxima (PiMax), pressão expiratória máxima (PeMax) e VVM para comparação aos valores pré-operatórios. Concluímos que os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica apresentam diminuição significativa apenas dos valores de PeMax e VVM, quando comparados aos valores do pré e pós operatórios; A PiMax não apresenta alterações significativas

Estudo comparativo de ventilação não-invasiva no pós-operatório de cirurgia bariátrica / Comparative study of non-invasive ventillation in the postoperative of surgery bariatrica

Obesidade mórbida está associada a complicações pulmonares pré-operatórias devido à redução do volume e complacência pulmonares. O trauma cirúrgico e procedimento anestésico, leva a alterações fisiopatológicas do aparelho respiratório. Demonstra-se na literatura o efeito benéfico de ventilação não- invasiva na redução das dinfinções pulmonares. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar alterações de volumes e capacidades pulmonares em pacientes submetidos à ventilação não-invasiva, comparando as modalidades terapêuticas: Pressão Positiva Contínua nas Vias Aéreas (CPAP) e Pressão Bifásica nas Vias Aéreas (BIPAP). Foram estudados 22 pacientes com diagnóstico de obesidade mórbida e submetidos a gastroplastia. Estes pacientes realizaram uma avaliação fisioterapêutica específica, com verificação de dados vitais, monitoração de saturação periférica de oxigênio e avaliação de volumes e capacidades pela prova de funçaõ pulmonar. Definiu-se aleatoriamente como grupo A, pacientes submetidos à ventilação não-invasiva, utilizando a modalidade CPAP com pressão positiva de 10cm H2O e grupo B, com a modalidade BIPAP, com pressão positiva de 10cm H2O e grupo B, com a modalidade BIPAP, com pressão positiva inspiratória (IPAP) de 15cm H2O e 8cm H2O de pressão positiva expiratória (EPAP). As terapias foram aplicadas via máscara facial, com oxigenoterapia 5L/Min). Utilizou-se teste não pareado de t Student (p<0,05) para analisar dados variáveis volumétricas no pré-operatório, pr-e-tratamento e pós-tratamento. Observou-se uma redução dos volumes pulmonares no pós-operatório em todos os pacientes, porém constatou-se que, após a utilização da ventilação não invasiva, não ocorreu diferença entre as modalidades terapêuticas

Involvement of the chemokine RANTES (CCL5) in resistance to experimental infection with Leishmania major.

The expression and putative role of chemokines during infection with Leishmania major in mice were investigated. CCL5 expression correlates with resistance, and blockade of CCL5 rendered mice more susceptible to infection. CCL5 is part of the cascade of events leading to efficient parasite control in L. major infection.

Motor performance after posteroventral pallidotomy and VIM-thalamotomy in Parkinson's disease: a 1-year follow-up study

Twenty-three patients with Parkinson's disease underwent stereotactic surgery. To study the long-term motor performance, the patients were evaluated at the pre-operative period and at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th post-operative months, with the following scales: Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score and Larsen's Scale for Dyskinesias. The patients under levodopa therapy were assessed both in "on" and "off" periods. Fourteen unilateral ventrolateral thalamotomies (VLT), 4 unilateral posteroventral pallidotomies (PVP), 2 bilateral PVP, and 3 VLT with contralateral PVP were performed. The motor improvement was significant and long-lasting in the "off" period, except for 2 patients. The "on" period quality improved, mainly due to the control of dyskinesias. The improvement of dyskinesias was long-lasting for the majority of the patients. There was no significant decrease in the levodopa dose. Three patients showed permanent complications, but none was severe