Differential expression of immune response genes associated with subclinical mastitis in dairy buffaloes.

Buffalo milk production has become of significant importance on the world scale, however, there are few studies involving biotechnological tools specifically for buffalo. To verify the effects caused by subclinical mastitis on the components of milk and to study the innate immune system in the udder of dairy buffaloes with subclinical mastitis, we evaluated the levels of expression of the lactoferrin (LTF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and toll-like receptors 2 (TLR-2) and 4 (TLR-4) genes in buffaloes with and without subclinical mastitis. Milk samples were collected for the determination of milk components: somatic cell score (SCS), fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solids-not-fat (SNF), as well as for RNA extraction of milk cells, complementary DNA synthesis, and expression profile quantification by quantitative real-time PCR.

Association of TNF, IL12, and IL23 gene polymorphisms and psoriatic arthritis: meta-analysis.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic skin and joint condition that considerably affects patient quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated different associations of genetic polymorphisms in the pathogenic process of PsA. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of polymorphisms in the cytokines TNF, IL12B, IL23A, and IL23R on PsA risk.

Impact of HBV and HCV coinfection on CD4 cells among HIV-infected patients: a longitudinal retrospective study.

Introduction: The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection on CD4 cells in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is unclear. We aimed to examine the impact of HBV and HCV coinfection on CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio in adults with HIV.

Methodology: We conducted a longitudinal retrospective study in Brazil between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2016, including 205 patients with HIV monoinfection, 37 with HIV-HBV coinfection, 35 with HIV-HCV coinfection, and 62 with HIV-HCV (48 HCV genotype 1 and 14 HCV genotype 3).

Anti-inflammatory action of an alkaloid, fraction and extract from Alchornea glandulosa in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Alchornea glandulosa (Euphorbiaceae) has traditionally been used in medicine for treating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Aim Of Study: This work aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a methanolic extract of leaves from A. glandulosa (MEAG), as well as the ethyl acetate fraction (EAFAG) and isolated compound guanidine alkaloid N-1, N-2, N-3-triisopentenylguanidine (AG-1), in experimental in vivo models of inflammation in mice.

Comparison of 15-20 mmHg versus 20-30 mmHg Compression Stockings in Reducing Occupational Oedema in Standing and Seated Healthy Individuals.

Background: Elastic compression stockings (ECS) are effective in preventing and reducing occupational edema (OE), but the optimal pressure according to the prevalent working position during the day is still controversial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of ECS with different pressures (15-20 mmHg or 20-30 mmHg) for reducing OE in individuals working in different prolonged postures.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 116 lower limbs of 58 individuals divided into three groups according to their prevalent postures over the day (sitting, standing, or combination).

IL8 and IL17A polymorphisms associated with multibacillary leprosy and reaction type 1 in a mixed population from southern Brazil.

We evaluated the influence of the IL8 T-738A (nonidentified rs), IL8 T-353A (rs4073), IL17A G197A (rs2275913), and IL17F T7488C (rs763780) single-nucleotide polymorphisms on leprosy. The AA genotype of IL8 T-353A was observed as a risk factor for multibacillary leprosy, regardless of gender and age-of-onset of disease, considering the recessive model (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.

The Obesity and the Risk of Breast Cancer among Pre and Postmenopausal Women.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and the obesity is one of the factors related to the risk of breast cancer mainly in postmenopausal women. This study investigated the association between obesity in pre- and postmenopausal women with the development of breast cancer and the expression of estrogen, progesterone, HeR-2 and triple-negative (TN) receptors. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 100 patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer and 400 age-matched controls.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in an HBV endemic area in Brazil.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are a common cause of complications in liver disease and immunological impairment among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and their correlation with CD4+ T-cells among HIV-infected patients in an HBV endemic area.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational and retrospective study was carried out in a reference center in Southern Brazil between January 2005 and December 2016.

Influence of and Gene Polymorphisms on the Spondyloarthritis Immunopathogenesis, Regardless of HLA-B27, in a Brazilian Population.

Background And Objectives: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) represents a heterogeneous group of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases that have overlapping clinical features, genetic predisposition, and pathogenic mechanisms. Hence, we investigated, through a case-control study, whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms of and genes are associated with SpA, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a mixed Brazilian population.

Methods: Genotyping of -308 (rs1800629), -238 (rs361525), (rs2275913), (rs763780), and polymorphisms was performed in 243 patients with SpA and 210 controls from Southern Brazil using SSOP-Luminex (One Lambda) and PCR-SSP assays.

Dental plaque disclosure as an auxiliary method for infants' oral hygiene.

Aim: This was to evaluate the effectiveness of plaque disclosure as an auxiliary method for early childhoods' oral hygiene.

Methods: The study was performed with 20 mothers and their children (aged 6-36 months), members of a preventive programme, which two groups used one of two approaches: conventional oral hygiene/group I (tooth brushing) and plaque disclosure with subsequent oral hygiene/group II (tooth brushing with prior plaque disclosure). Ten mothers started the study in group I and the other 10 in group II, after one month interval they changed to be in the alternate group.

Associative bacteria influence maize (Zea mays L.) growth, physiology and root anatomy under different nitrogen levels.

Despite the great diversity of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) with potential to partially replace the use of N fertilisers in agriculture, few PGPB have been explored for the production of commercial inoculants, reinforcing the importance of identifying positive plant-bacteria interactions. Aiming to better understand the influence of PGPB inoculation in plant development, two PGPB species with distant phylogenetic relationship were inoculated in maize. Maize seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp.

Delayed Diagnosis of Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome: The Importance of the Multidisciplinary Approach.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS), also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with high penetrance and variable expressivity. The classic triad originally described by Gorlin and Goltz in 1960 is composed of multiple nevoid basal cell carcinomas (NBCCs), odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) in the jaws and bifid ribs. in 1977, this triad was modified by Rayner et al, and to GGS diagnosis, the OKCs had to appear in combination with calcification of the cerebellar falx or palmar and plantar pits.

Creatine supplementation elicits greater muscle hypertrophy in upper than lower limbs and trunk in resistance-trained men.

Background: Creatine (Cr) supplementation associated with resistance training produces greater muscular strength improvements in the upper compared with the lower body; however, no study has investigated if such region-specific results are seen with gains in muscle mass.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of Cr supplementation in combination with resistance training on lean soft tissue changes in the upper and lower limbs and trunk in resistance-trained young adult men.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design, 43 resistance-trained men (22.

Production, purification, and characterization of a novel serine-esterase from Aspergillus westerdijkiae.

Esterases hydrolyze water soluble short chain fatty acids esters and are biotechnologically important. A strain of Aspergillus westerdijkiae isolated from cooking oil for recycling was found to secrete an esterase. The best enzyme production (19-24 U/ml of filtrate) culture conditions were stablished.

Photodynamic therapy in oral potentially malignant disorders-Critical literature review of existing protocols.

Introduction: Oral cancer is a serious public health issue. Apart from its high rate of prevalence, incidence and mortality, it can often result in more complex and expensive treatment when diagnosed late. Potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) can precede oral cancer, and are usually treated by surgical excision.

Balanced Caloric Restriction Minimizes Changes Caused by Aging on the Colonic Myenteric Plexus.

Aging can promote significant morphofunctional changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Regulation of GIT motility is mainly controlled by the myenteric neurons of the enteric nervous system. Actions that aim at decreasing the aging effects in the GIT include those related to diet, with caloric restriction (CR).

The Inclusion of Chitosan in Poly-ε-caprolactone Nanoparticles: Impact on the Delivery System Characteristics and on the Adsorbed Ovalbumin Secondary Structure.

This report extensively explores the benefits of including chitosan into poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) to obtain an improved protein/antigen delivery system. Blend NPs (PCL/chitosan NPs) showed improved protein adsorption efficacy (84%) in low shear stress and aqueous environment, suggesting that a synergistic effect between PCL hydrophobic nature and the positive charges of chitosan present at the particle surface was responsible for protein interaction. Additionally, thermal analysis suggested the blend NPs were more stable than the isolated polymers and cytotoxicity assays in a primary cell culture revealed chitosan inclusion in PCL NPs reduced the toxicity of the delivery system.

Genetic Polymorphisms of and Chagas Disease in the South and Southeast of Brazil.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between genetic polymorphisms of G197A (rs2275913) and T7488C (rs763780) with Chagas Disease (CD) and/or the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). The study with 260 patients and 150 controls was conducted in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. The genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in populations from Parana, Southern Brazil.

In this study, were genotyped 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 genes that encode the pro-inflammatory (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1R, IL-4Rα, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1RA, TGF-β, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) cytokines of 350 individuals by PCR-SSP (polymerase chain reaction - sequence specific primer). A total of 473 individuals were genotyped for IL17A and IL17F genes by PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism). The sample consisted of healthy and unrelated subjects from a mixed population from Parana state, in the South region of Brazil.

Caloric restriction minimizes aging effects on the femoral medial condyle.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of caloric restriction on aged femoral articular cartilage of Wistar rats. Three groups of eight animals each were considered: young (YC) and old (OC) control groups fed with a normal diet and old caloric restriction group (OCR) composed of 18-month-old animals fed with a 31% less caloric diet from 6-months of age. Articular cartilage was studied through morphometry and immunohistochemistry.

InsuOnline, an Electronic Game for Medical Education on Insulin Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Primary Care Physicians.

Background: Most patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are followed by primary care physicians, who often lack knowledge or confidence to prescribe insulin properly. This contributes to clinical inertia and poor glycemic control. Effectiveness of traditional continuing medical education (CME) to solve that is limited, so new approaches are required.

Study of the involved sorption mechanisms of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species onto dried Salvinia auriculata biomass.

Removal of Cr(VI) species by dried biomass of the aquatic macrophyte Salvinia auriculata was studied in order to understand the involved sorption mechanisms. Kinetic tests were carried out under the conditions such as concentration range of Cr(VI) from 50 to 250 mg L and a temperature of 30 °C. Modification of the biosorbent by the presence of Cr(VI) species was assessed by analysis of its porosity, density and infrared molecular absorption spectrum.

Genetic polymorphisms of human platelet antigens in Euro-African and Japanese descendants from Parana, Southern Brazil.

The frequency distributions of HPA-1 to HPA-6 and HPA-15 were evaluated in two Brazilian populations from Parana: a mixed population of predominantly Caucasians and a population of Japanese descendants. Genotyping was performed by PCR-SSP in 364 unrelated individuals. Differences in the distribution of HPA highlight diversity in Brazilian miscegenation and the importance of formation of the HPA panel composed of regional blood donors.

Effects of Static or Oscillating Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Fermentation Dynamics of Beef Cattle Diets Using a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary crude protein (CP) levels and also comparing the effects of static versus oscillating dietary CP on ruminal nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen (N) metabolism, and microbial efficiency in beef cattle diets using a dual-flow continuous culture system. Eight fermenters (1,223 ± 21 mL) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with periods lasting 12 d each (8 d for adaptation and 4 d for sampling). Dietary treatments were: 1) 10% CP, 2) 12% CP, 3) 14% CP, and 4) 10 and 14% CP diets oscillating at 48-h intervals.