Helmet use among motorcyclists: observational study in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina

The objective of the study was to assess the use of helmets in a community where helmet use is mandatory but low as there is no police enforcement. A sample comprising 451 motorcyclists in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, was studied in 2006. The following variables were studied: gender, type of motorcycle, weather conditions, time of the day, city area and type of road where motorcyclists traveled. Data were analyzed through a multiple logistic regression model. An overall 40% prevalence (95% CI: 35.5;44.5) of helmet use was found. Higher rates of helmet use were seen among women, and under unfavorable weather conditions, lower rates were found in the city outskirts, and variable use was seen according to the type of motorcycle. There is a need to improve law enforcement and to promote education of motorcyclists.

Human cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in Santiago del Estero, Argentina: identification of parasites by monoclonal antibodies and isoenzymes

Diagnostic and parasite characterization and identification studies were carried out in human patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions in Santiago del Estero, Northern Province of Argentina. Diagnostic procedures were biopsies of lesions for smears and inoculations in hamster, needle aspirations of material from ulcers for "in vitro" cultures. Immunodiagnostic techniques applied were IFAT-IgG and Montenegro skin test. Primary isolation of eight stocks of leishmanial parasites was achieved from patients with active lesions. All stocks were biologically characterized by their behaviour in hamster, measurements of amastigote and promastigotes and growth "in vitro". Eight stocks were characterized and identified at species level by their reactivity to a cross-panel of sub-genus and specie-specific Monoclonal Antibodies through an Indirect Immunofluorescence technique and a Dot-ELISA. We conclude from the serodeme analysis of Argentina stocks that: stocks MHOM/AR/92/SE-1; SE-2; SE-4; SE-8; SE-8-I; SE-30; SE-34 and SE-36 are Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Three Leishmania stocks (SE-1; SE-2 and SE-30) did not react with one highly specie-specific Monoclonal Antibody (Clone: B-18, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis marker) disclosing two serodeme group patterns. Five out of eight soluble extracts of leishmanial promastigotes were electrophoresed on thin-layer starch gels and examined for the enzyme MPI, Mannose Phosphate Isomerase; MDH, Malate Dehydrogenase; 6PGD, 6 Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase; NH, Nucleoside Hydrolase, 2-deoxyinosinc as substrate; SOD, Superoxide Dismutase; GPI, Glucose Phosphate Isomerase and ES, Esterase. From the isoenzyme studies we concluded that stocks: MHOM/AR/92/SE-1; SE-2; SE-4; SE-8 and SE-8-I are isoenzymatically Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. We need to analyze more enzymes before assigning them to a braziliensis zymodeme.

Study of 30 cases of histoplasmosis observed in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

Thirty cases of histoplasmosis observed at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (HU-UFMS) from January 1998 to December 2005 are reported. Most (83.3%) of the patients were men, average 33.4 years old, 63.3% of them were born and living in Mato Grosso do Sul and 83.3% presented AIDS as an underlying disease. In almost all cases (96.7%) the disease occurred in its disseminated form and the most frequent clinical manifestations were: fever (83.3%), weight loss (70.0%), cough (63.3%), hepatomegaly and splenomegaly (40.0%), and lymph node enlargement (36.7%). The laboratory diagnosis was obtained in 29 patients by isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from various clinical specimens cultivated in Sabouraud dextrose and brain heart infusion agar and in 16 patients the fungus was observed by direct microscopy of Giemsa-stained smears. The observed mortality was 40%. This is the first report in the literature of the occurrence of histoplasmosis in Mato Grosso do Sul State.

Candida bloodstream infection: data from a teaching hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The incidence of Candida bloodstream infection has increased over the past years. In the Center-West region of Brazil, data on candidemia are scarce. This paper reports a retrospective analysis of 96 cases of Candida bloodstream infection at a Brazilian tertiary-care teaching hospital in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, from January 1998 to December 2006. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records and from the hospital's laboratory database. Patients' ages ranged from three days to 92 years, with 53 (55.2%) adults and 43 (44.8%) children. Of the latter, 25 (58.1%) were newborns. The risk conditions most often found were: long period of hospitalization, utilization of venous central catheter, and previous use of antibiotics. Fifty-eight (60.4%) patients died during the hospitalization period and eight (13.7%) of them died 30 days after the diagnosis of candidemia. Candida albicans (45.8%) was the most prevalent species, followed by C. parapsilosis (34.4%), C. tropicalis (14.6%) and C. glabrata (5.2%). This is the first report of Candida bloodstream infection in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and it highlights the importance of considering the possibility of invasive Candida infection in patients exposed to risk factors, particularly among neonates and the elderly.

Ecologia domestica de la tripanosomiasis americana: perfil alimentario del triatoma infestans en un area rural de la província de Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Se describen los resultados entomológicos de un estúdio sobre transmiswn del Tripanosoma cruzi realizado en un caserío rural de Argentina. Se determino la prevalencia de infección elperfil alimentario de los Triatoma infestans domiciliados, relacionándose su densidad con el tipo de vivienda. Seis de las 18 viviendas estudiadas eran nuevas o mejoradas y en 16 los habitantes aplicaban hexaclorociclohexano. La menor densidad de vinchucas correspondió a las casas higiénicas o mejoradas con tratamiento químico, Los ranchos tratados presentaron un número de insectos 10 veces menor que un rancho no tratado, indicando la efectividad del control autogestado. Se hallaron T. infestans en el 100% de los dormitorios pero en sólo el 53% de los localesperidomiciliarios. Un 39% de las vinchucas intradomiciliarias estaban infectadas. El 96% de los insectos de dormitorios se alimentaron sobre hombre, perro, polloygato, siendo el índice afinidad para el perro 13 veces superior al correspondiente al hombre. Se discute la importancia epidemiológica de la concentración de vectores dentro de los dormitorios y su asociación trófica con los perros convivientes, nsí como la necessidad de combinar la mejora de vivienda con educación sanitaria.

Drimanes from Drimys brasiliensis with leishmanicidal and antimalarial activity

This paper evaluates CHCl3 and CH3OH extracts of the stem bark, branches and leaves of Drimys brasiliensis and drimane sesquiterpenes isolated from the stem bark against strains of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes and Plasmodium falciparum trophozoites. All of the extracts and compounds were tested in cell lines in comparison with reference standards and cell viability was determined by the XTT method. The CHCl3 and CH3OH extracts from the stem bark and branches yielded promising results against two strains of Leishmania, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50 ) values ranging from 39-100 µg/mL. The CHCl3 extract of the stem bark returned IC50 values of 39 and 40.6 µg/mL for L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis, respectively. The drimanes were relatively effective: 1-β-(p-coumaroyloxy)-polygodial produced IC50 values of 5.55 and 2.52 µM for L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis, respectively, compared with 1-β-(p-methoxycinnamoyl)-polygodial, which produced respective IC50 values of 15.85 and 17.80 µM. The CHCl3 extract demonstrated activity (IC50 of 3.0 µg/mL) against P. falciparum. The IC50 values of 1-β-(p-cumaroyloxyl)-polygodial and 1-β-(p-methoxycinnamoyl)-polygodial were 1.01 and 4.87 µM, respectively, for the trophozoite strain. Therefore, the results suggest that D. brasiliensis is a promising plant from which to obtain new and effective antiparasitic agents.

Fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and their parasitoids on cultivated and wild hosts in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and their parasitoids on cultivated and wild hosts in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Information on frugivorous flies in cultivated or wild host plants and their parasitoids in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul is presented and discussed. Fruit fly samples were collected weekly in specific fruit trees, and McPhail® traps were installed in the same trees for a period of two years. The fruit flies infested ripe and unripe fruits of Averrhoa carambola L., Schoepfia sp., Psidium guajava L. and Pouteria torta (Mart.) Radlk and mature fruits of Anacardium occidentale L. and Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. Nineteen fruit fly species were obtained with the combination of sampling methods (collecting fruits and trapping), nine of them obtained with both methods, five found only in fruits and five only in traps. This is the first record of Anastrepha striata Schiner in a species of Sapotaceae, as well as for A. castanea Norrbom and A. daciformes Bezzi in Schoepfia sp. (Olacaceae), and for A. distincta Greene in fruits of P. guajava in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Fruit collections simultaneously associated with capture of fruit flies by McPhail traps in the same host plants are essential to understand the diversity of fruit flies and their relationship with hosts and parasitoids. Species of Braconidae and Pteromalidae were recovered, where Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) was the most abundant parasitoid in larvae of tephritids infesting both cultivated and wild host fruits.

Forage potential and silage quality of four varieties of saccharine sorghum

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate four cultivars of saccharine sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) regarding productivity, chemical composition of plant parts, and quality of the ensiling process. The tested varieties of saccharine sorghum were BRS 506, BRS 508, BRS 509, and BRS 511. The experiment was divided into two trials, which assessed: production, morphological composition, and nutritional quality of the saccharine varieties; and fermentation quality and nutritional value of the silage produced from the saccharine varieties. Of the tested varieties, BRS 509 and BRS 511 showed the highest total dry matter (DM) production. The BRS 508 variety presented the highest in vitro digestibility of the whole plant (70.65% DM). During ensiling, the BRS 509 variety showed the lowest DM loss (8.87%). The highest effluent production was observed for BRS 506 and BRS 508, with yields of 521.87 and 393.16 kg Mg-1 ensiled DM, respectively. The BRS 511 variety is the most recommended because of the best results for plant production and nutritional quality. Regarding the ensiling process, BRS 509 presents the lowest fermentation losses and the highest nutritional value of silage.

Conservación y uso de los recursos genéticos de Annonaceae en México

Se presenta un análisis sobre la conservación y el uso de los recursos genéticos de especies frutales de la familia Annonaceae en México. El diagnóstico realizado en 2010 por la Red de Anonáceas (REMA) del Sistema Nacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos (SINAREFI) sirvió para tal fin y fue complementado por estudios recientes. Partimos de una revisión de registros de herbarios de la Red Mundial de Información sobre Biodiversidad (REMIB) además de recoger información con productores de comunidades rurales y recorridos de campo en estados del país donde las anonáceas se distribuyen. En México se encuentran 14 géneros y 63 especies de Annonaceae distribuidas principalmente en regiones tropicales del Sureste de México. La conservación in situ es esporádica, se está dando en huertos de traspatio para la guanábana (Annona muricata), chirimoya (A. cherimola), chincuya (A. purpurea) y saramuyo (A. squamosa) principalmente. La anona (A. reticulata), ilama (A. diversifolia) y chincuya (A. purpurea) son fomentadas pero no multiplicadas. La conservación ex situ se mantiene en bancos de germoplasma in vivo o colecciones de trabajo para guanábana (30 colectas), chirimoya (70 colectas) e ilama (100 colectas) solamente. Las semillas de estas especies no son ortodoxas y su conservación a mediano y largo plazo no está resuelta en México. El potencial de cultivo para este grupo de frutales es alto pero problemas de falta de variedades, fitosanidad, falta de tecnología y mercados reducidos limitan el cultivo comercial.

Metástase de câncer gástrico simulando neoplasia primária de pulmão: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

O adenocarcinoma gástrico apresenta, freqüentemente, disseminação por extensão direta para órgãos vizinhos. Metástases para sítios distantes, como o pulmão, são menos freqüentes, sugerindo usualmente outras doenças. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar o caso de um paciente de 47 anos de idade, cujos exames de imagem (radiografias simples e tomografia computadorizada de tórax) apresentaram características sugestivas de neoplasia pulmonar primária e com diagnóstico simultâneo de câncer gástrico evidenciado pela endoscopia digestiva alta. A biópsia, guiada por fibrobroncoscopia, da massa torácica confirmou o diagnóstico de metástase pulmonar de adenocarcinoma gástrico. Além da apresentação do caso, é feita uma revisão do padrão de disseminação do câncer gástrico.

Carcinoma do esôfago com invasão do canal medular: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Os autores apresentam o caso de paciente do sexo masculino, 62 anos de idade, com emagrecimento há quatro meses e diminuição da força muscular associada a parestesias em membros inferiores há dois dias. Foi submetido a mielotomografia, que demonstrou massa no mediastino posterior com destruição dos corpos vertebrais e invasão do canal medular, além de espessamento irregular das paredes do esôfago. Na evolução, foi submetido a estudo contrastado do esôfago, que demonstrou falha de enchimento irregular. A biópsia confirmou a presença de carcinoma de células escamosas. Este é o primeiro relato na literatura latino-americana (Lilacs) de carcinoma de esôfago com invasão de canal medular e manifestação inicial de síndrome de compressão medular.

Carcinoma de células fusiformes de esôfago: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Lesões malignas do esôfago, excluindo-se carcinomas escamocelulares e adenocarcinomas, são bastante incomuns. Os autores relatam um caso de carcinoma de células fusiformes de esôfago. É um tumor maligno raro caracterizado por volumosa massa lobulada no terço médio do esôfago, que causa relativamente pequena obstrução apesar do seu volume. Em seguida é apresentada revisão da literatura sobre o assunto.

Actividad insecticida sobre Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidóptera: Noctuidae) de los compuestos aislados de la parte aérea de Piper septuplinervium (Miq.) c. dc. y las inflorescencias de Piper subtomentosum Trel. & Yunck. (Piperaceae)

The bioassay-guided purification of ethanolic extracts from inflorescences of Piper subtomentosum Trel. & Yunck and aerial part of Piper septuplinervium (Miq. ) C. DC. led to isolation of five flavonoids, uvangoletin (1), galangin (2), chrysin (5), 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxy-flavone (6), pinostrobin (7); one amide, N-p-coumaroil-tyramine (4); one acylglycerol, monopalmitin (3); one derivative of acid, protocatechuic acid (8); and glycosydated sterol, daucosterol (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopy and spectrometry data and by comparison with data reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were tested against Spodoptera frugiperda. The results showed galangin and protocatechuic acid to be the most active (LC 50 13.63 and 17.16 ppm, respectively).

A simple square-wave voltammetric method for the determination of scopolamine in pharmaceuticals using a boron-doped diamond electrode

A simple procedure is described for the determination of scopolamine by square-wave voltammetry using a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that the oxidation of scopolamine is irreversible at a peak potential of 1.59 V (vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L-1 KCl)) in a 0.50 mol L-1 sulfuric acid solution. Under optimized conditions, the analytical curve obtained was linear (r = 0.9996) for the scopolamine concentration range of 1.0 to 110 µmol L-1, with a detection limit of 0.84 µmol L-1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of scopolamine in pharmaceutical formulations with minimum sample preparation.

Oestrus ovis infection of grazing sheep during summer in southern Chile

Abstract: Oestrus ovis is a botfly whose larvae cause nasal myiasis, an environmental-dependent disease in small ruminants, generating acute and chronic injuries in the cranial cavities of sheep. Chile is a country of the southernmost worldwide distribution of this parasite, and there is few information about. Whence, the objective of this study was to approximate the epidemiological situation of O. ovis infection in Chilean sheep. From December 2009 to March 2010, a total of 87 samples were obtained by necropsy for skull inspection. The larvae were collected, and microscopically identified. The prevalence in the sampled sheep was 60.9%. From those that were infected, 85.7% (18/21) of sheep were 1 to 3 years old, constituting the stratum with the highest prevalence. The difference of infection in females and males was not significant. The high risk of infection seems to be dependent upon the environmental conditions of this southern region, especially during summer when the first larval stage (L1) could be found as the evidence. Therefore, the disease should be considered as a significant problem for this kind of livestock production.