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1.
Mater Today Bio ; 8: 100082, 2020 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33294836

RESUMO

Multimodal therapy is often used in oncology to overcome dosing limitations and chemoresistance. Recently, combination immunoradiotherapy has shown great promise in a select subset of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Furthermore, molecularly targeted agents delivered in tandem with immunotherapy regimens have been suggested to improve treatment outcomes and expand the population of responding patients. In this study, radiation-sensitizing small molecules niraparib (PARP inhibitor) and HS-173 (PI3K inhibitor) are identified as a novel combination that synergistically enhance toxicity and induce immunogenic cell death both in vitro and in vivo in a CRC model. These inhibitors were co-encapsulated in a polymer micelle to overcome solubility limitations while minimizing off-target toxicity. Mice bearing syngeneic colorectal tumors (CT26) were administered these therapeutic micelles in combination with X-ray irradiation and anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy. This combination led to enhanced efficacy demonstrated by improved tumor control and increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. This report represents the first investigation of DNA damage repair inhibition combined with radiation to potentiate anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy in a CRC model.

2.
PLoS One ; 15(4): e0223304, 2020.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32302310

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Sea-level rise is a consequence of climate change that can impact the ecological and physiological changes of coastal, ground-dwelling species. Sea-level rise has a potential to inundate birds, rodents, spiders, and insects that live on the ground in coastal areas. Yet, there is still much to be learned concerning the specifics of these impacts. The red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (Buren) excavates soil for its home and is capable of surviving flooding. Because of their ground-dwelling life history and rapid reproduction, fire ants make an ideal model for discovery and prediction of changes that may be due to sea-level rise. There are up to 500,000 individuals in a colony, and these invasive ants naturally have a painful sting. However, observations suggest that colonies of fire ants that dwell in tidally-influenced areas are more aggressive with more frequent stings and more venom injected per sting (behavioral and physiological changes) than those located inland. This may be an adaption to sea-level rise. Therefore, the objective of this study is to elucidate differences in inland and coastal defensiveness via micro-dissection and comparison of head width, head length, stinger length, and venom sac volume. But first because fire ants' ability to raft on brackish tidal water is unknown, it had to be determined if fire ants could indeed raft in brackish water and examine the behavior differences between those flooded with freshwater vs. saltwater. METHODS: To test the coastal-aggression hypothesis, inland colonies and coastal colonies, which experience relatively greater amounts of flooding, specifically regular tidal and windblown water and oscillations (i.e. El Nino Southern Oscillation) from the Gulf of Mexico, were collected. To mimic sea-level rise, the colonies were flooded in salinities that correspond to both their collection site and conditions found in a variety of locales and situations (such as storm surge from a tropical storm). Individual ants were immediately taken from each colony for dissection before flooding, 1-hour into flooding, and 24-hours into flooding. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Fire ants use their venom to defend themselves and to communicate alarm or aggression. Dissections and measurement of heads, venom sacs, and stingers revealed both coastal and inland colonies experience an increase in venom sac volume after 24 hours; in fact coastal colonies increased their venom volume by 75% after 24 h of flooding Whether this venom sac enlargement is due to diffusion of water or venom sac production is unknown. These ground-dwelling ants exhibit physiological and behavioral adaptations to ongoing sea-level rise possibly indicating that they are responding to increased flooding. Fire ants will raft on high-salinity water; and sea-level rise may cause stings by flooded ants to be more severe because of increased venom volume.


Assuntos
Adaptação Fisiológica , Formigas/fisiologia , Elevação do Nível do Mar , Animais , Venenos de Artrópodes/metabolismo , Comportamento Animal , Ecossistema
3.
J Hunger Environ Nutr ; 14(5): 709-724, 2019.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31749895

RESUMO

Studies examining the impact of food insecurity on metabolic markers are limited, specifically in Hispanic youth. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 218 3rd-5th grade students (83% Hispanic and 49% male). Anthropometrics, blood glucose, insulin, and lipids via fasting blood draw, dietary intake via Block screener, and a 5-item food security scale were collected. HOMA-Insulin Resistance was calculated. Multivariate analyses of covariance were used to examine differences in glucose and insulin indices, adiposity, metabolic and dietary intake variables between categories of food security. Food secure children had greater glycemic control and decreased insulin resistance compared to food insecure children.

4.
Curr Dev Nutr ; 3(8): nzz080, 2019 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31414072

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to expand the School Physical Activity and Nutrition questionnaire to include a greater variety of vegetables and to evaluate the relative validity and reliability of these revised items. OBJECTIVES: This study utilized 2 convenience samples of third to fifth graders for an analysis: validity (n = 70) and reliability (n = 76). Validity was assessed by comparing questionnaire items with vegetable intake reported from a 24-hour dietary recall covering the same reference period. Reliability estimates were assessed via same-day test-retest. RESULTS: Agreement correlations ranged from 0.35 to 0.71. Kappa statistics varied from 0.16 to 0.66. Percentage agreements ranged from 57% to 87%. Test-retest Spearman coefficients were greater than 0.50 for 6 items, weighted Kappa values were greater than 0.40 for all 7 items, and percentage agreement exceeded 75% for 5 items. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of the previous day's vegetable intake in third- to fifth-grade students. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02668744.

5.
J Neurotrauma ; 36(13): 2117-2128, 2019 07 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30667346

RESUMO

Service members during military actions or combat training are exposed frequently to primary blast generated by explosive weaponry. The majority of military-related neurotrauma are classified as mild and designated as "invisible injuries" that are prevalent during current conflicts. While the previous experimental blast injury studies using moderate- to high-intensity exposures focused mainly on gross and microscopic neuropathology, our previous studies have shown that low-intensity blast (LIB) exposures resulted in nanoscale subcellular myelin and mitochondrial damages and subsequent behavioral disorders in the absence of gross or detectable cellular damage. In this study, we used transmission electron microscopy to delineate the LIB effects at the ultrastructural level specifically focusing on the neuron perikaryon, axons, and synapses in the cortex and hippocampus of mice at seven and 30 days post-injury (DPI). We found dysmorphic dark neuronal perikaryon and "cytoplasmic aeration" of dendritic processes, as well as increased microtubular fragmentation of the myelinated axons along with biochemically measured elevated tau/phosphorylated tau/Aß levels. The number of cortical excitatory synapses decreased along with a compensatory increase of the post-synaptic density (PSD) thickness both at seven and 30 DPI, while the amount of hippocampal CA1 synapses increased with the reduced PSD thickness. In addition, we observed a significant increase in protein levels of PSD95 and synaptophysin mainly at seven DPI indicating potential synaptic reorganization. These results demonstrated that a single LIB exposure can lead to ultrastructural brain injury with accompanying multi-focal neuronal organelle alterations. This pre-clinical study provides key insights into disease pathogenesis related to primary blast exposure.


Assuntos
Traumatismos por Explosões/patologia , Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/patologia , Traumatismos Cranianos Fechados/patologia , Neurônios/patologia , Sinapses/patologia , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Neurônios/ultraestrutura , Sinapses/ultraestrutura
6.
Neural Regen Res ; 13(9): 1516-1519, 2018 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30127104

RESUMO

Blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is of particular concern among military personnel due to exposure to blast energy during military training and combat. The impact of primary low-intensity blast mediated pathophysiology upon later neurobehavioral disorders has been controversial. Developing a military preclinical blast model to simulate the pathophysiology of human blast injury is an important first step. This article provides an overview of primary blast effects and perspectives of our recent studies demonstrating ultrastructural changes in the brain and behavioral disorders resulting from open-field blast exposures up to 46.6 kPa using a murine model. The model is scalable and permits exposure to varying magnitudes of primary blast injuries by placing animals at different distances from the blast center or by changing the amount of C4 charge. We here review the implications and future applications and directions of using this animal model to uncover the underlying mechanisms related to primary blast injury. Overall, these studies offer the prospect of enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of primary low-intensity blast-induced TBI and insights for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of blast induced TBI, particularly mTBI/concussion related to current combat exposures.

7.
Clin Obes ; 8(4): 236-243, 2018 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29896938

RESUMO

Research examining the impact of artificial sweetened beverages (ASBs) on obesity and metabolic diseases in adolescents is limited. The overall goal is to examine the longitudinal effects of ASBs on changes in adiposity and metabolic parameters in Hispanic adolescents. Longitudinal cohort with 98 Hispanics (12-18 years) who were overweight or had obesity with the following data at baseline and 1-year later: anthropometrics, diet (24-h recalls), body composition (DXA), glucose and insulin dynamics (oral glucose tolerance and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test) and fasting lipids. Repeated measures analyses of covariance assessed changes over time between control (no ASBs at either visit), ASB initiators (no ASBs at baseline/ASBs at 1-year) and chronic ASB consumers (ASBs at both visits). ASB initiators (n = 14) and chronic ASB consumers (n = 9) compared to control (n = 75) had higher total body fat at baseline and 1-year (P = 0.05 for group effect). Chronic ASB consumers had a 6% increase in haemoglobin A1c, 34% increase in energy intake (kcal d-1 ) and 39% increase in carbohydrate intake (g d-1 ) over time, while control and ASB initiators maintained (P < 0.05 for group-by-time interactions). These results do not support promoting ASBs as a strategy for adiposity loss or to improve metabolic health.


Assuntos
Adiposidade , Bebidas/análise , Hemoglobinas Glicadas/metabolismo , Obesidade/metabolismo , Edulcorantes/metabolismo , Adolescente , Bebidas/efeitos adversos , Glicemia/metabolismo , Criança , Estudos de Coortes , Ingestão de Energia , Feminino , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Insulina/metabolismo , Masculino , Obesidade/etiologia , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Edulcorantes/efeitos adversos
8.
Behav Brain Res ; 347: 148-157, 2018 07 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29526786

RESUMO

Explosive blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), a "signature wound" of recent military conflicts, commonly affects service members. While past blast injury studies have provided insights into TBI with moderate- to high-intensity explosions, the impact of primary low-intensity blast (LIB)-mediated pathobiology on neurological deficits requires further investigation. Our prior considerations of blast physics predicted ultrastructural injuries at nanoscale levels. Here, we provide quantitative data using a primary LIB injury murine model exposed to open field detonation of 350 g of high-energy explosive C4. We quantified ultrastructural and behavioral changes up to 30 days post blast injury (DPI). The use of an open-field experimental blast generated a primary blast wave with a peak overpressure of 6.76 PSI (46.6 kPa) at a 3-m distance from the center of the explosion, a positive phase duration of approximate 3.0 milliseconds (ms), a maximal impulse of 8.7 PSI × ms and a sharp rising time of 9 × 10-3 ms, with no apparent impact/acceleration in exposed animals. Neuropathologically, myelinated axonal damage was observed in blast-exposed groups at 7 DPI. Using transmission electron microscopy, we observed and quantified myelin sheath defects and mitochondrial abnormalities at 7 and 30 DPI. Inverse correlations between blast intensities and neurobehavioral outcomes including motor activities, anxiety levels, nesting behavior, spatial learning and memory occurred. These observations uncover unique ultrastructural brain abnormalities and associated behavioral changes due to primary blast injury and provide key insights into its pathogenesis and potential treatment.


Assuntos
Traumatismos por Explosões/patologia , Concussão Encefálica/etiologia , Concussão Encefálica/patologia , Encéfalo/ultraestrutura , Animais , Ansiedade/etiologia , Ansiedade/patologia , Traumatismos por Explosões/psicologia , Encéfalo/patologia , Concussão Encefálica/psicologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Método Duplo-Cego , Comportamento Exploratório , Imuno-Histoquímica , Masculino , Aprendizagem em Labirinto , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Mitocôndrias/ultraestrutura , Atividade Motora , Bainha de Mielina/ultraestrutura , Comportamento de Nidação , Distribuição Aleatória , Reconhecimento Psicológico , Reversão de Aprendizagem , Memória Espacial
9.
Scand J Rheumatol ; 47(3): 210-224, 2018 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29065773

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To describe and expand the phenotype of anti-MDA5-associated rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (MDA5-RPILD) in Canadian patients. METHOD: All proven cases of MDA5-RPILD hospitalized in the University of Montreal's affiliated centres from 2004 to 2015 were selected for inclusion. RESULTS: Of nine consecutive patients, RPILD was the presenting manifestation in seven, whereas two patients developed RPILD 2 years after the onset of arthritis and of chronic interstitial lung disease. In the case with arthritis, RPILD was probably triggered by initiation of tumour necrosis factor-α-inhibitor therapy. In most patients (89%), RPILD was accompanied by concomitant onset of palmar/lateral finger papules, skin ulcerations, and/or mechanic's hands. All patients experienced profound weight loss over 1-2 months (mean ± SD 10.2 ± 4.8 kg). All had arthralgias and/or arthritis. Six patients were clinically amyopathic; only one patient had creatine kinase (CK) levels > 500 U/L. Initial ferritin and transaminase levels were elevated in 86% and 67% of patients, respectively. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test was negative for nuclear and cytoplasmic staining; antisynthetase autoantibodies were negative. Three patients died; time from initial symptoms to death ranged from 7 to 15 weeks. All six survivors received mycophenolate mofetil and/or tacrolimus as part of induction and/or maintenance therapy. CONCLUSION: In an inpatient setting, RPILD associated with characteristic skin rashes, profound weight loss, articular symptoms, normal or low CK with elevated ferritin, and absent fluorescence on ANA testing should alert the clinician to the possibility of MDA5-RPILD. T-cell-mediated therapies may play a role in this highly lethal condition.


Assuntos
Anticorpos Antinucleares/sangue , Helicase IFIH1 Induzida por Interferon/imunologia , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/diagnóstico , Adulto , Anticorpos Antinucleares/imunologia , Canadá , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/sangue , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fenótipo , Prognóstico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X
10.
Clin Obes ; 6(6): 380-388, 2016 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27863024

RESUMO

In an integrated care model, involving primary care providers (PCPs) and obesity specialists, telehealth may be useful for overcoming barriers to treating childhood obesity. We conducted a pilot study comparing body mass index (BMI) changes between two arms (i) PCP in-person clinic visits plus obesity specialist tele-visits ( PCP visits + specialist tele-visits) and (ii) PCP in-person clinic visits only ( PCP visits only), with ongoing tele-consultation between PCPs and obesity specialists for both arms. Patients (N = 40, 10-17 years, BMI ≥ 95th percentile) were randomized to Group 1 or 2. Both groups had PCP visits every 3 months for 12 months. Using a cross-over protocol, Group 1 had PCP visits + specialist tele-visits during the first 6 months and PCP visits only during the second 6 months, and Group 2 followed the opposite sequence. Each of 12 tele-visits was conducted by a dietitian or psychologist with a patient and parent. Retention rates were 90% at 6 months and 80% at 12 months. BMI (z-score) decreased more for Group 1 (started with PCP visits + specialist tele-visits) vs. Group 2 (started with PCP visits only) at 3 months (-0.11 vs. -0.05, P = 0.049) following frequent tele-visits. At 6 months (primary outcome), BMI was lower than baseline within Group 1 (-0.11, P = 0.0006) but not Group 2 (-0.06, P = 0.08); however, decrease in BMI at 6 months did not differ between groups. After crossover, BMI remained lower than baseline for Group 1 and dropped below baseline for Group 2. An integrated care model utilizing telehealth holds promise for treating children with obesity.


Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde Comunitária , Obesidade Infantil/terapia , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Telemedicina , Adolescente , Índice de Massa Corporal , Criança , Serviços de Saúde Comunitária/organização & administração , Feminino , Humanos , Comunicação Interdisciplinar , Masculino , Projetos Piloto , Atenção Primária à Saúde/organização & administração , Encaminhamento e Consulta , Telemedicina/organização & administração
11.
Opt Express ; 21(16): 19047-60, 2013 Aug 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23938820

RESUMO

Squeezed states of light are an important tool for optical measurements below the shot noise limit and for optical realizations of quantum information systems. Recently, squeezed vacuum states were deployed to enhance the shot noise limited performance of gravitational wave detectors. In most practical implementations of squeezing enhancement, relative fluctuations between the squeezed quadrature angle and the measured quadrature (sometimes called squeezing angle jitter or phase noise) are one limit to the noise reduction that can be achieved. We present calculations of several effects that lead to quadrature fluctuations, and use these estimates to account for the observed quadrature fluctuations in a LIGO gravitational wave detector. We discuss the implications of this work for quantum enhanced advanced detectors and even more sensitive third generation detectors.

13.
Hum Reprod ; 28(2): 519-30, 2013 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23159436

RESUMO

STUDY QUESTION: How does haploinsufficiency of the paternal-effect gene Dnmt3L affect DNA methylation establishment and stability in the male germline? SUMMARY ANSWER: Reduced expression of DNMT3L in male germ cells, associated with haploinsufficiency of the paternal-effect gene Dnmt3L, results in abnormal hypomethylation of prenatal germline progenitor cells. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The DNA methyltransferase regulator Dnmt3-Like (Dnmt3L) is a paternal-effect gene required for DNA methylation acquisition in male germline stem cells and their precursors. In males, DNMT3L deficiency causes meiotic abnormalities and infertility. While Dnmt3L heterozygous males are fertile, they have abnormalities in X chromosome compaction and postmeiotic gene expression and sire offspring with sex chromosome aneuploidy. It has been proposed that the paternal effects of Dnmt3L haploinsufficiency are due to epigenetic defects in early male germ cells. DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification essential for normal germ cell development. Since patterns of DNA methylation across the genome are initially acquired in prenatal male germ cells, perturbations in methylation could contribute to the epigenetic basis of the paternal effects in Dnmt3L(+/-) males. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This is a cross-sectional study of DNA methylation in Dnmt3L(+/+) versus Dnmt3L(+/-) male germ cells collected from mice at 16.5 days post-coitum (dpc), Day 6 and Day 70 (n = 3 per genotype, each n represents a pool of 2-20 animals). Additionally, DNA methylation was compared in enriched populations of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC)/progenitor cells from Dnmt3L(+/+) and Dnmt3L(+/-) males following ≈ 2 months in culture. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: DNA methylation at intergenic loci along chromosomes 9 and X was examined by quantitative analysis of DNA methylation by real-time polymerase chain reaction at the time of initial acquisition of epigenetic patterns in the prenatal male germline (16.5 dpc) and compared with patterns in early post-natal spermatogonia (Day 6) and in spermatozoa in mice. DNA methylation status at CpG-rich sites across the genome was assessed in spermatogonial precursors from Day 4 male mice using restriction landmark genomic scanning. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: At 16.5 dpc, 42% of intergenic loci examined along chromosome 9 and 10% of those along chromosome X were hypomethylated in Dnmt3L heterozygotes. By Day 6 and in spermatozoa, germ cell DNA methylation was similar in heterozygous and wild-type mice. DNA methylation stability of acquired patterns in wild-type and Dnmt3L(+/-) SSC/progenitor cell culture was analyzed at numerous loci across the genome in cells cultured in vitro and collected at passages 6-28. While the methylation of most loci was stable in culture over time, differences at ≈ 1% of sites were found between Dnmt3L(+/-) and Dnmt3L(+/+) cultures. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Evaluation of DNA methylation in SSCs can only be performed after a period of culture limiting the investigation to changes observed during culture when compared with DNA methylation differences between genotypes that could be present at the beginning of culture establishment. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The DNA methylation defects described here in prenatal male germline progenitor cells and SSC culture are the earliest epigenetic perturbations yet identified for a mammalian paternal-effect gene and may influence downstream epigenetic events in germ cells at later stages of development. Together, the results provide evidence of a 'window' of susceptibility in prenatal male germ cell precursors for the induction of epimutations due to genetic perturbations and, potentially, in utero environmental exposures.


Assuntos
DNA (Citosina-5-)-Metiltransferases/genética , Metilação de DNA , Haploinsuficiência , Espermatogônias/fisiologia , Células-Tronco/fisiologia , Aneuploidia , Animais , Estudos Transversais , DNA (Citosina-5-)-Metiltransferases/metabolismo , Epigênese Genética , Genótipo , Heterozigoto , Masculino , Camundongos , Aberrações dos Cromossomos Sexuais , Espermatogônias/citologia , Espermatogônias/metabolismo , Células-Tronco/citologia , Células-Tronco/metabolismo
14.
Encephale ; 37(4): 249-56, 2011 Sep.
Artigo em Francês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21981884

RESUMO

This research used a qualitative methodology and was conducted on a sample of 22 participants with concomitant substance-related and mental health disorders. Today, dual diagnosis patients represent the standard rather than the exception. Our objectives were to consider the elements and processes of the social network to explain variations in consumption of alcohol and drugs. The social network refers to all bonds established by patients, mainly family, couple, friends and therapist relationships. The 22 patients have used a specialized addiction treatment in Montreal (Canada). A focused qualitative interview was conducted with each participant using an audionumeric recording. The analysis follows the method of the mixed approach of Miles and Huberman, which combines the objectives of the grounded theory and the ethnography. All the interviews were transcribed then coded and analyzed with QSR N' Vivo 2.0. The method uses an iterative process making a constant return between verbatim and codes. The qualitative analyses present patients' perceptions on the increases and reductions in alcohol and drug consumption. Family network refers to participants where the family is named as supporting a decrease in drug consumption: couple network refers to intimate relations supporting a decrease in consumption. Mutual help network refers to alcoholics anonymous (AA) or other self-help groups. Several verbatim have been included. We propose strategies for the substance abuse treatment centers based on: (1) the paradox influence of the social network and the importance of clinical evaluation of patients of social networks; (2) emotions management, especially negative feelings, which include training of feeling, recognizing and naming, ability to the express and communicate to others; (3) importance of groups of mutual aid providing periods of sharing, validating individual experiences and pushing away loneliness; (4) function of social support of the clinical professionals as substitute of an overdrawn network.


Assuntos
Transtornos Mentais/reabilitação , Psicotrópicos , Meio Social , Apoio Social , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/reabilitação , Adulto , Antropologia Cultural , Cuidadores/psicologia , Comorbidade , Diagnóstico Duplo (Psiquiatria) , Feminino , França , Humanos , Entrevista Psicológica , Masculino , Transtornos Mentais/diagnóstico , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação de Processos e Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Grupos de Autoajuda , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/diagnóstico , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia
15.
J Clin Virol ; 47(4): 372-5, 2010 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20172759

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a high HIV-1 genetic variability in the Republic of Congo. This can greatly influence the performance of molecular assays for HIV-1 diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To define a reliable test for detection of HIV-1 DNA in this area. STUDY DESIGN: We compared a commercial nested PCR (C-PCR) assay and an in house nested PCR (H-PCR) assay for the detection of HIV-1 DNA in the first 30 seropositive pregnant women enrolled into the ongoing "Kento-Mwana" project, for the prevention of HIV mother-to-child transmission in the city of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, Africa. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial HIV-1 pol sequences were also performed. RESULTS: C-PCR detected HIV-1 DNA in only 15/30 samples from seropositive women (50.0%), as opposed to 29/30 (96.6%) by H-PCR (P<0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis and bootscanning showed that only 10 sequences could be assigned to known clades (seven pure subtypes and three circulating recombinant forms), whereas the other 20 sequences were unique recombinant forms. CONCLUSIONS: The great genetic variability of HIV-1 in this area strongly advises to for using molecular methods only after local validation to avoid false negative results.


Assuntos
Sangue/virologia , DNA Viral/genética , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Infecções por HIV/virologia , HIV-1/isolamento & purificação , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Polimorfismo Genético , Adolescente , Adulto , Análise por Conglomerados , Congo , DNA Viral/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , HIV-1/classificação , HIV-1/genética , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Gravidez , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/diagnóstico , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/virologia , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Adulto Jovem , Produtos do Gene pol do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/genética
18.
Trop Med Int Health ; 13(7): 900-3, 2008 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18482195

RESUMO

Different strategies can be applied for the screening of HIV infection, depending on the local seroprevalence. Within a WHO type III strategy, we compared the results of two different second-line methods for HIV screening of a population of pregnant women in the Republic of Congo. Sera from 3614 consecutive pregnant women were tested for HIV with Genescreen Plus Ag/Ab EIA assay; positive specimens were retested with two different second-line methods. (Determine HIV-1/2 rapid test and Vironostika HIV Ag/Ab specific EIA assay). Discordant samples were tested with HIV-1/2 Western Blot and, if necessary, HIV RNA molecular assay. Of the 3614 sera, 221 were positive with Genscreen. Among them, 21 and 10 tested negative with Vironostika and Determine, respectively. A 100% correspondence with 3rd line confirmation test results was found in Genscreen positive/Vironostika negative samples, whereas a 5.5% overestimation of HIV seroprevalence was observed when Determine, instead of Vironostika, was used as second-line test. The choice of appropriate assays in adequate sequence, within the correct WHO strategy, is pivotal to minimize the risk of overtreatment of HIV infection.


Assuntos
Sorodiagnóstico da AIDS/métodos , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/métodos , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , HIV/isolamento & purificação , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/diagnóstico , Adulto , Congo/epidemiologia , Feminino , HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Gravidez , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , Organização Mundial da Saúde
19.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 104(4): 1401-6, 2007 Jan 23.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17227848

RESUMO

The locus coeruleus (LC) harbors a compact group of noradrenergic cell bodies projecting to virtually all parts of the central nervous system. By using combined measurements of amperometry and patch-clamp, quantal vesicle release of noradrenaline (NA) was detected as amperometric spikes, after depolarization of the LC neurons. After a pulse depolarization, the average latency of amperometric spikes was 1,870 ms, whereas the latency of glutamate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents was 1.6 ms. A substantial fraction of the depolarization-induced amperometric spikes originated from the somata. In contrast to glutamate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents, NA secretion was strongly modulated by the action potential frequency (0.5-50 Hz). Somatodendritic NA release from LC upon enhanced cell activity produced autoinhibition of firing and of NA release. We conclude that, in contrast to classic synaptic transmission, quantal NA release from LC somata is characterized by a number of distinct properties, including long latency and high sensitivity to action potential frequency.


Assuntos
Locus Cerúleo/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurotransmissores/metabolismo , Ponte/metabolismo , Potenciais de Ação , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Ácido Glutâmico/metabolismo , Técnicas In Vitro , Locus Cerúleo/citologia , Locus Cerúleo/fisiologia , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Ponte/fisiologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley
20.
Neuroscience ; 143(1): 7-13, 2006 Nov 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17055657

RESUMO

We previously reported that treatment and withdrawal from cocaine increases: (1) 5-HT2A receptor-mediated neuroendocrine responses, and (2) Galphaq and Galpha11 G-protein levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) at 48 h post-treatment. This study investigates changes in the initial 24 h of withdrawal to discern whether 5-HT2A receptor supersensitivity is due to cocaine treatment or is induced during the withdrawal period. We report here increases in 5-HT2A receptor-mediated neuroendocrine responses only 12 or 24 h post-treatment, but not during the initial 4 h withdrawal period. Levels of membrane- or cytosol-associated Galphaq or Galpha11 proteins in PVN are not altered during the first 24 h of withdrawal. However, the density of 125I-(-)-1-(2,5 dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-amino-propane HCl (DOI)-labeled high-affinity 5-HT2A receptors in PVN increased 35% in rats withdrawn from cocaine for 24 h. These findings demonstrate that cocaine-induced increases in 5-HT2A receptor function in PVN represents a withdrawal-induced phenomena that: (1) is likely attributed to increased G-protein coupled/high-affinity conformational state of the 5-HT2A receptor, and (2) occurs in the absence of changes in the levels of associated G proteins during the first 24 h.


Assuntos
Cocaína/farmacologia , Inibidores da Captação de Dopamina/farmacologia , Núcleo Hipotalâmico Paraventricular/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptor 5-HT2A de Serotonina/metabolismo , Anfetaminas/farmacocinética , Animais , Western Blotting/métodos , Corticosterona/sangue , Interações Medicamentosas , Subunidades alfa de Proteínas de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Isótopos de Iodo/farmacocinética , Masculino , Núcleo Hipotalâmico Paraventricular/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Radioimunoensaio/métodos , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Agonistas do Receptor de Serotonina/farmacocinética , Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/metabolismo , Fatores de Tempo
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