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Avaliação neurocognitiva de pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS em Fortaleza-CE

2026-08-13T17:57:25Z

Título: Avaliação neurocognitiva de pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS em Fortaleza-CE Autor(es): Moura, Lucas Eliel Beserra Abstract: Chronic central nervous system (CNS) infection with HIV may be associated with HIV- associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). This disorder has become more evident and concerning with the aging of the population living with HIV (PLHIV), as it has the potential to have an adverse functional impact, with impairment of various cognitive functions. The clinical diagnosis of HAND is based on various neuropsychological and functional tests. However, in many cases, the application of these tests may be impractical. The International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) is a simple, rapid, and validated screening test for the Brazilian population that can detect all forms of HAND. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the frequency of HAND using the IHDS in conjunction with the Lawton Scale. Sixty-one patients were evaluated, with a prevalence of 63.93% of all forms of HAND and a correlation between this disorder and education (ρ = 0.656; p < 0.001), CD4 nadir (r = 0.28; p = 0.03), CD4 cell count (r = 0.29; p = 0.023), CD4/CD8 ratio (r = 0.552; p < 0.001), PHQ-9 (r = -0.446; p <0.001), GAD-7 (r = -0.354; p = 0.003), age (r = -0.761; p <0.001) and treatment time (r = -0.35; p = 0.006). After multivariate analysis, those with advanced age, lower education level and lower CD4/CD8 ratio independently presented worse IHDS values, showing themselves to be more susceptible to HAND and, therefore, should be screened for this condition. Tipo: Dissertação

Análise computacional da interação entre metilmercúrio e as isoformas da apolipoproteína E

2026-08-12T11:58:29Z

Título: Análise computacional da interação entre metilmercúrio e as isoformas da apolipoproteína E Autor(es): Monteiro, Vitória Karoline Félix Abstract: Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, accumulating in the central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular system, where it promotes oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. Epidemiological evidence suggests that genetic variability, particularly the different isoforms of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), influences individual susceptibility to mercury toxicity. The ApoE4 isoform has been associated with greater clinical vulnerability, although the structural mechanisms of this association remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate, using computational methods, potential interactions between CH₃Hg and ApoE isoforms. To this end, geometry optimizations and semiempirical calculations were performed with MOPAC software, in addition to Independent Gradient Model (aIGM) analysis for initial characterization of the interactions. Additionally, the Reduced Density Gradient (RDG) method, implemented in the Multiwfn software, was used to comparatively evaluate the non-covalent interaction (NCI) profiles of ApoE isoforms in the absence and presence of CH₃Hg. The results showed that the ApoE2 and ApoE3 isoforms exhibited greater stability when interacting with MeHg, while ApoE4 was less stable. RDG analyses reinforced these findings, demonstrating that the presence of cysteine residues favors attractive interactions with CH₃Hg, while their absence in ApoE4 results in lower affinity. Thus, the findings of this study reinforce clinical and epidemiological hypotheses that carriers of the ε4 allele are more susceptible to MeHg toxicity because they lack stable protective interactions with the metal. The study provides a basis for understanding how structural variations in ApoE modulate individual susceptibility, highlighting the protein as a relevant genetic biomarker in populations chronically exposed to mercury. Tipo: Dissertação

Impacto do exercício físico sobre as alterações hepáticas, bioquímicas, oxidativas, inflamatórias e metabólicas associadas a privação de sono em camundongos Swiss

2026-08-11T16:22:04Z

Título: Impacto do exercício físico sobre as alterações hepáticas, bioquímicas, oxidativas, inflamatórias e metabólicas associadas a privação de sono em camundongos Swiss Autor(es): Nunes, Paulo Iury Gomes Abstract: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a stressor capable of inducing behavioral, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and metabolic dysfunctions. Significant hepatic repercussions may occur secondary to SD. This study aimed to investigate whether chronic aerobic physical exercise can prevent or attenuate the deleterious effects induced by 72 hours of total sleep deprivation. We used male young adult Swiss mice, aged 90 to 150 days. Animals were allocated into four experimental groups: Control, Exercise (EXE), SD, and Exercise + SD (EXE+SD). The study included behavioral, biochemical, oxidative, hepatic histological, and metabolomic evaluations. Behavioral assessment revealed that SD increased immobility time in the forced swim test, reduced exploration in the Y-maze, and decreased entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating impairments in memory, exploratory behavior, and anxiety-like states, respectively. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that SD increased serum levels of AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, along with significant reductions in albumin and glucose. These effects were accompanied by hepatic increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, INF-γ, MDA, protein carbonylation, nitrite, and MPO activity, as well as reductions in GSH, SOD, and CAT. Histological analysis revealed mild diffuse inflammatory infiltration in the SD group. Hepatic metabolomics indicated that SD induced significant alterations in several metabolites, including reductions in dehydroascorbate, salicylate, fructose, and glucose. Physical exercise positively modulated the metabolic profile, restoring pathways related to amino acid, glyoxylate, glutathione, arginine, and proline metabolism. The EXE+SD group exhibited an intermediate profile, with partial or full reversal of SD- induced damage. These findings suggest that chronic aerobic physical exercise plays a protective role against the behavioral, inflammatory, redox, and metabolic hepatic alterations induced by sleep deprivation. Such findings have translational implications for the prevention of SD-associated metabolic disorders. Tipo: Tese

Angiopoietinas e sua associação com carga parasitária e formas clínicas em pacientes com esquistossomose residentes em uma área de alta endemicidade no Nordeste brasileiro

2026-08-11T16:08:57Z

Título: Angiopoietinas e sua associação com carga parasitária e formas clínicas em pacientes com esquistossomose residentes em uma área de alta endemicidade no Nordeste brasileiro Autor(es): Coimbre, Rachael Lima Sobreira Abstract: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, whose severe manifestations are associated with inflammatory and vascular responses. Several biomarkers have been investigated in inflammatory and vascular conditions, including angiopoietins, a family of angiogenic growth factors. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between parasite burden and angiopoietin levels(ANG1 and ANG2) in individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni, as well as to assess the association of these biomarkers with disease severity and related clinical manifestations. The study was conducted in two endemic areas in the state of Sergipe, Brazil, between August 2022 and April 2023, involving 126 volunteers from Quilombo Patioba (Japaratuba) and Colônia Miranda (São Cristóvão). The methodology included the collection of blood samples to analyze ANG1 and ANG2 levels, along with clinical and laboratory tests to assess liver function and parasite burden. Schistosomiasis was diagnosed using the Kato-Katz method, and participants were stratified according to the intensity of infection. Endothelial function was evaluated by measuring endothelial biomarkers and traditional biochemical markers. The results revealed a positivity rate for schistosomiasis of 33.62% in Quilombo Patioba and 25.67% in Colônia Miranda, both higher than state and national averages. Moderate/high infection rates were more frequent in Quilombo Patioba (18.61%) compared to Colônia Miranda (14.3%). Analysis of ANG2 levels and the ANG2/ANG1 ratio showed a significant correlation with parasite burden and the hepatosplenic form of the disease. ANG2 levels and the ANG2/ANG1 ratio were higher in groups with moderate and high parasite burden, as well as in the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis. Individuals with more severe forms of the disease showed a higher prevalence of palpable liver and ultrasonographic alterations, corroborating previous studies linking parasite burden to progressive liver damage. No significant changes were observed in systemic blood pressure or oxygen saturation, suggesting that, in the studied population, the primary disease-related alterations were associated with hepatic and portal. These findings indicate that ANG2 and the ANG2/ANG1 ratio could serve as useful biomarkers for assessing disease severity and detecting early vascular inflammation. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanisms involved and to explore the application of these biomarkers in therapeutic interventions. Tipo: Dissertação