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• Co-infection HTLV-1/HIV impacted the biomarker profile of HTLV patients. • Increase in the inflammatory response is hallmarked in the presence of co-infection. • HAM(+) patients are characterized by higher levels of CXCL8, CCL2, CXCL-10 and TNF. The impact of HIV co-infection on the plasma immunological biomarker profile of HTLV-1 infected patients was evaluated. The plasma levels of leukotrienes and chemokines/cytokines were quantified by ELISA and Cytometric Bead Array. A total of 138 volunteers were enrolled and divided into two subgroups ("HTLV-1(+)HIV(-)" and "HTLV-1(+)(HIV(+)"), which were categorized according to the HTLV-1-associated neurological disease (AS, pHAM and HAM). Reference controls were BD and HIV mono-infected patients. HAM(+) exhibited higher CD4+ T-cell counts as compared to HIV+ mono-infected patients and lower HTLV-1 proviral load as compared to mono-infected HAM(-) patients. AS(+) exhibited higher levels of CysLT, CXCL8/IL-8 and lower levels of CCL5/RANTES as compared to AS(-). Increased levels of IL-6 and TNF with reduced levels of CXCL10/IP10 and CCL5/RANTES were observed in co-infected pHAM(+) as compared to mono-infected pHAM(-). HAM(+) patients revealed an increase in CXCL8/IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL-10/IP-10, TNF and a decrease in IL-2 as compared to HAM(-) subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with Mansoni schistosomiasis, it is fundamental to evaluate the disease morbidity, which is reflected by the severity of periportal fibrosis (PPF) and parameters of portal hypertension, as analyzed by ultrasonography (US). This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity of schistosomiasis by hepatic and splenic point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) and relate this to US parameters. The PPF pattern, the diameter of the portal and splenic veins and the size of the spleen were evaluated by US. Then, liver and spleen pSWEs were assessed in 74 patients using the same equipment. As the PPF pattern progressed, the splenic pSWE values significantly increased. Significant correlations between splenic pSWE, the longitudinal and transverse lengths of the spleen and the diameters of the portal and splenic veins were observed. These findings, however, were not observed through hepatic pSWE. In conclusion, the splenic pSWE has the potential for assessing morbidity in schistosomiasis mansoni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The natural alkaloid epiisopiloturine has recently become the focus of study for various medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and antischistosomal effect. The incorporation of active molecules in natural polymeric matrices has garnered increasing interest during recent decades. A new derivative of cashew gum successfully obtained by gum acetylation has shown great potential as a carrier in controlled drug release systems. In this work, epiisopiloturine was encapsulated in acetylated cashew gum nanoparticles in order to increase solubility and allow slow release, whereas the morphology results were supported by computer simulations. The particles were produced under a variety of conditions, and thoroughly characterized using light scattering and microscopic techniques. The particles were spherical and highly stable in solution, and showed drug incorporation at high levels, up to 55% efficiency. Using a dialysis-based in vitro assay, these particles were shown to release the drug via a Fickian diffusion mechanism, leading to gradual drug release over approximately 6 h. These nanoparticles show potential for the use as drug delivery system, while studies on their potential anti-inflammatory action, as well as toxicity and efficacy assays would need to be performed in the future to confirm their suitability as drug delivery candidates. Highlights • Nanoparticles made with acetylated cashew gum were shown to be viable drug delivery vehicles. • Biomolecular interactions between epiisopiloturine and cashew gum acetylated are carried out. • These nanoparticles show potential for the use as drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoprecipitation and dialysis methods were employed to obtain nanoparticles (NPs) of acetylated cashew gum (ACG). NPs synthesized by dialysis showed greater average size compared to those synthesized by nanoprecipitation, but they presented improved stability and yield. NPs were loaded with diclofenac diethylamine and the efficiency of the drug incorporation was over 60% for both methods, for an ACG:NP a weight ratio of 10:1. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the NPs had no significant effect on the cell viability, verifying their biocompatibility. The release profile for the diclofenac diethylamine associated with the ACG-NPs showed a more controlled release compared to the free drug and a Fickian diffusion mechanism was observed. Transdermal permeation reached 90% penetration of the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]