Relationship Between Vitamin D Insufficiency and Anemia in Older Adults: An Approach Considering Clinical Aspects and Food Insecurity.

Background/objectives: Studies have shown a high prevalence of anemia and vitamin D insufficiency in older adults, and the literature suggests a relationship between these two conditions, as vitamin D insufficiency may impair erythrocyte synthesis. Food insecurity refers to the lack of regular access to sufficient and nutritious food, which can directly affect health by worsening conditions such as anemia and vitamin D insufficiency. This study evaluated the association between vitamin D insufficiency and anemia in older adults.

Vaspin in atherosclerotic disease and cardiovascular risk in axial spondyloarthritis: a genetic and serological study.

Background: Vaspin is a novel anti-inflammatory adipokine associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease and inflammation in chronic inflammatory conditions different from axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Given the high incidence of CV disease (mainly due to accelerated atherosclerosis) exhibited by axSpA patients, we wondered if vaspin could also be a key molecule in this process. However, data on the role of vaspin regarding atherosclerotic disease in the context of axSpA is scarce.

Efficacy of a poly-aggregated formulation of amphotericin B in treating systemic sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis.

In severe cases of sporotrichosis, it is recommended to use amphotericin B deoxycholate (D-AMB) or its lipid formulations and/or in association with itraconazole (ITC). Our aim was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of a poly-aggregated amphotericin B (P-AMB), a nonlipid formulation, compared with D-AMB on systemic sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. In vitro assays showed that Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto and S.

Susceptibility of Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates to amphotericin B, azoles, and terbinafine.

The in vitro activity of the antifungal agents amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ITC), posaconazole (PSC), voriconazole (VRC), and terbinafine (TRB) against 32 Brazilian isolates of Sporothrix brasiliensis, including 16 isolates from a recent (2011-2012) epidemic in Rio de Janeiro state, was examined. We describe and genotype new isolates and clustered them with 16 older (from 2004 or earlier) S. brasiliensis isolates by phylogenetic analysis.

Amphotericin B, alone or followed by itraconazole therapy, is effective in the control of experimental disseminated sporotrichosis by Sporothrix brasiliensis.

Sporothrix brasiliensis is a highly virulent member of the S. schenckii complex, which is responsible for the emergence of the epidemic sporotrichosis in southeastern Brazil over the last two decades. There are no in vivo studies on the sensitivity of S.

PXK locus in systemic lupus erythematosus: fine mapping and functional analysis reveals novel susceptibility gene ABHD6.

Objectives: To perform fine mapping of the PXK locus associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and study functional effects that lead to susceptibility to the disease.

Methods: Linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping was conducted by using 1251 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) covering a 862 kb genomic region on 3p14.3 comprising the PXK locus in 1467 SLE patients and 2377 controls of European origin.

Differences in cell morphometry, cell wall topography and gp70 expression correlate with the virulence of Sporothrix brasiliensis clinical isolates.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic infectious disease affecting both humans and animals. For many years, this subcutaneous mycosis had been attributed to a single etiological agent; however, it is now known that this taxon consists of a complex of at least four pathogenic species, including Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix brasiliensis. Gp70 was previously shown to be an important antigen and adhesin expressed on the fungal cell surface and may have a key role in immunomodulation and host response.

L-DOPA accessibility in culture medium increases melanin expression and virulence of Sporothrix schenckii yeast cells.

Melanin is a complex polymer widely distributed in nature and has been described as an important virulence factor in several pathogenic fungi, including Sporothrix schenckii. The aim of the present work was to investigate the presence of melanin on the surface of S. schenckii yeast cells which showed differences in their virulence depending on the culture conditions under which they were grown.

Cell surface expression of adhesins for fibronectin correlates with virulence in Sporothrix schenckii.

The virulence of four Sporothrix schenckii isolates was compared in a murine model of sporotrichosis, together with the protein pattern of the yeast cell surface and the capacity to bind the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. Virulence was determined by the mortality rate, fungal burden and histopathology. Two clinical isolates were more virulent for C57BL/6 mice, but no direct correlation was seen between virulence and the clinical or environmental origin of the isolates.

Passive immunization with monoclonal antibody against a 70-kDa putative adhesin of Sporothrix schenckii induces protection in murine sporotrichosis.

Cell-mediated and innate immunity are considered the most important mechanisms of host defense against fungus infections. However, recent studies demonstrated that specific antibodies show different degrees of protection against mycosis. In a previous study, antigens secreted by Sporothrix schenckii induced a specific humoral response in infected animals, mainly against the 70-kDa molecule, indicating a possible participation of antibodies to this antigen in infection control.