In vitro effects of wound-dressings on key wound healing properties of dermal fibroblasts.

Healing of complex wounds requires dressings that must, at least, not hinder and should ideally promote the activity of key healing cells, in particular fibroblasts. This in vitro study assessed the effects of three wound-dressings (a pure Ca2+ alginate: Algostéril®, a Ca2+ alginate + carboxymethylcellulose: Biatain alginate® and a polyacrylate impregnated with lipido-colloid matrix: UrgoClean®) on dermal fibroblast activity. The results showed the pure calcium alginate to be non-cytotoxic, whereas the other wound-dressings showed moderate to strong cytotoxicity. The two alginates stimulated fibroblast migration and proliferation, whereas the polyacrylate altered migration and had no effect on proliferation. The pure Ca2+ alginate significantly increased the TGF-ß-induced fibroblast activation, which is essential to healing. This activation was confirmed by a significant increase in Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and a higher collagen production. The other dressings reduced these fibroblast activities. The pure Ca2+ alginate was also able to counteract the inhibitory effect of NK cell supernatants on fibroblast migration. These in vitro results demonstrate that tested wound-dressings are not equivalent for fibroblast activation. Only Algostéril was found to promote all the fibroblast activities tested, which could contribute to its healing efficacy demonstrated in the clinic.

Physical activity and long COVID: findings from the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health in Adults cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the longitudinal association between physical activity and the risk of long COVID in patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed longitudinal data of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health cohort, a prospective cohort study with adults living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: Participants responded to an online, self-administered questionnaire in June 2020 (wave 1) and June 2022 (wave 4). Only participants who self-reported a positive test for COVID-19 were included. Physical activity was assessed before (wave 1, retrospectively) and during the pandemic (wave 1). Long COVID was assessed in wave 4 and defined as any post-COVID-19 symptoms that persisted for at least 3 months after infection. RESULTS: A total of 237 participants (75.1% women; mean age [standard deviation]: 37.1 [12.3]) were included in this study. The prevalence of physical inactivity in baseline was 71.7%, whereas 76.4% were classified with long COVID in wave 4. In the multivariate analysis, physical activity during the pandemic was associated with a reduced likelihood of long COVID (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.99) and a reduced duration of long COVID symptoms (odds ratio: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Participants who remained physically active from before to during the pandemic were less likely to report long COVID (PR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95), fatigue (PR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.32-0.76), neurological complications (PR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27-0.80), cough (PR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.22-0.71), and loss of sense of smell or taste (PR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21-0.87) as symptom-specific long COVID. CONCLUSION: Physical activity practice was associated with reduced risk of long COVID in adults.

Time after a peak-pesticide use period and neurobehavior among ecuadorian children and adolescents: The ESPINA study.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists regarding transient neurobehavioral alterations associated with episodic pesticide exposures or agricultural pesticide spray periods. We previously observed that children examined soon after a pesticide spray period (the Mother's Day flower harvest [MDH]) had lower neurobehavioral performance than children examined later. The present study builds on our previous work by incorporating longitudinal analyses from childhood through adolescence. METHODS: We examined participants in agricultural communities in Ecuador (ESPINA study) during three periods: July-August 2008 (N = 313, 4-9-year-olds); April 2016 (N = 330, 11-17-year-olds); July-October 2016 (N = 535, 11-17-year-olds). Participants were examined primarily during a period of low floricultural production. Neurobehavior was assessed using the NEPSY-II (domains: Attention/Inhibitory Control, Language, Memory/Learning, Visuospatial Processing, and Social Perception). Linear regression and generalized linear mixed models were used to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between examination date (days) after the MDH and neurobehavioral outcomes, adjusting for demographic, anthropometric, and socio-economic variables. RESULTS: Participants were examined between 63 and 171 days after the MDH. Mean neurobehavioral domain scores ranged from 1.0 to 17.0 (SDrange = 2.1-3.1) in 2008 and 1.0 to 15.5 (SDrange = 2.0-2.3) in 2016. In cross-sectional analyses (2016 only; N = 523), we found significant or borderline positive associations between time after the MDH and Attention/Inhibitory Control (difference/10 days [ß] = 0.22 points [95% CI = 0.03, 0.41]) and Language (ß = 0.16 points [95% CI = -0.03, 0.34]). We also observed positive, longitudinal associations (2008-2016) with Attention/Inhibitory Control (ß = 0.19 points [95% CI = 0.04, 0.34]) through 112 days after the harvest and Visuospatial Processing (ß = 3.56, ß-quadratic = -0.19 [95% CI: -0.29, -0.09]) through 92 days. CONCLUSIONS: Children examined sooner after the harvest had lower neurobehavioral performance compared to children examined later, suggesting that peak pesticide spray seasons may transiently affect neurobehavior followed by recovery during low pesticide-use periods. Reduction of pesticide exposure potential for children during peak pesticide-use periods is advised.

What factors explain the increase in obesity in Brazil? An ecological analysis of contextual and behavioural components.

OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that contextual factors may be related to obesity; however, they have not yet been widely investigated. The main objective of this ecological time-series study was to analyse factors associated with the increase in obesity in the adult and elderly population in Brazil from 2006 to 2020. STUDY DESIGN: This is an ecological time-series study. Data were collected by the Surveillance System for Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL), the main health survey in Brazil. METHODS: The outcome was the annual obesity growth rate (in percentage points). Independent variables were behavioural and contextual factors. Data analysis was performed using Prais-Winsten regression for temporal analyses, and Spearman correlation and crude and adjusted linear regression (beta and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]). RESULTS: The annual obesity growth rate was 0.58 percentage points (p.p.) (95% CI: 0.54; 0.63) per year. Demographic density and the percentage of the population employed showed an inverse association with the growth of obesity. Variables such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, Gini coefficient, urbanisation rate, percentage of the population with low level of education and percentage of the population without an income were directly associated with the increase in obesity rates. The variables maintained in the final model explained 81% of the growth in obesity in Brazil over the last 15 years (2006-2020). CONCLUSIONS: The growth of obesity in Brazil was mostly explained by contextual factors, especially those of a socio-economic nature. Therefore, interventions to mitigate the increase in obesity must go beyond behavioural factors.

Prototype of the National Dose Register (NDR) for Latin America: main experiences in design and implementation.

Several national regulations and good international practices promote the existence of a central register with the results of individual radiological monitoring. In the majority of countries (in the Latin American region), dosimetry data were neither harmonised nor managed by a unique database, and therefore the possibility of using such data for proper characterisation of the radiological conditions, integrally at national level, in a territory or sector, and by practice or occupational category, was very limited. All these considerations justified the need for developing a prototype of a National Dose Register (NDR) for Latin America. The main objectives were the strengthening of safety supervision in nuclear applications and the provision of a surveillance system for occupational exposure as well as the centralisation of personal dosimetry data, compiling all doses evaluated by the different dosimetric service providers. The experience of Cuba and Brazil in the implementation of their national registers was well known, and was accordingly used as the basis for designing this software. The first version of the NDR prototype, developed in the Spanish language, has been designed, developed and validated. So far, 16 countries have started to implement the NDR. The present work describes aspects such as the technical bases of the NDR design, its characteristics and its functionalities. Experience gained during implementation in Latin America is also addressed. Having a common system of dosimetric information management in the region has opened an important space for scientific exchanges between the countries and their competent authorities. The NDR implementation has provided regulatory authorities with a tool that permits the verification of the level of compliance with dose limits and restrictions, as well as allowing them to carry out statistical assessments of the results of individual radiological surveillance that may permit evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of workplace radiation protection programmes, contributing to their optimisation.

[MRI of the axial skeleton for evaluation of prostate cancer extent in french Guyana]. / IRM du squelette axial pour le bilan du cancer de prostate en Guyane française.

INTRODUCTION: Spread evaluation of Prostate Cancer (PC) in French Guyana is bothered by the lack of bone scintigraphy. The availability of 4 MRI allows to develop alternatives using Axial Skeleton MRI (AS MRI). We report the related results. MATERIAL: AS MRI was done in patients with diagnosis of high risk PC: PSA>=10ng/ml and/or Gleason Score>=7 (predominant Gleason grade 4) and/or clinical T2b and/or T2b/T3 MRI and/or >50% positive biopsies. AS MRI was including spine, pelvis and skull assessement.The results were systematically compared to the clinical, biological and biopsy features. RESULTS: Amongst 163 AS MRI performed, 30 were positive and 133 negative. Of these 133 patients, 60 were submited to radical prostatectomy with or without lymphadenectomy. In these 133 patients with negative AS MRI, median PSA was 11ng/ml (1-51) and 27 (20,3%) had PSA>20ng/ml. In patients with positive AS MRI, only 1 had PSA<20ng/ml and predominant Gleason grade 3. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that AS MRI assessement is especially usefull in patients who are most likely to have bone metastasis that is to say those with PSA>20ng/ml and/or predominant Gleason grade 4. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[A long distance between home and hospital does not bother ambulatory surgery for ureteroscopy in French Guyana]. / Une grande distance entre le domicile et l'hôpital ne contre-indique pas l'ambulatoire pour urétéroscopie en Guyane française.

INTRODUCTION: French Guyana is 83,500 km2 wide (equivalent to 1/6 of France). Communes are distant. Public urology is set in Kourou only. These particularities led to develop ambulatory urological surgery including for patients living far away from the reference centre. We report our experience with patient ureteroscopy (URS). MATERIAL: The study is retrospective (2018-2019), and includes 125 patients. Among these patients, 19.2% live in Kourou, 71.1% live 40 to 100km from the hospital and 9.7% beyond 100km. Every patient had an outpatient procedure for rigid and/or flexible URS to treat stone disease, including in lower calyx [LC] (38.4%). Ambulatory surgery was also proposed to the patients living away with the usual restrictions. Complications, results and switch to conventional hospitalisation (CH) were studied. RESULTS: Mean stone size was 10,5mm (4-30), stone density was 1030 UH (470-1700). The postoperative complication rate was 4%. There were 90.4% 'stone free' patients (85.4% for LC). One patient was rehospitalised within 48hours for acute flank pain and 9 patients had a switch of ambulatory to CH: 6 for discharge too late and 3 for complication (fever and/or pain). Distance between home and hospital was linked neither to complication rate, nor to switch to CH. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory URS is possible without further complications in selected patients living beyond 100km from the hospital, because of a specific organisation and an appropriate training of the caregivers involved in postoperative patient care. LEVEL OF PROOF: 3.

The Effects of Testosterone Therapy Combined with Swimming Exercise on Adipose Tissue and Biochemical Parameters in Male Obese Wistar Rats.

Context: Exercise and anabolic steroids are anticipated to promote fat mass reduction and so to decrease the number of comorbidities related to excessive weight. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of aerobic exercise and the use of steroids on the accumulation of adipose tissue and on the biochemical limitations of Wistar rats nourished by a hypercaloric diet. Methods: Forty, young male Wistar rats were split into four groups: obese control (n=10), obese under treatment (n=10), obese under aerobic exercise (n=10) and obese under aerobic exercise and treatment (n=10). All animals were fed with a hypercaloric diet and animals under treatment received intramuscular testosterone. Body (weight and visceral fat) and blood (lipidogram, glucose, and liver enzymes) parameters were assessed. Results: The group treated with aerobic exercise and testosterone revealed a reduction in body weight and visceral, perirenal, retroperitoneal and epididymal fats, accompanied by the blood levels of glucose, lactate, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase; following high-intensity physical activity. Conclusion: The results support the theory that the combination of steroids and physical activity reduces the side-effects of androgenic-anabolic hormones and conveys benefits to some constraints.

Cinnamyl Schiff bases: synthesis, cytotoxic effects and antifungal activity of clinical interest.

The aim of this study was to synthesize and investigate the in vitro antifungal properties of 23 cinnamyl Schiff bases. In addition, cytotoxic effects of such cinnamyl Schiff bases against human lung, kidney or red blood cells were also checked. The compounds were synthesized in a single-step, 2 min of reaction under microwave irradiation produced up to 97% yield. Six of the 23 cinnamyl Schiff bases possessed antifungal activities against strains of Candida, Aspergillus, Fonsecaea and, particularly, Cryptococcus species. Indeed, cinnamyl Schiff bases 1 and 23 exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values more than twofold lower than fluconazole (FCZ) against all the Cryptococcus neoformans strains (MIC = 1·33, 1·4 and 5·2 µg ml-1 , respectively) and Cryptococcus gattii strains (MIC = 5·3, 2·8 and 9·2 µg ml-1 , respectively) (12 strains of each species) while cinnamyl Schiff base 11 was as potent as FCZ against all strains from both Cryptococcus species. No significant cytotoxic effects were observed for Schiff bases against human lung, kidney or red blood cells, all presenting selective indexes higher than 10. In conclusion, this study revealed cinnamyl Schiff bases, especially 1 and 23, as new lead anticryptococcal agents for the discovery of novel antifungal drugs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The occurrence and severity of fungal infections have increased in recent decades due to resistance to available antifungal drugs and the appearance of new emerging pathogens. Thus, the search for new antifungal agents is mandatory. From a series of 23 cinnamyl Schiff bases, two compounds (1 and 23) were interrogated as new anticryptococcal agents without significant cytotoxicity against human lung, kidney or red blood cells. In turns, these new Schiff bases are lead compounds for the discovery of novel antifungal drugs.

COVID-19 and air pollution: A dangerous association?

In late 2019, a new infectious disease (COVID-19) was identified in Wuhan, China, which has now turned into a global pandemic. Countries around the world have implemented some type of blockade to lessen their infection and mitigate it. The blockade due to COVID-19 has drastic effects on the social and economic fronts. However, recent data released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), Copernicus Sentinel-5P Tropomi Instrument and Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicate that the pollution in some of the epicenters of COVID-19, such as Wuhan, Italy, Spain, USA, and Brazil, reduced by up to 30%. This study compiled the environmental data released by these centers and discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental pollution.

Antibacterial activity of chitosan/collagen membranes containing red propolis extract.

In this study we developed a mucoadhesive polymeric membrane wound dressing incorporating red propolis extract (HERP). Membranes were made using a casting method employing collagen, chitosan, polyethylene glycol (15, 20, and 30v%), and hydroethanolic extract of EtOH-H2O 70v% - 30v% (v/v) of HERP (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%). Membranes were extensively characterized to assess the thickness, pH, morphology using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), mechanical properties, swelling, in vitro mucoadhesion, cytotoxicity, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Assessment of the thickness and mechanical properties of the membranes containing HERP revealed that the most significant thickness obtained was 40.7 µm; thermal analysis suggests suggesting the hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups of isoflavones and the free amine present in the region of chitosan. Cell viability decreased as the amount of HERP increased. Finally, the MICs were 7.8 and 1.9 µg.mL-1 for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, respectively. These results were suggesting that the 0.5 % HERP membrane has the potential for future studies for wound application.

[Epidemiology of prostate cancer (PCa) in French Guyana (FG) - Preliminary results]. / Épidémiologie du cancer de la prostate en Guyane française ­ Données préliminaires.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiology of prostate cancer (PCa) in French Guyana (FG) is not well documented yet. It differs from the reported one in French West Indies due to a younger population, less exposed to agricultural pesticides with also much lower level of medical information and care. MATERIAL: The incidence and mortality rates available in the regional register of cancers are reported for the period 2010-2014. The characteristics of 242 consecutive prostate biopsy series performed between 2017 January and 2019 October for abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or PSA>4ng/mL are also described. RESULTS: PCa incidence in FG is 94.4°/°°°° and specific mortality 16.9°/°°°°. Among the biopsies, 77.7% (188/242) are positive with a mean PSA of 72.6ng/mL (1-4000) at a mean age of 66years (50-89), 34% (64/188) with an abnormal DRE, 12.3% (23/188) with a PSA>50ng/mL and 28.2% (53/188) with a Gleason score≥8. CONCLUSION: In spite of young population, less exposure to environmental risk factors and high rate of racial mixing, the early PCa diagnosis is still a challenge in FG. The observed incidence and mortality rates suggest underestimation of PCa cases and too late specific care what is also suggested by adverse pathological and biological characteristics of the tumors at the time of diagnosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Intra-amoebic localization of Arcobacter butzleri as an endocytobiont of Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Acanthamoeba castellanii is a free-living amoeba found mainly in humid environments and Arcobacter butzleri is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, both can establish in vitro endosymbiotic relationships in the absence of bacterial replication. We analyzed the localization of A. butzleri within A. castellanii establishing their association with endoplasmic reticulum vesicles and mitochondria. Through confocal microscopy, we observed that during the early stages of endosymbiosis, there is not colocalization between amoebic vacuoles containing A. butzleri and mitochondria or ER vesicles of A. castellanii. Considering that energy production of this bacterium occurs via metabolism of amino acids or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, these results contribute to explain the absence of bacterial replication, since A. butzleri would not have access to the nutrients found in endoplasmic reticulum vesicles and mitochondria. In addition, we observe that A. butzleri induces significantly the actin polymerization of A. castellanii during the early stages of endosymbiosis.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Siparuna guianensis extract and essential oil against Strongyloides venezuelensis.

New therapeutic approaches are necessary to control strongyloidiasis due to the side effects of, and resistance to, currently available drugs thiabendazole, albendazole, and ivermectin. This study examined the anthelmintic properties of extracts and isolated compounds from Siparuna guianensis against Strongyloides venezuelensis eggs and larvae, using the egg hatching test (EHT) and larval motility test (LMT). Albendazole (0.025 mg/ml) and ivermectin (0.316 mg/ml) were used as the positive controls for the EHT and LMT assays, respectively. Strongyloides venezuelensis eggs or larvae (±50 specimens) were treated with ethanol extract (0.05-1.0 mg/ml), ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions (0.05-0.8 mg/ml), essential oil (0.2-1.0 mg/ml) and α-bisabolol (0.2-1.0 mg/ml) from S. guianensis, and analysed by optical microscopy after 48 h (EHT), or after 24, 48 and 72 h (LMT). All the tested compounds exhibited ovicidal activity equivalent to the positive control and changed the morphology of the eggs. The S. guianensis ethanol extract and aqueous fraction were as effective as the positive control. Phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract and fractions revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins and flavonoids. Therefore, S. guianensis is effective against S. venezuelensis eggs and larvae in vitro, and can be considered as a potential alternative treatment for strongyloidiasis.

Construction and characterization of a BAC library for functional genomics in Xenopus tropicalis.

Large insert genomic DNA libraries are useful resources for genomic studies. Although the genome of Xenopus tropicalis stands as the amphibian reference genome because it benefitted from large-scale sequencing studies, physical mapping resources such as BAC libraries are lagging behind. Here we present the construction and characterization of a BAC library that covers the whole X. tropicalis genome. We prepared this BAC library from the genomic DNA of X. tropicalis females of the Adiopodoume strain. We characterized BAC clones by screening for specific loci, by chromosomal localization using FISH and by systematic BAC end sequencing. The median insert size is about 110kbp and the library coverage is around six genome equivalents. We obtained a total of 163,787 BAC end sequences with mate pairs for 77,711 BAC clones. We mapped all BAC end sequences to the reference X. tropicalis genome assembly to enable the identification of BAC clones covering specific loci. Overall, this BAC library resource complements the knowledge of the X. tropicalis genome and should further promote its use as a reference genome for developmental biology studies and amphibian comparative genomics.

In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of the Trypanocidal Effect of Novel Quinolines.

Therapies for human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively, are limited, providing minimal therapeutic options for the millions of individuals living in very poor communities. Here the effects of 10 novel quinolines are evaluated in silico and by phenotypic studies using in vitro and in vivo models. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties revealed that most molecules did not infringe on Lipinski's rules, which is a prediction of good oral absorption. These quinolines showed high probabilities of Caco2 permeability and human intestinal absorption and low probabilities of mutagenicity and of hERG1 inhibition. In vitro screens against bloodstream forms of T. cruzi demonstrated that all quinolines were more active than the reference drug (benznidazole [Bz]), except for DB2171 and DB2192, with five (DB2187, DB2131, DB2186, DB2191, and DB2217) displaying 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) of <3 µM (4-fold lower than that of Bz). Nine quinolines were more effective than Bz (2.7 µM) against amastigotes, showing EC50s ranging from 0.6 to 0.1 µM. All quinolines were also highly active in vitro against African trypanosomes, showing EC50s of ≤0.25 µM. The most potent and highly selective candidates for each parasite species were tested in in vivo models. Results for DB2186 were promising in mice with T. cruzi and T. brucei infections, reaching a 70% reduction of the parasitemia load for T. cruzi, and it cured 2 out of 4 mice infected with T. brucei DB2217 was also active in vivo and cured all 4 mice (100% cure rate) with T. brucei infection.

Effects of whole-body vibration on muscle strength, bone mineral content and density, and balance and body composition of children and adolescents with Down syndrome: a systematic review.

The aim of this study is to verify the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on the muscle strength of children and adolescents with Down syndrome. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane, SciELO, Lilacs and PUBMED databases and included manual searches to identify randomised controlled trials to investigate the effects of WBV on the structure and body function of children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and performed statistical analysis. In total, five studies with 171 patients that compared WBV with exercise and/or control were included. Two studies demonstrated a significant difference between the muscle strength of children and adolescents with Down syndrome who received WBV training and that of those who did not receive the intervention. The studies included in this systematic review showed that WBV training has positive effects on bone mineral density (BMD), body composition and balance. Results of this study showed that WBV training improves muscle strength, BMD, body composition and balance of children and adolescents with Down syndrome, and a more in-depth analysis of its effects on other variables in this population is required, as well as of parameters to be used.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor promotes immunomodulation to inhibit bone resorption.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is an enzyme in the arachidonate cascade which converts epoxy fatty acids (EpFAs), such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) produced by cytochrome P450 enzymes, to dihydroxy-eicosatrienoic acids. In the last 20 years with the development of inhibitors to sEH it has been possible to increase the levels of EETs and other EpFAs in in vivo models. Recently, studies have shown that EETs play a key role in blocking inflammation in a bone resorption process, but the mechanism is not clear. In the current study we used the sEH inhibitor (1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea [TPPU]) to investigate the immunomodulatory effects in a mouse periodontitis model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mice were infected on days 0, 2, and 4 with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and divided into groups (n = 6) that were treated orally, daily for 15 days, with 1 mg/kg of TPPU. Then, the mice were killed and their jaws were analyzed for bone resorption using morphometry. Immunoinflammatory markers in the gingival tissue were analyzed by microarray PCR or western blotting. RESULTS: Infected mice treated with TPPU showed lower bone resorption than infected mice without treatment. Interestingly, infected mice showed increased expression of sEH; however, mice treated with TPPU had a reduction in expression of sEH. Besides, several proinflammatory cytokines and molecular markers were downregulated in the gingival tissue in the group treated with 1 mg/kg of TPPU. CONCLUSION: The sEH inhibitor, TPPU, showed immunomodulatory effects, decreasing bone resorption and inflammatory responses in a bone resorption mouse model.

Skin cancer prevention campaign in childhood: survey based on 3676 children in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary skin cancer prevention campaigns are essential and more effective among children, not only because of the importance of sun exposure effects during this period, but also because this age is when individuals are developing behaviours. The Brazilian Society of Dermatology - Regional State of Sao Paulo developed and conducted the programme named 'The Sun, Friend of Childhood', a school health education and disease prevention project for children and parents. Our objective was to evaluate the cognitive and behavioural effects of the children and parents before and after an education model-based intervention of sun protection. METHODS: We carried out a study on a school population of Social Service of Industry - Regional State of São Paulo, from the first to the fifth years of the regular course (6-10 years). Our educational project was planned to be based on two children's learning tools (comic magazine and a DVD cartoon). Questionnaires in relation to habits and knowledge in sun exposure were applied to the children (3776) before and (2748) after the intervention. A questionnaire was applied to 3663 parents regarding personal details and habits of their children. RESULTS: According to the McNemar's statistical test, all changes in the children in acquiring new knowledge about good practices for sun exposure were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Educative sun exposure programmes in childhood are a relevant tool to modify the history of life for next generations, to concern the skin cancer and good health practices.

Redox cycling induces spermptosis and necrosis in stallion spermatozoa while the hydroxyl radical (OH•) only induces spermptosis.

Oxidative stress is a major factor explaining sperm dysfunction of spermatozoa surviving freezing and thawing and is also considered a major inducer of a special form of apoptosis, visible after thawing, in cryopreserved spermatozoa. To obtain further insights into the link between oxidative stress and the induction of apoptotic changes, stallion spermatozoa were induced to oxidative stress through redox cycling after exposure to 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (menadione), or hydroxyl radical formation after FeSO4 exposure. Either exposure induced significant increases (p < 0.05) in two markers of lipid peroxidation: 8-iso-PGF2α and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). While both treatments induced changes indicative of spermptosis (caspase-3 activation and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential) (p < 0.01), menadione induced sperm necrosis and a dramatic reduction in motility and thiol content in stallion spermatozoa. Thus, we provided evidence that oxidative stress underlies spermptosis, and thiol content is a key factor for stallion sperm function.