Active search strategies,clinicoimmunobiological determinants and training for implementation research confirm hidden endemic leprosy in inner São Paulo,Brazil

BackgroundThis study evaluates implementation strategies for leprosy diagnosis based on responses to a Leprosy Suspicion Questionnaire (LSQ), and analyzes immunoepidemiological aspects and follow-up of individuals living in a presumptively nonendemic area in Brazil.Methodology/Principal findingsQuasi-experimental study based on LSQ throughout Jardinópolis town by community health agents, theoretical-practical trainings for primary care teams, dermatoneurological examination, anti-PGL-I serology, RLEP-PCR, and spatial epidemiology. A Leprosy Group (LG, n = 64) and Non-Leprosy Group (NLG, n = 415) were established. Overall, 3,241 LSQs were distributed; 1,054 (32.5%) LSQ were positive for signs/symptoms (LSQ+). Among LSQ+ respondents, Q2-Tingling (pricking)? (11.8%); Q4-Spots on the skin? (11.7%); Q7-Pain in the nerves? (11.6%); Q1-Numbness in your hands and/or feet? (10.7%) and Q8-Swelling of hands and feet? (8.5%) were most frequently reported symptoms. We evaluated 479 (14.8%) individuals and diagnosed 64 new cases, a general new case detection rate (NCDR) of 13.4%; 60 were among 300 LSQ+ (NCDR-20%), while 4 were among 179 LSQ negative (NCDR-2.23%). In LG, Q7(65%), Q2(60%), Q1(45%), Q4(40%) and Q8(25%) were most frequent. All 2x2 crossings of these 5 questions showed a relative risk for leprosy ranging from 3 to 5.8 compared with NLG. All patients were multibacillary and presented hypochromatic macules with loss of sensation. LG anti-PGL-I titers were higher than NLG, while 8.9% were positive for RLEP-PCR. The leprosy cases and anti-PGL-I spatial mappings demonstrated the disease spread across the town.Conclusions/SignificanceImplementation actions, primarily LSQ administration focused on neurological symptoms, indicate hidden endemic leprosy in a nonendemic Brazilian state.     

Impact of Next Generation Sequencing Techniques in Food Microbiology

Understanding the Maxam-Gilbert and Sanger sequencing as the first generation, in recent years there has been an explosion of newly-developed sequencing strategies, which are usually referred to as next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. NGS techniques have high-throughputs and produce thousands or even millions of sequences at the same time. These sequences allow for the accurate identification of microbial taxa, including uncultivable organisms and those present in small numbers. In specific applications, NGS provides a complete inventory of all microbial operons and genes present or being expressed under different study conditions. NGS techniques are revolutionizing the field of microbial ecology and have recently been used to examine several food ecosystems. After a short introduction to the most common NGS systems and platforms, this review addresses how NGS techniques have been employed in the study of food microbiota and food fermentations, and discusses their limits and perspectives. The most important findings are reviewed, including those made in the study of the microbiota of milk, fermented dairy products, and plant-, meat- and fish-derived fermented foods. The knowledge that can be gained on microbial diversity, population structure and population dynamics via the use of these technologies could be vital in improving the monitoring and manipulation of foods and fermented food products. They should also improve their safety.     

Oral Zinc Supplementation May Improve Cognitive Function in Schoolchildren

Zinc is an important micronutrient for humans, and zinc deficiency among schoolchildren is deleterious to growth and development, immune competence, and cognitive function. However, the effect of zinc supplementation on cognitive function remains poorly understood. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of oral zinc supplementation (5 mg Zn/day for 3 months) on the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ), Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ), and Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ) using a Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). We studied 36 schoolchildren aged 6 to 9 years (7.8?±?1.1) using a nonprobability sampling method. The baseline serum zinc concentrations increased significantly after zinc supplementation (p?<?0.0001), with no difference between sexes. Tests were administered under basal conditions before and after zinc supplementation, and there was no difference in FSIQ according to gender or age. The results demonstrated that zinc improved the VIQ only in the Information Subtest (p?=?0.009), although the supplementation effects were more significant in relation to the PIQ, as these scores improved for the Picture Completion, Picture Arrangement, Block Design, and Object Assembly Subtests (p?=?0.0001, for all subtests). In conclusion, zinc supplementation improved specific cognitive abilities, thereby positively influencing the academic performance of schoolchildren, even those without marginal zinc deficiency.     

Evaluation of an ear flushing technique as a postmortem measure of infestation ofRaillietia auris (Leidy) (Acari) in cattle

The effectiveness of recovery ofRaillietia auris by flushing the ear canals of recently slaughtered cattle with 20 or 40 ml (two flushes of 20 ml) of water was evaluated. Flushing the ear canals with 40 ml is recommended as a measure of prevalence and density of infestation ofRaillietia auris.     

Play it again: the use of video records in behavioural studies with small cetaceans

Some difficulties arise in studying the behaviour of marine mammals at their natural habitat mainly because they spend most of their time underwater and have complex behaviours. Therefore, many protocols and sample methods are available to better assess the behavioural ecology of this animals. Here, we compared two behavioural recording methods. The first one was the direct visual observation. The second one was recording using a digital video recorder. We hypothesise that the possibility of watching recorded videos repeatedly leads to a higher quantification of behaviours compared with the direct observation method. We found a slight variation in the frequency of behaviours according to the method used. Furthermore, we found that the video recordings should not be used as a replacement for the direct observation method. Finally, we highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both methods. We recommend that in behavioural research, the use of video recording should be careful; it is preferable that an experienced researcher uses the direct observation method, while it is best for a person with low know–how to the use the video recording method.     

A Passiflora homolog of a D-type cyclin gene is differentially expressed in response to sucrose, auxin, and cytokinin

In higher plants, one of the major components of developmental processes is cell division. The cell division cycle in plants is controlled by cyclins and cyclin-dependend kinases. Nutrient and hormonal signals can influence the roles that D-type cyclins play in the G1-to-S phase transition. Auxins and cytokinins are long known to be important plant hormones controlling plant growth. Additionally, as sucrose is the major transported carbon source in higher plants, it is possible that it plays a major role in cell division. To access the molecular aspects of the effect of auxin, cytokinin and sucrose on the regulation of cell cycle machinery and plant development, we cloned a Passiflora morifolia putative homolog to a D-type cyclin, PmCYCD1, which showed high sequence similarity to other known plant D-type cyclins. We examined the expression patterns of PmCYCD1 during callus induction and growth in in vitro conditions. We observed incremented expression levels of PmCYCD1 correlated to increasing concentrations of sucrose, α-naphthalene acetic acid and 6-benzyladenine in the culture medium. Additionally, the results of in situ hybridization experiments indicated a dynamic spatial expression pattern for PmCYCD1 during callus growth.     

New records of Mansonella ozzardi: a parasite that is spreading from the state of Amazonas to previously uninfected areas of the state of Acre in the Purus River region

Mansonella ozzardi infections are common in the riverside communities along the Solimões, Negro and Purus Rivers in the state of Amazonas (AM). However, little is known about the presence of this parasite in communities located in regions bordering AM and the state of Acre. The prevalence rate of M. ozzardi infections was determined in blood samples from volunteers according to the Knott method. A total of 355 volunteers from six riverine communities were enrolled in the study and 65 (18.3%) were found to be infected with M. ozzardi. As expected, most of the infections (25%) occurred in individuals involved in agriculture, cattle rearing and fishing and an age/sex group analysis revealed that the prevalence increased beginning in the 40-50-years-of-age group and reached 33% in both sexes in individuals over 50 years of age. Based on the described symptomatology, articular pain and headache were found to be significantly higher among infected individuals (56 and 65% prevalence, respectively, p < 0.05). Sera from volunteers were subjected to ELISA using a cocktail of recombinant proteins from Onchocerca volvulus to evaluate the specificity of the test in an endemic M. ozzardi region. No cross-reactions between M. ozzardi-infected individuals and recombinant O. volvulus proteins were detected, thus providing information on the secure use of this particular cocktail in areas where these parasites are sympatric.