Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease present in more than 88 countries. The currently adopted chemotherapy faces challenges related to side effects and the development of resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is emerging as a therapeutic modality for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Zn(ii) meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (ZnTE-2-PyP4+, ZnP) is a cationic, water-soluble, zinc porphyrin-based photosensitizer whose photodynamic effect on Leishmania braziliensis was analyzed by evaluating the number of visibly undamaged and motile cells, cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ultrastructural damage. Treatment of parasites with ZnP and light induced damage in up to 90% of L. braziliensis promastigote cells. Propidium iodide labeling suggested the loss of plasma membrane integrity. In samples treated with ZnP and light, a hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential was also observed. Ultrastructural evaluation of promastigotes after photodynamic treatment indicated a loss of cytoplasmic material and the presence of vacuoles. Scanning electron microscopy showed wrinkling of the plasma membrane and a reduced cell volume. Additionally, the number of amastigotes per macrophage was reduced by about 40% after photodynamic application. The treatment showed no considerable toxicity against mammalian cells. Therefore, the results indicated that PDT associated with ZnTE-2-PyP4+ represents a promising alternative to cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.
Cell surface glycoconjugates play an important role in differentiation/dedifferentiation processes and lectins are employed to evaluate them by several methodologies. Fluorescent probes are considered a valuable tool because of their ability to provide a particular view, and are more detailed and sensitive in terms of cell structure and molecular content. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the expression and distribution of glycoconjugates in normal human breast tissue, and benign (fibroadenoma), and malignantly transformed (invasive ductal carcinoma) breast tissues. For this, we used mercaptosuccinic acid-coated Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) conjugated with concanavalin A (Con A) or Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA I) lectins to detect α-D-glucose/mannose and L-fucose residues, respectively. The QD-lectin conjugates were evaluated by hemagglutination activity tests and carbohydrate inhibition assays, and were found to remain functional, keeping their fluorescent properties and carbohydrate recognition ability. Fluorescence images showed that different regions of breast tissue expressed particular types of carbohydrates. While the stroma was preferentially and intensely stained by QD-Con A, ductal cells were preferentially labeled by QD-UEA I. These results indicate that QD-lectin conjugates can be used as molecular probes and can help to elucidate the glycoconjugate profile in biological processes.
BackgroundThe first autochthonous reports of Chikungunya fever (CF) in Brasil was confirmed in 2014, and by December 2016, there were 263.980 probable cases of CF, 55.03% confirmed. According to recommendations of the Ministry of Health (MH) of Brazil, in an established epidemic situation, the diagnosis of CF should be made by appliyng clinical and epidemiological criteria. There is no indication for the serology for Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the acute phase, except in atypical cases and complicated clinical situations, which may generate doubts in clinical practice about the correct diagnosis of these patients.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance of the clinical and epidemiological criteria with the serology results for CHIKV in a cohort of patients with CF.MethodsThe multicenter cohort CHIKBRASIL from the Northeast of Brazil has enrolled CF patients with joint manifestations since April 2016, using as inclusion criteria the presence of fever and arthralgia/arthritis in a patient residing or who had visited an endemic or epidemic area within 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms. For the present study, we selected patients in which IgM and/or IgG serology was performed, regardless of the results. For the analysis of agreement with the serology, the most characteristic symptoms of CF were used individually (fever, arthritis/arthralgia or exanthema) and three models of association of symptoms were created: (1) fever and arthralgia; (2) fever and arthritis; (3) fever, arthralgia/arthritis, and exanthema. The sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the criteria were also assessed, with the serology result considered the gold standard.ResultsA total of 143 patients were evaluated, 119 (83.2%) of which were female, with a mean age of 53.89 years (± 13.5); 52.4% of the cases were in the subacute phase of the disease (15 days to 3 months) and 42.7% were in the chronic phase (over 3 months). The IgM positivity was observed in 95.1% of cases and IgG in 71.67%. The concordance rate between the IgM serology or combined positive serology (IgM or positive IgG) was over 80% for any of the symptoms/symptoms model analyzed, as well as the SENS and PPV of the symptoms/ symptoms model, which was over 95% in all situations evaluated. The concordance rate for IgG serology ranged from 51.9 to 72.1%. Model 1 presented the highest agreement with the result of positive combined serology.ConclusionsDuring an epidemic situation, the use of clinical and epidemiological criteria shows high agreement with the serology result, regardless of the combination of symptoms presented, with high sensitivity and positive predictive value.Disclosure of InterestNone declared
Purpose: To objectively evaluate the visual function in children with congenital Zika syndrome using pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (PR-VEP). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study composed of two patient groups: children aged between 18 and 24 months who were positive for the Zika virus (congenital Zika syndrome group) and age-matched healthy children (control group). All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination and PR-VEP was performed binocularly in a room with constant dim illumination. The P100 peak time in the 60' arc stimuli was used, and the results were correlated with visual acuity, cephalic perimeter at birth, and funduscopic findings. Results: Thirty-seven children were included in the congenital Zika syndrome group and 15 in the control group. The mean age was 18.5 ± 0.9 months (range: 17 to 20 months) in the congenital Zika syndrome group and 24.3 ± 1.6 months (range: 21 to 28 months) in the control group. The P100 response was normal in 7 patients (18.9%) with congenital Zika syndrome, borderline in 2 (5.4%), abnormal with prolonged latency in 18 (48.6%), and abnormal with no response in 10 (27.0%). A significant correlation between the visual acuity and P100 peak time was observed ( P < .001). The P100 values were not correlated significantly with the cephalic perimeter at birth ( P = .412) or the funduscopic findings ( P = .510). PR-VEP in children with congenital Zika syndrome and no funduscopic findings was significantly worse than in the control group ( P = .001). Conclusions: Children with congenital Zika syndrome have characteristically abnormal PR-VEPs regardless of the funduscopic findings and severe microcephaly. The PR-VEP findings supported the diagnosis of cortical visual impairment in these children. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 2021;58(2):78–83.]
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