Sandfly saliva of Lutzomyia ovallesi (Diptera: Psychodidae) as a possible marker for the transmission of Leishmania in Venezuela Andes region.

Background & objectives: The saliva of the Phlebotominae is highly immunogenic to the vertebrate host and is a determining factor in the Leishmania infection. The aim of this work was to study the saliva of Lutzomyia ovallesi as a possible risk marker for the transmission of Leishmania. Methods: Two populations of L. ovallesi from different geographical areas and subjected to different environmental conditions were compared by geometric morphometry of the wings, by protein profile analysis of salivary glands and by assessing the presence of anti-saliva protein in human sera confronted with laboratory L. ovallesi saliva. Results: The results showed differences in the isometric size and structure of the wings but no allometric effects. Protein profiles of salivary glands of both the L. ovallesi populations studied were found to be similar, based on 11 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 16 to 99 kDa. Anti-saliva antibodies were present in human sera, but human sera infected and uninfected with leishmaniasis could not be differentiated. Interpretation & conclusion: We conclude that the saliva of laboratory-reared L. ovallesi is representative of that of the wild population. It is suggested to study the presence of anti-saliva antibodies in other species of sandflies and mosquitoes.

Effects of diet and exercise training on neurovascular control during mental stress in obese women

Since neurovascular control is altered in obese subjects, we hypothesized that weight loss by diet (D) or diet plus exercise training (D + ET) would improve neurovascular control during mental stress in obese women. In a study with a dietary reduction of 600 kcal/day with or without exercise training for 4 months, 53 obese women were subdivided in D (N = 22, 33 ± 1 years, BMI 34 ± 1 kg/m²), D + ET (N = 22, 33 ± 1 years, BMI 33 ± 1 kg/m²), and nonadherent (NA, N = 9, 35 ± 2 years, BMI 33 ± 1 kg/m²) groups. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured by microneurography and forearm blood flow by venous occlusion plethysmography. Mental stress was elicited by a 3-min Stroop color word test. Weight loss was similar between D and D + ET groups (87 ± 2 vs 79 ± 2 and 85 ± 2 vs 76 ± 2 kg, respectively, P < 0.05) with a significant reduction in MSNA during mental stress (58 ± 2 vs 50 ± 2, P = 0.0001, and 59 ± 3 vs 50 ± 2 bursts/100 beats, P = 0.0001, respectively), although the magnitude of the response was unchanged. Forearm vascular conductance during mental stress was significantly increased only in D + ET (2.74 ± 0.22 vs 3.52 ± 0.19 units, P = 0.02). Weight loss reduces MSNA during mental stress in obese women. The increase in forearm vascular conductance after weight loss provides convincing evidence for D + ET interventions as a nonpharmacologic therapy of human obesity.

Beneficios independientes de la reducción de la presión arterial en pacientes tratados con nifedipina en microgránulos / Independent benefits of the reduction of the arterial pressure in patients treaties with nifedipine in micro-granules

El estado dippers es un factor de riesgo independiente en los pacientes hipertensos (Risers-R-) Non-dippers-ND-> Dippers-D>Dippers extremos-DE). Se evaluó el efecto de la nueva nifedipina en microgránulos (NMG) una vez al día en la disminución de la presión arterial nocturna medida a través del MAPA con Mobil-o-Graph-CE0434-(I.E.MGmbh-Cockerillstr. 69 D-Stolberg. Germany). Se incluyeron pacientes hipertensos (PAS mayor igual 140 y/o PAD mayor igual 90 mmHg, medidas con esfigmomanómetro de Hg) que recibieron de 30 a 60 mgrs/día de NMG, en un estudio prospectivo abierto comparativo y cruzado en time-doses 8 am ó 8 pm; que luego de 6 semanas de tratamiento mantuvieran PAS < 140 mmHg. Se reclutaron 73 pacientes. 40 pacientes (54.8 por ciento), mantuvieron su estado: NDn = 22 (disminución de la PAS nocturna entre 0 y 10 por ciento), D n= 16 (disminución de PAS nocturna entre 10 y 20 por ciento) y Rn = 2 (incremento de la PAS nocturna). Los otros 33 pacientes (45.2 por ciento) modificaron su estado: cinco: 3D y 2ND cambiaron a DE (disminución de la PAS nocturna > 20 por ciento), once: 2DE y 9ND se transformaron en D, catorce: 6R, 1DE y 7D hacia ND y 3D cambiaron a R. No hubo diferencias significativas en el cambio de estado dippers en ambos grupos (30 ó 60 mgrs), 17 pacientes mejoraron su estado (9ND y 2DE) se transformaron en D y 6R pasaron a ND; 16 pacientes dipper se mantuvieron. Estos resultados sugieren que la NMG ofrece en el 45 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados un beneficio independiente de la reducción de la presión arterial, manteniendo o mejorando el estado dippers ofreciendo una mejor predicción en la disminución de eventos cardiovasculares y del pronóstico de los accidentes cerebrovasculares

Effects of losartan combined with exercise training in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigate whether combined treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, and exercise training (ET) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) would have an additive effect in reducing hypertension and improving baroreflex sensitivity when compared with losartan alone. Male SHR (8 weeks old) were assigned to 3 groups: sedentary placebo (SP, N = 16), sedentary under losartan treatment (SL, N = 11; 10 mg kg-1 day-1, by gavage), and ET under losartan treatment (TL, N = 10). ET was performed on a treadmill 5 days/week for 60 min at 50 percent of peak VO2, for 18 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with a catheter inserted into the carotid artery, and cardiac output with a microprobe placed around the ascending aorta. The baroreflex control of heart rate was assessed by administering increasing doses of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside (iv). Losartan significantly reduced mean BP (178 ± 16 vs 132 ± 12 mmHg) and left ventricular hypertrophy (2.9 ± 0.4 vs 2.5 ± 0.2 mg/g), and significantly increased baroreflex bradycardia and tachycardia sensitivity (1.0 ± 0.3 vs 1.7 ± 0.5 and 2.0 ± 0.7 vs 3.2 ± 1.7 bpm/mmHg, respectively) in SL compared with SP. However, losartan combined with ET had no additional effect on BP, baroreflex sensitivity or left ventricular hypertrophy when compared with losartan alone. In conclusion, losartan attenuates hypertension and improves baroreflex sensitivity in SHR. However, ET has no synergistic effect on BP in established hypertension when combined with losartan, at least at the dosage used in this investigation.

Morphological investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in vivo by a multiple beam interference microscope

A recently developed technique, namely multiple beam interference microscopy, has been applied to investigate the morphology of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii for the first time. The interference pattern obtained from the multiple internal reflection of a T. gondii, sandwiched between a glass plate and a cover plate, was focused on the objective of a conventional microscope. Because of the enhance contrast, several details of sub cellular structure and separating compartments are clearly visible. Details reveal the presence of a nucleus, lipid body, dense granule, rhoptry and amylopectin. The wall thickness of the membrane of the lipid body and the amylopectin is of the order of 0.02 æm and can be clearly distinguished with the help of the present technique. The same parasite has also been examined with the help of atomic force microscopy, and because of its thick membrane, the inner structural details were not observed at all. Sub cellular details of T. gondii observed with the present technique have been reported earlier only by low amplification transmission electron microscopy and not by any optical microscopic technique

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity and hemodynamic alterations in middle-aged obese women

To study the relationship between the sympathetic nerve activity and hemodynamic alterations in obesity, we simultaneously measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure, and forearm blood flow (FBF) in obese and lean individuals. Fifteen normotensive obese women (BMI = 32.5 + or - 0.5 kg/m²) and 11 age-matched normotensive lean women (BMI = 22.7 + or - 1.0 kg/m²) were studied. MSNA was evaluated directly from the peroneal nerve by microneurography, FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, and blood pressure was measured noninvasively by an autonomic blood pressure cuff. MSNA was significantly increased in obese women when compared with lean control women. Forearm vascular resistance and blood pressure were significantly higher in obese women than in lean women. FBF was significantly lower in obese women. BMI was directly and significantly correlated with MSNA, blood pressure, and forearm vascular resistance levels, but inversely and significantly correlated with FBF levels. Obesity increases sympathetic nerve activity and muscle vascular resistance, and reduces muscle blood flow. These alterations, taken together, may explain the higher blood pressure levels in obese women when compared with lean age-matched women

Quiste de diplicación esofagica, un hallazgo infrecuente / Cyst of duplication esophagical an uncommon discovery

La duplicación esofágica es una patología congénita que puede ser quística o tubular. Se cree que entre la 5 y 8 semana embrionaria por una falla en el proceso de vacuolización para formar la luz del esófago esto da como resultado la formación de los quistes esofágicos los cuales pueden estar recubiertos de diferentes tipos de epitelio, tener contenido y calcificaciones y estar recubiertos por capas de músculo liso, que el caso específico de los quistes de origen esofágico, deben tener doble capa de músculo liso y no tener cartílago bronquiales en su interior. Son un hallazgo infrecuente y constituyen el 0,5 por ciento al 2,5 por ciento de los tumores de benignos del esófago, su localización más frecuente en 1/3 inferior del esófago en cara lateral derecha. Más comúnmente diagnosticados en niños y raros en adultos, que son frecuentemente asintomáticos y diagnosticados en forma incidental. El ultrasonido endoscópico es el método hoy, de elección diagnóstico por permitirnos precisar las características de la lesión submucosa como, capa de donde se origina, patrón de la masa, tamaño y localización exacta, presencia de cartílago, calcificaciones, etc. La cirugía es recomendada por sus posibles complicaciones durante la evolución natural de la enfermedad y para establecer diagnóstico definitivo con la pieza resecada. Muy pocos reportes hay en la literatura mundial, a nuestro entender este seria el primero reportado en Venezuela

Comparaçäo entre a prescriçäo de intensidade de treinamento físico baseada na avaliaçäo ergométrica convencional e na ergoespirométrica / Comparison between exercises intensity prescription based on a standard exercise test and cardiopulmonary exercise test

OBJETIVO - Comparar os limites inferiores (L.inf.) e superior (L.sup.) da pescriçäo de treinamento físico aeróbico determinada pelo teste ergométrico convencional (60-70 por cento do VO2máx estimulado ou 70-85 por cento da FCmáx atingida), com a prescriçäo obtida pelo teste ergoespirométrico [limiar anaeróbico (LA) e ponto de compensaçäo respiratória (PCR)]. MÉTODOS - Realizaram teste ergoespirométrico progressivo até a exaustäo 47 homens (30ñ5 anos), divididos em subgrupos, de acordo com a velocidade da esteira durante o teste (4 ou 5mph) e a capacidade física medida [baixa (BCF) e moderada (MCF)]. RESULTADOS - Os L.inf. de prescriçäo indireta apresentaram valores de VO2 e FC significantemente maiores que os valores de Vo2 e FC no LA...Os L.sup. de prescriçäo indireta no grupo de 4mph e BCF apresentaram valores de VO2 significantemente maiores que os valores medidos no PCR ..., e valores de FC semelhantes aos medidos no PCR. CONCLUSÄO - Os L.inf. da prescriçäo indireta de treinamento físico superestimam o LA, enquanto os L.sup. parecem adequados somente para indivíduos ativos com MCF

Correlación entre observadores en la medición de longitud de miembros inferiores / Interobserver variability in lower limb length measurement

La medición de la longitud de los miembros inferiores forma parte de la evaluación y diagnóstico del dolor lumbo-sacro, y/o de miembros inferiores. En el presente estudio se determinó la concordancia inter e intra observador, e inter-métodos usando dos métodos clínicos de medición de la longitud de los miembros inferiores (real y aparente) y uno radiológico. Dos médicos entrenados en las técnicas a usar realizaron todas las mediciones. Se incluyeron pacientes con capacidad de extensión completa de los miembros inferiores y con peso que no excediera al 20 por ciento para el peso ideal. Se calcularon el coeficiente de correlación (r), y el intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento (IC), test de una cola (Ho=0.75). Se estudiaron 17 pacientes (15 mujeres, dos hombres) con edades promedio de 35.8 años (13.0 de desviación estándar). A. Inter-observadores: 1. Medición aparente: r=0.99 (IC=0.98) y para la diferencia de longuitud entre los miembros inferiores fue r=0.88 (IC=0.10). 2. Medición real: r=0.77 (IC=0.95) y para la diferencia r=0.99 (IC=0.85). B. Intra-observador: r=0.95 (IC=0.85). C. Inter-observadores, método radiológico: r=0.98 (IC=0.92). D. Intra-método:1. Medición real/radiológico: r=0.80 (IC=0.70). 2. Medición aparente/radiológico: r=0.75 (IC=0.57). Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten concluir que todos los métodos dan resultados similares. La medición de la diferencia obtenida con ambos métodos clínicos es reproducible pero no al nivel esperado en una técnica que se usa de rutina en la evaluación y diagnóstico de síntomas músculo-esqueléticos lumbo-sacros