Interstitial incisional hernia of greater omentum: An incidental finding during routine cadaveric dissection.

Omental herniation, located between the rectus abdominis muscle and the anterior blade of the rectus sheath, can be triggered after a transverse suprapubic incision. It causes the development of an incisional interstitial hernia (IIH), which is an extremely rare and poorly understood condition. Based on this information, our work presents the first anatomical description of incisional interstitial hernia found during routine dissection at the Human Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Ceará in a formalized female corpse.

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.

Innovative process for obtaining modified nanocellulose from soybean straw.

In the present research, soybean straw was used to prepare nanocellulose (NC) via a ball mill, in different milling times (6, 9, and 12 h) and in-situ modified with an anionic surfactant. NCs were characterized for their chemical structure, surface composition, dimension and stability, morphology, crystalline structure, and thermal stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated a cellulosic structure for NCs and a physical interaction due to the electronic attractions between nanocellulose hydroxyls and surfactant end chain groups. The dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the in situ modified samples showed smaller sizes and good electrostatic stability. Besides, while ball mill resulted in nanofibers, the in situ modified-NC showed a nanocrystal shape, indicating that the surfactant alters the milling process and cellulose scale reduction. The modified-NC showed lower crystallinity and crystal size than unmodified nanocelluloses due to the surfactant chains' addition and influence during the milling process. The modified-NC showed slightly superior thermal stability. The NC-12S showed smaller particle sizes, high electrostatic, and thermal stability and indicated that 12 h is adequate to prepare modified nanocellulose via in situ modification. The prepared samples could be potentially used as coatings, emulsifiers, and nanocomposites reinforcing agents.

The Importance of Forest Simplification and Litter Disturbance in Defining the Assembly of Ground-Foraging Ants.

Currently, we are facing many ecosystem changes derived from years of anthropogenic disturbances. Habitat simplification stands out among human-derived impacts, due to its detrimental effects on vegetation structure and associated biota. Here, we assessed the effects of litter disturbance and forest simplification on a tropical ground-foraging ant community. To do that, we tested whether ant richness will be negatively affected by litter disturbance and habitat simplification. Additionally, we tested whether litter disturbance affects the time of resource discovery and dominance, and if so, whether its effects are intensified by forest simplification. This study occurred at Rio Doce State Park, a preserved area of Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil. We experimentally simulated litter disturbance by removing the leaf litter and superficial soil layer in a mahogany monoculture forest and preserved Atlantic Forest. We sampled ants using paired-mixed baits of protein and carbohydrate in 12 points, half of them in each forest type. As expected, we found higher richness in the preserved and non-disturbed forest. Moreover, resource discovery was faster in disturbed monoculture, but bait dominance was higher in the undisturbed preserved forest. Litter heterogeneity seems to play an important role in determining ant dispersion and intra-specific communication, as we observed that litter disturbance impacts were strengthened by forest simplification. Our results highlight the efficiency of ground-foraging ants as bioindicators of disturbance and habitat quality. Moreover, our study indicates how distinct types of disturbances can act synergistically, changing the assembly of associated biota.

Diagnosis of chikungunya virus infection in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Chikungunya virus infection had not been reported by the National Secretary of Health of the State of Baja California Sur, Mexico before 2015, and until now, no information of the disease has been published. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the tendency that the disease has shown since its introduction. The total number of cases in the state was analyzed, and the incidence rate of infection was evaluated in the general population, age groups, and gender. From 2015-2019, the year with the highest number of reported cases was 2016 with 210 cases, but no cases were reported from 2018-2019. The gender with the highest number of cases was female. The most affected age group was adults 45-64 years of age.

Abordaje endoscópico al cavum de Meckel: resección endoscópica endonasal de schwannoma del nervio trigémino / Endoscopic approach to the Meckel's cave: endonasal endoscopic resection of a trigeminal schwannoma

RESUMEN El cavum de Meckel (CM) es un divertículo localizado en la fosa media adyacente al seno cavernoso. Las neoplasias de esta región son extremadamente raras y representan un desafío para el cirujano debido a las estructuras neurovasculares que se encuentran en la región. Para los tumores ubicados en esta área se han descrito diversos abordajes quirúrgicos, los cuales no logran una adecuada exposición a la porción anteromedial del CM. En la última década, se ha postulado el abordaje endoscópico endonasal extendido (AEE) como una alternativa quirúrgica para el manejo de lesiones ubicadas en esta región. Se presenta el caso de un paciente portador de un schwannoma del nervio trigémino situado en el CM derecho tratado mediante AEE.

ABSTRACT The Meckel's cave (CM) is a diverticulum located in the middle fossa adjacent to the cavernous sinus. The neoplasms of this region are extremely rare and represent a challenge for the surgeon due to the neurovascular structures that occupy and surround the parasellar region. For tumors located in this area, several surgical approaches have been described, all of which do not achieve an adequate exposure to the anteromedial portion of CM. In the last decade, the extended endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) has been postulated as an alternative for the surgical management of tumors located in this region. We present the case of a patient with a trigeminal schwannoma located in the right CM treated by EEA.

Factors associated with the drug-resistant tuberculosis incidence rate in Brazil.

SETTING: The selection and transmission of drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB) hamper disease control. OBJECTIVE: To identify health conditions, demographic and socio-economic factors, as well as individual factors associated with the incidence of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), in Brazil at the municipal level. DESIGN: This was an ecological study covering Brazilian municipalities that had reported DR-TB cases in 2014. Associations were evaluated in a multilevel analysis using negative binomial regression. RESULTS: In the multilevel model, males (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-2.93) and Black persons (IRR 1.82, 95%CI 1.61-2.05) had a higher risk of DR-TB. Compared with those aged 60 years, persons aged 15-59 years (IRR 1.72, 95%CI 1.40-2.11) also had a higher risk. The following contextual factors were associated with the incidence rate (IR) of DR-TB: proportion of previously treated patients (IRR 1.27, 95%CI 1.1-1.5), acquired immune-deficiency syndrome IR (IRR 1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.25), Municipal Human Development Index (IRR 0.72, 95%CI 0.64-0.81) and the Gini coefficient (IRR 0.86, 95%CI 0.78-0.95). CONCLUSION: We have identified individual and contextual factors associated with the incidence of DR-TB. Our results may help improve integrated public health interventions aimed at controlling DR-TB in Brazil.

Genetic diversity of native populations of Croton tetradenius Baill. using ISSR markers.

Brazil has about 300 Croton species in different types of vegetation. Croton tetradenius Baill., which is endemic to the Northeast region and predominant in the Caatinga vegetation, stands out among the several species of this genus. Considering the importance of knowing the genetic variability of a species, the objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of the genotypes of natural populations of C. tetradenius in the State of Sergipe, using ISSR molecular markers. Forty individuals were sampled in four natural populations of the State of Sergipe, Brazil. Thirteen primers were used for DNA amplification using ISSR-PCR, totaling 77 amplified fragments, of which 94.8% were polymorphic. Results of the cluster analysis obtained by the Jaccard's similarity index, using the UPGMA method, resulted in the formation of six distinct clusters. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), used to estimate the genetic variability among populations, revealed significant genetic variance (P < 0.01) between and within the studied populations, and most of the genetic diversity was found (87%) within populations. According to the Jaccard's similarity index, none of the studied plants was genetically identical. CTE210 and CTE305 presented high similarity index (0.76), while CTE105 presented low similarity index (<0.16) with all related individuals. ISSR markers were efficient and allowed the formation of a molecular profile, and had sufficient polymorphism to estimate the genetic variability between the accessions of the studied populations.

Influence of environmental parameters on mycotoxin production by Alternaria arborescens.

Alternaria arborescens has been reported as a common fungal species invading tomatoes and is capable of producing several mycotoxins in infected plants, fruits and in agricultural commodities. Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) are some of the main Alternaria mycotoxins that can be found as contaminants of food. This species can produce these toxic metabolites together with AAL toxins (Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersicum toxins), which can act as inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of water activity (aw, 0.995, 0.975, 0.950) and temperature (6, 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C) on mycotoxin production by A. arborescens on a synthetic tomato medium. The optimum production of AOH and AME occurred at 0.975 aw after 40 days of incubation at 30 °C. The maximum TeA accumulation was observed at 0.975 aw and 25 °C and at 0.950 aw and 30 °C. AAL TA was produced in higher quantities at 0.995 aw and 30 °C. At 6 °C no quantifiable levels of AOH or AME were detected, but significant amounts of TeA were produced at 0.975 aw. In general, high aw levels and high temperatures were favorable for mycotoxin production. The greatest accumulation of all four toxins occurred at 0.975 aw and 30 °C. The results obtained here could be extrapolated to evaluate the risk of tomato fruits and tomato products contamination caused by these toxins.

La contribución de la ocupación en la construcción de la cultura en la feria libre de la comuna de Valdivia / Contribution of occupation in the construction of cultures in the street markets of Valdivia city

Estudio cualitativo de diseño narrativo. Las técnicas utilizadas fueron, la entrevista en profundidad semi estructurada y observación participante pasiva. Para ello se realizaron cuatro visitas de campo a la Feria libre Valdivia; se eligieron a cinco actores claves y a su vez, se aplicó una pauta de observación de forma y función del contexto, elaborada por las investigadoras. Los resultados fueron analizados y contrastados con elementos teóricos relacionados. El objeto de esta investigación guarda relación con la necesidad de abordar la complejidad contextual de esta comunidad bajo la intervención con relevancia cultural desde Terapia Ocupacional, y a su vez responder a la interrogante: ¿Contribuye la ocupación (productiva) a la conformación de cultura en la feria libre Valdivia? ¿Cómo? Los resultados dan cuenta de la relación de su ocupación productiva, tanto en forma, función y signifcado, con las características que lo constituyen como tal, y dan forma a la cultura feriante.

Qualitative study with narrative design. Theused techniques were a deep semi – structured interview and passive participant observation. For this, four feld visits were performed in Valdivia’s Fair, fve key players were selected and a context’s function and shape observation guideline made by the investigators was applied. The results was analyzed and compared with related theoretical elements. The purpose of this research is related with the need to approach to the contextual complexity of this community under the culturally relevant intervention from Occupational Therapy and in turn answer to the question: Does the occupation (productive occupation) contributes in culture’s conformation in the Valdivia’s fair? how?. The results show the relationship of their productive occupations, in form, function and meaning, with features that constitutes it as such and shape the culture in Valdivia’s fair.

Tephrosia toxicaria†Pers. reduces temporomandibular joint inflammatory hypernociception: the involvement of the HO-1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: We investigated both the efficacy and the sub-chronic toxicity of Tephrosia toxicaria Pers. in the zymosan-induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammatory hypernociception in rats evaluating the possible role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). METHODS: Rats were pretreated with T. toxicaria (0.2, 2.0 or 20 mg/kg) 60 min before the intra-articular injection of zymosan (2 mg, 40 µL) in the left TMJ. In another series of experiments, rats were treated with ZnPP-IX (3 mg/kg), a specific HO-1 inhibitor, before T. toxicaria (20 mg/kg). Von Frey test was used to evaluate inflammatory hypernociception (g) 4 h after zymosan injection. Six hours after zymosan injection, the synovial lavage was collected for total cell count and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and joint tissue for histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry for HO-1. To evaluate the sub-chronic toxicity, mice received T. toxicaria (20 mg/kg) or saline once a day for 14 days to analyse body mass, organ weight and biochemical parameters. RESULTS: T. toxicaria partially reversed the zymosan-induced head withdrawal threshold, the number of cells and the MPO activity. T. toxicaria reduced the inflammatory cell influx in the synovial membrane. TMJ immunohistochemical analyses treated with T. toxicaria showed increased HO-1 expression. These effects of T. toxicaria were not observed in the presence of ZnPP-IX. T. toxicaria treatment for 14 days did not show significant signs of toxicity when administrated to mice. CONCLUSIONS: T. toxicaria did not produce any signs of toxicity and effectively decreased zymosan-induced TMJ inflammatory hypernociception dependent, at least in part, upon the HO-1 pathway integrity.

Regional variations and time trends of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Brazil.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a zoonosis and a public health concern in the Americas due to its high fatality rate. Since the first cases were identified in USA in 1993, HPS has been observed over a wide area of the American continents. Over 1600 HPS cases have been confirmed in Brazil since 1993, and different genotypes of hantavirus have been identified in several biomes in this country of continental dimensions. We performed a retrospective study of data from 2001 to 2011 that encompassed all notified cases of HPS in the National Disease Notification System (SINAN) of Brazil to determine the regional differences and temporal trends of the disease. During the study period, 1486 cases were reported, and analyses of the temporal trends of the disease revealed that the number of cases in Brazil increased over this period (P < 0·01). The frequency distributions of the cases stratified by region revealed different patterns of seasonality; however, these patterns were not statistically significant with the exception of the South region (P < 0·05). We found regional differences in the occurrence of the disease throughout the year and a trend towards an increasing number of cases. These findings reinforce the necessity of adjusting surveillance tools and control policies to respond effectively to this public health problem.

Protective effect of Chresta martii extract against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in mice.

Chresta martii (Asteraceae) is a plant found in the Xingó region (semi-arid area) in Northeastearn Brazil, and is recognized by the local population as a traditional herb used to treat gastric diseases. This is the first report of the chemical composition, acute toxicity, and gastroprotective effect in mice of the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) from the aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of Chresta martii. Animals received HAE doses from 10 to 2000 mg/kg, i.p. or 50 to 3000 mg/kg, p.o.) and were observed over 48 h for toxicity signs and mortality; sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated through 14 days treatment with once-daily HAE doses (400 mg/kg, p.o.). The gastroprotective effect of HAE was demonstrated on the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model after the administration of extracts. Data comparison of ulcer index averages between saline and HAE (100 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) groups showed significant (P < 0.01) inhibition (71.73 and 76.72 %, respectively) of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. Histological analyses showed significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of leukocyte migration in HAE-treated groups. A fingerprint of the HAE obtained by HPLC/UV/MS analysis showed major peaks characteristic of sesquiterpene lactones. Compound 1 was isolated and elucidated as a new natural product. Its capacity to prevent leukocyte chemotaxis was demonstrated in vitro, corroborating the pharmacological effects observed for C. martii HAE.

Craniectomía descompresiva en encefalitis herpética: caso clínico / Decompressive craniectomy in herpes simplex encephalitis. Clinical case

Introduction: The morbidity and mortality of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) have decreased with the use of acyclovir. However, some patients develop focal hemorrhagic necrosis and edema in the temporal lobe, with a subsequent elevation of intracranial pressure. Clinical cases: We report the clinical outcomes of two children with HSE who developed severe intracranial hypertension and impending uncal herniation refractory to profound sedation, osmotic agents and moderate hyperventilation. Decompressive craniectomy allowed an effective control of intracranial pressure and a favorable neurological outcome at discharge in both patients. Conclusions: Decompressive craniectomy could be considered as a rescue treatment strategy in patients with life-threatening intracranial hypertension due to severe herpetic encephalitis.

Introducción: La morbimortalidad de la encefalitis herpética ha disminuido con el uso de aciclovir. Sin embargo, algunos pacientes pueden evolucionar con necrosis focal hemorrágica y edema cerebral con posterior elevación de la presión intracraneal. Casos clínicos: Reportamos el curso clínico de dos niños con encefalitis herpética complicada con hipertensión intracraneal refractaria al tratamiento con sedación profunda, agentes osmóticos e hiperventilación. Ambos pacientes desarrollaron signos de enclavamiento uncal por lo que se realizó una craniectomía descompresiva precoz, que permitió un control de la presión intracraneal y una evolución neurológica favorable al alta. Conclusiones: La craniectomía descompresiva podría ser considerada como una alternativa terapéutica de rescate en pacientes con encefalitis herpética e hipertensión endocraneana refractaria a la terapia medica.