The transmission of Leishmania infantum chagasi by the bite of the Lutzomyia longipalpis to two different vertebrates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sandflies are vectors of <it>Leishmania</it>, the causative agent of leishmaniasis in mammalian hosts, including humans. The protozoan parasite is transmitted by the sandfly bite during salivation that occurs at the moment of blood feeding. The components of vector saliva include anticlotting and vasodilatory factors that facilitate blood flow and immunomodulatory factors that inhibit wound healing and quell the immune response. Not surprisingly, these factors also play important roles in the establishment of <it>Leishmania </it>infection. To date, the majority of knowledge that has been generated regarding the process of <it>Leishmania </it>infection, including <it>L. infantum chagasi </it>transmission has been gathered by using intradermal or subcutaneous inoculation of purified parasites.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>This study presents the establishment of a transmission model of <it>Leishmania infantum chagasi </it>by the bite of <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis</it>, the vector of American visceral leishmaniasis. The parasites were successfully transmitted by infected sandfly bites to mice and hamsters, indicating that both animals are good experimental models. The <it>L. infantum chagasi </it>dose that was transmitted in each single bite ranged from 10 to 10, 000 parasites, but 75% of the sandflies transmitted less than 300 parasites.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The strategy for initiating infection by sandfly bite of experimental animals facilitates future investigations into the complex and dynamic mechanisms of visceral leishmaniasis. It is important to elucidate the transmission mechanism of vector bites. This model represents a useful tool to study <it>L. infantum chagasi </it>infection transmitted by the vector.</p

Flipping the Classroom: Reflections on the flipped classroom and teaching practice in Philosophy in the Higher Education

The new Coronavirus Pandemic has revealed the need for a methodological redefinition of teaching and learning attitude of teachers and students, through the pedagogical use of digital technologies. Therefore, this article aims to present reflections on the use of the Flipped Classroom methodology as a re-signifying possibility for the teaching of Philosophy in Higher Education, considering the context of remote emergency teaching. Assuming that there is a concern with the didactic-pedagogical and sociopolitical process of teaching and learning that constitutes teaching practice in the teaching of Philosophy in Brazilian Academies, the question is: what are the advantages and challenges of using the flipped classroom methodology in the process of teaching and learning Philosophy in Higher Education? For this, two fundamental aspects of the formal educational process are discussed: the first refers to the didactic-pedagogical and sociopolitical aspects of the teaching and learning process that constitute the teaching practice, as the content and didactics are emphasized. that is, the “what” and the “how to teach” and the second, it is about the need for re-signification/updating of traditional teaching in face of active methodologies. Based on the current context of remote teaching and/or hybrid teaching in Higher Education in Brazil, it is concluded that is necessary to reframe pedagogical practice in terms of the production of academic knowledge, without losing sight of the conditions in which it is produced

Alterações comportamentais em crianças portadoras de enfermidades crônicas e suas repercussões na família: Hospital da Criança – Obras Sociais de Irmã Dulce, Salvador, BA

It is a pilot study, involving 15 children that were commited at the Hospital da Criança: Obras Sociais de Irmã Dulce, Salvador, Bahia. The objective of this study is the investigation of family’s perception about the pediatric patient with chronic illness. The responsible for the patient answered a questionnaire that approached subjects regarding the partner demographic profile, family  knowledge degree about the disease, behavior alterations in child and its family, besides the impression of prognostic and  the medical services that were offered to the researched population. The results evidenced that some kind of behavior alteration were presented by all evaluated population, being more frequent symptoms of: sadness; anxiety; isolation and sleepness. The parents referred that after the appearance of the disease, the more common manifestations were: increase of the familiar union, feeling of fear, anxiety and concern with physical sequels. Regarding the model of hospital care, it was revealed that they were satisfied with the quality and efficiency of the medical service. However, they consider insufficient the psychological support to the child and the family throughout the confrontation of the chronic disease. The next phase of this study should make possible a more consistent and inclusive analysis concerning the proposed theme.Trata-se de um estudo piloto que envolve 15 crianças internadas no Hospital da Criança: Obras Sociais de Irmã Dulce, Salvador, Bahia, realizado com o objetivo de investigar a percepção da família perante o paciente pediátrico, portador de enfermidade crônica. Para tanto, o responsável pelo paciente respondeu a um questionário que abordou questões referentes a perfil sociodemográfico, grau de conhecimento da família em relação à doença, percepção quanto a alterações comportamentais ocorridas na criança e na família, além da impressão quanto ao prognóstico e serviços médicos prestados à população pesquisada. Os resultados desta pesquisa evidenciaram que toda a população avaliada apresentou algum tipo de alteração comportamental, sendo mais freqüentes os sintomas: tristeza, ansiedade, isolamento e sonolência. Os pais referiram como manifestações mais comuns, após o surgimento da doença: maior união familiar, sentimento de medo, ansiedade e preocupação com seqüelas físicas. No que diz respeito ao padrão de assistência hospitalar, revelaram-se satisfeitos com a qualidade e eficiência do serviço médico prestado. Entretanto, consideram insuficiente o suporte psicológico à criança e à família no enfrentamento da doença crônica. A próxima fase deste estudo deverá possibilitar uma análise mais consistente e abrangente acerca do tema proposto

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new thalidomide–donepezil hybrids as neuroprotective agents targeting cholinesterases and neuroinflammation

A new series of eight multifunctional thalidomide–donepezil hybrids were synthesized based on the multi target-directed ligand strategy and evaluated as potential neuroprotective, cholinesterase inhibitors and anti neuroinflammatory agents against neurodegenerative diseases. A molecular hybridization approach was used for structural design by combining the N-benzylpiperidine pharmacophore of donepezil and the isoindoline 1,3-dione fragment from the thalidomide structure. The most promising compound, PQM-189 (3g), showed good AChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 3.15 μM, which was predicted by docking studies as interacting with the enzyme in the same orientation observed in the AChE–donepezil complex and a similar profile of interaction. Additionally, compound 3g significantly decreased iNOS and IL-1β levels by 43% and 39%, respectively, after 24 h of incubation with lipopolysaccharide. In vivo data confirmed the ability of 3g to prevent locomotor impairment and changes in feeding behavior elicited by lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, the PAMPA assay evidenced adequate blood–brain barrier and gastrointestinal tract permeabilities with an Fa value of 69.8%. Altogether, these biological data suggest that compound 3g can treat the inflammatory process and oxidative stress resulting from the overexpression of iNOS and therefore the increase in reactive nitrogen species, and regulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β. In this regard, compound PQM-189 (3g) was revealed to be a promising neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory agent with an innovative thalidomide–donepezil-based hybrid molecular architectur