American cutaneous leishmaniasis: In situ immune response of patients with recent and late lesions.

TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17, CD68 and CD57 were evaluated in biopsies of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis living in Sorocaba, Brazil. The analyses were performed considering the time of lesions from 23 patients with recent lesions (Group I) and 19 patients with late lesions (Group II). All patients were infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Immunostaining cells for CD68, CD57, TNF- α, IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 were performed by immunohistochemistry. Except for CD68 and IL-17, the distribution of in situ for CD57, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ showed that patients with recent lesions expressed higher levels than those with late lesions. The comparison of cytokine expression/group showed that IL-10 was significantly higher than IL-17 and IFN-γ (similar data were shown in IL-17 compared with TNF-α), suggesting an immunological balance between inflammatory-anti-inflammatory agents. This balance was similar for two groups of patients. In conclusion, these data suggested that (i) patients from Group I had recent lesions (in the beginning of chronic phase) compared to those from Group II and (ii) the modulation of inflammatory response in patients with recent American cutaneous leishmaniasis was correlated with IL-10 expression in skin lesions preventing the development of mucosal forms. The parasite treatment also prevented the evolution of severe forms.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis: In situ immune response of patients with recent and late lesions

TNF­α, IFN­Î³, IL­10, IL­17, CD68 and CD57 were evaluated in biopsies of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis living in Sorocaba, Brazil. The analyses were performed considering the time of lesions from 23 patients with recent lesions (Group I) and 19 patients with late lesions (Group II). All patients were infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Immunostaining cells for CD68, CD57, TNF­ α, IFN­Î³, IL­10 and IL­17 were performed by immunohistochemistry. Except for CD68 and IL­17, the distribution of in situ for CD57, IL­10, TNF­α and IFN­Î³ showed that patients with recent lesions expressed higher levels than those with late lesions. The comparison of cytokine expression/group showed that IL­10 was significantly higher than IL­17 and IFN­Î³ (similar data were shown in IL­17 compared with TNF­α), suggesting an immunological balance between inflammatory­anti­inflammatory agents. This balance was similar for two groups of patients. In conclusion, these data suggested that (i) patients from Group I had recent lesions (in the beginning of chronic phase) compared to those from Group II and (ii) the modulation of inflammatory response in patients with recent American cutaneous leishmaniasis was correlated with IL­10 expression in skin lesions preventing the development of mucosal forms. The parasite treatment also prevented the evolution of severe forms.

TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17, CD68 e CD57 foram avaliados em biópsias de pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar americana residentes em Sorocaba, Brasil. As análises foram realizadas considerando o tempo de lesão de 23 pacientes com lesões recentes (Grupo I) e 19 pacientes com lesões tardias (Grupo II). Todos os pacientes foram infectados com Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. As células de imunocoloração para CD68, CD57, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10 e IL-17 foram realizadas por imuno-histoquímica. Exceto para CD68 e IL-17, a distribuição in situ de CD57, IL-10, TNF-α e IFN-γ mostrou que pacientes com lesões recentes expressavam níveis mais altos do que aqueles com lesões tardias. A comparação da expressão / grupo de citocinas mostrou que a IL-10 foi significativamente maior que a IL-17 e IFN-γ (dados semelhantes foram mostrados na IL-17 em comparação com o TNF-α), sugerindo um equilíbrio imunológico entre agentes inflamatórios e anti-inflamatórios . Esse equilíbrio foi semelhante para dois grupos de pacientes. Em conclusão, esses dados sugeriram que (i) pacientes do grupo I apresentavam lesões recentes (no início da fase crônica) em comparação com os do grupo II e (ii) a modulação da resposta inflamatória em pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar americana recente estava correlacionada com Expressão da IL - 10 em lesões cutâneas impedindo o desenvolvimento de formas mucosas. O tratamento do parasita também impediu a evolução de formas graves.

Pathology of congenital Zika syndrome in Brazil: a case series

Zika virus is an arthropod-borne virus that is a member of the family Flaviviridae transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Although usually asymptomatic, infection can result in a mild and self-limiting illness characterised by fever, rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis. An increase in the number of children born with microcephaly was noted in 2015 in regions of Brazil with high transmission of Zika virus. More recently, evidence has been accumulating supporting a link between Zika virus and microcephaly. Here, we describe findings from three fatal cases and two spontaneous abortions associated with Zika virus infection.

Neuronal cell adhesion genes and antidepressant response in three independent samples.

Drug-effect phenotypes in human lymphoblastoid cell lines recently allowed to identify CHL1 (cell adhesion molecule with homology to L1CAM), GAP43 (growth-associated protein 43) and ITGB3 (integrin beta 3) as new candidates for involvement in the antidepressant effect. CHL1 and ITGB3 code for adhesion molecules, while GAP43 codes for a neuron-specific cytosolic protein expressed in neuronal growth cones; all the three gene products are involved in synaptic plasticity. Sixteen polymorphisms in these genes were genotyped in two samples (n=369 and 90) with diagnosis of major depressive episode who were treated with antidepressants in a naturalistic setting. Phenotypes were response, remission and treatment-resistant depression. Logistic regression including appropriate covariates was performed. Genes associated with outcomes were investigated in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) genome-wide study (n=1861) as both individual genes and through a pathway analysis (Reactome and String databases). Gene-based analysis suggested CHL1 rs4003413, GAP43 rs283393 and rs9860828, ITGB3 rs3809865 as the top candidates due to their replication across the largest original sample and the STAR*D cohort. GAP43 molecular pathway was associated with both response and remission in the STAR*D, with ELAVL4 representing the gene with the highest percentage of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with outcomes. Other promising genes emerging from the pathway analysis were ITGB1 and NRP1. The present study was the first to analyze cell adhesion genes and their molecular pathways in antidepressant response. Genes and biomarkers involved in neuronal adhesion should be considered by further studies aimed to identify predictors of antidepressant response.

Segmental neurofibromatosis.

Three cases of segmental neurofibromatosis (NF) and one case of bilateral segmental NF are described. Previous cases described as segmental NF are reviewed and evaluated in light of Riccardi's rigid definition of segmental NF. The previously reported cases are then placed in four subgroups. Segmental NF may evolve into a generalized form over time. Also, this disorder may occur in a heritable manner, Genetic counseling of affected individuals must include these facts.

[Dehiberations over the semantics of mass communication media]. / Considerazioni sulla semantica della comunicazione di massa

The radio, cinema and T.V. have developed their own idiolects and aesthetic standards. These in turn have influenced social relationships and education. Their effect is the reduction of society to a common mass, in which no attentuon is paid to individual motive forces.