Propentofylline Improves Thiol-Based Antioxidant Defenses and Limits Lipid Peroxidation following Gliotoxic Injury in the Rat Brainstem.

Propentofylline (PROP) is a methylated xanthine compound that diminishes the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes, which are neuronal cells strongly associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Based on previously observed remyelination and neuroprotective effects, PROP has also been proposed to increment antioxidant defenses and to prevent oxidative damage in neural tissues. Since most neurodegenerative processes have free radicals as molecular pathological agents, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of 12.5 mg·kg-1·day-1 PROP in plasma and the brainstem of Wistar rats exposed to the gliotoxic agent 0.1% ethidium bromide (EB) for 7-31 days. The bulk of the data here demonstrates that, after 7 days of EB treatment, TBARS levels were 2-fold higher in the rat CNS than in control, reaching a maximum of 2.4-fold within 15 days. After 31 days of EB treatment, lipoperoxidation in CNS was still 65% higher than that in the control. Clearly, PROP treatment limited the progression of lipoperoxidation in EB-oxidized CNS: it was, for example, 76% lower than in the EB-treated group after 15 days. Most of these effects were associated with PROP-induced activity of glutathione reductase in the brainstem: the EB + PROP group showed 59% higher GR activity than that of the EB or control groups within 7 days. In summary, aligning with previous studies from our group and with literature about MTXs, we observed that propentofylline (PROP) improved the thiol-based antioxidant defenses in the rat brainstem by the induction of the enzymatic activity of glutathione reductase (GR), which diminished lipid oxidation progression and rebalanced the redox status in the CNS.

Post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection in healthcare workers: recommendations for the European setting.

The European Commission funded a project for the standardisation of the management of occupational exposures to HIV/blood-borne infections and antiretroviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Europe. Within this project, the following recommendations and rationale were formulated by experts representative of participating countries. Based on assessment of the exposure, material, and source characteristics, PEP should be started as soon as possible with any triple combination of antiretrovirals approved for the treatment of HIV-infected patients; initiation is discouraged after 72 hours Rapid HIV testing of the source could reduce inappropriate PEP. HIV testing should be performed at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks, with additional clinical and laboratory monitoring of adverse reactions and potential toxicity at week 1 and 2. HIV resistance tests in the source and direct virus assays in the exposed HCW are not recommended routinely. These easy-to-use recommendations seek to maximise PEP effect while minimising its toxicity and inappropriate use.

Aspectos epidemiológicos da esquistossomose mansônica na região da represa de Americana, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Epidemiological aspects of shistosomiasis mansoni in the Americana reservoir area São Paulo, State, Brazil

Após conhecimento de casos humanos de esquistossomose mansônica supostamente autóctones da Represa de Americana, São Paulo, Brasil, procedeu-se ao estudo epidemilógico da região. Foram constatados seis focos localizados junto à Represa. Foram encontradas as seguintes espécies de moluscos: Biomphalaria tenagophila; B. stramínea; B peregrina; Drepanotrema cimex; D.lucidum; Lymnaeidae; Ancylidae e Physidae. Exemplares de Biomphalaria tenagophila coletados nos focos apresentaram índices de infecção para cercárias de S. Mansoni que variaram de 0,9 a 45%. Mus musculus albinos foram infectados com cercarias no laboratório e nos focos, sendo reproduzido o ciclo de S. mansoni em ambas as condições. Foram registrados 82 casos humanos autóctones de esquistossomose mansônica, na região da Represa de Americana.