Ultrastructural aspects ofTrypanosoma (Megatrypanum) freitasi in co-cultivation with mammalian cells

Cultures ofTrypanosoma (Megatrypanum) freitasi with L929 mouse fibroblasts at 27.5°C were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in an attempt to clarify the processes of colony formation by the epimastigotes and of their attachment to substrata. It was seen that the flagellates occupy intercellular spaces and do not associate with intact fibroblasts. As the trypanosome population increases, ever larger portions of the substratum are cleared of fibroblasts and occupied by conglomerates of epimastigote colonies consisting of about a dozen organisms that attach to the substratum by their anterior extremities and form pyramidal clusters. Attachment of the epimastigotes involves the flagellar membrane, which becomes extraordinarily enlarged and assumes various aspects of broad sheets, filaments and loops over the substratum or along the flagellum, which exhibits a shortened axoneme. Desmosome or hemidesmosome plaques are present when the attachment takes place between membranes or between the membrane and the substratum.Supported by grants from CNPq and FINEP     

Measurement of the dura mater displacement in median suboccipital puncture]

Report of a study of the dynamic anatomy of the median suboccipital puncture of the cisterna magna cerebello medullaris, carried out on fresh cadavers. Direct inspection of the internal surface of the dura mater (DM) at the craniocervical region was possible by removing the calvarium and brain (sectioned at the upper cervical cord), during routine necropsies. Dislocation of the DM over the needle tip preceding dural penetration (so-called "dural tenting") was observed in all punctures (n = 30), measuring 3.12 (2.0-4.2) mm.     

Comparison of the cytotoxicity of two nitroheterocyclic drugs (NHCD) towards transformed and non-transformed cells.

The cytotoxicity of two nitroheterocyclic compounds (NHCD), Nitracrine, 1-nitro-9(3'3'-dimethylaminopropylamino) acridine (Polfa, Poland) and Quinifuryl, 2-(5'-nitro-2'-furanyl) ethenyl-4-[N-[4-(N,N-diethylamino)-1'-methylbutyl] carbamoyl] quinoline (Dr. N. M. Sukhova, Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvian Republic), towards two lines of leukaemic cells and a line of non-transformed cells, was determined under normoxia conditions. Although both drugs showed significant cytotoxicity to all cell lines (LC(50) for 24h, < or = 2 microM) with that of Nitracrine exceeding Quinifuryl, their toxicity towards murine leukaemia P388 was substantially higher, compared to murine fibroblasts NIH3T3. In addition, the rate of cell death was also two- to three-fold higher in case of P388 cells versus NIH3T3. Interestingly, human erythroleukaemia K562 cells were shown to uptake the drugs 10 min after their addition to the tissue culture medium, while the LC(50) values were reached after a substantial delay of 3h. This delay might be due to the intracellular transformation of drugs required for cell killing.     

The spectrum of computerized tomography (CT) findings in central nervous system (CNS) infection due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii in immunocompetent children

Cranial CT scans of eleven immunocompetent children with central nervous system (CNS) infection due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii were retrospectively reviewed. These children had an average age of 8.8 years and positive culture for C. n. var. gattii in cerebrospinal fluid. The most common signs and symptoms were headache, fever, nuchal rigidity, nausea and vomiting. No normal cranial CT was detected in any patient. Hypodense nodules were observed in all patients. The remaining scan abnormalities were as follows: nine had diffuse atrophy, six had hydrocephalus, and five had hydrocephalus coexistent with diffuse atrophy.     

Usability Testing of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game to Engage Older Adults with Heart Failure in Physical Activity and Weight Monitoring

Background  Poor self-management of heart failure (HF) has contributed to poor health outcomes. Sensor-controlled digital games (SCDGs) integrates data from behavior-tracking sensors to trigger progress, rewards, content, and positive feedback in a digital game to motivate real-time behaviors. Objectives  To assess the usability of an SCDG prototype over a week of game-playing among 10 older adults with HF in their homes. Methods  During initial play, participants'' SCDG experiences were observed in their homes using a checklist based on the seven-item Serious Game User Evaluator (SeGUE) instrument. After a week of game-playing, participants completed a survey guided by the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, to provide their perceptions of the SCDG''s usability. Qualitative analysis via semistructured interview-derived themes on experiences playing the SCDG, perceptions regarding engaging with the SCDG, and any usability issues encountered. Results  Ten HF participants (50% women and 50% White) played the SCDG for an average of 6 out of 7 days. Nine found the SCDG to be interesting, satisfying, and easy to play. The average step count over a week was 4,117 steps (range: 967–9,892). Average adherence with weight monitoring was 5.9 days in a week. Qualitative analysis yielded outcomes regarding attitudes toward SCDG, and barriers and facilitators that influenced participants'' engagement with the SCDG. Conclusion  To the best of the authors'' knowledge, this usability and feasibility study is the first to report an SCDG designed to improve HF self-management behaviors of older adults in their homes. Future research should consider several issues, such as user profiles, prior game-playing experiences, and network conditions most suitable for connected health interventions for older adults living in the community.     

Natural compulsive‐like behaviour in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) is associated with altered gut microbiota composition

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric illness that significantly impacts affected patients and available treatments yield suboptimal therapeutic response. Recently, the role of the gut–brain axis (GBA) in psychiatric illness has emerged as a potential target for therapeutic exploration. However, studies concerning the role of the GBA in OCD are limited. To investigate whether a naturally occurring obsessive–compulsive‐like phenotype in a rodent model, that is large nest building in deer mice, is associated with perturbations in the gut microbiome, we investigated and characterised the gut microbiota in specific‐pathogen‐free bred and housed large (LNB) and normal (NNB) nest‐building deer mice of both sexes (n = 11 per group, including three males and eight females). Following baseline characterisation of nest‐building behaviour, a single faecal sample was collected from each animal and the gut microbiota analysed. Our results reveal the overall microbial composition of LNB animals to be distinctly different compared to controls (PERMANOVA p < .05). While no genera were found to be significantly differentially abundant after correcting for multiple comparisons, the normal phenotype showed a higher loading of Prevotella and Anaeroplasma, while the OC phenotype demonstrated a higher loading of Desulfovermiculus, Aestuariispira, Peptococcus and Holdemanella (cut‐off threshold for loading at 0.2 in either the first or second component of the PCA). These findings not only provide proof‐of‐concept for continued investigation of the GBA in OCD, but also highlight a potential underlying aetiological association between alterations in the gut microbiota and the natural development of obsessive–compulsive‐like behaviours.     

Appendix interposition for total left ureteral reconstruction

IntroductionAppendix interposition has been described as an option for surgical reconstruction of partial and total ureteral defects both in children and adults. However, to our knowledge, appendix interposition for a total left ureteral reconstruction has never been described.Case reportWe report the first case of total left ureteral reconstruction with cecal appendix to connect the renal pelvis of a native kidney to the urinary bladder in a 3-month-old child with ureteral necrosis following pyeloplasty.ResultsPostoperative recovery was uneventful. Postoperative intravenous pyelogram showed good flow of dye from the pelvis past the appendicular graft into the bladder. After 6 months, the child was asymptomatic, within the normal growth curve for height and weight.ConclusionTotal ureteral reconstruction with cecal appendix is a feasible technique in young children. Surveillance for late operative complications is required, since this is the first case of total left ureteral reconstruction with appendix to connect the renal pelvis of a native kidney to the urinary bladder.