Changes in the gut microbiota of rats after exposure to the fungicide Mancozeb.

Mancozeb is a fungicide commonly used in pest control programs, especially to protect vineyards. Its toxicity has already been evidenced in several studies. However, its influence on the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota remains unknown. In this work, the adverse impact of Mancozeb on the intestinal microbiota was investigated using a rodent model. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Control (standard diet), MZ1 (Mancozeb dose: 250 mg/kg bw/day), and MZ2 (Mancozeb dose: 500 mg/kg bw/day). After 12 weeks of experiment, animals were euthanized, and feces present in the intestine were collected. After fecal DNA extraction, the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified followed by sequencing in an Ion S5™ System. Alpha and beta diversity analysis showed significant differences between Control and Mancozeb groups (MZ1 e MZ2), but no difference between MZ1 and MZ2 was observed. Seven genera significantly increased in abundance following Mancozeb exposure, while five genera decreased. Co-occurrence analyses revealed that the topological properties of the microbial networks, which can be used to infer co-occurrence interaction patterns among microorganisms, were significantly lower in both groups exposed to Mancozeb when compared to Control. In addition, 23 differentially abundant microbial metabolic pathways were identified in Mancozeb-treated groups mainly related to a change in energy metabolism, LPS biosynthesis, and nucleotide biosynthesis. In conclusion, the exposure to Mancozeb presented side effects by changing the composition of the microbiota in rats, increasing bacterial diversity regardless of the dose used, reducing the interaction patterns of the microbial communities, and changing microbial metabolic pathways.

Transient Elastography in HIV Infected Patients with Liver Steatosis Identifies a High-Risk Group for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the role of TE in HIV-infected patients with NAFLD. METHODS: HIV-infected patients undergoing ART were enrolled between August 2016 and February 2017, following the inclusion criteria: ≥18 years with undetectable HIV viral load. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, alcohol intake ≥20g/day and co-infection with hepatitis B or C. Patients underwent an abdominal US to diagnose liver steatosis. Significant fibrosis (≥F2) was considered when APRI>1.0, FIB4>3 and liver stiffness ≥7.1kPa. Subjects with TE ≥7.1kPa were prescribed a liver biopsy and the NAFLD Scoring System ≥3 was considered as a diagnosis of NASH. The poisson regression model was used to identify factors associated with liver steatosis. RESULTS: 98 patients were included. The mean age of the subjects was 49±11 years and 53 (54.1%) were males. Liver steatosis was diagnosed in 31 patients (31.6%) and was independently associated with male sex (PR= 2.18) and higher BMI (PR=1.08). Among the 31 patients with NAFLD, 26 showed results for TE, APRI and FIB4. The prevalence of significant fibrosis assessed by TE, APRI and FIB4 was 26.9%, 6.4% and 3.2%, respectively. Seven patients (26.9%) had a TE result ≥7.1kPa, which was associated with higher triglyceride levels, FIB4 score and CAP values. Liver biopsy was perfomed on six of those with TE ≥7.1kPa and NASH was found in 5 (83.3%) and liver fibrosis without NASH in one. CONCLUSION: NAFLD prevalence in HIV-infected patients is higher than the general population. TE ≥7.1kPa was not able to diagnose significant fibrosis but accurately detect a subgroup of patients at a high risk for NASH among HIV monoinfected individuals with steatosis.

Biomarcadores no líquido cefalorraquidiano no desenvolvimento da doença de alzheimer: uma revisão sistemática / Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid in development alzheimer's disease: a systematic review / Biomarcadores en el líquido cefalorraquídeo en el desarrollo de la enfermedad de alzheimer: una revisión sistemática

Objetivou-se identificar os artigos que analisam os biomarcadores tau total (T-tau), tau fosforilada (P-tau) e beta-amiloide (Aβ) no líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) para o desenvolvimento da doença de Alzheimer (DA). Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática aplicando-se uma lógica de pesquisa nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Medline, selecionando artigos conforme os critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Foram avaliados oito estudos clínicos, os quais demonstraram níveis de T-tau e P-tau elevados e níveis diminuídos de Aβ, entretanto nem todos encontraram significância estatística nesses achados. As dosagens dos biomarcadores Aβ, T-tau e P-tau em conjunto apresentam grande potencial diagnóstico no desenvolvimento da DA, contudo mais estudos são necessários para estabelecer valores de corte dos biomarcadores na evolução da doença.

This study aimed to identify studies that analyzed the total tau (T-tau), phosphorylated tau (P-tau) and beta-amyloid (Aβ) biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study is characterized as a systematic review, that was applied a search logic in PubMed, SciELO e Medline, selecting studies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eight clinical studies were evaluated, and all of these found elevated levels of T-tau and P-tau and decreased levels of Aβ, but not all studies found statistical significance in these findings. The dosage of the biomarkers Aβ, T-tau, and P-tau together present a great diagnostic potential of AD; however, more studies are needed to establish cutoff values of these biomarkers in disease progression.

Se objetivó identificar los artículos que analizaran los biomarcadores tau total (T-tau), tau fosforilada (P-tau) y beta-amiloide (Aβ) en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) para el desarrollo de la enfermedad de Alzheimer (DA). Se realizó una revisión sistemática aplicando una lógica de investigación en las bases de datos PubMed, SciELO y Medline, seleccionando artículos conforme a los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Se evaluaron ocho estudios clínicos, los cuales se encontraron niveles de T-tau y P-tau elevados y niveles disminuidos de Aβ, pero no todos encontraron significación estadística en estos hallazgos. Las dosificaciones de los biomarcadores Aβ, T-tau y P-tau en conjunto presentan un gran potencial diagnóstico en el desarrollo de la DA, pero más estudios son necesarios para establecer valores de corte de los biomarcadores en la evolución de la enfermedad.

Hepatic steatosis among people living with HIV in Southern Brazil: prevalence and risk factors.

Chronic liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is frequently related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The objective is to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of hepatic steatosis among consecutive patients with stable HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Also, the use of transient elastography (TE) as a mean to identify a subgroup at risk for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and/or liver fibrosis. HIV infected patients were enrolled between August2016 and February2017. Inclusion criteria: ≥18 years with undetectable HIV viral load. Exclusion criteria: pregnancy; alcohol intake ≥20 g/day and co-infection B or C viruses. Patients underwent ultrasound (US) to diagnose liver steatosis. Significant fibrosis (≥F2) was estimated if at least one of the following were present: APRI > 1.0, FIB4 > 3 and/or liver stiffness ≥7.1kPa. Subjects with TE ≥ 7.1kPa were proposed a liver biopsy and NAFLD Scoring System (NAS) ≥ 3 was considered as diagnosis of NASH. A total of 98 patients were included. Liver steatosis was diagnosed in 31 patients (31.6%) and was independently associated with male gender, BMI, ALT and total bilirubin levels. The prevalence of significant fibrosis assessed by TE, APRI and FIB4 was 26.9%, 6.4% and 3.2%, respectively. Seven patients had a TE result ≥7.1kPa. NASH was found in 5 (83.3%). Among HIV infected patients undergoing ART, almost one third have NAFLD. Neither TE, APRI or FIB4 were able to act as surrogates for significant liver fibrosis. Nevertheless, TE ≥ 7.1kPa was able to accurately select a subgroup of patients at risk for NASH.

Avanços no tratamento da esclerose múltipla através do anticorpo monoclonal Ocrelizumabe / Advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis through monoclonal antibody Ocrelizumab

RESUMO: Objetivos: Avaliar a efetividade e os riscos associados ao tratamento da esclerose múltipla com o anticorpo monoclonal Ocrelizumabe. Métodos: O estudo consiste em uma revisão da literatura objetivando a busca de artigos que evidenciassem de forma quantitativa os efeitos do fármaco Ocrelizumabe para as formas remitente-recorrente e primariamente progressiva da esclerose múltipla. A busca ocorreu nas bases de dados PubMed, BVS, Cochrane Librarye ScienceDirecta partir de 2011. Os artigos foram pré-selecionados através do título e resumo para leitura integral e de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Resultados: No total, foram recuperados 743 artigos, sendo considerados elegíveis 23 estudos para análise integral e destes, 20 foram excluídos por não se enquadrarem nos desfechos propostos, sendo incluídos três estudos. Todos os estudos comprovaram uma alta eficácia de Ocrelizumabelivre de infecções oportunistas. Conclusão: apesar da natureza degenerativa da esclerose múltipla, os avanços tecnológicos na terapêutica através de fármacos como o Ocrelizumabe têm trazido resultados promissores, como a diminuição da taxa anual de surtos, do número de lesões por RM e da progressão da incapacidade. No entanto, devido a sua recente aprovação, não é possível avaliar os efeitos da utilização do anticorpo monoclonal a longo prazo. (AU)

ABSTRACT: Objective: Evaluating the effectiveness and risks associated with the treatment of multiple sclerosis with the monoclonal antibody Ocrelizumab. Methods: The study consists of a narrative review that aimed to search articles evidencing the effects of the Ocrelizumab drug for the recurrent and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. The search was carried out in PubMed, BVS, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases from 2011. The articles were pre-selected through the title and abstract for full reading and included or excluded in the study according to predetermined criteria. Results: A total of 743 articles were retrieved, 23 of which were consideredeligible for comprehensive analysis and 20 were excluded because they did not fit into the outcomes proposed.Three studies were included. All studies have demonstrated the high efficacy of Ocrelizumab free of opportunisticinfections. Conclusion: Despite the degenerative nature of MS, technological advances in therapy through drugs such as Ocrelizumab bring promising results, such as reduced annual outbreak rates, the number of MRI injuries, and the progress of the disability. However, due to its recent approval, it is not possible to evaluate the long-termeffects of monoclonal antibody use. (AU)

Evolução clínica de indivíduos com antígeno de superfície do vírus da hepatite B reagente, atendidos em um laboratório clínico de Caxias do Sul - RS, entre os anos de 2010 a 2015 / Clinical course of individuals with B hepatitis surface antigen attended in a clinical laboratory in Caxias do Sul - RS between the years of 2010 to 2015

Objetivo: A hepatite B é uma doença infecciosa que atinge, aproximadamente, 2 bilhões de pessoas. Apresenta fase aguda que pode evoluir para a cura ou cronificar. O quadro da doença é avaliado por meio de enzimas hepáticas e marcadores sorológicos, que detectam anticorpos e antígenos produzidos pelo vírus. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os diferentes marcadores da hepatite B através de exames laboratoriais de indivíduos infectados, correlacionando testes de função hepática com a evolução da doença. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal retrospectivo realizado de 2010 a 2015, utilizando banco de dados de um laboratório de Caxias do Sul-RS. As variáveis estão apresentadas em média e desvio-padrão e foram comparadas utilizando o teste t Student para amostras dependentes e as variáveis entre os grupos pelo teste t Student para amostras pareadas. Resultados: Um total de noventa indivíduos foi incluído, com média de idade de 46,0±13,5 anos (51% homens). Quanto à evolução, 31% dos pacientes evoluíram para a cura e 69% para a crônica. Encontramos significância entre as enzimas ALT e GGT, no momento do diagnóstico, com as últimas dosadas pelo laboratório (p < 0,008 e p< 0,007, respectivamente). Entre os grupos, houve diferença entre ALT (inicial e final) do grupo cura (p = 0,012), o que não ocorreu no grupo que cronificou (p= 0,848). Conclusão: O estudo pôde revelar o comportamento das transaminases e GGT frente à contaminação pelo vírus da hepatite B, ficando evidente a importância do correto acompanhamento da hepatite B através desses exames laboratoriais para se conhecer a noção real do estado da patologia.