Are Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum a single species?

Since the original description and naming of Ascaris lumbricoides from humans by Linnaeus in 1758 and later of Ascaris suum from pigs by Goeze 1782, these species have been considered to be valid. Four hypotheses relative to the conspecificity or lack thereof (and thus origin of these species) are possible: 1) Ascaris lumbricoides (usually infecting humans) and Ascaris suum (recorded mostly from pigs) are both valid species, with the two species originating via a speciation event from a common ancestor sometime before the domestication of pigs by humans, or 2) Ascaris lumbricoides in humans is derived directly from the species A. suum found in pigs with A. suum then existing as a persistent ancestor after formation of A. lumbricoides, or 3) Ascaris suum is derived directly from A. lumbricoides with the persistent ancestor being A. lumbricoides and A. suum being the newly derived species, and finally, 4) Ascaris lumbricoides and A. suum are the same species, this hypothesis being supported by studies showing both low morphological and low genetic divergence at several genes. We present and discuss paleoparasitological and genetic evidence that complement new data to evaluate the origin and evolution of Ascaris spp. in humans and pigs, and the uniqueness of the species in both hosts. Finally, we conclude that Ascaris lumbricoides and A. suum are a single species and that the name A. lumbricoides Linnaeus 1758 has taxonomic priority; therefore A. suum Goeze 1782 should be considered a synonym of A. lumbricoides

A parasitological paradox: Why is ascarid infection so rare in the prehistoric Americas?

Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) are the most common intestinal parasites found in humans worldwide today and they almost always co-occur. However, we find two distinct patterns in archae­ological material. In historical North American and Old World contexts, the association of A. lumbricoides and T. trich­iura is similar to the modern epidemiological picture. In contrast, the co-occurrence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura eggs in prehistoric South America is rare. For prehistoric contexts, T. trichiura is the most common parasite found in ar­chaeological material. Recently molecular biology techniques pointed to a subdiagnosis of roundworm infection in pre- Columbian South American populations. This is contrary to the modern epidemiological picture in which A. lumbricoi­des infection is predominant. This is a paradox, especially when one considers the number of eggs laid by female daily, 200,000 and 20,000 thousand per day, for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura respectively. By reviewing the records of these parasites, this paradox is presented and explanations for the paradox are explored. Taphonomy, prehistoric behavior patterns and medicinal plant use seem to be most relevant to the explanation of the paradox. Nematophagous fungi is a less likely factor creating the near absence of A. lumbricoides eggs in the prehistoric New World

A parasitological paradox: Why is ascarid infection so rare in the prehistoric Americas?

Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) are the most common intestinal parasites found in humans worldwide today and they almost always co-occur. However, we find two distinct patterns in archae­ological material. In historical North American and Old World contexts, the association of A. lumbricoides and T. trich­iura is similar to the modern epidemiological picture. In contrast, the co-occurrence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura eggs in prehistoric South America is rare. For prehistoric contexts, T. trichiura is the most common parasite found in ar­chaeological material. Recently molecular biology techniques pointed to a subdiagnosis of roundworm infection in pre- Columbian South American populations. This is contrary to the modern epidemiological picture in which A. lumbricoi­des infection is predominant. This is a paradox, especially when one considers the number of eggs laid by female daily, 200,000 and 20,000 thousand per day, for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura respectively. By reviewing the records of these parasites, this paradox is presented and explanations for the paradox are explored. Taphonomy, prehistoric behavior patterns and medicinal plant use seem to be most relevant to the explanation of the paradox. Nematophagous fungi is a less likely factor creating the near absence of A. lumbricoides eggs in the prehistoric New World

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Educação inclusiva: material paradidático para pessoas cegas ou com baixa visão sobre pinturas rupestres do sítio Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada, na Serra da Capivara, Estado do Piauí, Brasil

Ilustrações: Beatriz Voloch; Revisão técnica: Michelle M. Tizuka; Roteiro audiodescrição: Michelle M. Tizuka e Aline Ribeiro; Consultoria/revisão audiodescrição: Natacha Ruback; Narração: Aline Ribeiro. O livro disponibiliza links no Youtube com audiodescrição das obras por meio de QR Code.O livro traz conteúdo acessível e gratuito para todas as idades sobre pinturas rupestres do sítio arqueológico Boqueirão da Pedra furada, localizado na Serra da Capivara no estado do Piauí, Brasil. Neste local temos a maior concentração de sítios arqueológicos da América Latina, que guarda alguns dos registros mais antigos para chegada da espécie humana nas Américas e que, com as contribuições de várias áreas do conhecimento, como por exemplo a paleoparasitologia, nos permite fazer uma viagem ao passado e desvendar como era a vida dos nossos ancestrais. Permitirá ao usuário ouvir a audiodescrição por meio de um QR code ou por leitor de tela de cada pintura rupestre bem como da ilustração feita a partir desta, a qual poderá ser impressa e, com aplicação de textura, ser tateada. [Informação retirada da primeira orelha do livro]Programa de Desenvolvimento de Projetos Aplicados. Fundação Euclides da Cunha.Universidade Federal Fluminense/ Prefeitura de Niterói.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeir

Uso de Biofiltros para remoção de cromo (VI)

This work studied the biological reduction of Cr (VI) and total chromium removal in anaerobic filter followed by a submerged biofilter with intermittent aeration, using mixed culture of microorganisms. For the work were obtained two mixed cultures, one of the sludge of AMCOA (Association of Manufacturers of Leather and Related from the Industrial District of Franca/SP) and another of DMAE (Municipal Department of Water and Sewer from the city of Uberlândia/MG). In preliminary tests of the adaptation of mixed culture to hexavalent chromium, both shown promise. After, was made a central composite design (CCD) with three variables and using the following concentrations: sodium acetate (0,6 to 11,412 g/L), ammonium chloride (0,06 to 1,141 g/L) and chromium (VI) (2,34 to 137,35 mg/L). The CCD evaluated the bioreduction of Cr (VI) and removal of TOC (Total Organic Carbon). For the answer bioreduction of chromium (VI), it was obtained (85,23% of reduction to the initial concentration of chromium (VI) from 137,35 mg/L) and it was verified that lower concentrations of sodium acetate (0 to 6 g/L) and higher ones of ammonium chloride (0,5 to 1 g/L) favors the reduction of chromium six, being the initial concentration of chromium six the variable of major effect in the response. For the response removal of TOC, the concentration range that maximizes the response was: sodium acetate from 4 to 8 g/L, ammonium chloride higher than 0,8 g/L and concentration of chromium six between 60 and 100 mg/L. The ammonium chloride was the variable of greater effect on the removal of TOC. From CCD were selected the following concentrations to the study of kinetics: 6 g/L of sodium acetate and 1 g/L of ammonium chloride and initial concentrations of chromium six from 120, 150 and 180 mg/L. The results showed to the kinetics with concentration of 120 mg/L of chromium six, after 168 hours of operation in the reactors, there isn t the saturation of the same and the removal of chromium six and total was the 100% and the TOC was the 87,5%. In the kinetics with 150 mg/L of chromium six, within the operating time studied, the output of chromium (six and total) in the aerobic reactor occurred after 166 hours of operation and the saturation of anaerobic reactor occurred after 150 hours, and in aerobic reactor didn t occurred saturation.. In kinetics with 180 mg/L, there was saturation of two reactors, in the anaerobic after 190 hours of operation and in the aerobic after 225 hours. In the kinetics with 150 and 180 mg/L of Chromium six initial, the results showed there was cell death with lise of cells, due to reduction of biomass concentration and increase of TOC. For the initial concentrations of 150 and 180 mg/L, the models of Michaelis-Menten and Largergren described well the experimental datas, for the retention of Chromium ((VI) and total), also was observed breach of beds. After each kinetics, including those that occurs the saturation of reactor concerning to the chromium, the concentration of microorganisms came back to values near of initials ones, showing that the biomass came back to grow inside the reactors. After the kinetics with 150 and 180 mg/L of chromium six, the necessary time for the output of chromium come back to the initial values (zero) was 108 hours. The use of mixed culture in anaerobic biofilters followed by another one submerged aerobic with intermittent aeration showed be promising to the removal of chromium.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorMestre em Engenharia QuímicaEste trabalho estudou a redução biológica de Cr (VI) e remoção de cromo total em filtro anaeróbio seguido por um biofiltro submerso com aeração intermitente, utilizando cultura mista de micro-organismos. Para o trabalho foram obtidas duas culturas mistas, uma do lodo da AMCOA (Associação dos Manufatores de Couros e Afins do Distrito Industrial de Franca/SP) e outra do DMAE (Departamento Municipal de Água e Esgoto da cidade de Uberlândia/MG). Nos testes preliminares da adaptação das culturas mistas ao cromo hexavalente, ambas se mostraram promissoras. Posteriormente, foi realizado um delineamento composto central (DCC) com três variáveis e utilizando as seguintes concentrações: acetato de sódio (0,6 a 11,412 g/L), cloreto de amônio (0,06 a 1,141 g/L) e cromo (VI) (2,34 a 137,35 mg/L). O DCC avaliou a biorredução de Cr (VI) e a remoção de COT (Carbono Orgânico Total). Para a resposta, biorredução de cromo (VI), obteve-se (85,23% de redução para concentração inicial de cromo VI de 137,35 mg/L) e verificou-se que menores concentrações de acetato de sódio (0 a 6 g/L) e maiores de cloreto de amônio (0,5 a 1 g/L) favorecem a redução de Cromo (VI), sendo a concentração inicial de Cr (VI), a variável de maior efeito na resposta. Para a resposta remoção de COT, a faixa de concentração que maximiza a resposta foi: acetato de sódio de 4 a 8 g/L, cloreto de amônio maior que 0,8 g/L e concentração de cromo (VI) entre 60 e 100 mg/L. O cloreto de amônio foi a variável de maior efeito sobre a remoção de COT. A partir do DCC selecionaram-se as seguintes concentrações para o estudo da cinética: 6 g/L de acetato de sódio e 1 g/L de cloreto de amônio e concentrações iniciais de cromo (VI) de 120, 150 e 180 mg/L. Os resultados mostraram que para a cinética com concentração de 120 mg/L de cromo (VI), após 168 horas, de operação nos reatores, não houve a saturação dos mesmos e que a remoção de cromo ((VI) e total) foram de 100% e de COT foi de 87,5%. Na cinética com 150 mg/L de cromo (VI), dentro do tempo de operação estudado, a saída de cromo ((VI) e o total) no reator aeróbio ocorreu após 166 horas de operação e a saturação do reator anaeróbio ocorreu após 150 horas, e no reator aeróbio não ocorreu saturação. Na cinética com 180 mg/L, houve saturação dos dois reatores,no anaeróbio após 190 horas de operação e no aeróbio após 225 horas. Nas cinéticas com 150 e 180 mg/L de Cromo (VI) inicial, os resultados mostraram que houve morte celular com lise de células, devido a redução da concentração de biomassa e aumento do COT. Para as concentrações iniciais de 150 e 180mg/L, os modelos de Michaelis-Menten e Largergren descreveram satisfatoriamente os dados experimentais, para a retenção de Cromo ((VI) e total), também foi observado ruptura dos leitos. Após cada cinética, inclusive nas que ocorre a saturação do reator em relação ao cromo, a concentração de micro-organismos voltava à valores próximos dos iniciais, mostrando que a biomassa voltava a crescer dentro dos reatores. Após as cinéticas com 150 e 180 mg/L de cromo (VI), o tempo necessário para que a saída de cromo voltasse aos valores iniciais (zero) foi de 108 horas. A utilização de cultura mista em biofiltros anaeróbio seguido de outro aeróbio submerso com aeração intermitente mostrou-se promissor para a remoção de cromo

Paleoparasitologia na Educação Básica

A Ciência é libertadora e transforma a vida das pessoas. A compreensão do funcionamento das descobertas científicas e de suas metodologias de pesquisa, permite que o cidadão desenvolva consciência crítica e que o mesmo se torne capaz de opinar e influenciar ativamente nas decisões que impactam a pesquisa, saúde e educação. A proposta do livro é também levar à Educação Básica um pouco do que é produzido nas Instituições de Pesquisa e Universidades do Brasil e de outras partes do mundo. O tema “Paleoparasitologia” ainda é pouco conhecido da população brasileira embora tenha grupos de pesquisa atuantes no país. Acreditamos que o assunto tenha um grande potencial de despertar vocações científicas, pois por meio dos estudos realizados nesse campo é possível contar um pouco da história evolutiva da vida na Terra. Nas próximas páginas desse livro além de conhecer um pouco mais sobre a Paleoparasitologia, sua história, materiais de estudo e grandes descobertas, em cada capítulo sugerimos atividades que podem ser realizadas com diferentes faixas etárias.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeir