Structure of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) population in areas with different degrees of human settlement: Cantá - Roraima - Brazil

Malaria has still been one of the most important endemic diseases in the Amazonian region. This study presents the impact of human settlements on the structure of Anopheles population. Diversity, abundance, richness and distribution of the genus Anopheles were observed in two areas with different levels of human settlement in the Cantá city, Roraima State, Northern Brazil. The influence of the dry and rainy seasons on mosquito populations was also observed. Mosquito captures were performed between 6:00 and 10:00 pm during the dry (February and November) and rainy (May and August) seasons at four different sites of each area. Among the 11 species of Anopheles identified through the adults' characteristics, An. albitarsis s.l. (45.5%) and An. darlingi (19.2%) were the most abundant in the more intensively anthropized area while An. triannulatus (19.2%) was more common in the less modified area. Other species found were An. nuneztovari (10.9%), An. oswaldoi (2.0%), An. evansae (1.7%), An. brasiliensis (0.6%), An. intermedius (0.3%), An. mediopunctatus (0.5%), An. periassui (0.08%) and An. argyritarsis (0.04%). The highest mosquitoes' population density was observed in May and the lowest one was observed in February and November. These results demonstrate the existence of a high diversity of anophelines in the study areas, showing that anthropic changes in the environment and climate variability affect both the population density and relative abundance of these vectors.

Arteriografia coronária com cateter de muito baixo perfil. Eficácia e segurança do procedimento e da alta hospitalar aos 60 minutos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficiência, a segurança e a praticidade da angiografia coronária com cateteres 4 French (F), pela técnica de Judkins. MÉTODOS: De agosto/95 a janeiro/96, 70 pacientes com suspeita de insuficiência coronária submeteram-se à cinecoronariografia , utilizando introdutores e cateteres 4F. Após o exame, realizava-se compressão local por 15min e, 60min após, os pacientes eram orientados a caminhar, sob vigilância , sendo dada a alta hospitalar após 4h, . RESULTADOS: A idade variou de 31 a 83 (m = 57) anos, sendo 39 (56%) homens, com peso entre 43 a 101 (m = 69) kg. Obteve-se ótima qualidade de imagem em 62 casos (88%), havendo a necessidade de substituição por cateteres de maior calibre (6 a 8F) em 8 (12%) pacientes. Não ocorreram complicações vasculares ou sangramentos maiores. Em apenas 2 (3%) casos, houve discreto sangramento, resolvido com nova compressão local. Sessenta pacientes (85%) deambularam aos 60±5min e tiveram alta hospitalar com 4h, em média. CONCLUSÃO: A utilização de cateteres 4F por via femoral, para realização de cinecoronariografia permite a deambulação muito precoce (média = 60±5min) e sem complicações hemorrágicas. Verificaram-se pequena utilização de contraste (média = 60ml) e redução da permanência hospitalar. Esta técnica torna o exame cinecoronariográfico mais simples, menos traumático e menos invasivo.

Associação entre perfil lipídico e adiposidade corporal em mulheres com mais de 60 anos de idade

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre perfil lipídico e medidas de obesidade corporal global e central em mulheres com idade superior a 60 anos. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 388 mulheres, com mais de 60 anos de idade (média, 69,0; desvio padrão, 5,9 anos). O perfil lipídico foi determinado por meio das dosagens de colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-colesterol), colesterol de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-colesterol) e triglicerídeos (TG). A obesidade global foi mensurada pelo índice de massa corporal (IMC) e pelas dobras cutâneas (DC), e a obesidade central foi mensurada pela circunferência da cintura (CC) e pela relação cintura-quadril (RCQ). A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da correlação parcial ajustada para a idade e ANOVA one-way (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: Os valores médios encontrados nas variáveis de adiposidade corporal e nos componentes do perfil lipídico indicam elevado risco aterogênico. Além disso, os indicadores de obesidade tanto global como central foram diretamente associados com os níveis de TG e inversamente associados com os níveis de HDL-colesterol. CONCLUSÃO: A análise de correlação parcial e a maior variância encontrada na CC e na RCQ com os componentes do lipidograma sugerem que ambos os métodos podem auxiliar no diagnóstico precoce da aterosclerose.

Prevalencia das Doencas Cardiacas Ilustrada em 60 Anos dos Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia

Considerando a relevância histórica e acadêmica dos Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, posto que sua indexação no MEDLINE iniciou-se em 1950, assumiu-se como hipótese que a análise das publicações de 60 anos poderia refletir as tendências evolutivas das doenças cardíacas no Brasil. Os dados do trabalho foram coletados com um programa desenvolvido para a finalidade, tornando possível a extração automática das informações do banco de dados MEDLINE. As informações do trabalho foram coletadas pesquisando-se "Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia AND parâmetro selecionado em inglês". Foram arbitrados quatro grupos observacionais: (1) principais grupos de doenças do coração (doença arterial coronariana, valvulopatia cardíaca, cardiopatias congênitas e cardiomiopatias); (2) doenças relevantes na prática clínica (arritmias cardíacas, Cor Pulmonale, infarto do miocárdio e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva); (3) fatores de risco cardiovascular (hipertensão arterial, diabete, dislipidemia e aterosclerose), e; (4) grupo arbitrado em função da evolução crescente das publicações sobre insuficiência cardíaca congestiva constadas nos grupos anteriores (insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, infarto do miocárdio, cardiopatia reumática e cardiopatia chagásica). Foram descritas todas as publicações dentro dos grupos estabelecidos, ressaltando-se o crescente aumento da insuficiência cardíaca e do diabete como fatores de risco. Foi possível um levantamento relativamente fácil, com auxílio do programa de computação desenvolvido para a pesquisa bibliográfica de seis décadas. Ressaltando-se as limitações do estudo, sugere-se a existência de um elo epidemiológico entre as doenças cardiológicas prevalentes no Brasil e as publicações dos Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia.

Depression as a Clinical Determinant of Dependence and Low Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Background:The aging process promotes a progressive increase in chronic-degenerative diseases. The effect of these diseases on the functional capacity has been well recognized. Another health parameter concerns “quality of life related to health”. Among the elderly population, cardiovascular diseases stand out due to the epidemiological and clinical impact. Usually, these diseases have been associated with others. This set of problems may compromise both independence and quality of life in elderly patients who seek cardiologic treatment. These health parameters have not been well contemplated by cardiologists.Objective:Evaluating, among the elderly population with cardiovascular disease, which are the most relevant clinical determinants regarding dependence and quality of life.Methods:This group was randomly and consecutively selected and four questionnaires were applied: HAQ, SF-36, PRIME-MD e Mini Mental State.Results:The study included 1,020 elderly patients, 63.3% women. The group had been between 60 and 97 years-old (mean: 75.56 ± 6.62 years-old). 61.4% were independent or mild dependence. The quality of life total score was high (HAQ: 88.66 ± 2.68). 87.8% of patients had a SF-36 total score > 66. In the multivariate analysis, the association between diagnoses and high degrees of dependence was significant only for previous stroke (p = 0.014), obesity (p < 0.001), lack of physical activity (p = 0.016), osteoarthritis (p < 0.001), cognitive impairment (p < 0.001), and major depression (p < 0.001). Analyzing the quality of life, major depression and physical illness for depression was significantly associated with all domains of the SF-36.Conclusion:Among an elderly outpatient cardiology population, dependence and quality of life clinical determinants are not cardiovascular comorbidities, especially the depression.

Assessment of Autonomic Function by Phase Rectification of RRInterval Histogram Analysis in Chagas Disease

Background:In chronic Chagas disease (ChD), impairment of cardiac autonomic function bears prognostic implications. Phase‑rectification of RR-interval series isolates the sympathetic, acceleration phase (AC) and parasympathetic, deceleration phase (DC) influences on cardiac autonomic modulation.Objective:This study investigated heart rate variability (HRV) as a function of RR-interval to assess autonomic function in healthy and ChD subjects.Methods:Control (n = 20) and ChD (n = 20) groups were studied. All underwent 60-min head-up tilt table test under ECG recording. Histogram of RR-interval series was calculated, with 100 ms class, ranging from 600–1100 ms. In each class, mean RR-intervals (MNN) and root-mean-squared difference (RMSNN) of consecutive normal RR-intervals that suited a particular class were calculated. Average of all RMSNN values in each class was analyzed as function of MNN, in the whole series (RMSNNT), and in AC (RMSNNAC) and DC (RMSNNDC) phases. Slopes of linear regression lines were compared between groups using Student t-test. Correlation coefficients were tested before comparisons. RMSNN was log-transformed. (α < 0.05).Results:Correlation coefficient was significant in all regressions (p < 0.05). In the control group, RMSNNT, RMSNNAC, and RMSNNDCsignificantly increased linearly with MNN (p < 0.05). In ChD, only RMSNNAC showed significant increase as a function of MNN, whereas RMSNNT and RMSNNDC did not.Conclusion:HRV increases in proportion with the RR-interval in healthy subjects. This behavior is lost in ChD, particularly in the DC phase, indicating cardiac vagal incompetence.

Aminoácidos livres do feijão 60 dias (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Os aminoácidos livres da nova variedade de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) de 60 Dias, foram estudados por croma tografia em papel utilizando-se o seguinte par de solventes: 1) fenol-água, 8:2 (p/v); 2) butanol-ácido acético-água, 4:1:1 (v/v). Os aminoácidos identificados e dosados nos extratos foram: ácido aspártico, ácido glutãmico, lisina, serina, asparagina, glicina, treonina, alanina, glutamina, histidina, acido gama-aminobutírico, arginina, metionina, valina e leucina. Ás determinações quantitativas foram feitas por eluição das manchas dos cromatogramas seguidas de colorimetria. Os aminoácidos mais abundantes foram lisina, ácido glutâmico e ácido aspártico.

Produção, coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca e concentração de nutrientes em Panicum maximum Jacq., em função dos cortes aos 30, 45, 60 e 75 dias de idade

Mudas de capim colonião (Panicum maximum Jacq.) foram transplantadas para uma Terra Roxa Estruturada, serie "Luiz de Queiroz", em Piracicaba, SP, e adubadas na razão de 2,5 g de N (sulfato de amônio), 3,2 g de P2O5 (superfosfato simples) e 1,9 g de K2O (cloreto de potássio) por muda. Cortes foram efetuados aos 35, 45, 60 e 75 dias a 15 cm de altura do solo. No material coletado foram separadas hastes e folhas e determinado o peso da matéria seca, o coeficiente de digestibilidade in vitro e as concentrações de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn. O delineamento estatístico foi de blocos ao aca so, com três repetições. Concluíram os autores: 1. a relação haste/folha varia com o envelhecimento da planta. A produção de matéria seca e maior nas hastes do que nas folhas. Há uma relação linear positiva entre o aumento de peso da matéria seca e a idade da planta; 2. o coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca diminui com a idade da planta, não havendo diferenças entre haste e folha; 3. a concentração de N, P, Cu, Fe e Zn diminui com o aumento da idade da planta; 4. a idade da planta não afeta os teores mínimos exigidos pelo animal.

Um chronographo de construção simples, permittindo registrar intervallos de tempo de 1 a 60 segundos

Descriptive memorial of a chronograph made from a common chronoscop (Eastman Timer). The chronoscop has been modified in order to permit to adjust distinct cog-wheels, everyone in its turn, to the axis of the seconds hand. Each of these cog-wheels holds a definite number of teeth accordingly with the time interval ones desire to record. A wheel with 20 teeth, for instance, is available for recording time in periods of each three seconds, another wheel with 6 teeth, will reckon time in intervals of 10 seconds and so on. These wheels may be interchanged most easily, which enables, with the same apparatus, to have at hand a time recorder for any time interval between one and sixty seconds. To register the time the apparatus is connected with a dry cell. A wire is attached to a binding post on the metal case of the apparatus, another wire being connected with an isolated binding post placed in front of the cog-wheel and fastened to a platinum point allowing open or shut the circuit, every time one of the cogs of the wheel comes into contact with this platinum point. A signal magnet is placed also in the circuit for writing the time intervals on the revolving drum.

Analysis of toxoplasma gondii proteins after Triton X-114 solubilization and hidropholic chromotograhy

The distribution of the surface proteins of toxoplasma gondii radiodinated were studied using the phase separation technique and ability of binding in the phenyl-Sepharose column. Eight polypeptides with Mr 22 to 180 distributed exclusively in the detergent rich-phase, while six polypeptides with mol. wt. 15,000 to 76,000 distributed exclusively in the detergent poor-phase. Twopolypeptides with 15,000 and 70,000 distributed on both phase. All the polypeptides present in the detergent rich-phase binding in the phenyl-Sepharose column, and can be isolated in two peak according with their relative hydrophobicities.two polypeptides hydrophobic with Mr 60 and 66 recognized by human serum were isolated by the association of the two technique. Our result showed that the surface proteins of t. gondii present different degrees of hydrophobicity and that the use of hydrophobic interaction chromatography after Triton X-114 extraction may be an important isolation method of membrane proteins.

On the morphology of Laevapex vazi n. sp. from Brazil (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Basommatophora: Ancylidae)

A description of Laevapex vazi n. sp. based on 8 specimens collectec in Ourinhos, state of São Paulo, is presented. Shell thin, diaphanous, with a light brown periostracum and moderately elliptical opening. Apex not pointed, smooth, situated on the right posterior region of the shell, inclined to the right often reaching the edge of the shell or extending beyond it. Concentric lines clearly visible; radial striation not visible or when perceptible very thin, here and there. Ratios: shell width/shell lenght = 0,60 - 0,67 (mean = 0,63); shell height/shell length = 0,50 - 0,61 (mean = 0,55); shell height/shell width = 0,33 - 0,40 (mean = 0,35). Body of normal ancylid type; mantle pigmentation concentrated on the left side; three muscles are seen: a round posterior one on the left side, an elliptical muscle on the right anterior side and an almost almond-shaped one on the left anterior side. Tentacles with a medium core of black pigment. Pseudobranch two-lobed and folded, the dorsal lobe smaller than the vetral one. Ovotestis with 20 unbranched diverticula, around a short collecting canal. Ovispermiduct with an enlargement with several round outpocketings constituting the seminal vesicle. Carrefour as a round sac. Albumen gland almost cylindrical with several acinous diverticula. Elongated nidamental gland continous with the galndular wall of the uterus; uterus flattened and thin-walled. Spermathecal body almost rounded. Pear-shaped prostate without diverticula. Penial complex without flagellum but with well-developed ultra-penis and penis. Jaw horseshoe shaped. Radular forma 20.1.20; raquidian tooth quadricuspid, asymmetrical. The genus Laevapex Walker, 1903 is recorded for the first time in Brazil. It is easily distinguished from South American Gundlachia Pfeiffer, 1849 by its penial complex. Laevapex vazi is dedicated to Dr. Jorge Faria Vaz, from SUCEN-SP, who have been sent to me the specimens.

Validity of serology for American Trypanosomiasis with eluates from filter paper

This study evaluates whether blood collected on filter paper kept at 4 degrees C and tested at different intervals of time (1, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after collection) would present similar results when compared to the serum samples and whether the type of filter paper influences the results. Eluates from filter paper samples were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as reference, the antibody titer in sera. Analysis of data showed that results obtained with IFAT, IHA (cut off point = 1:40) and ELISA in sera had similar sensitivity and good concordance among reactions. The use of a multiple linear regression model indicated that titer fall in eluates occurs up to the 7th day after the collection, and it is more marked for samples with lower antibodies titers. However, no significant differences were observed by IFAT, IHA (cut off point = 1:20) and ELISA in the proportion of positive reactions between sera and eluates. The results also showed that Melitta, Klabin or Whatman (reference) filter papers could be indicated for surveys, since they have shown similar capacity of maintenance of anti-T. cruzi immunoglobulins.

Comparative Histopathology of Biomphalaria glabrata, B. tenagophila and B. straminea with Variable Degrees of Resistance to Schistosoma mansoni Miracidia

A comparative histopathological study of three snails species - Biomphalaria glabrata, B. tenagophila and B. straminea - which had been infected with Schistosoma mansoni miracidia revealed similar qualitative features, consisting of areas of sporocyst proliferation and differentiation associated with reactive host reaction, at the time they were actively eliminating great number of cercariae. However, in specimens that were exposed to miracidia but failed to eliminate cercariae later on, different histopathological pictures were observed in different snail species. While B. glabrata exhibited frequent focal (granulomatous) proliferation of amebocytes in several organs, B. tenagophila and B. straminea only rarely showed such reactive changes, suggesting that the mechanism of resistance to miracidial infection probably follows different pathways in the snail species studied