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This study presents the first record of T. lindbergi from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, based on specimens collected from the smalleye croaker Nebris microps Cuvier (Sciaenidae), off the coast of Maranhão Island, State of Maranhão, Brazil. Our approach included a morphological analysis complemented by DNA sequencing (28S, ITS2 rDNA, and cox1 mtDNA). Our phylogenetic analysis revealed the affinity of T. lindbergi to its congener T. laticaudi Parukhin, 1969, a digenean parasite commonly found in hydrophiine snakes inhabiting the Pacific Ocean. The interspecific divergence between T. lindbergi and T. laticaudi measures 3.80% for 28S, 7.49–7.64% for ITS2, and 16.29–16.70% for cox1. Our findings expand the documented geographic range of T. lindbergi into the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, report a novel host record, and increase the number of hemiurids known from Brazil to 30 species. Additionally, this study represents the initial documentation of a marine digenean fish within the North Brazil Shelf.

Abstract Schyzocotyle acheilognathi is a fish tapeworm native to Asia but has been reported as an alien species on practically all other continents. Its invasive potential is due to its low host specificity and high adaptability to different environments, and its spread to new areas can result in economic and ecological impacts. Studies reporting this species in South America are still scarce, indicating the need to monitor its dispersion to new areas. Herein, tapeworms found in guppies, Poecilia reticulata, from an urban stream located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in April 2021 were subjected to morphological and molecular characterization. As a result, 5/13 (38.5%) of the P. reticulata specimens evaluated were infected with intestinal tapeworms. It was verified a mean intensity of infection of 7.8 (1-25) and a mean abundance of infection of 3 (0-25). The morphology of the cestodes obtained was compatible with that of S. acheilognathi. Moreover, genetic analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (Cox-1) revealed 97.89-99.77% similarity to isolates of this species from different localities. The possibility that S. acheilognathi is expanding to new regions of South America is discussed.

Trematodes of the family Cyclocoelidae are parasites mainly of the respiratory system of birds and present a cosmopolitan distribution. Although infection with these flukes can result in pathological changes and even bird death, information on their life cycles is scarce and almost entirely based on experimental infection data. Thus, the generation of knowledge on the mollusks that act as natural intermediate hosts of cyclocoelids is necessary and can aid control measures against these air sac trematodes. In the present study, gastropod mollusks collected in an urban stream from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were subjected to the compression technique for the detection of non-emerging larval trematodes. Tailless cercariae with confluent ceca were found in 8/30 (26.7%) specimens of Biomphalaria glabrata and 3/33 (9.1%) specimen of Physella acuta. Samples of the cercariae were subjected to morphological characterization and genetic study (28S, Cox-1, and Nad-1). For comparative purposes, adult trematodes previously collected in the air sac of a common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) found dead in another waterbody from the same region were also characterized. The molecular sequences obtained revealed a high degree of similarity (100% in 28S, 99.2% in Cox-1, and 99.5% in Nad-1) between larval stages found in mollusks and adult parasites found in G. galeata and morphologically identified as Cyclocoelum mutabile. The conspecificity with this widely distributed cyclocoelid was also corroborated by phylogenetic analysis and comparison with isolates of this species previously characterized in Peru and the Czech Republic (99.4–100% and 96.7–97.0% of similarity in Nad-1, respectively). Thus, the integrative analysis carried out in the present work enabled us to identify C. mutabile in mollusks in South America for the first time. The finding of B. glabrata and P. acuta as new intermediate hosts corroborates the importance of freshwater gastropods in the transmission of C. mutabile, as well as the low specificity to the mollusk group, as previously characterized through experimental studies.

Abstract Background Periodontitis has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Little is known about the burden and risk factors for periodontitis among reproductive age women in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of periodontitis among Kenyan women planning to conceive. Methods HIV-seronegative, reproductive-age women who were planning to conceive were enrolled and underwent a periodontal examination. Following the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical case definitions, the presence and severity of periodontitis was determined by establishing the level of clinical periodontal attachment loss and graded in three categories: no/mild, moderate, and severe. Secondary outcomes included the scores on the Gingival Index and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index. Correlates of periodontitis were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results Of the 647 women in the study, 84% (n = 541) had no/mild periodontitis, 15% (n = 97) had moderate periodontitis, and 1% (n = 9) had severe periodontitis. Mild gingivitis was present in 61% (n = 396) of women, while 27% (n = 176) had moderate gingivitis, and 1% (n = 9) had severe gingivitis. The majority (75%, n = 487) of women had a DMFT index in the very low range (score

Despite recent advances in the molecular knowledge of amphistome trematodes, most genera known from fish remain to be genetically characterized. This is the case for Kalitrema, a genus of the speciose family Cladorchiidae and the type of Kalitrematinae. The type and only species of this genus, Kalitrema kalitrema Travassos, 1933, was originally proposed based on two specimens found in an armored suckermouth catfish from Brazil, and its phylogenetic position has not been evaluated. In this study, paramphistomes found in Hypostomus alatus (2/9; 22.2%) and Hypostomus francisci (4/143; 2.8%) from the Paraobepa River (São Francisco River basin), Minas Gerais, Brazil, between December 2019 and November 2021, were subjected to morphological study. The parasites were identified in low intensity of infection [1.2 (1–2)] and redescribed as K. kalitrema. This species exhibits unique features such as a linguiform body with a circular ridge near the anterior end and a deep, median notch present at the posterior extremity of the body, apparently dividing the body into two lobes. A subset of specimens was further subject to phylogenetic analyses based on the most densely sampled markers, the nuclear ribosomal RNA (28S and ITS2) and mitochondrial cox1, which revealed the inclusion of K. kalitrema in a Neotropical clade of fish paramphistomes. The most comprehensive phylogenetic tree, based on the 28S dataset, confirmed K. kalitrema as an independent, early diverging lineage among Neotropical fish cladorchiids. However, the monophyly of Kalitrematinae was not sustained, given that species of the other kalitrematine genera Pseudocladorchis and Iquitostrema included in the phylogenetic analysis fell in a distinct clade with other fish cladorchiids. As a result, we propose here a narrower concept for Kalitrematinae sensu stricto, accommodating only Kalitrema (type genus) until a more natural subfamilial or familial classification is provided.

Echinostomatid digeneans belonging to the genus Rhopalias are intestinal trematodes found mainly in opossums in the New World. The genus comprises seven species, but their life cycles and intermediate hosts have been unknown until now. During our long-term study carried out in freshwater habitats within the state of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil, echinostomatid cercariae lacking collar spines were found in planorbid snails Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria straminea, Drepanotrema lucidum and Gundlachia ticaga in six different batches of snail samples collected between 2010 and 2019. Morphologically, the larvae reported herein are morphologically consistent with each other and characterized by the presence of 2-3 large ovoid or spherical corpuscles in each main duct of the excretory system, resembling to Cercaria macrogranulosa previously described from the same region of Brazil. Partial sequences of the ITS (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region and 28S gene of the nuclear ribosomal RNA operon, and partial sequences of mitochondrial nad1 and cox1 genes were obtained and compared with the data available for members of the family Echinostomatidae. Nuclear markers indicate that all samples of cercariae evaluated in the present study can be assigned to Rhopalias, but distinct from North American isolates of Rhopalias macracanthus, Rhopalias coronatus and Rhopalias oochi (divergence 0.2-1.2% in 28S and 0.8-4.7% in ITS). The lack of differences verified in both 28S and ITS in 5 out 6 studied samples suggested that they belong to the same species. However, nad1 sequences revealed that our cercariae correspond to three distinct species of Rhopalias (interspecific divergence: 7.7-9.9%), named here as Rhopalias sp. 1, found in B. straminea and G. ticaga, Rhopalias sp. 2 found in B. glabrata and D. lucidum, and Rhopalias sp. 3 also found in D. lucidum. They also differ by 10.8-17.2% from a North American isolate of R. macracanthus sequenced in this study. The cox1 sequences obtained for Rhopalias sp. 1 and Rhopalias sp. 2 (but not Rhopalias sp. 3) reveal that they are distinct from North American isolates of R. macracanthus (genetic divergence 16.3-16.5% and 15.6-15.7%, respectively), R. coronatus (9.2-9.3% and 9.3-9.5%) and Rhopalias oochi (9.0% and 9.5-10.1%). Encysted metacercariae with general morphology similar to that of the body of cercariae were found in tadpoles of Rhinella sp. from the same stream where snails harbored Rhopalias sp. 2, suggesting that the amphibians could act as second intermediate hosts of species of Rhopalias. Data obtained provide the first insights into the life cycle of this unusual echinostomatid genus.

IntroductionBacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal microbiota disruption during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB), but clinical trials of BV treatment during pregnancy have shown little or no benefit. An alternative hypothesis is that vaginal bacteria present around conception may lead to SPTB by compromising the protective effects of cervical mucus, colonising the endometrial surface before fetal membrane development, and causing low-level inflammation in the decidua, placenta and fetal membranes. This protocol describes a prospective case-cohort study addressing this hypothesis.Methods and analysisHIV-seronegative Kenyan women with fertility intent are followed from preconception through pregnancy, delivery and early postpartum. Participants provide monthly vaginal specimens during the preconception period for vaginal microbiota assessment. Estimated date of delivery is determined by last menstrual period and first trimester obstetrical ultrasound. After delivery, a swab is collected from between the fetal membranes. Placenta and umbilical cord samples are collected for histopathology. Broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR and deep sequencing of preconception vaginal specimens will assess species richness and diversity in women with SPTB versus term delivery. Concentrations of key bacterial species will be compared using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Taxon-directed qPCR will also be used to quantify bacteria from fetal membrane samples and evaluate the association between bacterial concentrations and histopathological evidence of inflammation in the fetal membranes, placenta and umbilical cord.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by ethics committees at Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Washington. Results will be disseminated to clinicians at study sites and partner institutions, presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. The findings of this study could shift the paradigm for thinking about the mechanisms linking vaginal microbiota and prematurity by focusing attention on the preconception vaginal microbiota as a mediator of SPTB.

Abstract:The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of sexual and physical assault among homeless women. A multivariate, correlation design was utilized to identify independent correlates of adult physical and sexual assault. The sample consisted of 202 homeless women residing in shelters or living on the street in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. Respondents reporting a history of child sexual abuse were almost four times more likely to report being sexually assaulted as adults and were almost two and one third times more likely to report being physically assaulted as adults. A range of factors increase homeless women's risk of adult physical and sexual victimization, including child sexual abuse, substance use, lifetime sex trade activity, and previous incarceration. It is important for homeless service providers to develop an individual risk profile for homeless women and to intervene in order to decrease their risk of re-victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor sleep is a frequent complaint of persons with HIV infection.Objectives: To pilot test a tailored sleep promotion intervention protocol based on principles of sleep hygiene in a convenience sample of 30 HIV seropositive women.Methods: At baseline and 1 week after implementing the intervention, sleep was assessed by self-report measures and wrist actigraphy. Objective sleep measures include total sleep time, number of awakenings, and sleep efficiency, as well as level of daytime activity, 24-hr activity rhythm, and amount of sleep during the day.Results: Prior to the intervention, women averaged 6.4 hr (SD = 1.99) of sleep, and 67% (n = 20) of the sample napped more than 30 min per day. After allowing 1 week to implement sleep hygiene principles to promote healthy sleep behaviors, there was a significant improvement in their perception of sleep and a significant change in their 24-hr activity rhythm. This involved more activity and less napping during the day.Discussion: Although there was minimal change in objective measures of nighttime sleep for the group as a whole, those with initiation insomnia and maintenance insomnia benefited most from the intervention. These findings support the utility of a tailored sleep promotion intervention for women who are HIV positive to address their unique form of sleep disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition into menopause is an experience that is unique to every woman. This experience can encompass anything from an occasional hot flash to complete and utter distress. Considerable attention is being paid to African-American women as they transition through menopause, but their use of symptom self-care strategies is an area that would benefit from further research. Findings from this study are part of a larger five-year study exploring biopsychosocial health and wellness among diverse midlife women. This report includes identification of symptom prevalence, symptom distress, and self-care strategies used by midlife African-American women during a six-month time period. Prevalent or severe symptoms included fatigue, headaches, cramps, night sweats, and depression. Most self-care strategies were 'passive' strategies, such as 'faith,' 'think,' 'accept,' or 'value/believe/forgive self'. It is recommended that health-care providers inquire about other symptoms that might accompany classic vasomotor menopausal symptoms and identify 'active' self-care strategies that ameliorate specific symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turnover of imidazoline2 (I2) binding sites in the mouse and rat brain has been measured following an acute intravenous dose of BU99006. This ligand selectively and irreversibly knocks out I2 sites, as defined by [³H]2BFI binding. Recovery was measured using radioligand binding and autoradiography to determine global and regional changes in I2 density. The density of I2 sites in brain recovered from BU99006 treatment with a half-life of 2.1 hours in mice and 4.3 hours in rats. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and MAO binding density were unaltered in the brains of BU99006-treated animals. These data suggest that the I2 site that reacts with BU99006 recovers rapidly and is independent of MAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I2 site-selective compounds are known to interact with and inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), but it remains unclear as to whether this interaction occurs through an allosteric or competitive interaction. This study used the new selective, irreversible I2 ligand BU99006, to clarify the relationship between MAO and the I2 binding sites (I2-BS). Results demonstrate that irreversible binding of BU99006 to rat brain membranes does not inhibit the enzyme or interfere with its interaction with other imidazoline enzyme inhibitors. This finding suggests that the I2 sites that react with BU99006 are not those implicated in MAO inhibition and points to the existence of at least two distinct I2 binding proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indazim, the indazole analogue of 2BFI, and four methyl-substituted analogues were tested for their affinity at the imidazoline2 binding site (I2-BS), and this affinity was compared with their affinity at the a2-adrenoceptor to determine their structure, affinity relationship, and selectivity at the I2-BS. These studies showed that these ligands were highly selective for the I2-BS compared with 2BFI and that substitution at the 4 and 7 positions increased affinity without affecting selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New ligands for imidazoline receptors are described so that these receptors can be more fully explored and understood. BU224, (2-(4,5-dihydroimidaz- 2-yl)-quinoline, shows high affinity and is selective for the imidazoline- 2 (I2) class of receptors. BU224 was tested in the rat Porsolt forced swim paradigm where it was found to decrease time spent immobile and increase the time spent swimming, consistent with an antidepressant profile. BU224 was tritiated and, in radioligand binding studies, was found to label a single population of saturable sites with high affinity. In vitro brain autoradiography with [³H]BU224 also showed a pattern of distribution similar to the known labeling of I2 receptors. A new series of four 2BFI (2-(benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline) derivatives were investigated as potential ligands for imaging brain I2 receptors using positron emission tomography (PET). At least two, BU20012 and BU20013, retained high affinity and moderate selectivity and penetrated the brain when administered peripherally in the mouse. 2BFI has undergone the Mannich reaction to immobilized diaminodipropyl amine to fabricate an affinity column, which was used to isolate a protein from rabbit brain; this protein was sequenced and identified as the enzyme creatine kinase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BU98008 (1-(4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)isoquinoline) is a novel isoquinoline derivative. Radioligand binding studies revealed it had high affinity for the I1 receptor in rat kidney membranes but low affinity for the I2 binding site and a2-adrenoceptor in rat brain membranes. Further evaluation of BU98008 in vivo revealed no effect on blood pressure following peripheral administration. These preliminary data suggest BU98008 may be an antagonist at I1 receptors. Further evaluation following central administration must be performed before a hypotensive action can be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous b-carbolines, such as harmane, are known to occur in mammalian species including humans. Radioligand binding studies have revealed that certain b-carbolines display high affinity for both I1 and I2 imidazoline- binding sites (IBS). Functional studies have shown that the b-carboline harmane elicits many characteristics expected of an endogenous ligand IBS. This article discusses the evidence relating to b-carbolines as endogenous ligands and presents a case for harmane and related compounds as endogenous ligands for IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrespective of powerful drug therapies, there has been a slight increase in newly diagnosed cases of AIDS in women. HIV/AIDS-related symptoms develop from the illness itself, treatments or medications. Symptoms and their reoccurrence remain problematic. This study is a secondary analysis of data exploring symptoms, symptom distress and functional status in 104 ethnically diverse HIV-positive women. Measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory, a General Symptom Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Inventory of Functional Status. Findings indicate that this sample of women was distressed, at risk for depression and had a moderate level of physical functioning. These findings support the need for symptom management interventions that enhance emotional wellbeing and self-care activities for HIV-infected women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Ágebra Linear apresenta um papel muito importante nas áreas de exatas, e através dela podemos mostrar sua utilidade na modelagem de um problema que envolve um simples jogo de apagar e acender luzes, depois de modelado o problema, vamos resolve-lo implementando um algoritmo de eliminação de Gauss no Scilab (o Scilab é um software livre e de código aberto, voltado para computação numérica semelhante ao Matlab). O jogo, Lights Out, é um famoso jogo da década de 90, o qual consiste de 25 teclas iluminadas e arranjadas na forma de uma matriz 5x5, onde se tem um estado inicial e devemos apagar todas as teclas apertando uma sequência correta de teclas, esta sequência será fornecida pelo programa implementado no Scilab, ou seja teremos uma solução imediata para apagarmos todas as luzes do jogo. A modelagem utiliza os conceitos de Álgebra Linear: matrizes, determinantes e sistemas lineares, juntamente com o conceito de conjunto dos resto da divisão por 2 ( ).

A pressure sore wound is often extensive or complicated by local infection involving adjacent soft tissue and bone. In this case, a regional flap after simple debridement is not adequate. Here, we present a case of an extensive pressure sore in the sacral area with deep tissue infection. A 43-year-old female patient with a complicated sore with deep tissue infection had a presacral abscess, an iliopsoas abscess, and an epidural abscess in the lumbar spine. After a multidisciplinary approach performed in stages, the infection had subsided and removal of the devitalized tissue was possible. The large soft tissue defect with significant depth was reconstructed with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, which was expected to act as a local barrier from vertical infection and provide tensionless skin coverage upon hip flexion. The extensive sacral sore was treated effectively without complication, and the deep tissue infection completely resolved. There was no evidence of donor site morbidity, and wheelchair ambulation was possible by a month after surgery.

Um dos grandes problemas existentes nos municípios litorâneos do Rio Grande do Norte é a forma inadequada do uso e ocupação do solo nas faixas de praia, ocasionando graves impactos socioambientais. Diante do exposto, este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir o uso e ocupação do solo na faixa de praia de Barra de Maxaranguape, no município de Maxaranguape – RN, a partir da percepção dos moradores da localidade estudada. A metodologia consistiu em pesquisa bibliográfica, visita in loco, roda de conversa com pescadores locais e a presidente da colônia de pescadores e uma entrevista semiestruturada com uma das moradoras mais antigas da área estudada. Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciaram que a área analisada sofre com a forma inadequada do uso e ocupação do solo, pois muitas casas estão edificadas na faixa de praia, sofrendo diretamente com a erosão costeira e correndo o risco de desabamento. Assim, é necessário que as pessoas sejam educadas para fazerem um adequado uso do solo e não invadir as áreas próximas ao mar e que os poderes públicos empreendam estudos técnicos sobre a dinâmica costeira para subsidiar futuras obras de recomposição da face de praia.

Eggs of Toxocara cati were found in the feces of Didelphis albiventris from a peridomestic urban environment in Brazil. Negative fecal tests following short-term captivity of the opossums, as well as the absence of ascaridids during necropsy, suggest the occurrence of pseudoparasitism. Implications of the findings for the epidemiology of toxocariasis are discussed.