Abstract
The importance of fungal infections in both human and animals has increased over the last decades. This article represents an overview of the different categories of fungal infections that ...can be encountered in animals originating from environmental sources without transmission to humans. In addition, the endemic infections with indirect transmission from the environment, the zoophilic fungal pathogens with near-direct transmission, the zoonotic fungi that can be directly transmitted from animals to humans, mycotoxicoses and antifungal resistance in animals will also be discussed. Opportunistic mycoses are responsible for a wide range of diseases from localized infections to fatal disseminated diseases, such as aspergillosis, mucormycosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis and infections caused by melanized fungi. The amphibian fungal disease chytridiomycosis and the Bat White-nose syndrome are due to obligatory fungal pathogens. Zoonotic agents are naturally transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans and vice versa. The list of zoonotic fungal agents is limited but some species, like Microsporum canis and Sporothrix brasiliensis from cats, have a strong public health impact. Mycotoxins are defined as the chemicals of fungal origin being toxic for warm-blooded vertebrates. Intoxications by aflatoxins and ochratoxins represent a threat for both human and animal health. Resistance to antifungals can occur in different animal species that receive these drugs, although the true epidemiology of resistance in animals is unknown, and options to treat infections caused by resistant infections are limited.
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway dictates cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Its deregulation is associated with many pathological ...conditions, including neurodegenerative disease, frequently downregulated. The lack of efficient treatment for these diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), makes Wnt signaling an attractive target for therapies. Interestingly, novel Wnt signaling activating compounds are less frequently described than inhibitors, turning the quest for novel positive modulators even more appealing. In that sense, natural compounds are an outstanding source of potential drug leads. Here, we combine different experimental models, cell-based approaches, neuronal culture assays, and rodent behavior tests with Xenopus laevis phenotypic analysis to characterize quercitrin, a natural compound, as a novel Wnt signaling potentiator. We find that quercitrin potentiates the signaling in a concentration-dependent manner and increases the occurrence of the Xenopus secondary axis phenotype mediated by Xwnt8 injection. Using a GSK3 biosensor, we describe that quercitrin impairs GSK3 activity and increases phosphorylated GSK3β S9 levels. Treatment with XAV939, an inhibitor downstream of GSK3, impairs the quercitrin-mediated effect. Next, we show that quercitrin potentiates the Wnt3a-synaptogenic effect in hippocampal neurons in culture, which is blocked by XAV939. Quercitrin treatment also rescues the hippocampal synapse loss induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β oligomers (AβO) in mice. Finally, quercitrin rescues AβO-mediated memory impairment, which is prevented by XAV939. Thus, our study uncovers a novel function for quercitrin as a Wnt/β-catenin signaling potentiator, describes its mechanism of action, and opens new avenues for AD treatments.
Perfume (Parfum) or fragrance is a natural or synthetic cosmetic ingredient added to emit a pleasant aroma or to improve the odor of a cosmetic formula. It is a mixture of substances, not revealed by ...the manufacturer, which may contain ingredients with allergenic potential, endocrine disruptors, and other possible harmful effects on human health. This study aims to analyze children's cosmetics labels to assess the presence of Perfume.
The researchers randomly visited points of sale in Curitiba, the capital of a southern Brazilian state; in order to catalog the largest possible number of children's cosmetics items.
398 children's cosmetics were analyzed and found Parfum on 295 (74.1 %) of the labels, including 90.4 and 79,1 % of the shampoos and wet wipes, respectively.
Exposure of children's skin to fragrances can lead to local side effects such as allergies, but also to systemic effects, and the lack of knowledge of the general population and health professionals about its possible deleterious effects emphasizes the importance of changes in the regulation of cosmetics aiming to reduce the use of this ingredient.
The gut microbiome has recently been the subject of considerable scientific interest due to its essential bodily functions. Several factors can change the composition and function of the gut ...microbiome, and dietary habits are one of the most important contributors. Despite the recognition of the probiotic effects related to the genus Bifidobacterium spp. (BIF) studies aiming to assess its relationship with metabolic outcomes show conflicting results, particularly in the child population. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the fecal abundance of BIF in a group of schoolchildren from public schools in Bahia, Brazil, and to investigate their relationship with food consumption and laboratory and anthropometric characteristics. A sample of 190 subjects aged 5 to 19y was randomly selected for dietary, laboratory, and anthropometric assessment. Fecal BIF abundance assessment was performed using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction assay. Fecal BIF abundance was higher among subjects who had lower intakes of meat. The abundance of BIF was also higher among subjects with lower Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR). Low BIF abundance was associated with a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia (PR 1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.07, p = 0.001) and high WHtR (PR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1, 08, p = 0.015). These findings allow us to conclude that BIF fecal abundance is related to dietary and anthropometric parameters in schoolchildren, and its increase is associated with positive metabolic outcomes.
Aimed at improving the quality of school meals, the Sustainable School Program (SSP) implemented low-carbon meals, twice a week, in 155 schools of 4 municipalities, reaching more than 32,000 ...students. This study evaluated the environmental impact and nutritional viability of this intervention for this population. The 15 most repeated meals from the conventional and sustainable menus were selected, and we considered the school age group and number of meals served per student/day. Nutritional information was calculated using validated food composition tables, nutritional adequacy was assessed using National School Feeding Program (PNAE) requirements, the level of processing was considered using NOVA classification, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) were estimated using food life cycle assessment (LCA) validated data. We found both conventional and sustainable food menus are equivalent, in terms of nutrients, except for calcium, iron, and magnesium. Sustainable food menus were cholesterol-free. However, there was a reduction of up to 17% in GHGE, depending on the school age group analysed. Considering the greater energy efficiency and lower environmental impact of these food menus, the SSP, therefore, demonstrates that a substantial reduction in climate impact is feasible, successful, and can be an inspiration to other regions globally.
We report a fatal case of a chromoblastomycosis-like infection caused by a novel species of Fonsecaea in a 52-year-old immunocompetent Caucasian male from an area of chromoblastomycosis endemicity in ...Brazil. The patient had a 30-year history of slowly evolving, verrucous lesions on the right upper arm which gradually affected the entire arm, the left hemifacial area, and the nose. Subsequent dissemination to the brain was observed, which led to death of the patient. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (LSU), BT2, and CDC42 genes of the isolates recovered from skin and brain were sequenced, confirming the novelty of the species. The species is clinically unique in causing brain abscesses secondary to chromoblastomycosis lesions despite the apparent intact immunity of the patient. Histopathologic appearances were very different, showing muriform cells in skin and hyphae in brain.
The human mutilating disease chromoblastomycosis is caused by melanized members of the order Chaetothyriales. To assess population diversity among 123 clinical strains of agents of the disease in ...Brazil we applied sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region, and partial cell division cycle and β-tubulin genes. Strains studied were limited to three clusters divided over the single family Herpotrichiellaceae known to comprise agents of the disease. A Fonsecaea cluster contained the most important agents, among which F. pedrosoi was prevalent with 80% of the total set of strains, followed by 13% for F. monophora, 3% for F. nubica, and a single isolate of F. pugnacius. Additional agents, among which two novel species, were located among members of the genus Rhinocladiella and Cyphellophora, with frequencies of 3% and 1%, respectively.
Describing the association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles could facilitate the understanding of increased risk factors for development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic ...epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in patients with severe ocular complications (SOCs).
To investigate the association between HLA class I genes and cold medicine (CM)-associated SJS/TEN with SOCs.
This case-control study was conducted between February 8, 2013, and August 29, 2014. Thirty-nine Brazilian patients with CM-SJS/TEN of 74 patients with SJS/TEN with SOCs and 133 healthy Brazilian volunteers were enrolled. Human leukocyte antigen class I genes (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) were examined to determine whether there was a genetic predisposition for CM-SJS/TEN with SOC. Patients were interviewed to identify possible etiologic factors. Data analysis was performed from April 14, 2013, to August 29, 2014.
Genetic predisposition for CM-SJS/TEN with SOCs by analysis of HLA class I genes.
Of 74 patients included in the analysis, 32 (43%) were male; mean (SD) age was 36.01 15.42 years. HLA-A*66:01 (odds ratio OR, 24.0; 95% CI, 2.79-206.0; P < .001), HLA-B*44:03 (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.11-6.65; P = .04), and HLA-C*12:03 (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.67-18.80; P = .006) were associated with Brazilian CM-SJS/TEN with SOCs, and HLA-A*11:01 (OR, 0.074; 95% CI, 0.004-1.26; P = .008), HLA-B*08:01 (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02-1.15; P = .048), and HLA-B*51:01 (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.05-1.03; P = .045) were inversely associated with Brazilian CM-SJS/TEN with SOCs (39 cases: 19 Pardo and 16 European ancestry; 14 males and 25 females; age, 35.2 14.4 years; and 133 controls: 66 Pardo and 61 European ancestry; 55 males and 78 females; age, 41.2 12.9 years). When multiple test correction within the HLA locus, HLA-A*66:01 and HLA-C*12:03 demonstrated associations. When participants were segregated into Pardo and locus is considered, HLA-A*66:01 was associated with CM-SJS/TEN with SOC among individuals of both ethnic groups (Pardo: OR, 12.2; 95% CI, 1.19-125.0; P = .03; and European: OR, 21.2; 95% CI, 0.97-465.0; P = .04). An association was observed only in the European cohort for HLA-B*44:03 (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 1.47-20.50; P = .01) and HLA-C*12:03 (OR, 8.79; 95% CI, 1.83-42.20; P = .008).
This study suggests that HLA-A*66:01 might be a marker for CM-SJS/TEN with SOCs in Brazilian individuals of Pardo and European ancestry and that HLA-B*44:03 and HLA-C*12:03 might be markers only in those of European ancestry. Moreover, HLA-A*11:01 might be a marker of resistance to CM-SJS/TEN with SOCs.
Introduction: This study aimed to analyze and compare four different types of earplugs, divided into premolded plugs and foam plug models, in relation to the level of attenuation, comfort, and the ...size of the external acoustic meatus (EAM) in an attempt to identify how these variables influence the choice of specific hearing protection devices (HPDs). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed in a sample of 49 participants, oriented toward the ideal placement of four HPDs, two premolded and two foam plugs (3M™). The procedures included otoscopy, EAM diameter measurement using an otometer, EAM volume measurement via an acoustic impedance test, and the obtainment of the bilateral personal attenuation rating (PAR) for each HPD using the E-A-Rfit™ Validation System (3M™). The Bipolar Comfort Rating Scale (BCRS) instrument was applied twice for each individual: once after the evaluations with the premolded HPDs and again after the evaluations with the foam plug HPDs. Then, each participant was asked which was his/her favorite protector. Results: The volume of the EAM was not directly related to the diameter of the EAM. The attenuation did not interfere with the HPD preference, and the PAR of the foam plug was significantly higher regardless of the preferred HPD. Regarding the BCRS, the variables "Placement," "Complexity," and "Occlusion Effect" had higher scores for premolded HPDs and had a direct relationship with the type of preferred HPD. Conclusion: Attention to the use of HPDs should be personalized, taking into account the needs of each individual, considering not only the attenuation, but also the user's reported well-being.
This study explores the variances in the organic, chemical, and sensory attributes of fermented coffee beans, specifically examining how post-harvest processes influence cup quality. Coffee fruits ...from the Catuaí IAC-144 variety were processed using both natural coffee (NC) and pulped coffee (PC) methods. The fruits were then subjected to self-induced anaerobic fermentation (SIAF) using one of the following fermentation methods: solid-state fermentation (SSF) or submerged fermentation (SMF). Within these methods, either spontaneous fermentation (SPF) or starter culture fermentation (SCF) was applied. Each method was conducted over periods of 24, 48, and 72 h. For this purpose, two-hundred-liter bioreactors were used, along with two control treatments. Numerous parameters were monitored throughout the fermentation process. A comprehensive chemical profiling and sensory analysis, adhering to the guidelines of the Specialty Coffee Association, were conducted to evaluate the influence of these fermentation processes on the flavor, aroma, and body characteristics of the coffee beverage across multiple dimensions. Data analysis and predictive modeling were performed using machine learning techniques. This study found that NC exhibited a higher production of acids (citric, malic, succinic, and lactic) compared to PC, resulting in distinct chemical and sensory profiles. The decision tree showed that fructose and malic and succinic acids were identified as the main factors enhancing sensory notes during cupping. SMF promoted higher concentrations of lactic acid, while SSF led to increased ethanol content. Consequently, the SIAF process enhances the sensory quality of coffee, adding value to the product by generating diverse sensory profiles.
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