Studies on entomological monitoring: mosquito species frequency in riverine habitats of the Igarapava Dam, Southern Region, Brazil

Diversity of mosquito species was evaluated in different habitats before and after the Igarapava reservoir flooding in the Grande River, Southern Cerrado of Brazil. We aimed at verifying changes in these mosquito populations in consequence of the lake formation. Four habitats were selected as sampling stations: peridomiciliary habitat, pasture, "veredas" and gallery forest patch. Bimonthly collections were made with the Shannon trap and human bait, including diurnal, crepuscular and nocturnal period of mosquito activity. The Shannon Index results from the potential vectors were compared using Student t-test. Aedes scapularis, Anopheles darlingi and An. albitarsis senso latu seasonal abundance were described with moving average and compared using chi2 test. There were changes in the mosquito frequency in the habitats, except for the "veredas" that was 13 km away from the catchment area. The altering in mosquito species seasonal abundance suggests breeding places expansion. Diversity indexes can be used to monitor changes in mosquito vector population in environments where abrupt disturbance can alter disease transmission cycles.

Volumoso Pseudoaneurisma do Ventrículo Esquerdo após Cirurgia Cardíaca

A 75-year old female patient, with previous inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in December 2000, was admitted in April 2001 with angina and heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was suggestive of a postero-inferior pseudoaneurysm (PA) of the left ventricle (LV), with 61x49 mm. of size and mitral regurgitation. Cardiac catheterization was suspected of a PA of the LV and revealed a three vessels coronary artery disease. On 20th April she was submitted to cardiac surgery with resection of a large LV aneurysm (AN) and triple coronary artery bypass surgery. Afterwards, she was on NYHA class III and subsequent TTE and transesophagic echocardiography (TEE) were suggestive of a 90x60 mm LV posterior PA (confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance) and severe mitral regurgitation, with good LV systolic function. She underwent a new cardiac surgery on 31st May 2002, with resuturing of the LV postero-inferior wall patch and removal of the PA. The patient is in good condition and on NYHA functional class I-II.

Tratamento Cirúrgico dos Defeitos do Septo Auriculo-Ventricular. Experiência Uni-Institucional

OBJECTIVES: Atrio-ventricular septal (AVSD) defects include a variable spectrum of congenital malformations with different forms of clinical presentation. We report the surgical results, from a single institution, with this type of congenital cardiac malformation. Patients with hypoplasia of one of the ventricles were excluded from this analysis. POPULATION: Between November of 1998 and June of 2005, 49 patients with AVSD were operated on by the same team and in the same department. The average age was 37.3 months (medium 6 months) and 31 patients were female. In 38 patients (78%) an inter-ventricular communication was present (AVSD-complete) and of these, 26 were of the type A of Rastelli, being 13 of type B or C. The age for defect correction of the complete form was of 5.5 months, palliative surgery was not carried out on any of the patients. Associated lesions included: Down's syndrome in 22 patients (45%), patent arterial duct in 17 patients (35%), severe AV regurgitation in 4 patients (8%), tetralogy of Fallot in two (4%) and sub-aortic stenosis in one patient (2%). Pre-operatively 10 patients presented severe congestive heart failure and two were mechanically ventilated. RESULTS: Complete biventricular correction was carried out in all patients. The average time on bypass (ECC) was 74.1+/-17.5 min. and time of aortic clamping was 52.0+/-12.9 min. The complete defects were corrected by the double patch technique, and in all patients the mitral cleft was closed, except in two with single papillary muscle. There was no intra-operative mortality, but hospital mortality was 8%(4 patients), due to pulmonary hypertension crises, in the first 15 post-operative days. The mean ventilation time was of 36.5+/-93 hours (medium 7 h) and the average ICU stay was of 4.3+/-4.8 days (medium 3 days). The minimum follow-up period is 1 month and the maximum is 84 months (medium 29.5 months), during which time 4 re-operations (8%) took place: two for residual VSD's and two for mitral regurgitation. There was no mortality at re-do surgery. At follow up there was residual mitral regurgitation, mild in 17 patients and moderate in two. Four other patients presented with minor residual defects. CONCLUSIONS: The complete correction of AVSD can be carried out with acceptable results, in a varied spectrum of anatomic forms and of clinical severity. Despite the age of correction, for the complete forms, predominantly below 12 months, pulmonary hypertension was the constant cause for post operative mortality. Earlier timing of surgery and stricter peri-operative control might still improve results.

Land cover dynamics in Savanna Ecosystem of Borena Ethiopia

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Gd(III) chelates as NMR probes of protein-protein interactions. Case study: rubredoxin and cytochrome c3

Inorganic Chemistry 50(21):10600-7

Electron transfer complex between nitrous oxide reductase and cytochrome c552 from Pseudomonas nautica: kinetic, nuclear magnetic resonance, and docking studies

Biochemistry. 2008 Oct 14;47(41):10852-62. doi: 10.1021/bi801375q

Endocardite por Cândida Parapsilosis Após Correcção Total de Tetralogia de Fallot. Tratamento Médico-Cirúrgico

São apresentados três casos de endocardite por Cândida Parapsilosis que surgiram em crianças com idade entre os sete e os nove anos, após terem sido submetidas a correcção total de Tetralogia de Fallot. As três crianças foram reoperadas, tendo recebido previamente uma delas terapêutica médica com anfotericina B e duas exclusivamente com Ketoconazol oral. Após negativação das hemoculturas foi efectuada remoção cirúrgica das vegetações com substituição do patch septal de dacron. A terapêutica com Ketoconazol prosseguiu durante 24 meses, com follow-up de 30 a 42 meses, não se tendo verificado nem reinfecção nem efeitos secundários da terapêutica. A ecocardiografia bidimensional revelou-se um método eficaz no diagnóstico e seguimento a longo prazo. A terapêutica médico-cirúrgica combinada, com timing cirúrgico baseado em dados clínicos e laboratoriais foi fundamental para os bons resultados, estando as crianças actualmente curadas.

Melanoma and Satellite Blue Papule

The colors that are seen in dermoscopy depend on the anatomic level of the skin at which the chromophores are seen. Blue color can be found in a variety of melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions. An 89-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of a slow-growing, hyperpigmented patch located on the distal third of the right arm. Dermoscopy showed an atypical network, irregularly distributed globules, pigmented internal streaks and a milky-red area. Based on these findings a diagnosis of slow-growing malignant melanoma was made. Simultaneously, a well-defined blue papule was seen on the proximal third of the same arm. Dermoscopy disclosed a homogeneous blue pattern. After clinical and dermoscopic correlation our differential diagnosis for this blue lesion included cutaneous melanoma metastasis, blue nevus and foreign body reaction. The patient recalled its onset 75 years ago after a grenade explosion. We also discuss the blue lesion appearance under reflectance confocal microscopy and high-definition optical coherence tomography. Histopathological examination after excision of the hyperpigmented patch and blue papule revealed a melanoma in situ and a foreign body reaction, respectively. The diagnostic evaluation of a blue lesion should always rely on the integration of all data, especially clinical and dermoscopic features. Other non-invasive techniques, like reflectance confocal microscopy and high-definition optical coherence tomography can also be important aids for its differential diagnosis.

Provas Epicutâneas sob Imunossupressão Sistémica - Contra-Indicação Absoluta?

Introdução: As provas epicutâneas (PE) são o exame complementar de diagnóstico indicado para avaliação de suspeita de dermite de contacto alérgica. Idealmente, devem ser realizadas sem que o doente se encontre sob imunossupressores. Existem contudo situações clínicas em que tal não é possível, não havendo informação disponível acerca de como realizar e valorizar os resultados das PE nestes doentes. O objectivo do presente trabalho é rever a literatura no que concerne à realização de PE sob imunossupressão iatrogénica. Material e Métodos: Revisão da literatura relevante para o tema publicada até Janeiro de 2015 e indexada à Medline. Resultados: De acordo com o reportado na literatura, foram realizadas PE em 77 doentes sob corticóide sistémico, 78 doentes sob ciclosporina (CyA), 6 sob azatioprina, 10 sob metotrexato (MTX), 4 sob micofenolato de mofetil (MMF), 11 sob fármacos anti-factor de necrose tumoral e 7 sob fármaco anti-IL-12/23. Foram ainda descritos 15 casos de realização de PE sob associação de imunossupressores. Verificaram-se reacções positivas em todos os grupos. Conclusão: O tratamento concomitante com imunossupressores não deve ser uma contra-indicação para realização de PE, estando descritas reacções positivas em doentes sob prednisolona, azatioprina, CyA, MTX, MMF, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab e ustecinumab. Os resultados negativos ou duvidosos devem, contudo, ser interpretados de forma cautelosa.

Cortisol e testosterona no plasma da grávida e no líquido amniótico: variação com o relaxamento e correlação com o rácio digital 2D:4D no recém-nascido

RESUMO: Conclusão - Este estudo sugere que mulheres grávidas beneficiam da prática rotineira de 30 min de relaxamento perante a eminência de um acontecimento indutor de stress. O benefício será tanto psicológico como fisiológico e será mais marcado de manhã do que de tarde. As mulheres com maior tendência ansiosa, tipicamente as mais jovens e com menos idade gestacional, serão as que mais beneficiam. Entre os tipos de intervenção experimentados, todos eles não dispendiosos, a audição de música foi globalmente o mais eficaz para o propósito pretendido. A variação do cortisol e a variação da testosterona estão altamente correlacionadas, e este efeito poderá ser explorado em futuras intervenções relaxantes. Programas curtos de relaxamento poderão conduzir a benefícios para o bem-estar psicológico e para a saúde da grávida, com benefícios adicionais no desfecho da gravidez. O rácio digital 2D:4D do recém-nascido apresenta características sexualmente dimórficas, sendo mais baixo em rapazes que em raparigas, confirmando a influência dos androgénios pré-natais, mas há grande sobreposição entre os sexos pelo que, isoladamente, não pode ser utilizado como marcador de risco. No entanto, se associado a outros marcadores biológicos, como o peso ao nascer e a circunferência cerebral, entre outros, poderá ser um parâmetro a valorizar desde cedo, possivelmente no acompanhamento pediátrico. Nas raparigas, o RD da mãe e a testosterona no LA explicam uma proporção significativa do seu 2D:4D. Em ambos os sexos, o rácio 2D:4D aumenta após o nascimento e o dimorfismo sexual observado com base em amostras de crianças com mais de dois anos de idade, é afectado pela testosterona pós-natal, especialmente no que se refere à mão direita.----------ABSTRACT: Conclusions - This study suggests that pregnant women would benefit from the routine practice of 30min relaxation when at the imminence of a stressful event. The benefit would be both psychological and physiological and would be more pronounced in the morning than in the afternoon. Women tending to be more anxious, typically younger and at a lower gestational age, are the ones that benefit the most. Among the interventions investigated, all being non-expensive and easy to implement, listening to relaxing music was globally the most efficient for the benefit intended. The variation of cortisol and the variation of testosterone are significantly correlated, an association that might be used in future relaxation interventions. It is feasible to conceive short relaxation programs aimed at benefiting psychological well-being and health in pregnancy, with additional benefits for pregnancy outcome. The digital ratio 2D:4D is sexually dimorphic, being lower in males than in females, confirming the influence of pre-natal androgens. There is however large overlap between sexes, rendering the 2D:4D a risk marker not to be used in isolation but rather in association with other markers, like for instance the weight at birth and the head circumference, wherein it may be a relevant parameter for pediatric follow-up. In newborn females, a significant amount of variability in 2D:4D is accounted for by their mother’s digital ratio and AF testosterone. In both sexes, the 2D:4D ratio increases following birth and sexual dimorphism,as assessed from samples of subjects with more than 2 years of age, is affected by post-natal testosterone, especially in what concerns the right hand.

Self-transcendence is related to higher female sexual desire

One facet of self-transcendence is creative self-forgetfulness (CSF; tendency to be attentionally absorbed in mindaltering experiences). Proneness to mind-altering attentional absorption and other aspects of self-transcendence were previously related to vaginal intercourse frequency, sexual arousability, and female coital orgasm. Given that sexual responsiveness is enhanced by focused attention, itwas testedwhether CSF correlates with sexual responsiveness, and if maladaptive defenses, openness to experience, and testosterone explain the hypothesized relationships. One hundred thirty-nine Portuguese (98 women) provided saliva samples for testosterone determination by luminescence immunoassays before and after a romantic movie scene and reported how intensely they felt sexual desire and arousal during the movie. CSF was measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory– Revised, maladaptive defenses by the immature defenses subscale of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40), male and female past month desire by the desire dimensions of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Female desire and arousal during themoviewere independently predicted by CSF, openness to experience and testosterone, but not by immature defenses. Female past month desire was independently predicted by CSF, testosterone, and less immature defenses. Possible psychobiological processes linking self-transcendence and sexual responsiveness are discussed.

Normal bone density in male pseudohermaphroditism due to 5alpha- reductase 2 deficiency

Bone is an androgen-dependent tissue, but it is not clear whether the androgen action in bone depends on testosterone or on dihydrotestosterone. Patients with 5alpha-reductase 2 deficiency present normal levels of testosterone and low levels of dihydrotestosterone, providing an in vivo human model for the analysis of the effect of testosterone on bone. OBJECTIVE: To analyze bone mineral density in 4 adult patients with male pseudohermaphroditism due to 5alpha-reductase 2 deficiency. RESULTS: Three patients presented normal bone mineral density of the lumbar column (L1-L4) and femur neck, and the other patient presented a slight osteopenia in the lumbar column. CONCLUSION: Patients with dihydrotestosterone deficiency present normal bone mineral density, suggesting that dihydrotestosterone is not the main androgen acting in bone.

Detection of testicular cancer in men presenting with infertility

PURPOSE: Infertility is one of the less common presenting features associated with testicular tumors. We evaluated the histologic and biochemical findings, and pregnancy outcome in patients presenting with infertility who were found to have testicular tumors. METHODS: Seven patients with infertility were found to have testicular cancer over a 15-year period. All patients had a testicular ultrasound evaluation. The indications for the ultrasound were testicular pain in 2 patients, suspicious palpable mass in 4, and to rule out the presence of germ cell neoplasia in a patient with carcinoma in situ detected on a previous biopsy. Physical exam, histological findings, hormonal levels, tumor markers, and pregnancy outcome results were recorded from the patients medical charts. RESULTS: Two men had elevated serum follicle stimulant hormone and luteinizing hormone levels, 1 of them had an abnormally low serum testosterone level. Tumor markers were normal in all patients. In 4 patients the tumor was on the right side and in 3 on the left. The histological diagnoses were seminoma (n = 5), Leydig cell tumor (n = 1), and carcinoma in situ (n = 1). Of the 7 patients, 5 underwent adjuvant radiation therapy. Two patients had sperm cryopreserved. Follow up on fertility status was available in 6 cases. One patient has established a pregnancy and 5 did not achieve a pregnancy after treatment for their cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the men who have testicular cancer and male infertility have a seminona. Therefore, men who present with infertility should be thoroughly investigated to rule out such serious, concomitant diseases along with their infertility.

Trends in male contraception

Methods that are available for male contraception, namely coitus interruptus, condoms, and vasectomy, have been used since the 19th century. With the exceptions of a few improvements of these methods, no major progress has been made with respect to introducing new male contraceptives since then. It is extremely urgent to develop new, safe, effective, and reversible male contraceptive methods. Among all male contraceptive methods that are being investigated, the hormonal approach is the closest to clinical application. Hormonal contraception provides pregnancy protection by means of spermatogenic suppression. Androgen-progestin regimens currently represent the best available hormonal combination for induction of a profound suppression of spermatogenesis. Further development of new steroids is mandatory for increasing the choices of available contraceptive formulations and to optimize long-term safety of these regimens.

Risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy in older men

The use of testosterone in older men, known as male hormonal replacement therapy or androgen replacement therapy, has become of increasing interest to both the medical and lay communities over the past decade. Even though the knowledge of the potential benefits and risks of male Androgen Replacement Therapy has increased dramatically, there is still much that needs to be determined. Although there are a number of potential benefits of male Androgen Replacement Therapy and data concerning clinical effects of such replacement have accumulated, as yet there have not been any large multicenter randomized controlled trials of this therapy. It is the purpose of this article to review what is currently known about the possible risks and benefits of male Androgen Replacement Therapy by discussing the clinical trials to date.