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Amblyomma sculptum is widely distributed in Brazil and is the main vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of the Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). Tick gut proteins play an essential role in blood feeding, digestion, and protection of gut epithelium. Therefore, many of these were investigated as potential vaccine targets for tick-control strategies. The present study aimed to select transcripts corresponding to putative immunogenic proteins in the A. sculptum gut epithelial membrane, produce recombinant proteins and evaluate them as antigens against A. sculptum infestations. Three gut proteins - AsMucin, AsAPP, and AsLAMP - and a chimeric protein (rAsChimera) based on 22 peptides containing putative B cell epitopes from seven different gut proteins were evaluated as anti-A. sculptum antigens. Mice immunizations revealed that all recombinant targets elicited humoral response with significantly increased IgG levels compared to controls. For rAsChimera, IgG levels remained significantly higher than controls up to 75 days after the end of the immunization. Challenge trials revealed that vaccination with the chimeric protein was the most effective against A. sculptum, inducing 100 % nymph mortality and reaching 80.8 % efficacy against females. The other three proteins did not induce relevant protection, as AsAPP had only 26.6 % efficacy, whereas AsMucin and AsLAMP induced no protection. These data indicate that targeting gut protein immunogenic regions may be an effective strategy for a vaccine formulation againstA. sculptum.
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001911.].
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Introduction: Aedes spp. are the most prolific mosquito vectors in the world. Found on every continent, they can effectively transmit various arboviruses, including the dengue virus which continues to cause outbreaks worldwide and is spreading into previously non-endemic areas. The lack of widely available dengue vaccines accentuates the importance of targeted vector control strategies to reduce the dengue burden. High-throughput tools to estimate human-mosquito contact and evaluate vector control interventions are lacking. We propose a novel serological tool that allows rapid screening of human cohorts for exposure to potentially infectious mosquitoes. Methods: We tested 563 serum samples from a longitudinal pediatric cohort study previously conducted in Cambodia. Children enrolled in the study were dengue-naive at baseline and were followed biannually for dengue incidence for two years. We used Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to identify immunogenic Aedes aegypti salivary proteins and measure total anti-Ae. aegypti IgG. Results: We found a correlation (rs=0.86) between IgG responses against AeD7L1 and AeD7L2 recombinant proteins and those to whole salivary gland homogenate. We observed seasonal fluctuations of AeD7L1+2 IgG responses and no cross-reactivity with Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles dirus mosquitoes. The baseline median AeD7L1+2 IgG responses for young children were higher in those who developed asymptomatic versus symptomatic dengue. Discussion: The IgG response against AeD7L1+2 recombinant proteins is a highly sensitive and Aedes specific marker of human exposure to Aedes bites that can facilitate standardization of future serosurveys and epidemiological studies by its ability to provide a robust estimation of human-mosquito contact in a high-throughput fashion.
Subject(s)
Aedes , Dengue , Insect Proteins , Mosquito Vectors , Salivary Proteins and Peptides , Humans , Aedes/immunology , Aedes/virology , Animals , Salivary Proteins and Peptides/immunology , Child , Mosquito Vectors/immunology , Mosquito Vectors/virology , Dengue/immunology , Dengue/transmission , Insect Proteins/immunology , Female , Child, Preschool , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Male , Cambodia , Longitudinal Studies , Dengue Virus/immunology , Adolescent , Insect Bites and Stings/immunologyABSTRACT
Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected vector-borne parasitic disease prevalent in 92 countries with approximately one million new infections annually. Interactions between vector saliva and the human host alter the response to infection and outcome of disease. Methods: To characterize the human immunological responses developed against saliva of Phlebotomus duboscqi, a Leishmania major (L. major) vector, we repeatedly exposed the arms of 14 healthy U.S volunteers to uninfected P. duboscqi bites. Blood was collected a week after each exposure and used to assess total IgG antibodies against the proteins of P. duboscqi salivary gland homogenate (SGH) and the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with SGH or recombinant sand fly proteins. We analyzed skin punch biopsies of the human volunteer arms from the insect bite site and control skin site after multiple P. duboscqi exposures (four volunteers) using immunohistochemical staining. Results: A variety of immediate insect bite skin reactions were observed. Late skin reactions to insect bites were characterized by macular hyperpigmentation and/or erythematous papules. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed moderate mononuclear skin infiltrate with eosinophils in those challenged recently (within 2 months), eosinophils were not seen in biopsies with recall challenge (6 month post bites). An increase in plasma antigen-specific IgG responses to SGH was observed over time. Western Blot results showed strong plasma reactivity to five P. duboscqi salivary proteins. Importantly, volunteers developed a cellular immunity characterized by the secretion of IFN-gamma upon PBMC stimulation with P. duboscqi SGH and recombinant antigens. Discussion: Our results demonstrate that humans mounted a local and systemic immune response against P. duboscqi salivary proteins. Specifically, PduM02/SP15-like and PduM73/adenosine deaminase recombinant salivary proteins triggered a Th1 type immune response that might be considered in future development of a potential Leishmania vaccine.
Subject(s)
Insect Bites and Stings , Phlebotomus , Animals , Humans , Phlebotomus/parasitology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Immunity, Cellular , Antigens , Immunoglobulin G , Salivary Proteins and PeptidesABSTRACT
Host factors that mediate Leishmania genetic exchange are not well defined. Here we demonstrate that natural IgM (IgMn)1-4 antibodies mediate parasite genetic exchange by inducing the transient formation of a spherical parasite clump that promotes parasite fusion and hybrid formation. We establish that IgMn from Leishmania-free animals binds to the surface of Leishmania parasites to induce significant changes in the expression of parasite transcripts and proteins. Leishmania binding to IgMn is partially lost after glycosidase treatment, although parasite surface phosphoglycans, including lipophosphoglycan, are not required for IgMn-induced parasite clumping. Notably, the transient formation of parasite clumps is essential for Leishmania hybridization in vitro. In vivo, we observed a 12-fold increase in hybrid formation in sand flies provided a second blood meal containing IgMn compared with controls. Furthermore, the generation of recombinant progeny from mating hybrids and parental lines were only observed in sand flies provided with IgMn. Both in vitro and in vivo IgM-induced Leishmania crosses resulted in full genome hybrids that show equal patterns of biparental contribution. Leishmania co-option of a host natural antibody to facilitate mating in the insect vector establishes a new paradigm of parasite-host-vector interdependence that contributes to parasite diversity and fitness by promoting genetic exchange.
Subject(s)
Host-Parasite Interactions , Immunoglobulin M , Leishmania , Psychodidae , Reproduction , Animals , Hybridization, Genetic , Immunoglobulin M/immunology , Leishmania/genetics , Leishmania/immunology , Psychodidae/immunology , Psychodidae/parasitology , Reproduction/genetics , Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics , Host-Parasite Interactions/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation , Glycoside Hydrolases/metabolismABSTRACT
Mammary neoplasms are common in felines species and represent a significant disease for its unfavorable prognosis. Changes in the blood count and serum biochemical profile of these patients have potential as non-invasive prognostic markers prior to mastectomy, however, they are poorly described in literature. In this study univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using these factors to determine the effect of each parameter on the one-year survival time after the surgical procedure in these animals. The median overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) were 365 and 242 days, respectively. In univariate analysis, values within the reference range of monocyte, platelet and creatinine counts were identified as significant prognostic factors for OS and only creatinine was significant for DFS (P < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, platelets and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) remained independent prognostic factors for OS. The results presented suggest that monocytes, platelets and creatinine may be important non-invasive pre-surgical prognostic markers, and that platelet count and MCHC are independent prognostic markers for feline mammary carcinomas (FMC). The correlation between such alterations is of important relevance for veterinary oncology, and prospective studies are needed to validate their clinical use and that platelet count and MCHC are independent prognostic markers for FMC. The results found in this study can also be studied in human medicine, regarding blood markers in human breast cancer (HBC).
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Carcinoma , Cat Diseases , Humans , Animals , Cats , Female , Prognosis , Erythrocyte Indices/veterinary , Breast Neoplasms/veterinary , Platelet Count/veterinary , Creatinine , Mastectomy/veterinary , Retrospective Studies , Carcinoma/veterinary , Cat Diseases/diagnosisABSTRACT
Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are the most diagnosed neoplasms in dogs; however, there are few studies analyzing the influence of epidemiological, clinicopathological, and histopathological data on cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free interval (DFI), and overall survival (OS) in a large cohort. To contribute to the understanding of the biological behavior of this neoplasm, 385 cases were analyzed, 89% malignant, 4% benign, and 7% non-neoplastic lesions. Among the dogs diagnosed with malignant neoplasms, 86% had early clinical stages (I-III), while 14% had regional or distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Carcinoma in a mixed tumor was the most frequent histological type with 44% of the cases and had the best prognosis. Analyzed factors such as the presence of pseudocyesis, previous history of the disease, advanced clinical stage (IV-V), and presence of ulceration obtained significant results for CSS, DFI, and OS through univariate analysis and had a negative impact on the survival of the patients. Multivariate analysis showed that histological grading and age proved to be the best independent parameters for the prognostic evaluation of CSS and DFI in this study. These factors were also significant in the overall survival analysis. Therefore, these parameters should be considered valuable risk and prognostic factors for CMTs.
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Background: Plasmodium spp. infection triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines that are essential for parasite control, and conversely responsible for symptoms of malaria. Monocytes play a role in host defense against Plasmodium vivax infection and represent the main source of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 is a key regulator preventing exacerbated inflammatory responses. Studies suggested that different clinical presentations of malaria are strongly associated with an imbalance in the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Methods: A convenience sampling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Plasmodium vivax-infected patients and healthy donors were tested for the characterization of cytokine and adenosine production and the expression of ectonucleotidases and purinergic receptors. Results: Here we show that despite a strong inflammatory response, monocytes also bear a modulatory role during malaria. High levels of IL-10 are produced during P. vivax infection and its production can be triggered in monocytes by P. vivax-infected reticulocytes. Monocytes express high levels of ectonucleotidases, indicating their important role in extracellular ATP modulation and consequently in adenosine production. Plasmatic levels of adenosine are not altered in patients experiencing acute malaria; however, their monocyte subsets displayed an increased expression of P1 purinergic receptors. In addition, adenosine decreases Tumor Necrosis Factor production by monocytes, which was partially abolished with the blockage of the A2a receptor. Conclusion: Monocytes have a dual role, attempting to control both the P. vivax infection and the inflammatory response. Purinergic receptor modulators emerge as an untapped approach to ameliorate clinical malaria.
Subject(s)
Malaria, Vivax , Malaria , Humans , Plasmodium vivax , Interleukin-10 , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Malaria, Vivax/parasitology , Cytokines/metabolism , InflammationABSTRACT
In this study, 135 samples of cocoa beans collected in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest regions of Brazil were analysed to evaluate the possible co-occurrence of 34 mycotoxins. The results indicate that 42% of the cocoa samples exhibited quantifiable levels for 11 mycotoxins: aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2 and G1; ochratoxin A; citrinin; cyclopiazonic acid; tenuazonic acid; paxilline; sterigmatocystin; zearalenone and fumonisin B2. Of the samples, 18% exhibited the co-occurrence of up to six mycotoxins. No toxins belonging to the groups of trichothecenes or ergot alkaloids were detected. Contingency analysis of the incidence of mycotoxins did not show significant differences between the two regions evaluated. Seven samples were contaminated with AFs, while only one contained ochratoxin A above 10 µg kg-1. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by proficiency testing for ochratoxin A, where satisfactory Z-scores were obtained.
Subject(s)
Mycotoxins , Trichothecenes , Mycotoxins/analysis , Chromatography, Liquid/methods , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods , Brazil , Trichothecenes/analysis , Sterigmatocystin/analysis , Food Contamination/analysis , Aflatoxin B1/analysisABSTRACT
Objetivo: Identificar se os idosos da cidade de Cruzeiro recebem, entendem e seguem as orientações dadas pelos Enfermeiros da Atenção Básica sobre a prevenção da Hipertensão Arterial. Método: O trabalho consiste em uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa, na qual 50 idosos foram questionados sobre seu conhecimento acerca da hipertensão, orientações dos enfermeiros e características da doença. O questionário era composto por 15 perguntas. A pesquisa foi realizada na cidade de Cruzeiro SP, em Unidades de Atenção Básica, num período de janeiro a março de 2022. Resultado: Mesmo com todas as orientações sobre a hipertensão, 88% dos entrevistados não pratica exercícios físicos, 46% sentem falta de ar e 10% não estão tomando os medicamentos corretamente. Conclusão: Pôde-se identificar que, nas unidades investigadas, os enfermeiros passam as informações corretas aos seus pacientes, em relação aos horários e dosagem dos medicamentos, assim como, informam sobre a necessidade de uma alimentação e hidratação adequadas. Porém, os idosos, muitas vezes por esquecimento, deixam de fazer o que lhes foi recomendado.(AU)
Objective: To identify whether the elderly in the city of Cruzeiro receive, understand and follow the guidelines given by Primary Care Nurses on the prevention of Arterial Hypertension. Method: The work consists of a quali-quantitative research, in which 50 elderly people were asked about their knowledge about hypertension, nurses' guidelines and characteristics of the disease. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions. The survey was carried out in the city of Cruzeiro SP, in Primary Care Units, from January to March 2022. Result: Even with all the guidelines on hypertension, 88% of respondents do not practice physical exercises, 46% feel a lack of air and 10% are not taking their medication correctly. Conclusion: It was possible to identify that, in the investigated units, the nurses pass the correct information to their patients, in relation to the times and dosage of the medicines, as well as, they inform about the need for adequate food and hydration. However, the elderly, often due to forgetfulness, fail to do what was recommended.(AU)
Objetivo: Identificar si los ancianos de la ciudad de Cruzeiro reciben, comprenden y siguen las orientaciones dadas por Enfermeras de Atención Primaria sobre la prevención de la Hipertensión Arterial. Método: El trabajo consiste en una investigación cuali-cuantitativa, en la que se preguntó a 50 ancianos acerca de su conocimiento sobre hipertensión arterial, directrices de enfermería y características de la enfermedad. El cuestionario constaba de 15 preguntas. La encuesta fue realizada en la ciudad de Cruzeiro SP, en Unidades de Atención Básica, de enero a marzo de 2022. Resultado: Mismo con todas las orientaciones sobre la hipertensión, 88% de los encuestados no practican ejercicios físicos, 46% sienten falta de aire y el 10% no está tomando su medicación correctamente. Conclusión: Fue posible identificar que, en las unidades investigadas, los enfermeros pasan la información correcta a sus pacientes, en relación a los tiempos y dosis de los medicamentos, así como informan sobre la necesidad de alimentación e hidratación adecuadas. Sin embargo, los ancianos, muchas veces por olvidos, dejan de hacer lo recomendado.(AU)
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Aged , Primary Health Care , Aged , Hypertension , Nurses, MaleABSTRACT
Phlebotomine sand flies are of global significance as important vectors of human disease, transmitting bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens, including the kinetoplastid parasites of the genus Leishmania, the causative agents of devastating diseases collectively termed leishmaniasis. More than 40 pathogenic Leishmania species are transmitted to humans by approximately 35 sand fly species in 98 countries with hundreds of millions of people at risk around the world. No approved efficacious vaccine exists for leishmaniasis and available therapeutic drugs are either toxic and/or expensive, or the parasites are becoming resistant to the more recently developed drugs. Therefore, sand fly and/or reservoir control are currently the most effective strategies to break transmission. To better understand the biology of sand flies, including the mechanisms involved in their vectorial capacity, insecticide resistance, and population structures we sequenced the genomes of two geographically widespread and important sand fly vector species: Phlebotomus papatasi, a vector of Leishmania parasites that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis, (distributed in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa) and Lutzomyia longipalpis, a vector of Leishmania parasites that cause visceral leishmaniasis (distributed across Central and South America). We categorized and curated genes involved in processes important to their roles as disease vectors, including chemosensation, blood feeding, circadian rhythm, immunity, and detoxification, as well as mobile genetic elements. We also defined gene orthology and observed micro-synteny among the genomes. Finally, we present the genetic diversity and population structure of these species in their respective geographical areas. These genomes will be a foundation on which to base future efforts to prevent vector-borne transmission of Leishmania parasites.
Subject(s)
Leishmania , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous , Phlebotomus , Psychodidae , Animals , Humans , Phlebotomus/parasitology , Psychodidae/parasitology , Leishmania/genetics , GenomicsABSTRACT
The food consumption of adolescents has changed nowadays, with an increase in ultra-processed food that in general shows higher calories and lower nutrients. Because of this, the objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of a 12-week multi-professional family versus isolated intervention on the food level processing of overweight adolescents. A randomized clinical trial study was carried out in which adolescents (n = 43; mean aged 13.73 years) who were divided into FG-family group (n = 21; the adolescents performed the activities with their parents) and IG-isolated group (n = 22; the adolescents performed the activities alone). The parameters measured before and after 12 weeks of multi-professional intervention (physical exercise, nutrition and psychoeducation) were: body mass, height and body mass index-BMI. The level of food processing was analyzed using a three-day food recall (24hR), classified according to the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population (fresh, minimally, processed and ultra-processed foods). The main results show that there was only a significant reduction in the consumption of processed foods (FG: 7.93%; IG: 49.73%) and ultra-processed foods (FG: 35.06%; IG: 67.16%) in grams (FG: 22.29%; IG: 65.23%) and calories (p < 0.05; for all comparisons). The consumption of fresh foods in grams (FG:61.97%; IG: 147.13%) and calories (FG: 147.13%; IG: 118.03%) and minimally processed foods (FG: 27.45%; IG: 14.64%) in grams increased significantly (p < 0.05; for all comparisons). However, no significant differences were observed between all variables analyzed for the groups, nor any interaction (p > 0.05). In conclusion, both groups who participated in the activities showed positive changes with increased consumption of fresh foods and reduced consumption of processed foods, without difference between them.
Subject(s)
Fast Foods , Overweight , Humans , Adolescent , Overweight/epidemiology , Energy Intake , Food Handling , Body Mass Index , DietABSTRACT
Urban agriculture (UA) can be used as an action to promote sustainability in cities and inform public health policies for urban populations. Despite this growing recognition, its implementation still presents challenges in countries in the Global North and Global South. BACKGROUND: In this context, this systematic review aims to identify the development of frameworks for the implementation of UA as a sustainable action and its main opportunities and shortcomings in meeting urban socio-environmental demands. METHODS: In this review, using the PRISMA protocol, we evaluated 26 studies on the interplay between UA and sustainability surveyed on the Web of Science to provide an overview of the state of the art. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, it was possible to identify many key challenges in UA adoption, which regard air and soil contamination, availability of green areas, layout of urban infrastructure, food distribution, among others. Due to numerous socio-economic and environmental contextual factors in cities, especially when comparing realities of the Global North and Global South, there is a need to develop a model that can be adaptable to these different contexts. Thus, it is recognized that the concept of sustainability does not present a universal understanding and that in its search it could be argued that one of the most important gaps is still to address social issues in relation to environmental ones.
Subject(s)
Agriculture , Soil , Humans , Cities , Urban Population , Public PolicyABSTRACT
Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) is a fatal inherited disease, caused by pathogenic variants in NPC1 gene, which leads to intracellular accumulation of non-esterified cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. This accumulation leads to a wide range of clinical manifestations, including neurological and cognitive impairment as well as psychiatric disorders. The pathophysiology of cerebral damage involves loss of Purkinje cells, synaptic disturbance, and demyelination. Miglustat, a reversible inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, is an approved treatment for NPC1 and can slow neurological damage. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of peripheric neurodegeneration biomarkers of NPC1 patients, namely brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF-AA and PDGF-AB/BB), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), PAI-1 Total and Cathepsin-D, as well as the levels of cholestane-3ß,5α,6ß-triol (3ß,5α,6ß-triol), a biomarker for NPC1. Molecular analysis of the NPC1 patients under study was performed by next generation sequencing (NGS) in cultured fibroblasts. We observed that NPC1 patients treated with miglustat have a significant decrease in PAI-1 total and PDGF-AA concentrations, and no alteration in BDNF, NCAM, PDGF-AB/BB and Cathepsin D. We also found that NPC1 patients treated with miglustat have normalized levels of 3ß,5α,6ß-triol. The molecular analysis showed four described mutations, and for two patients was not possible to identify the second mutated allele. Our results indicate that the decrease of PAI-1 and PDGF-AA in NPC1 patients could be involved in the pathophysiology of this disease. This is the first work to analyze those plasmatic markers of neurodegenerative processes in NPC1 patients.
Subject(s)
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor , Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C , Humans , Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C/genetics , Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C/drug therapy , Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C/pathology , Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor , Biomarkers , BecaplerminABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The saliva of sand flies, vectors of Leishmania parasites, contains several components that exert pharmacological activity facilitating the acquisition of blood by the insect and contributing to the establishment of infection. Previously, we demonstrated that PpSP32 is the immunodominant salivary antigen in humans exposed to Phlebotomus papatasi bites and validated its usefulness as a predictive biomarker of disease. PpSP32, whose functions are little known to date, is an intriguing protein due to its involvement in the etiopathogenesis of pemphigus, an auto-immune disease. Herein, we aimed to better decipher its role through the screening of several immunomodulatory activity either on lymphocytes or on monocytes/macrophages. METHODS: Peripheral mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies, phytohemagglutinin, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin, or lipopolysaccharide in the presence of increasing doses of PpSP32. Cell proliferation was measured after the addition of tritiated thymidine. Monocyte activation was tested by analyzing the expression of CD86 and HLA-DR molecules by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was analyzed in culture supernatants by ELISA. THP-1-derived macrophages were stimulated with LPS in the presence of increasing doses of PpSP32, and cytokine production was analyzed in culture supernatants by ELISA and multiplex technique. The effect of PpSP32 on NF-kB signaling was tested by Western blot. The anti-inflammatory activity of PpSP32 was assessed in vivo in an experimental inflammatory model of carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. RESULTS: Our data showed that PpSP32 down-modulated the expression of activation markers in LPS-stimulated monocytes and THP1-derived macrophages. This protein negatively modulated the secretion of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by human lymphocytes as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines by monocytes, and THP1-derived macrophages. PpSP32 treatment led to a dose-dependent reduction of IκB phosphorylation. When PpSP32 was injected into the paw of carrageenan-injected rats, edema was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that PpSP32 induces a potent immunomodulatory effect on monocytes and THP-1-derived macrophages. This inhibition could be mediated, among others, by the modulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway. The anti-inflammatory activity of PpSP32 was confirmed in vivo in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats.
Subject(s)
Phlebotomus , Humans , Rats , Animals , Phlebotomus/parasitology , Monocytes , NF-kappa B , Carrageenan , Lipopolysaccharides , Lymphocytes , Macrophages , Cytokines , Salivary Proteins and PeptidesABSTRACT
Aedes mosquitoes are some of the most important and globally expansive vectors of disease. Public health efforts are largely focused on prevention of human-vector contact. A range of entomological indices are used to measure risk of disease, though with conflicting results (i.e. larval or adult abundance does not always predict risk of disease). There is a growing interest in the development and use of biomarkers for exposure to mosquito saliva, including for Aedes spp, as a proxy for disease risk. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive geostatistical analysis of exposure to Aedes mosquito bites among a pediatric cohort in a periurban setting endemic to dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses. We use demographic, household, and environmental variables (the flooding index (NFI), land type, and proximity to a river) in a Bayesian geostatistical model to predict areas of exposure to Aedes aegypti bites. We found that hotspots of exposure to Ae. aegypti salivary gland extract (SGE) were relatively small (< 500 m and sometimes < 250 m) and stable across the two-year study period. Age was negatively associated with antibody responses to Ae. aegypti SGE. Those living in agricultural settings had lower antibody responses than those living in urban settings, whereas those living near recent surface water accumulation were more likely to have higher antibody responses. Finally, we incorporated measures of larval and adult density in our geostatistical models and found that they did not show associations with antibody responses to Ae. aegypti SGE after controlling for other covariates in the model. Our results indicate that targeted house- or neighborhood-focused interventions may be appropriate for vector control in this setting. Further, demographic and environmental factors more capably predicted exposure to Ae. aegypti mosquitoes than commonly used entomological indices.
Subject(s)
Aedes , Dengue Virus , Dengue , Zika Virus Infection , Zika Virus , Adult , Animals , Humans , Child , Mosquito Vectors , Cambodia/epidemiology , Bayes Theorem , LarvaABSTRACT
Objetivo: Identificar e conhecer a visão das parturientes em relação ao papel do enfermeiro no parto humanizado. Método:Pesquisa de campo qualiquantitativo de um município do interior do estado de São Paulo. Os dados quantitativos foram tabulados no Excel, e os qualitativos analisados pela temática de Minayo. Resultado: De acordo com os dados obtidos na pesquisa14,28% das participantes reportaram que houve ameaça, foram impossibilitadas de caminhar, procurar posições mais confortáveis e aplicação de episiotomia, a presença do acompanhante foi impossibilitada em 28,6% das participantes. Os toques vaginais por diferentes pessoas aconteceram em 57,14% das participantes, 35,71% relataram o encaminhamento do bebê para sala de procedimentos sem nenhuma justificativa considerável. Conclusão: O papel do enfermeiro é de grande importância para preparar a mulher antes, durante e após o trabalho de parto com orientações sobre os seus direitos,o enfermeiro deve estar preparado constantemente para atender a sua comunidade.(AU)
Objective: To identify and understand the view of parturients in relation to the role of nurses in humanized childbirth. Method: Qualitative field research in a city in the interior of the state of São Paulo. Quantitative data were tabulated in Excel, and qualitative data analyzed by Minayo's theme. Result: According to the data obtained in the survey, 14.28% of the participants reported that there was a threat, they were unable to walk, look for more comfortable positions and apply an episiotomy, the presence of a companion was impossible in 28.6% of the participants. Vaginal touches by different people happened in 57.14% of the participants, 35.71% reported the baby being sent to the procedure room without any considerable justification. Conclusion: The role of nurses is of great importance to prepare women before, during and after labor with guidelines on their rights, nurses must be constantly prepared to serve their community.(AU)
Objetivo: Identificar y comprender la visión de las parturientas en relación al papel del enfermero en el parto humanizado. Método: Investigación cualitativa de campo en una ciudad del interior del estado de São Paulo. Los datos cuantitativos fueron tabulados en Excel y los datos cualitativos analizados por el tema de Minayo. Resultado: De acuerdo con los datos obtenidos en la encuesta, el 14,28% de los participantes reportaron que había amenaza, no podían caminar, buscar posiciones más cómodas y aplicar una episiotomía, la presencia de un acompañante era imposible en el 28,6% de los participantes. Los toques vaginales por diferentes personas ocurrieron en el 57,14% de las participantes, el 35,71% relató que el bebé fue enviado a la sala de procedimientos sin ninguna justificación considerable. Conclusión: El papel de las enfermeras es de gran importancia para preparar a las mujeres antes, durante y después del parto con lineamientos sobre sus derechos, las enfermeras deben estar constantemente preparadas para servir a su comunidad.(AU)
Subject(s)
Nurse's Role , Humanizing DeliveryABSTRACT
Objetivo: Identificar e conhecer a visão das parturientes em relação ao papel do enfermeiro no parto humanizado. Método:Pesquisa de campo qualiquantitativo de um município do interior do estado de São Paulo. Os dados quantitativos foram tabulados no Excel, e os qualitativos analisados pela temática de Minayo. Resultado: De acordo com os dados obtidos na pesquisa14,28% das participantes reportaram que houve ameaça, foram impossibilitadas de caminhar, procurar posições mais confortáveis e aplicação de episiotomia, a presença do acompanhante foi impossibilitada em 28,6% das participantes. Os toques vaginais por diferentes pessoas aconteceram em 57,14% das participantes, 35,71% relataram o encaminhamento do bebê para sala de procedimentos sem nenhuma justificativa considerável. Conclusão: O papel do enfermeiro é de grande importância para preparar a mulher antes, durante e após o trabalho de parto com orientações sobre os seus direitos,o enfermeiro deve estar preparado constantemente para atender a sua comunidade(AU)
Objective: To identify and understand the view of parturients in relation to the role of nurses in humanized childbirth. Method: Qualitative field research in a city in the interior of the state of São Paulo. Quantitative data were tabulated in Excel, and qualitative data analyzed by Minayo's theme. Result: According to the data obtained in the survey, 14.28% of the participants reported that there was a threat, they were unable to walk, look for more comfortable positions and apply an episiotomy, the presence of a companion was impossible in 28.6% of the participants. Vaginal touches by different people happened in 57.14% of the participants, 35.71% reported the baby being sent to the procedure room without any considerable justification. Conclusion: The role of nurses is of great importance to prepare women before, during and after labor with guidelines on their rights, nurses must be constantly prepared to serve their community.(AU)
Objetivo: Identificar y comprender la visión de las parturientas en relación al papel del enfermero en el parto humanizado. Método: Investigación cualitativa de campo en una ciudad del interior del estado de São Paulo. Los datos cuantitativos fueron tabulados en Excel y los datos cualitativos analizados por el tema de Minayo. Resultado: De acuerdo con los datos obtenidos en la encuesta, el 14,28% de los participantes reportaron que había amenaza, no podían caminar, buscar posiciones más cómodas y aplicar una episiotomía, la presencia de un acompañante era imposible en el 28,6% de los participantes. Los toques vaginales por diferentes personas ocurrieron en el 57,14% de las participantes, el 35,71% relató que el bebé fue enviado a la sala de procedimientos sin ninguna justificación considerable. Conclusión: El papel de las enfermeras es de gran importancia para preparar a las mujeres antes, durante y después del parto con lineamientos sobre sus derechos, las enfermeras deben estar constantemente preparadas para servir a su comunidad(AU)
Subject(s)
Nurse's Role , Humanizing Delivery , Pregnant WomenABSTRACT
The aim of this manuscript was to validate and apply an analytical methodology for the simultaneous determination of 34 mycotoxins in cocoa. The extraction method used in the tests was a liquid-liquid partition by NaCl addition with a freezing step followed by quantification using LC-MS/MS. The results were discussed based on national and international directives for food contaminants. The recoveries and precision were adequate, except for the mycotoxins ionized with the ammonium adduct (NH4+), E-cristinine and ß-ZOL. This result directly influenced the measurement uncertainty of these mycotoxins, because the precision and the correction factor of the recovery were the factors with the greatest impact on the uncertainty of the method. The evaluation of the matrix effect showed considerable signal suppression for 53 % of the evaluated mycotoxins. Nevertheless, the mycotoxins exhibited relatively low quantification limits, with values between 1 and 75 µg kg-1. The validated methodology was applied to 15 cocoa samples collected in warehouses in Brazil. Positive results were found for all the evaluated samples, in which nine toxins were detected out of the 34 investigated.
Subject(s)
Cacao , Mycotoxins , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Chromatography, Liquid/methods , Mycotoxins/analysis , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods , UncertaintyABSTRACT
Introduction: Aedes spp. are the most prolific mosquito vectors in the world. Found on every continent, they can effectively transmit various arboviruses, including the dengue virus which continues to cause outbreaks worldwide and is spreading into previously non-endemic areas. The lack of widely available dengue vaccines accentuates the importance of targeted vector control strategies to reduce the dengue burden. High-throughput sensitive tools to estimate human-mosquito contact and evaluate vector control interventions are lacking. We propose a novel serological tool that allows rapid screening of large human cohorts for exposure to potentially infectious mosquitoes and effective targeting of vector control. Methods: We tested 563 serum samples from a longitudinal pediatric cohort study previously conducted in Cambodia. Children enrolled in the study were dengue-naïve at baseline and were followed biannually for dengue incidence for two years. We used Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to identify the most immunogenic Aedes aegypti salivary proteins and measure total anti- Ae. Aegypti IgG. Results: We found a strong correlation (r s =0.86) between the combined IgG responses against AeD7L1 and AeD7L2 recombinant proteins and those to whole salivary gland homogenate. We observed seasonal fluctuations of AeD7L1+2 IgG responses, corresponding to Aedes spp. abundance in the region, and no cross-reactivity with Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles dirus mosquitoes. The baseline median AeD7L1+2 IgG responses for young children were higher in those who developed asymptomatic dengue versus those who developed symptomatic dengue. Conclusion: The IgG response against AeD7L1+2 recombinant proteins is a highly sensitive and Aedes specific marker of human exposure to Aedes bites that can facilitate standardization of future serosurveys and epidemiological studies by its ability to provide a robust estimation of human-mosquito contact in a high-throughput fashion.