Distribution of Rickettsia rickettsii in ovary cells of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Considering the fact that the dog tick, <it>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</it>, has a great potential to become the vector of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) for humans, the present study aimed to describe the distribution of the bacterium <it>Rickettsia rickettsii</it>, the etiological agent of BSF, in different regions of the ovaries of <it>R. sanguineus </it>using histological techniques. The ovaries were obtained from positive females confirmed by the hemolymph test and fed in the nymph stage on guinea pigs inoculated with <it>R. rickettsii</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed a general distribution of <it>R. rickettsii </it>in the ovary cells, being found in oocytes in all stages of development (I, II, III, IV and V) most commonly in the periphery of the oocyte and also in the cytoplasm of pedicel cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The histological analysis of the ovaries of <it>R. sanguineus </it>infected females confirmed the presence of the bacterium, indicating that the infection can interfere negatively in the process of reproduction of the ticks, once alterations were detected both in the shape and cell structure of the oocytes which contained bacteria.</p

Leaf-Cutter Ants and Microbial Control

The attini tribe comprises fungusgrowing ants, such as the basal Apterostigma and other more specialized genera, including the higher attine and the ones that cut the fresh plant tissue (Atta and Acromyrmex), maintaining an obligatory mutualistic relation with the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, which serves as a food source for the ants. Leaf-cutter ants are considered agriculture pests and populate the soil, a rich environment, especially due to the presence of several microorganisms. Some of these microorganisms are natural enemies that may cause epizootics (quickly spreading opportunistic diseases). Such defence strategies include polyethism, that is, division of labor among the individuals. The older ants take on the responsibility of foraging, as their integument is harder and heavily sclerotized, serving as a protective barrier against pathogens (including bacteria and antagonistic fungi). The younger ants, whose metapleural glands synthetize important secretions to eliminate and control microorganisms that could attack the colony fungus garden and the immature (larvae and pupae), remain inside the colony cultivating symbiont fungi. The sum of the survival strategies of ants in general, including social immunity and nest-cleaning behavior, represents a barrier for the application of biological control programs, mainly microbial ones

Liver and spleen of hosts of Rhipicephalus linnaei exposed to synthetic (afoxolaner) and natural acaricides (esters from castor oil). A comparative clinical-morphological study

Abstract In dogs, Rhipicephalus linnaei transmits pathogens such as Ehrlichia canis, Babesia vogeli, and Hepatozoon canis. The veterinary market has synthetic acaricides to ticks control. Esters derived from castor oil are efficient. However, there is little information about their effects on non-target organisms. This work consisted of a clinical (AST, ALT, and ALP) and histological and histochemical analysis (liver and spleen) of female rabbits exposed to these esters and afoxolaner. The rabbits were divided into three groups: control group (CG) received Bandeirante® rabbit feed; the afoxolaner treatment (TG1) received rabbit feed and two doses of afoxolaner; castor oil esters treatment (TG2) received rabbit feed enriched with esters (1.75 g esters/kg). No alterations were observed in the AST, ALT, and ALP enzymes in exposure to esters TG2. Rabbits from TG1 showed changes in AST. The liver of rabbits exposed to afoxolaner underwent histological and histochemical changes, such as steatosis and vacuolation, as well as poor protein labeling. Polysaccharides were intensely observed in the group exposed to esters. The spleen showed no changes in any of the exposure. Esters from castor oil caused fewer liver changes when incorporated into the feed and fed to rabbits than exposure to afoxolaner

CELLULAR DEVELOPMENT AND HISTOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF THE NASSANOFF GLANDS UNDER JUVENILE HORMONE ACTION

The Nassanoff glands are responsible for synthesis of species-specific pheromones, and secretory substances responsible for the colony scent. In the present work the Nassanoff glands of 12 and 25 day-old Apis mellifera workers were treated with juvenile hormone (JH) just after emerging, were studied through morphometric and histological analyses and compared to those of non-treated workers. The results showed that although JH administration caused an acceleration of worker maturation, it failed to affect the developmental pattern of the Nassanoff glands, showing that the period of administration of the JH is inappropriate to cause any influence to this pattern. Keywords: Apis mellifera, histology, juvenile hormone, morphometry, Nassanoff glands

Clinical and morphophysiological hepatic alterations caused by the ingestion of food with added ricinoleic acid esters a bioactive with acaricidal potential: Alterações hepáticas clínicas e morfofisiológicas causadas pela ingestão de alimentos com adição de ésteres ricos em ácido ricinoleico um bioativo com potencial acaricida

The present study investigated the effects of castor oil ricinoleic acid through analysis of blood biochemical parameters and the liver morphology of female rabbits (animal model). The results of Bioassay 1 and Bioassay 2 showed that the reference indexes of the hepatic enzymes alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and alanine aminotransferase were not significantly altered. However, the hepatic enzyme aspartate aminotransferase of the rabbits tested in Bioassay 2 presented alterations, suggesting a hepatotoxic effect of the esters. The morphological and histological data showed that the liver of the rabbits fed with the ester-added food presented the following alterations:&nbsp; a) disorganization of the hepatic cords; b) an increase in intercellular spaces; c) hepatocytes with barely evident cell limits; and d) hepatocytes with irregular and pyknotic nuclei, in most cases displaced to the periphery of the cell due to extensive vacuolation. The histochemical analysis showed that the hepatocytes of the rabbits fed with commercial food with added esters had a decrease in lipid content and an increase in the levels of stored cytoplasmic glycogen

Gait speed, balance and functional capacity in a sample of community-dwelling older adults

Introduction: Falls in older people is an important public health concern since they are responsible for a high number of hospitalizations, health complications, disability, and death. Gait speed has been identified as a predictor of health state in elderly populations and it is related to falls and functional capacity. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of falling in a sample of Portuguese older adults living in the community and to investigate the associations between gait speed, balance, and functionality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Assessment included gait speed (GS) with 4-meter walk test; balance with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); functional capacity with the Composite Physical Function Scale (CPF). Descriptive and correlational statistics were performed to analyze data. Results: 46 community-dwelling older adults (32 women; 14 men) aged 77 ± 9 years participated in our study. Mean value for GS was 1.17 ± 0.37 m/s which is normal for this population. For BBS and CPF median was 52 and 19, respectively. BBS results revealed a risk of falling off 43% and functional capacity of our participants was at moderate levels. The study of correlations between variables also showed positive associations between GS and BBS (R = 0.631; p = 0.00) and between GS and CPF (R = 0.605; p = 0.00). Conclusions: Positive associations between GS and balance and between GS and functional capacity highlight the role of GS in the assessment of fall risk and functional capacity since it is a simple and easy test to perform.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

REVISANDO EL ENFOQUE DE LAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS EN SALUD MENTAL: EVALUACIÓN DEL BIENESTAR PSICOSOCIAL ENTRE LOS JÓVENES DE CONTEXTO URBANO Y RURAL

En México existen artículos en la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicano, así como leyes complementarias, que establecen derechos sociales a todos los mexicanos. Dado los limitados recursos existentes, se han tenido que generar leyes que marquen prioridad de atención sobre aquellos grupos de población que sean más vulnerables como las personas que viven en pobreza extrema o, por grupos de edad, los niños/as y jóvenes. Uno de los derechos que requieren de esa distinción es el derecho a la salud y, particularmente, a la salud mental. El presente trabajo hace una reflexión del estado de las políticas públicas entorno a la salud mental, partiendo de sus bases conceptuales y evaluando su coherencia con sus objetivos y estrategias de acción. Se propone a su vez, llevar a cabo un cambio de enfoque que aplique de manera más fiel la conceptualización de la salud mental como un estado de bienestar con las características que la Organización Mundial de la Salud ha determinado. Para mostrar las ventajas que esto traería a la evaluación del desarrollo regional y sus desigualdades, se lleva a cabo un diagnóstico de la salud mental desde el bienestar psicosocial de los jóvenes estudiantes de secundaria de dos municipios de la Costa Norte de Jalisco, dicho diagnóstico incluye variables individuales, familiares, escolares y comunitarias. A partir de sus resultados se logran conclusiones que ponen en evidencia las desigualdades dentro de la misma región, las necesidades prioritarias de salud mental de ciertos grupos de jóvenes y, finalmente, los aportes puntuales que una evaluación integral de la salud mental harían a la creación de políticas públicas según las necesidades particulares de una comunidad