Interesterified palm oil increases intestinal permeability, promotes bacterial translocation, alters inflammatory parameters and tight-junction protein genic expression in Swiss mice.

High-fat diets seem to have a negative influence on the development of obesity and the processes associated with low-grade chronic systemic inflammation. In recent years, partial hydrogenated oil, rich in trans isomers, has been associated with deleterious health effects. It has been replaced by interesterified fat (IF).

Ethanol modulates the effector functions of human monocyte-derived macrophages in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells.

We aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol and its metabolites (β-hydroxybutyrate and sodium acetate) in the effector functions of macrophages in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells and to determine their influence in the development of the adaptive response. Purified peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated into macrophages and were treated with ethanol, β-hydroxybutyrate, and sodium acetate, and stimulated with P. brasiliensis yeast cells and evaluated for their phenotypic characteristics, functional activity, and capability to induce T cells activation/differentiation.

Evaluation of a portable Ultraviolet C (UV-C) device for hospital surface decontamination.

Background: Surface decontamination of hospital environments is essential to ensure the safety of health professionals and patients. This process is usually performed through active chemicals substances with high toxicity, and new decontamination technologies that do not leave residues have been currently used, such as UV-C light. Thus, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable UV-C light device on the viability of standard pathogenic strains and other microorganisms isolated from different surfaces of a public health hospital.

Association between IL-27 and Tr1 cells in severe form of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Interleukin-27, a cytokine of the IL-12 family, is secreted by antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Recent studies suggest an anti-inflammatory role for IL-27 by inducing IL-10 producing Tr1 cells capable of inhibiting Th1 and Th17 type responses. Our study aimed to investigate the involvement of IL-27 and Tr1 cells in the immunomodulation of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Brazil.

NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the recognition of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by human dendritic cells and in the induction of Th17 cells.

Objectives: To investigate the involvement of NLRP3 in the effector functions of human dendritic cells (DCs) in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells (Pb) and to evaluate its role in the modulation of the adaptive immune response.

Methods: DCs were differentiated from purified peripheral blood monocytes and analyzed in relation to the participation of TLR-2, dectin-1, and Syk in Pb recognition, as well as, the indirect mechanisms (Reactive Oxygen Species production, endosome acidification, or K efflux) involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation after the stimulus with Pb. Additionally, we analyzed the role of NLRP3 in the activation of T cells.

Differential production of interleukin-1 family cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, IL-33 and IL-37) in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis: correlation with clinical form and antifungal therapy.

Besides interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, the newly described cytokines of IL-1 family IL-33 and IL-37 can contribute to the differentiation and maintenance of different population of T cells. IL-33 acts as an allarmin and promotes a predominant Th2 inflammatory response, whereas IL-37 plays an important role as an antagonist of inflammation. In paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P.

Characterization of the immune response in human paracoccidioidomycosis.

Objectives: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that presents two main clinical forms: the adult form (AF) and the juvenile form (JF); and an asymptomatic form denominated PCM-infection (PI). These forms of PCM are related to the immune response developed after infection, which has been associated with Th1 and Th2 responses. However, some PCM characteristics cannot be explained by this balance.