MMP inhibition attenuates hypertensive eccentric cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction by preserving troponin I and dystrophin.

Purpose: Cardiac transition from concentric (C-LVH) to eccentric left ventricle hypertrophy (E-LVH) is a maladaptive response of hypertension. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in particular MMP-2, may contribute to tissue remodeling by proteolyzing extra- and intracellular proteins. Troponin I and dystrophin are two potential targets of MMP-2 examined in this study and their proteolysis would impair cardiac contractile function.

A deep descriptor for cross-tasking EEG-based recognition.

Due to the application of vital signs in expert systems, new approaches have emerged, and vital signals have been gaining space in biometrics. One of these signals is the electroencephalogram (EEG). The motor task in which a subject is doing, or even thinking, influences the pattern of brain waves and disturb the signal acquired.

Presence of Senescent and Memory CD8+ Leukocytes as Immunocenescence Markers in Skin Lesions of Elderly Leprosy Patients.

Leprosy is an infectious disease that remains endemic in approximately 100 developing countries, where about 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Moreover, multibacillary leprosy, the most contagious form of the disease, has been detected at continuously higher rates among Brazilian elderly people. Due to the so-called immunosenescence, characterized by several alterations in the quality of the immune response during aging, this group is more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Increased oxidative stress in elderly leprosy patients is related to age but not to bacillary load.

Background: Leprosy continues to be a public health problem in Brazil. Furthermore, detection rates in elderly people have increased, particularly those of multibacillary (L-Lep) patients, who are responsible for transmitting M. leprae.

Incidence, characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective prognosis cohort study in an emergency department.

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most frequent hyperglycemic complication in the evolution of diabetes mellitus. Common precipitating factors include newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, noncompliance with therapy and infections. However, few studies have been conducted in Brazil and none were prospective in design.

Novel Markers of Recovery From Overtraining Syndrome: The EROS-LONGITUDINAL Study.

Purposes: Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is an unexplained underperformance syndrome triggered by excessive training, insufficient caloric intake, inadequate sleep, and excessive cognitive and social demands. Investigation of the recovery process from OTS has not been reported to date. The objective was to unveil novel markers and biochemical and clinical behaviors during the restoration process of OTS.

Diagnosis of Overtraining Syndrome: Results of the Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome Study: EROS-DIAGNOSIS.

Objectives: Overtraining syndrome (OTS), a common dysfunction among elite athletes, causes decreased performance and fatigue and has no standardized diagnostic criteria. The Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome (EROS) study identified more than 45 potential biomarkers of OTS. In the present study, we hypothesized that combinations of these biomarkers could be an accurate diagnostic tool for OTS.

Involvement of TNF-Producing CD8 Effector Memory T Cells with Immunopathogenesis of Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Leprosy Patients.

Type 2 reaction (T2R) or (ENL), a sudden episode of acute inflammation predominantly affecting lepromatous leprosy patients (LL), characterized by a reduced cellular immune response. This possibly indicates a close relationship between the onset of T2R and the altered frequency, and functional activity of T lymphocytes, particularly of memory subsets. This study performed ex vivo and in vitro characterizations of T cell blood subpopulations from LL patients with or without T2R.

Role of TEFFECTOR/MEMORY Cells, TBX21 Gene Expression and T-Cell Homing Receptor on Type 1 Reaction in Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy Patients.

In spite of hyporesponsivity to Mycobacterium leprae, borderline lepromatous (BL) patients show clinical and immunological instability, and undergo frequent acute inflammatory episodes such as type 1 reaction (T1R), which may cause nerve damages. This work focused on the participation of T cell subsets from blood and skin at T1R onset. We observed a significantly increased ex vivo frequency of both effector and memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in T1R group.

Downregulation of PHEX in multibacillary leprosy patients: observational cross-sectional study.

Background: Peripheral nerve injury and bone lesions, well known leprosy complications, lead to deformities and incapacities. The phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX) encodes a homonymous protein (PHEX) implicated in bone metabolism. PHEX/PHEX alterations may result in bone and cartilage lesions.