Prolonged chronic academic stress and its relationship with cytokine dysregulation in health science students.

Academic stress is a problem that affects students due to a number of factors that are considered stressors. These include academic overload and completion of assignments and exams, exacerbated by such external conditions as family, social and economic problems. Together, these can affect emotional and physical health, which may lead in the long term to developing a number of pathologies, given the alteration of immunological homoeostasis with which they are related. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of academic stress on the production of cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-10 in Morphology students in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Universidad del Cauca during an academic period. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive longitudinal study was carried out with a population of 78 students studying Morphology, among the subjects with the highest academic load in the Physiotherapy, Medicine, Nursing and Phonoaudiology programs in the Faculty. Academic stress was assessed in the students by applying the Academic Stress Questionnaire (ASQ), and through quantification of the IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-10 cytokines using the ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) technique in three "moments" of the academic semester: Moment 1: beginning of the academic semester; Moment 2: week of evaluations of 70% of the semester; Moment 3: week of final exams. RESULTS: The students perceived stress as "normal" at Moment 1, while at Moments 2 and 3 it was perceived as "quite a lot", with percentages of 48.7% and 50%, respectively. The predominant stressors were: "methodological deficiencies", "academic overload", and "exams", for the three moments of the study. "Physical exhaustion" was the most prevalent stress response at all three moments, followed by "irascible behaviour" (Moment 2 and 3), and "sleep disturbances" (Moment 3). To cope with the stress, the students resorted mainly to "planning and management of personal resources" in the three moments of the study. A progressive increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and a decrease in IL-10 were observed at all three moments. A correlation was found between some questions belonging to the "methodological deficiencies", "beliefs about performance", "sleep disturbances", "physical exhaustion" and "irascible behaviour" dimensions with IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL. -10. CONCLUSION: The morphology students suffer increased stress indicators (perceived stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines) throughout the academic period. The "methodological deficiencies", "academic overload" and "exams" stressors, together with "physical exhaustion", "sleep disturbances" and "irascible behaviour", possibly influence the production of the IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines.

Scorpion Toxins and Ion Channels: Potential Applications in Cancer Therapy.

Apoptosis, a genetically directed process of cell death, has been studied for many years, and the biochemical mechanisms that surround it are well known and described. There are at least three pathways by which apoptosis occurs, and each pathway depends on extra or intracellular processes for activation. Apoptosis is a vital process, but disturbances in proliferation and cell death rates can lead to the development of diseases like cancer. Several compounds, isolated from scorpion venoms, exhibit inhibitory effects on different cancer cells. Indeed, some of these compounds can differentiate between healthy and cancer cells within the same tissue. During the carcinogenic process, morphological, biochemical, and biological changes occur that enable these compounds to modulate cancer but not healthy cells. This review highlights cancer cell features that enable modulation by scorpion neurotoxins. The properties of the isolated scorpion neurotoxins in cancer cells and the potential uses of these compounds as alternative treatments for cancer are discussed.

Low Frequency Of Regulatory B-Cells And Increased CD4+ and CD8+ Interferon-γ-producing cells in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type.

INTRODUCTION: Tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) is a disease caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) that mainly infects CD4 T cells-for example, those of the CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ [Treg] phenotype-where it inhibits forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) expression and promotes interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression. However, the role it exerts on regulatory B cells (CD19+CD24hiCD38hi; Breg) is unknown. METHODS: The frequencies of Treg and Breg cells was evaluated and the Th1 profiles were assessed in TSP/HAM patients and healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Low percentages of Breg cells and high production of IFN-γ were observed in patients compared to those in healthy control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The low percentage of Breg cells in patients and the increase in the frequency of Th1 cells suggest an imbalance in the control of the inflammatory response that contributes to the immunopathogenesis of TSP/HAM.

Infección por Herpes virus Humano tipo 6 relacionado con manifestaciones dermatológicas y fatiga crónica: serie de casos / Human Herpesvirus type 6 infection related to dermatological manifestations and chronic fatigue: case series

Resumen Introducción: Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes causadas por el Herpes Virus Humano Tipo 6 (HHV-6) ocurren en niños menores de 2 años, presentan lesiones en piel tipo roséola o exantema súbito. En adultos, las manifestaciones clínicas relacionadas a HHV-6 son muy variables, y pueden sobreponerse con otras afecciones. Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos de pacientes diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6, quienes mostraban manifestaciones neurológicas, dermatológicas y de fatiga crónica. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó análisis de historias clínicas de 6 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6, a través de métodos moleculares. Resultados: Se reportan 6 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6 mediante métodos moleculares, quienes presentaron manifestaciones clínicas comunes tales como: fiebre, cefalea, depresión, decaimiento, pérdida de memoria y concentración, dolor fibromuscular, dolor poliarticular, sueño no reparador, exantema, nevus rubí, liquen plano y parestesias. Conclusiones: A través de esta serie de casos se espera resaltar la importancia de identificar la infección activa por HHV-6 a través de métodos moleculares, y sensibilizar a la comunidad médica sobre el papel que juega el virus en la evolución de diversas patologías.

Abstract Introduction: The most frequent clinical manifestations of Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in children under 2 years of age are roseola-like skin lesions and sudden rash. In adults, the clinical manifestations associated with HHV-6 are highly variable and can overlap with other conditions. Objective: To present a case series of patients diagnosed with active HHV-6 infection, who showed neurological, dermatological and chronic fatigue manifestations. Materials and methods: An analysis of medical records of 6 patients who were diagnosed with active HHV-6 infection through molecular methods was performed. Results: 6 patients were diagnosed with active HHV-6 infection using molecular methods, who had common clinical manifestations such as fever, headache, depression, tiredness, loss of memory and concentration, fibromuscular pain, polyarticular pain, nonrestorative sleep, rash, ruby nevus, lichen planus and paresthesia. Conclusions: This case series highlights the importance of identifying active HHV-6 infection through molecular methods and creating awareness in the medical community of the role that the virus plays on the development of diverse pathologies.

Síndrome de Brugada. Aspectos fisiopatológicos, clínicos y su asociación con enfermedades infecciosas / Brugada syndrome. Physiopathological, clinical aspects and association with infectious diseases

RESUMEN El síndrome de Brugada (SBr) es una enfermedad cardiaca no estructural que afecta los canales iónicos cardiacos, caracterizado por manifestaciones clínicas como arritmias, taquicardia, síncope y muerte súbita, entre otras. Su diagnóstico es netamente electrocardiográfico, con un patrón altamente sugestivo pero no patognomónico, por lo que existen diagnósticos diferenciales desde el punto de vista electrocardiográfico. Existen tres patrones electrocardiográficos en los pacientes con SBr, de los cuales el tipo I es el patrón más característico. Actualmente, múltiples genes se han relacionado con la presentación de este síndrome, entre los cuales se destaca el gen SCN5A, el más descrito en la literatura. Se conoce que este síndrome es más frecuente en el género masculino; sin embargo, no existen estudios epidemiológicos en Latinoamérica que lo confirmen. Pese a que la investigación alrededor de los mecanismos causales del síndrome ha avanzado, existen varias cuestiones sin resolver, como su desenmascaramiento por los signos que producen algunas enfermedades infecciosas causadas principalmente por virus. Por lo tanto, dada la relevancia clínica del tema para el médico general y para el especialista, el objetivo de esta revisión es describir no solo aspectos fisiopatológicos y clínicos de la enfermedad, sino también resaltar casos de pacientes con enfermedades infecciosas quienes posteriormente han sido diagnosticados con el síndrome de Brugada.

SUMMARY Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a non-structural cardiac disease that affects cardiac ion channels; it is characterized by clinical manifestations such as arrhythmias, tachycardia, syncope and sudden death, among others. Its diagnosis is mainly electrocardiographic, with a highly suggestive but not pathognomonic pattern, thus, there could be differential diagnoses from the electrocardiographic point of view. There are three electrocardiographic patterns in patients with BrS, of which type I is the most characteristic pattern. Currently, multiple genes have be linked to the presentation of this syndrome, among which the SCN5A gene is the most described in the literature. It is know that this syndrome is more frequent in males; however, there are not epidemiological studies in Latin America that confirm it. Although research around the causal mechanisms of the syndrome has advanced, there are several unresolved issues, for example, its unmasking by the signs produced for some infectious diseases caused mainly by viruses. Therefore, given the clinical relevance of the topic, for the medical general practitioner and the specialist, the objective of this review is to describe not only the physiopathological and clinical aspects of the disease, but also highlight cases of patients with infectious diseases, who subsequently have been diagnosed with Brugada syndrome.

Low frequency of regulatory B-cells and increased CD4+ and CD8+ interferon-γ-producing cells in patients with tropical spastic paraparesis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) is a disease caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) that mainly infects CD4 T cells-for example, those of the CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ [Treg] phenotype-where it inhibits forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) expression and promotes interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression. However, the role it exerts on regulatory B cells (CD19+CD24hiCD38hi; Breg) is unknown. METHODS: The frequencies of Treg and Breg cells was evaluated and the Th1 profiles were assessed in TSP/HAM patients and healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Low percentages of Breg cells and high production of IFN-γ were observed in patients compared to those in healthy control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The low percentage of Breg cells in patients and the increase in the frequency of Th1 cells suggest an imbalance in the control of the inflammatory response that contributes to the immunopathogenesis of TSP/HAM.

Virus de Epstein-Barr y su relación con el desarrollo del cáncer / Relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and cancer development / O Vírus de Epstein-Barr e sua relação com o desenvolvimento do cáncer

RESUMEN El virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) es un agente infeccioso que tiene tropismo por células linfoides y ocasionalmente por células epiteliales. La Agencia Internacional para la Investigación sobre Cáncer (IARC, por su sigla en inglés) lo clasificó hace 20 años como carcinógeno de tipo I, porque durante la infección latente expresa diferentes proteínas o micro-ARN con capacidad oncogénica, por lo que las células infectadas tendrían el potencial de desarrollar cáncer. Esto se ha demostrado en algunos tipos de cáncer como linfomas, carcinoma nasofaríngeo y cáncer gástrico, mientras que la asociación no es completamente clara en los cánceres de mama y pulmón. La presente revisión describe, profundiza y analiza la relación del VEB con dichos tipos de cáncer, así como los métodos diagnósticos empleados para su detección. Finalmente, se plantean preguntas cuyas respuestas podrían contribuir al conocimiento de los mecanismos moleculares involucrados en la relación VEB-cáncer.

SUMMARY Relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and cancer development Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an infectious agent with tropism for lymphoid cells and occasionally for epithelial cells. Twenty years ago it was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as type I carcinogen, because during latent infection it expresses different proteins or microRNAs with oncogenic ability, so that infected cells could potentially develop cancer. This association has been shown in some cancers such as lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastric cancer, while the association has not been completely clear in breast and lung cancer. This review describes, deepens and analyzes the relationship between EVB and the aforementioned types of cancer, as well as diagnostic methods for its detection. Finally, this paper poses different questions whose answers could contribute to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the EVB-cancer relationship.

RESUMO O vírus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) é um agente infeccioso que tem tropismo pelas células linfóides e, ocasionalmente, por células epiteliais. A Agência Internacional de Investigação do Câncer (IARC, por sua sigla do Inglês) classificou-o há 20 anos como substância cancerígena tipo I, devido a que durante a infecção latente expressa diferentes proteínas ou micro-ARN com capacidade oncogênica, de modo que as células infectadas têm o potencial de desenvolver câncer. Isto tem sido demonstrado em alguns tipos de câncer tais como linfomas, carcinoma da nasofaringe e câncer gástrico, enquanto que a associação não é inteiramente claro nos câncer da mama e do pulmão. Esta revisão descreve, analisa os aprofunda a relação do VEB com os mencionados tipos de câncer, bem como os métodos de diagnóstico para a sua detecção. Finalmente, planteiam se questões cujas respostas poderiam contribuir na compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na relação VEB-câncer.

Infección por el virus linfotrópico humano de células T tipo 1 (HTLV-1) y paraparesia espástica. Avances y diagnóstico 35 años después de su descubrimiento / Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection and spastic paraparesis. Advances and diagnosis 35 years after its Discovery / Infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico humano de células T tipo 1 (HTLV-1) e paraparesia espástica. Avanços e diagnóstico depois de 35 anos do seu descobrimento

RESUMEN El virus linfotrópico humano tipo 1 (HTLV-1) genera trastornos como la mielopatía inflamatoria crónica y progresiva conocida como mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1 (MAH), caracterizada por un cuadro clínico de paraparesia espástica. Inicialmente, el virus fue reportado en zonas tropicales y actualmente está presente en diferentes regiones del mundo. El HTLV-1 se puede transmitir tanto horizontal como verticalmente y permanecer latente en los pacientes; se calcula que de 1 % a 5 % de los infectados desarrollan leucemia/linfoma de células T en el adulto (LTA) y de 3 % a 5 %, MAH. Esta revisión, por medio de la búsqueda sistemática en bases de datos, es una compilación de la información más sobresaliente acerca de este retrovirus y la paraparesia espástica, aporta al conocimiento básico de la enfermedad, difunde un problema de salud poco conocido y genera la necesidad de hacer un diagnóstico temprano a fin de intervenir en la cadena de transmisión del virus y evitar su propagación silenciosa en la población.

SUMMARY Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes disorders such as chronic inflammatory progressive myelopathy, which is known as HTLV-1associated myelopathy (MAH), characterized by spastic paraparesis symptoms. Originally, the virus was reported in tropical zones and is currently distributed in different regions of the world. HTLV-1 can be transmitted both horizontally and vertically, and remains latent in patients; between 1 % and 5 % of those infected develop adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (LTA) and 3 % to 5 %, MAH. This review, carried out through systematic search of databases, compiles the most outstanding information about this retrovirus and the spastic paraparesis, provides basic knowledge on the disease, illustrates on an unknown health problem and creates the need for early diagnosis in order to stop the chain of viral infection and prevent its silent propagation among the population.

RESUMO O vírus linfotrópico humano tipo 1 (HTLV-1) gera transtornos como a mielopatia inflamatória crônica e progressiva conhecida como mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1 (MAH), caracterizada por um quadro clínico de paraparesia espástica. Inicialmente, o vírus foi reportado em zonas tropicais e atualmente está presente em diferentes regiões do mundo. O HTLV-1 se pode transmitir tanto horizontal como verticalmente e permanecer latente nos pacientes; calculase que de 1% a 5% dos infectados desenvolvem leucemia/linfoma de células T no adulto (LTA) e de 3% a 5%, MAH. Esta revisão, por meio da pesquisa sistemática em bases de dados, é uma compilação da informação mais sobressalente sobre este retrovírus e a paraparesia espástica, aporta ao conhecimento básico da doença, difunde um problema de saúde pouco conhecido e gera a necessidade de fazer um diagnóstico precoce com o fim de intervir na cadeia de transmissão do vírus e evitar a sua propagação silenciosa na população.