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Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease, constituting a serious public health problem and is divided into two main clinical groups, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Dogs are the main reservoirs of the parasite in the urban environment, since independently of the clinical form, they usually present high cutaneous parasitism. In dogs, the clinical manifestations are non-specific and varied. Laboratory findings of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VLC) include anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, proteinuria and renal azotemia, which are also considered nonspecific and common findings in other endemic diseases in Brazil. Thus, the formation of the VLC diagnosis plan through clinical-pathological findings constitutes a challenge for the veterinarian, since it is broad. The definitive diagnosis of leishmaniasis involves parasitological, serological, as well as diagnostic tests such as molecular and culture. Addressing the differential diagnoses of VLC is the objective of this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins produced primarily by Fusarium spp. There are several different forms of fumonisins, among them fumonisins B 1 and B 2 are the most common and economically important forms in maize. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of fumonisins and Fusarium spp. in kernels of four maize genotypes grown in two Southern Brazilian locations. Fumonisins B 1 and B 2 were detected in all samples, with levels ranging from 0.4 to 9.1 μg × g −1 . Of the 3840 maize kernels examined, 77.0% were infected with Fusarium spp., and F. verticillioides was the most prevalent species (98.1%). In addition, we found that approximately 95% of the isolates of F. verticillioides harbor essential genes for fumonisin biosynthesis ( FUM1 and FUM8 ). Next, we investigated the genetic structure of F. verticillioides populations based on molecular data generated by the AFLP technique, which revealed a high genetic variability. Statistical analyses have shown that a significant part of the genetic differentiation was associated with the maize growing location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is considered one of the countries with the highest number of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) users worldwide, mainly diethylpropion (DIE) and fenproporex (FEN). The use of ATS is mostly linked to diverted prescription stimulants and this misuse is widely associated with (ab)use by drivers. A validated method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of amphetamine (AMP), DIE and FEN in plasma samples employing direct immersion-solid-phase microextraction, and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis. Trichloroacetic acid 10% was used for plasma deproteinization. In situ derivatization with propylchloroformate was employed. The linear range of the method covered from 5.0 to 100 ng/mL. The detection limits were 1.0 (AMP), 1.5 (DIE) and 2.0 ng/mL (FEN). The accuracy assessment of the control samples was within 85.58–108.33% of the target plasma concentrations. Recoveries ranged from 46.35 to 84.46% and precision was <15% of the value of relative standard deviation. This method is appropriate for screening and confirmation in plasma forensic toxicology analyses of these basic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized the neurocognitive profile of communed-based individuals and unaffected siblings of patients with psychosis from Brazil reporting psychotic experiences (PEs). We also analyzed associations between PEs and the intra and inter-functional connectivity (FC) in the Default Mode Network (DMN), the Fronto-Parietal Network (FPN) and the Salience Network (SN) measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. The combined sample of communed-based individuals and unaffected siblings of patients with psychosis comprised 417 (neurocognition) and 85 (FC) volunteers who were divided as having low (<75th percentile) and high (≥75th percentile) PEs (positive, negative, and depressive dimensions) assessed by the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. The neurocognitive profile and the estimated current brief intellectual quotient (IQ) were assessed using the digit symbol (processing speed), arithmetic (working memory), block design (visual learning) and information (verbal learning) subtests of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-third edition. Logistic regression models were performed for neurocognitive analysis. For neuroimaging, we used the CONN toolbox to assess FC between the specified regions, and ROI-to-ROI analysis. In the combined sample, high PEs (all dimensions) were related to lower processing speed performance. High negative PEs were related to poor visual learning performance and lower IQ, while high depressive PEs were associated with poor working memory performance. Those with high negative PEs presented FPN hypoconnectivity between the right and left lateral prefrontal cortex. There were no associations between PEs and the DMN and SN FC. Brazilian individuals with high PEs showed neurocognitive impairments like those living in wealthier countries. Hypoconnectivity in the FPN in a community sample with high PEs is coherent with the hypothesis of functional dysconnectivity in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]