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Schistosomiasis was diagnosed in two Portuguese soldiers who had been deployed to Portuguese colonies in Africa. The first veteran was diagnosed as having schistosomiasis 34 years after returning from Angola, and the second veteran was found with Schistosoma haematobium infection 40 years after returning from Mozambique. The patient with Schistosoma mansoni had an active infection, because eggs were recovered with living miracidia. The second patient had developed urothelial cancer, but eggs recovered were calcified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to summarize the available evidence in the literature regarding the effects generated by exposure to an enriched environment (EE) on the modulation of epigenetic processes in the central nervous system under adverse environmental conditions. Searches were conducted in three databases: PubMed/Medline (1053 articles), Scopus (121 articles), and Embase (52 articles), which were subjected to eligibility criteria. Of the 1226 articles found, 173 duplicates were removed. After evaluating titles/abstracts, 904 studies were excluded, resulting in 49 articles, of which 14 were included in this systematic review. EE was performed using different inanimate objects. Adverse environmental conditions included CUMS, sepsis, nicotine exposure, PCP exposure, early stress, WAS, high fructose intake, TBI, and sevoflurane exposure. Regarding microRNA expression, after exposure to EE, an increase in the expression of miR-221 and miR-483 was observed in the prefrontal cortex, and a reduction in the expression of miR-92a-3p and miR-134 in the hippocampus. Regarding histone modifications, in the hippocampus, there was a reduction of HAT, HDAC/HDAC4, H3 (acetyl K14), H4 (acetyl K15), H3K4me3, K3k27me3, and HDAC2/3/5. In the cortex, there was a reduction of HDAC2, and in the prefrontal cortex, there was an increase in acetylated H3. Regarding DNA modifications, there was a reduction of DNMT in the hippocampus. This systematic review concludes that the benefits of EE on the brain and behavior of animals are directly related to different epigenetic mechanisms, reflecting in cell growth and neuroplasticity. EE may be a non-pharmacological and easy-to-apply alternative to prevent symptoms in disorders affecting brain tissue., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Veterinary palliative care consists of end-of-life care of companion animals suffering from terminal or life-limiting diseases. Despite the growing need for veterinary palliative care, little research has been conducted on this topic. This perspective intends to provide an overview of the existing concerns and identify knowledge gaps to motivate further research. As a result, three main areas of research have been identified, namely: i) how to provide palliative care considering welfare implications of different diseases (e.g., pain management); ii) what can be considered a "good death", depending on the individual situation of the animal and its caregiver; iii) how to support caregivers' needs during their companion animal's end-of-life. Therefore, veterinary palliative care involves medical, ethical, and sociological considerations that should be addressed through guidelines and training., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None of the authors of this paper has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organisations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

This systematic review aimed to investigate the occurrence of phthalates (phthalic acid esters [PAEs]) in different food matrices, as well as report the main sources of PAEs in food, the potential risks to the population, and the factors that influence its migration from food contact materials (FCMs) to food. Nineteen PAEs were identified, including di-(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl-phthalate (DBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) in fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, cereals, meat, fish, fat and oils, snacks, condiments and sauces, miscellaneous, and baby food. Fifty-seven values of PAEs were above the legal limits of countries. DEHP is the PAE with the highest incidence, with maximum concentrations above the specific migration limit (SML) for milk and dairy products, oils and fats, fish, cereals, condiments and sauces, meat, and fruits and vegetables. The risk of exceeding the tolerable daily intake (TDI) was high for DEHP and DBP in fish, fat and oils, cereals, and milk and dairy products for children and adults. Fat and oils are the most critical food for DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DINP. Comparing the estimated daily intake (EDI) with the TDI, there was a risk for "milk and dairy products" in adults and for "cereal and cereal products" in children concerning DEHP. "Cereal and cereal products" presented a risk in children and adults concerning DBP. The "fat and oils" category presented a risk in children and adults about DBP and DINP. Temperature, contact time between food and the FCM, fat percent, and acidity positively correlate with the PAE's migration. The contamination occurs in many steps of the production chain., (© 2023 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Objectives: To assess the ABC 2 -SPH score in predicting COVID-19 in-hospital mortality, during intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and to compare its performance with other scores (SOFA, SAPS-3, NEWS2, 4C Mortality Score, SOARS, CURB-65, modified CHA2DS2-VASc, and a novel severity score)., Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients (≥ 18 years) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to ICUs of 25 hospitals, located in 17 Brazilian cities, from October 2020 to March 2022, were included. Overall performance of the scores was evaluated using the Brier score. ABC 2 -SPH was used as the reference score, and comparisons between ABC 2 -SPH and the other scores were performed by using the Bonferroni method of correction. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality., Results: ABC 2 -SPH had an area under the curve of 0.716 (95% CI 0.693-0.738), significantly higher than CURB-65, SOFA, NEWS2, SOARS, and modified CHA2DS2-VASc scores. There was no statistically significant difference between ABC 2 -SPH and SAPS-3, 4C Mortality Score, and the novel severity score., Conclusion: ABC 2 -SPH was superior to other risk scores, but it still did not demonstrate an excellent predictive ability for mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Our results indicate the need to develop a new score, for this subset of patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Nogueira, Nobre, Pires, Ramos, Ribeiro, Aguiar, Vigil, Gomes, Santos, Miranda, Durães, Costa, Schwarzbold, Gomes, Pessoa, Matos, Cimini, Carvalho, Ponce, Manenti, Cenci, Anschau, Costa, Nascimento, Bartolazzi, Grizende, Vianna, Nepomuceno, Ruschel, Zandoná, Castro, Souza, Carneiro, Bicalho, Vilaça, Bonardi, Oliveira, Lutkmeier, Francisco, Araújo, Delfino-Pereira and Marcolino.)

Genotype analysis has revealed a high genetic diversity in strains of Toxoplasma gondii , isolated from a wide range of intermediate hosts and different geographic origins. Diversity is notably striking for parasites from wild hosts in South America, generally referred as non-archetypal genotypes. Those genotypes are implicated in the etiology of severe clinical disease, multivisceral toxoplasmosis, associated with high rate of mortality in immunocompetent individuals. Can we accept specific antibodies produced during T. gondii infection as biomarkers to identify infecting genotypes? Scientific evidence supports a positive response to this question; however, the genetic diversity of T. gondii genotypes organized into 16 haplogroups and collectively defined in 6 major clades, provides a reminder of the complexity and difficulty for the purpose. This review discusses serological approaches to genotyping T. gondii ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Sousa, Fernandes and Correia da Costa.)

Toxoplasmosis is the most reported parasitic zoonosis in Europe, with implications in human health and in the veterinary field. There is an increasing need to develop serotyping of Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) in view of greater sensitivity and efficiency, through the definition of new targets and new methodologies. Nanotechnology is a promising approach, with impact in the development of point-of-care devices. The aim of this work was to develop a simple but highly efficient method for Toxoplasma gondii serotyping based on gold nanoparticles. A simple colorimetric method was developed using gold nanoparticles modified with the synthetic polymorphic peptide derived from GRA6 antigen specific for type II T. gondii . The method of preparation of the gold nanoprobes and the experimental conditions for the detection were found to be critical for a sensitive discrimination between positive and negative sera. The optimized method was used to detect antibodies anti-GRA6II both in mice and human serum samples. These results clearly demonstrate that a biosensor-based immunoassay using AuNPs conjugated with polymorphic synthetic peptides can be developed and used as a serotyping device.

Orally-transmitted acute Chagas disease (CD) is emerging as an important public health problem. The prognosis of acute infection following oral transmission is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze and summarize data on orally-transmitted acute CD. We searched for publications from 1968 to 31 January 2018. We included studies and unpublished data from government sources that reported patients with acute orally-transmitted CD. We identified 41 papers and we added 932 unpublished cases. In all, our study covered 2470 cases and occurrence of 97 deaths. Our meta-analysis estimated that the case-fatality rate was 1.0% (95% CI 0.0-4.0%). Lethality rates have declined over time (P = .02). In conclusion, orally-transmitted acute CD has considerable lethality in the first year after infection. The lethality in symptomatic cases is similar to that from other routes of infection. The lethality rate of orally-acquired disease has declined over the years., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease. Treatment for schistosomiasis with praziquantel (PZQ), which is effective against the parasite, by itself is not capable to counteract infection-associated disease lesions including hepatic fibrosis. There is a pressing need for novel therapies. Due to their biological properties, antioxidant biomolecules might be useful in treating and reverting associated pathological sequelae. Here, we investigated a novel therapy approach based on a combination of anthelmintic drugs with antioxidant biomolecules. We used a host-parasite model involving Bioamphalaria glabrata and newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) of Schistosoma mansoni . For in vitro drug screening assays, was selected several antioxidants and evaluated not only antischistosomal activity but also ability to enhance activity of the anthelmintic drugs praziquantel (PZQ) and artesunate (AS). The morphological alterations induced by compounds alone/combined were assessed on daily basis using an inverted and automated microscope to quantify NTS viability by a fluorometric-based method. The findings indicated that not only do some antioxidants improve antischistosomal activity of the two anthelmintics, but they exhibit activity per se, leading to high mortality of NTS post-exposure. The combination index (CI) of PZQ + Mel (CI = 0.80), PZQ + Resv (CI = 0.74), AS + Resv (CI = 0.34), AS + NAC (CI = 0.89), VDT + Flav (CI = 1.03) and VDT + Resv (CI = 1.06) reveal that they display moderate to strong synergism. The combination of compounds with discrete mechanisms of action might provide a valuable adjunct to contribution for treatment of schistosomiasis-associated disease.

Background: Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are zoonotic parasites of public health importance. Data on their occurrence in humans and animals in western Europe are incomplete and fragmented. In this study, we aimed to update the current knowledge on the epidemiology of these parasites in this region., Methods: We conducted a systematic review of scientific and grey literature published from 1990 to 2015 on the epidemiology of T. saginata and T. solium in humans and animals. Additionally, data about disease occurrence were actively sought by contacting local experts in the different countries., Results: Taeniosis cases were found in twelve out of eighteen countries in western Europe. No cases were identified in Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. For Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the UK, annual taeniosis cases were reported and the number of detected cases per year ranged between 1 and 114. Detected prevalences ranged from 0.05 to 0.27%, whereas estimated prevalences ranged from 0.02 to 0.67%. Most taeniosis cases were reported as Taenia spp. or T. saginata, although T. solium was reported in Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal and the UK. Human cysticercosis cases were reported in all western European countries except for Iceland, with the highest number originating from Portugal and Spain. Most human cysticercosis cases were suspected to have acquired the infection outside western Europe. Cases of T. solium in pigs were found in Austria and Portugal, but only the two cases from Portugal were confirmed with molecular methods. Germany, Spain and Slovenia reported porcine cysticercosis, but made no Taenia species distinction. Bovine cysticercosis was detected in all countries except for Iceland, with a prevalence based on meat inspection of 0.0002-7.82%., Conclusions: Detection and reporting of taeniosis in western Europe should be improved. The existence of T. solium tapeworm carriers, of suspected autochthonous cases of human cysticercosis and the lack of confirmation of porcine cysticercosis cases deserve further attention. Suspected cases of T. solium in pigs should be confirmed by molecular methods. Both taeniosis and human cysticercosis should be notifiable and surveillance in animals should be improved.

Schistosomiasis, a major neglected tropical disease, affects more than 250 million people worldwide. Treatment of schistosomiasis has relied on the anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) for more than a generation. PZQ is the drug of choice for the treatment of schistosomiasis; it is effective against all major forms of schistosomiasis, although it is less active against juvenile than mature parasites. A pyrazino-isoquinoline derivative, PZQ is not considered to be toxic and generally causes few or transient, mild side effects. Increasingly, mass drug administration targeting populations in sub-Saharan Africa where schistosomiasis is endemic has led to the appearance of reduced efficacy of PZQ, which portends the selection of drug-resistant forms of these pathogens. The synthesis of improved derivatives of PZQ is attracting attention, e.g., in the (i) synthesis of drug analogues, (ii) rational design of pharmacophores, and (iii) discovery of new compounds from large-scale screening programs. This article reviews reports from the 1970s to the present on the metabolism and mechanism of action of PZQ and its derivatives against schistosomes., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.)

Urogenital schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that can lead to bladder cancer. How urogenital schistosomiasis induces carcinogenesis remains unclear, although there is evidence that the human blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium, the infectious agent of urogenital schistosomiasis, releases estradiol-like metabolites. These kind of compounds have been implicated in other cancers. Aiming for enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of the urogenital schistosomiasis-induced bladder cancer, here we review, interpret, and discuss findings of estradiol-like metabolites detected in both the parasite and in the human urine during urogenital schistosomiasis. Moreover, we predict pathways and enzymes that are involved in the production of these metabolites emphasizing their potential effects on the dysregulation of the tumor suppressor gene p53 expression during urogenital schistosomiasis. Enhanced understanding of these potential carcinogens may not only shed light on urogenital schistosomiasis-induced neoplasia of the bladder, but would also facilitate development of interventions and biomarkers for this and other infection-associated cancers at large.

Infection due to Schistosoma haematobium is carcinogenic. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS)-induced carcinogenesis have not been well defined. Conceptually, early molecular detection of this phenomenon, through non-invasive procedures, seems feasible and is desirable. Previous analysis of urine collected during UGS suggests that estrogen metabolites, including depurinating adducts, may be useful for this purpose. Here, a new direction was pursued: the identification of molecular pathways and potential biomarkers in S. haematobium-induced bladder cancer by analyzing the proteome profiling of urine samples from UGS patients. GeLC-MS/MS followed by protein-protein interaction analysis indicated oxidative stress and immune defense systems responsible for microbicide activity are the most representative clusters in UGS patients. Proteins involved in immunity, negative regulation of endopeptidase activity, and inflammation were more prevalent in UGS patients with bladder cancer, whereas proteins with roles in renal system process, sensory perception, and gas and oxygen transport were more abundant in subjects with urothelial carcinoma not associated with UGS. These findings highlighted a Th2-type immune response induced by S. haematobium, which seems to be further modulated by tumorigenesis, resulting in high-grade bladder cancer characterized by an inflammatory response and complement activation alternative pathway. These findings established a starting point for the development of multimarker strategies for the early detection of UGS-induced bladder cancer.

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of alveolar bone level and type of cement on pull-out bond strength between different fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts and root dentin. Sixty bovine teeth were sectioned, and their root canals were prepared. The specimens were divided into 6 groups (n = 10) according to 2 factors: alveolar bone level and type of cement. Each root was embedded in acrylic resin to the depth of 7, 10, or 14 mm, simulating different alveolar bone levels. After the FRC posts were treated with 37% phosphoric acid and silane was applied, they were cemented with either a conventional resin cement or a self-adhesive resin cement and subjected to mechanical cycling. The results indicated that neither the alveolar bone level nor the type of cement played a significant role in the pull-out bond strength of the FRC posts to root dentin. Therefore, it is concluded that conventional and self-adhesive resin cements can be used to lute FRC posts to tooth roots, even in the presence of significant alveolar bone resorption.

Infections with Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis and Schistosoma haematobium are classified as Group 1 biological carcinogens: definitive causes of cancer. These worms are metazoan eukaryotes, unlike the other Group 1 carcinogens including human papilloma virus, hepatitis C virus, and Helicobacter pylori . By contrast, infections with phylogenetic relatives of these helminths, also trematodes of the phylum Platyhelminthes and major human pathogens, are not carcinogenic. These inconsistencies prompt several questions, including how might these infections cause cancer? And why is infection with only a few helminth species carcinogenic? Here we present an interpretation of mechanisms contributing to the carcinogenicity of these helminth infections, including roles for catechol estrogen- and oxysterol-metabolites of parasite origin as initiators of carcinogenesis., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the analgesic efficacy of subcutaneous lidocaine and multimodal analgesia for chest tube removal following heart surgery., Methods: Sixty volunteers were randomly allocated in two groups; 30 participants in the experimental group were given 1% subcutaneous lidocaine, and 30 controls were given a multimodal analgesia regime comprising systemic anti-inflammatory agents and opioids. The intensity and quality of pain and trait and state anxiety were assessed. The association between independent variables and final outcome was assessed by means of the Chi-squared test with Yates' correction and Fisher's exact test., Results: The groups did not exhibit significant difference with respect to the intensity of pain upon chest tube removal (p= 0.47). The most frequent descriptors of pain reported by the participants were pressing, sharp, pricking, burning and unbearable., Conclusion: The present study suggests that the analgesic effect of the subcutaneous administration of 1% lidocaine combined with multimodal analgesia is most efficacious.

In this study, we assessed the presence of IS26 in food-borne ASSuT-type Salmonella enterica isolates. A new genetic region (R3) was described, that included a C14 caspase gene between IS26 elements. R3 was present in two Salmonella Rissen isolates from a swine carcass and a meat handler, collected at the same abattoir. Furthermore, a new rearrangement of resistance region R1, harboring the blaTEM-1 gene flanked by IS26 elements, was identified in Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:-, from different samples. This study highlights the zoonotic potential of Salmonella spp. isolates and the possible role of IS26 in the mobilization of resistance genes., (Copyright © 2015 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Oligosaccharides can be synthesized using the sugars present in the fruit juices through the dextransucrase acceptor reaction. In the present work, the effect of reducing sugar and sucrose concentration on oligosaccharide formation in lemon juice was evaluated through response surface methodology. The oligosaccharide formation in lemon juice was favored at high concentrations of sucrose (75 g/L) and reducing sugar (75 g/L). At this synthesis conditions, an oligosaccharide concentration of 94.81 g/L was obtained with a conversion of 63.21% of the initial sugars into the target product. Oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization up to 11 were obtained. The lemon juice was dehydrated in spouted bed using maltodextrin as drying adjuvant. The powder obtained at 60°C with 20 % maltodextrin presented low moisture (2.24 %), low water activity (Aw = 0.18) and the lowest reconstitution time (~46 s). The results showed that lemon juice is suitable for oligosaccharides enzyme synthesis and can be dehydrated in spouted bed.

An estrogen-DNA adduct mediated pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of the squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder associated with infection with the blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium. Extracts from developmental stages of S. haematobium, including eggs, induce tumor-like phenotypes in cultured cells. In addition, estrogen-derived, reactive metabolites occur in this pathogen and in sera of infected persons. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was performed on urine from 40 Angolans diagnosed with urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS), half of who also presented UGS-associated squamous cell carcinoma and/or urothelial cell carcinoma. The analysis revealed numerous estrogen-like metabolites, including seven specifically identified in UGS cases, but not reported in the database of metabolites in urine of healthy humans. These schistosome infection-associated metabolites included catechol estrogen quinones (CEQ) and CEQ-DNA-adducts, two of which had been identified previously in S. haematobium. In addition, novel metabolites derived directly from 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) were identified in urine of all 40 cases of UGS. These metabolites can be expected to provide deeper insights into the carcinogenesis UGS-induced bladder cancer, and as biomarkers for diagnosis and/or prognosis of this neglected tropical disease-linked cancer., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the geometry and design of prosthetic crown preparations on stress distribution in compression tests, using finite element analysis (FEA)., Materials and Methods: Six combinations of 3D drawings of all-ceramic crowns (yttria-stabilized zirconia framework and porcelain veneer) were evaluated: F, flat preparation and simplified crown; FC, flat preparation and crown with contact point; FCM, flat preparation and modified crown; A, anatomical preparation and simplified anatomical crown framework; AC, anatomical preparation and crown with contact point; and ACM, anatomical preparation and modified crown. Bonded contact types at all interfaces with the mesh were assigned, and the material properties used were according to the literature. A 200 N vertical load was applied at the center of each model. The maximum principal stresses were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed., Results: The highest values of tensile stress were observed at the interface between the ceramics in the region under the load application for the simplified models (F and A). Reductions in stress values were observed for the model with the anatomical preparation and modified infrastructure (ACM). The stress distribution in the flat models was similar to that of their respective anatomical models., Conclusions: The modified design of the zirconia coping reduces the stress concentration at the interface with the veneer ceramic, and the simplified preparation can exert a stress distribution similar to that of the anatomical preparation at and near the load point, when load is applied to the center of the crown., (© 2014 by the American College of Prosthodontists.)

Infection with helminth parasites remains a persistent public health problem in developing countries. Three of these pathogens, the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and the blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium, are of particular concern due to their classification as Group 1 carcinogens: infection with these worms is carcinogenic. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approaches, we identified steroid hormone like (e.g., oxysterol-like, catechol estrogen quinone-like, etc.) metabolites and related DNA-adducts, apparently of parasite origin, in developmental stages including eggs of S. haematobium, in urine of people with urogenital schistosomiasis, and in the adult stage of O. viverrini. Since these kinds of sterol derivatives are metabolized to active quinones that can modify DNA, which in other contexts can lead to breast and other cancers, helminth parasite associated sterols might induce tumor-like phenotypes in the target cells susceptible to helminth parasite associated cancers, i.e., urothelial cells of the bladder in the case of urogenital schistosomiasis and the bile duct epithelia or cholangiocytes, in the case of O. viverrini and C. sinensis. Indeed we postulate that helminth induced cancers originate from parasite estrogen-host epithelial/urothelial cell chromosomal DNA adducts, and here we review recent findings that support this conjecture.

Background: Bladder cancer is a significant health problem in rural areas of Africa and the Middle East where Schistosoma haematobium is prevalent, supporting an association between malignant transformation and infection by this blood fluke. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms linking these events are poorly understood. Bladder cancers in infected populations are generally diagnosed at a late stage since there is a lack of non-invasive diagnostic tools, hence enforcing the need for early carcinogenesis markers., Methodology/principal Findings: Forty-three formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded bladder biopsies of S. haematobium-infected patients, consisting of bladder tumours, tumour adjacent mucosa and pre-malignant/malignant urothelial lesions, were screened for bladder cancer biomarkers. These included the oncoprotein p53, the tumour proliferation rate (Ki-67>17%), cell-surface cancer-associated glycan sialyl-Tn (sTn) and sialyl-Lewisa/x (sLea/sLex), involved in immune escape and metastasis. Bladder tumours of non-S. haematobium etiology and normal urothelium were used as controls. S. haematobium-associated benign/pre-malignant lesions present alterations in p53 and sLex that were also found in bladder tumors. Similar results were observed in non-S. haematobium associated tumours, irrespectively of their histological nature, denoting some common molecular pathways. In addition, most benign/pre-malignant lesions also expressed sLea. However, proliferative phenotypes were more prevalent in lesions adjacent to bladder tumors while sLea was characteristic of sole benign/pre-malignant lesions, suggesting it may be a biomarker of early carcionogenesis associated with the parasite. A correlation was observed between the frequency of the biomarkers in the tumor and adjacent mucosa, with the exception of Ki-67. Most S. haematobium eggs embedded in the urothelium were also positive for sLea and sLex. Reinforcing the pathologic nature of the studied biomarkers, none was observed in the healthy urothelium., Conclusion/significance: This preliminary study suggests that p53 and sialylated glycans are surrogate biomarkers of bladder cancerization associated with S. haematobium, highlighting a missing link between infection and cancer development. Eggs of S. haematobium express sLea and sLex antigens in mimicry of human leukocytes glycosylation, which may play a role in the colonization and disease dissemination. These observations may help the early identification of infected patients at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer and guide the future development of non-invasive diagnostic tests.

This work aims to investigate the hygroscopic behavior of grugru palm powder through adsorption isotherms and its degree of caking. The powders of grugru palm (T1 - without maltodextrin, T2 - with 8 % of maltodextrin) were obtained by oven drying at 65 °C for 25 h. The experimental data was obtained through static gravimetric method at temperatures of 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C with different saturated salt solutions. The models of GAB, BET, Henderson, and Oswin were fitted to experimental data. The values of hygroscopicity were 6.39 and 5.17 % and degrees of caking were 3.11 and 0.03 % for T1 and T2, respectively. The adsorption isotherms from mathematical models can be classified as Type III. The GAB and Oswin models were the best representing the behavior of the powder isotherms, T1 and T2, respectively. The grugru palm powder proved to be non-hygroscopic and non-agglomerating. The T2 with 8 % of maltodextrin presented the lowest hygroscopicity.

Aim: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the alveolar bone level and thickness of the cement layer on the push-out bond strength of fiber posts luted to root dentin., Methods: We prepared post spaces in 60 bovine roots (16 mm), embedded in acrylic resin to simulate different scenarios of alveolar bone resorption. They were divided into six groups (N.=10), according to the factors "alveolar bone level" (14, 10, and 7 mm) and "cement thickness" (post no. 3/control and post no. 1/ thicker cement layer): G14P3 - 14-mm root + post n. 3; G10P3 - 10-mm root + post n. 3; G7P3 - 7-mm root + post n. 3; G14P1 - 14-mm root + post n. 1; G10P1 - 10-mm root + post n. 1; and G7P1 - 7-mm root + post n. 1. The fiber posts (White Post DC, FGM) were luted, and composite cores were made. Each specimen was subjected to mechanical cycling, and four slices were obtained from each root specimen and subjected to push-out testing in a universal testing machine. The data (MPa) were analyzed by ANOVA (two way) and Tukey's test (5%)., Results: The factor "cement thickness" (P=0.0057) significantly influenced bond strength, but the factor "alveolar bone level" (P=0.0605) did not. The thicker cement layer/post n. 3 presented bond strength values higher than those with cement layer/post n. 1., Conclusion: Bond strength was not influenced by different scenarios of alveolar bone resorption, although higher bond strength values were found for thinner cement layers.

The scope of this study was to make the translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Fantastic Lifestyle Assessment questionnaire in a group of students in higher education in Portugal. The process of translation and validation consisted of translation, back translation, expert committee review, pre-testing and testing of the psychometric properties. The final version adapted with 30 questions was applied to a sample of 707 university students. The results showed that the instrument demonstrated good overall internal consistency for an instrument used to measure a latent variable. When the items were grouped into domains, it was found that they all contributed equally to the stability of the instrument. The reproducibility assessed by intraclass correlation was high. Construct validity tested by the classification capacity of the instrument in four, three and two categories was 67.6%, 67.6% and 100%, with a Kappa index of 0.55, 0.55 and 1.00, respectively. The concurrent validity was also evaluated by correlating it with "My Lifestyle," namely another instrument measuring the same construct. The conclusion was that the Fantastic Lifestyle Assessment, is a reliable and valid instrument for lifestyle assessment in young adults.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in 76 countries, that afflicts more than 240 million people. The impact of schistosomiasis on infertility may be underestimated according to recent literature. Extracts of Schistosoma haematobium include estrogen-like metabolites termed catechol-estrogens that down regulate estrogen receptors alpha and beta in estrogen responsive cells. In addition, schistosome derived catechol-estrogens induce genotoxicity that result in estrogen-DNA adducts. These catechol estrogens and the catechol-estrogen-DNA adducts can be isolated from sera of people infected with S. haematobium. The aim of this study was to study infertility in females infected with S. haematobium and its association with the presence of schistosome-derived catechol-estrogens., Methodology/principal Findings: A cross-sectional study was undertaken of female residents of a region in Bengo province, Angola, endemic for schistosomiasis haematobia. Ninety-three women and girls, aged from two (parents interviewed) to 94 years were interviewed on present and previous urinary, urogenital and gynecological symptoms and complaints. Urine was collected from the participants for egg-based parasitological assessment of schistosome infection, and for liquid chromatography diode array detection electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MSn) to investigate estrogen metabolites in the urine. Novel estrogen-like metabolites, potentially of schistosome origin, were detected in the urine of participants who were positive for eggs of S. haematobium, but not detected in urines negative for S. haematobium eggs. The catechol-estrogens/ DNA adducts were significantly associated with schistosomiasis (OR 3.35; 95% CI 2.32-4.84; P≤0.001). In addition, presence of these metabolites was positively associated with infertility (OR 4.33; 95% CI 1.13-16.70; P≤0.05)., Conclusions/significance: Estrogen metabolites occur widely in diverse metabolic pathways. In view of the statistically significant association between catechol-estrogens/ DNA adducts and self-reported infertility, we propose that an estrogen-DNA adduct mediated pathway in S. haematobium-induced ovarian hormonal deregulation could be involved. In addition, the catechol-estrogens/ DNA adducts described here represent potential biomarkers for schistosomiasis haematobia.

The present study aim is to investigate the frequency of loss of control eating (LOC) episodes in three groups with different assessment times: one before, one at short and one at long-term after bariatric surgery; as well as to explore the association of postoperative problematic eating behaviors and weight outcomes and psychological characteristics. This cross-sectional study compared a group of preoperative bariatric surgery patients (n = 176) and two postoperative groups, one at short-term with <2 years follow-up (n = 110), and one at long-term >2 years follow-up (n = 53). Assessments included the EDE diagnostic interview and a set of self-report measures assessing eating disordered symptomatology, depression, and body image. We found the presence of LOC in 26.7 and 16.9 % of the pre-operative and long-term patients, respectively, and in about 11.8% of the short-term patients. One patient (0.9%) reported objective binge eating episodes at short-time, but subjective binge eating episodes were present in about 10% of the patients in all groups. LOC eating was related with the highest BMIs, the least weight loss, most weight regain, and most psychological impairment in the long-term assessments, but not at short-term. Despite the lower frequencies of disordered eating behavior in the short-term group, patients reporting LOC seem to represent a subgroup of individuals with poorest outcomes after surgery and most psychological distress.

The presence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella serotypes in slaughtered swine, carcasses, meat and meat handlers is scarcely evaluated. Recently we demonstrated that diverse Salmonella serotypes are frequently present in swine, pork meat and carcasses, and meat handlers at Portuguese abattoirs. Here we have characterized their antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genotypes, helping elucidate the flow of MDR Salmonella in the food chain. Testing 60 Salmonella isolates from different serotypes, the highest frequencies of resistance were observed for tetracycline (T) [70% (n=42/60), tet(A)/tet(B)/tet(G)], streptomycin (S) [63% (n=38/60), aadA2/strA/strB], sulfamethoxazole (Sul) [62% (n=37/60), sul1/sul2/sul3] and ampicillin (A) [57% (n=34/60), blaPSE-1/blaTEM]. Thirty-seven percent (n=22/60) carried class 1 integrons and multidrug resistance was frequently observed (63% n=38/60), including those serotypes common to human infections [S. Typhimurium 78% n=25/32; S. 4,[5],12:i:- 67% n=2/3; S. Rissen 75% (n=3/4); S. London 67% n=2/3; S. Derby 55%; n=6/11)]. The emergent S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates were mostly characterized by ASSuT phenotype [blaTEM/strA-strB/sul2/tet(B)], typical of the European clone, while for the first time the ST phenotype [strA-strB-tet(A)-tet(B)] was also observed. Moreover, we report a first finding of a MDR phenotype in S. London [ANSSuT; blaTEM-strA-strB-sul2-tet(A)]. Our findings suggest that the abattoir environment and the slaughter operations seem not only to harbor MDR serotypes that originated in the pig reservoir, but also propagate them through cross-contamination processes, involving meat handlers. The present study suggests a probable relationship between swine and human salmonellosis throughout the food chain, which is of interest for epidemiological, animal health and public health purposes., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Liquid chromatography in tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has emerged as an informative tool to investigate oxysterols (oxidized derivatives of cholesterol) in helminth parasite associated cancers. Here, we used LC-MS/MS to investigate in soluble extracts of the adult developmental stage of Opisthorchis viverrini from experimentally infected hamsters. Using comparisons with known bile acids and the metabolites of estrogens, the LC-MS data indicated the existence of novel oxysterol derivatives in O. viverrini. Most of these derivatives were ramified at C-17, in similar fashion to bile acids and their conjugated salts. Several were compatible with the presence of an estrogen core, and/or hydroxylation of the steroid aromatic ring A, hydroxylation of both C-2 and C-3 of the steroid ring and further oxidation into an estradiol-2,3-quinone., (© 2013. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: Very preterm infants are at particular risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. This risk can be anticipated when major lesions are seen on cerebral ultrasound (cUS). However, most preterm infants do not have such lesions yet many have a relatively poor outcome. Our study aims were to describe a tri-dimensional cUS model for measuring cranial and brain volume and to determine the range of brain volumes found in preterm infants without major cUS lesions at term equivalent age (TEA) compared to term-born control infants. We also aimed to evaluate whether gestational age (GA) at birth or being small for gestational age (SGA) influenced estimated brain size., Methods: We scanned a cohort of very preterm infants at TEA and term-born controls. Infants with major cerebral lesions were excluded. Measurements of intracranial diameters (bi-parietal, longitudinal, cranial height), brain structures, ventricles and extracerebral space (ECS) were made. A mathematical model was built to estimate from the cUS measurements the axial area and volumes of the cranium and brain. Appropriate statistical methods were used for comparisons; a p-value under 0.05 was considered significant. SGA infants from both groups were analysed separately., Results: We assessed 128 infants (72 preterms and 56 controls). The preterms' head was longer (11.5 vs. 10.5 cm, p < 0.001), narrower (7.8 vs. 8.4 cm, p < 0.001) and taller (8.9 vs. 8.6 cm, p < 0.01) than the controls'. Estimated intracranial volume was not statistically different between the groups (411 vs. 399 cm(3), NS), but preterms had larger estimated ECS volume (70 vs. 22 cm(3), p < 0.001), lateral ventricular coronal areas (33 vs. 12 mm(2), p < 0.001) and thalamo-occipital distances (20 vs. 16 mm, p < 0.001), but smaller estimated cerebral volume (340 vs. 377 cm(3), p < 0.001). Smaller brain volumes were associated with being of lower gestational age and birth weight and being small-for-gestational age., Conclusions: We have developed a model using cranial ultrasound for measuring cranial and brain volumes. Using this model our data suggest that even in the absence of major cerebral lesions, the average extrauterine cerebral growth of very preterm infants is compromised. Our model can help in identifying those preterm infants with smaller brains. Later follow-up data will determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of these preterm infants in relation to their estimated brain volumes., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mass spectrometric approaches have been fundamental to the identification of metabolites associated with steroid hormones, yet this topic has not been reviewed in depth in recent years. To this end, and given the increasing relevance of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) studies on steroid hormones and their metabolites, the present review addresses this subject. This review provides a timely summary of the use of various mass spectrometry-based analytical techniques during the evaluation of steroidal biomarkers in a range of human disease settings. The sensitivity and specificity of these technologies are clearly providing valuable new insights into breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. We aim to contribute to an enhanced understanding of steroid metabolism and how it can be profiled by LC-MS techniques., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Schistosoma haematobium is a parasitic flatworm that infects millions of people, mostly in the developing world, and is associated with high incidence of bladder cancer, although why is not clear. Previously, we have used CD-1 mice to show that Schistosoma haematobium total antigen (Sh) has a carcinogenic ability. Sh intravesically instillation induced the development of several urothelial lesions, namely nodular hyperplasia and dysplasia (LGIUN-Low Grade Intra-Urothelial Neoplasia) after 40 weeks of treatment. These results suggested that Sh induce urothelium malignization. Bladder carcinoma frequently harbours gene mutations that constitutively activate the receptor tyrosine kinase-Ras pathway for this reason we studied activating mutations in KRAS gene. Twenty percent of the bladders with dysplasia presented a KRAS mutation in codon 12 of exon 2. We concluded from these results that the parasite extract of S. haematobium has carcinogenic ability possibly through oncogenic mutation of KRAS gene.

Background and Aims: Clinical assessment of gestational age (GA) in preterm infants can be challenging. Several ultrasound approaches for estimating GA using cerebellar measurements are reported, claiming to be simpler and more accurate than clinical assessment, but they are not widely used. We aimed to compare the accuracy of four previously described measurements and compare their use in preterm infants., Methods: We studied infants <32weeks of GA defined by in-vitro fertilization date or early fetal ultrasound, excluding infants with neurological problems. Vermis anterior-posterior diameter (VAPD), vermis height (VH), and transverse cerebellar diameter via anterior (TCDa) and mastoid fontanelles (TCDm) were measured.Estimated PMA was calculated using published equations, and compared to known PMA using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Intra and inter-observer reliability were determined., Results: We studied 80 infants (mean GA 28.5weeks [range 24-32], mean post-natal age 5.7days). ICC was 0.761 (VAPD), 0.632 (VH), 0.115 (TCDa) and 0.825 (TCDm). The TCDm equation gave the best estimate of GA (mean estimate -2days; 95% CI±13.8days). TCDa and TCDm absolute measurements were similar for each infant. Accuracy for estimating GA was similar for appropriately grown and small-for-gestation infants. Inter and intra-observer reliability was very good for all measurements., Conclusions: Three previously described equations for estimating GA from cerebellar measurements gave good estimates of GA in preterms. The equation described for TCDm gave the narrowest 95% CI. We recommend the TCDm equation for the estimation of GA in VLBW infants but the TCD measurement can be made via either the anterior or mastoid fontanelle., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chronic infection with the blood fluke, Schistosoma haematobium, is associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. Previously, it has been shown that soluble extracts of mixed sex adult S. haematobium worms (SWAP) are tumourigenic, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, oestrogen-related molecules in SWAP of S. haematobium down-regulate oestrogen receptors (ERs) alpha and beta in oestrogen responsive cells. Moreover, schistosome oestrogens occur in sera of persons with schistosomiasis haematobia and repress transcription of ERs in urothelial cells. Given that eggs of S. haematobium are the developmental stage directly responsible for urogenital disease during schistosomiasis haematobia, we suspected that soluble antigens from S. haematobium eggs exhibit similar or more potent tumorigenic capacity. Here we investigated the tumorigenic potential of soluble egg antigens (Sh-SEA) of S. haematobium and the endocrine system in favouring parasitism by schistosomes. The findings confirmed that 6.25μg/ml of Sh-SEA was enough to stimulate cell proliferation, reduce apoptosis and increase oxidative stress of Sh-SEA-exposed urothelial cells. In addition, genotoxic effects of Sh-SEA on these cells were determined by using alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet). Furthermore, Liquid Chromatography Diode Array Detection Electron Spray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry indicated the presence of catechol-oestrogens in S. haematobium SEA. A prospective oestrogen-DNA adduct mediated pathway in S. haematobium egg induced bladder cancer is also discussed., (Copyright © 2012 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. All rights reserved.)

The goal of this work was to select the best combination of encapsulants for the microencapsulation of oregano essential oil by spray dryer with the addition of Arabic gum (AG), modified starch (MS) and maltodextrin (MA). The simplex-centroid method was used to obtain an optimal objective function with three variables. Analytical methods for carvacrol quantification, water activity, moisture content, wettability, solubility, encapsulation efficiency (ME) and oil retention (RT) were used to evaluate the best combination of encapsulants. The use of AG as a single wall material increased ME up to 93%. Carvacrol is the major phenolic compound existent in the oregano essential oil. Carvacrol exhibits a maximum concentration of 57.8% in the microparticle with the use of 62.5% AG and 37.5% MA. A greater RT (77.39%) was obtained when 74.5% AG; MS 12.7% and 12.7% MA were applied, and ME (93%) was improved with 100% of gum.

We recently reported the expression of an estradiol-like molecule by a trematode parasite Schistosoma haematobium. We further established that this estradiol-like molecule is an antagonist of estradiol, repressing the transcriptional activity of the estrogen receptor (ER) in estrogen-responsive MCF7 cells and also that S. haematobium total antigen (Sh) contains estrogenic molecules detected by mass spectrometry. In the present study, we used HCV29 cells, a cell line derived from normal urothelial cells, as well as an in vivo model to evaluate the expression of ER in the bladders of Sh-instilled animals. We show that, similarly to MCF7 cells, Sh down-regulates the transcriptional activity of ER in HCV29 cells and also in the bladders of Sh-treated mice. The antiestrogenic activity of the S. haematobium extract and its repressive role in ER could have implications in the carcinogenic process in bladders with S. haematobium infection.

Background: Human fasciolosis is a re-emerging disease worldwide and is caused by species of the genus Fasciola (F. hepatica and F. gigantica). Human fasciolosis can be diagnosed by classical coprological techniques, such as the Kato-Katz test, to reveal parasite eggs in faeces. However, although 100% specific, these methods are generally not adequate for detection of acute infections, ectopic infections, or infections with low number of parasites. In such cases immunological methods may be a good alternative and are recommended for use in major hospitals where trained personnel are available, although they are not usually implemented for individual testing., Methodology/principal Findings: We have developed a new lateral flow test (SeroFluke) for the serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis. The new test was constructed with a recombinant cathepsin L1 from F. hepatica, and uses protein A and mAb MM3 as detector reagents in the test and control lines, respectively. In comparison with an ELISA test (MM3-SERO) the SeroFluke test showed maximal specificity and sensitivity and can be used with serum or whole blood samples., Conclusions/significance: The new test can be used in major hospitals in hypoendemic countries as well as in endemic/hyperendemic regions where point-of-care testing is required.

Since 1911 epidemiological evidence indicates that S. haematobium is associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. However, the mechanisms of this interaction are not clearly defined. Using normal epithelial cells, S. haematobium parasite extracts were able to induce cancer-like phenotypes such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis. The parasite extracts on normal urothelium also presented carcinogenic and mutagenic ability. To further elucidate the biological effects of this parasite, new estrogenic molecules were identified in its extracts. These estrogens are also present in the sera of Schistosoma-infected patients, and they have the ability to repress ER transcriptional activity both in estrogen-responsive MCF7 cells and normal urothelial HCV29 cells. This review will present some of the recent studies of mass spectrometry of S. haematobium extracts and sequence analysis of bladder tissue treated with the same extracts. Finally the molecular and cellular events that might be responsible for schistosomiasis-related bladder cancer will be discussed.