Prevalência de depressão em bombeiros / Prevalence of depression among firefighters / Prevalencia de depresión en bomberos

A depressão apresenta alta carga de doença no mundo. Fatores socioeconômicos e exposição a situações extremas no trabalho podem estar associados à doença. O objetivo do trabalho é investigar a prevalência e fatores associados à depressão em bombeiros de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Estudo transversal foi realizado em universo de bombeiros do sexo masculino em Belo Horizonte (n = 711). O Inventário Beck para Depressão (IBD) foi utilizado para avaliar a presença de depressão. Modelos de regressão logística (uni e multivariada) foram utilizados para estudar a associação entre características sociodemográficas, estressores ocupacionais, situação de saúde e depressão. A prevalência de depressão na amostra estudada foi 5,5%. A chance de depressão foi maior entre bombeiros que relataram sintomas de estresse pós-traumático (OR = 12,47; IC95%: 5,64-27,57) e uso abusivo de álcool (OR = 5,30; IC95%: 2,35-11,96). Os resultados são discutidos considerando as inter-relações entre transtornos mentais, o efeito do trabalhador sadio e o reconhecimento social do trabalho dos bombeiros.

Depression burder is high worldwide. Socioeconomic factors and exposure to extreme situations at work may be associated with the illness. This study focused on the prevalence of depression and associated factors among firefighters in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted among male firefighters in Belo Horizonte (n = 711). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depression. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to study the association between socio-demographic characteristics, occupational stressors, health status, and depression. Prevalence of depression in the sample was 5.5%. The likelihood of developing depression was higher among firefighters who reported post-traumatic stress symptoms (OR = 12.47; 95%CI: 5.64-27.57) and alcohol abuse (OR = 5.30; 95%CI: 2.35-11.96). The results are discussed considering the interrelationships between mental disorders, the healthy worker effect, and social recognition of firefighters' work.

La depresión tiene una alta carga como enfermedad mundial. Factores socioeconómicos y la exposición a situaciones extremas en el trabajo pueden estar asociados con la enfermedad. El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar la prevalencia y los factores asociados con la depresión en los bomberos de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado entre los bomberos de sexo masculino de Belo Horizonte (n = 711). Se utilizó el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (IDB) para evaluar la presencia de depresión. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística para estudiar la asociación entre características sociodemográficas, estrés ocupacional, estado de salud y depresión. La prevalencia de depresión fue de un 5,5%. La posibilidad de depresión fue mayor entre los bomberos que informaron síntomas de estrés postraumático (OR = 12,47; IC95%: 5,64-27,57) y abuso de alcohol (OR = 5,30, IC95%: 2,35-11,96). Los resultados son discutidos considerando las interrelaciones entre los trastornos mentales, el efecto en trabajadores sanos y el reconocimiento social de la labor de bomberos.

Expression of Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor in the decidual tissues of preeclampsia patients and its clinical implication / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of Rho-GDI in the decidual tissues of patients preeclampsia and explore its clinical implication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of Rho-GDI in the decidual tissues from 30 normal women with full-term pregnancy, 30 patients with early-onset severe preeclampsia and 30 with late-onset severe preeclampsia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rho-GDI expression was found mainly on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm and nuclei of the decidual cells, occasionally occurring in the stroma. Both the mRNA and protein expressions of Rho-GDI in the decidual tissues were significantly higher in the normal pregnancy group than in the two severe preeclampsia groups (P<0.05), and the patients with late-onset severe preeclampsia had the lowest expressions of Rho-GDI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lowered expression of Rho-GDI in the deciduas might be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of preeclampsia.</p>

Expression of RhoGDI alpha in human testes and sperm and its correlation with the success rate of IVF / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of RhoGDIalpha in human testes and spermatozoa, and compare the expression of RhoGDIalpha in the ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic me and infertile patients men receiving in vitro fertilization (IVF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The localization of RhoGDIalpha in the human testis was determined by immunohistochemistry, and that in the pre-capacitated, capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm by immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to detect the expression of RhoGDIalpha in the semen samples obtained from normozoospermic males (n = 10), IVF patients with high fertilization rates (> or = 60%, n = 12) and those with low fertilization rates (< 60%, n = 13).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemistry showed that the RhoGDIalpha protein was located in all spermatogenic cells and highly expressed in the elongated spermatids. Immunofluorescence exhibited a high expression of RhoGDIalpha in the acrosome and flagellum of human sperm, which decreased in the acrosome after capacitation and disappeared after acrosome reaction. Western blot revealed an obviously decreased expression of RhoGDIalpha in the spermatozoa of the IVF patients with low fertilization rates (0.66 +/- 0.18), with statistically significant difference from those with high fertilization rates (0.97 +/- 0.17) and the normozoospermic men (1.13 +/- 0.21).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The RhoGDIalpha protein is located in the acrosome and flagellum of human sperm, and might be involved in sperm movement, capacitation and acrosome reaction. The significantly reduced expression of RhoGDIalpha in the sperm of low-fertilization patients suggests that it may be a new diagnostic biomarker for male infertility, and has a potential application value in sperm selection for IVF.</p>

Increased RhoGDI2 and peroxiredoxin 5 levels in asthmatic murine model of beta2-adrenoceptor desensitization: a proteomics approach / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR) desensitization is a common problem in clinical practice. beta(2)AR desensitization proceeds by at least such three mechanisms as heterologous desensitization, homologous desensitization and a kind of agonist-induced rapid phosphorylation by a variety of serine/threonine kinases. It is not clear whether there are other mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate potential mechanisms of beta(2)AR desensitization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four BALB/c (6-8 weeks old) mice were divided into three groups, which is, group A, phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated; group B, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced; and group C, salbutamol-treated. Inflammatory cell counts, cytokine concentrations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), pathological sections, total serum IgE, airway responsiveness, membrane receptor numbers and total amount of beta(2)AR were observed. Asthmatic mouse model and beta(2)AR desensitization asthmatic mouse model were established. Groups B and C were selected for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) analysis so as to find key protein spots related to beta(2)AR desensitization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Asthmatic mouse model and beta(2)AR desensitization asthmatic mouse model were verified by inflammatory cell count, cytokine concentration of BALF, serum IgE level, airway hyperreactivity measurement, radioligand receptor binding assay, Western blot analysis, and pathologic examination. Then the two groups (groups B and C) were subjected to 2DE. Two key protein spots associated with beta(2)AR desensitization, Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI(2)) and peroxiredoxin 5, were found by comparative proteomics (2DE and mass spectrum analysis).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oxidative stress and small G protein regulators may play an important role in the process of beta(2)AR desensitization.</p>

Protein Expression Profile of Synovial Fibroblasts in Experimental Post-traumatic Arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare protein expression profiles of synovial fibroblasts using proteome analysis in swine knee injuries with joint instability, during early post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) development. METHOD: Experimental PTA was induced by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in swine left knee joints. After sacrifice at 8 weeks, cartilage and synovium obtained from both knee joints were prepared for histopathologic examination. Cultured synovial fibroblasts were processed for 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis. Histopathologic examination showed overt arthritic changes that supported the development of early PTA. RESULTS: Proteome analyses led to the identification of more than 1,500 protein spots and of 11 differently expressed protein spots. Of those, six proteins were down-regulated (cytoskeletal beta actin, cofilin-1, destrin, Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha, and unnamed protein product), and five proteins were up-regulated (alpha-B crystallin, smooth muscle protein 22-alpha, and cytoskeletal beta actin) in ACL-transected synovial fibroblasts. That is, proteins related to cellular organization and signal transduction are down-regulated, and those related to cell rescue, defence, and stress are up-regulated. CONCLUSION: These results may suggest that joint instability contributes to the development of PTA and is one of the major etiologic factors of PTA. In addition, this suggests that the proteome analysis of synovial fibroblasts is a useful approach in examining a joint after an injury and can be used to understand the pathogenesis of PTA.

Phosphorylation of 46-kappa Da protein of synaptic vesicle membranes is stimulated by GTP and Ca2+/calmodulin

The release of neurotransmitter is regulated in the processes of membrane docking and membrane fusion between synaptic vesicles and presynaptic plasma membranes. Synaptic vesicles contain a diverse set of proteins that participate in these processes. Small GTP-binding proteins exist in the synaptic vesicles and are suggested to play roles for the regulation of neurotransmitter release. We have examined a possible role of GTP-binding proteins in the regulation of protein phosphorylation in the synaptic vesicles. GTPgammaS stimulated the phosphorylation of 46 kappa Da protein (p46) with pI value of 5.0-5.2, but GDPbetaS did not. The p46 was identified as protein interacting with C-kinase 1 (PICK-1) by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy analysis, and anti-PICK-1 antibody recognized the p46 spot on 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Rab guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (RabGDI), which dissociates Rab proteins from SVs, did not affect phosphorylation of p46. Ca2+/ calmodulin (CaM), which causes the small GTP- binding proteins like Rab3A and RalA to dissociate from the membranes and stimulates CaM- dependnet protein kinase(s) and phosphatase, strongly stimulate the phosphorylation of p46 in the presence of cyclosporin A and cyclophylin. However, RhoGDI, which dissociates Rho proteins from membranes, reduced the phosphorylation of p46 to the extent of about 50%. These results support that p46 was PICK-1, and its phosphorylation was stimulated by GTP and Ca2+/CaM directly or indirectly through GTP-binding protein(s) and Ca2+/CaM effector protein(s). The phosphorylation of p46 (PICK-1) by GTP and Ca2+/CaM may be important for the regulation of transporters and neurosecretion.