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Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes and the susceptibility to Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (SIL), cervical canc...

The placenta works as a selective barrier, protecting the fetus from potential infections that may affect the maternal organism during pregnancy. In this review, we will discuss several challenging infections that are common within Latin American countries and that may affect the maternal-fetal interface and pose risks to fetal development. Specifically, we will focus on emerging infectious diseases including the arboviruses, malaria, leishmaniasis, and the bacterial foodborne disease caused by Shiga toxinproducing Escherichia coli. We will also highlight some topics of interest currently being studied by research groups that comprise an international effort aimed at filling the knowledge gaps in this field. These topics address the relationship between exposure to microorganisms and placental abnormalities, congenital anomalies, and complications of pregnancy. Fil: Moreti Ribeiro, Isabel. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; Brasil Fil: Souza Souto, Paula Cristina. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; Brasil Fil: Borbely, Alexandre U.. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Brasil Fil: Lopez Lira Tanabe, Eloiza. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Brasil Fil: Cadavid, Angela. Universidad de Antioquia; Colombia Fil: Alvarez, Angela M.. Universidad de Antioquia; Colombia Fil: Bueno, Julio. Universidad de Antioquia; Colombia Fil: Agudelo, Olga. Universidad de Antioquia; Colombia Fil: Garcia Robles, Reggie. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Colombia Fil: Ayala Ramirez, Paola. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Colombia Fil: Sacerdoti, Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentina Fil: Szasz, Theodora. Augusta University; Estados Unidos Fil: Damiano, Alicia Ermelinda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentina Fil: Ibarra, Cristina Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentina Fil: Escudero, Carlos. Universidad del Bio Bio; Chile Fil: Lima, Víctor V.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; Brasil Fil: Giachini, Fernanda R.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; Brasil

The aim of this study was to present the circulating HPV genotypes in a population from northeast Brazil. HPV was detected by nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) method using primers MY09/11 and GP5+/6+. HPV sequencing was performed by the method of Sanger. The HPV 16 was the most frequent (35.7%), followed by HPV 58 (14.3%). In conclusion, we identified, in one population from Northeast Brazil, a low prevalence of HPV 18 present in the vaccine provided by Unified Health System and a high prevalence of HPV 58 which is not present in this vaccine. KEYWORDS: HPV, Oncology and Woman Healthy. RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar os genótipos circulantes do HPV em uma população do nordeste do Brasil. O HPV foi detectado pelo método de reação em cadeia da polimerase aninhada (nPCR) usando os iniciadores MY09 / 11 e GP5 + / 6 +. O sequenciamento do HPV foi realizado pelo método de Sanger. O HPV 16 foi o mais frequente (35,7%), seguido do HPV 58 (14,3%). Concluindo, identificamos, em uma população do Nordeste do Brasil, baixa prevalência do HPV 18 presente na vacina fornecida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde e alta prevalência do HPV 58 que não está presente nesta vacina. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: HPV, Oncologia e Mulher Saudável.

Background Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the main bacteria that infects pregnant women and can cause abortion and chorioamnionitis. The impact of GBS effects on human trophoblast cells remains largely elusive, and actions toward anti-inflammatory strategies in pregnancy are needed. A potent anti-inflammatory molecule, uvaol is a triterpene from olive oil and its functions in trophoblasts are unknown. We aimed to analyze biomechanical and functional effects of inactivated GBS in trophoblast cells, with the addition of uvaol to test potential benefits. Methods HTR-8/SVneo cells were treated with uvaol and incubated with inactivated GBS. Cell viability and death were analyzed. Cellular elasticity and topography were accessed by atomic force microscopy. Nitrite production was evaluated by Griess reaction. Nuclear translocation of NFkB p65 was detected by immunofluorescence and Th1/Th2 cytokines by bead-based multiplex assay. Results GBS at 10 8 CFU increased cell death, which was partially prevented by uvaol. Cell stiffness, cytoskeleton organization and morphology were changed by GBS, and uvaol partially restored these alterations. Nuclear translocation of NFkB p65 began 15 min after GBS incubation and uvaol inhibited this process. GBS decreased IL-4 secretion and increased IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-2, whereas uvaol reverted this. Conclusions The increased inflammation and cell death caused by GBS correlated with biomechanical and cytoskeleton changes found in trophoblast cells, while uvaol was effective its protective role. General significance Uvaol is a natural anti-inflammatory product efficient against GBS-induced inflammation and it has potential to be acquired through diet in order to prevent GBS deleterious effects in pregnancy.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is a well-known medicinal plant native of South America. This species has demonstrated important biological activities such as antihypertensive and vasodilator, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, no studies have been, so far, reported with the fruits of S. terebinthifolius as a protector of the placenta against Zika virus infection and as sunscreen agents. The present study aimed to investigate new uses for the ethanolic fruit extracts of S. terebinthifolius, from fruits'peel (STPE) and from the whole fruits (STWFE). Zika virus (ZIKV) has been linked to several fetal malformations, such as microcephaly and other central nervous system abnormalities. Thus, the potential of these natural extracts against ZIKV infection was evaluated, using an in vitro method. The photoprotective potential, determined by spectrometry, along with phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and chemical composition of both extracts were also evaluated. The chemical composition of the extracts was evaluated by HPLC-UV / vis. The cytotoxicity of peel and whole fruit extracts in vero E6 cell lines, in placental cell lines and placental explant cultures were evaluated by the MTT assay. The infectivity of placental cells and explants was evaluated by qRT-PCR and the effects of extracts on ZIKV infection were investigated using HTR-8/SVneo cells, pre-treated with 100 μg mL-1 of STWFE for 1 h, and infected with MR766 (AD) or PE243 (EH) ZIKV strains. STFE and STWFE were well-tolerated by both placental-derived trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo as well as by term placental chorionic villi explants, which indicate absence of cytotoxicity in all analysed concentrations. Two strains of ZIKV were tested to access if pre-treatment of trophoblast cells with the STWFE would protect them against infection. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that STWFE extract greatly reduced ZIKV infection. The extracts were also photoprotective with SPF values equivalent to the standard, benzophenone-3. The formulations prepared in different concentrations of the extracts (5-10 %) had shown maximum SPF values of 32.21. STWFE represents a potential natural mixture to be used in pregnancy in order to restrain placental infection by ZIKV and might potentially protect fetus against ZIKV-related malformations. The extracts exhibited photoprotective activity and some of the phenolic compounds, mainly resveratrol, catechin and epicatechin, are active ingredients in all assayed activities. The development of biotechnological/medical products, giving extra value to products from family farming, is expected, with strong prospects for success.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes a self-limiting disease characterized by the onset of fever, skin rash and persistent arthralgia. In the last decade, it has emerged as a serious public health problem causing several outbreaks around the world. Here, we report the CHIKV genotype characterization during the 2016 CHIKV outbreak in Alagoas State, Brazil. Partial E1 sequence from CHIKV-positive samples coming from different cities of Alagoas were submitted to DNA sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis thus characterizing the virus genotype. The circulating CHIKV virus in Alagoas during 2016 outbreak belongs to the East-Central South African genotype. In this way, virus genotyping to monitoring the spread of CHIKV is needed to continued surveillance supporting the development of prevention strategies, mainly in endemic areas of mosquitoes and arboviruses co-circulation.