The immunodominant antibody response to Zika virus NS1 protein is characterized by cross-reactivity to self.

Besides antigen-specific responses to viral antigens, humoral immune response in virus infection can generate polyreactive and autoreactive antibodies. Dengue and Zika virus infections have been linked to antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. A unique feature of flaviviruses is the secretion of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) by infected cells.

Creatine or vitamin D supplementation in individuals with a spinal cord injury undergoing resistance training: A double-blinded, randomized pilot trial.

Purpose: Determine whether creatine or vitamin D supplementation improves muscle strength in individuals with spinal cord injury undergoing resistance training.

Methods: Thirteen male and one female with spinal cord injury, from two Portuguese rehabilitation centers, were randomized to creatine (3g daily), vitamin D (25000 IU each two weeks) or placebo group in a double-blind design. All participants performed progressive resistance training during eight weeks.

Predicting outcome after cardiopulmonary arrest in therapeutic hypothermia patients: clinical, electrophysiological and imaging prognosticators.

Introduction: Predicting outcome in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest is based on data validated by guidelines that were established before the era of therapeutic hypothermia. We sought to evaluate the predictive value of clinical, electrophysiological and imaging data on patients submitted to therapeutic hypothermia.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia during years 2010 and 2011 was made.

Computer program for distance learning of pesticide application technology.

Distance learning presents great potential for mitigating field problems on pesticide application technology. Thus, due to the lack of teaching material about pesticide spraying technology in the Portuguese language and the increasing availability of distance learning, this study developed and evaluated a computer program for distance learning about the theory of pesticide spraying technology using the tools of information technology. The modules comprising the course, named Pulverizar, were: (1) Basic concepts, (2) Factors that affect application, (3) Equipments, (4) Spraying nozzles, (5) Sprayer calibration, (6) Aerial application, (7) Chemigation, (8) Physical-chemical properties, (9) Formulations, (10) Adjuvants, (11) Water quality, and (12) Adequate use of pesticides.

Antiretroviral therapy affects the composition of weight loss in HIV infection: implications for clinical nutrition.

Background: Weight loss is comprised of variable proportions of fat and fat-free mass (FFM). HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral (ARV) agents may lose subcutaneous fat (lipoatrophy) in the absence of FFM depletion, which could confound the clinical interpretation of weight loss.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of anthropometric and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry studies in 196 HIV-infected men and women with documented 10% weight loss (HIV group), and compared them to 29 untreated, HIV-infected men without 10% weight loss (HIV weight-stable), and 109 healthy adults (72 men and 37 women) to evaluate the effect of ARV therapy on the composition of weight loss.

[Impact of acute exercise intensity on plasma concentrations of insulin, growth hormone and somatostatin].

Obesity is increasing all over the world, its morbidity justifying a serious effort to improve the situation. Diet and physical exercise constitute major measures to fight obesity. We aimed to investigate the effect of acute exercise intensity over plasma insulin, growth hormone and somatostatin responses.