New Insights into Asthma Inflammation: Focus on iNKT, MAIT, and γδT Cells.

Asthma is a chronic immunological disease affecting all age groups, but often starting in childhood. Although it has long been ascribed to a single pathology, recent studies have highlighted its heterogeneity due to the potential involvement of various pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we present our current understanding of the role of innate-like T (ILT) cells in asthma pathogenesis. These cells constitute a specific family mainly comprising γδT, invariant natural killer (iNKT) and mucosal-associated invariant (MAIT) T cells. They all share the ability to massively secrete a wide range of cytokines in a T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent or -independent manner. ILT cells are prevalent in mucosal tissues, including airways, where their innate and adaptive immune functions consist primarily in protecting tissue integrity. However, ILT cells may also have detrimental effects leading to asthma symptoms. The immune mechanisms through which this pathogenic effect occurs will be discussed in this overview.

Biosorption of 17α-ethinylestradiol by yeast biomass from ethanol industry in the presence of estrone.

Yeast biomass from ethanol industry (YB) was evaluated as a biosorbent to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE) alone and along with estrone (EST). This material is rich in sorption sites and has a good cost-benefit ratio, since it is an industrial residue largely produced (around 30 g for each liter of ethanol). A 2k-factorial design was carried out to evaluate the sorption capacity of YB for EE considering the variables pH, biosorbent dose (BD), and ionic strength (IS), at two hormone concentration (HC) levels. The best conditions assessed for individual EE adsorption (pH = 10, IS = 0.1 mol/L, and BD = 0.5 mg/L) were also established for adsorption carried out in the presence of EST. Individuals EE and EST experimental sorption capacities (SCexp) were, respectively, 24.50 ± 0.07 and 0.80 ± 0.07 mg/g, fairly similar to Qmax (EE, 21.41 ± 1.27 mg/g; EST, 0.93 ± 0.075 mg/g) from Langmuir model. The Freundlich model best fitted the experimental data for EE adsorption (r2 = 0.9925; χ2 = 0.5575). The study carried out in the presence of EST showed an associative/competitive sorption process between EE and EST, which may be explained by their similar chemical structures and organic carbon-water partition coefficients Koc.

Maternal IgG impairs the maturation of offspring intrathymic IL-17-producing γδT cells: Implications for murine and human allergies.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanism involved in the acquisition of the IL-17+ profile of γδT cells, the ligands responsible for this change, and whether this default is acquired during intrathymic maturation need to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether IL-17-producing γδT cells are present in the airways of tolerant offspring from allergen-sensitized mothers and the possible implication of maternal IgG in the generation of these cells. METHODS: Female mice were immunized or not, and the allergic response, frequency of γδT cell subsets and cytokine production of the offspring were analysed by flow cytometry. The effects of passive in vivo transfer of purified IgG were investigated in offspring. A translational approach was employed to analyse γδT cells in the thymus and PBMCs from humans. RESULTS: Maternal immunization reduced the frequency of spontaneous IL-17-producing γδT cells in the thymus, spleen and lung of offspring. This effect was mimicked by the in vivo treatment of females with purified IgG. IgG directly interacted with γδT cell membranes. The modulatory effect of human IgG on human infant intrathymic and adult peripheral γδT cells showed similarities to murine γδT cells, which is rarely reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Together, our results reveal that IgG from potentially tolerant atopic mothers can influence offspring thymic IL-17-producing γδT cell maturation. Furthermore, we suggest that IgG is an unprecedented modulatory factor of murine and human γδT cells. These observations may support the future development of IgG-based immunoregulatory therapeutic strategies.

Uma questão masculina: conhecendo possíveis entraves para a realização dos exames de detecção do câncer de próstata / A masculine question: knowing possible obstacles to the accomplishment of the tests of detection of prostate cancer

Objetivos: Determinar se os homens realizam o exame para detecção do câncer de próstata e, desvelar as dificuldades para realiza-lo. Material e métodos: Estudo exploratório e transversal. Participaram 52 servidores do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo. Para a coleta de informações foi elaborada uma estória com perguntas atinentes ao assunto. Também foram colhidos os seguintes dados demográficos: idade, escolaridade, função e religião. A metodologia empregada para análise dos dados foi o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Resultados: 75% dos indivíduos já realizou algum tipo de exame, o que indicou uma importante mudança no cenário masculino. Contudo, foi possível observar aspectos peculiares da masculinidade; entre os respondentes, apenas um explicitou a realização do exame de toque retal. Conclusões: Tabu, preconceito, vergonha e medo ainda são perigosos dados de realidade. Os profissionais e os serviços devem estar preparados para receber e acolher este público. A desmistificação é promoção de saúde. (AU)

Objectives: To determine if men undergo the examination for prostate cancer detection, and uncover the difficulties to perform it. Methods: Exploratory and transversal study. It was attended by 52 employees of the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo. For the collection of information a story was elaborated with questions related to the subject. The following demographic data were also collected: age, education, function and religion. The methodology used to analyze the data was the Discourse of the Collective Subject. Results: 75% of the individuals had already performed some type of examination, which indicated an important change in the male scenario. However, it was possible to observe aspects peculiar to masculinity; Among respondents, only one made explicit the rectal examination. Conclusions: Taboo, prejudice, shame and fear are still dangerous reality data. Professionals and services should be prepared to receive and welcome this audience. Demystification is health promotion. (AU)

Logros y dificultades del equipo de salud bucal en la estrategia de salud de familia en Brasil / Conquistas e dificuldades da equipe de saúde bucal na estratégia saúde da familia no Brasil / Achievements and difficulties of the oral health team in the strategy of family health in Brazil

El programa de salud familiar es una prioridad estratégica del Sistema Nacional de Salud para la reorganización de la atención primaria. Creado en 1994, el programa ofreció los servicios de familia para la prevención, promoción y recuperación de la salud. En el año 2000, el equipo de salud oral pasó a formar parte del equipo de salud de familia, como parte de la reestructuración de la política de salud oral y la creación de condiciones para la consolidación de las prácticas dentales en el sistema de salud. En este contexto se hizo una revisión sistemática de la literatura de los años 2008 a 2014. Los términos de búsqueda fueron: equipo de salud oral, la estrategia de salud familiar, programa de salud familiar, la salud oral en atención primaria, la salud oral en atención primaria. Se buscó datos en la Biblioteca Regional de Medicina (BIREME), que incluye la Literatura Latina y el Caribe América (LILACS) y Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). Se encontró 18 papers analizados en orden cronológico. Las principales dificultades encontradas fueron la discontinuidad de los tratamientos más complejos causados por la falta de coordinación entre los servicios, la falta de insumos para realizar el servicio, la demanda excesiva, la falta de capacitación de los miembros del equipo y coordinadores de los servicios, y la falta de un programa de educación continua para profesionales. Entre los logros son evidentes la mejora del acceso a los servicios, la mayor cobertura de atención dental, el aumento de la participación de los dentistas en acciones colectivas, y como miembro del equipo multidisciplinario. Se encontró que las prácticas de salud oral no se llevan a cabo en plena conformidad con la Política Nacional de Salud Bucal en Brasil. (AU)

O Programa Saúde da Família é a estratégia prioritária do Sistema Único de Saúde para a reorganização da atenção primária. Criado em 1994, o programa ofereceu as famílias serviços voltados à prevenção, promoção e recuperação da saúde. No ano 2000, a Equipe de Saúde Bucal passou a fazer parte da Equipe de Saúde da Família,reestruturando a política de Saúde Bucal e criando condições para a consolidação das práticas odontológicas no sistema de saúde. A fim de conhecer as conquistas e as dificuldades nas Equipes de Saúde Bucal neste contexto fez-se uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática entre os anos de 2008 a 2014. Os descritores de busca foram: equipe

Analysis of invariant natural killer T cells in human paracoccidioidomycosis.

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are capable of recognizing lipid antigens and secreting Th1/Th2 cytokines. Deficiency in iNKT cell number or function has been partially implicated in susceptibility to some infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. We evaluated iNKT cells in paracoccidioidomycosis, another chronic granulomatous disease endemic in Latin America. iNKT cells were detected using PBS57-loaded tetramer staining and flow cytometry. Circulating iNKT cell numbers were similar among healthy individuals who had previously been cured of paracoccidioidomycosis (susceptible individuals, n = 7) and healthy Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-infected (n = 5) and non-infected individuals (n = 5). iNKT from all three groups expanded similarly upon α-GalCer and a synthetic analog (OCH) stimulation. IFN-γ was the dominant cytokine produced both by ex vivo and by expanded iNKT cells, followed by IL-4 and IL-10, in the three groups. No deficit in the monocyte expression of CD1d was detected. In conclusion, individuals who had developed paracoccidioidomycosis in the past have no impairment in iNKT number, expansion capacity, and cytokine secretion.

Invariant NKT cells rapidly activated via immunization with diverse contact antigens collaborate in vitro with B-1 cells to initiate contact sensitivity.

In cutaneous contact sensitivity there is an early elicited innate cascade of complement, mast cells, and platelets activated via IgM Abs. This response is required to initiate the elicitation of acquired classical contact sensitivity by leading to local recruitment of effector T cells. We recently performed in vivo experiments showing that collaboration is required between innate-like invariant Valpha14+ NKT cells (iNKT) and the innate-like B-1 B cell subset to induce this initiation process. Contact sensitization triggers iNKT cells to produce IL-4 to coactivate the B-1 cells along with specific Ag for production of the initiating IgM Abs. We now describe in vitro collaboration of iNKT and B-1 cells. Normal peritoneal B-1 cells, incubated in vitro with soluble Ag, and with 1-h in vivo immune iNKT cells producing IL-4, are activated to mediate the contact sensitivity-initiation cascade. The three components of this process can be activated by different Ag. Thus, 1-h iNKT cell activation, B-1 cell stimulation, and generation of immune effector T cells can be induced by sensitization with three different Ag to respectively generate IL-4 and Ag-specific IgM Abs, to recruit the Ag-specific effector T cells. These findings have relevance to allergic and autoimmune diseases in which infections can trigger exacerbation of T cell responses to allergens or to autoantigens.

Alguns pressupostos teóricos para "um emprego" do conceito de desenvolvimento / Some theoretical aspects for \"an application\" of the concept of development

Este artigo foi extraído de um capítulo da dissertaçäo "Avaliaçäo percepto-motora em crianças, com cerca de dois anos de idade, nascidas de mäes portadoras de hipertensäo arterial" (MORAES, 1997). Nesta investigaçäo pretendeu-se rastrear indícios de seqüelas perceptomotoras em filhos de mäes hipertensas. Usou-se o Denver Developmental Screening Test, complementado por um estudo contextual para avaliar o desenvolvimento da populaçäo amostral. Foi necessário caracterizar e referendar o conceito de desenvolvimento, para que ele se tornasse compatível com o trabalho e visäo do investigador. É importante salientar que se partiu de alguns "riscos" para o desenvolvimento e chegou-se até a "resiliência". Em funçäo disso, acredita-se que este ensaio é significativo para os que militam na área de saúde, com ênfase em níveis de desenvolvimento humano