Prognostic Value of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance by Magnetic Resonance in Systolic Heart Failure

Abstract Background: Pulmonary hypertension is associated with poor prognosis in heart failure. However, non-invasive diagnosis is still challenging in clinical practice. Objective: We sought to assess the prognostic utility of non-invasive estimation of pulmonary vascular resistances (PVR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: Prospective registry of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and recently admitted for decompensated heart failure during three years. PVRwere calculated based on right ventricular ejection fraction and average velocity of the pulmonary artery estimated during cardiac magnetic resonance. Readmission for heart failure and all-cause mortality were considered as adverse events at follow-up. Results: 105 patients (average LVEF 26.0 ±7.7%, ischemic etiology 43%) were included. Patients with adverse events at long-term follow-up had higher values of PVR (6.93 ± 1.9 vs. 4.6 ± 1.7estimated Wood Units (eWu), p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, PVR ≥ 5 eWu(cutoff value according to ROC curve) was independently associated with increased risk of adverse events at 9 months follow-up (HR2.98; 95% CI 1.12-7.88; p < 0.03). Conclusions: In patients with HFrEF, the presence of PVR ≥ 5.0 Wu is associated with significantly worse clinical outcome at follow-up. Non-invasive estimation of PVR by cardiac magnetic resonance might be useful for risk stratification in HFrEF, irrespective of etiology, presence of late gadolinium enhancement or LVEF.

The stridulatory setae of Acanthoscurria suina (Araneae, Theraphosidae) and their possible role in sexual communication: an experimental approach

Specialized setae placed on proximal segments of appendages in tarantulas have been related to sound production (stridulation), used in defense or sexual communication. The surface structure of called stridulatory setae of Acanthoscurria suina Pocock, 1903 was studied by SEM. Three morphological types of setae were recognized and at least two of them could be involved in stridulation. Their role in sexual communication was tested by experimental removal. Our results showed no differences in the sexual success between the setaeless and control individuals. Consequently, a defensive function for stridulatory setae seems to be more likely than a sexual function.

Hapalopus aymara a new species of tarantula from Bolivia (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae)

A new species of Hapalopus Ausserer, 1875 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) from Bolivia is described and illustrated, based in males and females.

Spatio-temporal variation of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae) associated to the seasonal overture of the sandbar in a subtropical lagoon

On the southern Brazilian coast, the penaeid pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis (Pérez-Farfante, 1967) is intensively captured by both artisanal and industrial fisheries. In the Ibiraquera Lagoon, artisanal fishing of juvenile stocks has declined sharply over the last 15 years. The traditional management methods used by fishermen are no longer sustainable due to conflicts with the demands of tourism and weak environmental and public agencies. The dynamics of the timing of the artificial opening and natural reformation of a sandbar across the mouth of the lagoon are regarded as a central socio-ecological problem. We evaluated the abundance and biomass variation of F. paulensis throughout the year and along a spatial gradient measured from the sandbar into the lagoon. We also explored the influence of opening the sandbar on the shrimp population. Samples were collected monthly from February 2004 to February 2005, using a 27 mm mesh cast net, in four different areas, with three sites being sampled per area. Small numbers of large shrimps were captured in the upper area, while greater biomass and abundance of small shrimps were observed near the sandbar, suggesting the role of the inner area as a refuge for growing. The highest records for biomass and abundance were recorded during warm months, regardless if the lagoon was open or closed by the sandbar. The Ibiraquera Lagoon could be more productive for fishermen if the sandbar opening was coincident to the period of natural post-larvae influx. Furthermore, coastal stocks could be improved by opening the sandbar again during summer in conjunction with fishing quotas.

On Munduruku, a new Theraphosid genus from Oriental Amazonia (Araneae, Mygalomorphae)

Munduruku gen. nov. is proposed for the type species Munduruku bicoloratum sp. nov., from Juruti and Santarém, Pará, Brazil. The main diagnostic character of Munduruku gen. nov. is the presence of a subapical, lanceolate keel on the male palpal bulb, which is unique among the basal taxa of Theraphosinae with type III-IV urticating setae. The female spermathecae consist of two spheroid receptacles with funnel-shaped necks, each of which bears a sclerotized area. In both sexes, the abdomen is remarkably patterned, an uncommon feature in adults of New World theraphosids. Both the bulbus lanceolate keel and the abdominal color pattern are hypothesized as synapomorphies of the genus.

A new species of Phrixotrichus (Araneae, Theraphosidae) from southwestern Argentina and new distributional data for P. vulpinus

ABSTRACT A new species of Phrixotrichus Simon, 1889, P. pucara sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on a male from Pucará river, Neuquén province, Argentina. Male can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the presence of a long strong spine on inner face of prolateral branch of tibial apophysis; also, it differs from P. scrofa (Molina, 1788) and P. vulpinus (Karsch, 1880) by a serrated prolateral keel of the male palpal bulb. Male resembles P. jara Perafán & Pérez-Miles, 2014 but can be distinguished by the uniform color on dorsal cephalothorax and by the palpal organ morphology being wider on the bulb base and embolus shorter and thicker, with the tip of embolus not so directed retrolaterally and prolateral keel bearing a serrated edge with three teeth. Additionally, P. vulpinus is reported for the first time for Argentina along with new distributional data.

Lymph node cell responsiveness in BALB/C mice infected with Leishmania mexicana

In the present study we measured the blastogenic response of lymph node cells from BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania mexicana throughout the course of infection. Results showed that infected mice displayed normal blastogenic responses in the lymph nodes until twenty weeks of infection. Thereafter, there was a gradual suppression. Comparison of the immunoresponsiveness in the spleen and lymph nodes, revealed normal responses in the lymph nodes several weeks after suppression in the spleen had occurred. Suppression of blastogenic responses in the lymph nodes was related to an adherent macrophage-like cell which actively suppressed normal proliferative responses to mitogens.

Activación de celulas supresoras de la respuesta de hipersensibilidad tardía en ratones BALB/c infectados o vacunados con Leishmania mexicana pifanoi

Los ratones BALB/c inmunizados SC con promastigotes no viables de Leishmania mexicana pifanoi, desarrollaron respuestas de hipersensibilidad tardia (RHT) contra el parásito. En contraposición, los ratones BALB/c infectados crónicamente con L.m. pifanoi y aquellos inmunizados IV con una dosis supraóptima de parásitos muertos, mostraron inhibición de la RHT. La supresión de la RHT en los animales infectados, estuvo precedida por un estado transitorio de inmunidad celular, manifestado durante la fase inicial del desarrollo de las lesiones (4-12 semanas). La inhibición de la RHT observada en los animales infectados o inmunizados con dosis supraóptimas, fue causada por un mecanismo activo, transferible a receptores singénicos a través de las células esplénicas de los donantes suprimidos. La población de células supresoras fue no adherente a "nylon", sensible al tratamiento con un suero anti-timocitos de ratón y C', y de acción específica sobre la RHT contra antígenos leishmánicos. Se propone que la ocurrencia de células T supresoras de la RHT en los animales infectados crónicamente o inmunizados con dosis supraóptimas, es causada por el exceso de carga antigénica. Esta última, en el caso de los animales infectados, secundaria a una falla primaria en el control inmunológico de la población parasitaria.

Diagnosis of malaria by acridine orange fluorescent microscopy in an endemic area of Venezuela

Fluorescent (acridine orange) microscopical examination of capillary centrifuged blood (quantitative buffy coat [QBC®] analysis) and Giemsa stained thick blood smears (GTS) were compared for diagnosis of malaria in blood specimens from adults living in malaria transmission areas of the States of Bolivar and Amazonas in southeastern and south Venezuela, respectively. Of a total of 198 GTS examined, 95 subjects (48%) showed parasitaemia. Among the 95 blood films with a positive GTS, 94 were judged positive by the QBC. However, positive QBC tubes were found in 29 out of 103 blood specimens with a negative GTS. Thus, relative to a GTS standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the QBC-test was 99.2% and 72%, respectively. Young trophozoites of Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum could not be distinguished with certainty. It is confirmed that the QBC offers many advantages compared with the standard diagnosis of malaria parasites, specifically in the speed of staining and ease of interpretation. However, in places where P. falciparum and P. vivax occur, species and stage differentiation should be confirmed with the GTS.

Chromosome numbers in the Triatominae (Hemiptera-Reduviidae): a review

The chromosome numbers of 46 out of the 122 currently recognized species of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) are summarized. We present the number of autosomes, the sex mechanism and the first reference for each karyotype.

Prevalence and factors associated to the epidemic neuropathy in a population assisted by a family doctor in Cuba

With the outbreak of an epidemic neuropathy (EN) of unknown ethiology, a study of the prevalence and factors associated to the disease was carried out in the Zamora community, municipality of Marianao, Havana City. There were 11 patients identified with EN for a prevalence rate of 1.7/100. The major risk group was the one between 45 and 64 years of age, female sex, black skin. In the univaried analysis, a high prevalence ratio (PR) was found linked to beverage intake (PR=5.32 95%; confidence intervals (CI) = 1.2-24.4), frequent drugs intake (PR=6.59; CI=1.8-24.6), consumption of edible of non certified fats (PR=4.48; CI=1.2-16.7) and the smoking habit (PR=3.6; CI=1.1-12.2). More than73/100 (CI= 68.7-78.3) of the people under serologic study were infected with Coxsakie virus A-9 (strain 47) isolated from a patient still under research. It seems there are many factors like linder intake, antecedents of hemorrhagic conjuntivitis, nutritional aspects and others that, with the virus isolated were associated with this epidemiologic situation.