Diopatra neapolitana (Polychaeta: Onuphidae) as a Second Intermediate Host of Gymnophallus choledochus (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) in the Aveiro Estuary (Portugal): Distribution Within the Host and Histopathology

This is the first host record of Gymnophallus choledochus metacercariae infecting the polychaete Diopatra neapolitana in the Aveiro estuary (Portugal). The metacercariae were round unencysted, and their morphology is similar to that presented by metacercariae harbored by Nereis diversicolor and Cerastoderma edule, although they are larger in size. In D. neapolitana, the prevalence and mean intensity of the infection was very high, at 100% and 202 +/- 139 metacercariae per host, respectively, Suggesting that this polychaete is the most Suitable host for G choledochus in the Aveiro estuary. In terms of distribution within the host, the metacercariae were found almost exclusively in the branchial segments (97.4%). This, in conjunction with the close relationship between the mean intensity and branchial surface area, Suggests that the branchiae may be the site of entry into the polychaete. Within the branchial segments, the sites selected by the metacercariae are the parapodia (68.9%), where they are mostly located inside the setal sac. and the longitudinal Muscles (22.3%). causing hypertrophy and rupture of the Muscle bundles, respectively. These histological changes suggest a reduction in polychaete mobility. which should lid the easy predation of infected hosts by birds and thus facilitate the continuity of the G. choledochus life cycle

Survival analysis and iniquities in older Brazilians: a six year follow up survey in São Paulo, Brazil

Maria Lucia Lebrão is the Coordinator of the SABE study. Jair LF Santos and Yeda AO Duarte receive support from National Council of Research (CNPq). The SABE study is supported by The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

Demographic and clinical predictors of depressive symptoms among incarcerated women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Imprisonment may lead to the development of mental illness, especially depression. This study examines the clinical and sociodemographic profiles of imprisoned women, identifies indicative signs of depression, and relates these indicators to other variables.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study took the form of descriptive exploratory research with a psychometric evaluation. A total of 100 of 300 women in a female penitentiary were interviewed. A questionnaire with sociodemographic, clinical and penal situation information was used, along with the Beck Depression Inventory. The authors performed bivariate and multivariate analysis regarding depression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all, 82 women presented signs of depression (light = 33, mild = 29 and severe = 20). Comorbidities, lack of religious practice, absence of visitors and presence of eating disorders were risk factors for depression (<it>P </it>= 0.03, 0.03, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.01). Being older was a protection factor against severe depression; for women over 30, the risk of depression was multiplied by 0.12. The rate of depression among women prisoners was high.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Comorbidities, the lack of religious practice, not having visitors and eating disorders are significant risk factors for depression, while age is a protective factor, among incarcerated women.</p

Burgers turbulence and the continuous spontaneous localization model

There is a striking convergence bet een Burgers turbulence and the continuous spontaneous localization ( CSL) model of quantum mechanics. In this paper we exploit this analogy, identify the CSL counterparts of quantities in turbulence, such as the Reynolds number and the injected energy, show that the velocity of a particle subjected to the localization process satis es Burgers equation and indicate a time region for experimental tests of the CSL models.541212

Peripheral arterial tonometry as a method of measuring reactive hyperaemia correlates with organ dysfunction and prognosis in the critically ill patient: a prospective observational study

Predictions of mortality may help in the selection of patients who benefit from intensive care. Endothelial dysfunction is partially responsible for many of the organic dysfunctions in critical illness. Reactive hyperaemia is a vascular response of the endothelium that can be measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT). We aimed to assess if reactive hyperaemia is affected by critical illness and if it correlates with outcomes. Prospective study with a cohort of consecutive patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. RH-PAT was accessed on admission and on the 7th day after admission. Early and late survivors were compared to non-survivors. The effect of RH-PAT variation on late mortality was studied by a logistic regression model. The association between RH-PAT and severity scores and biomarkers of organic dysfunction was investigated by multivariate analysis. 86 patients were enrolled. Mean ln(RHI) on admission was 0.580 and was significantly lower in patients with higher severity scores (p < 0.01) and early non-survivors (0.388; p = 0.027). The model for prediction of early-mortality estimated that each 0.1 decrease in ln(RHI) increased the odds for mortality by 13%. In 39 patients, a 2nd RH-PAT measurement was performed on the 7th day. The variation of ln(RHI) was significantly different between non-survivors and survivors (− 24.2% vs. 63.9%, p = 0.026). Ln(RHI) was significantly lower in patients with renal and cardiovascular dysfunction (p < 0.01). RH-PAT is correlated with disease severity and seems to be an independent marker of early mortality, cardiovascular and renal dysfunctions. RH-PAT variation predicts late mortality. There appears to be an RH-PAT impairment in the acute phase of severe diseases that may be reversible and associated with better outcomes.Professor Rita Gaio was partially supported by CMUP (UID/MAT/00144/2013), which is funded by FCT (Portugal) with national (MEC) and European structural funds (FEDER), under the partnership agreement PT2020

Efeitos antiangiogênicos in vivo convalidam a atividade antineoplásica potencial do metiljasmonato

Molecular plant components have long been aimed at the angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis pathways, and have been tested as sources for antineoplasic drugs with promising success. The present work deals with the anti-angiogenic effects of Methyl Jasmonate. Jasmonate derivatives were demonstrated to selectively damage the mitochondria of cancer cells. In vitro, 1-10 mM Methyl Jasmonate induced the cell death of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the Murine melanoma cells (B16F10), while micromolar concentrations were ineffective. In vivo, comparable concentrations were toxic and reduced the vessel density of the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chicken Embryo (CAM). However, 1-10 µM concentrations produced a complex effect. There was increased capillary budding, but the new vessels were leakier and less organised than corresponding controls. It is suggested that not only direct toxicity, but also the drug effects upon angiogenesis are relevant to the antineoplasic effects of Methyl Jasmonate.Moléculas de origem vegetal são, há muito, conhecidas como substâncias ativas sobre as vias de angiogênese e antiangiogênese e foram testadas como fonte de drogas antineoplásicas com sucesso promissor. Este trabalho trata dos efeitos antiangiogênicos do Metiljasmonato, um protótipo da família dos derivados do ácido jasmônico, que danificam seletivamente a mitocôndria de células neoplásicas. In vitro, metiljasmonato 1-10 mM promoveu a morte celular de células endoteliais humanas de cordão umbilical (HUVEC) e de melanoma murino (B16F10); concentrações micromolares foram inócuas. In vivo, concentrações equivalentes foram tóxicas e reduziram a densidade de vasos em membranas corioalantoicas de embrião de galinha (CAM). Entretanto, concentrações entre 1-10 µM produziram um efeito complexo. Ocorreu aumento no brotamento capilar, mas os novos vasos apresentaram-se frágeis e menos organizados que os controles correspondentes. Sugere-se que, além da toxicidade direta contra as células tumorais, a ação do metiljasmonato sobre a angiogênese seja relevante para seu efeito antineoplásico