Respiratory virus detection among healthcare professionals in Brazil: work-related contact and episode recurrence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in the circulation of respiratory viruses have been observed after measures to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were implemented. In this sense, we aimed to understand the circulation of the respiratory virus and its impact in a controlled healthy population of healthcare professional (HCP) volunteers in phase III of the clinical trial of the ChadOx nCoV1 conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: This was a nested observational cohort study within a clinical trial. METHODS: We performed RT-qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus A and B (IVA and IVB), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human coronaviruses (hCoVs: HKU-1, NL63, OC43, and 229-E), parainfluenza virus (PiV) I-IV, and q-PCR for adenovirus in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples obtained from HCP enrolled in the clinical trial to assess respiratory viruses infection among vaccinated and non-vaccinated. RESULTS: From July 2020 to January 2022, 876 samples were included from 737 volunteers (median age: 33 years, 62.9% female). New episodes were registered for 119 individuals. We observed an overall positivity of 37.7% for SARS-CoV-2 and 16.4% for other respiratory viruses; HRV was the second most detected virus (8%), followed by RSV (2.4%). Fully vaccinated individuals accounted for 53.3% of collected samples, and 52.9% presented at least one respiratory virus infection, with SARS-CoV-2 being the most predominant etiologic agent (62.3%). Influenza and hMPV were not detected among the tested samples. Among the subjects that presented more than one episode, SARS-CoV-2 and HRV infections were related to direct contact with patients (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Data show high infection rates among HCPs even under mask policies and contact precautions, highlighting the need for improvement in infection control measures in this population regardless of the vaccination program.

Acaricidal action of ozone on larvae and engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus: a dose-dependent relationship.

The tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a vector of infectious agents that causes great economic loss in the productivity of cattle herds. Several studies have sought natural compounds with acaricidal activity to control ticks, without allowing the development of resistance, without causing environmental damage, and without presenting toxicity to the hosts. The activity of ozone on the natural biomolecules of living beings has been studied as an alternative to control arthropods and acaricidal effects were shown on ticks. The aim of the present study was to assess the acaricidal effect on larvae and engorged females of R. microplus according to ozone dose. Larvae (n = 377) were distributed in 10 groups and engorged females (n = 284) were distributed in 14 groups. One group was used as control (not exposed to ozone) and the other groups were exposed to ozone gas for 5-105 min. Ozone had a dose-dependent acaricidal effect on both larvae and engorged females. Dosages between 355 and 2130 mg/L min had a delayed acaricidal effect (12-180 h), leading to the death of all engorged females before laying eggs, whereas doses between 3195 and 7455 mg/L min showed immediate acaricidal effect (5 min to 4 h). Doses between 1775 and 6390 mg/L min had an immediate (up to 5 min) acaricidal effect on the larvae of this species. Further studies should consider longer follow-up times during the assessment of the acaricidal activity against ticks.

[Effectiveness of empirical Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with furazolidone in Russia: results from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)].

BACKGROUND: First-line therapy does not always provide a high level of Helicobacter pylori eradication due to the increase of H. pylori resistance to antibiotics; therefore, it remains necessary to identify the most effective rescue treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of empirical H. pylori furazolidone-containing regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult H. pylori infected patients empirically treated with furazolidone-containing eradication regimens were registered in an international, prospective, multicenter non-intervention European registry on H. pylori management (Hp-EuReg). Data were collected at AEG-REDCap e-CRF from 2013 to 2021 and the quality was reviewed. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) effectiveness analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall 106 patients received empirical furazolidone-containing therapy in Russia. Furazolidone was prescribed in a sequential scheme along with amoxicillin, clarithromycin and a proton pump inhibitor in 68 (64%) cases, triple regimens were prescribed in 28 (26%) patients and quadruple regimens in 10 (9.4%). Treatment duration of 7 days was assigned to 2 (1.9%) patients, 10-day eradication therapy in case of 80 (75%) and 14 days - in 24 (23%) patients. Furazolidone was mainly used in first- (79%) and second-line (21%) regimens. The methods used to diagnose H. pylori infection were: histology (81%), stool antigen test (64%), 13C-urea breath test (6.6%), and rapid urease test (1.9%). The mITT effectiveness of sequential therapy was 100%; 93% with the triple therapy and 75.5% with quadruple therapy. Compliance was reported in 98% of cases. Adverse events were revealed in 5.7% of patients, mostly nausea (3.8%). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Furazolidone containing eradication regimens appear to be an effective and safe empirical therapy in Russia.

Gram-negative bacteria associated with a dominant arboreal ant species outcompete phyllosphere-associated bacteria species in a tropical canopy.

Ants have efficient and well-studied social immunity mechanisms, which prevent the colony contamination. Little is known about how workers keep their outside territory clear of diseases. We investigated the interactions between Azteca chartifex ants, their associated bacteria and bacteria on the phyllosphere of Byrsonima sericea trees, comparing plants patrolled and not by the ants. The hypothesis is that bacteria associated with the worker's exoskeleton may outcompete the leaf bacteria. Culturable bacteria were isolated from ants, from the main and satellite nests, and from phyllosphere of B. sericea taken from trees that had A. chartifex nests and from trees without nests. The isolates were grouped by Gram guilds and identified at the genus level. There was a higher percentage of Gram-negative isolates in the ants and on the leaves patrolled by them. There was a higher growth rate of ant bacteria from the main nest compared to those found in ants from the satellite nests. The most representative genus among ant isolates was Enterobacter, also found on leaves patrolled by ants. Under favourable in vitro conditions, A. chartifex Gram-negative bacteria outcompete leaf bacteria by overgrowth, showing a greater competition capacity over the Gram-positive bacteria from leaves with no previous interaction with ants in the field. It was demonstrated that ants carry bacteria capable of outcompeting exogenous bacteria associated with their outside territory. The leaf microbiota of a patrolled tree could be shaped by the ant microbiota, suggesting that large ant colonies may have a key role in structuring canopy plant-microbe interactions.

An update on enzymatic cocktails for lignocellulose breakdown.

Alternative energy sources have received increasing attention in recent years. The possibility of adding value to agricultural wastes, by producing biofuels and other products with economic value from lignocellulosic biomass by enzymatic hydrolysis, has been widely explored. Lignocellulosic biomass, as well as being an abundant residue, is a complex recalcitrant structure that requires a consortium of enzymes for its complete degradation. Pools of enzymes with different specificities acting together usually produce an increase in hydrolysis yield. Enzymatic cocktails have been widely studied due to their potential industrial application for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. This review presents an overview of enzymes required to degrade the plant cell wall, paying particular attention to the latest advances in enzymatic cocktail production and the main results obtained with cocktails used to degrade a variety of types of biomass, as well as some future perspectives within this field.

L-asparaginase isolated from Streptomyces ansochromogenes promotes Th1 profile and activates CD8+ T cells in human PBMC: an in vitro investigation.

AIMS: A new L-asparaginase produced by Streptomyces ansochromogenes UFPEDA 3420 actinobacteria was used in this study against human lymphocyte cultures to evaluate the immunological profile induced by this enzyme. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultures of lymphocytes were stimulated with S. ansochromogenes L-asparaginase, and cytotoxicity, cell viability, cell stimulation and cytokine production were analysed. This new S. ansochromogenes L-asparaginase induced activation and proliferation of the TCD8+ lymphocyte subset and produced higher TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 levels in a 24-h assay. CONCLUSION: Streptomyces ansochromogenes L-asparaginase is a promising molecule to be used in in vivo models and to deepen preclinical tests against acute lymphoblast leukaemia. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: L-asparaginase is an indispensable component of the chemotherapeutic treatment of acute lymphoblast leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Currently, drugs such as Asparaginase® , Kidrolase® , and Elspar® and Erwinase® are efficient against leukemic disease, but promote immunosuppression and other side effects in human organisms. Our purified S. ansochromogenes L-asparaginase showed promissory results inducing, in vitro, higher immunostimulation in human PBMC, especially in T CD8+ lymphocyte subsets.

Heteronuclear molecules from matrix isolation sublimation and atomic diffusion.

We demonstrate the production of cryogenic beams of heteronuclear molecules from the matrix isolation sublimation (MISu) technique. A sapphire mirror serves as a substrate whereupon a solid Ne matrix is grown. Atoms of Li, H, Ca, and C are implanted into the matrix via subsequent laser ablation of different solid precursors such as Ca, Li, LiH, and graphite. The matrix is sublimated into vacuum generating a cryogenic beam of Ne carrying the previously isolated neutral atomic and molecular species. A compact and low energy electron source and time-of-flight mass spectrometer was designed to fit this system at low temperature. With electron ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we analyze the species coming from MISu and demonstrate the formation of heteronuclear molecules in the matrix. In this first study, we produced LiCa from the sequential implantation of Li and Ca into the matrix and some clusters of CnLim after Li and C ablation. Also from ablation of a single LiH pellet, we observed clusters of LinHm. This novel technique opens up the opportunity to generate cryogenic beams of different molecules for precision physics and chemistry studies. Laser or microwave high resolution spectroscopy of a molecular beam benefits from low translational and rovibrational temperatures and forward velocities, such as the ones produced in this technique. Toward the prospect of enhancing the molecular formation, we introduce a new method to study the atomic diffusion of Li and Ca in the Ne matrix via laser spectroscopy during sublimation. We estimate a small diffusion coefficient at 7 K, but a surprisingly linear atomic dispersion during sublimation. The method is extensive to other species and matrices.

Correction to: The Cancer, Educate to Prevent Model-the Potential of School Environment for Primary Prevention of Cancer.

The affiliation address of Dr. Helena Santos should be Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Portugal and Dr. Luís Moreira's should be Research Unit in Education and Community Intervention - RECI & Health School of Vila Nova de Gaia - Piaget Institute.

The transcriptome of the mosquito Aedes fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae), and transcriptional changes associated with its native Wolbachia infection.

BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a bacterial endosymbiont that naturally infects a wide range of insect species, and causes drastic changes to host biology. Stable infections of Wolbachia in mosquitoes can inhibit infection with medically important pathogens such as dengue virus and malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites. However, some native Wolbachia strains can enhance infection with certain pathogens, as is the case for the mosquito Aedes fluviatilis, where infection with Plasmodium gallinaceum is enhanced by the native wFlu Wolbachia strain. To better understand the biological interactions between mosquitoes and native Wolbachia infections, and to investigate the process of pathogen enhancement, we used RNA-Seq to generate the transcriptome of Ae. fluviatilis with and without Wolbachia infection. RESULTS: In total, we generated 22,280,160 Illumina paired-end reads from Wolbachia-infected and uninfected mosquitoes, and used these to make a de novo transcriptome assembly, resulting in 58,013 contigs with a median sequence length of 443 bp and an N50 of 2454 bp. Contigs were annotated through local alignments using BlastX, and associated with both gene ontology and KEGG orthology terms. Through baySeq, we identified 159 contigs that were significantly upregulated due to Wolbachia infection, and 98 that were downregulated. Critically, we saw no changes to Toll or IMD immune gene transcription, but did see evidence that wFlu infection altered the expression of several bacterial recognition genes, and immune-related genes that could influence Plasmodium infection. wFlu infection also had a widespread effect on a number of host physiological processes including protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. We then compared our data set with transcriptomic data for other Wolbachia infections in Aedes aegypti, and identified a core set of 15 gene groups associated with Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes. CONCLUSIONS: While the scale of transcriptional changes associated with wFlu infection might be small, the scope is rather large, which confirms that native Wolbachia infections maintain intricate molecular relationships with their mosquito hosts even after lengthy periods of co-evolution. We have also identified several potential means through which wFlu infection might influence Plasmodium infection in Ae. fluviatilis, and these genes should form the basis of future investigation into the enhancement of Plasmodium by Wolbachia.

The wMel Wolbachia strain blocks dengue and invades caged Aedes aegypti populations.

Dengue fever is the most important mosquito-borne viral disease of humans with more than 50 million cases estimated annually in more than 100 countries. Disturbingly, the geographic range of dengue is currently expanding and the severity of outbreaks is increasing. Control options for dengue are very limited and currently focus on reducing population abundance of the major mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. These strategies are failing to reduce dengue incidence in tropical communities and there is an urgent need for effective alternatives. It has been proposed that endosymbiotic bacterial Wolbachia infections of insects might be used in novel strategies for dengue control. For example, the wMelPop-CLA Wolbachia strain reduces the lifespan of adult A. aegypti mosquitoes in stably transinfected lines. This life-shortening phenotype was predicted to reduce the potential for dengue transmission. The recent discovery that several Wolbachia infections, including wMelPop-CLA, can also directly influence the susceptibility of insects to infection with a range of insect and human pathogens has markedly changed the potential for Wolbachia infections to control human diseases. Here we describe the successful transinfection of A. aegypti with the avirulent wMel strain of Wolbachia, which induces the reproductive phenotype cytoplasmic incompatibility with minimal apparent fitness costs and high maternal transmission, providing optimal phenotypic effects for invasion. Under semi-field conditions, the wMel strain increased from an initial starting frequency of 0.65 to near fixation within a few generations, invading A. aegypti populations at an accelerated rate relative to trials with the wMelPop-CLA strain. We also show that wMel and wMelPop-CLA strains block transmission of dengue serotype 2 (DENV-2) in A. aegypti, forming the basis of a practical approach to dengue suppression.

Ovarian follicle development and genital tract characteristics in different birthweight gilts at 150 days of age.

In the last decades, selection for improved prolificacy has resulted in higher litter sizes and has thereby increased the proportion of low birthweight (LW) piglets. It is well documented that LW piglets have lower growth performance, muscle accretion and poor carcass quality. However, little is known about the relations of birthweight with subsequent reproductive performance in gilts. This study investigated the effects of birthweight on reproductive tract and ovarian follicle development in 150-day-old gilts. Twenty eight female pigs of different birthweight ranges (high-HW: 1.8-2.2 kg; low-LW: 0.8-1.2 kg) from higher parity commercial sows were reared until 150 days of age, and their body weights were recorded at weaning, end of nursery and end of the grower-finisher phase. The animals were killed and their reproductive tracts collected for biometrical and histomorphometrical analysis. LW gilts showed significantly lower body weights and growth rates during all phases of production compared to their HW counterparts (p < .01). Most biometrical measurements of the reproductive tract were similar between the experimental groups, except vaginal length and the gonadossomatic index (relative ovarian weight), which were affected by birthweight class (p < .05). LW females also showed fewer medium size (3-5 mm; p < .01) ovarian follicles, pre-antral follicles (p < .07) and more atretic follicles per ovarian cortex area (p < .05). Therefore, besides the effects on post-natal growth performance, birthweight affects vaginal length and the follicular dynamics process, which may impair the reproductive performance of replacement gilts.

Colostrum yield and litter performance in multiparous sows subjected to farrowing induction.

The consumption of colostrum at a low level can compromise the survival and growth of piglets. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of farrowing induction on colostrum yield, IgG concentration and the survival and performance of piglets until the weaning. Sows of parity 3 to 7 were assigned into two groups: Control (n = 48), sows with spontaneous farrowing; and induction (n = 48), sows induced to farrow on day 114 of gestation with a PGF2 analogue. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from the sows, at farrowing and 24 hr later. Blood samples from the piglets were collected at 24 hr after birth. The performance of the piglets was evaluated in a subsample of 28 litters from each group. All piglets were weighed at 7, 14 and 20 days of age. The farrowing length, the number of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, weight at birth, litter weight at birth and colostrum yield were not significantly affected (p > .05) by farrowing induction. There was no difference between the groups (p > .05) in the percentage of sows with obstetric interventions. Serum IgG concentration, in both sows and piglets, and colostrum IgG concentration were similar between the groups (p > .05). Furthermore, survival rate, piglet weight and litter weight at 7, 14 and 20 days of age were also similar between the groups (p > .05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the farrowing induction performed on day 114 of gestation does not affect the colostrum yield, the IgG concentration in colostrum and serum of piglets, and the litter performance until the weaning.

Insights into the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis of xylan.

Hemicelluloses are a vast group of complex, non-cellulosic heteropolysaccharides that are classified according to the principal monosaccharides present in its structure. Xylan is the most abundant hemicellulose found in lignocellulosic biomass. In the current trend of a more effective utilization of lignocellulosic biomass and developments of environmentally friendly industrial processes, increasing research activities have been directed to a practical application of the xylan component of plants and plant residues as biopolymer resources. A variety of enzymes, including main- and side-chain acting enzymes, are responsible for xylan breakdown. Xylanase is a main-chain enzyme that randomly cleaves the ß-1,4 linkages between the xylopyranosyl residues in xylan backbone. This enzyme presents varying folds, mechanisms of action, substrate specificities, hydrolytic activities, and physicochemical characteristics. This review pays particular attention to different aspects of the mechanisms of action of xylan-degrading enzymes and their contribution to improve the production of bioproducts from plant biomass. Furthermore, the influence of phenolic compounds on xylanase activity is also discussed.

Long-term immune and virological response in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The trajectory of HIV viral load and CD4 count and the occurrence of clinical events are primary considerations in the evaluation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) success or failure, yet a large number of studies do not describe these events from the point of therapy initiation. This study aims to describe the virological and immune response to ART and factors associated with immune and virological success in outpatients from a HIV/AIDS clinic in southern Brazil from therapy initiation. METHODS: Longitudinal observational with ambidirectional data collection study with adult patients followed for at least 12 months after enrolment. Outcomes include (i) favourable immune response, defined as CD4 count ≥200 cells/mm³; and (ii) virological success, defined as viral load below the limit of detection (50 copies/mL). RESULTS: The study included 332 patients, mostly men (63%), whose mean age was 40 (±10) years and with median family income of BR$ 490·00 per month (IQR: 350-875). Before starting ART, 43% of patients had indications of stable immune status (CD4 count ≥200 cells/mm³); the median CD4 count was 179 cells/mm³ (IQR: 93·5, 267) and increased to 379·5 cells/mm³ (IQR: 236·5, 591·3). The proportion of patients with CD4 count ≥200 cells/mm³ increased from 76% to 83%, and with undetectable viral load (UVL) increased from 51·7% to 73%. Factors associated with immune success at the end of study follow-up were as follows: female gender, pretreatment CD4 count ≥200 cells/mm³, previous UVL (measured when started prospective follow-up) and treatment with three drugs compared with ≥4. Factors associated with virological success were as follows: UVL (measured when started prospective follow-up) and use of three drugs compared with ≥4. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study show that a large proportion (73%) of patients have rapid and successful immune and virological responses to ART and that factors which predict this response include starting ART early, whereas viral load is low and CD4 count is high, with fewer drugs. These results further support the ongoing need for ongoing programmes to increase early HIV testing, early linkage to and treatment with ART, and increased viral suppression.

Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi as Biological Control Agents of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Compatibility With Chemical Insecticides.

The objectives were to evaluate the efficiency of entomopathogenic fungi against Plutella xylostella (L.) and the compatibility of the most virulent isolates with some of the insecticides registered for use on cabbage crops. Pathogenicity tests used isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium rileyi, Isaria fumosorosea, Isaria sinclairii, and Lecanicillium muscarium standardized at a concentration of 10(7) conidia/ml. Cabbage leaf discs were immersed in these suspensions, and after evaporation of the excess water, were placed 10 second-instar larvae of P. xylostella, totaling 10 leaf discs per treatment. Mortality was assessed 7 d after treatment, and the isolates that caused mortality>80% were used to estimate LC50 and LT50. The compatibilities of the most virulent isolates and the insecticides were tested from the mixture of these into the culture medium, and after solidifying, the medium was inoculated with an aliquot of the isolated suspension. The following parameters were evaluated: growth of the colony, number and viability of conidia after 7 d. The isolated IBCB01, IBCB18, IBCB66, and IBCB87 of B. bassiana, LCMAP101 of M. rileyi, and ARSEF7973 of I. sinclairii caused mortality between 80 and 100%, with LC50 and LT50 between 2.504 to 6.775×10(4) conidia/ml and 52.22 to 112.13 h, respectively. The active ingredients thiamethoxam and azadirachtin were compatible with the entomopathogenic fungi. The results suggest that the use of these isolates is an important alternative in the pesticidal management of P. xylostella, with the possible exception of the associated use of chemical controls using the active ingredients thiamethoxam or azadirachtin.

The Cancer, Educate to Prevent Model-the Potential of School Environment for Primary Prevention of Cancer.

Cancer represents one of the main causes of death worldwide; consequently, preventive interventions are of utmost importance in public health education. The leading model of cancer prevention campaigns is based on general and undifferentiated actions mediated by health professionals, focusing on the technical and scientific information but rather ineffective in changing the symbolic, cognitive and practical relationship with the disease. New intervention models are thus required to address cancer literacy, being early interventions targeted to specific groups an elective counterpoint to contribute to positive and durable changes in cancer prevention. Our aim is to evaluate the feasibility and impact of cancer prevention programmes planned as focused interventions in restricted targets and mediated by non-healthcare professionals to increase cancer literacy and promote preventive behaviours. This pilot study evaluates schools' potential as a vehicle for cancer prevention education in a reality shaped by traditional health prevention campaigns. We developed a protocol of systematic surveying in order to review and, in the future, optimize and replicate this ecological model of intervention to other groups and contexts. The implementation of this model has been successful in which concerns to the effectiveness of the training programme for teachers. This led to the development of impactful cancer prevention education projects by trainees targeted to their students, allowing us to argue that it contributes to knowledge and practice in this complex as consensual priority area of intervention.

Factors associated with therapeutic success in HIV-positive individuals in southern Brazil.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic success is characterized by undetectable viral load, immune reconstitution confirmed by CD4+ T-cell count and no clinical manifestations of disease. High treatment adherence is a major determinant of therapeutic success that needs prevention of viral replication, allowing immune reconstitution. Adherence to treatment <95% has been associated with both immune and viral failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with therapeutic success in adult patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a specialized centre for HIV-AIDS in southern Brazil, being defined therapeutic success as achieving and maintaining undetectable viral load, stable immune status (CD4+ T lymphocyte count ≥200 cells/mm(3) ) and adherence to HAART ≥ 95%. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study nested in the PC-HIV randomized clinical trial of PC-HIV. We included adults who were on HAART at Pelotas HIV/AIDS Assistance Service between June 2006 and July 2007 and for whom information on treatment adherence, viral load and CD4+ cell count was available. Pregnant women were excluded. We obtained clinical data from medical records and socio-demographic information in an interview. Therapeutic success was defined as achieving and maintaining undetectable viral load, stable immune status (CD4+ T lymphocyte count ≥200 cells/mm(3) ) and adherence to HAART ≥95%. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We included 136 patients (60% male) in the cohort study. Mean age was 40 ± 10 years, and median treatment duration was 59 months (IQR 25-93). Family income varied from 0 to 8 times the minimum wage (IQR 1·0-2·3). Therapeutic success was achieved by 90% (122 patients), and it was associated with previously undetectable viral load (PR = 1·30; 95% CI = 1·13-1·49) and treatment adherence prior to study entry (PR = 1·34; 95% CI = 1·07-1·69), independently of sex, age and previous immune status. WHAT IS NOW AND CONCLUSION: When undetectable viral load, CD4+ cell count ≥200 cells/mm(3) and treatment adherence above 95% are included in the definition of therapeutic success, the rate was elevated (90%) and the factors associated were previous history of adherence to HAART and previous undetectable viral load.

Broader prevalence of Wolbachia in insects including potential human disease vectors.

Wolbachia are intracellular, maternally transmitted bacteria considered the most abundant endosymbionts found in arthropods. They reproductively manipulate their host in order to increase their chances of being transmitted to the offspring, and currently are being used as a tool to control vector-borne diseases. Studies on distribution of Wolbachia among its arthropod hosts are important both for better understanding why this bacterium is so common, as well as for its potential use as a biological control agent. Here, we studied the incidence of Wolbachia in a broad range of insect species, collected from different regions of Brazil, using three genetic markers (16S rRNA, wsp and ftsZ), which varied in terms of their sensitivity to detect this bacterium. The overall incidence of Wolbachia among species belonging to 58 families and 14 orders was 61.9%. The most common positive insect orders were Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, with Diptera and Hemiptera having the highest numbers of Wolbachia-positive families. They included potential human disease vectors whose infection status has never been reported before. Our study further shows the importance of using quantitative polymerase chain reaction for high-throughput and sensitive Wolbachia screening.

A candidate short-term toxicity test using Ampelisca brevicornis to assess sublethal responses to pharmaceuticals bound to marine sediments.

Lethal and sublethal responses related to different phases of metabolism (phases I and II enzymatic activities), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase activity), oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities), and genetic damage (DNA strand breaks) were analysed to assess the possible adverse effects of pharmaceuticals bound to marine sediments. The crustacean amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis was chosen as the bioindicator species. Organisms were exposed for 10 days to sediment spiked with pharmaceutical compounds frequently used and previously detected in the environment: carbamazepine (CBZ), ibuprofen (IBP), fluoxetine (FX), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), propranolol (PRO), and caffeine (CAF). Short-term bioassay to evaluate amphipod mortality was recommended to assess pollution by CBZ, FX, and PRO. IBP and PRO were metabolized by phases I and II detoxification enzymatic activities. Oxidative stress was caused by PRO and CAF. Contrary to expected results, DNA damage (strand breaks) decreased after the exposure of amphipods to sediment spiked with IBP, FX, EE2, PRO, and CAF (including environmental concentrations). FX was neurotoxic to amphipods. The battery of biomarkers tested allowed the assessment of bioavailability, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity of the pharmaceuticals analysed. The results of this study suggested that pharmaceutical products at concentrations currently found in the environment might cause a wide variety of adverse effects (based on laboratory studies). The results obtained here are useful for environmental risk assessment of marine sediments contaminated by pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, more research is needed using field-based marine sediments.

Ascorbic acid PEG-2L is superior for early morning colonoscopies in colorectal cancer screening programs: a prospective non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The quality of colon cleansing and the tolerability of anterograde preparation are essential to the success of colorectal cancer screening. AIM: To compare the tolerability and efficacy of low-volume preparations vs the standard regimen in individuals scheduled for an early morning colonoscopy. STUDY: Participants in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program using the fecal immunochemical test who were scheduled for a colonoscopy from 09:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. were prospectively included and assigned to: (1) control group (PEG-ELS 4L): PEG 4L and electrolytes; (2) group AscPEG-2L: a combination of PEG and ascorbic acid 2L; and (3) group PiMg: sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate 500 mL plus 2L of clear fluids. Tolerability was evaluated with a questionnaire and the quality of bowel preparation with the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. RESULTS: A total of 292 participants were included: 98 in the PEG-ELS 4L control group, 96 in the AscPEG-2L study group and 98 in the PiMg study group. Low-volume treatments were better tolerated than the standard solution (AscPEG-2L 94.8% and PiMg 93.9% vs PEG-ELS 4L 75.5%; p < 0.0001). The effectiveness of AscPEG-2L was superior to that of PEG-ELS 4L and PiMg (p = 0.011 and p = 0.032, respectively). Patient acceptance was higher for single-dose than for split-dose administration but efficacy was higher with the split dose than with other doses. CONCLUSIONS: In early morning colonoscopies, ascPEG-2L appears to be the best option, especially when administered in a split-dose.