RESUMO
There is a lack of epidemiological information concerning intestinal parasitic infections, and especially in soil-transmitted helminths, occurring in some departments of Nicaragua. Up to now, this is the first study involving two nearby areas (Puerto Cabezas and Siuna municipalities) of the Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (R.A.A.N.). One stool sample was analyzed by Kato-Katz, formaldehyde-ethyl acetate concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique, and a simple questionnaire concerning demographic, sanitary and behavioral data was distributed among 735 children and evaluated. Overall prevalence of infection reached 97.0%, being the highest prevalences detected in all Nicaragua. The higher protozoan prevalence appears in Siuna (94.5%), a rural interior municipality, with a typical tropical monsoon climate, while the higher helminths rates were reached in Puerto Cabezas (92.8%), the urbanized coastal capital, with a typical tropical rainforest climate. No statistical differences were found with regard to sex. However, the 6-11-year age-group children presented the highest prevalences. Most T. trichiura infections (59.4%) were of light intensity, while 51.7% of Ascaris lumbricoides were of moderate intensity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that those who drink rainwater and walk barefoot were 2.9 and 2.5 times more likely to have helminth infections, respectively. Results from one geographical setting might not be applied to other nearby with different climatic conditions. The use of anthelmintic drugs only will not be sufficient to bring prevalence to low levels. It is necessary to design geographically more specific intervention, with communication and interaction between different disciplines (e.g. parasitology, biochemistry, molecular biology, epidemiology, public health, etc.) being imperative to reduce STH infection.
Assuntos
Helmintíase , Helmintos , Enteropatias Parasitárias , Animais , Ascaris lumbricoides , Criança , Fezes/parasitologia , Helmintíase/epidemiologia , Helmintíase/parasitologia , Humanos , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Nicarágua/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Solo/parasitologiaRESUMO
The malignant energetic demands are satisfied through glycolysis, glutaminolysis and de novo synthesis of fatty acids, while the host curses with a state of catabolism and systemic inflammation. The concurrent inhibition of both, tumor anabolism and host catabolism, and their effect upon tumor growth and whole animal metabolism, have not been evaluated. We aimed to evaluate in colon cancer cells a combination of six agents directed to block the tumor anabolism (orlistat + lonidamine + DON) and the host catabolism (growth hormone + insulin + indomethacin). Treatment reduced cellular viability, clonogenic capacity and cell cycle progression. These effects were associated with decreased glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, leading to a quiescent energetic phenotype, and with an aberrant transcriptomic landscape showing dysregulation in multiple metabolic pathways. The in vivo evaluation revealed a significant tumor volume inhibition, without damage to normal tissues. The six-drug combination preserved lean tissue and decreased fat loss, while the energy expenditure got decreased. Finally, a reduction in gene expression associated with thermogenesis was observed. Our findings demonstrate that the simultaneous use of this six-drug combination has anticancer effects by inducing a quiescent energetic phenotype of cultured cancer cells. Besides, the treatment is well-tolerated in mice and reduces whole animal energetic expenditure and fat loss.
Assuntos
Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Neoplasias do Colo/tratamento farmacológico , Metabolismo Energético/efeitos dos fármacos , Redes e Vias Metabólicas/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias do Colo/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Colo/patologia , Daunorrubicina/farmacologia , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicólise/efeitos dos fármacos , Hormônio do Crescimento/farmacologia , Humanos , Indazóis/farmacologia , Indometacina/farmacologia , Insulina/farmacologia , Metabolismo/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Mitoxantrona/farmacologia , Orlistate/farmacologia , Fosforilação Oxidativa/efeitos dos fármacos , Vincristina/farmacologiaRESUMO
In recent years, a strong interest has emerged in hybrid composites and their potential uses, especially in chitosan-titanium dioxide (CS-TiO2) composites, which have interesting technological properties and applications. This review describes the reported advantages and limitations of the functionalization of chitosan by adding TiO2 nanoparticles. Their effects on structural, textural, thermal, optical, mechanical, and vapor barrier properties and their biodegradability are also discussed. Evidence shows that the incorporation of TiO2 onto the CS matrix improves all the above properties in a dose-dependent manner. Nonetheless, the CS-TiO2 composite exhibits great potential applications including antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi; UV-barrier properties when it is used for packaging and textile purposes; environmental applications for removal of heavy metal ions and degradation of diverse water pollutants; biomedical applications as a wound-healing material, drug delivery system, or by the development of biosensors. Furthermore, no cytotoxic effects of CS-TiO2 have been reported on different cell lines, which supports their use for food and biomedical applications. Moreover, CS-TiO2 has also been used as an anti-corrosive material. However, the development of suitable protocols for CS-TiO2 composite preparation is mandatory for industrial-scale implementation.
RESUMO
Human populations living in the surrounding urban areas of large Brazilian cities have increased vulnerability to intestinal parasites. However, the epidemiological scenario of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in Curitiba, Paraná's main city, remains largely unknown. To bridge this gap of knowledge, this study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and to investigate potential transmission pathways of the most prevalent species detected. We conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study between July and September 2014 among schoolchildren in urban and peri-urban (deprived) areas of the municipality of Campo do Tenente, Curitiba. A total of 549 stool samples were used for coproparasitological diagnosis. Microscopy-positive samples of the most common species found were re-assessed by PCR and sequencing methods at the small subunit rRNA gene. Prevalence of infection by any given enteroparasite was 24.8%, but soil-transmitted helminths were only detected in 3.5% of the examined samples. Frequency of protozoan infections reached 90% and 97.8% in single and multiple infections, respectively. Blastocystis sp. (38.9%) was the most frequently species found in the surveyed schoolchildren population. A total of 41 Blastocystis-positive samples were unambiguously typed as ST1 (36.4%), ST2 (21.2%), ST3 (39.4%), and ST1â¯+â¯ST3 mixed infection (3.0%). These results indicate that Blastocystis transmission is primarily anthroponotic in origin. This data highlights the importance of maintaining the anthelminthic control programs currently in place and of improving sanitary disposal of human excreta in poor-resource settings.
RESUMO
The prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in schoolchildren from Corn Islands (Nicaragua) were examined to detect mono- or poly-STH infected children, measuring different intensity levels, and to elucidate measurably increased odds of being anemic. A total of 341 stool samples provided by 2- to 15-year-old children were examined using a concentration technique and a Kato-Katz slide. Intensity of infection was expressed as eggs per gram (epg) of feces to classify light, moderate, or heavy intensity infection. A finger-prick blood sample was obtained from each student in the field. Soil-transmitted helminth prevalence was 54.3%, with Trichuris trichiura as the most prevalent species (48.9%). The combination T. trichiura/Ascaris lumbricoides (12.6%) was the most common. When T. trichiura or A. lumbricoides appeared as a single infection, light or moderate intensity infections were seen, whereas when multiple species were identified, heavy infections were present. Anemia was detected in those with any kind of STH infection (42.7%), with statistically significant differences (P = 0.004) when compared with uninfected individuals (28.2%). Polyparasite infection with one parasite species at moderate intensity and the other parasite species at light intensity or absent was found to be a significant factor for the odds of being anemic (odds ratio = 2.07). The present study reveals a high level of STH transmission requiring a deworming control program in Corn Islands and pointing to the need of improving the education and sanitary conditions of the population to avoid environmental contamination and reinfection.
Assuntos
Anemia/epidemiologia , Ascaríase/epidemiologia , Ascaris lumbricoides/isolamento & purificação , Tricuríase/epidemiologia , Trichuris/isolamento & purificação , Adolescente , Anemia/complicações , Anemia/parasitologia , Animais , Ascaríase/complicações , Ascaríase/parasitologia , Ascaríase/transmissão , Ascaris lumbricoides/classificação , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Coinfecção , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Humanos , Ilhas/epidemiologia , Masculino , Nicarágua/epidemiologia , Contagem de Ovos de Parasitas , Prevalência , Instituições Acadêmicas , Solo/parasitologia , Tricuríase/complicações , Tricuríase/parasitologia , Tricuríase/transmissão , Trichuris/classificaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Intestinal protozoan parasites are major contributors to the global burden of gastrointestinal disease causing significant socioeconomic consequences. Children living in resource-poor settings with restricted access to water and sanitary services are particularly at risk of these infections. METHODS: A prospective, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Paraná (southern Brazil) between May 2015 and May 2016. A total of 766 stool samples were individually collected from volunteers (male/female ratio: 0.99; age range: 0-76 years) and used for investigating the presence of intestinal helminth and protozoan species by routine microscopic procedures including the Kato-Katz and modified Ritchie concentration methods and the Ziehl-Neelsen stain technique. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed microscopy-positive samples for Giardia duodenalis and the assemblages and sub-assemblages determined by multilocus sequence-based genotyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and ß-giardin (bg) genes of the parasite. Identification of Blastocystis subtypes was carried out by amplification and sequencing of a partial fragment of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) of this heterokont microorganism. RESULTS: Overall, 46.1% (353/766) of the participants were infected/colonised by at least one intestinal parasite/commensal species. Protozoan and helminth species were detected in 42.7% and 10.1% of the surveyed population, respectively. Blastocystis sp. (28.2%), Endolimax nana (14.9%), and Giardia duodenalis (11.0%) were the most prevalent species found among protozoans and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.0%), Trichuris trichiura (4.6%) and hookworms (1.0%) among helminths. A total of 38 G. duodenalis-positive samples were genotyped at gdh and bg markers, revealing the presence of the sub-assemblages AII (47.4%), AII/AIII (2.6%), BIII (5.3%), BIV (26.3%) and BIII/BIV (13.1%). Two samples (5.3%) were only identified as assemblage B. AII was predominantly found in females aged 5-9 years and was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting gastrointestinal symptoms. A total of 102 Blastocystis-positive samples were successfully subtyped at the SSU rRNA gene revealing the presence of ST1 (36.3%), ST2 (15.7%), ST3 (41.2%), ST4 (2.9%), ST6 (1.0%) and ST8 (2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Data presented here indicate that enteric parasites still represent a pressing health concern in Paraná, Brazil, probably due to sub-optimal water, sanitation and hygiene conditions. A mostly anthroponotic origin is suspected for G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. infections.
Assuntos
Infecções por Blastocystis/epidemiologia , Blastocystis/genética , Giardia lamblia/genética , Giardíase/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Infecções por Blastocystis/parasitologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , DNA Ribossômico , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Variação Genética , Giardíase/parasitologia , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , Características de Residência/estatística & dados numéricos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The aim of this study was to determine for the first time the prevalence of enteroparasites in preschool children originating from the seven departments of the Pacific region in Nicaragua. One stool sample of each of 1,217 children, from 6 months to 5 years of age, was collected and personal data were recorded on delivery of the container. Samples fixed in 10% formalin were processed by a formol-acetate concentration and a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The overall prevalence of enteroparasite infections was 68.2% with a total of at least 20 species. Blastocystis hominis (45.5%), Giardia intestinalis (31.7%), Trichuris trichiura (8.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.2%) were the most prevalent protozoa and helminth species in the total study as well as in all departments. Protozoan prevalence presented a statistically significant difference by gender (male: 69.6%; female: 46.7%; P < 0.001), and males presented a higher T. trichiura infection rate than females (male: 9.9%; female 6.4%; P < 0.035). Protozoan prevalence increased with age with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Helminths were always more prevalent in urban areas (P < 0.0002). Protozoan infections result statistically higher than helminth infections so that water-based transmission could be suspected. Based on the differences with respect to species and parasite prevalence between the seven departments in the Pacific region of Nicaragua, the exploration of local factors associated with the transmission of enteroparasites should also be considered to reduce infection.
Assuntos
Helmintíase/complicações , Tricuríase/complicações , Animais , Ascaris lumbricoides/parasitologia , Ascaris lumbricoides/patogenicidade , Pré-Escolar , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Helmintíase/epidemiologia , Helmintos/parasitologia , Helmintos/patogenicidade , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Nicarágua/epidemiologia , Prevalência , População Rural , Tricuríase/epidemiologia , Trichuris/parasitologia , Trichuris/patogenicidadeRESUMO
The symptomatology of Blastocystis cannot be attributed to any particular subtype, although can be related to a high Blastocystis infection load. One stool sample from each of 217 schoolchildren of Vale de Sol Paranaguá Bay (Paraná, Brazil) was collected. Three milliliters of each fixed stool sample were processed applying the formalin-ether concentration technique. After obtaining the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites, quantification was carried out in Blastocystis positive samples. A total of 75/217 (34.6%) children suffered from intestinal symptoms (abdominal pain and/or persistent diarrhea), of whom 41.3% (31/75) presented moderate/heavy Blastocystis load with a statistically significant risk to present intestinal symptoms (OR 0.039 [0.006-0.15]; p<0.001) Moreover, those symptomatic schoolchildren monoparasitized only by Blastocystis (10/75, 13.3%), and those polyparasitized by Blastocystis with other non-pathogenic species (15/75, 20%) with moderate/heavy loads, also entail a statistically significant risk of intestinal symptomatology, both in monoparasitism (12%, OR 0.10 [0.004-0.63]; p=0.021) and in polyparasitism with a non-pathogenic parasite (18.6%, OR 0.059 [0.002-0.35]; p=0.001). For the first time in Brazil, using data from schoolchildren of Paranaguá Bay, we demonstrated that moderate/ heavy loads of Blastocystis could be related to intestinal symptoms.
Assuntos
Infecções por Blastocystis/diagnóstico , Infecções por Blastocystis/epidemiologia , Blastocystis/isolamento & purificação , Carga Parasitária , Adolescente , Baías , Infecções por Blastocystis/parasitologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
La hipertensión arterial sistémica es un problema de salud pública. Esta entidad afecta al 43% de la población mexicana y es considerada una de los principales factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de eventos vasculares cerebrales, insuficiencia cardiaca e insuficiencia renal. La prevalencia de hipertensión arterial sistémica se ha incrementado durante las últimas décadas debido a la adopción de una dieta alta en sal. Existe evidencia de que la hipertensión sensible a sal se acompaña de alteraciones estructurales renales como dilatación tubular, fibrosis intersticial en parches, expresión de osteopontina e infiltrado túbulo intersticial de linfocitos y macrófagos, que impiden una excreción urinaria de sodio adecuada y en consecuencia, favorecen el desarrollo de HAS. De forma experimental se ha demostrado que estas alteraciones estructurales tienen una naturaleza inflamatoria y que la administración de medicamentos inmunosupresores disminuye la lesión tisular y mejoran el control de la presión arterial. En conjunto, los conocimientos derivados de los estudios de hipertensión sensible a sal pueden derivar en el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos destinados a mejorar el pronóstico asociado a la hipertensión arterial sistémica.
High blood pressure is a public health problem. This entity affects 43% of the mexican population and is considered a major risk factor for development of stroke, cardiac failure and chronic kidney disease. Hypertension prevalence has increased over the last decades, mainly because of high salt diet. There is evidence showing that salt-sensitive hypertension develops structural changes as tubular dilation, patchy interstitial fibrosis, osteopontin expression and lymphocytic/macrophage tubulointerstitial infiltrate that blunts urinary sodium excretion and therefore promotes HBP. It has been shown that this structural damage has an inflammatory origin and that immunosuppresant drugs down-regulates tissular injury and improves blood pressure control. In summary, this salt-sentitive hypertension data can be used in development of new and potent blood pressure drugs.
Assuntos
Humanos , Hipertensão/induzido quimicamente , Hipertensão/imunologia , Inflamação/complicações , Linfócitos/fisiologia , Macrófagos/fisiologia , Cloreto de Sódio na Dieta/efeitos adversosRESUMO
High blood pressure is a public health problem. This entity affects 43% of the mexican population and is considered a major risk factor for development of stroke, cardiac failure and chronic kidney disease. Hypertension prevalence has increased over the last decades, mainly because of high salt diet. There is evidence showing that salt-sensitive hypertension develops structural changes as tubular dilation, patchy interstitial fibrosis, osteopontin expression and lymphocytic/macrophage tubulointerstitial infiltrate that blunts urinary sodium excretion and therefore promotes HBP. It has been shown that this structural damage has an inflammatory origin and that immunosuppresant drugs down-regulates tissular injury and improves blood pressure control. In summary, this salt-sentitive hypertension data can be used in development of new and potent blood pressure drugs.