The First Isolation of Insect-Specific Alphavirus (Agua Salud alphavirus) in Culex (Melanoconion) Mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon.

Advances in diagnostic techniques coupled with ongoing environmental changes have resulted in intensified surveillance and monitoring of arbovirus circulation in the Amazon. This increased effort has resulted in increased detection of insect-specific viruses among hematophagous arthropods collected in the field. This study aimed to document the first isolation of Agua Salud alphavirus in mosquitoes collected within the Brazilian Amazon. Arthropods belonging to the family Culicidae were collected within a forest fragment located in the Environmental Protection Area of the metropolitan region of Belem. Subsequently, these specimens were meticulously identified to the species level. Afterward, the collected batches were macerated, and the resulting supernatant was then inoculated into C6/36 and Vero cell cultures to facilitate viral isolation. The presence of arboviruses within the inoculated cell cultures was determined through indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Furthermore, positive supernatant samples underwent nucleotide sequencing to precisely identify the viral strains present. Notably, a batch containing Culex (Melanoconion) mosquitoes was identified to be positive for the genus Alphavirus via indirect immunofluorescence. This study is the first report on insect-specific alphavirus isolation in Brazil and the first-ever description of Agua Salud alphavirus isolation within Amazon Forest remnants.

Isolation and sequencing of Orthoflavivirus ilheusense from mosquitoes collected in the Brazilian cerrado, West-Central region, Brazil.

The Orthoflavivirus ilheusense (ILHV) is an arbovirus that was first isolated in Brazil in 1944 during an epidemiologic investigation of yellow fever. Is a member of the Flaviviridae family and it belongs to the antigenic complex of the Ntaya virus group. Psorophora ferox is the primary vector of ILHV and this study presents the isolation and phylogenetic analysis of ILHV in a pool of Ps. ferox collected in the state of Goiás in 2021. Viral isolation tests were performed on Vero cells and C6/36 clones. The indirect immunofluorescence test (IFI) was used to confirm the positivity of the sample. The positive sample underwent RT-qPCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of ILHV circulation in this municipality and presented close relationship between this isolate and another ILHV isolate collected in the city of Belém (PA).

Genomic characterization of a novel Hepatovirus identified in Maranhão state, Brazil.

Bats are efficient reservoirs of a number of viruses with zoonotic potential, and are involved directly in the transmission cycle of many zoonoses. In the present study, which is part of a larger project that is documenting the viromes of the bat species found in the Mid-North states of Maranhão and Piauí, we analyzed 16 pooled samples obtained from four species of bat of the genus Artibeus-Artibeus obscurus, Artibeus cinereus, Artibeus lituratus and Artibeus planirostris. We describe and identify a Hepatovirus, denominated Hepatovirus H isolate sotense, which was found in a pool of internal organs (liver and lungs) extracted from a specimen of A. planirostris, a frugivorous bat, collected in the Cerrado biome of Maranhão state. This material was analyzed using new generation sequencing, which produced a contig of 7390 nucleotides and presented a degree of identity with a number of existing Hepatovirus sequences available for bats (amino acid identity of 61.5% with Bat hepatovirus C of Miniopterus cf. manavi, 66.6% with Bat hepatovirus G of Coleura afra, 67.4% with Hepatovirus G2 of Rhinolophus landeri, and 75.3% with Hepatovirus H2 of Rhinolophus landeri). The analysis of the functional domains of this contig confirmed a pattern consistent with the characteristics of the genus Hepatovirus (Picornaviridae). In the phylogenetic tree with several other Hepatovirus species, this genome also grouped in a monophyletic clade with Hepatovirus H (HepV-H1; HepV-H2, and HepV-H3) albeit on an external branch, which suggests that it may be a distinct genotype within this species. This is the first isolate of Hepatovirus H identified in bats from South America, and represents an important discovery, given that most studies of viruses associated with bats in the state of Maranhão have focused on the family Rhabdoviridae.

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent versus endoscopy vacuum therapy for traumatic esophageal perforations: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic esophageal perforations (TEP) are a grave medical condition and require immediate intervention. Techniques such as Esophageal Self-Expandable Metal Stent (E-SEMS) and Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT) show promise in reducing tissue damage and controlling esophageal leakage. The present study aims to compare the application of EVT to E-SEMS placement in TEP. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study valuated 30 patients with TEP. The E-SEMS and EVT groups were assessed for time of hospitalization, treatment duration, costs, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Patients treated with EVT (24.4 ± 13.2) demonstrated significantly shorter treatment duration (p < 0.005) compared to the group treated with E-SEMS (45.8 ± 12.9) and patients submitted to E-SEMS demonstrated a significant reduction (p = 0.02) in the time of hospitalization compared to the EVT (34 ± 2 vs 82 ± 5 days). Both groups demonstrated a satisfactory discharge rate (E-SEMS 93.7% vs EVT 71.4%) but did not show statistically significant difference (p = 0.3155). E-SEMS treatment had a lower mean cost than EVT (p < 0.05). Descriptive statistics were utilized, arranged in table form, where frequencies, percentages, mean, median, and standard deviation of the study variables were calculated and counted. The Fisher's Exact Test was used to evaluate the relationship between two categorical variables. To evaluate differences between means and central points, the parametric t-test was utilized. Comparisons with p value up to 0.05 were considered significant. CONCLUSION: E-SEMS showed a shorter time of hospitalization, but a longer duration of treatment compared to EVT. The placement of E-SEMS and EVT had the same clinical outcome. Treatment with E-SEMS had a lower cost compared with EVT.

Caracterização do perfil sociodemográfico dos usuários de profilaxia pré-exposição ao HIV (PrEP) no Ceará / Characterization of the sociodemographic profile of users of hiv pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Ceará

Introdução: a PrEP é uma estratégia de prevenção biomédica que consiste no uso de antirretrovirais (ARV) orais com o objetivo de mitigar o risco de adquirir o HIV e, consequentemente, de desenvolver a AIDS. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil sociodemográfico dos usuários com dispensação da PrEP no Ceará, no período de 2018 a 2023. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo. Os dados foram obtidos por meio do Departamento de HIV/Aids, Tuberculose, Hepatites Virais e Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (DATHI) do Ministério da Saúde por meio do Painel de monitoramento da PrEP. Resultados: observou-se um predomínio de usuários gays e homens que fazem sexo com homens, mas não se consideram gays; autodeclarados como pardos, com alta escolaridade e com faixa etária entre 30 e 39 anos. As dispensações da PrEP apresentaram progressão no período analisado, apesar dos anos de pandemia. Conclusão: embora a PrEP tenha-se mostrado eficaz no controle e declínio no número de infecções pelo HIV, esses dados demonstram que há uma lacuna entre quem se beneficia dela. É um desafio fazer com que a PrEP chegue a quem se pode beneficiar dela e com maior probabilidade de exposição ao HIV indivíduos de baixa escolaridade, pessoas trans, travestis, jovens adultos /adolescentes e não brancos.

Introduction: PrEP is a biomedical prevention strategy that consists of the use of oral antiretrovirals (ARV) to mitigate the risk of acquiring HIV and, consequently, of developing AIDS. The present study aims to describe the sociodemographic profile of users dispensed with PrEP in Ceará from 2018 to 2023. Methods: this is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The data was obtained from the Department of HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (DATHI) of the Ministry of Health through the PrEP Monitoring Panel. Results: there was a predominance of Gay users and Men who have Sex with Men but do not consider themselves gay; they self-declared as mixed race, highly educated, and aged between 30 and 39 years old. PrEP dispensations showed progression in the period analyzed despite years of pandemic. Conclusion: although PrEP is effective in controlling and declining the number of HIV infections, these data demonstrate that there is a gap between who benefits from it. It is a challenge to make PrEP reach those who can most benefit from it and who are most likely to be exposed to HIV, individuals with low education, trans people, transvestites, young adults/adolescents, and non-whites.

The Importance of Entomo-Virological Investigation of Yellow Fever Virus to Strengthen Surveillance in Brazil.

The largest outbreak of sylvatic yellow fever virus (YFV) in eight decades was recorded in Brazil between 2016-2018. Besides human and NHP surveillance, the entomo-virological approach is considered as a complementary tool. For this study, a total of 2904 mosquitoes of the Aedes, Haemagogus and Sabethes genera were collected from six Brazilian states (Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Pará, and Tocantins) and grouped into 246 pools, which were tested for YFV using RT-qPCR. We detected 20 positive pools from Minas Gerais, 5 from Goiás, and 1 from Bahia, including 12 of Hg. janthinomys and 5 of Ae. albopictus. This is the first description of natural YFV infection in this species and warns of the likelihood of urban YFV re-emergence with Ae. albopictus as a potential bridge vector. Three YFV sequences from Hg. janthinomys from Goiás and one from Minas Gerais, as well as one from Ae. albopictus from Minas Gerais were clustered within the 2016-2018 outbreak clade, indicating YFV spread from Midwest and its infection in a main and likely novel bridging vector species. Entomo-virological surveillance is critical for YFV monitoring in Brazil, which could highlight the need to strengthen YFV surveillance, vaccination coverage, and vector control measures.

Vector Competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from Brazil for West Nile Virus.

West Nile virus is characterized as a neurotropic pathogen, which can cause West Nile fever and is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex. In 2018, the Instituto Evandro Chagas performed the first isolation of a WNV strain in Brazil from a horse brain sample. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of orally infected Cx. quinquefasciatus from the Amazon region of Brazil to become infected and transmit the WNV strain isolated in 2018. Oral infection was performed with blood meal artificially infected with WNV, followed by analysis of infection, dissemination, and transmission rates, as well as viral titers of body, head, and saliva samples. At the 21st dpi, the infection rate was 100%, the dissemination rate was 80%, and the transmission rate was 77%. These results indicate that Cx. quinquefasciatus is susceptible to oral infection by the Brazilian strain of WNV and may act as a possible vector of the virus since it was detected in saliva from the 21st dpi.

Arboviruses in Free-Ranging Birds and Hematophagous Arthropods (Diptera, Nematocera) from Forest Remnants and Urbanized Areas of an Environmental Protection Area in the Amazon Biome.

The rapid and disorderly urbanization in the Amazon has resulted in the insertion of forest fragments into cities, causing the circulation of arboviruses, which can involve hematophagous arthropods and free-ranging birds in the transmission cycles in urban environments. This study aimed to evaluate the circulation of arboviruses in free-ranging birds and hematophagous arthropods captured in an Environmental Protection Area in the Belem metropolitan area, Brazil. Birds were captured using mist nets, and hematophagous arthropods were collected using a human protected attraction technique and light traps. The birds' sera were subjected to a hemagglutination inhibition test to detect antibodies against 29 arbovirus antigens. Arthropod macerates were inoculated into C6/36 and VERO cell cultures to attempt viral isolation and were tested using indirect immunofluorescence, subsequent genetic sequencing and submitted for phylogenetic analysis. Four bird sera were positive for arbovirus, and one batch of Psorophora ferox was positive for Flavivirus on viral isolation and indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, the Ilheus virus was detected in the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The presence of antibodies in sera from free-ranging birds and the isolation of Ilheus virus in Psorophora ferox indicate the circulation of arboviruses in forest remnants in the urban center of Belem.

Description of mitochon genome and phylogenetic considerations of Sabethes bipartipes, Sabethes cyaneus, Sabethes quasicyaneus, and Sabethes tarsopus (Diptera: Culicidae).

The genus Sabethes (Diptera: Culicidae) comprises species of great epidemiological relevance, particularly involved in transmission cycles of the Yellow fever virus in South America. Given the unavailability of information related to aspects of evolutionary biology and molecular taxonomy of species of this genus of mosquitoes, we report here the first sequencing of the mitochondrial genomes of Sabethes bipartipes, Sabethes cyaneus, Sabethes tarsopus, and Sabethes quasicyaneus. The sequences obtained showed an average length of 14,920 bp, comprising 37 functional genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNA, and 02 rRNA). The phylogenies reconstructed by Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, based on the concatenated sequences of all 13 PCGs, produced similar topologies and strongly supported the monophyletic relationship between the Sabethes subgenera, corroborating the known taxonomic classification based on aspects of the external morphology of the taxa assessed. The data and information produced from the Sabethes species evaluated here may be useful for future taxonomic and evolutionary studies of the genus, as well as the Culicidae family.

Description of the mitogenome and phylogeny of Aedes spp. (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Amazon region.

The genus Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) includes species of great epidemiological relevance, particularly involved in transmission cycles of leading arboviruses in the Brazilian Amazon region, such as the Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), Yellow fever virus (YFV), and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). We report here the first putatively complete sequencing of the mitochondrial genomes of Brazilian populations of the species Aedes albopictus, Aedes scapularis and Aedes serratus. The sequences obtained showed an average length of 14,947 bp, comprising 37 functional subunits, typical in animal mitochondria (13 PCGs, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA). The phylogeny reconstructed by Maximum likelihood method, based on the concatenated sequences of all 13 PCGs produced at least two non-directly related groupings, composed of representatives of the subgenus Ochlerotatus and Stegomyia of the genus Aedes. The data and information produced here may be useful for future taxonomic and evolutionary studies of the genus Aedes, as well as the Culicidae family.

Negeviruses isolated from mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: There are several groups of viruses including Insect Specific Viruses (ISV) such as the taxon Negevirus, a group of viruses phylogenetically related to plant viruses. Negeviruses replicate in mosquito cells, but not in vertebrate cells. METHODS: Pools of hematophagous arthropods were inoculated in Vero and C6/36 cells. The cells were observed to detect possible cytopathic effect. Then, indirect immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and nucleotide sequencing were performed. RESULTS: Seven samples which presented negative results for flaviviruses, alphaviruses and bunyaviruses, but showed cytopathic effect in C6/36 cells were sequenced. We identified the occurrence of a variety of ISVs, most of them belonging to the taxon Negevirus: The Brejeira, Negev, Cordoba and Wallerfield viruses, including a new virus for science, tentatively named Feitosa virus. CONCLUSIONS: We detected negeviruses in the Amazon region, including two viruses that were isolated for the first time in Brazil: Cordoba virus and the Negev virus and, a new virus for science: the Feitosa virus.

Knowledge of caregivers and factors associated with neuropsychomotor development in children / Conocimiento de los cuidadores y factores relacionados al desarrollo neuropsicomotor en niños / Conhecimento dos cuidadores e fatores associados ao desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor em crianças

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the knowledge of caregivers and the factors associated with neuropsychomotor development in children. Methods: a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, was conducted with 220 child-caregiver binomials attended in the public health services of the municipality of Parnaíba, State of Piauí. The study used the "Denver Test II" and the "Inventory of Child Development Knowledge". Results: the study classified 197 children with natural development and 23 with suspicious development. Caregivers with a higher level of knowledge about child development were associated with children with better development. The study considered caregiver knowledge, gestational age, and exclusive breastfeeding as protective factors for appropriate neuropsychomotor development when used the regression model. Conclusions: actions aimed at indicators that presented positive associations must be implemented to improve child development, such as educational activities to increase the level of knowledge of caregivers, improvement of prenatal monitoring, and encouragement of breastfeeding.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar el conocimiento de los cuidadores y factores relacionados al desarrollo neuropsicomotor en niños. Métodos: estudio transversal, de abordaje cuantitativo, realizado con 220 binomios niño-cuidador atendidos en los servicios públicos de salud del municipio de Parnaíba, estado de Piauí. Fue utilizado el "Test de Denver II" e "Inventario del Conocimiento de Desarrollo Infantil". Resultados: 197 niños fueron clasificados con desarrollo normal; y 23, con desarrollo sospechoso. Cuidadores con mayor nivel de conocimiento sobre el desarrollo infantil fueron relacionados a niños con mejor desarrollo. Mediante el modelo de regresión, se encontró conocimiento de los cuidadores, edad gestacional y lactancia materna exclusiva como factores protectores para un desarrollo neuropsicomotor adecuado. Conclusiones: para la mejora del desarrollo infantil, acciones destinadas a los indicadores que presentaron relaciones positivas deben ser realizadas, como actividades de educación para aumento del nivel de conocimiento de los cuidadores, mejora del acompañamiento prenatal e incentivo a lactancia materna.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar o conhecimento dos cuidadores e os fatores associados ao desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor em crianças. Métodos: estudo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 220 binômios criança-cuidador atendidos nos serviços públicos de saúde do município de Parnaíba, estado do Piauí. Foi utilizado o "Teste de Denver II" e o "Inventário do Conhecimento de Desenvolvimento Infantil". Resultados: 197 crianças foram classificadas com desenvolvimento normal; e 23, com desenvolvimento suspeito. Cuidadores com maior nível de conhecimento sobre o desenvolvimento infantil foram associados a crianças com melhor desenvolvimento. Mediante o modelo de regressão, encontrou-se conhecimento dos cuidadores, idade gestacional e aleitamento materno exclusivo como fatores protetores para um desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor adequado. Conclusões: para a melhora do desenvolvimento infantil, ações destinadas aos indicadores que apresentaram associações positivas devem ser realizadas, como atividades de educação para aumento do nível de conhecimento dos cuidadores, melhora do acompanhamento pré-natal e incentivo ao aleitamento materno.

Knowledge of caregivers and factors associated with neuropsychomotor development in children.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the knowledge of caregivers and the factors associated with neuropsychomotor development in children. METHODS: a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, was conducted with 220 child-caregiver binomials attended in the public health services of the municipality of Parnaíba, State of Piauí. The study used the "Denver Test II" and the "Inventory of Child Development Knowledge". RESULTS: the study classified 197 children with natural development and 23 with suspicious development. Caregivers with a higher level of knowledge about child development were associated with children with better development. The study considered caregiver knowledge, gestational age, and exclusive breastfeeding as protective factors for appropriate neuropsychomotor development when used the regression model. CONCLUSIONS: actions aimed at indicators that presented positive associations must be implemented to improve child development, such as educational activities to increase the level of knowledge of caregivers, improvement of prenatal monitoring, and encouragement of breastfeeding.

Aspectos epidemiológicos da mortalidade infantil / Epidemiological aspects of child mortality / Aspectos epidemiológicos de la mortalidad infantil

Objetivo: analisar a taxa de mortalidade infantil no Brasil, por regiões. Método: trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, retrospectivo, epidemiológico, transversal. Compôs-se a amostra por todos os nascidos vivos e óbitos de crianças menores de um ano registrados no SINASC e SIM, respectivamente. Obtiveram-se os dados por meio da plataforma digital DATASUS. Resultados: registraram-se 128.332 óbitos infantis na região Nordeste durante esse período, tendo como seus principais fatores a idade materna menor de 14 anos, mães sem escolaridade, gestações com duração de 22 a 27 semanas, crianças nascidas de parto vaginal, sexo masculino, cor/raça indígena, peso ao nascer menor que 999 gramas e baixa atenção à mulher na gestação. Conclusão: concluiuse que grande parte dos óbitos infantis no Nordeste está ligada a causas maternas, evidenciando-se falha na assistência de saúde. Podem-se alterar esses números por meio de uma assistência prénatal adequada, planejamento familiar e qualificação da promoção de saúde.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the infant mortality rate in Brazil, by regions. Method: it is a quantitative, descriptive, retrospective, epidemiological, cross-sectional study. The sample was composed by all live births and deaths of children under one year of age registered in SINASC and YES, respectively. The data were obtained through the DATASUS digital platform. Results: there were 128,332 infant deaths in the Northeast region during this period, the main factors being maternal age under 14, mothers without schooling, pregnancies lasting from 22 to 27 weeks, children born vaginally, male, indigenous color/race, weight at birth less than 999 grams and low attention to women in pregnancy. Conclusion: It was concluded that a large part of the childhood deaths in the Northeast are linked to maternal causes, showing a failure in health care. These numbers can be changed through adequate prenatal care, family planning and health promotion qualification.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la tasa de mortalidad infantil en Brasil, por región. Método: se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, retrospectivo, epidemiológico, transversal. La muestra estuvo compuesta por todos los nacidos vivos y defunciones de niños menores de un año registrados en SINASC y SIM, respectivamente. Los datos se obtuvieron utilizando la plataforma digital DATASUS. Resultados: se registraron 128,332 muertes infantiles en la región Noreste durante este período, siendo los principales factores la edad materna menor de 14 años, madres sin educación, embarazos de 22 a 27 semanas, niños nacidos por parto vaginal, varones, color / raza indígena, peso al nacer menor a 999 gramos y poca atención a la mujer durante el embarazo. Conclusión: se concluyó que gran parte de las muertes infantiles en el Noreste está relacionada a causas maternas, evidenciando una falla en la atención de salud. Estos números pueden modificarse mediante una atención prenatal adecuada, planificación familiar y calificación de la promoción de la salud.(AU)

Investigation about the Occurrence of Transmission Cycles of Arbovirus in the Tropical Forest, Amazon Region.

Because of its ecological characteristics, the Caxiuanã National Forest (FLONA) is a potential area of arbovirus circulation. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of arbovirus transmission cycles at FLONA de Caxiuanã. Five field trips were performed to capture mosquitoes and sylvatic vertebrates. For these vertebrates, we attempted viral isolation by cell monolayer inoculation from blood, and hemagglutination inhibition and further seroneutralization assays from sera. For mosquitoes, we performed tests of viral genome detection. A total of 338 vertebrates were captured, and the greatest representative was birds (251/74.26%). A total of 16,725 mosquitoes were captured, distributed among 56 species. There were no viruses isolated by newborn mouse inoculation. Among birds, antibodies against Ilheus virus were the most prevalent. Catu virus, Caraparu virus, and Mucambo virus were the most prevalent among mammals and reptiles. Fragments of Mucambo virus, Ilheus virus, Bussuquara virus, and Rocio virus genome were detected in a pool of mosquito samples. These results of the study suggest the occurrence of arbovirus transmission cycles in the FLONA of Caxiuanã. The proximity of human populations with elements, involved in transmission cycles, makes surveillance necessary in this population to avoid dispersion of arboviruses to naïve locations.

Posterolateral anatomical reconstruction restored varus but not rotational stability: A biomechanical study with cadavers.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Lesions to the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee are rarely isolated injuries, and they are potentially devastating, leading to progressive chondral injury, with important functional impairment. The objectives of this biomechanical study were to evaluate angular deformation with two loads and considering four flexion angles of the knee, varus and external rotation and in three situations of integrity, reconstruction and injury of posterolateral knee structures. METHODS: The posterolateral structures of 10 cadaveric knees were submitted to three biomechanical assays: in the "intact condition", "injured", and "reconstructed". The technique used for the reconstruction was the one proposed by LaPrade et al., but with autografts of hamstring tendons instead. A device was designed to apply loads of 2 and 5Nm, with zero, 30°, 60° and 90° of knee flexion, in varus or in external rotation, measuring angular deformation with photogoniometry. RESULTS: The anatomical reconstruction of the PLC proposed here did restore varus stability in all flexion angles (p<0.005), but not rotational stability. External rotation deformation at 90° was similar in all test conditions. In knee extension, external rotation was stabilized only at 2Nm. At 60°, external rotation was partially stabilized (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical PLC reconstruction using hamstring tendons restored varus but not external rotational stability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The reconstruction of posterolateral corner injuries with autologous allografts is very important for regions were tissue banks are not available. This technique may be a first step to achieve this goal.

Ponderal behavior of rats fed an omegas 3, 6 and 9 enriched diet submitted to colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane

PURPOSE: To assess weight changes in rats fed diets with different ratios of omegas 3, 6 and 9 submitted to colonic carcinogenesis induced by Azoxymethane (AOM). METHODS: Sixty rats with three weeks of life were distributed into five groups of specific diets containing 12 animals each: GI- Standard diet without adminstration of AOM, GII- Standard diet with adminstration of AOM; GIII- Hyperlipidic diet with adminstration of AOM; GIV-Normolipidic diet with adminstration of AOM; GV- Hypolipidic diet with adminstration of AOM. The weight and food intake of each group were assessed four times in each week throughout the experiment until euthanasia at 36th week. RESULTS: GI and GII had no significant difference in weight. GI showed a significant increase when compared to GIII, GIV and GV. GII also showed a significant increase when compared to GIII, GIV and GV. When comparing intake of GI as compared to GII no significant difference was found, however such groups had higher intake than groups III, IV and V. There were found no difference in weight when comparing amoung rats with and without cancer within each groups: GII, GIII, GIV and GV. CONCLUSIONS: Diets rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 reduced food intake and weight. Rats with colorectal cancer had no decrease in weight as compared to those without this condition in the same group.

Importance of monitoring and early switch to second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the prognosis of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib resistance or intolerance

Imatinib mesylate was the first BCR-ABL-target agent approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Although most patients respond well to imatinib therapy, the literature shows that one third develops resistance or intolerance. The timing of second-line treatment after failure of initial treatment may have a significant impact on long-term outcome. Thus, appropriate monitoring to identify resistance and/or intolerance is crucial to early intervention with second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors and attainment of better results.

Importance of monitoring and early switch to second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the prognosis of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib resistance or intolerance.

Imatinib mesylate was the first BCR-ABL-target agent approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Although most patients respond well to imatinib therapy, the literature shows that one third develops resistance or intolerance. The timing of second-line treatment after failure of initial treatment may have a significant impact on long-term outcome. Thus, appropriate monitoring to identify resistance and/or intolerance is crucial to early intervention with second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors and attainment of better results.

Dasatinib - clinical trials and management of adverse events in imatinib resistant/intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia.

Dasatinib is a highly effective second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of imatinib-resistant or intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This article reviews the results of phase I, II and III studies and looks at the efficacy and safety of dasatinib. This review also provides practical recommendations for the management of side effects.