Increased systemic IL-6 levels point to inflammation as a determinant of renal cell carcinoma development

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most prevalent kidney tumors. Inflammation is believed to be a key factor in its progression and spread since inflammatory markers are generally associated with poor prognosis in RCC patients. Cytokines are cell communication molecules involved in both healthy and pathological processes, including tumor growth and progression. Recent findings suggest that cytokine level measurements could be used for cancer monitoring and prognosis. Methods: This study characterized and compared the levels of different cytokines associated with the classical Th1, Th2, and Th17 immune responses in plasma samples from RCC patients (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 29). Cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17A) were evaluated by flow cytometry using a BD Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) kit. Results: No statistical differences in systemic IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF, and INF-γ levels were observed between RCC patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, higher systemic IL-6 levels were observed in RCC patients (p = 0.0034). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of assessing the impact of IL-6 on RCC pathogenesis and its potential role as a biomarker of disease progression. (AU)

A functional interaction between the CCR5 and CD34 molecules expressed in hematopoietic cells can support (or even promote) the development of cancer

Abstract Inflammation and angiogenesis are linked to the development of cancer since both can support the establishment of a tumor-prone microenvironment. The CCR5 is a major regulatory molecule involved in inflammation. The CD34 molecule is commonly described as a hematopoietic stem cell marker, and CD34+ cells are involved in the regulation of distinct physiological processes, including angiogenesis. CCR5 participates in the development of various types of cancer, and recently, a reduced CCR5 expression was associated with low CD34+ cell counts in human cord blood. A naturally occurring genetic variant of the CCR5 gene, the so-called CCR5Δ32 polymorphism, consists of a 32 base-pair deletion in the DNA, interfering in the CCR5 protein levels on the cell surface. When in homozygosis, this variant leads to a total absence of CCR5 expression on the cell surface. In heterozygous individuals, CCR5 surface levels are reduced. Based on these key findings, we hypothesize that a functional interaction can connect CCR5 and CD34 molecules (giving rise to a "CCR5-CD34 axis"). According to this, a CCR5-CD34 interaction can potentially support the development of different types of cancer. Consequently, the lack of CCR5 in association with reduced CD34+ cell counts could indicate a protective factor against the development of cancer. It is required to characterize in detail the functional relationship between CCR5 and CD34 proteins, as well as the real influence of both molecules on the susceptibility and development of cancer at population level. If our hypothesis is confirmed, the CCR5-CD34 axis may be a potential target in the development of anti-cancer therapies.

Keeping track of hidden dangers - The short history of the Sabiá virus

Abstract Emerging infectious diseases are a global threat. In countries like Brazil, where biodiversity is high and public health conditions in terms of infrastructure and medical care are often precarious, emerging diseases are particularly worrisome. The lack of monitoring strategies to identify pathogens with the potential to cause outbreaks or epidemics is another problem in Brazil and other developing countries. In this article, we present the history of the Sabiá virus (SABV), a pathogen that was described in the 1990s in Brazil. Several aspects of the biology and ecology of the SABV remain unknown. The SABV has the potential to cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. To date, four cases of human infections have been reported worldwide; two were naturally acquired (both in Brazil), whereas the other two were linked to occupational exposure in the laboratory environment (one in Brazil and one in the USA). In this review, we summarize the basic biological and ecological characteristics of the SABV. This is the first work to gather all available data on the historical aspects involving the cases of SABV infection along with an update on its characteristic features.

Palatoglossus muscle neuroanatomy: a review

The palatoglossus muscle is classically described as an extrinsic muscle of the tongue. However, this descriptionis not consensus among the researchers, is one that sometimes it is not considered a muscle of the tongue.Thus, the objective of this study is to discuss some neuroanatomical aspects of palatoglossus muscle that mayhelp explain this aspect. Furthermore, this study shall be useful for clinicians, surgeons and academics thatmanipulate and keep particular interest for this anatomical site.

Anatomy of the frst spinal nerve: a review

In this simple review we discuss some important anatomical and functional aspects of the first cervical nerve (C1). The C1 has considerable clinical importance, and the particulars of this nerve are conflicting among several authors, thus, the present review shall be essential for health sciences and those who keep some interest in pathologies associated with the nerves of the neck. For the preparation of this text were consulted papers published in English and textbooks. The articles were accessed from a basic search on SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed, LILACS, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect.

Atlanto-occipital fusion and its neurological complications: a case report

During routine activities in the Laboratory of Human Anatomy at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul – Brazil, an atlanto-occipital fusion was observed in a Caucasian cadaver skull. The skull used in our study had complete fusion of the occipital bone with the atlas vertebra, except in traffic areas of the vertebral arteries. Some important neurological disorders seem to be related with atlanto-occipital fusion. The presence of other anatomical variations was not verified. Thus, the present study shall be important for health sciences and those who keep some interest in pathologies associated with brain.

Influência do estado nutricional de selênio sobre a progressão da infecção pelo HIV / Influence of selenium nutritional status on the progression of HIV infection

Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health problem of global scale, the nutritional status of infected individual shaving a great influence on the progression of HIV infection. In this context, the mineral selenium seems to play an important role. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the influence of selenium status on HIV infection progression from a literature review. It was found that, among many approaches, in vivo and in vitro studies showed that seleniummay cause changes in health status of HIV patients, as well as suppress virus replication, respectively. However, the results of several studies are contradictory. Thus, we conclude that it is extremely important to develop further studies aiming to elucidate the way in which the effects of selenium can be achieved by improving the diet therapy of patients with HIV.

La infección por el virus de la inmuno deficiencia humana (VIH) es un problema de salud pública de escala global, siendo que el estado nutricional de los individuos infectados por elvirus tiene gran influencia en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. En este contexto, el mineral selenio parece desempeñar un papel destacado. Por lotanto, este estudio tuvo por objetivo discutir la influencia del estado nutricional de selenio en el avance de la infección por el VIH por medio de una revisión de la literatura. Se encontró que, diversos estudios, "in vivo" e "in vitro" muestran que el micronutriente puede ejercer modificaciones en la salud de los portadores de VIH, bien como suprimir la replicación del virus, respectivamente. Pero, los resultados de los estudios muestran contradicciones. Portanto, es importante la realización de más investigación destinada a aclarar la influencia del selenio en la evolución de los pacientes con VIH, lo cual podría ayudar a mejorar el tratamiento dietoterápico de los portadores.

A infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) é um problema de saúde pública de escala global, sendo que o estado nutricional dos indivíduos infectados pelo vírus exerce grande influência na progressão da infecção pelo HIV. Nesse contexto, o mineral selênio parece desempenhar papel de destaque. Com isso, este trabalho teve como objetivo discutir a influência do estado nutricional de selênio sobre a progressão da infecção pelo HIV a partir de revisão da literatura. Verificou-se que, entre muitas abordagens, estudos in vivo e in vitro mostraram que o micronutriente pode exercer modificações no estado de saúde de portadores do HIV, bem como suprimir a replicação do vírus, respectivamente. Porém, os resultados de vários trabalhos se mostram contraditórios. Assim, conclui-se que é de extrema necessidade a realização de mais estudos com o objetivo de elucidar a forma pela qual os efeitos do uso de selênio podem ser alcançados, aprimorando o tratamento dietoterápico dos pacientes portadores do HIV.