ROS: Basic Concepts, Sources, Cellular Signaling, and its Implications in Aging Pathways.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are bioproducts of cellular metabolism. There is a range of molecules with oxidizing properties known as ROS. Despite those molecules being implied negatively in aging and numerous diseases, their key role in cellular signaling is evident. ROS control several biological processes such as inflammation, proliferation, and cell death. The redox signaling underlying these cellular events is one characteristic of the new generation of scientists aimed at defining the role of ROS in the cellular environment. The control of redox potential, which includes the balance of the sources of ROS and the antioxidant system, implies an important target for understanding the cells' fate derived from redox signaling. In this review, we summarized the chemical, the redox balance, the signaling, and the implications of ROS in biological aging.

D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging: A novel experimental model of erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual relations, and aging is one of the main risk factors involved. The D-(+)-Galactose aging model is a consolidated methodology for studies of cardiovascular aging; however, its potential for use with ED remain unexplored. The present study proposed to characterize a new experimental model for ED, using the D-(+)-Galactose aging model. For the experiments, the animals were randomly divided into three groups receiving: vehicle (CTL), D-galactose 150 mg/kg (DGAL), and D-(+)-galactose 150 mg/Kg + sildenafil 1.5 mg/Kg (DGAL+SD1.5) being administered daily for a period of eight weeks. All of the experimental protocols were previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals at the Federal University of Paraíba n° 9706070319. During the treatment, we analyzed physical, molecular, and physiological aspects related to the aging process and implicated in the development of ED. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging represents a suitable experimental model for ED assessment. This was evidenced by an observed hyper-contractility in corpora cavernosa, significant endothelial dysfunction, increased ROS levels, an increase in cavernous tissue senescence, and the loss of essential penile erectile components.

Nocardia takedensis: a newly recognized pathogen responsible for skin and soft tissue infections.

Nocardia takedensis was first isolated in 2005, from soil in Japan. We report here two cases of lymphangitis in France (2012-2017) caused by N. takedensis both occurring after skin injury while gardening, which enabled its inoculation. The two patients were immunocompromised and successfully treated by an antimicrobial agent active on the isolated strain, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for patient one and patient two, respectively. Our study along with previous ones supports the idea of a newly recognized cutaneous opportunistic pathogen and reinforces the recommendation of using gloves during soil exposure for immunocompromised patients. Lastly, according to data found in the literature, we would recommend trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as an efficient empirical antibiotic therapy in case of cutaneous infection caused by N. takedensis.

Unveiling the Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress on Age-Related Cardiovascular Diseases.

The global population above 60 years has been growing exponentially in the last decades, which is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases, highlighting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Aging is the main risk factor for these diseases. Such susceptibility to disease is explained, at least in part, by the increase of oxidative stress, in which it damages cellular components such as proteins, DNA, and lipids. In addition, the chronic inflammatory process in aging "inflammaging" also contributes to cell damage, creating a stressful environment which drives to the development of CVDs. Taken together, it is possible to identify the molecular connection between oxidative stress and the inflammatory process, especially by the crosstalk between the transcription factors Nrf-2 and NF-κB which are mediated by redox signalling and are involved in aging. Therapies that control this process are key targets in the prevention/combat of age-related CVDs. In this review, we show the basics of inflammation and oxidative stress, including the crosstalk between them, and the implications on age-related CVDs.

Perfil dos pacientes e os fatores relacionados à enteroparasitoses / Patients' profiles and the factors related to intestinal parasites / Perfil de los pacientes y los factores relacionados con las enteroparasitosis

Objetivo: traçar o perfil de pacientes e os fatores relacionados à enteroparasitoses. Método: estudo casocontrole sobre enteroparasitoses, com modelo de Regressão Logística, promovendo associações entre quadro clínico, parasitoses identificadas, dados laboratoriais e medicamentos em uso, em pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de Gastroenterologia do Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley/HULW, João Pessoa/PB. Foram analisados 34 prontuários. Realizou-se análise descritiva e associativa entre as variáveis e a Regressão Logística. Resultados: as mulheres foram mais parasitadas e a faixa etária média foi de 56 anos. Os helmintos foram mais prevalentes, sendo predominantemente Schistosoma mansoni. Os métodos mais utilizados para exames coproparasitológicos foram o Hoffman e Kato-katz. Observaram-se fatores de proteção entre os sintomas gastrointestinais, diabetes, HAS, e diurético e fatores de risco comorbidades gastrointestinais, medicamento antiparasitário e gastroprotetor. Conclusão: parasitas patogênicos são relevantes em pacientes ambulatoriais. Os fatores identificados permitiram caracterizar os pacientes susceptíveis as intervenções de prevenção e controle de enteroparasitas.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the patients' profile and the factors related to intestinal parasites. Method: casecontrol study about intestinal parasites, with a Logistic Regression model, promoting associations between clinical conditions, identified parasites, laboratory data and medications used in patients treated at the Gastroenterology Clinic of the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley/HULW, João Pessoa/PB. 34 medical records were analyzed. A descriptive and associative analysis between the variables was performed, along with the Logistic Regression. Results: the women presented more parasites and the average age was 56 years. Helminthes were the most prevalent, predominantly Schistosoma mansoni. The methods used for parasitological examinations were Hoffman and Kato-katz. Protective factors between gastrointestinal symptoms, diabetes, SAH, diuretic and gastrointestinal comorbidity risk factors, anti-parasitic and gastroprotective drugs were observed. Conclusion: pathogenic parasites are relevant in outpatients. The identified factors allowed characterizing the susceptible patients, interventions for prevention and control of intestinal parasites.(AU)

Objetivo: describir el perfil de los pacientes y los factores relacionados con las enteroparasitosis. Método: estudio de los parásitos intestinales de casos y controles, con el modelo de Regresión Logística, promoviendo asociaciones entre el clínico, parásitos identificados, datos de laboratorio y medicamentos que se usan en los pacientes tratados en la clínica de Gastroenterología del Hospital Universitario Lauro Wanderley/HULW, João Pessoa/PB. Se analizaron 34 registros. Se realizaron el análisis descriptivo y asociativo entre las variables y la Regresión Logística. Resultados: las mujeres presentaron más parásitos y la edad media fue de 56 años. Los helmintos fueron más prevalentes, predominantemente con Schistosoma mansoni. Los métodos utilizados para los análisis parasitológicos eran Hoffman y Kato-Katz. Se observaron los factores de protección entre los síntomas gastrointestinales, la diabetes, la hipertensión, diuréticos y los factores de riesgo de comorbilidad gastrointestinal, medicamentos antiparasitarios y gastroprotectores. Conclusión: los parásitos patógenos son relevantes en pacientes ambulatorios. Los factores identificados permiten caracterizar los pacientes susceptibles, intervenciones para la prevención y el control de los enteropárasitos.(AU)