Publications by authors named "Raquel D N Arifa"

Article Synopsis
  • Microorganisms like Cryptococcus gattii (Cg) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) can cause pneumonia and complicate conditions by spreading to the central nervous system (CNS), leading to high death rates globally.
  • This study found that mice infected with Sp after already having Cg showed greater mortality and worsening health indicators, such as motor skills and mental health status.
  • The prior Cg infection worsened lung conditions, promoting Sp growth and causing severe inflammation and tissue damage, ultimately resulting in a poor immune response and higher rates of illness and death during co-infection.
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The blood levels of neutrophils are associated with the severity of COVID -19. However, their role in the pulmonary environment during COVID -19 severity is not clear. Here, we found a decrease in the neutrophil count in BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) in non-survivors and in older patients (> 60 years).

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Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is accompanied by an exacerbated inflammatory response characterized by deposition of IgG, release of inflammatory mediators, and intense neutrophil influx in the small intestine, resulting in severe tissue injury and death. We hypothesized that Fc RIIb activation by deposited IgG could inhibit tissue damage during I/R. Our results showed that I/R induction led to the deposition of IgG in intestinal tissue during the reperfusion phase.

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Cryptococcosis is an invasive mycosis caused by spp. that affects the lungs and the central nervous system (CNS). Due to the severity of the disease, it may occur concomitantly with other pathogens, as a coinfection.

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Mucositis is a major clinical complication associated with cancer treatment and may limit the benefit of chemotherapy. Leukocytes and inflammatory mediators have been extensively associated with mucositis severity. However, the role of eosinophils in the pathophysiology of chemotherapy-induced mucositis remains to be elucidated.

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Intestinal ischemia is a vascular emergency that arises when blood flow to the intestine is compromised. Reperfusion is necessary to restore intestinal function but might lead to local and systemic inflammatory responses and bacterial translocation, with consequent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). During reperfusion occurs production of reactive oxygen species.

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The immune microenvironment of tumors can play a critical role in promoting or inhibiting tumor progression depending on the context. We present evidence that tumor-associated macrophages/microglia (TAMs) can promote tumor progression in the sonic hedgehog subgroup of medulloblastoma (SHH-MB). By combining longitudinal manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) and immune profiling of a sporadic mouse model of SHH-MB, we found the density of TAMs is higher in the ~50% of tumors that progress to lethal disease.

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Tissue-resident macrophages are the most abundant immune cell population in healthy adipose tissue. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) change during metabolic stress and are thought to contribute to metabolic syndrome. Here, we studied ATM subpopulations in steady state and in response to nutritional and infectious challenges.

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The inflammatory response plays a crucial role in infectious diseases, and the intestinal microbiota is linked to maturation of the immune system. However, the association between microbiota and the response against fungal infections has not been elucidated. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of microbiota on Cryptococcus gattii infection.

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Irinotecan is a useful chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of several solid tumors. However, this therapy is associated with side effects, including leukopenia and mucositis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate inflammatory pathways and contribute to Irinotecan-induced mucositis.

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Irinotecan is a useful chemotherapeutic for the treatment of various cancers. Irinotecan treatment is associated with mucositis, which clearly limits the use of the drug. Mechanisms that account for mucositis are only partially known.

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