HIV Diagnosis in the Context of Stable Relationships: A Qualitative Study With Women Living in Portugal.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the acceptance of HIV diagnosis of women in stable relationships. Based on eight semistructured interviews with cisgender Portuguese women, thematic analysis identified four interrelated themes that illustrated the emotional and psychosocial dynamics involved in this journey. Following an HIV diagnosis, participants grappled with complex emotions, societal perceptions, and the internalization of stigma. Marital relationships underwent profound changes, with trust breakdown and emotional distancing. Coping mechanisms ranged from seeking support to living in secrecy, which impacted psychological well-being. Acceptance of HIV diagnosis is influenced by self-stigmatization, societal perceptions of HIV, and gender dynamics. The findings contribute to the development of tailored interventions, emphasizing the interconnected nature of physical and psychological well-being in the diagnosis acceptance process.

Recriando a vida a partir do clown: um estudo com idosos em um centro de convivência em Portugal / Recreating life through clown: a study with seniors at a social center in Portugal

O presente artigo visa apresentar parte de uma investigação empírica que teve como objetivo: verificar de que forma um processo de criação do clown aplicado com idosos pode contribuir para o bem-estar e a vida com qualidade. Orientando-se com base em uma abordagem qualitativa, foi realizada uma pesquisa-ação com um grupo de idosos residentes em um centro para o convívio de idosos na cidade do Porto/Portugal. Desse modo, foi realizado um conjunto de atividades com os idosos: atividades de relaxamento; atividades corporais; e atividades de expressão corporal. O que contribuiu para uma maior vitalidade corporal, aquisição de uma maior desenvoltura dos movimentos, mais segurança em relação ao próprio corpo, mais independência pessoal, e uma melhor respiração, interação, criação, comunicação e desinibição corporal. Assim gerando impactos no seu bem-estar e para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos idosos em questão.

This article aims to present part of an empirical investigation that aimed to: verify how a clown creation process applied to the elderly can contribute to well-being and quality of life. In this sense, guided by a qualitative approach, an action-research was carried out with a group of elderly residents in a center for the conviviality of the elderly in the city of Porto/Portugal. Thus,a set of activities was carried out with the elderly: relaxation activities; bodily activities; and body expression activities. This contributed to greater bodily vitality, acquisition of greater ease of movement, greater security in relation to one's own body, greater personal independence, and better breathing, interaction, creation, communication and bodily disinhibition. Thus, generating impacts on their well-being and improving the quality of life of the elderly in question.

Molecular and serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection of vast worldwide distribution whose etiologic agent is Toxoplasma gondii. This disease can cause problems ranging from mild symptoms to serious conditions, such as encephalitis, miscarriage and blindness. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to perform a diagnosis with reproducible techniques in order to obtain a good prognosis. The aim of this review was to analyze the efficiency of toxoplasmosis diagnostic techniques based on sensitivity and specificity results. Five research platforms in English language were used (Eric, Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed and SciELO), which contained data on the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The search and selection were performed for studies published prior to June 2021. The search resulted in the inclusion of 13 articles published from 2005 to 2020. The data revealed the use of different samples in the standardization of techniques such as serum, total blood, colostrum and amniotic fluid. The flow cytometry, lateral flow immunoassay and qPCR techniques showed 100% sensitivity, whereas the ELISA, western blotting, qPCR and RE-LAMP techniques achieved 100% specificity. Significantly, the qPCR and LAMP techniques were more accurate when the likelihood ratio was assessed. The meta-analysis identified that ISAGA and western blotting have low sensitivity values and LIASON, ELFA and ELISA, using a silica bioconjugate, also have low specificity values. It was noted that a wide range of methods have high values of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the choice of the method will be based on the conditions and its financial viability.

Molecular and serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is an infection of vast worldwide distribution whose etiologic agent is Toxoplasma gondii. This disease can cause problems ranging from mild symptoms to serious conditions, such as encephalitis, miscarriage and blindness. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to perform a diagnosis with reproducible techniques in order to obtain a good prognosis. The aim of this review was to analyze the efficiency of toxoplasmosis diagnostic techniques based on sensitivity and specificity results. Five research platforms in English language were used (Eric, Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed and SciELO), which contained data on the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The search and selection were performed for studies published prior to June 2021. The search resulted in the inclusion of 13 articles published from 2005 to 2020. The data revealed the use of different samples in the standardization of techniques such as serum, total blood, colostrum and amniotic fluid. The flow cytometry, lateral flow immunoassay and qPCR techniques showed 100% sensitivity, whereas the ELISA, western blotting, qPCR and RE-LAMP techniques achieved 100% specificity. Significantly, the qPCR and LAMP techniques were more accurate when the likelihood ratio was assessed. The meta-analysis identified that ISAGA and western blotting have low sensitivity values and LIASON, ELFA and ELISA, using a silica bioconjugate, also have low specificity values. It was noted that a wide range of methods have high values of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the choice of the method will be based on the conditions and its financial viability.

Occurrence of potentially highly pathogenic free-living amoebae in ready made salads from restaurants in Jatai, Goias, Brazil

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are part of a group of protozoa found worldwide and in the most diverse environments. They resist various temperatures and disinfection methods, and are a risk to human health. Pathogenic strains grow at high temperatures and under hyperosmolarity conditions. Some FLA genera are mainly related to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), skin ulcerations, corneal lesions, kidney and lung infections and keratitis. Therefore, studies that assess the pathogenic potential of FLA are public health issues of great concern. We aimed to evaluate the pathogenic potential of FLA isolated in salads from restaurants in vitro, using osmotolerance and thermotolerance tests. Forty-five isolates were used from ready-made salads purchased in restaurants in Jatai, Goias. Twelve isolates subjected to the osmotolerance test (26.6%) showed growth in 0.5 M mannitol, 18 (40.0%) in 1.0 M mannitol and 16 (35.5%) in 1.5 M mannitol, 13 (28.8%) isolates did not show growth. Four isolates that underwent the thermotolerance test (8.9%) showed growth at 25°C, 8 (17.8%) showed growth at 30°C, 3 (6.7%) showed growth at 37°C and 30 (66.7%) did not show growth. With the indices obtained in the present study, we concluded that 15.6% of the isolates were osmotolerant and thermotolerant. Our findings highlight a public health problem once these FLA are associated with harboring or being harbored by microorganisms responsible for diseases such as diarrhea and meningitis. Measures are required to improve food hygiene and so avoid FLA-related health problems.

Comprehensive Assessment of Copy Number Alterations Uncovers Recurrent AIFM3 and DLK1 Copy Gain in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor originating from thyroid C-cells that can occur either in sporadic (70-80%) or hereditary (20-30%) form. In this study we aimed to identify recurrent copy number alterations (CNA) that might be related to the pathogenesis or progression of MTC. We used Affymetrix SNP array 6.0 on MTC and paired-blood samples to identify CNA using PennCNV and Genotyping Console software. The algorithms identified recurrent copy number gains in chromosomes 15q, 10q, 14q and 22q in MTC, whereas 4q cumulated losses. Coding genes were identified within CNA regions. The quantitative PCR analysis performed in an independent series of MTCs (n = 51) confirmed focal recurrent copy number gains encompassing the DLK1 (14q32.2) and AIFM3 (22q11.21) genes. Immunohistochemistry confirmed AIFM3 and DLK1 expression in MTC cases, while no expression was found in normal thyroid tissues and few MTC samples were found with normal copy numbers. The functional relevance of CNA was also assessed by in silico analysis. CNA status correlated with protein expression (DLK1, p = 0.01), tumor size (DLK1, p = 0.04) and AJCC staging (AIFM3p = 0.01 and DLK1p = 0.05). These data provide a novel insight into MTC biology, and suggest a common CNA landscape, regardless of if it is sporadic or hereditary MTC.

Peaceful Warrior (2006), de Dan Millman: perspectivas existenciais na contemporaneidade / Peaceful Warrior (2006), by Dan Millman: contemporary existential perspectives / Peaceful Warrior (2006), de Dan Millman: perspectivas existenciales en la contemporaneidad

Este artigo tem como objetivo refletir acerca de valores e necessidades existenciais que atravessam o ser humano na atualidade de apressamentos, de consumismos exacerbados e da busca por prazeres efêmeros que vêm produzindo a sensação de vazio existencial. Tal vazio estabelece também a necessidade da busca de sentido de vida. Para este artigo, foi tomado como material de análise a narrativa do filme Peaceful Warrior (2006); optou-se por uma investigação qualitativa, na qual foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico e se utilizou a Análise Categorial, a fim de definir as unidades de análise do filme, codificá-las e interpretá-las. O estudo aponta que a dedicação no desenvolvimento de um talento e no protagonismo das experiências subjetivas possibilitam transformações existenciais para o seguimento de um caminho vital com sentido no contexto contemporâneo.

This article aims to reflect on the values and existential needs that constitute the human being in the present times of hurries, exacerbated consumerism and the search for ephemeral pleasures that have been producing the sensation of existential emptiness. Such emptiness also establishes the need for the search for meaning of life. For this article, the narrative of the film Peaceful Warrior (2006) was taken as analysis material. This is a qualitative investigation, in which a bibliographic research was carried out and the Categorial Analysis was used. This process defined the film analysis units, which were coded and interpreted. The article concludes that the dedication to the development of a talent and the protagonism of the subjective experiences allow existential transformations for a vital path with sense in the contemporary context.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar acerca de valores y necesidades existenciales que atravesan el ser humano en la actualidad de apresuramientos, de consumismos exacerbados y de la búsqueda de placeres efímeros que vienen produciendo la sensación de vacío existencial. Tal vacío establece también la necesidad de la búsqueda de sentido de vida. Para este artículo, fue tomado como material de análisis la narrativa de la película Peaceful Warrior (2006); se optó por una investigación cualitativa, en la que se realizó un levantamiento bibliográfico y se utilizó el Análisis Categorial para definir las unidades de análisis de la película, codificarlas e interpretarlas. El estudio apunta que la dedicación para el desarrollo de un talento, y el protagonismo de las experiencias subjetivas posibilita transformaciones existenciales para el seguimiento de un camino vital con sentido en el contexto contemporáneo.

Ócio, lazer e tempo livre das velhices em quarentena: perspectivas psicossociais de um estudo brasileiro / Leisures and free time of the old ages in quarantine: psychosocial perspectives of a brazilian study

O presente estudo buscou identificar significados atribuídos pelos idosos brasileiros ao tempo vivido na quarentena decorrente da pandemia de COVID-19. A partir de um levantamento nacional, de abordagem multimétodos, 276 idosos responderam a um questionário online, analisado a partir de estatística descritiva no SPSS e análise textual no IRaMuTeQ. Os resultados organizaram-se em três classes de evocações sobre a percepção do tempo na quarentena: Reações negativas na quarentena; Precauções e cuidados durante a quarentena; e Reações positivas na quarentena. Tais categorias nos levam a observar apreensões pouco associadas ao tempo livre, ao lazer e ao ócio, e permeadas por sensações desde angústias à apreensão de um olhar solidário para o próximo.

The present study aimed to identify meanings attributed by elderly Brazilians to the time lived in the quarantine resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. From a national survey, with a multi-method approach, 276 elderly people answered an online questionnaire, analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS and textual analysis in IRaMuTeQ. The results were organized in three classes of evocations about the perception of time in the quarantine: Negative reactions in the quarantine; Precautions and care during quarantine; and Positive reactions in the quarantine. Such categories lead us to observe apprehensions little associated with free time and leisures, but permeated by sensations ranging from anguish to the apprehension of a sympathetic look at others.

Intratumor Heterogeneity of KIT Gene Mutations in Acral Lentiginous Melanoma.

Melanoma is an aggressive skin malignancy, and the acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) subtype affects non-sun-exposed sites such as the volar surface of the hands and feet and the subungual region and is most common in Asians, Hispanics, and Afro-descendants. The presence of different clones within the same tumor seems to influence the aggressiveness of tumors. Patients with mutations in the KIT gene have shown a good response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. We tested the hypothesis of intratumor heterogeneity through analysis of KIT gene mutations in ALM and determined the correlation between KIT mutations and demographic, clinical, and histopathological variables. Twenty-five ALM samples were examined. We selected up to four different regions per tumor for sequencing by the Sanger method for analysis of KIT gene exon 11 and exon 13 mutations. Advanced lesions were predominant, and the main histopathological characteristics of lesions were Breslow index >4.0 mm (17/25, 68%), Clark level IV/V (21/25, 84%), ulceration (16/25, 64%), and >3 mitoses/mm (8/25, 32%). KIT gene mutations were detected in 11/25 cases (44%), and all these 11 cases displayed intratumor heterogeneity, that is, at least 2 tumor regions had different mutational profiles. The predicted effect of most mutations detected was detrimental to protein function. No significant correlations between histopathological variables and either KIT mutations or intratumor heterogeneity were observed. The hypothesis of intratumor heterogeneity of KIT gene mutations in acral lentiginous melanoma was supported.

Ginkgo biloba treatments reverse the impairment of conditioned suppression acquisition induced by GluN2B-NMDA and 5-HT1A receptor blockade: Modulatory effects of the circuitry of the dorsal hippocampal formation.

To improve our understanding of the effects of standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) as a cognitive enhancer, we investigated the conditioned lick suppression-induced expression (mRNA and protein) of the GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (GluN2B-NMDAR), serotonin (5-HT) 1A receptor (5-HT1AR), gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the dorsal hippocampal formation (dHF) of untreated and EGb-treated (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g.kg-1) groups of rats. To substantiate our data, we analysed the molecular changes in dHF following treatment with vehicle, with agonists or antagonists of GABAAR, GluN2B-NMDAR and 5-HT1AR or with one of these antagonists prior to EGb and fear memory acquisition. Additionally, we performed a pharmacological analysis of the drug-receptor-receptor interactions and their supplemental role in fear memory by blocking individual receptors and analysed the possible changes in expression level with each of the other receptors in the study as well as astrocytes. Our data show for the first time that EGb treatment not only upregulated GluN2B, GABAAR-α5, and GFAP compared with the control but also differentially upregulated GABAAR-α1 in the dHF and 5HT1AR in the CA3. We found that the activation of GABAARs (diazepam) and the inactivation of GluN2B-NMDARs (Ro25-6981) or 5-HT1AR ((S)-WAY100135) resulted in memory impairment. Further, higher doses of EGb treatment reversed the effect of blocking GluN2B (P < 0.001) and 5-HT1AR (P < 0.001). Here, treatment with Ro25-6981 + EGb or (S)-WAY100135 + EGb prevented the impairment of the acquisition of lick suppression in association with the upregulation or prevention of the downregulation of Grin2b expression as well as the expression of GluN2B-NMDA and/or α1 and α5 subunit-containing GABAAR in the CA1 (P < 0.0001). Our data are in line with previous findings concerning the necessity of GluN2B for fear memory formation and add to the current knowledge of the role of the GABAAR-α1 and -α5 subunits and of GluN2B as a target of cognitive enhancers. Furthermore, our data show that these receptors play a complementary role in controlling the neural circuitry in the dHF that seems to be essential to conditioned lick suppression and the modulatory effects of EGb.

Acral Lentiginous Melanomas Harbour Intratumor Heterogeneity in BRAF Exon 15, With Mutations Distinct From V600E/V600K.

The choice of appropriate therapeutic strategies may be influenced by intratumor heterogeneity and makes cancer treatment considerably more challenging. We aimed to evaluate the heterogeneity of BRAF exon 15 mutations in different areas of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). The entire exon 15 was sequenced in 4 different areas of paraffin-embedded samples from 26 patients with ALM. A total of 26 of 49 cases of ≥1 mm in depth of ALM identified by clinical, anatomical, and pathological data fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study. Tumors had a mean Breslow depth of 7.2 mm and an average mitotic index of 3 mitosis/mm. Mutations distinct from the common V600E and V600K were detected in 31%, and intratumor heterogeneity was observed in 31% of samples. Interestingly, 63.5% of all mutations had been previously associated with cancer. Most (62.5%) of the missense BRAF exon 15 mutations found in the ALM samples examined here were deemed "detrimental" for protein function according to at least 2 functional prediction programs, and 3 mutations (37.5%) were predicted to be "neutral," with no effect on protein function. BRAF exon 15 mutations were detected frequently in ALM and displayed heterogeneity, a finding to be further investigated.

AGK-BRAF is associated with distant metastasis and younger age in pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of thyroid carcinoma has increased in most populations, including pediatric patients. The increase is almost exclusively due to an increase in the incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Genetic alterations leading to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation are highly prevalent in PTC, with BRAF V600E mutation being the most common event in adult PTC. Although a lower prevalence of BRAF V600E had been reported among pediatric patients, a higher prevalence of BRAF fusion has been identified in both radiation-exposed and sporadic pediatric PTC. However, little is known about the prognostic implications of BRAF fusions in pediatric PTC. PROCEDURE: In this study, we investigated the prevalence of BRAF alterations (AGK-BRAF fusion and BRAF V600E mutation) in a large set of predominantly sporadic pediatric PTC cases and correlate with clinicopathological features. Somatic AGK-BRAF fusion was investigated by RT-PCR and confirmed by FISH break-apart. The BRAF V600E mutation was screened using Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: AGK-BRAF fusion, found in 19% of pediatric PTC patients, was associated with distant metastasis and younger age. Conversely, the BRAF V600E, found in 15% of pediatric PTC patients, was correlated with older age and larger tumor size. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results advance knowledge concerning genetic bases of pediatric thyroid carcinoma, with potential implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic approaches.

Upper limb weight-bearing effect on the body alignment of individuals with cerebral palsy who have spastic hemiparesis: a randomized clinical trial / Efeitos da descarga de peso em membros superiores sobre o alinhamento corporal de indivíduos com paralisia cerebral do tipo hemiparesia espástica: ensaio clínico randomizado / Efectos de la descarga de peso en los miembros superiores sobre la alineación corporal de individuos con parálisis cerebral de tipo hemiparesia espástica: un ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Abstract Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients who have spastic hemiparesis usually present asymmetrical weight shift between the affected and non-affected side. Objective: To assess the effects of upper limb (UL) weight-bearing exercises on trunk symmetry, weight shift to the affected side and possible secondary effects on gait (speed and quality). Method: eleven participants with CP were randomized into two groups: Intervention Group (IG) and Control Group (CG); IG (n = 6) performed stretching exercises of the major muscle groups of UL and lower limbs (LL) and UL weight-bearing exercises in prone and seated position for 12 weeks. The CG (n = 5) did not undergo any kind of motor therapy during the study period but received the same exercises that IG after the study. The variables analyzed were: Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88); Pediatric Berg Scale; Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS); Six-minute walking test (6MWT); Ten meters walking test (10MWT); Timed Up & Go (TUG); Edinburgh Visual Gait Scale (EVGS); and ground reaction force. Results: The IG showed improvement on 6MWT, TUG, TIS and Pediatric Berg Scale (p < 0.01), and CG showed improvement on GMFM-88 (p < 0.04) only for the intragroup analysis. Conclusion: The exercises were effective to improve static and dynamic balance, increasing gait speed and identifying a trend of improvement on body alignment and weight shift to the affected side.

Resumo Introdução: Pacientes com Paralisia Cerebral (PC) do tipo hemiparesia espástica, costumam apresentar transferência de peso assimétrica entre os hemicorpos. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um protocolo de exercícios de suporte de peso em membros superiores (MMSS) na simetria do tronco, transferência de peso para o hemicorpo afetado e possíveis efeitos secundários na marcha (velocidade e qualidade). Método: Onze participantes com PC foram randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo Intervenção (GI) e Grupo Controle (GC), o GI (n = 6) recebeu um protocolo de exercícios, composto por alongamentos dos principais grupos musculares de MMSS e membros inferiores (MMII), exercícios de suporte de peso em MMSS em prono e em sedestação, durante 12 semanas. O GC (n = 5) não realizou nenhum tipo de terapia motora durante à análise do estudo, mas após a finalização do estudo recebeu o mesmo protocolo que o GI. As variáveis analisadas foram: Medida da Função Motora Grossa (GMFM-88); Escala de Berg pediátrica; Escala de Comprometimento do Tronco (ECT); Teste de caminhada dos seis minutos (TC6); Teste de caminhada dos 10 metros (T10); Timed up and Go (TUG); Edinburgh Visual Gait Scale (EVGS) e reações do solo medidas por uma plataforma de força. Resultados: O GI evidenciou melhora no TC6, TUG, ECT e escala de Berg pediátrica (p < 0,01) e o GC apresentou melhora no GMFM-88 (p < 0,04), apenas na análise intragrupos respectivamente. Conclusão: O protocolo foi efetivo no equilíbrio estático e dinâmico, aumentando a velocidade da marcha e apresentando uma tendência na melhora do alinhamento corporal e transferência de peso para o hemicorpo afetado.

Resumen Introducción: Los pacientes con parálisis cerebral (PC) de tipo hemiparesia espástica suelen presentar un traslado de peso asimétrico entre los hemicuerpos. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de un protocolo de ejercicios de soporte de peso en miembros superiores (MMSS) en la simetría del tronco, el traslado de peso al hemicuerpo afectado y los posibles efectos adversos en la marcha (velocidad y calidad). Método: Participaron 11 individuos con PC, siendo aleatorizados en dos grupos: Grupo Intervención (GI) y Grupo Control (GC); el GI (n=6) recibió un protocolo de ejercicios, que constaba de estiramientos de los principales grupos musculares de MMSS y miembros inferiores (MMII), y de ejercicios de soporte de peso en MMSS en prono y en sedestación, durante 12 semanas. El GC (n=5) no realizó ningún tipo de terapia motora durante el análisis del estudio, pero después de finalizado el estudio recibió el mismo protocolo que el GI. Las variables analizadas fueron las siguientes: Medida de la Función Motora Gruesa (GMFM-88); Escala Pediátrica de Berg; Escala de Compromiso del Tronco (ECT); Test de caminata de los seis minutos (TC6); Test de caminata de los 10 metros (T10); Timed up and Go (TUG); Edinburgh Visual Gait Scale (EVGS); y las reacciones del suelo medidas mediante una plataforma de fuerza. Resultados: En el GI se observó una mejora en el TC6, TUG, ECT y Escala Pediátrica de Berg (p<0,01); y en el GC hubo una mejora en el GMFM-88 (p<0,04), solo en el análisis intragrupal. Conclusión: El protocolo presentó una efectividad para el equilibrio estático y dinámico, aumentando la velocidad de la marcha y posibilitando una tendencia de mejora de la alineación corporal y traslado de peso en el hemicuerpo afectado.

Molecular characterization of feline calicivirus variants from multicat household and public animal shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to perform the molecular characterization of conserved and variable regions of feline calicivirus capsid genome in order to investigate the molecular diversity of variants in Brazilian cat population. Twenty-six conjunctival samples from cats living in five public short-term animal shelters and three multicat life-long households were analyzed. Fifteen cats had conjunctivitis, three had oral ulceration, eight had respiratory signs (cough, sneeze and nasal discharge) and nine were asymptomatic. Feline calicivirus were isolated in CRFK cells and characterized by reverse transcription PCR target to both conserved and variable regions of open reading frame 2. The amplicons obtained were sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis along with most of the prototypes available in GenBank database and an amino acid analysis were performed. Phylogenetic analysis based on both conserved and variable region revealed two clusters with an aLTR value of 1.00 and 0.98 respectively and the variants from this study belong to feline calicivirus genogroup I. No association between geographical distribution and/or clinical signs and clustering in phylogenetic tree was observed. The variants circulating in public short-term animal shelter demonstrated a high variability because of the relatively rapid turnover of carrier cats constantly introduced of multiple viruses into this location over time.

Molecular characterization of feline calicivirus variants from multicat household and public animal shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to perform the molecular characterization of conserved and variable regions of feline calicivirus capsid genome in order to investigate the molecular diversity of variants in Brazilian cat population. Twenty-six conjunctival samples from cats living in five public short-term animal shelters and three multicat life-long households were analyzed. Fifteen cats had conjunctivitis, three had oral ulceration, eight had respiratory signs (cough, sneeze and nasal discharge) and nine were asymptomatic. Feline calicivirus were isolated in CRFK cells and characterized by reverse transcription PCR target to both conserved and variable regions of open reading frame 2. The amplicons obtained were sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis along with most of the prototypes available in GenBank database and an amino acid analysis were performed. Phylogenetic analysis based on both conserved and variable region revealed two clusters with an aLTR value of 1.00 and 0.98 respectively and the variants from this study belong to feline calicivirus genogroup I. No association between geographical distribution and/or clinical signs and clustering in phylogenetic tree was observed. The variants circulating in public short-term animal shelter demonstrated a high variability because of the relatively rapid turnover of carrier cats constantly introduced of multiple viruses into this location over time.

Um estudo qualitativo sobre a dança como potência de vida na velhice / A qualitative study about dance as a life power in old age / Un estudio cualitativo sobre la danza como poder de la vida en la vejez

Este artigo objetiva investigar como a dança, enquanto expressão corporal, relaciona-se com uma experiência potencializadora de vida na velhice. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática de literatura por meio da combinação dos descritores: dança, corpo, envelhecimento e experiência potencializadora, na base de dados SciELO, obtendo 33 publicações no período de 2005 a 2015. Concluiu-se que a experiência de dançar possibilita ao idoso um modo de reinventar-se, embora estudos sobre o tema ainda sejam escassos na literatura científica.

This article aims to investigate how dance, while body expression is related to a life-enhancing experience in old age. For this, a systematic review of the literature was carried out by combining the descriptors: dance, body, aging and potentiating experience, in the SciELO database, obtaining 33 publications in the period from 2005 to 2015. It is concluded that the experience of dance enables the elderly to reinvent themselves, although studies on the subject are still scarce in the scientific literature.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo investigar cómo la danza, como expresión corporal, se relaciona con una experiencia que mejora la vida en la vejez. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura combinando los descriptores: danza, cuerpo, envejecimiento y experiencia de empoderamiento, en la base de datos SciELO, obteniendo 33 publicaciones de 2005 a 2015. Se concluyó que la experiencia de la danza permite Los ancianos son una forma de reinventarse, aunque los estudios sobre el tema aún son escasos en la literatura científica.

ABI3, a component of the WAVE2 complex, is potentially regulated by PI3K/AKT pathway.

We previously reported that ABI3 expression is lost in follicular thyroid carcinomas and its restoration significantly inhibited cell growth, invasiveness, migration, and reduced tumor growth in vivo. The mechanistic basis by which ABI3 exerts its tumor suppressive effects is not fully understood. In this study, we show that ABI3 is a phosphoprotein. Using proteomic array analysis, we showed that ABI3 modulated distinct cancer-related pathways in thyroid cancer cells. The KEA analysis found that PI3K substrates were enriched and forced expression of ABI3 markedly decreased the phosphorylation of AKT and the downstream-targeted protein pGSK3ß. We next used immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry to identify ABI3-interacting proteins that may be involved in modulating/integrating signaling pathways. We identified 37 ABI3 partners, including several components of the canonical WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) such as WAVE2/CYF1P1/NAP1, suggesting that ABI3 function might be regulated through WRC. Both, pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway and mutation at residue S342 of ABI3, which is predicted to be phosphorylated by AKT, provided evidences that the non-phosphorylated form of ABI3 is preferentially present in the WRC protein complex. Collectively, our findings suggest that ABI3 might be a downstream mediator of the PI3K/AKT pathway that might disrupt WRC via ABI3 phosphorylation.

Fusion Oncogenes Are the Main Genetic Events Found in Sporadic Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas from Children.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported significant differences in the clinical presentation and outcomes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in pediatric patients compared with adults. Previous studies have suggested that the clinicopathological differences observed between pediatric and adult PTCs may be due the existence of distinct genetic alterations. However, the knowledge of genetic events in pediatric PTCs is based primarily on studies in radiation-exposed PTCs or in the few studies that enrolled predominantly adolescent patients. The aim of this study was to characterize the known oncogenic alterations of the MAPK pathway found in adult and radiation-exposed PTCs in a cohort of predominantly sporadic pediatric PTC patients. METHODS: Thirty-five pediatric PTCs were screened for the most prevalent fusions (RET/PTC1, RET/PTC2, RET/PTC3, ETV6-NTRK3, and AGK-BRAF) and point mutations (BRAFV600E and NRASQ61) described in sporadic pediatric PTCs. The mutational status was correlated with clinicopathological data. RESULTS: Mutations were found in 20 out of 35 (57%) PTC cases. Fusion oncogenes were the main genetic alterations found. RET/PTC1-3 rearrangements were found in 13 (37%), ETV6-NTRK3 in 3 (9%), AGK-BRAF in 4 (11%), and BRAFV600E in 3 (9%). No mutation was found in NRASQ61. BRAFV600E was associated with older age and larger tumor size (p < 0.05), and RET/PTC3 was associated with a larger tumor size and multifocality (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The genetic signature in this cohort was remarkably different than that observed in adults. Although observed at a lower prevalence, the spectrum of mutations was quite similar to that described in radiation-exposed pediatric PTCs. As mutations were unidentifiable in over 40% of the PTC cases, more comprehensive studies conducted in these patients will help to decipher the genetic landscape of sporadic pediatric PTCs.

Transcriptional regulation of the potential tumor suppressor ABI3 gene in thyroid carcinomas: interplay between methylation and NKX2-1 availability.

We previously reported that ABI3 expression was decreased in thyroid cancer tissues and that ectopic expression of ABI3 in a follicular thyroid carcinoma cell line delayed cell cycle progression and inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration and tumor formation in athymic mice. These data indicated that ABI3 is a tumor suppressor gene; however the mechanism through which ABI3 is silenced in thyroid carcinomas is unknown. We here show that treatment of four follicular thyroid carcinoma cell lines with 5-aza-dC induced demethylation of a specific region of the ABI3 promoter and restored ABI3 expression. In contrast, 5-aza-dC treatment did not restore ABI3 expression in a non-thyroid cell line, suggesting a tissue-specific regulation. We additionally show that 8 CpG sites located within the ABI3 promoter are hypermethylated in most thyroid carcinoma samples and the degree of methylation correlated with ABI3 expression. Narrowing the region to specific CpG sites, the CpG4-6 sites showed the largest difference between benign and malignant lesions. In silico analysis revealed that these CpG sites flank a canonical binding site for NKX2-1, a thyroid specific transcriptional factor. Analysis of thyroid samples shows a correlation between NKX2-1 and ABI3 expression. In vitro assays demonstrate that NKX2-1 was required for ABI3 expression. Luciferase assay further confirmed the promoter activity of this region, which was increased when the cells were co-transfected with NKX2-1. Our study shows that the transcriptional silencing of ABI3 in cancer cells occurs via methylation and uncovered a previously unrecognized role for NKX2-1 in the regulation of ABI3.

AGK-BRAF gene fusion is a recurrent event in sporadic pediatric thyroid carcinoma.

Thyroid cancer is the fastest increasing cancer worldwide in all age groups. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer in both adults and children. PTC genomic landscape has been extensively studied in adults, but information regarding sporadic pediatric patients is lacking. Although BRAF V600E mutation is highly prevalent in adults, this mutation is uncommon in pediatric cases. As adult and pediatric PTC is a mitogen-activated protein kinase-driven cancer, this altered pathway might be activated by different genetic events. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of AGK-BRAF fusion gene, recently described in radiation-exposed pediatric PTC, in a cohort of exclusively sporadic pediatric PTC. The series consisted of 30 pediatric PTC younger than 18 years of age at the time of diagnosis and 15 matched lymph node metastases (LNM). Primary tumors and matched LNM were screened for the presence of the AGK-BRAF fusion transcript by RT-PCR. To confirm the identity of the amplified products, randomly selected samples positive for the presence of the fusion transcripts were sequenced. Moreover, BRAF dual-color, break-apart probes confirmed BRAF rearrangement. Overall, the AGK-BRAF fusion gene was detected in 10% (3/30) of primary tumors. For one of these cases, paired LNM was also available, which also shows the presence of AGK-BRAF fusion gene. This study described, for the first time, the presence of AGK-BRAF in sporadic pediatric PTC. Understanding the molecular events underlying pediatric PTC may improve preoperative diagnosis, allow molecular prognostication and define a therapeutic approach toward sporadic PTC patients.