Epidermal nevus syndromes encompass a highly heterogeneous group of systemic disorders, characterized by epidermal nevi, and a spectrum of neuromuscular, ocular, and bone abnormalities. Cutaneous-skeletal hypophosphatemia syndrome (CSHS) constitutes a specific sub-entity in which elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 cause hypophosphatemic rickets that are, to date, not amenable to causal therapy. Here, we report the first long-term follow-up of causal treatment with burosumab in a 3-year-old female patient with CSHS. 4 weeks after initiation of burosumab treatment, serum phosphate normalized to age-appropriate levels. Furthermore, long-term follow-up of 42 months revealed significant improvement of linear growth and gross physical functions, including respiratory insufficiency. Radiographic rickets severity as well as subjective bone pain were strongly reduced, and no side effects were observed over the course of treatment. In summary, we, here, report about a successful treatment of hypophosphatemic rickets in CSHS with burosumab over the time course of 42 months. In our patient, burosumab showed convincing efficacy and safety profile, without any loss of effect or increase of dose.

No description available.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of immunosuppressive (FOXP3, NKG2A), and cytotoxic (perforin) or cytotoxic / immunomodulating (IFNγ) T-cell properties representing biomarkers in the peripheral blood CD8h T-cell population of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or high risk cutaneous melanoma and healthy controls by multicolour flow cytometry. Determination of the percentage of functionally competing T-cell subsets (especially immunosuppressive) in the CD8hCD57+ T-cell subpopulation in future may serve as one of parameters enabling to assess the overall status of antitumor immune response and select cancer patients most suitable for antitumor immunotherapy while dismissing those to whom it would be ineffective or even harmful. / Darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti imunosupresines (FOXP3, NKG2A), citotoksines (perforin) bei citotoksines / imunomoduliuojančias (IFNγ) savybes atspindinčių žymenų raiškos skirtumus išplitusiu inkstų vėžiu ar didelės rizikos odos melanoma sergančių pacientų periferinio kraujo CD8h T limfocitų populiacijoje, lyginant su kontroline grupe. Skirtingas T limfocitų savybes atspindinčių žymenų raiška buvo tiriama tėkmės citometrijos būdu. Nustatyta, kad inkstų vėžiu ar odos melanoma sergančių pacientų periferiniame kraujyje Įvairių subpopuliacijų (ypač imunosupresinės) nuošimčio nustatymas CD8hCD57+ T limfocitų populiacijoje ateityje gali būti naudingas klinikinėje praktikoje, individualizuojant priešnavikinę imunoterapiją ir selektyviai parenkant tik tuos pacientus, kuriems imuninės sistemos aktyvinimas sukeltų navikinių ląstelių naikinimą, o ne dar labiau gilintų imunosupresiją.

Darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti imunosupresines (FOXP3, NKG2A), citotoksines (perforin) bei citotoksines / imunomoduliuojančias (IFNγ) savybes atspindinčių žymenų raiškos skirtumus išplitusiu inkstų vėžiu ar didelės rizikos odos melanoma sergančių pacientų periferinio kraujo CD8h T limfocitų populiacijoje, lyginant su kontroline grupe. Skirtingas T limfocitų savybes atspindinčių žymenų raiška buvo tiriama tėkmės citometrijos būdu. Nustatyta, kad inkstų vėžiu ar odos melanoma sergančių pacientų periferiniame kraujyje Įvairių subpopuliacijų (ypač imunosupresinės) nuošimčio nustatymas CD8hCD57+ T limfocitų populiacijoje ateityje gali būti naudingas klinikinėje praktikoje, individualizuojant priešnavikinę imunoterapiją ir selektyviai parenkant tik tuos pacientus, kuriems imuninės sistemos aktyvinimas sukeltų navikinių ląstelių naikinimą, o ne dar labiau gilintų imunosupresiją. / The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of immunosuppressive (FOXP3, NKG2A), and cytotoxic (perforin) or cytotoxic / immunomodulating (IFNγ) T-cell properties representing biomarkers in the peripheral blood CD8h T-cell population of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or high risk cutaneous melanoma and healthy controls by multicolour flow cytometry. Determination of the percentage of functionally competing T-cell subsets (especially immunosuppressive) in the CD8hCD57+ T-cell subpopulation in future may serve as one of parameters enabling to assess the overall status of antitumor immune response and select cancer patients most suitable for antitumor immunotherapy while dismissing those to whom it would be ineffective or even harmful.

There is an urgent need for improvements to existing vaccine delivery technologies to run parallel with the development of new-generation vaccines. The burdens of needle-based immunisation strategies are exacerbated by poor resource provision in such areas as sub-Saharan Africa, where annual malaria mortality stands at 860,000. Needle-free delivery of vaccine to the skin holds promise for improved immunogenicity with lower doses of vaccine, in addition to significant logistical advantages. Various methods have been described for the transcutaneous delivery of vaccines, including the use of microneedles to overcome the outer stratum corneum of the skin for efficient delivery of liquid or solid, microneedle-coated vaccines into underlying strata rich in antigen-presenting cells. This thesis aims to evaluate two transcutaneous silicon microneedle and microprojection patch technologies for the delivery of live recombinant Adenovirus and Modified Vaccinia Ankara-vectored vaccines encoding pre-erythrocytic malaria antigens in mice. Cellular immunogenicity directed against a well-documented epitope of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite protein is evaluated, as is protection against lethal P. berghei sporozoite challenge. Immunological and logistical benefits of each technology are assessed, as well as mechanisms underlying differences in the generation of a patch-induced immune response to vaccination. These data inform the future development of transcutaneous microneedle patches for the delivery of live vaccine.

A leishmaniose é uma doença negligenciada causada por protozoários parasitos do gênero Leishmania sp. e transmitida por vetores. Esta doença pode apresentar formas clínicas que variam de lesões cutâneas simples que podem desaparecer espontaneamente até a forma visceral, a qual acomete órgãos como baço, fígado, medula óssea e linfonodos, e pode levar a morte se não tratada corretamente. Além disso, de acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde as leishmanioses são endêmicas em 98 países. O tratamento ainda é feita principalmente com dois medicamentos, os antimoniais pentavalentes e anfotericina B, os quais causam uma série de efeitos secundários, além disso, relatos de resistência a esses fármacos têm sido publicados. Além disso, medicamentos alternativos aprovados para uso, como a miltefosina e pentamidina, também possuem sérios efeitos colaterais e nem sempre são efetivos para todas as espécies do parasito e/ou formas clínicas. Estes fatos demonstram que é necessário o desenvolvimento de fármacos alternativos para a quimioterapia das leishmanioses. Nesse sentido, o reposicionamento de fármacos se mostra como uma importante estratégia para o desenvolvimento de novas alternativas terapêuticas para a leishmaniose, pois fármacos já liberados para o uso em humanos podem ser reutilizados, diminuindo o tempo de desenvolvimento e custos empregados para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos. Leishmania sp. possui como um dos principais lipídios o ergosterol, cuja rota metabólica é complexa e envolve uma série de enzimas, as quais, se corretamente bloqueadas poderão suprimir a produção do ergosterol e, portanto, a viabilidade de parasitos. Considerando estes aspectos, o presente estudo objetivou investigar a ação leishmanicida de fármacos que possuem ação inibitória em enzimas da via de esteróis como o fármaco anti-hiperlipidêmico rosuvastatina (inibidor da enzima 3-hidroxi-3-metil-glutaril-CoA redutase) e, os antifúngicos voriconazol, tiaconazol, fenticonazol (inibidores da enzima 14 alfa-metilesterol 14-demetilase), naftifina e tolnaftato (inibidores da enzima esqualeno epoxidase), e por fim a nistatina que age diretamente sobre ergosterol. O potencial contra formas promastigotas e amastigotas intracelulares de L. (L.) amazonensis, L. (L.) infantum e L. (V.) braziliensis foram avaliados, e então foram investigadas possíveis alterações ultraestruturais, fisiológicas em promastigotas de L. (L.) amazonensis (formação de poros de membrana, e alteração do potencial de membrana mitocondrial) ou nas células hospedeiras (produção de óxido nítrico, peróxido de hidrogênio, e mudanças no pH intracelular). O fenticonazol, tioconazol, nistatina e o tolnaftato foram capazes de eliminar as formas promastigotas e amastigotas intracelulares, sendo a nistatina, o tolnaftato e o fenticonazol os mais seletivos para amastigotas das três espécies de parasitos estudados. Por outro lado, rosuvastatina, voriconazol e a naftifina não apresentaram ação contra formas amastigotas intracelulares. Além disso, os fármacos com atividade leishmanicida alteraram morfologicamente e fisiologicamente a mitocôndria do parasito. Apesar de não haver estímulo da produção de H2O2 ou NO por parte dos fármacos analisados, o fenticonazol foi capaz de alcalinizar macrófagos hospedeiros infectados. Considerando que estes fármacos foram capazes de inibir o crescimento de multi-espécies do parasito no interior dos macrófagos, esses resultados sugerem que medicamentos antifúngicos podem ser interessantes alvos para reposicionamento da quimioterapia das leishmanioses tegumentar e visceral / Leishmaniosis is a neglected disease caused by parasitic protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania sp. and transmitted by vectors. This disease presents different clinical forms ranging from single lesion, that can heal spontaneously, to the visceral form, that affects the spleen, liver, bone marrow and lymph nodes, and may lead to death if not properly treated. Additionally, according to the World Health Organization, leishmaniosis is endemic to 98 countries. The treatment is still carried out with two main drugs, antimonials and amphotericin B that induce side effects; in addition, reports about the emergence of parasite resistance have been published. Besides, alternative drugs such as miltefosine and pentamidine still have serious side effects and are not always effective to treat all Leishmania species and/or clinical form. In this regard, drug repurposing has been considered an important strategy to develop new therapeutic alternatives to leishmaniasis chemotherapy, since drugs already approved to human use may be reused, decreasing time and costs needed for the research of new drugs. Leishmania sp. possesses ergosterol as the main membrane lipid, and the metabolic pathway to produce this lipid is complex and involves different enzymes, which if correctly inhibited may suppress ergosterol production and, therefore, parasite viability. Considering these aspects, the aims of this study is to investigate the leishmanicidal potential of drugs who inhibit enzymes of the ergosterol pathway, such as the anti-hyperlipidemic drug rosuvastatin (inhibitor of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase), the antifungals voriconazole, tioconazole, fenticonazole, (inhibitors of the 14 Alpha-methylsterol 14-demethylase), naftifine and tolnaftate (inhibitors of squalene epoxidase), and nystatin, that acts directly on ergosterol. The anti-promastigote and anti-amastigote potentials of drugs against L. (L.) amazonensis, L. (L.) infantum and L. (V.) braziliensis were evaluated; ultrastructural and physiological alterations of L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes (membrane pore formation and mitochondrion membrane potential alterations) and host macrophages (nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide productions and changes to intracellular pH) were investigated. Fenticonazole, tioconazole, nystatin and tolnaftate were capable to eliminate promastigote and amastigotes, being the most selective drugs nystatin, tolnaftate and fenticonazole to all studied species amastigotes. Rosuvastatin, voriconazole and naftifine were unable to eliminate amastigote forms. Furthermore, the drugs that possess leishmanicidal effects affected parasite mitochondrion. Although these drugs did not trigger the production of H2O2 or NO, fenticonazole was able to alkalinize host infected macrophages. Considering these drugs were able to inhibit multiple species of the parasite growth in macrophages, these results suggest that antifungal drugs can be interesting targets to be repurposed in the cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis

INTRODUÇÃO: A epidermodisplasia verruciforme (EV) é uma rara genodermatose, associada ao beta-papilomavírus humano (Beta-HPV) e alto risco de desenvolvimento de câncer de pele. As claudinas são proteínas transmembranas expressas nos diversos epitélios e podem se alterar na carcinogênese. Para melhor compreensão do papel do Beta-HPV na carcinogênese cutânea, realizou-se um estudo da expressão das claudinas nos pacientes com e sem EV. MÉTODOS: Um painel de anticorpos anti-claudina -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7 e -11 foi empregado para analisar a expressão dessa proteína em 108 amostras de pele normal, 39 verrugas planas e 174 carcinomas espinocelulares cutâneo (CEC), obtidas de 33 pacientes com epidermodisplasia verruciforme (EV) e 112 indivíduos saudáveis (não EV- NEV). As amostras de CEC foram organizadas em 4 microarranjos teciduais. A análise estatística foi realizada por regressão logística para verificar as alterações do perfil de claudinas na carcinogênese e sua relação com idade, sexo e fotoexposição crônica nos doentes com EV e o grupo NEV. RESULTADOS: A expressão focal da claudina-1 apresentou associação com o CEC (p < 0,001) e a expressão não difusa (focal ou negativa) da claudina-2 esteve associado a verruga plana (p < 0,001), nos grupos EV e NEV. A expressão focal da claudina-3 apresentou associação com o CEC (p < 0,001), bem como a imunomarcação nuclear da claudina-3 (p < 0,001), em ambos os grupos. Adicionalmente, a chance da expressão nuclear da claudina-3 foi 53% menor nas áreas não fotoexpostas. A claudina-5 apresentou maiores porcentagens de expressão focal na pele normal, de expressão difusa no CEC e na verruga plana EV, e de expressão negativa na verruga plana NEV. O grupo EV apresentou menor chance de expressão focal e negativa (p < 0,001). Além disso, a negatividade da claudina-5 esteve associada a verruga plana (p < 0,001) e menor média de idade (p < 0,001). As claudinas -4, -7 e -11 apresentaram expressão difusa em quase todas as amostras estudadas, nos grupos EV e NEV. CONCLUSÕES: Verificou-se aumento progressivo da claudina-5 na carcinogênse cutânea e esse processo apresentou relação com a EV. Redução da expressão das claudinas -1 e -3 foi observada nos carcinomas cutâneos, e da claudina-2 nas verrugas planas, no entanto, não puderam ser relacionadas à infecção pelo beta-HPV. Idade e fotoexposição crônica foram fatores que influenciaram a expressão da claudina-5 e a expressão nuclear da claudina-3, respectivamente / BACKGROUND: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis, related to human beta-papillomavirus (Beta-HPV), with high risk for developing skin cancer. Claudins are transmembrane proteins expressed in epithelia and may be altered on carcinogenesis. Toward better understanding the role of Beta-HPV in cutaneous carcinogenesis, claudin expression study was performed in lesions of patients with and without EV. METHODS: A panel of anti-claudin antibodies was assembled to analyze claudins -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7 and -11 expression, by immunohistochemistry technique, in samples of 108 normal skin, 39 flat warts and 174 cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), obtained from 33 patients with EV and 112 individuals without EV (not-EV - NEV). The SCC samples were organized in tissue microarrays. Statistical analysis was performed by logistic regression, aiming to verify changes in claudin profile in carcinogenesis and its relationship with age, sex and chronic sun exposure area, in patients with and without EV. RESULTS: Claudin-1 focal expression was associated with SCC (p < 0.001) and claudin-2 focal or negative expression with flat wart (p < 0.001), in EV and NEV groups. Claudin-3 focal expression was related with SCC (p < 0.001), as well as the nuclear immunostaining of claudin-3 (p < 0.001), in both groups. Additionally, chance of claudin-3 nuclear expression was 53% lower in not sun exposed areas. For claudin-5, focal expression was more common in normal skin, diffuse expression in SCC annd EV flat wart, and negative expression in NEV flat wart. The EV group showed lower chance of focal and negative expression (p < 0.001). In addition, the negativity of claudin-5 expression was associated with flat wart (p < 0.001) and lower mean age (p < 0.001). Claudins -4, -7 and -11 showed, in both groups, diffuse expression in almost all studied samples. CONCLUSIONS: Claudin-5 increasing expression was observed in cutaneous carcinogenesis and this process showed association with EV. Claudin-1 and -3 down expression were observed in cutaneous carcinomas, and claudin-2 in flat warts, however, they could not be related with Beta-HPV infection. Age and chronic sun exposure area were factors that influenced claudin-5 and claudin-3 nuclear expression, respectively

INTRODUÇÃO: A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LT) é uma doença infecciosa, não contagiosa, de transmissão vetorial com ciclo heteroxênico causada por parasitos do gênero Leishmania. É considerada uma enfermidade polimórfica que acomete pele e mucosas. Os medicamentos atualmente disponíveis para o tratamento da doença são insatisfatórios devido à sua eficácia limitada e seus efeitos colaterais, além do alto custo e a resistência que os protozoários acumulam contra essas drogas. O aumento da tolerabilidade é fundamental para o êxito global do tratamento. As formulações lipídicas comerciais da anfotericina B (AB), Ambisome®, Abelcet®e Amphocil®, apresentaram-se como um avanço no tratamento da (LT). Sistemas de nanoemulsões lipídicas reduzem a toxicidade de quimioterápicos e, ao mesmo tempo, aumentam sua ação farmacológica. Emulsões lipídicas com composição semelhante aos quilomícrons tem potencial aplicabilidade para vetorização de AB. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a citotoxicidade in vitro da anfotericina B desoxicolato (AB) e sua associação à nanoemulsão lipídica, o quilomícron artificial (QMA-AB), e in vivo, a tolerabilidade e eficácia terapêutica no tratamento da leishmaniose tegumentar em camundongos BALB/c. MÉTODOS: Para os testes in vitro, foi determinada a concentração inibitória (IC50) em formas promastigotas, a concentração citotóxica (CC50) em macrófagos sem infecção e a taxa de macrófagos infectados quando tratados com as formulações QMA, AB e QMA-AB. Já para os testes in vivo, camundongos BALB/c foram infectados com L. amazonensis e tratados com 2,5 mg/kg/dia de AB e 17,5 mg/kg/dia de QMA-AB e QMA. Durante o tratamento os animais foram monitorados semanalmente acerca do peso corporal e do diâmetro das patas. Ao término do tratamento os camundongos foram eutanasiados e amostras de sangue e tecido foram coletadas para análises bioquímicas, hematológicas, histopatológicas e quantificação da carga parasitária por método molecular qPCR. A análise estatística foi realizada com teste ANOVA seguido de Bonferroni ou Kruskal-Wallis com pós-teste de Dunn. As variáveis categóricas foram reportadas em tabelas de contingência (teste exato de Fisher). As análises foram consideradas estatisticamente significantes com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A formulação QMA-AB foi mais efetiva contra formas promastigotas apresentando IC50 em torno de 0,012 micro g/mL, enquanto que o IC50 de AB foi de 0,023 micro g/mL. AB foi mais tóxica para os macrófagos J744 com baixa concentração, 2,324 micro g/mL. QMA-AB foi menos tóxica para os macrófagos com CC50 de 8,106 micro g/mL, superior à AB, e apresentou alto índice de seletividade (IS=675,5). A formulação QMA-AB diminuiu a taxa de infecção em macrófagos, foi menos tóxica, mais eficaz no tratamento dos animais infectados e reduziu em torno de 60% o tamanho do diâmetro das lesões em relação à AB e 95% da carga parasitária. CONCLUSÕES: A associação QMA-AB apresentou-se como uma alternativa em potencial no tratamento da LT na busca de uma preparação de alta eficácia terapêutica, baixa toxicidade e baixo custo para o Sistema Único de Saúde / INTRODUCTION: American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne disease with heteroxenic cycle caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. It is considered a polymorphic disease that affects skin and mucous membranes. Medications currently available for the treatment of the disease are unsatisfactory because of their limited effectiveness and side effects, and the high cost and resistance that protozoa accumulate against these drugs. Increased tolerability is critical to the overall success of treatment. The commercial lipid formulations of amphotericin B (AB), Ambisome®, Abelcet® and Amphocil®, presented as an advance in the treatment of (ATL). Lipid nanoemulsion systems reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutics and, at the same time, increase their pharmacological action. Lipid emulsions with composition similar to chylomicrons have potential applicability for vectorization of AB. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity of amphotericin B deoxycholate (AB) and its association with lipid nanoemulsion, artificial chylomicron (ACM), and in vivo, the tolerability and therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c. METHODS: For in vitro tests, the inhibitory concentration (IC50) in promastigote forms, the cytotoxic concentration (CC50) in non-infected macrophages and the rate of infected macrophages when treated with the ACM, AB and ACM-AB formulations were determined. For the in vivo tests, BALB/c mice were infected with L. amazonensis and treated with 2,5 mg/kg/day of AB and 17,5 mg/kg/day of ACM-AB and ACM. During the treatment the animals were monitored weekly about body weight and leg diameter. At the end of the treatment the mice were euthanized and blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, hematological, histopathological and quantitative analysis of the parasite load. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Bonferroni or Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn post-test. Categorical variables were reported in contingency tables (Fisher\'s exact test). The analyzes were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The ACM-AB formulation was more effective against promastigote forms exhibiting IC50 around 0,012 Micro g/mL, while the IC50 of AB was 0,023 Micro g/mL. AB was more toxic to J744 macrophages with low concentration, 2,324 Micro g/mL. ACM-AB was less toxic to macrophages with CC50 of 8,106 Micro g/mL, higher than AB, and presented a high selectivity index (IS = 675.5). The ACM-AB formulation decreased the rate of macrophages infected, was less toxic, more effective in the treatment of infected animals and reduced the size of the lesion diameter by about 60% in relation to AB and 95% of the parasite load. CONCLUSIONS: The ACM-AB association was presented as a potential alternative in the treatment of ATL in the search for a high therapeutic efficacy, low toxicity and low cost preparation for the Unified Health System

L’ensemble de ce travail doctoral avait pour objectif d’optimiser les effets des programmes d’activités physiques pour prévenir les chutes chez les personnes âgées institutionnalisées. Le contrôle postural et la locomotion étant fondamentaux dans la prévention des chutes, il convient de les stimuler régulièrement par une pratique physique adaptée. Par ailleurs, l’amélioration de la sensibilité cutanée plantaire peut permettre d’améliorer le contrôle postural et la locomotion. Même si les bénéfices potentiels d'une stimulation des afférences cutanées plantaires par la pratique d’exercices pieds nus sont multiples, l’intérêt de cette modalité de pratique des activités physiques à destination des personnes âgées reste à démontrer. Deux groupes de personnes âgées ont ainsi dû suivre le même programme d’activités physiques, pieds-nus pour un groupe et en portant des chaussures pour l’autre groupe. Les principaux résultats ont révélé qu’un programme d’activités physiques pratiqué pieds nus améliorait davantage la sensibilité cutanée plantaire et le contrôle postural qu’un programme pratiqué avec des chaussures. Malgré l’avancée en âge, le système sensori-moteur semble toujours bénéficier d’une certaine plasticité. Ce système sensori-moteur peut être stimulé en sollicitant notamment les mécanorécepteurs cutanés plantaires. Les effets d’un programme d’activités physiques peuvent également être optimisés en plaçant les séances au moment de la journée le plus approprié. En évaluant l’influence du moment de pratique au cours de la journée, nous avons pu montrer qu’un programme d’activités physiques réalisé l’après-midi provoquait des effets positifs plus marqués qu’un programme réalisé le matin. De manière surprenante, le contrôle postural des sujets qui s’entraînaient l’après-midi s’améliorait principalement le matin, au moment de la journée où il est le plus efficace chez les personnes âgées. Ces adaptations seraient en phase avec le moment de la journée où les fonctions cognitives sont également optimales, c’est-à-dire le matin. / The main purpose of these researches was to optimize the effects of physical activity programs to prevent falls among institutionalized older adults. Postural control and gait are essential in preventing falls and should be regularly promoted by an appropriate physical practice. In addition, improving plantar cutaneous sensitivity can improve postural control and gait. Even though there are further potential benefits of stimulating plantar afferences by performing barefoot exercises, the effects of this modality of physical activity for the elderly remains unclear. Two groups of older adults were involved in the same physical activity program, barefoot for one group and while wearing shoes for the other. The main results revealed that a program of physical activity with barefoot exercises improved plantar cutaneous sensitivity and postural control to a greater extent than while wearing shoes. Despite advancement of aging, the sensorimotor system still seems to benefit from plasticity which can be stimulated by exercising barefoot and increasing somatosensory information from the foot. The time of day when people exercise can also influence the optimization of physical performance and enhance the effectiveness of a physical activity program. By assessing the influence of exercising at different times of day, we showed that training in the afternoon provided greater benefits on postural control than morning training. Surprisingly, postural control was mainly improved in the morning and did not improve when participants exercised in the morning. The postural control system would have benefited from an enhanced motor potential (acquired through afternoon training which optimized the musculoskeletal adaptations) only at the time of day when cognitive functions are optimal, i.e., in the morning.

A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) é uma doença infecciosa, crônica, não contagiosa, causada por diferentes espécies de protozoários do gênero Leishmania. A interação entre a espécie de Leishmania e os mecanismos da resposta imune do hospedeiro resulta em um amplo espectro de manifestações clínicas, histopatológicas e imunopatológicas na infecção humana. No Brasil, esta endemia representa um sério problema de saúde pública, sendo o estado do Maranhão responsável por 13% da casuística nacional. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o perfil imunopatológico de lesões cutâneas de 22 pacientes com LTA, causada por Leishmania (Viannia) sp, oriundos do estado do Maranhão. A reação de imunoistoquímica em biópsias de pele foi realizada empregando os anticorpos monoclonais anti-humano CD68, CD1a, fator XIIIa, CD4, CD8, IL-10 e IFN-g e os anticorpos policlonais anti-Lisozima, Foxp3 e TGF-b. A análise histológica das lesões demonstrou a presença de intenso infiltrado inflamatório na derme composto de macrófagos, linfócitos e plasmócitos com formação de granuloma na maioria dos casos. Formas sugestivas de Leishmania foram observadas em 90,9% dos casos examinados. A análise imunoistoquímica mostrou densidade superior de macrófagos ativados (4824,0 células/mm²) quando comparados aos não ativados 3458,9 células/mm²). Foi detectada densidade de células de Langerhans (CD1a+) de 310,4 células/mm² na epiderme e células dendríticas dérmicas (fator XIIIa+) de 633,6 células/mm² na derme. Foi verificada ainda, predominância de linfócitos T CD8+ (2374,1células/mm²) em relação a T CD4+ (1267,6 células/mm²). A densidade de células Treg Foxp3+ foi de 301,3 células/mm². A análise de correlação mostrou correlação positiva entre células TGF-b+ e T CD8+ e fator XIIIa+; e uma correlação negativa entre a densidade de células IFN-g+ e TGF-b+. As lesões de pacientes infectados com L. (Viannia) sp, apresentaram maior densidade de células Treg Foxp3+, e IL-10+ e IFN-g+ quando comparadas a de pacientes infectados por Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. A densidade de células TGF-b+ mostrou-se semelhante nos dois grupos de pacientes. A avaliação dos marcadores de acordo com o tempo de evolução da doença, não mostrou diferenças entre as densidades de células imunomarcadas. Esses dados indicam que embora exista um perfil imunopatológico associado ao controle da infecção, a presença de uma resposta regulatória no sítio da lesão pode estar relacionada à persistência parasitária. / American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a chronic, non contagious, infectious disease caused by different protozoan parasite species of the genus Leishmania. The interaction between Leishmania species and host response results in a wide spectrum of clinical, histopathological and immunopathological presentations in humans infection. In Brazil, this endemic disease is a serious public health problem and Maranhão State is responsible for 13% of Brazilian cases. The aim of this study was to characterize the immunopathology of lesions from 22 biopsies of patients with ATL, caused by Leishmania (Viannia) sp, from Maranhão State. Immunohistochemistry was carried out by incubating skin biopsies with monoclonal mouse anti- human CD68, CD1a, XIIIa factor, CD4, CD8, IL-10 and IFN-g and polyclonal rabbit\'s anti- human lysozyme, Foxp3 and TGF-b. Analysis of skin biopsies demonstrated a dense inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, characterized by the presence of mononuclear cells, mainly lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells and granulomas in most samples. Suggestive forms of amastigotes were detected in 90.9% samples observed. Immunohistochemistry showed high levels of activated macrophages (4824.0 cell/mm²) when compared to inactive macrophages (3458.9 cells/mm²). In the epidermis, the densities of Langerhans Cells (CD1a+) were 310.4 cells/mm², while in the dermis the densities of dermal dendritic cells (factor XIIIa+) were 633,6 cells/mm². High density of CD8 T+ lymphocytes (2374.1 cell/mm²) has been found compared to CD4+ T lymphocytes (1267.6 cell/mm²). The cellular density of Treg (Foxp3+) was 301 cells/mm². Among cell markers there were positive correlations between TGF-b-producing cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes and between TGF-b-producing cells and dendritic dermal cells, as well as a negative correlation between TGF-b-producing cells and IFN-g-producing cells. Patients infected with L. (Viannia) sp. presented increased densities of Treg cells and IL-10 and IFN-g- producing cells compared to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infected patients. The density TGF-b+ producing cells was similar in both groups of patients. Evaluation of Immunological markers according time of infection showed no differences in the densities of immunostain cell. Results suggest that the profile of immunopathological response is associated to the control of infection, although the presence of a regulatory response at the site of infection can be responsible to the persistence of parasite in skin.