Fish oil supplementation enhances colon recovery after experimental colitis.

INTRODUCTION: Fish oil (FO) has an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution activity and it has been used to restore physiological disturbances on inflammatory conditions. Here, we investigate whether FO supplementation could, acutely, prevent or restore inflammatory damages on experimental colitis. METHODS: Wistar rats orally received 2 g.kg-1.day-1 of FO for 30 days before induction of experimental colitis. Specimens were collected on the 2nd and 7th days after colitis-induction and intestinal mucus, inflammatory activity and colon integrity were determined. RESULTS: Experimental colitis did cause colon disruption and FO, acutely, did not prevent the loss of intestinal and fecal mucus, neither the increase of inflammatory activity and intestinal permeability. On the 7th day of colitis, FO soften the perturbations of experimental colitis, increasing histological and fecal mucus and, also decreased inflammatory activity, but this was not accompanied by intestinal permeability. CONCLUSION: FO did not protect, acutely, intestinal damages from experimental colitis, but at long run promotes higher intestinal recovery.

A high-risk Zika and dengue transmission hub: virus detections in mosquitoes at a Brazilian university campus.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are mosquito-borne flaviviruses prevalent throughout tropical regions. Currently, management of ZIKV and DENV centers on control of the primary vector Aedes aegypti. This vector is highly anthropophilic and is therefore prevalent throughout densely urbanised landscapes. A new passive trap for gravid Ae. aegypti (Gravid Aedes Trap - GAT) was developed for mosquito surveillance. Here the different killing agents and the level of transmission of arboviruses that may occur in mosquitoes sampled by GATs are assessed for the first time. METHODS: Gravid Aedes traps (GATs) were deployed at the Federal University of Minas Gerais campus, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil to sample Ae. aegypti. Three different killing agents were evaluated within the GATs: sticky cards, long-lasting insecticide-impregnated nets (LLINs) and canola oil. Traps were monitored weekly for 14 weeks then mosquito specimens were identified to the species level and Ae. aegypti catches were pooled and submitted to qRT-PCR assays for to DENV and ZIKV virus detection, followed by Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the ZIKV. Additionally, comparisons of means were performed on transformed weekly catch data (P = 0.05, t-tests) with the stats package of the R statistical software. RESULTS: In total, 1506 female Ae. aegypti were captured using GATs, with traps using sticky cards catching more mosquito than those using either LLINs or canola oil. Both ZIKV and DENV were detected in Ae. aegypti females captured over several weeks suggesting that this highly populated university campus may have served as a significant transmission hub. The infection rate for ZIKV was present in seven (8.5%) pools from four weeks while DENV was detected in four (4.9%) pools from four weeks. Phylogenetic analysis of ZIKV classified the strain as Asian genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The Federal University of Minas Gerais and similar organizations must strongly consider monitoring Ae. aegypti populations and reinforcing personal protection of staff and students during seasons of high mosquito activity.

Evaluation of Alternative Killing Agents for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT).

The Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT) uses visual and olfactory cues to attract gravid Aedes aegypti (L.) that are then captured when knocked down by a residual pyrethroid surface spray. However, the use of surface sprays can be compromised by poor availability of the spray and pesticide resistance in the target mosquito. We investigated several "alternative" insecticide and insecticide-free killing agents for use in the GAT. This included long-lasting insecticide-impregnated nets (LLINs), vapor-active synthetic pyrethroids (metofluthrin), canola oil, and two types of dry adhesive sticky card. During bench top assays LLINs, metofluthrin, and dry sticky cards had 24-h knockdown (KD) percentages >80% (91.2 ± 7.2%, 84.2 ± 6.8%, and 83.4 ± 6.1%, respectively), whereas the 24-h KD for canola oil was 70 ± 7.7%, which improved to 90.0 ± 3.7% over 48 h. Importantly, there were no significant differences in the number of Ae. aegypti collected per week or the number of traps positive for Ae. aegypti between the sticky card and canola oil treatments compared with the surface spray and LLIN treatments in semifield and field trials. These results demonstrate that the use of inexpensive and widely available insecticide-free agents such as those described in this study are effective alternatives to pyrethroids in regions with insecticide-resistant populations. The use of such environmentally friendly insecticide-free alternatives will also be attractive in areas where there is substantial resistance to insecticide use due to environmental and public health concerns.

Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do álcool gel a 70 (por cento) frente às bactérias hospitalares e da comunidade / In vitro antimicrobial activity of gel alcohol 70 against hospital and community bacteria

O uso de álcool gel em procedimentos de anti-sepsia das mãos representa uma prática freqüente nas instituições de saúde. Assim, estabeleceu-se: determinar in vitro a atividade antibacteriana do álcool gel a 70%, utilizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto – USP, frente às bactérias hospitalares e da comunidade, por meio das técnicas de gotejamento e do poço. As bactérias hospitalares foram Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, e da comunidade: S. aureus e Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo. O álcool gel apresentou atividade antibacteriana, pela técnica de gotejamento, frente a todas as bactérias estudadas, porém com a técnica do poço nenhum efeito foi observado. Em conclusão, antes de utilizar alguma substância ou produto contra microrganismos é necessário avaliar previamente a sua eficácia com técnicas ou métodos microbiológicos adequados.

The use of gel alcohol in hands antisepsis procedures represents a frequent practice in health institutions. Thus, we decided to determine the in vitro antibacterial activity of gel alcohol 70% used at Clinical Hospital of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP against hospital and community bacteria by means of dripping and well technique. Hospital bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while community bacteria were: S. aureus and Staphylococcus coagulase-negative. The gel alcohol demonstrated antimicrobial activity by means of the dripping technique against all bacteria studied, but with the well technique no effect was observed. In conclusion, before using any substance or product against microorganisms it is necessary to evaluate previously its effectiveness with adjusted microbiological techniques or methods.