A metapopulation approach to identify targets for Wolbachia-based dengue control.

Over the last decade, the release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti into the natural habitat of this mosquito species has become the most sustainable and long-lasting technique to prevent and control vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, zika, or chikungunya. However, the limited resources to generate such mosquitoes and their effective distribution in large areas dominated by the Aedes aegypti vector represent a challenge for policymakers. Here, we introduce a mathematical framework for the spread of dengue in which competition between wild and Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, the cross-contagion patterns between humans and vectors, the heterogeneous distribution of the human population in different areas, and the mobility flows between them are combined. Our framework allows us to identify the most effective areas for the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to achieve a large decrease in the global dengue prevalence.

Proteinograma sérico de cães sadios e com linfoma obtido por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE) / Serum protein concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with lymphoma by means of sodium dodecil sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

Foram avaliadas amostras de soro sanguíneo de 10 cães sadios e de 12 com linfoma, utilizando-se a eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio. Houve diferença entre as médias dos teores de proteína total de cães sadios, 7,68g/dL±0,46 e de cães com linfoma, 7,93g/dL±2,49. As concentrações de IgA e IgG não foram diferentes entre os grupos. Os teores das proteínas de pesos moleculares 142000, 110000, 52000, 49000, 24000 e 18000 dáltons foram mais elevados em cães com linfoma. Os cães com linfoma apresentaram concentrações mais elevadas de ceruloplasmina, 43,95mg/dL±18,19, e haptoglobina, 554mg/dL±449,51, e menores de albumina, 2908mg/dL±476,67, em comparação aos cães sadios (ceruloplasmina: 3,42mg/dL±7,44; haptoglobina: 94,54mg/dL±59,50 e albumina: 4207mg/dL±206,18). Conclui-se que concentrações séricas mais elevadas de ceruloplasmina e haptoglobina e menores de albumina podem estar associadas ao linfoma em cães.

Blood serum samples of ten healthy dogs and 12 dogs with lymphoma were evaluated by means of sodium dodecil sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There was difference in total protein concentrations among healthy dogs, 7.68g/dL±0.46 and dogs with lymphoma, 7.93g/dL±2.49 values of immunoglobulins A and G presented no difference between groups. Serum proteins with molecular weights 142,000; 110,000; 52,000; 49,000; 24,000; and 18,000 Daltons presented increased concentrations in dogs with lymphoma. Dogs with lymphoma presented increased ceruloplasmin (43.95mg/dL±18.19) and haptoglobin (554mg/dL±449.51) values and lesser albumin concentration (2,908mg/dL±476.67) when compared to healthy dogs (ceruloplasmin: 3.42mg/dL±7.44; haptoglobin: 94.54mg/dL±59.50, and albumin: 4,207mg/dL±206.18). In conclusion, increased ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin and lesser albumin serum concentrations are possibly related to lymphoma in dogs.

Risk factors associated with taeniasis-cysticercosis in Lagamar, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

An epidemiological survey was carried out in 3,344 people of an urban town in Lagamar, Minas Gerais, Brazil--during 1992-1993, to evaluate the main risk factors related to taeniasis and cysticercosis. A total number of 875 (78.9%) houses were visited and 1080 (32.3%) subjects were clinically examined. Poor sanitary conditions were positively associated with former history of taeniasis or seizures in households (p < 0.05). It was remarkable the positive relationship between taeniasis and seizures when households were questioned and subjects were clinically evaluated (p < 0.05). The relative risk of seizures was 2.3 between households and 1.7 for individuals clinically examined respectively. The breeding of swine nearby and the chronic carriers of taeniasis are determinant factors in the maintenance of the epidemiological link between taeniasis and cysticercosis in endemic areas.

Risk factors associated with taeniasis-cysticercosis in Lagamar, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

An epidemiological survey was carried out in 3,344 people of an urban town in Lagamar, Minas Gerais, Brazil--during 1992-1993, to evaluate the main risk factors related to taeniasis and cysticercosis. A total number of 875 (78.9%) houses were visited and 1080 (32.3%) subjects were clinically examined. Poor sanitary conditions were positively associated with former history of taeniasis or seizures in households (p < 0.05). It was remarkable the positive relationship between taeniasis and seizures when households were questioned and subjects were clinically evaluated (p < 0.05). The relative risk of seizures was 2.3 between households and 1.7 for individuals clinically examined respectively. The breeding of swine nearby and the chronic carriers of taeniasis are determinant factors in the maintenance of the epidemiological link between taeniasis and cysticercosis in endemic areas.

Foi realizado inquérito epidemiológico em 3344 indivíduos da área urbana de Lagamar, Minas Gerais, Brasil, durante 1992-1993 para avaliar os principais fatores de risco relacionados com teníase e cisticercose. Foram visitadas 875 (78,9%) casas e examinados clinicamente 1080 (32,3%) indivíduos. As condições sanitárias deficientes estiveram associadas estatisticamente com história anterior ou atual de teníase ou de convulsões entre os membros de cada família (p < 0,05). A correlação entre teniase e convulsões foi evidenciada tanto no inquérito domiciliar como durante a avaliação clínica dos indivíduos (p < 0,0001). O risco relativo de convulsões foi de 2,3 entre os moradores entrevistados no domicílio e 1,7 entre os indivíduos que compareceram para exame clínico, respectivamente. A criação de suínos no peridomicílio e os portadores crônicos de teníase são fatores determinantes na perpetuação do elo epidemiológico teníase-cisticercose nas áreas endêmicas.

[The epidemiological aspects of taeniasis-cysticercosis in an endemic area of Lagamar, Minas Gerais]. / Aspectos epidemiológicos da teníase-cisticercose na área endêmica de Lagamar, MG.

An epidemiological inquiry of humancysticercosis due to Taenia solium was carried out in Lagamar, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in 1992. A survey of 1109 houses with 3344 inhabitants was made. The inquiry included 875 (86%) families and the questionnaire was answered by an informer, who was the father in 80% of the cases. One hundred pigsties, sheltering 406 swines in extremely precarious conditions, were found in 100 (11.4%) houses. A history on taeniasis in some member of the family was verified in 300 (34.2%) houses. A history of seizures was referred to by 125 (14.2%) of families. The outset of convulsion in adult age was characterized in 39 (37.8%) families. A history of mental disorder was reported in 53 (6.0%) of houses. Stool examinations were positive for Taenia spp in 24 (1.3%) of samples examined.

[Neurologic and laboratory findings in a population of an endemic area for taeniasis-cysticercosis, Lagamar, MG, Brazil (1992-1993)]. / Achados neurológicos e laboratoriais em população de área endêmica para teníase-cisticercose, Lagamar, MG, Brasil (1992-1993).

A clinic-epidemiological enquiry was conducted on in an endemic area for teniasis-cysticercosis. From the whole population 1080 (32.2%) individuals were examined. We found 198 (18.3%) individuals referring teniasis-bearing in the past, and 103 (9.5%) affirming to have had convulsions, either in the past or present. From the last group, 39 (37.8%) indicated that the crisis had begun in adulthood. From the group of patients presenting convulsions, 62 (62%) had laboratory tests performed. Computed tomography showed intracranial calcifications in 21 (33.8%) patients, variable in number and location, suggesting neurocysticercosis and no evidence of disease activity. Electroencephalograms showed abnormal waves in 21 (33.8%) patients and cerebrospinal fluid analyses were altered in 27 (43.5%) cases, having detected eosinophils only in 3 (4.8%) patients. Spinal fluid tests for cysticercosis through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or indirect immunofluorescence were taken in only 26 (41.9%) patients, obtaining positive results in 6 (23%) samples. Varying upward shifts of protein levels were found in spinal fluid analysis. Assuming that all epidemiologic risk factors for teniasis-cysticercosis in the studied region and its correlation with the laboratory alterations described in convulsing crisis, a prevalence of 1.9% for neurocysticercosis was found.

[Peripheral neuropathy and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: review of the literature apropos of a case with atypical presentation]. / Neuropatia periférica e síndrome hipereosinofílica idiopática. Revisão bibliográfica a propósito de um caso com apresentação atípica.

Involvement of the nervous system in the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is a common finding, peripheral neuropathy being the most frequent neurologic manifestation, usually appearing at the onset or following the appearance of eosinophilia. We describe here the case of a 42 year-old male patient with persistent eosinophilia (greater than 1500/mm3) for a period greater than six months in the absence of a known cause for the eosinophilia with end-organ injury, in whom the neurologic involvement preceded by months the elevation of peripheral blood eosinophil count, and consisted of peripheral neuropathy and the unusual involvement of a cranial nerve. There was severe distal wasting and weakness of the four limbs with sensory abnormalities which developed over a period of four months, along with left-sided deafness which was due to eighth cranial nerve involvement. Electrodiagnostic studies showed generalized nerve involvement of the axonal type. Nerve biopsy did not reveal eosinophilic infiltration or vasculitic changes, suggesting that neurotoxic eosinophil products may play a role in the neuropathy. There was marked improvement of the eosinophilia and slight improvement of the sensorimotor disturbance in the course of corticosteroid therapy.

Biocompatibilidade de alguns materiais ceramicos. / Biocompatibility of some ceramic materials

Ceramica em forma de po e de barra foi implantada na musculatura paravertebral de ratos e alumina porosa e biovidro nos condilos femorais de caes. Observou-se boa tolerancia de alumina pura, mas nao quando misturada com outras ceramicas. Alumina porosa (poros de 50-100gama) foi bem tolerada pelo osso, mas havia formacoes de uma camada fina de tecido fibroso entre o implante e o osso. As pecas de biovidro nao provocavam essa reacao, existindo contato direto do osso com o biovidro ao microscopio optico e eletronico

Effects of parathyroid hormone infusion and primary hyperparathyroidism on serum prolactin in man.

Serum PRL, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and Ca levels were measured in 14 patients (8 women and 6 men) with primary hyperparathyroidism. Six normal volunteers (3 men and 3 women) received a 1-h control infusion of 5% glucose containing 2% human serum albumin, a 1-h infusion of the same fluid containing 450 U bovine PTH, and a repeated 1-h infusion of glucose and albumin. Serum PRL was measured during these infusion periods and showed a peak within 30 min of the start of bovine PTH infusion; PRL levels declined therafter in spite of continued PTH infusion. Serum PRL levels returned to normal within 1 h of discontinuance of bovine PTH infusion. The serum PRL levels in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were within the normal range, and there was no correlation between serum PTH and PRL levels. These results suggest that the PRL response to PTH infusion is a pharmacological rather than a physiological or pathophysiological effect of PTH.

Comparative response to parathyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

The effects of exogenous parathyroid hormone, administered for 3 days, were compared in six hyperthyroid and six hypothyroid subjects. Maximum increments were much greater in hyperthyroid than in hypothyroid subjects for serum calcium (3.5 mg/100 ml versus 1.6 mg/100 ml), urine calcium (476 mg versus 79 mg), urine hydroxyproline (56 mg versus 11 mg), and urine phosphorus (671 mg versus 192 mg). Maximum decrease in serum phosphorus (minus0.9 mg/100 ml versus minus 0.1 mg/100 ml) was also greater in hyperthyroid subjects. Serum parathyroid hormone immunoreactivity was significantly higher in hypothyroid subjects (0.48 ng/ml) that either normals (0.21 ng/ml) or hyperthyroid subjects (0.19 ng/ml). The data support the concept that excess thyroid hormone sensitizes and deficient thyroid hormone blunts the responsiveness of bone to parathyroid hormone. This may lead to a state of hypoparathyroidism in hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism in hypothyroidism.