Schistosomiasis control in Brazil

In 1975 the Special Programme for Schistosomiasis Control was introduced in Brazil with the objective of controlling this parasitic disease in six northeastern states. The methodology applied varied largely from state to state, but was based mainly on chemotherapy, This Programme was modified about ten years after it beginning with the main goals including control of morbidity and the blockage of establishment of new foci in non-endemic areas. In two states, Bahia and Minas Gerais, the schistosomiasis control programme started in 1979 and 1983, respectively. The recently made evaluation of those two programmes is the main focus of this paper. It must also be pointed out, that the great majority of the studies performed by different researchers in Brazil, at different endemic areas, consistently found significant decrease on prevalence and incidence, when control measures are repeatedly used for several years. Significant decrease of hepatosplenic forms in the studied areas is well documented in Brazil. After more than 20 years of schistosomiasis control programmes in our country, chemotherapy has shown to be a very important tool for the control of morbidity and to decrease prevalence and incidence in endemic areas. Nevertheless, in medium and long terms, sanitation, water supply, sewage draining and health education seem to be the real tools when the aim is persistent and definitive schistosomiasis control.

Heterogeneity of human monocytes: an optimized four-color flow cytometry protocol for analysis of monocyte subsets.

Monocytes are central mediators in the development of atherosclerotic plaques. They circulate in blood and eventually migrate into tissue including the vessel wall where they give rise to macrophages and dendritic cells. The existence of monocyte subsets with distinct roles in homeostasis and inflammation suggests specialization of function. These subsets are identified based on expression of the CD14 and CD16 markers. Routinely applicable protocols remain elusive, however. Here, we present an optimized four-color flow cytometry protocol for analysis of human blood monocyte subsets using a specific PE-Cy5-conjugated monoclonal antibody (mAb) to HLA-DR, a PE-Cy7-conjugated mAb to CD14, a FITC-conjugated mAb to CD16, and PE-conjugated mAbs to additional markers relevant to monocyte function. Classical CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes (here termed "Mo1" subset) expressed high CCR2, CD36, CD64, and CD62L, but low CX(3)CR1, whereas "nonclassical" CD14(lo)CD16(+) monocytes (Mo3) essentially showed the inverse expression pattern. CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes (Mo2) expressed high HLA-DR, CD36, and CD64. In patients with stable coronary artery disease (n = 13), classical monocytes were decreased, whereas "nonclassical" monocytes were increased 90% compared with healthy subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries (n = 14). Classical monocytes from CAD patients expressed higher CX(3)CR1 and CCR2 than controls. Thus, stable CAD is associated with expansion of the nonclassical monocyte subset and increased expression of inflammatory markers on monocytes. Flow cytometric analysis of monocyte subsets and marker expression may provide valuable information on vascular inflammation. This may translate into the identification of monocyte subsets as selective therapeutic targets, thus avoiding adverse events associated with indiscriminate monocyte inhibition.

Avaluació de la teratogènia in vitro mitjançant el cultiu d’embrions sencers (WEC)

Projecte de recerca elaborat a partir d’una estada a la Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Alemanya, entre novembre i desembre del 2007. En aquest treball es presenta el protocol a seguir per a dur a terme el cultiu d’embrions sencers in vitro (Whole Embryo Culture, WEC). Amb aquest protocol es pretén implementar la tècnica del WEC en el laboratori de la Unitat de Toxicologia de la Facultat de Farmàca (UB), seguint la metodologia apresa durant l’estada i deixant per escrit tots els passos seguits i el material i la metodologia concreta de cadascun d’ells. En el WEC es cultiven embrions de rata de 9.5 dies durant 48h en ampolles rotatòries en un medi líquid i amb una fase gasosa controlats. Durant el cultiu, tenen lloc dos processos principals: el plegament de l’embrió i l’organogènesi. Els embrions durant els dos dies que dura el cultiu es pleguen en els plans transversal i sagital, passant d’un embrió pla a un altre de cilíndric en forma de “C”. En aquest període, a més, es produeixen importants processos d’organogènesi com la neurulació, la formació de la cresta neural, dels somites, dels vasos sanguinis - el cor inclòs- i de la sang. Es comencen a formar la placoda nasal, la vesícula oftàlmica, la vesícula òtica, les extremitats superiors i inferiors i la cua. En la memòria adjunta es descriuen amb detall els processos d'aparellament dels animals, preparació del material i del medi de cultiu, el procés d'aïllament del embrions en el dia 9.5, les condicions de cultiu i l'avaluació dels embrions en el dia 11.5. Finalment es presenten resultats d'embrions en situació control amb un correcte desenvolupament i es mostra com, al final de l'estada, es va aconseguir el cultiu d’embrions control amb un desenvolupament correcte i estadísticament sense diferències respecte als diferents paràmetres mesurats en comparació amb els embrions control de la Charité-Universitätsmedizin de Berlin.

Estudio de los mensajes de control del protocolo multicast PIM SM

OPNET es una herramienta de simulación de redes muy potente, donde se puede configurar cualquier tipo de red existente. Esta herramienta nos ayuda a “probar” sin tener que montar ninguna red física, una gran ventaja sobre todo para protocolos experimentales o para el diseño de los mismos. En este proyecto se utiliza el OPNET para explotar el protocolo multicast PIM-SM. Se establecerá un modelo de red, donde estarán configurados los nodos de forma estratégica para intentar extraer el máximo de información del comportamiento en esta situación del protocolo PIM-SM.

Increased flow of fatty acids toward beta-oxidation in developing seeds of Arabidopsis deficient in diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity or synthesizing medium-chain-length fatty acids.

Synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from intermediates of fatty acid beta-oxidation was used as a tool to study fatty acid degradation in developing seeds of Arabidopsis. Transgenic plants expressing a peroxisomal PHA synthase under the control of a napin promoter accumulated PHA in developing seeds to a final level of 0. 06 mg g(-1) dry weight. In plants co-expressing a plastidial acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase from Cuphea lanceolata and a peroxisomal PHA synthase, approximately 18-fold more PHA accumulated in developing seeds. The proportion of 3-hydroxydecanoic acid monomer in the PHA was strongly increased, indicating a large flow of capric acid toward beta-oxidation. Furthermore, expression of the peroxisomal PHA synthase in an Arabidopsis mutant deficient in the enzyme diacylglycerol acyltransferase resulted in a 10-fold increase in PHA accumulation in developing seeds. These data indicate that plants can respond to the inadequate incorporation of fatty acids into triacylglycerides by recycling the fatty acids via beta-oxidation and that a considerable flow toward beta-oxidation can occur even in a plant tissue primarily devoted to the accumulation of storage lipids.

Sensores inalámbricos - monitorización y control remoto

Sistemas empotrados (embedded system).Monitorización y control de sensores inalámbricos.El sistema provee monitorización y control remoto vía internet y telefonía móvil además de acceso local y registros en base de datos.Dotado de un actuador físico para el control de elementos de potencia.

Control horari

Aquest treball de final de carrera consisteix en l'anàlisi, disseny i implementació d'una aplicació web distribuïda per controlar l'estat horari dels treballadors d'una empresa. L'enginyeria d'aquest programari està basada en el paradigma d'orientació a objectes dins l'estàndard UML; la implementació s'ha fet en llenguatge Java i s'ha utilitzat l'arquitectura J2EE. L'aplicació resultant segueix principalment el patró arquitectònic Model Vista Controlador (MVC) utilitzant el framework Struts2 i el patró Data Access Object (DAO) per a la persistència de dades amb Hibernate 3.

Sistema de control de presa

El proyecto consiste en un conjunto de cuatro tipos de motas cuya clasificación viene determinada por el área que controlan y un terminal central ejecutando Linux que ofrecerá la posibilidad de consultas vía WorldWideWeb a través del protocolo de hipertexto.

The Impact of CAROtid plaque Screening on Smoking (CAROSS) cessation and control of other cardiovascular risk factors: rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Screening tests for subclinical cardiovascular disease, such as markers of atherosclerosis, are increasingly used in clinical prevention to identify individuals at high cardiovascular risk. Being aware of these test results might also enhance patient motivation to change unhealthy behaviors but the effectiveness of such a screening strategy has been poorly studied. METHODS: The CAROtid plaque Screening trial on Smoking cessation (CAROSS) is a randomized controlled trial in 530 regular smokers aged 40-70 years to test the hypothesis that carotid plaque screening will influence smokers' behavior with an increased rate of smoking cessation (primary outcome) and an improved control of other cardiovascular risk factors (secondary outcomes) after 1-year follow-up. All smokers will receive a brief advice for smoking cessation,and will subsequently be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (with plaques screening) or the control group (without plaque screening). Carotid ultrasound will be conducted with a standard protocol. Smokers with at least one carotid plaque will receive pictures of their own plaques with a structured explanation on the general significance of plaques. To ensure equal contact conditions, smokers not undergoing ultrasound and those without plaque will receive a relevant explanation on the risks associated with tobacco smoking. Study outcomes will be compared between smokers randomized to plaque screening and smokers not submitted to plaque screening. SUMMARY: This will be the first trial to assess the impact of carotid plaque screening on 1-year smoking cessation rates and levels of control of other cardiovascular risk factors.

Disseny i implementació d'un sistema de control d'un consultori mèdic.

L'objectiu del projecte és la creació de les estructures de dades necessàries, així com els mètodes d'accés a aquestes dades. No contempla el disseny de la interfície d'usuari, ni el programari d'instal·lació del servidor ni client.

Escenari segur client-servidor amb un proveïdor d'identitat i control d'accés extern

El projecte consisteix en desenvolupar un sistema que permeti a un client poder connectar-se auna pàgina web, validar-se sense contrasenya (amb un certificat idCat), i accedir als seus recursos.

The Peroxisomal Enzyme L-PBE Is Required to Prevent the Dietary Toxicity of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids.

Specific metabolic pathways are activated by different nutrients to adapt the organism to available resources. Although essential, these mechanisms are incompletely defined. Here, we report that medium-chain fatty acids contained in coconut oil, a major source of dietary fat, induce the liver ω-oxidation genes Cyp4a10 and Cyp4a14 to increase the production of dicarboxylic fatty acids. Furthermore, these activate all ω- and β-oxidation pathways through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) α and PPARγ, an activation loop normally kept under control by dicarboxylic fatty acid degradation by the peroxisomal enzyme L-PBE. Indeed, L-pbe(-/-) mice fed coconut oil overaccumulate dicarboxylic fatty acids, which activate all fatty acid oxidation pathways and lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and death. Thus, the correct homeostasis of dicarboxylic fatty acids is a means to regulate the efficient utilization of ingested medium-chain fatty acids, and its deregulation exemplifies the intricate relationship between impaired metabolism and inflammation.

Cervical screening programme: HPV triage and test of cure protocol

Testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) as triage and test of cure was introduced into the Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme on Monday 28 January 2013. This policy change will significantly alter the screening pathway for women with a mild dyskaryosis or borderline smear result. The link between HR-HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer has now been clearly established, with almost 100% of cervical cancers containing HPV DNA. Women with no evidence of HR-HPV infection are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer in the short to medium term. HPV triage is the process whereby HR-HPV testing is used to manage women with low grade cervical abnormalities. Only 15-20% of women with a borderline or mild smear result have a significant abnormality that needs treatment. HR-HPV testing is effective in identifying which women may need treatment and allows colposcopy resources to be allocated more effectively.The test of cure process is being introduced because it is now known that women with a normal or low grade smear test, and who are HR-HPV negative at six months after treatment, are at very low risk of residual disease. These women do not need to be recalled for another screening appointment for three years.The test of cure process means all post-treatment smears (at six months) that are reported as normal, borderline or mild dyskaryosis will be tested for HR-HPV. Those women who are HR-HPV positive will remain at colposcopy. HR-HPV negative women can be safely returned to recall in three years. It is estimated that the HR-HPV test of cure will allow approximately 80% of women who have been through treatment to avoid undergoing annual smear tests. This flowchart poster outlines the new triage and test of cure process. It was distributed to all GPs in Northern Ireland and is available to download as a PDF from this website.�

Access of extracellular cations to their binding sites in Na,K-ATPase: role of the second extracellular loop of the alpha subunit.

Na,K-ATPase, the main active transport system for monovalent cations in animal cells, is responsible for maintaining Na(+) and K(+) gradients across the plasma membrane. During its transport cycle it binds three cytoplasmic Na(+) ions and releases them on the extracellular side of the membrane, and then binds two extracellular K(+) ions and releases them into the cytoplasm. The fourth, fifth, and sixth transmembrane helices of the alpha subunit of Na,K-ATPase are known to be involved in Na(+) and K(+) binding sites, but the gating mechanisms that control the access of these ions to their binding sites are not yet fully understood. We have focused on the second extracellular loop linking transmembrane segments 3 and 4 and attempted to determine its role in gating. We replaced 13 residues of this loop in the rat alpha1 subunit, from E314 to G326, by cysteine, and then studied the function of these mutants using electrophysiological techniques. We analyzed the results using a structural model obtained by homology with SERCA, and ab initio calculations for the second extracellular loop. Four mutants were markedly modified by the sulfhydryl reagent MTSET, and we investigated them in detail. The substituted cysteines were more readily accessible to MTSET in the E1 conformation for the Y315C, W317C, and I322C mutants. Mutations or derivatization of the substituted cysteines in the second extracellular loop resulted in major increases in the apparent affinity for extracellular K(+), and this was associated with a reduction in the maximum activity. The changes produced by the E314C mutation were reversed by MTSET treatment. In the W317C and I322C mutants, MTSET also induced a moderate shift of the E1/E2 equilibrium towards the E1(Na) conformation under Na/Na exchange conditions. These findings indicate that the second extracellular loop must be functionally linked to the gating mechanism that controls the access of K(+) to its binding site.

Pandemic influenza control in Europe and the constraints resulting from incoherent public health laws.

Background With the emergence of influenza H1N1v the world is facing its first 21st century global pandemic. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza H5N1 prompted development of pandemic preparedness plans. National systems of public health law are essential for public health stewardship and for the implementation of public health policy[1]. International coherence will contribute to effective regional and global responses. However little research has been undertaken on how law works as a tool for disease control in Europe. With co-funding from the European Union, we investigated the extent to which laws across Europe support or constrain pandemic preparedness planning, and whether national differences are likely to constrain control efforts. Methods We undertook a survey of national public health laws across 32 European states using a questionnaire designed around a disease scenario based on pandemic influenza. Questionnaire results were reviewed in workshops, analysing how differences between national laws might support or hinder regional responses to pandemic influenza. Respondents examined the impact of national laws on the movements of information, goods, services and people across borders in a time of pandemic, the capacity for surveillance, case detection, case management and community control, the deployment of strategies of prevention, containment, mitigation and recovery and the identification of commonalities and disconnects across states. Results Results of this study show differences across Europe in the extent to which national pandemic policy and pandemic plans have been integrated with public health laws. We found significant differences in legislation and in the legitimacy of strategic plans. States differ in the range and the nature of intervention measures authorized by law, the extent to which borders could be closed to movement of persons and goods during a pandemic, and access to healthcare of non-resident persons. Some states propose use of emergency powers that might potentially override human rights protections while other states propose to limit interventions to those authorized by public health laws. Conclusion These differences could create problems for European strategies if an evolving influenza pandemic results in more serious public health challenges or, indeed, if a novel disease other than influenza emerges with pandemic potential. There is insufficient understanding across Europe of the role and importance of law in pandemic planning. States need to build capacity in public health law to support disease prevention and control policies. Our research suggests that states would welcome further guidance from the EU on management of a pandemic, and guidance to assist in greater commonality of legal approaches across states.