Search

Longas jornadas de trabalho surgem como um dos fatores de risco vivenciados pelos professores que afetam sua saúde e qualidade de vida. Nesse sentido, ações promotoras da saúde se tornam iminentes como estratégias de mitigação dos impactos à saúde destes profissionais. O presente estudo tem por objetivo analisar, a partir de uma revisão integrativa, ações promotoras da saúde realizadas no Brasil com educadores de todos os níveis de ensino desde a implantação da Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde em 2006. A revisão integrativa foi realizada em diferentes bases de dados com os seguintes descritores: “("Promoção da saúde" OR "Health promotion") AND ("Saúde" OR "Health") AND ("Docente" OR "Professor" OR "Teacher") AND ("Saúde do trabalhador" OR "Worker health"). A análise apontou duas categorias empíricas: “Promoção da saúde vocal na prática docente” e “Promoção da qualidade de vida docente: ações integradas”. O grande número de alunos, em sala de aula, a carga horária exaustiva de serviço e a acústica ruim das salas de aula são as principais condições adversas apontadas nos estudos. As ações promotoras de saúde identificadas na primeira categoria analítica foram exercícios, técnicas vocais e trocas de experiências. Na segunda categoria, as oficinas temáticas sobre o corpo e espaços de diálogo permanente foram o foco. Em função do baixo número de estudos se pode verificar que a promoção da saúde dos educadores tem sido negligenciada. Conclui-se que ações intersetoriais, que estimulem a promoção da saúde dos professores, são de extrema importância, pois incentivam a participação, a emancipação, o empoderamento e possibilitam a reflexão dos mesmos sobre as suas realidades laborais, a fim de transformá-las. Palavras-chave: Professor. Promoção da Saúde. Saúde do Trabalhador. Abstract Long working hours are one of the risk factors experienced by teachers that affect their health and quality of life. In this sense, health-promoting actions become imminent as strategies to mitigate the health impacts of these professionals. The present study aims to analyze, from an integrative review, health-promoting actions carried out in Brazil with teachers from all education levels since the implementation of the National Health Promotion Policy in 2006. The integrative review was carried out in different databases with the following descriptors: ("Promoção da saúde" OR "Health promotion") AND ("Saúde" OR "Health") AND ("Professores" OR "Teacher" OR "Teacher") AND ("Saúde do trabalhador" OR "Worker health"). The analysis pointed out two empirical categories: "Promotion of vocal health in teaching practice" and "Promotion of teaching quality of life: integrated actions". The large number of students in the classroom, the exhaustive hours of service and the poor acoustics of the classrooms are the main adverse conditions pointed out in the studies. The health-promoting actions identified in the first analytical category were exercises, vocal techniques, exchange of experiences. In the second category, thematic workshops on the body and spaces for permanent dialogue were the focus. Due to the low number of studies, it can be seen that the teachers’ health promotion has been neglected. It is concluded that intersectoral actions that encourage the promotion of teachers' health are extremely important, as they encourage participation, emancipation, empowerment and enable their reflection on their work realities, in order to transform them. Keywords: Teacher. Health Promotion. Occupational Health.

A escola deve ser um ambiente favorável à saúde. Desse modo, é fundamental investir na construção de entornos saudáveis. É possível ao ser humano agir de forma consciente sobre a sua realidade. A figura do educador deve ser considerada no desenvolvimento de ações em saúde na escola. Nisto consiste a Práxis humana resultante do processo de ação-reflexão particular sobre o mundo. O envolvimento com a realidade deve se apresentar como um objeto cognoscível por uma consciência crítica através do processo de conscientização. O educador, enquanto um agente influenciador, promove a saúde no contexto escolar, por isso, deverá, a partir de um processo de ação-reflexão da sua própria conduta, transformar o seu agir em ações que promovam saúde, e assim, construir um ambiente favorável para a aprendizagem. Este estudo tem como objetivo apresentar os dados de uma oficina que consiste em uma intervenção promotora de saúde para professores realizada em uma escola pública no distrito de Xerém, município de Duque de Caxias, Baixada Fluminense/RJ, por meio de uma oficina pedagógica embasada nos pressupostos teóricos de Paulo Freire. Após a validação da intervenção, a oficina ação-reflexão-ação foi realizada em sala remota, sendo constituída por quatro experimentos e contou com a participação de onze docentes. Durante a realização dos experimentos, os educadores compartilharam suas experiências e refletiram sobre suas ações no processo de ensino-aprendizagem.É preciso estimular a reflexão, o pensamento crítico sobre o impacto das ações individuais e coletivas no ambiente escolar ou educativo, a fim de promover saúde neste contexto.

A Plataforma virtual CHA para educadores é uma tecnologia social de apoio aos educadores na ampliação de Conhecimentos e desenvolvimento de Habilidades e Atitudes em saúde para o enfrentamento das mudanças sociais e educacionais devido a COVID-19. O presente artigo apresenta análises quali-quantitativas de uma amostra da população de educadores da educação básica do Brasil, consultados pelo projeto para validação do mesmo. O estudo piloto foi realizado por meio de um questionário eletrônico distribuído nas mídias sociais por um mês para professores ativos da educação básica. Desses, 83 responderam a todo questionário, 75% são mulheres com média de idade de 41,3 anos com mais de 15 anos de magistério; 59% pertencem ao grupo de risco e atuam no ensino público; 52,6% estavam em luto e 43% têm dificuldade com as mídias digitais. Educadores (85%) relataram estar estressados e com medo. A maioria indicou trabalhar mais de 12 horas/dia (75%), mas identificaram que a presença dos alunos nas aulas remotas foi baixa. A análise de conteúdo dos discursos escritos no questionário diagnóstico revelou duas categorias, Saúde do Docente e Ensino-aprendizagem e 14 subcategorias (07 para cada) relacionadas aos impactos da pandemia na saúde do educador influenciando diretamente a sua práxis e a qualidade do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Os resultados demonstraram a necessidade de um espaço de cuidado com a saúde do professor e de qualificação e troca profissional entre eles para a melhoria do processo de ensino-aprendizagem em tempos de pandemia COVID-19

A escola é compreendida como um núcleo educativo, onde além do ensino formal, outras perspectivas como a saúde, fomentam reflexões críticas sobre a realidade e contribuem para a construção de um pensamento complexo. Nesse contexto, os professores são os mentores dos alunos no espaço escolar, pois conduzem os discentes a construção do conhecimento e de sua cidadania. Dada a relevância do binômio ‘saúde e ambiente” este estudo tem por objetivo apresentar as percepções e concepções de professores de uma escola pública, sobre saúde e ambiente, para a elaboração de propostas interventivas visando a promoção da saúde única (One Health). Para o conhecimento das concepções e percepções sobre saúde e ambiente dos docentes foi elaborado como instrumento de coleta de dados um questionário semi-estruturado constituído por perguntas abertas e semi-abertas As concepções e percepções de cada participante sobre os temas foram analisadas por meio da técnica análise de Conteúdo de Bardin. As concepções e percepções dos docentes quanto a saúde e ambiente estão pautadas em uma visão paradigmática sustentadas por um pensamento simplista, observado em suas falas e práticas. Essas concepções comandam o discurso e a práxis do professor, muitas vezes limitando suas possibilidades e criatividade, negligenciando o potencial de suas ações e intenções.

Schistosomiasis is an important vector-borne disease transmitted by an intermediate host: a freshwater mollusk. Control of these snail vectors is one of the strategies of the World Health Organization against the disease. The present study was based on a systematic review of published scientific papers concerning the biological control of snails (genus Biomphalaria), and identified the ongoing challenges and propose future perspectives. The review methodology was based on the PRISMA statement, the international databases Web of Science and Scopus for the period 1945-2021. In total, 47 papers were analyzed, published by authors from 14 different countries, the majority being from: France, Brazil, the United States, and Egypt. The most widely used strategy for biological control was predation by fish (12 studies). Fourteen papers were published in the most prolific decade 2010-2019; during which there was also a greater diversity of biological control agents in studies. In this context, we believed that one of the principal challenges of this approach is the successful simultaneous use of multiple types of biological control agent: predators, competitors, and/or microbial agents. This new approach may provide important insights for the development of new biological control agents or microbial-based products, with the potential to reduce the parasite load carried by schistosomiasis snail vector and control its transmission in a sustainable way. RESUMO: A esquistossomose é uma importante doença transmitida por vetor, um hospedeiro intermediário: um molusco de água doce. O controle desses caramujos vetores é uma das estratégias da Organização Mundial da Saúde para controle da doença. O presente estudo foi baseado em uma revisão sistemática de artigos científicos publicados sobre o controle biológico de caramujos (gênero Biomphalaria), e teve como objetivo identificar os desafios atuais e propor perspectivas futuras. A metodologia de revisão foi baseada na declaração PRISMA, nas bases de dados internacionais, Web of Science e Scopus, entre 1945-2021. No total, foram analisados 47 artigos, publicados por autores de 14 países diferentes, sendo a maioria: França, Brasil, Estados Unidos e Egito. A estratégia mais utilizada para controle biológico foi a predação por peixes (12 estudos). Quatorze artigos foram publicados na década mais produtiva 2010-2019, durante a qual também houve uma maior diversidade de agentes de controle biológico em estudos. Neste contexto, acreditamos que um dos principais desafios desta abordagem é a utilização simultânea bem-sucedida de múltiplos tipos de agentes de controle biológico: predadores, concorrentes e/ou agentes microbianos. Esta nova abordagem fornece importantes subsídios para o desenvolvimento de novos agentes de controle biológico ou produtos de base microbiana, com o potencial de reduzir a carga parasitária transportada pelo vetor esquistossomose de caramujos e controlar sua transmissão de forma sustentável.

Perna perna mussels, abundant throughout the Brazilian coast, are routinely applied as bioindicators in environmental monitoring actions due to their sessile and filter-feeding characteristics. In addition, they are noteworthy for their food importance, especially for coastal populations. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate elemental contamination in commercially marketed and highly consumed P. perna samples from the highly impacted Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 30 mussels were sampled, and elemental concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn) were determined in adductor muscle samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Human consumption risks were assessed by comparisons to Brazilian and international legislations. No significant differences between sex were observed for all analyzed elements. Even when analyzing only the adductor muscle, all mussel samples exceeded the Brazilian limit for Cr, while 12 samples exceeded the limit for Se. When compared to other regulatory agencies, As and Zn levels were higher than the limits set by China, New Zealand, and the USA. Estimated daily dietary intake values were not above limits imposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization for any of the assessed elements, although it is important to note that only the adductor muscle was assessed. Therefore, continuous metal and metalloid monitoring in bivalves in the study region is suggested, as metal transport and bioavailability, especially in coastal estuaries such as Guanabara Bay, which are currently undergoing significant changes due to anthropogenic activities.

Some terrestrial gastropods are agricultural pests and are exposed to toxic products capable of causing physiological and biological alterations. The action of some herbicides and molluscicides has been studied on freshwater snails, but there are few studies of terrestrial species. This study analyzed the biological and physiological responses of Bulimulus tenuissimus exposed to the natural molluscicidal latex of Euphorbia milii var. hislopii and the synthetic herbicide Roundup® Original. A total of 210 snails were divided and exposed for 24 hours to the products (latex or herbicide in concentrations of 1,000 ppm and 100,000 ppm) and type 2 water. Of this total, 150 exposed animals were analyzed biochemically after 24 hours, and the others were observed during 30 days for analysis of the mortality rate. After 24 hours, some snails presented escape mechanisms such as epiphragm formation, cephalopedal mass retraction and burial. The latex did not cause metabolic alterations but the herbicide altered the carbohydrate metabolism of B. tenuissimus, reducing energy substrates in the sites analyzed (hemolymph, digestive gland and cephalopedal mass). Regarding the protein metabolism, there was no alteration after exposure to both analyzed substances. After 30 days of exposure, higher mortality was recorded for the groups exposed to the herbicide. These findings suggest that B. tenuissimus is resistant to the molluscicidal latex of Euphorbia milii var. hislopii more than the herbicide Roundup® Original.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a spectroscopic technique that evaluates the vibrational energy levels of the chemical bonds of molecules within a wavelength range of 750–2,500 nm. This simple method acquires spectra that provide qualitative and quantitative data on the chemical components of the biomass of living organisms through the interaction between the electromagnetic waves and the sample. NIRS is an innovative, rapid, and non-destructive technique that can contribute to the differentiation of species based on their chemical phenotypes. Chemical profiles were obtained by NIRS from three snail species (Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria straminea, and Biomphalaria tenagophila) that are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil. The correct identification of these species is important from an epidemiological viewpoint, given that each species has distinct biological and physiological characteristics. The present study aimed to develop a chemometric model for the interspecific and intra-specific classification of the three species, focusing on laboratory and field populations. The data were obtained from 271 live animals, including 150 snails recently collected from the field, with the remainder being raised in the laboratory. Populations were sampled at three localities in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, in the municipalities of Sumidouro (B. glabrata) and Paracambi (B. straminea), and the borough of Jacarepaguá in the Rio de Janeiro city (B. tenagophila). The chemometric analysis was run in the Unscrambler® software. The intra-specific classification of the field and laboratory populations obtained accuracy rates of 72.5% (B. tenagophila), 77.5% (B. straminea), and 85.0% (B. glabrata). The interspecific differentiation had a hit rate of 75% for the field populations and 80% for the laboratory populations. The results indicate chemical and metabolic differences between populations of the same species from the field and the laboratory. The chemical phenotype, which is closely related to the metabolic profile of the snails, varied between environments. Overall, the NIRS technique proved to be a potentially valuable tool for medical malacology, enabling the systematic discrimination of the Biomphalaria snails that are the intermediate hosts of S. mansoni in Brazil.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la composición elemental del látex liofilizado obtenido de Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (N.E.Br.) Ursch & Leandri) y el tegumento del macho adulto de Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 originado a partir cercarias previamente expuesta al látex. La composición y las concentraciones de 15 elementos se caracterizaron mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) y la espectroscopía de dispersión de energía (EDS). El magnesio, potasio y sodio se encontraron en un alto porcentaje en peso en el látex liofilizado. Altos niveles de los elementos sodio, magnesio y nitrógeno se detectaron, respectivamente, en el control de los machos adultos de S. mansoni. La exposición de cercarias de S. mansoni al látex de E. milii cambió la composición elemental del parásito adulto, que mostró un mayor nivel de nitrógeno en lugar de sodio como se observó en los parásitos normales. Además, se compararon los elementos del grupo de control y de los gusanos adultos de las cercarias expuestas al látex y mostraron una disminución significativa de nitrógeno y un aumento de sodio, potasio y magnesio. El presente trabajo representa el primer análisis de la composición elemental del látex liofilizado de E. milii var. hislopii y su impacto en el macho de S. mansoni por la Sonda de microanálisis de Electrones de Rayos X.

International audience; We tested a new approach to describe how a sublethal dose of the Euphorbia milii Des Moul. latex can affect cercariae, inducing changes in the adult Schistosoma mansoni Sambon 1907. We analyzed the effects on biology and used proteomic tools to identify the expression of different proteins. The treatment reduced the development of adults (males, 74.1%; females, 76.3%) and decreased the number of eggs released in 89.9%. The protein profile between adult males of S. mansoni from the control and exposed groups detected 1,020 spots, 26 were differently expressed and 10 were identified and validated. The proteins downregulated after exposition included actin, 14-3-3 epsilon and aldehyde dehydrogenase. The hsp70 was the only protein that was upregulated. The changes in the proteomic profile of adult males of S. mansoni may be related to a muscular fragility of the body. This work provides new insight for schistosomiasis control using a natural, water-soluble product at sublethal concentrations for mollusks. This approach is inexpensive, ecological and efficient as an indirect therapy for schistosomiasis.; Hemos probado un nuevo enfoque para describir cómo una dosis subletal del látex de Euphorbia milii Des Moul. puede afectar a las cercarias, induciendo cambios en el Schistosoma mansoni Sambon 1907 adulto. Se analizaron los efectos sobre la biología y se utilizaron herramientas proteómicas para identificar la expresión de diferentes proteínas. El tratamiento redujo el desarrollo de adultos (machos 74,1%, hembras 76,3%) y disminuyó el número de huevos liberados en 89,9%. El perfil proteico entre machos adultos de S. mansoni de los grupos control y expuestos detectó 1.020 spots, 26 se expresaron de forma diferente y 10 fueron identificados y validados. Las proteínas menos abundante después de la exposición incluyeron actina, 14-3-3 epsilon y aldehído deshidrogenasa. La hsp70 fue la única proteína que se más abundante. Los cambios en el perfil proteómico de los machos adultos de S. mansoni pueden estar relacionados con una fragilidad muscular del cuerpo. Este trabajo proporciona una nueva visión para el control de la esquistosomiasis utilizando un producto natural, soluble en agua a concentraciones subletales para moluscos. Este enfoque es barato, ecológico y eficiente como terapia indirecta para la esquistosomiasis

The Euphobia milii var. hislopii latex has been tested in the control of schistosomiasis but its action in the locomotor activity of Biomphalaria glabrata is unknown. The objective of this work was to study the locomotor and reproductive behaviors of B. glabrata exposed to E. milii var. hislopii latex. For this, 96 snails were individually exposed to the latex (LC50 - 0.53 mg / L) for 24 hours. The specimens were submitted to biomonitoring for image analysis to record the locomotor parameters at different times: before exposure (control), one day post exposure (group 1 d-p-e) and 30 days post exposure (group 30 d-p-e). The reproductive parameters were recorded weekly for 10 weeks. All locomotor activities of group 1 d-p-e decreased significantly. The egg/egg mass ratio decreased the week after exposure while there was an increase in the hatching rate. After 30 days, these reproductive parameters were similar to those observed in these same snails before exposure. However, the number of hatched snails declined after exposure until the end of the experiment. The influence of the latex in the parameters of B. glabrata added further evidence that this natural water-soluble product can be an important tool for the control of schistosomiasis.

The infection and development of a parasite may cause physiological, morphological and behavioral changes in its host. Changes in the locomotory activity of a host induced by their parasites may also influence the life-cycles of both host and parasite in the environment. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the locomotory activities of Biomphalaria glabrata before and after an experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni relating to the shedding of cercaria. In addition, the reproductive parameters of infected B. glabrata were analyzed during the prepatent and patent periods of the infection. The locomotory activity was recorded using an image analysis biomonitoring system based on a Videomex V ® . Five parameters were analyzed: ‘Distance traveled’, ‘Ambulatory time’, ‘Stereotypic time’, ‘Resting time’ and ‘Average speed’. The number of shed cercariae was counted twice at 45 and 52 days post-infection. The reproductive parameters of infected B. glabrata analyzed were the numbers of egg masses, eggs and hatched snails. All statistical analyses were performed using the R program. Of the 69 snails infected with S. mansoni , 33 (47.8%) shed cercariae (‘positive’) and 36 (52.2%) (‘exposed’) failed to exhibit any cercarial shedding prior to the end of the experiment. The locomotory activity of the all snails increased significantly after infection with S. mansoni . However, when the ‘positive’ and ‘exposed’ snails were compared, the former, shedding cercariae, were less motile. With regard to reproduction, 84.8% (28/33) of the ‘positive’ and 27.7% (10/36) of the ‘exposed’ snails failed to lay egg masses during patent period. The number of cercariae individually shed by each ‘positive’ snail presented a positive relation with ‘Stereotypic time’ and a negative relation with egg laying. Our findingshighlight the way in which infection with S. mansoni affects the locomotory and the reproductive behavior of B. glabrata . The number of cercariae shed is directly associated with the reduction/interruption in egg-laying and with an increase in random movement.

Background: Two aspects need to be considered for schistosomiasis control: morbidity and transmission. In this context, many soluble substances have been tested and Euphorbia milii latex is one of the most promising Brazilian molluscicides. Phytochemical studies involving simulation of the applicability of this latex on all aquatic forms of the S. mansoni life cycle are rare in the literature. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of E. milii latex on S. mansoni in the egg, miracidium and different developmental stages in Biomphalaria glabrata. Methods: The laboratory study was designed to simulate the different forms of exposure of the life cycle stages of S. mansoni to the LC50 of E. milii latex; we tested the exposition from four situations of S. mansoni contact with the latex and observed the exposure on different snails’ infection stage too. All snails were analyzed weekly for cercarial shedding and reproductive biology. Results: The results showed that contact of S. mansoni eggs and miracidia with the LC50 of E. milii negatively influenced the development of the parasite life cycle in the intermediate host, with consequent reduction of cercarial shedding. The exposure of infected snails affected the reproductive biology and cercarial shedding in all intra-mollusk development stages of S. mansoni, but the reduction was greater in the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth weeks of infection. The LC50 of E. milii latex had toxic action on eggs and miracidia, and the number of cercariae shed by snails during the study period declined by about 80%. Conclusions: We can conclude that the use of natural biodegradable compounds containing low concentrations of substances already characterized as having eco-toxico- logical potential can be an important tool to reduce the transmission of Schistosomiasis.

Background Schistosomiasis has been reported in 78 endemic countries and affects 240 million people worldwide. The digenetic parasite Schistosoma mansoni needs fresh water to compete its life cycle. There, it is susceptible to soluble compounds that can affect directly and/or indirectly the parasite’s biology. The cercariae stage is one of the key points in which the parasite is vulnerable to different soluble compounds that can significantly alter the parasite’s life cycle. Molluscicides are recommended by the World Health Organization for the control of schistosomiasis transmission and Euphorbia milii latex is effective against snails intermediate hosts. Methodology/Principal findings We used parasitological tools and electron microscopy to verify the effects of cercariae exposure to natural molluscicide (Euphorbia milii latex) on morphology, physiology and fitness of adult parasite worms. In order to generate insights into key metabolic pathways that lead to the observed phenotypes we used comparative transcriptomics and proteomics. Conclusions/Significance We describe here that the effect of latex on the adult is not due to direct toxicity but it triggers an early change in developmental trajectory and perturbs cell memory, mobility, energy metabolism and other key pathways. We conclude that latex has not only an effect on the vector but applies also long lasting schistosomastatic action. We believe that these results are of interest not only to parasitologists since it shows that natural compounds, presumably without side effects, can have an impact that occurred unexpectedly on developmental processes. Such collateral damage is in this case positive, since it impacts the true target of the treatment campaign. This type of treatment could also provide a rational for the control of other pests. Our results will contribute to enforce the use of E. milii latex in Brazil and other endemic countries as cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with Praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection)., Author summary Intestinal schistosomiasis is among the most important parasitic disease caused by helminthes, affecting 67 million people worldwide. Vector and intermediate host of the parasitic worm are fresh water snails. WHO recommends use of molluscicides for control of local transmission. Among those, natural plant extracts such as Euphorbia milii latex have attracted particular attention since they are sustainable and cheap. We had anecdotic evidence that E. milii latex also impacts infection outcome if treated snails were infected with S. mansoni. We show here that transient exposure of the human dwelling larvae (cercariae) to the latex at doses that do not affect its infectivity has effects 60 days later on the morphology, physiology and fitness of the adult parasite worms. In order to generate insights into key metabolic pathways that lead to the observed phenotypes we used comparative transcriptomics and proteomics. We show that the effect of latex on the adult is not due to direct toxicity but it triggers an early change in developmental trajectory and perturbs cell memory, mobility, energy metabolism and other key pathways. We conclude that latex has not only an effect on the vector but applies also long lasting schistosomastatic action. The present work might also provide insights on targets with implications for developing new interventions for schistosomiasis control.

Parasitic castration in the snail-trematode relationship can be understood as any change in the reproductive function of the snail that is due to interference by the developing larvae inside the snail that leads to the reduction or complete disruption of egg-laying activity. This study was designed to observe the parasitic castration of Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni during both the pre-patent and patent periods. The effect of infection on snail fecundity and fertility, growth rate and survival was studied during the 62 days following miracidia exposure. An integrated approach was employed that used biochemical and histological tools over the same period. To study the effect of infection on reproduction, we individually exposed 30 snails to 5 miracidia each and tracked their fertility and fecundity. For our histopathological studies, 50 snails were exposed to 20 miracidia each, and for our histochemical studies, 50 snails were exposed to 5 miracidia each. An equal number of uninfected snails were used as a control for each group. The B. glabrata exposed to the BH strain of S. mansoni showed 50% positivity for cercarial shedding. Both the experimental and control groups showed 100% survival. The pre-patent period lasted until 39 days after exposure to miracidia. Exposed snails that showed cercarial shedding exhibited higher growth rates than either exposed snails that did not demonstrate cercarial shedding or uninfected controls. Exposed snails without cercarial shedding and uninfected controls showed no differences in the reproductive parameters evaluated during the patent period; snails experiencing cercarial shedding showed a reduction in fecundity and fertility. These snails began to lay eggs only after the 50th day post miracidia exposure. The haemolymph glucose levels showed an oscillating pattern that decreased during periods of greater mobilisation of energy by the larvae and was accompanied by a depletion of glycogen in the cephalopodal mass and digestive gland. Histopathological examination at 55 days showed that the ovotestis was highly atrophied. There was almost complete disappearance of germ cells, and the supporting stroma formed a nearly empty net. At day 45, the infected digestive gland showed a high cylindrical epithelium with little preserved cytoplasm. The contents of the secretory granules of the albumen gland of infected animals stained with Alcian blue (AB), pH 1.0, indicating the presence of sulphated carbohydrates. Thus, parasitic castration in the B. glabrata–S. mansoni model may be regulated directly and indirectly by the developmental stage of the trematode and the biochemical and histopathological alterations during the patent period of infection.

The calcium content in the hemolymph and shell of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) was determined after exposure to different parasite burdens (5 and 50 miracidia) of Echinostoma paraensei (Lie and Basch, 1967). The snails were dissected 1, 2, 3, and 4weeks after infection to collect the hemolymph and shell. An increase in calcemia was observed in snails infected with both miracidial doses. A significant decrease in the calcium ions in the shell was observed, coinciding with the calcemia peak in the hemolymph. This indicates greater mobilization of calcium between the shell and hemolymph to regulate the calcium content in the body when the snail is exposed to stress conditions, as has also been observed in some other infected snail species. The results obtained indicate that in this model, the calcium metabolism depends on the miracidial dose used.

The effect of infection by Echinostoma paraensei on the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the concentration of total proteins, uric acid and urea in the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata were investigated after exposure to five or 50 miracidia. The biochemical concentrations were measured weekly until the end of the fourth week after exposure. There was a significant decrease in the concentrations of total proteins in the snails exposed both to five and 50 miracidia, as well as an increase in the nitrogenous products of excretion, ALT and AST activities. The higher ALT activity in the hemolymph of the snails after infection with 50 miracidia suggests highest energetic requirement in these snails in relation to snails exposed to five miracidia. The results also suggest an increase in the use of total proteins, since there was increased formation of nitrogenous catabolites, in conformity with an increase in the aminotransferase activities, frequently associated with tissue damages. This can be explained by damage due to penetration by the miracidia and subsequent development of intramolluscan sporocysts and rediae.

Worldwide schistosomiasis remains a serious public health problem with approximately 67 million people infected and 200 million at risk of infection from inhabiting or transiting endemically active regions. Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East are the main transmission regions of Schistosoma mansoni. The fight against transmission through the use of molluscicides is not recent and has been advocated as the only activity with the possibility of interruption of transmission in small, epidemiologically active outbreaks. Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (syn. splendens) (Des Moulins, 1826) is the most promising for use in official schistosomiasis control programs according to the WHO. In this review, we show that an understanding of some how E. milii latex affects the snail vector and their parasites from a molecular level to field conditions is lacking. On the other hand, this type of treatment could also provide a rationale for the control of schistosomiasis and other parasitosis. Several publications contribute to enforcing the use of E. milii latex in endemic countries as a cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection).

Molluscides have been used as one of the strategies to control schistosomiasis. Many plant extracts with molluscidal effects have been tested, but the action of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii is considered the most promising because it meets the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective of this study was to determine the lethal dose and identify the effects of the different doses of latex of E. splendens var. hislopii on the physiology of Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to treatment for 24 h. The concentrations of glucose, uric acid and total proteins in the hemolymph and of glycogen in the digestive gland and cephalopodal mass were determined. The LD50 value was 1 mg/l. The highest escape index was found to be at a concentration of 0.6 mg/l. The results showed that the latex of E. splendens var. hislopii caused a sharp reduction in the reserves of glycogen in the digestive gland and elevation of the protein content in the hemolymph of B. glabrata.

This study focuses on the possibility of experimental hybridization among host snail species for Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil, with morphological characterization of the hybrids found. By using albinism as a genetic marker, intraspecific crossbreedings were performed between two strains of each species involved, in addition to interspecific crossbreedings; the only viable crossbreeding was between pigmented Biomphalaria glabrata (Paulista, PE) and albino B. tenagophila (Joinville, SC), with the formation of F1 and F2 generations. All offspring in F1 displayed black eyes and a renal ridge on the mantle, while F2 displayed dissociated morphological traits. With regard to reproduction, F1 was more efficient than F2. The experiment's results suggest post-zygotic reproductive isolation.

This article presents an improvement to the Kato-Katz (KK) method, making it faster and more efficient for the visualisation of fertile eggs in stool samples. This modified KK method uses sodium acetate formalin as a fixative and reveals the intensity of infection in less than 1 h, reducing the diagnostic time without increasing the cost. This modified method may contribute to future epidemiological studies in both hospitals and the field due to its rapid and precise diagnostic, which allow for immediate treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of population density and food intake on the survival and reproduction of uninfected Biomphalaria glabrata and the effect of calcium carbonate availability on cercarial emergence from experimentally infected snails, to define conditions to maximize snails’ breeding and cercarial production for future studies about this model. The results observed in this study indicate that increased population density has a negative effect on the survival and reproductive activity of B. glabrata. In addition, the quantity of lettuce offered to the snails altered the number of eggs laid per snail. There was a significant relation between the amount of lettuce eaten per day and the number of eggs produced per snail, as well as the number of egg masses per snail, and eggs per egg mass. Furthermore, the snail’s survival was directly associated with the amount of calcium carbonate and the cercarial emergence was inversely related to the calcium carbonate amount. This study might help to understand the influence of population density and food intake on the reproductive biology of captive snail populations. In relation to cercarial emergence, calcium supplies must not be provided to Schistosoma mansoni-infected snails while maintaining S. mansoni under laboratory conditions because it decreases cercarial emergence.

Calcium plays a fundamental role in the life of snails, by regulating different process such as motility, growth, and cell division. Calcium directly influences the shell growth, fecundity, oviposition, mortality, internal metabolism and homeostasis. The aim of this work was to describe the pearl formation in Biomphalaria glabrata exposed to different amounts of calcium carbonate in laboratory conditions. The pearls were observed in the digestive gland and gut in the exposed group given 20 and 60 mg/L after 45 days. The results show that the snails produce pearls as a reservoir of calcium carbonate before reaching sexual maturity.

Calcium is essential to mollusk’s life, because is associated with shell formation and metabolic processes that are essential to maintain their homeostasis. The aim of this work was to verify the mobilization of calcium in the haemolymph and shell of Biomphalaria glabrata (strain BH) exposed to different calcium carbonate concentrations. Sixty days old snails were used for this study, distributed in five groups: four groups exposed to different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 mg/L) of calcium carbonate and one control group. The exposition time was forty-five days. Fortnightly, the snails were sacrificed by cardiac puncture for haemolymph extraction. The concentration of calcium was determined in the haemolymph, using diagnosis kits (Doles Reagentes®) and for the calcium content in the shell, a modified volumetric method of complexing was employed. The results showed an increase of the calcium content in haemolymph and a decrease in shell of snails exposed to 15 days of 20mg/L of calcium carbonate. In the other exposed groups, the calcium concentration in the haemolymph was inversely proportional to the amount of calcium in the shell. We conclude that in snails exposed to different amounts of calcium, mobilization in the hemolymph and in the shell occurs according to the amount of calcium available.

The egg-laying rate, number of egg masses, number of eggs/mass, number of eggs hatched/snail and egg viability of Biomphalaria glabrata exposed to different doses (5 and 50) of Echinostoma paraensei miracidia were analyzed as indicators of reproductive activity. Polystyrene plates were placed in aquariums containing the snails and every other day for four weeks after infection the plates were removed to count the number of egg masses and eggs laid. After this, the plates were numbered individually and placed in new aquariums free of snails and the egg masses were observed daily to determine the hatching rate. On average there was an increase in the parameters evaluated in the infected snails in relation to the controls (uninfected snails), except for egg viability, which was significantly lower in the groups infected with 50 miracidia. These findings indicate that when infected, this host snail is able to increase its reproductive activity, suggesting an ecological strategy to maintain the species.

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Esquistossomose Experimental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Imunoproteção. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias. Seropédica, RJ, Brasil. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias. Seropédica, RJ, Brasil. This paper evaluates the alterations in the glycogen content of tissues (digestive gland and cephalopedal mass) and glucose in the haemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata BH strain infected with Schistosoma mansoni BH strain and exposed to the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii. A reduction in the glycogen deposits was observed in infected snails exposed and not exposed to latex. However, the exposure to latex caused a greater depletion of the glycogen levels in both sites analysed, especially from the third week onward. The utilisation of latex as a molluscicide to control the population of infected B. glabrata selectively is proposed.

The aim of this work was to analyze the content of total protein and nitrogen degradation products in Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni and exposed to Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii latex. The LC(50) of this latex was 1.0mg/l. Concentrations of uric acid, urea and total proteins were determined in the hemolymph of B. glabrata infected with five S. mansoni miracidia and exposed to a sublethal concentration of E. splendens var. hislopii latex for 24h. The exposure to this molluscicide caused total depletion of the alterative sources of energy (total proteins) and significant variation in the nitrogen degradation products. The urea content increased while the uric acid level decreased. These results reflect a disturbance in the snails regulation of their metabolism due to intoxication caused by the latex exposure.

Background Schistosomiasis remains a severe problem of public health in developing countries [1]. Several reports show that praziquantel, the drug of choice for treating schistosomiasis, can select Schistosoma mansoni strains resistant to the drug. Thus, developing new drugs against this parasitosis is a highly desirable goal [2]. In this context, enzymes involved in energetic metabolism could represent attractive drug targets for novel anti-schistosome chemotherapies [3,4]. We report a chemogenomic strategy for identification of approved drugs that may be able to interfere with energetic metabolism of the Schistosoma mansoni.

In Brazil and other developing countries, theprocess of land occupation resulting from the pre-vailing economic development model and the ex-isting social inequalities superimposed on a terri-torial base have produced a major impact on theepidemiological profile of endemic diseases.The introduction of schistosomiasis in Brazilhas been historically attributed to the arrival of thefirst African slaves in the mid-16th century. Fromthe main gateways they were taken to the sugarcane cultivation in the coastal area of northeasternBrazil, where ecological conditions werefavourable for establishing schistosomiasis. Fromthere, the endemic area gradually expanded north-wards and southwards with other agricultural crops.The district of Santa Cruz is located in the westarea of Rio de Janeiro and in order to better under-stand the occupation of this area it is important tohighlight certain relevant historical aspects. Refer-ring once again to the Colonial Period of Brazil,the arrival of the first Jesuit missionaries in the late16th century gave rise to farming and cattle-rais-ing in the area, previously considered inadequatefor such economic activities because of its pecu-liar peat bog terrain, prone to flooding. These natu-ral difficulties were overcome with the develop-ment of an efficient drainage system includingdikes, ditches, and canals. Economic growth inSanta Cruz lasted until 1760 when the Jesuits werebanned from Brazil.In the last four decades it was observed a con-tinuous migration into the Santa Cruz IndustrialDistrict, with no adequate land use planning, thesilting-in of ditches and canals, a phenomenon thatactually began when the Jesuits were expelled fromthe area, became worse in the recent years of in-dustrial development, finally leading to a severeflood of the entire Santa Cruz Lowland during theheavy rains in the summer of 1996.With these heavy rains came an outbreak ofleptospirosis and fieldwork teams from the Brazil-ian National Health Foundation (FNS) were calledinto the area. While these FNS teams were in thearea they noticed an unusually large number ofsnails in both the existing water bodies and floodareas, including peridomiciliary areas.Based on the above-mentioned observation, webegan collaborating with the FNS in studies tomonitor the presence of individuals infected withSchistosoma mansoni, the existence of autochtho-nous cases, and the identification of the intermedi-ate host species, as well as the positive infectionrate in the latter.The first step was to search for the possibletransmission area. This was done by examining arelative small number of faecal specimens from asuspected area where 200 individuals were exam-ined and three were found positive for S. mansoni.The limits of the study area were fixed to in-clude the areas with the greatest concentration ofrecent land invasions, a quadrangle of which theborders were the Ita, Goiaba, Pau da Flecha andVala da Goiaba canals.In initial parasitological survey a sample of thepopulation were selected and school-children fromthree local schools were chosen. The work alsoinvolved setting up a field laboratory in one of thepublic schools.From the stool examination of 1929 school-children, the following helminth prevalence wasfound: 2% for S. mansoni, 56% for Ascarislumbricoides, 32% for Ancylostoma sp., and 55%for Trichuris trichiura.A study on snails population dynamics was alsoperformed with monthly captures in all the waterbodies, both perennial and seasonal. In the latterthe captures were performed until the breeding

Calcium is considered an essential element for the metabolism of aquatic snail Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818), intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 in Brazil, and represents a limiting factor to its distribution and adaptation to the environment. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of exogenous CaCO3 on the energetic metabolism of B. glabrata for better understanding the physiological interference of chemical elements dissolved in the environment with the physiology of this species. Sixty-day-old snails were distributed into six groups, five exposed to different concentrations of CaCO3 (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L) and a control group. The exposure to CaCO3 was assessed over time, with analysis of 15 snails of each group in the following intervals: 1, 14, 21 or 30 days for hemolymph extraction. Concentrations of calcium and glucose in the hemolymph were determined by commercial kits, and organic acids were extracted using an ion exchange column and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentration of calcium in the hemolymph showed no significant difference (p>0.05) from the control group and between the concentrations tested. Concentration of glucose decreased (p0,05) em relação ao controle e nas concentrações testadas. A concentração de glicose diminuiu (p

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. A febre amarela é uma doença infecto-parasitária causada por um arbovírus, cujos vetores são mosquitos dos gêneros Haemagogus e Sabethes (ciclo silvestre) e Aedes aegypti (ciclo urbano). Entre 2017 e 2018 ocorreu o maior surto da história recente da doença no Brasil. A reemergência da febre amarela representa um problema de saúde pública devido à alta letalidade associada à doença. A vacinação e o controle dos determinantes sociais da saúde (DSS) são as melhores formas de prevenção. As doenças infeciosas e parasitárias mais frequentes no nosso país fazem parte da grade curricular da educação básica, cujo ensino está pautado nos livros didáticos uma das razões que direcionou o governo brasileiro a criar o Programa de Nacional do Livro Didático (PNLD), que tem entre seus objetivos a avaliação dessas obras. O PNLD contribui para a melhoria da qualidade dos livros didáticos, que há décadas têm enfrentado várias críticas em relação às informações contidas em seus textos e imagens. Tanto imagens como textos transmitem informações que podem facilitar ou dificultar a compreensão dos leitores e, por conseguinte, dos processos de ensino e aprendizagem de estudantes. A mudança no perfil epidemiológico da febre amarela gerou o seguinte questionamento: como são transmitidas as informações sobre a febre amarela nos textos e imagens dos livros didáticos de Biologia do ensino médio aprovados pelo PNLD de 2018? Partimos do pressuposto que os livros didáticos não enfatizavam adequadamente a febre amarela por ser uma doença considerada em situação de “controle” no território nacional. O objetivo principal foi compreender as informações contidas nos textos e imagens sobre febre amarela nos livros didáticos de biologia aprovados pelo PNLD 2018, contribuindo com a qualidade das informações que são transmitidas aos estudantes de ensino médio da educação básica no território brasileiro. O estudo foi de cunho qualitativo, documental e o objeto de estudo foram imagens e textos de 10 coleções de biologia para o ensino médio da educação básica. As imagens foram analisadas segundo a Teoria Cognitiva da Aprendizagem Multimídia proposta por Richard E. Mayer, seguindo os princípios da Contiguidade Espacial, da Coerência e da Sinalização e a carga cognitiva. Os textos quanto a ausência de informações relevantes e possíveis equívocos, de acordo com o Guia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias e o Guia de Vigilância em Saúde, ambos do Ministério da Saúde. Assim como analisamos as informações sobre os DSS nos textos e nos exercícios relacionados à febre amarela, segundo a técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Nove, entre 26 imagens identificadas e analisadas apresentaram valor didático, uma imagem era organizacional e oito explicativas. Três imagens explicativas não atendiam a todos os princípios citados anteriormente. A doença febre amarela não foi devidamente discutida em nenhuma das dez coleções, mas seis delas abordaram os DSS relacionados à febre amarela. Os critérios de inserção de imagens nos livros carecem de revisão e adequação para o real papel das imagens na transmissão de informações sobre o tema Yellow fever is an infectious-parasitic disease caused by an arbovirus, whose vectors are mosquitoes of the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes (wild cycle) and Aedes aegypti (urban cycle). Between 2017 and 2018 there was the biggest outbreak in the recent history of disease in Brazil. The reemergence of yellow fever represents a public health problem due to the high lethality associates with the disease. Vaccination and the control of social determinants of health (DSS) are the best forms of prevention. The most frequent infectious and parasitic diseases in our country are part of the curriculum of basic education, whose teaching is based on textbooks, one of the reasons that led the Brazilian government to create the National Textbook Program (PNLD), which has among its objectives the evaluation of these works. The PNLD contributes to the improvement of the quality of textbooks, which for decades have faced several criticisms in relation to the information contained in their texts and images. Both images and texts convey information that can facilitate or hinder the understanding of readers and, therefore, the teaching and learning processes of students. The change in the epidemiological profile of yellow fever generated the following question: how is information about yellow fever transmitted in the texts and images of the high school biology textbooks approved by the 2018 PNLD? We assume that the textbooks did not adequately emphasize yellow fever as it a disease considered to be in a “control” situation in the national territory. The main objective was to understand the information contained in the texts and images about yellow fever in the biology textbooks approved by PNLD 2018, contributing to the quality of the information that is transmitted to high school students of basic education in the Brazilian territory. The study was qualitative, documentary and the object of study was images and texts from 10 biology collections for secondary education in basic education. The images were analyzed according to the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning proposed by Richard E. Mayer, following the principles of Spatial Contiguity, Coherence and Signaling and the cognitive load. The texts regarding the absence of relevant information and possible misunderstandings, according to the Guide to Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and the Guide to Health Surveillance, both from the Ministry of Health. Just as we analyzed the information about the DSS in the texts and exercises related to yellow fever, according to Bardin’s content analysis technique. Nine, among 26 identified and analyzed images, presented didactic value, one images was organizational and eight explanatory. Three explanatory images didi not meet all the principles mentioned above. The yellow fever disease was not properly discussed in any of the ten collections, but six of them addresses the DSS related to yellow fever. The criteria for inserting images in books need to be revised and adapted to the real role of images in the transmission of information on the topic