Changes in splenic tissue and immune response profile of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice submitted to chronic ethanol intake.

In Schistosoma mansoni infection, the spleen is one of the organs affected, causing its enlargement (splenomegaly). Intake of ethanol through alcoholic beverages can cause spleen atrophy and interfere with immune activity. To gain knowledge of this association on the spleen and on the immune response profile, male mice were used as an experimental model. These animals were divided into four groups: C. control; EC. uninfected/ethanol gavage; I. infected; and IE. infected/ethanol gavage. Groups I and IE were infected with about 100 cercariae (BH strain) of S. mansoni and in the fifth week of infection, gavage 200 µL/day/animal of 18 % ethanol was started for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the gavage (9th week of infection) all animals were euthanized. The spleen was removed and longitudinally divided in two parts. After histological processing, the sections were stained with H&E and Gomori's Reticulin for histopathological and stereological analyses, white pulp morphometry and quantification of megakaryocytes. The other fragment was macerated (in laminar flow) and the cell suspension, after adjusting the concentration (2 × 106), was plated to obtain cytokines produced by spleen cells that were measured by flow cytometry (Citometric Bead Array). Histopathological and quantitative analyzes in the spleen of the IE group showed an increase in the number of trabeculae and megakaryocytes, a decrease in reticular fibers, as well as important organizational changes in the white pulp and red pulp. Due to the decrease in the levels of cytokines measured and the result of the calculation of the ratio between the IFN-y and IL-10 cytokines (p = 0.0079) of the infected groups, we suggest that ethanol decreased the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory response generated by the infection (group IE, the production of cytokines was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). These changes demonstrate that ethanol ingestion interferes with some parameters of experimental S. mansoni infection, such as changes in splenic tissue and in the pattern of cytokine production.

Whole-body MRI for cancer surveillance in ataxia-telangiectasia: A qualitative study of the perspectives of people affected by A-T and their families.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a complex inherited disease associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Surveillance guidelines have demonstrated significant health benefits in other cancer predisposition syndromes. However, evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening are not currently used in the United Kingdom for people affected by A-T. This study aims to understand how people with A-T and their parents feel about cancer surveillance using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to inform the future development of cancer surveillance guidelines. DESIGN/METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with people affected by A-T. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Nine parents of children with A-T and four adults with A-T were interviewed. Five main themes emerged from the data, including (1) cancer screening was considered invaluable with the perceived value of early detection highlighted; (2) the cancer fear can increase anxiety; (3) the perceived limitations around current practice, with the responsibility for monitoring falling too strongly on parents and patients; (4) the need for effective preparation for cancer screening, including clear communication and (5) the challenges associated with MRI screening, where specific recommendations were made for improving the child's experience. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that stakeholders are positive about the perceived advantages of a cancer screening programme. Ongoing support and preparation techniques should be adopted to maximise adherence and minimise adverse psychosocial outcomes. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: People with A-T and parents of people with A-T were actively involved in this study by giving their consent to be interviewed. An independent parent representative contributed to the study, supporting the research team in interpreting and commenting on the appropriateness of the language used in this report.

Impact of acute schistosomiasis mansoni and long-term ethanol intake on mouse liver pathology.

While the effect of ethanol and schistosomiasis mansoni on liver injury has been well-documented, the influence of comorbidity on liver pathology remains unclear. To address this gap, schistosomiasis-infected mice were given one daily dose of 18% ethanol for 28 consecutive days, from day 35 post-infection. Mice were assigned to four groups: A. control; B. uninfected/ethanol gavage; C. infected; and D. infected/ethanol gavage. At day 64 post-infection, mice were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation, livers were excised, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, paraffin embedded and cut into 5 µm sections. These were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Lennert's Giemsa and picrosirius red (for polarization microscopy) to assess histopathological and stereological changes. Group B showed alcoholic liver disease (ALD), including microsteatosis, hepatocyte karyopyknosis, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, increased frequency of Kupffer cells, hydropic degeneration of hepatocyte, thickened plasma membrane and binucleated hepatocytes. Infected mice showed typical exudative and exudative-productive hepatic granulomas, and destruction of the adjacent hepatic parenchyma, resulting in necrotic tissue and periovular leukocyte infiltrate. Group D showed hyperemia (parenchymal panlobular lesions), and liquefactive necrosis in hepatic abscess area. There was also reduced liver collagen deposition (-76%; p = 0.0001) and reduced microsteatosis (-80%, p = 0.0079) compared to group C and group B, respectively. In conclusion, comorbidity exacerbated liver damage.

Infant processed food consumption and their interaction to breastfeeding and growth in children up to six months old.

BACKGROUND: Evidences suggest that early processed food (PF) consumption may cause harm to infant health. During the first 6 months of life, it is not known whether the timing and quantity of this food group can impact breastfeeding and growth. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between time of introduction and quantity of infant PF consumption with duration of breastfeeding and infant growth at 6 months of age. METHODS: Data were longitudinally collected in six interviews, from birth to 6 months, in a sample of Brazilian newborns with adverse intrauterine environments. PF consumption was calculated by gravity score of processed foods (GSPF) in relation to feeding supply quality and time. For the analysis, the scores were divided into tertiles, making scores severities: Null, Mild, Moderate, and Severe. The interaction between GSPF and breastfeeding (exclusive and non-exclusive) and growth parameters (analyzed in Z-scores, by weight for height, weight for age, and body mass index for age) was tested. RESULTS: A total of 236 infants were included in the study. Greater GSPF were associated with better rates of breastfeeding practices and higher growth indicators scores in the sixth month of infants. These findings were confirmed after adjustment for family income, maternal age, pre-gestational body mass index, and growth z scores at birth. CONCLUSION: The harms of eating PF in relation to breastfeeding and infant growth are more evident the greater and earlier they are consumed. Future studies should explore interventions to reduce and delay the consumption of these foods to prevent adverse health outcomes in later life.

The acute schistosomiasis mansoni ameliorates metabolic syndrome in the C57BL/6 mouse model.

Human and experimental studies have shown that chronic schistosomiasis mansoni protects against metabolic disorders through direct and indirect pathways. This study aims to investigate the co-morbidity between the acute schistosomiasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver. To address this, male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat chow (60% fat) or standard chow (10% fat) for 13 weeks and later infected with 80 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Mice were assigned into four groups: uninfected fed standard (USC), uninfected fed high-fat chow (UHFC), infected fed standard (ISC), and infected fed high-fat chow (IHFC). Blood sample and tissues were obtained at nine weeks post-infection (acute schistosomiasis) by necropsy. UHFC mice showed higher body mass, visceral adiposity, impaired glucose tolerance, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglyceride (TG), and liver steatosis compared to USC mice. IHFC mice showed lower blood lipid levels, blood glucose, improved glucose tolerance, body mass, and liver steatosis (macro and microvesicular) compared to UHFC mice. IHFC showed more massive histopathological changes (sinusoidal fibrosis, hepatocellular ballooning, and inflammatory infiltrates) compared to ISC. In conclusion, the co-morbidity results in both beneficial (friend) and detrimental (foe) for the host. While the acute schistosomiasis improves some metabolic features of metabolic syndrome, comorbidity worsens the liver injury.

Long-term ethanol intake causes morphological changes in Schistosoma mansoni adult worms in mice.

Schistosoma mansoni adult worms are extensively challenged by reactive oxygen species from intrinsic sources. However, the effects of extrinsic sources such as ethanol have not been looked at in schistosomes. We examined adult worms recovered from ethanol-consuming mice by light (LM), confocal (CM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to address this question. Schistosomiasis-infected mice were orally gavaged with 18% (v/v) ethanol from 35 to 63 days post-infection, when they were euthanized. CM examination revealed reduced germ cells density (-36%, p = 0.0001) and sperm density (-58%, p = 0.0001) in testicular lobes, and immature cells in seminal vesicle compared to unexposed control worms. Female worms showed reduced density of vitellin glands (-71%, p = 0.0001), maturation of oocytes (-7%, p = 0.0071) and reduced spermatozoa density (-23%, p = 0.0002) within the seminal receptacle. SEM revealed remarkable damages in male's tegument, including tubercles flattening, tegumental peeling and erosive lesions. Given that lipids are present in reproductive system and tegument, our results suggest that phenotypic changes are due to ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report revealing the biological action of ethanol intake on adult schistosomes in vivo.

α-Tocopherol in breast milk of women with preterm delivery after a single postpartum oral dose of vitamin E.

We evaluated the effect of maternal vitamin E supplementation on the α-tocopherol concentrations of colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk of women who had given birth prematurely. This longitudinal randomised-controlled trial divided eighty-nine women into two groups: a control group and a supplemented group. Blood and breast milk were collected from all the participants after delivery. Next, each woman in the supplemented group received 400 IU of RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate. Further breast milk samples were collected 24 h after the first collection, as well as 7 and 30 d after delivery. α-Tocopherol concentrations were determined by HPLC. The baseline α-tocopherol concentrations in the maternal serum of the two groups were similar: 1159·8 (sd 292·4) µg/dl (27·0 (SD 6·8) µmol/l) for the control group and 1128·3 (sd 407·2) µg/dl (26·2 (SD 9·5) µmol/l) for the supplemented group. None of the women was vitamin E deficient. Breast milk α-tocopherol concentrations increased by 60 % 24 h after supplementation in the intervention group and did not increase at all in the control group. α-Tocopherol concentration of the transitional milk in the supplemented group was 35 % higher compared with the control group. α-Tocopherol concentrations of the mature milk in both groups were similar. Maternal supplementation with 400 IU of RRR-α-tocopherol increased the vitamin E concentrations of the colostrum and transitional milk, but not of the mature milk. This study presents relevant information for the design of strategies to prevent and combat vitamin E deficiency in the risk group of preterm infants.

Simvastatin and artesunate impact the structural organization of adult Schistosoma mansoni in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Experimental data have shown that simvastatin and artesunate possess activity against Schistosoma mansoni worms in mice fed standard chow. However, little is known regarding the roles of these drugs in mice fed high-fat chow. We have extended past studies by measuring the effects of these drugs on the structural organization of adult schistosomes in hypercholesterolemic mice. For this purpose, mice were gavaged with either simvastatin or artesunate at nine weeks post-infection and were euthanized by cervical dislocation at two weeks post-treatment. Adult worms were then collected and examined by conventional light microscopy, morphometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Plasma total cholesterol and worm reduction rates were significantly increased in mice fed high-fat chow compared with their respective control groups. Simvastatin and artesunate caused changes in the tegument, tubercles, and reproductive system (testicular lobes, vitelline glands and ovarian cells), particularly when administered to mice fed high-fat chow. In particular, the tegument and tubercles were significantly thinner in artesunate-treated worms in mice fed high-fat chow compared with mice fed standard chow. This study thus demonstrated that simvastatin and artesunate have several novel effects on the structural organization of adult worms. Together, these results show, for the first time, that simvastatin and artesunate display antischistosomal activity in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Estimated energy and nutrient intake in complementary feeding methods in Brazilian infants: randomized clinical trial.

Inadequate nutrient intake during complementary feeding (CF) can affect healthy infant growth and development. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to examine the energy and nutrient intake in Brazilian children randomly assigned to three distinct CF methods. Mother-infant pairs participated in the study, with mothers receiving interventions in one of three CF approaches: (A) strict Parent-Led Weaning (PLW); (B) strict Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS); and (C) a mixed method. Assessments were made at 5.5 months, nine months, and 12 months of the child's age. Food consumption was measured through 24-h dietary recalls at nine and 12 months, with intake estimates calculated using the Brazilian Food Composition Table. Means or medians of energy and nutrients were compared between groups using ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test or the Kruskal-Wallis test. A total of 115 infants were evaluated at nine months, and 102 at 12 months. Children in the PLW, BLISS, and mixed method groups exhibited comparable dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients at both nine and 12 months. Infants following PLW, BLISS, and mixed methods demonstrated similar levels of energy and nutrient intake, underscoring the effectiveness of these strategies in ensuring comparable nutrient intake during the critical phase of CF.Trial registration The trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) with identifier [RBR-229scm U1111-1226-9516], [ https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-229scm ]. The full data of the first registration was on 24/09/2019.

Feasibility of whole-body MRI for cancer screening in children and young people with ataxia telangiectasia: A mixed methods cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is an inherited multisystem disorder with increased sensitivity to ionising radiation and elevated cancer risk. Although other cancer predisposition syndromes have established cancer screening protocols, evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening in A-T are lacking. This study sought to assess feasibility of a cancer screening protocol based on whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) in children and young people with A-T. DESIGN/METHODS: Children and young people with A-T were invited to undergo a one-off non-sedated 3-Tesla WB-MRI. Completion rate of WB-MRI was recorded and diagnostic image quality assessed by two experienced radiologists, with pre-specified success thresholds for scan completion of >50% participants and image quality between acceptable to excellent in 65% participants. Positive imaging findings were classified according to the ONCO-RADS system. Post-participation interviews were performed with recruited families to assess the experience of participating and feelings about waiting for, and communication of, the findings of the scan. RESULTS: Forty-six children and young people with A-T were identified, of which 36 were eligible to participate, 18 were recruited and 16 underwent WB-MRI. Nineteen parents participated in interviews. Fifteen participants (83%) completed the full WB-MRI scan protocol. The pre-specified image quality criterion was achieved with diagnostic images obtained in at least 93% of each MRI sequence. Non-malignant scan findings were present in 4 (25%) participants. Six themes were identified from the interviews: (1) anxiety is a familiar feeling, (2) the process of MRI scanning is challenging for some children and families, (3) preparation is essential to reduce stress, (4) WB-MRI provides the reassurance about the physical health that families need, (5) WB-MRI experience turned out to be a positive experience and (6) WB-MRI allows families to be proactive. CONCLUSION: This study shows that WB-MRI for cancer screening is feasible and well-accepted by children and young people with A-T and their families.

Gestational diabetes mellitus early prediction by maternal body fat index: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the performance of maternal body fat index (BFI) assessed during the first 20+6 weeks among 138 pregnant women in an ultrasound outpatient clinic as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) later in pregnancy. METHOD: Maternal visceral and subcutaneous fat was measured with a convex ultrasound probe placed in two locations on the maternal abdominal surface: the first in the mid-sagittal epigastric region, visualising epigastric fat, and the second 2cm above the maternal umbilical scar, visualising periumbilical fat. Ultrasound callipers measured the distance from dermal edge to the linea alba and after from the linea alba to the anterior hepatic surface (epigastric fat). Periumbilical fat was measured from the dermal edge to the linea alba and after from the linea alba to the anterior aortic surface. The BFI formula was [visceral adipose tissue (mm)×subcutaneous adipose tissue (mm)]/maternal height (cm). RESULTS: The best thresholds for predicting GDM outcome for epigastric and periumbilical BFI were 1.2 and 4.8, respectively. Odds ratio, sensitivity and specificity were 5.88 (95% CI 1.86-18.6), 80.9%, 58.0% for the epigastric site and 6.31 (95% CI 1.73-22.94), 84.2%, 54.2% for the periumbilical site. Pre-pregnancy body mass index compatible with adult obesity shows inadequate predictive performance for GDM outcome. Only epigastric BFI above 1.2 maintained statistical significance for GDM in the logistic regression analysis, when compared to periumbilical BFI above 4.8. CONCLUSION: Epigastric BFI above 1.2 during the first half of pregnancy may help identify women at risk of developing GDM later in pregnancy.

In vitro excystation of Echinostoma paraensei (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) metacercariae assessed by light microscopy, morphometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Trypsin and bile salts have been identified as important triggers for excystation of Echinostoma metacercariae. Although excystation in trematodes is a well-known phenomenon, some morphological developmental changes remain to be elucidated. In order to gain further insight into the in vitro development of metacercariae, we assayed different cultivating conditions: 0.5% trypsin and 0.5% bile salts; 1% trypsin and 1% bile salts; 1% trypsin and 0.5% bile salts; 0.5% bile salts; or 0.5% trypsin. By means of light microscopy and confocal microscopy, we characterized each encysted, activated, breached and excysted stage based on the morphological features. However, breached and excysted stages were not revealed in both bile salts and trypsin-free medium. Excretory concretions (25 ± 3.9) were visualized within excretory tubules, close to the ventral sucker and genital anlage. The oral sucker armed with spines and digestive system was similar to those of adult worms. The reproductive system is composed of a genital anlage and the cirrus sac primordium. In short, trypsin and bile salts associated were fundamental for the in vitro metacercariae excystation of Echinostoma paraensei. This article presents the first detailed information of all stages of metacercariae excystation obtained through light and confocal microscopy.

Does early fruit juice introduction influence anthropometric outcomes and food consumption at preschool age? / A introdução precoce de sucos pode influenciar desfechos antropométricos e consumo alimentar em idade pré-escolar?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of fruit juice consumption before 6 months of age on Body Mass Index-for-age (BMI-for-age) and food consumption in preschoolers. We conducted a longitudinal study with mothers and their children (n=103) at 6 months and 3-6 years. Weight and height were measured and converted into BMI-for-age z-scores. Food consumption was analyzed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire for Children. Groups were compared using the chi-squared and Student's t-tests. No differences in anthropometric measurements were found at preschool age between children who had been given fruit juice before 6 months and those who had not. Consumption of artificial juice (≥once/day) and sandwich cookies at preschool age was higher in children with early introduction of fruit juice (≤150 days of life) (63.8% versus 35.7%; p=0.028 and 21.3% versus 14.3%; p=0.001, respectively). The prevalence of the consumption of soda (1 to 4 times/week) and chocolate milk (at least once/day) was higher in children who had been given artificial juice before 6 months (69.2% versus 27.4%; p=0.014 and 38.5% versus 69.4%; p=0.027, respectively). It can be concluded that the consumption of sweet foods and sugary beverages was higher in children with early introduction of fruit juice.

Objetivou-se avaliar o impacto do consumo de sucos antes dos 6 meses de idade no Índice de Massa Corporal para Idade (IMC/I) e no consumo alimentar em pré-escolares. Estudo longitudinal com amostra composta por mães e seus filhos (n=103) entre 6 meses e 3 a 6 anos. Peso e estatura foram aferidos e convertidos para o escore z de IMC/I. Para avaliar o consumo alimentar, foi utilizado o Questionário de Frequência Alimentar Infantil. Testes de Qui-Quadrado e t de Student foram utilizados para comparação entre os grupos. Não houve diferença nos parâmetros antropométricos entre pré-escolares que receberam ou não suco antes dos seis meses. Aquelas que tiveram introdução de suco mais precoce (≤150 dias de vida) apresentaram consumo mais frequente (≥1x/dia) de suco artificial (63,8% versus 35,7%; p=0,028) e biscoito recheado (21,3% versus 14,3%; p=0,001) na idade pré-escolar. Crianças que receberam suco do tipo artificial antes dos 6 meses tiveram maior prevalência de consumo de refrigerante entre 1 e 4x/semana (69,2% versus 27,4%; p=0,014) e menor prevalência de consumo de achocolatado pelo menos 1x/dia (38,5% versus 69,4%; p=0,027). Sendo assim, crianças com introdução precoce de suco apresentaram maior consumo de alimentos doces e bebidas açucaradas em fase pré-escolar.

Can the complementary feeding method be a strategy to reduce the offer of ultra-processed foods?

OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of the offer of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and to analyze their associated factors in the child's first year of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 119 mother-infant pairs. At 5.5 months of the child, the mothers received guidance on complementary feeding (CF) according to three methods: Parent-Led Weaning (PLW), Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS), or mixed (a combination of PLW and BLISS). At nine and 12 months, the mothers answered a questionnaire about the offer of UPFs. The NOVA classification, which classifies foods according to the nature, extent, and purposes of the industrial processes to which they are subjected, was used to list the UPFs. Descriptive statistics and multivariate Poisson regression, following a multilevel hierarchical model according to the proximity to the outcome, were used to estimate the association between dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of UPF consumption was 63% (n = 75) in the first year of life. Receiving guidance on healthy CF in the BLISS method showed to be a protective factor for offering UPFs (RR 0.72; CI95 0.52-0.99). Attending less than six prenatal consultations was a risk factor for the UPFs provision (RR 1.39; CI95 1.07-1.80). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UPFs offered in the first year of life in this study can be considered high, and future interventions aimed at avoiding UPFs offered in this population should consider the CF method.

Functional constipation symptoms and complementary feeding methods: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of different complementary feeding methods on the prevalence of functional constipation symptoms in infants at 12 months of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized clinical trial in mother-infant dyads that underwent the intervention at 5.5 months post birth, randomly allocated to one of three complementary food introduction methods: PLW (parent-led weaning), Baby-led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) and a mixed approach. The symptoms of constipation were assessed at 12 months with an online questionnaire based on the Rome IV diagnostic criteria and adapted to our sample. The data were summarised as absolute frequencies and percentages and compared by means of the χ2 test. The project was approved by the ethics committee of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre under number 2019-0230. RESULTS: We analysed data corresponding to 135 infants, 45 allocated to PLW, 48 to BLISS and 42 to the mixed approach. The prevalence of constipation symptoms was 49.6% in the overall sample (n = 67), 60% (n = 27) in the PLW group, 47.9% (n = 23) in the BLISS group and 40.5% (n = 17) in the mixed approach group. We found no association between functional constipation symptoms and the method used to introduce complementary foods (P = .183). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of functional constipation symptoms was high in the study population. The presence of constipation symptoms was not associated with the complementary feeding approach.

Adherence to different complementary feeding methods in the first year of life: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Infant-guided methods, such as Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS), encourage children to feed themselves from the same food consumed by their family since the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods, in opposition to the Parent-Led Weaning (PLW) method, which proposes foods mashed with a fork and given by parents. Adherence to child-guided methods is low due to a lack of confidence in the children's ability to feed themselves. This study aimed to assess adherence to three methods of food introduction: PLW, BLISS, or mixed (PLW and BLISS) at seven, nine, and 12 months of age. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with mother-infant pairs undergoing intervention at 5.5 months of age. Data were presented in absolute numbers and percentages and analyzed using the Chi-Square test. RESULTS: The sample was constituted of 139 mother-infant pairs: 45 (32%) used PLW, 48 (35%) used BLISS, and 46 (33%) used the mixed method. Adherence to the method at seven, nine, and 12 months of age children was 34.1% (n = 45), 28.5% (n = 37), and 34.1% (n = 46), respectively. The mixed method presented significantly higher adherence results: 69.0% (n = 29) at seven months, 55.8% (n = 24) at nine months, and 78.6% (n = 33) at 12 months (p<0.001). Among the sample that unfollowed the proposed method, those who used PLW and BLISS migrated mostly to the mixed method at 12 months, 60.0% (n = 27) and 72.9% (n = 35) of them, respectively, because of the feeding mode and 97.8% (n = 44) and 100.0% (n = 48) because of food consistency. CONCLUSION: Complementary feeding in a mixed method presented higher adherence at seven, nine, and 12 months of age of children, which shows the feasibility of this approach to guide families in the introduction of complementary feeding.

Schistosoma mansoni coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (SmCARM1) effect on parasite reproduction.

Introduction: The human blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni relies on diverse mechanisms to adapt to its diverse environments and hosts. Epigenetic mechanisms play a central role in gene expression regulation, culminating in such adaptations. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) promote posttranslational modifications, modulating the function of histones and non-histone targets. The coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1/PRMT4) is one of the S. mansoni proteins with the PRMT core domain. Methods: We carried out in silico analyses to verify the expression of SmPRMTs in public datasets from different infection stages, single-sex versus mixed-worms, and cell types. The SmCARM1 function was evaluated by RNA interference. Gene expression levels were assessed, and phenotypic alterations were analyzed in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. Results: The scRNAseq data showed that SmPRMTs expression is not enriched in any cell cluster in adult worms or schistosomula, except for Smcarm1 expression which is enriched in clusters of ambiguous cells and Smprmt1 in NDF+ neurons and stem/germinal cells from schistosomula. Smprmt1 is also enriched in S1 and late female germ cells from adult worms. After dsRNA exposure in vitro, we observed a Smcarm1 knockdown in schistosomula and adult worms, 83 and 69%, respectively. Smcarm1-knockdown resulted in reduced oviposition and no significant changes in the schistosomula or adult worm phenotypes. In vivo analysis after murine infection with Smcarm1 knocked-down schistosomula, showed no significant change in the number of worms recovered from mice, however, a significant reduction in the number of eggs recovered was detected. The ex vivo worms presented a significant decrease in the ovary area with a lower degree of cell differentiation, vitelline glands cell disorganization, and a decrease in the testicular lobe area. The worm tegument presented a lower number of tubercles, and the ventral sucker of the parasites presented a damaged tegument and points of detachment from the parasite body. Discussion: This work brings the first functional characterization of SmCARM1 shedding light on its roles in S. mansoni biology and its potential as a drug target. Additional studies are necessary to investigate whether the reported effects of Smcarm1 knockdown are a consequence of the SmCARM1-mediated methylation of histone tails involved in DNA packaging or other non-histone proteins.

Corrigendum: Schistosoma mansoni coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (SmCARM1) effect on parasite reproduction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1079855.].

Obesity Cut-Off Points Using Prepregnancy Body Mass Index according to Cardiometabolic Conditions in Pregnancy.

Aim: To suggest cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) using gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as cardiometabolic conditions in pregnancy. Methods: In this prospective study, singleton pregnant women from the fetal medicine service of the Brazilian Unified Health System were included. The pregnancy, perinatal, and newborn data were obtained from the clinical medical records. Maternal anthropometry included an assessment of weight and height and the prepregnancy BMI evaluation categorized according to the World Health Organization cut-off points. The area under the curve and confidence interval values from receiver operator curves were generated to identify the optimal cut-off points using prepregnancy BMI with better sensitivity and specificity. Results: Data on 218 pregnancies were analyzed, with 57.9% (n = 124) being classified as overweight/obese, 11% (n = 24) with GDM, 6.9% (n = 15) with preeclampsia, and 11.0% (n = 24) with gestational hypertension. The BMI cut-off points for predicting cardiometabolic conditions were 27.52 kg/m2 (S: 66.7%; E: 63.8%) for women with GDM; 27.40 kg/m2 (S: 73.3%; E: 62.4%; S: 79.2%; E: 64.9%; S: 70.3%; E: 66.3%) for women with preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and gestational hypertension plus preeclampsia, respectively; and 27.96 kg/m2 (S: 69.6%; E: 65.6%) for women with preeclampsia plus GDM. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the optimal prepregnancy BMI cut-off point is around 27 kg/m2 for pregnant women with maternal cardiometabolic conditions.

Low doses of 3-phenyl-lawsone or meglumine antimoniate delivery by tattooing route are successful in reducing parasite load in cutaneous lesions of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis-infected hamsters.

Current therapeutic ways adopted for the treatment of leishmaniasis are toxic and expensive including parasite resistance is a growing problem. Given this scenario, it is urgent to explore treatment alternatives for leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3-phenyl-lawsone (3-PL) naphthoquinone on Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection, both in vitro and in vivo, using two local routes of administration: subcutaneous (higher dose) and tattoo (lower dose). In vitro 3-PL showed low toxicity for macrophages (CC50 >3200 µM/48h) and activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 = 193 ± 19 µM/48h) and promastigotes (IC50 = 116 ± 26 µM/72h), in which induced increased ROS generation. Additionally, 3-PL up-regulated the production of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 in infected macrophages. However, the anti-amastigote action was independent of nitric oxide production. Treatment of hamsters infected with L. (V.) braziliensis from one week after infection with 3-PL by subcutaneous (25 µg/Kg) or tattooing (2.5 µg/Kg) route, during 3 weeks (3 times/week) or 2 weeks (2 times/week) significantly decreased the parasite load (p<0.001) in the lesion. The reduction of parasite load by 3-PL treatment was comparable to reference drug meglumine antimoniate administered by the same routes (subcutaneous 1mg/Kg and tattoo 0.1mg/Kg). In addition, treatment started from five weeks after infection with 3-PL per tattoo also decreased the parasite load. These results show the anti-leishmanial effect of 3-PL against L. (V.) braziliensis and its efficacy by subcutaneous (higher dose) and tattoo (lower dose) routes. In addition, this study shows that drug delivery by tattooing the lesion allows the use of lower doses than the conventional subcutaneous route, which may support the development of a new therapeutic strategy that can be adopted for leishmaniasis.