Automated diagnosis of human intestinal parasites using optical microscopy images

Intestinal parasitosis constitutes a serious health problem in most tropical countries. The diagnosis of enteroparasites in laboratory routine relies on the examination of stool samples using optical microscopy and the error rates usually range from moderate to high. Approaches based on automatic image analysis have been proposed, but the methods are usually specific for some species, some of them are computationally expensive, and image acquisition and focus are manual. We present a solution to automate the diagnosis of the 15 most common species of enteroparasites in Brazil, using a sensitive parasitological technique, a motorized microscope with digital camera for automatic image acquisition and focus, and fast image analysis methods. The results indicate that our solution is effective and suitable for laboratory routine, in which the exam must be concluded in a few minutes. © 2013 IEEE.

Efeitos do extrato de Baccharis dracunculifolia DC em diferentes mediadores da inflamação intestinal induzida por TNBS em ratos

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Farmacologia) - IBB

Influência do jejum e do cloro sobre a microbiologia e morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte durante o período pré-abate

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influência da granulometria da matéria-prima e da configuração da extrusora no conteúdo de amido resistente, digestibilidade, fermentação intestinal e respostas metabólicas de cães

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Cicatrização intestinal em ratos submetidos à ingestão de etanol

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Microbiota intestinal em pacientes com infecções bacterianas do trato respiratório tratados com amoxicilina

Pós-graduação em Doenças Tropicais - FMB

Caracterização molecular da microbiota e morfologia intestinal da tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) após suplementação dietética com mananoligossacarídeo (MOS)

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Prebiotic Effect of Fructooligosaccharide in the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME (R) Model)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pacientes acometidos por doença inflamatória intestinal tratados com terapia biológica

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Molecular characterization of intestinal protozoa in two poor communities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Uso do amido resistente na promoção da saúde intestinal de cães idosos: formação de produtos de fermentação e características histológicas da mucosa intestinal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fibra para cães: efeitos sobre o processo de extrusão, digestibilidade, fermentação microbiana, tempo de retenção intestinal e palatabilidade de rações para cães

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fermentation by gut microbiota cultured in a simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem is improved probiotic Enterococcus faecium CRL 183

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Histomorphometric study of role of lactoferrin in atrophy of the intestinal mucosa of rats

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of oral administration of lactoferrin (Lf) in rats subjected to atrophy of the small intestine induced by a diet based on soy protein concentrate as the main protein source. We used 24 male Wistar rats aged 40 days, kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions of temperature, light and humidity. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 6); 1) group SL received soy-based food and, once a day, a supplement of 200mg/kg of Lf administered by gavage; 2) group Si received the soy feed without supplement of Lf; 3) group CL received a diet based on casein plus Lf; 4) group Ci received the casein diet without supplement of Lf. At the end of fifteen days, a 10 mm segment of the initial portion of the small intestine was sectioned and subjected to morphometry of the intestinal crypts and villi and assessment of the number and size of myofibroblasts. Comparison between groups showed that the length of the villi was similar in groups Ci and CL and higher in CL than in SL; SL than in Si, in Ci than in SL, and in Ci than in Si to Ci. The crypt depth was similar in SL and CL, SL and Ci and Ci and CL and was higher in Si than in Ci and in Si than in SL. The number of myofibroblasts was higher in SL than in CL, in SL than in Si, in CL than in Ci, and in SL than in and Ci; between Ci and Si there was no difference. The area of myofibroblasts was similar between the groups SL and CL and Si and Ci and higher in SL than in Si, and in Cl than in and Ci, and in SL than in Ci. All statistical analysis assumed significance when p < 0.05. From these results, we conclude that lactoferrin increases the number and size of the pericrypt myofibroblasts and stimulates rapidly the regeneration of atrophied villi.

Medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation: perception of the health risk and practical educational group in Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil

The use of medicinal plants among pregnant women and lactating is a common practice in diverse countries. However, many medicinal plants are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactating, due to various adverse effects, such as teratogenic, embryotoxic and abortive effects, exposing these women, their fetus and babies to health unknown risks. Thus, the purpose of this commentary, was to analyze the perception about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women and lactating registered in the "baby on board" NGO, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil, between 2010 at 2013. The group was constituted by 48 women, between the first and last trimester of pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Information was collected during group meetings by oral interview, using a questionnaire, as script. The nature of the study was a qualitative analysis. The results were based on reports about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women during group meetings: use, indication of use, knowledge about risks. All participants received written and oral information about the study and they gave a written informed consent. The use of medicinal plants is a reality among pregnant and lactating women of the "baby on board" NGO. They reported that they feel that "natural" products are not harmful for their health. The primary information sources for the majority of women about medicinal plants during pregnancy are family, neighbors and herbalists. The plants most cited (in popular name in Brazil) were: senna, chamomile, boldo, lemon balm, lemon grass. They were used mainly for: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, intestinal and abdominal pain, anxiety, intestinal constipation and low milk production. The pregnant and lactating women lacked knowledge about the health risks of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in pregnancy and lactation. They also reported difficulties in clarifying some questions about the use of medicinal plants with their doctors. The results of the present study showed that educative actions about the rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and breastfeeding could be part of the operating protocols to promote the maternal and child health programs in Araraquara. Thus, our results also suggest the importance of creating institutionalized places, to the implementation of continued education programs about rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation. These targeted programs are not only for health professionals, but also for community members, pregnant women and breastfeeding. Our results pointed out the importance of guidance of doctors and healthcare professionals on the scientific studies about medicinal plants and herbal medicines and the risk/benefit of using herbs during pregnancy. Finally, it is noted the importance of the health professionals to inform women of childbearing on risks to their health, as well as on possibilities of utilization of herbs during fertile period, giving special attention to the potential risk of self-medication.