Comparison of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs inoculated with blood or metacyclic trypomastigotes of Berenice-62 and Berenice-78 strains via intraperitoneal and conjunctival routes

This paper aimed to verify the influence of the inoculum source (blood or metacyclic trypomastigote) and the route of inoculation (intraperitoneal or conjunctival) on the course of T. cruzi infection in dogs, using comparatively the T. cruzi strains Berenice-62 and Berenice-78. All dogs inoculated intraperitoneally became infected independently of the T. cruzi strain and source of trypomastigotes used. High level of infectivity was also observed when metacyclic trypomastigotes of both strains were inoculated by conjunctival route. However, when blood trypomastigotes were inoculated by conjunctival route the percentages of infectivity were significantly lower in dogs inoculated with both strains. Parasitaemia was significantly higher in animals infected with metacyclic trypomastigotes via the conjunctival route independently of the T. cruzi strain used. All animals infected with Berenice-78 strain showed severe acute myocarditis. On the other hand, animals infected with Berenice-62 showed severe acute myocarditis only when infected with metacyclic trypomastigote, via the intraperitoneal route. The results suggest that the source of the inoculum and the route of inoculation remarkably influence the evolution of the infection for the T. cruzi in the vertebrate host even when the same strain of the parasite is used.

Fourth European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-4): guidelines for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of invasive fungal diseases in paediatric patients with cancer or allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Invasive opportunistic fungal diseases (IFDs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in paediatric patients with cancer and those who have had an allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Apart from differences in underlying disorders and comorbidities relative to those of adults, IFDs in infants, children, and adolescents are unique with respect to their epidemiology, the usefulness of diagnostic methods, the pharmacology and dosing of antifungal agents, and the absence of interventional phase 3 clinical trials for guidance of evidence-based decisions. To better define the state of knowledge on IFDs in paediatric patients with cancer and allogeneic HSCT and to improve IFD diagnosis, prevention, and management, the Fourth European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-4) in 2011 convened a group that reviewed the scientific literature on IFDs and graded the available quality of evidence according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America grading system. The final considerations and recommendations of the group are summarised in this manuscript.

The impact of substituting SFA in dairy products with MUFA or PUFA on CVD risk: evidence from human intervention studies

With the substantial economic and social burden of CVD, the need to modify diet and lifestyle factors to reduce risk has become increasingly important. Milk and dairy products, being one of the main contributors to SFA intake in the UK, are a potential target for dietary SFA reduction. Supplementation of the dairy cow's diet with a source of MUFA or PUFA may have beneficial effects on consumers' CVD risk by partially replacing milk SFA, thus reducing entry of SFA into the food chain. A total of nine chronic human intervention studies have used dairy products, modified through bovine feeding, to establish their effect on CVD risk markers. Of these studies, the majority utilised modified butter as their primary test product and used changes in blood cholesterol concentrations as their main risk marker. Of the eight studies that measured blood cholesterol, four reported a significant reduction in total and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) following chronic consumption of modified milk and dairy products. Data from one study suggested that a significant reduction in LDL-C could be achieved in both the healthy and hypercholesterolaemic population. Thus, evidence from these studies suggests that consumption of milk and dairy products with modified fatty acid composition, compared with milk and dairy products of typical milk fat composition, may be beneficial to CVD risk in healthy and hypercholesterolaemic individuals. However, current evidence is insufficient and further work is needed to investigate the complex role of milk and cheese in CVD risk and explore the use of novel markers of CVD risk.

Protection against high-dose homologous infection in calves immunized with intestine or membrane extracts from Haemonchus placei

Control of Haemonchus placei, one of the most important cattle nematodes in Brazil, relies on the use of anthelmintics. However, there is a need for integrated control, which includes active immunization. The aim of this work was to assess the protection afforded to calves by immunization with adult H. placei extracts against a high-dose challenge infection, a condition frequently found in the tropics. Holstein calves aged 8-10 months were immunized four times with intestinal extracts (Group D) or with a Triton X-100-soluble fraction of adult H. placei (Group A), challenge-infected with 120,000 infective larvae and sacrificed 40 days later. Immunized animals had higher IgG titers than the controls against tested fractions after the 2nd immunization, peaking after the 4th. Sera from both immunized groups recognized bands of similar apparent mass in both antigenic preparations, some of which were similar in molecular weight to Haemonchus contortus antigens with known protective effect to sheep. Egg counts were 49% and 57% lower in Groups A and D than in controls, respectively. High levels of protection were observed in two of the four calves in Group D, as evidenced by very low worm numbers recovered at necropsy, absence of eggs in the uteri of the recovered females and reduced worm length. Group D animals also showed milder signs of anemia than the other infected animals. Results demonstrate that protection against homologous high-dose challenge can be achieved by immunizing calves with H. placei gut antigens. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cardiovascular assessment in horses sedated with xylazine or amitraz

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

In vitro evaluation of marginal leakage in bonded restorations, with mechanical or chemical-mechanical (Carisolv) removal of carious tissue

This study carried out an in vitro evaluation and comparison of the occurrence of marginal leakage in bonded restorations using mechanical or chemical-mechanical (Carisolv) removal of carious tissue. For that purpose, 40 extracted decayed human molars were divided into 4 groups: GI (burs + Prime & Bond NT + TPH), GII (Carisolv + Prime & Bond NT + TPH), GIII (burs + SBMP + Z100) and GIV (Carisolv + SBMP + Z100). After accomplishment of the restorations and thermal cycling, the teeth were exposed to dye, sectioned and qualitatively evaluated. The results demonstrated that the system of removal of carious tissue did not influence the results of microleakage at any of the cavity margins. At dentinal margins, use of the Prime & Bond NT + TPH restorative system allowed the occurrence of less microleakage than the SBMP + Z100 system.

The problems of intellectual property in Latin America and how to address them

Includes bibliography

Bone densitometry and calcium serum levels in chickens treated with filtered or unfiltered water

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

IRS-1 gene polymorphism and DNA damage in pregnant women with diabetes or mild gestational hyperglycemia

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

Depression and anxiety in pregnant women with diabetes or mild hyperglycemia

A number of physical and psychological changes that occur during pregnancy can stimulate the development of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. The study evaluated psychological aspects related to maternal depression and anxiety in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia, contrasting the results with those of non-diabetic pregnant women. In a prospective and longitudinal approach, two questionnaires were applied and validated for use in Brazil, the Beck depression inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The questionnaires were applied to pregnant women at the first prenatal visit or at the time of disease diagnosis (T1) and reapplied at admission for delivery (T2). Regardless of the degree of hyperglycemia, both at first and in the second stage most women had severe anxiety trait. In early pregnancy (T1), however, severe state anxiety was more frequent in women with hyperglycemia than in those from the NG group. Most pregnant women showed moderate state anxiety over their pregnancy, regardless of glycemic status. In early pregnancy, however, severe state anxiety was more prevalent in hyperglycemic women than in those with normal glycemic status. Most women showed moderate trait anxiety and mild depression in both early and late pregnancy, irrespective of glycemic status. The incidence of severe state anxiety in early pregnancy is more frequent in women with diabetes or hyperglycemia, but their levels of trait anxiety and depression are not affected by glycemic status.

Phase II study of oral capsular 4-hydroxyphenylretinamide (4-HPR/fenretinide) in pediatric patients with refractory or recurrent neuroblastoma: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

To determine the response rate to oral capsular fenretinide in children with recurrent or biopsy proven refractory high-risk neuroblastoma.

Immune response to influenza vaccination in children treated with methotrexate or/and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors

In children treated with immunosuppressive medication such as methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, additional immunizations are recommended because of increased susceptibility to infections. However, it is unclear if adequate antibody response to vaccinations can be established in children receiving methotrexate and/or TNF-α inhibitors. In a prospective open label study, we assessed seroprotection and seroconversion following influenza vaccination during 2 seasons (6 strains) in 36 children with autoimmune disease treated either with methotrexate (n=18), TNF-α inhibitors (n=10) or both (n=8) and a control group of 16 immunocompetent children. Influenza antibody titers were determined by hemagglutinin inhibition assay, before and 4-8 weeks after vaccination. Post-vaccination seroprotection (defined as a titer ≥1:40) did not significantly differ between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent subjects. Seroconversion, defined as the change from a nonprotective (< 1:40) to a protective titer (≥1:40) with at least a 4-fold titer increase, was less likely to occur in immunosuppressed patients, although no significant difference from the control group was established. Safety evaluation of vaccination showed no serious adverse events. Children receiving methotrexate and/or TNF-α inhibitors can be safely and effectively immunized against influenza, with a seroprotection after vaccination comparable to immunocompetent children.