Adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells + cholecalciferol: a pilot study in recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients

ABSTRACT Objective: Adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and vitamin D have immunomodulatory actions that could be useful for type 1 diabetes (T1D). We aimed in this study to investigate the safety and efficacy of ASCs + daily cholecalciferol (VIT D) for 6 months in patients with recent-onset T1D. Materials and methods: In this prospective, dual-center, open trial, patients with recent onset T1D received one dose of allogenic ASC (1 x 106 cells/kg) and cholecalciferol 2,000 UI/day for 6 months (group 1). They were compared to patients who received chol-ecalciferol (group 2) and standard treatment (group 3). Adverse events were recorded; C-peptide (CP), insulin dose and HbA1c were measured at baseline (T0), after 3 (T3) and 6 months (T6). Results: In group 1 (n = 7), adverse events included transient headache (all), mild local reactions (all), tachycardia (n = 4), abdominal cramps (n = 1), thrombophlebitis (n = 4), scotomas (n = 2), and central retinal vein occlusion at T3 (n = 1, resolution at T6). Group 1 had an increase in basal CP (p = 0.018; mean: 40.41+/-40.79 %), without changes in stimulated CP after mixed meal (p = 0.62), from T0 to T6. Basal CP remained stable in groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.58 and p = 0.116, respectively). Group 1 had small insulin requirements (0.31+/- 0.26 UI/kg) without changes at T6 (p = 0.44) and HbA1c decline (p = 0.01). At T6, all patients (100%; n = 7) in group 1 were in honeymoon vs 75% (n = 3/4) and 50% (n = 3/6) in groups 2 and 3, p = 0.01. Conclusions: Allogenic ASC + VIT D without immunosuppression was safe and might have a role in the preservation of β-cells in patients with recent-onset T1D. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03920397.

Acaricidal activity of Furcraea foetida leaf extract against engorged female Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks

The Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick is a major concern for the livestock market worldwide, as it causes serious economic damage. Plant-derived acaricides are an attractive alternative to control this ectoparasite and limit the development of resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of Furcraea foetida leaf extract against engorged female R. (B.) microplus ticks. Our in vitro bioassays showed that the crude extract of leaves from F. foetida caused hemorrhagic swelling and skin lesions in the ticks, and three days of treatment caused 100% mortality. Dose-response assay indicated that this toxicity effect was dose-dependent. Similar effects were observed when the crude extract from F. foetida leaves was denatured by boiling at 100°C. These results suggest that the toxicity of the leaf extract might be associated with thermostable biomolecules. Together, our results show for the first time that the crude extract of F. foetida leaves has acaricidal activity against engorged female R. (B.) microplus ticks and it acts in a dose-dependent manner.

MODY probability calculator for GCK and HNF1A screening in a multiethnic background population

ABSTRACT Objective We aimed to identify the frequency of monogenic diabetes, which is poorly studied in multiethnic populations, due to GCK or HNF1A mutations in patients with suggestive clinical characteristics from the Brazilian population, as well as investigate if the MODY probability calculator (MPC) could help patients with their selection. Subjects and methods Inclusion criteria were patients with DM diagnosed before 35 years; body mass index < 30 kg/m2; negative autoantibodies; and family history of DM in two or more generations. We sequenced HNF1A in 27 patients and GCK in seven subjects with asymptomatic mild fasting hyperglycemia. In addition, we calculated MODY probability with MPC. Results We identified 11 mutations in 34 patients (32.3%). We found three novel mutations. In the GCK group, six cases had mutations (85.7%), and their MODY probability on MPC was higher than 50%. In the HNF1A group, five of 27 individuals had mutations (18.5%). The MPC was higher than 75% in 11 subjects (including all five cases with HNF1A mutations). Conclusion Approximately one third of the studied patients have GCK or HNF1A mutations. Inclusion criteria included efficiency in detecting patients with GCK mutations but not for HNF1A mutations (< 20%). MPC was helpful in narrowing the number of candidates for HNF1A screening.

Primeiro ciclo dos estudos do lazer no Brasil: contexto histórico, temáticas e problemáticas / First cycle of studies of leisure in Brazil: historical context, thematics and problematic

O levantamento e a análise do estado da arte da produção do conhecimento referente aos estudos do lazer no Brasil – a partir de suas características internas e da conjuntura mais ampla – permitiram localizar quatro grandes ciclos da produção do conhecimento. Neste trabalho, aprofundamos a investigação sobre o primeiro ciclo, orientadas pelo entendimento de que a explicação para a produção de ideias deve ser buscada nas características da formação social brasileira no período. Buscamos reconhecer, no movimento contraditório das forças produtivas e das relações de produção em desenvolvimento no Brasil, os interesses pelo controle e preenchimento do tempo livre com conteúdos culturais diversificados. No processo de desenvolvimento da indústria como força motriz do desenvolvimento brasileiro, verificamos configurarse no período uma política educacional de caráter conformador dos interesses da classe operária aos interesses da burguesia brasileira.

The survey and analysis of the state of art in the production of knowledge regarding the studies of leisure in Brazil – from its internal characteristics – helped to find four large cycles. In this work we further research the first cycle guided by the understanding that the explanation for the production of ideas should be found in the characteristics of the Brazilian social formation in the period. We try to recognize, in the contradictory movement of productive forces and from the relations of the development productions in Brazil, the interests for the control and the filling of spare time with diverse cultural content. In the process of developing industry as a springboard for Brazilian development, it is checked, in the period, the configuration of an education policy in a manner that complies with the interests of the working class to the interests of the Brazilian bourgeoisie.

El levantamiento y análisis del estado del arte de la producción del conocimiento referente a los estudios del entretenimiento en Brasil – a partir de sus particularidades internas y de la coyuntura más amplia – permitieron localizar cuatro grandes ciclos de la producción del conocimiento. En este trabajo profundizamos la investigación sobre el primer ciclo, orientadas por la comprensión de que la explicación para la producción de ideas debe ser buscada en las características de la formación social brasilera en el periodo. Buscamos reconocer, en el movimiento contradictorio de las fuerzas productivas y de las relaciones de producción en desarrollo en el Brasil, los intereses por el control y relleno del tempo libre con contenidos culturales diversificados. En el proceso de desarrollo de la industria como fuerza motriz del desarrollo brasilero, verificamos configurarse en el periodo una política educacional de carácter conformador de los intereses de la clase operaria a los intereses de la burguesía brasilera.

Dosagem da atividade da adenosina deaminase no líquido pleural para o diagnóstico da tuberculose pleural / Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase detection for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis

INTRODUÇAO: O diagnóstico da tuberculose pleural permanece um desafio, pois a sensibilidade dos testes tradicionais é baixa. O exame histopatológico da pleura é o método mais preciso, com até 80 por cento de sensibilidade. A dosagem da adenosina deaminase foi introduzida mais recentemente, mas sua utilidade no diagnóstico da tuberculose pleural no Brasil não foi suficientemente esclarecida. OBJETIVO: Verificar a sensibilidade e a especificidade de um método experimental de dosagem da atividade da adenosina deaminase em uma série de pacientes com derrame pleural investigados entre agosto de 1998 e novembro de 2002 no Rio de Janeiro (RJ). RESULTADOS: De 137 casos, em 111 havia amostras de líquido pleural disponíveis, das quais 83 pertenciam a pacientes com tuberculose pleural. Entre os 67 pacientes testados com tuberculose pleural, 10 apresentavam co-infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (14,9 por cento). O valor de corte da adenosina deaminase de 35U/L foi determinado por uma curva receiver operator characteristic. A sensibilidade, especificidade, e razões de verossimilhança positiva e negativa da adenosina deaminase foram de 92,8 por cento, 93,2 por cento, 25,8 e 13,9, respectivamente. A média de adenosina deaminase no grupo com tuberculose pleural foi de 84,7 ± 43,1 U/L e no grupo com outras doenças de 15,9 ±11,1 U/L. Não houve diferença significativa na dosagem da adenosina deaminase entre pacientes com tuberculose pleural co-infectados ou não pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana. CONCLUSAO: A dosagem da adenosina deaminase no líquido pleural é um método sensível e específico para o diagnóstico da tuberculose pleural e seu uso rotineiro pode reduzir a necessidade de realização de biópsias pleurais na abordagem inicial de um derrame pleural. O valor de corte de 35U/L para a adenosina deaminase é recomendado.

A Psiquiatria brasileira nos anos de 1930 a 1950 / Brazilian psychiatry during the period 1930-1950

O tema geral deste trabalho é a psiquiatria brasileira, no período de 1930 a 1950, a partir da análise das dimensões do institucional, do saber e da prática. No período de 1930 a 1950 a assistência psiquiatrica pública expande-se para todos os Estados do pais, com a criação de serviços psiquiatricos patrocinada pelo governo federal. A criação do Serviço Nacional de Doenças Mentais e a formulação do plano psiquiatrico para a União, em 1941, é o marco estratégico do período, do ponto de vista institucional

Acquired and congenital ocular toxoplasmosis experimentally induced in Calomys callosus (Rodentia, Cricetidae)

An experimental model for acquired and congenital ocular toxoplasmosis as well as a model to induce experimental autoimunne uveitis (EAU) was investigated in Calomys callosus. Toxoplasma gondii, ME-49 strain, was used to infect males and pregnant and not pregnant-females while S-antigen, a major glycoprotein of the retinal photoreceptor cell, was used to induce EAU. The ocular lesions elicited by T. gondii were characterized by the presence of cysts, free tachyzoites and inflammatory cells in the retina or related tissues. In the congenital form, 40 per cent of the fetus presented ocular lesions, i.e., presence of cysts in the retina, vitreous, and extra-retinal tissues. In the acquired form, 75 per cent of the females and 50 per cent of the males presented unilateral ocular cysts both at 21 and 47 days post-infection. It was also demonstrated that S-antigen was not uveitogenic in the C. callosus model. No lesion was observed in the animals exclusively immunized with this retinal component, even when jacalin was used as addicional adjuvant for polyclonal response to the retinal antigen. It can be concluded that C. callosus may constitue in a promising model for study both acquired and congenital ocular toxoplasmosis, particularly when it is important to make sure that a non autoimmune process is involved in the genesis of the ocular infection.

Efeito da beta-propiolactona em exames bioquímicos. II: Laboratório de bioquímica / The effect of beta-propiolactone on biochemical tests. II: Biochemical laboratory

Foram estudados os efeitos resultantes da adição da beta-propiolactona (BPL) ao sangue total e soro nas dosagens de íons, na capacidade de fixação do ferro (TIBC), nas mucoproteínas, na eletroforese de proteínas e em algumas provas de funções hepáticas e pancreáticas. A adição desta substância ao sangue pode levar à hemólise, com conseqüentes alterações de análises bioquímicas. De todos os testes estudados apenas as dosagens de mucoproteínas nas alíquotas de soro contendo BPL apresentaram alterações com significado estatístico. Os autores recomendam o uso da BPL antes da realização das análises bioquímicas de rotina em soros de indivíduos infectados pelo HIV ou pertencentes a grupos de risco.