The recruitment of circulating eosinophils by chemokines and chemokine receptors plays an important role in the inflammation process in acute human schistosomiasis. Our main focus has been on the plasma chemokines (CXCL8/CCL2/CCL3/CCL24) and chemokine receptors (CCR2/CCR3/CCR5/CXCR1/CXCR2/CXCR3/CXCR4) expressed by circulating eosinophils from acute Schistosoma mansoni infected patients (ACT). Our studies compared ACT patients and healthy individuals as a control group. Our major findings demonstrated a plethora of chemokine secretion with significantly increased secretion of all chemokines analysed in the ACT group. Although no differences were detected for beta-chemokine receptors (CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5) or alpha-chemokine receptors (CXCR3 and CXCR4), a significantly lower frequency of CXCR1+ and CXCR2+ eosinophils in the ACT group was observed. The association between chemokines and their chemokine receptors revealed that acutely infected schistosome patients displaying decreased plasma levels of CCL24 are the same patients who presented enhanced secretion of CCL3, as well as increased expression of both the CCR5 and CXCR3 chemokine receptors. These findings suggest that CCL24 may influence the kinetics of chemokines and their receptors and eosinophils recruitment during human acute schistosomiasis mansoni

INTRODUCTION: Population aging has become an increasing challenge in society and inactive aging populations are especially challenging. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to conduct ultrasound evaluation of the effects of an intervention program on muscle architecture in older adults. METHODS: A total of thirty-four individuals of both sexes aged over 60 years were divided into two groups as follows: an intervention group (n = 18), who took part in a physical activity program for 8 weeks, three sessions per week, lasting approximately 20 min on each occasion, and a control group, whose members were encouraged to maintain their usual daily routines (outdoor aerobic exercise) (n = 16). Only six of the 18 participants from the intervention group were available for a second evaluation session. All the participants were submitted to bilateral quadriceps muscle ultrasound evaluations; thickness and echo-intensity of muscles were analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle thickness showed a significant negative correlation with age and echo-intensity showed a significant positive correlation with age. Echo-intensity showed a significant negative correlation with muscle thickness. Comparing the groups at the baseline evaluation, there were no significant differences between them (p < 0.05) for either measurement. CONCLUSIONS: We can highlight three points regarding post-intervention status in the intervention group: 1. There were significant differences in echo-intensity. It is therefore essential to establish early strategies to promote active aging, thus preventing dependence and inactivity in the older adult population; 2. Ultrasound is a good method for evaluating the musculoskeletal system and its changes in response to aging and physical activities; 3 Physical activities are important to maintain the muscles healthy and the older adult population independent.

No abstract

No abstract