IHMT

Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical

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2010

Sequencing of E2 and NS5A regions of HCV genotype 3a in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease throughout the world. The NS5A and E2 proteins of HCV genotype 1 were reported to inhibit the double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), which is involved in the cellular antiviral response induced by interferon (IFN). The response to IFN therapy is quite different between […]
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Early transcriptional response to chloroquine of the Plasmodium falciparum antioxidant defence in sensitive and resistant strains

Resistance to chloroquine (CQ) in Plasmodium falciparum has a major impact on malaria control worldwide. To gain insight into early parasite stress response, mRNA expression profiles were determined for a set of 10 antioxidant defence genes in synchronized CQ-sensitive (3D7) and CQ-resistant (Dd2) clones under transient IC50 CQ-exposure (Dd2, 200 nM; 3D7, 14 nM). Upon 2-h CQ challenge, the mRNA upregulation detected was greater in 3D7 (six genes overexpressed at 1/3 of the intraerythrocytic cycle) than in Dd2 clone (three genes responding), providing evidence of an early transcriptional response to CQ-induced oxidative stress which might underlie some of the parasite’s metabolic adaptation to the drug.
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Methods for assessment of antimalarial activity in the different phases of the Plasmodium life cycle

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. In humans, parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells. The Plasmodium life cycle consists of a sexual phase in the mosquito vector (sporogony) and an asexual phase in the vertebrate host (schizogony); both life cycle phases can be detected in assays.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LEISHMANIASES IN PORTUGAL

Leishmaniases, caused by the intracellular protozoan Leishmania infantum, are an endemic zoonosis in the Mediterranean basin. Dogs are considered the major host for these parasites, and the main reservoir for human visceral infection.
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Potent and broadly reactive HIV-2 neutralizing antibodies elicited by a vaccinia virus vector prime-C2V3C3 polypeptide boost immunization strategy

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection affects about 1 to 2 million individuals, the majority living in West Africa, Europe, and India. As for HIV-1, new strategies for the prevention of HIV-2 infection are needed. Our aim was to produce new vaccine immunogens that elicit the production of broadly reactive HIV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). […]
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Deploying an Anesthesiology Information System Based on Business Process Management for Cardiac Surgery

This study aims at exploring the opportunities of Business Process Management (BPM) to design a workflow of information along the patient treatment process at the Operating Room (OR). It also includes optimization processes and supporting Information Systems (IS) development in the Anesthesia Department for Cardiac Surgery at “Hospital Arrabida” in Oporto (Hospital da Arrabida 2010).
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Therapy Of XDR TB with thioridazine a drug beyond patent protection but eligible for patent “as new use”

Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is resistant to Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampin (Rif) and hence, multi-drug resistant (MDR) has progressed to extensive drug resistant (XDR) status. XDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (XDR Mtb) are resistant, in addition to INH and Rif, to any fluoroquinolone, streptomycin and to any of the injectable anti-TB drugs kanamycin, amikacin and capreomycin.
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Non-antibiotics reverse resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.

BACKGROUND: Most clinical isolates that exhibit a multi-drug resistant phenotype owe that resistance to over-expressed efflux pumps. Compounds that are efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) reduce or reverse resistance to antibiotics to which the bacterial strain is initially resistant. We have evaluated non-antibiotics to reduce resistance of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens to antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: […]
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A new genotype 2 subcluster identified among GBV-C strains circulating in the Lisbon metropolitan area of Portugal

The rate of infection by the GBV-C virus was investigated in a group of 214 individuals at high risk of infection with parenterally transmitted viruses, and all living in the Lisbon metropolitan area (Portugal). RNA was extracted from plasma samples, and a fragment of the 5′-UTR was amplified by RT-PCR, disclosing a high prevalence of infection (40.7%).
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