Universidade Estadual de Londrina

About: Universidade Estadual de Londrina is a education organization based out in Londrina, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Toxoplasma gondii. The organization has 13052 authors who have published 19291 publications receiving 212123 citations.

Macrophage Polarization in Leishmaniasis: Broadening Horizons

Abstract: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease that affects more than 700,000 people annually. Leishmania parasites cause the disease, and different species trigger a distinct immune response and clinical manifestations. Macrophages are the final host cells for the proliferation of Leishmania parasites, and these cells are the key to a controlled or exacerbated response that culminates in clinical manifestations. M1 and M2 are the two main macrophage phenotypes. M1 is a pro-inflammatory subtype with microbicidal properties, and M2, or alternatively activated, is an anti-inflammatory/regulatory subtype that is related to inflammation resolution and tissue repair. The present review elucidates the roles of M1 and M2 polarization in leishmaniasis and highlights the role of the salivary components of the vector and the action of the parasite in the macrophage plasticity.

[Health risk behaviors among adolescents in the south of Brazil: prevalence and associated factors].

Abstract: OBJETIVO:Determinar a prevalencia de comportamentos de risco a saude e analisar fatores associados a exposicao a esses comportamentos em adolescentes do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil METODO: Adolescentes escolares de 240 turmas do ensino medio da rede publica estadual responderam a um questionario para a coleta de informacoes demograficas (sexo, idade, regiao de residencia e periodo de estudo), socioeconomicas (trabalho e renda familiar mensal) e de comportamentos de risco a saude (niveis insuficientes de atividade fisica, baixo consumo de frutas/verduras, tabagismo, consumo abusivo de bebidas alcoolicas, consumo de drogas ilicitas, envolvimento em brigas e nao utilizar preservativos regularmente nas relacoes sexuais) RESULTADOS: Foram considerados validos os questionarios de 5 028 adolescentes (2 984 do sexo feminino e 2 044 do sexo masculino), com idade entre 15 e 19 anos (media = 17,0; desvio padrao = 1,12) Os comportamentos de risco mais prevalentes na amostra foram niveis insuficientes de atividade fisica (36,5%), baixo consumo de frutas/verduras (46,5%) e nao utilizar preservativos regularmente nas relacoes sexuais (38,3%) Aproximadamente sete em cada 10 adolescentes (64,7%) estavam expostos a dois ou mais comportamentos de risco de forma simultânea Os seguintes subgrupos de risco foram identificados: adolescentes do sexo masculino, adolescentes de 18 a 19 anos de idade, que residem em area urbana, que estudam no periodo noturno e que tem maior renda familiar CONCLUSOES: A proporcao de adolescentes expostos a comportamentos de risco a saude foi elevada, principalmente ao se considerar a exposicao simultânea a diferentes comportamentos Os resultados encontrados podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de programas de promocao da saude no ambiente escolar, direcionados principalmente aos subgrupos de risco

Changes in the equine fecal microbiota associated with the use of systemic antimicrobial drugs

Abstract: The intestinal tract is a rich and complex environment and its microbiota has been shown to have an important role in health and disease in the host. Several factors can cause disruption of the normal intestinal microbiota, including antimicrobial therapy, which is an important cause of diarrhea in horses. This study aimed to characterize changes in the fecal bacterial populations of healthy horses associated with the administration of frequently used antimicrobial drugs. Twenty-four adult mares were assigned to receive procaine penicillin intramuscularly (IM), ceftiofur sodium IM, trimethoprim sulfadiazine (TMS) orally or to a control group. Treatment was given for 5 consecutive days and fecal samples were collected before drug administration (Day 1), at the end of treatment (Days 5), and on Days 14 and 30 of the trial. High throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using an Illumina MiSeq sequencer. Significant changes of population structure and community membership were observed after the use of all drugs. TMS caused the most marked changes on fecal microbiota even at higher taxonomic levels including a significant decrease of richness and diversity. Those changes were mainly due to a drastic decrease of Verrucomicrobia, specifically the “5 genus incertae sedis”. Changes in structure and membership caused by antimicrobial administration were specific for each drug and may be predictable. Twenty-five days after the end of treatment, bacterial profiles were more similar to pre-treatment patterns indicating a recovery from changes caused by antimicrobial administration, but differences were still evident, especially regarding community membership. The use of systemic antimicrobials leads to changes in the intestinal microbiota, with different and specific responses to different antimicrobials. All antimicrobials tested here had some impact on the microbiota, but TMS significantly reduced bacterial species richness and diversity and had the greatest apparent impact on population structure, specifically targeting members of the Verrucomicrobia phylum.