Fundação Zerbini

Background/Aims: Prolonged physical exercise induces adaptive alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, increasing cortisol metabolism, and reducing cortisol synthesis and glucocorticoid sensitivity. The mechanisms responsible for this relative glucocorticoid resistance remain unknown but may involve expression of genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and/or inflammatory molecules of nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFkB1) signaling pathway and cytokines. This study aimed to determine the impact of prolonged physical training on the expression of genes involved in glucocorticoid action and inflammatory response. Methods: Normal sedentary male cadets of the Brazilian Air Force Academy were submitted to 6 weeks of standardized physical training. Eighteen of 29 initially selected cadets were able to fully complete the training program. Fasting glucose, insulin and cortisol levels, cytokine concentration and the expression of genes encoding GR, NFkB1, inhibitor of NFkB1 and IkB kinase A were determined before and after the training period. Results: Prolonged physical exercise reduced the basal cortisol levels and the percent cortisol reduction after dexamethasone. These findings were associated with a significant reduction in the mRNA levels of GR (6.3%), NFkB1 (63%), inhibitor of NFkB1 (25%) and IkB kinase A (46%) with concomitant reduction in cytokine concentrations (ELISA). Conclusions: Prolonged physical training decreases the glucocorticoid sensitivity and the mRNA levels of the GR gene combined with decreased mRNA of genes related to the NFkB pathway.

A 47 year-old man with aortic coarctation had undergone extra-anatomic bypass through a left thoracotomy. He presented 10 years later with uncontrolled arterial hypertension due to residual aortic coarctation, graft obstruction and multiple collateral artery aneurysms between the subclavian artery and the aorta. He underwent extra-anatomic correction between the ascending aorta to descending aorta through a median sternotomy with the aid of conventional cardiopulmonary bypass. His postoperative recovery was unremarkable, and there was complete involution of all aneurysmal collateral arteries after the operation.

Este trabalho relata a experiência do projeto "Rotas recriadas: crianças e adolescentes livres da exploração sexual", que problematiza, a partir de uma perspectiva sociocultural, as formas de enfrentamento da exploração sexual comercial infanto-juvenil, em Campinas-SP. Com diferentes eixos de atuação, de caráter intersetorial e interdisciplinar, o projeto propõe o embasamento teórico e o desenvolvimento de ações-piloto, com o intuito de promover debate para a construção de uma política pública de enfrentamento dessa relevante temática. Apresentamos a experiência de um dos campos de intervenção, a área de saúde, por meio do trabalho com uma das populações-alvo deste projeto: crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua e exploração sexual comercial. Fundamentamo-nos na necessária articulação entre saúde e direitos humanos, uma vez que negligências e violações dos direitos podem resultar em conseqüências para a saúde. Buscamos a garantia dos direitos desta população, tão cerceada em vivenciá-los. Para atingir essa articulação atuamos a partir da técnica do Acompanhamento Terapêutico, como estratégia que propicia a junção entre necessidades coletivas e individuais, incluindo intervenções pautadas na promoção e na garantia de direitos. Utilizamo-nos de relatos de "cenas" de histórias de vida, sobre as quais objetivamos a diminuição das vulnerabilidades sociais vivenciadas, à luz do direito ao exercício pleno de direitos.

It has been suggested for many years that the regulation of the immune system for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance may involve regulatory/suppressor T cells. In the past few years, several investigators have demonstrated that these cells can be generated in vitro. It has also been shown that they can inhibit the progression of various autoimmune disease models when infused into susceptible mice. We have generated two murine T cell lines in the presence of KLH-specific T cell clones from BALB/c or DBA2 mice. The lines are characterized by a low proliferative response to mitogens, the capacity to secrete high amounts of IL-10 and TGF-beta, and small amounts of IFN-gamma. Interestingly, these cells are unable to produce IL-2, IL-4 or IL-5. The study of the surface phenotype of both lines revealed CD4+, CD25high, CD44low and CTLA-4- cells. When injected intravenously in (CBy.D2) F1 mice, these cells were able to inhibit 50-100% of the TNP-specific antibody production, when the hapten was coupled to KLH. In the present study we offer another evidence for the existence of regulatory T cells in the T lymphocyte repertoire, suggesting that they can also regulate immune responses to foreign antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrate an alternative pathway to generate these cells different from approaches used thus far.