Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Ependymal damage in a Plasmodium yoelii yoelii lethal murine malaria model

Malaria continues to be a major global health problem, and over 40% of the world’s population is at risk. Severe or complicated malaria is defined by clinical or laboratory evidence of vital organ dysfunction, including dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS). The pathogenesis of complicated malaria has not been completely elucidated; however, the development of the multiorgan affection seems to play an important role in the disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) that protects the CNS against chemical insults. Historically, the BBB has received more attention in the pathogenesis of malaria than have the cerebrospinal fluid-brain barrier (CSFBB) and ependymal cells. This perspective may be misguided because, in the context of disease or toxicity, the CSFBB is more vulnerable to many foreign invaders than are the capillaries. Given the lack on studies of the damage to the CSFBB and ependymal epithelium in experimental murine malaria, the present study evaluated morphological changes in the ependymal cells of CD-1 male mice infected with lethal Plasmodium yoelii yoelii (Pyy) via histopathology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Samples were taken two, four and six days post-infection (PI). No lesions were observed upon the initial infection. By the fourth day PI, fourth ventricle ependymal samples exhibited disruptions and roughened epithelia. More severe injuries were observed at six days PI and included thickened cilia and deep separations between the ependymal intercellular spaces. In some of the analyzed areas, the absence of microvilli and cell layer detachment were observed, and some areas exhibited blebbing surfaces. The ependymal cell lesions observed in the CD1 male mice infected with lethal Pyy seemed to facilitate the paracellular permeability of the CSFBB and consequently promote the access of inflammatory mediators and toxic molecules through the barrier, which resulted in damage to the brain tissue. Understanding the mechanism of ependymal disruption during lethal murine malaria could help to elucidate the local and systemic factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and may provide essential clues for the prevention and treatment of complicated human malaria

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, an American plant used as sweetener: Study of its effects on body mass control and glycemia reduction in Wistar male and female rats.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni water extracts have been used as a natural sweetener and customary medicine by the indigenous inhabitants of South America for several hundred years. This plant was sent to Europe in the 16th century and was described by Peter Jacob Esteve in Spain. Recently the food industry has started to employ S. rebaudiana as sweetener using its glycosides after purification. Advertisement claims that Stevia glycosides is good for controling body mass and reducing glycemia. This study's objective was to evaluate the effect of S. rebaudiana leaf extract on Wistar rats as animal model to prove its effectiveness on body mass control, glycemia reduction, and other biochemical parameters. Three groups were randomly formed with 24 males and 24 females: A blank group without any sweetener, a control group drinking water with 10% glucose, and the test group ingesting a 0.94% water extract of S. rebaudiana. Body mass measurements as well as food and drink consumption were daily performed. The experiment lasted 120 days after the specimens were weaned and got used to eating solid food. Euthanasia was done and blood serum was collected to evaluate the following biochemical parameters: Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, glucagon, leptin, ghrelin, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, GIP. Results indicated that only female rats had statistical differences in body mass gain. No relevant effects either positive or negative were found in the biochemical parameters measured. The crude extracts of S. rebaudiana did not show any relevant changes in biochemical and hormonal profiles, changes nor body mass with respect to the blank and control groups of young and healthy rats in the age range of infancy to youth. According to the results obtained, the therapeutic properties that have been associated to S. rebaudiana consumption especially for body mass control and glycemia reduction, did not occur in young and healthy male and female rats in equivalent age to infants, young children, and youths

Fig 3 -

A. Male Wistar rats daily food intake during 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Each line represents the trend in the evaluated period where each point comprises the average food intake of each group and its CI at 95%, n = 8. B. Female Wistar rats daily food intake during 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Each line represents the trend in the evaluated period where each point comprises the average food intake of each group and its CI at 95%, n = 8. C. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of final cumulative food intake data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Duncan test. D. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of final cumulative food intake data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Duncan test.</p

Methodology for preparing infusions and quantification of glucosides of interest (modified of [34]).

Methodology for preparing infusions and quantification of glucosides of interest (modified of [34]).</p

Fig 7 -

A. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum insulin data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. B. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum insulin data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. C. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum glucagon data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. D. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum glucagon data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. E. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum leptin data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. F. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum leptin data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. G. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum ghrelin data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. H. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum ghrelin data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. I. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide, GIP, data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8. J. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of serum glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide, GIP, data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Games-Howell Method n = 8.</p

S1 Raw data -

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni water extracts have been used as a natural sweetener and customary medicine by the indigenous inhabitants of South America for several hundred years. This plant was sent to Europe in the 16th century and was described by Peter Jacob Esteve in Spain. Recently the food industry has started to employ S. rebaudiana as sweetener using its glycosides after purification. Advertisement claims that Stevia glycosides is good for controling body mass and reducing glycemia. This study’s objective was to evaluate the effect of S. rebaudiana leaf extract on Wistar rats as animal model to prove its effectiveness on body mass control, glycemia reduction, and other biochemical parameters. Three groups were randomly formed with 24 males and 24 females: A blank group without any sweetener, a control group drinking water with 10% glucose, and the test group ingesting a 0.94% water extract of S. rebaudiana. Body mass measurements as well as food and drink consumption were daily performed. The experiment lasted 120 days after the specimens were weaned and got used to eating solid food. Euthanasia was done and blood serum was collected to evaluate the following biochemical parameters: Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, glucagon, leptin, ghrelin, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, GIP. Results indicated that only female rats had statistical differences in body mass gain. No relevant effects either positive or negative were found in the biochemical parameters measured. The crude extracts of S. rebaudiana did not show any relevant changes in biochemical and hormonal profiles, changes nor body mass with respect to the blank and control groups of young and healthy rats in the age range of infancy to youth. According to the results obtained, the therapeutic properties that have been associated to S. rebaudiana consumption especially for body mass control and glycemia reduction, did not occur in young and healthy male and female rats in equivalent age to infants, young children, and youths.</div

Fig 5 -

A. Male Wistar rats statistical analyses of theoretically calculated energy cumulative intake data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Duncan test. B. Female Wistar rats statistical analyses of theoretically calculated energy cumulative intake data 120 days after weaning consuming stevia infusion, drinking water sweetened with glucose (control), and plain water (blank). Its CI is at 95%. The following letters indicate significant differences p<0.05: a, b, c, d. Duncan test.</p