Diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, and cognitive performance in older adults: is there any impact of frailty? Evidence from the ELSI-Brazil study

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between diabetes and cognitive performance in a nationally representative study in Brazil. We also aimed to investigate the interaction between frailty and diabetes on cognitive performance. A cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) baseline data that included adults aged 50 years and older was conducted. Linear regression models were used to study the association between diabetes and cognitive performance. A total of 8,149 participants were included, and a subgroup analysis was performed in 1,768 with hemoglobin A1c data. Diabetes and hemoglobin A1c levels were not associated with cognitive performance. Interaction of hemoglobin A1c levels with frailty status was found on global cognitive z-score (P-value for interaction=0.038). These results suggested an association between higher hemoglobin A1c levels and lower cognitive performance only in non-frail participants. Additionally, undiagnosed diabetes with higher hemoglobin A1c levels was associated with both poor global cognitive (β=-0.36; 95%CI: -0.62; -0.10, P=0.008) and semantic verbal fluency performance (β=-0.47; 95%CI: -0.73; -0.21, P=0.001). In conclusion, higher hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with lower cognitive performance among non-frail participants. Higher hemoglobin A1c levels without a previous diagnosis of diabetes were also related to poor cognitive performance. Future longitudinal analyses of the ELSI-Brazil study will provide further information on the role of frailty in the association of diabetes and glycemic control with cognitive decline.

Diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, and cognitive performance in older adults: is there any impact of frailty? Evidence from the ELSI-Brazil study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between diabetes and cognitive performance in a nationally representative study in Brazil. We also aimed to investigate the interaction between frailty and diabetes on cognitive performance. A cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) baseline data that included adults aged 50 years and older was conducted. Linear regression models were used to study the association between diabetes and cognitive performance. A total of 8,149 participants were included, and a subgroup analysis was performed in 1,768 with hemoglobin A1c data. Diabetes and hemoglobin A1c levels were not associated with cognitive performance. Interaction of hemoglobin A1c levels with frailty status was found on global cognitive z-score (P-value for interaction=0.038). These results suggested an association between higher hemoglobin A1c levels and lower cognitive performance only in non-frail participants. Additionally, undiagnosed diabetes with higher hemoglobin A1c levels was associated with both poor global cognitive (ß=-0.36; 95%CI: -0.62; -0.10, P=0.008) and semantic verbal fluency performance (ß=-0.47; 95%CI: -0.73; -0.21, P=0.001). In conclusion, higher hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with lower cognitive performance among non-frail participants. Higher hemoglobin A1c levels without a previous diagnosis of diabetes were also related to poor cognitive performance. Future longitudinal analyses of the ELSI-Brazil study will provide further information on the role of frailty in the association of diabetes and glycemic control with cognitive decline.

The use of Artificial Intelligence in predicting Respiratory Syncytial Virus-inhibiting flavonoids.

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) infection results in death and hospitalization of thousands of people worldwide each year. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for hRSV infections. Screening hundreds or even thousands of promising molecules is a challenge for science. We integrated biological, structural, and physicochemical properties to train and to apply the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) able to predict flavonoids with potential anti-hRSV activity. During the training and simulation steps, the AI produced results with hit rates of more than 83%. The better AIs were able to predict active or inactive flavonoids against hRSV. In the future, in vitro and/or in vivo evaluations of these flavonoids may accelerate trials for new anti-RSV drugs, reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and morbidity caused by this infection worldwide, and be used as input in these networks to determine which parameter is more important for their decision.

Estimating genetic parameters of reproductive, carcass, and meat quality traits in Polled Nellore cattle.

Considering the economic and commercial efficiency of the beef production chain, the yield and quality of the meat produced must also be included in breeding programs. For the Nellore breed, including the polled herd, these aspects have not been much studied. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for scrotal circumference adjusted to 365 (SC365) and 450 (SC450) days of age, age at first calving (AFC), accumulated productivity (AP), stayability (STAY), longissimus muscle area (LMA), thickness of subcutaneous fat over the 12th-13th ribs (BF), thickness of subcutaneous fat over the rump (RF), and shear force measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of polled Nellore cattle. Bayesian analyses were performed by adopting a linear animal model, whereas STAY analyses used the linear threshold model. Heritability estimates were 0.31 (SC365), 0.37 (SC450), 0.16 (AFC), 0.25 (AP), 0.16 (STAY), 0.30 (LMA), 0.13 (BF), 0.24 (RF), and 0.15 (WBSF), indicating moderate response to selection. Genetic and residual correlations between SC365 and SC450 were high (0.91 and 0.74, respectively), as well as the genetic correlations of AP with SC365, SC450, AFC, and STAY (0.61, 0.62, - 0.69, and 0.83, respectively). Genetic and residual correlations of WBSF with reproductive and carcass characteristics exhibited high standard deviations, however favorable. Based on the results, it is expected that in the medium term, animals with greater sexual precocity will also have greater accumulated productivity and longer permanence of females in the herd, along with superior carcass traits. However, due to the low heritabilities and small genetic associations with reproductive traits, fat thickness characteristics (BF and RF) will still require direct selection.

The relationship between loneliness and healthy aging indicators in Brazil (ELSI-Brazil) and England (ELSA): sex differences.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate five harmonized healthy aging indicators covering functional ability and intrinsic capacity among older women and men from Brazil and England and evaluate their association with loneliness. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: We used two nationally representative samples of men and women aged ≥60 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) wave 2 (2019-2021; n = 6929) and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging wave 9 (2018-2019; n = 5902). Healthy aging included five separate indicators (getting dressed, taking medication, managing money, cognitive function, and handgrip strength). Loneliness was measured by the 3-item University of California Loneliness Scale. Logistic regression models stratified by sex and country were performed. RESULTS: Overall, age-adjusted healthy aging indicators were worse in Brazil compared with England for both men and women. Considering functional ability, loneliness was negatively associated with all indicators (ranging from odds ratio [OR] = 0.26, [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.52] in English men regarding the ability to take medication to OR = 0.49 [95% CI 0.27-0.89] in Brazilian women regarding the ability to manage money). Considering intrinsic capacity, loneliness was negatively associated with a higher cognitive function (OR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.55-0.95 in English women) and a higher handgrip strength (OR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.45-0.83 in Brazilian women). Lonely women demonstrated lower odds of a higher number of healthy aging indicators than men in both countries. CONCLUSIONS: Country-specific social environments should be targeted by public policies to decrease loneliness and promote healthy aging later in life.

Quercetin inhibits neutrophil extracellular traps release and their cytotoxic effects on A549 cells, as well the release and enzymatic activity of elastase and myeloperoxidase.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were first reported as a microbicidal strategy for activated neutrophils. Through an immunologic response against several stimuli, neutrophils release their DNA together with proteins from granules, nucleus, and cytoplasm (e.g., elastase and myeloperoxidase). To date, NETs have been implicated in tissue damage during intense inflammatory processes, mainly when their release is dependent on oxygen radical generation. Flavonoids are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents; of these, quercetin is commonly found in our daily diet. Therefore, quercetin could exert some protective activity against tissue damage induced by NETs. In our in vitro assays, quercetin reduced NETs, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and elastase release from neutrophils stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The activity of these enzymes also decreased in the presence of quercetin. Quercetin also reduced the cytotoxic effect of NETs on alveolar cells (A549 cell line). Further, in silico assays indicated favorable interactions between quercetin and NET proteins (MPO and elastase). Overall, our results demonstrate that quercetin decreases deleterious cellular effects of NETs by reducing their release from activated neutrophils, and diminishing the enzymatic activity of MPO and elastase, possibly through direct interaction.

Effect of intrabronchial platelet rich plasma on the exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage endoscopic score in thoroughbred racehorses using furosemide: a preliminary study / [Efeito da instilação intrabronquial de plasma rico em plaquetas no escore endoscópico da hemorragia pulmonar induzida por exercício em cavalos Puro-Sangue Inglês de corrida e usuários de furosemida: um estudo preliminar]

The high prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses constitutes to be a challenge to the racing industry and a source of major concern to animal welfare. Both experimental and clinical evidence indicate that the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising effector of repair in a variety of pulmonary conditions. The present study evaluated the effect of intrabronchial instillation of PRP on EIPH endoscopic scores from 37 Thoroughbred racehorses. Inclusion criteria were for animals to be EIPH-positive in, at least, two consecutive post-exercise endoscopic exams and to receive 250mg of furosemide IV four hours before racing. Animals were randomly assigned into 3 groups: placebo, control, and PRP instillation. All 37 Thoroughbred racehorses included had EIPH endoscopic scores pre- and post- treatment compared by statistical analysis. The bleeding score from the group receiving PRP was significantly lower than in the control and placebo groups. No adverse effects were observed in any animal during or after the experiment. It was possible to conclude that the intrabronchial instillation of autologous PRP was effective in reducing EIPH scores in racehorses receiving furosemide and that this bioproduct can be considered as a promising coadjuvant in controlling EIPH in athletic horses.(AU)

A alta prevalência de hemorragia pulmonar induzida por exercício (HPIE) em cavalos atletas é um desafio de longa data para a indústria de corridas, além de figurar como grande preocupação sobre o bem-estar animal. As evidências experimentais e clínicas indicam que o uso do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) de fonte autógena é promissor na terapêutica de diversas lesões pulmonares. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar as mudanças após corrida no escore endoscópico de HPIE de 37 cavalos Puro-Sangue Inglês que receberam instilação intrabronquial de PRP autólogo. Os animais selecionados eram HPIE-positivos em, ao menos, dois exames endoscópicos consecutivos e recebiam 250mg de furosemida IV administrado quatro horas antes de cada corrida. Na comparação dos escores endoscópicos pré e pós-tratamento, verificou-se que o escore de HPIE do grupo tratado com PRP foi significantemente menor que o dos grupos controle e placebo. Nenhum efeito adverso foi observado nos animais durante ou após o experimento. Concluiu-se que a instilação intrabronquial de PRP autólogo foi efetiva na redução do escore de HPIE de cavalos de corrida usuários de furosemida e que este bioproduto pode ser considerado uma alternativa promissora no controle de HPIE em cavalos atletas.(AU)

Genomic prediction ability for feed efficiency traits using different models and pseudo-phenotypes under several validation strategies in Nelore cattle.

There is a growing interest to improve feed efficiency (FE) traits in cattle. The genomic selection was proposed to improve these traits since they are difficult and expensive to measure. Up to date, there are scarce studies about the implementation of genomic selection for FE traits in indicine cattle under different scenarios of pseudo-phenotypes, models, and validation strategies on a commercial large scale. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the feasibility of genomic selection implementation for FE traits in Nelore cattle applying different models and pseudo-phenotypes under validation strategies. Phenotypic and genotypic information from 4 329 and 3 467 animals were used, respectively, which were tested for residual feed intake, DM intake, feed efficiency, feed conversion ratio, residual BW gain, and residual intake and BW gain. Six prediction methods were used: single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction, Bayes A, Bayes B, Bayes Cπ, Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (BLASSO), and Bayes R. Phenotypes adjusted for fixed effects (Y*), estimated breeding value (EBV), and EBV deregressed (DEBV) were used as pseudo-phenotypes. The validation approaches used were: (1) random: the data was randomly divided into ten subsets and the validation was done in each subset at a time; (2) age: the partition into training and testing sets was based on year of birth and testing animals were born after 2016; and (3) EBV accuracy: the data was split into two groups, being animals with accuracy above 0.45 the training set; and below 0.45 the validation set. In the analyses that used the Y* as pseudo-phenotype, prediction ability (PA) was obtained by dividing the correlation between pseudo-phenotype and genomic EBV (GEBV) by the square root of the heritability of the trait. When EBV and DEBV were used as the pseudo-phenotype, the simple correlation of this quantity with the GEBV was considered as PA. The prediction methods show similar results for PA and bias. The random cross-validation presented higher PA (0.17) than EBV accuracy (0.14) and age (0.13). The PA was higher for Y* than for EBV and DEBV (30.0 and 34.3%, respectively). Random validation presented the highest PA, being indicated for use in populations composed mainly of young animals and traits with few generations of data recording. For high heritability traits, the validation can be done by age, enabling the prediction of the next-generation genetic merit. These results would support breeders to identify genomic approaches that are more viable for genomic prediction for FE-related traits.

Diagnosis and treatment of HEp-2 cells contaminated with mycoplasma / Diagnóstico e tratamento de células HEp-2 contaminadas por micoplasma

Abstract Contamination of primary and cell cultures by mycoplasmas is one of the main economic and biological pitfalls in basic research, diagnosis and manufacture of biotechnological products. It is a common issue which may be difficult to conduct surveillance on. Mycoplasma presence may affect several physiological parameters of the cell, besides being considered an important source of inaccurate and/or non-reproducible scientific results. Each cell type presents characteristical symptoms, mainly morphological, that indicate a contamination by mycoplasma. HEp-2 cells originate from carcinoma of the larynx and are, therefore, part of the respiratory tract, which is one of mycoplasma habitats. Despite the importance these cells in several biological research (evaluation of cell proliferation and migration, apoptosis, antiviral and antitumor compounds), the alterations induced by mycoplasma contamination in HEp-2 cells have not yet been described. Here, we describe the progressive morphological alterations in culture of HEp-2 cells infected with mycoplasma, as well as the-diagnosis of the infection and its treatment. Mycoplasma contamination described within this work led to cytoplasm elongation, cell-to-cell spacing, thin plasma membrane projections, cytoplasmic vacuoles, fusion with neighboring cells, and, finally, cell death. Contamination was detected by fluorescence imaging (DAPI) and PCR reactions. The cultures were treated with BM-Cyclin antibiotic to eliminate contamination. The data presented here will be of relevance to researchers whose investigations involve cell culture, especially respiratory and HEp-2 cells.

Resumo A contaminação de culturas primárias e celulares por micoplasmas é uma das principais armadilhas econômicas e biológicas da pesquisa básica, diagnóstico e fabricação de produtos biotecnológicos. Trata-se de uma contaminação rotineira, mas de difícil acompanhamento. A presença de micoplasma pode afetar vários parâmetros fisiológicos da célula, além de ser considerada uma importante fonte de resultados científicos imprecisos e/ou não reprodutíveis. Cada tipo de célula apresenta sintomas característicos, principalmente morfológicos, que indicam uma contaminação por micoplasma. As células HEp-2 são originárias do carcinoma da laringe e, portanto, fazem parte do trato respiratório, um dos habitats do micoplasma. Apesar da importância destas células em diversas pesquisas biológicas (avaliação da proliferação e migração celular, apoptose, compostos antivirais e antitumorais), as alterações decorrentes da contaminação por micoplasma nestas células ainda não foi descrita. Aqui, descrevemos as alterações morfológicas progressivas na cultura de células HEp-2 infectadas por micoplasma, bem como o diagnóstico da infecção e seu tratamento. A contaminação por micoplasma descrita neste trabalho resultou em alongamento citoplasmático, espaçamento entre células, projeções delgadas da membrana plasmática, vacúolos citoplasmáticos, fusão de células vizinhas e, finalmente, morte celular. A contaminação foi detectada por imagens de fluorescência (DAPI) e reações de PCR. As culturas foram tratadas com antibiótico BM-Cyclin para eliminar a contaminação. Os dados aqui apresentados serão de relevância para pesquisadores cujas investigações envolvem cultura celular, principalmente células respiratórias e HEp-2.

Technical Innovation for Visual Assessment of Preterm Newborns in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed at assessing heart rate variability (HRV) and its correlation with visual acuity (VA) assessment of preterm newborns (PTNB) in neonatal intensive care units. METHOD: Cross-sectional study analyzing HRV during assessment of VA with the aid of a Polar RS800CX heart rate monitor (Polar Electro Oy, Finland). HRV was analyzed according to time and frequency domains and the chaos domain used the autocorrelation coefficient and entropy. The sample consisted of hospitalized PTNB, and static analysis included simple regression diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 14 PTNB were included in the sample. VA varied between 0.23 and 1.60 cpd, and only five PTNB obtained below-expected values for age. Statistical analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between VA and time domain (SDDN and SD2) and a positive correlation between frequency domain (heart rate and hertz), but in simple linear regression analysis, these variables did not influence VA. CONCLUSION: The results of the study demonstrate that visual acuity was inversely correlated with SDNN and SD2 and during stimulation, showing that the higher the visual performance, the lower the autonomic modulation response.

Genome-enabled prediction of meat and carcass traits using Bayesian regression, single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction and blending methods in Nelore cattle.

Several methods have been used for genome-enabled prediction (or genomic selection) of complex traits, for example, multiple regression models describing a target trait with a linear function of a set of genetic markers. Genomic selection studies have been focused mostly on single-trait analyses. However, most profitability traits are genetically correlated, and an increase in prediction accuracy of genomic breeding values for genetically correlated traits is expected when using multiple-trait models. Thus, this study was carried out to assess the accuracy of genomic prediction for carcass and meat quality traits in Nelore cattle, using single- and multiple-trait approaches. The study considered 15 780, 15 784, 15 742 and 526 records of rib eye area (REA, cm2), back fat thickness (BF, mm), rump fat (RF, mm) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF, kg), respectively, in Nelore cattle, from the Nelore Brazil Breeding Program. Animals were genotyped with a low-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel and subsequently imputed to arrays with 54 and 777 k SNPs. Four Bayesian specifications of genomic regression models, namely, Bayes A, Bayes B, Bayes Cπ and Bayesian Ridge Regression; blending methods, BLUP; and single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) methods were compared in terms of prediction accuracy using a fivefold cross-validation. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.20 to 0.35 and from 0.21 to 0.46 for RF and WBSF on single- and multiple-trait analyses, respectively. Prediction accuracies for REA, BF, RF and WBSF were all similar using the different specifications of regression models. In addition, this study has shown the impact of genomic information upon genetic evaluations in beef cattle using the multiple-trait model, which was also advantageous compared to the single-trait model because it accounted for the selection process using multiple traits at the same time. The advantage of multi-trait analyses is attributed to the consideration of correlations and genetic influences between the traits, in addition to the non-random association of alleles.

Diagnosis and treatment of HEp-2 cells contaminated with mycoplasma.

Contamination of primary and cell cultures by mycoplasmas is one of the main economic and biological pitfalls in basic research, diagnosis and manufacture of biotechnological products. It is a common issue which may be difficult to conduct surveillance on. Mycoplasma presence may affect several physiological parameters of the cell, besides being considered an important source of inaccurate and/or non-reproducible scientific results. Each cell type presents characteristical symptoms, mainly morphological, that indicate a contamination by mycoplasma. HEp-2 cells originate from carcinoma of the larynx and are, therefore, part of the respiratory tract, which is one of mycoplasma habitats. Despite the importance these cells in several biological research (evaluation of cell proliferation and migration, apoptosis, antiviral and antitumor compounds), the alterations induced by mycoplasma contamination in HEp-2 cells have not yet been described. Here, we describe the progressive morphological alterations in culture of HEp-2 cells infected with mycoplasma, as well as the-diagnosis of the infection and its treatment. Mycoplasma contamination described within this work led to cytoplasm elongation, cell-to-cell spacing, thin plasma membrane projections, cytoplasmic vacuoles, fusion with neighboring cells, and, finally, cell death. Contamination was detected by fluorescence imaging (DAPI) and PCR reactions. The cultures were treated with BM-Cyclin antibiotic to eliminate contamination. The data presented here will be of relevance to researchers whose investigations involve cell culture, especially respiratory and HEp-2 cells.

Education-Related Inequalities in Dental Services Use among Older Adults in 23 Countries.

This study aimed to measure the magnitude of education-related inequalities in the use of dental services among older adults (aged 50 y or older) from a sizable multicountry sample of 23 upper-middle- and high-income countries. This study used cross-sectional data from nationally representative surveys of people aged 50 y and over. Countries included in the Health and Retirement Study surveys were the following: Brazil, China, South Korea, Mexico, United States, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Israel, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The dependent variable was the use of dental services, based on the self-report of having had a dental visit within the previous year, except for the United States and South Korea, which used 2-y recall periods. Educational level was used as the measure of socioeconomic position and was standardized across countries. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the factors associated with the use of dental services, and the magnitude of education inequalities in the use of dental services was assessed using the slope index of inequality (SII) to measure absolute inequalities and the relative index of inequality for relative inequalities. The pooled prevalence of the use of dental services was 31.7% and ranged from 18.7% in China to 81.2% in Sweden. In the overall sample, the absolute difference in the prevalence of use between the lowest and highest educational groups was 20 percentage points. SII was significant for all countries except Portugal. Relative educational inequalities were significant for all countries and ranged from 3.2 in Poland to 1.2 in Sweden. There were significant education-related inequalities in the use of dental care by older adults in all countries. Monitoring these inequalities is critical to the planning and delivery of dental services.

R-spondin 2 mediates neutrophil egress into the alveolar space through increased lung permeability.

OBJECTIVE: R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) is required for lung morphogenesis, activates Wnt signaling, and is upregulated in idiopathic lung fibrosis. Our objective was to investigate whether RSPO2 is similarly important in homeostasis of the adult lung. While investigating the characteristics of bronchoalveolar lavage in RSPO2-deficient (RSPO2-/-) mice, we observed unexpected changes in neutrophil homeostasis and vascular permeability when compared to control (RSPO2+/+) mice at baseline. Here we quantify these observations to explore how tonic RSPO2 expression impacts lung homeostasis. RESULTS: Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis demonstrated significantly elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells from RSPO2-/- mice. Likewise, immunocytochemical (ICC) analysis demonstrated significantly more MPO+ cells in BALF from RSPO2-/- mice compared to controls, confirming the increase of infiltrated neutrophils. We then assessed lung permeability/barrier disruption via Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran instillation and found a significantly higher dextran concentration in the plasma of RSPO2-/- mice compared to identically treated RSPO2+/+ mice. These data demonstrate that RSPO2 may be crucial for blood-gas barrier integrity and can limit neutrophil migration from circulation into alveolar spaces associated with increased lung permeability and/or barrier disruption. This study indicates that additional research is needed to evaluate RSPO2 in scenarios characterized by pulmonary edema or neutrophilia.

Increased leishmanicidal activity of alveolar macrophages from mature horses with mild equine asthma / Aumento da atividade leishmanicida de macrófagos alveolares de equinos adultos com asma equina leve

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are an essential part of defense mechanisms within the lungs and their phagocytic activity is important for organ homeostasis. The phagocytic ability of AMs obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage from 17 mature mixed-breed pleasure horses (8 healthy and 9 diagnosed with mild equine asthma) was studied through assays with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes, which enabled the calculation of a phagocytic index (PI) and a survival index (SI). Results indicate that phagocytic activity of AMs in asthma affected horses is similar to healthy horses, while leishmanicidal activity is significantly increased in horses with asthma.(AU)

Os macrófagos alveolares (MAs) são uma parte essencial dos mecanismos de defesa dentro dos pulmões e sua atividade fagocítica é importante para a homeostase desse órgão. A capacidade fagocitária dos MAs obtidos do lavado broncoalveolar de 17 equinos adultos, sem raça definida (oito saudáveis e nove com diagnóstico de asma equina leve), foi estudada por meio de ensaios com promastigotas de Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Foi calculado o índice fagocítico e o índice de sobrevivência. Os resultados indicam que a atividade fagocítica de MAs em cavalos com asma é semelhante a cavalos saudáveis, enquanto a atividade leishmanicida está significativamente aumentada em cavalos com essa enfermidade.(AU)

IDO, COX and iNOS have an important role in the proliferation of Neospora caninum in neuron/glia co-cultures.

Central nervous system (CNS) is the main site for encystment of Neospora caninum in different animal species. In this tissue, glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) modulate responses to aggression in order to preserve homeostasis and neuronal function. Previous data showed that when primary cultures of glial cells are infected with N. caninum, they develop gliosis and the immune response is characterized by the release of TNF and IL-10, followed by the control of parasite proliferation. In order to elucidate this control, three enzymatic systems involved in parasite-versus-host interactions were observed on a model of neuron/glia co/cultures obtained from rat brains. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) responsible for the catabolism of tryptophan and arginine, respectively, and cycloxigenase (COX) were studied comparing their modulation by respective inhibitors with the number of tachyzoites or the immune response measured by the release of IL-10 and TNF. Cells were treated with the inhibitors of iNOS (1.5 mM L-NAME), IDO (1 mM 1-methyl tryptophan), COX-1 (1 µM indomethacin) and COX-2 (1 µM nimesulide) before infection with tachyzoites of N. caninum (1:1 cell: parasite). After 72 h of infection, immunocytochemistry showed astrogliosis and a significant increase in the number and length of neurites, compared with uninfected co-cultures, while an increase of IL-10 and TNF was verified. N. caninum did not change iNOS activity, but the inhibition of the basal levels of this enzyme stimulated parasite proliferation. Additionally, a significant increase of about 40% was verified in the IDO activity, whose inhibition caused 1.2-fold increase in parasitic growth. For COX-2 activity, infection of cultures stimulated a significant increase in release of PGE2 and its inhibition by nimesulide allowed the parasitic growth. These data indicate that iNOS, IDO and COX-2 control the proliferation of N. caninum in this in vitro model. On the other hand, the release of IL-10 by glia besides modulating the inflammation also allow the continuity of parasitism.

Long noncoding RNA polymorphisms influence susceptibility to endemic pemphigus foliaceus.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an epidermal autoimmune disease, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against the desmosomal protein desmoglein 1. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to PF, a complex disease that is endemic in Brazil and Colombia and neighbouring countries, and in Tunisia. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may participate in gene regulation by interacting with DNA, proteins and other RNAs. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has recently been recognized as an important coplayer in the onset or progression of complex diseases. In addition, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in lncRNA genes have been associated with differential risk to cancer, autoimmunity and infection. OBJECTIVES: Here, we aimed to investigate whether SNPs in lncRNA genes are associated with differential susceptibility to endemic PF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We integrated data from the lncRNA SNP database with genome-wide genotype data obtained for 229 patients and 6681 controls. We tested the association between endemic PF and 2080 SNPs located in lncRNAs applying logistic regression. RESULTS: The most significantly associated SNP was rs7144332 (OR = 1·63, P = 2·8 × 10-6 ), located in the lncRNA gene AL110292·1. Results for five other SNPs were suggestive of association (P < 0·001). In silico analysis indicated that five of the six SNPs impact transcription, three may influence lncRNA's secondary structure, and three may alter microRNA-lncRNA interactions. CONCLUSIONS: We showed, for the first time, that variation in lncRNA genes may influence pemphigus pathogenesis. Our findings highlight the importance of lncRNA variation in autoimmune and possibly other complex diseases and suggest polymorphisms for functional validation.

The influence of the morphological characteristics of nanoporous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) structures on capacitive touch sensor performance: a biological application.

This work is devoted to the study of the influence of different anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) morphologies on the sensitivity and performance of an AAO-based capacitive touch sensor. The AAO structures were fabricated in a cylindrical homemade anodization cell made from a solid polycarbonate billet via a lathe machining process. The AAO morphologies were obtained from the anodization of Al foil by using three different types of electrolyte (sulphuric acid, oxalic acid and phosphoric acid) and their morphologies are reported and compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and current-time characteristic curves. The sensors were fabricated by integrating the AAO structure with a nanotextured gold thin film deposited over the AAO layer by thermal evaporation, thus realizing a type of metal/insulator/metal parallel-plate capacitance sensor. It is demonstrated that AAO morphologies have influence on the performance of the AAO-based capacitive touch sensors. The variation of the capacitance of the sensors is investigated in this work for the AAO structures produced from anodization in an attempt to select anodizing conditions for a biological application aiming to detect small microorganisms such as bacterial colonies of Escherichia coli.

Effect of Menstrual Cycle on Acute Intermittent Porphyria.

A 16-year-old female who was attended as an outpatient reported localized, acute abdominal pain with vomiting, symmetrical motor weakness, and burning sensation in both arms and legs. Her medical history showed irrational behavior, repeated admissions at the emergency units of many other reference hospitals, where she had been investigated for celiac disease and treated with analgesics for pain events. Her clinical condition remained unchanged despite the use of many oral analgesics. In those admissions, she showed dysautonomia, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Diagnosis investigation disclosed a notable serum hyponatremia (133.7 mEq/L). She was referred for endoscopy and the histopathological lesion of the antrum in the stomach did not show neoplastic lesions. Colonoscopy, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), total abdominal computed tomography, and video laparoscopy were without significant abnormalities. Suspicion of acute intermittent porphyria was confirmed by quantitative urine porphobilinogen-level tests and genetic analysis. Patient was successfully treated with intravenous infusion of glucose and hemin therapy.

The Effects of Weight and Waist Change on the Risk of Long-Term Mortality in Older Adults- The Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the risk of long-term mortality associated with weight and waist circumference (WC) change among older adults, particularly the overweight and obese ones. DESIGN: Cohort Study. SETTING: The Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling elderly (n=1138). MEASUREMENTS: Weight and WC were reassessed three years after baseline. Mortality risk associated with a 5% weight/WC loss and gain was compared to that of weight/WC stability by Cox models adjusted for clinical, behavioral and social known risk factors for death (age, gender, BMI, smoking, diabetes, total cholesterol, hypertension, Chagas disease, major electrocardiographic changes, physical activity, B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, creatinine, education and household income). RESULTS: Female sex was predominant (718; 63.1%). Mean age was 68 (6.7) years. Weight stability (696; 61.1%) was more common than weight loss (251; 22.1%) or gain (191; 16.8%). WC remained stable in 422 (37.3%), decreased in 418 (37.0%) and increased in 291 (25.7%) participants. There were 334 (29.3%) deaths over a median follow-up time of 8.0 (6.4-8.0) years from weight/WC reassessment. Weight loss (HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.30-2.21) and gain (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01-1.85) were associated with increased mortality, except in those who were physically active in which weight gain was associated with decreased mortality. Results were similar for participants who were overweight/obese or with abdominal obesity at baseline (HR 1.41; 95%CI 1.02-1.97 and HR 2.01; 95%CI 1.29-3.12, for weight loss and gain, respectively). WC change was not significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Although weight loss has been recommended for adults with excessive weight regardless of age, weight change might be detrimental in older adults. Rather than weight loss, clinical interventions should target healthy lifestyle behaviors that contribute to weight stability, particularly physical activity in overweight and obese older adults.