Humoral immune transcriptome signature in myelomeningocele patients.

INTRODUCTION: Myelomeningocele (MMC) results from incomplete closure of the neural tube, and has a complex multifactorial etiology, including an inflammatory microenvironment. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the contribution of humoral immune response for development of inflammatory milieu. METHODS: Using public repository Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), we retrieve dataset transcriptome from the amniotic fluid of ten fetuses with myelomeningocele and ten healthy control fetuses to found differential gene expression associated with disturbances and inflammatory signatures in MMC. The identified DEGs were submitted to enrichment, network, and matrix correlation analyses. RESULTS: Our initial analysis revealed 90 DEGs in MMC, mainly associated with signaling pathways of inflammation, including the immune modules, humoral immune response and IFN-type I signatures. Protein-protein analysis (PPI) revealed an association with three protein networks; positive regulation of B cell proliferation constituted the largest network. Matrix correlation analyses showed that MMC alters the co-expression of genes related to inflammatory processes that promote microenvironment inflammation. CONCLUSION: These results revealed an altered humoral immune response in MMC patients, contributing to an inflammatory profile and providing opportunities for identifying potential biomarkers in myelomeningocele disease.

Policy strategies for capacity building and scale up of the workforce for comprehensive cancer care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer in low- and middle-income countries experience worse outcomes as a result of the limited capacity of health systems to deliver comprehensive cancer care. The health workforce is a key component of health systems; however, deep gaps exist in the availability and accessibility of cancer care providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a systematic review of the literature evaluating the strategies for capacity building of the cancer workforce. We studied how the policy strategies addressed the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality (AAAQ) of the workforce. We used a strategic planning framework (SWOT: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to identify actionable areas of capacity building. We contextualized our findings based on the WHO 2030 Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health, evaluating how they can ultimately be framed in a labour market approach and inform strategies to improve the capacity of the workforce (PROSPERO: CRD42020109377). RESULTS: The systematic review of the literature yielded 9617 records, and we selected 45 eligible papers for data extraction. The workforce interventions identified were delivered mostly in the African and American Regions, and in two-thirds of cases, in high-income countries. Many strategies have been shown to increase the number of competent oncology providers. Optimization of the existing workforce through role delegation and digital health interventions was reported as a short- to mid-term solution to optimize cancer care, through quality-oriented, efficiency-improving, and acceptability-enforcing workforce strategies. The increased workload alone was potentially detrimental. The literature on retaining the workforce and reducing brain drain or attrition in underserved areas was commonly limited. CONCLUSIONS: Workforce capacity building is not only a quantitative problem but can also be addressed through quality-oriented, organizational, and managerial solutions of human resources. The delivery of comprehensive, acceptable, and impact-oriented cancer care requires an available, accessible, and competent workforce for comprehensive cancer care. Efficiency-improving strategies may be instrumental for capacity building in resource-constrained settings.

Radiographic morphology of canines tested for sexual dimorphism via convolutional-neural-network-based artificial intelligence.

The permanent left mandibular canines have been used for sexual dimorphism when human identification is necessary. Controversy remains whether the morphology of these teeth is actually useful to distinguish males and females. This study aimed to assess the sexual dimorphism of canines by means of a pioneering artificial intelligence approach to this end. A sample of 13,046 teeth radiographically registered from 5838 males and 7208 females between the ages of 6 and 22.99 years was collected. The images were annotated using Darwin V7 software. DenseNet121 was used and tested based on binary answers regarding the sex (male or female) of the individuals for 17 age categories of one year each (i.e. 6-6.99, 7.7.99… 22.22.99). Accuracy rates, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and confusion matrices were used to quantify and express the artificial intelligence's classification performance. The accuracy rates across age categories were between 57-76% (mean: 68%±5%). The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC analysis was between 0.58 and 0.77. The best performances were observed around the age of 12 years, while the worst were around the age of 7 years. The morphological analysis of canines for sex estimation should be restricted and allowed in practice only when other sources of dimorphic anatomic features are not available.

Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effects of administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off on udder health, milk yield, and herd removal.

Acidogenic boluses can mitigate potential negative effects of high milk yield at dry-off on udder health. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effect of administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off on dry period intramammary infection (IMI) dynamics and on milk production parameters, somatic cell count linear score (LSCC), clinical mastitis (CM), and herd removal in the next lactation. A total of 901 cows from 3 dairy farms were randomly allocated to a control (CON, n = 458; no administration of acidogenic boluses at dry-off) or treatment group (TRT, n = 443; administration of 2 acidogenic boluses at dry-off). Quarter milk samples were collected at dry-off and after calving and submitted for bacteriological milk culture. The effects of treatment on the presence of quarter-level postpartum IMI, cure of existing IMI, and acquisition of new IMI, and on the prevalence of cow-level high LSCC (LSCC ≥4) in the first 30 days in milk (DIM) were analyzed using mixed effects logistic regression. Mixed linear regression was used to analyze cow-level milk production parameters (i.e., milk yield, fat corrected milk, fat and protein yield, and LSCC) in the first 90 DIM and until 300 DIM. For CM and herd removal, Cox proportional hazard regression models were used. In addition to treatment group, lactation group at dry-off, presence of high LSCC in the last test-day, average milk yield in the week before dry-off, presence of CM in the lactation of enrollment, and biologically relevant interactions were offered in all models. There was no evidence of a difference in IMI dynamics or in milk, fat corrected milk, protein or fat yields in the subsequent lactation between groups. The TRT group had a lower LSCC in the first 2 mo postpartum compared with the CON group (2.58 ± 0.3 vs. 2.92 ± 0.3 and 2.42 ± 0.3 vs. 2.81 ± 0.3, for first and second month postpartum). The prevalence of high LSCC in the first 30 DIM was 9.1% lower in the TRT compared with the CON group (16.3% vs. 25.5%; risk difference: -9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -15.8, -2.5). Cows in the TRT group exhibited reduced hazards of CM in the subsequent lactation compared with cows in the CON group (hazard ratio: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.89) as well as a reduced hazard of herd removal (hazard ratio: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.88). The administration of acidogenic boluses as a component of dry-off management is a promising approach to maintain good udder health and reduce the hazard of CM and herd removal during the subsequent lactation.

Purpureocillium lilacinum an emergent pathogen: antifungal susceptibility of environmental and clinical strains.

Purpureocillium lilacinum is a filamentous and hyaline fungus cosmopolitan, saprophytic, largely used in the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes and insects, also considered an emerging and opportunistic human pathogen. The standard treatment for hyalohyphomycosis caused by P. lilacinum is not yet defined, since this fungus is resistant to different antifungals, in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare in vitro antifungal activity against environmental and clinical P. lilacinum isolates and our results demonstrated that these isolates can be resistant to newer generation triazoles, such as voriconazole, and to caspofungin, a drug of the echinocandin class. In summary, we highlight the importance of knowing the different susceptibility profiles of P. lilacinum isolates, and besides that, the emergence of uncommon human and animal opportunistic fungi, such P. lilacinum, especially during COVID-19, highlight the need for antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates since empirical therapy with different treatment schedules failed in great number of patients.

La telerehabilitación durante la pandemia COVID-19: experiencia de las familias de niños con condiciones crónicas complejas / Telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience of families of children with complex chronic conditions

La telerehabilitación ha sido una solución rápida y efectiva para la atención de pacientes durante la pandemia COVID-19. Nuestro objetivo ha sido describir la experiencia de las familias de niños con condiciones crónicas complejas (CCC) asistidos con la modalidad de telerehabilitación durante la pandemia. Materiales y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de tipo encuesta online. Se encuestaron familias de niños (1 mes a 5 años de edad) con al menos una CCC que recibieron seguimiento interdisciplinario a distancia durante la pandemia de 2 o más áreas de rehabilitación (kinesiología, fonoaudiología y terapia ocupacional) pertenecientes al Servicio de Kinesiología del Hospital de Pediatría Juan P Garrahan, durante marzo a octubre de 2020. Resultados: El 88,3% de los participantes (n=43) se expresó satisfecho con la modalidad de telerehabilitación. Entre los facilitadores seleccionados por los participantes se mencionan la reducción de tiempos, mayor frecuencia de consultas, disminución de gastos por traslados y mayor comodidad, mientras que entre las barreras se destacaron: el no vínculo con profesionales, alargue en tiempos de tratamiento, problemas de conectividad. El análisis estadístico no indicó diferencias significativas entre quienes se reportaron como más satisfechos según su estrato social (alto o bajo), la disponibilidad de wifi propio, o respecto a la edad del niño. Se reportaron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la distancia al hospital (p=0.034). Conclusión: Esta forma de intervención ofreció nuevas posibilidades de atención que podrían considerarse a futuro en el seguimiento de nuestros pacientes. (AU)

Telerehabilitation has been a fast and effective solution in patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to describe the experience of families of children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) treated through telerehabilitation during the pandemic. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, online survey study was conducted. Families of children (1 month to 5 years of age) with at least one CCC who received interdisciplinary remote follow-up during the pandemic from two or more rehabilitation areas (physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy) belonging to the Department of Physical Therapy of Hospital de Pediatría Juan P Garrahan, from March to October 2020, were surveyed. Results: 88.3% of the participants (n=43) expressed satisfaction with the telerehabilitation modality. Among the facilitators selected by the participants, the following were mentioned: time saving, greater frequency of consultations, reduction of travel expenses and greater comfort, while among the barriers, the following stood out: no connection with the professionals, longer treatment times, connectivity problems. Statistical analysis did not show significant differences between those who reported being more satisfied according to socioeconomic level (high or low), availability of their own wifi connection, or age of the child. A significant difference was found for distance to the hospital (p=0.034). Conclusion: This type of intervention provided new possibilities of care that could be considered in the future follow-up of our patients (AU)

Difference Between the Profiles Presented by Yeasts that Colonize the Vaginal Mucosa or Cause Primary or Recurrent Candidiasis.

Candida yeasts are the most frequent in the vaginal content. This yeast may be a normal microbiota but also causes candidiasis. In symptomatic cases, primary candidiasis (VVC) or recurrence (RVVC) can be considered. This study aims to compare the frequency and in vitro sensitivity profile of Candida species isolated in the vaginal content with the different stages of the presence of yeasts. A total of 258 non-pregnant patients with/without VVC were prospectively screened at a teaching Health Centre of the Faculty of Medicine, in the University of Sao Paulo. The vaginal isolates were identified by traditional and molecular methods. Yeasts were isolated in 160 women. 34% were asymptomatic, 34% with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and 32% recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). C. albicans was the most frequent species with 50.1% (82/160), followed by C. parapsilosis 13.7%(22/160), C. glabrata 12.5% (20/160), and C. tropicalis (6.2%). Analysis by the group showed that, in the asymptomatic group, eight yeast species were isolated, C. albicans 44.5% (24/54), C. glabrata 20% (11/54), C. parapsilosis and Rhodotorula rubra being the most frequent. In the VVC group, 11 yeast species were identified. Most isolates were C. albicans 68.5% (37/54), C. tropicalis 7.5% (4/54), and C. parapsilosis 5.5% (3/54). In the RVVC group, ten species were identified, the most frequent being C. albicans 38.5% (20/52), C. parapsilosis 17% (9/52), C. glabrata 4% (8/52), and C. tropicalis 6% (3/52). Less frequent species, such as C. haemulonii and Trichosporon spp, were isolated in the VVC and RVVC groups, C. kefyr was isolated in the three groups studied, and Rhodotorula spp was isolated in the control and RVVC groups. Candida metapsilosis was present in two isolates from the RVVC group. Most isolates were considered sensitive to the tested antifungals. Less sensitivity was seen for caspofungin. In this study, we were able to verify that the most common species of yeasts found in vaginal secretion were isolated in the three groups studied; however, there was the diversity of species in VVC and RVVC. Cryptic species C. haemulonii and were isolated in symptomatic patients. High levels of MICs, some of the antifungals tested, in the control group, draw attention in the group of asymptomatic women. We would like to emphasize that this research aims to assist clinicians and gynecologists, as well as assist in the epidemiological studies of candidiasis, in our country, how to draw attention to the profile of sensitivity/resistance to antifungals.

Toxicity and phytochemistry of eight species used in the traditional medicine of sul-mato-grossense, Brazil / Toxicidade e fitoquímica de oito espécies usadas na medicina tradicional sul-mato-grossense, Brasil

Abstract The Brazilian Cerrado has several botanical species for medicinal purposes used by traditional communities and many of these plants are not included in the list of Medicinal Plants Research Program of Central Medicines. The purpose of this study was the phytochemical screening and toxicology bioassay front of Brine shrimp L. of ethanolic extracts of eight species of plants used in folk medicine of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The ethanolic extracts were submitted to phytochemical screening, determination of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Toxicological assays were carried front of Brine shrimp according to standard methodology. The analysis TLC and HPLC-DAD confirmed the predominance of phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically for the quercetin. The most toxic was the C. affinis DC. with death at all concentrations, the A. humile A. St. Hil. showed no mortality and the other species showed intermediate toxicity. The extracts of the investigated species are rich in phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically quercetin, and feature toxicity between moderate to high, a fact that requires attention, since much of the traditional communities rely on herbal drugs in its raw form with preventive and curative purpose, meeting the basic health care.

Resumo O Cerrado brasileiro possui diversas espécies botânicas com fins medicinais utilizadas por comunidades tradicionais e muitas dessas plantas não estão incluídas na lista do Programa de Pesquisa de Plantas Medicinais da Central de Medicamentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi a triagem fitoquímica e o bioensaio toxicológico frente ao Brine shrimp L. de extratos etanólicos de oito espécies de plantas utilizadas na medicina popular de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Os extratos etanólicos foram submetidos à triagem fitoquímica, determinação de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides. Os ensaios toxicológicos foram realizados frente ao Brine shrimp de acordo com a metodologia padrão. A análise de cromatografia de camada delgada e HPLC-DAD confirmou a predominância de compostos fenólicos e derivados, especificamente para a quercetina. O mais tóxico foi o C. affinis DC. com a morte em todas as concentrações, o A. humile A. St. Hil. não apresentou mortalidade e as demais espécies apresentaram toxicidade intermediária. Os extratos das espécies investigadas são ricos em compostos fenólicos e derivados, especificamente a quercetina e apresentam toxicidade entre moderada a alta, fato que requer atenção, pois grande parte das comunidades tradicionais conta com fitoterápicos em sua forma bruta com preventivo e finalidade curativa, atendendo aos cuidados básicos de saúde.

The occurrence of diseases and their relationship with passive immune transfer in Holstein dairy calves submitted to individual management in southern Brazil / Ocorrência de doenças e sua relação com a transferência de imunidade passiva em bezerras Holandês criadas em sistema individual no sul do Brasil

Calves are extremely dependent on colostrum intake for the acquisition of passive immunity. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of diarrhea and respiratory diseases and the impact of Failure of Passive Immune Transfer (FPIT) on the health and zootechnical performance of Holstein dairy calves in individual management. This study has been carried out in five commercial farms in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from March 2017 to January 2018. In this study, 131 calves were followed from birth to 60 days of age. Total Plasmatic Protein (TPP) has been performed to determine passive immune transfer quality in 53 calves (53/131). A daily clinical follow-up has been accomplished aiming at diagnosing diseases and their incidences, and zootechnical measures such as withers height, width of the croup and weight have been evaluated. FPIT rate was 32.07%, diarrhea occurrence and respiratory diseases were 77.9% and 49.6%, respectively. FPIT increased the chances of calves presenting diarrhea and developing respiratory diseases, but no differences on zootechnical performance were found. The frequency of FPIT is still high and is a factor that corroborated the increased risk for diarrhea and respiratory disease but did not influence the performance of calves in the preweaning phase.(AU)

Bezerras são extremamente dependentes da ingestão de colostro para adquirir imunidade passiva. Este estudo teve o objetivo de determinar os índices de ocorrência de diarreia e de doença respiratória, assim como o impacto da falha na transferência de imunidade passiva (FTIP) no desenvolvimento de doenças e no desempenho zootécnico de bezerras Holandês criadas em sistema individual. O estudo foi desenvolvido em cinco propriedades comerciais no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, entre março de 2017 e janeiro de 2018. Assim, 131 bezerras foram acompanhadas, do nascimento aos 60 dias de idade. Em 53 animais, foi realizada avaliação de proteínas plasmáticas totais para determinar a qualidade na transferência de imunidade passiva. Acompanhamento clínico diário foi realizado, a fim de diagnosticar doenças e suas incidências, assim como avaliações zootécnicas, como altura de cernelha, largura de garupa, perímetro torácico e peso. O percentual de FTIP foi 32,07%, a ocorrência de diarreias e de doenças respiratórias foi, respectivamente, 77,9% e 49,6%. A FTIP aumentou as chances de as bezerras apresentarem diarreia e doenças respiratórias, mas não alterou o desempenho zootécnico. Conclui-se que a frequência na FTIP ainda é elevada, fator que corroborou o aumento do risco para as diarreias e doença respiratória. Apesar disso, a FTIP não influenciou no desenvolvimento das bezerras na fase de aleitamento.(AU)

Antifungal sensitivity and species of yeasts in oral mucosa of street mixed-breed dogs.

The aim of this research is to verify the yeast species isolated from oral mucosa in street mixed-breed dogs and to determine the antifungal profiles. After capturing and sedating the animals, oral mucosa samples were collected from fifty dogs and the materials were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. Forty-three yeast strains were isolated and identified trough the API-20C AUX method. Thirty-seven (86.1%) of the yeasts belonged to genus Candida, five (11.6%) to genus Trichosporon and only one strain (2.3%) to genus Malassezia. The sensitivity profiles to anifungals (amphotericin B, itraconanole, ketoconazole, fluconazole and variconazole) were determined through Etest® method. This study found resistance of some yeasts to amphotericin B and a good susceptibility to voriconazole and ketoconazole. Some of these antifungals are used in veterinary medical practice. This research is the first investigation on street mixed-breed dogs regarding yeast identifications and antifungals profiles.

Primary standardization and determination of gamma ray emission intensities of Ho-166.

The procedure followed by the Nuclear Metrology Laboratory (LMN) at the IPEN-CNEN/SP, in São Paulo, for the primary standardization of 166Ho is described. The activity of 166Ho was determined by the efficiency extrapolation technique applied to a 4πß(PC)-γ coincidence system using a gas flow proportional counter in 4π geometry coupled to a 76 × 76 mm NaI(Tl) crystal. The results for the γ-rays intensities at 80.57 and 1379.45 keV were 0.0651(11) and 0.00904(11), respectively.

Consistency test of coincidence-summing calculation methods for extended sources.

An internal consistency test of the calculation of coincidence-summing correction factors FC for volume sources is presented. The test is based on exact equations relating the values of FC calculated for three ideal measurement configurations. The test is applied to a number of 33 sets of FC values sent by 21 teams. Most sets passed the test, but not the results obtained using the quasi-point source approximation; in the latter case the test qualitatively indicated the magnitude of the bias of FC.

Data analysis software package for radionuclide standardization with a digital coincidence counting system.

The Nuclear Metrology Laboratory (LMN) - IPEN, São Paulo, Brazil - developed a Digital Coincidence System (DCS), based on the Coincidence Counting Methodology, in order to improve its capabilities in radionuclide primary-standardization. Digital process is implemented in two steps: data-acquisition (a set of measurements) and offline software data-analysis and calculation. The present work shows the basics of the data-acquisition unit (Software Coincidence System - SCS), describes the DCS' data-analysis process and the initial approaches chosen for the implementation of the software package (Coincidence Analyzing Task - CAT). 152Eu standardization, performed for DCS testing, software expansion and validation, is briefly discussed.

Toxicity and phytochemistry of eight species used in the traditional medicine of sul-mato-grossense, Brazil.

The Brazilian Cerrado has several botanical species for medicinal purposes used by traditional communities and many of these plants are not included in the list of Medicinal Plants Research Program of Central Medicines. The purpose of this study was the phytochemical screening and toxicology bioassay front of Brine shrimp L. of ethanolic extracts of eight species of plants used in folk medicine of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The ethanolic extracts were submitted to phytochemical screening, determination of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Toxicological assays were carried front of Brine shrimp according to standard methodology. The analysis TLC and HPLC-DAD confirmed the predominance of phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically for the quercetin. The most toxic was the C. affinis DC. with death at all concentrations, the A. humile A. St. Hil. showed no mortality and the other species showed intermediate toxicity. The extracts of the investigated species are rich in phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically quercetin, and feature toxicity between moderate to high, a fact that requires attention, since much of the traditional communities rely on herbal drugs in its raw form with preventive and curative purpose, meeting the basic health care.

Automatic Staging of Cancer Tumors Using AIM Image Annotations and Ontologies.

A second opinion about cancer stage is crucial when clinicians assess patient treatment progress. Staging is a process that takes into account description, location, characteristics, and possible metastasis of tumors in a patient. It should follow standards, such as the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors. However, in clinical practice, the implementation of this process can be tedious and error prone. In order to alleviate these problems, we intend to assist radiologists by providing a second opinion in the evaluation of cancer stage. For doing this, we developed a TNM classifier based on semantic annotations, made by radiologists, using the ePAD tool. It transforms the annotations (stored using the AIM format), using axioms and rules, into AIM4-O ontology instances. From then, it automatically calculates the liver TNM cancer stage. The AIM4-O ontology was developed, as part of this work, to represent annotations in the Web Ontology Language (OWL). A dataset of 51 liver radiology reports with staging data, from NCI's Genomic Data Commons (GDC), were used to evaluate our classifier. When compared with the stages attributed by physicians, the classifier stages had a precision of 85.7% and recall of 81.0%. In addition, 3 radiologists from 2 different institutions manually reviewed a random sample of 4 of the 51 records and agreed with the tool staging. AIM4-O was also evaluated with good results. Our classifier can be integrated into AIM aware imaging tools, such as ePAD, to offer a second opinion about staging as part of the cancer treatment workflow.

Short-term wind speed forecasting in Uruguay using computational intelligence.

Short-term wind speed forecasting for Colonia Eulacio, Soriano Department, Uruguay, is performed by applying an artificial neural network (ANN) technique to the hourly time series representative of the site. To train the ANN and validate the technique, data for one year are collected by one tower, with anemometers installed at heights of 101.8, 81.8, 25.7, and 10.0 m. Different ANN configurations are applied for each site and height; then, a quantitative analysis is conducted, and the statistical results are evaluated to select the configuration that best predicts the real data. This method has lower computational costs than other techniques, such as numerical modelling. For integrating wind power into existing grid systems, accurate short-term wind speed forecasting is fundamental. Therefore, the proposed short-term wind speed forecasting method is an important scientific contribution for reliable large-scale wind power forecasting and integration in Uruguay. The results of the short-term wind speed forecasting showed good accuracy at all the anemometer heights tested, suggesting that the method is a powerful tool that can help the Administración Nacional de Usinas y Transmissiones Eléctricas manage the national energy supply.

Assessing the relationship between organic farming practices and microbiological characteristics of organic lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

AIMS: This study aimed to gather information on farming practices employed in organic lettuce fields in Sao Paulo, Brazil and associate these practices with the microbiological characteristics of the products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Practices were surveyed using a questionnaire applied in ten farms, where 200 heads of lettuce were collected and submitted to enumeration of total coliforms and generic Escherichia coli and tested for Salmonella spp. using culture and molecular (qPCR) methods. Based on the responses, the farms could be clustered in two groups: group 1, comprised by six farms, where chicken manure was used as fertilizer in most of them and the composting process was not performed on site; and group 2, comprised by four farms, where other types of fertilizer were used, and the composting process was performed on site. Generic E. coli was detected in 56 (28%) samples, with an average of 1·1 ± 0·7 log MPN per g. Salmonella DNA was detected in two (1%) samples by qPCR. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and bacterial loads of generic E. coli, and the occurrence of Salmonella, even at low populations undetectable by conventional culture methods, highlight the need for control measures during farming practices to reduce microbial contamination and risks of foodborne illnesses. These measures include the use of properly composted manure and appropriate washing procedures for leafy vegetables before consumption. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The obtained data contribute to a better understanding of the farming practices of organically grown lettuces in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Baseline Basal Cell Hyperplasia Is not Associated With Baseline Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Baseline Clinical Prostatitis or Prostate Cancer in Repeat Biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the presence of basal cell hyperplasia (BCH) in negative biopsies is associated with concurrent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), clinical prostatitis, and future prostate cancer (PCa) in repeat prostate biopsy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 6471 men, 50-75 years old with prostate-specific antigen between 2.5 and 10 ng/ml and prior negative biopsy who were enrolled in the Reduction by Dutasteride of PCa Events trial and underwent a 2-year repeat biopsy. The association between baseline BCH and risk of PCa, BPH/LUTS and clinical prostatitis measured at baseline were evaluated with logistic regression in uni/multivariable analysis, controlling for baseline patient characteristics. RESULTS: Among 6471 men enrolled, 84 (1.3%) had BCH in the baseline prostate biopsy. BCH was associated less chronic inflammation and more prostate atrophy (P < 0.05) and was unrelated to baseline patient characteristics. In both uni/multivariable analyses, BCH was not associated with PCa in repeat biopsy (univariable odds ratio [OR] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53-1.82, P > 0.05; multivariable OR=1.15, 95% CI = 0.61-2.16, P > 0.05), BPH/LUTS (univariable OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.71-1.81, P > 0.05; multivariable OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.74-1.94, P > 0.05), or clinical prostatitis (univariable OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.18-1.81, P > 0.05; multivariable OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.18-1.83, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among men undergoing repeat prostate biopsy with a baseline negative biopsy, BCH was associated with more histological atrophy and less chronic prostatitis, but was unrelated to LUTS/BPH, clinical prostatitis or future PCa risk.