Publications by authors named "Juliana Abreu Lima Nunes"
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in inflammation during COVID-19 and its contribution to long COVID symptoms.
- Researchers analyzed blood samples from 148 individuals (87 with acute COVID-19 and 61 with long COVID) to measure gene expression and levels of inflammatory factors like IFN-α, TNF-α, and IL-6.
- Findings indicate that higher levels of cGAS, STING, and inflammatory cytokines correlate with severe COVID-19 and may lead to persistent inflammation in long COVID patients.
Association of Polymorphisms of IL-6 Pathway Genes (IL6, IL6R and IL6ST) with COVID-19 Severity in an Amazonian Population.
Viruses
May 2023
Interleukin-6 has been recognized as a major role player in COVID-19 severity, being an important regulator of the cytokine storm. Hence, the evaluation of the influence of polymorphisms in key genes of the IL-6 pathway, namely IL6, IL6R, and IL6ST, may provide valuable prognostic/predictive markers for COVID-19. The present cross-sectional study genotyped three SNPs (rs1800795, rs2228145, and rs7730934) at IL6.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComparative Analysis of Human Hepatic Lesions in Dengue, Yellow Fever, and Chikungunya: Revisiting Histopathological Changes in the Light of Modern Knowledge of Cell Pathology.
Pathogens
May 2023
Arboviruses, such as yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), present wide global dissemination and a pathogenic profile developed in infected individuals, from non-specific clinical conditions to severe forms, characterised by the promotion of significant lesions in different organs of the harbourer, culminating in multiple organ dysfunction. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out via the histopathological analysis of 70 samples of liver patients, collected between 2000 and 2017, with confirmed laboratory diagnoses, who died due to infection and complications due to yellow fever (YF), dengue fever (DF), and chikungunya fever (CF), to characterise, quantify, and compare the patterns of histopathological alterations in the liver between the samples. Of the histopathological findings in the human liver samples, there was a significant difference between the control and infection groups, with a predominance of alterations in the midzonal area of the three cases analysed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymorphisms in the gene are associated with the plasma levels of MBL and the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in severe COVID-19.
Front Immunol
May 2023
Introduction: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) promotes opsonization, favoring phagocytosis and activation of the complement system in response to different microorganisms, and may influence the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. This study investigated the association of MBL2 gene polymorphisms with the plasma levels of MBL and inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19.
Methods: Blood samples from 385 individuals (208 with acute COVID-19 and 117 post-COVID-19) were subjected to real-time PCR genotyping.
The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a member of the genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae. CHIKV causes an acute systemic febrile condition, accompanied by severe polyarthralgia, intense muscle pain, and maculopapular exanthema, which may still occur in many patients. In rare cases, unusual symptoms may occur, eventually worsening the condition and resulting in a fatal outcome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiological and Cytokine Profile of Patients with Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in a Population of the Brazilian Amazon.
Microorganisms
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- A study evaluated 89 TB patients (75 with pulmonary TB and 14 with extrapulmonary TB) and 45 controls, focusing on demographic factors and cytokine levels.
- Patients with TB were typically older, married, had lower education levels, and lower family incomes, with all extrapulmonary TB patients reporting inability to work due to their condition.
- Elevated levels of the cytokine IFN-γ were linked to pulmonary TB, while lower levels were found in extrapulmonary cases, indicating that IFN-γ could help differentiate between the two forms of TB and plays a crucial role in the disease's progression.
The duration and severity of COVID-19 are related to age, comorbidities, and cytokine synthesis. This study evaluated the impact of these factors on patients with clinical presentations of COVID-19 in a Brazilian cohort. A total of 317 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included; cases were distributed according to clinical status as severe (n=91), moderate (n=56) and mild (n=170).
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