Abstract Background Microparticles (MPs) are membrane-derived vesicles released from cells undergoing activation or apoptosis with diverse proinflammatory and prothrombotic activities, that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EMPs), and monocyte-derived microparticles (MMPs) in SSc patients, and the association between MPs and the clinical features of SSc. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Clinical and nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) data were obtained from all patients. Plasma levels of PMPs (CD42+/31+), EMPs (CD105+), and MMPs (CD14+) were quantified by flow cytometry. Results Patients were mainly females (90%), with a mean age of 48.9 years old. PMP, EMP, and MMP levels were significantly increased in SSc patients compared to controls (79.2% ± 17.3% vs. 71.0% ± 19.8%, p = 0.033; 43.5% ± 8.7% vs. 37.8% ± 10.4%, p = 0.004; and 3.5% ± 1.3% vs. 1.1% ± 0.5%, p < 0.0001, respectively). PMP levels were significantly higher in patients with positive anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies (p = 0.030) and in patients with a disease duration > 3 years (p = 0.038). EMP levels were lower in patients with a higher modified Rodnan skin score (p = 0.015), and in those with an avascular score > 1.5 in NFC (p = 0.042). Conclusion The increased levels of PMPs, EMPs and MMPs in scleroderma patients might indicate a possible role for these agents in the pathogenesis of this challenging disease.

Resumo A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória autoimune, sistêmica, de curso progressivo, caracterizada por exuberante sinovite crônica, que pode gerar deformidades e incapacidade funcional, cujo tratamento precoce minimiza o dano às juntas. Sua etiopatogenia ainda não está completamente elucidada, mas compreende respostas imunológicas com a participação de células T auxiliares (Th1). Uma aparente menor gravidade da AR em pacientes de regiões com menor renda poderia estar associada a maior prevalência de parasitoses intestinais, especialmente as helmintíases. A rigor, um desvio na resposta imune para o predomínio de células T auxiliares (Th2), decorrente da exposição crônica a helmintos, modularia negativamente a inflamação em doentes com AR, e levaria a menor gravidade e dano articular. A revisão de aspectos da influência da reposta imunológica nas parasitoses intestinais, especialmente as helmintíases, em pacientes com artrite reumatoide é o objetivo desse trabalho.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with a progressive course, characterized by chronic synovitis that may evolve with deformities and functional disability, and whose early treatment minimizes joint damage. Its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated but comprises immunologic responses mediated by T helper cells (Th1). An apparent minor severity of RA in patients from regions with lower income could be associated with a higher prevalence of gut parasites, especially helminths. Strictly, a shift in the immune response toward the predominance of T helper cells (Th2), due to the chronic exposure to helminths, could modulate negatively the inflammation in RA patients, resulting in lower severity/joint injury. The interaction between the immunological responses of parasitic helminths in rheumatoid arthritis patients is the purpose of this paper.

A pele é, muitas vezes, reflexo de manifestações sistêmicas. Doenças neoplásicas que afetam órgãos internos podem exibir manifestações cutâneas diversas. Apesar de relativamente incomuns, o reconhecimento de dermatoses paraneoplásicas pode levar ao diagnóstico precoce da neoplasia e, consequentemente, determinar melhor prognóstico. Nesta revisão serão discutidas as manifestações cutâneas paraneoplásicas com maior força de associação a neoplasias, que incluem acantose nigricante maligna, paquidermatoglifia adquirida, erythema gyratum repens, síndrome de Bazex, hipertricose lanuginosa adquirida, eritema necrolítico migratório, sinal de Leser-Trélat e pênfigo paraneoplásico. Para cada condição serão revisadas e atualizadas as manifestações clínicas, principais neoplasias associadas e etiopatogenia.

The skin often signals systemic changes. Some neoplastic diseases that affect internal organs may trigger several cutaneous manifestations. Although these dermatoses are relatively unusual, the recognition of some typical paraneoplastic dermatoses may lead to the early diagnosis of a neoplasm and determine a better prognosis. In this review article, we discuss the paraneoplastic cutaneous manifestations strongly associated with neoplasms, which include acanthosis nigricans maligna, tripe palms, erythema gyratum repens, Bazex syndrome, acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa, necrolytic migratory erythema, Leser-Trélat sign and paraneoplastic pemphigus. We also review the clinical manifestations of each condition and include updated knowledge on disease pathogenesis.

Quatrocentos e cinqüenta pintos de corte machos, Avian Farms, com peso médio de 48±0,3 g, foram utilizados em um experimento conduzido em câmaras climáticas, para avaliar o efeito dos níveis de energia metabolizável (2850, 2925, 3000, 3075 e 3150 kcal de EM/kg), entre 1 e 21 dias de idade, mantidos em ambiente de alta temperatura (34ºC e 60% UR). O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, nove repetições e dez aves por unidade experimental. As características estudadas foram desempenho e composição de carcaça, em que a estimativa da exigência de energia metabolizável das aves foi feita por meio de regressão linear ou quadrática, conforme o melhor ajuste. O ganho de peso, o consumo de energia metabolizável e as deposições de proteína e gordura na carcaça aumentaram, enquanto a conversão alimentar dos pintos reduziu de forma linear com os tratamentos. O rendimento de carcaça das aves não foi influenciado pelos níveis de EM da ração. Os níveis de EM da ração modificaram a composição da carcaça e aumentaram o peso de gordura abdominal. Os pintos de corte de 1 a 21 dias de idade, mantidos sob alta temperatura, exigem, no mínimo, relação energia:proteína de 13,6 para melhor desempenho e deposição de proteína na carcaça.

Four hundred and fifty Avian Farms male broilers chicks with 48±0.3g of live weight were used in an experiment carried out at climatic chambers to evaluate the effect of the metabolizable energy levels (2850; 2925; 3000; 3075 and 3150 kcal of ME/kg), from 1 to 21 days, maintained at high environmental temperature (34ºC and 60% RH). A completely randomized design, with five treatments (ME levels), nine replicates and ten birds per experimental unit, was used. Performance and carcass composition were evaluated and the metabolizable energy requirement of the birds were obtained by linear or quadratic regression, according to the best fit. Weight gain, metabolizable energy intake, and protein and fat depositions in the carcass increased while the feed:gain ratio of the chicks linearly decreased with the treatments. The carcass yield of the birds was not influenced by the dietary ME levels. The dietary ME levels affected the carcass composition and increased the abdominal fat weight of the broiler chicks. The broilers chicks from 1 to 21 days of age, kept under high environmental temperature, require at least an energy:protein ratio of 13.6:1 for better performance and protein deposition in carcass.