Phenanthrene, a major component of crude oil, is one of the most predominant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aquatic ecosystems. The present study aimed to assess the in vitro effects of phenanthrene on the clam, Ruditapes decussatus. For this purpose, haemolymph samples were exposed for 24 h to two concentrations (10-3 and 10-5 mg mL-1) of this pollutant. Immune function was assessed using a combination of humoral and cellular responses. The toxic exposure caused alteration in the immune parameters of clams with a significant increase (ANOVA, p<0.05) in total haemocyte count and haemocyte mortality and a significant decrease (ANOVA, p<0.05) in lysozyme and esterase activities. This study investigates the direct effects of phenanthrene on humoral and cellular immune functions in clam Ruditapes decussatus. Further research is necessary to clarify the immunomodulatory effect of this contaminant on the whole animal.
Abstract Introduction Machine learning has shown promising results in quantification of CAD on Coronary CT angiography (CCTA)(1). However, its diagnostic performance including vessel diameters 1.5-2.0 mm has not been adequately validated. The highly significant lower total coronary vessel volume in women versus men has been shown previously to be independent of normalization to height, weight, BMI, BSA, or left ventricular mass(2). Coronary lumen diameter less than 2 mm results in overestimation of lumen diameter by full width half maximum techniques commonly employed(2). AI-based CCTA (AI-QCT) detection and grading was performed using FDA-approved analysis, and its diagnostic performance in men versus women was compared to invasive quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Methods Single center, retrospective evaluation of 73 clinically referred non-revascularized stable patients with 256 slice CCTA and ICA within 90 days. 34% female, mean age 64 years, BMI 28, total CAC score 691, with 24.3% obese. QCA software measurements of diameter and stenosis were obtained by a senior interventional cardiologist blinded to original AI-QCT as well as ICA/CCTA readings. AI-QCT coronary segmentation, lumen and vessel wall determination, plaque quantification and characterization, and stenosis determination was blinded to QCA/CTA/ICA interpretations. None of the 219 territories or vessels >1.5 mm as measured by the vendor were excluded. Primary endpoints were ≥50% stenosis and ≥70% stenosis per coronary territory, and per patient. Secondary endpoints were plaque features associated with diagnostic performance. Results Of a total of 73 patients, 24 F/49 M. Mean BMI 27.3/28.7, CAC 390/821 (P<0.05), noncalcified plaque volume 102/278 cu mm (p<0.00001), calcified plaque volume 159/310 cu mm (P =0.05), total coronary vessel volume 2441/3450 cu mm (P<0.0000001). At the per-vessel territory level, for the detection of >50% stenosis, specificity, sensitivity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, AUC for women: 0.84, 0.62, 0.62, 0.84, 0.78, and 0.74. For men, 0.70, 0.71, 0.52, 0.84, 0.70, and 0.81. For the detection of greater than 70% stenosis, for women, 0.92, 0.50, 0.50, 0.92, 0.86, and 0.65. For men, 0.90, 0.70, 0.52, 0.95, 0.87, and 0.88. Chi2 contingency analysis for 50% is p=4.562e^-8 and 70% p=3.73e^-11. Conclusion Despite significantly lower total calcium scores, lower noncalcified plaque volume and percent atheroma volume, and lower calcified plaque volume and percent atheroma volume, overall quantitative performance of AI-QCT as reflected by the ROC analysis is worse for women than men, at both the greater than 50% stenosis threshold, and greater than 70% stenosis threshold. The limited spatial resolution of today's conventional energy integrating polychromatic CT scanners may account for the observed lower performance for women versus men.Gender Subgroup ROC: Territory Level
Abstract Background The identification of natural Leishmania infection, observing the location of flagellates in the gut and development stages of promastigotes, helps to incriminate a certain species as vector and to assess the infection risk in host populations, thus contributing with leishmaniasis surveillance. Objectives To document with photos, videos and description of the dissection process of sandfly females for observation in their digestive tract of Leishmania infections of Leishmania and Viannia subgenera (suprapillary and peripillary distribution, respectively), to produce a manual to assist in leishmaniasis surveillance actions. Methods For the documentation of suprapillary infection, Lutzomyia longipalpis females fed on hamsters infected with Leishmania (L.) infantum and for peripillary infection, Pintomyia fischeri and Nyssomyia neivai fed on hamsters infected with L (V.) braziliensis were used. The dissection of the females was performed at intervals of 12 hours after infectious repast, until completing 120 hours, to observe the different phases of the parasite's evolutionary cycle in the gut. Results A manual was produced with description and photos of the entire process, from field sandfly collection, transportation, laboratory maintenance and dissection, as well as the complete cycle of the parasite's evolution inside the vector. Videos were also produce. Conclusions This project sought to contribute with the leishmaniasis surveillance as regards the sandfly natural infection investigation by Leishmania to assess the transmission risk of parasites. Although the identification of the Leishmania species depends on molecular techniques, this initial screening may reduce its costs. Key messages This study enabled the elaboration of a support manual for technicians from the Entomology laboratory networks. This study enabled with information to identify infected sandflies and thus colaborate with the leishmaniasis epidemiological surveillance programs.
