Federal University of São Paulo

About: Federal University of São Paulo is a education organization based out in São Paulo, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 27971 authors who have published 49365 publications receiving 935536 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidade Federal de São Paulo & Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.

The Pathogenic Fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Exports Extracellular Vesicles Containing Highly Immunogenic α-Galactosyl Epitopes

Abstract: Exosome-like vesicles containing virulence factors, enzymes, and antigens have recently been characterized in fungal pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum. Here, we describe extracellular vesicles carrying highly immunogenic α-linked galactopyranosyl (α-Gal) epitopes in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. P. brasiliensis is a dimorphic fungus that causes human paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). For vesicle preparations, cell-free supernatant fluids from yeast cells cultivated in Ham9s defined medium-glucose were concentrated in an Amicon ultrafiltration system and ultracentrifuged at 100,000 × g. P. brasiliensis antigens were present in preparations from phylogenetically distinct isolates Pb18 and Pb3, as observed in immunoblots revealed with sera from PCM patients. In an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), vesicle components containing α-Gal epitopes reacted strongly with anti-α-Gal antibodies isolated from both Chagas9 disease and PCM patients, with Marasmius oreades agglutinin (MOA) (a lectin that recognizes terminal α-Gal), but only faintly with natural anti-α-Gal. Reactivity was inhibited after treatment with α-galactosidase. Vesicle preparations analyzed by electron microscopy showed vesicular structures of 20 to 200 nm that were labeled both on the surface and in the lumen with MOA. In P. brasiliensis cells, components carrying α-Gal epitopes were found distributed on the cell wall, following a punctuated confocal pattern, and inside large intracellular vacuoles. Lipid-free vesicle fractions reacted with anti-α-Gal in ELISA only when not digested with α-galactosidase, while reactivity with glycoproteins was reduced after β-elimination, which is indicative of partial O-linked chain localization. Our findings open new areas to explore in terms of host-parasite relationships in PCM and the role played in vivo by vesicle components and α-galactosyl epitopes.

Validation of a portable monitoring system for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Abstract: THE CURRENT STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR DIAGNOSING OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA) REQUIRE OVERNIGHT IN-LABORATORY POLYSOMNOGRAPHY (PSG)1 This conventional approach has been considered costly and technically complex and may present scheduling difficulties when there is high demand Other approaches considered for their potential to reduce costs and increase accessibility have also been evaluated2 Portable monitoring (PM) equipment including at least 4 channels (airflow, respiratory movements, oxyhemoglobin saturation [SpO2] and heart rate) is classified as a type 3 portable monitor3 and has been utilized as an alternative diagnostic test for OSA in patients with a high pre-test probability of OSA2 Previous research has reported the equivalence of PM to PSG Studies comparing PM with PSG have been performed on different nights4–7 Studies simultaneously evaluating PM and PSG have been conducted using simplified PMs without the recommended 4 channels to meet the type 3 criteria,8–12 while others compared type 3 PM with PSG simultaneously13–20 Type 3 monitors were recommended for use in attended settings if recordings were manually reviewed and patients with comorbid conditions were excluded4 Additionally, symptomatic patients with negative PM results were recommended to have an in-laboratory evaluation with full-night attended PSG21 The use of PM for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration or a split night protocol has not been recommended21,22 In 2004, the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reviewed its national coverage determination (NCD) (#2404) regarding the use of PM as a basis for prescribing CPAP The use of PM remained uncovered by insurance23 until recently, when CMS released its proposed decision for modification of NCD 2404, which now includes PM24 The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)2 recently published clinical guidelines for the use of unattended PM in the diagnosis of OSA and concluded that unattended PM should be performed only (1) in conjunction with a comprehensive sleep evaluation, supervised by a practitioner with qualifications for certification in sleep medicine; (2) in patients with a high pretest probability of moderate to severe OSA (without comorbid conditions or other sleep disorders); (3) in patients for whom in-lab PSG is not possible by virtue of immobility, safety, or critical illness; and (4) to monitor the response to non-CPAP treatment for OSA Thus, there is still a need to evaluate simple and accurate home diagnostic equipment for reliability and accuracy in diagnosing OSA The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that a type 3 PM device (Stardust II, Respironics, Inc, USA) would generate AHI values similar to in-laboratory PSG for diagnosis of OSA in a randomized, prospective trial Comparisons of the PM results were made both with and without simultaneous PSG

Obesity and metabolic syndrome in infancy and adolescence

Abstract: Nas ultimas decadas a prevalencia da obesidade vem apresentando um aumento em varios paises ao redor domundo. Este fato e preocupante, ja que o excesso de gordura corporal, principalmente a abdominal, estadiretamente relacionado com alteracoes do perfil lipidico, com o aumento da pressao arterial e ahiperinsulinemia, considerados fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de doencas cronicas, como o diabetesmelito tipo 2 e as doencas cardiovasculares. Niveis elevados de leptina e de acido urico e a alteracao dosfatores fibrinoliticos tambem tem sido observados em individuos obesos. O conjunto destas alteracoes temsido descrito como “sindrome metabolica” ou “sindrome da resistencia a insulina”, ja que a hiperinsulinemiatem um papel importante no desenvolvimento dos outros componentes da sindrome metabolica. Entretanto,questiona-se se estas alteracoes ja estao presentes em criancas e adolescentes obesos. Este artigo descreve afisiopatologia dos componentes da sindrome metabolica e esclarece como este processo ocorre na faixa etariamais jovem.

Impulse control disorders in women with eating disorders.

Abstract: We compared symptom patterns, severity of illness, and comorbidity in individuals with eating disorders with and without impulse control disorders (ICD), and documented the temporal pattern of illness onset. Lifetime ICD were present in 16.6% of 709 women with a history of eating disorders. The most common syndromes were compulsive buying disorder and kleptomania. ICD occurred more in individuals with binge eating subtypes, and were associated with significantly greater use of laxatives, diuretics, appetite suppressants and fasting, and with greater body image disturbance, higher harm avoidance, neuroticism, cognitive impulsivity, and lower self-directedness. In addition, individuals with ICD were more likely to have obsessive-compulsive disorder, any anxiety disorder, specific phobia, depression, cluster B personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and to use psychoactive substances. Among those with ICD, 62% reported the ICD predated the eating disorder and 45% reported the onset of both disorders within the same 3-year window. The presence of a lifetime ICD appears to be limited to eating disorders marked by binge eating and to be associated with worse eating-related psychopathology, more pathological personality traits, and more frequent comorbid Axis I and II conditions. Untreated ICD may complicate recovery from eating disorders.