The protein-protein interaction network of intestinal gastric cancer patients reveals hub proteins with potential prognostic value.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer worldwide. According to the Lauren classification, gastric adenocarcinoma is divided into two subtypes: diffuse and intestinal. The development of intestinal gastric cancer (IGC) can take years and involves multiple factors. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protein profile of tumor samples from patients with IGC in comparison with adjacent nontumor tissue samples. METHODS: We used label-free nano-LC-MS/MS to identify proteins from the tissues samples. The results were analyzed using MetaCore™ software to access functional enrichment information. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) were predicted using STRING analysis. Hub proteins were determined using the Cytoscape plugin, CytoHubba. Survival analysis was performed using KM plotter. We identified 429 differentially expressed proteins whose pathways and processes were related to protein folding, apoptosis, and immune response. RESULTS: The PPI network of these proteins showed enrichment modules related to the regulation of cell death, immune system, neutrophil degranulation, metabolism of RNA and chromatin DNA binding. From the PPI network, we identified 20 differentially expressed hub proteins, and assessed the prognostic value of the expression of genes that encode them. Among them, the expression of four hub genes was significantly associated with the overall survival of IGC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals important findings that affect IGC development based on specific biological alterations in IGC patients. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the pathogenesis of IGC patients is complex and involves different interconnected biological processes. These findings may be useful in research on new targets to develop novel therapies to improve the overall survival of patients with IGC.

IL6 and BCL3 Expression Are Potential Biomarkers in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) ranks among the most lethal tumors worldwide, as a consequence of late detection and poor treatment response, evidencing the need for diagnosis anticipation and new therapeutic targets. First, we investigated the IL6 gene and protein expression in the esophagus of individuals without esophageal disorders (healthy), ESCC, and non-tumoral surrounding tissue (NTST). Our results showed that IL6 mRNA and protein expression is upregulated in tumor cells relative to NTST. In the TCGA dataset, we identified a set of genes whose expression was correlated with IL6 mRNA levels, including the antiapoptotic gene BCL3. By using an immortalized esophageal cell line, we confirmed that IL6 was capable of inducing BCL3 expression in esophageal cells. BCL3 mRNA and protein are overexpressed in ESCC and NTST compared to healthy esophagus, and BCL3 mRNA could distinguish the morphologically normal samples (healthy and NTST) with 100% sensitivity and 95.12% specificity. The spatial intratumoral heterogeneity of both IL6 and BCL3 expression was evaluated, corroborating IL6 upregulation throughout the tumor, while tumor and NTST showed a consistent increase of BCL3 expression relative to the healthy esophagus. Our study shows that IL6 overexpression seems to be a key event in ESCC carcinogenesis, contributing to ESCC through a homogeneous antiapoptotic signalling via BCL3 overexpression, thus suggesting anti-IL6 therapies to be further considered for ESCC treatment. Finally, our data support the use of BCL3 mRNA expression as a potential biomarker for ESCC detection.

Tratamento Endoscópico de Deiscências de Anastomose Esofágica em Pacientes Oncológicos - Série de Casos / Endoscopic Treatment of Esophageal Anastomotic Leaks in Oncological Patients - Case Series

"Determinar a segurança e eficácia e destacar as melhorias recentes no manejo endoscópico da DA esofágica após a cirurgia para o câncer de esôfago ou estômago"

"Determine safety and efficacy and highlight recent improvements in endoscopic management of esophageal AD after surgery for esophageal or stomach cancer"

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma transcriptome reveals the effect of FOXM1 on patient outcome through novel PIK3R3 mediated activation of PI3K signaling pathway.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) presents poor prognosis, and patients diagnosed with this tumor currently lack target treatments. Therefore, in order to identify potential targets for ESCC treatment, we carried out a transcriptome analysis with ESCC and paired nonmalignant surrounding mucosa samples, followed by a master regulator analysis, and further explored the role of the identified central regulatory genes through in vivo and in vitro assays. Among the transcription factors deregulated/enriched in ESCC, we focused on FOXM1 because of its involvement in the regulation of critical biological processes. A new transcriptome analysis performed with ESCC cell lineage TE-1 showed that the modulation of FOXM1 expression resulted in PIK3R3 expression changes, whereas chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that FOXM1 was capable of binding onto PIK3R3 promoter, thus demonstrating that PIK3R3 is a new FOXM1 target. Furthermore, FOXM1 overexpression resulted in the activation of PIK3/AKT signaling pathway through PIK3R3-mediated AKT phosphorylation. Finally, the analysis of the clinic-pathological data of ESCC patients revealed that overexpression of both FOXM1 and PIK3R3 was associated with poor prognosis, but only the latter was an independent prognosis factor for ESCC patients. In conclusion, our results show that FOXM1 seems to play a central role in ESCC carcinogenesis by upregulating many oncogenes found overexpressed in this tumor. Furthermore, PIK3R3 is a novel FOXM1 target that triggers the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in ESCC cells.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula as an alternative access route for inserting a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Performing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients can be challenging because of the presence of trismus, pharyngeal obstruction by tumor, and pharyngoesophageal strictures or fistula. Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a major postoperative concern in patients submitted to total laryngectomy (TL). In the medical literature to date, the cervical fistula has been used as an access to PEG in only four reports. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of cervical fistula for insertion of a PEG tube. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study at a single tertiary referral center, regarding the technical feasibility, safety and outcomes of a PEG tube introduced by a cervical fistula in HNC patients with obstructive lesions of the oropharynx. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in all 21 patients. A PEG tube was used for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 120 months. Twelve patients died while using the PEG tube, 8 had it taken out because it was no longer needed, and only 1 had the tube still in use. Adverse events occurred in 8 patients: granuloma (19 %), dermatitis (9.5 %), accidental late removal of the tube (9.5 %), periprocedural gastric wall hematoma (9.5 %), peristomal wound infection (4.7 %), buried bumper syndrome (4.7 %), and traumatic gastric ulcer (4.7 %). CONCLUSION: A postoperative cervical fistula can successfully work as a reliable and safe access for a PEG tube procedure in HNC patients, avoiding unnecessary surgery and reducing costs.

Measuring relief of dysphagia in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma patients submitted to high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Esophageal neoplasm has a poor prognosis, and palliative care remains an important goal of treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) to improve dysphagia in 115 patients treated at our institution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients previously submitted to external beam radiotherapy that at least, 1 month after, presented with residual disease and persistent dysphagia, were given HDRB as palliative treatment. Patients with tumors extending to the level of cardia and those with cervical esophageal lesions were also eligible. HDRB consisted of three fractions of 500 cGy given weekly. Dysphagia was assessed using a food texture-based scale classified according to the type of food patients were able to swallow (absent, solid, pasty, or liquid). At the end of treatment, a single-category shift in dysphagia classification was scored as +1 (e.g., liquid to pasty) or -1 (e.g., solid to pasty), and a dual-category shift was scored as +2 (e.g., liquid to solid) or -2 (e.g., absent to pasty). RESULTS: Most patients (51.1%) had improvement of dysphagia, and 55.3% of this group experienced one-point improvement. Procedural complications included stricture (38.2%), bleeding (7%), and fistula (8.7%). In the present study, 13 patients with cervical esophageal lesions underwent HDRB without fistula formation. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal HDRB effectively reduces dysphagia. Tumor location was not related to development of complications.

Association between the degree of physical impairment from leprosy and dependence in activities of daily living among the elderly in a health unit in the State of Minas Gerais.

INTRODUCTION: In addition to the common alterations and diseases inherent in the aging process, elderly persons with a history of leprosy are particularly vulnerable to dependence because of disease-related impairments. OBJECTIVE: determine whether physical impairment from leprosy is associated with dependence among the elderly. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study of elderly individuals with a history of leprosy and no signs of cognitive impairment was conducted using a database from a former leprosy colony-hospital. The patients were evaluated for dependence in the basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), respectively) and subjected to standard leprosy physical disability grading. Subsequently, descriptive and univariate analyses were conducted, the latter using Pearson's chi-squared test. RESULTS: A total of 186 elderly persons were included in the study. Of these individuals, 53.8% were women, 49.5% were older than 75 years of age, 93% had four or less years of formal education, 24.2% lived in an institution for the long-term care of the elderly (ILTC), and 18.3% had lower limb amputations. Among those evaluated, 79.8% had visible physical impairments from leprosy (grade 2), 83.3% were independent in BADL, and 10.2% were independent in IADL. There was a higher impairment grade among those patients who were IADL dependent (p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The leprosy physical impairment grade is associated with dependence for IADL, creating the need for greater social support and systematic monitoring by a multidisciplinary team. The results highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy to prevent physical impairment and dependence in later years.

Association between the degree of physical impairment from leprosy and dependence in activities of daily living among the elderly in a health unit in the State of Minas Gerais

Introduction In addition to the common alterations and diseases inherent in the aging process, elderly persons with a history of leprosy are particularly vulnerable to dependence because of disease-related impairments. Objective determine whether physical impairment from leprosy is associated with dependence among the elderly. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study of elderly individuals with a history of leprosy and no signs of cognitive impairment was conducted using a database from a former leprosy colony-hospital. The patients were evaluated for dependence in the basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), respectively) and subjected to standard leprosy physical disability grading. Subsequently, descriptive and univariate analyses were conducted, the latter using Pearson's chi-squared test. Results A total of 186 elderly persons were included in the study. Of these individuals, 53.8% were women, 49.5% were older than 75 years of age, 93% had four or less years of formal education, 24.2% lived in an institution for the long-term care of the elderly (ILTC), and 18.3% had lower limb amputations. Among those evaluated, 79.8% had visible physical impairments from leprosy (grade 2), 83.3% were independent in BADL, and 10.2% were independent in IADL. There was a higher impairment grade among those patients who were IADL dependent (p=0.038). Conclusion s: The leprosy physical impairment grade is associated with dependence for IADL, creating the need for greater social support and systematic monitoring by a multidisciplinary team. The results highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy to prevent physical impairment and dependence in later years. .

Oral coinfection can stress peripheral lymphocyte to inflammatory activity in leprosy.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the intracellular profile of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from leprosy patients based on oral infections presence to determine whether these coinfections could be associated with pro-inflammatory activity in leprosy. METHODS: Leprosy patients regardless of clinical form and specific leprosy treatment (n=38) were divided into two groups: Group I - leprosy patients with oral infections (n=19), and Group II - leprosy patients without oral infections (n=19). Non-leprosy patients presenting oral infections were assigned to the control Group (n=10). Intracellular IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ production was evaluated by flow cytometry (FACS) before and 7 days after controlling the oral infection in the Group I, before and 7 days after dental prophylaxis in the Group II, and during oral infection process in control Group. RESULTS: Low percentages of CD3+ lymphocytes bearing IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ were observed in the Group I and Group II at baseline and 7 days after therapy or prophylaxis compared to controls. Group I showed reduced percentages of IL-4 at baseline and 7 days after therapy compared to controls, or at baseline of Group II, and the Group II showed reduced percentages of CD3+ cells bearing IL-4 compared to control. An increase of the percentages of CD3+cells bearing IL-4 was observed in the Group I after the oral infections treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of oral infections favors the intracellular cytokines expression and, probably, the inflammatory reaction operating as a stimulatory signal triggering the leprosy reactions.

Oral coinfection can stress peripheral lymphocyte to inflammatory activity in leprosy

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the intracellular profile of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from leprosy patients based on oral infections presence to determine whether these coinfections could be associated with pro-inflammatory activity in leprosy. METHODS:Leprosy patients regardless of clinical form and specific leprosy treatment (n=38) were divided into two groups: Group I - leprosy patients with oral infections (n=19), and Group II - leprosy patients without oral infections (n=19). Non-leprosy patients presenting oral infections were assigned to the control Group (n=10). Intracellular IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ production was evaluated by flow cytometry (FACS) before and 7 days after controlling the oral infection in the Group I, before and 7 days after dental prophylaxis in the Group II, and during oral infection process in control Group. RESULTS: Low percentages of CD3+ lymphocytes bearing IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ were observed in the Group I and Group II at baseline and 7 days after therapy or prophylaxis compared to controls. Group I showed reduced percentages of IL-4 at baseline and 7 days after therapy compared to controls, or at baseline of Group II, and the Group II showed reduced percentages of CD3+ cells bearing IL-4 compared to control. An increase of the percentages of CD3+cells bearing IL-4 was observed in the Group I after the oral infections treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of oral infections favors the intracellular cytokines expression and, probably, the inflammatory reaction operating as a stimulatory signal triggering the leprosy reactions.

Clinical and immunological evaluation after BCG-id vaccine in leprosy patients in a 5-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has long been considered a stimulus for immune reactivity in leprosy household contacts. Probably, the combination of multidrug therapy with BCG could facilitate the clearance of leprosy bacilli in the host, reduce relapse rates, and shorten the duration of skin-smear positivity. METHODS: To investigate the mechanism of action of BCG, a study involving 19 leprosy patients, eleven multibacillary (MB) and eight paucibacillary, was performed to assess the in vitro production of interleukin (IL)-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-17 in the supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, before and 30 days after inoculation with BCG intradermally (BCG-id). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient were cultivated with Concanavalin-A (Con-A), lipopolysccharides (LPS), or BCG. The supernatant was collected for ELISA quantification of cytokines. The immunohistochemistry of IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-10, IL-12, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, and TNF-α was carried out in biopsies of skin lesions of leprosy patients before and 30 days after inoculation of BCG-id. These patients were followed up for 5 years to assess the therapeutic response to multidrug therapy, the occurrence of leprosy reactions, and the results of bacterial index and anti-PGL-1 serology after the end of treatment. RESULTS: The results showed increased production of cytokines after BCG-id administration in MB and paucibacillary leprosy patients. There was statistically higher levels of TNF-α (P = 0.017) in MB patients and of IL-17 (P = 0.008) and IFN-γ (P = 0.037) in paucibacillary patients. Immunohistochemical staining, especially for TNF-α, was more intense in biopsies of MB leprosy patients taken after BCG-id administration, probably for induction of innate human immunity. The clinical evaluation suggests that BCG-id is able to induce a more effective therapeutic response, with reduction of the number and the intensity of leprosy reactions. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that BCG-id induces activation of the initial phase of immunocellular activity: innate human immunity (increase in TNF-α, IL-12 and macrophage activation). Therefore, we conclude that the use of BCG-id could be indicated as an adjuvant to multidrug therapy in treatment of leprosy patients.

Tumor estromal gastrointestinal: análise de 146 casos do centro de referência do Instituto Nacional do Câncer - INCA / Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: analysis of 146 cases of the center of reference of the National Cancer Institute - INCA

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento de GIST no INCA. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de todos os casos de GIST tratados no INCA no período de 1997 a 2009. RESULTADOS: Analisamos 146 pacientes, com média de idade de 44,5 anos e predomínio do sexo feminino. O principal sintoma foi dor abdominal. Tivemos ocorrência de segundo primário em 22 por cento dos casos e na imuno-histoquímica, 92 por cento foram positivos para CD117. A localização mais frequente foi estômago e predominou o grupo de alto risco. A cirurgia foi R0 (extenso) em 70 por cento e os principais sítios de metástases foram fígado e peritônio. A sobrevida global foi, respectivamente, em dois e cinco anos de 86 por cento e 59 por cento. Houve significante diferença entre a sobrevida global (p=0,29) do grupo de alto risco versus os demais. CONCLUSÃO: Os nossos pacientes apresentam-se principalmente sob forma de doença de alto risco com repercussão óbvia na sobrevida. O uso de Imatinib melhorou a sobrevida dos pacientes com doença metastática e recidivada. Devemos estudar seu uso no cenário de adjuvância e neoadjuvancia visando melhorar os índices do grupo de alto risco. A criação de centros referenciais é uma necessidade para o estudo de doenças pouco frequentes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment of GIST in INCA. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of GIST treated at INCA in the period from 1997 to 2009. RESULTS: We analyzed 146 patients with a mean age of 44.5 years and female predominance. The main symptom was abdominal pain. We observed the occurrence of a second primary tumor in 22 percent of cases and 92 percent of the immunohistochemistry exams were positive for CD117. The most frequent location was in the stomach and the high-risk group was predominant. Surgery was considered R0 (extensive) in 70 percent of the cases and the main sites of metastases were liver and peritoneum. Overall survival in two and five years was, respectively, 86 percent and 59 percent. There was a significant difference between overall survival (p = 0.29) of the high-risk group versus the other. CONCLUSION: Our patients presented mainly in the form of high-risk disease, with obvious impact on survival. The use of imatinib improved survival of patients with recurrent and metastatic disease. We should study its use in the setting of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy to improve results of the high risk group. The creation of reference centers is a need for the study of rare diseases.

Could leprosy reaction episodes be exacerbated by oral infections?

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated whether leprosy reactions could be associated with oral infection. METHODS: Leprosy patients (n = 38) with (Group I) and without (Group II) oral infections were selected. Reactions were identified from the clinical and histopathological features associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and10kDa interferon-gamma-induced protein (IP-10) levels, determined before and after elimination of the foci of infection. RESULTS: Group I presented more reactions than group II did, and improvement of the reactions after dental treatment. Serum CRP and IP-10 did not differ before and after the dental treatment, but differed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral infection could be an exacerbating factor in leprosy reactions.

Could leprosy reaction episodes be exacerbated by oral infections? / Episódios reacionais da hanseníase podem ser exacerbados por infecções orais?

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated whether leprosy reactions could be associated with oral infection. METHODS: Leprosy patients (n = 38) with (Group I) and without (Group II) oral infections were selected. Reactions were identified from the clinical and histopathological features associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and10kDa interferon-gamma-induced protein (IP-10) levels, determined before and after elimination of the foci of infection. RESULTS: Group I presented more reactions than group II did, and improvement of the reactions after dental treatment. Serum CRP and IP-10 did not differ before and after the dental treatment, but differed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral infection could be an exacerbating factor in leprosy reactions.

INTRODUÇÃO: Este estudo avaliou se as reações hansênicas podem estar associadas a infecções orais. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com hanseníase (n=38) com (Grupo I) e sem (Grupo II) infecções orais foram selecionados. As reações foram identificadas pelas características clínicas, histopatológicas, associadas a proteína-C-reativa (PCR) e proteína indutora de interferon-gamma de 10kDa (IP-10) séricos determinados antes e após a eliminação dos focos de infecção. RESULTADOS: Grupo I apresentou mais reações que o grupo II, e melhora das reações após o tratamento odontológico. PCR e IP-10 séricos não diferiram antes e após o tratamento odontológico, entretanto diferiram entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: As infecções orais podem ser exacerbadores das reações hansênicas.

Prognostic significance of p53 protein expression in early gastric cancer.

Mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene have been associated with abnormalities in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair and synthesis, apoptosis, and it has been implicated in the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of p53 gene mutation and its possible prognostic implications in early gastric cancer. In a retrospective study, we studied 80 patients with early gastric cancer treated surgically between 1982 and 2001. Mutation of p53 gene was investigated in surgical gastric specimens by immunohistochemistry, and results were analyzed in relation to gender, age, macroscopic appearance, size and location of tumor, presence of lymph nodes, Lauren's histological type, degree of differentiation, and the 5-year survival. The expression of p53 was more frequent among the intestinal type (p = 0.003), the differentiated (p = 0.007), and the macroscopically elevated tumors (p = 0.038). Nevertheless, the isolated expression of p53 was not associated with the 5-year survival, or with the frequency of lymph node involvement. The degree of differentiation was detected as an independent factor related to the outcome of patients (0.044). Significantly shorter survival time was found in p53-negative compared with p53-positive patients, when considering the degree of differentiation of tumors, as assessed by Cox regression analysis (0.049). The association of p53 with the intestinal type, the degree of differentiation and morphological characteristics, may reflect the involvement of chronic inflammatory process underlying early gastric cancer. In this population sample, the expression of p53 alone has no prognostic value for early gastric cancer. However, the significant difference in p53 expression between subgroups of degree of differentiation of tumors can influence post-operative outcome of patients and may be related to possible distinct etiopathogenic subtypes.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: analysis of 146 cases of the center of reference of the National Cancer Institute--INCA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment of GIST in INCA. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of GIST treated at INCA in the period from 1997 to 2009. RESULTS: We analyzed 146 patients with a mean age of 44.5 years and female predominance. The main symptom was abdominal pain. We observed the occurrence of a second primary tumor in 22% of cases and 92% of the immunohistochemistry exams were positive for CD117. The most frequent location was in the stomach and the high-risk group was predominant. Surgery was considered R0 (extensive) in 70% of the cases and the main sites of metastases were liver and peritoneum. Overall survival in two and five years was, respectively, 86% and 59%. There was a significant difference between overall survival (p = 0.29) of the high-risk group versus the other. CONCLUSION: Our patients presented mainly in the form of high-risk disease, with obvious impact on survival. The use of imatinib improved survival of patients with recurrent and metastatic disease. We should study its use in the setting of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy to improve results of the high risk group. The creation of reference centers is a need for the study of rare diseases.

Representação social do idoso do Distrito Federal e sua inserção social no mundo contemporâneo a partir da Internet / Social representation of the elderly in the Distrito Federal and their social inclusion in the modern world from the Internet

Sendo o estudo do uso da internet pelos idosos um tema recente na gerontologia, este artigo relata uma pesquisa que levou em consideração a inserção dos idosos na sociedade das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TIC) a partir da teoria da representação social dos idosos, que residem no Distrito Federal e acessam a internet. Tem como objetivo discutir e analisar a construção das representações sociais dos idosos residentes no Distrito Federal sobre a internet, na busca de verificar se os idosos estão acompanhando as profundas transformações da sociedade das tecnologias informacionais e comunicacionais. Como procedimento metodológico adotou-se a observação, a entrevista semi-estruturada, o programa ALCESTE para a análise de conteúdo, que conta a quantidade de unidades de contexto elementares (UCE), que correspondem à idéia de frase mais calibrada em função do tamanho do texto, avaliada em número de palavras analisadas e conforme a ordem de prioridade. Verificou-se que há um rompimento da visão negativa de que a velhice é uma fatalidade e um tempo de solidão, porque novas possibilidades se abrem para os idosos com a internet, que pode inseri-los no mundo contemporâneo, permitindo-lhes criar novos laços de amizade e novas interações sociais.

The recurrence of leprosy reactional episodes could be associated with oral chronic infections and expression of serum IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma and IL-10.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of leprosy reactional episodes could be associated with chronic oral infection. Thirty-eight leprosy patients were selected and divided into 2 groups: group I - 19 leprosy patients with oral infections, and group II - 19 leprosy patients without oral infections. Ten patients without leprosy, but presenting oral infections, were assigned to the control group. Leprosy patients were classified according to Ridley and Jopling classification and reactional episodes of the erythema nodosum type or reversal reaction were identified by clinical and histopathological features associated with serum IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels. These analyses were performed immediately before and 7 days after the oral infection elimination. Patients from group I presenting oral infections reported clinical improvement of the symptoms of reactional episodes after dental treatment. Serum IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels did not differ significantly before and after dental treatment as determined by the Wilcoxon test (p>0.05). Comparison of the 2 groups showed statistically significant differences in IL-1 and IL-6 at baseline and in IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 on the occasion of both collections 7 days after therapy. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in group I differed significantly at baseline compared to control (Mann-Whitney test; p<0.05). These results suggest that oral infection could be involved as a maintenance factor in the pathogenesis of leprosy reactional episodes.

The recurrence of leprosy reactional episodes could be associated with oral chronic infections and expression of serum IL-1, TNF-á, IL-6, IFN-ã and IL-10

The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of leprosy reactional episodes could be associated with chronic oral infection. Thirty-eight leprosy patients were selected and divided into 2 groups: group I - 19 leprosy patients with oral infections, and group II - 19 leprosy patients without oral infections. Ten patients without leprosy, but presenting oral infections, were assigned to the control group. Leprosy patients were classified according to Ridley and Jopling classification and reactional episodes of the erythema nodosum type or reversal reaction were identified by clinical and histopathological features associated with serum IL-1, TNF-?, IL-6, IFN-? and IL-10 levels. These analyses were performed immediately before and 7 days after the oral infection elimination. Patients from group I presenting oral infections reported clinical improvement of the symptoms of reactional episodes after dental treatment. Serum IL-1, TNF-?, IL-6, IFN-? and IL-10 levels did not differ significantly before and after dental treatment as determined by the Wilcoxon test (p>0.05). Comparison of the 2 groups showed statistically significant differences in IL-1 and IL-6 at baseline and in IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 on the occasion of both collections 7 days after therapy. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in group I differed significantly at baseline compared to control (Mann-Whitney test; p<0.05). These results suggest that oral infection could be involved as a maintenance factor in the pathogenesis of leprosy reactional episodes.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se os episódios reacionais da hanseníase podem estar associados a infecções orais crônicas. Trinta e oito pacientes com hanseníase foram selecionados e divididos em dois grupos: grupo I & 19 pacientes com hanseníase apresentando infecções orais, e grupo II & 19 pacientes com hanseníase sem infecções orais. Os pacientes foram classificados, quanto à forma clínica da doença, de acordo com Ridley and Jopling, e os episódios reacionais, tipo eritema nodoso e reação reversa, foram identificados pelas características clínicas, histopatológicas associadas à quantificação no soro de IL-1, TNF-?, IL-6, IFN-? e IL-10. Estas analises foram realizadas imediatamente antes e 7 dias após a resolução dos focos de infecção. Pacientes do grupo I aprentando infecções orais relataram melhora clínica dos sintomas dos episódios reacionais após o tratamento odontológico. Os níveis séricos de IL-1, TNF-?, IL-6, IFN-? e IL-10 não diferiram significantemente antes e após o tratamento odontológico, como determinado pelo teste Wilcoxon (p>0,05). As comparações entre os grupos mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos níveis de IL-1 e IL-6 na coleta inicial e nos níveis de IL-1, IL-6 e IL-10 nas duas coletas 7 dias após o tratamento (teste Mann-Whitney; p<0,05). Estes resultados sugerem que infecções orais estão envolvidas na patogênese dos episódios reacionais da hanseníase, como fatores mantenedores.

Factors associated with ML Flow test seropositivity in leprosy patients and household contacts under the age of 18.

This article presents the results of a cross-sectional study involving 115 newly-diagnosed leprosy patients and 1,011 household contacts, all under the age of 18. Seropositivity ratios and factors associated with a positive ML Flow were determined. The test was positive in 21.7% of patients and in 19.7% of contacts. Among patients, logistic regression indicated the association of seropositivity with positive slit skin smear and having more than five skin lesions. The tree method analysis indicated associations with skin smear, Madrid classification, number of nerves affected and age. In the contact group, index case classification, age and type of health service were associated with seropositivity in both analyses. The variables that best explained seropositivity are those associated with higher bacterial load. Therefore, the ML Flow test could be used in children to aid correct classification of patients for treatment and to identify contacts at greater risk of developing leprosy.