Macrogeographic genetic structure of Lutzomyia longipalpis complex populations using Next Generation Sequencing.

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Neotropical realm. Its taxonomic status has been widely discussed once it encompasses a complex of species. The knowledge about the genetic structure of insect vector populations helps the elucidation of components and interactions of the disease ecoepidemiology. Thus, the objective of this study was to genotypically analyze populations of the Lu. longipalpis complex from a macrogeographic perspective using Next Generation Sequencing. Polymorphism analysis of three molecular markers was used to access the levels of population genetic structure among nine different populations of sand flies. Illumina Amplicon Sequencing Protocol® was used to identify possible polymorphic sites. The library was sequenced on paired-end Illumina MiSeq platform. Significant macrogeographical population differentiation was observed among Lu. longipalpis populations via PCA and DAPC analyses. Our results revealed that populations of Lu. longipalpis from the nine municipalities were grouped into three clusters. In addition, it was observed that the levels of Lu. longipalpis population structure could be associated with distance isolation. This new sequencing method allowed us to study different molecular markers after a single sequencing run, and to evaluate population and inter-species differences on a macrogeographic scale.

Molecular characterization of Leishmania infantum in domestic cats in a region of Brazil endemic for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a "neglected tropical disease" and serious public health issue in Brazil. While dogs are recognized as particularly important reservoirs, recent reports of domestic cats infected with Leishmania sp. in urban areas suggest their participation in the epidemiological chain of the parasite in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to screen domestic cats for Leishmania sp. infection in an area where human and canine visceral leishmaniasis are endemic, followed by the identification of the species circulating in cats. We collected peripheral blood, lymph-node aspirates and bone marrow from 100 adult animals, both male and female, and analyzed the samples using cytological and molecular (PCR) detection techniques. We detected Leishmania in 6% of animals, which were then analyzed by RFLP-PCR to identify the species. Leishmania infantum (synonym: L. chagasi), a species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in humans and other animals, was identified from all six samples. Amastigotes were observed in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymph-node aspirates in 4 of the 6 PCR-positive animals. The presence of infected cats in endemic areas should not be neglected, because it demonstrates the potential role of these animals in the biological cycle of the pathogen.

Comportamientos alimentarios de riesgo y consumo de tabaco, alcohol y marihuana según género en estudiantes universitarios chilenos / Risk eating behaviors and tobacco, alcohol and marijuana consumption by gender among chilean university students

Los comportamientos de riesgo para la salud tienen implicaciones en amplios aspectos del individuo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la asociación entre comportamientos alimentarios de riesgo (CAR) y consumo de tabaco, alcohol y marihuana en estudiantes universitarios de Chile según el género. Después de obtener consentimiento informado se realizó un estudio transversal y analítico, el cual incluyó a 1,087 universitarios de primer año con edad promedio 18.8 años. Se utilizó el Youth Risk Behavior Survey autoaplicado en línea para evaluar los comportamientos de riesgo para la salud. Las mujeres presentaron mayor prevalencia que los hombres en CAR y los hombres en consumo de alcohol y marihuana. Los resultados de las regresiones logísticas mostraron que en mujeres existen diferencias significativas entre quienes presentaron CAR y no, en la mitad de los comportamientos de uso de tabaco, alcohol y marihuana. En hombres sólo un comportamiento se asoció con CAR. En ambos géneros los tamaños de efecto fueron pequeños. En las mujeres los hallazgos confirman estudios previos y en hombres el tamaño de la muestra no permite observar adecuadamente la relación entre CAR y consumo de tabaco, alcohol y marihuana.

Health-Risk Behaviors has implications for broader aspects of the people. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between Risk Eating Behaviors (REB) and tobacco, alcohol and marijuana consumption by gender among Chilean university students. After obtaining informed consent, a cross-sectional analytical study, which included 1087 college freshmen, mean age 18.8 years was conducted. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey was online self-applied to evaluate the Health-Risk Behavior. The REB were higher among women, while alcohol and marijuana consumption in men. Regression analysis yielded a model that shows significant higher risk in women who reported Risk Eating Behaviors and those who not, in the half of the behaviors of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. In men only one behavior was associated with Risk Eating Behaviors. In both genders the effect sizes were small. Those findings confirmed that in women the findings confirm previous studies but in men the size of the sample did not permit adequately observe the relation between eating risk behavior and consumption of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana.

Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale / Consistencia interna, confiabilidad test-retest y validez de constructo de la Escala Multidimensional de Perfeccionismo de Frost

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the internal consistency, the test-retest reliability and the construct validity of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) in women. The total sample was made up of 325 university women, with an average age of 20.75 years (SD = 2.81). The scale was administered twice (n = 189) with an interval of one or two months between the first and second time of administration. Results showed that Cronbach's Alpha for the total score of instrument was .87 and for the factors ranged from .66 to .80. The one-month test-retest reliability was .80 and for the two-months was .67. People with symptomatology of eating disorders showed significantly higher scores than the control group in the total score of the FMPS and three of its factors, Concerns about Mistakes, Doubts about Actions and Parental Expectations. These findings provide favorable evidence for internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the FMPS.

El propósito de esta investigación fue evaluar la consistencia interna, la confiabilidad test-retest y la validez de constructo de la Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) en mujeres. Se trabajó con una muestra de 325 mujeres universitarias, con una edad promedio de 20.75 años (DE = 2.81). Una muestra (n = 189) de participantes contestó la FMPS en dos ocasiones para el test-retest, con una diferencia de un mes o dos meses entre la primera y la segunda aplicación. Los resultados mostraron que el Alpha de Cronbach para el total del instrumento fue de .87 y para los factores el rango fue de .66 a .80. La confiabilidad test-retest a un mes fue de .80 y a dos meses fue de .67. Las personas con sintomatología de trastornos del comportamiento alimentario presentaron puntuaciones significativamente mayores que el grupo control en el total de la escala y tres de sus factores, Preocupación por los Errores, Indecisión de Acción y Expectativas Paternas. Se concluye que existe evidencia favorable sobre la consistencia interna, confiabilidad test retest y validez de constructo de la FMPS.

Spanish version of the eating attitudes test 40: dimensionality, reliability, convergent and criterion validity.

The Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40; Garner & Garfinkel, 1979) is one of the most widely used measures in the field of eating disorders (ED). The factor structure of the EAT-40, as well as the optimal cut-off score to identify subjects with ED, are subjects of debate. Both controversial issues are addressed in the present study. Participants were 95 clinical females meeting DSM-IV-R criteria for ED and 89 females without ED. The results supported a unidimensional structure of the EAT-40 items scores. The general factor accounted for a high percentage (50.63%) of the variance in EAT-40 total scores. The questionnaire proved to have good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Clinical participants displayed higher mean scores than normal subjects in the EAT-40. Further, participants meeting DSM-IV-R criteria for ED differed significantly from "symptomatic" and "asymptomatic" participants. Correlations with the BULIT-R and the EDI-II scores supported the convergent validity of the questionnaire. The EAT-40 also demonstrated good specificity (94.38%) and sensitivity (93.68%) to detect ED when a cut-off score of 27 was used to discriminate between subjects with and without ED. The implications of these findings for the conceptualization and the assessment of ED are discussed.

Variables predictoras de riesgo de trastorno del comportamiento alimentario en mujeres / Predictors of risk for eating disorders in women

El propósito de esta investigación fue analizar el papel de la composición corporal, la insatisfacción corporal y el modelo de delgadez sobre el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos del comportamiento alimentario (TCA). Participaron 289 estudiantes universitarias, quienes contestaron el cuestionario de actitudes alimentarias, el cuestionario de bulimia de edimburgo y el cuestionario de influencias del modelo estético corporal. La composición corporal se analizó por medio de bioimpedancia eléctrica. Se encontró que 9.69 por ciento de las mujeres presentaron riesgo de TCA, siendo mayor el porcentaje entre las mujeres que tenían peso normal y cantidades excesivas de grasa corporal. La insatisfacción corporal predijo el riesgo de anorexia nerviosa, y la interacción entre insatisfacción corporal, influencia de la publicidad e índice de masa corporal predijo el riesgo de bulimia nerviosa. Se concluye que la insatisfacción corporal juega un papel relevante en la predicción de riesgo de TCA.

The purpose of this research was to examine the role of body composition, body dissatisfaction, and thinness model on the risk of developing eating disorders (ED). The sample comprised 289 female students who answered the eating attitudes test, the bulimic investigatory test, edinburgh, and the questionnaire on influences on body shape model. The body composition was assessed by electrical impedance. The results showed that the risk for having an ED was found in 9.69 percent of women, and the percentage was high among normal weight women, especially women who had excessive body fat. The body dissatisfaction predicted the risk for anorexia nervosa, and the interaction between body dissatisfaction, influence of advertisement and body mass index predicted the risk for bulimia nervosa. These findings suggest that the role of body dissatisfaction was relevant to predict the risk for ED.

Spanish version of the eating attitudes test 40: dimensionality, reliability, convergent and criterion validity

The Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40; Garner & Garfinkel, 1979) is one of the most widely used measures in the field of eating disorders (ED). The factor structure of the EAT-40, as well as the optimal cut-off score to identify subjects with ED, are subjects of debate. Both controversial issues are addressed in the present study. Participants were 95 clinical females meeting DSM-IV-R criteria for ED and 89 females without ED. The results supported a unidimensional structure of the EAT-40 items scores. The general factor accounted for a high percentage (50.63%) of the variance in EAT-40 total scores. The questionnaire proved to have good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Clinical participants displayed higher mean scores than normal subjects in the EAT-40. Further, participants meeting DSM-IV-R criteria for ED differed significantly from «symptomatic» and «asymptomatic» participants. Correlations with the BULIT-R and the EDI-II scores supported the convergent validity of the questionnaire. The EAT-40 also demonstrated good specificity (94.38%) and sensitivity (93.68%) to detect ED when a cut-off score of 27 was used to discriminate between subjects with and without ED. The implications of these findings for the conceptualization and the assessment of ED are discussed (AU)

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Effect of iron on enamel demineralization and remineralization in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ferrous sulphate on enamel demineralization and remineralization, using pH-cycling models. DESIGN: Fifty blocks were selected by their initial surface hardness and subjected to a pH-cycling demineralization process. Artificially demineralized lesions were produced in 60 blocks; out of these blocks, the surface hardness of 50 blocks and the cross-sectional hardness of 10 blocks were determined. The 50 blocks were then subjected to a remineralization pH-cycling process. Treatments were carried out using ferrous sulphate solutions of different concentrations (0.333, 0.840, 18.0, and 70.0 µg Fe/mL) and a control group (deionized water). The final surface hardness (SH(2)) was determined, and the integrated subsurface hardness (ΔKHN) was calculated. The enamel blocks were analysed for fluoride, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The obtained data were distributed heterogeneously and were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). RESULTS: In demineralization pH cycling, the group treated with the 18.0 µg Fe/mL solution had higher secondary surface hardness and lower integrated subsurface hardness (ΔKHN) than the other groups. In remineralization pH cycling, the control group showed the lowest value of ΔKHN. A decline in Ca and P concentration was observed when the Fe concentration increased (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the F concentration (p>0.05) and an increase in Fe concentration (p<0.05) in the enamel was observed when the Fe concentration increased in both the demineralization and remineralization experiments. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that iron reduces demineralization but does not allow remineralization to occur.

Privación de alimento y conducta de atracón en ratas / Food-deprivation and Bing-eating in Rats

Se ha reportado que después de un período de privación el consumo de alimento durante el acceso libre es mayor que el consumo habitual. Este hallazgo conocido como sobre-ingesta o atracón está relacionado con trastornos alimentarios como la bulimia. Se desconoce si este patrón alimentario se presenta cuando la exposición a los períodos de privación es en orden ascendente o descendente. En el presente estudio se investigó el efecto de la duración de los períodos de privación y el orden de exposición a estos períodos, ascendente o descendente, sobre el peso y el consumo de alimento y agua en ratas. Estos datos se compararon con el consumo durante los períodos de acceso libre. Se utilizaron duraciones cortas, i.e., de una a cuatro horas y duraciones largas del período de privación, i.e., de 20 a 23 horas. Se encontró que el peso aumentó independientemente de la duración de la privación. El consumo de alimento fue menor bajo la privación en comparación con los períodos de acceso libre. El consumo de agua siguió el mismo patrón que el consumo de alimento. Se concluye que independientemente del orden de exposición después de los períodos de privación el consumo de alimento es excesivo.

It has been shown that after periods of food-deprivation rats will consume more food than usual. This is called binge-eating because it is related to eating disorders in humans like bulimia. However, it is unknown if the order of exposure to food-deprivation periods, ascending or descending, affects binge-eating. The effect of the duration of food-deprivation periods and the order of exposure to those ascending or descending periods, on weight, food and water intake was explored using rats as subjects. Weight variations and food and water intake were compared to those during free-food access. Short durations of food-deprivation varied between one and four hours while long durations varied between 20 and 23 hours. It was found that weight increased regardless of the duration of the food-deprivation intervals. Food-intake was lower during the food-deprivation conditions than during the free access condition. Water-intake followed the same pattern than food-intake. Results suggest that regardless of the order of exposure to food-deprivation periods food intake is excessive relative to the free-food access condition.

Efectos de las instrucciones audiovisuales no explícitas sobre el comportamiento alimentario / Effects of non-explicit audiovisual instructions on feeding behavior

Este estudio evaluó los efectos de las instrucciones no explícitas sobre la conducta alimentaria. Participaron cinco jóvenes entre los 19 y 24 años, a quienes se les observó durante dos fases experimentales a dos tipos de alimento nutricional (fruta y agua) y no nutricional (papas fritas y refresco). Los participantes fueron f lmados en dos programas de video. En la primera fase se grabaron videos musicales y en la segunda, un documental sobre hábitos alimentarios saludables. Los resultados mostraron que las instrucciones no explícitas modificaron la conducta alimentaria. Sin embargo, es necesario evaluar si estas modificaciones persisten a largo plazo.

This study evaluated the effects of non-explicit audiovisual instructions on feeding behaviour. Five adults between 19 and 24 years-old participated as subjects, which were exposed at nutritional (fruit and water) or no nutritional (chips and soda) foods during two experimental phases. Subjects were videotaped and exposed to two video programs in different phases. In the first phase, subjects were exposed to a musical video, in the second phase subjects were exposed to a program about health eating habits. The results showed that non-explicit audiovisual instructions modified feeding behaviour. However, will be necessary evaluate if these modification could persist for longer time.