Exposure to Bisphenol F and Bisphenol S during development induces autism-like endophenotypes in adult Drosophila melanogaster.

Bisphenol F (BPF) and Bisphenol S (BPS) are being widely used by the industry with the claim of "safer substances", even with the scarcity of toxicological studies. Given the etiological gap of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the environment may be a causal factor, so we investigated whether exposure to BPF and BPS during the developmental period can induce ASD-like modeling in adult flies. Drosophila melanogaster flies were exposed during development (embryonic and larval period) to concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mM of BPF and BPS, separately inserted into the food. When they transformed into pupae were transferred to a standard diet, ensuring that the flies (adult stage) did not have contact with bisphenols. Thus, after hatching, consolidated behavioral tests were carried out for studies with ASD-type models in flies. It was observed that 1 mM BPF and BPS caused hyperactivity (evidenced by open-field test, negative geotaxis, increased aggressiveness and reproduction of repetitive behaviors). The flies belonging to the 1 mM groups of BPF and BPS also showed reduced cognitive capacity, elucidated by the learning behavior through aversive stimulus. Within the population dynamics that flies exposed to 1 mM BPF and 0.5 and 1 mM BPS showed a change in social interaction, remaining more distant from each other. Exposure to 1 mM BPF, 0.5 and 1 mM BPS increased brain size and reduced Shank immunoreactivity of adult flies. These findings complement each other and show that exposure to BPF and BPS during the development period can elucidate a model with endophenotypes similar to ASD in adult flies. Furthermore, when analyzing comparatively, BPS demonstrated a greater potential for damage when compared to BPF. Therefore, in general these data sets contradict the idea that these substances can be used freely.

Screening for Differentially Expressed Memory Genes on a Diabetes Model Induced by High-Sugar Diet in Drosophila melanogaster: Potential Markers for Memory Deficits.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been shown to affect a series of cognitive processes including memory, increasing the risk for dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although increasing evidence has supported that both diseases share common features, the pathophysiological mechanisms connecting these two disorders remain to be fully elucidated. Herein, we used Drosophila melanogaster fed on a high-sugar diet (HSD) to mimic T2DM, and investigate its effects on memory as well as identify potential molecular players associated with the memory deficits induced by HSD. Flies hatched from and reared on HSD for 7 days had a substantial decrease in short-term memory (STM). The screening for memory-related genes using transcriptome data revealed that HSD altered the expression of 33% of memory genes in relation to the control. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a fold change (FC) higher than two, we found five genes, related to synapse and memory trace formation, that could be considered strong candidates to underlie the STM deficits in HSD flies: Abl tyrosine kinase (Abl), bruchpilot (Brp), minibrain (Mnb), shaker (Sh), and gilgamesh (Gish). We also analyzed genes from the dopamine system, one of the most relevant signaling pathways for olfactory memory. Interestingly, the flies fed on HSD presented a decreased expression of the Tyrosine hydroxylase (Ple) and Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) genes, signals of a possible dopamine deficiency. In this work, we present promising biomarkers to investigate molecular networks shared between T2DM and AD.

Electric hand warmer versus observation to avoid discomfort during scalp cooling for chemotherapy-induced alopecia prevention: a randomized study.

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a challenge in the management of cancer patients. Scalp cooling (SC) leads to reduction in CIA, however it is associated with significant adverse events, leading to 3-13% discontinuation rates. This pilot study evaluated the role of Electric Hand Warmers (EHW) on thermal (TC), sensorial (SCo) and general comfort (GC) in patients with breast cancer (BC) undergoing chemotherapy and SC to reduce CIA. Patients were randomly assigned to EHW use or observation. TC, SCo and GC were evaluated after each chemotherapy infusion. Favorable outcomes in both TC and SCo defined a positive result on GC. We analysed the impact of age, alopecia, chemotherapy regimen and EHW use in the different comfort scales using a Logistic Regression (LR) model. Forty women with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to EHW (n = 20) or observation (n = 20) during neo(adjuvant) chemotherapy. Median age was 53 years. In the EHW arm, favorable thermal response was reported by 79% versus 50% in the control arm (odds ratio [OR] 3.79, p < 0.001). SCo was satisfactory in 82% in the EHW arm versus 74% in the control arm (OR 1.62, p = 0.1). Overall, 73% in the EHW arm had favorable GC versus 44% in the control arm (OR 3.4, p < 0.001). Age, alopecia, and chemotherapy regimen did not impact on comfort measures. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the use of an EHW has a consistent favorable impact on TC and GC of BC patients under SC technology to prevent CIA.

Oesophageal squamous papilloma in paediatric population: a single-centre case series.

PURPOSE: Oesophageal squamous papilloma (OSP) is a rare epithelial lesion with an unclear aetiology, found incidentally in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE). We evaluate the epidemiology, general features and endoscopic and histological characteristics of OSP in children in a single centre. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective search of 3568 medical records of children under 18 years old who underwent UGE between 2004 and 2022, at Hospital Metropolitano de Quito, Ecuador. We described the general features of 15 patients diagnosed with OSP. Histopathology reports were analysed, including a chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH) for human papillomavirus (HPV) 6/11. RESULTS: OSP was diagnosed in 15 patients between 10 and 16 years of age, with an estimated prevalence of 0.4%. The gender ratio male to female was 1:1.1. Most patients (n=14) underwent UGE due to abdominal pain. Lesions were found predominantly in the upper and lower part of the oesophagus; 12 patients had isolated lesions, and none of the lesions tested positive for HPV on CISH 6/11 analysis. Additionally, Helicobacter pylori and eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) were diagnosed in one patient each. CONCLUSION: Our study describes the clinical features of paediatric OSP in a single centre. The prevalence was similar to that in the adult population but higher than in other paediatric populations, and none of our patients had HPV.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome with pneumatosis intestinalis in an exclusively breastfed infant: A case report and literature review.

A 1-month-old male, exclusively breastfed, presented with 24 h of bloody stools, vomiting, metabolic acidosis, and pneumatosis intestinalis. The patient was initially treated for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, after suspecting food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), oral feeding was resumed using an exclusive elemental formula, and the biochemical and radiological findings were resolved.

Clinical Features of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Single Center Experience in Ecuador.

Purpose: Data on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in South America is scarce. Moreover, no studies are available in Ecuador. We evaluated the clinical, endoscopic, and histological characteristics of Ecuadorian children with EoE. Methods: Medical records of 2,711 children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) between 2009 and 2020 at Hospital Metropolitano de Quito, Ecuador were reviewed. Esophageal mucosal biopsies were obtained from 72 patients and the features of 35 children with EoE were described. EoE was diagnosed when there were more than 15 eosinophils in the esophagus, per high power field. Results: EoE was diagnosed in 35 children (9.4±4.5 years) with a male predominance (74%). Abdominal pain (51.4%) and vomiting (31.4%) were dominant symptoms. A history of allergic diseases was noted in 47.1% of the children, which mainly included allergic rhinitis (37.1%) and atopic dermatitis (11.4%). The most common endoscopic findings were furrowing (82.9%) and edema (74.3%). All patients were initially treated with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Those who did not respond to PPIs received steroids (5.7%) and diet therapy (5.7%), and five patients were referred to an allergist. Clinical and histological resolution was observed in 65% of the patients who underwent a second UGE after 6-8 weeks of PPI. Conclusion: Our study describes the clinical features of pediatric EoE in Ecuador. This is the first retrospective study in Ecuador that describes the clinical, endoscopic, and histological manifestations of EoE in a small pediatric population. Almost half of the children who underwent a biopsy had EoE.

Short exposure to ethyl and methylmercury prompts similar toxic responses in Drosophila melanogaster.

Methylmercury (MeHg) and ethylmercury (EtHg) are important mercury organic forms in terms of human poisoning. Since the comparative effects of compounds are mainly in vitro, this study was designed to investigate the toxicities induced by MeHg and EtHg in an in vivo study using adult Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). Firstly, we performed a survival curve, where the flies were fed on a medium containing MeHg and EtHg at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 200 µM, until the end of their lifespan. After that, the concentrations 25 and 200 µM of MeHg and EtHg were chosen to be tested in a short exposure for 5 days. The analysis of survival by Kaplan-Meier plot revealed that all concentrations of MeHg and EtHg reduced significantly the lifespan of the flies. Short exposure to both concentrations of MeHg and EtHg impaired the ability of flies in the climbing assay and induced lipid peroxidation. Only the flies exposed to the highest concentration had viability loss, thiol depletion, and increased reactive species (RS) and Hg levels in the whole body. Our findings indicate that MeHg and EtHg exhibit similar toxic effects in vivo, and that oxidative stress is a phenomenon behind the toxicity of both mercurials. The data obtained also reinforce the use of D. melanogaster as a useful organism for basic toxicological research.

Effects of long-standing exposure to heavy-duty diesel vehicle traffic on respiratory symptoms and airway inflammation in older adults.

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to traffic from a heavy-duty diesel-fueled vehicle area on respiratory symptoms and airway inflammation in a nonsmoking adult and elderly population. Respiratory symptoms were evaluated by the ISAAC questionnaire (International Study of Asthma and Allergies questionnaire), and airway inflammation was assessed by fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Forty volunteers were selected from the 112 volunteers who completed the ISAAC questionnaire for the measurement of FeNO. The FeNO population comprised seven men (six aged ≥ 64 years old, four aged ≥ 75 years old) and 32 women (27 aged ≥ 64 years old, nine aged ≥ 75 years old). FeNO levels were tracked for six months, from November 2014 to June 2015. Results: Twenty-four percent of the volunteers reported having had wheezing in the chest in the last 12 months. However, only 2.7% of the volunteers reported doctor-diagnosed asthma. There was a positive association between FeNO and pollutants in most of the study months. An increase of 1 µg m-3 in NO2 was associated with a mean increase of 1.08 ppb in FeNO, and an increase of 1 µg m-3 in O3 was associated with a mean increase of 1.06 ppb in FeNO. The relative risk for NO2 ranged from 1.009 to 1.32 and that for O3 ranged from 1.014 to 1.020. Conclusion: The frequency of respiratory symptoms was much higher than the previously described levels of 6% in the Brazilian adult population. In summary, a high frequency of respiratory symptoms and high levels of FeNO were described in an underdiagnosed adult population living very close to a heavy-duty diesel-traffic area. Older elderly adults presented greater susceptibility to airway inflammation than younger adults.

Revelação do diagnóstico de HIV dos pais / Disclosure of the diagnosis of parental HIV / Revelación del diagnóstico de VIH de los padres

Este artigo tem o propósito de avaliar evidências científicas, disponíveis na literatura, acerca dos fatores que interferem na decisão de revelar o diagnóstico de HIV dos pais para os filhos. Trata-se de revisão integrativa, desenvolvida nas bases de dados Medline e Lilacs, utilizando os termos [HIV or aids] and [criança or adolescente] and [revelação]. Selecionaram-se 14 artigos. Os fatores que interferem na decisão de revelar o diagnóstico foram: capacidade cognitiva e maturidade da criança; fortalecimento dos laços familiares; informações para a criança acerca da doença; adoecimento e morte dos pais; descoberta por terceiros; estigma e preconceito; reações negativas da criança; modo de falar da doença com a criança; e medo de perder o poder parental. Portanto, indica-se preparo para revelação do diagnóstico, de modo compartilhado entre os familiares que cuidam da criança e os profissionais de saúde que mantêm vínculo com essa família.

The aim was to assess scientific evidence available in the literature about the factors that influence the decision to disclose the parents' HIV diagnosis to their children. The type study is integrative review in the Medline and Lilacs databases, using the words [HIV or aids] and [criança or adolescente] and [revelação]. 14 articles were selected. Factors influencing the decision to disclose the diagnosis were: the cognitive ability and maturity of the child, the strengthening of family ties, the information provided to the child about the disease, parental illness and death, the discovery by third parties, stigma and prejudice, negative reactions from the children, the way to talk about the disease with the child, and the fear of losing parental power. Therefore, a process of preparation for disclosure of the diagnosis, shared among family members who take care of the child and health professionals who maintain ties with the family, was identified.

El objetivo de este texto fue evaluar la evidencia científica disponible en la literatura sobre los factores que influyen en la decisión de revelar el diagnóstico de VHI de los padres a los hijos. El tipo de estudio es una revisión integral en las bases de datos Medline y Lilacs, utilizando las palabras [HIV or aids] and [criança or adolescente] and [revelação]. Se seleccionaron 14 artículos. Los factores que influyen en la decisión de revelar el diagnóstico fueron: la capacidad cognitiva y la madurez del niño; el fortalecimiento de los lazos familiares; informaciones para el niño acerca de la enfermedad; enfermedad y muerte de los padres; descubrimiento por parte de terceros; estigma y prejuicio; reacciones negativas de los niños; modo de hablar sobre la enfermedad con los niños; y, miedo a perder el poder parental. Por lo tanto, se recomienda una preparación para la revelación del diagnóstico, de modo compartido entre los familiares que cuidan al niño y los profesionales de salud que mantienen vínculos con esa familia.

Metodologia de abate de girinos de rã-touro para obtenção de filés de cauda e subprodutos não comestíveis

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estabelecer uma metodologia para abate de girinos, com foco na obtenção de filés de cauda para a produção de alimentos e da parte não comestível para a fabricação de farinha animal. As operações de abate foram realizadas em planta industrial sob inspeção sanitária oficial. Um total de 1.600 girinos pesando 13,55±6,67g foram submetidos a um jejum de 24 horas e em seguida coletados e transportados até a planta industrial, onde foram transferidos para caixas plásticas para depuração. As etapas tecnológicas de abate foram pré-insensibilização, lavagem, inspeção, decapitação e corte de cauda, produção dos filés de cauda, lavagem, embalagem da cauda e da parte não comestível, selagem, pré-resfriamento, congelamento rápido, estocagem e distribuição. O rendimento da parte não comestível foi de 73,49±5,51% em relação ao peso total, enquanto que o rendimento dos filés de cauda representou 26,51±5,51% do peso total. O método desenvolvido mostrou-se eficaz para a obtenção dos produtos propostos, com bom rendimento percentual para ambas matrizes obtidas.

Metodologia de abate de girinos de rã-touro para obtenção de filés de cauda e subprodutos não comestíveis / Bullfrog tadpoles slaughtering methodology to obtain tail fillets and non-edible by-products

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estabelecer uma metodologia para abate de girinos, com foco na obtenção de filés de cauda para a produção de alimentos e da parte não comestível para a fabricação de farinha animal. As operações de abate foram realizadas em planta industrial sob inspeção sanitária oficial. Um total de 1.600 girinos pesando 13,55±6,67g foram submetidos a um jejum de 24 horas e em seguida coletados e transportados até a planta industrial, onde foram transferidos para caixas plásticas para depuração. As etapas tecnológicas de abate foram pré-insensibilização, lavagem, inspeção, decapitação e corte de cauda, produção dos filés de cauda, lavagem, embalagem da cauda e da parte não comestível, selagem, pré-resfriamento, congelamento rápido, estocagem e distribuição. O rendimento da parte não comestível foi de 73,49±5,51% em relação ao peso total, enquanto o rendimento dos filés de cauda representou 26,51±5,51% do peso total. O método desenvolvido mostrou-se eficaz para a obtenção dos produtos propostos, com bom rendimento porcentual para ambas matrizes obtidas.

The aim of this study was to establish a methodology for slaughter tadpoles, focusing on obtaining tail fillets for the production of food and non-edible parts for the manufacture of animal feed. Slaughter operations were performed in an industrial plant under official sanitary inspection. A total of 1,600 tadpoles weighting 13.55±6.67g were subjected to fasting for 24 hours and then collected and transported to the industrial plant, where they were transferred to plastic boxes for depuration. Slaughter technology steps were pre-stunning, cleaning, inspection, decapitation and tail cutting, production of tail fillets, cleaning, non-edible part and tail packaging, sealing, precooling, quick freezing, cold storage and distribution. The yield of non-edible part was 73.49 ± 5.51% relative to the total weight, while the yield of fillets tail represented 26.51 ± 5.51% of the total weight. The developed method was effective for obtaining the proposed products with good yield percentage for both.

Acute chorioamnionitis at term caused by the oral pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an oral pathogen associated with preterm birth. Presented is a case of acute chorioamnionitis that progressed to maternal sepsis in a term patient with intact membranes. In addition to its role in periodontal disease and preterm birth, our case demonstrates that intrauterine infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum can result in severe disease at term.

Percepções sobre a violência no cenário de uma Unidade de Saúde da Família / Perceptions of violence in a Family Health Unit Setting / Percepciones sobre la violencia en una Unidad de Salud de la Familia

Objetivou-se conhecer o contexto da violência no cenário de uma Unidade de Saúde da Família do sul do Brasil. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa realizada em 2008 e na qual se utilizou para a coleta de dados a estimativa rápida participativa. Participaram 19 informantes-chave, sendo seis moradores líderes de comunidade, seis agentes comunitários de saúde e sete entre demais integrantes da equipe de saúde. Os dados foram submetidos à análise temática de conteúdo, produzindo-se três categorias: policiamento como fator de segurança; a violência influenciada pelo contexto social e a banalização da violência. Os resultados revelam um entendimento complexo acerca da violência, no entanto, a sua banalização pode ser verificada. A Enfermagem, junto à equipe de saúde, pode contribuir para a redução dos índices de violência, colocando-se na posição de mediadora na construção de uma rede social que identifique, integre, articule e promova ações capazes de melhorar as condições de vida da comunidade...

The objective was to learn about the context of violence in the setting of a Family Health Unit in the south of Brazil, through qualitative research carried out in 2008. Participatory rapid appraisal was used for data collection. Nineteen key participants were involved, these being six community leaders, six community health assistants, and seven other members of the health team. The data was submitted to thematic content analysis, which produced three categories: policing as a factor for security; violence influenced by social context; and the banalization of violence. The results reveal a complex understanding of violence although its banalization may be verified. Nursing, along with the health team, can contribute to the reduction of levels of violence, putting itself in the position of mediator in the construction of a social network which identifies, incorporates, articulates and promotes actions which are capable of improving the life of the community...

El objetivo del estudio fue conocer el contexto de la violencia en una Unidad de Salud de la Familia del sur de Brasil. Es una investigación cualitativa realizada en 2008 y en la cual se utilizó para recoger los datos la estimativa rápida participativa. Participaron 19 informantes clave, siendo que seis eran líderes de la comunidad, seis agentes comunitarios de salud y siete integrantes del equipo de salud. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis temático de contenido, produciéndose tres categorías: Vigilancia como factor de seguridad; La violencia influenciada por el contexto social y La banalización de la violencia. Los resultados revelan un entendimiento complejo acerca de la violencia, sin embargo su banalización puede ser verificada. La enfermería, junto al equipo de salud, puede contribuir para la reducción de los índices de violencia, poniéndose en la posición de mediadora en la construcción de una red social que identifique, integre, articule y promueva acciones para mejorar las condiciones de vida de la comunidad...

Use of the heated gel mattress and its impact on admission temperature of very low birth-weight infants.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to describe the ability of a transport mattress (TransWarmer Infant Transport Mattress), produced by Cooper Surgical (Trumbull, Connecticut), to reduce hypothermia in a group of very low birth-weight infants. SUBJECTS: Convenience sample of 115 infants weighing less than 1500 g who were born at Women & Infants' Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. DESIGN: A quality assurance study using a nonrandomized experimental design. Infants placed on the TransWarmer Infant Transport Mattress were compared with those treated with standard care. METHODS: Charts were reviewed and data abstracted on the 115 very low birth-weight infants delivered at Women & Infants' Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hypothermia was significantly lower in the mattress group than for controls (52.5% vs 77.3% using a definition of hypothermia as body temperature less than 97.4 degrees F, P = .01). The difference resulted despite the fact that the mattress group was at increased risk based on various risk factors, lower mean age (26 vs 28.5 wk, P = .001), a lower birth weight (876 vs 1091 g, P = .004), and a higher proportion of Apgar scores of less than 5 at 5 minutes (13.2% vs 6.4%, P = .29) compared with controls. A linear regression model adjusted for birth weight, gender, and gestational age showed that the use of the heated gel mattress raised body temperatures by a mean of 0.7 degrees F per infant (P < .001). PRINCIPAL RESULTS: The occurrence of hypothermia was significantly lower in the mattress group. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation suggest that further research of the TransWarmer Transport Mattress is warranted using an adequately powered randomized controlled trial. Information on the safety and cost-effectiveness is needed. Long-term follow-up evaluating admission temperatures and long-term outcomes is also warranted.

Intrauterine baclofen exposure: a multidisciplinary approach.

Maternal use of the antispasmodic baclofen during pregnancy is an uncommon clinical scenario and leads to uncertainty regarding neonatal risks. We present a team-based, peripartum management plan designed for safe monitoring and minimizing the risk of neonatal withdrawal after unusual drug exposure. Incorporating the expertise of neonatology, nursing, pharmacy, neurology, and the lactation service, as well as parental input, this consensus approach was implemented in a case of maternal oral baclofen use with a successful outcome for the infant and family.