ABSTRACT
We revisited the BeppoSAX observation of SAX J0635+0533, which was suggested as a possible counterpart to the gamma-ray source 2EG J0635+0521. We have discovered a 33.8 ms pulsation from the source and derived an improved position, consistent with the location of the Be star proposed as a binary companion. We interpret the periodicity as the spin period of a neutron star in a binary system with a Be companion.
Subject(s)
Arthropods/microbiology , Dirofilaria/microbiology , Rickettsiaceae/genetics , Rickettsiaceae/isolation & purification , Animals , Base Sequence , DNA Primers/genetics , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Dirofilaria/ultrastructure , Dogs , Female , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Molecular Sequence Data , Rickettsiaceae/classification , SymbiosisABSTRACT
We present serological evidence that Dirofilaria immitis was the causative agent of subcutaneous nodules in two patients. ELISA and enzyme-linked immunoblot analysis showed that the two human sera had a reactivity pattern similar to that of D. immitis rabbit immune serum. The reaction pattern of the human sera was very different to that of Dirofilaria repens rabbit immune serum. In the light of our findings, the traditional view that subcutaneous filarial nodules are due to D. repens has to be revised.
Subject(s)
Dirofilaria/classification , Dirofilariasis/parasitology , Skin Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Adult , Animals , Dirofilaria immitis/isolation & purification , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Serotyping/methodsSubject(s)
Anesthesia, Intravenous/methods , Buprenorphine/administration & dosage , Mepivacaine/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Sera from both clinically healthy adults (2112) and adult patients (471) were tested to assess the main risk factors for Toxocara infection in humans in Northern Italy. The patient group included 257 adult epileptics, 76 Strongyloides stercoralis-infected adult patients and 142 institutionalized mentally retarded adult patients. The overall seroprevalence in healthy population was 3.98%. No significant differences in seroprevalence were observed for sex, residence (urban or rural) or dog ownership, while seroprevalence significantly increased with age (18- greater than 51 years). Highest seroprevalence values were found in outdoor or soil-related workers. The seroprevalence was 4.35% in adult epileptics, 9.21% in Strongyloides stercoralis-infected patients and 14.47%-10.61% among institutionalized mentally retarded patients. These findings suggest that the prevalent source of human toxocariasis is the environmental contamination by infectious eggs of the parasite.
Subject(s)
Toxocariasis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Dogs/parasitology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Epilepsy/complications , Feces/parasitology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Institutionalization , Intellectual Disability/complications , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Soil , Strongyloidiasis/complications , Toxocara/immunology , Toxocariasis/complications , Toxocariasis/transmission , ZoonosesABSTRACT
Samples of heart, esophagus and diaphragm of 200 camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Southern Somalia were examined for Sarcocystis by trypsin digestion and histological examination. The results showed a very high prevalence rate (82.5%). Histological findings suggested the presence of two different species in the camel.
Subject(s)
Camelus/parasitology , Sarcocystis/isolation & purification , Sarcocystosis/veterinary , Animals , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diaphragm/parasitology , Esophagus/parasitology , Heart/parasitology , Sarcocystosis/epidemiology , Somalia/epidemiology , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
The scientific instrumentation onboard the Italian satellite for x-ray astronomy (SAX) foresees x-ray imaging concentrators operating in the 0.1-10-keV energy range with a spatial resolution of 1 min of arc. The optics is composed of thirty confocal-nested very thin double-cone mirrors. To achieve good optical quality and to allow the construction of several concentrators at an acceptable cost, a replica technique by electroforming the mirrors from masters is used. This paper presents the results obtained from a set of electroformed mirrors mounted on a concentrator prototype.
