How omnivory affects the survival and choices of earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)?

Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) is an omnivorous predator that finds different food resources in the corn plant: eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797), uredospores of Puccinia polysora (Underw, 1897), and pollen. Knowing the survival and food preferences of this predator is essential to define its relevance as a biological control agent. We hypothesize that the foraging behavior and predatory capacity of D. luteipes may be affected when several food resources, especially eggs of S. frugiperda, uredospores of P. polysora, and pollen are concurrently in the same plant. The survival of D. luteipes in the nymph stage and their preference among food resources, often available in corn plants, were determined. To verify the survival of D. luteipes, newly hatched nymphs were fed exclusively with 1- uredospores of P. polysora, 2- eggs of S. frugiperda, 3- corn pollen, 4- a combination of uredospores + eggs, and 5- artificial diet (control). In another experiment, nymphs and adults of D. luteipes with 24 and 48 hours of fasting were individually released in the center of a container with four diets: 1- uredospores of P. polysora, 2- eggs of S. frugiperda, 3- corn pollen, 4- artificial diet, and maintained for 10 minutes, to evaluate the food choice and feeding time. The exclusive feeding with S. frugiperda eggs caused low nymph survival (8%), but the combination of P. polysora uredospores + S. frugiperda eggs allowed 58.3% survival. D. luteipes preferred feeding during the nighttime and the most significant proportions of choices by nymphs and adults were for pollen and diet, with adults spending more time eating pollen. These findings indicate that the trophic choices of D. luteipes are relevant to understand its contribution as an agent to control pest insects and fungal diseases in corn.

Evaluation of a flash glucose monitoring system in dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis

The flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) Freestyle Libre provides estimates of blood glucose by constantly measuring the glucose concentration of the interstitial fluid through a sensor inserted in the subcutaneous space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of the FGMS in dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Seven dogs with DKA examined at the Veterinary Hospital of the State University of Londrina were included in this study. The sensor was placed on the dorsal cervical region, shortly after the diagnosis of DKA was confirmed and maintained for 5 d. The measurement of blood glucose was performed simultaneously with the veterinary portable blood glucose meter (PBGM) AlphaTRAK 2 every 2 to 4 h and with the hexokinase method every 12 h. The PBGM's precision was evaluated following the ISO15197:2013 criteria. Blood glucose estimates were strongly associated (r = 0.89; P < 0.0001), and the mean absolute relative difference in relation to the PBGM was 25.2% (-70.4% to 101.9%). The evaluation of these data using the consensus error grid analysis showed that 95.4% and 94.8% of the samples were in Zones A and B (clinically acceptable) using the PBGM and the hexokinase method as a reference, respectively. The ISO15197:2013 criteria were not met. There was no difference in the accuracy of the device among days (P = 0.74); however, there was a difference between the hydration status (P = 0.019) and blood glucose ranges (hypoglycemic, euglycemic, and hyperglycemic; P < 0.0001), in which it was less precise in measuring the blood glucose range in hypoglycemic dogs. Therefore, it can be concluded that in spite of the fact that the device did not meet the ISO 15197:2013 criteria, the FGMS evaluated presents good clinical precision and can be a valuable tool in treating dogs with diabetic DKA.

Genes involved in protein metabolism of the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20

A basic requirement for the prediction of the potential use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the dairy industry is the identification of specific genes involved in flavour-forming pathways. The probiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 was submitted to a genetic characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of genes involved in protein catabolism. Eight genes belonging to this system were identified, which possess a closely phylogenetic relationship to NCFM strains representative, as it was demonstrated for oppC and oppBII, encoding oligopeptide transport system components. PepC, PepN, and PepX might be essential for growth of LAB, probiotic or not, since the correspondent genes are always present, including in L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 genome. For pepX gene, a probable link between carbohydrate catabolism and PepX expression may exists, where it is regulated by PepR1/CcpA-like, a common feature between Lactobacillus strains and also in L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20. The well conserved evolutionary history of the ilvE gene is evidence that the pathways leading to branched-chain amino acid degradation, such as isoleucine and valine, are similar among L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains and L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20. Thus, the involvement of succinate in flavour formation can be attributed to IlvE activity. The presence of aminopeptidase G in L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 genome, which is absent in several strains, might improve the proteolytic activity and effectiveness. The nucleotide sequence encoding PepG revealed that it is a cysteine endopeptidase, belonging to Peptidase C1 superfamily; sequence analysis showed 99% identity with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 pepG, whereas protein sequence analysis revealed 100% similarity with PepG from the same organism. The present study proposes a schematic model to explain how the proteolytic system of the probiotic L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 works, based on the components identified so far.

Renal failure is a risk factor for cefepime-induced encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

Cefepime is a widely used antibiotic. However, it can cause encephalopathy, which has been increasingly described in the literature, occurring mainly in patients with impaired renal function. The primary objective in this study was to measure the incidence of cefepime-induced encephalopathy and determine potential risk factors for its occurrence.

METHODS

In the period from February 2005 to February 2006, a prospective cohort study was conducted, which followed 498 patients using cefepime. Other metabolic problems were ruled out for all patients with clinical suspicion of encephalopathy and, when cefepime was the probable cause, electroencephalographic (EEG) tests were performed to assist in the diagnosis, with the first performed during cefepime use and another performed at least 48 hours following drug discontinuation and/or clinical improvement.

RESULTS

Among patients selected for this study (n=498), 5 were diagnosed with cefepime-induced encephalopathy, thus indicating a cumulative incidence of approximately 1% (0.01), 387 had glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >or=60 ml/min and 111 had GFR <60 ml/min. Among the latter, 5 patients developed cefepime-induced encephalopathy. Mean GFR value in patients with encephalopathy (n=5) was 17.20 ml/min (SD +/-10.75 ml/min) and, in patients without encephalopathy (n=106) it was 32.59 ml/min (SD +/-14.89 ml/min) (p=0.025).

CONCLUSION

The development of cefepime-induced encephalopathy seems to be related to the severity of impairment in glomerular filtration.

Survival among motherless children in rural and urban areas in Guinea-Bissau

AIM

With the increasing incidence of HIV and TB, motherless children are becoming a rapidly growing problem in Africa. However, few studies describe the survival patterns of these children. The aim of this study was to investigate the mortality of motherless children in urban and rural areas of Guinea-Bissau.

METHODS

A historical cohort study was set up in urban and rural areas in Guinea-Bissau. Motherless children were selected from two study cohorts under demographic surveillance since 1990. The relatives of 128 motherless children from the rural cohort and 192 from the urban area, as well as a total of 807 controls, were examined and interviewed.

RESULTS

Controlling for significant background factors revealed that motherless children had a markedly higher mortality than that of controls in both urban (mortality rate ratio (MR) 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.11-4.84)) and rural areas (MR = 4.16 (2.79-6.22)). Virtually all the excess mortality occurred among children under 2 y of age when their mother died. Few motherless children had been provided with surrogate breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Since nearly all children in Guinea are breastfed until 2 y of age, premature weaning may be one of the major causes of the higher mortality rates observed among motherless children.

Genetic markers between Biomphalaria glabrata snails susceptible and resistant to Schistosoma mansoni infection

The analysis of the genetic variability related to susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni infection in the vector of the genus Biomphalaria is important in terms of a better understanding of the epidemiology of schistosomiasis itself, the possible pathological implications of this interaction in vertebrate hosts, and the formulation of new strategies and approaches for disease control. In the present study, the genetic variability of B. glabrata strains found to be resistant or susceptible to S. mansoni infection was investigated using DNA amplification by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). The amplification products were analyzed on 8% polyacrylamide gel and stained with silver. We selected 10 primers, since they have previously been useful to detect polymorphism among B. glabrata and/or B. tenagophila. The results showed polymorphisms with 5 primers. Polymorphic bands observed only in the susceptible strain. The RAPD-PCR methodology represents an adequate approach for the analysis of genetic polymorphisms. The understanding of the genetic polymorphisms associated to resistance may contribute to the future identification of genomic sequences related to the resistance/susceptibility of Biomphalaria to the larval forms of S. mansoni and to the development of new strategies for the control of schistosomiasis.

Factors associated with maternal mortality in rural Guinea-Bissau. A longitudinal population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To assess demographic and obstetric risk factors for pregnancy-related death in a multiethnic rural population in a developing country.

DESIGN

A prospective survey of women in the fertile age-range.

SETTING

Rural Guinea-Bissau.

POPULATION

More than 15,000 women living in 100 clusters were visited at six-monthly intervals over a period of more than six years. A total of 10,931 pregnancies were registered prospectively; 85 of these pregnancies resulted in maternal or late maternal death.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Maternal mortality ratio.

METHOD

In the rural areas of Guinea-Bissau, we conducted a prospective survey of women in the fertile age range. More than 15,000 women living in 100 clusters were visited at 6-monthly intervals over a period of more than six years. An analysis of demographic, environmental and obstetric risk factors for maternal death was performed based on 10,931 prospectively registered pregnancies; 85 of these pregnancies resulted in maternal or late maternal death.

RESULTS

In the adjusted model maternal mortality ratio increased with increasing distance from the regional hospital (OR>25 km = 7.4 [95% CI: 1.6-132]). Multiple pregnancy was found to increase the risk of maternal death (OR = 3.4 [95% CI: 1.3-7.5]). The risk of subsequent maternal death was increased if the fetus was stillborn (OR = 5.3 [95% CI: 2.8-9.4]). Women living in the region of Gabu had higher mortality than those living in Biombo (OR = 2.5 [95% CI: 1.3-5.1]). No category of age or parity were associated with an increased risk of maternal mortality. Predictive values did not exceed 3% for any of the significant risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

For the purpose of reducing maternal mortality, the screening approach of antenatal care is of limited value. Age and parity should not be used routinely as selection criteria for transfer of otherwise healthy pregnant women to higher-level health institutions. Twin pregnancy seems to be the only operational risk factor identified in this study. Stillbirth is associated with an increased risk of maternal death. Regional differences must be studied further. The distance to emergency obstetric care (EOC) may determine the outcome of a complicated delivery.

Antibacterial activity of Persea cordata stem barks

The antibacterial effects of extracts obtained from Persea cordata stem bark, employed in Brazil to treat infectious diseases, were studied. The ethyl acetate fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract showed activity against pathogenic bacteria which may justify the popular use of the plant.

[Immunological aspects of the phenoloxidase enzymatic system of Schistosoma mansoni]

The phenol oxidase enzymatic system (EC 1.10.3.1, EC 1.10.3.2) is widespread in different species of the animal and vegetal kingdom. Despite its importance in the eggshell formation of the trematodes phenol oxidase (PO) has been little studied in these organisms, mainly in S. mansoni. This report presents the initial results concerning the immunization of rabbits with PO of S. mansoni and mushroom tyrosinase. The immunological analysis done by means of double immunodifusion (Ouchterlony) and immunoelectrophoresis techniques revealed some immunological identity between the PO of males and females. It was not seen cross reaction between the antisera against PO and tyrosinase, what suggests that the antigenic determinants of both enzymes are different in spite of their catalytic sites being similar, since they act over the same substrate. The results reported here represent a first step in way to obtain the PO isoenzymes in their pure form and should open new insights for further studies on the molecular mechanisms involved in the sclerotization process of the S. mansoni eggshell.