Risk perception of automotive fuel poisoning among gas station attendants.

Introduction: Everyday, gas station attendants ate exposed to numerous toxic substances found in fuels. Benzene stands out among these toxic chemical agents; depending on its concentration, it can cause mucosal irritation or even pulmonary edema. A considerable number of gas station attendants is aware of the risks associated with benzene poisoning, but they are not aware of the risks associated with other automotive pollutants.

Effects of slime toy poisoning in children and teenagers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify which types of skin reactions are associated with slime toys and which of their ingredients are most frequently involved in cases of poisoning.

Data Source: Between January and July 2021, articles were selected using PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases. The following descriptors were used: (dermatitis OR rash OR eczema OR inflammation) AND slime.

Characterization of CD4 T Cell Subsets in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Background: The mediators produced by CD4 T lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of aneurysmal lesions in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the CD4 T cell subsets involved in human AAA.

Methods: The CD4 T cell subsets in 30 human aneurysmal lesions were determined using flow cytometry (FC) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Characterization of CD4+CD28null T cells in patients with coronary artery disease and individuals with risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis may contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation. A highly cytotoxic and inflammatory CD4(+) cell subset (CD4(+)CD28(null) cells) has been associated with inflammatory diseases, including acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to quantify and characterize CD4(+)CD28(null) cells in individuals with risk factors for atherosclerosis and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Phenotypic and functional characterization of NK cells in human immune response against the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Besides their role in fighting viral infection and tumor resistance, recent studies have shown that NK cells also participate in the immune response against other infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the possible role of NK cells in the immune response against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Purified NK cells from paracoccidioidomycosis patients and healthy individuals were incubated with P.

Involvement of regulatory T cells in the immunosuppression characteristic of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis.

Patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) exhibit a suppression of the cellular immune response characterized by negative delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens, the apoptosis of lymphocytes, and high levels of expression of cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are involved in this immunosuppression by analyzing the number, phenotype, and activity of these cells in patients with active disease (AD group) and patients who had received treatment (TD group). Our results showed that the AD patients had more Treg cells than the TD patients or controls (C group) and also had elevated levels of expression of regulatory markers (glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor [TNF] receptor-related protein [GITR], CTLA-4, CD95L, LAP-1, and CD38).

Differences in the inflammatory response between patients with and those without diabetes mellitus after coronary stenting.

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus who undergo coronary stenting are at increased risk of restenosis. It is known that inflammation plays a crucial role in restenosis.

Objective: We assessed the inflammatory response to elective coronary stent implantation (CSI) in stable diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Differential expression of cytokines, chemokines and chemokine receptors in patients with coronary artery disease.

Monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes have a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. We evaluated mRNA expression and protein production of CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, IFN-gamma and IL-10 in vitro as well as the expression of the CCR2 and CXCR3 receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy controls in the presence or absence of oxidized LDL (oxLDL). Patients with CAD showed higher constitutive expression of CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10 and IFN-gamma mRNA and, after stimulation with oxLDL, higher expression of CCL2 and CXCL8 mRNA than the control group.

Pentoxifylline reduces pro-inflammatory and increases anti-inflammatory activity in patients with coronary artery disease--a randomized placebo-controlled study.

The balance between different immunological stimuli is essential in the progression and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Immune regulation has been suggested as potential target for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. We sought to determine whether treatment with pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with immunomodulating properties, could reduce the pro-inflammatory response observed in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and increase anti-inflammatory activity.