Histopathology of Endocrine Organs of Miranda's White-Lipped Frogs (Leptodactylus macrosternum) from Cultivated and Non-Cultivated Regions in Semi-Arid Northeastern Brazil.

Endocrine disruption defines the influence of environmental contaminants on the control of behaviour, growth and reproduction of free-living species. Amphibians are considered as bioindicators of environmental balance in aquatic and terrestrial systems and of physiological and immunological sensitivity to environmental stressors. In the Caatinga Domain of northeastern Brazil, the Lower Jaguaribe River (LJR) region is outstanding for the conservation of anurans and has considerable species diversity. However, the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers is of increasing concern because of consequent risks to environmental, human and animal health. Miranda's white-lipped frogs (Leptodactylus macrosternum) are abundant and well-adapted in this region and, therefore, are considered to be a suitable bioindicator. The objective of this work was to evaluate the morphology of endocrine organs of this species for evidence of potential impacts of agrosystems. We found significantly smaller females and parathyroid cytolysis in frogs collected from cultivated areas, compared with those from non-cultivated regions. Interrenal degeneration was found in both sample populations. Chemical analysis detected pesticides and potentially toxic elements in tissues of Miranda's white-lipped frog tissues from the LJR region (data not shown). These findings suggest that the parathyroid gland acts as a biomarker of environmental toxicity in cultivated areas in the LJR region. In this study, the other examined endocrine organs did not show significant potential for use in biomonitoring the impact of toxic chemicals.

Nosocomial outbreaks: A review of governmental reporting systems.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying and describing components of existent governmental reporting systems of NO aiming at informing the design of the implementation of NO reporting systems in countries where they were not fully established. DESIGN: A systematic search was carried out on PubMed, Embase, and the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database. We included studies published from January 2007 to June 2019 describing NO governmental reporting systems. Additionally, we included studies from the list of references in the identified papers, to gather more information about NO reporting systems. We also reviewed documents published in the governmental health department's Web sites, such as outbreak management guidelines and surveillance protocols, provided they were cited in the papers. RESULTS: NO reporting systems were reported in France (Alsace Region), Germany, Norway, United Kingdom, United States (New York State; New York City), Australia (Victoria State), Sweden (Skane Region), Ireland, Scotland (Lothian Region), and Canada (Winnipeg; Ontario). These systems vary according to the type of targeted NO event, such as gastroenteritis, influenza-like illness, invasive group A streptococcal disease or all-health care-acquired infection NO. Germany, Norway, New York City, New York State, Ireland, Winnipeg, and Ontario have established a mandatory reporting for NO. CONCLUSIONS: There is high variability among countries regarding governmental NO reporting systems. This may hinder opportune inter- and intracountries communication concerning NO of potential international public health relevance.

Association between movement patterns and risk of musculoskeletal injuries in navy cadets: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of movement patterns evaluated by the Dynamic Movement Assessment (DMA) with the occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries in navy cadets. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Participants were filmed performing the six functional tests of the DMA (deep squat, step up, single-leg squat, hop, plank and side-plank tests). PARTICIPANTS: 240 navy cadets. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Depending on the number of certain movement patterns on the Dynamic Movement Assessment (DMA), participants were classified as high, moderate, medium or low risk of developing injuries. Predictive associations between injuries and risk classification were examined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Considering sex, previous injuries and the type of secondary school as covariates, participants who were classified as high risk were not more likely to develop injuries. Non-military high school was an independent risk factor for any injuries (OR = 3.14, 95% CI [1.43,6.91]; OR = 4.57, 95% CI [1.92,10.83]), overuse injuries (OR = 2.58, 95% CI [1.05,6.30]; OR = 2.55, 95% CI [1.06, 6.14]) and acute injuries (OR = 4.88, 95% CI [1.19,19.99]), respectively. Previous musculoskeletal symptoms also increased the chance of AI (OR = 4.45, 95% CI [1.15,17.18]; OR = 5.91, 95% CI [1.13,30.88]). CONCLUSIONS: Movement patterns evaluated by DMA are not associated with an increased risk of injuries. However, attendance of a non-military high school and previous musculoskeletal symptoms are associated with musculoskeletal injuries.

Preparation and Characterization of Hemicellulose Films from Sugarcane Bagasse.

Hemicellulose is one of the most common polysaccharides found in nature. Its use as a green and sustainable raw material for industries is desirable. In this work, an alkaline-alcoholic method was used to extract hemicelluloses from sugarcane bagasse. After extraction, films with 2%, 3% and 4% (w/v) hemicellulose were produced. The films' morphology, thickness, water solubility, tensile properties and thermal stability were evaluated. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results reveal that the method used removes the hemicellulose from bagasse with a low concentration of lignin. The films presented a compact and dense structure with uniformity in thickness associated with higher solubility in water. The increase in hemicellulose content increased tensile strength, but reduced the tensile strain of the films. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the increase in hemicellulose content reduced the films' thermal stability. Thus, these films may act as useful, biodegradable and environmentally friendly materials for engineering applications.

CXCL10 treatment promotes reduction of IL-10+ regulatory T (Foxp3+ and Tr1) cells in the spleen of BALB/c mice infected by Leishmania infantum.

American visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum. The control of the disease depends on the magnitude of the Th1 cell response and IL-10 producing regulatory T cells. Administration of chemokine, such as CXCL10, has shown promising results in the leishmaniasis treatment. Previous studies from our group have shown that CXCL10 induces a reduction in parasite burden in the spleen and a decrease in IL-10 and TGF-ß production in L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice. This work investigated whether CXCL10-treatment reduces IL-10 + Treg cell populations (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and Tr1) and induces morphological changes in the spleen. BALB/c mice were infected and treated or not with CXCL10 on the 1st, 3rd and 7th days of infection. CXCL10-treatment was able to reduce the parasite load in the spleen in L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice and this decrease in the number of parasites correlated with the decrease in size of this organ in treated animals compared to untreated animals. 7, 23, and 45 days post-treatment (p.t.), the phenotype and frequency of IL-10 + Treg cells were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the morphological changes of the spleen were analyzed by optical microscopy. After 7 and 23 days p.t., CXCL10-treated animals showed a significant reduction of CD25-Foxp3-IL-10+ (Tr1) cells in the spleen when compared to untreated animals, whereas CD4+CD25+Foxp3+IL-10+ Treg cells reduced later at 23rd and 45th days p.t. Furthermore, while untreated animals showed a significant positive correlation between IL-10 production and Tr1 cells, in CXCL10-treated group this correlation was negative. Thus, these findings show that treatment with CXCL10 chemokine in L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice results in suppression of IL10+ Treg (Foxp3+ and Tr1) cells in the spleen, associated with a reduction in parasite load and splenomegaly.

DNA sequences confirm low specificity to definitive host and wide distribution of the cat pathogen Platynosomum illiciens (= P. fastosum) (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae).

Although feline platynosomosis has been commonly reported in several parts of the world, the taxonomy and epidemiological chain related to cat liver flukes remain controversial. In this study, nuclear ribosomal ITS, 28S, and mitochondrial cox1 sequences obtained for Platynosomum illiciens from cat, marmoset, lizard, and snail found naturally infected in Brazil reveal no significant molecular differences between these isolates. Moreover, sequence data confirm that Brazilian P. illiciens from different hosts is conspecific with parasites obtained from cats in Vietnam, supporting wide distribution of the species. The lack of pronounced specificity of P. illiciens to definitive hosts is confirmed here for the first time using molecular approach. The results are discussed in context of the epizootology of platynosomosis.

A new species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adelerina) from the snake Philodryas nattereri Steindachner (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil.

Based on both unique morphological characteristics of the gamont, distinct changes caused to the host erythrocyte and analysis of partial 18S rRNA gene sequences, a new parasite of the genus Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 is described from the snake Philodryas nattereri Steindachner (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil. The new species, Hepatozoon musa n. sp., is characterized by large and curved mature gamonts (18.9 ± 0.9 µm in length and 3.8 ± 0.3 µm in width) that considerably engorge infected host erythrocytes and displace the nucleus laterally, which become longer and thinner. Phylogenetic estimates indicate the new species is more closely related to the recently described Hepatozoon cuestensis O'Dwyer, Moço, Paduan, Spenassatto, Silva & Ribolla, 2013, from Brazilian rattlesnakes. These recent findings highlight the need for further studies of Hepatozoon to better determine the biodiversity of this common but poorly-studied parasite group.

Platynosomum fastosum (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) infection in a domestic cat in northeastern Brazil: high fluke burden and associated lesions / Infecção por Platynosomum fastosum (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) em gato doméstico no nordeste do Brasil: alta carga parasitária e lesões associadas

Introduction: Platynosomum fastosum is a dicrocoeliid fluke that infects birds and mammals, especially wild and domestic cats. Case report: A middleaged male domestic cat was euthanized and examined. Its clinical features had included apathy, emaciation, hepatomegaly and mild jaundice on the mucosae. At necropsy, we noticed enlarged liver and dilated gallbladder. After opening the gallbladder lengthwise, multiple whitish flattened ellipsoidal structures were observed and identified as P. fastosum. The larger parasites were found in gallbladder, with significant different size from cystic duct and intrahepatic biliary ducts (p<0.05). Histopathological analysis revealed fluke-induced suppurative cholecystitis and chronic cholangitis. Precursor lesions of cholangiocarcinoma were reported. Conclusion: This report was part of the first prevalence survey of P.fastosum in municipality of Maracanaú, state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. (AU)

Introdução: Platynosomum fastosum é um trematódeo dicrocelídeo que infecta aves e mamíferos, especialmente felídeos domésticos e silvestres. Relato do caso: Um gato doméstico macho, apresentando apatia, emaciação, hepatomegalia e icterícia leve nas mucosas, foi submetido à eutanásia e subsequente necropsia. Ao exame macroscópico foi observada hepatomegalia e dilatação da vesícula biliar. Após abertura da vesícula, foram observadas múltiplas estruturas foliáceas esbranquiçadas, posteriormente identificadas como P. fastosum. Os maiores exemplares foram encontrados na vesícula, com tamanho estatisticamente diferente daqueles encontrados no ducto cístico e nos ductos biliares intrahepáticos (p<0.05). Análise microscópica revelou colecistite supurativa e colangite crônicas induzidas pela infecção parasitária. Lesões precursoras de colangiocarcinoma foram reportadas. Conclusão: este relato está inserido no primeiro estudo de prevalência de P. fastosumno município de Maracanaú, Ceará, nordeste do Brasil. (AU)

Prevalência e patogênese da infecção natural por platynosomum fastosum (digenea: dicrocoeliidae) EM felis catus (linnaeus, 1758) do município de Maracanaú, Ceará

A espécie Platynosomum fastos um (sin. P. illiciens, P. concinnum), digenético da família Dicrocoeliidae, é um trematódeo do trato biliar de gatos domésticos esilvestres, cuja infecção varia de assintomática à letal. A prevalência da infecção pelo trematódeo varia entre 15 e 85% em países tropicais. No Brasil, os dados se limitam arelatos de caso e a alguns inquéritos epidemiológicos locais. No Ceará, não existemes tudos de prevalência sobre esse trematódeo, mas recentemente um relato de caso foi publicado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a prevalência da infecção de P. fastos um, caracterizando as principais lesões associadas à sua patogênese, em gatos não domiciliados do município de Maracanaú, Ceará. Foi realizado um estudo epidemio-patológico, transversal e analítico, sobre a infecção de P. fastosum em uma amostra de gatos (Felis catus) capturados pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses da cidade de Maracanaú, durante o período de Maio/2014 a Maio/2015. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa Animal da UFC, sob o n° 40/2014.Conforme cálculo amostral e após triagem, 141 gatos foram submetidos à eutanásia por métodos éticos (CFMV, 2012) e submetidos à necrópsia. Foram colhidos o fígado e a vesícula biliar para recuperação de trematódeos e análise histopatológica...

Platynosomum fastosum (sin. P. illiciens, P. concinnum) is a digenean trematode ofthe family Dicrocoeliidae, that inhabits biliary tract of domestic and wild cats, whoseinfection goes from assymptomatic to letal. The prevalence of this trematode variesfrom 15 to 85% in tropical countries. In Brazil, available data is limited to case reportsand few local epidemiological surveys. In Ceará, it was never performed anepidemiological survey, but a case report was recently published. The objective of thisstudy was to calculate the prevalence of the P. fastosum infection, characterizing themain lesions associated to its pathogenesis, in free roaming cats in the municipality ofMaracanaú, Ceará. It was performed an epidemiological pathological analitical crosssectionalsurvey about the P. fastosum infection in a sample of cats, received orcaptured by the Zoonosis Control Office of Maracanaú, between May/2014 andMay/2015. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Comitée of UFC(#40/2014). In a probabilist sample, 141 screened cats were euthanized by approvedinjection (CFMV, 2012) and submitted to necropsy. Livers and gallbladders werecollected to recover trematodes and perform histopathology...

Clinical and laboratory alterations in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi.

INTRODUCTION: Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a zoonotic disease with different clinical manifestations. Parasitism often occurs in bone marrow, but changes have been observed in peripheral blood and serum biochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi. METHODS: Eighty-five adult dogs of both sexes and various weights and ages from the Zoonosis Control Center of Fortaleza (CCZ) were used, selected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and considered positive with IFA titers greater than 1:40 and by visualizing amastigotes of Leishmania chagasi in smears obtained by bone marrow aspiration. The dogs (n = 85) were grouped according to clinical signs: negative (CN = 7), subclinical (CS = 10), and clinical (CC = 68). Blood samples were collected for determination of hematological and biochemical serum values. The experimental protocol was approved by the CEUA/UECE. RESULTS: The most frequent clinical signs were cachexia (77.9%), keratitis (61.8%), and lymphadenopathy (55.9%), and 86.8% of the animals showed more than one clinical sign characteristic of CVL. In CC were observed reductions in red blood cells (63%), hematocrit (72%), and hemoglobin (62%), as well as leukocytosis (33%), neutropenia (28%), thrombocytopenia (50%), uremia (45%), hyperproteinemia (53%, p<0.05), hypergammaglobulinemia (62%, p<0.01), and hypoalbuminemia (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Animals with the clinical form of the disease demonstrate hematological and biochemical changes consistent with anemia, uremia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperglobulinemia, which present themselves as strong clinical markers of visceral leishmaniasis associated with the signs previously reported.

Clinical and laboratory alterations in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi / Alterações clínicas e laboratoriais em cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania chagasi

INTRODUCTION: Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a zoonotic disease with different clinical manifestations. Parasitism often occurs in bone marrow, but changes have been observed in peripheral blood and serum biochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi. METHODS: Eighty-five adult dogs of both sexes and various weights and ages from the Zoonosis Control Center of Fortaleza (CCZ) were used, selected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and considered positive with IFA titers greater than 1:40 and by visualizing amastigotes of Leishmania chagasi in smears obtained by bone marrow aspiration. The dogs (n = 85) were grouped according to clinical signs: negative (CN = 7), subclinical (CS = 10), and clinical (CC = 68). Blood samples were collected for determination of hematological and biochemical serum values. The experimental protocol was approved by the CEUA/UECE. RESULTS: The most frequent clinical signs were cachexia (77.9 percent), keratitis (61.8 percent), and lymphadenopathy (55.9 percent), and 86.8 percent of the animals showed more than one clinical sign characteristic of CVL. In CC were observed reductions in red blood cells (63 percent), hematocrit (72 percent), and hemoglobin (62 percent), as well as leukocytosis (33 percent), neutropenia (28 percent), thrombocytopenia (50 percent), uremia (45 percent), hyperproteinemia (53 percent, p<0.05), hypergammaglobulinemia (62 percent, p<0.01), and hypoalbuminemia (58 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Animals with the clinical form of the disease demonstrate hematological and biochemical changes consistent with anemia, uremia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperglobulinemia, which present themselves as strong clinical markers of visceral leishmaniasis associated with the signs previously reported.

INTRODUÇÃO: A leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) é uma zoonose com diferentes manifestações clínicas. O parasitismo ocorre frequentemente na medula óssea e têm sido relatadas alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas. Objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania chagasi. MÉTODOS: Utilizaram-se 85 cães adultos, ambos os sexos, peso e idade variados, oriundos do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Fortaleza, selecionados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), sendo considerados positivos os animais com títulos de RIFI > 1:40 e pelo exame parasitológico das formas amastigotas de Leishmania chagasi em esfregaços de medula óssea. Os cães foram agrupados conforme os sinais clínicos associados à doença: negativos (CN=7); subclínicos (CS=10) e clínicos (CC=68). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para determinação dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos séricos. O protocolo experimental foi aprovado pelo CEUA/UECE, protocolo n° 08622833-1. RESULTADOS: Os sinais clínicos mais frequentes foram caquexia (77,9 por cento), ceratoconjuntivite (61,8 por cento) e linfadenopatia (55,9 por cento), sendo que 86, 8 por cento dos animais apresentaram mais de um sinal clínico característico de LVC. Em CC foram observadas reduções nas hemácias (63 por cento), hematócrito (72 por cento) e hemoglobina (62 por cento), leucocitose (33 por cento), neutropenia (28 por cento), trombocitopenia (50 por cento), uremia (45 por cento), hiperproteinemia (53 por cento, p<0,05), hiperglobulinemia (62 por cento, p<0,01) e hipoalbuminemia (58 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Concluiu-se que os animais com a forma clínica da doença apresentam alterações condizentes com anemia, uremia, hiperproteinemia e hiperglobulinemia, as quais se apresentam como marcadores clínicos da leishmaniose visceral, associados aos sinais previamente relatados.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of Marajó Island, Eastern Amazonia, Brazil / Conhecimento etnoveterinário dos habitantes da Ilha de Marajó, Amazônia Oriental, Brasil

There have been ethnoveterinary reports from around the world investigating plant usage in therapeutic protocols; however, there is no information regarding the ethnoveterinary practices in Brazilian Amazonia. The objective of this work was to register and document the ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of the Island of Marajó, eastern Amazonia, Brazil. In the study, interviews were conducted with 50 individuals, with the application of semi-structured questionnaires that were quantitatively analyzed using descriptive statistic methods of frequency distribution. Use-value was calculated to determine the most important species. Samples of plants that were reported to have medicinal value were collected and identified by botanical classification. Fifty plants, distributed among 48 genera and 34 families, were indicated for 21 different medicinal uses. The family Asteraceae had the largest number of reported species; Carapa guianensis Aubl., Copaifera martii Hayne, Crescentia cujete L., Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Jatropha curcas L. and Momordica charantia L. were species with highest use- value. The plant parts that were more commonly utilized for the preparation of ethnoveterinary medicines were the leaves (56 percent), bark (18 percent), roots (14 percent), seeds (14 percent) and fruit (8 percent). With regard to usage, tea was reported as a usage method by 56 percent of the informants; most preparations (90.9 percent) utilized only a single plant. In addition to medicinal plants, informants reported using products of animal and mineral origin. The present study contributed to the construction of an inventory of Marajó Island's ethnoveterinary plants, which might be the basis for future scientific validation studies.

Em várias partes do mundo existem relatos etnoveterinários sobre a utilização de plantas em protocolos terapêuticos, entretanto não existem informações disponíveis sobre a etnoveterinária praticada na Amazônia brasileira. Desta forma, objetivou-se documentar o conhecimento etnoveterinário de habitantes da Ilha do Marajó, Amazônia Oriental. Foram realizadas 50 entrevistas individuais com aplicação de questionários semi-estruturados que foram analisados quantitativamente através de estatística descritiva utilizando freqüência de distribuição. O valor de uso foi calculado para determinar as espécies mais importantes. Amostras de plantas com relatos de uso medicinal foram coletadas e identificadas botanicamente. Cinqüenta plantas, distribuídas em 48 gêneros e 34 famílias, foram indicadas para 21 diferentes usos medicinais. A família Asteraceae foi a que teve maior número de espécies citadas e Carapa guianensis Aubl, Crescentia cujete L., Copaifera martii Hayne, Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Jatropha curcas L. e Momordica charantia L. foram as espécies com maiores valor de uso. As partes das plantas mais utilizadas para preparo dos medicamentos etnoveterinários foram folhas (56 por cento), cascas (18 por cento), raizes (14 por cento), sementes (14 por cento) e frutos (8 por cento). Quanto à forma de uso o chá foi citado por 56 por cento dos entrevistados e a maioria das preparações (90,9 por cento) utiliza uma só planta. Além das plantas medicinais, os entrevistados relataram o uso de produtos de origem animal e mineral. Esse trabalho contribui para realização de um inventário das plantas utilizadas na etnoveterinária marajoara que pode servir de base de dados para futuros estudos de validação científica.

Perfil de pacientes com diagnóstico médico de osteomielite do Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças / Profile of patients with osteomyelitis medical diagnosis in the Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças

Este estudo foi elaborado no Hospital Nossa Senhora das GraÇas (HNSG) da cidade de Canoas, RS; partindo de uma preocupaçäo das autoras com a alta incidência de osteomielite e a longa permanência do paciente internado com este diagnóstico médico no hospital. Tem como objetivo traçar o perfil do paciente com osteomielite internado no HNSG verificando informaçöes encontradas nos arquivos