IL-10 Cytokine as Potential Biomarkers in Women with Fibromyalgia Who Underwent to a Short Balneotherapy Treatment

Abstract Fibromyalgia (FM) is a nonarticular rheumatic syndrome that leads to diffuse myalgia, sleep disturbances and morning stiffness. Balneotherapy has been shown an effective strategy to improve the health conditions of patients; however, the treatment follow-up is based on patient report due to the lack of biomarkers. Thus, this study evaluated the application of cytokines and phosphoglycerate mutase I (PGAM-I) to monitoring FM patient underwent to balneotherapy treatment. Eleven healthy and eleven women with FM were submitted to daily sessions of balneotherapy during 10 days. Clinical and quality of life parameters were assessed through a FIQ questionnaire. Blood levels of TNF-(, interleukins (IL-1, IL-2 and IL-10) and PGAM-I expression in patients' saliva were also evaluated. Patients with FM showed significant improvements in their clinical status after treatment. Also, FM patients has IL-10 levels lower than healthy women and the balneotherapy increased the expression of this cytokine in both groups, concomitantly to pain relief. Although inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-2 and TNF-() were more expressed in FM patients than healthy patients their levels did not reduce after treatment. A slight increase of PGAM-I expression was observed. In conclusion, IL-10 levels could be a useful biomarker to balneotherapy follow-up of FM patients. However, these findings must be analyzed in a larger number of patients in order to validate IL-10 as an effective biomarker.

Intestinal parasites present in canine fecal samples collected in rural areas of municipalities in the Midwest of Santa Catarina, Brazil

The study of intestinal parasites that occur in dogs in rural areas of Brazil is most important since there is little data available on this subject. Dog fecal samples were collected in rural properties of some municipalities in the Midwest of the State of Santa Catarina. Fecal samples were processed and analyzed by Hoffman, Pons and Janer (HPJ) (spontaneous sedimentation) and by centrifugal flotation in sucrose solution. Positive results with the presence of at least one parasite corresponded to 56.0% of the samples, namely Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Dipylidium caninum, Giardia sp., Cryptosporidium sp. and Taenia sp. / Echinococcus sp. This data suggests that the environmental contamination of the countryside and, consequently, the infection levels of dogs in the area studied is high, thus the need for more effective public health measures. This work looks at the possible implications of these results

Caso familiar com diagnóstico para doença de Fabry / Familiar case with diagnostics for Fabry disease

A doença de Fabry é uma enfermidade genética ligada ao cromossomoX e de caráter progressivo, causada pela deficiênciaparcial ou total da enzima alfa galactosidase A (?-Gal A). Habitualmenteo diagnóstico é tardio em função das complicaçõespatológicas provocadas pela deficiência da enzima. OBJETIVO:Neste estudo, descrevemos os aspectos clínicos de um caso familiaratravés do acompanhamento ao longo de 3 anos, duranteo tratamentopela reposição enzimática. MÉTODOS: O métodoadotado foi indutivo, relacionado ao estudo de caso familiarde pacientes com doença de Fabry. Quanto à natureza das informações,a pesquisafoi qualitativa, utilizando-se, quanto aoseu objetivo, à pesquisa exploratória. Com relação as fonte deinformação e procedimento de coleta, a pesquisa caracteriza-secomo sendo bibliográfica e documental. A amostra foi compostapor três pacientesque realizamacompanhamento quinzenalpara aplicação de terapia de reposição enzimática. O critério deinclusão para a pesquisa partiu do pressuposto de se considerarque a doença de Fabry é uma afecção rara e que a família estudadacontempla com riqueza manifestações clínicas, capazesde caracterizar a doença de Fabry. RESULTADOS: Os principaissintomas clínicos relatados pelos pacientes foram: crisede dor generalizada, fadiga, acroparestesia, febre, mialgia, dorabdominal, hipohidrose, intolerância ao frio, calor e ao exercíciofísico. Esses sintomas segundo os pacientes surgiram nainfância e foram amenizados após o uso da terapia de reposiçãoenzimática, propiciando uma melhor qualidade de vida para osmesmos. Também, se observou sinais específicos desta patologianos pacientes, como córnea verticillata e angioqueratoma. Atravésda genotipagem se verificou a semelhança da mutação entre os pacientes do estudo, demonstrando padrão típico de herançarecessiva ligada ao cromossomo X. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientesdeste estudo apresentaram quadro clínico semelhante,sendoque a sintomatologia iniciou na infância. Córnea verticillata eangioqueratoma umbilical foram sinais encontrados nos pacientes do sexo masculino e são considerados manifestações clínicas frequentes desta patologia. A herança encontrada nesta amostra tem um padrão típico de herança recessiva ligada ao cromossomo X. Desta forma, apesar de ser uma afecção rara na população em geral, o diagnóstico precoce e a terapia de reposição enzimática permitem a evolução clínica favorável e a melhoria da qualidade de vida do paciente.(AU)

Fabry disease is a genetic disorder linked to the X chromosomeand progressive, caused by partial or total deficiency of alphagalactosidase A (?-Gal A). Usually the diagnosis is delayed dueto the pathological complications caused by deficiency of theenzyme. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we describe the clinicalaspects of a family case by monitoring for over three years,during the treatment by enzyme replacement. METHODS:The method adopted was inductive, related to the study of afamily case with patients with Fabry disease. About the nature ofthe information, the research was qualitative, using, as its goal,the exploratory research. Regarding the source of informationand collection procedure, the research is characterized asbibliographical and documentary. The sample was composed ofthree patients submitted to biweekly monitoring for applicationof enzyme replacement therapy. The inclusion criterion forthe research assumed to consider that Fabry disease is a raredisease and that the studied family contemplates with wealththe clinical manifestations, able to characterize the Fabrydisease. RESULTS: The main clinical symptoms related bypatients were: generalized pain crisis, fatigue, acroparesthesia,fever, myalgia, abdominal pain, hypohidrosis, intolerance tocold, heat and exercise. These symptoms according to patientsemerged in childhood and were alleviated after the use ofenzyme replacement therapy, providing a better quality of lifefor them. Also, we found specific signs of this disease in patients,as verticillata cornea and angiokeratoma. By genotyping, it wasfound the similarity of the mutation among patients in thestudy, showing typical pattern of recessive inheritance linkedto chromosome X. CONCLUSION: The patients in this study showed similar clinical condition, and the symptoms began inchildhood. Verticillata cornea and umbilical angiokeratomasigns were found in male patients and are considered commonclinical manifestations of this pathology. The heritage found inthis sample has a typical pattern of recessive inheritance linkedto chromosome X. Thus, despite being a rare disease in generalpopulation, early diagnosis and enzyme replacement therapyallow favorable clinical evolution and improved patient qualityof life.(AU)

Enteroparasites and commensals in students aged 7 to 14 years in rural and urban areas of Campos Novos, west of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Intestinal diseases caused by parasites are a worldwide public health problem and contribute to social and economic problems, especially among low-income populations, which lack basic conditions and hygiene. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of intestinal parasites in students between 7 and 14 years of age from rural and urban areas of Campos Novos, Santa Catarina. A total of 109 fecal samples, stored in SAF solution, were analyzed by spontaneous sedimentation and centrifuge-fluctuation methods. Twenty-four (58.5%) and 21 (30.9%) samples were positive for the presence of parasites in the rural and urban areas, respectively, indicating a higher prevalence in rural areas. Among 8 distinct parasites identified in samples, Ancylostomatidae (hookworm) (35%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (28.3%) were the most abundant, followed by Entamoeba coli (25%), Giardia lamblia (5%), Balantidium coli (1.6%), Iodamoeda sp. (1.6%), Isospora belli (1.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.6%). Polyparasitism (hookworm and A. lumbricoides) was identified in one student from a rural area. Also, B. coli was identified in one sample and could indicate contamination of the human water supplies with pig manure. Moreover, the sanitary conditions in the rural and urban areas were very distinct, which may have contributed to the difference between the numbers of students infected with those parasites. In conclusion, these data suggest a higher prevalence of parasites in students from rural areas and that an improvement in sanitary conditions in rural areas is necessary in order to reduce parasitism in this population.

Blood sucking Diptera (Culicidae, Psychodidae, Simuliidae) in forest fragment under impact of dam in the borderland of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states, Brazil / Dípteros hematófagos (Culicidae, Psychodidae, Simuliidae) em fragmento defloresta sob impacto de barragem na fronteira dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina, Brasil

The study of Diptera of medical importance in areas affected by dam constructions is very important due to the possibility of the occurrence of diseases transmitted by these species. Collections were performed during 2010 and 2011 in an area under impact of a dam on the Uruguai River in the borderland of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states. Insects were collected using suction tubes and Shannon trap, also immature live forms were obtained by manual collect. Eight-hundred sixty-one Diptera insects were captured, including Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Culicidae), Aedes albopictus (Culicidae), three species of Anopheles spp. (Culicidae), two of Plebotominae and three distinct Simuliidae species. The Diptera fauna in the area is diversified and species with medical importance were identified before and after reservoir filling.

O estudo de dípteros de importância médica em áreas afetadas pelas construções de barragens é muito importante, devido à possibilidade de ocorrência de doenças transmitidas por essas espécies. As coletas foram realizadas entre 2010 e 2011 em uma área sob o impacto de uma barragem no Rio Uruguai, na fronteira entre os estados do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina. Os insetos foram coletados através de tubos de sucção e armadilha Shannon, também foram coletadas manualmente formas aquáticas de imaturos. Oitocentos e sessenta e um dípteros foram capturados, incluindo Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Culicidae), Aedes albopictus (Culicidae), três espécies de Anopheles spp. (Culicidae), duas espécies de Plebotominae e três espécies de Simuliidae. A fauna de dípteros na área é diversificada e foram identificadas espécies com importância médica antes e após o enchimento do reservatório.

Trypanosoma rangeli protein tyrosine phosphatase is associated with the parasite's flagellum

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play an essential role in the regulation of cell differentiation in pathogenic trypanosomatids. In this study, we describe a PTP expressed by the non-pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma rangeli (TrPTP2). The gene for this PTP is orthologous to the T. brucei TbPTP1 and Trypanosoma cruzi (TcPTP2) genes. Cloning and expression of the TrPTP2 and TcPTP2 proteins allowed anti-PTP2 monoclonal antibodies to be generated in BALB/c mice. When expressed by T. rangeli epimastigotes and trypomastigotes, native TrPTP2 is detected as a ~65 kDa protein associated with the parasite's flagellum. Given that the flagellum is an important structure for cell differentiation in trypanosomatids, the presence of a protein responsible for tyrosine dephosphorylation in the T. rangeli flagellum could represent an interesting mechanism of regulation in this structure.

Geração e análise comparativa de seqüências genômicas de Trypanosoma rangeli / Generation and comparative analysis of genomic sequences of Trypanosoma rangeli

O protozoário hemoflagelado Trypanosoma(Herpetosoma) rangeli Tejera,1920,(Kinetoplastida:Trypanosomatidae) compartilha diversas espécies de hospedeiros invertebrados e vertebrados com T.cruzi,agente etiológico da doença de Chagas.Recentemente,foram publicados os genomas de 3 espécies de tripanosomatídeos de alta relevância em saúde humana(Tri-Tryps).Porém,espécies não-patogênicas não possuem o mesmo status,e como T.rangeli não determina nenhuma patogenia ao homem,poucos trabalhos no âmbito genômico tem sido desenvolvidos.Duas abordagens metodológicas têm sido utilizadas na busca de genes em diversas espécies,GSS(Genome Sequence Survey)que visa a geração de seqüências de clones de DNA genômico gerados aleatoriamente e EST(Expressed Sequence Tags)que visa a geração de seqüências a partir de bibliotecas de cDNA. Seqüenciamos 1.720 seqüências genômicas de T.rangeli cepa SC58 através de GSS.Foi também desenvolvido no âmbito do presente estudo um sistema de anotação de seqüências, chamado GARSA(Genomic Analysis Resources for Sequence Annotation).Neste sistema,é possível executar 21 programas de bioinformática,que vão desde a avaliação de qualidade e limpeza das seqüências até análise filogenética e domínios protéicos,numa forma simples e intuitiva.Após...seqüências não redundantes(GSS-nr).O conteúdo G+C das regiões codificantes foi de 55por cento.Análises de similaridade utilizando os programas BLAST e Interpro,identificaram similaridade em 68por cento das seqüências,sendo 53por cento proteínas hipotéticas de organismos pertencentes à mesma família,notadamente o T.cruzi.Também foram encontradas seqüências associadas ao processo de edição de mRNA(DEAD box helicase),bem como seqüências relacionadas a superfície do parasito,como trans-sialidase,metaloproteases e mucinas.Foram realizadas anotações funcionais baseadas no vocabulário proposto pelo Consórcio Gene Ontology,sendo que a maior parte das anotações dentro da categoria de função molecular está relacionada com RN