Cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid gastric administration during the pregestational and gestational periods does not influence the follicular endowment of the progeny.

Fetal programming suggests that maternal stimulation and nutrition during the period of fetal development can program the progeny. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an isomer of linoleic acid, has been characterized in several aspects, but few studies have been performed on its involvement in reproduction and fetal programming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the F1, F2 and F3 progeny of female mice supplemented with CLA during the pregestational and gestational periods with respect to biometric and reproductive parameters, as well as ovarian morphophysiology. The F1 progeny of mothers supplemented with CLA exhibited stable weight gain, while the F2 progeny showed no effects (P=0.0187 and P=0.0245, respectively). A reduction in Lee's Index was observed in both generations at the second post-weaning evaluation week in the animals treated with CLA (P=0.0100 and P=0.0078, respectively). The F2 generation showed an increase in the anogenital index in both sexes of the animals treated with CLA (P= 0.0114 and P<0.0001, female and male respectively). CLA administration to mothers did not affect any of the following in their progeny: ovarian follicle mobilization (P>0.05), follicle number (P>0.05) and the integrated density of the lipid content of oocytes included in antral follicles (P>0.05). This study evaluated the use of CLA in mothers and found that it did not affect the progeny regarding murine reproductive performance, suggesting that this supplement can be used safely.

Drastic Loss of Antral Follicles Due to Gene Expression Dysregulation Occurs on the First Day After Subcutaneous Ovarian Transplantation.

Ovarian cryopreservation is an alternative for the preservation of fertility, and the subcutaneous transplantation site is considered one of the most promising. Studies evaluating the follicular growth and its relationship with gene expression and vascular perfusion are essential for improving this technique and its clinical application. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous autotransplantation and vitrification on follicular growth and atresia and their relationship with vascular perfusion and gene expression. Therefore, female mice were ovariectomized, and the ovaries were divided in two experimental groups (1) vitrified (treatment, n = 97) and (2) not vitrified (control, n = 97) and subsequently were transplanted. Then grafts, from both groups, were recovered after 1, 12, or 23 days (D1, D12, D23) and subjected to follicular quantification, morphometry, and qPCR. Non-transplanted ovaries (D0) were also used. The estrous cycle and vascular perfusion were monitored throughout the experiment. On D9, 100% of the animals had reestablished their estrous cycles (p > 0.05). Blood perfusion at the transplant site was similar for both treatments (p > 0.05), with greater perfusion at the site of vitrified transplants only on D1 (p < 0.05). A drastic reduction in the number of antral follicles and an increased number of atretic follicles were observed on D1 (p < 0.0001), associated with upregulation of Casp3, Fshr, and Igf1r; and downregulation of Bax, Acvr1, Egfr, and Lhcgr (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that the first day after subcutaneous transplantation is a critical period for follicular survival, with intense follicular atresia independent of Bax upregulation.

Effects of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on maternal reproductive parameters.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional isomers of linoleic acid found in ruminant products and meat. The diet supplementing with CLA is an emerging area, requiring studies to elucidate its effects on animals and human reproduction, as well as its side effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CLA gastric administration, during the pregestational and gestational period in biometric and reproductive parameters, as well as in ovarian morphophysiology. Animals were distributed in three groups: (1) control (n = 10); (2) fish oil (n = 10); and (3) CLA (n = 10), that daily received, by gavage, phosphate-buffered saline, fish oil and CLA, respectively, carried out over 50 days (before mating, mating and pregnancy). There was an increment in the nasoanal distance and Lee index of the CLA and fish oil-treated groups during the first weeks (P > 0.05). CLA administration did not affect the ovarian follicle mobilization (P > 0.05), the number of follicles (P > 0.05) and the integrated density of lipid content of oocytes included in antral follicles (P > 0.05). There was no effect of CLA administration on the litter weight (P > 0.05; F2 and F3), however, an increment (P < 0.05) in the number of pups per litter (F2) was observed. Overall, this study demonstrated the absence of side effects of the CLA gastric administration on mice reproductive performance and suggests that this treatment would transgenerationally enhance fertility in this species.

Sand fly bioecological aspects and risk mapping of leishmaniasis by geographical information systems approach in a mineral exploration area of Brazil.

Epidemiological studies of leishmaniasis in areas of great human influence and environmental change serve as important tools for the implementation of effective control plans. Mining is currently a major economic activity in Brazil with the municipality of Pains, in the state of Minas Gerais, being one of the main lime producing municipalities in the country. This study aimed to map areas of potential transmission risks within the municipality of Pains using an epidemiological approach in association with the ecological study of sand flies. Twelve samplings carried out between May 2015 and April 2016 collected a total of 12,728 sandflies, comprising 2,854 females (22.42%) and 9,874 males (77.58%), of 20 species belonging to ten genera. The most abundant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (80%). Leishmania DNA was detected in seven pools of female sand flies with an infection rate of 0.37%. Geoprocessing and the use of maps revealed that vector sand flies are distributed throughout the urban area, as are cases of canine and human leishmaniasis. However, the greatest abundances of sand flies were at sampling points at the border of the urban area. Higher densities of sand flies and the presence of Leishmania DNA may be correlated with extensive degradation by limestone mining. Integrated and multidisciplinary research approaches are necessary to better understand how the impacts of environmental change influence these insect vectors of leishmaniasis.

Treatment of canine cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in dogs with furazolidone and ß-cyclodextrin: case report.

Euthanasia of animals is not accepted as a control for cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and drugs used in humans for the treatment of leishmaniasis are not allowed for animals in Brazil. Miltefosine was authorized for dogs infected by Leishmania infantum with variable results for L. braziliensis. Thus, nine dogs infected with Leishmania (V.) braziliensis were treated by a combination of furazolidone and ß-cyclodextrin. The nine dogs were mongrels, weighing between 4-17 kg and 3-10 years old. These dogs had ulcerous lesions in different regions such as scrotal tissue, auricular pavilion and nostrils. Serological, molecular and protozoal culture techniques were used for laboratory diagnosis. The treatment used furazolidone + ß-cyclodextrin complex (1: 2) at a concentration of 60 mg/mL given orally at a dose of 15 mg/kg every 12 hours. The re-epithelialization of lesions occurred between 35 and 41 days of treatment. During fourteen months the animals were monitored and there was no reactivation of lesions or growth of the protozoan in a culture medium of the biopsies. This study demonstrated that treatment with FZD and CD is effective in reducing the cutaneous lesions caused by L. braziliensis in dogs.

Analyzing Spatial Patterns of Health Vulnerability to Drought in the Brazilian Semiarid Region.

Health determinants might play an important role in shaping the impacts related to long-term disasters such as droughts. Understanding their distribution in populated dry regions may help to map vulnerabilities and set coping strategies for current and future threats to human health. The aim of the study was to identify the most vulnerable municipalities of the Brazilian semiarid region when it comes to the relationship between drought, health, and their determinants using a multidimensional index. From a place-based framework, epidemiological, socio-economic, rural, and health infrastructure data were obtained for 1135 municipalities in the Brazilian semiarid region. An exploratory factor analysis was used to reduce 32 variables to four independent factors and compute a Health Vulnerability Index. The health vulnerability was modulated by social determinants, rural characteristics, and access to water in this semiarid region. There was a clear distinction between municipalities with the highest human welfare and economic development and those municipalities with the worst living conditions and health status. Spatial patterns showed a cluster of the most vulnerable municipalities in the western, eastern, and northeastern portions of the semiarid region. The spatial visualization of the associated vulnerabilities supports decision making on health promotion policies that should focus on reducing social inequality. In addition, policymakers are presented with a simple tool to identify populations or areas with the worst socioeconomic and health conditions, which can facilitate the targeting of actions and resources on a more equitable basis. Further, the results contribute to the understanding of social determinants that may be related to medium- and long-term health outcomes in the region.

Level of Knowledge and Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Mining Area of Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Aiming to optimize and adjust leishmaniasis prevention and control measures for the resident population of Pains, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a structured questionnaire containing conceptual questions and questions about household characteristics was used to evaluate knowledge level and exposure risk. A total of 396 individuals were interviewed revealing unscientific and fragmented knowledge about the subject for most of the studied population. The female population was found to have 1.68 times more chance of knowing about the disease than the male population, while highly educated individuals were found to have 2.92 times more chances of knowing about leishmaniasis compared to basic educated individuals. All of the respondents reported the presence of, at least, one risk factor, while ages ≥40 years were considered a protective factor compared to younger ages, indicating that older individuals are more likely to recognize risks and protect themselves against leishmaniasis. These results will contribute to the production of didactic materials for the population with respect to their previous knowledge and will provide a basis for control and prophylactic measures.

Construção e aplicação de um índice de vulnerabilidade humana à mudança do clima para o contexto brasileiro: a experiência do estado do Espírito Santo / Construction and application of a human vulnerability index for climate change in the Brazilian context: the experience of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Resumo A mudança do clima representa séria ameaça para a população humana, causando impactos em diferentes setores. Conhecer os fatores que elevam a vulnerabilidade do ser humano à mudança do clima permite identificar pontos críticos e direcionar ações imediatas para reduzi-la. Assim, este estudo desenvolveu e aplicou um índice de vulnerabilidade à mudança do clima para as microrregiões do Espírito Santo, abarcando os elementos fundamentais da vulnerabilidade - exposição, sensibilidade e capacidade adaptativa. Anomalias climáticas de precipitação e temperatura também foram usadas para estimar as alterações para o futuro. A construção dos indicadores se baseou na atribuição de notas indicativas de vulnerabilidade para cada grupo de municípios (clustering), com posterior média aritmética e padronização dos valores para gerar índices variando entre 0 e 1. Verificou-se que a microrregião Noroeste apresenta vulnerabilidade extremamente elevada, em virtude de características, sociodemográficas, econômicas e ambientais. Todo o estado poderá ser afetado por alterações do clima futuro, principalmente pelo aumento de temperaturas médias. O norte do estado poderá ter aumento no número de dias secos consecutivos. Espera-se que esses resultados contribuam para orientar ações de adaptação à mudança do clima e aumentar a resiliência do território a partir da identificação das vulnerabilidades existentes.

Abstract Climate change poses a serious threat to the human population, causing impacts in different sectors. Understanding the factors that may increase human's vulnerability to climate change allows to identify critical points and to direct immediate actions to reduce vulnerability. Thus, this study developed and applied an index of vulnerability to climate change for the microregions of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, encompassing the key elements of vulnerability - Exposure, Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity. Climatic anomalies of precipitation and temperature were also used for estimate future climate changes. Construction of the indicators was based on the assignment of scores indicating levels of vulnerability for each group of municipalities (clustering); subsequent arithmetic mean and standardization of the values were applied to generate indices from 0 and 1. The Northwestern microregion presented high vulnerability due to its sociodemographic, economic and environmental characteristics. In addition, the entire state may be affected by changes in future climate, mainly by the increase of average temperatures. The Northern region may have a considerable increase in the number of consecutive dry days. These results are expected to contribute to guide actions of adaptation to the climate change and to increase the resilience of the territory from the identification of existing vulnerabilities.

Mapping human vulnerability to climate change in the Brazilian Amazon: The construction of a municipal vulnerability index.

Vulnerability, understood as the propensity to be adversely affected, has attained importance in the context of climate change by helping to understand what makes populations and territories predisposed to its impacts. Conditions of vulnerability may vary depending on the characteristics of each territory studied-social, environmental, infrastructural, public policies, among others. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate what makes the municipalities of the state of Amazonas, Brazil, vulnerable to climate change in the context of the largest tropical forest in the world, and which regions of the State are the most susceptible. A Municipal Vulnerability Index was developed, which was used to associate current socio-environmental characteristics of municipalities with climate change scenarios in order to identify those that may be most affected by climate change. The results showed that poor adaptive capacity and poverty had the most influence on current vulnerability of the municipalities of Amazonas with the most vulnerable areas being the southern, northern, and eastern regions of the state. When current vulnerability was related to future climate change projections, the most vulnerable areas were the northern, northeastern, extreme southern, and southwestern regions. From a socio-environmental and climatic point of view, these regions should be a priority for public policy efforts to reduce their vulnerability and prepare them to cope with the adverse aspects of climate change.

Social, Environmental, and Health Vulnerability to Climate Change: The Case of the Municipalities of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Vulnerability to climate change is a complex and dynamic phenomenon involving both social and physical/environmental aspects. It is presented as a method for the quantification of the vulnerability of all municipalities of Minas Gerais, a state in southeastern Brazil. It is based on the aggregation of different kinds of environmental, climatic, social, institutional, and epidemiological variables, to form a composite index. This was named "Index of Human Vulnerability" and was calculated using a software (SisVuClima®) specifically developed for this purpose. Social, environmental, and health data were combined with the climatic scenarios RCP 4.5 and 8.5, downscaled from ETA-HadGEM2-ES for each municipality. The Index of Human Vulnerability associated with the RCP 8.5 has shown a higher vulnerability for municipalities in the southern and eastern parts of the state of Minas Gerais.

An Integrated Approach Using Spatial Analysis to Study the Risk Factors for Leishmaniasis in Area of Recent Transmission.

Some epidemiological aspects of leishmaniasis in the municipality of Formiga, Brazil, an important touristic site, were evaluated. Those included phlebotomine sand fly vectors, canine infection, and geoprocessing analysis for determining critical transmission areas. Sand flies (224 insects) belonging to ten different species were captured. The most captured species included Lutzomyia longipalpis (35.3%), Lutzomyia cortelezzii (33.5%), and Lutzomyia whitmani (18.3%). A significant correlation between sand fly densities and climatic conditions was detected. Serological diagnosis (DPP and ELISA) was performed in 570 dogs indicating a prevalence of 5.8%. After sequencing the main species circulating in the area were Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis. Spatial analysis demonstrated that vegetation and hydrography may be related to sand fly distribution and infected dogs. The municipality of Formiga has proven leishmaniasis vectors and infected dogs indicating the circulation of the parasite in the city. Correlation of those data with environmental and human cases has identified the critical areas for control interventions (south, northeast, and northwest). In conclusion, there is current transmission of visceral and canine human cases and the city is on the risk for the appearance of cutaneous cases.

The spiny rat Proechimys guyannensis (Rodentia: Echimydae) fails to respond to intradermal inoculation with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis / O rato espinhoso Proechimys guyannensis (Rodentia: Echimydae) falhou para inoculação intradérmica com Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis

Leishmaniasis a disease of worldwide occurrence is caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus. In Brazil, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main parasite responsible for the American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Main hosts of this protozoa are small wild mammals particularly marsupials and rodents. The aim of this study was to evaluate if spiny rat Proechimys guyannensis (Rodentia: Echimydae) has role in the cycle of the American cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (V.) braziliensis. Thus, promastigotes (the flagellate stage) of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were used to inoculate seven spiny rats (Proechimys guyannensis). After inoculated intradermal at the ear pinna, nose and plantar pad, the rats were monitored for 180 days. Tissue samples collected at 90 and 180 days from the rats proved to be negative for the presence of genetic material from the parasite. After euthanasia, the protozoa also failed to growth in culture medium containing tissue samples collected from the rats showing that there was no infection. These results fail to prove that spiny rat has a role in the cycle of the American cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (V.) braziliensis.

A leishmaniose é uma doença de ocorrência mundial causada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania. No Brasil, a Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis é o principal parasita responsável pela leishmaniose tegumentar americana. Os principais hospedeiros deste protozoário são pequenos mamíferos selvagens em particular marsupiais e roedores. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o papel do rato espinhoso Proechimys guyannensis (Rodentia: Echimydae) no ciclo da leishmaniose tegumentar americana. Para isto, formas promastigotas (estágio flagelado) de Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis foram inoculadas em sete ratos espinhosos (Proechimys guyannensis). Após a inoculação intradérmica no pavilhão auricular, focinho e área plantar, os ratos foram monitorizados durante 180 dias. Amostras de tecido colhidas aos 90 e 180 dias dos ratos revelaram-se negativas para a presença de material genético do parasita. Após eutanásia, tecidos coletados dos ratos também falharam para crescimento em meio de cultura demonstrando que não houve infecção. Estes resultados demonstram que o rato espinhoso não tem papel no ciclo da leishmaniose tegumentar americana causada por L. (V.) braziliensis.

Environmental and dam effects on cannibalism in Wistar rat litters / Efeito do ambiente e da matriz sobre o canibalismo em filhotes de ratos Wistar

The factors related to cannibalistic behavior of dams in a Wistar rat colony are identified and analyzed. The maternal genetic effects were tested as a random effect by the method of generalized linear models. The season at parturition, the dam´s age at parturition and the density of the room at parturition were tested as fixed effects, whereas the litter size at birth was tested as a co-variable. The genetic effect of the dam was significant for the number of cannibalized pups. Although the season at parturition, the dam´s age and room density on the day of parturition were not individually significant (p > 0.05), most of the interactions between the variation sources were significant (p < 0.05). Cannibalism occurred mostly in dams aged over 241 days, with parturition during spring. So that occurrences of cannibalism could be avoided, dams with the smallest number of cannibalized pups should be selected, coupled to dams younger than 241 days, breeding during spring. The above strategies may reduce the number of couples in the vivarium and increase their production efficiency.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os fatores relacionados ao comportamento de canibalismo das fêmeas em uma colônia de ratos Wistar. Os efeitos genéticos maternos foram testados como efeito aleatório usando o método dos modelos lineares generalizados. A estação do parto, a idade da fêmea ao parto e a densidade da sala ao parto foram testados como efeitos fixos e o tamanho da ninhada ao nascimento foi testado como covariável. O efeito genético da matriz foi significativo para o número de filhotes canibalizados. A estação do ano ao parto, a idade da matriz e a densidade da sala no dia do parto quando testados separadamente não foram significativos (p > 0,05), porém, a maioria das interações entre estas fontes de variação foram significativas (p < 0,05). O canibalismo ocorreu em maior frequência em fêmeas com idade superior a 241 dias durante a primavera. Para evitar o canibalismo na população estudada, recomenda-se a seleção de fêmeas com menor número de filhotes canibalizados e a maior utilização de matrizes com idade inferior a 241 dias durante a primavera. Estas estratégias podem promover a redução do número de casais necessários no biotério e aumentar sua eficiência reprodutiva.

Healing of the Achilles tendon in rabbits--evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) could provide valuable findings for tendon regeneration. A non-invasive image method that can effectively evaluate the quality of the scar tissue has not yet been employed. METHODS: Thirteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: group 1--non-treated control (n = 4); group 2--surgical intervention (n = 9). The central portion of the Achilles tendon was resected, and after 30 days, DCE-MRI was performed. Contrast enhancement methods were applied using the region of interest (ROI) technique. In the medium third of the Achilles tendon, the intra-substantial signal intensity and the presence of hyper-intense intra-tendon focus points and of signal heterogeneity were evaluated. Antero-posterior and transversal diameters of the tendon were measured. The Achilles tendon was removed and dissected free from other tissues. Sections from the central part of the tendon were stained for histological analysis. RESULTS: The difference between the contrast enhancement curves of the control and surgical groups (p < 0.0001) was observed. The surgical group had an intense contrast enhancement in the contrast sequences, enlargement of the diameter and intra-substantial signal intensity alteration, with hyper-signal focus points and widening of the tendon sheath, which presented irregular contours and intense contrast enhancement. On histology, the Achilles tendon presented diffuse widening of the tendon sheath and wedge-shaped areas with scarring tissue rich in disordered collagen fibres. These findings were related to alteration in the intra-substantial signal intensity, with hyper-signal focus points in the DCE-MRI. CONCLUSIONS: MRI with perfusion could be a useful technique for evaluating tissue and fibrous scarring in tendons.

Role of adenosine in the antiepileptic effects of deep brain stimulation.

Despite the effectiveness of anterior thalamic nucleus (AN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of epilepsy, mechanisms responsible for the antiepileptic effects of this therapy remain elusive. As adenosine modulates neuronal excitability and seizure activity in animal models, we hypothesized that this nucleoside could be one of the substrates involved in the effects of AN DBS. We applied 5 days of stimulation to rats rendered chronically epileptic by pilocarpine injections and recorded epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices. We found that slices from animals given DBS had reduced hippocampal excitability and were less susceptible to develop ictal activity. In live animals, AN DBS significantly increased adenosine levels in the hippocampus as measured by microdialysis. The reduced excitability of DBS in vitro was completely abolished in animals pre-treated with A1 receptor antagonists and was strongly potentiated by A1 receptor agonists. We conclude that some of the antiepileptic effects of DBS may be mediated by adenosine.

Clinical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs with furazolidone and domperidone.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonosis and a public health problem in countries of subtropical America. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of furazolidone and domperidone treatment of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Infection was confirmed by PCR and parasite culture of tissue collected from skin scrapings of the lesion borders of dogs. Naturally infected animals were divided into control (n=4) and treatment (n=8) groups. The treatment group was administered furazolidone for 21 days interspersed with domperidone for 10 days by oral gavage. Dogs that showed no lesion healing during this period were administered the same treatment cycle for up to 93 days. Among the eight treated animals, seven were clinically cured without recurrence of skin lesions during the 12-month study period. However, during lesion healing, skin scrapings were positive for L. (V.) braziliensis by PCR; no growth of the protozoan in NNN-LIT medium occurred until the end of follow-up. These results suggest that treatment with furazolidone and domperidone is effective for epithelialisation and lesion healing of dogs with clinical CL caused by L. (V.) braziliensis.

Effects of anterior thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in chronic epileptic rats.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been investigated for the treatment of epilepsy. In rodents, an increase in the latency for the development of seizures and status epilepticus (SE) has been reported in different animal models but the consequences of delivering stimulation to chronic epileptic animals have not been extensively addressed. We study the effects of anterior thalamic nucleus (AN) stimulation at different current intensities in rats rendered epileptic following pilocarpine (Pilo) administration. Four months after Pilo-induced SE, chronic epileptic rats were bilaterally implanted with AN electrodes or had sham-surgery. Stimulation was delivered for 6 h/day, 5 days/week at 130 Hz, 90 µsec. and either 100 µA or 500 µA. The frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizures in animals receiving stimulation was compared to that recorded in the preoperative period and in rats given sham treatment. To investigate the effects of DBS on hippocampal excitability, brain slices from animals receiving AN DBS or sham surgery were studied with electrophysiology. We found that rats treated with AN DBS at 100 µA had a 52% non-significant reduction in the frequency of seizures as compared to sham-treated controls and 61% less seizures than at baseline. Animals given DBS at 500 µA had 5.1 times more seizures than controls and a 2.8 fold increase in seizure rate as compared to preoperative values. In non-stimulated controls, the average frequency of seizures before and after surgery remained unaltered. In vitro recordings have shown that slices from animals previously given DBS at 100 µA had a longer latency for the development of epileptiform activity, shorter and smaller DC shifts, and a smaller spike amplitude compared to non-stimulated controls. In contrast, a higher spike amplitude was recorded in slices from animals given AN DBS at 500 µA.

Leishmanioses: o conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde em área endêmica / Leishmaniasis: the healthcare professionals? knowledge in endemic area / Leishmaniasis: el conocimiento de los profesionales de La salud en area endêmica

Investigar o conhecimento sobre as leishmanioses dos profissionais de saúde de um município endêmico do estado de Minas Gerais-Brasil. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 228 profissionais (95 agentes de zoonoses, 83 agentes comunitários de saúde, 18 médicos, 17 enfermeiros, 8 dentistas e 7 veterinários) do município de Divinópolis - Minas Gerais, entre julho e novembro de 2009. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, previamente validado, contendo questões objetivas sobre a doença. As análises foram realizadas através do programa Statistical Analysis System. Resultados: A categoria profissional que apresentou melhor média de acertos foi a dos veterinários (8,3), seguida pela dos médicos (8,1), enquanto os agentes comunitários de saúde tiveram a menor média (6,7). As respostas adequadas com menor percentual de acerto foram: medidas preventivas (42,5%), manifestação clínica (25,9%), nomes populares (20,6%) e transmissão (20,2%). Os agentes comunitários de saúde e zoonoses, embora tenham apresentado maior porcentagem de respostas incorretas nas demais questões, foram os que mais acertaram sobre medidas preventivas, juntamente com os veterinários. Conclusão: Evidenciaram-se lacunas conceituais nos profissionais de saúde participantes da pesquisa, reforçando a necessidade de implementar processos de educação permanente destes profissionais, contextualizando as informações sobre as leishmanioses à realidade estudada...

To assess the knowledge about leishmaniases among healthcare professionals of an endemic municipality of the state of Minas Gerais-Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with 228 professionals (95 zoonosis professionals, 83 community health agents, 18 doctors, 17 nurses, 8 dentists and 7 veterinarians) of the municipality of Divinópolis ? Minas Gerais between July and November 2009. It was used a structured questionnaire, previously validated, containing objective questions about the disease. Analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis System. Results: The professional category that obtained the best mean scoring answers was the veterinarians (8.3), followed by the doctors (8.1), while community health agents had the lowest mean scoring (6.7). The adequate answers with the lowest percentage of correct answers were: preventive measures (42.5%), clinical manifestations (25.9%), popular names (20.6%) and transmission (20.2%). Although zoonosis professionals and health community agents presented the highest percentage of wrong answers, they were the ones ? along with veterinarians ? who answered most of the questions about preventive measures right. Conclusion: Conceptual gaps were observed among the healthcare professionals participating in this research, reinforcing the need to implement continuing education processes for these professionals, contextualizing the information on leishmaniases according to the reality studied...

Investigar el conocimiento de los profesionales de La salud del municipio endémico del estado de Minas Gerais-Brasil sobre la Leishmaniasis. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 228 profesionales (95 agentes de zoonosis, 83 agentes comunitarios de salud, 18 médicos, 17 enfermeros, 8 dentistas y 7 veterinarios) del municipio de Divinópolis - Minas Gerais entre julio y noviembre de 2009. Se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado, previamente validado con cuestiones objetivas sobre La enfermedad. Los análisis fueron realizados a través del programa Statistical Analysis System. Resultados: La categoría profesional que presentó mejor media de aciertos fue los veterinarios (8,3), seguido de los médicos (8,1), mientras los agentes comunitários de salud tuvieron la menor media (6,7). Las respuestas adecuadas con menos porcentaje de aciertos fueron: medidas preventivas (42,5%), manifestación clínica (25,9%), nombres populares (20,6%) y transmisión (20,2%). A pesar de los agentes comunitarios de salud y zoonosis presentaren mayor porcentaje de respuestas incorrectas, en las demás cuestiones fueron ellos los que tuvieron más aciertos de las medidas preventivas, junto a los veterinarios. Conclusión: Se evidenció lagunas conceptuales em los profesionales de la salud de la investigación lo que refuerza la necesidad de implementación de procesos de educación permanente de los mismos, contextualizando las informaciones de Leishmaniasis y la realidad estudiada...

Submicroscopic malaria parasite carriage: how reproducible are polymerase chain reaction-based methods?

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for the diagnosis of malaria infection are expected to accurately identify submicroscopic parasite carriers. Although a significant number of PCR protocols have been described, few studies have addressed the performance of PCR amplification in cases of field samples with submicroscopic malaria infection. Here, the reproducibility of two well-established PCR protocols (nested-PCR and real-time PCR for the Plasmodium 18 small subunit rRNA gene) were evaluated in a panel of 34 blood field samples from individuals that are potential reservoirs of malaria infection, but were negative for malaria by optical microscopy. Regardless of the PCR protocol, a large variation between the PCR replicates was observed, leading to alternating positive and negative results in 38% (13 out of 34) of the samples. These findings were quite different from those obtained from the microscopy-positive patients or the unexposed individuals; the diagnosis of these individuals could be confirmed based on the high reproducibility and specificity of the PCR-based protocols. The limitation of PCR amplification was restricted to the field samples with very low levels of parasitaemia because titrations of the DNA templates were able to detect < 3 parasites/µL in the blood. In conclusion, conventional PCR protocols require careful interpretation in cases of submicroscopic malaria infection, as inconsistent and false-negative results can occur.

Zoological techniques parameters of Proechimys guyannensis(Rodentia, Echimydae) bred in captivity / Parâmetros zootécnicos de Proechimys guyannensis (Rodentia, Echimydae) criados em cativeiro

The rodents Proechimys guyannensis have led a great interest because they are considered as hosts to several pathogens causing zoological diseases. Therefore, it is important to know their biological and physiological parameters. The age at first cubs delivery and the average of birth interval per female were evaluated. The estimated age at puberty was 83 days. The number of pups born per delivery did not differ significantly when associated with the female mating age. However, an increase in the average mortality rate correlated with the increase in delivery number per female was detected. There is no statistical difference neither in the litter size in different seasons of the year, nor in the body weight between sexes for all ages. Differences were found in the daily water consumption and in the feed intake in animals with approximately 100 days of age, perhaps owing to the increased need for energy intake due to sexual activity or even because they had not reached adult weight yet. The parameters assessed in the present study are of relevance for maintaining this species in captivity as a laboratory animal.

Roedores da espécie Proechimys guyannensis têm motivado grande interesse por serem frequentementeconsiderados como hospedeiros de diversos agentes patogênicos causadores de doenças. É importanteestabelecer seus parâmetros biológicos e fisiológicos; neste contexto, foram avaliadas a idade ao primeiroparto e a média de intervalo de natalidade por fêmea. A idade à puberdade foi estimada em 83 dias.O número de filhotes nascidos por parto não diferiu significativamente com a idade das fêmeas aoacasalarem. Observou-se aumento da taxa média de mortalidade de acordo com o aumento do númerode partos por fêmea. Não houve diferença estatística no tamanho da ninhada em diferentes estações doano; tampouco houve diferença de peso entre os sexos. Foram detectadas diferenças no consumo diáriode água e no consumo de ração em animais com menos e mais de 100 dias de idade, talvez em funçãode aumento da necessidade de consumo de energia pela atividade sexual ou mesmo por ainda não teremalcançado o peso corporal de adulto. Os parâmetros apresentados são relevantes para a futura manutençãodesta espécie em cativeiro como animal de laboratório.