Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in High School Students: A Quasi Experimental Study via Smartphone during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to information about physical activity and its barriers can increase the level of physical activity and reduce the time exposed to sedentary behaviors in high school students involved in integrated professional and technological education during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This quasi experimental study was conducted with integrated education high school students, divided into two groups: Intervention Group (IG; n = 59) and Control Group (CG; n = 54). Physical activity and sedentary behavior were identified and measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire pre-and post-intervention for both groups. IG students received educational material thrice a week for four weeks. The focus of the material was the importance of physical activity and need to reduce the time exposed to sedentary behavior. The results revealed that IG students showed an average daily reduction of 47.14 min in time exposed to sedentary behaviors, while the CG students showed an increase of 31.37 min. Despite this, the intervention was not effective in improving physical activity levels in the IG and the mean reduction in the time exposed to sedentary behavior was not significant (p = 0.556). The intervention was ineffective in increasing the practice of physical activity and reducing the time exposed to sedentary behavior.

Reference values for bone mass in young athletes: a cross-sectional study in São Paulo, Brazil.

Reference values for bone mass in young athletes need to be used for screening purposes, and country/regional reference values should be used to improve precision of comparisons. The aim of the present study was to develop reference values for bone health variables in Brazilian young athletes. The bone mass content (BMC), bone mass density (BMD), and total body less head (TBLH) BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured in 702 young athletes (327 men and 375 women) aged 8.5-18.5 years, divided into 5 groups, according to their age: group 1 (8.5-10.5 years), group 2 (10.6-12.5 years), group 3 (12.6-14.5 years), group 4 (14.6-16.5 years), and group 5 (16.6-18.5 years). Comparisons between the sexes and ages were performed and age-sex-smoothed reference values were constructed. Male athletes presented high BMC and BMD than female athletes in age groups 3, 4, and 5 (p < 0.005) and high TBLH BMD than female athletes in age groups 4 and 5 (p < 0.005). Reference values, including the percentiles are presented for the bone health variables of each sex and age group. The age-, sex-, and ethnic-specific reference data for bone variables presented in this study enabled more precise reference data for young Brazilian athletes. These data may assist in monitoring changes during an athletes' growth and different phases of athletic training.

Classification and determinants of passing difficulty in soccer: a multivariate approach.

INTRODUCTION: Usually, the players' or teams' efficiency to perform passes is measured in terms of accuracy. The degree of difficulty of this action has been overlooked in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to classify the degree of passing difficulty in soccer matches and to identify and to discuss the variables that most explain the passing difficulty using spatiotemporal data. RESULTS: The data used corresponds to 2,856 passes and 32 independent variables. The Fisher Discriminant Analysis presented 72.0% of the original grouped cases classified correctly. The passes analyzed were classified as low (56.5%), medium (22.6%), and high difficulty (20.9%), and we identified 16 variables that best explain the degree of passing difficulty related to the passing receiver, ball trajectory, pitch position and passing player. CONCLUSIONS: The merit and ability of the player to perform passes with high difficulty should be valued and can be used to rank the best players and teams.In addition, the highlighted variables should be looked carefully by coaches when analyzing profiles, strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, and talent identification context. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The values found for each variable can be used as a reference for planning training, such as small side games, and in future research.

Salivary, serological, and cellular immune response to the CoronaVac vaccine in health care workers with or without previous COVID-19.

We investigated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccine response through serum and salivary antibodies, serum antibody neutralizing activity and cellular immune response in samples from health care workers who were immunized with two doses of an inactivated virus-based vaccine (CoronaVac) who had or did not have COVID-19 previously. IgA and IgG antibodies directed at the spike protein were analysed in samples of saliva and/or serum by ELISA and/or chemiluminescence assays; the neutralizing activity of serum antibodies against reference strain B, Gamma and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants were evaluated using a virus neutralization test and SARS-CoV-2 reactive interferon-gamma T-cell were analysed by flow cytometry. CoronaVac was able to induce serum and salivary IgG anti-spike antibodies and IFN-γ producing T cells in most individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 and/or were vaccinated. Virus neutralizing activity was observed against the ancestral strain, with a reduced response against the variants. Vaccinated individuals who had previous COVID-19 presented higher responses than vaccinated individuals for all variables analysed. Our study provides evidence that the CoronaVac vaccine was able to induce the production of specific serum and saliva antibodies, serum virus neutralizing activity and cellular immune response, which were increased in previously COVID-19-infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals.

Biomarker evaluation for prognostic stratification of patients with COVID-19: the added value of quantitative chest CT.

Aim: Pulmonary disease burden and biomarkers are possible predictors of outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and provide complementary information. In this study, the prognostic value of adding quantitative chest computed tomography (CT) to a multiple biomarker approach was evaluated among 148 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19. Materials & methods: Patients admitted between March and July 2020 who were submitted to chest CT and biomarker measurement (troponin I, D-dimer and C-reactive protein) were retrospectively analyzed. Biomarker and tomographic data were compared and associated with death and intensive care unit admission. Results: The number of elevated biomarkers was significantly associated with greater opacification percentages, lower lung volumes and higher death and intensive care unit admission rates. Total lung volume <3.0 l provided further stratification for mortality when combined with biomarker evaluation. Conclusion: Adding automated CT data to a multiple biomarker approach may provide a simple strategy for enhancing risk stratification of patients with COVID-19.

Diálogos entre pedagogia do esporte e teoria do treinamento esportivo nas modalidades coletivas de invasão / Dialogues between sport pedagogy and theory of sport training in invasion team sports / Diálogos entre pedagogía del deporte y teoría del entrenamiento en los deportes colectivos de invasión

As modalidades coletivas de invasão têm sido investigadas a partir da complexidade, derivando dessas investigações propostas metodológicas de cunho sistêmico. Neste ensaio, à luz do pensamento complexo, aproximamos Pedagogia do Esporte e Teoria do Treinamento Esportivo e discutimos sobre possibilidades de integração das dimensões humanas nos processos de ensino/treino pela ótica interdisciplinar, como meio de tornar as tarefas de aprendizagem, as sessões de ensino/treino e os currículos de programas esportivos mais ecológicos e holísticos. Apresentamos alternativas de incremento de propostas metodológicas existentes e convidamos a comunidade acadêmica a refletirmos sobre a importância de investigações interdisciplinares e a necessidade de repensarmos a formação acadêmica rumo à transdisciplinaridade.

Invasion team sports have been investigated based on the complexity, and systemic methodological proposals have been derived from it. In this paper, in light of complex thinking, we approach Sport Pedagogy and Sport Training Theory to discuss possibilities for integrating human dimensions in teaching/training processes through an interdisciplinary perspective, as a means of making learning tasks, teaching/training sessions and sports programs curricula more ecological and holistic. We present some alternatives for updating existing methodological proposals, and invite the academic community to reflect on the importance of interdisciplinary research and the need to rethink higher education towards transdisciplinarity.

Los deportes colectivos de invasión se han investigado a partir de la complejidad con propuestas metodológicas sistémicas. En este ensayo, a la luz del pensamiento complejo, abordamos la Pedagogía Deportiva y la Teoría del Entrenamiento Deportivo y discutimos posibilidades de integración de las dimensiones humanas en los procesos de entrenamiento, a través de una perspectiva interdisciplinar, como medio para realizar tareas de aprendizaje, sesiones de enseñanza y los programas más ecológicos y holísticos. Presentamos posibilidades de incrementar las propuestas metodológicas existentes, y invitamos a la comunidad académica a reflexionar sobre la importancia de investigaciones interdisciplinarias y la necesidad de repensar la formación académica hacia la transdisciplinariedad.

Adolescent female handball players present greater bone mass content than soccer players: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic disease affecting half of women over the age of 50 years. Considering that almost 90% of peak of bone mass is achieved until the second decade of life, ensuring a maximal bone mineral content acquisition may compensate for age-associated bone loss. Among several other factors, physical activity has been recommended to improve bone mass acquisition. However, it is unknown whether athletes involved with sports with different impact loading characteristics differ in regards to bone mass measurements. AIM: To compare the bone mass content, bone mass density and lean mass of young female soccer players (odd-impact loading exercise), handball players (high-impact loading exercises) and non-athletes. METHODS: A total of 115 female handball players (15.5 ± 1.3 years, 165.2 ± 5.6 cm and 61.9 ± 9.3 kg) and 142 soccer players (15.5 ± 1.5 years, 163.7 ± 6.6 cm and 56.5 ± 7.7 kg) were evaluated for body composition using a dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system, and 136 female non-athletes (data from NHANES) (15.1 ± 1.32 years, 163.5 ± 5.8 cm and 67.2 ± 19.4 kg) were considered as the control. RESULTS: Handball players presented higher bone mass content values than soccer players for upper limbs (294.8 ± 40.2 g and 270.7 ± 45.7 g, p < 0.001), lower limbs (1011.6 ± 145.5 g and 967.7 ± 144.3 g, p = 0.035), trunk (911.1 ± 182.5 g and 841.6 ± 163.7 g, p = 0.001), ribs (312.4 ± 69.9 g and 272.9 ± 58.0 g, p < 0.001), spine (245.1 ± 46.8 g and 222.0 ± 45.1 g, p < 0.001) and total bone mass (2708.7 ± 384.1 g and 2534.8 ± 386.0 g, p < 0.001). Moreover, non-athletes presented lower bone mass content for lower limbs (740.6 ± 132.3 g, p < 0.001), trunk (539.7 ± 98.6 g, p < 0.001), ribs (138.2 ± 29.9 g, p < 0.001), pelvis (238.9 ± 54.6 g, p < 0.001), spine (152.8 ± 26.4 g, p < 0.001) and total bone mass (1987.5 ± 311.3 g, p < 0.001) than both handball and soccer players. Handball players also presented higher bone mass density values than soccer players for trunk, ribs and spine (p < 0.05) and handball and soccer players presented higher bone mass density than non-athletes for all measurements (p < 0.005). Finally, the non-athletes' lower limb lean mass was lower than soccer and handball players values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adolescent females engaged in handball training for at least one year present higher bone mass contents than those who are engaged in soccer training, which, in turn, present higher bone mass contents than non-athletes. These results might be used by physicians and healthcare providers to justify the choice of a particular sport to enhance bone mass gain in female adolescents.

What Happens to the Immune System after Vaccination or Recovery from COVID-19?

Due to its leading role in fighting infections, the human immune system has been the focus of many studies in the context of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a worldwide effort, the scientific community has transitioned from reporting about the effects of the novel coronavirus on the human body in the early days of the pandemic to exploring the body's many immunopathological and immunoprotecting properties that have improved disease treatment and enabled the development of vaccines. The aim of this review is to explain what happens to the immune system after recovery from COVID-19 and/or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease. We detail the way in which the immune system responds to a SARS-CoV-2 infection, including innate and adaptive measures. Then, we describe the role of vaccination, the main types of COVID-19 vaccines and how they protect us. Further, we explain the reason why immunity after COVID-19 infection plus a vaccination appears to induce a stronger response compared with virus exposure alone. Additionally, this review reports some correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In conclusion, we reinforce that vaccination is safe and important in achieving herd immunity.

Physical exercise and COVID-19 pandemic in PubMed: Two months of dynamics and one year of original scientific production.

Our aim was to conduct a narrative review about physical exercise and Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A literature search was completed crossing the keywords "COVID-19" and "physical exercise", for a narrative review, and physical activity (PA), physical exercise, physical training, sport, physical fitness, for a systematic review; search strategy (Randomized Controlled Trial, in the last 1 year, English). The first search date was closed on 04/26/2020 and 06/26/2020. This strategy was chosen to assess the dynamics of scientific information production for the pandemic. In two months, an increase of 76%, from 12 (19.4%) to 50 (80.64%) COVID-19 articles (n = 62, 100%) was found. The main types of articles published were editorial articles (16.13%, n = 10 of 62 articles) and commentary (9.68%, n = 6 of 62 articles). The most frequent country of origin of the scientific production was the United States (12.90%, n = 8 of 62 articles), the United Kingdom (12.90%, n = 8 of 62 articles), and Brazil (11.29%, n = 7 of 62 articles). However, in 2020, there were only 2 relevant randomized controlled trials on the COVID-19 topic in the context of physical exercise. Scientific information production shows the concern of the PA science community to bring a solution to the increase in physical inactivity generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings show the dynamics of scientific production on the COVID-19, in a situation so unique such as a pandemic, denotes that the practice of PA is essential to improve and/or maintain physical and mental health.

Phylogenetic relationships of the poorly known treefrog Boana hobbsi (Cochran amp; Goin, 1970) (Anura: Hylidae), systematic implications and remarks on morphological variations and geographic distribution.

Boana hobbsi is a poorly known hylid frog currently placed within the Boana punctata group. Yet, morphological, ecological and bioacoustic traits do not support this placement, with no molecular data being available to date to test this hypothesis. Based on newly collected mitochondrial DNA sequences, morphological data review and field observations, we provide new insight into the phylogenetic relationships, morphological variations and geographic distribution of B. hobbsi. Our findings reveal that B. hobbsi is nested (with strong support) within the Boana benitezi group, recovering once more a polyphyletic Boana punctata group. Supported by this new genetic, morphological and ecological evidence, we propose a new taxonomic arrangement which includes B. hobbsi as a member of the Boana benitezi group. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of conducting biological inventories in remote Amazonian areas, where many taxonomic and geographic knowledge gaps persist with regards to Amphibian diversity.

Narrative review of the influence of high-intensity interval training on adolescents' bone health: commentary and perspectives.

Although several benefits have been associated to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), there is a lack of clarity on the HIIT effects in adolescents, especially on bone health outcomes. To address this gap, our research aimed to perform a systematic review, which focus on the influence of HIIT on adolescents' bone health. Our search strategy was conducted on three databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, and Embase). For our review, we included articles with the following characteristics: (I) sample consisting of adolescents (10-19 years old), (II) HIIT interventions; and (III) assessment of bone health outcomes. Longitudinal and clinical trials studies with no language and year of publications restrictions were eligible to be included. A total of 63 eligible studies were identified. After removing the duplicates and screening the titles and abstracts, six articles remained to be read in full text. However, none of the articles met our criteria. Studies in which no article meets the eligibility criteria are also essential and need to be shared with the academic community because it may stimulate appropriate future investigations in this field. This lack in the review results highlights the need for further epidemiological research focusing on this topic, including high quality, large scale, and longitudinal studies, as well as randomized controlled trials to confirm or refute efficacy.

Unhealthy life habits associated with self-induced vomiting and laxative misuse in Brazilian adolescents.

Adolescence is a stage in life characterized by important social, cognitive, and physical changes. Adolescents are vulnerable to various psychosocial disorders, including eating disorders. We aimed to investigate the association between unhealthy habits, sociodemographic characteristics, and the practice of self-induced vomiting or laxative misuse in a representative sample of Brazilian adolescent girls and boys. Data from 102,072 students who participated in the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey were analyzed using the dependent variable: presence or absence of self-induced vomiting and/or laxative misuse; independent variables: consumption of unhealthy and high-calorie food items, age during first sexual intercourse, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and/or illicit drugs. Associations between exposure and outcome were estimated using Poisson's regression models stratified by sex, and including region, school, age group, and mother's educational history as adjustment variables. Eating ultra-processed foods and age during first sexual intercourse were associated with self-induced vomiting and laxative misuse only for girls; all other variables (consuming unhealthy foods and using legal or illicit substances) were associated with these behaviors for both sexes after applying adjustment variables. Early interventions focusing on changing unhealthy behaviors may prevent development of eating disorders in adolescents. Our findings demonstrate a strong association of many unhealthy habits with laxative misuse and self-induced vomiting practices in Brazilian adolescents.

Description of the tadpole of Dendropsophus haraldschultzi (Bokermann, 1962) (Anura: Hylidae), with comments on reproductive biology.

The genus Dendropsophus Fitzinger contains 108 recognized species (Frost 2020) distributed in nine species groups according to Faivovich et al. (2005). However, recent phylogenetic analysis recognized the presence of nonmonophyletic groups (e.g., Wiens et al. 2010; Fouquet et al. 2011; Motta et al. 2012; Jansen et al. 2019) suggesting that the relationships among species of Dendropsophus require careful revision. Species of this genus are distributed in the tropical and subtropical South America, including Trinidad, southward to northern Argentina and Uruguay and northward to Central America and tropical southern Mexico (Duellman et al. 2016; Frost 2020). Dendropsophus haraldschultzi (Bokermann) was described in the area of Santa Rita do Weill, municipality of São Paulo de Olivença, Amazonas State, Brazil. Adult individuals of D. haraldschultzi are small sized frogs (males 18-22 mm and females 22-25 mm; Rodríguez Duellman 1994) with tuberculate skin on dorsal surfaces, denser on the head. They are found near open ponds and permanent large streams or in floating meadows along the Amazon river (Bokermann 1962; Rodríguez Duellman 1994; Böning et al. 2017) and have been also found along the Amazon River Valley in the Brazilian states of Pará and Amapá (Missassi et al. 2017), and in Peru and Colombia. Bokermann (1962) and later authors (e.g., Lutz 1973) considered this species without evident taxonomic affinities. Currently, D. haraldschulzi is not assigned to any species group within the genus (Faivovich et al. 2005).

Polymorphisms in interferon pathway genes and risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in contacts of tuberculosis cases in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Host genetic polymorphisms may be important in determining susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, but their role is not fully understood. Detection of microbial DNA and activation of type I interferon (IFN) pathways regulate macrophage responses to Mtb infection. METHODS: We examined whether seven candidate gene SNPs were associated with tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity in close contacts of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients in Brazil. Independent associations with TST positivity were tested using multivariable logistic regression (using genotypes and clinical variables) and genetic models. RESULTS: Among 482 contacts of 145 TB index cases, 296 contacts were TST positive. Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for population admixture, age, family relatedness, sex and clinical variables related to increased TB risk demonstrated that SNPs in PYHIN1-IFI16-AIM2 rs1101998 (adjusted OR [aOR]: 3.72; 95%CI=1.15-12.0; p=0.028) and in PYHIN1-IFI16-AIM2 rs1633256 (aOR=24.84; 95%CI=2.26-272.95; p=0.009) were associated with TST positivity in a recessive model. Furthermore, an IRF7 polymorphism (rs11246213) was associated with reduced odds of TST positivity in a dominant model (aOR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.26-0.93; p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in PYHIN1-IFI16-AIM2 rs1633256, rs1101998 and in IRF7 rs11246213 were associated with altered susceptibility to Mtb infection in this Brazilian cohort.

On Rhinella gildae Vaz-Silva, Maciel, Bastos Pombal 2015 (Anura: Bufonidae): Phylogenetic relationship, morphological variation, advertisement and release calls and geographic distribution.

Anurans in the Rhinella margaritifera group have a long history of taxonomic confusion, mainly by morphological similarity between species and lack of acoustic and genetic data for many of the 19 described species. Herein, we presented data for Rhinella gildae based on recently collected specimens from its type locality. We provide patterns of morphological variation, measurements, advertisement and release calls and infer the phylogenetic position of R. gildae. The species geographical distribution was updated, occurring in two Amazonian localities in Maranhão state, and Cerrado areas in Maranhão and Tocantins states and also in a rainforest enclave inside Caatinga domain in Ceará state.

Characterization of monocyte-derived dendritic cells used in immunotherapy for HIV-1-infected individuals.

AIMS: A therapeutic vaccine based on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) has been shown to represent a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Here, we characterized the MDDCs used as an immunogen in a clinical trial for an anti-HIV-1 therapeutic vaccine. PATIENTS & METHODS: Monocytes obtained from 17 HIV-infected individuals were differentiated into MDDCs and, after loading with autologous HIV, the cells were characterized concerning surface molecule expression, migratory and phagocytosis capacity, cytokine production and the induction of an effective cell-mediated immune response. RESULTS: The MDDCs were able to induce antigen-specific responses in autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a large interindividual variability, the results suggested that MDDCs present the potential to promote immune responses in vaccinated patients.

Cortical and hippocampal expression of inflammatory and intracellular signaling proteins in aged rats submitted to aerobic and resistance physical training.

Aging is often accompanied by an increase in pro-inflammatory markers. This inflammatory process is directly related to cellular dysfunctions that induce events such as the exacerbated activation of cell death signaling pathways. In the aged brain, dysregulation of the normal activities of neuronal cells compromises brain functions, thereby favoring the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive deficits. Interactions between various stimuli, such as stress, are responsible for the modulation of cellular processes and activities. Physical exercise is a controllable model of stress, largely used as a strategy for studying the physiological mechanisms of inflammatory responses and their consequences. However, different types of physical exercise promote different responses in the organism. The present study was designed to investigate the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and expression and activation of intracellular signaling proteins (CREB, ERK, Akt, p70S6k, STAT5, JNK, NFkB e p38) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation of aged rats submitted to aerobic and resistance exercise. Inflammatory analysis showed that aged rats that underwent resistance training had decreased cortical levels of RANTES and a reduction in the hippocampal levels of MIP-2 when compared with control animals (sedentary). No significant difference was detected in the cortical and hippocampal inflammatory response between aerobic and sedentary groups. However, when comparing the two training models (aerobic vs resistance), it was observed that aerobic training increased the cortical levels of IL-13, IL-6, IL-17α compared with resistance training. Regarding the signaling proteins, a significant increase in cortical expression of the proteins JNK, ERK and p70S6k was found in the aerobic group in relation to the sedentary group. No significant change in the cortical and hippocampal expression of signaling proteins was detected between resistance training and sedentary groups. Nevertheless, when training models were compared, it was observed that aerobic training increased cortical expression of the total proteins p38, ERK, Akt and p70S6k in relation to resistance training. Taken together, these results show that changes in the brain expression of inflammatory and cell survival proteins in aged rats depend on the type of physical training.

Treatments for diabetes mellitus type II: New perspectives regarding the possible role of calcium and cAMP interaction.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the top ten causes of death worldwide. It is considered to be one of the major global epidemics of the 21st century, with a significant impact on public health budgets. DM is a metabolic disorder with multiple etiologies. Its pathophysiology is marked by dysfunction of pancreatic ß-cells which compromises the synthesis and secretion of insulin along with resistance to insulin action in peripheral tissues (muscle and adipose). Subjects presenting insulin resistance in DM type 2 often also exhibit increased insulin secretion and hyperinsulinemia. Insulin secretion is controlled by several factors such as nutrients, hormones, and neural factors. Exocytosis of insulin granules has, as its main stimulus, increased intracellular calcium ([Ca+2]i) and it is further amplified by cyclic AMP (cAMP). In the event of this hyperfunction, it is very common for ß-cells to go into exhaustion leading to failure or death. Several animal studies have demonstrated pleiotropic effects of L-type Ca2+ channel blockers (CCBs). In animal models of obesity and diabetes, treatment with CCBs promoted restoration of insulin secretion, glycemic control, and reduction of pancreatic ß-cell apoptosis. In addition, hypertensive individuals treated with CCBs presented a lower incidence of DM when compared with other antihypertensive agents. In this review, we propose that pharmacological manipulation of the Ca2+/cAMP interaction system could lead to important targets for pharmacological improvement of insulin secretion in DM type 2.

Using Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy to Treat HIV: How Can This Strategy be Improved?

Harnessing dendritic cells (DC) to treat HIV infection is considered a key strategy to improve anti-HIV treatment and promote the discovery of functional or sterilizing cures. Although this strategy represents a promising approach, the results of currently published trials suggest that opportunities to optimize its performance still exist. In addition to the genetic and clinical characteristics of patients, the efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy depends on the quality of the vaccine product, which is composed of precursor-derived DC and an antigen for pulsing. Here, we focus on some factors that can interfere with vaccine production and should thus be considered to improve DC-based immunotherapy for HIV infection.

Physical exercise alters the activation of downstream proteins related to BDNF-TrkB signaling in male Wistar rats with epilepsy.

There are a considerable number of studies concerning the behavioral effects of physical exercise on the epileptic brain; however, the intracellular signaling mechanisms involved remain unclear. We investigated the effects of aerobic exercise on hippocampal levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), expression of its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and activation of intracellular proteins related to BDNF-TrkB signaling in male Wistar rats with pilocarpine-induced epilepsy. Thirty days after the first spontaneous seizure, rats from the exercise group undertook a 30-day physical exercise program on the treadmill. Thereafter, BDNF levels, expression of TrkB, and activation of intracellular proteins were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and multiplex assay, respectively. Statistical analyses were conducted using nonparametric tests. Rats with epilepsy presented decreased BDNF levels compared with control rats. BDNF levels increased significantly in the exercise group compared with the epileptic and control groups. Expression of full-length and truncated TrkB was increased in rats with epilepsy, and physical exercise restored its expression to control levels. RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation were reduced in rats with epilepsy, and exercise increased activation compared with control and epilepsy groups. Increased cAMP response element binding protein activation was observed in the exercise group compared with the epilepsy group. Our findings indicate that the beneficial effects of exercise in the epileptic brain can be in part related to alterations in the activation of proteins related to the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway.