Influence of innate immune activation on endocrine and metabolic pathways in infancy.

Prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Premature infants often require extended hospital stays, with increased risk of developing infection compared with term infants. A picture is emerging of wide-ranging deleterious consequences resulting from innate immune system activation in the newborn infant. Those who survive infection have been exposed to a stimulus that can impose long-lasting alterations into later life. In this review, we discuss sepsis-driven alterations in integrated neuroendocrine and metabolic pathways and highlight current knowledge gaps in respect of neonatal sepsis. We review established biomarkers for sepsis and extend the discussion to examine emerging findings from human and animal models of neonatal sepsis that propose novel biomarkers for early identification of sepsis. Future research in this area is required to establish a greater understanding of the distinct neonatal signature of early and late-stage infection, to improve diagnosis, curtail inappropriate antibiotic use, and promote precision medicine through a biomarker-guided empirical and adjunctive treatment approach for neonatal sepsis. There is an unmet clinical need to decrease sepsis-induced morbidity in neonates, to limit and prevent adverse consequences in later life and decrease mortality.

Poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-L-lactide) electrospun scaffolds for use as vascular grafts.

Currently, there is great clinical need for suitable synthetic grafts that can be used in vascular diseases. Synthetic grafts have been successfully used in medium and large arteries, however, their use in small diameter vessels is limited and presents a high failure rate. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop tissue engineering scaffolds, using poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-L-lactide) (PTMCLLA), for application as small diameter vascular grafts. For this, copolymers with varying trimethylene carbonate/lactide ratios - 20/80, 30/70, and 40/60 - were submitted to electrospinning and the resulting scaffolds were evaluated in terms of their physicochemical and biological properties. The scaffolds produced with PTMCLLA 20/80, 30/70, and 40/60 showed smooth fibers with an average diameter of 771±273, 606±242, and 697±232 nm, respectively. When the degradation ratio was evaluated, the three scaffold groups had a similar molecular weight (Mw) on the final day of analysis. PTMCLLA 30/70 and 40/60 scaffolds exhibited greater flexibility than the PTMCLLA 20/80. However, the PTMCLLA 40/60 scaffolds showed a large wrinkling and their biological properties were not evaluated. The PTMCLLA 30/70 scaffolds supported the adhesion and growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In addition, they provided a spreading of MSCs and SMCs. Given the results, the electrospun scaffolds produced with PTMCLLA 30/70 copolymer can be considered promising candidates for future applications in vascular tissue engineering.

Poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-L-lactide) electrospun scaffolds for use as vascular grafts

Currently, there is great clinical need for suitable synthetic grafts that can be used in vascular diseases. Synthetic grafts have been successfully used in medium and large arteries, however, their use in small diameter vessels is limited and presents a high failure rate. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop tissue engineering scaffolds, using poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-L-lactide) (PTMCLLA), for application as small diameter vascular grafts. For this, copolymers with varying trimethylene carbonate/lactide ratios - 20/80, 30/70, and 40/60 - were submitted to electrospinning and the resulting scaffolds were evaluated in terms of their physicochemical and biological properties. The scaffolds produced with PTMCLLA 20/80, 30/70, and 40/60 showed smooth fibers with an average diameter of 771±273, 606±242, and 697±232 nm, respectively. When the degradation ratio was evaluated, the three scaffold groups had a similar molecular weight (Mw) on the final day of analysis. PTMCLLA 30/70 and 40/60 scaffolds exhibited greater flexibility than the PTMCLLA 20/80. However, the PTMCLLA 40/60 scaffolds showed a large wrinkling and their biological properties were not evaluated. The PTMCLLA 30/70 scaffolds supported the adhesion and growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In addition, they provided a spreading of MSCs and SMCs. Given the results, the electrospun scaffolds produced with PTMCLLA 30/70 copolymer can be considered promising candidates for future applications in vascular tissue engineering.

Rheological behavior of poly(lactic acid)/synthetic mica nanocomposites.

Poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites were prepared with three synthetic fluoromicas in a twin-screw extruder. Sodium and two organomodified synthetic fluoromicas at different compositions were used. The effect of mica type and composition on the rheological behavior of the nanocomposites was evaluated. The sodium fluoromica did not have a significant effect on the poly(lactic acid) rheological properties, while addition of the organophilic micas to poly(lactic acid) has a strong effect on the rheology, showing a pronounced shear thinning behavior. The dynamic rheological studies revealed that the nanocomposites with organomica have a higher viscosity and more pronounced elastic properties than neat poly(lactic acid). Both storage and loss moduli increased with mica content.

Frequência de parasitos intestinais em cães domiciliados da cidade de Maringá, PR / Frequency of intestinal parasites in domiciled dogs from Maringá city, Brazil

The frequency of eggs and cysts of intestinal parasites in domiciled dogs that lived in the city of Maringá, Brazil, was studied. From November 2006 to November 2007, stools of 81 dogs were examined, of which 44.4% were positive for some kind of enteric parasite. The most frequent was Ancylostoma spp. with 18.5% (15/81) followed by Giardia lamblia with 11.1% (9/81). There was association of parasites in 11.0% of the samples, being the most frequent Ancylostoma spp. and Trichuris vulpis (6.2%) (5/81). There were sources of contamination where the animals lived which were responsible for maintaining the parasite in the environment.

Ecology of Clinostomum complanatum Rudolphi, 1814 (Trematoda: Clinostomidae) infecting fish from the floodplain of the high Paraná River, Brazil.

The prevalence of Clinostomum complanatum Rudolphi, 1814 (Digenea, Clinostomidae) in fishes Loricariichthys platymetopon, Parauchenipterus galeatus and Hoplosternum littorale, which are second intermediate hosts, was studied at the floodplain of the high Paraná River, Brazil. Season (alternation flood-drought), habitat (lentic and semi-lotic), and sex were not related to its prevalence. For L. platymetopon, the immature and smaller fish had the lowest prevalence, whilst the opposite was observed for P. galeatus and H. littorale. This suggests that the probability of being predated is unchanged by parasitism for L. platymetopon; thus, a cumulative effect of repeated infections is observed; for the two other species, the highest parasitised fish may have higher predation mortality rates. While H. littorale is the preferred item in birds' diet, L. platymetopon is the most abundant fish species and has the highest C. complanatum prevalence, which makes it the most likely path of transmission to the bird, the definitive hosts of C. complanatum.

The attachment of Clinostomum sp. (Digenea, Clinostomidae) to the oesophagus of the bird Ardea cocoi (Aves, Ardeidae).

The attachment of Clinostomum sp. to the oesophagus of the bird definitive host Ardea cocoi is reported. The parasite attaches to the mucous layer of the oesophagus by the acetabulum, oral sucker, and oral collar. The mucous layer of the oesophagus engulfed by the oral sucker presents an intense liquefactive necrosis, and the engulfment is not likely to contribute significantly to the attachment of the parasite. The oral collar of the parasite, surrounding the oral sucker, is juxtaposed to the oesophagus mucous layer, showing a perfect fitting of both surfaces. It is concluded that the main attachment mechanism of the parasites to the oesophagus of the host is provided by the acetabulum and by the juxtaposition of the oral collar of the parasites to the oesophagus host surface.

The life cycle of Clinostomum complanatum Rudolphi, 1814 (Digenea, Clinostomidae) on the floodplain of the high Paraná river, Brazil.

The life cycle of the digenetic trematode Clinostomum complanatum was studied on the floodplain of the high Paraná river, Brazil. Sampling was done between June 1999 and June 2000. The mollusc Biomphalaria peregrina was the first intermediate host with a prevalence of infection of 0.75%. The fish Loricariichthys platymetopon, Hoplosternum littorale, Parauchenipterus galeatus, Hoplias malabaricus and Loricaria sp. were second intermediate hosts, with the prevalence varying from 2.45% ( H. malabaricus) to 60.8% ( L. platymetopon). The birds Ardea cocoi, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, Egretta alba and Egretta thula were definitive hosts, with the prevalence ranging between 5.5% ( E. thula) and 95% ( A. cocoi). The high prevalences in birds, especially in A. cocoi, suggest some kind of mechanism facilitating the predation of infected fish. The importance of the various hosts is discussed, and it is concluded that the floodplain of the high Paraná river has suitable conditions for the maintenance of the life cycle of C. complanatum.

Squamous cell vulvar carcinoma associated with Fanconi's anemia: a case report.

Fanconi's anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome associated with a strong predisposition to cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of various organs. A few cases of lower genital tract neoplasia have been described. We present a 14-year-old black girl with an advanced squamous cell vulvar carcinoma treated with cisplatin chemotherapy plus radiation therapy. The patient died because of fungal sepsis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive to human papillomavirus (HPV)-16. Vulvar carcinoma is a very rare condition in teenagers, but the association of Fanconi's anemia and SCC of many sites is common. Vulvar carcinoma when associated with Fanconi's anemia is a great treatment challenge.

Streptococcus agalactiae endocarditis and giant pyomyoma simulating ovarian cancer.

Group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) is a common etiology of bacteremia among adults. Pyomyoma is a rare infectious complication of uterine leiomyomas. We report the case of a diabetic postmenopausal woman with a giant pyomyoma simulating an ovarian cancer. It was associated with S. agalactiae endocarditis and deep venous thrombosis of the right external iliac and femoral veins. Treated initially with intravenous penicillin, amikacin, and anticoagulation, the patient later had abdominal hysterectomy with an uneventful recovery. We also review the cases of pyomyoma reported since 1945. Of 14 cases described (including ours), mortality was 21%. Endocarditis was never reported in association with pyomyoma. The presence of bacteremia and a leiomyoma should raise suspicion for this disease.

[Endoparasite prevalence in truck farmers and in the vegetables of Feira do Produtor de Maringá, Paraná]. / Prevalência de enteroparasitas em horticultores e hortaliças da Feira do Produtor de Maringá, Paraná.

Few studies have assessed the contamination of vegetables at Brazilian production sites. From April 1996 to December of 1997, the sanitary conditions of raw consumed vegetables sold in the Feira do Produtor de Maringá were investigated. We based the analyses on the contamination of vegetables, of the producers (stool samples and material under the fingernails) and of the water used for irrigation. It was observed that 16.6% of 144 samples of five different types of vegetables were contaminated with intestinal parasites. Forty three of 163 individuals (26%) were infected with one or more parasites. Only three of the 49 samples of material under the fingernails analyzed were positive for intestinal parasites. Analysis of samples of the water used for vegetable irrigation showed that the water did not satisfy bacteriological standards of potability. We conclude that in the investigated area the contamination of vegetables occurred during the production phase and that a sanitary education campaign directed at the producers is needed.

[Frequency of anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies in individuals from five counties in the Northern region of Brazil]. / Freqüência de anticorpos anti-Cysticercus cellulosae em indivíduos de cinco municípios da região Norte do Estado do Paraná-Brasil.

An epidemiological and serological study was carried out on a sample of 2,180 individuals, in five counties in the north of Paraná State-Brazil, using the indirect immunofluorescence test to detect anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies. These individuals, 69 (3.2%) showed significant titers of antibodies. No single significant difference between the proportion of reactivity in Sarandi (6.6%) and in Marialva (4.7%) was observed (Z = 1,319, P = 0.0936), but it was significantly higher than that observed in Mandaguaçu, Paiçandu and Maringá (P < 0.01). Of these individuals, 47.9% were within 21-49 years old and 79.4% were of female sex. "Headache" (70.6%), "faintness" (57.4%), and "convulsions" (7.4%) were among the most frequent by reported, moreover, cases of Taenia infections (22.1%) and the custom of eating uncooked beef (41.2%) or pork (27.9%) and meat containing cysticerci (25.0%) were also related.

Condrodisplasia punctata. / Chondrodysplasia punctata

Os autores descrevem o caso de uma crianca portadora de condrodisplasia punctata forma mista, com achadas radiograficos ao nivel de vias excretoras urinarias, ambos ainda nao descritos na lileratua