Saxitoxin potentiates human neuronal cell death induced by Zika virus while sparing neural progenitors and astrocytes.

The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic declared in Brazil between 2015 and 2016 was associated with an increased prevalence of severe congenital malformations, including microcephaly. The distribution of microcephaly cases was not uniform across the country, with a disproportionately higher incidence in the Northeast region (NE). Our previous work demonstrated that saxitoxin (STX), a toxin present in the drinking water reservoirs of the NE, exacerbated the damaging effects of ZIKV on the developing brain. We hypothesized that the impact of STX might vary among different neural cell types. While ZIKV infection caused severe damages on astrocytes and neural stem cells (NSCs), the addition of STX did not exacerbate these effects. We observed that neurons subjected to STX exposure were more prone to apoptosis and displayed higher ZIKV infection rate. These findings suggest that STX exacerbates the harmful effects of ZIKV on neurons, thereby providing a plausible explanation for the heightened severity of ZIKV-induced congenital malformations observed in Brazil's NE. This study highlights the importance of understanding the interactive effects of environmental toxins and infectious pathogens on neural development, with potential implications for public health policies.

On the Valorisation of Chitin-Derived Furans by Milling.

Chitin-derived furans offer a sustainable alternative feedstock for nitrogen appended aromatic compounds. Herein, we address the challenge of using chitin-derived furans, 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF) and 3-acetamido-5-furfural aldehyde (3A5F), to favour the formation of exo Diels-Alder adducts and 4­acetylaminophthalimides respectively, using a mechanochemical ball-milling technique. Mechanochemical activation is explored through the synthesis of 7-oxa-norbornene backbones with novel substitution pattern from 3A5AF in yields up to 77% and improved exo:endo selectivity compared to solution-phase reactions. The synthesis of 4­acetylaminophthalimides from 3A5F in yields up to 79% is also showcased from hydrazone derivatives.

Metal tolerance in enterococci isolated from seabirds in Abrolhos Archipelago, Brazil: Evaluating their role as bioindicators of marine pollution.

Microbiota exposed to pollution provide insights into host physiology and ecosystem disruption. This study evaluated Enterococcus spp. tolerant to arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and mercury (Hg) from red-billed tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) and brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), which previously showed these metals in their blood and feathers, and their potential use as bioindicators of metal contamination. Enterococcus casseliflavus (47.9 %), E. faecalis (34.1 %), E. hirae (11.7 %), and E. faecium (5.3 %) were identified. Both seabird species had a high incidence of As-tolerant bacteria (84.0 %), with 40.4 % of these strains containing As efflux system genes (arsA_I and arsA_II). Cu efflux pump gene (tcrB) was detected in 30.9 % of strains, while Hg reductase genes (mer) were not found. As- and Cu-tolerance in enterococci observed in this study underlines their potential as bioindicators in metal-polluted marine environments. Further research may elucidate the role of these metal-tolerant enterococci in seabird gut and their adaptability to polluted environments.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Ameliorates Early Cardiometabolic Disorders in Fructose-Overloaded Rat Offspring.

BACKGROUND: We investigate the role of galantamine on autonomic dysfunction associated with early cardiometabolic dysfunction in the offspring of fructose-overloaded rats. METHODS: Wistar rats received fructose diluted in drinking water (10%) or water for 60 days prior to mating. Fructose overload was maintained until the end of lactation. The offspring (21 days after birth) of control and fructose-overloaded animals were divided into three groups: control (C), fructose (F) and fructose + galantamine (GAL). GAL (5 mg/kg) was administered orally until the offspring were 51 days old. Metabolic, hemodynamic and cardiovascular autonomic modulation were evaluated. RESULTS: The F group showed decreased insulin tolerance (KITT) compared to the C and GAL groups. The F group, in comparison to the C group, had increased arterial blood pressure, heart rate and sympathovagal balance (LF/HF ratio) and a low-frequency band of systolic arterial pressure (LF-SAP). The GAL group, in comparison to the F group, showed increased vagally mediated RMSSD index, a high-frequency band (HF-PI) and decreased LF/HF ratio and variance in SAP (VAR-SAP) and LF-SAP. Correlations were found between HF-PI and KITT (r = 0.60), heart rate (r = -0.65) and MAP (r = -0.71). CONCLUSIONS: GAL treatment significantly improved cardiovascular autonomic modulation, which was associated with the amelioration of cardiometabolic dysfunction in offspring of parents exposed to chronic fructose consumption.

TransOdara study: the challenge of integrating methods, settings and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect transgender women and travestis (TGW), who often lack access to healthcare due to stigma and discrimination. We describe the approach and methodology of a study investigating the prevalence of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and human papillomavirus (HPV) among TGW, as well as their knowledge and perceptions regarding syphilis, to better inform policies to curb STIs among this vulnerable population. METHODS: TransOdara was a multicentric, cross-sectional study conducted among TGW in five capital cities from major Brazilian regions between December 2019 and July 2021. Self-identified transgender women and travestis aged >18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling after a qualitative formative phase, completed an interviewer-led questionnaire, were offered a physical examination, and were also asked to provide samples from multiple sites to detect various STIs, starting vaccination and treatment when indicated. RESULTS: A total of 1,317 participants were recruited from the five study locations: Campo Grande (n=181, 13.7%), Manaus (n=340, 25.8%), Porto Alegre (n=192, 14.6%), Salvador (n=201, 15.3%), and São Paulo (n=403, 30.6%). The recruitment period varied at each study location due to logistic constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Despite the enormous challenges posed by the co-occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and field work targeting a vulnerable, elusive, and scattered population, the TransOdara project has been effectively implemented. Caveats did not preclude 1,300 TGW from being interviewed and tested, amid a significant epidemic that disrupted health services and research projects in Brazil and worldwide.

Long-term surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the school community from Campo Grande, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted education systems worldwide, with Brazil being one of the countries with the longest school closures. Over a million children and teenagers have been affected, leading to increased hunger and nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to implement long-term surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in public and private schools in Campo Grande, Brazil, after returning to in-person classes. METHODS: The study involved testing and genomic surveillance at 23 public and private schools in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from October 18, 2021 to November 21, 2022. The participants eligible for enrollment were students aged 6-17 years and staff members from school institutions. At the time of collection, participants were asked if they had symptoms in the last two weeks. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted to identify circulating variants and to compare them with those detected in the municipality. The demographic data and clinical history of the participants were described, and a logistic regression model was used to understand how the RT-qPCR results could be related to different characteristics. RESULTS: The study included 999 participants, most of whom were women. A total of 85 tests were positive, with an overall positivity rate of 3.2%. The dynamics of case frequency were consistent with those observed in the municipality during the study period. The most common symptoms reported were cough, rhinorrhea, headache, and sore throat. Symptoms were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Eleven lineages were identified in school community samples, with a frequency of occurrence per period similar to that found in the sequences available for the municipality. The most prevalent lineages within the sampling period were BA.2 (59.3%) and BA.5 (29.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that schools can play a crucial role in epidemiological surveillance, helping trigger rapid responses to pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Long-term surveillance can be used to track outbreaks and assess the role of children and adults in transmission. It can also contribute to pandemic preparedness, enabling a rapid response to emergencies, such as COVID-19.

Mitigation of Subsequent Ovariectomy Responses through Prior Exercise Training in Rats.

It is well known that cardiometabolic dysfunction gradually increases after menopause, and the sedentary lifestyle can aggravate this condition. Therefore, we compared the effects of aerobic exercise training during the premenopausal period and after ovariectomy (OVX) on metabolic, hemodynamic, and autonomic parameters in an experimental rat model of menopause. The female rats were divided into four groups: control (C), sedentary OVX (SO), trained OVX (TO), and previously trained OVX (PTO). The PTO group was trained for 4 weeks prior to+8 weeks after OVX, and the TO group trained only after OVX on a motor treadmill. Autonomic modulation was evaluated, white adipose tissue (WAT) was removed and weighed, and lipolysis was assessed. The citrate synthase activity in the soleus muscle was analyzed. The trained groups prevented the impairment of baroreceptor reflex sensitivity in relation to SO; however, only PTO reduced the low-frequency band of the pulse interval compared to SO. PTO reduced the weight of WAT compared to the other groups; lipolysis in PTO was similar to that in C. PTO preserved muscle metabolic injury in all types of fibers analyzed. In conclusion, this study suggests that exercise training should be recommended in a premenopausal model to prevent cardiometabolic and autonomic menopause-induced deleterious effects.

Antifungal activity of Serratia plymuthica against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternariatenuissima.

The antifungal activity of Serratia plymuthica CCGG2742, a bacterial strain isolated from grapes berries skin, against a phytopathogenic fungus isolated from blueberries was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In order to characterize the wild fungal isolate, phylogenetic analysis using concatenated DNA sequences from the RPB2 and TEF1 genes and of the ITS region was performed, allowing the identification of the fungal isolate that was called Alternaria tenuissima CC17. Hyphae morphology, mycelium ultrastructure, conidia and reproductive structures were in agreement with the phylogenetic analysis. The antifungal activity of the S. plymuthica strain was dependent on the composition of the culture medium. The greatest inhibition of mycelial growth of A. tenuissima CC17 by S. plymuthica CCGG2742 was observed on YTS medium, which lacks of an easily assimilable carbon source. Fungal growth medium supplemented with 50 % of bacterial supernatant decreased the conidia germination of A. tenuissima CC17 up to 32 %. Preventive applications of S. plymuthica CCGG2742 to blueberries and tomato leaves at conidia:bacteria ratio of 1:100, protected in 77.8 ± 4.6 % and 98.2 ± 0.6 % to blueberries and tomato leaves from infection caused by A. tenuissima CC17, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the antifungal activity of S. plymuthica against A. tenuissima, which could be used as a biological control agent of plant diseases caused by this fungal species. In addition, the results of this work could be a starting point to attribute the real importance of A. tenuissima as a pathogen of blueberries in Chile, which until now had been considered almost exclusively to A. alternata. Likewise, this research could be relevant to start developing highly effective strategies based on S. plymuthica CCGG2742 for the control of this important phytopathogenic fungus.

Glioprotective Effects of Sulforaphane in Hypothalamus: Focus on Aging Brain.

Sulforaphane is a natural compound with neuroprotective activity, but its effects on hypothalamus remain unknown. In line with this, astrocytes are critical cells to maintain brain homeostasis, and hypothalamic astrocytes are fundamental for sensing and responding to environmental changes involved in a variety of homeostatic functions. Changes in brain functionality, particularly associated with hypothalamic astrocytes, can contribute to age-related neurochemical alterations and, consequently, neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, here, we investigated the glioprotective effects of sulforaphane on hypothalamic astrocyte cultures and hypothalamic cell suspension obtained from aged Wistar rats (24 months old). Sulforaphane showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as modulated the mRNA expression of astroglial markers, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member L1, aquaporin 4, and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, it increased the expression and extracellular levels of trophic factors, such as glia-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor, as well as the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the mRNA of TrkA, which is a receptor associated with trophic factors. Sulforaphane also modulated the expression of classical pathways associated with glioprotection, including nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, heme oxygenase-1, nuclear factor kappa B p65 subunit, and AMP-activated protein kinase. Finally, a cell suspension with neurons and glial cells was used to confirm the predominant effect of sulforaphane in glial cells. In summary, this study indicated the anti-aging and glioprotective activities of sulforaphane in aged astrocytes.

Interaction between MED12 and ΔNp63 activates basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The presence of basal lineage characteristics signifies hyperaggressive human adenocarcinomas of the breast, bladder and pancreas. However, the biochemical mechanisms that maintain this aberrant cell state are poorly understood. Here we performed marker-based genetic screens in search of factors needed to maintain basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This approach revealed MED12 as a powerful regulator of the basal cell state in this disease. Using biochemical reconstitution and epigenomics, we show that MED12 carries out this function by bridging the transcription factor ΔNp63, a known master regulator of the basal lineage, with the Mediator complex to activate lineage-specific enhancer elements. Consistent with this finding, the growth of basal-like PDAC is hypersensitive to MED12 loss when compared to PDAC cells lacking basal characteristics. Taken together, our genetic screens have revealed a biochemical interaction that sustains basal identity in human cancer, which could serve as a target for tumor lineage-directed therapeutics.

Time trends of avoidable deaths in Brazil, 1996 to 2019 / Tendência temporal das mortes evitáveis no Brasil, 1996 a 2019

Introduction: The known achievements of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) stand out in an adverse context. This makes it necessary to examine the effect of the SUS on the population's health, using indicators such as deaths by avoidable causes. Objective: To describe the time trends of mortality from avoidable causes in Brazil and to compare them to those of non-avoidable causes. Methods: Ecological time-series study with official mortality data, during years 1996-2019, in the age group 5-74 years. Time trends in mortality were estimated as the annual percent reduction in mortality rates, and the impact of the SUS was calculated as the difference in trend between avoidable (immunopreventable, infectious and noncommunicable diseases, maternal and external causes) and non-avoidable causes. The analyses consisted of multivariable binomial regression models, by quadrennium. Results: Death rates for each avoidability group remained stable or declined throughout the study period. The probability of a positive impact was greater than 90% for immunopreventable diseases throughout the study period; infectious diseases in 1996-2003 and 2016-2019; noncommunicable diseases in 1996-2003 and 2008-2019; maternal causes in 1996-1999; and external causes in 1996-2007. This probability was less than 10% for maternal deaths in 2016-2019; and external causes in 2008-2015. Conclusion: The SUS has had a positive impact in reducing deaths from immunopreventable, infectious and noncommunicable diseases in Brazil, although not so much for maternal and external causes.

Introdução: As conhecidas conquistas do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) se destacam num cenário adverso. Isso torna necessário examinar o efeito do SUS na saúde da população, usando indicadores como as mortes por causas evitáveis. Objetivo: Descrever as tendências temporais de mortalidade por causas evitáveis no Brasil e compará-las às tendências por causas não evitáveis. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de série temporal com dados oficiais de mortalidade, durante os anos 1996-2019, na faixa etária dos 5-74 anos. As tendências temporais de mortalidade foram estimadas como a redução percentual anual nas taxas de mortalidade, e o impacto do SUS foi calculado como a diferença de tendência entre causas evitáveis (doenças imunopreveníveis, infecciosas ou não transmissíveis, mortes maternas, causas externas) e não evitáveis. As análises consistiram em modelos de regressão binomial multivariável, por quadriênio. Resultados: A taxa de mortalidade permaneceu igual ou diminuiu para todos os grupos de causas de morte. A probabilidade de um impacto positivo foi maior do que 90% para as doenças imunopreveníveis ao longo de todo o período de estudo; doenças infecciosas em 1996-2003 e 2016-2019; não transmissíveis em 1996-2003 e 2008-2019; mortes maternas em 1996-1999; e externas em 1996-2007. Essa probabilidade foi menor do que 10% para mortes maternas em 2016-2019; e causas externas em 2008-2015. Conclusão: O SUS tem tido um impacto positivo na redução de mortes por doenças sensíveis à imunização, infecciosas e não transmissíveis no Brasil, embora não tanto para mortes maternas e causas externas.

Insulin Treatment Does Not Prevent EARLY Autonomic Cardiovascular and Diastolic Dysfunctions in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Recent studies have found increased cardiovascular mortality risk in patients with type 1 diabetes when compared to normoglycemic people, even when they were kept under good glycemic control. However, the mechanisms underlying this condition have yet to be fully understood. Using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, we evaluated the effects of insulin replacement therapy on cardiac, autonomic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters. Daily treatment with insulin administrated subcutaneously in the STZ-diabetic rats showed a reduction in hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL) to normalized values. The insulin treatment was effective in preventing alterations in cardiac morphometry and systolic function but had no impact on diastolic function. Also, the treatment was not able to prevent the impairment of baroreflex-tachycardic response and systolic arterial pressure variability (SAP-V). A correlation was found between improvement of these autonomic parameters and higher levels of IL-10 and lower levels of oxidized glutathione. Our findings show that insulin treatment was not able to prevent diastolic, baroreflex, and SAP-V dysfunction, suggesting an outstanding cardiovascular risk, even after obtaining a good glycemic control in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This study shed light on a relatively large population of diabetic patients in need of other therapies to be used in combination with insulin treatment and thus more effectively manage cardiovascular risk.

Epitope mapping and a candidate vaccine design from canine distemper virus.

Background: Canine distemper (CD) is a worldwide spread disease that has been described in 12 families of mammals, especially in the Carnivora order, being better studied in domestic canines where vaccination represents the best means of control. CD is controlled by vaccination, but many cases of the disease still occur in vaccinated animals. Aim: The aim of this work was to study antigen-specific epitopes that can subsidize the development of a new vaccine approach. Methods: Mapping of T cell reactive epitopes for CD virus (CDV) was carried out through enzyme-linked immunospot assays using 119 overlapped synthetic peptides from the viral hemagglutinin protein, grouped in 22 pools forming a matrix to test the immune response of 32 animals. Results: Evaluations using the criteria established to identify reactive pools, demonstrated that 26 animals presented at least one reactive pool, that one pool was not reactive to any animal, and six pools were the most frequent among the reactive peptides. The crisscrossing of the most reactive pools in the matrix revealed nine peptides considered potential candidate epitopes for T cell stimulation against the CDV and those were used to design an in-silico protein, containing also predicted epitopes for B cell stimulation, and further analyzed using immune epitope databases to ensure protein quality and stability. Conclusion: The final in silico optimized protein presents characteristics that qualify it to be used to develop a new prototype epitope-based anti-CDV vaccine.

Rede social de apoio à gestante adolescente na atenção primária à saúde: revisão de escopo / Social network to support pregnant adolescent women in primary health care: scope review / Red social de apoyo a mujeres adolescentes embarazadas en atención primaria de salud: revisión de alcance

Objetivo: Buscou-se mapear as evidências científicas sobre a rede social de apoio à gravidez na adolescência na atenção primária à saúde. Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo, segundo o método do Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) e recomendações da Preferred Reporting Items-se Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). As fontes de busca estabelecidas foram: Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Base de dados em Enfermagem, ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scientific Electronic Library Online. Resultados: Foram selecionados 204 artigos, do corpus total, nove pesquisas foram incluídas na revisão. A partir da análise verificou-se a rede social e a sua identificação consiste em uma ferramenta importante para o desenvolvimento, proteção da saúde e redução dos danos, partindo-se do pressuposto de que a existência e percepção da rede possam gerar influências positivas no cuidado. Conclusão: A pesquisa apontou que o pertencimento a uma rede social contribui positivamente à nova realidade das adolescentes grávidas, estimulando a continuidade da gestação e história de vida. (AU)

Objective: Seek to map the scientific evidence on a social network of support for pregnancy in adolescence and primary health care. Methods: It deals with a scopo review, second or method of Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and recommendations of Preferred Reporting Items-se Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyzes extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). As established search sources: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Database of Nursing, ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scientific Electronic Library Online. Results: 204 articles selected, total corpus, nine researches included in the review. From the analysis, the social network is verified and its identification consists of an important ferramenta for the development, protection of health and reduction of two damages, starting from the presumption that the existence and perception of the network allow positive influences not to be taken care of. Conclusion: A research shows that belonging to a social network contributed positively to the new realities of pregnant adolescents, stimulating the continuity of pregnancy and life history. (AU)

Objetivo: Se buscó mapear la evidencia científica en la red social de apoyo al embarazo adolescente en la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: Se trata de una revisión del alcance, de acuerdo con el método del Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) y las recomendaciones de la extensión Preferred Reporting Items y Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes para Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Las fuentes de búsqueda establecidas fueron: Literatura de ciencias de la salud de América Latina y el Caribe, Base de datos de enfermería, ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, Índice acumulativo de literatura de enfermería y salud afín, Biblioteca electrónica científica en línea. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 204 artículos del corpus total, se incluyeron nueve investigaciones en la revisión. A partir del análisis se verificó una red social y su identificación es una herramienta importante para el desarrollo, la protección de la salud y la reducción de daños, partiendo del supuesto de que la existencia y percepción de la red puede generar influencias positivas en el cuidado. Conclusión: La investigación mostró que pertenecer a una red social contribuye positivamente a la nueva realidad de las adolescentes embarazadas, fomentando la continuidad del embarazo y la historia de vida. (AU)

Selective signatures in composite MONTANA TROPICAL beef cattle reveal potential genomic regions for tropical adaptation.

Genomic regions related to tropical adaptability are of paramount importance for animal breeding nowadays, especially in the context of global climate change. Moreover, understanding the genomic architecture of these regions may be very relevant for aiding breeding programs in choosing the best selection scheme for tropical adaptation and/or implementing a crossbreeding scheme. The composite MONTANA TROPICAL® population was developed by crossing cattle of four different biological types to improve production in harsh environments. Pedigree and genotype data (51962 SNPs) from 3215 MONTANA TROPICAL® cattle were used to i) characterize the population structure; ii) identify signatures of selection with complementary approaches, i.e. Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) and Runs of Homozygosity (ROH); and iii) understand genes and traits related to each selected region. The population structure based on principal components had a weak relationship with the genetic contribution of the different biological types. Clustering analyses (ADMIXTURE) showed different clusters according to the number of generations within the composite population. Considering results of both selection signatures approaches, we identified only one consensus region on chromosome 20 (35399405-40329703 bp). Genes in this region are related to immune function, regulation of epithelial cell differentiation, and cell response to ionizing radiation. This region harbors the slick locus which is related to slick hair and epidermis anatomy, both of which are related to heat stress adaptation. Also, QTLs in this region were related to feed intake, milk yield, mastitis, reproduction, and slick hair coat. The signatures of selection detected here arose in a few generations after crossbreeding between contrasting breeds. Therefore, it shows how important this genomic region may be for these animals to thrive in tropical conditions. Further investigations on sequencing this region can identify candidate genes for animal breeding and/or gene editing to tackle the challenges of climate change.

Dietary Variation Effect on Life History Traits and Energy Storage in Neotropical Species of Drosophila (Diptera; Drosophilidae).

The ability of an organism to respond to nutritional stress can be a plastic character under the action of natural selection, affecting several characteristics, including life history and energy storage. The genus Drosophila (Diptera; Drosophilidae) presents high variability regarding natural resource exploration. However, most works on this theme have studied the model species D. melanogaster Meigen, 1830 and little is known about Neotropical drosophilids. Here we evaluate the effects of three diets, with different carbohydrate-to-protein ratios, on life history (viability and development time) and metabolic pools (triglycerides, glycogen, and total soluble protein contents) of three Neotropical species of Drosophila: D. maculifrons Duda, 1927; D. ornatifrons Duda, 1927, both of the subgenus Drosophila Sturtevant, 1939, and D. willistoni Sturtevant, 1916 of the subgenus Sophophora Sturtevant, 1939. Our results showed that only D. willistoni was viable on all diets, D. maculifrons was not viable on the sugary diet, while D. ornatifrons was barely viable on this diet. The sugary diet increased the development time of D. willistoni and D. ornatifrons, and D. willistoni glycogen content. Thus, the viability of D. maculifrons and D. ornatifrons seems to depend on a certain amount of protein and/or a low concentration of carbohydrate in the diet. A more evident effect of the diets on triglyceride and protein pools was detected in D. ornatifrons, which could be related to the adult attraction to dung and carrion baited pitfall as food resource tested in nature. Our results demonstrated that the evolutionary history and differential adaptations to natural macronutrient resources are important to define the amplitude of response that a species can present when faced with dietary variation.

Host response during unresolved urinary tract infection alters female mammary tissue homeostasis through collagen deposition and TIMP1.

Exposure to pathogens throughout a lifetime influences immunity and organ function. Here, we explore how the systemic host-response to bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) induces tissue-specific alterations to the mammary gland. Utilizing a combination of histological tissue analysis, single cell transcriptomics, and flow cytometry, we identify that mammary tissue from UTI-bearing mice displays collagen deposition, enlarged ductal structures, ductal hyperplasia with atypical epithelial transcriptomes and altered immune composition. Bacterial cells are absent in the mammary tissue and blood of UTI-bearing mice, therefore, alterations to the distal mammary tissue are mediated by the systemic host response to local infection. Furthermore, broad spectrum antibiotic treatment resolves the infection and restores mammary cellular and tissue homeostasis. Systemically, unresolved UTI correlates with increased plasma levels of the metalloproteinase inhibitor, TIMP1, which controls extracellular matrix remodeling and neutrophil function. Treatment of nulliparous and post-lactation UTI-bearing female mice with a TIMP1 neutralizing antibody, restores mammary tissue normal homeostasis, thus providing evidence for a link between the systemic host response during UTI and mammary gland alterations.

Seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the school community in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, October 2021-November 2022.

Introduction: With the reopening of schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was imperative to understand the role of students and education professionals in the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this paper, we determined the seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies in the school community in Campo Grande, the capital and most populous city of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) and evaluated its association with sex, school level, and school type. Materials and methods: The survey was carried out in 20 public and private schools in the urban region of Campo Grande using the TR DPP® COVID-19 immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G (IgM/IgG) kit from the Immunobiological Technology Institute (Bio-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Testing was carried out in three periods: from October to December 2021; from March to July 2022; and from August to November 2022. The participants were students aged 6-17 years enrolled in primary or secondary schools and professionals of different ages and roles. Results: During the first testing period, 162 participants were seropositive for the IgM and/or IgG anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, with an estimated seroprevalence of 19.6% using Bayesian multilevel regression. In the second period, 251 participants were seropositive (estimated seroprevalence, 34.6%), while in the third period, 393 participants were seroconverted (estimated seroprevalence, 56.7%). In 2022, there was an increase in the seroconversion rate compared to that in 2021. The most frequently described acute manifestations in the three periods were fever, headache, sore throat, and runny nose. In terms of the demographic profile, there was no predominance of seropositivity between the sexes, although women represented approximately 70% of the study population. There were also no differences between students and school staff. Discussion: The results made it possible to evaluate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the school community through immunity developed against the virus, in addition to providing information about COVID-19 symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults.

Respiratory muscles's thermographic analysis in asthmatic youth with and without bronchospasm induced by eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the thermographic pattern of regions of interest (ROI) of respiratory muscles in young asthmatics with and without bronchospasm induced by eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out with 55 young (55% male and 45% females) aged 12.5 ± 3.3 years, divided in nine nonasthmatics, 22 asthmatics without exercise-induced bronchospasm compatible response (EIB-cr) and 24 asthmatics with EIB-cr. The diagnosis of EIB was given to subjects with a fall in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) ≥ 10% compared to baseline. Thermographic recordings of respiratory muscles were delimited in ROI of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), pectoral, and rectus abdominis intention area. Thermal captures and FEV1 were taken before and 5, 10, 15 and 30 min after EVH. RESULTS: Twenty-four (52.1%) of asthmatics had EIB-cr. There was a decrease in temperature at 10 min after EVH test in the SCM, pectoral and rectus abdominis ROIs in all groups (both with p < 0.05). There was a decrease in temperature (% basal) in asthmatic with EIB-cr compared to nonasthmatics in the rectus abdominis area (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in temperature in the ROIs of different muscle groups, especially in asthmatics. The greater drop in FEV1 observed in individuals with EIB-cr was initially associated with a decrease in skin temperature, with a difference between the nonasthmatics in the abdominal muscle area. It is likely that this decrease in temperature occurred due to a temporary displacement of blood flow to the most used muscle groups, with a decrease in the region of the skin evaluated in the thermography.

Differences between cultured astrocytes from neonatal and adult Wistar rats: focus on in vitro aging experimental models.

Astrocytes play key roles regulating brain homeostasis and accumulating evidence has suggested that glia are the first cells that undergo functional changes with aging, which can lead to a decline in brain function. In this context, in vitro models are relevant tools for studying aged astrocytes and, here, we investigated functional and molecular changes in cultured astrocytes obtained from neonatal or adult animals submitted to an in vitro model of aging by an additional period of cultivation of cells after confluence. In vitro aging induced different metabolic effects regarding glucose and glutamate uptake, as well as glutamine synthetase activity, in astrocytes obtained from adult animals compared to those obtained from neonatal animals. In vitro aging also modulated glutathione-related antioxidant defenses and increased reactive oxygen species and cytokine release especially in astrocytes from adult animals. Interestingly, in vitro aged astrocytes from adult animals exposed to pro-oxidant, inflammatory, and antioxidant stimuli showed enhanced oxidative and inflammatory responses. Moreover, these functional changes were correlated with the expression of the senescence marker p21, cytoskeleton markers, glutamate transporters, inflammatory mediators, and signaling pathways such as nuclear factor κB (NFκB)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Alterations in these genes are remarkably associated with a potential neurotoxic astrocyte phenotype. Therefore, considering the experimental limitations due to the need for long-term maintenance of the animals for studying aging, astrocyte cultures obtained from adult animals further aged in vitro can provide an improved experimental model for understanding the mechanisms associated with aging-related astrocyte dysfunction.