The immunopathogenesis of AIDS is associated with the development of opportunistic infections by intracellular pathogens that can invade and reproduce freely because of impaired cellular functions. Neutrophils from asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-infected persons and from symptomatic patients with AIDS were found to retain normal phagocytosis activity while producing significantly less superoxide than neutrophils from HIV-1-negative subjects, when stimulated through Fc receptors or protein kinase C. After priming with a synthetic HIV-1 envelope peptide and stimulation via the Fc receptor, the neutrophils from HIV-1-negative controls had suppressed superoxide production, reduced phosphorylation of two unidentified cellular proteins, and increased expression of a third phosphoprotein. These results suggest that HIV-1 can produce direct functional damage of neutrophils through binding of envelope components to the cell membrane.

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The immune system of HIV+ patients is chronically activated, which has been associated with a detrimental effect on both innate and acquired immunity during AIDS. We analyzed the expression and modulation of the triggering markers CD69 and CD16 in CD56+ cells from 18 asymptomatic HIV+ individuals and 8 AIDS patients, compared with 21 seronegative subjects. We observed a diminished PMA-induced CD16 downregulation in AIDS patients (p<0.01), associated with low numbers of CD4+ cells (p<0.02). Furthermore, an enhanced unstimulated expression of CD69 in asymptomatic HIV+ patients (p<0.05) was shown. AIDS patients could not efficiently upregulate PHA-dependent CD69 expression (p<0.05), which correlated with low CD4+ counts (p< 0.05). These abnormalities in CD16 and CD69 modulation were recorded in patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Our results demonstrate an altered modulation of two functionally relevant receptors in CD56+ cells from AIDS patients, contributing to our understanding of the immunopathogeny of NK cell dysfunction during disease progression.

A neoplasia mamária é o crescimento desordenado de células que determinam a formação de tumores malignos, sendo o tumor mais comum em mulheres. Com o adoecimento do câncer de mama a mulher sofre diversos fatores prejudiciais a sua qualidade de vida e principalmente na sua autoestima, gerando fortes impactos e afetando a sua imagem corporal e o seu meio social. O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar os efeitos da terapia de consciência corporal em mulheres mastectomizadas, por meio do método Pilates. Para a avaliação da paciente, neste estudo, foram utilizados dois questionários antes e após realizar 10 sessões de Pilates solo, sendo um de qualidade de vida, o Short-Form Health Survey (SF- 36) que avalia oito domínios e outro da imagem corporal, Body Image Scale (BIS) que utiliza frases a respeito de como as pessoas podem pensar, sentir ou se comportar depois de desenvolver o câncer de mama. Nos resultados do questionário SF- 36 foi possível perceber que houve uma melhora perceptível nos aspectos físicos e de dor, sendo que na vitalidade e nos aspectos emocionais houve uma piora. Todos os outros domínios obtiveram alguma melhora. Já os resultados do questionário de Imagem corporal após o câncer de mama mostraram que houve uma melhora em todos os domínios. Conclui-se que o método Pilates é eficaz na melhora da imagem corporal da mulher mastectomizada, porém não apresenta diferença significativa quanto à qualidade de vida.

The possible cytotoxic activity of some ent-kaurenes on human mononuclear cells, obtained from peripheral blood, was studied having in mind future studies on their antitumor activity. The cells were obtained using the Ficoll-Hypaque method, adjusted to 2x10 6 cells/mL, and incubated with kaurenes for 48 hours at 3x10-5 , 30x10-5 , 300x10-5 and 3000x10-5 mol/well. Ent-kaurenic acid showed no toxicity at all concentrations studied. The least toxic of all the kaurene derivatives studied was ent-15,16-epoxy-17-acetoxy-(-)-kauran-19-oic acid, with a cellular viability of 99% at 3x10-5 mol/well, and 94% at 30x10-5 mol/well. Another compound that showed low toxicity was the 2,3,4,6-tetra-acetyl--D-pyranosyl ester of ent-15-oxo-(-)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid with 44% viability at 3000x10-5 mol/well. The most toxic compounds at all concentrations tested were ent-kaur-16-en-19-ol acetate and ent-16-hydroxy-(-)-kauran-19-oic acid. On the other hand, ent-kaur-9(11)16-dien-19-oic acid, ent-kauran-19-oic acid, and ent-kaur-16-en-19-ol were toxic only at the highest concentration studied. According to these results, and considering the concentrations employed, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-15,16-epoxy-17-acetoxy-(-)-kauran-19-oic acid could be used for in vivo experiments and possibly for therapeutic purposes on humans, without much risk.