Low Lethality Research Articles

About the Chilean meningococcal epidemic (1941-1942): The children with septic shock 80 years ago from a medical and social perspective

In our country, meningococcal disease has a low endemic and high lethality, with epidemic out breaks; some of them of historical character, like the one happened during the first half of the last century. The action of a group of doctors, pioneers in clinical, research and teaching aspects, together with the health personnel that constituted their team, immersed in a successful public health policy, allowed to consolidate the necessary care of the sick child of this serious pathology, as well as many others, thus enabling the development of a structured and scientific proposal, in the light of the knowledge available at that time. Therefore, after 80 years, it is important to review the various clini cal, pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects, in addition to the hospital and social context, of this successful history of the Chilean public health system.

Injuries Caused by Freshwater Stingrays in the Western Amazon: Folk Medicine and Beliefs

The envenomation caused by freshwater stingrays is one of the most frequent injuries related to aquatic animals in South America. Such injury is severe with skin necrosis as a probable result of the sting and subsequent intense pain. Here, we characterized the accidents caused by freshwater stingrays in Juruá Valley, Acre, Brazil, with reports of people who had suffered injuries. Data collection was performed in nearby communities in the Juruá River and its tributaries through a semi-structured questionnaire. Bathers and fishermen were the main group affected, and injuries were mainly in the lower limbs. The results were similar to those previously reported for other regions of Brazil, except for the treatment applied. Severe pain, edema, erythema, necrosis, and ulceration of the wound are some of the symptoms reported by the injured population. Most of the treatment is based on folk remedies, such as human urine, hot boiled egg, medicinal plants, and nonprescription drugs. In most cases, injuries usually occur in remote areas which favor the use of folk remedies, but the accidents are still neglected by the population itself because of the low lethality. Therefore, educational activities and prophylactic measures should be carried out with a standardization of first aid and late measures. In addition, the correct use of medicinal plants and folk remedies could be a strong ally to ensure a safe and affordable care for the population.

Can blood alcohol concentration have a role in choosing high lethality method of suicide?

ABSTRACT As acute alcohol intake can trigger suicidal ideas and attempts in people already at risk, and self-aggression is more intense after alcohol consumption, the aim of this study is to assess the relationship between blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the lethality of suicide methods. A number of different socio-demographic and clinical predictors related to selection of high lethality methods were evaluated. This retrospective autopsy study covers an 11-year period of autopsies performed in the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Belgrade. It included 308 subjects with confirmed BAC above 0‰ who committed suicide. The suicide methods were dichotomized in terms of lethality – low lethality methods (LLM – drug/chemical overdose or use of a sharp object, n = 20) and high lethality methods (HLM – hanging, firearms and explosives, drowning, jumping from a height and immolation, n = 288). Our study did not reveal a statistically significant relationship between alcohol concentration and HLM. There is an obvious trend of HLM in rising BAC categories, but without any statistical significance. Of all tested predictors, only the male gender has significant correlation with HLM (p = 0.036). Despite the absence of correlation between BAC and HLM, the rising trend in BAC in our study showed, along with opposing literature data, that we can conclude this interconnection is highly complex.

COVID-19 from veterinary medicine and one health perspectives: What animal coronaviruses have taught us

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses displaying an exceptional genetic plasticity driven by accumulation of point mutations and recombination events. This genetic variation is responsible for continuous emergence of viral strains with increased virulence, different tissue tropism and/or expanded host range (Buonavoglia et al., 2006). CoVs are currently classified within four genera, Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus, that recognise bats, birds and likely rodents as natural reservoirs. In December 2019, cases of undiagnosed pneumonia started being reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China. On January 9 2020, the Chinese authorities indicated that a novel CoV was associated with the severe respiratory disease. The first patient with unexplained pneumonia, identified in December 8 2019, came from Wuhan South China Seafood Market. Initially, other patients were linked to the same seafood and live animal market, suggesting an animal origin for the initial spread to humans. Subsequent investigations revealed that the crowded seafood market only boosted circulation of the novel CoV and spread it to the whole city in early December 2019, whereas based on the genome data the virus likely began spreading from person to person in early December or even as early as late November. The first documented human case has been dated back to November 17 2019. The novel human CoV (HCoV) is a betacoronavirus genetically related to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV and only distantly related to Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) and it was designated as SARS type 2 CoV (SARS-CoV-2). Similar to the other hypervirulent HCoVs, SARS-CoV-2 has a putative animal origin, likely descended from a related bat CoV that spilled over to humans either directly or after adaptation in another animal species, such as the Malayan pangolin (Lam et al., 2020). SARS-CoV-2 is highly related genetically (96% nt) to a SARS-like bat CoV (Zhou et al., 2020) The SARS-CoV-2 induced disease, referred to as CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), affects the respiratory tract, with a number of patients displaying severe pneumonia and requiring hospitalisation and admission to intermediate or intensive care units. Unlike SARS and MERS, COVID-19 is characterised by low lethality rates and high frequency of asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic infections that likely favoured the spread of this new pandemic (Lai et al., 2020). As SARS-CoV-2 started spreading globally, between February and March 2020, potential spill over exposure (viral RNA) was noted in companion animals, likely due to their strict social interactions with humans. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in two dogs and a cat without clinical signs in Hong Kong and in a cat with gastroenteric and respiratory signs in Bruxelles, all which lived in close contact with infected COVID-19 human patients.1 , 2 This noted analogous findings observed during the 2002–2003 spread of SARS-CoV.3

Genetic Variation and Potential for Resistance Development to the tTA Overexpression Lethal System in Insects.

Release of insect pests carrying the dominant lethal tetracycline transactivator (tTA) overexpression system has been proposed as a means for population suppression. High levels of the tTA transcription factor are thought to be toxic due to either transcriptional squelching or interference with protein ubiquitination. Here we utilized the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to examine the influence of genetic variation on the efficacy of a female-specific tTA overexpression system. The level of female lethality between DGRP lines varied from 11 to 97% with a broad sense heritability of 0.89. A genome-wide association analysis identified 192 allelic variants associated with high or low lethality (P < 10−5), although none were significant when corrected for multiple testing. 151 of the variants fell within 108 genes that were associated with several biological processes including transcription and protein ubiquitination. In four lines with high female lethality, tTA RNA levels were similar or higher than in the parental tTA overexpression strain. In two lines with low lethality, tTA levels were about two fold lower than in the parental strain. However, in two other lines with low lethality, tTA levels were similar or approximately 30% lower. RNAseq analysis identified genes that were up or downregulated in the four low female lethal lines compared to the four high lethal lines. For example, genes associated with RNA processing and rRNA maturation were significantly upregulated in low lethal lines. Our data suggest that standing genetic variation in an insect population could provide multiple mechanisms for resistance to the tTA overexpression system.

Child development, physiological stress and survival expectancy in prehistoric fisher-hunter-gatherers from the Jabuticabeira II shell mound, South Coast of Brazil.

In this study, we shed light on the interdependency of child growth, morbidity and life expectancy in the fisher-hunter-gatherers of the Jabuticabeira II shell mound (1214–830 cal B.C.E. - 118–413 cal C.E.) located at the South Coast of Brazil. We test the underlying causes of heterogeneity in frailty and selective mortality in a population that inhabits a plentiful environment in sedentary settlements. We reconstruct osteobiographies of 41 individuals (23 adults and 18 subadults) using 8 variables, including age-at-death, stature, non-specific stress markers (cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, periosteal reactions, periapical lesions and linear enamel hypoplasia), as well as weaning patterns based on stable isotope data to examine how stress factors module growth and survival. Our results show that shorter adult statures were linked to higher morbidity around weaning age and higher chances of dying earlier (before 35 years) than taller adult statures. In addition, short juvenile stature was related to physiological stressors and mortality. The adult “survivors” experienced recurrent periods of morbidity during childhood and adulthood, possibly associated with the high parasite load of the ecosystem and dense settlement rather than to malnourishment. An association between early-stress exposure and premature death was not demonstrated in our sample. To explain our data, we propose a new model called “intermittent stress of low lethality”. According to this model, individuals are exposed to recurrent stress during the juvenile and adult stages of life, and, nevertheless survive until reproductive age or later with relative success.

Influence of the Bovine Leukemia Virus on the Immunological Activity by the Neutrophilic Function

Background: Bovine leukemia virus (VLB) is an oncogenic deltaretrovirus associated with the development of persistent lymphocytosis (LP) and lymphosarcomas in cattle. LP is characterized by chronic elevation of the number of circulating lymphocytes, in the case of B lymphocytes. Several studies have described functional changes in various leukocyte populations in both blood and milk in VLB-infected animals. The impact of some chronic diseases of low lethality is aggravated by the emergence of comorbidities.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative metabolism and neutrophil phagocytosis of bovines of the Holtein breed naturally infected with the bovine leukemia virus (VLB).Materials, Methods &amp; Results: In this study, 20 cows were divided into three groups: (NG) seven non-seroreagent animals for VLB and without hematological alterations; (GAL) eight seroreagent animals for VLB and without hematological alterations; and (GLP) five seroreagent animals for VLB with persistent lymphocytosis (LP). The oxidative metabolism of neutrophils was determined by the tetrazolium nitroblast reduction test stimulated or not with Zymosan particles. The percentage of neutrophils that phagocytosed Zymosan particle (s) was also evaluated. The data were initially evaluated for normality and homoscedasticity by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Then the ANOVA test followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test was applied for the comparison between the NG, GAL and GLP animals. Comparison between the NG animals and the seroreagent animals for the VLB (GVLB) was also performed through the unpaired Student's t-test. The value of P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. No significant differences were observed in oxidative neutrophil metabolism in stimulated and non-stimulated samples with Zymosan particles nor in the percentage of neutrophils that phagocytosed Zymosan particle (s) among the three experimental groups. However, as no differences were observed between the seroreagent animals for VLB with and without LP, we chose to divide the animals into only two experimental, non-seroreagent and seroreagent groups for VLB. Thus, when non-seroreagent animals for the VLB were compared with the seroreagent animals for the VLB, which corresponds to the GAL and GLP animals, a significant difference was observed in relation to the oxidative metabolism by neutrophils stimulated with Zymosan particles.Discussion: Some viral diseases are often associated with increased susceptibility to new infections and several studies have evaluated the role of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in VLB infection, but few studies have investigated neutrophil function. Some authors, when evaluating phagocytic capacity and oxidative metabolism, respectively, of blood leukocytes from VLB-infected animals, observed that VLB-infected animals displaying LP had lower phagocytic capacity and lower production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Some studies have shown that oxygen consumption by neutrophils was higher in experimentally infected sheep by VLB after 15 weeks of challenge, but this species is not a natural host of the virus, since transmission does not occur between sheep and cattle and the pathogenesis of infection by VLB is more acute in sheep, a result of the lower latency period for LP development. Other authors, when evaluating the interference of VLB in milk leukocytes, concluded that VLB-infected animals show lower intensity of intracellular ROS production by flow cytometry in VLB-infected animals, especially animals expressing LP, despite the fact that percentage of milk neutrophils that produced ROS did not differ between groups. It can be concluded that VLB interferes in neutrophilic function with possible implications for the health of VLB-infected animals and may favor secondary infections.

Short-term effect of thiamethoxam through different exposure routes on Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its predator, Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

ABSTRACTWe assessed the short-term effect of different exposure routes of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam (TMX) on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and one of its predators, Orius albidipennis (Rueter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), to determine the feasibility of simultaneous use of the predator and TMX in cotton aphid control programmes. TMX was applied against A. gossypii and the predator at the maximum field recommended concentration (MFRC), ½ MFRC, and ¼ MFRC via leaf-dip, aphid-dip, and soil application treatments. It was extremely toxic to A. gossypii (64.96%–91.9% mortality in 1st instar nymphs and 51.33%–80.48% mortality in adults, 72 h after treatment) regardless of the concentrations used or the exposure treatment method. The insecticide exhibited very low lethality (<12.45% mortality) to 1st instar O. albidipennis nymphs after being absorbed systemically from the soil through the cucumber plant’s roots. The other two exposure routes, however, were extremely toxic to the predator, causing more than 67% mortality after 72 h exposure. The mortality of both aphid and predator increased over time in all three bioassay methods. These results demonstrated that the choice of TMX application method had no noticeable effect on its efficacy against cotton aphid but was a critical consideration in the conservation of its natural enemy, O. albidipennis, suggesting that soil application of TMX is potentially compatible with O. albidipennis. However, for definitive confirmation of this, the sublethal effects of the compound on the predator need to be studied, along with long-term assays under laboratory and field conditions.

Accident and vascular injury with stingray in the Alto Juruá, Acre, Brazil: a case report

Introduction: Fish accidents, called ichthyism, are common and considered a neglected health problem with high morbidity and low lethality. Noteworthy are the poisonings by freshwater stingrays, which are considered very serious and one of the most important injuries caused by aquatic animals in South America.&#x0D; Case Presentation: To describe an accident and vascular injury with venomous stingray animals in the Alto do Juruá, Acre, Brazil. Male patient admitted due to stingray in the left lower extremity 20 days ago.&#x0D; Conclusion: The freshwater stingray, due to its sharp characteristics, injured the great saphenous vein, requiring surgical intervention. The situation presented negative evolution due to the lack of necessary procedures in the first attendance, such as the proper cleaning of the wound and the removal of the sting.

Pain and Lethality Induced by Insect Stings: An Exploratory and Correlational Study.

Pain is a natural bioassay for detecting and quantifying biological activities of venoms. The painfulness of stings delivered by ants, wasps, and bees can be easily measured in the field or lab using the stinging insect pain scale that rates the pain intensity from 1 to 4, with 1 being minor pain, and 4 being extreme, debilitating, excruciating pain. The painfulness of stings of 96 species of stinging insects and the lethalities of the venoms of 90 species was determined and utilized for pinpointing future directions for investigating venoms having pharmaceutically active principles that could benefit humanity. The findings suggest several under- or unexplored insect venoms worthy of future investigations, including: those that have exceedingly painful venoms, yet with extremely low lethality—tarantula hawk wasps (Pepsis) and velvet ants (Mutillidae); those that have extremely lethal venoms, yet induce very little pain—the ants, Daceton and Tetraponera; and those that have venomous stings and are both painful and lethal—the ants Pogonomyrmex, Paraponera, Myrmecia, Neoponera, and the social wasps Synoeca, Agelaia, and Brachygastra. Taken together, and separately, sting pain and venom lethality point to promising directions for mining of pharmaceutically active components derived from insect venoms.

Spatiotemporal expression pattern of alpha, beta, and gamma genes during BoHV-5 infection

Bovine herpesvirus 5 is an alphaherpesvirus that causes nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis in cattle. This disease occurs naturally in either outbreaks or isolated cases, and exhibits low morbidity and high lethality. Although previous studies elucidated crucial aspects involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, there is a paucity of information regarding the molecular events contributing to infection and replication of BoHV-5. The objective of the present study was to determine the in vitro gene expression pattern of BoHV-5 (e.g., alpha, beta, and gamma genes) and host cells genes (GAPDH and 18S) over time utilizing different quantities of inoculated virus. Three BoHV-5 genes (bICP0, UL9, US4) and one structural bovine cell gene had their expression accessed by real-time PCR. While the expression of BoHV-5 genes increased during the course of infection, GAPDH gene expression decreased in the host cells, evidencing the effect of viral infection on the expression of bovine cell genes. The 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was constitutively expressed throughout BoHV-5 infection. Our data clearly demonstrates that GAPDH gene should not be used as a reference gene in studies of BoHV-5 infection because it was influenced by viral infection. However, 18S rRNA was constitutively expressed and, therefore, is recommended for normalization of BoHV-5 infection studies in bovine cells. The expression of viral genes transcripts was not altered by increasing number of viral particles added to the culture. All viral genes included here demonstrated the same expression pattern over time and there was no difference in the expression of viral genes among the various time points. Our data show important differences comparing to classical studies regarding herpesvirus alpha, beta, and gamma genes expression. More research is necessary to improve our understanding about the BoHV-5 biology during infection. Studies employing next-generation sequencing (i.e., RNA-seq), using both in vitro and in vivo models, would be the next logical step to grasp the virus and host cell’s transcriptome changes over the course of infection.

Galleria mellonella Infection Model Identifies Both High and Low Lethality of Clostridium perfringens Toxigenic Strains and Their Response to Antimicrobials.

Research progress into mechanisms of the anaerobe Clostridium perfringens and associated diseases has been frustrated by the lack of reliable infection models. Wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella) have emerged as a viable alternative to other models of infection since they are economic, survive at 37°C and require no specialist equipment. This study aims to establish to what extent G. mellonella larvae can be used to study the virulence of C. perfringens strains and its suitability for studying novel treatment strategies by an improved time-lapse approach to data collection. Mortality and morbidity rates of larvae challenged with 105 CFU of C. perfringens isolates from various sources were observed over 72 h and dose response data obtained. Phenoloxidase enzyme activity was investigated as a marker for immune response and tissue burden assessed by histopathological techniques. Results demonstrate that C. perfringens is pathogenic toward G. mellonella although potency varies dramatically between C. perfringens isolates and the reference strain ATCC 13124 was shown to be avirulent. Infection with C. perfringens strains activated the melanisation pathway resulting in melanin deposition but no increase in enzyme activity was observed. Efficacy of antibiotic therapy (penicillin G, bacitracin, neomycin, and tetracycline) administered parenterally to some extent correlates with that of in vitro analysis. The findings suggest G. mellonella might be a useful in vivo model of infection and convenient as a pre-screening assay for virulence of C. perfringens strains or as a simple, cheap and rapid in vivo assay in the first stage development of novel therapeutics against anaerobes.HIGHLIGHTS–Potential novel in vivo model for the study of Clostridium perfringens infection.–Novel time-lapse approach to data collection.–First report of the pathogenicity of C. perfringens toward G. mellonella.–First report of the efficacy of antibiotic therapy in response to C. perfringens infection in G. mellonella.

Sensitivity of the Egg Parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to Field and Laboratory-Applied Insecticide Residue.

The spread of adventive Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead, 1904) populations in North America is anticipated to increase biological control of Halyomorpha halys (Stål; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the brown marmorated stink bug. In an agricultural context, biological control will succeed if it can be integrated in an environment with insecticide applications. We investigated T. japonicus compatibility with nine conventional and organic insecticides commonly used in integrated pest management in perennial crops. Through evaluating mortality and longevity in field and laboratory trials, we determined that T. japonicus fares poorly when exposed to residues of neonicotinoids and pyrethroids. Spinosad resulted in the highest percentage of T. japonicus mortality, 100% in the laboratory and 97% in a field trial. The anthranilic diamide, chlorantraniliprole, had the lowest lethality, with no differences compared to an untreated control. Trissolcus japonicus survived insecticide applications in hazelnut orchards, and over 50% of wasps remained alive after contact with the anthranilic diamides, chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole, the biopesticide Chromobacterium, and an untreated control. Our results indicate that T. japonicus is unlikely to survive and parasitize H. halys in settings that coincide with broad-spectrum insecticide application. Future T. japonicus redistributions could continue in orchards treated with anthranilic diamides and Chromobacterium. As H. halys is a landscape-level pest, orchards may also benefit from biological control if T. japonicus are released in unsprayed areas adjacent to agriculture and in urban sites.

Bariatric surgeries performed by the Brazilian National Health System in the period 2010-2016: a descriptive study of hospitalizations.

to characterize Brazilian National Health System (SUS) hospitalizations for bariatric surgeries in Brazil, in the period 2010-2016. this was a descriptive study of time series using data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS); the target population consisted of patients aged 16 years and older. there were 46,035 hospitalizations (6,576/year; 4.3/100,000 inhabitants/year); average age was 39.0 years old (SD:10.4); female sex predominated (85.4%), and the 35-39 age group accounted for 18.0% of cases; 16,923 patients (36.8%) needed to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU); there were 99 (0.2%) in-hospital deaths; the median hospital stay was 3 days, and the interquartile range was 2 days; average annual expense was R$ 39,410,919.37 and the average cost of hospitalization was R$ 5,992.75 (R$ 1,464.15/day). bariatric surgeries were characterized as procedures involving young female adults, frequent ICU use and low lethality.

The Association Between Dyslipidemia and Lethality of Suicide Attempts: A Case-Control Study.

Evidence supports the existence of an association between dyslipidemia, psychiatric disorders, and suicide risk due to the effects of altered lipid profiles on serotoninergic neuron membranes. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in c-reactive protein (CRP), thyroid functioning, total cholesterol, high lipoprotein density cholesterol (HDL-c), low-lipoprotein density cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglycerides (TG) serum levels in low lethality (LLSA) vs. high lethality suicide attempters (HLSA) within 24 h from the suicide attempt and inpatients who never attempted suicide (NAS). After attempting suicide, subjects were admitted to the emergency ward of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and later to the section of Psychiatry from 1st August 2013 to 31st July 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, serum lipids profile, CRP, and thyroid functioning were collected. The sample consisted of 133 individuals with a HLSA, 299 subjects with LLSA, and 200 patients NAS. HLSA subjects were more likely to be males and diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder. Furthermore, HLSA subgroup showed significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL-c levels and higher CRP serum levels compared to LLSA and control group, respectively. LLSA subgroup showed higher HDL-c levels compared to HLSA subgroup (no differences between HLSA and control group were observed). Additionally, the control group reported higher triglycerides levels compared to patients admitted to psychiatric ward for a suicide attempt. Only male gender, having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, lower total cholesterol, and higher CRP serum levels predicted HLSA. Investigating the relation between dyslipidemia and the severity of suicide attempts may contribute to reveal the complex determinants underlying at-risk behaviors such as suicide, thus playing a relevant role in the possible prevention of this disabling phenomenon.

Acute Otitis Media in Childhood - Use of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment in Emergency Rooms

Background: AOM is characterized by its high prevalence and morbidity but low lethality. It is estimated that 70% of children will have had one episode prior to completing five years of age Compliance with the guidelines for acute otitis media (AOM) may avoid complications. This study aimed at determining whether pediatricians follow the guidelines for AOM management. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving pediatricians working in emergency centers in Recife. A specific questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Of the 71 pediatrics interviewed around 98% gave importance to crying/irritability and otalgia when diagnosing otitis and all recognized the significance of otorrhoea. All the professionals gave importance to bulging tympanic membrane, 98.6% to acute tympanic membrane perforation, 97.1% to purulent effusion and 46.5% to bilateral hyperemia of the tympanic membrane. Regarding antibiotic therapy, 70.4% used standard doses of amoxicillin as first-line treatment (81.7% prescribing for 10 days). Furthermore only 47.9% double the dose in case of therapeutic failure. Conclusion: Pediatricians working in emergency departments need to be better informed about the guidelines to decrease inappropriate prescription of antibiotics for AOM. We believe that adoption of the “wait and see” strategy, even in emergency rooms, would be an important means of reducing the inadequate prescription of antibiotics in cases of AOM, thus contributing towards reducing bacterial resistance.

La elaboración de un folder sobre cáncer de la próstata

Introducción: El cáncer de próstata es una importante patología, con baja letalidad cuando se diagnostica prematuramente. Para ello, uno de los procedimientos necesarios es la realización del examen de tacto rectal, que trae resistencia entre los hombres. Cuestiones simbólicas y culturales fomentan la vergüenza y el prejuicio. Con el objetivo de tratar la cuestión, un equipo multidisciplinario de salud elaboró un folder para tratar el tema. Objetivo: describir el proceso de elaboración un folder sobre el cáncer de próstata. Métodos: Se trabajó con investigación-acción, utilizando delineamientos exploratorio y descriptivo. La información fue obtenida a través de artículos disponibles online, en el período entre 2011 y 2015, en las bases de datos: Scielo, Lilacs y Google Académico. Resultados: Se puntúa como resultado el interés y la utilización del material, que fue puesto a disposición en un evento sobre cáncer de próstata. El material se agotó rápidamente. Conclusiones: Se destaca que más estudios serán necesarios para canalizar los folletos como material de educación y promoción de salud.

Extraction and Characterization of Secondary Metabolites from the Soil Bacterium, Acidovorax sp. SA5 and Evaluation of Their Larvicidal Activity Against Aedes aegypti

The present investigation deals with the extracellular metabolites from the soil bacterium against the devastating vector, Aedes aegypti. The testing of cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the soil bacterium, SA5 against third instar larvae of A. aegypti revealed LC50 and LC90 values (µL/mL) of 45.43 and 77.77, respectively. Histopathological analysis of third instar larvae of A. aegypti treated with CFS (1500 µL) after 24 h showed highly damaged epithelial cells, midgut and cortex regions. The brine shrimp toxicity of the effective CFS of SA5 strain on Artemia nauplii, exhibited only low lethality effect (33%). The bacterial genomic DNA of the effective SA5 strain was found to possess 1330 bp and was identified as Acidovorax sp. strain (MF581272) through molecular characterization. The FTIR, HPLC and GC–MS analyses of the CFS of Acidovorax sp. revealed 18 functional groups, 12 peaks and 10 compounds, respectively. The SDS-PAGE analysis of the extracellular protein from the CFS revealed their molecular weight range as 15–165 kDa. In view of the rerecorded potent anti-mosquitocidal property of the metabolites of the Acidovorax sp., further studies on their active principles are warranted.

Evaluation and modeling of a microwave‐assisted unit for continuous flow pasteurization of liquid foods: Residence time distribution, time–temperature history, and integrated lethality

AbstractFocused microwave heaters have potential to replace heat exchangers in continuous flow pasteurization of liquid foods. The objective of this work was to evaluate a pilot scale unit used for microwave assisted pasteurization of low viscosity liquid foods in order to model the heat transfer and residence time distribution (RTD) to, subsequently, predict the average time–temperature history and estimate the level of heat treatment of the process and contributions from each step. RTD data using water showed that it was possible to assume plug‐flow (negligible axial dispersion). Heat transfer experiments using water provided heat transfer coefficients as functions of Reynolds number and microwave power absorption. Mathematical modeling was used to determine the temperature distribution along the product path, and results were validated. Integrated lethality calculated from the time–temperature histories (pasteurization at 70 °C) revealed the contribution of each process step. Results showed that focused microwave heating provided the necessary temperature increase in a very short time, with a lethality contribution of only 0.7% as compared to 59–68% when using only the conventional heat exchanger. The methods described can be useful for the evaluation of other continuous flow pasteurization units processing low viscosity liquid foods.Practical applicationsThe mathematical modeling approach and experimental methods presented herein can be used for the analysis of continuous flow pasteurization systems based on tubular heat exchangers and with low axial dispersion (plug flow), providing temperature and lethality distribution along the product path, showing the contribution from each section on inactivation. Specifically for the equipment used in the experiments, the obtained heat transfer and resident time distribution parameters will be useful to study the processing of low viscosity foods such as fruit juices and nectars on ongoing works from the group.

Toxicity of Fenpyroximate, Difenoconazole and Mineral Oil on Apis mellifera L. Introduction

Bees of genus Apis are the main crop pollinators; however, the use of pesticides in agriculture may intoxicate them during foraging. In this study, we evaluated the toxic eff ects caused by difenoconazole (fungicide), fenpyroximate (acaricide) and mineral oil (adjuvant) used alone and associated (pesticide + adjuvant) on workers of Apis mellifera L. Bees were exposed to product doses recommended by manufacturers, orally and in contact on a contaminated surface in a controlled environment. All products presented low lethality, both in isolation and combination (except for difenoconazole via contact), however, they all showed toxic effects. The results showed that combination of pesticides with adjuvant augmented toxic eff ects.