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1.
Neurologia (Engl Ed) ; 37(2): 110-121, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35279225

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in the blood-brain barrier may allow peripheral blood lymphocytes to enter the central nervous system; these may participate in disease pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of patients with AD and PD and their association with the disease and its progression. METHODS: The study included 20 patients with AD, 20 with PD, and a group of healthy individuals. Ten of the patients with AD and 12 of those with PD were evaluated a second time 17 to 27 months after the start of the study. Lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation status were determined by flow cytometry. All patients underwent neurological examinations using internationally validated scales. RESULTS: Compared to healthy individuals, patients with AD and PD showed significantly higher levels of activated lymphocytes, lymphocytes susceptible to apoptosis, central memory T cells, and regulatory T and B cells. As the diseases progressed, there was a significant decrease in activated cells (CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38+ in PD and AD, CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ in PD), T cells susceptible to apoptosis, and some regulatory populations (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ in PD and AD, CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ in PD). In patients with AD, disease progression was associated with lower percentages of CD4+ CD38+ cells and higher percentages of effector CD4 cells at the beginning of the study. Significant differences were observed between both diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes associated with AD and PD and their severity. Considering effective blood-brain communication, our results open new avenues of research into immunomodulation therapies to treat these diseases.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Parkinson Disease , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Phenotype
3.
Lupus ; 29(5): 482-489, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32122227

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether the IFNL3/4 rs12979860 genotype may influence serum levels or production of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with SLE and 22 healthy blood donors (controls) were included. The IFNL3/4 rs12979860 polymorphism was genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction. IP-10 levels in sera supernatants of IFNα stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured by enzime-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Allelic frequencies were CC (29%), CT (52%) and TT (20%) in SLE, and CC (32%), CT (41%) and TT (27%) in healthy controls. Median serum IP-10 levels were higher in SLE patients than in controls (190.8 versus 118.1 pg/ml; p < 0.001), particularly in those with high disease activity (278.5 versus 177.2 pg/ml; p = 0.037). However, serum IP-10 levels were not influenced by IFNL3/4 genotypes. Higher IP-10 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was found in both SLE patients (median 519.3 versus 207.6 pg/ml; p = 0.012) and controls (median 454.0 versus 201.7 pg/ml; p = 0.034) carrying the IFNL3/4 C allele compared with carriers of the T allele. CONCLUSIONS: Although IFNL3/4 rs12979860 allele C does not appear to influence serum IP-10 levels in SLE, it plays an important role in the production of IP-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after IFNα stimulation.


Subject(s)
Chemokine CXCL10/blood , Interferons/genetics , Interleukins/genetics , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Adult , Alleles , Case-Control Studies , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
4.
J Helminthol ; 94: e53, 2019 May 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31092301

ABSTRACT

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) share certain traits: they are parasitic infections, prevailing in tropical environments and affecting marginalized sectors of the population. Six NTDs - ascariasis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, hookworm infection, onchocerciasis and trichuriasis - all of them endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), are analysed in this work. This review aims to discuss key information on the function of excretory/secretory (E/S) proteins from these parasites in their infectivity, pathogeny and diagnosis. The modulation of the host immune system to favour the permanence and survival of the parasite is also discussed. An updated knowledge on the function of E/S molecules in endemic parasitoses in LAC may lead to new approaches for the clinical management and diagnosis of these diseases. In turn, this could allow us to optimize their treatment and make it more affordable - a relevant goal given the economic constraints that the region is facing.


Subject(s)
Endemic Diseases , Helminth Proteins/physiology , Helminthiasis/epidemiology , Immune System/parasitology , Neglected Diseases/parasitology , Animals , Caribbean Region/epidemiology , Disease Management , Helminthiasis/immunology , Helminthiasis/parasitology , Host-Parasite Interactions , Humans , Latin America/epidemiology , Neglected Diseases/epidemiology , Neglected Diseases/immunology , Tropical Medicine
5.
Sci Rep ; 9(1): 5471, 2019 04 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30940878

ABSTRACT

Notwithstanding evidence that tuberculosis (TB) is declining, one of the greatest concerns to public health is the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB). MDR-TB are defined as strains which are resistant to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin, the two most potent TB drugs, and their increasing incidence is a serious concern. Recently, notable efforts have been spent on research to pursue novel treatments against MDR-TB, especially on synergistic drug combinations as they have the potential to improve TB treatment. Our research group has previously reported promising synergistic antimicrobial effects between transition-metal compounds and antibiotics in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this work, we evaluated antimycobacterial activity of transition-metals/antibiotics combinatorial treatments against first-line drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our data showed that INH/AgNO3 combinatorial treatment had an additive effect (bactericidal activity) in an isoniazid-resistant clinical strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover, in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity induced by both, the individual tratments of AgNO3 and INH and the combinatorial treatment of INH/AgNO3 in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and human A549 lung cells; showed no toxic effects. Together, this data suggests that the INH/AgNO3 combinatorial treatment could be used in the development of new strategies to treat resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.


Subject(s)
Antitubercular Agents/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/drug effects , Isoniazid/pharmacology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/drug effects , Silver Nitrate/pharmacology , A549 Cells , Animals , Antitubercular Agents/toxicity , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Drug Synergism , Humans , Isoniazid/toxicity , Mice , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , RAW 264.7 Cells , Silver Nitrate/toxicity , Toxicity Tests
6.
ARS med. (Santiago, En línea) ; 40(1): 47-55, 2015.
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: biblio-1015290

ABSTRACT

Introducción: La conducta suicida es una gran preocupación para los clínicos que trabajan con adolescentes, siendo el suicidio una de las primeras 5 causas de muerte en adolescentes entre 15 y 19 años. La conducta suicida es una emergencia médica cuya evaluación debe ser acuciosa, sin embargo, la determinación precisa del riesgo suicida es difícil de realizar en la práctica clínica. En esta revisión, los autores analizan de la literatura tanto nacional como extranjera las características de la conducta suicida con énfasis en los factores de riesgo, las estrategias de evaluación de estos y los aspectos del manejo clínico del riesgo. Objetivo: Revisar los diferentes factores asociados con el riesgo de conducta suicida en adolescentes de manera de encontrar predictores precoces de suicidio. Método: La revisión de la literatura fue realizada usando la base de datos Medline con las siguientes palabras clave: suicide attempt, suicidal behavior, adolescents, children, suicide risk factors. Los estudios relevantes y con impacto en la práctica clínica con niños y adolescentes fueron seleccionados y revisados según criterio de los autores. Discusión: La conducta suicida se asocia a variados factores de riesgo; diversas condiciones epidemiológicas, psiquiátricas y médicas, además de eventos vitales estresantes actúan como precipitantes. El intento suicida previo y los trastornos del ánimo destacan como potentes factores de riesgo individual. Los servicios de urgencia constituyen un importante contexto de evaluación y manejo de conductas suicidas particularmente graves, por lo que debe potenciarse el desarrollo de intervenciones a este nivel y protocolizar la atención.(AU)


Introduction: Suicidal behavior is a great concern for clinicians who deal with mental health problems in adolescent. Worldwide, suicide is one of the top five causes of adolescent death between 15 and 19 years old, making of this a serious public health problem. It is a medical emergency and its evaluation must be accurate, however the exact determination of suicidal risk is difficult in the clinical practice. In this paper, the authors review the national and foreign literature to describe and analyze the characteristics of suicidal behavior, with emphasis on risk factors, strategies for evaluation and clinical management of suicidal risk. Objective: To review among different risk factors associated with suicidal behavior in adolescents, in order to find early predictors of suicide. Method: This review was systematically done using the Medline database with the following keywords: attempted suicide, suicide, adolescents, children, risks factors suicide. Relevant studies with potential impact on clinical practice were selected and reviewed. Conclusion: The suicide behavior is not associated with a single risk predictor, but to different epidemiological, psychiatric and known medical conditions and stressful vital events acting as precipitants. Prior suicide attempt stands out as the most powerful risk factor to retry. Emergency services are an important setting for evaluation and management of particularly serious suicidal behavior and should be enhanced the development of interventions at this level.(AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Suicide , Adolescent , Risk Factors
7.
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol ; 88(6): 816-22, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22426815

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to evaluate the genotoxic effect of agrochemicals in rural workers occupationally exposed by the micronucleus assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes and to promote the development of health and environmental preventive and protective practices. A total of 30 blood samples from 20 individuals occupationally exposed to different agrochemicals and 10 unexposed persons, who formed the reference group, were analyzed. We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.0005, Student's t Test) in the frequency of micronuclei between the two groups (7.20 ± 1.55 and 15.15 ± 5.10 CBMN for reference and exposed groups respectively). The analysis of age showed a positive correlation (Pearson Correlation Test) with the frequency of micronuclei in exposed population (p < 0.05; r(2) = 0.47), in contrast with smoking habits and years of exposure. Micronucleus assay allows an early detection of populations at higher risk of having genetic damage, allowing us to implement strategies of intervention for the purpose of contributing to reduce that risk.


Subject(s)
Agriculture , Agrochemicals/metabolism , Mutagens/metabolism , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Agrochemicals/toxicity , Biomarkers/blood , Environmental Monitoring , Humans , Male , Micronucleus Tests , Middle Aged , Mutagens/toxicity , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Young Adult
8.
Addiction ; 106(1): 143-51, 2011 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20955486

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among non-injecting cocaine users (NICUs) and to compare practices associated with HCV and HIV infection. DESIGN: An intercountry cross-sectional study. Setting Buenos Aires and Montevideo metropolitan areas. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 871 NICUs. MEASUREMENTS: NICUs were interviewed and their blood was drawn and used for HCV, HIV, HBV surface antigen (HbsAg), HB-anticore and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VRDL) antibody assays. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses included comparisons of HCV and HIV mono-infected participants with HCV-HIV seronegatives. FINDINGS: Prevalence rates were 8.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.9-10.8) for HCV and 7.9 (95% CI: 6.1-9.7) for HIV. HCV-infected NICUs were twice as likely as HCV-HIV seronegatives to have shared straws for cocaine snorting or sniffing, even when adjusted for other variables. HCV prevalence rates ranged from 3.6% among NICUs who denied sharing straws and having had an injection drug user (IDU) or an HIV-positive sexual partner to 12.6% among participants who reported ever having shared straws or having had either an IDU- or HIV-positive sexual partner (χ(2) (trend) = 6.56, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Non-injecting cocaine users from South America are vulnerable to multiple infections and HCV infection appears to occur through the sharing of straws. HCV infection is associated with intimate relationships with IDUs or HIV-seropositive partners, supporting the hypothesis that HCV risk may be due primarily to risk-taking behaviour associated with drugs in this population.


Subject(s)
Cocaine-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Cocaine/administration & dosage , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Argentina/epidemiology , Cocaine-Related Disorders/complications , Comorbidity , Epidemiologic Methods , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/transmission , Humans , Male , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior , Sexual Partners , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Uruguay/epidemiology
9.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf ; 72(3): 834-7, 2009 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19013644

ABSTRACT

Formulations containing glyphosate are the most widely used herbicides in the world. AMPA is the major environmental breakdown product of glyphosate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the in vitro genotoxicity of AMPA using the Comet assay in Hep-2 cells after 4h of incubation and the chromosome aberration (CA) test in human lymphocytes after 48h of exposition. Potential in vivo genotoxicity was evaluated through the micronucleus test in mice. In the Comet assay, the level of DNA damage in exposed cells at 2.5-7.5mM showed a significant increase compared with the control group. In human lymphocytes we found statistically significant clastogenic effect AMPA at 1.8mM compared with the control group. In vivo, the micronucleus test rendered significant statistical increases at 200-400mg/kg. AMPA was genotoxic in the three performed tests. Very scarce data are available about AMPA potential genotoxicity.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced , DNA Damage , DNA/drug effects , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity , Mutagens/toxicity , Organophosphonates/toxicity , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Female , Glycine/analogs & derivatives , Glycine/metabolism , Herbicides/metabolism , Humans , Isoxazoles , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Lymphocytes/pathology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mutagenicity Tests/methods , Tetrazoles , Young Adult , Glyphosate
10.
Rev Argent Microbiol ; 40(3): 164-6, 2008.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19024504

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-Trypanosoma cruzi co-infection in a Buenos Aires health center. A retrospective analysis of the clinical charts of 602 HIV-infected patients was performed. Only 51.3% of the patients were evaluated against T. cruzi. The global co-infection prevalence was 4.2%, being more frequent among injectable drug users (IDU) (8.9% vs. 2.6%, < 0.05). The indication of T. cruzi testing should be stressed for HIV-infected patients, especially in those centers where IDU are assisted.


Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/complications , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology , Argentina , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies
11.
Rev. argent. microbiol ; Rev. argent. microbiol;40(3): 164-166, jul.-sep. 2008. graf
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: lil-634596

ABSTRACT

Se evaluó la prevalencia de coinfección virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)- Trypanosoma cruzi ( T. cruzi) en pacientes atendidos en un centro asistencial de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de 602 individuos VIH positivos. Sólo en el 51,3% de estos pacientes se había investigado la presencia de T. cruzi. La prevalencia global de coinfección fue del 4,2%, siendo más elevada en usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI) (8,9% vs. 2,6%, p<0,05). Sobre la base de estos resultados, concluimos que debería enfatizarse el cumplimiento de la indicación de diagnóstico para la enfermedad de Chagas en pacientes VIH positivos, especialmente en UDI.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- Trypanosoma cruzi co-infection in a Buenos Aires health center. A retrospective analysis of the clinical charts of 602 HIV-infected patients was performed. Only 51.3% of the patients were evaluated against T. cruzi. The global co-infection prevalence was 4.2%, being more frequent among injectable drug users (IDU) (8.9% vs. 2.6%, p<0.05). The indication of T. cruzi testing should be stressed for HIV-infected patients, especially in those centers where IDU are assisted.


Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Chagas Disease/complications , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology , Argentina , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies
12.
J Viral Hepat ; 15(11): 827-38, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18507755

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have revealed that hepatitis B virus (HBV)/D and HBV/F predominate among blood donors from Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the present study, blood samples from two high-risk groups were analysed: 160 corresponding to street- and hospital-recruited injecting drug users [81.2% showing the 'anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) only' serological pattern] and 20 to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)(+)/anti-HBc(+) men who have sex with men. HBV genotypes were assigned by polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of two different coding regions. HBV DNA was detected in 27 injecting drug users (16.9%, occult infection prevalence: 7.7%), and 14 men who have sex with men (70%). HBV/A prevailed among injecting drug users (81.8%) while HBV/F was predominant among men who have sex with men (57.1%). The high predominance of HBV/A among injecting drug users is in sharp contrast to its low prevalence among blood donors (P = 0.0006) and men who have sex with men (P = 0.0137). Interestingly, all HBV/A S gene sequences obtained from street-recruited injecting drug users encoded the rare serotype ayw1 and failed to cluster within any of the known A subgenotypes. Moreover, one of the HBV strains from a hospital-recruited injecting drug user was fully sequenced and found to be the first completely characterized D/A recombinant genome from the American continent. Data suggest that two simultaneous and independent HBV epidemics took place in Buenos Aires: one spreading among injecting drug users and another one sexually transmitted among the homosexual and heterosexual population.


Subject(s)
Drug Users , Hepatitis B virus/classification , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Homosexuality, Male , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Adult , Argentina/epidemiology , Cluster Analysis , DNA, Viral/genetics , Female , Genotype , Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Molecular Epidemiology , Phylogeny , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Prevalence , Recombination, Genetic , Sequence Analysis, DNA
13.
Arch Virol ; 153(3): 561-5, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18175040

ABSTRACT

Since the appearance of resistance to antiretroviral treatment is unavoidable, the host cell's transcription factor NF-kappaB is a novel HIV target. The goal of this study was to characterize the effect of two immunomodulators, curcumin (Cur) and sulfasalazine (Sul), with a protease inhibitor, indinavir (IDV), on HIV-1 persistently infected CD4+ T-cells. Viral p24 antigen production, viral infectivity (tested on MAGI cells) and viral relative infectivity (viral infectivity/p24) were analysed. When used alone, both immunomodulators were able to reduce viral infectivity. When in combination, both 10 microM IDV plus 10 microM Cur and 10 microM IDV plus 250 microM Sul showed a significant reduction in viral infectivity and viral relative infectivity when compared to the reduction produced by IDV alone. Thus, the use of immunomodulators with IDV could help to reduce HIV-1 production in persistently infected cells.


Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , Curcumin/pharmacology , HIV-1/drug effects , Indinavir/pharmacology , Sulfasalazine/pharmacology , Cell Line , Cell Survival/drug effects , Drug Synergism , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , HIV Core Protein p24/metabolism , HIV Protease Inhibitors/pharmacology , HIV-1/physiology , Humans , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , NF-kappaB-Inducing Kinase
14.
Rev Argent Microbiol ; 38(3): 134-6, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17152210

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional anonymous study of 261 STD (sexually transmitted diseases) outpatients and 288 outpatients from other hospital departments was conducted at four major city hospitals in Buenos Aires. High prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (14.5%) and syphilis (30.2%) was noted. Fifty-two persons were diagnosed with both HIV and syphilis. Of the 87 HIV cases observed, 52 (59.7%) were co-infected with syphilis. Stratified analysis by gender showed that the prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HIV/syphilis co-infection was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in men than women (HIV: 20.1% vs. 4.6%; syphilis: 39.3% vs. 17.4%; co-infection: 13.6% vs. 1.7%). Integrated HIV/STD intervention programs and more effective surveillance are required in Argentina.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Syphilis/complications , Syphilis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Argentina , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Urban Population
15.
Arch Virol ; 151(4): 651-62, 2006 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16362643

ABSTRACT

Viral production and variability of HIV-1 is normally high in vivo causing the necessary conditions for cellular superinfection. In order to evaluate the superinfection dynamics in vitro, H9HTLVIIIB cell line was superinfected with HIVMN. Superinfected cells showed nearly 50% cell mortality at day 1 post-superinfection (ps), which increased significantly up to day 4 ps. Superinfecting genome was detectable until day 10 ps. The superinfecting strain was found in the supernatant only on day 1 ps, but was recovered up to day 4 ps by coculture with non-infected cells. The existing strain (HIVHXB2) was recovered throughout the studied period. Pseudotype formation by the HIVHXB2 genome and envelope proteins of the superinfecting strain (HIVMN) was observed from day 1 to 6 ps. Viral production was increased by 1.7 LOG in superinfected cells from day 1 ps. Both viral production increase and pseudotype formation could be relevant for HIV pathogenesis in vivo.


Subject(s)
Genome, Viral , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/physiology , Superinfection/virology , Virus Activation , Cell Line , Coculture Techniques , Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral , HIV Antibodies/immunology , HIV-1/genetics , HIV-1/immunology , Humans , Neutralization Tests , Time Factors
16.
Domest Anim Endocrinol ; 28(1): 74-84, 2005 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15620808

ABSTRACT

Estrogens (E) and progesterone (P) are known to require their respective steroid receptors in order to exert structural and functional effects on the oviduct. Cyclic changes in progesterone receptor (PR) localization in the oviductal tissue of female pigs were determined using an immunohistochemical technique with mouse monoclonal antibody mPRI against PR. The variations observed during the estrous cycle in the progesterone receptor (PR) intensity and proportion between ampulla and isthmus probably reflect different response of these regions to progesterone. Immediately before ovulation, during follicular phase, no staining was observed in either the ampulla or the isthmus stroma. However, a low expression of PR in the epithelium of the ampulla was observed. After ovulation, during luteal phase, PR immunostaining was more intense in the whole oviduct. According to immunohistochemical assays, the binding assays for nuclear and cytosolic PR (PRn and PRc, respectively), by using [3H] R5020 at 4 degrees C for 15 h, also showed a higher specific binding during luteal phase. However, the PR mRNA in the oviduct, analyzed by RT-PCR, showed similar levels at both stages of the estrous cycle. Although this methods could not be quantitative, indicate the possibility that a post-transcriptional control could differentially regulate the PR in the pig oviduct.


Subject(s)
Fallopian Tubes/chemistry , Follicular Phase , Gene Expression , Luteal Phase , Receptors, Progesterone/analysis , Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism , Swine , Animals , Female , Promegestone/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Receptors, Progesterone/genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Tissue Distribution , Tritium
17.
Arch Virol ; 148(3): 531-5, 2003 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12607103

ABSTRACT

Oxytocin and prostaglandins (PGs) are hormones involved in labor and are used clinically for its induction. In this study the effect of oxytocin, PGF(2alpha), and PGE(2) on Humour immunodeficiency virus-1 production in acutely and persistently infected cells was measured. No significant effect on p24 antigen production was found with oxytocin or PGs, except for a transient decrease in persistently infected cells treated with 1 micro M PGF(2alpha). These results showed that oxytocin and PGs could be used clinically for labor induction without any direct enhancement in viral production. Besides, the results with PGF(2alpha) at the highest concentration studied may indicate a pharmacological effect.


Subject(s)
Dinoprost/pharmacology , Dinoprostone/pharmacology , HIV Core Protein p24/biosynthesis , HIV Core Protein p24/drug effects , Oxytocin/pharmacology , Cell Line , Cells, Cultured , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/drug effects , HIV-1/physiology , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology
18.
J Trop Pediatr ; 47(3): 156-9, 2001 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11419679

ABSTRACT

Detection of anti-HIV-1 IgA antibodies using a modified ELISA test for the early diagnosis of perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection in children treated with protocol ACTG 076 was evaluated. A total of 177 sera were obtained from 141 infants between 1 and 12 months of age (46 were treated and 95 were non-treated with protocol ACTG 076) and tested for HIV IgA antibodies by an ELISA test after removal of IgG with recombinant protein G. Infants were classified according to CDC's classification system after a follow-up until 20 months of age. Of the 46 treated children 22 turned out to be infected and in the group of 95 untreated children, 52 were infected. All 81 samples from uninfected children treated or untreated with protocol ACTG 076 were persistently IgA-negative. HIV IgA antibodies were detected in 14 of 25 plasma samples from infected children with treatment, and in 58 of 71 samples in infected children without treatment. Considering that the sensitivity of this test is lower in children younger than 6 months the population of children studied was divided into two groups; those under and those over 6 months of age. No significant differences were observed in the detection of IgA in treated or untreated children in both age groups. The overall specificity of the test was 100 per cent; sensitivity in children older than 6 months was 76.92 per cent in treated children and 93.10 per cent in untreated children. In spite of the small number of samples studied it could be demonstrated that treatment with zidovudine does not affect the detection of IgA antibodies. This is a simple and inexpensive method that could be used for diagnosis of treated and untreated children in developing countries.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/isolation & purification , HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1 , Immunoglobulin A/immunology , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/immunology , Humans , Infant , Reproducibility of Results , Zidovudine/therapeutic use
19.
Medicina (B Aires) ; 60(3): 302-4, 2000.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11050804

ABSTRACT

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may be vertically transmitted during the pre, peri or postpartum period. Postnatal transmission as well as an increased risk of vertical transmission with breastfeeding has been shown for HIV-1 in several reports. Breastfeeding was here analyzed as a risk of HIV-1 transmission in a group of infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers. Among the 215 children studied in our population a significant difference was detected between those who were breastfed vs those who were bottle fed and finally became infected (p < 0.000000, R.R. = 4.29). We also report the case of a postnatal infection in a baby born to an HIV-1 seropositive father and a seronegative mother. Due to the risk of infection of the mother she had been thoroughly controlled when pregnant and after delivery. Mother and child were negative when retested at delivery, and at 10 months post-partum. At the age of 32 months the child attended the outpatient clinic with generalized lymphadenopathy and right parotitis. HIV-1 infection was then confirmed in both mother and child. At that time it was discovered that the baby had been breastfed up to the age of 24 months. This is the first reported child in Argentina whose infection may undoubtedly be attributed to breastfeeding.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/adverse effects , HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1 , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/statistics & numerical data , Male , Milk, Human , Risk Factors
20.
Rev Argent Microbiol ; 32(1): 33-8, 2000.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10785941

ABSTRACT

Techniques to quantify plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) are commercially available, and they are adequate for monitoring adults infected by HIV and treated with antiretroviral drugs. Little experience on HIV VL has been reported in pediatric cases. In Argentina, the evaluation of several assays for VL in pediatrics are now being considered. To evaluate the pediatric protocol for bDNA assay in HIV-infected children, 25 samples from HIV-infected children (according to CDC criteria for pediatric AIDS) were analyzed by using Quantiplex HIV RNA 2.0 Assay (Chiron Corporation) following the manufacturer's recommendations in a protocol that uses 50 microliters of patient's plasma (sensitivity: 10,000 copies/ml). When HIV-RNA was not detected, samples were run with the 1 ml standard bDNA protocol (sensitivity: 500 HIV-RNA c/ml). Nine samples belonged to infants under 12 months of age (group A) and 16 were over 12 months (group B). All infants under one year of age had high HIV-RNA copies in plasma. VL ranged from 30,800 to 2,560,000 RNA copies/ml (median = 362,000 c/ml) for group A and < 10,000 to 554,600 c/ml (median = < 10,000) for group B. Only 25% of children in group B had detectable HIV-RNA. By using the standard test of quantification, none of the patients had non detectable HIV-RNA, ranging between 950 and 226,200 c/ml for group B (median = 23,300 RNA c/ml). The suggested pediatric protocol could be useful in children under 12 months of age, but 1 ml standard protocol must be used for older children. Samples with undetectable results from children under one year of age should be repeated using the standard protocol.


Subject(s)
DNA, Viral/analysis , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV-1/genetics , Adult , Argentina , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , RNA, Viral/analysis , Viral Load
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