The genetic and environmental effects on the levels of 17 serum biochemical quantitative traits (calcium, phosphorus, glucose, urea nitrogen, uric acid, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), total lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride, α-lipoprotein, pre-β-lipoprotein and β-lipoprotein) were estimated in 105 pairs of healthy twins of both sexes (57 MZ and 48 DZ) by path analysis. The genotype effect was significant for all traits (P < 0.001) and its value extended from 0.52 (α-lipoprotein) to 0.81 (alkaline phosphatase), whereas environmental effect was significant (P < 0.05) in only 10 traits of the 17 analyzed, with the maximum value of 0.13 (cholesterol). Correlations between genotypes of paired traits were estimated and, of 136 values, 47 were significant at the 5% levels, thus indicating partial and common genetic mechanisms.
Genetic and environmental effects were estimated for six serum lipid and lipoprotein variables (total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoproteins Β, pre- Β and Α) in 105 Brazilian twin pairs of both sexes, by path analysis, after adjustment for sex and age influences. Clear indications of important genetic mechanisms affecting the studied variables as well as consistently small environmental effects support recent studies on these quantitative traits.
Viruses depend on cell metabolism for their own propagation. The need to foster an intimate relationship with the host has resulted in the development of various strategies designed to help virus escape from the defense mechanisms present in the host. Over millions of years, the unremitting battle between pathogens and their hosts has led to changes in evolution of the immune system. Snake venoms are biological resources that have antiviral activity, hence substances of significant pharmacological value. The biodiversity in Brazil with respect to snakes is one of the richest on the planet; nevertheless, studies on the antiviral activity of venom from Brazilian snakes are scarce. The antiviral properties of snake venom appear as new promising therapeutic alternative against the defense mechanisms developed by viruses. In the current study, scientific papers published in recent years on the antiviral activity of venom from various species of snakes were reviewed. The objective of this review is to discuss the mechanisms of resistance developed by viruses and the components of snake venoms that present antiviral activity, particularly, enzymes, amino acids, peptides and proteins.Key words: snake venom, viruses, antiviral agents. Review ARticle The Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases ISSN 1678-9199 | 2011 | volume 17 | issue 4 | pages 387-393 INTRODUCTIONViruses are obligate intracellular parasites that depend on cell metabolism for their own propagation. This intimate virus-cell relationship led viruses to develop numerous survival strategies aimed at protecting themselves from the host defense system (1-4).One of the criteria for a successful viral infection is the ability to remain inside the host cell for the time required to allow replication of the viral genomic nucleic acid, envelopment and the production of new infectious virus progeny. The first barrier to be overcome is the host innate immune response (5).The association between virus persistence and disease in the host may lead to a long term relationship that does not result in any chronic virus-induced symptoms or in a fatal disease (6). Persistent viral infections constitute an example of immune evasion and, consequently, a successful relationship (7). Antiviral therapy has changed the natural history of numerous viral infections, delaying progression of the disease, improving the quality of life of infected individuals and reducing the frequency of hospitalization (8-10). Nevertheless, one of the principal problems today is therapeutic failure, including antiviral drug resistance (11, 12).The rich biodiversity in Brazil is an important source of wealth, since the country is home to at least 14% of the world's species, giving it an enormous advantage over other countries with poorer biodiversity, principally in a century in which biotechnology is expected to play such an important role in the global economy (13). Snake venoms are composed of a mixture of proteins and peptides (90-95%), but also include free amin...
Introduction Neutrophils have been involved in sepsis-induced organ damage. Neutrophils could be directly activated by TLR binding ligands including LPS. IRAK-1 is one of many intracellular proteins that are activated upon stimulation of TL receptors. This triggers a series of events that results in the migration of NF-κB into the nucleus and the activation NF-κB-dependent genes. Objectives To identify a single nucleotide polymorphism at position 532 (coding SNP) in volunteers and patients with sepsis. To determine whether IRAK-1 SNP532 results in a decrease in neutrophil NF-κB activation in volunteers and patients with sepsis. To evaluate neutrophil gene expression patterns in IRAK-1 SNP532 and wildtype patients with sepsis. Methods Thirty severe sepsis patients and 34 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood was obtained and neutrophils were isolated by plasma-percoll gradients after dextran sedimentation of erythrocytes. Neutrophils from volunteers were resuspended in RPMI and cultured with or without 100 ng/ml LPS for 60 min. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay technique was used to measure the NF-κB activation. Real-time PCR allelic discrimination assays were developed by the assay-by-design service offered by Applied Biosystems (Foster City, CA, USA). Probe and primer combinations were designed at the single nucleotide polymorphism 532. PCR reactions were performed according to the manufacturer's manual using the Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR system. Microarray analysis was used to evaluate the neutrophil gene expression in unstimulated neutrophils and after LPS stimulus. Results The median AUC for NF-κB activation was higher in wildtype genotyped neutrophils as compared with IRAK-1 SNP532 genotyped neutrophils (85.2 vs 100.5, P = 0.05) (Fig. 1). In terms of kinetics pattern, we found some differences on nuclear levels of NF-κB in neutrophils from volunteers cultured with LPS. At 30 min after LPS, the culture nuclear translocation of NK-κB was significantly greater in wildtype genotyped neutrophils than in IRAK-1 SNP532 genotyped neutrophils. Even after 60 min, the NF-κB translocation remained high in wildtype genotyped neutrophils, while in IRAK-1 SNP532 genotyped neutrophils the NF-κB translocation was similar to baseline (Fig. 2). In unstimulated neutrophils from septic patients, the NF-κB translocation was significantly lower in IRAK-1 SNP532 genotyped neutrophils than in wildtype genotyped neutrophils (1.20 vs 2.10, P = 0.05) (Fig. 3). Finally, the expression of some inflammatory related genes (IL-8, IL1β, MIP-2, COX-2, and SOD2) was decreased in IRAK-1 SNP532 genotyped neutrophils. Conclusion IRAK-1 SNP532 genotyped neutrophils from volunteers (after LPS ex vivo challenge) and from septic patients are associated with lower NF-κB activation and lower expression of some IRAK1-related genes. These results demonstrate that IRAK1 Introduction Neutrophils play a major role in sepsis-induced organ dysfunction, especially in the lung. HMGB1 has emerged as a late cytokine...
BackgroundThe term “mood stabilizer” is controversial in literature. As there is no consensual meaning, its retirement has been suggested to avoid confusion and misuse. On the other hand, it remains largely employed, and some advocate it carries an important meaning. This issue has not been previously approached using a validated qualitative inquiry.MethodsWe employed document analysis for reviewing proposed definitions for mood stabilizer. Then, we used concept analysis as a qualitative methodology to clarify meanings associated with the term. Based on its results, we built a theoretical model for mood stabilizer, matching it with evidence for drugs used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.ResultsConcept analysis of documents defining the term unearthed four attributes of a mood stabilizer that could be usefully nested into the following ascending hierarchy: “not worsening”, “acute effects”, “prophylactic effects”, and “advanced effects”. To be considered a mood stabilizer, a drug had to reach the “prophylactic effects” tier, as this was discussed by authors as the core aspect of the class. After arranging drugs according to this scheme, “lithium” and “quetiapine” received the label, but only the former fulfilled all four attributes, as evidence indicates it has neuroprotective action.ConclusionThe proposed model uses a hierarchy of attributes that take into account the complexity of the term and help to determine whether a drug is a mood stabilizer. Prophylaxis is pivotal to the concept, whose utility lies in implying a drug able to truly treat bipolar disorder, as opposed to merely targeting symptoms. This could modify long-term outcomes and illness trajectory.
Introduction: Tuberculosis is one of the ten leading causes of death and the leading infectious cause worldwide. The disease represents a challenge to health systems around the world. In 2018, it is estimated that 10 million people were affected by tuberculosis, and approximately 1.5 million people died due to the disease worldwide, including 251,000 patients coinfected with HIV. In Brazil, the disease caused 4,490 deaths, with rate of 2.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The objective of this study was to analyze the time behavior, spatial distribution, and the effects of social vulnerability on the incidence of TB in Brazil during the period from 2001 to 2017. Methods: A spatial-temporal ecological study was conducted, including all new cases of tuberculosis registered in Brazil during the period from 2001 to 2017. The following variables were analyzed: incidence rate of tuberculosis, the Social Vulnerability Index, its subindices, its 16 indicators, and an additional 14 variables available on the Atlas of Social Vulnerability. The statistical treatment of the data consisted of the following three stages: a) time trend analysis with a joinpoint regression model; b) spatial analysis and identification of risk areas based on smoothing of the incidence rate by local empirical Bayesian model, application of global and local Moran statistics, and, finally, spatial-temporal scan statistics; and c) analysis of association between the incidence rate and the indicators of social vulnerability. Results: Brazil reduced the incidence of tuberculosis from 42.8 per 100,000 to 35.2 per 100,000 between 2001 and 2017. Only the state of Minas Gerais showed an increasing trend, whereas nine other states showed a stationary trend. A total of 326 Brazilian municipalities were classified as high priority, and 22 high-risk spatial clusters were identified. The overall Social Vulnerability Index and the subindices of Human Capital and Income and Work were associated with the incidence of tuberculosis. It was also observed that the incidence rates were greater in municipalities with greater social vulnerability. Conclusions: This study identified spatial clusters with high risk of TB in Brazil. A significant association was observed between the incidence rate of TB and the indices of social vulnerability.
Third International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine for Latin America plays a critical role in the inflammatory response and, potentially, a polymorphism in IRAK1 may alter the immune response impacting clinical outcome. P2 Gene expression and intracellular NF-κ κB activation after HMGB1 and LPS stimuli in neutrophils from septic patients
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