Egg excretion in the initial phase of experimental murine schistosomiasis mansoni: stability and association with worm burden

Stability of faecal egg excretion and correlation with results related to worm burden at the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni were observed in two groups of mice infected with different Schistosoma mansoni cercarial burdens, by means of analysis of quantitative parasitological studies and schistosome counts after perfusion. Thus, it may be stated that few quantitative parasitological stool examinations could be sufficient to express the infection intensity at the initial phase, on the same grounds that it was already demonstrated at the chronic phase. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the use of the number of eggs passed in the faeces as a tool to estimate the worm burden at the initial phase of schistosome infection is adequate.

Dot-ELISA for the detection of anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid using a new solid phase (resin-treated polyester fabric) and Cysticercus longicollis antigens

A dot-ELISA was developed for the detection of antibodies in CSF in the immunologic diagnosis of human neurocysticercosis, using antigen extracts of the membrane and scolex of Cysticercus cellulosae (M+S-Cc) and, alternately, membrane (M) and vesicular fluid (VF) of Cysticercus longicollis (Cl) covalently bound to a new solid phase consisting of polyester fabric treated with N-methylol-acrylamide resin (dot-RT). The test was performed at room temperature, with reduced incubation times and with no need for special care in the manipulation of the support. The sensitivity rates obtained were 95.1% for antigen Cc and 97.6% for antigen Cl. Specificity was 90.6% when Cc was used, and 96.9% and 100% when M-Cl and VF-Cl were used, respectively. No significant differences in titer were observed between tests carried out with homologous and heterologous antigens. The low cost and easy execution of the dot-RT test using antigen extracts of Cysticercus longicollis indicate the test for use in the immunodiagnosis of human neurocysticercosis.

Polyvinyl alcohol-glutaraldehyde as solid-phase in Elisa for Schistosomiasis

Soluble adult Schistosoma mansoni antigen preparation (SWAP) was covalently fixed onto polyvinyl alcohol-glutaraldehyde discs and an enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was set up. The best conditions for the assay were established and it was found that small amount of antigen such as 1.5 µg was required. A comparison between this procedure and the conventional ELISA was proceeded. A reliable method of antigen immobilization was achieved and the low prices of the employed reagents are economically attractive

European Union emissions trading scheme impact on the Spanish electricity price during phase II and phase III implementation

The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of the European Union's policy to combat climate change and its key tool for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. The purpose of the present work is to evaluate the influence of CO2 opportunity cost on the Spanish wholesale electricity price. Our sample includes all Phase II of the EU ETS and the first year of Phase III implementation, from January 2008 to December 2013. A vector error correction model (VECM) is applied to estimate not only long-run equilibrium relations, but also short-run interactions between the electricity price and the fuel (natural gas and coal) and carbon prices. The four commodities prices are modeled as joint endogenous variables with air temperature and renewable energy as exogenous variables. We found a long-run relationship (cointegration) between electricity price, carbon price, and fuel prices. By estimating the dynamic pass-through of carbon price into electricity price for different periods of our sample, it is possible to observe the weakening of the link between carbon and electricity prices as a result from the collapse on CO2 prices, therefore compromising the efficacy of the system to reach proposed environmental goals. This conclusion is in line with the need to shape new policies within the framework of the EU ETS that prevent excessive low prices for carbon over extended periods of time.

Pseudo Phase Plane and Fractional Calculus Modelling of Western Global Economic Downturn

This paper applies Pseudo Phase Plane (PPP) and Fractional Calculus (FC) mathematical tools for modeling world economies. A challenging global rivalry among the largest international economies began in the early 1970s, when the post-war prosperity declined. It went on, up to now. If some worrying threatens may exist actually in terms of possible ambitious military aggression, invasion, or hegemony, countries’ PPP relative positions can tell something on the current global peaceful equilibrium. A global political downturn of the USA on global hegemony in favor of Asian partners is possible, but can still be not accomplished in the next decades. If the 1973 oil chock has represented the beginning of a long-run recession, the PPP analysis of the last four decades (1972–2012) does not conclude for other partners’ global dominance (Russian, Brazil, Japan, and Germany) in reaching high degrees of similarity with the most developed world countries. The synergies of the proposed mathematical tools lead to a better understanding of the dynamics underlying world economies and point towards the estimation of future states based on the memory of each time series.

Fractional Dynamics Representation in the Pseudo Phase Plane

Proceedings of the 10th Conference on Dynamical Systems Theory and Applications

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: levels and phase distributions in preschool microenvironment

This work aims to characterize levels and phase distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor air of preschool environment and to assess the impact of outdoor PAH emissions to indoor environment. Gaseous and particulate (PM1 and PM2.5) PAHs (16 USEPA priority pollutants, plus dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, and benzo[j]fluoranthene) were concurrently sampled indoors and outdoors in one urban preschool located in north of Portugal for 35 days. The total concentration of 18 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in indoor air ranged from 19.5 to 82.0 ng/m3; gaseous compounds (range of 14.1–66.1 ng/m3) accounted for 85% ΣPAHs. Particulate PAHs (range 0.7–15.9 ng/m3) were predominantly associated with PM1 (76% particulate ΣPAHs) with 5-ring PAHs being the most abundant. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios (I/O) of individual PAHs indicated that outdoor emissions significantly contributed to PAH indoors; emissions from motor vehicles and fuel burning were the major sources.

Reliability of Two Methods for Identifying the Postural Phase of Gait Initiation in Healthy and Post-stroke Subjects

This study aims to compare two methods of assessing the postural phase of gait initiation as to intrasession reliability, in healthy and post-stroke subjects. As a secondary aim, this study aims to analyse anticipatory postural adjustments during gait initiation based on the centre of pressure (CoP) displacements in post-stroke participants. The CoP signal was acquired during gait initiation in fifteen post-stroke subjects and twenty-three healthy controls. Postural phase was identified through a baseline-based method and a maximal displacement based method. In both healthy and post-stroke participants higher intra-class correlation coefficient and lower coefficient of variation values were obtained with the baseline-based method when compared to the maximal displacement based method. Post-stroke participants presented decreased CoP displacement backward and toward the first swing limb compared to controls when the baseline-based method was used. With the maximal displacement based method, there were differences between groups only regarding backward CoP displacement. Postural phase duration in medial-lateral direction was also increased in post-stroke participants when using the maximal displacement based method. The findings obtained indicate that the baseline-based method is more reliable detecting the onset of gait initiation in both groups, while the maximal displacement based method presents greater sensitivity for post-stroke participants.

Ankle antagonist coactivation in the double-support phase of walking: Stroke vs. healthy subjects

Introduction: Lesions at ipsilateral systems related to postural control at ipsilesional side, may justify the lower performance of stroke subjects during walking. Purpose: To analyse bilateral ankle antagonist coactivation during double-support in stroke subjects. Methods: Sixteen (8 females; 8 males) subjects with a first isquemic stroke, and twenty two controls (12 females; 10 males) participated in this study. The double support phase was assessed through ground reaction forces and electromyography of ankle muscles was assessed in both limbs. Results: Ipsilesional limb presented statistical significant differences from control when assuming specific roles during double support, being the tibialis anterior and soleus pair the one in which this atypical behavior was more pronounced. Conclusion: The ipsilesional limb presents a dysfunctional behavior when a higher postural control activity was demanded.

Excretion-secretion products and proteases from live Sporothrix schenckii yeast phase: immunological detection and cleavage of human IgG

Antigenic preparations from Sporothrix schenckii usually involve materials from mixed cultures of yeast and mycelia presenting cross-reactions with other deep mycoses. We have standardized pure yeast phase with high viability of the cells suitable to obtain specific excretion-secretion products without somatic contaminations. These excretion-secretion products were highly immunogenic and did not produce noticeable cross-reactions in either double immunodiffusion or Western blot. The antigenic preparation consists mainly of proteins with molecular weights between 40 and 70 kDa, some of them with proteolytic activity in mild acidic conditions. We also observed cathepsin-like activity at two days of culture and chymotrypsin-like activity at four days of culture consistent with the change in concentration of different secreted proteins. The proteases were able to cleave different subclasses of human IgG suggesting a sequential production of antigens and molecules that could interact and interfere with the immune response of the host.

Focal Malignant Liver Lesions: Diagnosis by Dynamic Incremental CT, Early Phase

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of dynamic incremental bolus-enhanced conventional CT (DICT) with intravenous contrast administration, early phase, in the diagnosis of malignancy of focal liver lesions. A total of 122 lesions were selected in 74 patients considering the following criteria: lesion diameter 10 mm or more, number of lesions less than six per study, except in multiple angiomatosis and the existence of a valid criteria of definitive diagnosis. Lesions were categorized into seven levels of diagnostic confidence of malignancy compared with the definitive diagnosis for acquisition of a receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the technique. Forty-six and 70 lesions were correctly diagnosed as malignant and benign, respectively; there were 2 false-positive and 4 false-negative diagnoses of malignancy and the sensitivity and specificity obtained were 92 and 97%. The DICT early phase was confirmed as a highly accurate method in the characterization and diagnosis of malignancy of focal liver lesions, requiring an optimal technical performance and judicious analysis of existing semiological data.

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on acute phase Chagas disease in experimentally infected mice with Trypanosoma cruzi QM1 strain

The tissue changes that occur in Chagas disease are related to the degree of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity of affected tissue. Studies with vitamin C supplementation did not develop oxidative damage caused by Chagas disease in the host, but other studies cite the use of peroxiredoxins ascorbate - dependent on T. cruzi to offer protection against immune reaction. Based on these propositions, thirty "Swiss" mice were infected with T. cruzi QM1 strain and treated with two different vitamin C doses in order to study the parasitemia evolution, histopathological changes and lipid peroxidation biomarkers during the acute phase of Chagas disease. The results showed that the parasite clearance was greater in animals fed with vitamin C overdose. There were no significant differences regarding the biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory process or the increase of myocardium in animals treated with the recommended dosage. The largest amount of parasite growth towards the end of the acute phase suggests the benefit of high doses of vitamin C for trypomastigotes. The supplementation doesn't influence the production of free radicals or the number of amastigote nests in the acute phase of Chagas disease.

EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION WITH Toxocara cati IN PIGS: MIGRATORY PATTERN AND PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN EARLY PHASE

Experimental inoculations of approximately 100,000 infective Toxocara cati larval eggs were done in twelve pigs. The T. cati eggs used for inoculation were collected from cat's feces. Another group of three pigs served as an uninfected control. Groups of infected pigs were euthanized at seven, 14, 21, and 28 days post-inoculation (dpi). Tissue samples were taken for digestion and histopathology changes in early phase. The number of larvae recovered from the lungs peaked at seven and 14 dpi and were also present at 21, and 28 dpi. Larvae of T. cati were present in the lymph nodes of the small and large intestine at seven, 14, and 28 dpi and at seven, 14, 21, and 28 dpi respectively. In other studied tissues, no larvae or less than one larva per gram was detected. The pathological response observed in the liver and lungs at seven and 14 dpi, showed white spots on the liver surface and areas of consolidation were observed in the lungs. The lungs showed an inflammatory reaction with larvae in center at 28 dpi. In the liver we observed periportal and perilobular hepatitis. The lymph nodes of the intestines displayed eosinophil lymphadenitis with reactive centers containing parasitic forms in some of them. The granulomatous reaction was not observed in any tissues. The role of the other examined tissues had less significance. The relevance of this parasite as an etiological agent that leads to disease in paratenic hosts is evident.

Artroplastia Unicompartimental do Joelho Oxford Phase 3. Resultados a Médio Prazo

Introdução: A artroplastia unicompartimental evoluiu nos últimos 40 anos, sendo hoje em dia considerada uma estratégia cirúrgica apropriada para a osteoartrose do compartimento interno da articulação do joelho. Desenvolvimentos nos instrumentos cirúrgicos, desenho do implante, abordagem cirúrgica e selecção dos doentes levaram a uma grande melhoria dos resultados pós-operatórios e aumento da longevidade das próteses unicompartimentais do joelho. Comparada com a prótese total, tem como vantagens a preservação óssea, menos complicações pós‐operatórias (perdas sanguíneas, dor pós‐operatória, taxa de infecção, trombose venosa profunda (TVP) e tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP)), manutenção da normal cinemática do joelho, alta precoce e reabilitação mais rápida. A prótese unicompartimental Oxford phase 3 foi introduzida em 1998 e é uma prótese cimentada com menisco móvel de polietileno. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo das artroplastias unicompartimentais do joelho Oxford phase 3 realizadas no nosso serviço. Desde 2006 realizaram-se 37 artroplastias unicompartimentais (num total de 34 doentes). Sete dos quais não compareceram à avaliação pós-operatória e por isso foram excluídos do estudo. Todos os doentes incluídos no estudo foram avaliados clínica e radiograficamente. Foram revistos os processos de consulta e do internamento. Registou-se a idade,sexo, classificação ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists), grau de satisfação, flexão‐extensão actual, Oxford knee score pré e pós‐operatório e alterações radiográficas a salientar. Resultados: O follow‐up médio foi de 47 meses (10 ‐ 83 meses). A idade média dos doentes é de 64 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino. O ASA médio foi de 2,4. Um dos doentes foi submetido a conversão para artroplastia total do joelho por falência do componente tibial. Há 2 doentes não satisfeitos com a cirurgia (que corresponde aos doentes em que o Oxford knee score piorou). Há 1 doente pouco satisfeito e 23 satisfeitos ou muito satisfeitos. Todos os doentes conseguem fazer extensão completa e a média de flexão é 111º. A média do Oxford knee score pré‐operatório é de 17,4 (5 ‐ 30) e pós‐operatório é 36,6 (11 ‐ 48). Radiologicamente, há uma média de desvio em varo de 1,68º (varo 8º ‐ valgo 5º). Ocorreu artrose femoro‐tibial externa em três casos (dois dos quais também com artrose femoro‐patelar),um caso com slope tibial exagerado (19º), um caso com componente femoral em varo (15º), um caso com componente tibial demasiado grande com protusão interna, um caso de extrusão do menisco de polietileno, um caso com o componente tibial em valgo e um caso com falência deste (descelamento?) com provável necessidade de conversão para artroplastia total. Dos doentes não avaliados não há registo de conversão para artroplastia total do joelho ou outras complicações. Discussão: A larga maioria dos doentes encontram‐se satisfeitos ou muito satisfeitos, havendo uma melhoria do Oxford knee score para mais do dobro. Não se registaram complicações pós‐operatórias imediatas. Das artropastias unicompartimentas realizadas só uma foi convertida para artroplastia total e outra provavelmente a necessitar de conversão, com uma longevidade de 94,6% aos 47 meses (em média). Conclusão: A artroplastia unicompartimental do joelho demonstrou‐se uma excelente opção para doentes com osteoartrose não-inflamatória do compartimento interno do joelho. Para se obterem bons resultados os doentes devem ser criteriosamente seleccionados. Considerando a curva de aprendizagem necessária para o sucesso da cirurgia, a pouca experiência da maioria dos cirurgiões que colocaram as próteses não teve influência nos resultados finais, estando de acordo com a literatura existente, provando que a artroplastia unicompartimental do joelho tem bons resultados clínicos e funcionais. Um maior tempo de follow-up será necessário para se avaliar a longevidade das próteses unicompartimentais.