Melatonin in Human Milk: A Scoping Review.

Melatonin is vital in human circadian rhythm and infant development. This scoping review summarized the current knowledge about melatonin's presence and effects in human milk to promote better understanding of its secretion pattern and clinical advancement of maternal-infant health. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guideline and answered the question: What is the current knowledge about melatonin hormone in human milk? The databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, LILACS, Scielo, EMBASE, Science Direct, Eric, Cochrane, in addition to grey literature and reference lists of included sources. Research papers included English, Spanish, or Portuguese languages, regardless of study type or publication date. The study selection and data extraction involved two independent reviewers. Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. The studies, conducted between 1993 and 2023, employed diverse designs, with cross-sectional studies being the most prevalent. Melatonin concentration exhibited a consistent pattern, being higher at night, and elevated in colostrum. The analysis methods for melatonin concentration evolved, with recent advancements contributing to more accurate measurements. Factors influencing melatonin levels, such as delivery type, maternal age, and health conditions, demonstrated a complex relationship, potentially impacting the health and development of infants. The dynamic nature of melatonin in human milk calls for continued interdisciplinary research, bridging gaps between clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological perspectives. Standardizing melatonin analysis methods are needed. Nurses should assess factors influencing melatonin levels in milk to promote interventions and guidance aimed at enhancing the regulation of the circadian cycle during the perinatal period and its benefits.

Educational intervention improves knowledge and adherence to treatment amongst puerperal women with syphilis: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Gestational syphilis requires early detection and proper treatment to prevent negative maternal-fetal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on treatment adherence and knowledge about syphilis in postpartum women with positive Treponema pallidum results. METHODS: A randomized, parallel, and open clinical trial was conducted with 64 postpartum women who tested positive for T. pallidum, assigned to two groups (1:1 ratio). The Intervention Group (IG) received an educational intervention on syphilis, including an explanatory leaflet and hands-on demonstrations, along with standard guidelines. The Control Group (CG) received standard guidelines alone. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted to measure knowledge and treatment adherence. Statistical analyses included descriptive and inferential methods, assessing group homogeneity using the Chi-square or Fishers exact test. The interventions effectiveness was determined using relative risk, and pre- and post-test scores were compared using the independent t test. RESULTS: The post-test revealed improvements in knowledge scores for general knowledge, treatment, and prevention domains (p < .05). The IG demonstrated an increase in post-test knowledge scores (p = .001), with association between post-test scores and treatment adherence (p = .001). CONCLUSION: The educational intervention on syphilis improved knowledge and treatment adherence in postpartum women with syphilis.

Exposition to Biological Control Agent Trichoderma stromaticum Increases the Development of Cancer in Mice Injected With Murine Melanoma.

Biological control agents (BCA) are an alternative to chemical pesticides and an emerging strategy to safely eliminate plant pathogens. Trichoderma spp. are the most common fungi used as BCAs. They produce spores that are released into the air and can potentially interact with immune system of mammals. We previously showed that Trichoderma affects expression of genes encoding pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and cytokines in mice. PRRs are involved in the recognition of microorganisms and can lead to pro-tumoral signaling. Here, we evaluated if mice injected with low doses of murine melanoma exhibited increased development of lung tumor when treated with conidia of T. stromaticum. Mice treated with T. stromaticum and inoculated with B16-F10 melanoma cells exhibited significant increase in tumor uptake (p = 0.006) and increased number of visible nodules in the lungs (p = 0.015). We also analyzed mRNA expression levels of genes encoding PRRs in lung of mice exposed to T. stromaticum and demonstrated that mice treated with T. stromaticum conidia exhibited lower expression levels of Clec7a and increased expression of Tlr4 (toll like receptor 4) compared to non-treated controls. The expression levels of Clec7a and Tlr2 were increased in mice treated with T. stromaticum and inoculated with murine melanoma compared to controls only inoculated with melanoma. Our results demonstrate that intranasal exposition to T. stromaticum increases tumor in the B16-F10 model, which may raise concerns regarding the safety of its use in agriculture.