Short-term exposure of mice to cigarette smoke and/or residual oil fly ash produces proximal airspace enlargements and airway epithelium remodeling

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with inflammatory cell reactions, tissue destruction and lung remodeling. Many signaling pathways for these phenomena are still to be identified. We developed a mouse model of COPD to evaluate some pathophysiological mechanisms acting during the initial stage of the disease. Forty-seven 6- to 8-week-old female C57/BL6 mice (approximately 22 g) were exposed for 2 months to cigarette smoke and/or residual oil fly ash (ROFA), a concentrate of air pollution. We measured lung mechanics, airspace enlargement, airway wall thickness, epithelial cell profile, elastic and collagen fiber deposition, and by immunohistochemistry transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), macrophage elastase (MMP12), neutrophils and macrophages. We observed regional airspace enlargements near terminal bronchioles associated with the exposure to smoke or ROFA. There were also increases in airway resistance and thickening of airway walls in animals exposed to smoke. In the epithelium, we noted a decrease in the ciliated cell area of animals exposed to smoke and an increase in the total cell area associated with exposure to both smoke and ROFA. There was also an increase in the expression of TGF-β1 both in the airways and parenchyma of animals exposed to smoke. However, we could not detect inflammatory cell recruitment, increases in MMP12 or elastic and collagen fiber deposition. After 2 months of exposure to cigarette smoke and/or ROFA, mice developed regional airspace enlargements and airway epithelium remodeling, although no inflammation or increases in fiber deposition were detected. Some of these phenomena may have been mediated by TGF-β1

Could alarmingly high rates of negative diagnoses in remote rural areas be minimized with liquid-based citology? preliminary results from the RODEO study team

Objective: It was the aim of this study to compare diagnostic performances of the BD SurePath (TM) liquid-based Papanicolaou test (LBC) and the conventional Papanicolaou test (CPT) in cervical samples of women from remote rural areas of Brazil. Study Design: Specimens were collected by mobile units provided by Barretos Cancer Hospital. This report evaluates the manual screening arm of the RODEO study. Of 12,048 women seen between May and December 2010, 6,001 were examined using LBC and 6,047 using CPT. Results: Comparative (LBC vs. CPT) outcomes were: all abnormal tests, 2.1 versus 1.0%; ASC-US (atypical squannous cells of unknown significance), 0.7 versus 0.1%; ASC-H (atypical squamous cells with possible high-grade squannous intraepithelial lesions) and AGC (atypical glandular cells), 0.4 versus 0.3%; LSIL (low-grade squannous intraepithelial lesions), 0.7 versus 0.3%; HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions), 0.4 versus 0.2%, and unsatisfactory, 0.03 versus 0.08%. The LBC arm detected significantly more lesions (ASC-US+) than CPT (p < 0.001); however, when we divided the diagnoses into two groups, ASC-H (negative/ASC-US/LSIL) and ASC-H+ (ASC-H/AGC/HSIL), the difference was not statistically important (p = 0.213). Conclusions: With inherent difficulties in patient recruitment and patient compliance with cancer screening, best test performance including human papillomavirus test capability are vitally necessary in Brazil's struggle to reduce cervical cancer

Infestações parasitárias de cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) durante fase inicial de produção de juvenis.

ENBRAPOA

Parasitologicalassessment and host-parasite relationship in farmed Cachara catfish fingerlings (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1889), Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Farmed fingerlings of South American catfish are frequently exposed to several parasites, but little information is available for implementing health programs for control and prevention of parasitic diseases in the hatcheries. This study evaluated the parasitic fauna of cachara catfish fingerlings (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eingenmann & Eigenmann, 1889) and the hostparasite relationship during the early stages of rearing. A total of 302 cachara fingerlings were used for parasitic diagnosis and histopathological analysis. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Trichodina heterodentata were diagnosed as the most prevalent parasites, followed by Cryptobia sp., Henneguya sp., Monogenea and Nematoda. There was a positive correlation between the size of the fish and the mean intensity of parasitism by I. multifiliis. Proliferation of mucus cells, club cells, multifocal area of degeneration, epithelial necrosis on the body surface, skin ulceration, fusion of secondary gill lamellae and inflammatory infiltration were observed in I. multifiliisinfected fish. Ciliated protozoans were the main etiological agents diagnosed, and the cachara (P. reticulatum) is a new host for T. heterodentata. In addition, ichthyophthiriasis induced severe tissue damage thus making the fingerlings susceptible to opportunistic infections.Los alevines de bagres del Sur de América en cautiverio están frecuentemente expuestos a muchos parásitos, pero poca información es evaluada para implementar programa de salud para control y prevención de enfermedades en criaderos. Este estudio evaluó la fauna de parásitos de alevines de cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eingenmann & Eingenmann, 1889) y la relación huésped-parásito durante las fases iníciales de cultivo. Un total de 302 alevines fueran sometidos a diagnóstico y análisis histopatológicos. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis y Trichodina heterodentata fueran diagnosticados como los parásitos mas prevalentes, seguidos de Cryptobia sp., Henneguya sp., Monogenea y Nematoda. Ha sido observada una correlación positiva entre la longitud de los peces y la intensidad promedio de I. multifiliis. Proliferación de células de moco, células club, áreas multifocales de degeneración, necrosis epitelial en la superficie del cuerpo, ulceración de piel, fusión de laminillas branquiales secundarias e infiltración inflamatoria fueron observados en peces infectados por I. multifiliis. Los protozoarios ciliados fueran los agentes etiológicos más importantes y el cachara (P. reticulatum) es un nuevo huésped para T. heterodentata. En adición, la ictioftiriasis indujo un daño severo favoreciendo las infecciones oportunistas en los alevines

Na mira do olhar: um exercício de análise da fotografia nas revistas ilustradas cariocas, na primeira metade do século XX

This article presents a historical approach for the analysis of photographic images, followed by the application of these theoretical and methodological considerations to a series of photographs issued in two popular magazines, published in the city of Rio de Janeiro between 1900 and 1960. Through the analysis of the photographic message, class behaviour codes are related to their social representations.Este artigo traz considerações sobre a análise histórica de imagens fotográficas, aplicando as propostas teórico-metodológicas apresentadas a uma série fotográfica composta pelas imagens de duas revistas ilustradas, Careta e O Cruzeiro, publicadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro entre 1900 e 1960. Por meio da análise da mensagem fotográfica relaciona-se a elaboração dos códigos de comportamento de classe às suas representações sociais

An emerging class of air pollutants: potential effects of microplastics to respiratory human health?

It is increasingly recognized that the ubiquity of convenient single-use plastic has resulted in a global plastic pollution challenge, with substantial environmental and health consequences. Physical, chemical, and biological processes result in plastic weathering, with eventual formation of debris in the micro to nano size range. There is an increasing awareness that plastic fragments are dispersed in the air and can be inhaled by humans, which may cause adverse effects on the respiratory system and on other systems. Urban environments are often characterized by high concentrations of fine airborne dust from various sources. To date, however, there is limited information on the distribution, shape, and size of microplastics in the air in urban and other environments. In this article, we review and discuss our current understanding of the exposure characteristics of airborne plastic debris in urbanized areas, focusing on concentration, size, morphology, presence of additives and distributions of different polymers. The natural and extend data are compiled and compared to laboratory-based analyses to further our understanding of the potential adverse effects of inhaled plastic particles on human health.Environmental Biolog