RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a correlação entre achados de TCAR e a atividade metabólica pulmonar nas regiões correspondentes por meio de PET/TC com 18F-FDG e marcadores inflamatórios em pacientes com doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI) associada à esclerose sistêmica (ES). Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo 23 pacientes adultos com DPI associada à ES sem outras doenças do tecido conjuntivo. O estudo também envolveu PET/TC com 18F-FDG, TCAR, dosagem sérica de quimiocinas, dados clínicos e testes de função pulmonar. Resultados: Nessa coorte de pacientes com doença de longa duração (11,8 ± 8,7 anos), 19 (82,6%) apresentaram o padrão de pneumonia intersticial não específica. A mediana dos valores padronizados de captação foi maior nas áreas de faveolamento (1,95; p = 0,85). Os níveis séricos de soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) e C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 foram maiores nos pacientes com ES que nos controles. Os níveis séricos de CCL2 - um marcador de atividade fibroblástica - correlacionaram-se com áreas de opacidade em vidro fosco (OVF) pura na TCAR (p = 0,007). A PET/TC com 18F-FDG mostrou atividade metabólica significativa para todos os padrões de TCAR. A correlação entre níveis séricos de CCL2 e OVF na TCAR sugere que os fibroblastos desempenham um papel fundamental nessas áreas, acrescentando novas informações para a compreensão dos mecanismos que envolvem elementos celulares e moleculares e sua expressão na TCAR em pacientes com DPI associada à ES. Conclusões: A PET/TC com 18F-FDG aparentemente não consegue diferenciar a intensidade da atividade metabólica nos diferentes padrões de TCAR em pacientes com ES crônica. A associação entre CCL2 e OVF pode estar relacionada à atividade fibroblástica nessas áreas; entretanto, a expressão suprarregulada de CCL2 no tecido pulmonar de pacientes com ES deve ser investigada para que se compreenda melhor essa associação.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the correlation of HRCT findings with pulmonary metabolic activity in the corresponding regions using 18F-FDG PET/CT and inflammatory markers in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 23 adult patients with SSc-associated ILD without other connective tissue diseases. The study also involved 18F-FDG PET/CT, HRCT, determination of serum chemokine levels, clinical data, and pulmonary function testing. Results: In this cohort of patients with long-term disease (disease duration, 11.8 ± 8.7 years), a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern was found in 19 (82.6%). Honeycombing areas had higher median standardized uptake values (1.95; p = 0.85). Serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 were higher in SSc patients than in controls. Serum levels of CCL2-a marker of fibroblast activity-were correlated with pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) areas on HRCT scans (p = 0.007). 18F-FDG PET/CT showed significant metabolic activity for all HRCT patterns. The correlation between serum CCL2 levels and GGO on HRCT scans suggests a central role of fibroblasts in these areas, adding new information towards the understanding of the mechanisms surrounding cellular and molecular elements and their expression on HRCT scans in patients with SSc-associated ILD. Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT appears to be unable to differentiate the intensity of metabolic activity across HRCT patterns in chronic SSc patients. The association between CCL2 and GGO might be related to fibroblast activity in these areas; however, upregulated CCL2 expression in the lung tissue of SSc patients should be investigated in order to gain a better understanding of this association.

Devido à importância dos estudos de deslocamento de solutos em colunas de solo, para avaliar os riscos de poluição do solo e das águas subterrâneas, e à falta de padronização no comprimento da coluna de solo utilizada (L) e na velocidade de escoamento da solução aplicada (), realizou-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar a relação de L e de com o coeficiente de dispersão-difusão (D), a dispersividade (λ) e o fator de retardamento (R) do K+ em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (LVd) e num Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico (RQo). Foram testados cinco comprimentos de colunas (0,10, 0,20, 0,30, 0,40 e 0,50 m) e quatro velocidades, sendo 0,62, 0,69, 0,75 e 0,81 m h-1 para o LVd e 0,37, 0,40, 0,44 e 0,48 m h-1 para o RQo. Aplicou-se uma solução deslocadora de 130 mg L-1 de K+ nas colunas montadas com o solo desestruturado e saturadas com uma solução de CaCl2 5 mmol L-1. Os parâmetros de transporte R e D foram obtidos utilizando-se o programa computacional Disp; a λ foi obtida pela equação D = Do + λ, sendo Do igual a 7,13 10-6 m² h-1 para o KCl. Houve relação do comprimento da coluna e da velocidade de escoamento da solução com os parâmetros de transporte do K+ tanto no LVd quanto no RQo. No LVd, o fator de retardamento aumentou com o aumento na velocidade de escoamento da solução. Em ambos os solos, o fator de retardamento diminuiu com o aumento no comprimento da coluna; o coeficiente de dispersão-difusão aumentou com o aumento na velocidade de escoamento da solução e com o aumento no comprimento da coluna de solo; e a dispersividade também aumentou com o aumento no comprimento da coluna.

Due to the importance of studying solute displacement in soil columns to evaluate soil and groundwater pollution risks, and the lack of standardization in the soil column length (L) and also the pore-water velocity () used, this study evaluated the relation of L and with the dispersive-diffusive coefficient (D), the dispersivity (λ) and retardation factor (R) of the potassium ion (K+) in an Oxisol and in a Dystric Quartzarenic Neosol. Five column lengths were tested (0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 m) and four pore-water velocities (0.62, 0.69, 0.75, and 0.81 m h-1 for the Oxisol and 0.37, 0.40, 0.44, and 0.48 m h-1 for the Neosol). A displacement solution of 130 mg L-1 of K+ was applied to the disturbed soil columns saturated with a 5 mmol L-1 CaCl2 solution. The transport parameters R and D were obtained using the computer program Disp; λ was obtained by the equation D = Do + λ, in which Do is equal to 7.13 10-6 m² h-1 for KCl. The column length and pore-water velocity were related with parameters of the K+ transport in both soils. In the Oxisol, the retardation factor increased with increasing pore-water velocity. In both soils, the retardation factor decreased with increasing column length, the dispersive-diffusive coefficient increased with increasing pore-water velocity and increasing soil column length and dispersivity also increased with increasing column length.

Há poucos estudos sobre linguagem e fala em pacientes com coréia de Sydenham (CS). Fizemos uma análise acústica da freqüência fundamental (F0), duração e intensidade de sentenças declarativas e interrogativas feitas por 20 pacientes com CS, 20 pacientes com febre reumática (FR) sem coréia, comparando-os com 20 controles saudáveis e pareados por idade (CO). Cada grupo incluiu 12 mulheres. Foi encontrado que não há diferença entre os grupos FR e CO quanto a todos parâmetros estudados. Pacientes com CS, contudo, apresentaram-se com fala caracterizada pela redução da variação de F0 (diferença entre F0 mínima e máxima), duração mais curta das sentenças e maior intensidade da primeira sílaba das sentenças. Os achados não foram influenciados pela natureza das sentenças (i.e. , declarativas ou interrogativas), mas os achados foram mais evidentes em todas as variáveis em homens em contraste com mulheres. Em conclusão, demonstramos que pacientes com CS aguda têm prejuízo da modulação da F0 e duração mais longa da emissão de sentenças, resultando em fala mais lenta e monótona. Esse padrão é semelhante ao que tem sido descrito em outras fecções dos núcleos da base, tais como doença de Parkinson, doença de Huntington e doença de Wilson.

There are few studies of language and speech in patients with Sydenham's chorea (SC). We have done an acoustic analysis of fundamental frequency (F0), duration and intensity of declarative and interrogative sentences made by 20 SC patients, 20 patients with rheumatic fever (RF) without chorea, and compared them with 20 healthy age-matched controls (CO). Each group included 12 females. We found that there is no difference between the RF and CO groups in all studied parameters. Patients with SC, however, presented with a speech characterized by decreased F0 range (difference between minimum and maximum F0), shorter duration of sentences, and higher intensity of the first syllable of sentences. The findings were not influenced by the nature of the sentences (i.e. , declarative or interrogative), but for all variables they were significantly more severe in males than females. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that patients with acute SC have an impairment of modulation of F0 and longer duration of emission of sentences, resulting in a monotone and slow speech. This pattern is similar to what has been described in other basal ganglia illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Wilson's disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection of the adipose tissue of mice triggers the local expression of inflammatory mediators and a reduction in the expression of the adipokine adiponectin. T. cruzi can be detected in adipose tissue by PCR 300 days post-infection. Infection of cultured adipocytes results in increased expression of cytokines and chemokines and a reduction in the expression of adiponectin and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ³, both of which are negative regulators of inflammation. Infection also results in the upregulation of cyclin D1, the Notch pathway, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase and a reduction in the expression of caveolin-1. Thus, T. cruzi infection of cultured adipocytes leads to an upregulation of the inflammatory process. Since adiponectin null mice have a cardiomyopathic phenotype, it is possible that the reduction in adiponectin contributes to the pathogenesis of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Adipose tissue may serve as a reservoir for T. cruzi from which parasites can become reactivated during periods of immunosuppression. T. cruzi infection of mice often results in hypoglycemia. In contrast, hyperglycemia as observed in diabetes results in increased parasitemia and mortality. Adipose tissue is an important target tissue of T. cruzi and the infection of this tissue is associated with a profound impact on systemic metabolism, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Chemokines are a superfamily of low-molecular-weight cytokines that were initially described for their chemoattractant activity. It is now clear chemokines have several other activities that modulate immune processes. More than 50 chemokines ligands and at least 19 receptors have been described to date. Depending on the number of N-terminal cysteine residues, chemokines are grouped in the subfamilies CXC, CC, C or CX3C. A growing body of evidence suggests a role for chemokines in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases. Our studies involving mice and humans infected with Schistosoma mansoni suggest an important role of the chemokine CCL3 and its receptors (CCR1 and CCR5) in the pathogenesis of severe schistosomiasis. We suggest that the differential activation of CCR1 or CCR5 during the course of schistosomiasis may dictate the outcome of the disease.

A major goal in the treatment of acute ischemia of a vascular territory is to restore blood flow to normal values, i.e. to "reperfuse" the ischemic vascular bed. However, reperfusion of ischemic tissues is associated with local and systemic leukocyte activation and trafficking, endothelial barrier dysfunction in postcapillary venules, enhanced production of inflammatory mediators and great lethality. This phenomenon has been referred to as "reperfusion injury" and several studies demonstrated that injury is dependent on neutrophil recruitment. Furthermore, ischemia and reperfusion injury is associated with the coordinated activation of a series of cytokines and adhesion molecules. Among the mediators of the inflammatory cascade released, TNF-alpha appears to play an essential role for the reperfusion-associated injury. On the other hand, the release of IL-10 modulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production and reperfusion-associated tissue injury. IL-1beta, PAF and bradykinin are mediators involved in ischemia and reperfusion injury by regulating the balance between TNF-alpha and IL-10 production. Strategies that enhance IL-10 and/or prevent TNF-alpha concentration may be useful as therapeutic adjuvants in the treatment of the tissue injury that follows ischemia and reperfusion.

Global left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is the strongest predictor of morbidity and mortality in Chagas disease. Echocardiography is considered the gold standard for the detection of LV dysfunction, but not always available in endemic areas where chagasic cardiomyopathy is most common. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neurohormone that has been recently described as a simple and inexpensive diagnostic and prognostic marker for patients with congestive heart failure. Chagasic patients (n = 63) and non-infected healthy individuals (n = 18) were recruited prospectively and underwent complete clinical examination, echocardiography and 24-h Holter monitoring. BNP was measured from thawed plasma samples using the Triage BNP test. We observed high levels of BNP in association with depression of LV ejection fraction, with increase of LV end-diastolic diameter and with LV premature complexes. An elevated concentration of BNP, defined as a concentration of 60 pg/ml or more, had a sensitivity of 91.7%, specificity of 82.8%, positive predictive value of 52.4%, and negative predictive value of 98% for detecting LV dysfunction (LV ejection fraction < 40%).BNP measurement using a simple, relatively inexpensive and rapid test has a promising role in identifying LV dysfunction associated with chagasic cardiomyopathy. Equally important, patients with Trypanosoma cruzi infection who have low levels of BNP level in plasma have a very low likelihood of severe cardiac involvement, and echocardiography is probably not necessary.

RESUMO Foi realizado um inventário florístico-estrutural da regeneração natural de espécies arbustivoarbóreas do sub-bosque de um plantio homogêneo de Mimosa scabrella Bentham implantado, visando à reabilitação de área minerada, em Poços de Caldas. Foram utilizadas dezenove parcelas de 50 m2 (5 m × 10 m) e amostrados os indivíduos arbustivo-arbóreos com altura igual ou superior a 30cm, tendo sido encontrados 1.946 indivíduos, pertencentes a 63 famílias botânicas. Amostras de solo foram coletadas à profundidade de 0 cm a 20 cm, em cada uma das dezenove parcelas e analisados os teores de areia, silte, argila, matéria orgânica, pH, nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio e magnésio. Foi analisada a influência de variáveis edáficas sobre a densidade das espécies amostradas, utilizando Análise de Correspondência Canônica (“Canonical Correspondence Analysis” - CCA). Foi verificada correlação significativa entre elas a 5% de probabilidade pelo teste de MonteCarlo. As espécies Miconia sellowiana, Miconia pepericarpa, Cestrum amictum, Alchornea triplinervia, Cordia superba e Casearia sylvestris apresentaram comportamento próximo ao indiferente em relação às variáveis edáficas estudadas, sendo que estas se destacam de forma superior em relação às demais espécies quanto aos parâmetros florístico-estruturais. Esse comportamento reforça a indicação de tais espécies, feita por NAPPO (1999), como de potencial para uso em plantios mistos e de enriquecimento em condições similares às da área estudada. A identificação e mensuração de outras variáveis ambientais e do histórico da área são peças importantes para o entendimento dos processos de dinâmica de povoamentos e, em particular, para áreas degradadas em fase de reabilitação.

ABSTRACT A floristic and structural survey of the natural regeneration of shrubby and arboreal species of the understory of an established homogeneous plantation of Mimosa scabrella Bentham was corried out viewing, the reclamation of a mined area, in Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Nineteen plots of 50 m2 (5 m × 10 m) were used and the shrubby and arboreal individuals measuring equal or above 30 cm were sampled and 1,946 individuals belonging to 63 botanic families were found. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 20 cm, in each of the 19 plots, and the contents of sand, silt,clay, organic matters, pH nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium were analysed. The influence of the soil variables upon the density of the sampled species was analysed using the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). A significative correlation was verified among these variables at a level of 5% of probability using the Monte Carlo test. The species Miconia sellowiana, Miconia pepericarpa, Cestrum amictum, Alchornea triplinervia, Cordia superba and Casearia sylvestris presented a close to indifferent behaviour in relation to the soil variables studied, and these species largely surpassed the other species in relation to the floristic and the strutured parameters. This behaviour reinforces the indication of the species, made by NAPPO (1999), as having a potential for use in mixed and enrichment plantation in condition similar to those of the studied area. The identification and mensuration of the enviromental variables and of the history of the area are important pieces for the understanding of the process of population dynamics, and particularly, for degraded area getting to the reclamation phase.

Este trabalho foi conduzido na Área Experimental de Hidráulica, Irrigação e Drenagem do Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, em Viçosa, MG, com o objetivo de se avaliar a influência de aplicações sucessivas de águas residuárias de suinocultura, com diferentes concentrações de sólidos totais sobre a capacidade de infiltração de um solo Podzólico Vermelho-Amarelo. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições, em que os tratamentos se constituíram da aplicação de água e de águas residuárias com concentrações de sólidos totais de 2,4, 7,0, 16,3 e 26,9 g L-1. Quinze infiltrômetros de anel foram instalados em uma área de 60 m², dividida em parcelas de dimensões 2 x 2 m, sendo que em cada uma delas foram conduzidos quatro testes de infiltração, com intervalo de 15 dias. Concluiu-se que o aumento da concentração de sólidos totais de águas residuárias de suinocultura provocou redução na capacidade de infiltração do solo, intensificada com aplicações sucessivas. A concentração de sólidos totais desse efluente foi mais importante na redução da capacidade de infiltração do solo que os níveis de razão de adsorção de sódio e de salinidade.

This work was carried out at the Experimental Area of Hydraulics, Irrigation and Drainage of the Agricultural Engineering Department, at the Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The aim was to evaluate the influence of successive applications of swine wastewater, with different concentrations of total solids, on the infiltration capacity of a Yellow Red Podzol. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of applying water and swine wastewater with 2.4, 7.0, 16.3 and 26.9 g L-1 of total solid concentrations. Fifteen ring infiltrometers were installed in an area of 60 m², which was divided in plots of 2 x 2 m dimensions. Four infiltration tests were performed at 15 day intervals in each plot. It was concluded that increasing the total solid concentration of swine wastewater caused a reduction of the soil infiltration capacity. In addition, it was observed that successive applications intensified this effect. The total solid concentration of wastewater was more important to reduce the soil infiltration capacity than the levels of sodium absorption ratio and salinity.

Chemokines (chemoattractant cytokines) induce potent and selective chemotaxis of leukocyte subsets in vitro. Here, we review briefly the chemokines shown to induce eosinophil chemotaxis in vitro and describe a novel model for the study of the ability of chemokines to stimulate eosinophil migration in vivo. Eosinophils were purified from the blood of mice over-expressing the IL-5 gene and labelled with 111In. Only the C-C chemokines, eotaxin and MIP-1alpha, but not RANTES, MCP-1, MCP-3, MCP-4, MIP-1ß, KC and MIP-2, effectively induced the recruitment of 111In-eosinophils in mouse skin. We suggest that this mouse model will be useful in assessing the role of endogenously-generated chemokines in mediating eosinophil migration to sites of allergic inflammation in vivo.

The elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP by phosphodiesterase (PDE)4 inhibitors in eosinophils is associated with inhibition of the activation and recruitment of these cells. We have previously shown that systemic treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram effectively inhibt eosinophil migration in guinea pig skin. In the present study we compare the oral potency and efficacy of the PDE4 inhibitors rolipram, RP 73401 and CDP 840 on allergic and PAF-induced eosinophil recruitment. Rolipram and RP 73401 were equally effective and potent when given by the oral route and much more active than the PDE4 inhibitor CDP 840. We suggest that this guinea pig model of allergic and mediator-induced eosinophil recruitment is both a sensitive and simple tool to test the efficacy and potency of PDE4 inhibitors in vivo.