Pulmonary and Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Small Ruminant Autochthonous Breeds from Centre Region of Portugal-A Cross Sectional Study.

The production of small ruminant autochthonous breeds in the Centre region of Portugal is practiced in a semi-extensive husbandry system, exposing animals to parasitic infections. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and identify risk factors. Fecal samples of 203 goats and 208 sheep from 30 herds were collected per rectum and subjected to the modified Baermann test. The overall prevalence of infection was 57.7%, significantly higher in goats (95.6%) than in sheep (20.7%) (p < 0.001). According to the binary logistic regression model, sheep dewormed with albendazole, mebendazole plus closantel, or ivermectin plus clorsulon presented a risk of Protostrongylidae infection 29.702, 7.426, or 8.720 times higher, respectively, than those dewormed with eprinomectin. Additionally, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated in 307 fecal samples using Mini-FLOTAC®. The overall prevalence of infection was 86.3%, also significantly higher in goats (93.2%) than in sheep (79.9%) (p < 0.001). Strongyle-type eggs were the most frequently identified, both in sheep (69.8%) and goats (87.8%), followed by Eimeria oocysts (40.3% in sheep and 68.9% in goats). Considering the high prevalence and the burden of lungworm parasitic infection, it is urgent to determine its economic impact and the repercussions in animal health in the Centre region of Portugal to establish appropriate therapeutic guidelines.

Development of Fluorescent Chemosensors for Calcium and Lead Detection.

In the present work, several coumarin-3-carboxamides with different azacrown ether moieties were designed and tested as potential luminescent sensors for metal ions. The derivative containing a 1-aza-15-crown-5 as a metal chelating group was found to yield the strongest response for Ca2+ and Pb2+, exhibiting an eight- and nine-fold emission increase, respectively, while other cations induced no changes in the optical properties of the chemosensor molecule. Job's plots revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry, with association constants of 4.8 × 104 and 8.7 × 104 M-1, and limits of detection of 1.21 and 8.04 µM, for Ca2+ and Pb2+, respectively. Computational studies suggest the existence of a PET quenching mechanism, which is inhibited after complexation with each of these two metals. Proton NMR experiments and X-ray crystallography suggest a contribution from the carbonyl groups in the coumarin-3-carboxamide fluorophore in the coordination sphere of the metal ion.

Evaluation of parent bonding style and traumatic experiences in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus about the etiology of schizophrenia (SQZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). Both hereditary and environmental factors are recognized, but the importance of variables like the role of parental attachment and trauma is still under research. AIMS: Evaluate and compare the patient-parent bonding and the frequency and severity of various types of trauma in patients with SQZ, BD, and a control group from Primary Health Care. METHOD: This study included 50 patients with SQZ and 50 with BD followed at a psychiatric hospital, through a convenience sample. Each participant of the clinical sample was paired with a control with no psychiatric background of the same gender and similar age, from a primary health center. Two scales were applied - Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF). RESULTS: Regarding PBI, there was a higher frequency of the most dysfunctional attachment style (affectionless control), in patients with SQZ and BD, with p < .001 (always), both for the father and the mother. In addition, ideal parenting style (optimal parenting) was significantly more common in control samples, with p = .002 or <.001, both for the father and for the mother. Trauma was more frequent and severe in SQZ and BD than controls, in all evaluated dimensions. Again, differences between groups are obvious, with p = .012 or <.001. Parental bonding style and scores in the care and overprotection dimensions were also correlated. The only parental bonding style in which correlations were found was in affectionless control. Correlations were more common in cases of neglect compared to abuse. CONCLUSIONS: In this research we found important differences in terms of parental attachment and childhood trauma between patients with SQZ and BD, compared with controls of the same gender and age.

A Near InfraRed Emissive Chemosensor for Zn2+ and Phosphate Derivatives Based on a Di-(2-picolyl)amine-styrylflavylium Push-Pull Fluorophore.

A new Near InfraRed (NIR) fluorescent chemosensor for metal ions and anions is herein presented. The fluorophore is based on a styrylflavylium dye, a synthetic analogue of the natural anthocyanin family, with a di-(2-picolyl)amine (DPA) moiety as the metal chelating unit. The substitution pattern of the styrylflavylium core (with tertiary amines on positions 7 and 4') shifts the optical properties of the dye towards the NIR region of the electronic spectra, due to a strong push-pull character over the π-conjugated system. The NIR chemosensor is highly sensitive to the presence of Zn2+, which induces a strong CHelation Enhanced Fluorescence (CHEF) effect upon binding to the DPA unit (2.7 fold increase). The strongest competing ion is Cu2+, with a complete fluorescence quenching, while other metals induce lower responses on the optical properties of the chemosensor. Subsequent anion screening of the Zn2+-chemosensor coordination compound has demonstrated a distinct selectivity towards adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), with high association constants (K ~ 106 M-1) and a strong CHEF effect (2.4 and 2.9 fold fluorescence increase for ATP and ADP, respectively). Intracellular studies with the Zn2+-complexed sensor showed strong luminescence in the cellular membrane of Gram- bacteria (E. coli) and mitochondrial membrane of mammalian cells (A659), which highlights its possible application for intracellular labelling.

Are there still endogenous and reactive depressions? Clinical notes from a refractory Cotard Syndrome with a de novo post-ECT dissociative episode

Cotard syndrome is a mysterious and severe disorder. Many therapeutic interventions are reported as potentially efficacious mostly when an underlying psychotic depression or melancholia is diagnosed. However, the classification of depression has long been a contentious issue. Even though the major guide for therapeutic choice is severity, the binary model between endogenous and reactive depression is still widely employed in clinical practice. These considerations impact most clearly in in-between presentations. The authors present the case of R., a 64 year old woman, who was admitted with a major depressive episode with psychotic features, captured as a Cotard-like syndrome. After a two-months inpatient period and apparent clinical remission with high dose antidepressants and antipsychotic combination, she displayed an acute worsening leading to a re-admission just a day after discharge. The management in this second admission was tortuous, due to SARS-CoV2 related contingencies, the refractoriness of the presentation and iatrogenic intercurrences. The authors expose the course and treatment options employed, while reflecting on the question endogenous v. reactive, concluding that even seemingly clear clinical presentations may resist our different conceptualizations. (AU)

El síndrome de Cotard es un trastorno misterioso y grave. Muchas intervenciones terapéuticas son reportadas como potencialmente eficaces, perincipalmente cuando se diagnostica depresión psicótica o melancolía subyacentes. Sin embargo, la clasificación de la depresión ha sido una cuestión contenciosa durante mucho tiempo. Aun cuando la mayor guía para la elección terapéutica es la gravedad, el modelo binario entre depresión endógena y reactiva sigue siendo ampliamente utilizado en la práctica clínica. Estas consideraciones repercuten claramente en las presentaciones intermedias. Los autores presentan el caso de R., una mujer de 64 años, que fue ingresada con episodio depresivo mayor con características psicóticas, plasmado como síndrome de tipo Cotard. Tras dos meses de periodo hospitalario, y remisión clínica aparente con altas dosis de antidepresivos y combinación antipsicótica, mostró empeoramiento agudo conducente a reingreso transcurrido un solo día desde el alta. El manejo en este segundo ingreso fue tortuoso, debido a las contingencias relacionadas con el SARS-CoV2, la refractariedad de la presentación y las intercurrencias iatrogénicas. Los autores exponen el curso y las opciones de tratamiento utilizadas, a la vez que reflexionan sobre la cuestión endógena frente a reactiva, concluyendo que incluso las presentaciones clínicas aparentemente claras pueden resistirse a nuestras diferentes conceptualizaciones. (AU)

Construção e validação de instrumento avaliativo do conhecimento de escolares sobre amamentação / Design and validation of an evaluation instrument on knowledge of schoolchildren about breastfeeding

Resumo Objetivo: Validar um instrumento para avaliação do conhecimento de escolares acerca do aleitamento materno. Métodos: Pesquisa metodológica, desenvolvida em três etapas: construção do instrumento, validação de conteúdo com 22 juízes e de aparência com 10 escolares do ensino fundamental. Os dados foram analisados por meio de frequências absolutas, médias, desvios-padrão, teste binomial e Content Validity Index - CVI. As observações dos juízes foram analisadas e quando necessário o instrumento foi modificado. Resultados: Na validação de conteúdo, a primeira versão do instrumento continha 32 itens que na maioria foram considerados adequados e atingiram I-CVI igual ou acima de 0,80 entre os juízes. Após as modificações, o instrumento passou a ter 21 itens. Na validação de aparência, a maioria dos itens alcançou I-CVI igual ou acima de 0,80. Conclusão: O instrumento foi validado em conteúdo e aparência, podendo ser utilizado na avaliação do conhecimento de escolares sobre aleitamento materno.

Abstract Objective: To validate an evaluation instrument of knowledge of schoolchildren about breastfeeding. Methods: A method research developed in three stages: design of the instrument, validation of the content with 22 judges and validation of appearance with 10 schoolchildren from the primary school. Data were analyzed by absolute frequencies, standard-deviations, binomial test and content validity index - CVI. Observations of judges were analyzed and when necessary items of the instrument were changed. Results: In content validation, the first version of the instrument had 32 items and most of them were considered adequate by judges and the I-CVI achieved was equal or above than 0.80. After changes, the instrument was composed by 21 items. In validation of the appearance, most of items achieved I-CVI equal or above 0.80. Conclusion: The instrument content and appearance were validated. The instrument created and validated in this study could be used to evaluate knowledge of schoolchildren about breastfeeding.