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The use of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) has increased greatly and their potential effects on human health need to be investigated. Differentiated Caco‐2 cells were treated from the apical (Ap) and the basolateral (Bl) compartment with different concentrations (0, 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL) of commercial or sonochemically synthesized (sono) CuO NPs. Sono NPs were prepared in ethanol (CuOe) or in water (CuOw), obtaining CuO NPs differing in size and shape. The effects on the Caco‐2 cell barrier were assessed via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) evaluation just before and after 1, 2 and 24 hours of exposure and through the analysis of cytokine release and biomarkers of oxidative damage to proteins after 24 hours. Sono CuOe and CuOw NPs induced a TEER decrease with a dose‐dependent pattern after Bl exposure. Conversely, TEER values were not affected by the Ap exposure to commercial CuO NPs and, concerning the Bl exposure, only the lowest concentration tested (10 μg/mL) caused a TEER decrease after 24 hours of exposure. An increased release of interleukin‐8 was induced by sono CuO NPs after the Ap exposure to 100 μg/mL and by sono and commercial CuO after the Bl exposure to all the concentrations. No effects of commercial and sono CuO NPs on interleukin‐6 (with the only exception of 100 μg/mL Bl commercial CuO) and tumor necrosis factor‐α release were observed. Ap treatment with commercial and CuOw NPs was able to induce significant alterations on specific biomarkers of protein oxidative damage (protein sulfhydryl group oxidation and protein carbonylation). Differentiated Caco‐2 cells were exposed from the apical and basolateral compartment to 0, 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL of sonochemical (synthesized in ethanol or in water) and commercial CuO nanoparticles (NPs), then trans‐epithelial electrical resistance (TEER), cytokine release and biomarkers of protein oxidation were investigated. TEER was affected mostly by the Bl exposure to sonochemical Cu NPs. CuO NPs also induced a significant (P <.05) release of interleukins 8 and 6, and alterations in biomarkers of protein oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used nowadays, thus the gastrointestinal exposure to ZnO NPs is likely to be relevant and the effects on the intestinal barrier should be investigated. Polarized Caco‐2 cells were exposed from the apical (Ap) and basolateral (Bl) compartments to increasing concentrations (0, 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL) of sonochemical (sono) and commercial ZnO NPs. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), cell viability, proinflammatory cytokine release and presence of protein oxidative damage were evaluated after exposure. TEER was not significantly affected by Ap exposure to either sono or commercial ZnO NPs at any tested concentrations. After Bl exposure to sono ZnO NPs (all the concentrations) and to 100 μg/mL of commercial ZnO NPs TEER was decreased (P < 0.05). Ap and Bl exposure to 100 μg/mL sono ZnO NPs and Ap exposure to 50 μg/mL commercial ZnO NPs induced a significant (P < 0.05) release of interleukin‐6. A significant (P < 0.05) release of interleukin‐8 was observed after Ap exposure to ZnO NPs at 100 μg/mL and after Bl exposure to sono ZnO NPs at 100 μg/mL. Ap or Bl exposure to sono or commercial ZnO NPs did not affect tumour necrosis factor‐alpha secretion or protein sulphydryl oxidation. In conclusion, the ZnO NP exposure from the Ap compartment appeared almost safe, while the exposure through the basal compartment appeared to be more hazardous and the different NP size and crystallinity seem to affect the mode of action, but further studies are necessary to elucidate better these toxicity mechanisms. In this study, polarized Caco‐2 cells were exposed (apical/basolateral sides) to 0, 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL of sonochemical and commercial zinc nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Then transepithelial electrical resistance, cell viability, proinflammatory cytokine release and presence of protein oxidative damages were evaluated. Transepithelial electrical resistance was decreased (P < 0.05) after basolateral exposure to ZnO NPs. Exposure to ZnO NPs also induced a significant (P < 0.05) release of interleukin‐6 and ‐8, whereas tumour necrosis factor‐alpha secretion or protein sulphydryl oxidation seemed not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Medicine & International Health is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Glyphosate (GLY) is a common herbicide used worldwide but its effect on ovarian function in mammals is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the potential endocrine disruptor effects of GLY on ovarian function evaluating cell proliferation, steroidogenesis and gene expression using bovine granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells as in vitro models. GC proliferation was impaired ( P < 0.05) after exposure to GLY at 0.5, 1.7 and 5 μg ml−1. GC progesterone production was not affected ( P ≥ 0.05) at all doses tested while estradiol production was inhibited ( P < 0.05) by GLY at 5 μg ml−1. At the same concentration GLY showed no effect ( P ≥ 0.05) on theca cell proliferation and steroidogenesis. At higher concentrations (0.01 and 0.3 mg ml−1), GLY had no significant effect ( P ≥ 0.05) on GC proliferation and steroidogenesis. These studies, for the first time, suggest that GLY may affect the reproductive system in cattle via direct action on ovarian function; however, further studies will be required to understand better the mechanism of action and to determine the in vivo reproductive effects of GLY. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Medicine & International Health is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To assess the accuracy of Haemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS) in identifying severely anaemic [haemoglobin (Hb) <7 g/dl] and very severely anaemic (Hb <5 g/dl) individuals, and to compare the performances of a group of health workers using HCS after training with a standard method.Method: The study consisted of two parts. In part 1, the performance of HCS was compared with clinical examination in a hospital population of which more than 450 individuals were severely anaemic and more than 120 very severely anaemic. Part 2 of the study was conducted in eight dispensaries where the performances of 13 health workers using the colour scale were compared with the performances of eight other health workers using clinical signs to estimate Hb.Results: The colour scale was 92% sensitive for both severe anaemia and very severe anaemia and performed better than clinical examination. Health workers who used the colour scale did better in identifying anaemic and severely anaemic individuals, than those who used clinical examination.Conclusions: The colour scale improves health workers' capacity to identify severely anaemic individuals and could be used as a basis for referral. Although the diagnostic accuracy of the workers using HCS varied widely, in most cases they did significantly better than those who used clinical investigation alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: School health programmes have been identified as a cost-effective strategy to reduce morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminths in the school-age population, but the low rate of school enrollment in developing countries is a major factor limiting their success.Objective: The present study was conducted to identify reasons for non-enrollment and to evaluate differences in the occurrence of helminth infection between enrolled and non-enrolled children in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania.Method: A questionnaire was submitted to 520 households to obtain information about enrollment and other socio-economic indicators. In addition, one school-age child was randomly selected in each household and investigated for soil-transmitted helminth infection.Results: Overall, 71% of school-age children were enrolled. Enrollment increased with age. Only 41% of children under 9 years of age were enrolled compared to 91% in children older than 12 years. Enrollment is delayed because of an insufficient number of schools. Among non-enrolled school-age children, the proportion of heavy intensity infections was twice that of enrolled school-age children.Conclusions: Most of the non-enrolled school-age children live together with enrolled siblings in the same household, thereby representing an important opportunity for effective outreach activities. The effectiveness of the school-based helminth control programme in reducing the intensity of infection was confirmed. The significant gains achieved by enrolled school-age children in this study must be viewed as an attainable goal for the important numbers of non-enrolled school-age children in endemic areas. Decision-makers must ensure that outreach activities are included in helminth control programmes targeted to school-age children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Haemoglobin Colour Scale, developed by Stott and Lewis, to diagnose anaemia in a primary health care setting where anaemia was prevalent and severe. Three measures of anaemia were compared in 535 preschool children: haemoglobin based on the Haemoglobin Colour Scale, clinical assessment in three sites (conjunctiva, palm and nail bed) and haemoglobin based on a digital haemoglobinometer (HemoCue method) taken as gold standard. A statistically significant correlation (r = 0.80, coefficient = 0.77 and Y intercept = 2.33) was obtained between the results of the Haemoglobin Colour Scale and the HemoCue. In more than 80% of cases, the difference between the colour scale readings and the results of the HemoCue was within 1 g/dl. Of 415 anaemic children (Hb < 11 g/dl by HemoCue), 85.2% were so identified by the Haemoglobin Colour Scale and 19.7% were classified anaemic by clinical pallor. Of 19 severely anaemic children (Hb < 7 g/dl by HemoCue), 73.6% were identified as severely anaemic and 100% were classified as anaemic by the colour scale, 61.1% were classified as anaemic using clinical pallor. We found the Haemoglobin Colour Scale to be a useful tool in identifying anaemic and severely anaemic children. Efficiencies in term of cost, accuracy and time make it an important resource in primary health care settings in developing countries. Further testing with other staff in other settings is recommended to determine the usefulness of large-scale distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new modified quantitative Kato-Katz thick-smear technique for the detection of helminth eggs in faeces preserves hookworm eggs unaltered for a long time, while with the classic Kato-Katz technique, they disappear after approximately 2 h in tropical climates and thus slides must be read within hours after sample collection. For an independent comparison of these two laboratory techniques, faecal smears from 263 school children were examined in two surveys and prevalence, intensity of infection and costs of surveys calculated. There was no statistical difference between the methods in detecting prevalence and stratification of the sample in different classes of intensity. While there was no statistical difference for the arithmetic mean of the epg for T. trichiura and only a small difference for A. lumbricoides (P=0.04), we observed a highly significant difference for hookworm mean intensities of infections (P<0.001). From the public health viewpoint both methods provided similar results, but due to its simplicity and widespread use the classical Kato-Katz technique remains first choice for community investigation of soil-transmitted nematodes. However, the Nigrosin-Eosin approach has several advantages and can be a valuable alternative in certain circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School health programmes are the basis of the strategy defined by WHO to reduce morbidity due to soil-transmitted nematodes and schistosomes in school age populations in developing countries. However, low rates of school enrollment can be a major factor limiting their success. In the present study enrolled children were informed by teachers on the date of the next deworming campaign and were invited to pass along this information to parents, siblings and friends of school-age. On the day of the deworming campaign, teachers were instructed to administer anthelminthics to enrolled and not enrolled school-age children present at school. In the month following the treatment day, information about coverage was collected by questionnaire in 257 households in two regions of Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Over 89% of school age children resulted treated (98.9% of those enrolled plus 60% of those not enrolled). The additional cost of treating non-enrolled is limited to the cost of providing additional doses of anthelminthic drug in each school. Non-enrolled school age children can easily, successfully and inexpensively included in school based deworming campaign. Managers of control programmes are invited to test this method adapting it in their particular and cultural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]