RESUMO
The condition commonly referred to as long coronavirus disease (COVID) is characterized by the continuation of symptoms, sometimes accompanied by new symptoms that persist after the resolution of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This observational cross-sectional study investigated 332 patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region. The study aimed to elucidate the systemic interactions associated with long COVID by compiling the findings related to hematological, coagulation, immunological, metabolic, hepatic, renal, and muscular profiles. Participants with long COVID were identified using rigorous criteria and underwent thorough laboratory examinations. The obtained data were subsequently analyzed, allowing for comparisons, associations, and correlations between findings within distinct groups in the study. Significant associations were observed between hospitalization during the acute phase and persistent laboratory abnormalities, suggesting a potential link between acute severity and long-term effects. Notably, individuals with long COVID for over a year exhibited elevated levels of monocytes, prolonged prothrombin times, reduced prothrombin activity, high levels of lactate dehydrogenase, and an increased frequency of qualitative C-reactive protein detection. This study provides valuable insights into the laboratory risk profile of patients with long COVID, particularly in the unique context of the Amazon region, where patients exhibit persistent symptoms lasting up to 1261 days.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Humanos , COVID-19/sangue , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/diagnóstico , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Adulto , SARS-CoV-2 , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Proteína C-Reativa/análise , Idoso de 80 Anos ou maisRESUMO
The purpose of the current study is to describe the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)-producing MßL among Brazilian isolates and the frequency of blaSPM-1 in MßL-PA-producing isolates. From January 2009 to August 2023, we carried out an investigation on this subject in the internet databases SciELO, PubMed, Science Direct, and LILACS. A total of 20 papers that met the eligibility requirements were chosen by comprehensive meta-analysis software v2.2 for data retrieval and analysis by one meta-analysis using a fixed-effects model for the two investigations. The prevalence of MßL-producing P. aeruginosa was 35.8% or 0.358 (95% CI = 0.324-0.393). The studies' differences were significantly different from one another (x2 = 243.15; p < 0.001; I2 = 92.18%), so they were divided into subgroups based on Brazilian regions. There was indication of asymmetry in the meta-analyses' publishing bias funnel plot; so, a meta-regression was conducted by the study's publication year. According to the findings of Begg's test, no discernible publishing bias was found. blaSPM-1 prevalence was estimated at 66.9% or 0.669 in MßL-PA isolates (95% CI = 0.593-0.738). The analysis of this one showed an average heterogeneity (x2 = 90.93; p < 0.001; I2 = 80.20%). According to the results of Begg's test and a funnel plot, no discernible publishing bias was found. The research showed that MßL-P. aeruginosa and SPM-1 isolates were relatively common among individuals in Brazil. P. aeruginosa and other opportunistic bacteria are spreading quickly and causing severe infections, so efforts are needed to pinpoint risk factors, reservoirs, transmission pathways, and the origin of infection.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Human pegivirus (HPgV)-formerly known as GBV-C-is a member of the Flaviviridae family and belongs to the species Pegivirus C. It is a non-pathogenic virus and is transmitted among humans mainly through the exposure to contaminated blood and is often associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, among other viruses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HPgV viremia, its association with HIV and clinical epidemiological factors, as well as the full-length sequencing and genome characterization of HPgV recovered from blood donors of the HEMOPA Foundation in Belém-PA-Brazil. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 459 donors, tested for the presence of HPgV RNA by the RT-qPCR. From these, a total of 26 RT-qPCR positive samples were submitted to the NGS sequencing approach in order to obtain the full genome. Genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPgV was 12.42%. We observed the highest prevalences among donors aged between 18 and 30 years old (16.5%), with brown skin color (13.2%) and men (15.8%). The newly diagnosed HIV-1 prevalence was 26.67%. The HPgV genotype 2 (2a and 2b) was identified. No data on viral load value was found to corroborate the protective effect of HPgV on HIV evolution. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided information regarding the HPgV infection among blood donors from HEMOPA Foundation. Furthermore, we genetically characterized the HPgV circulating strains and described by the first time nearly complete genomes of genotype 2 in Brazilian Amazon.
Assuntos
Doadores de Sangue , Infecções por Flaviviridae/epidemiologia , Vírus GB C/genética , Pegivirus/genética , RNA Viral/sangue , Viremia/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Doadores de Sangue/estatística & dados numéricos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Infecções por Flaviviridae/virologia , Vírus GB C/classificação , Vírus GB C/isolamento & purificação , Genoma Viral , Genótipo , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pegivirus/classificação , Pegivirus/isolamento & purificação , Filogenia , Prevalência , RNA Viral/genética , Carga Viral , Sequenciamento Completo do Genoma , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Lipid-based nanoparticle systems have been used as vehicles for chemotherapeutic agents in experimental cancer treatments. Those systems have generally been credited with attenuating the severe toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to investigate the effects of associating paclitaxel (PTX) with a lipid-based nanoparticle system on a nonhuman primate, Cebus apella, documenting the toxicity as measured by serum biochemistry, which is a detailed analysis of blood and tissue. Eighteen C. apella were studied: three animals were treated with cholesterol-rich nanoemulsion (LDE) only, without PTX, administered intravenously every 3 weeks, during six treatment cycles; six animals were treated with PTX associated with LDE at the same administration scheme, three with lower (175 mg/m2) and three with higher (250 mg/m2) PTX doses; and six animals were treated with commercial PTX, three with the lower and three with the higher doses. In the LDE-PTX group, no clinical toxicity appeared, and the weight-food consumption curve was similar to that of the controls. Two animals treated with commercial PTX presented weight loss, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, skin flaking, 70% loss of body hair, and decreased physical activity. The use of LDE as a carrier at both lower and higher doses reduced the toxicity of the drug in this species, which is closely related to human subjects. This was observed not only by clinical, biochemical, and hematological profiles but also by the histopathological analysis. The results of this study support the assumption that lipid-based nanoparticle systems used as drug carriers can serve as valuable tools to decrease the toxicity and increase the safety of chemotherapeutic agents.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Lipídeos/química , Nanopartículas/efeitos adversos , Paclitaxel/efeitos adversos , Paclitaxel/farmacologia , Animais , Antineoplásicos/administração & dosagem , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Cebus , Colesterol/química , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Portadores de Fármacos/administração & dosagem , Portadores de Fármacos/efeitos adversos , Portadores de Fármacos/farmacologia , Emulsões/administração & dosagem , Emulsões/química , Masculino , Nanopartículas/administração & dosagem , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Paclitaxel/administração & dosagem , Distribuição Tecidual , Testes de Toxicidade Crônica/métodosRESUMO
The immune response modifier Canova® is a homeopathic remedy indicated for patients with depressed immune system, since this drug appears to increase adaptive immunity and induce an immune response against multiple and severe pathological conditions, including cancer. We evaluated the pattern of immune cellular response in non-human primates of the species Cebus apella exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) with and without Canova®. Twelve animals were divided into four groups, with three animals each: negative control and three experimental groups, MNU-alone (35 days); MNU (35 days)-plus-Canova® (3 days) and Canova®-alone (3 days). The animals received MNU orally and Canova® by three intravenous injections. Evaluation of the cellular immune response was performed by immunophenotyping of T-lymphocytes (CD4(+), CD8(+)), B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Analysis was also performed of the cell cycle. Our results suggest an increase of T-lymphocytes (CD4(+)CD3(+)) only in the Canova® group, while in the MNU-plus-Canova® group only B-lymphocytes increased.
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Carcinógenos/toxicidade , Venenos de Crotalídeos/farmacologia , Imunidade Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunidade Celular/imunologia , Metilnitrosoureia/toxicidade , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Animais , Antígenos de Superfície/metabolismo , Carcinógenos/administração & dosagem , Cebus , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Venenos de Crotalídeos/administração & dosagem , Imunofenotipagem , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos/imunologia , Linfócitos/metabolismo , Metilnitrosoureia/administração & dosagem , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagemRESUMO
The identification of cytogenetic abnormalities in schizophrenic patients may provide clues to the genes involved in this disease. For this reason, a chromosomal analysis of samples from 62 schizophrenics and 70 controls was performed with trypsin-Giemsa banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization of the X chromosome. A clonal pericentric inversion on chromosome 9 was detected in one male patient, and we also discovered mosaicism associated with X chromosome aneuploidy in female patients, primarily detected in schizophrenic and normal female controls over 40 years old. When compared with age-matched female controls, the frequency of X chromosome loss was not significantly different between schizophrenics and controls, except for the 40- to 49-year-old age group. Our findings suggest that the X chromosome loss seen in schizophrenic patients is inherent to the normal cellular aging process. However, our data also suggest that X chromosome gain may be correlated with schizophrenia in this Brazilian population.
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Aberrações Cromossômicas , Cromossomos Humanos X/genética , Esquizofrenia/genética , Adulto , Idoso , Envelhecimento/genética , Aneuploidia , Brasil , Feminino , Humanos , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente , Linfócitos/fisiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , MosaicismoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Canova (CA) is a homeopathic medication with immunomodulatory properties, recommended for patients with a depressed immune system. CA has been reported to increase in leukocyte numbers, cellular differentiation and reduction in tumor size. AIM AND METHOD: Since CA may stimulate lymphocyte differentiation, proliferation, and/or survival, the aim of the present study was to compare the mitotic index (MI) of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes cultured in a medium supplemented with human macrophages activated by CA, with lymphocytes cultured in a medium without CA-treated macrophages. RESULTS: In this study, the MI of lymphocyte cultured received the medium containing CA-stimulated macrophages showed a higher proliferation index (p<0.01) than the lymphocytes cultured in a medium without CA-treated macrophages. Our results suggest that CA treatment, in addition to activating macrophages, indirectly induces lymphocyte proliferation and has potential as a new adjuvant therapeutic approach.
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Venenos de Crotalídeos , Formulários Homeopáticos como Assunto , Ativação Linfocitária , Ativação de Macrófagos , Macrófagos/fisiologia , Extratos Vegetais , Idoso , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Rotenone is a heterocyclic compound widely used as an insecticide, acaricide and piscicide. Its toxicity is mainly caused by the inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory processes and ATP production, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species can interact with DNA, RNA and proteins, leading to cell damage, followed by death. We used the Comet assay, and we analyzed chromosome aberrations, in order to evaluate the genotoxic and clastogenic effects of rotenone on the different phases of the cell cycle. Cultured human lymphocytes were treated with 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 microg/mL rotenone during the G1, G1/S, S (pulses of 1 and 6 h), and G2 phases of the cell cycle. Rotenone induced DNA damage and was clastogenic, but the clastogenicity was detected only with treatments conducted during the G1/S and S phases of the cell cycle. Rotenone also induced endoreduplication and polyploidy in treatments made during G1, while it significantly reduced the mitotic index in all phases of the cell cycle.
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Aberrações Cromossômicas/induzido quimicamente , Inseticidas/toxicidade , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Rotenona/toxicidade , Adulto , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Ciclo Celular/genética , Células Cultivadas , Ensaio Cometa/métodos , Dano ao DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Índice MitóticoRESUMO
Hydroxyurea is considered an antineoplastic drug, which also plays an important role in the treatment of sickle cell anemia patients. We evaluated and compared the clastogenic and cytotoxic effects of hydroxyurea, using chromosomal aberrations and mitotic index, respectively, as endpoints. In vitro short-term cultures of lymphocytes were exposed to several concentrations of this drug, at various cell cycle phases. There was a significant increase in the cytotoxicity of hydroxyurea at G1 and G1/S as well in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Hydroxyurea did not significantly increase chromosome aberrations. There was an S-dependent cytotoxic effect of hydroxyurea, which is expected based on the known activity of hydroxyurea as an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase.