Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is arguably the most important form of the Chagas Disease, caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi; it is estimated that 10–30% of chronic patients develop this clinical manifestation. The most common and severe form of CCC can be related to ventricular abnormalities, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, heart blocks, thromboembolic events and sudden death. Therefore, in this study, we proposed to evaluate the anti-angiogenic activity of a recombinant protein from T. cruzi named P21 (rP21) and the potential impact of the native protein on CCC. Our data suggest that the anti-angiogenic activity of rP21 depends on the protein’s direct interaction with the CXCR4 receptor. This capacity is likely related to the modulation of the expression of actin and angiogenesis-associated genes. Thus, our results indicate that T. cruzi P21 is an attractive target for the development of innovative therapeutic agents against CCC.

Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of cardiomyopathy in Latin America. It is estimated that 10%–30% of all infected individuals will acquire chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). The etiology of CCC is multifactorial and involves parasite genotype, host genetic polymorphisms, immune response, signaling pathways and autoimmune progression. Herein we verified the impact of the recombinant form of P21 (rP21), a secreted T. cruzi protein involved in host cell invasion, on progression of inflammatory process in a polyester sponge-induced inflammation model. Results indicated that rP21 can recruit immune cells induce myeloperoxidase and IL-4 production and decrease blood vessels formation compared to controls in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, T. cruzi P21 may be a potential target for the development of P21 antagonist compounds to treat chagasic cardiomyopathy.

The invasion of host cells by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi requires interactions with host cell molecules, and the replication of the parasite requires escape from a parasitophorous vacuole into the host cell cytosol. Galectin-3, a member of β-galactosidase-binding lectin family, has numerous extracellular and intracellular functions. In this study, we investigated the role of galectin-3 during the invasion and intracellular trafficking of T. cruzi extracellular amastigotes (EAs). Endogenous galectin-3 from mouse peritoneal macrophages accumulated around the pathogen during cell invasion by EAs. In addition, galectin-3 accumulated around parasites after their escape from the parasitophorous vacuole. Thus, galectin-3 behaved as a novel marker of phagolysosome lysis during the infection of host cells by T. cruzi.

II Visceral leishmaniasis in a dog in Cruz Alta

ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar em suínos em fase de crescimento e terminação os efeitos de promotores de crescimento sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça, perfil histológico intestinal, peso dos órgãos do trato digestório, e os reflexos desses tratamentos sobre os efluentes submetidos ao processo de biodigestão. Utilizaram-se 80 suínos, com peso médio inicial de 40,00 ± 1,90 kg, submetidos a quatro tratamentos, durante 61 dias, até atingirem 100,00 ± 4,50kg, correspondendo às dietas: Controle, Simbiótico; Colistina (10ppm); e Tilosina (40ppm). Constatou-se diferença na fase de crescimento, com maior consumo diário de ração para o tratamento Tilosina em relação ao tratamento Colistina. Não houve diferença para as características de carcaça, para o peso dos órgãos e para os parâmetros avaliados no processo de biodigestão dos dejetos (pH, sólidos totais, demanda química de oxigênio e demanda bioquímica de oxigênio). Quanto à morfometria intestinal, os animais do tratamento Tilosina apresentaram maior profundidade de cripta (P≤0,05) no duodeno em relação aos animais dos tratamentos Controle e Simbiótico, assim como maior profundidade de cripta no jejuno (P≤0,05). Houve diferença para a taxa vilosidade/cripta, com o tratamento Controle apresentando maior valor em relação aos demais tratamentos. Para o íleo, houve diferença para a profundidade de cripta dos animais do tratamento Controle em relação ao tratamento Tilosina. Apesar das diferenças observadas para as características de morfometria intestinal, não houve vantagem na utilização dos aditivos para os parâmetros de interesse zootécnico. Quanto aos efeitos sobre a fermentação dos efluentes provenientes dos animais submetidos aos tratamentos, os resultados não indicaram vantagens para nenhum aditivo. Palavras-chave: Antimicrobiano, dejetos, desempenho, simbiótico AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of growth promoters in growing and finishing pigs on performance and carcass characteristics, intestinal histological profile, organs weight of the digestive tract, and the consequences of these treatments on the effluent through the process of biodigestion. Were used 80 pigs

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Trypanosoma cruzi P21 protein (P21) is a putative secreted and immunomodulatory molecule with potent bioactive properties such as induction of phagocytosis and actin cytoskeleton polymerization. Despite the bioactive properties described so far, the action of P21 on parasite replication in muscle cell lineage or T. cruzi parasitism during acute experimental infection is unclear. We observed that recombinant P21 (rP21) decreased the multiplication of T. cruzi in C2C12 myoblasts, phenomenon associated with greater actin polymerization and IFN-γ and IL-4 higher expression. During experimental infection, lower cardiac nests, inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis were observed in mice infected and treated with rP21. These results were correlated with large expression of IFN-γ counterbalanced by high levels of IL-10, which was consistent with the lower cardiac tissue injury found in these mice. We have also observed that upon stress, such as that induced by the presence of the IFN-γ cytokine, T. cruzi produced more P21. The effect of P21 in controlling the replication of T. cruzi, may indicate an evolutionary mechanism of survival developed by the parasite. Thus, when subjected to different stress conditions, the protozoan produces more P21, which induces T. cruzi latency in the host organism, enabling the protozoan to evade the host's immune system.

RESUMOObjetivo: compreender a percepção dos pacientes frente à realização da cirurgia bariátrica, bem como identificar o impacto físico, psicológico e social nos indivíduos após sua realização. Método: Pesquisa de campo, descritiva e exploratória de abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistados quinze funcionários de uma empresa particular voltada para o atendimento de saúde, que se submeteram à realização da cirurgia bariátrica. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e tratados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: Apesar das dificuldades inerentes ao procedimento, relacionadas à adaptação da dieta e desconfortos; a percepção dos participantes do estudo acerca da realização da cirurgia bariátrica é positiva, tendo em vista a melhora de sua condição física, bem como aumento da autoestima, inserção social e profissional. Destaca-se o apoio da família e acompanhamento pela equipe multidisciplinar como estratégias para o melhor alcance de resultados e superação de dificuldades. Conclusão: Conclui-se que as mudanças que ocorrem no âmbito físico, emocional, pessoal e social dos pacientes que se submetem à cirurgia bariátrica, impactam diretamente em sua qualidade de vida. Descritores: Obesidade mórbida; Cirurgia bariátrica; Enfermagem periopertória. ABSTRACTObjective: To understand the perception of patients front of bariatric surgery, as well as identify the physical, psychological and social impact on individuals after its completion. Method: Field research, descriptive and exploratory qualitative approach. Fifteen employees of a private company focused on health care were interviewed, who have undergone bariatric surgery. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and treated by the thematic content analysis technique. Results: Despite the difficulties inherent in the procedure related to the adjustment of diet and discomforts; the perception of the study participants about their bariatric surgery is positive considering the improvement of their physical condition as well as increased self-esteem, social and professional integration. Noteworthy is the family support and follow-up by the multidisciplinary team as strategies to better achieve results and overcoming difficulties. Conclusion: It is concluded that the changes that occur in the physical, emotional level, personal and social of patients who undergo bariatric surgery, directly impact on their quality of life. Descriptors: Obesity morbid; Bariatric surgery; Perioperative nursing. RESUMENObjetivo: Conocer la percepción de los pacientes frontales de la cirugía bariátrica, así como identificar el impacto físico, psicológico y emocional en los individuos después de su finalización. Método: La investigación de campo, enfoque cualitativo descriptivo y exploratorio. Se entrevistó a quince empleados de una compañía privada centrada en el cuidado de la salud, que han sido sometidos a cirugía bariátrica. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y tratados mediante la técnica ...