Treatment topical with silver nanoparticles and Stryphnodendron Adstringens (Mart.) Coville in cervical lesions: randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of incorporating technology as a new alternative for treating topics on cervical lesions.

METHOD

This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with a prospective design. During the realization of this study, 43 women were included and divided between groups A (ointment without silver nanoparticles n = 23) and B (ointment with silver nanoparticles n = 20) clinically healthy and who used the unified health system.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences when comparing before and after the use of ointment for IVA test (p = 0.15), Schiller test (p = 0.15), cellular changes (p = 0.47) and microbiological analysis (p = 0.89) through cytology. After use, no adverse reaction was observed in the sample studied.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results identified in this study, identified that the product is safe and does not promote adverse events. Regarding the effectiveness of the product in uterine cervical lesions, it is necessary to continue the study in phase II. Registro de Ensaios Clínicos Brasileiros: UTN: U1111-1218-2820.

No Association Between Interleukin 6 and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms and Dengue Infection: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Dengue is a life-threatening disease. The factors that lead to severe cases are not completely understood. The host immune system is involved in the response to infections and plays an important role in dengue infection. IL-6 and iNOS are components of the immune system and genetic polymorphisms in these genes may be involved in dengue virus infection. The study aimed to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms in the IL6 and iNOS genes and dengue.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study using 60 dengue-infected individuals and 119 healthy controls. Polymorphisms in the IL6 (T15A) and iNOS (-1173CT) genes were amplified by Real-Time PCR. Statistical analyses were performed using BioEstat 5.0.

RESULTS

We identified that the frequency of T/A genotype of IL6 was higher in dengue fever patients and C/T genotype of iNOS was higher in dengue hemorrhagic fever patients, however, no association was found between these polymorphisms and dengue.

CONCLUSION

Polymorphisms in iNOS and IL6 were not associated with dengue infection.

The Role of the IL-10 (-819C/T), TNFA (-308G/A) and ENOS (-786T/C) Polymorphisms of Impulsive and Aggressive Personality Traits in Cocaine/Crack Users

Cytokines and nitric oxide have been associated with impulsive and aggressive personality traits. We conducted the first study that investigated the role of SNPs in cytokines and nitric oxide genes and the influence in the progression of aggressive and impulsive behavior in 107 of cocaine and crack users. In this case-control, IL-10 (-819C/T), TNFA (-308G/A) and ENOS (-786T/C) polymorphisms were determined by Real-Time PCR. In addition, the relationship between these polymorphisms and Impulsivity and Aggression was determined. We found that the physical aggressiveness sub score was negatively correlated with the C allele of -819C/T polymorphism of the IL-10 (b = -0.14; p = 0.04). The T allele of the SNP -786T/C of the ENOS gene positively predicts traits of physical aggressiveness (b = 0.14; p = 0.04). The GA genotype (b = 0.22; p = 0.01) and the A allele (b = 0.15; p = 0.02) of -308 G/A polymorphism of the TNFA were positively correlated with aggressiveness physical. The GA genotype (b = 0.20; p = 0.03) was positively correlated with aggressiveness verbal. IL-10 (-819C/T), TNFA (-308G/A) and ENOS (-786T/C) polymorphisms might be associated with high risk of aggressive and impulsive behavior.

IL-10 (-819C/T), TNFA (-30G/A) and ENOS (-786T/C) Polymorphisms Modulating the Outcome Related to Mental Disorders in Crack Addicted Users

Background

Cocaine/crack use affects immune system molecules and development of mental disorders has been identified.

Objective

To investigate the relationship of polymorphisms in the TNFA (-308G/A), IL-10 (-819C/T) and ENOS (-786T/C) genes with mental disorders in cocaine and crack users.

Methods

A case-control study was carried out, which included 107 cocaine and crack users and 115 controls who never used healthy cocaine and crack. The SNPs in the TNFA (-308G/A), IL-10 (-819C/T) and ENOS (-786T/C) genes were genotyped by real time PCR.

Results

As for the individuals included in this study, the average age of 31.4 years (± 8.59). We identified that the G/A genotype to TNFA (-308) (OR = 0.24; p = 0.03) and the A allele (OR = 0.30; p = 0.03) were associated with reduced risk for dysthymic disorder. The T allele of the IL-10 (-819) polymorphism was associated with decreased risk of developing panic disorder (OR = 0.44; p = 0.01), while the C allele was correlated with an increased risk for alcohol dependence (OR = 1.97; p = 0.04), alcohol abuse (OR = 1.81; p = 0.04) and psychotic syndrome (OR = 2.23; p = 0.01). C/C genotype was correlated with increased chances of developing current psychotic syndrome (OR = 4.23; p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms promote susceptibility or promote protection for clinical phenotypes of psychiatric comorbidities in cocaine and crack users and be considered as good prognostic markers.

Genetic polymorphisms as multi-biomarkers in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by coronavirus infection: A systematic review of candidate gene association studies

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome may be caused by coronavirus disease which has resulted in a global pandemic. Polymorphisms in the population play a role in susceptibility to severity. We aimed to perform a systematic review related to the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the development of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Twenty-eight eligible articles published were identified in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PMC Central and Portal BVS and additional records, with 20 studies performed in China. Information on study characteristics, genetic polymorphisms, and comorbidities was extracted. Study quality was assessed by the STrengthening the REporting of Genetic Association (STREGA) guideline. Few studies investigated the presence of polymorphisms in HLA, ACE1, OAS-1, MxA, PKR, MBL, E-CR1, FcγRIIA, MBL2, L-SIGN (CLEC4M), IFNG, CD14, ICAM3, RANTES, IL-12 RB1, TNFA, CXCL10/IP-10, CD209 (DC-SIGN), AHSG, CYP4F3 and CCL2 with the susceptibility or protection to SARS-Cov. This review provides comprehensive evidence of the association between genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility or protection to severity SARS-CoV. The literature about coronavirus infection, susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and genetic variations is scarce. Further studies are necessary to provide more concrete evidence, mainly related to Covid-19.

Correlation between circadian rhythm related genes, type 2 diabetes, and cancer: Insights from metanalysis of transcriptomics data

Clock genes work as an auto-regulated transcription-translational loop of circadian genes that drives the circadian rhythms in each cell and they are essential to physiological requests. Since metabolism is a dynamic process, it involves several physiological variables that circadian cycling. The clock genes alterations can affect multiple systems concomitantly, because they constitute the promoter factors for relevant metabolic pathways. Considering the intertwined structure of signaling, regulatory, and metabolic processes within a cell, we employed a genome-scale biomolecular network. Accordingly, a meta-analysis of diabetic-associated transcriptomic datasets was performed, and the core information on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was obtained by statistical analyses. In the current study, meta-analysis was performed on type 2 diabetes, circadian rhythm-related genes, and breast, bladder, liver, pancreas, colon and rectum cancer-associated transcriptome data using the integration of gene expression profiles with genome-scale biomolecular networks in diabetes samples. First, we detected downregulated and upregulated DEGs in mouse cortex and hypothalamus samples of mice with sleep deprivation. In summary, upregulated genes active genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, cancer and diabetes, mainly in hypothalamus specimens. In cortex, we observed mainly downregulation of immune system. DEGs were combined with 214 circadian rhythm related genes to type 2 DM and cancer samples. We observed that several common genes deregulated in both diseases. Klf10, Ntkr3, Igf1, Usp2, Ezh2 were both downregulated in type 2 DM and cancer samples, while Arntl2 and Agrp were upregulated. It seems that the changes in mRNA are contributing to the phenotypic changes in type 2 DM, resulting in phenotypic changes associated with the malignant transformation. Taking those genes to perform a survival analysis, we found only Igf1, Usp2 and Arntl2 genes associated with patient outcomes. While Igf1 and Usp2 downregulation had a negative impact, Arntl2 upregulation was associated with poor survival both in BLCA and BRCA cancer samples. Our data stimulate efforts in news studies to achieve the experimental and clinical validation about these biomolecules.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus genotypes in women treated by the Unified Health System in a population from Northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT: 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.

Association of Polymorphisms in Cytokine genes with susceptibility to Precancerous Lesions and Cervical Cancer: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes and the susceptibility to Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (SIL), cervical cancer and HPV infection through a systematic review with meta-analysis. To verify the effect of SNPs, we also analyzed the transcription factor binding affinity using bioinformatics tools.Methods: Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scielo, BIREME, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct) were searched for case-control studies.Results: A total of 35 relevant case-control studies were meta-analyzed, including 7 cytokine genes and 15 SNPs. SNPs in IL-17A (rs2275913, rs3748067); IL-17 F (rs763780); IL-12A (rs568408); IL-12B (rs3212227); TNFA (rs1800629, rs361525); IL-1B (rs16944); IL-6 (rs1800795); IL-10 (rs1800896) genes were associated with increased risk for cervical cancer. No association was observed between meta-analyzed polymorphisms and SIL. Additional bioinformatics analysis suggested a possible transcriptional regulation pathway of the TNFA and IL-10 genes through the MZF1 (TNFA -308 G > A and IL-10 - 1082A>G) and ZNF263 (TNFA -238 G > A) transcription factors binding.Conclusion: Overall, 10 SNPs in cytokine genes were associated with increased risk for cervical cancer. Therefore, in our meta-analysis, these SNPs demonstrated to be potential biomarkers for predicting or identifying cases of high risk for SIL and cervical cancer.

Green Tobacco Sickness among Brazilian farm workers and genetic polymorphisms

OBJECTIVE

Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) is an occupational illness caused by dermal absorption of nicotine from tobacco leaves. It affects thousands of farm workers worldwide. Brazil is the second tobacco producer in the world; despite this, there are few studies on GTS among Brazilian harvesters. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of GTS among a population of tobacco workers from a producing area in northeastern Brazil and investigate whether the occurrence of the disease was influenced by factors such age, gender and smoking status. In addition, it was investigated if there was association between the onset of GTS and genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode some detoxification enzymes. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic, behavioral and occupational data from the referred workers. Polymorphisms were tested through the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique.

RESULTS

The total prevalence of GTS found was 56.9%, with a significant difference between genders (71.7% for women and 35.3% for men, p < 0.0001). No association was identified between the investigated polymorphisms and GTS. This study confirms the occurrence of GTS among tobacco harvesters in Brazil with high prevalence. The investigation suggests the need to take preventive measures to protect tobacco workers against this disease.

Profile of clinical information in medical records of tobacco farmers in Alagoas, Brazil

Background

The study of the profile of medical records of tobacco growers contributes to discussions on the establishment of diagnosis and its causal correlation with work.

Objective

To investigate the profile of clinical information in medical records of tobacco growers.

Methods

The present was a descriptive field and documentary study, with quantitative approach, of 149medical records of farmers who visited basic health units in rural communities in the municipality of Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil, from 2008 to 2013.

Results

About 66% of the investigated population was female, with average age 58.6 years old (standard deviation ±16.4). The most significant clinical complaint found in the records was headache (16.71%), followed by low back pain (10.20%), dysuria or other urinary problems (8.90%) and stomachache (8.30%). Medical diagnoses included gastritis (15.1%), depression (7.1%), anxiety (7.1%), myalgia (7.1%) and arthritis/arthralgia (5.3%). Correlation between clinical complaints and work performed by tobacco growers was registered on one single medical record.

Conclusion

The clinical profile of tobacco growers described in the medical records might be associated with their social and working conditions and related to pesticide and nicotine poisoning. However, the scarcity of information on the environmental and occupational risk context limits the establishment of a causal link. As a function of the relevance of the occupational-clinical conditions of this population of workers, improving medical records is necessary, as the temporal relationship between exposure and outcomes might account for the occurrence of the reported symptoms.