Melanoides tuberculata as intermediate host of Philophthalmus gralli in Brazil

Melanoides tuberculata that naturally harbored trematode larvae were collected at the Pampulha dam, Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil), during malacological surveys conducted from 2006 to 2010. From 7,164 specimens of M. tuberculata collected, 25 (0.35%) were infected by cercariae, which have been morphologically characterized as belonging to the Megalurous group, genus Philophthalmus. Excysted metacercariae were used for successful experimental infection of Gallus gallus domesticus, and adult parasites recovered from the nictitating membranes of chickens were identified as Philophthalmus gralli. This is the first report of P. gralli in M. tuberculata in Brazil

Ultrastructure and chaetotaxy of sensory eeceptors in the cercaria of a species of Allopodocotyle Pritchard, 1966 (Digenea: Opecoelidae)

Previous investigations of sensory systems in opecoelid cercariae have focused on chaetotaxy and ultrastructure of sensory receptors. They revealed chaetotaxic patterns within family, genus, and species as well as different receptors. Chaetotaxic and ultrastructural observations have rarely been combined. We investigated the ultrastructure of cercarial sensory receptors in conjunction with chaetotaxy and neuromorphology in a species of Allopodocotyle. Cercariae were treated with acetylthiocholine iodide and silver nitrate, and some were processed for light, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. Five nerve regions were distinguished. Chaetotaxy was consistent with that of other opecoelids. Five types of receptors were distinguished with SEM. Types differed in number of cilium-like structures (one or more), length of cilium-like structure (short, moderately long, or long), presence or absence of a tegumentary collar, and length of tegumentary collar (low, moderately low, or very high). Internal ultrastructure of some types revealed unsheathed cilium-like structures, basal body, and thickened nerve collars. Possible subtegumentary and sheathed receptors are introduced. Some receptor types were site-specific. For example, receptors with multiple cilium-like structures were concentrated on cephalic region whereas receptors with short cilium-like structure were widespread throughout most regions. Ultrastructure and site-specificity observations suggest that most receptors are mechanoreceptors

Frequência de incontinência urinária em mulheres praticantes de crossfit: um estudo transversal

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la frecuencia de incontinencia urinaria (IU) en mujeres que practican crossfit. Se realizó un estudio transversal con mujeres que habían practicado crossfit, como mínimo, durante 6 meses ininterrumpidos, con edades entre 18 y 35 años y una frecuencia de entrenamiento de al menos tres veces por semana. Se aplicaron cuestionarios de evaluación individual que constó de datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos y deportivos, además del International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) para identificar la presencia de IU. También se identificaron la frecuencia y cantidad de pérdida de orina y la interferencia de la IU en la calidad de vida (CV) de las mujeres con incontinencia utilizando el ICIQ-IU-SF. Esas mujeres también respondieron a un cuestionario sobre la gravedad de la IU. La muestra total del estudio se compuso de 50 mujeres, de las cuales 10 (20%) tenían IU. La mayoría de las mujeres con incontinencia presentaban IU de gravedad moderada e interferencia mínima en la CV. Además, se observó una asociación entre haber presentado antecedentes de IU y tener IU (RP=5,33; IC95%=1,41 a 20,10). Se concluye que la frecuencia de IU en mujeres que practican crossfit fue del 20%, y que la IU se presentó, en su mayoría, de gravedad moderada y de interferencia mínima en la CV de ellas.The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of urinary incontinence (UI) in women who practice crossfit. This was a cross-sectional study with women aged between 18 and 35 years, who had been practicing crossfit for at least six months without interruption, and at least three times a week. Individual assessment questionnaires were used, composed of sociodemographic, anthropometric and exercise data, as well as the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) to identify the presence of UI. The frequency and amount of urine loss and UI interference in quality of life (QoL) were also identified via ICIQ-IU-SF. These women also responded to a questionnaire about the severity of UI. The total sample of the study was 50 women, of whom 10 (20%) had UI. Most incontinent women had moderate UI and mild interference in QoL. Moreover, we observed an association between having UI history and presenting UI (PR=5.33, 95% CI=1.41 to 20.10). Given the above, we concluded that the frequency of UI in female crossfit athletes was 20%, with UI being mostly of moderate severity and mild interference in QoL.O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a frequência de Incontinência Urinaria (IU) em mulheres praticantes de Crossfit. Realizou-se um estudo de corte transversal com mulheres que praticavam Crossfit há, pelo menos, 6 meses ininterruptos, com idade entre 18 a 35 anos e frequência de treino de, no mínimo, três vezes por semana. Foram aplicados questionários de avaliação individual compostos por dados sociodemográficas, antropométricos e esportivos, além do International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), para identificar a presença de IU. Também por meio do ICIQ-IU-SF foram identificados a frequência e quantidade de perda de urina e interferência da IU na qualidade de vida (QV) das mulheres incontinentes. Essas mulheres também responderam a um questionário acerca da gravidade da IU. A amostra total do estudo foi de 50 mulheres, das quais 10 (20%) apresentaram IU. A maioria das mulheres incontinentes apresentou IU de gravidade moderada e de interferência leve na QV. Ademais, observou-se associação entre ter histórico de IU e apresentar IU (RP=5,33; IC95%=1,41 a 20,10). Diante do exposto, conclui-se que a frequência de IU em mulheres praticantes de Crossfit foi de 20%, sendo a IU, em sua maioria, de gravidade moderada e de leve interferência na QV

Caracterização de cepas de Schistosoma mansoni por morfometria de vermes adultos provenientes de infecção unissexual Characterization of Schistosoma mansoni strains by morphometry of adult worms derived from single-sex infection

Camundongos foram infectados com cercárias, de um único sexo, de cepas simpátricas do Schistosoma mansoni. Nos vermes adultos, foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) nas ventosas, lobos testiculares, ovário e espessura do tegumento. O experimento demonstra que a morfometria de vermes isolados de infecção unissexual também é uma ferramenta na identificação de cepas do Schistosoma mansoni.<br>Mice were infected with only one sex cercaria derived from sympatric strains of Schistosoma mansoni. Adult worms presented significative differences (p<0.05) regarding suckers, testicular lobes, ovary and thickness of the tegument. Data show that morphometric study of unisexual infection worms can be also used for characterization of Schistosoma mansoni strains

The introduced snail Melanoides Tuberculatus (Muller, 1774) (Mollusca: Thiaridae) in aquatic ecosystems of the Brazilian Semiarid Northeast (Piranhas-Assu River basin, State of Rio Grande do Norte)

Records of the gastropod Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774), family Thiaridae, in the Piranhas-Assu River basin in Rio Grande do Norte reveal the dispersal of this native Southeast Asian and East African species into aquatic environments of the Brazilian semiarid region, including artificial environments (reservoirs) and lotic systems. The eutrophic conditions of the local waterbodies appear to favor the present situation, where this invasive species reaches extremely high densities, sometimes over 10,000 ind.m-2 as in Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves Reservoir. These observations indicate the immediate need for new studies on the spatial distribution of the species and its potential impact on the biodiversity and water quality of the waterbodies of the semiarid region of the state. Implantation of regular and systematic monitoring of the aquatic resources of the region is urgently required

Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) as an intermediate host of Centrocestus formosanus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) in Brazil Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) como hospedeiro intermediário de Centrocestus formosanus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) no Brasil

Pleurolophocercous cercariae emerged from naturally infected Melanoides tuberculata from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were used to perform experimental infection of laboratory-reared Poecilia reticulata. Mature metacercariae were obtained from the gills of fishes and force-fed to Mus musculus. The adult parasites which recovered from small intestines of mice were identified as Centrocestus formosanus. This is the first report of M. tuberculata as intermediate host of this heterophyid in Brazil.<br>Cercárias do tipo pleurolofocerca emergidas de Melanoides tuberculata naturalmente infectados coletados na represa da Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, foram utilizadas para a infecção experimental de Poecilia reticulata criados em laboratório. Metacercárias maduras foram obtidas nas brânquias dos peixes e administradas por via oral a Mus musculus. Parasitos adultos recuperados no intestino delgado dos camundongos foram identificados como Centrocestus formosanus. Este é o primeiro relato de M. tuberculata como hospedeiro intermediário deste parasito no Brasil