99 results on '"Costa PL"'
Search Results
2. MAPK and SHH pathways modulate type 3 deiodinase expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
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Romitti, Mirian, Wajner, Simone Magagnin, Ceolin, Lucieli, Ferreira, Carla Vaz, Ribeiro, Rafaela Vanin Pinto RV, Rohenkohl, Helena Cecin, Weber, Shana de Souto Sde S, Lopez, Patrícia Luciana da Costa PL, Fuziwara, Cesar Seigi, Kimura, Edna Teruko, Maia, Ana Luiza, Romitti, Mirian, Wajner, Simone Magagnin, Ceolin, Lucieli, Ferreira, Carla Vaz, Ribeiro, Rafaela Vanin Pinto RV, Rohenkohl, Helena Cecin, Weber, Shana de Souto Sde S, Lopez, Patrícia Luciana da Costa PL, Fuziwara, Cesar Seigi, Kimura, Edna Teruko, and Maia, Ana Luiza
- Abstract
Type 3 deiodinase (DIO3, D3) is reactivated in human neoplasias. Increased D3 levels in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have been associated with tumor size and metastatic disease. The objective of this study is to investigate the signaling pathways involved in DIO3 upregulation in PTC. Experiments were performed in human PTC cell lines (K1 and TPC-1 cells) or tumor samples. DIO3 mRNA and activity were evaluated by real-time PCR and ion-exchange column chromatography respectively. Western blot analysis was used to determine the levels of D3 protein. DIO3 gene silencing was performed via siRNA transfection. DIO3 mRNA levels and activity were readily detected in K1 (BRAF(V6) (0) (0E)) and, at lower levels, in TPC-1 (RET/PTC1) cells (P<0.007 and P=0.02 respectively). Similarly, DIO3 mRNA levels were higher in PTC samples harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation as compared with those with RET/PTC1 rearrangement or negative for these mutations (P<0.001). Specific inhibition of BRAF oncogene (PLX4032, 3 μM), MEK (U0126, 10-20 μM) or p38 (SB203580, 10-20 μM) signaling was associated with decreases in DIO3 expression in K1 and TPC-1 cells. Additionally, the blockage of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway by cyclopamine (10 μM) resulted in markedly decreases in DIO3 mRNA levels. Interestingly, siRNA-mediated DIO3 silencing induced decreases on cyclin D1 expression and partial G1 phase cell cycle arrest, thereby downregulating cell proliferation. In conclusion, sustained activation of the MAPK and SHH pathways modulate the levels of DIO3 expression in PTC. Importantly, DIO3 silencing was associated with decreases in cell proliferation, thus suggesting a D3 role in tumor growth and aggressiveness., info:eu-repo/semantics/published
- Published
- 2016
3. The work engagement grid: Predicting engagement from two core dimensions
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Costa, PL, Passos, AM, Bakker, Arnold, Costa, PL, Passos, AM, and Bakker, Arnold
- Published
- 2016
4. A comparative evaluation of the Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
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Lobo TT, Feijo G, Carvalho SE, Costa PL, Chagas C, Zavier J, and Simões-Barbosa A
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- 2003
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5. Urinary tract infection in children: Renal changes in the acute phase and follow-up, evaluated by DMSA-Tc99m scintigraphy
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Pahl, Mm, Buchpiguel, Ca, Costa, Pl, Marcelo Sapienza, and Okay, Y.
6. Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia or Gullo's syndrome
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Vincenzo Nesticò, Lucio Gullo, M Bassi, P L Costa, Laura Lucrezio, Marina Migliori, Gullo L., Lucrezio L., Migliori M., Bassi M., Nesticò V., and Costa PL.
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Pancreatic disease ,Gastroenterology ,PANCREATIC IMAGING ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Amylase ,Lipase ,Pancreas ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,S syndrome ,Familial form ,biology ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Enzyme ,chemistry ,Acute Disease ,Amylases ,biology.protein ,GULLO'S SYNDROME ,PANCREATIC ENZYMES ,business ,Pancreatic enzymes ,PANCREATIC DISEASES - Abstract
Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia is a newly identified syndrome characterized by an abnormal increase in serum pancreatic enzymes in the absence of pancreatic disease. The hyperenzymemia can occur sporadically or in a familial form, and all of the pancreatic enzymes show elevations. Although the condition is persistent, the enzyme elevations fluctuate considerably, even temporarily returning to normal levels at times. In this review the main characteristics of this syndrome are described.
- Published
- 2008
7. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia
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Riccardo Casadei, Marina Migliori, Eugenio Salizzoni, Manuela Coe, Vincenzo Nesticò, Lucia Calculli, Lucio Gullo, Laura Lucrezio, P L Costa, Gullo L, Lucrezio L, Calculli L, Salizzoni E, Coe M, Migliori M, Casadei R, Costa PL, and Nesticò V.
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,Radiography ,Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,Asymptomatic ,Young Adult ,Endocrinology ,Internal Medicine ,medicine ,Asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia ,Humans ,Pancreas ,Aged ,Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography ,Hepatology ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Pancreatic Diseases ,Reproducibility of Results ,Lipase ,Middle Aged ,Serum pancreatic enzyme ,Magnetic resonance ,Amylases ,Female ,Radiology ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Isoamylase - Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the type and frequency of pancreatic lesions detected by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in subjects with asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia and to assess for a possible relationship between these lesions and the hyperenzymemia. METHODS: From January 2005 to May 2008, 63 subjects with asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia were studied by MRCP. In addition, amylase, pancreatic isoamylase, and lipase were determined for 5 consecutive days. RESULTS: In most subjects (n = 57, 90.5%), MRCP showed a normal pancreas. In the remaining 6 subjects (9.5%), the following alterations were found: pancreas divisum in 2, small intrapancreatic cyst in 2, anatomic variant of the Wirsung in 1, and mild dilatation of 3 secondary ducts in 1. In these 6 subjects, hyperenzymemia was highly variable from day to day, with frequent normalizations, as was also true for the 30 subjects with no MRCP alterations in whom diurnal enzyme determinations were made. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the subjects with asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia did not have pancreatic lesions detectable by MRCP. In the few subjects in whom a lesion was found, the great variability and the frequent transient normalization of serum enzyme levels tend to exclude a relation between the lesion and the hyperenzymemia. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
- Published
- 2009
8. Hybrid Teamwork: What We Know and Where We Can Go From Here.
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Handke L, Aldana A, Costa PL, and O'Neill TA
- Abstract
Hybrid teamwork, which describes any combination of one's work time spent across organizational and other (typically domestic) work settings, has become a critical aspect of modern work environments. However, despite the rising prevalence and technological support for hybrid teamwork, there is limited understanding of its impact at the team level. Although we still lack research that addresses the dynamic geographic configurations inherent to hybrid teamwork, we believe that much of the extant literature on virtual teamwork can inform our understanding and guide future research. Accordingly, this paper aims to advance knowledge on hybrid teamwork by defining its unique characteristics and critically reviewing three broad classes of theory from the virtual teams literature and their implications for understanding hybrid teamwork. Based on both contributions and limitations of these three theory classes, we conclude this paper by mapping out pressing questions to guide future research., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)
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- 2024
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9. Microaggressions: Mega problems or micro issues? A meta-analysis.
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Costa PL, McDuffie JW, Brown SEV, He Y, Ikner BN, Sabat IE, and Miner KN
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- Humans, Microaggression, Psychological Well-Being
- Abstract
While research on microaggressions has accumulated in recent decades, doubts have arisen over their impact on individuals. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relations between microaggressions and psychological well-being, physical health, job outcomes, and positive and negative coping. Potential moderators (i.e., microaggression target, publication year, publication status, sample occupation, and inclusion of nonstigmatized group members) were also examined. A meta-analytic approach was chosen to summarize the findings in the microaggression literature. Several search terms and databases were used to identify articles for inclusion. After review, a total of 141 articles with 154 samples contributed effect sizes to our analyses. The results showed that microaggressions were negatively related to psychological well-being and physical health and positively related to coping. The pattern of results was generally the same regardless of the microaggression target, the year the study was conducted, the publication status of the paper, the occupation of the sample, and whether the sample included nonstigmatized groups members or not. This meta-analysis demonstrates the stable, harmful effects associated with experiencing microaggressions. Specifically, microaggressions predicted negative outcomes across individuals and contexts. Thus, actions should be taken to decrease their prevalence within educational and occupational settings., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)
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- 2023
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10. Pequi oil (Caryocar brasilense Cambess.) nanoemulsion alters cell proliferation and damages key organelles in triple-negative breast cancer cells in vitro.
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Ombredane AS, Silva LRA, Araujo VHS, Costa PL, Silva LC, Sampaio MC, Lima MCF, Veiga Junior VF, Vieira IJC, Azevedo RB, and Joanitti GA
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- Cell Proliferation, Female, Humans, Organelles, Plant Oils chemistry, Plant Oils pharmacology, Ericales chemistry, Malpighiales, Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms drug therapy
- Abstract
Pequi oil is extracted from the fruit of a Brazilian native plant (Caryocar brasiliense Camb) that contains some molecules with anticancer potential. Due to its hydrophobic property, the administration of pequi oil associated with nanoemulsion systems represents a successful strategy to improve oil bioavailability. Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women and conventional therapies used are frequently associated with several side effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pequi oil-based nanoemulsion (PeNE) on triple-negative breast cancer cells (4T1), in vitro. PeNE presented a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect with lower IC50 than free pequi oil after 48 h of exposure (p < 0.001). At 180 µg/mL, PeNE demonstrated numerous cell alterations, when compared to free pequi oil, such as morphological alterations, reduction in cell proliferation and total cell number, damage to plasmatic membrane, induction of lysosomal membrane permeability and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane, alteration of intracellular ROS production and calcium level, and increase in phosphatidylserine exposure. Taken together, the results suggest an interesting induction of cell death mechanisms involving a combined action of factors that impair nucleus, mitochondria, lysosome, and ER function. In addition, more pronounced effects were observed in cells treated by PeNE at 180 µg/mL when compared to free pequi oil, thereby reinforcing the advantages of using nanometric platforms. These promising results highlight the use of PeNE as a potential complementary therapeutic approach to be employed along with conventional treatments against breast cancer in the future., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest G. A. Joanitti, V. H. S. Araujo, and R. B Azevedo are named inventors of the following patent application (Provisional Patent: BR 10 2017 025294 9, November 24, 2017, Brazilian Patent Office [Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial – INPI]) regarding the development and use of pequi oil-based nanoemulsions. This patent does not represent a direct conflict of interest to the reported data in this manuscript. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2022
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11. Panax ginseng Supplementation Increases Muscle Recruitment, Attenuates Perceived Effort, and Accelerates Muscle Force Recovery After an Eccentric-Based Exercise in Athletes.
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Cristina-Souza G, Santos-Mariano AC, Lima-Silva AE, Costa PL, Domingos PR, Silva SF, Abreu WC, De-Oliveira FR, and Osiecki R
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- Athletes, Dietary Supplements, Humans, Male, Muscle, Skeletal physiology, Myalgia drug therapy, Panax
- Abstract
Abstract: Cristina-Souza, G, Santos-Mariano, AC, Lima-Silva, AE, Costa, PL, Domingos, PR, Silva, SF, Abreu, WC, De-Oliveira, FR, and Osiecki, R. Panax Ginseng supplementation increases muscle recruitment, attenuates perceived effort, and accelerates muscle force recovery after an eccentric-based exercise in athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 991-997, 2022-The effect of Panax ginseng during and after an eccentric-based exercise is underexplored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng on muscle force and muscle excitation during an eccentric-based exercise and on subsequent muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 10 male track and field athletes consumed Panax ginseng or placebo for 8 days. At the fifth day, they performed 4 sets until concentric failure of a half-squat exercise, with eccentric action increased by using an eccentric-inductor device attached to their knees. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and vastus lateralis electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured during the half-squat. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, DOMS, and maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVCs) with EMG recording were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the half-squat. Panax ginseng attenuated RPE and increased EMG during the sets. The MIVC remained reduced 48 hours after exercise in the placebo but returned to baseline 24 hours after exercise in the Panax ginseng, with values at 24 and 48 hours after exercise significantly higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo. The EMG during MIVC was higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo over the time points. No significant effect of Panax ginseng on LDH, CK, and DOMS was observed. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng increases muscle excitation and attenuates perceived effort during an eccentric-based exercise as well as accelerates the recovery of muscle force in well-trained athletes., (Copyright © 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)
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- 2022
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12. Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Grapevine cv. 'Touriga Nacional' during Three Seasons in Douro Region: An Agronomical and Metabolomics Approach.
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Cabral IL, Teixeira A, Lanoue A, Unlubayir M, Munsch T, Valente J, Alves F, da Costa PL, Rogerson FS, Carvalho SMP, Gerós H, and Queiroz J
- Abstract
The introduction of irrigation in vineyards of the Mediterranean basin is a matter of debate, in particular in those of the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR), due to the limited number of available studies. Here, we aimed to perform a robust analysis in three consecutive vintages (2018, 2019, and 2020) on the impact of deficit irrigation on the yield, berry quality traits, and metabolome of cv. 'Touriga Nacional'. Results showed that in the peaks of extreme drought, irrigation at 30% crop evapotranspiration (ET
c ) (R30) was able to prevent a decay of up to 0.4 MPa of leaf predawn water potential (ΨPd), but irrigation at 70% ETc (R70) did not translate into additional protection against drought stress. Following three seasons of irrigation, the yield was significantly improved in vines irrigated at R30, whereas irrigation at R70 positively affected the yield only in the 2020 season. Berry quality traits at harvest were not significantly changed by irrigation, except for Total Soluble Solids (TSS) in 2018. A UPLC-MS-based targeted metabolomic analysis identified eight classes of compounds, amino acids, phenolic acids, stilbenoid DP1, stilbenoid DP2, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, di-OH- and tri-OH anthocyanins, and showed that anthocyanins and phenolic acids did not change significantly with irrigation. The present study showed that deficit irrigation partially mitigated the severe summer water deficit conditions in the DDR but did not significantly change key metabolites.- Published
- 2022
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13. Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder? Differences in Residency Training Program Preferences Among Women and Minorities.
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Cavanaugh KJ, Costa PL, Willis RE, Dunkin BJ, and Gardner AK
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- Beauty, Ethnicity, Female, Humans, Minority Groups, Workforce, Internship and Residency
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Introduction: Training programs are now more than ever seeking ways to promote recruitment and retention of a diverse resident workforce. The goal of this study was to examine how gender and ethnic identities affect applicant attraction to surgery training programs., Methods: Applicants to general surgery residency in 2018 to 2019 completed a 31-item assessment measuring preferences for training program characteristics and attributes. Differences in preferences across candidate gender and ethnicity were investigated. Factor analyses and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to explore these differences., Results: 1491 unique applicants to 7 residency programs completed the assessment, representing 67% of all applicants to general surgery during the 2018 to 2019 season. Women preferred training programs that had high levels of social support (p < 0.001), were less traditional (p < 0.001), and with less turbulence (p < 0.05). Non-white candidates reported greater preference for programs with higher levels of established academics (p < 0.001), clinical experiences (p < 0.001), social support (p < 0.05), traditionalism (p < 0.001), flexibility (p < 0.001), and innovation (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Organizational efforts to attract and retain a diverse workforce may benefit from considering the aspects of work that align with female and underrepresented minority preferences., (Copyright © 2021 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2022
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14. Working conditions and high emotional exhaustion among hospital nurses.
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Sacadura-Leite E, Sousa-Uva A, Ferreira S, Costa PL, and Passos AM
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Background: Healthcare workers are exposed to many different occupational stressors, some of which are related to their working conditions. While the experience of stress seems to depend on individual perceptions, some characteristics of inpatient units might influence the occurrence of emotional exhaustion among nurses., Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify characteristics of inpatient units which might be associated with high levels of emotional exhaustion among healthcare workers, nurses in this case., Methods: We conducted the present cross-sectional, exploratory and descriptive study with 108 nurses (83.8% female; average age 33 years old) allocated to inpatients units (wards and intensive care) at a university hospital in Portugal. We administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) emotional exhaustion subscale and collected the following data relative to the units to which the participants were allocated: 1) mortality rate; 2) number of deceased patients; 3) shortage of nurses compared to national standards; 4) occupancy rate; 5) proportion of elderly patients (>65 years old)., Results: We found a positive relationship between high levels of emotional exhaustion among nurses and very high number of deceased patients (p=0.012), high fatality rate (p=0.036) and high proportion of elderly patients (p=0.025)., Conclusion: Very high number of deceased patients, high proportion of elderly patients and high fatality rate in inpatients units were associated with high levels of emotional exhaustion among nurses. These findings suggest that characterizing the objective conditions of inpatient units seems to be an important aspect to be considered in psychosocial risk management programs.
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- 2020
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15. Political identity dissimilarity, workplace incivility, and declines in well-being: A prospective investigation.
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He Y, Costa PL, Walker JM, Miner KN, and Wooderson RL
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- Adult, Burnout, Professional psychology, Female, Humans, Job Satisfaction, Male, Personnel Turnover, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Young Adult, Burnout, Professional prevention & control, Dissent and Disputes, Incivility, Models, Psychological, Workplace psychology
- Abstract
The workplace is an environment where individuals have little choice about with whom they interact. As such, employees may find themselves engaged in conversations with coworkers whose political opinions and perspectives are divergent from their own. In the present study, we examined how coworkers' (dis)similarity in political identity is related to the quality of their interpersonal interactions and subsequent well-being. We predicted that political identity dissimilarity is associated with experiences of workplace incivility and, in turn, declines in psychological and occupational well-being. We tested our hypotheses in a four-wave survey study conducted during the 2012 U.S. presidential election using structural equation modeling. Consistent with our expectations, results indicated that political identity dissimilarity was associated with increased reports of incivility experiences instigated by coworkers, which, in turn, was associated with increased burnout and turnover intentions and diminished job satisfaction. The relationship between incivility and well-being was mediated by psychological distress. Overall, the findings demonstrate that political identity dissimilarity is detrimentally related to job attitudes and well-being via triggering workplace incivility, which provides meaningful implications for organizations on how to mitigate the negative influences of identity dissimilarity., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
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- 2019
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16. Analysis of exposure margins in developmental toxicity studies for detection of human teratogens.
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Andrews PA, Blanset D, Costa PL, Green M, Green ML, Jacobs A, Kadaba R, Lebron JA, Mattson B, McNerney ME, Minck D, Oliveira LC, Theunissen PT, and DeGeorge JJ
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- Animals, Area Under Curve, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Humans, No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level, Pregnancy, Rabbits, Rats, Retrospective Studies, Species Specificity, Embryo, Mammalian drug effects, Risk Assessment methods, Teratogens toxicity, Toxicity Tests methods
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The draft Step 2 ICH S5(R3) guideline includes an exposure-based endpoint as an option for selecting the high-dose in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies. To help determine an appropriate exposure margin for embryofetal developmental toxicity testing, a retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine what threshold would have been sufficient to detect hazards to embryofetal development in rats and rabbits for 18 known and 4 presumed human teratogens. The analysis showed that using a high dose that provided at least a 6-fold exposure margin in the developmental toxicity studies would have been sufficient to detect the teratogenic hazard with relevance for humans for all these therapeutics. With regards to human risk assessment practices for developmental toxicity, the analysis showed that, after excluding lenalidomide and pomalidomide data in rats, all available AUC margins at the NOAEL for the induction of malformations or embryofetal lethality were <4-fold of the exposure at the MRHD for all 22 therapeutics. These data support the proposed general approach of increased level of concern for human risk when exposure margins of the NOAEL to the MRHD are <10-fold, reduced concern when the exposure margins are 10- to 25-fold, and minimal concern when the exposure margin is > 25-fold., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2019
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17. Home sweet home: sand flies find a refuge in remote indigenous villages in north-eastern Brazil, where leishmaniasis is endemic.
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Sales KGDS, de Oliveira Miranda DE, Costa PL, da Silva FJ, Figueredo LA, Brandão-Filho SP, and Dantas-Torres F
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- Animals, Brazil epidemiology, Dog Diseases epidemiology, Dog Diseases transmission, Dogs, Female, Humans, Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous epidemiology, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous parasitology, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous transmission, Male, Psychodidae parasitology, Dog Diseases parasitology, Housing, Insect Vectors classification, Insect Vectors parasitology, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous veterinary, Psychodidae classification
- Abstract
Background: From 2012 to 2013, an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania braziliensis was detected in indigenous villages located in a remote rural area of Pernambuco state, north-eastern Brazil. Considering that the principal activities of this indigenous community are farming and crop plantation, and also that the outbreak involved many children, we investigated the presence of sand fly vectors inside human houses and also the exposure of dogs to leishmanial parasites. Our general objective was to gather epidemiological data that could indicate the occurrence of a peri-domestic/domestic transmission cycle of L. braziliensis in these indigenous villages., Methods: From March 2015 to March 2016, sand flies were collected using light traps in the indoor and immediate outdoor environments in the three indigenous villages that reported the most cutaneous leishmaniasis cases during the 2012-2013 outbreak. Moreover, samples obtained from 300 dogs living in the outbreak villages and two nearby villages were tested by a rapid immunochromatographic test and by a real-time PCR for detecting anti-Leishmania antibodies and Leishmania DNA, respectively., Results: In total, 5640 sand flies belonging to 11 species were identified. Males (n = 3540) predominated over females (n = 2100). Migonemyia migonei (84.3%) was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia lenti (5.5%), Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.1%), Nyssomyia intermedia (1.6%) and Micropygomyia capixaba (1.4%), representing together ~97% of the sand flies collected. Nine out of the 11 species identified in this study were found indoors, including M. migonei, L. longipalpis and N. intermedia, which are proven vectors of Leishmania spp. Out of 300 dogs tested, 26 (8.7%) presented anti-Leishmania antibodies and six (2%) were Leishmania DNA-positive. The level of exposure in dogs living in the indigenous villages where the 2012-2013 outbreak of human CL was detected was almost 2-fold higher than in the two nearby villages (11.0 vs 6.2% for serology and 2.6 vs 1.4% for real-time PCR)., Conclusions: The results suggest that different sand fly vectors may be adapted to human dwellings, thus increasing the risk of transmission in the indoor and immediate outdoor environments. The adaptation of sand flies to the indoor environment in the studied indigenous villages may be partly explained by the poor housing conditions and the proximity of the houses to crop plantations and forest fragments.
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- 2019
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18. Organizations Behaving Badly: Antecedents and Consequences of Uncivil Workplace Environments.
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Miner KN, Smittick AL, He Y, and Costa PL
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- Adult, Electronic Mail, Faculty psychology, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Organizational Culture, Personnel Turnover, Competitive Behavior, Incivility, Job Satisfaction, Occupational Health, Workplace psychology
- Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between employees' perceptions of five characteristics emphasized in their work organization (i.e., individualism, hostile interaction styles, competition, hierarchical governance, and email reliance) and the occurrence of incivility in that context. We also examined how perceptions of uncivil environments, in turn, related to personal experiences of workplace incivility and negative outcomes for targets. The proposed model was examined in two samples of university faculty. Study 1 tested the model with three organizational characteristics (individualism, hostile interaction styles, and competition) and three outcomes (job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and physical health) in a sample of faculty from a wide range of departments at a large Southern university. The second study investigated two additional organizational characteristics (hierarchical governance and email reliance) and an additional outcome (psychological distress) in a nationwide sample of law faculty. Results demonstrated that all but one of the characteristics (email reliance) related to perceptions of an uncivil workplace environment; uncivil environment perceptions, in turn, predicted personal experiences of incivility and negative occupational and health outcomes.
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- 2019
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19. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses of Lutzomyia migonei from three Brazilian states.
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Costa PL, Brazil RP, Fuzari AA, Latrofa MS, Annoscia G, Tarallo VD, Capelli G, Otranto D, Brandão-Filho SP, and Dantas-Torres F
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- Animals, Arthropod Antennae anatomy & histology, Brazil, Female, Insect Vectors anatomy & histology, Insect Vectors parasitology, Leishmania braziliensis isolation & purification, Leishmania infantum isolation & purification, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous transmission, Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission, Male, Organ Size, Psychodidae anatomy & histology, Psychodidae parasitology, Wings, Animal anatomy & histology, Electron Transport Complex IV genetics, Insect Vectors genetics, Phylogeny, Psychodidae genetics
- Abstract
Lutzomyia migonei is incriminated as a vector of Leishmania braziliensis, the main causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. Recently, this phlebotomine sand fly species has been suggested as a vector for Leishmania infantum, which causes zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. Considering the widespread distribution of Lu. migonei in South America, the existence of isolated populations has been hypothesized. Three Lu. migonei populations, two from north-eastern Brazil (Machados, Pernambuco State, and Baturité, Ceará State) and other from the south-eastern region (Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State) were analysed both morphologically and genetically. Though no significant morphological differences were found amongst the sand fly specimens analysed, discriminant analysis based on specific morphometric characters (i.e., length of wing, antennal segment 3 and coxite for males, and length of wing and antennal segment 3 for females), showed that specimens from Machados were closer to Baturité than to Niterói. The molecular analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences also supported this observation by the distinct separation of two monophyletic clades, grouping specimens from Machados and Baturité separately from those of Niterói. Our results suggest the existence of different populations within the distribution range of Lu. migonei. Whether these populations are reproductively isolated and/or present differences in terms of vector competence/capacity for L. braziliensis and L. infantum needs to be further investigated., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2018
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20. Ambient workplace heterosexism: Implications for sexual minority and heterosexual employees.
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Miner KN and Costa PL
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- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Employment statistics & numerical data, Female, Heterosexuality statistics & numerical data, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Sexism statistics & numerical data, Sexual and Gender Minorities statistics & numerical data, United States epidemiology, Young Adult, Employment psychology, Heterosexuality psychology, Interpersonal Relations, Organizational Culture, Restaurants statistics & numerical data, Sexism psychology, Sexual and Gender Minorities psychology
- Abstract
This study examined the relationship between ambient workplace heterosexism, emotional reactions (i.e., fear and anger), and outcomes for sexual minority and heterosexual employees. Five hundred thirty-six restaurant employees (68% female, 77% White) completed an online survey assessing the variables of interest. Results showed that greater experiences of ambient workplace heterosexism were associated with heightened fear and anger and, in turn, with heightened psychological distress (for fear) and greater physical health complaints, turnover intentions, and lowered job satisfaction (for anger). Fear also mediated the relationship between ambient workplace heterosexism and psychological distress. In addition, sexual orientation moderated the relationship between ambient workplace heterosexism and fear such that sexual minority employees reported more fear than heterosexuals with greater ambient heterosexism. These effects occurred after controlling for personal experiences of interpersonal discrimination. Our findings suggest that ambient workplace heterosexism can be harmful to all employees, not only sexual minorities or targeted individuals., (Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
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- 2018
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21. Under what conditions can a nonprescription drug label serve as refutation text? The role of directed attention and processing strategy.
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Ryan MP, Costa PL, and Cruz AB
- Abstract
Nonprescription drug labels are relatively ineffective in refuting drug misconceptions. We sought to improve the effectiveness of an aspirin label as a refutation text by manipulating selective attention and label-processing strategy. After reading a facsimile label, those of 196 undergraduates who attempted to explain why shaded drug facts are "easily confused" recalled more refuting drug facts than participants who attempted to explain why those facts are "easily ignored." However, "easily confused" processing did not change truth ratings of misconceptions associated with those drug facts. We conclude that refuted misconceptions remain in memory but are inhibited by disconfirming drug facts., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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- 2017
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22. Glycerol carbonate in Ferrier reaction: Access to new enantiopure building blocks to develop glycoglycerolipid analogues.
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da Costa PL, Melo VN, Guimarães BM, Schuler M, Pimenta V, Rollin P, Tatibouët A, and de Oliveira RN
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- Crystallography, X-Ray, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Molecular Structure, Carbonates chemistry, Glycerol chemistry, Glycoconjugates chemistry, Glycolipids chemistry
- Abstract
Glycerol carbonate and tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal were used for the synthesis of glycero-functionalized carbohydrates. Ferrier reaction between the two partners afforded the O-glucoside in 84% yield. Spontaneous crystallization yielded 28% of a pure diastereoisomer with the S configuration as determined by X-ray crystallography. Then, the azido-glycerosugar was prepared in two steps: ring opening of the cyclic carbonate with sodium azide and per-acetylation with an excellent yield of 94%. A library of glycoconjugates were prepared using a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition in yields ranging from 64 to 99%., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2016
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23. Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an urban area of Northeastern Brazil.
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Agra MC, Costa PL, Duque AE, Soares EN, Alves LC, Ramos RA, and Carvalho GA
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- Animals, Brazil, Female, Insect Vectors virology, Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission, Male, Population Density, Psychodidae virology, Seasons, Urban Population, Insect Vectors classification, Psychodidae classification
- Abstract
Introduction:: The sandfly fauna is well studied globally. In Brazil, sandfly fauna is very diverse in the Northeast region, especially in states such as Maranhão, Ceará, and Bahia. However, in the State of Pernambuco, the distribution of these insects is still not well known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the different species that constitute the sandfly fauna in an urban area in the Northeast region of Brazil, where an outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was recently reported., Methods:: The sandflies were collected from an urban area endemic for VL, at five collection points. The collection of samples was carried out from November 2014 to December 2015, using CDC light traps installed in intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary fashion., Results:: The collected sandflies (n = 297) belonged to eight species: Lutzomyia lenti, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia sallesi, Lutzomyia migonei, Lutzomyia walkeri, Lutzomyia capixaba, Lutzomyia carmelinoi, and Lutzomyia whitmani. Most of the specimens collected were peridomiciliary (247/297, 83%). L. lenti (154/297, 52%) was the most frequently sampled species, followed by L. longipalpis (88/297, 29.6%), and L. sallesi (42/297, 14.1%), which together accounted for over 90% of the collected sandfly specimens., Conclusions:: The continued presence of L. longipalpis in urban areas, including that in intradomiciliary areas, with a predominance of females, is crucial because of the high possibility of them causing VL outbreaks, since this species is the main vector of Leishmania infantum in Brazil.
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- 2016
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24. Nonspecific binding of a frequently used vitamin D receptor (VDR) antibody: important implications for vitamin D research in human health.
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Costa PL, França MM, and Ferraz-de-Souza B
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- Binding Sites, Antibody, Fibroblasts immunology, Humans, Antibodies immunology, Receptors, Calcitriol immunology
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- 2016
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25. IMMEDIATE COMPLICATIONS AFTER 88 HEPATECTOMIES - BRAZILIAN CONSECUTIVE SERIES.
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Amico EC, Alves JR, João SA, Guimarães PL, Medeiros JA, and Barreto ÉJ
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- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brazil, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Time Factors, Young Adult, Hepatectomy, Postoperative Complications epidemiology
- Abstract
Background: Hepatectomies have been increasingly recommended and performed in Brazil; they present great differences related to immediate complications., Aim: Assessing the immediate postoperative complications in a series of 88 open liver resections., Method: Prospective database of patients subjected to consecutive hepatectomies over nine years. The post-hepatectomy complications were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification; complications presenting grade equal to or greater than 3 were considered major complications. Hepatic resections involving three or more resected liver segments were considered major hepatectomies., Results: Eighty-four patients were subjected to 88 hepatectomies, mostly were minor liver resections (50 cases, 56.8%). Most patients had malignant diseases (63 cases; 71.6%). The mean hospitalization time was 10.9 days (4-43). Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 37.5% and 6.8%, respectively. The two most common immediate general complications were intra-peritoneal collections (12.5%) and pleural effusion (12.5%). Bleeding, biliary fistula and liver failure were identified in 6.8%, 4.5% and 1.1% of the cases, respectively, among the hepatectomy-specific complications., Conclusion: The patients operated in the second half of the series showed better results, which were apparently influenced by the increased surgical expertise, by the modification of the hepatic parenchyma section method and by the increased organ preservation., Competing Interests: none
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- 2016
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26. Trk inhibition reduces cell proliferation and potentiates the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in Ewing sarcoma.
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Heinen TE, Dos Santos RP, da Rocha A, Dos Santos MP, Lopez PL, Silva Filho MA, Souza BK, Rivero LF, Becker RG, Gregianin LJ, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, de Farias CB, and Roesler R
- Subjects
- Azepines pharmacology, Benzamides pharmacology, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor genetics, Carbazoles pharmacology, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation drug effects, Doxorubicin pharmacology, Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology, Etoposide pharmacology, Humans, Indole Alkaloids pharmacology, Membrane Glycoproteins biosynthesis, Membrane Glycoproteins genetics, Nerve Growth Factor genetics, RNA, Messenger biosynthesis, Receptor, trkA biosynthesis, Receptor, trkA genetics, Receptor, trkB biosynthesis, Receptor, trkB genetics, Sarcoma, Ewing pathology, Tubulin metabolism, Vincristine pharmacology, Antineoplastic Agents pharmacology, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor biosynthesis, Membrane Glycoproteins antagonists & inhibitors, Nerve Growth Factor biosynthesis, Receptor, trkA antagonists & inhibitors, Receptor, trkB antagonists & inhibitors, Sarcoma, Ewing drug therapy
- Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer that may arise from neuronal precursors. Neurotrophins stimulate neuronal devlopment and plasticity. Here, we found that neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as their receptors (TrkA and TrkB, respectively) are expressed in ES tumors. Treatment with TrkA (GW-441756) or TrkB (Ana-12) selective inhibitors decreased ES cell proliferation, and the effect was increased when the two inhibitors were combined. ES cells treated with a pan-Trk inhibitor, K252a, showed changes in morphology, reduced levels of β-III tubulin, and decreased mRNA expression of NGF, BDNF, TrkA and TrkB. Furthermore, combining K252a with subeffective doses of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs resulted in a decrease in ES cell proliferation and colony formation, even in chemoresistant cells. These results indicate that Trk inhibition may be an emerging approach for the treatment of ES., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Published
- 2016
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27. MAPK and SHH pathways modulate type 3 deiodinase expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
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Romitti M, Wajner SM, Ceolin L, Ferreira CV, Ribeiro RV, Rohenkohl HC, Weber Sde S, Lopez PL, Fuziwara CS, Kimura ET, and Maia AL
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- Carcinoma genetics, Carcinoma, Papillary, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation, Hedgehog Proteins antagonists & inhibitors, Humans, Iodide Peroxidase genetics, MAP Kinase Kinase 1 antagonists & inhibitors, Mutation, Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf antagonists & inhibitors, Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf genetics, RNA, Messenger metabolism, RNA, Small Interfering genetics, Signal Transduction, Thyroid Cancer, Papillary, Thyroid Neoplasms genetics, p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases antagonists & inhibitors, Carcinoma metabolism, Hedgehog Proteins metabolism, Iodide Peroxidase metabolism, MAP Kinase Kinase 1 metabolism, Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf metabolism, Thyroid Neoplasms metabolism, p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases metabolism
- Abstract
Type 3 deiodinase (DIO3, D3) is reactivated in human neoplasias. Increased D3 levels in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have been associated with tumor size and metastatic disease. The objective of this study is to investigate the signaling pathways involved in DIO3 upregulation in PTC. Experiments were performed in human PTC cell lines (K1 and TPC-1 cells) or tumor samples. DIO3 mRNA and activity were evaluated by real-time PCR and ion-exchange column chromatography respectively. Western blot analysis was used to determine the levels of D3 protein. DIO3 gene silencing was performed via siRNA transfection. DIO3 mRNA levels and activity were readily detected in K1 (BRAF(V6) (0) (0E)) and, at lower levels, in TPC-1 (RET/PTC1) cells (P<0.007 and P=0.02 respectively). Similarly, DIO3 mRNA levels were higher in PTC samples harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation as compared with those with RET/PTC1 rearrangement or negative for these mutations (P<0.001). Specific inhibition of BRAF oncogene (PLX4032, 3 μM), MEK (U0126, 10-20 μM) or p38 (SB203580, 10-20 μM) signaling was associated with decreases in DIO3 expression in K1 and TPC-1 cells. Additionally, the blockage of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway by cyclopamine (10 μM) resulted in markedly decreases in DIO3 mRNA levels. Interestingly, siRNA-mediated DIO3 silencing induced decreases on cyclin D1 expression and partial G1 phase cell cycle arrest, thereby downregulating cell proliferation. In conclusion, sustained activation of the MAPK and SHH pathways modulate the levels of DIO3 expression in PTC. Importantly, DIO3 silencing was associated with decreases in cell proliferation, thus suggesting a D3 role in tumor growth and aggressiveness., (© 2016 Society for Endocrinology.)
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- 2016
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28. Fifty consecutive pancreatectomies without mortality.
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Amico EC, Barreto ÉJ, Alves JR, João SA, Guimarães PL, and Medeiros JA
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- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brazil, Female, Hospital Mortality, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Young Adult, Pancreatectomy mortality, Pancreatectomy statistics & numerical data, Pancreatic Diseases surgery
- Abstract
Objective: to report the group's experience with a series of patients undergoing pancreatic resection presenting null mortality rates., Methods: we prospectively studied 50 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resections for peri-ampullary or pancreatic diseases. Main local complications were defined according to international criteria. In-hospital mortality was defined as death occurring in the first 90 postoperative days., Results: patients' age ranged between 16 and 90 years (average: 53.3). We found anemia (Hb < 12g/dl) and preoperative jaundice in 38% and 40% of cases, respectively. Most patients presented with peri-ampullary tumors (66%). The most common surgical procedure was the Kausch - Whipple operation (70%). Six patients (12%) needed to undergo resection of a segment of the mesenteric-portal axis. The mean operative time was 445.1 minutes. Twenty two patients (44%) showed no clinical complications and presented mean hospital stay of 10.3 days. The most frequent complications were pancreatic fistula (56%), delayed gastric emptying (17.1%) and bleeding (16%)., Conclusion: within the last three decades, pancreatic resection is still considered a challenge, especially outside large specialized centers. Nevertheless, even in our country (Brazil), teams seasoned in such procedure can reach low mortality rates.
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- 2016
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29. Infectiousness of Sylvatic and Synanthropic Small Rodents Implicates a Multi-host Reservoir of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.
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Andrade MS, Courtenay O, Brito ME, Carvalho FG, Carvalho AW, Soares F, Carvalho SM, Costa PL, Zampieri R, Floeter-Winter LM, Shaw JJ, and Brandão-Filho SP
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Disease Transmission, Infectious, Female, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous parasitology, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous pathology, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous transmission, Male, Parasite Load, Rodent Diseases pathology, Rodent Diseases transmission, Disease Reservoirs, Leishmania braziliensis isolation & purification, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous veterinary, Psychodidae parasitology, Rats parasitology, Rodent Diseases parasitology, Sigmodontinae parasitology
- Abstract
Background: The possibility that a multi-host wildlife reservoir is responsible for maintaining transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis causing human cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is tested by comparative analysis of infection progression and infectiousness to sandflies in rodent host species previously shown to have high natural infection prevalences in both sylvatic or/and peridomestic habitats in close proximity to humans in northeast Brazil., Methods: The clinical and parasitological outcomes, and infectiousness to sandflies, were observed in 54 colonized animals of three species (18 Necromys lasiurus, 18 Nectomys squamipes and 18 Rattus rattus) experimentally infected with high (5.5 × 10(6)/ml) or low (2.8 × 10(5)/ml) dose L. (V.) braziliensis (MBOL/BR/2000/CPqAM95) inoculum. Clinical signs of infection were monitored daily. Whole animal xenodiagnoses were performed 6 months post inoculation using Lutzomyia longipalpis originating from flies caught in Passira, Pernambuco, after this parasite evaluation was performed at necropsy. Heterogeneities in Leishmania parasite loads were measured by quantitative PCR in ear skin, liver and spleen tissues., Results: All three rodent species proved to establish infection characterized by short-term self-resolving skin lesions, located on ears and tail but not on footpads (one site of inoculation), and variable parasite loads detected in all three tissues with maximum burdens of 8.1 × 10(3) (skin), 2.8 × 10(3) (spleen), and 8.9 × 10(2) (liver). All three host species, 18/18 N. lasiurus, 10/18 N. squamipes and 6/18 R. rattus, also proved infectious to sandflies in cross-sectional study. R. rattus supported significantly lower tissue parasite loads compared to those in N. lasiurus and N. squamipes, and N. lasiurus appeared to be more infectious, on average, than either N. squamipes or R. rattus., Conclusions: A multi-host reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis is indicated in this region of Brazil, though with apparent differences in the competence between the rodent species. The results provide preliminary insights into links between sylvatic and peri-domestic transmission cycles associated with overlaps in the rodent species' ecological niches.
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- 2015
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30. Phenotypic differentiation in love song traits among sibling species of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex in Brazil.
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Vigoder FM, Souza NA, Brazil RP, Bruno RV, Costa PL, Ritchie MG, Klaczko LB, and Peixoto AA
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil, Copulation, Female, Male, Psychodidae classification, Vocalization, Animal, Psychodidae physiology
- Abstract
Background: Brazilian populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis may constitute a complex of cryptic species, and this report investigates the distribution and number of potential sibling species. One of the main differences observed among Brazilian populations is the type of acoustic signal produced by males during copulation. These copulation song differences seem to be evolving faster than neutral molecular markers and have been suggested to contribute to insemination failure observed in crosses between these sibling species. In previous studies, two main types of copulation songs were found, burst-type and pulse-type. The latter type can, in turn, be further subdivided into five different patterns., Methods: We recorded male song from 13 new populations of the L. longipalpis complex from Brazil and compared the songs with 12 already available., Results: Out of these 25 populations, 16 produce burst-type and 9 produce pulse-type songs. We performed a principal component analysis in these two main groups separately and an additional discriminant analysis in the pulse-type group. The pulse-type populations showed a clear separation between the five known patterns with a high correspondence of individuals to their correct group, confirming the differentiation between them. The distinctiveness of the burst-type subgroups was much lower than that observed among the pulse-type groups and no clear population structure was observed. This suggests that the burst-type populations represent a single species., Conclusion: Overall, our results are consistent with the existence in Brazil of at least six species of the L. longipalpis complex, one with a wide distribution comprising all the populations with burst-type songs, and five more closely related allopatric siblings with different pulse-type song patterns and more restricted distribution ranges.
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- 2015
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31. Identification of phlebotomine sand fly blood meals by real-time PCR.
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Sales KG, Costa PL, de Morais RC, Otranto D, Brandão-Filho SP, Cavalcanti Mde P, and Dantas-Torres F
- Subjects
- Animals, Cats, Dogs, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Rats, Sensitivity and Specificity, Species Specificity, DNA genetics, DNA isolation & purification, Psychodidae physiology, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods
- Abstract
Background: Phlebotomine sand flies are blood-feeding insects of great medical and veterinary significance acting as vectors of Leishmania parasites. Studying the blood-feeding pattern of these insects may help in the understanding of their interactions with potential reservoir hosts of Leishmania parasites. In this study, we developed real time PCR assays for the identification of sand fly blood meal., Methods: Six pairs of primers were designed based on cytochrome b gene sequences available in GenBank of the following potential hosts: dog, cat, horse, chicken, black rat, and human. Firstly, SYBR Green-based real time PCR assays were conducted using a standard curve with eight different concentrations (i.e., 10 ng, 1 ng, 100 pg, 10 pg, 1 pg, 100 fg, 10 fg and 1 fg per 2 μl) of DNA samples extracted from EDTA blood samples from each target animal. Then, DNA samples extracted from field-collected engorged female sand flies belonging to three species (i.e., Lutzomyia longipalpis, L. migonei and L. lenti) were tested by the protocols standardized herein. Additionally, female sand flies were experimentally fed on a black rat (Rattus rattus) and used for evaluating the time course of the detection of the protocol targeting this species., Results: The protocols performed well with detection limits of 10 pg to 100 fg. Field-collected female sand flies were fed on blood from humans (73%), chickens (23%), dogs (22%), horses (15%), black rats (11%) and cats (2%). Interestingly, 76.1% of the L. longipalpis females were positive for human blood. In total, 48% of the tested females were fed on single sources, 31% on two and 12% on three. The analysis of the time course showed that the real time PCR protocol targeting the black rat DNA was able to detect small amounts of the host DNA up to 5 days after the blood meal., Conclusions: The real time PCR assays standardized herein successfully detected small amounts of host DNA in female sand flies fed on different vertebrate species and, specifically for the black rats, up to 5 days after the blood meal. These assays represent promising tools for the identification of blood meal in field-collected female sand flies.
- Published
- 2015
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32. Dexamethasone and azathioprine promote cytoskeletal changes and affect mesenchymal stem cell migratory behavior.
- Author
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Schneider N, Gonçalves Fda C, Pinto FO, Lopez PL, Araújo AB, Pfaffenseller B, Passos EP, Cirne-Lima EO, Meurer L, Lamers ML, and Paz AH
- Subjects
- Cell Shape drug effects, Cell Survival, Cells, Cultured, Cytoskeleton metabolism, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 metabolism, Humans, Azathioprine pharmacology, Cell Movement drug effects, Dexamethasone pharmacology, Immunosuppressive Agents pharmacology, Mesenchymal Stem Cells physiology
- Abstract
Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs are commonly used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and despite a few improvements, the remission of IBD is still difficult to maintain. Due to their immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as regulators of the immune response, and their viability and activation of their migratory properties are essential for successful cell therapy. However, little is known about the effects of immunosuppressant drugs used in IBD treatment on MSC behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate MSC viability, nuclear morphometry, cell polarity, F-actin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) distribution, and cell migratory properties in the presence of the immunosuppressive drugs azathioprine (AZA) and dexamethasone (DEX). After an initial characterization, MSCs were treated with DEX (10 μM) or AZA (1 μM) for 24 hrs or 7 days. Neither drug had an effect on cell viability or nuclear morphometry. However, AZA treatment induced a more elongated cell shape, while DEX was associated with a more rounded cell shape (P < 0.05) with a higher presence of ventral actin stress fibers (P < 0.05) and a decrease in protrusion stability. After 7 days of treatment, AZA improved the cell spatial trajectory (ST) and increased the migration speed (24.35%, P < 0.05, n = 4), while DEX impaired ST and migration speed after 24 hrs and 7 days of treatment (-28.69% and -25.37%, respectively; P < 0.05, n = 4). In conclusion, our data suggest that these immunosuppressive drugs each affect MSC morphology and migratory capacity differently, possibly impacting the success of cell therapy.
- Published
- 2015
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33. Intravenous vs intraperitoneal mesenchymal stem cells administration: what is the best route for treating experimental colitis?
- Author
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Gonçalves Fda C, Schneider N, Pinto FO, Meyer FS, Visioli F, Pfaffenseller B, Lopez PL, Passos EP, Cirne-Lima EO, Meurer L, and Paz AH
- Subjects
- Acute Disease, Animals, Apoptosis, Biomarkers blood, Cells, Cultured, Colitis blood, Colitis chemically induced, Colitis pathology, Colitis physiopathology, Colon metabolism, Colon pathology, Cytokines blood, Dextran Sulfate, Disease Models, Animal, Inflammation Mediators blood, Infusions, Intravenous, Infusions, Parenteral, Male, Mesenchymal Stem Cells metabolism, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Phenotype, T-Lymphocytes metabolism, T-Lymphocytes pathology, Time Factors, Colitis surgery, Colon physiopathology, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation methods, Regeneration
- Abstract
Aim: To investigate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplanted intraperitoneally and intravenously in a murine model of colitis., Methods: MSCs were isolated from C57BL/6 mouse adipose tissue. MSC cultures were analyzed according to morphology, cellular differentiation potential, and surface molecular markers. Experimental acute colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by oral administration of 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water ad libitum from days 0 to 7. Colitis mice were treated with 1 × 10(6) MSCs via intraperitoneal or intravenous injection on days 2 and 5. The disease activity index was determined daily based on the following parameters: weight loss, stool consistency and presence of blood in the feces and anus. To compare morphological and functional differences in tissue regeneration between different MSC injection modalities, mice were euthanized on day 8, and their colons were examined for length, weight, and histopathological changes. Inflammatory responses were determined by measuring the levels of different serum cytokines using a CBA Th1/Th2/Th17 kit. Apoptotic rates were evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP-biotin nick end labeling assay., Results: Intravenous infusion of MSCs was more effective than intraperitoneal treatment (P < 0.001) in reducing the clinical and histopathologic severity of colitis, which includes weight loss, diarrhea and inflammation. An histological evaluation demonstrated decreased colonic inflammation based on reduced crypt loss and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. This therapeutic effect was most likely mediated by the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)]; and by the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-4). Intravenous transplantation also induced high levels of IFN that lead to activation of the immunosuppressive activity of the MSCs, which did not occur with intraperitoneal transplantation (P = 0.006). An increase in apoptotic T cells was observed after intravenous, but not intraperitoneal, MSC infusion, suggesting that MSCs can induce apoptosis in resistant T cells in colonic inflammation (P = 0.027)., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that intravenous treatment is a superior method for reducing colon inflammation compared with intraperitoneal therapy.
- Published
- 2014
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34. Inhibitory activities of trichostatin a in U87 glioblastoma cells and tumorsphere-derived cells.
- Author
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Sassi Fde A, Caesar L, Jaeger M, Nör C, Abujamra AL, Schwartsmann G, de Farias CB, Brunetto AL, Lopez PL, and Roesler R
- Subjects
- Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation, Cellular Senescence, Humans, Neoplastic Stem Cells drug effects, Neoplastic Stem Cells metabolism, Spheroids, Cellular drug effects, Spheroids, Cellular metabolism, Tumor Cells, Cultured, Antineoplastic Agents pharmacology, Glioblastoma metabolism, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors pharmacology, Hydroxamic Acids pharmacology
- Abstract
Epigenetic alterations have been increasingly implicated in glioblastoma (GBM) pathogenesis, and epigenetic modulators including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) have been investigated as candidate therapies. GBMs are proposed to contain a subpopulation of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that sustain tumor progression and therapeutic resistance and can form tumorspheres in culture. Here, we investigate the effects of the HDACi trichostatin A (TSA) in U87 GBM cultures and tumorsphere-derived cells. Using approaches that include a novel method to measure tumorsphere sizes and the area covered by spheres in GBM cultures, as well as a nuclear morphometric analysis, we show that TSA reduced proliferation and colony sizes, led to G2/M arrest, induced alterations in nuclear morphology consistent with cell senescence, and increased the protein content of GFAP, but did not affect migration, in cultured human U87 GBM cells. In cells expanded in tumorsphere assays, TSA reduced sphere formation and induced neuron-like morphological changes. The expression of stemness markers in these cells was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. These findings indicate that HDACis can inhibit proliferation, survival, and tumorsphere formation, and promote differentiation of U87 GBM cells, providing further evidence for the development of HDACis as potential therapeutics against GBM.
- Published
- 2014
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35. Molecular detection of Leishmania in phlebotomine sand flies in a cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis endemic area in northeastern Brazil.
- Author
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Guimarães VC, Costa PL, Silva FJ, Melo FL, Dantas-Torres F, Rodrigues EH, and Brandão Filho SP
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil, DNA, Protozoan isolation & purification, Endemic Diseases, Insect Vectors classification, Leishmania classification, Leishmania genetics, Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Psychodidae classification, Insect Vectors parasitology, Leishmania isolation & purification, Psychodidae parasitology
- Abstract
Several phlebotomine sand fly species have been regarded as putative or proven vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania in Brazil, but data for the northeastern region remains incipient. In this study, a total of 600 phlebotomine sand flies were grouped in pools of 10 specimens each and tested by a Leishmania genus-specific PCR and by a PCR targeting Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Fourteen out of 60 pools were positive by the genus-specific PCR, being five pools of L. migonei, seven of L. complexa, one of L. sordellii and one of L. naftalekatzi, which correspond to a minimal infection rate of 2.3% (14/600). Our results, associated with their known anthropophily and their abundance, suggest the participation of L. migonei and L. complexa as vectors of Leishmania in northeastern Brazil. Remarkably, this is the first time in this country that the detection of Leishmania DNA in L. sordellii and L. naftalekatzi has been reported, but future studies are necessary to better understand the significance of these findings.
- Published
- 2014
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36. The role of kinin receptors in cancer and therapeutic opportunities.
- Author
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da Costa PL, Sirois P, Tannock IF, and Chammas R
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Signal Transduction, Bradykinin B1 Receptor Antagonists, Bradykinin B2 Receptor Antagonists, Neoplasms drug therapy, Receptor, Bradykinin B1 metabolism, Receptor, Bradykinin B2 metabolism
- Abstract
Kinins are generated within inflammatory tissue microenvironments, where they exert diverse functions, including cell proliferation, leukocyte activation, cell migration, endothelial cell activation and nociception. These pleiotropic functions depend on signaling through two cross talking receptors, the constitutively expressed kinin receptor 2 (B2R) and the inducible kinin receptor 1 (B1R). We have reviewed evidence, which supports the concept that kinin receptors, especially kinin receptor 1, are promising targets for cancer therapy, since (1) many tumor cells express aberrantly high levels of these receptors; (2) some cancers produce kinins and use them as autocrine factors to stimulate their growth; (3) activation of kinin receptors leads to activation of macrophages, dendritic cells and other cells from the tumor microenvironment; (4) kinins have pro-angiogenic properties; (5) kinin receptors have been implicated in cancer migration, invasion and metastasis; and (6) selective antagonists for either B1R or B2R have shown anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-migratory properties. The multiple cross talks between kinin receptors and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) as well as its implications for targeting KKS or RAS for the treatment of malignancies are also discussed. It is expected that B1R antagonists would interfere less with housekeeping functions and therefore would be attractive compounds to treat selected types of cancer. Reliable clinical studies are needed to establish the translatability of these data to human settings and the usefulness of kinin receptor antagonists., (Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2014
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37. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system inhibits growth of colorectal cancer liver metastases in the regenerating liver.
- Author
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Koh SL, Ager EI, Costa PL, Malcontenti-Wilson C, Muralidharan V, and Christophi C
- Subjects
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology, Animals, Apoptosis drug effects, Cell Proliferation drug effects, Colorectal Neoplasms metabolism, Colorectal Neoplasms pathology, Immunoenzyme Techniques, Liver Neoplasms metabolism, Liver Neoplasms secondary, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred CBA, Neovascularization, Pathologic prevention & control, RNA, Messenger genetics, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Tumor Burden, Tumor Cells, Cultured, Captopril pharmacology, Colorectal Neoplasms prevention & control, Liver Neoplasms prevention & control, Liver Regeneration drug effects, Renin-Angiotensin System drug effects
- Abstract
Partial hepatectomy (PH), the preferred option for selected patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM), is associated with 40-80% tumor recurrence rates. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade inhibits tumor growth and has been suggested to improve liver regeneration. We documented the effect of RAS blockade on tumor growth and liver regeneration in a murine model. CRCLM induction followed by 70% PH was performed on 78 CBA mice. Liver regeneration (days 2, 6) and CRCLM tumor load were measured by liver (and tumor) weights, percentage of CRCLM burden and tumor nodule count (days 16, 21). mRNA expression of the RAS components was characterised. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-independent sample T test or Mann-Whitney test (SPSS). Captopril did not impair liver regeneration. By day 21, Captopril decreased tumor burden (percentage of CRCLM in the liver) (48.7 ± 4.7% control, 24.4 ± 6.2 Captopril; p = 0.008), tumor volume (1046.2 ± 200.2 mm(3), 388.3 ± 150.4; p = 0.02), tumor nodule count per image field (181.1 ± 28.5, 68 ± 17.6; p = 0.005) and tumor angiogenesis (71.8 ± 6.4 vessels/mm(2), 43.1 ± 7.6; p = 0.015) compared to controls. Captopril enhanced tumor apoptosis (1 ± 0.2%, 2.5 ± 0.7; p = 0.028). Liver regeneration and tumor development increased liver ACE levels. Blockade of the RAS effectively retarded CRCLM tumor growth at the late stage of tumor development within the regenerating liver without impeding liver regeneration following PH, via anti-angiogenesis and pro-tumor apoptosis. Captopril may be of therapeutic benefit in patients undergoing PH for CRCLM.
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- 2014
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38. Meanings of quality of care: perspectives of Portuguese health professionals and patients.
- Author
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Silva SA, Costa PL, Costa R, Tavares SM, Leite ES, and Passos AM
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Female, Focus Groups, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Portugal, Qualitative Research, Attitude of Health Personnel, Attitude to Health, Medical Staff, Hospital, Nursing Staff, Hospital, Patients, Quality of Health Care
- Abstract
Objectives: The main goal of this study is to explore what is meant by "quality of care" (QoC) by both health professionals and patients. This research also intends to compare the perspectives of nurses, doctors and patients in order to understand whether these different actors share similar views on what represents QoC., Design and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted. The study consisted in 44 semi-structured individual interviews (11 doctors; 23 nurses; 10 patients) and in three focus groups (20 participants: doctors, nurses, patients). Participants were doctors, nurses and patients from several Hospitals in Portugal. Data were analysed using content analysis methodology with MaxQDA software., Results: The main content analysis' results revealed that all participants emphasize technical and interpersonal dimensions of QoC. Nevertheless, professionals stressed the availability of equipment and supplies and the conditions of health care indoor facilities. Patients focused more on their access to health services, namely the availability of health professionals, and on the health status outcome after care. In what the differences between doctors and nurses are concerned, the former tend to highlight the technical aspects of care more than the nurses, who tend to refer interpersonal aspects immediately., Conclusions: Although nowadays the importance of health care quality has become well-recognized, its definition is still complex. Given that specific aspects are more valued by certain groups than others, it is important to take in consideration all the stakeholder's perspectives when measuring QoC in order to continuously improve it in the 'real' settings., (© 2013 The British Psychological Society.)
- Published
- 2013
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39. Borderline tuberculoid leprosy and type 1 leprosy reaction in a hepatitis C patient during treatment with interferon and ribavirin.
- Author
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Santos M, Franco Edos S, Ferreira PL, and Braga WS
- Subjects
- Acute-Phase Reaction chemically induced, Drug Therapy, Combination adverse effects, Hepatitis C complications, Humans, Leprosy, Borderline pathology, Leprosy, Tuberculoid pathology, Male, Middle Aged, Antiviral Agents adverse effects, Hepatitis C drug therapy, Interferons adverse effects, Leprosy, Borderline chemically induced, Leprosy, Tuberculoid chemically induced, Ribavirin adverse effects
- Abstract
Hepatitis C is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Hepacivirus genus in the Flaviviridae family, called the hepatitis C virus. After initial infection, 70% to 85% of the patients develop chronic hepatitis C with hepatic fibrosis. In addition to specific liver changes, various extrahepatic manifestations have been associated with the hepatitis C virus infection or with medications used to treat the condition. We report the case of a patient with chronic hepatitis C who presented with the signs and symptoms of borderline tuberculoid leprosy and type 1 reaction four months after the start of treatment with a pegylated interferon/ribavirin combination.
- Published
- 2013
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40. Treatment with the vascular disruptive agent OXi4503 induces an immediate and widespread epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the surviving tumor.
- Author
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Fifis T, Nguyen L, Malcontenti-Wilson C, Chan LS, Nunes Costa PL, Daruwalla J, Nikfarjam M, Muralidharan V, Waltham M, Thompson EW, and Christophi C
- Subjects
- Angiogenic Proteins biosynthesis, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents therapeutic use, Apoptosis drug effects, Cadherins biosynthesis, Cell Hypoxia drug effects, Colorectal Neoplasms pathology, Diphosphates therapeutic use, Down-Regulation drug effects, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic drug effects, Humans, Liver Neoplasms drug therapy, Liver Neoplasms metabolism, Liver Neoplasms pathology, Male, Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental drug therapy, Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental metabolism, Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental pathology, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Mice, Inbred CBA, Neoplasm Proteins biosynthesis, Neoplasm Transplantation, Neoplasm, Residual, Stilbenes therapeutic use, Up-Regulation drug effects, beta Catenin biosynthesis, Antineoplastic Agents pharmacology, Diphosphates pharmacology, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition drug effects, Liver Neoplasms secondary, Stilbenes pharmacology
- Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered an important mechanism in tumor resistance to drug treatments; however, in vivo observation of this process has been limited. In this study we demonstrated an immediate and widespread EMT involving all surviving tumor cells following treatment of a mouse model of colorectal liver metastases with the vascular disruptive agent OXi4503. EMT was characterized by significant downregulation of E-cadherin, relocation and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin as well as significant upregulation of ZEB1 and vimentin. Concomitantly, significant temporal upregulation in hypoxia and the pro-angiogenic growth factors hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta were seen within the surviving tumor. The process of EMT was transient and by 5 days after treatment tumor cell reversion to epithelial morphology was evident. This reversal, termed mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) is a process implicated in the development of new metastases but has not been observed in vivo histologically. Similar EMT changes were observed in response to other antitumor treatments including chemotherapy, thermal ablation, and antiangiogenic treatments in our mouse colorectal metastasis model and in a murine orthotopic breast cancer model after OXi4503 treatment. These results suggest that EMT may be an early mechanism adopted by tumors in response to injury and hypoxic stress, such that inhibition of EMT in combination with other therapies could play a significant role in future cancer therapy., (© 2013 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2013
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41. Detection and quantification of Leishmania braziliensis in ectoparasites from dogs.
- Author
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de Morais RC, Gonçalves-de-Albuquerque Sda C, Pessoa e Silva R, Costa PL, da Silva KG, da Silva FJ, Brandão-Filho SP, Dantas-Torres F, and de Paiva-Cavalcanti M
- Subjects
- Animals, DNA, Protozoan isolation & purification, Dogs, Ectoparasitic Infestations parasitology, Ectoparasitic Infestations veterinary, Dog Diseases parasitology, Leishmania braziliensis isolation & purification, Phthiraptera parasitology, Siphonaptera parasitology, Ticks parasitology
- Abstract
American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a disease caused by different species of Leishmania protozoa, Leishmania braziliensis being the main species found in Brazil. In this study, two rural areas in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, where ACL is endemic, were selected. Genomic DNA was extracted from canine ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, and lice) and tested using a conventional PCR and a quantitative real time PCR. A total of 117 ectoparasites were collected, being 50 (42.74%) of them positive for L. braziliensis (in at least one PCR protocol), with a mean parasite load of 14.14 fg/μL. Furthermore, 46 (92.00%) positive ectoparasites were collected from positive dogs and 4 (8.00%) from negative ones. This study reports the detection of L. braziliensis DNA in ectoparasites, but does not prove their vector competence. Certainly, experimental transmission studies are necessary to assess their role, if any, in the transmission of Leishmania parasites to dogs., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
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42. Complications after pancreatectomies: prospective study after ISGFP and ISGPS new classifications.
- Author
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Amico EC, Alves JR, João SA, Guimarães PL, Barreto EJ, Barreto LS, Costa PR, and Medeiros JA
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brazil, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Young Adult, Gastric Emptying, Pancreatectomy adverse effects, Pancreatic Fistula classification, Pancreatic Fistula etiology, Postoperative Hemorrhage classification, Postoperative Hemorrhage etiology
- Abstract
Background: Scientific publications focusing on the results of pancreatic resections in Brazil are scarce., Aim: To present the surgical results of pancreatic resections., Methods: Were analyzed prospectively 54 consecutive cases of patients undergoing consecutive pancreatectomy evaluating the occurrence of postoperative complications (pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying and postoperative hemorrhage) based on the criteria of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition and International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery., Results: Of the 54 pancreatectomy, 32 occurred in women (59,26%) and 22 in men (40,74%). The mean age of patients was 54,5 years. The most performed procedure was the Whipple operation, in 38 patients. In eight of those cases, mesenteric-portal confluence was ressected. The mean period of hospitalization was 20,7 days. The hospitalization in 51% of patients was up to 10 days. A pancreatic fistula was observed in 50% of the cases submitted to the Whipple surgery. The postoperative hemorrhage and delayed gastric emptying in patients undergoing the surgery occurred respectively in 13,15% and 18,41%. The overall morbidity and mortality was respectively 62.9% and 5.5%., Conclusion: There is a need for the national publications to assimilate the concepts and criteria presented by the ISGFP(2) and ISGPS(23,25) to enable comparison of the results obtained with surgical treatment of pancreatic disorders, in the Brazilian context. Who knows, therefore, whether the great advanced seen in the last 40 years in terms of the reduction in mortality rates associated with pancreatic resections may also occur with the persistently high levels of postoperative complications.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Ecology of Lutzomyia longipalpis in an area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in north-eastern Brazil.
- Author
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Costa PL, Dantas-Torres F, da Silva FJ, Guimarães VC, Gaudêncio K, and Brandão-Filho SP
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil epidemiology, Ecology, Ecosystem, Female, Humans, Humidity, Insect Vectors classification, Leishmaniasis, Visceral epidemiology, Leishmaniasis, Visceral parasitology, Male, Population Density, Psychodidae classification, Rain, Seasons, Temperature, Insect Vectors physiology, Leishmania infantum physiology, Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission, Psychodidae physiology
- Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a major public health issue in South America, where the disease is rapidly spreading. Changes in ecology and distribution of the principal vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis are among the factors accounting for the increasing incidence of the disease in this region. However, information about the ecology of L. longipalpis is still incipient, which may directly impair the implementation of effective control programs. Herein, the ecology of L. longipalpis was studied in a focus of visceral leishmaniasis in north-eastern Brazil. From August 2009 to August 2010, phlebotomine sand flies were monthly collected in four localities using CDC light traps (~37 per month) and a lantern-baited Shannon trap with mouth aspirators. A total of 24,226 phlebotomine sand flies were collected with light traps and 375 with mouth aspirators. The most abundant species was L. longipalpis, representing 97.9% of the specimens collected with light traps and 91.5% with the mouth aspirator. Other species (Lutzomyia evandroi, Lutzomyia lenti and Lutzomyia sallesi) were found in low numbers. Most phlebotomine sand flies (94.6%) were collected at chicken coops and corrals. No significant correlation was found between the monthly abundance of phlebotomine sand flies and the monthly averages of temperature, relative humidity or rainfall. However, interestingly enough, 82.4% of L. longipalpis specimens were collected in months when relative humidity surpassed 75%. This study points out that this vector is well adapted to live in different habitats and to different climate conditions. It also suggests that some north-eastern populations of L. longipalpis may be more xerotolerant than southern populations. Further studies to assess the relationship between microclimate and L. longipalpis density in different Brazilian regions are advised., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Detection of Leishmania infantum in animals and their ectoparasites by conventional PCR and real time PCR.
- Author
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de Morais RC, Gonçalves Sda C, Costa PL, da Silva KG, da Silva FJ, Silva RP, de Brito ME, Brandão-Filho SP, Dantas-Torres F, and de Paiva-Cavalcanti M
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil, Cats, Dogs, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Ctenocephalides parasitology, Leishmania infantum isolation & purification, Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission, Phthiraptera parasitology, Rhipicephalus sanguineus parasitology
- Abstract
Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, which is primarily transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. However, there has been much speculation on the role of other arthropods in the transmission of VL. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of L. infantum in cats, dogs and their ectoparasites in a VL-endemic area in northeastern Brazil. DNA was extracted from blood samples and ectoparasites, tested by conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) targeting the L. infantum kinetoplast DNA. A total of 280 blood samples (from five cats and 275 dogs) and 117 ectoparasites from dogs were collected. Animals were apparently healthy and not previously tested by serological or molecular diagnostic methods. Overall, 213 (76.1 %) animals and 51 (43.6 %) ectoparasites were positive to L. infantum, with mean parasite loads of 795.2, 31.9 and 9.1 fg in dogs, cats and ectoparasites, respectively. Concerning the positivity between dogs and their ectoparasites, 32 (15.3 %) positive dogs were parasitized by positive ectoparasites. The overall concordance between the PCR protocols used was 59.2 %, with qPCR being more efficient than cPCR; 34.1 % of all positive samples were exclusively positive by qPCR. The high number of positive animals and ectoparasites also indicates that they could serve as sentinels or indicators of the circulation of L. infantum in risk areas.
- Published
- 2013
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- View/download PDF
45. Bilateral anomaly in Evandromyia evandroi (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) captured in Vicência municipality, Northern Rainforest region of Pernambuco State, Brazil.
- Author
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Costa PL, Silva FJ, Andrade Filho JD, Shaw JJ, and Brandão Filho SP
- Subjects
- Animal Structures anatomy & histology, Animals, Brazil, Humans, Psychodidae classification, Psychodidae anatomy & histology
- Abstract
Approximately 800 species of phlebotomine sand flies, many of which are vectors of Leishmania, have been described. Besides morphological similarities within groups, the occurrence of anomalies within a species may lead to an erroneous description of new species. This paper describes one phlebotomine sand fly, Evandromyia evandroi, with a symmetrical bilateral anomaly in the number of spines on the gonostyle. In this specimen, the anomalous spine is located in the external region of gonostyle, inserted between the upper external and the lower external spines. It is important to document morphological anomalies, so as to avoid erroneous sand fly identifications.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in São Vicente Férrer, a sympatric area to cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
- Author
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Guimarães VC, Costa PL, Silva FJ, Silva KT, Silva KG, Araújo AI, Rodrigues EH, and Filho SP
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil, Female, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous transmission, Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission, Male, Population Density, Seasons, Insect Vectors classification, Psychodidae classification
- Abstract
Introduction: In the last decades, a considerable geographic expansion of the leishmaniases in all regions of Brazil has been observed. The present study was carried out to identify the composition of the phlebotomine sandfly fauna and verify the seasonal variation of the main species after environmental changes occurred in São Vicente Férrer Municipality, State of Pernambuco, Brazil., Methods: Captures were carried out during four consecutive nights of each month using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps from September 2009 to September 2010. The correlation between the number of phlebotomine sandflies captured and climatic factors (temperature and rainfall) was evaluated., Results: A total of 13,872 specimens belonging to 20 species were captured, of which, 6,247 (45%) were females, and 7,625 (55%) were males. Lutzomyia migonei was the most abundant species with 9,964 (71.8%) specimens, being predominant in the intradomicile and peridomicile areas with 108 (86.4%) and 9,746 (97%), respectively. In the forest remnants, Lutzomyia complexa 2,395 (65%) and Lutzomyia sordellii 770 (20.8%) predominated. The correlation analysis between the total number of sandflies captured and climatic factors did not show a significant influence on population density., Conclusions: The high abundance of Lutzomyia migonei and Lutzomyia complexa indicates the possibility of new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Microspatial distributional patterns of vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in pernambuco, northeastern Brazil.
- Author
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Donalisio MR, Peterson AT, Costa PL, da Silva FJ, Valença HF, Shaw JJ, and Brandão Filho SP
- Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution and population trends through time of Lutzomyia species in a long-term focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission in an Atlantic Forest area, northeastern Brazil. Sand fly populations of different ecological niches were monitored spatiotemporally in 2009. To summarize vegetation characteristics and phenology, we calculated the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from Landsat images. Using niche modeling approaches, we assessed suites of environmental factors to identify areas of transmission risk. Although 12 species were detected, L. whitmani was the most abundant and broadly distributed across the area, particularly in peridomiciliary locations, and associated negatively with denser vegetation areas. On the other hand, L. complexa, L. sordelli, and L. tupynambai were found almost exclusively in forested areas (P < 0.05), and associated positively with denser vegetation. Lutzomyia species' occurrences are related to specific environmental combinations (with contrast among species) in the region.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence of Lutzomyia sand fly species in an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Atlantic Forest region of northeast Brazil.
- Author
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Brandão-Filho SP, Donalisio MR, da Silva FJ, Valença HF, Costa PL, Shaw JJ, and Peterson AT
- Subjects
- Animals, Brazil, Insect Vectors parasitology, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous epidemiology, Psychodidae parasitology, Trees, Insect Vectors growth & development, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous transmission, Psychodidae growth & development
- Abstract
Sand fly populations of different ecological niches in the Amaraji endemic American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) focus of the Pernambuco Atlantic Forest region of northeastern Brazil were monitored spatiotemporally. Lutzomyia whitmani was dominant in all niches but occurred in smaller numbers in forested locations. L. whitmani was significantly less seasonal than the other species, being present throughout the year while other species were more abundant between February and April. These results suggest that L. whitmani may potentially be the principal vector of ACL in the region, even though the sand fly fauna was diverse: 88% were L.whitmani and 12% belonged to 11 other species. Two other species, L. complexa (1.3%) and L. migonei (0.8%), considered to be ACL vectors in other regions, were also present. This detailed picture of the sand fly population's abundance and spatiotemporal distribution provides a basis for future modeling studies of forecasting sand fly activity patterns and ACL occurrence., (© 2011 The Society for Vector Ecology.)
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Anti-tumor therapy with macroencapsulated endostatin producer cells.
- Author
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Rodrigues DB, Chammas R, Malavasi NV, da Costa PL, Chura-Chambi RM, Balduino KN, and Morganti L
- Subjects
- Angiogenesis Inhibitors therapeutic use, Animals, Endostatins metabolism, Fibroblasts metabolism, Implants, Experimental, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C3H, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neovascularization, Pathologic prevention & control, Antineoplastic Agents therapeutic use, Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor therapy, Cell Transplantation, Endostatins therapeutic use, Melanoma, Experimental therapy
- Abstract
Background: Theracyte is a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane macroencapsulation system designed to induce neovascularization at the tissue interface, protecting the cells from host's immune rejection, thereby circumventing the problem of limited half-life and variation in circulating levels. Endostatin is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth. Continuous delivery of endostatin improves the efficacy and potency of the antitumoral therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether recombinant fibroblasts expressing endostatin encapsulated in Theracyte immunoisolation devices can be used for delivery of this therapeutic protein for treatment of mice bearing B16F10 melanoma and Ehrlich tumors., Results: Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with melanoma (B16F10 cells) or Ehrlich tumor cells at the foot pads. Treatment began when tumor thickness had reached 0.5 mm, by subcutaneous implantation of 107 recombinant encapsulated or non-encapsulated endostatin producer cells. Similar melanoma growth inhibition was obtained for mice treated with encapsulated or non-encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells. The treatment of mice bearing melanoma tumor with encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells was decreased by 50.0%, whereas a decrease of 56.7% in tumor thickness was obtained for mice treated with non-encapsulated cells. Treatment of Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice with non-encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells reduced tumor thickness by 52.4%, whereas lower tumor growth inhibition was obtained for mice treated with encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells: 24.2%. Encapsulated endostatin-secreting fibroblasts failed to survive until the end of the treatment. However, endostatin release from the devices to the surrounding tissues was confirmed by immunostaining. Decrease in vascular structures, functional vessels and extension of the vascular area were observed in melanoma microenvironments., Conclusions: This study indicates that immunoisolation devices containing endostatin-expressing cells are effective for the inhibition of the growth of melanoma and Ehrlich tumors.Macroencapsulation of engineered cells is therefore a reliable platform for the refinement of innovative therapeutic strategies against tumors.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Interferon-induced Parkinsonism in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.
- Author
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Almeida CM, Galvão Mde L, Ferreira PL, and Braga WS
- Subjects
- Aged, Female, Humans, Interferon alpha-2, Recombinant Proteins, Antiviral Agents adverse effects, Hepatitis C, Chronic drug therapy, Interferon-alpha adverse effects, Parkinsonian Disorders chemically induced, Polyethylene Glycols adverse effects
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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