Development of a new assay for quantification of parasite load of intracellular Leishmania sp. in macrophages using flow cytometry.

Finding novel methodologies that enhance the precision, agility, and standardization of drug discovery is crucial for studying leishmaniasis. The slide count is the technique most used to assess the leishmanicidal effect of a given drug in vitro. Despite being consolidated in the scientific environment, it presents several difficulties in its execution, assessment, and results. In addition to being laborious, this technique takes time, both for the preparation of the material for analysis and for the counting itself. Our research group suggests a fresh approach to address this requirement, which involves utilizing nuclear labeling with propidium iodide and flow cytometry to determine the quantity of Leishmania sp. parasites present in macrophages in vitro. Our results show that the fluorescence of infected samples increases as the infection rate increases. Using Pearson's Correlation analysis, it was possible to establish a correlation coefficient (Pearson r = 0.9473) that was strongly positive, linear, and directly proportional to the fluorescence and infection rate variables. Thus, it is possible to infer a mathematical equation through linear regression to estimate the number of parasites in each sample using the Relative Fluorescence Units (RFU) values. This new methodology opens space for the possibility of using this methodological resource in the in vitro quantification of Leishmania in macrophages.

Could combination chemotherapy be more effective than monotherapy in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis? A systematic review of preclinical evidence.

From a systematic review framework, we assessed the preclinical evidence on the effectiveness of drug combinations for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment. Research protocol was based on the PRISMA guideline. Research records were identified from Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Animal models, infection and treatment protocols, parasitological and immunological outcomes were analysed. The SYRCLE's (SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation) toll was used to evaluate the risk of bias in all studies reviewed. Fourteen papers using mice, hamster and dogs were identified. Leishmania donovani was frequently used to induce VL, which was treated with 23 drugs in 40 different combinations. Most combinations allowed to reduce the effective dose, cost and time of treatment, in addition to improving the parasitological control of Leishmania spp. The benefits achieved from drug combinations were associated with an increased drug's half-life, direct parasitic toxicity and improved immune defences in infected hosts. Selection, performance and detection bias were the main limitations identified. Current evidence indicates that combination chemotherapy, especially those based on classical drugs (miltefosine, amphotericin B antimony-based compounds) and new drugs (CAL-101, PAM3Cys, tufisin and DB766), develops additive or synergistic interactions, which trigger trypanocidal and immunomodulatory effects associated with reduced parasite load, organ damage and better cure rates in VL.

Exhaustive Training Leads to Hepatic Fat Accumulation.

Recently, we demonstrated that an overtraining (OT) protocol for mice based on downhill running sessions increased the hepatic phosphorylation of 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1; Thr389), a downstream target of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). In liver, the overactivation of the Akt/mTORC1 pathway induces lipogenesis via regulation of the action of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) at multiple steps. Herein, we verified the effects of three running OT models with same external load (i.e., the product between intensity and volume of training), but performed in downhill, uphill and without inclination, on the proteins related to the mTORC1 signaling pathway, the protein content of the SREBP-1, ACC, and FAS, and the morphological characteristics of C57BL/6 mouse livers. In summary, the downhill running-induced OT model up-regulated the levels of major proteins of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, the protein levels of SREBP-1 (p125 precursor) and induced signs of cell swelling accompanied by acute inflammation. The other two OT protocols performed uphill and without inclination did not modulate the most analyzed molecular proteins, but induced hepatic morphological alterations, suggesting an acute pathological adaptation. The three OT models induced hepatic fat accumulation. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2094-2103, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Demystifying In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of a Chagas Disease Mouse Model for Drug Efficacy Studies.

To control and decrease the public health impact of human protozoan diseases such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis, expediting the development of new drugs and vaccines is necessary. However, this process is filled with difficulties such as highly complex parasite biology and disease pathogenesis and, as typical for neglected tropical diseases, comparatively limited funding for research and development. Thus, in vitro and in vivo study models that can sufficiently reproduce infection and disease key features while providing rational use of resources are essential for progressing research for these conditions. One example is the in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) mouse model for Chagas disease, which provides highly sensitive detection of long wavelength light generated by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites expressing luciferase. Despite this technique becoming the standard approach for drug efficacy in vivo studies, research groups might still struggle to implement it due to a lack of proper practical training on equipment handling and application of quality control procedures, even when suitable BLI equipment is readily available. Considering this scenario, this protocol aims to guide from planning experiments to data acquisition and analysis, with details that facilitate the implementation of protocols in research groups with little or no experience with BLI, either for Chagas disease or for other infectious disease mouse models.

Experience with SARS-CoV-2 in an orthopaedic hospital.

Background: Concerns about nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have been described since the COVID-19 pandemic was first reported and cases of hospital-acquired (HA) COVID-19 and COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported even in clinical areas not intended for the specific care of COVID-19 and declared as "non-COVID" areas. Methods: Retrospective analysis of measures to prevent of hospital acquisition of COVID-19 in patients admitted to a tertiary referral specialist orthopaedic hospital in Brazil in which emergency care was maintained during the pandemic. Results: The proportion of HA-COVID-19 (0.07%) was lower than the value reported for general healthcare in Brazil (0.72%, P<0.001). The integration of several clinical teams to maintain a constant surveillance system, as well as the immediate isolation of patients with any compatible symptoms of COVID-19 and the restriction from work and the testing of symptomatic healthcare workers, were an important part of the strategies adopted. Conclusion: We suggest that the described strategies for preventing the nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2 contributed to the observed proportion of HA-COVID-19 to be significantly lower than the reported national value. Future studies that investigate these and other preventative measures are important so that hospitals are prepared for further periods of a high incidence of COVID-19, as well as for other epidemics associated with respiratory transmission.

Predictors of HBeAg status and hepatitis B viraemia in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis B in the HAART era in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: HBV-HIV co-infection is associated with an increased liver-related morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the natural history of chronic hepatitis B in HIV-infected individuals under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) receiving at least one of the two drugs that also affect HBV (TDF and LAM). Information about HBeAg status and HBV viremia in HIV/HBV co-infected patients is scarce. The objective of this study was to search for clinical and virological variables associated with HBeAg status and HBV viremia in patients of an HIV/HBV co-infected cohort. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed, of HBsAg-positive HIV-infected patients in treatment between 1994 and 2007 in two AIDS outpatient clinics located in the São Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. The baseline data were age, sex, CD4 T+ cell count, ALT level, HIV and HBV viral load, HBV genotype, and duration of antiretroviral use. The variables associated to HBeAg status and HBV viremia were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 86 HBsAg patients were included in the study. Of these, 48 (56%) were using combination therapy that included lamivudine (LAM) and tenofovir (TDF), 31 (36%) were using LAM monotherapy, and 7 patients had no previous use of either one. Duration of use of TDF and LAM varied from 4 to 21 and 7 to 144 months, respectively. A total of 42 (48.9%) patients were HBeAg positive and 44 (51.1%) were HBeAg negative. The multivariate analysis revealed that the use of TDF for longer than 12 months was associated with undetectable HBV DNA viral load (serum HBV DNA level < 60 UI/ml) (p = 0.047). HBeAg positivity was associated with HBV DNA > 60 UI/ml (p = 0.001) and ALT levels above normality (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Prolonged use of TDF containing HAART is associated with undetectable HBV DNA viral load. HBeAg positivity is associated with HBV viremia and increased ALT levels.

Impact of food choice and consumption profile on the perception of food coloring on kefir labels: Insights of the projective technique of Product Personality Profiling.

As consumer awareness of food expands, as does the understanding of the correlation between nutrition and health benefits, consumers are increasingly looking for healthier foods. One of these aspects can be observed in the search for foods with clean labels and with the removal/replacement of artificial additives, such as coloring. However, there are still no studies on the perception of foods with a positive reputation, such as fermented dairy. The present work aimed to evaluate the consumers' perception (n = 121) of kefir labels with the addition of food dyes from different origins (KN = natural kefir / no dye; KCA = kefir added with artificial coloring; KCN = kefir added with natural coloring; KCR = kefir added with coloring from fruit residues), associating data obtained through Product Personality Profile (PPP) and the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ). Based on FCQ's data, consumers were subdivided into three distinct clusters with specific profiles - Conscious, Balanced, and Flexible - and had their perceptions of each of the kefir labels described by PPP and Multidimensional Alignment Analysis (MDA). By consensus, the groups associated the KN label with individuals concerned about healthy eating and diets, reaffirming the positive commercial positioning of kefir. At the same time, for KCA, a contrasting association was observed. The Conscious group noted the samples better, emphasizing the correlation of KCR (with added fruit residue dye) with an adult female, married and engaged in physical activity. KCN was correlated with a young, single, student and gym or running target group stands out for the Balanced group. The Flexible one also associated the consumption of KCA with a young audience, ranging from athletic to overweight, with a normal to unbalanced diet. In summary, different impacts on the perception of kefir labels could be elicited with the correlation of FCQ, PPP, and MDA, emphasizing the importance of exploring market segments and design strategies for the target audience.

Determination of biogenic amines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) in probiotic cow's and goat's fermented milks and acceptance.

This study evaluated the presence of biogenic amines in fermented cow's and goat's milks containing probiotic bacteria, during the first 10 days of chilled storage (4 ± 2°C), when the probiotic strains are most viable. The overall acceptance of both fermented milks, produced using the same starter culture and probiotics, was tested. In both products, the initially high levels of tyramine (560 mg kg(-1) means for both fermented milks), the predominant biogenic amine, increased during the storage period, which may be considered this amine as a quality index for fermented milks. The other principal biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and spermidine) were produced on days 1-5 of storage, and thereafter decreased. At the end of the 10th day, these amines, respectively, showed values of fermented cow's milk 20.26, 29.09, 17.97, and 82.07 mg kg(-1); and values of fermented goat's milk 22.92, 29.09, 34.85, and 53.85 mg kg(-1), in fermented cow's and goat's milk. Fermented cow's milk was well accepted compared to fermented goat's milk. The results suggested that the content of biogenic amines may be a criterion for selecting lactic acid bacteria used to produce fermented milks.

Bupropion in the depression-related sexual dysfunction: a systematic review.

Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder (16.6%) and is frequently associated with impairments in several areas. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a prevalent problem with rates ranging from 40-45% in adult women and 20- 30% in adult men. A relationship between depression and sexual dysfunction has been shown in the literature although the mechanisms of this association are not yet clear. Many antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), list sexual dysfunction as a side effect. New drug alternatives with fewer side effects have been proposed, and bupropion is one of them. This study aims to review the literature on bupropion and its impact in sexual function on depressed subjects. Most of the studies have noted that bupropion is not only as effective as other antidepressants but has the advantage of a lower impact on sexual functioning. Some other studies have found that bupropion can even enhance sexual function in certain individuals. Bupropion is also effective, when combined with other antidepressants, in treating emergent sexual dysfunction. Bupropion may be an alternative treatment for depression that does not include the sexual side effects associated with most of the prescribed antidepressants available; however, additional research is required.

Myocardial perfusion imaging study of CO(2)-induced panic attack.

Chest pain is often seen alongside with panic attacks. Moreover, panic disorder has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and even a trigger for acute coronary syndrome. Patients with coronary artery disease may have myocardial ischemia in response to mental stress, in which panic attack is a strong component, by an increase in coronary vasomotor tone or sympathetic hyperactivity setting off an increase in myocardial oxygen consumption. Indeed, coronary artery spasm was presumed to be present in cases of cardiac ischemia linked to panic disorder. These findings correlating panic disorder with coronary artery disease lead us to raise questions about the favorable prognosis of chest pain in panic attack. To investigate whether myocardial ischemia is the genesis of chest pain in panic attacks, we developed a myocardial perfusion study through research by myocardial scintigraphy in patients with panic attacks induced in the laboratory by inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide. In conclusion, from the data obtained, some hypotheses are discussed from the viewpoint of endothelial dysfunction and microvascular disease present in mental stress response.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat refractory panic disorder patient: a case report.

Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder that is highly disruptive to the patient's life and needs new options for effective treatments. In this case report, we present an application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in a refractory patient resistant to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy who was treated with a combined protocol of rTMS with a sequential stimulation of right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The protocol was conducted 3 times per week during 4 weeks, with one month follow-up. The fact that the patient showed improvement suggests that rTMS can be an effective option of treatment.

Chest pain, panic disorder and coronary artery disease: a systematic review.

Chest pain may be due benign diseases but often suggests an association with coronary artery disease, which justifies a quick search for medical care. However, some people have anxiety disorder with symptoms that resemble clearly an acute coronary syndrome. More specifically, during a panic attack an abrupt feeling of fear accompanied by symptoms such as breathlessness, palpitations and chest pain, makes patients believe they have a heart attack and confuse physicians about the diagnosis. The association between panic disorder and coronary artery disease has been extensively studied in recent years and, although some studies have shown anxiety disorders coexisting or increasing the risk of heart disease, one causal hypothesis is still missing. The aim of this systematic review is to present the various ways in which the scientific community has been investigating the relation between chest pain, panic disorder and coronary artery disease.

Spectral analysis of femoral artery blood flow waveforms of conscious domestic cats.

The qualitative and quantitative aspects of femoral artery blood flow waveform spectra were evaluated in 15 male and 15 female Persian and mixed breed domestic cats (Felis catus), which were healthy and not sedated, using duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU). Spectral Doppler demonstrated a biphasic characteristic in 16 (53.34%) of the animals evaluated, and a triphasic characteristic in the 14 (46.66%) remaining animals. The systolic blood pressure and heart rate values were within the normal range for the species. The quantitative parameters evaluated, based on the spectral Doppler, were as follows: systolic velocity peak (SVP), recent diastolic velocity peak (RDVP), end diastolic velocity peak (EDVP), mean velocity (MV), integral velocity time (ITV), artery diameter (AD), femoral flow volume (FFV), pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), systolic peak acceleration time (AT) and deceleration time (DT). The respective mean values were: 36.41 ± 7.33 cm/s, 4.69 ± 0.90 cm/s, 10.74 ± 2.74 cm/s, 23.06 ± 4.86 cm/s, 3.91 ± 1.05 cm, 0.17 ± 0.04 cm, 0.11 ± 0.08 cm(3), 3.85 ± 0.19, 1.40 ± 0.20, 39.84 ± 7.38 ms, and 114.0 ± 22.15 ms. No significant differences were found between males and females. The analyses carried out on the femoral artery flow spectrum obtained by DDU showed that it is easy to use and highly tolerated in non-sedated, healthy cats. It appears that DDU may be a useful diagnostic technique, but further studies are needed to evaluate how it compares with invasive telemetric methodology or high-definition oscillometric waveform analytic techniques.

Neurological aspects of grief.

Despite grief being a universal experience and the increased scientific attention paid to grief and bereavement in recent years, studies that seek to better understand the role of the neurological aspects of grief are still scarce. We found 5 studies that discussed the relationship between the neurological aspects of grief due to the death of a loved one. All studies showed an activation of common areas, i.e., the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), insula and amygdala. These findings could indicate that there is a group of areas working together and responding to generate the symptomatology of grief. Because grief is a universal experience, it is essential that the necessary and effective support can be provided to those who experience the loss of someone considered important in their lives, and this requires understanding grief's manifestation, its differential diagnosis in reference to other clinical conditions, mainly psychiatric ones, and adequate forms of intervention and treatment when necessary. Proper understanding and support can help prevent the emergence of more serious health problems.

Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa.

Anxiety and depression are pathologies that affect human beings in many aspects of life, including social life, productivity and health. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a constituent non-psychotomimetic of Cannabis sativa with great psychiatric potential, including uses as an antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like compound. The aim of this study is to review studies of animal models using CBD as an anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like compound. Studies involving animal models, performing a variety of experiments on the above-mentioned disorders, such as the forced swimming test (FST), elevated plus maze (EPM) and Vogel conflict test (VCT), suggest that CBD exhibited an anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in animal models discussed. Experiments with CBD demonstrated non-activation of neuroreceptors CB1 and CB2. Most of the studies demonstrated a good interaction between CBD and the 5-HT1A neuro-receptor.

Avian influenza virus (H11N9) in migratory shorebirds wintering in the Amazon Region, Brazil.

Aquatic birds are the natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses (AIV). Habitats in Brazil provide stopover and wintering sites for water birds that migrate between North and South America. The current study was conducted to elucidate the possibility of the transport of influenza A viruses by birds that migrate annually between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In total, 556 orotracheal/cloacal swab samples were collected for influenza A virus screening using real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). The influenza A virus-positive samples were subjected to viral isolation. Four samples were positive for the influenza A matrix gene by rRT-PCR. From these samples, three viruses were isolated, sequenced and characterized. All positive samples originated from a single bird species, the ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), that was caught in the Amazon region at Caeté Bay, Northeast Pará, at Ilha de Canelas. To our knowledge, this is the first isolation of H11N9 in the ruddy turnstone in South America.

Avaliação morfológica e morfométrica de ovários, tubas uterinas e útero de fêmeas suínas pré-púberes em diferentes fases do ciclo estral / Morphological and morphometric evaluation of prepubertal gilt ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus at different oestrus cycle stages

Studies are performed in developing techniques/procedures that provide greater reproductive performance in farm animals, including pigs. In this sense, the study of gilts reproductive organs at different oestrus cycle stages for assessing the presence of abnormalities and/or other parameters that may affect the future animal fertility is important. In order to evaluate the morphological, morphometric and histomorphometric features of ovaries, uterus and uterine tubes (UTs) characteristics of prepubertal gilts at different oestrus cycle stages, reproductive tracts from 48 animals immediately after slaughter were obtained. After, the structures were dissected and removed, and the ovaries were used for classification of oestrus cycle stage of each gilt in follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (FL). Then, morphometric evaluations of ovaries, UTs, uterine horns and uterine body were performed. Besides that, medial segments of UTs and uterus were fixed in Bouin solution, processed and included in paraffin, when histological sections of 5.0 micrometers (µm) were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Histomorphometric analyzes using image capture system and specific software were performed. Afterwards, data were submitted to Student's t test for assessment the statistical differences (P<0.05) between the two different oestrus cycle stages (FP × LP) and between the placement of reproductive structures (right × left antimer). Among the gilts evaluated, 35 were in the FP and 13 in LP. There was no difference (P>0.05) between morphometric parameters of ovaries, UTs and uterus of gilts in FP and LP. Likewise, in respect to the placement of reproductive structures, both in the oestrus cycle stages, as in the general average, there was no difference (P>0.05). Regarding the histomorphometric variables, gilts classified in FP presented a higher (P<0.05) height of glandular and UT epithelium compared to animals in LP...

Pesquisas são realizadas no desenvolvimento de técnicas/procedimentos que propiciem maior eficiência reprodutiva em animais de produção, dentre esses, os suínos. Nesse sentido, o estudo dos órgãos reprodutivos das fêmeas suínas em diferentes fases do ciclo estral é importante para avaliação da presença de anomalias e/ou demais parâmetros que possam afetar a fertilidade futura do animal. Objetivando-se avaliar as características morfológicas, morfométricas e histomorfométricas dos ovários, útero e tubas uterinas (TUs) de fêmeas suínas pré-púberes em diferentes fases do ciclo estral, tratos reprodutivos foram obtidos de 48 animais imediatamente após o abate. Posteriormente, as estruturas foram dissecadas e retiradas, sendo os ovários utilizados para a classificação da fase do ciclo estral de cada fêmea em fase folicular (FF) e fase luteínica (FL). Em seguida, foram realizadas avaliações morfométricas dos ovários, TUs, cornos uterinos e corpo uterino. Após, segmentos mediais das TUs e útero foram fixados em solução de Bouin, processados e incluídos rotineiramente em parafina, quando cortes histológicos de 5,0 micrômetros (µm) foram obtidos e corados com Hematoxilina e Eosina. Análises histomorfométricas foram realizadas utilizando sistema de captura de imagens e software específico. Posteriormente, os dados obtidos foram submetidos ao teste t de Student para a avaliação de diferenças estatísticas (P<0,05) entre as diferentes fases do ciclo estral (FF × FL) e entre a localização das estruturas reprodutivas (antímero direito × esquerdo). Dentre as fêmeas avaliadas, 35 encontravam-se na FF e 13 na FL. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os parâmetros morfométricos dos ovários, TUs e útero das fêmeas nas FF e FL. Da mesma forma, em relação à localização das estruturas reprodutivas, tanto nas duas fases do ciclo estral, como na média geral, não houve diferença (P>0,05)...

Porcine follicular fluid concentration of free insulin-like growth factor-I collected from different diameter ovarian follicles / Concentração do fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina tipo I no fluido folicular suíno coletado a partir de folículos ovarianos de diferentes diâmetros

The study aimed to quantify the concentrations of free IGF-I in serum and fluid of ovarian follicles in pre-pubertal gilts and describe the ovarian morphology by measuring the size of the ovaries and counting the number of surface follicles. Ovaries (n=1,000) from pre-pubertal gilts were obtained immediately after slaughter. A total of 10 samplings were performed, with ovaries obtained from 50 females for each collection. The follicles situated on the surface of each ovary were classified as small (SFs, 2 to 5mm in diameter) or large (LFs 6 to 10mm in diameter) and the follicular fluid was obtained by follicle aspiration. The collection of serum samples was performed after the gilts exsanguination using sterile tubes. From the pool of serum and follicular fluid obtained from 50 females, the concentration of free IGF-I was determined in each sample using an enzyme immunoassay kit (ELISA). The description of ovarian morphometry was performed in 100 ovaries from randomly selected gilts. The larger and smaller lengths of ovaries were measured, and the total number of SFs and LFs present on the surface of each ovary were also counted. The IGF-I concentration was greater (P<0.05) in LFs (170.92±88.29 ng/mL) compared with SFs (67.39±49.90ng/mL) and serum (73.48±34.63ng/mL). The largest and smallest length of the ovaries was 26.0±3.0 and 19.0mm ±2.0mm, respectively. The number of SFs (70.86±25.76) was greater (P<0.01) than LFs (6.54±5.26). The study concluded that LFs present greater levels of IGF-I when compared with SFs and blood, which is related to increased activity of the LFs and its differentiation to ovulation. In addition, ovaries of pre-pubertal gilts have a higher number of SFs compared to LFs. Therefore, our study demonstrated unique data regarding the physiological concentration of free IGF-I in ovarian follicles, that can be used in future research to evaluate the addition of this hormone in the in vitro production media of porcine embryos with the...

Objetivou-se quantificar as concentrações do IGF-I livre no soro e no fluido de folículos ovarianos de fêmeas suínas pré-púberes e descrever a morfologia ovariana, por meio da mensuração das dimensões dos ovários e da contagem do número de folículos superficiais. Ovários (n=1.000) foram obtidos de fêmeas pré-púberes imediatamente após o abate. Foi realizado um total de 10 coletas, sendo em cada, obtidos ovários de 50 fêmeas. Os folículos localizados na superfície de cada ovário foram classificados em pequenos (FPs, 2-5mm de diâmetro) ou grandes (FGs, 6-10mm de diâmetro) e o fluido folicular foi obtido por aspiração dos folículos. A coleta do soro foi realizada após a exsanguinação das fêmeas com o uso de tubos estéreis. A partir do pool de fluido folicular e do soro obtido das 50 fêmeas, determinou-se a concentração de IGF-I livre em cada amostra por meio de kit de ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). A descrição da morfometria ovariana foi realizada em 100 ovários provenientes de fêmeas escolhidas aleatoriamente. Foi mensurado o comprimento maior e menor dos ovários e, também, contabilizado o número total de FPs e FGs presentes na superfície de cada ovário. A concentração de IGF-I foi superior (P<0,05) nos FGs (170,92±88,29ng/mL) em comparação com os FPs (67,39±49,90ng/mL) e o sérico (73,48±34,63ng/mL). O comprimento maior e menor dos ovários foi de 26,0±3,0mm e 19,0±2,0 mm, respectivamente. O número de FPs (70,86±25,76) foi maior (P<0,01) em comparação com os FGs (6,54±5,26). Conclui-se que FGs apresentam níveis de IGF-I superiores aos FPs, e ao sangue, sendo isso relacionado a maior atividade dos FGs e à diferenciação que os mesmos sofrem para a ovulação. Além disso, ovários de fêmeas suínas pré-púberes apresentam elevado número de FPs em comparação aos FGs. Portanto, nosso estudo demonstrou dados originais a respeito da concentração fisiológica de IGF-I livre em folículos ovarianos, que podem ser utilizados em futuras pesquisas para avaliar a adição de...

Predictors of all-cause mortality in chronic Chagas' heart disease in the current era of heart failure therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We sought to identify predictors of all-cause mortality for Chagas' disease patients with chronic systolic heart failure because they are virtually lacking in the current era of heart failure therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study focus on 127 patients with the diagnosis of chronic systolic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy. Mean follow up was 25+/-19 months. Sixty-three (50%) patients died during the study period. Cox regression analysis showed lack of B-blocking agent use (p=0.002, hazard ratio=0.30, 95% Confidence Interval 0.14 to 0.64), serum sodium levels (p=0.01, hazard ratio=0.93, 95% Confidence Interval 0.87 to 0.98), left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.02, hazard ratio=0.96, 95% Confidence Interval 0.93 to 0.99), digoxin treatment (p=0.04, hazard ratio=8.47, 95% Confidence Interval 1.13 to 62.52) and New York Heart Association Class IV on admission (p=0.034, hazard ratio=1.92, 95% Confidence Interval 1.02 to 3.51) independent predictors of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Lack of B-blocking agent use, serum sodium levels, left ventricular ejection fraction, digoxin treatment and New York Heart Association Class IV are independent predictors of all-cause mortality for patients with chronic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy in the current era of heart failure therapy.