Health education and the control of intestinal worm infections in China : a new vision

Background: The transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) is associated with poverty, poor hygiene behaviour, lack of clean water and inadequate waste disposal and sanitation. Periodic administration of benzimidazole drugs is the mainstay for global STH control but it does not prevent re-infection, and is unlikely to interrupt transmission as a stand-alone intervention. Findings: We reported recently on the development and successful testing in Hunan province, PR China, of a health education package to prevent STH infections in Han Chinese primary school students. We have recently commenced a new trial of the package in the ethnically diverse Xishuangbanna autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province and the approach is also being tested in West Africa, with further expansion into the Philippines in 2015. Conclusions: The work in China illustrates well the direct impact that health education can have in improving knowledge and awareness, and in changing hygiene behaviour. Further, it can provide insight into the public health outcomes of a multi-component integrated control program, where health education prevents re-infection and periodic drug treatment reduces prevalence and morbidity.

Mapping the risk of soil-transmitted helminthic infections in the Philippines

Background In order to increase the efficient allocation of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) disease control resources in the Philippines, we aimed to describe for the first time the spatial variation in the prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm across the country, quantify the association between the physical environment and spatial variation of STH infection and develop predictive risk maps for each infection. Methodology/Principal Findings Data on STH infection from 35,573 individuals across the country were geolocated at the barangay level and included in the analysis. The analysis was stratified geographically in two major regions: 1) Luzon and the Visayas and 2) Mindanao. Bayesian geostatistical models of STH prevalence were developed, including age and sex of individuals and environmental variables (rainfall, land surface temperature and distance to inland water bodies) as predictors, and diagnostic uncertainty was incorporated. The role of environmental variables was different between regions of the Philippines. This analysis revealed that while A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections were widespread and highly endemic, hookworm infections were more circumscribed to smaller foci in the Visayas and Mindanao. Conclusions/Significance This analysis revealed significant spatial variation in STH infection prevalence within provinces of the Philippines. This suggests that a spatially targeted approach to STH interventions, including mass drug administration, is warranted. When financially possible, additional STH surveys should be prioritized to high-risk areas identified by our study in Luzon.

Genome constitutions of Hystrix patula, H-duthiei ssp duthiei and H-duthiei ssp longearistata (Poaceae : Triticeae) revealed by meiotic pairing behavior and genomic in-situ hybridization

Genomic constitutions of three taxa of Hystrix Moench, H. patula, H. duthiei ssp. duthiei and H. duthiei ssp. longearistata, were examined by meiotic pairing behavior and genomic in-situ hybridization. Meiotic pairing in hybrids of H. patula x Pseudoroegneria spicata (St), H. patula x Elymus wawawaiensis (StH), H. patula x H. duthiei ssp. longearistata, H. patula x Psathyrostachys huashanica (Ns(h)), H. duthiei ssp. duthiei x Psa. huashanica, H. duthiei ssp. longearistata x Psa. huashanica, Leymus multicaulis (NsXm) x H. duthiei ssp. longearistata averaged 6.53, 12.83, 1.32, 0.29, 5.18, 5.11 and 10.47 bivalents per cell, respectively. The results indicate that H. patula has the StH genome and H. duthiei ssp. duthiei and H. duthiei ssp. longearistata have the NsXm genome. Results of genomic in-situ hybridization analysis strongly supported the chromosome pairing data; therefore it is concluded that the type species of Hystrix, H. patula, should be included in Elymus, and that H. duthiei ssp. duthiei and H. duthiei ssp. longearistata should be transferred to Leymus.

Os alunos de risco no 2º ciclo da Escola Básica 2, 3 Ana de Castro Osório, no ano lectivo 2004/2005: um estudo de caso

O presente estudo aborda a problemática dos alunos de risco no 2° Ciclo da E.B. 2,3 Ana de Castro Osório, no ano letivo 2004/2005. Na dimensão teórica são referenciadas algumas questões de Organização Escolar (escola reflexiva, autonomia de escola, gestores intermédios e supervisão escolar, o papel do Diretor de Turma, o Projeto Curricular de Escola, algumas linhas orientadoras da política educativa portuguesa, no período em que decorre a elaboração desta investigação) e abordados alguns aspetos gerais dos pré-adolescentes, diversos conceitos de risco, a ação de diversas entidades com competência na área da infância e juventude, o papel da família e a relação desta com a escola. Foi utilizada a metodologia do “Estudo Caso”, no decurso da qual foram analisados documentos internos da escola e elaborados instrumentos de recolha de dados (questionários aplicados aos Alunos e aos seus Diretores de Turma). No tratamento das informações de natureza quantitativa, utilizou-se o programa informático Excel, enquanto nas questões abertas procedeu-se à análise de conteúdo. Em síntese, concluiu-se que: a) um terço dos alunos que frequentava o 2° Ciclo do Ensino Básico, foi sinalizado como “aluno de risco”. Cerca de 75% era do 5° Ano de Escolaridade. Os fatores de risco que mais se destacam são: assiduidade irregular, desmotivação/desinteresse/apatia, défice de atenção e concentração, indisciplina e retenções sucessivas no seu percurso escolar. A família é pouco participativa. b) a resposta curricular dá-se essencialmente dentro da sala de aula; c) a resposta organizacional assenta essencialmente nalgumas medidas previstas nos documentos legislativos. Na última parte do trabalho deixamos expressas as conclusões do estudo mais pormenorizadas, bem como algumas recomendações/sugestões que eventualmente, poderão orientar posteriores investigações. /ABSTRACT - The risk students on a 2nd Cycle of classroom of the E.B. 2, 3 Ana de Castro Osório, during academic year of 2004/2005: A Case study The present study attempts to assess risk students on a 2nd Cycle (Sth and 6th grades) classroom of the “E.B. 2, 3 Ana de Castro Osório” Public School during the academic year of 2004/2005. On a theoretical scale, are assessed some questions about the Classroom Organization (reflexive school, school autonomy, intermediate directors and school supervision, the role of the Class Tutor, the School Curricular Project, some guidelines about the Portuguese education policy during the period when this study took place), and was also assessed some general aspects of preadolescents, risk concepts, and actions taken by various organizations specialized in the areas of childhood and youth, the role of the family and the interrelation between the family and the school. It was used a “Case Study” methodology during which was assessed school documents of this particularly school, and data collecting instruments (Student-applied and Class Tutor-applied questionnaires). On dealing with quantitative data, it was used the Excel application, while for the open questions was assessed by its contents. In brief, it was concluded that: a) a third of students that attended the 2nd Cycle Basic Education schools revealed to be “risk students”. Around 75% of them were 5th grade students. Among the most important risk factors are: irregular attendance, unmotivated/aloofness /apathy, lack of attention and concentration, indiscipline and successive retentions during their education pathway. The family is scarcely participative. b) The curricular response is normally given within the classroom; c) the organizational response lies mostly on some measures included in government documents. On the last part of the paper, we focus on more detailed conclusions, as well as give recommendations/suggestions which may eventually be of guidance to future studies.

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections, Nutrition and Growth in School-age Children from Rural Communities in Honduras

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras but their impact on children’s health is not well studied. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections and their association with nutrition and growth in a sample of Honduran children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among Honduran rural school-age children in 2011. Blood and stool samples and anthropometric measurements were obtained to determine nutritional status, STH infection and growth status, respectively. Results: The STH prevalence among 320 studied children was 72.5%. Prevalence by species was 30%, 67% and 16% for Ascaris, Trichuris and 16% hookworms, respectively. High intensity infections were associated with decreased growth scores but regardless of intensity, co-infections negatively affected growth indicators. Conclusions: The health burden of STH infections is related to high parasitic load but also to the presence of low-intensity concurrent infections. The synergistic effects of polyparasitism in underprivileged children warrants more attention.

Risk Factors for Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections in Schoolchildren from Rural Communities in Honduras

Background: Honduras is endemic for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. However, knowledge gaps remain in terms of risk factors involved in STH transmission and infection intensity. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and intensity of STH infections in schoolchildren living in rural Honduras. Additionally, to investigate risk factors associated with STH infections. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among Honduran rural schoolchildren, in 2011. Demographic and epidemiological data were obtained and STH infections were determined using Kato-Katz method. Results: A total of 320 children completed the study. Overall and specific prevalences for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms were 72.5%, 30%, 67% and 16%, respectively. Several risk factors associated with STH transmission and infection intensity were identified at the individual and familial level as well as at the schools. Conclusions: Improving hygienic conditions and providing semi-annual deworming treatment are feasible interventions that could enhance undergoing STH control activities.

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Nutritional Status in School-age Children from Rural Communities in Honduras

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras and efforts are underway to decrease their transmission. However, current evidence is lacking in regards to their prevalence, intensity and their impact on children’s health. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections and their association with nutritional status in a sample of Honduran children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among school-age children residing in rural communities in Honduras, in 2011. Demographic data was obtained, hemoglobin and protein concentrations were determined in blood samples and STH infections investigated in single-stool samples by Kato-Katz. Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate heightfor- age (HAZ), BMI-for-age (BAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) to determine stunting, thinness and underweight, respectively. Results: Among 320 children studied (48% girls, aged 7–14 years, mean 9.7661.4) an overall STH prevalence of 72.5% was found. Children .10 years of age were generally more infected than 7–10 year-olds (p = 0.015). Prevalence was 30%, 67% and 16% for Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworms, respectively. Moderate-to-heavy infections as well as polyparasitism were common among the infected children (36% and 44%, respectively). Polyparasitism was four times more likely to occur in children attending schools with absent or annual deworming schedules than in pupils attending schools deworming twice a year (p,0.001). Stunting was observed in 5.6% of children and it was associated with increasing age. Also, 2.2% of studied children were thin, 1.3% underweight and 2.2% had anemia. Moderate-to-heavy infections and polyparasitism were significantly associated with decreased values in WAZ and marginally associated with decreased values in HAZ. Conclusions: STH infections remain a public health concern in Honduras and despite current efforts were highly prevalent in the studied community. The role of multiparasite STH infections in undermining children’s nutritional status warrants more research.

Soil-Transmitted Helminths, Poverty, and Malnutrition in Honduran Children Living in Remote Rural Communities

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras, but their prevalence according to the levels of poverty in the population has not been examined. The present cross-sectional study is aimed to determine the role of different levels of poverty in STH prevalence and infection intensity as well as the potential associations of STH infections with malnutrition and anemia. Research participants were children attending a medical brigade serving remote communities in Northern Honduras in June 2014. Demographic data were obtained, and poverty levels were determined using the unsatisfied basic needs method. STH infections were investigated by the Kato-Katz method; hemoglobin concentrations were determined with the HemoCue system; and stunting, thinness, and underweight were determined by anthropometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Among 130 children who participated in this study, a high prevalence (69.2%) of parasitism was found and the poorest children were significantly more infected than those living in less poor communities (79.6% vs. 61.8%; P = 0.030). Prevalence rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, and hookworms were 69.2%, 12.3%, and 3.85%, respectively. In total, 69% of children had anemia and 30% were stunted. Households’ earthen floor and lack of latrines were associated with infection. Greater efforts should be made to reduce STH prevalence and improve overall childhood health, in particular, among the poorest children lacking the basic necessities of life.

Caractérisation et surexpression des fimbriae de type chaperon-placier de Salmonella enterica sérovar Typhi

Salmonella enterica sérovar Typhi (S. Typhi) est l’agent responsable de la fièvre typhoïde et cause environ 200 000 morts et 27 millions de cas annuellement. C’est un pathogène entérique dont le réservoir est restreint à l’Homme. Les raisons de cette restriction d’hôte sont méconnues et pourraient dépendre de l’expression de facteurs d’adhésion à des étapes importantes au cours de la pathogenèse. L’annotation bioinformatique du génome de S. Typhi identifie 12 fimbriae de type chaperon-placier (FCP), un curli ainsi qu’un pilus de type IV. L’objectif de ce projet de recherche est d’étudier ces systèmes d’adhésion peu caractérisés. D’abord, le niveau d’expression de ces gènes a été évalué dans différentes conditions de culture in vitro en utilisant une approche de gènes rapporteurs. L’expression des 14 systèmes d’adhésion a été détectée. Nos résultats indiquent qu’une carence en fer favorise l’expression des opérons bcf et csg. Indépendamment du fer, l’expression de bcf, csg, pil, sef, sta, stc, stg et sth est influencée par la richesse nutritive du milieu. L’incubation en milieu LB liquide favorise l’expression de la plupart des systèmes d’adhésion par rapport à un milieu LB liquide sans agitation ou un milieu LB solide. En somme, l’expression des systèmes d’adhésion de S. Typhi a été observée et est influencée par des conditions environnementales. Dans un second volet, nous avons tent de surexprimer les différents systèmes d’adhésion chez une souche d’E. coli ou de S. Typhi afimbriaire. Avec cette approche, nous avons été en mesure de démontrer que l’opéron tcf encode pour un fimbria fonctionnel que l’on a pu observer en microscopie électronique. L’expression de tcf chez une souche afimbriaire d’E. coli et S. Typhi a également diminué leur capacité d’adhésion à des cellules épithéliales intestinales humaines lors d’essais in vitro. Nos observations démontrent que l’expression des systèmes d’adhésion retrouvés chez S. Typhi est influencée par les conditions enviroi9onnementales. Au moins un de ces systèmes est fonctionnel. Ceci suggère une contribution des systèmes d’adhésion retrouvés chez S. Typhi lors de l’interaction de ce pathogène avec l’humain.

Muscarinic M1 and M3 Receptors,IP3 and cGMP Functional Regulation in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats: Insulin and Somatotropin Induced Rejuvenation as a Function of Age

The present study describes that acetylcholine through muscarinic Ml and M3 receptors play an important role in the brain function during diabetes as a function of age. Cholinergic activity as indicated by acetylcholine esterase, a marker for cholinergic function, decreased in the brain regions - the cerebral cortex, brainstem and corpus striatum of old rats compared to young rats. in diabetic condition, it was increased in both young and old rats in cerebral cortex, and corpus striatum while in brainstem it was decreased. The functional changes in the muscarinic receptors were studied in the brain regions and it showed that muscarinic M I receptors of old rats were down regulated in cerebral cortex while in corpus striatum and brainstem it was up regulated. Muscarinic M3 receptors of old rats showed no significant change in cerebral cortex while in corpus striatum and brainstem muscarinic receptors were down regulated. During diabetes, muscarinic M I receptors were down regulated in cerebral cortex and brainstem of young rats while in corpus striatum they were up regulated. In old rats, M I receptors were up regulated in cerebral cortex, corpus striatum and in brainstem they were down regulated. Muscarinic M3 receptors were up regulated in cerebral cortex and brainstem of young rats while in corpus striatum they were down regulated. In old rats, muscarinic M l receptors were up regulated in cerebral cortex, corpus striatum and brainstem. In insulin treated diabetic rats the activity of the receptors were reversed to near control. Pancreatic muscarinic M3 receptor activity increased in the pancreas of both young and old rats during diabetes. In vitro studies using carbachol and antagonists for muscarinic Ml and M3 receptor subtypes confirmed the specific receptor mediated neurotransmitter changes during diabetes. Calcium imaging studies revealed muscarinic M I mediated Ca2 + release from the pancreatic islet cells of young and old rats. Electrophysiological studies using EEG recording in young and old rats showed a brain activity difference during diabetes. Long term low dose STH and INS treated rat brain tissues were used for gene expression of muscarinic Ml, M3, glutamate NMDARl, mGlu-5,alpha2A, beta2, GABAAa1 and GABAB, DAD2 and 5-HT 2C receptors to observe the neurotransmitter receptor functional interrelationship for integrating memory, cognition and rejuvenating brain functions in young and old. Studies on neurotransmitter receptor interaction pathways and gene expression regulation by second messengers like IP3 and cGMP in turn will lead to the development of therapeutic agents to manage diabetes and brain activity.From this study it is suggested that functional improvement of muscarinic Ml, M3, glutamate NMDAR1, mGlu-5, alpha2A, beta2, GABAAa1 and GABAB, DAD2 and 5-HT 2C receptors mediated through IP3 and cGMP will lead to therapeutic applications in the management of diabetes. Also, our results from long term low dose STH and INS treatment showed rejuvenation of the brain function which has clinical significance in maintaining healthy period of life as a function of age.

Análise da expressão de genes relacionados à resistência a Meloidogyne javanica em soja, através da técnica de PCR em tempo real

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparative experimental study of myocardial protection with crystalloid solutions for heart transplantation

Background: There is a growing need to improve myocardial protection, which will lead to better performance of cardiac operations and reduce morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of myocardial protection solution using both intracellular and extracellular crystalloid type regarding the performance of the electrical conduction system, left ventricular contractility and edema, after being subjected to ischemic arrest and reperfusion. Methods: Hearts isolated from male Wistar (n=32) rats were prepared using Langendorff method and randomly divided equally into four groups according the cardioprotective solutions used Krebs-Henseleit-Buffer (KHB), Bretschneider-HTK (HTK), St. Thomas-1 (STH-1) and Celsior (CEL). After stabilization with KHB at 37 degrees C, baseline values (control) were collected for heart rate (HR), left ventricle systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum first derivate of rise left ventricular pressure (+dP/dt), maximum first derivate of fall left ventricular pressure (-dP/dt) and coronary flow (CF). The hearts were then perfused at 10 degrees C for 5 min and kept for 2 h in static ischemia at 20 degrees C in each cardioprotective solution. Data evaluation was done using analysis of variance in completely randomized One-Way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. The level of statistical significance chosen was P<0.05. Results: HR was restored with all the solutions used. The evaluation of left ventricular contractility (LVSP, +dP/dt and -dP/dt) showed that treatment with CEL solution was better compared to other solutions. When analyzing the CF, the HTK solution showed better protection against edema. Conclusion: Despite the cardioprotective crystalloid solutions studied are not fully able to suppress the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion in the rat heart, the CEL solution had significantly higher results followed by HTK>KHB>STH-1.

Deleterious Effect of Hypothermia in Myocardial Protection Against Cold Ischemia: A Comparative Study in Isolated Rat Hearts

Background. There is a growing need to improve heart preservation benefit the performance of cardiac operations, decrease morbidity, and more important, increase the donor pool. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB), Bretschneider-HTK (HTK), St. Thomas No. 1 (STH-1), and Celsior (CEL) solutions infused at 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Methods. Hearts isolated from male albino Wistar rats and prepared according to Langendorff were randomly divided equally into 8 groups according to the temperature of infusion (10 degrees C or 20 degrees C) and cardioprotective solutions (KHB, HTK, STH-1, and CEL). After stabilization with KHB at 37 degrees C, baseline values were collected (control) for heart rate (HR), left ventricle systolic pressure (LVSP), coronary flow (CF), maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure during ventricular contraction (+dP/dt) and maximum rate of fall of left ventricular pressure during left ventricular relaxation (-dP/dt). The hearts were then perfused with cardioprotective solutions for 5 minutes and kept for 2 hours in static ischemia at 20 degrees C. Data evaluation used analysis of variance (ANOVA) in all together randomized 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. The level of significance chosen was P < .05. Results. We observed that all 4 solutions were able to recover HR, independent of temperature. Interestingly, STH-1 solution at 20 degrees C showed HR above baseline throughout the experiment. An evaluation of the corresponding hemodynamic values (LVSP, +dP/dt, and -dP/dt) indicated that treatment with CEL solution was superior at both temperatures compared with the other solutions, and had better performance at 20 degrees C. When analyzing performance on CF maintenance, we observed that it was temperature dependent. However, when applying both HTK and CEL, at 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C respectively, indicated better protection against development of tissue edema. Multiple comparisons between treatments and hemodynamic variable outcomes showed that using CEL solution resulted in significant improvement compared with the other solutions at both temperatures. Conclusion. The solutions investigated were not able to fully suppress the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion of the heart. However, these results allow us to conclude that temperature and the cardioprotective solution are interdependent as far as myocardial protection. Although CEL solution is the best for in myocardial protection, more studies are needed to understand the interaction between temperature and perfusion solution used. This will lead to development of better and more efficient cardioprotective methods.

Stopping power dependence of nitrogen sputtering yields in copper nitride films under swift-ion irradiation: Exciton model approach

Nitrogen sputtering yields as high as 104 atoms/ion, are obtained by irradiating N-rich-Cu3N films (N concentration: 33 ± 2 at.%) with Cu ions at energies in the range 10?42 MeV. The kinetics of N sputtering as a function of ion fluence is determined at several energies (stopping powers) for films deposited on both, glass and silicon substrates. The kinetic curves show that the amount of nitrogen release strongly increases with rising irradiation fluence up to reaching a saturation level at a low remaining nitrogen fraction (5?10%), in which no further nitrogen reduction is observed. The sputtering rate for nitrogen depletion is found to be independent of the substrate and to linearly increase with electronic stopping power (Se). A stopping power (Sth) threshold of ?3.5 keV/nm for nitrogen depletion has been estimated from extrapolation of the data. Experimental kinetic data have been analyzed within a bulk molecular recombination model. The microscopic mechanisms of the nitrogen depletion process are discussed in terms of a non-radiative exciton decay model. In particular, the estimated threshold is related to a minimum exciton density which is required to achieve efficient sputtering rates.