Schistosomiasis – Updating Technologies and Diagnostic Approaches in Surveillance Strategies and Clinical Management

Schistosoma infection is a poverty-related parasitic infection, being the second most important neglected tropical disease in the world after malaria. Schistosomiasis is caused by five distinct Schistosoma species distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. But, imported cases can also be seen in non - endemic areas. Human populations acquire infection after exposure to contaminated water collections. Schistosoma infection falls on a large spectrum of clinical manifestations that ranges from absence of signs and symptoms to severe forms of disease. Although morbidity and mortality have been reduced along the years after use of mass drug administration (MDA) in endemic areas, large populations are still at risk of disability-related outcomes on daily basis. Recently, a great deal of debate has been done over two main issues in schistosomiasis management in endemic and non-endemic areas: how to accurately diagnosis Schistosoma infections pre and post-therapy in addition to assess morbidity level. Adoption of promising new diagnostic tools and development of new markers of disease progression might change the current scenario by improving schistosomiasis clinical management in both community and institutional settings

Capsule Endoscopy in Suspected and Established Small Bowel Crohn’s Disease

Capsule endoscopy has recognized to be a very useful non-invasive tool for diagnosis and evaluation of the extension or the recurrence in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. It has the advantage of outstanding visualization of small-bowel lesions undetectable by conventional endoscopy or radiologic studies and has a good tolerability and safety in well-selected patients. In this chapter, we would like to evaluated the significant small bowel capsule endoscopy findings that can lead to better outcomes of diagnosis, classification, therapeutic management, and prognosis of patients with CD. Moreover, we would to discuss the specificity of the CE and to determine the place of the CE in the recurrence of CD and, for example, its role in monitoring drug response

Preparation, characterization and in vitro activities evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles based on PEG-40 stearate for antifungal drugs vaginal delivery

The present article reports the preparation, characterization and performance evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) based on polyoxyethylene-40 stearate (PEG-40 stearate) for the administration of antifungal agents such as ketoconazole and clotrimazole. These nanoparticles could be useful in the treatment of vaginal infections sustained by Candida albicans. In particular, PEG-40 stearate was made to react with acryloyl chloride in order to introduce an easily polymerizable moiety for the creation of a second shell and to ensure a slow drug release. In addition, the differences on the release profiles between PEG-40 stearate-based nanoparticles, PEG-40 stearate acrylate based and polymerized ones, were analyzed under conditions, simulating the typical environment of Candida albicans infection. Then, the antifungal activity of nanoparticles was also evaluated in terms of minimal inhibitory concentration. Moreover, the nanoparticles were submitted to in vitro studies for evaluating the drug permeability at the site of action. Results indicated that the obtained particles are potentially useful for the treatment of vaginal infections sustained by Candida albicans

The Advances in Molecular and New Point-of-Care (POC) Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis Pre- and Post-praziquantel Use: In the Pursuit of More Reliable Approaches for Low Endemic and Non-endemic Areas

Like soil-transmitted helminth infections, schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease (NTD) related to poverty with a major impact on public health in developing countries. Diagnosis of active infection is crucial for surveillance of controlled or post-elimination schistosomiasis areas. In addition, the use of conventional diagnostic tools in non-exposed populations (such as travelers) results in misdiagnoses in the prepatent period of infection. Also, the accuracy of standard tests applied in low-endemicity areas (LEAs) decreases after several rounds of treatment. We aimed to determine whether it would be necessary to replace schistosomiasis conventional diagnostic tests such as parasitological methods in LEAs. Also, we evaluate the use of new tools in non-endemic areas. Reliable, cheap and easy-to-use diagnostic tools are needed to respond to the demands of a new era of elimination and eradication of schistosomiasis. To this end, molecular diagnosis—including nucleic acid-based assays (loop-mediated isothermal amplification, polymerase chain reaction) and circulating cathodic and anodic antigen detection tests have become promising strategies. In this review, we attempt to address the use of alternative diagnostic tests for active infection detection and drug-monitoring after specific schistosomiasis treatment

miR-369-3p modulates inducible nitric oxide synthase and is involved in regulation of chronic inflammatory response

Dendritic cells are the most important antigen-presenting cells that link the innate and acquired immune system. In our previous study, we identified that the upregulation of miR-369-3p suppresses the LPS-induced inflammatory response, reducing C/EBP-β, TNFα and IL-6 production. With the aim of gaining further insight into the biological function of miR-369-3p during acute inflammatory response, in the present study we identified novel gene targets of miR-369-3p and demonstrated the suppressive ability of these genes on the inflammatory dendritic cells. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that iNOS is a potential target of miR-369-3p. We demonstrated that the ectopic induction of miR-369-3p markedly reduced iNOS mRNA and protein as well as NO production. Moreover, we found that the upregulation of miR-369-3p decreased the release of TNFα, IL-6, IL-12, IL-1α, IL-1β in response to LPS, and increased the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-1RA. In addition, LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kB was inhibited by miR-369-3p. Levels of miR-369-3p were decreased in human inflamed regions of human intestine obtained from IBD patients. Our results provide novel additional information on miR-369-3p as a potential core of the signaling regulating the inflammatory response. These findings suggest that miR-369-3p should be considered as a potential target for the future development of new molecular therapeutic approaches

Zika virus infection, associated microcephaly, and low yellow fever vaccination coverage in Brazil: is there any causal link?

Introduction: Since the end of 2014, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been rapidly spreading in Brazil. Methodology: To analyze the possible association of yellow fever vaccine with a protective effect against ZIKV-related microcephaly, the following spatial analyses were performed, using Brazilian municipalities as units: i) yellow fever vaccination coverage in Brazilian municipalities in individuals aged 15-49; ii) reported cases of microcephaly by municipality; and iii) confirmed cases of microcephaly related to ZIKV, by municipality. SaTScan software was used to identify clusters of municipalities for high risk of microcephaly. Results: There were seven significant high risk clusters of confirmed microcephaly cases, with four of them located in the Northeast where yellow fever vaccination rates were the lowest. The clusters harbored only 2.9% of the total population of Brazil, but 15.2% of confirmed cases of microcephaly. Conclusion: We hypothesize that pregnant women in regions with high yellow fever vaccination coverage may pose their offspring to lower risk for development of microcephaly. There is an urgent need for systematic studies to confirm the possible link between low yellow fever vaccination coverage, Zika virus infection and microcephaly

Treinamento baseado em computador em apoio a segurança da cadeia logística portuária

A logística tem alta relevância em toda a cadeia de valor criada em torno de um produto. Assim, fazendo parte destas cadeias estão os terminais portuários. O setor portuário brasileiro apresenta-se como o segundo mais importante, após apenas do setor rodoviário, quando analisado o sistema de transporte nacional. Dentro deste contexto, um dos motores essenciais para a prosperidade econômica é o comércio internacional e consequentemente o adequado controle e administração do movimento internacional de mercadorias. Para tanto, mostra-se necessário que as administrações aduaneiras proporcionem maior segurança à cadeia logística global, visando contribuir para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico, assegurando a arrecadação de impostos, taxas e a facilitação comercial. Atentos a esta realidade, em se tratando do setor portuário, o comércio internacional obrigou o estabelecimento de novas políticas de controle sobre veículos, cargas e pessoas, visando: a proteção da integridade física das instalações portuárias e navios atracados; da saúde e bem estar das pessoas e residentes; assim como, do meio ambiente dos países de destino das embarcações que viajam pelo mundo. Estas políticas culminaram em tratados internacionais sobre segurança portuária, como o da Organização Internacional Marítima (OIM), onde o Brasil é signatário. Estudos apontam que ainda existindo os recursos financeiros, assim como a existência de tecnologia para o cumprimento das exigências do OMI, os planos de segurança portuária somente tem condição de serem executados com eficácia, se for utilizada mão de obra qualificada através de treinamentos específicos. Idealmente profissionais de segurança responsáveis pela a inspeção não intrusiva de veículos, contêineres, cargas e bagagens deveriam receber capacitação profissional em equipamentos reais, contendo diferentes tipos de objetos, incluindo materiais proibidos ou perigosos, aprendendo desta forma a reconhecer as imagens resultantes da inspeção destes objetos. Na prática isto não se mostra plenamente viável, devido as limitações existentes na metodologias tradicionais de treinamento. Por isso, mostra-se relevante o uso de modernas ferramentas computacionais TBC (Treinamento Baseado em Computador), tendo em vista que por simulação computacional é permitido replicar este processo de treinamento, eliminando as restrições das técnicas tradicionais, permitindo uma capacitação efetiva, de alta qualidade, dentro de um curto espaço de tempo e com elevados padrões de confiabilidade

Influence Of Bromopride In The Prophylaxis Of Nausea Associated With Fluorescein Angiography.

To determine the efficacy of bromopride in the prophylaxis of nausea during fluorescein angiography, when compared with a placebo. The study was a double-masked random clinical trial, between December of 2004 and April of 2005. Examinations were performed with 20% intravenous fluorescein sodium in a single dose of 2.5 ml. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1, patients who received a 2 ml intravenous dose of 5 mg/ml bromopride and group 2, patients who received a 2 ml intravenous dose of 0.9% sodium chloride (placebo), both 20 minutes before the dye injection. Cases of nausea were observed during and after the examination. 352 patients were enrolled, 176 in each group. Cases of nausea were observed in 12 (6.8%) patients of the bromopride group and in 11 (6.3%) patients of the placebo group (p<0.829 - relative risk=1.05). Bromopride did not prevent the occurrence of nausea in fluorescein angiography, when compared with a placebo.70105-

ANÁLISE PRELIMINAR DOS MAPAS DE VULNERABILIDADE DO PATRIMÔNIO ESPELEOLÓGICO PARA AS ÁREAS CÁRSTICAS PRIORITÁRIAS DA REGIÃO DE ABRANGÊNCIA DO PAN CAVERNAS DO SÃO FRANCISCO

O Projeto de Monitoramento e Avaliação de Impactos sobre o Patrimônio Espeleológico começou a ser desenvolvido em 2010 para atender ao Componente 4 do Programa Nacional de Conservação do Patrimônio Espeleológico (PNCPE) que trata, especificamente, da definição de procedimentos para a realização de monitoramento, avaliação, prevenção e mitigação de impactos sobre o Patrimônio Espeleológico. A primeira fase deste projeto definiu o mapa de vulnerabilidade do Patrimônio Espeleológico para nove áreas cársticas prioritárias da região de abrangência do PAN Cavernas do São Francisco. Este artigo apresenta a discussão dos resultados preliminares desse produto, indicando a localização e dimensão das áreas mais vulneráveis e também a localização das cavidades naturais subterrâneas e unidades de conservação

PESQUISA SOBRE A PERCEPÇÃO DOS ALUNOS DO 1º. ANO DE CIÊNCIAS CONTÁBEIS NA CIDADE DE SÃO PAULO EM RELAÇÃO ÀS DIFICULDADES POR ELES PERCEBIDAS NO PERÍODO NOTURNO

This work studied the perception of 439 students from six universities and faculties in Sao Paulo concerning the difficulties they face during the first year of their Accounting course studying at night. Through the use of a two part questionnaire, it was possible to determine the pattern of response of those who answered it and also to evaluate the students` perception. The obtained data was treated by means of inferential statistics. The question was to find out whether there were differences in the perception of the difficulties faced by the students, in accordance with the characteristics that made up their respective profiles. The results indicate that the perception of the difficulties between the six groups has little or no difference in terms of agreement or disagreement. However, the degree of agreement or disagreement among the six groups varied for each difficulty analyzed. The results suggest the continuity of the data analysis, as well as the application of the research for other courses and its institutionalization in permanent data bases. Keywords: Accounting. Higher education and teaching. Adult education. Nighttime study.Este trabalho pesquisou a percepção de 439 alunos de seis Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) da cidade de São Paulo, sobre as dificuldades por eles enfrentadas no primeiro ano noturno de Ciências Contábeis. Foi usado um questionário, com duas partes, para caracterizar o perfil dos respondentes e avaliar a percepção dos alunos. Os dados foram tratados pela estatística inferencial. O problema residiu em saber se havia diferenças na percepção das dificuldades enfrentadas pelos alunos, em função das características identificadoras de seus perfis. Verificou-se, para os seis grupos, que a percepção das dificuldades pouco diferiu em termos de concordância ou discordância, porém a concordância ou discordância variou para cada dificuldade analisada. Os resultados obtidos sugerem a continuidade dos estudos, a aplicação do instrumento para outros cursos e sua realização em bases permanentes. Palavras-chave: Contabilidade. Estudo e ensino superior. Educação de adultos. Ensino noturno