Cortisol y estrés-recuperación durante un periodo competitivo en jugadores de balonmano / Cortisol e estresse-recuperação durante um período competitivo em jogadores de handebol / Cortisol and recovery-stress during a competitive period in handball players

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar los niveles de cortisol en plasma y su relación con la percepción de los niveles de estrés y recuperación en jugadores de balonmano durante un periodo de entrenamiento y competición. Participaron 14 jugadores de balonmano durante una competición nacional. Se recogieron un total de seis muestras de cortisol y se hicieron cuatro aplicaciones del RESTQ-Sport. Se observó disminución significativa (p < .01) en los niveles de cortisol post-competición (162.22 ± 69.83 ng/mL) en relación a la pre-competición (243.81 ± 36.46 ng/mL). Las sub-escalas de estrés general, estrés emocional, fatiga, recuperación física, calidad de sueño y periodos de descanso alterados del RESTQ-Sport presentaron cambios significativos entre las tomas pre y post-competición. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre los niveles de cortisol y la subescala de éxito (rho = .53; p < .05) y una negativa con la de lesiones (rho = -.57; p < .05). El estudio apoya el concepto de la respuesta anticipatoria del cortisol en relación a la competición. Además, proporciona mayor evidencia de la influencia del entrenamiento y la competición sobre la percepción del estrés-recuperación, resaltando la importancia de un registro psicofisiológico y hormonal con el objetivo de alcanzar un rendimiento deportivo óptimo (AU)

The aim of the study was to analyze plasma cortisol levels and their relation with the perception of recovery-stress balance in handball players during a training and competition period. Fourteen handball players took part in the study during a major competition. Data were collected from six blood samples in order to measure cortisol, and from four applications of the RESTQ-Sport for stress-recovery balance assessment. Compared to pre-competition (243.81 ± 36.46 ng/mL), a significative decrease (p < .01) in cortisol levels was observed in post-competition (162.22 ± 69.83 ng/mL). The RESTQ-Sport subscales general stress, emotional stress, fatigue, physical recovery, sleep quality, and disturbed breaks showed significant changes between pre and post-competition. Cortisol levels were found to have positive correlation with success subscale (rho = .53; p < .05), whilst negative with fitness/injury subscale (rho = -.57; p < .05). Our findings support the idea of an anticipatory cortisol response to competition. Moreover, they provide further evidence on the influence of training over recovery-stress perception, emphasizing the importance of the psychophysiological and hormonal monitoring in order to achieve optimal athletic performance (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os níveis de cortisol plasmático e sua relação com a percepção dos níveis de estresse e recuperação em jogadores de handebol durante um treinamento e competição. Participaram 14 jogadores de handebol durante uma competição nacional. Um total de seis amostras de cortisol foram recolhidas e quatro aplicações do RESTQ-Sport foram feitas. Foi observada uma diminuição significativa (p < .01) nos níveis de cortisol pós-competição (162,22 ± 69,83 ng / mL) em relação ao pré-competição (243,81 ± 36,46 ng / mL). As sub-escalas de estresse geral, estresse emocional, fadiga, recuperação física, qualidade do sono e de repouso alterados do RESTQ-Sport mostrou mudanças significativas entre as ingestões pré e pós-competição. Se encontrou uma correlação positiva entre os níveis de cortisol e a sub-escala de sucesso (rho = 0,53; p < .05) e uma correlação negativa com lesão (rho = -.57; p < .05). O estudo apoia o conceito de resposta do cortisol antecipatória em relação à competição. Ele também fornece mais uma prova da influência do treinamento e competição na percepção de estresse-recuperação, destacando a importância de um registo psicofisiológica e hormonal a fim de alcançar o desempenho atlético ideal (AU)

Nocardia brasiliensis induces formation of foamy macrophages and dendritic cells in vitro and in vivo.

Foamy cells have been described in various infectious diseases, for example in actinomycetoma induced by Nocardia brasiliensis. These cells are generally considered to be macrophages, although they present dendritic cell (DC)-specific surface markers. In this study, we determined and confirmed the lineage of possible precursors of foamy cells in vitro and in vivo using an experimental actinomycetoma model in BALB/c mice. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) or DC (BMDC) were infected in vitro with N. brasiliensis or labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE). Both, macrophages and DC, differentiated into foamy cells after in vitro infection. CFSE-labeled BMDM or BMDC were tested for phagocytosis and CD11c/CD11b receptors markers expression before being transferred into the actinomycetoma lesion site of infected mice. In vivo studies showed that BMDM and BMDC were traced at the site where foamy cells are present in the experimental actinomycetoma. Interestingly, many of the transferred BMDM and BMDC were stained with the lipid-droplet fluorophore Nile Red. In conclusion, macrophages and DC cells can be differentiated into foamy cells in vitro and in vivo during N. brasiliensis infection.

Systemic increased immune response to Nocardia brasiliensis co-exists with local immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Human diseases produced by pathogenic actinomycetes are increasing because they may be present as opportunistic infections. Some of these microbes cause systemic infections associated with immunosuppressive conditions, such as chemotherapy for cancer, immunosuppressive therapy for transplant, autoimmune conditions, and AIDS; while others usually cause localized infection in immunocompetent individuals. Other factors related to this increase in incidence are: antibiotic resistance, not well defined taxonomy, and a delay in isolation and identification of the offending microbe. Examples of these infections are systemic disease and brain abscesses produced by Nocardia asteroides or the located disease by Nocardia brasiliensis, named actinomycetoma. During the Pathogenic Actinomycetes Symposium of the 16th International Symposium on Biology of Actinomycetes (ISBA), held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, several authors presented recent research on the mechanisms by which N. brasiliensis modulates the immune system to survive in the host and advances in medical treatment of human actinomycetoma. Antibiotics and antimicrobials that are effective against severe actinomycetoma infections with an excellent therapeutic outcome and experimental studies of drugs that show promising bacterial inhibition in vivo and in vitro were presented. Here we demonstrate a systemic strong acquired immune response in humans and experimental mice at the same time of a local dominance of anti inflammatory cytokines environment. The pathogenic mechanisms of some actinomycetes include generation of an immunosuppressive micro environment to evade the protective immune response. This information will be helpful in understanding pathogenesis and to design new drugs for treatment of actinomycetoma.

[First case of HIV-1 subtype C infection in Mexico]. / Infección por VIH-1 subtipo C. Primer caso informado en México.

We herein report the first case of HIV-1 subtype C described in Mexico, which was detected in a South African patient who died in Mexico of an AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although HIV-1 subtype B is the predominant virus circulating in Mexico, the case reported highlights the importance of molecular monitoring of the spreading of HIV-1 subtypes.