Ricardo Ney Oliveira Cobucci | Universidade Potiguar Unp (original) (raw)

Papers by Ricardo Ney Oliveira Cobucci

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) emerged in recent years as an important inflammation... more Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) emerged in recent years as an important inflammation mediator , playing a prominent role in the pathogenesis of various types of malignant neoplasm. MIF is a glycoprotein that presents a wide spectrum of biological activities and exerts a complex interaction with various cellular signaling pathways, causing imbalance of homeostasis. Experimental and clinical studies show that high levels of MIF are found in almost all types of human cancers and are implicated in seemingly all stages of development of the tumors. The production of MIF is triggered through an autocrine signal emitted by tumor cells, and stimulates the production of cytokines, chemokines, and growth as well as angiogenic factors that lead to growth of the tumor, increasing its aggressiveness and metastatic potential. MIF is produced by virtually all types of human body cells, in response to stress caused by different factors, leading to pathological conditions such as chronic inflammation and immunomodulation with suppression of immune surveillance and of immune response against tumors, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. In this review, we present recent advances on the biological activity of MIF, the signaling pathways with which it is involved and their role in tumorigenesis.

Background: Inability to diagnose vulvovaginal infections is a growing concern. Specialist knowle... more Background: Inability to diagnose vulvovaginal infections is a growing concern. Specialist knowledge of how to prepare and assess wet mount slides for the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis is the exception.

Aim: This study evaluated 200 women who complained about vaginal discharge to determine the accuracy of the methods available for the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis.

Materials and Methods: Vaginal smear was collected for microbiological tests (Pap smear, wet mount and Gram stain); the gram stain method was the gold standard. The clinical diagnosis was based on signs and symptoms. The efficacy of the available methods for diagnosis of vaginal discharge was assessed: sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results: Concerning Wet mount: Vaginal candidiasis (VC): S = 31%; SP = 97%; PPV = 54%; NPV =93%; accuracy = 91%. Bacterial vaginosis (BV): S = 80%; SP =95%; PPV = 80%; NPV = 95%; accuracy = 92%. Regarding Syndromic approach: BV: S = 95%; SP=43%; PPV =30%; NPV = 97%; accuracy = 54%. VC: S = 75%; SP =91%; PPV = 26%; NPV = 98%; accuracy = 90%. Pap smear for VC: S = 68%, SP = 98%; PPV = 86%; NPV =96%; accuracy = 96%. BV: S = 75%; SP = 100%; PPV = 100%; NPV =94%; accuracy = 95%. There was only one case of vaginal trichomoniasis.

Conclusion: Pap smear and wet mount showed respectively low and very low sensitivity for VC. The syndromic approach showed very low specificity and accuracy for BV.

The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases : an official publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases

Recently, many studies have evaluated HPV vaccine safety and adverse effects. Two vaccines have b... more Recently, many studies have evaluated HPV vaccine safety and adverse effects. Two vaccines have been recently evaluated in randomized controlled trials: the bivalent vaccine for HPV 16 and 18 (Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) and the quadrivalent vaccine for HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 (Gardasil, Merck and Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ). We have performed a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials in which HPV vaccines were compared with placebo regarding safety, tolerability and adverse effects. Studies were searched up to March 2013 in the databases: Pubmed, Embase, Scielo and Cancerlit. Odds Ratios (OR) of most incident adverse effects were obtained. Twelve reports, involving 29,540 subjects, were included. In the HPV 16/18 group, the most frequently reported events related to the vaccine were pain (OR 3.29; 95% CI: 3.00-3.60), swelling (OR 3.14; 95% CI: 2.79-3.53) and redness (OR 2.41; 95% CI: 2.17-2.68). For the HPV 6/11/16/18 group the even...

Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2014

word count: 166 12 13 Manuscript word count: 3 359 14 15 Abstract 17 Background: Observational st... more word count: 166 12 13 Manuscript word count: 3 359 14 15 Abstract 17 Background: Observational studies have reported an association between 18 physical activity and breast cancer risk reduction. This study aims to evaluate 19 the effect of physical activity on breast cancer prevention. Methods: Articles 20 were identified through literature available on Electronic databases (Pubmed, 21 Embase, Scielo, Cochrane, CINAHL, Cancerlit and Google Scholar) and 22

Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activate... more Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activated immediately following a stimulus, and involves the release of cytokines and chemokines, which activate the innate immune response. These mediators act together to increase blood flow and vascular permeability, facilitating recruitment of effector cells to the site of injury. Following resolution of the injury and removal of the stimulus, inflammation is disabled, but if the stimulus persists, inflammation becomes chronic and is strongly associated with cancer. This is likely to be due to the fact that the inflammation leads to a wound that does not heal, requiring a constant renewal of cells, which increases the risk of neoplastic transformation. Debris from phagocytosis, including the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen that cause damage to DNA already damaged by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins, has an impact on inflammation and various carcinogenic routes. There is an association between chronic inflammation, persistent infection and cancer, where oncogenic action is mediated by autocrine and paracrine signals, causing changes in somatic cells under the influence of the microbial genome or of epigenetic factors. Among the infectious agents associated with cancer, certain genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) stand out. HPV is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and a lower proportion of cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis and a number of extragenital cancers. In the present review, recent advances in the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response are presented with their participation in the process of carcinogenesis, emphasizing the role of chronic inflammation in the development of HPV‑induced cervical cancer.

Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2015

Pathology & Oncology Research, 2015

Epigenetic disorders such as point mutations in cellular tumor suppressor genes, DNA methylation ... more Epigenetic disorders such as point mutations in cellular tumor suppressor genes, DNA methylation and posttranslational modifications are needed to transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. These events result in alterations in critical pathways responsible for maintaining the normal cellular homeostasis, triggering to an inflammatory response which can lead the development of cancer. The inflammatory response is a universal defense mechanism activated in response to an injury tissue, of any nature, that involves both innate and adaptive immune responses, through the collective action of a variety of soluble mediators. Many inflammatory signaling pathways are activated in several types of cancer, linking chronic inflammation to tumorigenesis process. Thus, Inflammatory responses play decisive roles at different stages of tumor development, including initiation, promotion, growth, invasion, and metastasis, affecting also the immune surveillance. Immune cells that infiltrate tumors engage in an extensive and dynamic crosstalk with cancer cells, and some of the molecular events that mediate this dialog have been revealed. A range of inflammation mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, free radicals, prostaglandins, growth and transcription factors, microRNAs, and enzymes as, cyclooxygenase and matrix metalloproteinase, collectively acts to create a favorable microenvironment for the development of tumors. In this review are presented the main mediators of the inflammatory response and discussed the likely mechanisms through which, they interact with each other to create a condition favorable to development of cancer.

ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in pregnant and nonpregnant women, testi... more Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in pregnant and nonpregnant women, testing the correlation between DNA of the viruses with colposcopic and/or cytological changes, and evaluate association with sociodemographic characteristics and sexual activity. Methods. Included in this study were 106 pregnant and 130 nonpregnant women treated at primary health care units of Natal, Brazil, in the period 2010-2011. The patients were examined by colposcopy, and two cervical specimens were collected: one for cytology examination and another for analysis by PCR for detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Results. HSV-1 alone was detected in 16.0% of pregnant and 30.0% of nonpregnant women. For HSV-2, these rates were 12.3% and 15.5%, respectively. HSV-2 had a higher correlation with cytology and/or colposcopy changes than HSV-1 did. Genital HSV-1 infection was not associated with any of the variables tested, whereas HSV-2 infection was associated with ethnicity, marital status, and number of sexual partners. Conclusions. The prevalence of HSV-1 was higher than that observed for HSV-2 in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. The genital infection by HSV-2 was higher in women with changed colposcopy and/or cytology, and it was associated with ethnicity, marital status, and number of sexual partners.

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2014

Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)... more Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection alone and in combination with human papillomavirus (HPV). Furthermore, the study investigates whether the CT infection increases the risk of contracting HPV and whether the presence of both pathogens is associated with a higher prevalence of cervical lesions. Methods Cervical samples of 1,134 asymptomatic women enrolled in a screening program for cervical cancer were analyzed. Two cervical specimens were collected from each patient, one for cytologic examination and the other for detection of CT by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using a primer pair which amplifies a specific sequence of the DNA plasmid. Results The overall prevalence rate infection was 10.9 %, being 10 % in the women with normal cytology, 13.8 % in those with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and 25 % with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). The infection by CT did not increase the risk of acquiring HPV infection. The higher prevalence of LSIL in women co-infected with HPV and CT is possibly due to HPV. Conclusion CT infection was more prevalent in younger women aged up to 32 years, who had an early onset of reproductive activity and a history of having had multiple sexual partners lifelong may be at a greater risk of acquiring infection of the genital tract by C. trachomatis.

Oncology Letters, 2015

Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activate... more Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activated immediately following a stimulus, and involves the release of cytokines and chemokines, which activate the innate immune response. These mediators act together to increase blood flow and vascular permeability, facilitating recruitment of effector cells to the site of injury. Following resolution of the injury and removal of the stimulus, inflammation is disabled, but if the stimulus persists, inflammation becomes chronic and is strongly associated with cancer. This is likely to be due to the fact that the inflammation leads to a wound that does not heal, requiring a constant renewal of cells, which increases the risk of neoplastic transformation. Debris from phagocytosis, including the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen that cause damage to DNA already damaged by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins, has an impact on inflammation and various carcinogenic routes. There is an association between chronic inflammation, persistent infection and cancer, where oncogenic action is mediated by autocrine and paracrine signals, causing changes in somatic cells under the influence of the microbial genome or of epigenetic factors. Among the infectious agents associated with cancer, certain genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) stand out. HPV is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and a lower proportion of cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis and a number of extragenital cancers. In the present review, recent advances in the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response are presented with their participation in the process of carcinogenesis, emphasizing the role of chronic inflammation in the development of HPV-induced cervical cancer.

Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2015

Cancer Epidemiology, 2012

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) emerged in recent years as an important inflammation... more Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) emerged in recent years as an important inflammation mediator , playing a prominent role in the pathogenesis of various types of malignant neoplasm. MIF is a glycoprotein that presents a wide spectrum of biological activities and exerts a complex interaction with various cellular signaling pathways, causing imbalance of homeostasis. Experimental and clinical studies show that high levels of MIF are found in almost all types of human cancers and are implicated in seemingly all stages of development of the tumors. The production of MIF is triggered through an autocrine signal emitted by tumor cells, and stimulates the production of cytokines, chemokines, and growth as well as angiogenic factors that lead to growth of the tumor, increasing its aggressiveness and metastatic potential. MIF is produced by virtually all types of human body cells, in response to stress caused by different factors, leading to pathological conditions such as chronic inflammation and immunomodulation with suppression of immune surveillance and of immune response against tumors, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. In this review, we present recent advances on the biological activity of MIF, the signaling pathways with which it is involved and their role in tumorigenesis.

Background: Inability to diagnose vulvovaginal infections is a growing concern. Specialist knowle... more Background: Inability to diagnose vulvovaginal infections is a growing concern. Specialist knowledge of how to prepare and assess wet mount slides for the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis is the exception.

Aim: This study evaluated 200 women who complained about vaginal discharge to determine the accuracy of the methods available for the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis.

Materials and Methods: Vaginal smear was collected for microbiological tests (Pap smear, wet mount and Gram stain); the gram stain method was the gold standard. The clinical diagnosis was based on signs and symptoms. The efficacy of the available methods for diagnosis of vaginal discharge was assessed: sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results: Concerning Wet mount: Vaginal candidiasis (VC): S = 31%; SP = 97%; PPV = 54%; NPV =93%; accuracy = 91%. Bacterial vaginosis (BV): S = 80%; SP =95%; PPV = 80%; NPV = 95%; accuracy = 92%. Regarding Syndromic approach: BV: S = 95%; SP=43%; PPV =30%; NPV = 97%; accuracy = 54%. VC: S = 75%; SP =91%; PPV = 26%; NPV = 98%; accuracy = 90%. Pap smear for VC: S = 68%, SP = 98%; PPV = 86%; NPV =96%; accuracy = 96%. BV: S = 75%; SP = 100%; PPV = 100%; NPV =94%; accuracy = 95%. There was only one case of vaginal trichomoniasis.

Conclusion: Pap smear and wet mount showed respectively low and very low sensitivity for VC. The syndromic approach showed very low specificity and accuracy for BV.

The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases : an official publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases

Recently, many studies have evaluated HPV vaccine safety and adverse effects. Two vaccines have b... more Recently, many studies have evaluated HPV vaccine safety and adverse effects. Two vaccines have been recently evaluated in randomized controlled trials: the bivalent vaccine for HPV 16 and 18 (Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) and the quadrivalent vaccine for HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 (Gardasil, Merck and Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ). We have performed a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials in which HPV vaccines were compared with placebo regarding safety, tolerability and adverse effects. Studies were searched up to March 2013 in the databases: Pubmed, Embase, Scielo and Cancerlit. Odds Ratios (OR) of most incident adverse effects were obtained. Twelve reports, involving 29,540 subjects, were included. In the HPV 16/18 group, the most frequently reported events related to the vaccine were pain (OR 3.29; 95% CI: 3.00-3.60), swelling (OR 3.14; 95% CI: 2.79-3.53) and redness (OR 2.41; 95% CI: 2.17-2.68). For the HPV 6/11/16/18 group the even...

Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2014

word count: 166 12 13 Manuscript word count: 3 359 14 15 Abstract 17 Background: Observational st... more word count: 166 12 13 Manuscript word count: 3 359 14 15 Abstract 17 Background: Observational studies have reported an association between 18 physical activity and breast cancer risk reduction. This study aims to evaluate 19 the effect of physical activity on breast cancer prevention. Methods: Articles 20 were identified through literature available on Electronic databases (Pubmed, 21 Embase, Scielo, Cochrane, CINAHL, Cancerlit and Google Scholar) and 22

Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activate... more Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activated immediately following a stimulus, and involves the release of cytokines and chemokines, which activate the innate immune response. These mediators act together to increase blood flow and vascular permeability, facilitating recruitment of effector cells to the site of injury. Following resolution of the injury and removal of the stimulus, inflammation is disabled, but if the stimulus persists, inflammation becomes chronic and is strongly associated with cancer. This is likely to be due to the fact that the inflammation leads to a wound that does not heal, requiring a constant renewal of cells, which increases the risk of neoplastic transformation. Debris from phagocytosis, including the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen that cause damage to DNA already damaged by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins, has an impact on inflammation and various carcinogenic routes. There is an association between chronic inflammation, persistent infection and cancer, where oncogenic action is mediated by autocrine and paracrine signals, causing changes in somatic cells under the influence of the microbial genome or of epigenetic factors. Among the infectious agents associated with cancer, certain genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) stand out. HPV is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and a lower proportion of cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis and a number of extragenital cancers. In the present review, recent advances in the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response are presented with their participation in the process of carcinogenesis, emphasizing the role of chronic inflammation in the development of HPV‑induced cervical cancer.

Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2015

Pathology & Oncology Research, 2015

Epigenetic disorders such as point mutations in cellular tumor suppressor genes, DNA methylation ... more Epigenetic disorders such as point mutations in cellular tumor suppressor genes, DNA methylation and posttranslational modifications are needed to transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. These events result in alterations in critical pathways responsible for maintaining the normal cellular homeostasis, triggering to an inflammatory response which can lead the development of cancer. The inflammatory response is a universal defense mechanism activated in response to an injury tissue, of any nature, that involves both innate and adaptive immune responses, through the collective action of a variety of soluble mediators. Many inflammatory signaling pathways are activated in several types of cancer, linking chronic inflammation to tumorigenesis process. Thus, Inflammatory responses play decisive roles at different stages of tumor development, including initiation, promotion, growth, invasion, and metastasis, affecting also the immune surveillance. Immune cells that infiltrate tumors engage in an extensive and dynamic crosstalk with cancer cells, and some of the molecular events that mediate this dialog have been revealed. A range of inflammation mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, free radicals, prostaglandins, growth and transcription factors, microRNAs, and enzymes as, cyclooxygenase and matrix metalloproteinase, collectively acts to create a favorable microenvironment for the development of tumors. In this review are presented the main mediators of the inflammatory response and discussed the likely mechanisms through which, they interact with each other to create a condition favorable to development of cancer.

ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in pregnant and nonpregnant women, testi... more Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in pregnant and nonpregnant women, testing the correlation between DNA of the viruses with colposcopic and/or cytological changes, and evaluate association with sociodemographic characteristics and sexual activity. Methods. Included in this study were 106 pregnant and 130 nonpregnant women treated at primary health care units of Natal, Brazil, in the period 2010-2011. The patients were examined by colposcopy, and two cervical specimens were collected: one for cytology examination and another for analysis by PCR for detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Results. HSV-1 alone was detected in 16.0% of pregnant and 30.0% of nonpregnant women. For HSV-2, these rates were 12.3% and 15.5%, respectively. HSV-2 had a higher correlation with cytology and/or colposcopy changes than HSV-1 did. Genital HSV-1 infection was not associated with any of the variables tested, whereas HSV-2 infection was associated with ethnicity, marital status, and number of sexual partners. Conclusions. The prevalence of HSV-1 was higher than that observed for HSV-2 in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. The genital infection by HSV-2 was higher in women with changed colposcopy and/or cytology, and it was associated with ethnicity, marital status, and number of sexual partners.

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2014

Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)... more Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection alone and in combination with human papillomavirus (HPV). Furthermore, the study investigates whether the CT infection increases the risk of contracting HPV and whether the presence of both pathogens is associated with a higher prevalence of cervical lesions. Methods Cervical samples of 1,134 asymptomatic women enrolled in a screening program for cervical cancer were analyzed. Two cervical specimens were collected from each patient, one for cytologic examination and the other for detection of CT by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using a primer pair which amplifies a specific sequence of the DNA plasmid. Results The overall prevalence rate infection was 10.9 %, being 10 % in the women with normal cytology, 13.8 % in those with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and 25 % with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). The infection by CT did not increase the risk of acquiring HPV infection. The higher prevalence of LSIL in women co-infected with HPV and CT is possibly due to HPV. Conclusion CT infection was more prevalent in younger women aged up to 32 years, who had an early onset of reproductive activity and a history of having had multiple sexual partners lifelong may be at a greater risk of acquiring infection of the genital tract by C. trachomatis.

Oncology Letters, 2015

Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activate... more Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activated immediately following a stimulus, and involves the release of cytokines and chemokines, which activate the innate immune response. These mediators act together to increase blood flow and vascular permeability, facilitating recruitment of effector cells to the site of injury. Following resolution of the injury and removal of the stimulus, inflammation is disabled, but if the stimulus persists, inflammation becomes chronic and is strongly associated with cancer. This is likely to be due to the fact that the inflammation leads to a wound that does not heal, requiring a constant renewal of cells, which increases the risk of neoplastic transformation. Debris from phagocytosis, including the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen that cause damage to DNA already damaged by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins, has an impact on inflammation and various carcinogenic routes. There is an association between chronic inflammation, persistent infection and cancer, where oncogenic action is mediated by autocrine and paracrine signals, causing changes in somatic cells under the influence of the microbial genome or of epigenetic factors. Among the infectious agents associated with cancer, certain genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) stand out. HPV is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and a lower proportion of cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis and a number of extragenital cancers. In the present review, recent advances in the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response are presented with their participation in the process of carcinogenesis, emphasizing the role of chronic inflammation in the development of HPV-induced cervical cancer.

Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2015

Cancer Epidemiology, 2012