Schistosomiasis in a low prevalence area: incomplete urbanization increasing risk of infection in Paracambi, RJ, Brazil

The risk of schistosomiais infection and heavy infection in the locality of Sabugo was evaluated in relation to housing in areas with different urbanization development and to residential supply with snail-infested water. Critical sanitary conditions were found in areas of incomplete urbanization, where healthy water supply sources were scarce, and draining of sewage, without previous treatment, was made directly to the water-bodies used for domestic and leisure activities, despite being Biomphalaria tenagophila snail breeding-places. Stool examinations (Kato-Katz and Lutz methods) showed prevalence of 2.9%, mean intensity of 79 eggs per gram of stool and 47% of positive cases presenting intense infection. The use of snail-contaminated water for domestic purposes was considered a risk factor for infection. It is concluded that incomplete urbanization would facilitate transmission, probably enhancing the intensity of infection and that a low prevalence could hide a highly focal transmission. The relevance of these facts upon the efficiency of epidemiologic study methods and disease control planning are then discussed.

Changes on Schistosoma mansoni (Digenea: Schistosomatidae) worm load in Nectomys squamipes (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) concurrently infected with Echinostoma paraensei (Digenea: Echinostomatidae)

The water rat, Nectomys squamipes, closely involved in schistosomiasis transmission in Brazil, has been found naturally infected simultaneously by Schistosoma mansoni and Echinostoma paraensei. Laboratory experiments were conducted to verify parasitic interaction in concurrent infection. It was replicated four times with a total of 42 water rats and essayed two times with 90 mice pre-infected with E. paraensei. Rodents were divided into three groups in each replication. A wild strain recently isolated from Sumidouro, RJ, and a laboratory strain of S. mansoni from Belo Horizonte (BH) was used. Rats infected with E. paraensei were challenged 4 weeks later with S. mansoni and mice 2 or 6 weeks after the infection with S. mansoni. Necropsy took place 8 weeks following S. mansoni infection. The N. squamipes treatment groups challenged with S. mansoni RJ strain showed a significant decrease (80 and 65%) in the S. mansoni parasite load when compared with their respective control groups. There was a significant change or no change in the hosts challenged with the BH strain. The persistence time of E. paraensei within host was extended in relation to control groups, with a consequent enhancement of the number of recovered worm. An E. paraensei strain-specific influence on S. mansoni parasitism is reported. This paper presents some experimental data about this interaction in N. squamipes and Mus musculus.

Experimental evidence and ecological perspectives for the adaptation of Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 (Digenea: Schistosomatidae) to a wild host, the water-rat, Nectomys squamipes Brants, 1827 (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae)

Due to the semi aquatic habits and the overlap of the geographical distribution of the water-rat, Nectomys spp., with schistosomiasis endemic areas, these wild rodents are very likely to acquire Schistosoma mansoni infection in their daily activities. The role of the water-rat in the S. mansoni cycle would be substantiated if one could prove that these rodents acquire the parasite during their own activity time, a completely independent time schedule of human activities. To pursue this goal, we performed two field experiments in the municipality of Sumidouro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a schistosomiasis endemic area where N. squamipes is found naturally infected. One experiment was devised as a series of observations of activity time of the water-rat. The other experiment was a test of the occurrence of late transmission of S. mansoni to the water-rat. The daily activity pattern showed that the water-rat is active chiefly just after sunset. At both diurnal and late exposition essays the water-rat sentinels got infected by S. mansoni. These findings clarify ecological and behavioral components necessary to the adaptation of S. mansoni to the water-rat as a non human definitive host and the existence of a transmission cycle involving this animals as a reservoir.

Therapeutic failure of praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium infection in Brazilians returning from Africa

Several cases of therapeutic failure of praziquantel used for the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis have been reported. Alternative drugs, like niridazol and metrifonate, have shown a lower therapeutic effect and more side effects than praziquantel. Twenty-six Brazilian military men (median age of 29 years) with a positive urine parasitological exam who were part of a United Nation peace mission in Mozambique in 1994 were treated with 40 mg/kg body weight praziquantel, single dose. They swimmed in Licungo river (Mocuba city, Mozambique) during the weekends. After this, they presented haematuria, dysuria, polakiuria, and lumbar pain. Control cystoscopy examinations carried out between 6 and 24 months after each treatment (including two additional treatments at a minimum interval of 6 months) revealed the presence of viable eggs. Granulomas in the vesical submucosa were observed in 46.2% (12/26) of the individuals. A vesical biopsy confirmed the presence of granulomas in all of these patients and the presence of viable eggs in 34.3% (9/26) of individuals who no longer excreted eggs in urine. The eggs filled with miracidia showed characteristics of viability. Histopathological examination using different strains demonstrated therapeutic failure and the need for repeated treatment. In this study, we demonstrated a low efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis haematobia, and the necessity of the urinary bladder biopsy as criterion of cure.

An ecological field study of the water-rat Nectomys squamipes as a wild reservoir indicator of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in an endemic area

Small mammals are found naturally infected by Schistosoma mansoni, becoming a confounding factor for control programs of schistosomiasis in endemic areas. The aims of this study were: to investigate the infection rates by S. mansoni on the water-rat Nectomys squamipes during four years in endemic areas of Sumidouro, state of Rio de Janeiro, using mark-recapture technique; to compare two diagnostic methods for schistosomiasis; and to evaluate the effects of the chemotherapy in the human infected population on the rodent infection rates. The rodent infection rates of S. mansoni increased when rodent population sizes were lower. Coprology and serology results presented the same trends along time and were correlated. Serology could detect recent infection, including the false negatives in the coprology. The chemotherapy in the humans could not interrupt the rodent infection. Rodents can increase the schistosomiaisis transmission where it already exists, they probably maintain the transmission cycle in the nature and can be considered as biological indicators of the transmission sites of this parasite since they are highly susceptible to infection. The water-rats may present different levels of importance in the transmission dynamics of S. mansoni infection cycle for each area, and can be considered important wild-reservoirs of this human disease.

Projeto copiadora do CAPS Luis Cerqueira: do trabalho de reproduzir coisas à produção de vida

A necessidade manifesta de inclusão no processo de produção da vida material através do trabalho, de uma parcela da população usuária de serviço de saúde mental, deu origem a este estudo. Para apreender o significado do trabalho utilizou-se o referencial do materialismo histórico e dialético, fundamentado no conceito de reabilitação psicossocial, e o fez através da análise dos discursos dos usuários. O cenário é o Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Prof. Luis Cerqueira (CAPS). Os resultados indicam a compreensão do trabalho como um instrumento que possibilita aos usuários acessar o campo dos direitos sociais.

Embarazo, parto y puerperio: creencias y prácticas de parteras en San Luis Potosí, México

OBJETIVO: Documentar las creencias y las prácticas de las parteras tradicionales respecto al embarazo parto y puerperio. MÉTODOS: Aprovechando un curso de capacitación de 160 parteras tradicionales locales de las regiones Media y Huasteca del Estado de San Luis Potosí, México, dos de las enfermeras-instructoras entrevistaron a 25 de los capacitandos, apoyadas por un miembro de las comunidades náhuatl y tenek. La identidad de los participantes se mantiene anónima y se obtuvo permiso para publicar los resultados mediante consentimiento informado. RESULTADOS: Las prácticas de las parteras (os) tradicionales son comunes en los grupos sociales que carecen de servicios de salud. Sus funciones no están limitadas al parto e incluyen nutrición, cuidados prenatales, del puerperio y la lactancia, así como apoyo afectivo emocional de las madres parturientas y sus familiares. En este estudio se registraron varios mitos y terapias tradicionales. CONCLUSIÓN: Los recursos de la terapia tradicional y de la atención primaria de la salud de las parteras Náhuatl y Tenek son útiles y benéficos para los cuidados perinatales.

Selection of shrimp breeders free of white spot syndrome and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis

The objective of this work was to select surviving breeders of Litopenaeus vannamei from white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) outbreak, adapted to local climatic conditions and negatively diagnosed for WSSV and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), and to evaluate if this strategy is a viable alternative for production in Santa Catarina, Brazil. A total of 800 males and 800 females were phenotypically selected in a farm pond. Nested-PCR analyses of 487 sexually mature females and 231 sexually mature males showed that 63% of the females and 55% of the males were infected with IHHNV. Animals free of IHHNV were tested for WSSV, and those considered double negative were used for breeding. The post-larvae produced were stocked in nine nursery tanks for analysis. From the 45 samples, with 50 post-larvae each, only two were positive for IHHNV and none for WSSV. Batches of larvae diagnosed free of virus by nested-PCR were sent to six farms. A comparative analysis was carried out in growth ponds, between local post-larvae and post-larvae from Northeast Brazil. Crabs (Chasmagnathus granulata), blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), and sea hares (Aplysia brasiliana), which are possible vectors of these viruses, were also evaluated. The mean survival was 55% for local post-larvae against 23.4% for post-larvae from the Northeast. Sea hares showed prevalence of 50% and crabs of 67% of WSSV.

Parâmetros genéticos para características de crescimento e reprodução de bovinos da raça Canchim

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos para idades ao primeiro (IPP) e segundo partos (ISP), idades ao primeiro (IPP PEN) e segundo partos penalizadas (ISP PEN), e a ocorrência de parto até os 38 meses de idade (PP38), em bovinos da raça Canchim, bem como estimar as relações genéticas entre essas características e o peso (PE420) de machos e femêas e a circunferência escrotal (CE420) de novilhos, medidos aos 420 dias de idade. Foram estimados parâmetros genéticos em análises bicaracterísticas, por meio de inferência bayesiana. As análises foram realizadas entre CE420 e PE420 e as características reprodutivas medidas em fêmeas. As características reprodutivas das fêmeas devem apresentar baixa resposta à seleção, e mudanças no manejo e nas condições ambientais melhoram tais características. A seleção quanto ao maior peso aos 420 dias de idade não deve provocar mudanças nas características reprodutivas em fêmeas, enquanto a seleção para o aumento da circunferência escrotal, na mesma idade, contribui para melhorar tais características.

Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793), cientista e tradutor de Newton

Although Jean Paul Marat (1743-1793) is known as a political activist and as a founder of the controversial journal L'Ami du Peuple during the French Revolution, an important period of his life was spent as a medical practionner, and as a scientist. In 1765 he went to England, where he remained for eleven years mostly dedicated to medical practice and publications on that subject and on political and moral questions. Returning to France in 1776 he iniciated his researches on fire, electricity and light, that lasted practically until the French Revolution. In 1787 he published a translation of Newton's Opticks. In this article we describe in some detail his medical and scientific practice giving particular emphasis to his experiments on optics and to his theory about colors which strongly departs from newtonian theory, fully accepted by the French scientific community of the time.

Contribuciones a la ictiologia: V - VI sobre algunas especies de Gobiidae de la colección del Laboratorio Aragó (Banyuls-sur-mer, Francia) y descripción de un nuevo genero (Austrogobius) sudamericano

En el número V de "Contribuciones a la Ictiologia" se dán normas para el estudio sistemático de los organos ciatiformes, que proporcionaron a los Gobiidae de Europa un medio seguro de ordenación genérica y distinción específica. Se añade el estudio de la colección del Laboratorio Aragó, de Banyuls-sur-mer, Francia. En el número VI de "Contribuciones a la Ictiología" se aloja el Gobiosoma parri Ginsburg en el nuevo gênero Austrogobius De Buen, y se dán las características que lo distinguen, especialmente la distribución de tubos mucosos y geniporos.

Los usos políticos del cuerpo: los dos cuerpos del rey en la filosofía política de Francis Bacon

Como figure destacada en el complejo escenario político de la transición entre la dinastía Tudor y la dinastía Estuardo de Inglaterra, Francis Bacon (1561-1626) adoptó la teoría de los dos cuerpos del rey en sus textos políticos y jurídicos. Su uso de esta teoría tiene una estrecha conexión con conceptos centrales de su filosofía natural que testimonia la profunda conexión que Bacon encuentra entre la política y la naturaleza. En este trabajo, analizaré su utilización de la teoría medieval de los dos cuerpos del rey y la vinculación que esta tiene con el resto de la filosofía baconiana. Tomaré como eje para el análisis su discurso sobre la naturalización de los escoceses nacidos después de la subida al trono de James I, donde Bacon trata el concepto de los dos cuerpos del rey con más profundidad.

"En el sueño del hombre que soñaba, el soñado se despertó": ação e história em Jorge Luis Borges

Neste artigo argumentamos que os temas da ação e da história presentes em alguns contos de Jorge Luis Borges antecipam alguns pontos que apareceram nas discussões pós-estruturalistas - nos campos da história, filosofia, antropologia - das últimas décadas do século XX. No seu labirinto literário-filosófico, especialmente por meio da ideia de destino, Borges explora elementos chave que se tornaram parte da noção de crítica que enfatiza as ideias de contingência e da impossibilidade de controle deliberado dos efeitos da ação humana em seu curso temporal.

Monitoramento da composição específica da comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas no reservatório Luis Eduardo Magalhães

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição e distribuição espacial e temporal da comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas diante de algumas variáveis abióticas no reservatório Luis Eduardo Magalhães, localizado no rio Tocantins. As coletas foram bimestrais, no período de março de 2005 a janeiro de 2006, em cinco regiões. Em cada região foram demarcados 15 pontos de coleta. Foram mensuradas a transparência da água e a condutividade elétrica em cada ponto de amostragem. Para avaliar a composição da comunidade e a distribuição das espécies, foi percorrida uma distância de cerca de 100 m de margem com embarcação em baixa velocidade, por aproximadamente 10 minutos. As espécies submersas foram inventariadas com um rastelo até 4 m de profundidade. Foi calculada a frequência de ocorrência e a diversidade beta. Os dados de presença e ausência das espécies foram analisados utilizando Análise de Correspondência Destendenciada DCA. Uma ANOVA One-Way foi empregada para avaliar o efeito dos períodos e regiões sobre as variáveis abióticas e bióticas. Foi aplicado o teste a posteriori de Tukey quando houve diferenças significativas entre as variáveis analisadas (P<0,05). Foi registrado um total de 50 espécies. As espécies com maior frequência foram Salvinia auriculata, Oxycaryum cubense e Najas microcarpa (submersa). A maior riqueza de espécies foi registrada nas regiões fluviais do reservatório (Areias e Tocantins). Os resultados evidenciam, ainda, que a variação espacial na composição das assembleias foi mais acentuada que a variação temporal.