The first autochthonous case of American trypanosomiasis in the State of Acre, Brazil, and its correlation with the strains identified in the human case and the sylvatic triatomines in the area

Results of entomological and epidemiological investigations on the first autochthonous human case of American trypanosomiasis in the State of Acre, Brazil are presented. There are no synanthropic triatomine vectors in the area. Possibility of congenital or transfusional transmission is completely excluded. However, it is not possible to establish whether transmission was the result of house invasion of a silvatic triatomine species or contamined food. Two strains of Trypanosoma cruzi were isolated: one from humans which was called "Acre-Humana" (AH) and another from Rhodnius robustus collected in palm-trees (Attalea sp.) near the dwelling, called "Acre-Silvestre" (AS). There is a close relationship between the strains of T. cruzi studied, in both morphological and pathogenic aspects. These strains are pathogenic for baby mice, showing an infection rate of one hundred per cent. In both strains, the mice infection was very severe, with high lethality and parasitemia rates and a short prepatente period. In both strains during the acute infection phase, leishmanial forms were easily seen in tissue sections, specially in mice hearts and livers. Mice which recovered from infection with the AH and AS strain had a high resistence against reinoculations with the Y strain of T. cruzi. AH and AS strains were easily cultivated in blood-agar medium and Warren's liquid medium and infected six species of triatomine tested. The results confirm once again the existence of natural focci of American trypanosomiasis in the area.São apresentados os resultados obtidos na investigação entorno-epidemiológica realizada no estudo do primeiro caso humano autóctone de tripanossomíase americana no Estado do Acre (Brasil). A investigação demonstrou ausência de domiciliação triatomínea, ficando descartada totalmente a possibilidade de transmissão congênita ou transfusional. Não foi possível verificar se a transmissão foi metaxênica através da invasão domiciliar de barbeiro silvestre, ou se por via digestiva através de alimentos contaminados. Foram isoladas duas cepas de Trypanosoma cruzi, uma do caso humano chamada Acre-Humana (AH) e outra de Rhodnius robustus coletados em palmeiras uricuri (Attalea sp) nas proximidades da casa, chamada Acre-Silvestre (AS). Ficou comprovada a existência de correlação entre os caracteres morfobiológicos e patogênicos das duas amostras estudadas: mostraram-se patogênicas para camundongos, infectando 100% dos animais, quer com formas metacíclicas de triatomíneos, quer com formas sanguícolas de doadores em fase aguda. A infecção dos camundongos nas duas amostras é grave com curto período pré-patente, parasitemia elevada e taxa de letalidade alta. Em ambas as cepas, em fase aguda, são abundantes ninhos de amastigotas, principalmente no coração e fígado. As amostras AH e AS conferem aos animais que sobrevivem boa resistência contra infecções pela amostra Y. Cultivaram-se facilmente em meios líquidos e semi-sólidos e infectaram experimentalmente seis espécies de triatomíneos. Os resultados comprovam mais uma vez a presença de focos naturais desta parasitose na região

Sobrevivência e ocorrência de muda em Triatoma infestans Klug (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) após choque de temperatura

Survival and molting occurrence were studied in specimens of Triatoma infestans over 30 days after temperature shocks. Hyperthermal and hypotermal shocks could be found to affect both survival and molting incidence as a function of temperature and period of the developement phase and sex of the specimens. Considering the various test conditions, the shock at 0°C for 12 h was found to elicit the most deleterious effect, whereas shocks at 40°C and 0°C even for 1 h are interpreted as affecting the hormonal balance which controls molting. Cases of a rise in post-shock survival are suggested to have been favored by heat-shock protein action.A sobrevivência e a ocorrência de mudas em espécimes de Triatoma infestans foram estudados num período de 30 dias após choques de temperatura. Foi demonstrado que choques hipertérmico e hipotérmico interferem nesses processos, na dependência da temperatura do choque, tempo de sua duração, fase de desenvolvimento e sexo dos espécimes. Dentre as situações experimentais utilizadas, o choque a 0°C por 12 h pareceu produzir a ação mais deletéria, porém choques a 40°C e 0°C mesmo por uma hora são admitidos como afetando o desenvolvimento hormonal que controla a muda. Casos de aumento de sobrevivência pós-choque são sugeridos como tendo sido favorecidos por ação de proteínas de choque térmico

Sobrevivência e ocorrência de muda em Triatoma infestans Klug (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) após choque de temperatura Survival and molting occurrence in Triatoma infestans Klug (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) after temperature shocks

A sobrevivência e a ocorrência de mudas em espécimes de Triatoma infestans foram estudados num período de 30 dias após choques de temperatura. Foi demonstrado que choques hipertérmico e hipotérmico interferem nesses processos, na dependência da temperatura do choque, tempo de sua duração, fase de desenvolvimento e sexo dos espécimes. Dentre as situações experimentais utilizadas, o choque a 0°C por 12 h pareceu produzir a ação mais deletéria, porém choques a 40°C e 0°C mesmo por uma hora são admitidos como afetando o desenvolvimento hormonal que controla a muda. Casos de aumento de sobrevivência pós-choque são sugeridos como tendo sido favorecidos por ação de proteínas de choque térmico.Survival and molting occurrence were studied in specimens of Triatoma infestans over 30 days after temperature shocks. Hyperthermal and hypotermal shocks could be found to affect both survival and molting incidence as a function of temperature and period of the developement phase and sex of the specimens. Considering the various test conditions, the shock at 0°C for 12 h was found to elicit the most deleterious effect, whereas shocks at 40°C and 0°C even for 1 h are interpreted as affecting the hormonal balance which controls molting. Cases of a rise in post-shock survival are suggested to have been favored by heat-shock protein action

Cell death and survival alterations in Malpighian tubules of Triatoma infestans following heat shock

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOIn this study, we examined cell survival and cell death in response to heat shock in an insect organ composed of highly polyploid cells no longer capable of cell division. For this, the frequency of nuclear phenotypes in Feulgen-stained Malpighian tubules of the blood-sucking insect, Triatoma infestans, was analyzed at various times after a short heat shock with or without subsequent moderate fasting. Cell death DNA fragmentation was studied immunocytochemically. Normal phenotypes and phenotypes indicative of cell survival (heterochromatin decondensation, nuclear fusion) and death (apoptosis, necrosis) were observed, especially in heat-shocked specimens. While the number of total and normal nuclei decreased following heat shock, the frequency of apoptosis increased during a short period (7 days) after heat shock. During a 30-day period following heat shock, the frequency of necrosis in fasted but not in fully nourished nymphs increased simultaneously with a decrease in the frequency of apoptosis. This finding suggests that the stress promoted by heat shock, but not that associated with heat shock plus fasting, can be dealt with by the apoptosis program. When considering the forms of cell survival, heterochromatin decondensation was more relevant in fully nourished nymphs, whereas nuclear and cell fusions were more important in fasted specimens. The forms of cell survival and cell death reported here may have protected the organ from damage by the stressing agents. In cells with no induction or accumulation of heat-shock proteins, cell death and the forms of cell survival observed here were the probable consequence.In this study, we examined cell survival and cell death in response to heat shock in an insect organ composed of highly polyploid cells no longer capable of cell division. For this, the frequency of nuclear phenotypes in Feulgen-stained Malpighian tubules of the blood-sucking insect, Triatoma infestans, was analyzed at various times after a short heat shock with or without subsequent moderate fasting. Cell death DNA fragmentation was studied immunocytochemically. Normal phenotypes and phenotypes indicative of cell survival (heterochromatin decondensation, nuclear fusion) and death (apoptosis, necrosis) were observed, especially in heat-shocked specimens. While the number of total and normal nuclei decreased following heat shock, the frequency of apoptosis increased during a short period (7 days) after heat shock. During a 30-day period following heat shock, the frequency of necrosis in fasted but not in fully nourished nymphs increased simultaneously with a decrease in the frequency of apoptosis. This finding suggests that the stress promoted by heat shock, but not that associated with heat shock plus fasting, can be dealt with by the apoptosis program. When considering the forms of cell survival, heterochromatin decondensation was more relevant in fully nourished nymphs, whereas nuclear and cell fusions were more important in fasted specimens. The forms of cell survival and cell death reported here may have protected the organ from damage by the stressing agents. In cells with no induction or accumulation of heat-shock proteins, cell death and the forms of cell survival observed here were the probable consequenceIn this study, we examined cell survival and cell death in response to heat shock in an insect organ composed of highly polyploid cells no longer capable of cell division. For this, the frequency of nuclear phenotypes in Feulgen-stained Malpighian tubules of the blood-sucking insect, Triatoma infestans, was analyzed at various times after a short heat shock with or without subsequent moderate fasting. Cell death DNA fragmentation was studied immunocytochemically. Normal phenotypes and phenotypes indicative of cell survival (heterochromatin decondensation, nuclear fusion) and death (apoptosis, necrosis) were observed, especially in heat-shocked specimens. While the number of total and normal nuclei decreased following heat shock, the frequency of apoptosis increased during a short period (7 days) after heat shock. During a 30-day period following heat shock, the frequency of necrosis in fasted but not in fully nourished nymphs increased simultaneously with a decrease in the frequency of apoptosis. This finding suggests that the stress promoted by heat shock, but not that associated with heat shock plus fasting, can be dealt with by the apoptosis program. When considering the forms of cell survival, heterochromatin decondensation was more relevant in fully nourished nymphs, whereas nuclear and cell fusions were more important in fasted specimens. The forms of cell survival and cell death reported here may have protected the organ from damage by the stressing agents. In cells with no induction or accumulation of heat-shock proteins, cell death and the forms of cell survival observed here were the probable consequence796709717FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO1995/6629-8; 1999/2547-8 | | sem informaçãoDans ce travail, nous avons étudié la survie et la mort cellulaires à la suite d'un choc thermique dans un Mello et al. organe d'insecte constitué de cellules hautement polyploïdes qui ne peuvent plus se diviser. Pour cela, la fréquence des phénotypes nucléaires dans des tubes de Malpighi de l'insecte suceur de sang, Triatoma infestans, colorés par la méthode de Feulgen, a été mesurée à divers temps après un choc thermique de courte durée, suivi ou non d'un jeûne modéré. La fragmentation de l'ADN lors de la mort cellulaire a été étudiée par immunocytochimie. Les phénotypes normaux, les phénotypes de survie cellulaire (décondensation de l'hétérochromatine, fusion nucléaire) et les phénotypes de mort cellulaire (apoptose, nécrose) ont été observés, en particulier dans les spécimens soumis à un choc thermique. Alors que le nombre total de noyaux normaux diminue, la fréquence de l'apoptose augmente durant une courte période (7 jours) après le choc thermique. Au cours des 30 jours suivant le choc thermique, la fréquence des nécroses augmente en même temps que la fréquence de l'apoptose diminue chez les nymphes ayant jeûné, mais non chez celles bien nourries. Ce résultat suggère que le programme de l'apoptose peut se charger du stress engendré par un choc thermique, mais non du stress associé à un choc thermique suivi d'un jeûne. Lorsque les types de survie cellulaire sont considérés, la décondensation de l'hétérochromatine est plus importante chez les nymphes bien nourries, alors que la fusion nucléaire et la fusion cellulaire sont plus importantes dans les spécimens ayant jeûné. Les types de survie cellulaire et de mort cellulaire notés peuvent avoir protégé l'organe des dommages engendrés par les agents stressants. Dans les cellules où il n'y a aucune induction ou accumulation de protéines du choc thermique, cela entraîne probablement la mort cellulaire et les types de survie cellulaire observésDans ce travail, nous avons étudié la survie et la mort cellulaires à la suite d’un choc thermique dans un Mello et al. organe d’insecte constitué de cellules hautement polyploïdes qui ne peuvent plus se diviser. Pour cela, la fréquence des phénotypes nucléaires dans des tubes de Malpighi de l’insecte suceur de sang, Triatoma infestans, colorés par la méthode de Feulgen, a été mesurée à divers temps après un choc thermique de courte durée, suivi ou non d’un jeûne modéré. La fragmentation de l’ADN lors de la mort cellulaire a été étudiée par immunocytochimie. Les phénotypes normaux, les phénotypes de survie cellulaire (décondensation de l’hétérochromatine, fusion nucléaire) et les phénotypes de mort cellulaire (apoptose, nécrose) ont été observés, en particulier dans les spécimens soumis à un choc thermique. Alors que le nombre total de noyaux normaux diminue, la fréquence de l’apoptose augmente durant une courte période (7 jours) après le choc thermique. Au cours des 30 jours suivant le choc thermique, la fréquence des nécroses augmente en même temps que la fréquence de l’apoptose diminue chez les nymphes ayant jeûné, mais non chez celles bien nourries. Ce résultat suggère que le programme de l’apoptose peut se charger du stress engendré par un choc thermique, mais non du stress associé à un choc thermique suivi d’un jeûne. Lorsque les types de survie cellulaire sont considérés, la décondensation de l’hétérochromatine est plus importante chez les nymphes bien nourries, alors que la fusion nucléaire et la fusion cellulaire sont plus importantes dans les spécimens ayant jeûné. Les types de survie cellulaire et de mort cellulaire notés peuvent avoir protégé l’organe des dommages engendrés par les agents stressants. Dans les cellules où il n’y a aucune induction ou accumulation de protéines du choc thermique, cela entraîne probablement la mort cellulaire et les types de survie cellulaire observé

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background: Appropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD. Methods: In this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group). The BALANCE Program included a unique nutritional education strategy to implement recommendations from guidelines, adapted to the use of affordable and regional foods. Adherence to diet was evaluated by the modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, amputation, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary end points included biochemical and anthropometric data, and blood pressure levels. Results: From March 5, 2013, to Abril 7, 2015, a total of 2534 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the BALANCE Program group (n = 1,266) or the control group (n = 1,268) and were followed up for a median of 3.5 years. In total, 235 (9.3%) participants had been lost to follow-up. After 3 years of follow-up, mean modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (scale 0-70) was only slightly higher in the BALANCE group versus the control group (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 24.7 ± 8.6, P <.01), mainly due to a 0.5-serving/d greater intake of fruits and of vegetables in the BALANCE group. Primary end point events occurred in 236 participants (18.8%) in the BALANCE group and in 207 participants (16.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI 0.95-1.38; P =.15). Secondary end points did not differ between groups after follow-up. Conclusions: The BALANCE Program only slightly improved adherence to a healthy diet in patients with established CVD and had no significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular events or death. © 2019 The Author

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora