Multi-Institutional Outcomes of Dorsal Onlay Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty in Patients With Postprostatectomy, Postradiation Anastomotic Stenosis.

PURPOSE: The treatment of urethral stenosis after a combination of prostatectomy and radiation therapy for prostate cancer is understudied. We evaluate the clinical and patient-related outcomes after dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (D-BMGU) in men who underwent prostatectomy and radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-institutional, retrospective review of men with vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis or bulbomembranous urethral stricture disease after radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy from 8 institutions between 2013 to 2021 was performed. The primary outcomes were stenosis recurrence and development of de novo stress urinary incontinence. Secondary outcomes were surgical complications, changes in voiding, and patient-reported satisfaction. RESULTS: Forty-five men were treated with D-BMGU for stenosis following prostatectomy and radiation. There was a total of 7 recurrences. Median follow-up in patients without recurrence was 21 months (IQR 12-24). There were no incidents of de novo incontinence, 28 patients were incontinent pre- and postoperatively, and of the 6 patients managed with suprapubic catheter preoperatively, 4 were continent after repair. Following repair, men had significant improvement in postvoid residual, uroflow, International Prostate Symptom Score, and International Prostate Symptom Score quality-of-life domain. Overall satisfaction was +2 or better in 86.6% of men on the Global Response Assessment. CONCLUSIONS: D-BMGU is a safe, feasible, and effective technique in patients with urethral stenosis after a combination of prostatectomy and radiation therapy. Although our findings suggest this technique may result in lower rates of de novo urinary incontinence compared to conventional urethral transection and excision techniques, head-to-head comparisons are needed.

Optimising the surveillance of Aedes aegypti in Brazil by selecting smaller representative areas within an endemic city.

OBJECTIVES: Arboviruses, such as dengue (DENV), zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV), constitute a growing urban public health threat. Focusing on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, their primary vectors, is crucial for mitigation. While traditional immature-stage mosquito surveillance has limitations, capturing adult mosquitoes through traps yields more accurate data on disease transmission. However, deploying traps presents logistical and financial challenges, demonstrating effective temporal predictions but lacking spatial accuracy. Our goal is to identify smaller representative areas within cities to enhance the early warning system for DENV outbreaks. METHODS: We created Sentinel Geographic Units (SGUs), smaller areas of 1 km2 within each stratum, larger areas, with the aim of aligning the Trap Positivity Index (TPI) and Adult Density Index (ADI) with their respective strata. We conducted a two-step evaluation of SGUs. First, we examined the equivalence of TPI and ADI between SGUs and strata from January 2017 to July 2022. Second, we assessed the ability of SGU's TPI and ADI to predict DENV outbreaks in comparison to Foz do Iguaçu's Early-Warning System, which forecasts outbreaks up to 4 weeks ahead. Spatial and temporal analyses were carried out, including data interpolation and model selection based on Akaike information criteria (AIC). RESULTS: Entomological indicators produced in small SGUs can effectively replace larger sentinel areas to access dengue outbreaks. Based on historical data, the best predictive capability is achieved 2 weeks after infestation verification. Implementing the SGU strategy with more frequent sampling can provide more precise space-time estimates and enhance dengue control. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of SGUs offers an efficient way to monitor mosquito populations, reducing the need for extensive resources. This approach has the potential to improve dengue transmission management and enhance the public health response in endemic cities.

Safety, feasibility, and short-term-outcome of anal endoscopic submucosal dissection for anal intraepithelial neoplasia: an option for focal lesions?

BACKGROUND: Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) appears in three different stages. AIN 1 and AIN 2 (p16 negative) are defined as low risk and unlikely to progress to invasive anal cancer. AIN 2 (p16 positive) and AIN 3 are of high risk and should be treated because progression rates to anal cancer are around 10% and treatment significantly reduces this risk. The correct treatment is still a matter of debate. Human papilloma virus (HPV) plays a role in the development of AIN. Our aim was to assess anal endoscopic dissection (aESD) as an intervention for AIN3. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent aESD for AIN 3 between December 2017 and March 2023. The interventional technique itself (duration, complications, size of specimen) and patient outcomes (recurrence, progression to anal cancer, re-intervention) were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with a median age of 52 years (23-78) underwent aESD for AIN 3. All tested specimens were positive for HPV. Median duration of intervention was 56.1 min, one delayed postinterventional bleeding occurred, and specimen size was 12.05 cm2. Median follow-up was 11.17 months. Three recurrences (20%) appeared: one was resected via biopsy and two were again treated with aESD. There was no progression to invasive anal cancer in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Anal endoscopic submucosal dissection seems to be a safe and feasible treatment for AIN. Recurrences are seldom and can be treated again with the same method. Nevertheless, indications for resection in comparison to radiofrequency ablation, pharmacological therapy, and watch-and-wait strategy are still unclear. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethics commission of Salzburg, Austria, EK-Nr. 1056/2023. Keywords: Endoscopic submucosal dissection, anal intraepithelial neoplasia, anal cancer.

Wavelength and Light Intensity Affect Macro- and Micronutrient Uptake, Stomata Number, and Plant Morphology of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

It is already known that light quality and intensity have major influences on the growth, etiolation, germination, and morphology of many plant species, but there is limited information about the effect of wavelength and light intensity on nutrient absorption by plants. Therefore, this study was established to evaluate the plant growth, stomata formation, chlorophyll index, and absorption of macro- and micronutrients by common bean plants under six light treatments. The experimental design was completely randomized and consisted of six treatments: strong blue (blue LED at high light intensity); weak blue (blue LED at low light intensity); strong red (red LED at high light intensity); weak red (red LED at low light intensity; pink (combined red + blue LED), and white (combined red + white led). The stomatal density (stomata mm-2); the SPAD index; plant height (cm); root length (cm); plant dry weight (g); root dry weight (g); and the concentrations of N, S, K, Mg, Ca, B, Zn, Mn, and Fe on leaf analysis were influenced by all treatments. We found that plant photomorphogenesis is controlled not only by the wavelength, but also by the light intensity. Etiolation was observed in bean plants under blue light at low intensity, but when the same wavelength had more intensity, the etiolation did not happen, and the plant height was the same as plants under multichromatic lights (pink and white light). The smallest plants showed the largest roots, some of the highest chlorophyll contents, and some of the highest stomatal densities, and consequently, the highest dry weight, under white LED, showing that the multichromatic light at high intensity resulted in better conditions for the plants in carbon fixation. The effect of blue light on plant morphology is intensity-dependent. Plants under multichromatic light tend to have lower concentrations of N, K, Mg, and Cu in their leaves, but the final amount of these nutrients absorbed is higher because of the higher dry weight of these plants. Plants under blue light at high intensity tended to have lower concentrations of N, Cu, B, and Zn when compared to the same wavelength at low intensity, and their dry weight was not different from plants grown under pink light. New studies are needed to understand how and on what occasions intense blue light can replace red light in plant physiology.

Spatial analysis of dengue transmission in an endemic city in Brazil reveals high spatial structuring on local dengue transmission dynamics.

In the last decades, dengue has become one of the most widespread mosquito-borne arboviruses in the world, with an increasing incidence in tropical and temperate regions. The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the dengue primary vector and is more abundant in highly urbanized areas. Traditional vector control methods have showing limited efficacy in sustaining mosquito population at low levels to prevent dengue virus outbreaks. Considering disease transmission is not evenly distributed in the territory, one perspective to enhance vector control efficacy relies on identifying the areas that concentrate arbovirus transmission within an endemic city, i.e., the hotspots. Herein, we used a 13-month timescale during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and its forced reduction in human mobility and social isolation to investigate the spatiotemporal association between dengue transmission in children and entomological indexes based on adult Ae. aegypti trapping. Dengue cases and the indexes Trap Positive Index (TPI) and Adult Density Index (ADI) varied seasonally, as expected: more than 51% of cases were notified on the first 2 months of the study, and higher infestation was observed in warmer months. The Moran's Eigenvector Maps (MEM) and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) revealed a strong large-scale spatial structuring in the positive dengue cases, with an unexpected negative correlation between dengue transmission and ADI. Overall, the global model and the purely spatial model presented a better fit to data. Our results show high spatial structure and low correlation between entomological and epidemiological data in Foz do Iguaçu dengue transmission dynamics, suggesting the role of human mobility might be overestimated and that other factors not evaluated herein could be playing a significant role in governing dengue transmission.

Multicriteria optimization of radiation therapy: Towards empowerment and standardization of reverse planning for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess if multicriteria optimization could limit interoperator variability in radiation therapy planning and assess if this method could contribute to target volume coverage and sparing of organ at risk for intensity-modulated curative radiation therapy of head and neck cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis on 20 patients treated for an oropharyngeal or oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. We carried out a comparative dosimetric study of manual plans produced with Precision® software, compared with the plans proposed using the multicriteria optimization method (RayStation®). We assessed interoperator reproducibility on the first six patients, and dosimetric contribution in sparing organs at risk using the multicriteria optimization method. RESULTS: Median age was 69 years, most lesions were oropharyngeal carcinoma (65%), and 35% lesions were stage T3. First, we obtained a high degree of similarity between the four operator measurements for each patient at the level of each organ. Intraclass correlation coefficients were greater than 0.85. Second, we observed a significant dosimetric benefit for contralateral parotid gland, homolateral and contralateral masseter muscles, homolateral and contralateral pterygoid muscles and for the larynx (P<0.05). For the contralateral parotid gland, the mean dose difference between the multicriteria optimization and manual plans was -2.0Gy (P=0.01). Regarding the larynx, the mean dose difference between the two plans was -4.6Gy (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Multicriteria optimization is a reproducible technique and faster than manual optimization. It allows dosimetric advantages on organs at risk, especially for those not usually taken into consideration in manual dosimetry. This may lead to improved quality of life.

Gender differences in tumor characteristics, treatment allocation and survival in stage I-III pancreatic cancer: a nationwide study.

INTRODUCTION: Sex and gender are modulators of health and disease and may have impact on treatment allocation and survival in patients with cancer. In this study, we analyzed the impact of sex and gender on treatment allocation and overall survival in patients with stage I-III pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Patients with stage I-III pancreatic cancer diagnosed between 2015 and 2020 were selected from the nationwide Netherlands Cancer Registry. Associations between sex and gender and the probability of receiving surgical and/or systemic treatment were examined with multivariable logistic regression analyses. Overall survival was assessed with log rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: Among 6855 patients, 51.2 % were female. Multivariable logistic regression analyses with adjustment for known confounders (age, performance status, comorbidities, tumor location, tumor stage and previous malignancies) showed that females less often received systemic chemotherapy compared to males (OR 0.799, 95 %CI 0.703-0.909, p < .001). No difference was found in the probability for undergoing surgical resection. Furthermore, females had worse overall survival compared to males (median OS 8.5 and 9.2 months respectively, 95 %CI 8.669-9.731). CONCLUSION: This nationwide study found that female patients with stage I-III pancreatic cancer significantly less often received systemic treatment and had worse overall survival as compared to males. Disparities in pancreatic cancer care can be decreased by recognizing and resolving potential obstacles or biases in treatment decision-making.

MDMA-assisted brief cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD: Study protocol for a pilot study.

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) impacts both individual and relational functioning. Veteran couples are at increased risk of relationship distress due to military stressors such as deployment, family reintegration, and traumatic stress. Although both Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) and its brief version (bCBCT) consistently have large effects on reducing PTSD symptoms, these treatments have more variable effects on relational outcomes. Given the impact of relationship functioning on the overall health of veterans, improving the effect of PTSD treatments on relationship functioning is an essential area of research. One promising path is the role of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted therapy in augmenting the relational impact of established therapeutic interventions such as bCBCT. Method/Design: This is a single site, open-label study assessing the preliminary efficacy, safety, and acceptability of MDMA-assisted therapy in combination with bCBCT in 8 veterans with PTSD and their intimate partners (N = 16). Therapy teams trained in bCBCT and MDMA-assisted therapy will deliver bCBCT combined with two MDMA sessions and two couple emotion focused integration sessions. PTSD symptom severity and relationship functioning outcomes will be evaluated. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine the efficacy of MDMA-assisted bCBCT for improving PTSD and relationship functioning among a sample of U.S. military veterans and their partners. This project could provide an opportunity to pilot a scalable model of treating PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system and leverage the benefits of MDMA for veterans with PTSD, as well as the downstream benefits to their partner on both individual and relationship functioning. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05979844.

Urolithiasis and sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective assessment of urinary biochemical variables / Urolitíase e gastrectomia vertical: uma avaliação prospectiva das variáveis bioquímicas urinárias

ABSTRACT Introduction: to evaluate urinary biochemical alterations related to urolithogenesis processes after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Materials and methods : prospective study with 32 individuals without previous diagnosis of urolithiasis who underwent SG. A 24-h urine test was collected seven days prior to surgery and at 6-month follow-up. The studied variables were urine volume, urinary pH, oxalate, calcium, citrate, and magnesium and calcium oxalate super saturation (CaOx SS). Results: patients were mainly women (81.2%), with mean age of 40.6 years. Mean pre- and postoperative BMI were 47.1 ± 8.3 Kg/m2 and 35.5 ± 6.1 Kg/m2, respectively (p<0.001). Urine volume was significantly lower at the postoperative evaluation in absolute values (2,242.50 ± 798.26 mL x 1,240.94 ± 352.39 mL, p<0.001) and adjusted to body weight (18.58 ± 6.92 mL/kg x 13.92 ± 4.65 mL/kg, p<0.001). CaOx SS increased significantly after SG (0.11 ± 0.10 x 0.24 ± 0.18, p<0.001). Moreover, uric acid levels were significantly lower at the postoperative evaluation (482.34 ± 195.80 mg x 434.75 ± 158.38 mg, p=0.027). Urinary pH, oxalate, calcium, citrate, and magnesium did not present significant variations between the pre- and postoperative periods. Conclusion: SG may lead to important alterations in the urinary profile. However, it occurs in a much milder way than that of RYGB.

RESUMO Introdução: avaliar as alterações bioquímicas urinárias relacionadas aos processos de litíase urinária após gastrectomia vertical (GV). Método: estudo prospectivo, com 32 indivíduos submetidos a GV, sem diagnóstico prévio de urolitíase. Foi coletada urina de 24 horas, sete dias antes da operação e no retorno de 6 meses. As variáveis estudadas foram volume de urina, pH urinário, oxalato, cálcio, citrato e super saturação de oxalato e cálcio (SS CaOx). Resultados: os pacientes foram em sua maioria mulheres (81,2%), com idade média de 40,6 anos. O IMC médio pré e pós-operatório foi 47,1 ± 8,3 Kg/m2 e 35,5 ± 6,1 Kg/m2, respectivamente (p<0,001). O volume de urina foi significativamente baixo na avaliação pós-operatória em valores absolutos (2.242,50 ± 798,26 mL versus 1.240,94 ± 352,39 mL, p<0,001) e ajustado ao peso corporal (18,58 ± 6,92 mL/kg versus 13,92 ± 4,65 mL/kg, p<0,001). A SS CaOx aumentou significativamente após a GV (0,11 ± 0,10 versus 0,24 ± 0,18, p<0,001). Além disso, os níveis de ácido úrico apresentaram-se significativamente baixos na avaliação pós-operatória (482,34 ± 195,80 mg versus 434,75 ± 158,38 mg, p=0,027). PH urinário, oxalato, cálcio, citrato e magnésio não apresentaram variações significativas entre os períodos pré e pós-operatório. Conclusão: a GV pode levar a alterações importantes no perfil urinário. Entretanto, essas ocorrem de forma muito mais leve que na derivação gástrica em Y de Roux.

Bird diversity along a gradient of fragmented habitats of the Cerrado

ABSTRACT Understanding the factors that affect biodiversity is of central interest to ecology, and essential to species conservation and ecosystems management. We sampled bird communities in 17 forest fragments in the Cerrado biome, the Central-West region of Brazil. We aimed to know the communities structure pattern and the influence of geographical distance and environmental variables on them, along a gradient of fragmented habitats at both local and landscape scales. Eight structural variables of the fragments served as an environmental distance measurement at the local scale while five metrics served as an environmental distance measurement at the landscape scale. Species presence-absence data were used to calculate the dissimilarity index. Beta diversity was calculated using three indices (βsim, βnes and βsor), representing the spatial species turnover, nestedness and total beta diversity, respectively. Spatial species turnover was the predominant pattern in the structure of the communities. Variations in beta diversity were explained only by the environmental variables of the landscape with spatial configuration being more important than the composition. This fact indicates that, in Cerrado of Goiás avian communities structure, deterministic ecological processes associated to differences in species responses to landscape fragmentation are more important than stochastic processes driven by species dispersal.

Cryopreservation of banana's cv Grand Naine in vitro rhizomes

ABSTRACT The preservation of banana genetic material is usually performed through seedlings. However, most banana cultivars do not produce seed and are propagated vegetatively. Therefore, cryopreservation is a feasible technique that allows the preservation of banana genotypes indefinitely. For the success of cryopreservation protocols, the selection of cryoprotectants and pre-freezing techniques are important factor. Therefore, the objective of this study was to verify the effects of different cryoprotectants with and without 1% phloroglucinol and pre-cooling periods on the development of a protocol for cryopreservation of in vitro rhizomes ofMusa accuminata(AAA) cv Grand Naine banana. The addition of 1% phloroglucinol to the cryoprotective solutions, such as PVS2 enhanced recovery of cryopreserved banana rhizomes. In addition, pre-cooling of explants in ice for 3 hours in PVS2 + 1% of phloroglucinol allowed efficient cryopreservation of banana rhizomes, followed by successful recovery and regeneration of in vitro shoots of banana cv Grand Naine.

Effectiveness of a micronutrient delivery system fertilizer in jatropha plants is related to enhanced photosynthesis, gas exchange and biomass allocation / Eficácia de um sistema de fornecimento de micronutrientes em plantas de jatropha está relacionado com incrementos na fotossíntese, troca gasosa e alocação de biomassa

This study aimed at comparing the growth and physiological changes in Jatropha curcas L. (jatropha or physic nut) young plants fertilized or not with a commercial product based on a micronutrient delivery system (MDS), under different doses of NPK. Measurements of growth, chlorophyll content, and leaf gas exchange were performed in the greenhouse, where plants were arranged in a split-split plot design. Plants were grown for 120 days in 3.9 L pots containing local soil, with or without MDS (main plot), combined with NPK doses (0; 1.8; 4.7 and 7.4 g L-1) in subplots. Dose-response curves showed that most variables were positively responsive to NPK doses in plants growing without MDS, whereas slight responses or even opposite behavior was observed in MDS-fertilized plants. MDS application under low NPK doses resulted in higher biomass allocation in leaves and roots, increases in number of leaves and chlorophyll content, plant height, stem diameter, shoot and root dry weight, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, leaf transpiration, and water use efficiency, as well as decreases in intercellular CO2 in the leaf and vapor-pressure deficit. The enhanced biomass allocation, photosynthesis and gas exchange in MDS-supplemented plants indicates the relevant role played by this fertilizer in jatropha metabolism, resulting in more vigorous plants.

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o crescimento e as mudanças fisiológicas em plantas jovens de Jatropha curcas L. (pinhão manso), fertilizadas ou não, com um produto comercial baseado em um sistema de fornecimento de micronutrientes (MDS), sob diferentes doses de NPK. Medidas de crescimento, teor de clorofila e troca gasosa foliar foram realizados em casa de vegetação, onde as plantas foram arranjadas em um delineamento de blocos casualizados com parcela subdividida. As plantas foram cultivadas por 120 dias em potes de 3,9 L contendo solo local, com ou sem MDS (parcela principal), combinado com doses de NPK (0; 1,8; 4,7 e 7,4 g L-1) nas subparcelas. Curvas doseresposta mostraram que a maioria das variáveis responderam positivamente às doses de NPK em plantas crescendo sem MDS, enquanto respostas fracas ou mesmo comportamento oposto foi observado em plantas fertilizadas com MDS. A aplicação de MDS em doses baixas de NPK resultaram em maior alocação de biomassa nas folhas e raízes, aumento no número de folhas e teor de clorofila, altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, pesos secos da parte aérea e raiz, condutância estomatal, fotossíntese, transpiração foliar e eficiência no uso da água, bem como na redução do CO2 intercelular na folha e déficit de pressão de vapor. O aumento na alocação de biomassa, fotossíntese e troca gasosa em plantas suplementadas com MDS indica o papel relevante deste fertilizante no metabolismo de pinhão manso, resultando em plantas mais vigorosas.

Allogenic mesenchymal stem cell intravenous infusion in reparation of mild intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in New Zealand rabbits / Infusão intravenosa de células tronco mesenquimais alógenas na reparação da lesão branda de isquemia/reperfusão intestinal em coelhos Nova Zelândia

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infusion, derived from adipose tissue, on reduction of local and remote tissue damage caused by the event of experimental intestinal I/R in New Zealand breed rabbits. For obtaining, characterization, and cultivation of MSC derived from adipose tissue (MSC-Adp), 3 juvenile animals (four months old) were used. The cells were considered to be viable for therapy after the fourth passage (in vitro phase). For the in vivo stage, 24 young adult animals (six months old) were used, weighing approximately 3.5 kg, in which were randomly divided into two groups, called: IR treated with MSC (I2H/R5H MSC 3D; I2H/R5H MSC 7D); IR treated with PBS (I2H/R5H PBS 3D; I2H/R5H PBS 7D). The animals were anesthetized and submitted to pre-retro-umbilical midline celiotomy. The extramural peri-intestinal marginal artery was located and clamped (predetermined and standardized region) with the aid of a vascular clip, promoting a 2 hour blood flow interruption. After this period, blood flow was reestablished, inhalatory anesthesia was suspended, and the animals awaken. After 5 hours of reperfusion, the treatments were performed by intravenous infusion according to the experimental groups. The animals were evaluated 72 hours and seven days after the treatment as for the macroscopic appearance (color and peristaltism) of the jejunal segment, and by histological evaluation of the ischemic segment for the presence or absence of destruction of the intestinal mucosa, edema, bleeding, dilation of lymph vessels, and presence of polymorphonuclear inflammatory cells, both in the mucosa and submucosa. The observed results revealed that the groups treated with MSC-Adp obtained smaller mucosal and submucosal lesions when compared to the groups treated with PBS. Also, MSC-Adp treated groups obtained controlled inflammatory response and higher mitotic rate, outcomes related to the therapeutic potential of MSC. Infusion of stem cells attenuated the lesions caused by intestinal I/R in both MSC groups when compared to the group treated with PBS.(AU)

O presente estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar a eficácia da infusão células tronco mesenquimais (CTM) derivada de tecido adiposo sobre diminuição das lesões teciduais locais e remotas, causadas pelo evento de I/R intestinal experimental, em coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia. Para obtenção, cultivo e caracterização das CTM provenientes de tecido adiposo (ADCTM) foram utilizados 3 animais jovens. As células foram consideradas viáveis para terapia a partir da quarta passagem (fase in vitro). Para etapa in vivo foram utilizados 24 animais, adulto-jovens, pesando aproximadamente 3,5kg, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos experimentais, denominados IR Tratado com CTM (I2H/R5H CTM 3D; I2H/R5H CTM 7D); IR Tratado PBS (I2H/R5H PBS 3D; I2H/R5H PBS 7D). Os animais foram anestesiados e submetidos à celiotomia mediana pré-retroumbilical. A artéria marginal peri-intestinal extramural foi localizada e clampeada (região predeterminada e padronizada) com auxílio de um clipe vascular, promovendo uma interrupção do fluxo sanguíneo durante 2 horas. Após esse período, o fluxo sanguíneo foi restabelecido, a anestesia inalatória suspendida e os animais despertados. Após 5 horas de reperfusão realizou-se os tratamentos por infusão endovenosa, conforme grupos experimentais. Os animais foram avaliados 72 horas e sete dias após o tratamento quanto ao aspecto macroscópico (coloração e peristaltismo) do segmento jejunal e por meio de avaliação histológica do segmento isquemiado quanto à presença ou ausência de destruição de mucosa intestinal, edema, hemorragia, dilatação de vasos linfáticos e presença de células inflamatórias polimorfornucleares, tanto em mucosa quanto submucosa. Os resultados observados revelaram que os grupos tratados com ADCTM obtiveram menores lesões em mucosa e submucosa quando comprados aos grupos tratados com PBS. Ainda os grupos tratados com ADCTM obtiveram resposta inflamatória controlada e maior taxa mitótica, resultados relacionados ao potencial terapêutico das CTM.(AU)

Establishment of an experimental model of small intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injuries in New Zealand rabbits / Estabelecimento de modelo experimental de indução da lesão de isquemia e reperfusão de intestino delgado em coelhos Nova Zelândia

The present study aimed to establish a methodology capable to cause intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injuries, to perform clamping of the jejunal segment of the extramural peri-intestinal marginal artery branch. For this, 37, 10-week-old male New Zealand breed rabbits were used. One rabbit was used to establish the anatomic references for the procedure and was not part of the six experimental groups; the rest were allocated into six experimental groups: Sham group, negative control, subjected only to midline celiotomy; group I1H undergoing vascular occlusion for an hour; group I2H submitted to vascular occlusion for two hours; group I1H/R2H undergoing vascular occlusion for one hour followed by two hours of reperfusion; group I2H/R1H undergoing vascular occlusion for two hours, followed by reperfusion for one hour, and group I2H/R5H undergoing vascular occlusion for two hours followed by reperfusion for five hours. The rabbits were evaluated for the macroscopic aspects (color and peristalsis) of the jejunal segment, as well as the histological aspect, checking for presence or absence of mucosal destruction, edema, hemorrhaging, lymphatic vessel dilatation, and the presence of polymorphonuclear cells. It was observed that the macroscopic and histopathological lesions accentuated in larger employed ischemia and reperfusion times. Rabbits subjected to ischemia for two hours followed by reperfusion for five hours (I2H/R5H) made up the experimental group which was easily reproducible and showed moderate intestinal injury, different from the other groups.(AU)

O presente estudo objetivou estabelecer uma metodologia capaz de causar lesões de isquemia e reperfusão intestinal, realizando clipagem de um ramo de artéria marginal peri-intestinal extramural em segmento jejunal. Para tal foram utilizados 37 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia, machos, de 10 semanas de idade, alocados em seis grupos experimentais: grupo Sham, controle negativo, submetido apenas a celiotomia mediana; grupo I1H submetido à oclusão vascular por uma hora; grupo I2H submetido a oclusão vascular por duas horas; grupo I1H/R2H submetido a oclusão vascular por uma hora, seguida de reperfusão por duas horas; grupo I2H/R1H submetido a oclusão vascular por duas horas, seguida de reperfusão por uma hora e grupo I2H/R5H submetido a oclusão vascular por duas horas seguida de reperfusão por cincos horas. Os animais foram avaliados quanto o aspecto macroscópico (coloração e peristaltismo) do segmento jejunal e quanto ao aspecto histopatológico, verificando presença ou ausência de destruição de mucosa, edema, hemorragia, dilatação de vasos linfáticos e presença de polimorfonucleares. Observou-se que as lesões macroscópicas e histopatológicas se acentuaram nos maiores tempos de isquemia e reperfusão empregados. Os animais submetidos à isquemia durante duas horas, seguida de reperfusão por cinco horas (I2H/R5H) compuseram o grupo experimental de fácil reprodução e foram os que apresentaram uma lesão intestinal moderada, diferentes dos demais grupos.(AU)

Investigación de blastocystis spp, giardia spp y cryptosporidium spp en aguas de consumo en una comunidad de Caracas- Venezuela: Reporte preliminar / Surveillance of blastocystis spp, giardia spp and cryptosporidium spp in human consumption water in a community of Caracas- Venezuela

Uno de los mecanismos de transmisión de protozoarios intestinales, es el consumo de agua contaminada con quistes y ooquistes, cuya eliminación por cloración o filtración no resulta eficaz. En una comunidad de Caracas, se evaluó la posible contaminación del agua de consumo, con Blastocystis spp, Giardia spp y Cryptosporidium spp. El sedimento obtenido mediante filtración y separación inmunomagnética de 15 muestras de agua, se examinó microscópicamente al fresco, con coloraciones, inmunofluorescencia y cultivo en medio de Boeck- Drbohlav modificado (BDM). Se recopiló información sobre las condiciones de suministro, almacenamiento y consumo del agua, además del procedimiento utilizado para el lavado de frutas y vegetales. El único parásito observado fue Blastocystis spp (60%), mediante examen directo/cultivo (33%). Se observó un mayor consumo de agua filtrada que hervida (p= 0,001). Predominó el uso del agua de chorro para el lavado de vegetales y frutas, más que con agua y vinagre (p= 0,011). Se observó una mayor proporción de averías en los sistemas de recolección de aguas servidas (78,6%), más que en los sistemas de aguas blancas (28,6%, p= 0,011). El hallazgo de Blastocystis spp en el agua, se correlaciona con la prevalencia del parásito en habitantes de este sector. Destaca el papel del agua en la transmisión de Blastocystis spp, por lo cual se recomienda filtrarla y hervirla para prevenir la infección con este parásito.

Many intestinal protozoa are transmitted by contaminated water with cysts and oocysts and methods for their elimination as filtration or chlorination are not completely effective. We evaluated a possible consumption water contamination with Blastocystis spp, Giardia spp and Cryptosporidium spp in a community located in Caracas, Venezuela. The pellet obtained by immunomagnetic separation filtration of 15 water samples were examined by microscopic observation (direct examination), stain techniques, immunofluorescence and culture in Drbohlav Boeck-modified medium (BDM). We also collected information about consuming habits, water supply, storage and washing procedures of vegetables and fruits at assessed homes. The only parasite detected was Blastocystis spp (60%), by direct examination/culture (33%). A higher consumption of boiled filtered water (p = 0.001) was observed. The use of tub water for washing vegetables and fruits was predominant, instead of using water and vinegar (p = 0.011). We observed a higher proportion of nonfunctioning sewage collection (78.6%), rather than white water systems (28.6%, p = 0.011). Finding Blastocystis spp in water samples correlates with prevalence of this parasite in residents of this sector. The role of water in Blastocystis spp transmission is significant, so we recommend filtering and boiling it to prevent infection with this parasite.

Germination, carbohydrate composition and vigor of cryopreserved Caesalpinia echinata seeds

The present study investigated the germination and vigor of Caesalpinia echinata (Brazilwood) seeds stored at negative temperatures. Recently harvested seeds were cryopreserved at -18º or -196ºC and periodically evaluated for germination, seed vigor and carbohydrate composition. The temperatures did not influence the germination percentages or vigor. The germination percentage decreased from 88% in recently harvested seeds to 60% after 730 days of storage. The different temperature and storage times tested did not affect the vigor seed germination as indicated by the measures of plant growth and survival. The different temperatures used did not cause changes in the carbohydrate composition. The tegument cell walls were rich in lignin, arabinose and xylose. The cytoplasm of the cotyledons and embryos had high levels of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The cryopreservation technique here presented was effective in the conservation of Brazilwood seeds for the medium term.