Impact of Aspergillus fumigatus inoculation on the composting of wood shaving bedding for horses.

Equine farming generates a significant amount of waste, prompting the need for effective management. Composting enhanced by filamentous fungi holds promise for this purpose. This study focused on inoculating Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in composting horse bedding made with wood shavings (Pinus elliottii). The experiment lasted 90 days, with two treatment groups, control and inoculated, analyzing temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon and nitrogen content, and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents. Both treatments entered the thermophilic phase by the fourth day, reaching temperatures above 55°C and mesophilic maturation at 35 days (41 ± 0.2°C). The inoculated treatment exhibited higher electrical conductivity after 30 days and a more pronounced reduction in the total carbon content (42.85% vs. 38.29%) compared to the control. While there was no significant nitrogen difference, the inoculated treatment had a sharper reduction in carbon/nitrogen ratio, and cellulose and hemicellulose contents. Both treatments showed low coliform counts, no Salmonella sp., and reduced Strongyloides sp. larvae. Inoculating A. fumigatus in saturated horse bedding made from wood shavings improved compost quality, providing a possibility for sustainable equine farming waste treatment.

Can torque teno virus be a predictor of SARS-CoV-2 disease progression in cancer patients?

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection can experience a broad range of clinical manifestations and outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between torque teno virus (TTV) load and deficiencies of the immune system. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 and TTV viral loads in cancer patients is unknown. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 157 cancer patients and 191 noncancer controls were analysed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and TTV DNA presence. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 66.2% of cancer patients and in 68.6% of noncancer control subjects. In SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, TTV was detectable in 79.8% of cancer patients, while in controls, TTV was detected in 71.7% of subjects. No statistically significant correlation was found between TTV and SARS-CoV-2 loads in cancer patients. However, the 100-day survival rate in cancer patients who died from COVID-19 was significantly lower in the TTV-positive group than in the TTV-negative group (P = 0.0475). In the cancer TTV-positive group, those who died also had a higher load of TTV than those who did not die (P = 0.0097). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that the presence of TTV in nasopharyngeal swabs from cancer patients was related to a higher number of deaths from COVID-19 and to a higher TTV DNA load.

Atenção ao idoso com demência: as ações dos terapeutas ocupacionais inseridos nas instituições de longa permanência de Curitiba­Paraná, Brasil / Atención para personas mayores con demencia: las acciones de los terapeutas ocupacionales insertados en hogares para ancianos de Curitiba-Paraná, Brasil / Attention to older adults with dementia: the actions of the occupational therapists placed in long-term care institutions of Curitiba-Paraná, Brazil

O objetivo desse estudo era compreender o processo de trabalho de terapeutas ocupacionais brasileiros que atuam em instituições de longa permanência, no município de Curitiba, Paraná - Brasil, junto à clientela de idosos com demência. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal, com profissionais que atuam há mais de seis meses nestes estabelecimentos. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário on-line, para identificação do perfil profissional, demandas dos idosos, ações avaliativas e interventivas. Verificou-se que os idosos atendidos são, em sua maioria, do gênero feminino e com o diagnóstico de doença de Alzheimer. As avaliações mais utilizadas foram o Mini Exame do Estado Mental e o Montreal Cognitive Assessment, e as intervenções mais citadas foram as atividades expressivas, artesanais, recreativas e de lazer. Destacam-se também as inúmeras intervenções cognitivas. Como resultado, foram apontadas melhorias nas funções cognitivas, principalmente nos aspectos da atenção, orientação temporal e iniciativa, além de diminuição da apatia, melhora na autoestima, participação e interação social. No entanto, muitas intervenções identificadas na pesquisa ainda possuem modestas ou baixas evidências científicas e esses estudos precisam ser aprofundados. Na atenção aos cuidadores, poucas ações são realizadas. Conclui-se que, neste estudo, a atuação do terapeuta ocupacional mostrou seguir uma linha singular de atuação, com repercussões que apontam para melhorias nos aspectos cognitivos e comportamentais e/ou melhor desempenho ocupacional do idoso demenciado.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender el proceso de trabajo de los terapeutas ocupacionales brasileños que actúan en instituciones de larga permanencia, en el municipio de Curitiba, Paraná - Brasil, junto a la clientela de ancianos con demencia. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, con profesionales que actúan desde hace más de seis meses en estos establecimientos. La recolección de datos fue realizada por medio de un cuestionario on-line, para identificación del perfil profesional, demandas de los ancianos, acciones evaluativas e intervencionistas. Se verificó que los ancianos atendidos son, en su mayoría, del género femenino y con el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Alzheimer. La evaluación más utilizada fue el Mini Examen del Estado Mental y la Montreal Cognitive Assessment, y las intervenciones más citadas fueron las actividades expresivas, artesanales, recreativas y de entretenimiento. Se destacan también las innumerables intervenciones cognitivas. Como resultado, se señalaron mejoras en las funciones cognitivas, principalmente en los aspectos de la atención, orientación temporal e iniciativa, además de disminución de la apatía, mejora en la autoestima, participación e interacción social. Sin embargo, muchas intervenciones identificadas en la investigación todavía tienen modestas o bajas evidencias científicas y estos estudios necesitan ser profundizados. Se concluye que, en este estudio, la actuación del terapeuta ocupacional reveló seguir una línea singular de actuación, con resultados que apuntan hacia el mejor desempeño ocupacional del anciano demenciado o para mejoras en los aspectos cognitivos y comportamentales.

The aim of this study was to understand the work process of Brazilian occupational therapists who work in long-term care institutions in the city of Curitiba, Paraná - Brazil, with elderly people with dementia. A cross - sectional descriptive study was carried out, with professionals who have been working for more than six months in these institutions. Data collection was by means of an online questionnaire, to identify the professional profile, demands of the elderly, assessment and intervention actions. It was verified that the elderly patients are mostly female and diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The most used assessment was the Mini Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and the most cited interventions were expressive, artisan, recreational and leisure activities. Also the numerous cognitive interventions are highlighted. As a result, improvements in cognitive functions were pointed out, especially in aspects of attention, temporal orientation and initiative, as well as a decrease in apathy, improvement in self-esteem, participation and social interaction. However, many interventions identified in the research still have modest or low scientific evidence and these studies need to be further developed. In caring for caregivers, few actions are taken. It is concluded that, in this study, the occupational therapist's performance showed a unique line of action, with repercussions that point to the better occupational performance of the deferred elderly or to improvements in cognitive and behavioral aspects.

Analysis of the changes and difficulties arising from kidney transplantation: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the main gains and stressors perceived by the patient, one year subsequent to kidney transplantation. METHOD: a qualitative study, in which the data were obtained and analyzed through the Discourse of the Collective Subject and frequency counting, with the participation of 50 patients who had received kidney transplantation. RESULTS: the sample presented a mean age of 44±12.8 years old, and a predominance of males (62%). The principal positive changes provided by the transplant were: return to activities; freedom/independence; well-being and health; strengthening of the I; and closening of interpersonal relationships. The most-cited stressors were: fear; medication; excess of care/control; specific characteristics of the treatment; and failure to return to the social roles. CONCLUSION: kidney transplantation caused various positive changes in the patient's routine, with the return to activities of daily living being the most important gain, in the participants' opinion. In relation to the stressors, fear related to loss of the graft, and questions relating to the immunosuppressive medication were the main challenges to be faced following transplantation.

Interaction of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia and Parascaris equorum eggs in different culture media.

Research involving the use of nematophagous fungi in the biological control of parasites of interest to veterinarians has occurred over recent years, with promising results. This article reports the infection of Parascaris equorum eggs by the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (isolates VC1 and VC4). Six groups were formed for each isolate, with six different culture media: 2% water-agar (2% WA); agar-chitin (AC); YPSSA (yeast extract, K2HPO4, MgSO4 ·7H2O, soluble starch); AELA extract (starch + water + agar); 2% corn-meal-agar (2% CMA); and 2% potato dextrose-agar (2% PDA). A total of 1000 eggs of P. equorum were transferred to each plate containing isolates grown for a period of 7 days (treatment group). Also, 1000 eggs were added to each plate without fungus (controlgroup). The plates were kept in an environmental chamber at 25 °C in the dark for 21 days. After, we analyzed the effects on ovicidal activity: effect 1 (accession shell); effect 2 (penetration hyphae); and effect 3 (destruction of the eggs). No differences were observed in the destruction of eggs between the two isolates. The decreasing effectiveness of the different culture media was: PDA (38.9%); CMA (38.3%); WA (36.7%); YPSSA (36.45%); and AC (32.5%). The highest percentage egg destruction was observed when the strains were grown in culture medium AELA (44.9%); this was the best medium.

Effect of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on Echinostoma paraensei (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae).

Echinostoma paraensei is a trematode of the genus Echinostoma that causes echinostomiasis in humans. The objectives of this study were to: evaluate the ovicidal activity of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC1 and VC4) on a solid medium 2% water-agar (2% WA) against E. paraensei eggs (assay A); evaluate ovicidal effect (destruction of eggs) of the isolate VC4 in supplemented culture media (assay B); and evaluate the ovicidal ability of the crude extract (VC4) on E. paraensei eggs (assay C). Eggs of E. paraensei (assay A) were placed in Petri dishes containing 2% WA with an isolate of the fungus P. chlamydosporia (VC1 and VC4) grown for 10 days, and without fungus as a control and evaluated regarding their destruction. In assay B, eggs of E. paraensei were placed in Petri dishes with different supplemented culture media and with VC4 isolate and the destruction of eggs was examined at the end of 25 days of interaction. In assay C, effects of the crude extract of P. chlamydosporia (VC4) on eggs were evaluated at the end of 7 days. In assay A, there was no difference (p>0.05) in ovicidal activity among the tested isolates (VC1 and VC4); however, the highest percentage for ovicidal activity (type 3 effect) was demonstrated by the isolate VC4. In assay B, the culture medium starch-agar showed the best results for the destruction of the eggs, with a percentage of 46.6% at the end of the assay. In assay C, the crude extract of VC4 was effective in the destruction of E. paraensei eggs, with a percentage reduction of 53%. The results of this study demonstrate that a rich culture medium with a greater availability of carbon and nitrogen may interfere directly in the predatory characteristics of ovicidal fungi.

First report of the activity of predatory fungi on Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae) first-stage larvae.

The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis causes eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans and thus alternative methods of control should be studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the predatory capacity of eight fungal isolates of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001, CG768 and CG722), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34), M. sinense (SF53) and Arthrobotrys robusta (I31), A. cladodes (CG719) and A. conoides (I40) on first-stage larvae (L1) of A. cantonensis under laboratory conditions. The treated groups contained 1000 conidia of the fungal isolates and 1000 A. cantonensis L1 in Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar medium (2% WA). The control group (without fungi) contained only 1000 A. cantonensis L1 in 2% WA. Evidence of predation was observed at the end of 7 days. Percentage reductions in L1 were: AC001, 82.8%; CG768, 71.0%; CG722, 72.8%; NF34, 86.7%; SF53, 89.7%; I40, 48.3%; CG719, 84.7%; and I31, 80.4%. No significant difference was observed (p>0.01) between the actions of the isolates used; however, a difference was noted (p<0.01) in relation to the control group. The results of the present work, confirm previous reports of the effectiveness of the fungi D. flagrans, M. thaumasium, M. sinense and A. robusta in controlling larvae of potentially zoonotic nematodes, this being the first report on A. cantonensis L1.

Coadministration of sodium alginate pellets containing the fungi Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium on cyathostomin infective larvae after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of horses.

The predatory nematophagous fungi have been used as an alternative control of gastrointestinal nematodes of domestic animals in natural and laboratory conditions. However, it is unclear if the association of some of these species could bring some kind of advantage, from a biological standpoint. In this context, this study consisted of two tests in vitro: in assay A, the assessment of the viability of the association of pellets in sodium alginate matrix containing the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34) and its predatory activity on infective larvae (L3) of cyathostomin after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of horses and assay B, assessment of the cyathostomin L3 reduction percentage in coprocultures. Twelve crossbred horses, females, with a mean weight of 356 kg and previously dewormed were divided in three groups with four animals each: group 1, each animal received 50 g of pellets containing mycelial mass of the fungus D. flagrans and 50 g of pellets of the fungus M. thaumasium, associated and in a single oral dose; group 2, 100 g of pellets containing D. flagrans and 100 g of pellets containing M. thaumasium, associated and in a single oral dose; group 3, control. Faecal samples were collected from animals in the treated and control groups at time intervals of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after the administration of treatments and placed in Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar (assay A) and cups for coprocultures (assay B). Subsequently, 1000 cyathostomin L3 were added to each Petri dish (assay A) and 1000 cyathostomin eggs were added to each coproculture (assay B) of fungi-treated and control groups. At the end of 15 days, there was observed that the two associations of pellets containing the fungi tested showed predatory activity after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of horses (assay A). In assay B, all the intervals studied showed reduction rate in the number of L3 recovered from coprocultures exceeding 80%. However, no difference (p>0.01) was seen in recovery of not predated L3 between the fungi-treated groups in the time intervals studied. The results obtained showed that the associations of pellets (50 or 100 g of each fungal isolate) were viable after passage through the gastrointestinal tract in horses and could be used in natural conditions.