Salivary shield: Rhodnius prolixus salivary glandular extract reduces intestinal immunopathology and protects against Toxoplasma gondii infection.

C57BL/6 mice, orally infected with T. gondii, experience pronounced severe intestinal inflammation, causing necrosis, weight loss, and bacterial translocation. In addition, immunomodulatory molecules such as lipocalins, nitrophorins, and apyrases are present in R.

Evaluation of SB-83, a 2-amino-thiophene derivative, against Leishmania species that cause visceral leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic disease that affects various internal organs and represents the most severe and fatal form of leishmaniasis. Conventional treatment presents significant challenges, such as prolonged management in hospital settings, high toxicity, and an increasing growing number of cases of resistance. In previous studies, our research group demonstrated the effective and selective activity of the 2-amino-thiophene derivative SB-83 in preclinical models of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Biomimetic nanocarriers: integrating natural functions for advanced therapeutic applications.

Biomimetic nanocarriers, engineered to mimic the characteristics of native cells, offer a revolutionary approach in the treatment of various complex human diseases. This strategy enhances drug delivery by leveraging the innate properties of cellular components, thereby improving biocompatibility and targeting specificity. Biomimetic nanocarriers demonstrate significant advancements in drug delivery systems against cancer therapy, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections such as COVID-19.

Achieving the Optimal AgO Concentrations to Modulate the Anti- Activity of Ag-ZnO/AgO Nanocomposites: In Vivo Investigations.

: For the development of new treatments, the acute phase of Chagas disease (CD) in experimental models acts as a filter to screen out potentially effective interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate ZnO nanocrystals and Ag-ZnO/AgO nanocomposites containing different proportions of silver (ZnO:5Ag, ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag) in an experimental model of the acute phase of CD. : C57Bl/6 mice were infected with 1000 forms of the Colombian strain of .

COVID-19 Inflammatory Syndrome: Lessons from TNFRI and CRP about the Risk of Death in Severe Disease.

: Cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 is responsible for irreversible tissue damage and death. Soluble mediators from the TNF superfamily, their correlation with clinical outcome, and the use of TNF receptors as a potent predictor for clinical outcome were evaluated. : Severe COVID-19 patients had the levels of soluble mediators from the TNF superfamily quantified and categorized according to the clinical outcome (death versus survival).

Unveiling the role of exercise in modulating plasma heat shock protein 27 levels: insights for exercise immunology and cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, primarily driven by atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory condition contributing significantly to fatalities. Various biological determinants affecting cardiovascular health across different age and sex groups have been identified. In this context, recent attention has focused on the potential therapeutic and preventive role of increasing circulating levels of heat shock protein 27 (plasma HSP27) in combating atherosclerosis.

Antiprotozoal, Anthelmintic and Antivectorial Activities of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology has been established as a promising alternative for treating a myriad of disease-causing microorganisms that pose threats to human health. The utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) emerges as a strategy to enhance the therapeutic arsenal against these diseases, especially given the tendency of many pathogens to develop resistance to conventional medications. Notably, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) have garnered attention for their multifaceted biomedical applications, encompassing antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, and drug delivery properties.

Toxicity Assessment of New Ag-ZnO/AgO Nanocomposites: An In Vitro and In Vivo Approach.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are metal oxide nanomaterials, which are important for several applications: antibacterial, anthelmintic, antiprotozoal and antitumoral, among others. These applications are mainly related to the ability to spontaneously produce and induce the production of reactive oxygen species that are important components for the destruction of pathogens and tumor cells. While trying to potentiate ZnO NPs, studies have associated these NPs with silver oxide (AgO) or silver (Ag) NPs.

Anti-inflammatory actions of aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) in bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by cigarette smoke extract.

Smoking causes several diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aspirin-triggered-resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) is a lipid mediator produced during the resolution of inflammation and demonstrates anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects in several inflammatory experimental models including in the airways. Here we evaluated the role of AT-RvD1 (100 nM) in bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) stimulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE; 1%; 1 cigarette) for 24 h.

Genetic variation of FcγRIIa induces higher uptake of and modulates cytokine production by adherent mononuclear cells .

Introduction: Single nucleotide variations (SNVs) are specific genetic variations that commonly occur in a population and often do not manifest phenotypically. However, depending on their location and the type of nucleotide exchanged, an SNV can alter or inhibit the function of the gene in which it occurs. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) receptor genes have exhibited several polymorphisms, including rs1801274, which is found in the FcgRIIa gene.

The Influence of IL-11 on Cardiac Fibrosis in Experimental Models: A Systematic Review.

Fibrosis is one of the main factors that impair the function of many organs. In the heart, fibrosis leads to contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias, which are important in the development of heart failure. Interleukin (IL)-11 is regulated in various heart diseases and has recently been reported to be an important cytokine in fibrosis in this organ.

Metallic nanoparticles and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: A systematic review.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (LC) is an infectious vector-borne disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been investigated as alternatives for the treatment of LC owing to their small size and high surface area. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of MNPs in the treatment of LC through experimental, in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Intraoral Radiographic Study of the Pulp Cavity of the Shortfin Mako Shark ().

The shortfin mako shark () is a large pelagic predator that inhabits coastal and ocean waters. It has several teeth arranged in rows that run from the rostral to the lingual face. These teeth are in several stages of maturation, where the teeth closest to the rostral face are more mature and functional and the teeth closest to the lingual face are still in development.

A Global View of Pemphigus: Geographical Variations.

Pemphigus, an autoimmune intraepidermal bullous disease group with roughly eight distinct forms, includes pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) as its predominant global forms. Despite the increased utilization of global health records and reporting systems, epidemiological data remain limited and poorly categorized. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a review to track, identify, and characterize cases of PV and PF published and categorized worldwide.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy triggered by COVID-19 in a previously asymptomatic person living with undiagnosed HIV infection.

This report presents the case of a 47-year-old male patient who worked as a mathematics teacher and experienced the sudden onset of disorientation, aphasia, and acalculia during an online class. The current study reveals the first documented case of HIV and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and human polyomavirus 2 (previously known as John Cunningham virus) in the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, serum analysis revealed elevated concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and IL-8, which are potential factors known to reduce the expression of tight junctions and adhesion molecules in the extracellular matrix, thereby affecting the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

RNA vaccines in infectious diseases: A systematic review.

Infectious diseases are a major health concern worldwide, especially as they are one of the main causes of mortality in underdeveloped and developing countries. Those that are considered emerging and re-emerging are characterized by unpredictability, high morbidity and mortality, exponential spread, and substantial social impact. These characteristics highlight the need to create an "on demand" control method, with rapid development, large-scale production, and wide distribution.

Exploratory inference of the ingestive behavior of pigs in the finishing phase in an air-conditioned environment.

The objective of this research is to apply exploratory analysis and modeling associated with abiotic factors, physiological and behavioral variables of swine in the semi-arid region. The experimental design used was completely randomized, in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme, randomly distributed in nine pens, with three animals. The behavior of the animals was recorded using images and analyzed within 10-min interval.

Phenotypic plasticity and behavioral responses of dairy cattle on rotational grazing.

Heat stress is one of the most important environmental challenges faced by dairy cattle, with a deleterious effect on animal production and welfare. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of the thermal environment on the physiological and behavioral responses of dairy cattle in a rotational picket. The research was conducted on an experimental farm, located in the Agreste region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Evaluation of Specific Cellular and Humoral Immune Response to in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases Immunomodulated Due to the Use of TNF Blockers.

(1) Background: TNF antagonists have been used to treat autoimmune diseases (AD). However, during the chronic phase of toxoplasmosis, TNF-α and TNFR play a significant role in maintaining disease resistance and latency. Several studies have demonstrated the risk of latent infections' reactivation in patients infected with toxoplasmosis.

Bioclimatic Zoning for Sheep Farming through Geostatistical Modeling in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has pointed out the high vulnerability of developing countries to climate change, which is expected to impact food and income security. Sheep farming is one of the main animal productions among the families located in the most vulnerable regions of the semiarid region of Pernambuco state, a Brazilian territory known for its high temperatures, low relative humidity, and high net solar radiation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify different regions of Pernambuco that may be more suitable for different breeds of sheep, based on non-parametric statistics and kriging maps of the temperature and humidity index (THI).

Cannabis sativa: A look at protozoa, helminths, insect vectors, and pests.

Active principles extracted from plants, such as essential oils, have been commonly described in the literature as therapeutic targets for numerous pathological conditions. Cannabis sativa, which has an ancient and peculiar history, has been used for various purposes, from recreational to compounds of pharmacotherapeutic and industrial importance, such as pesticides based on this plant. It is a plant that contains approximately 500 described cannabinoid compounds and is the target of in vitro and in vivo studies at different locations.

Comparative analysis of diagnostic methods for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis.

Background: Cryptococcosis is a devastating opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, primarily in people living with HIV/AIDS. This study evaluated a protocol for the early diagnosis of meningitis due to C. neoformans, utilizing established molecular techniques from serum and CSF samples.

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor contributes to drive phenotypic and functional macrophages activation in response to Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Cytokines are small molecules secreted by numerous cells. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a cytokine initially described due to its function of inhibiting random macrophage migration. Currently, new functions have been described for MIF, such as stimulating inflammatory functions in response to infections by microorganisms including, Toxoplasma gondii.