Gelatin particle indirect agglutination test for serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis: comparative study with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A new serological test, the gelatin particle agglutination test (GPAT), was used for the serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni. This technique showed the sensitivity (90.6%) and specificity (97.8%) close to those of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The GPAT can be easily and rapidly performed without specialized equipment, by using lyophilized antigen-coated gelatin particles. The test also seems to be useful for mass screening of Schistosoma infection in field conditions.

Seroprevalência da Brucelose nos últimos cinco anos na Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto-Minho

A brucelose é uma zoonose com elevada importância, causada por bactérias gram-negativas que são altamente patogénicas para uma grande variedade de animais e humanos. Existem zonas endémicas onde esta se prolifera com mais facilidade. Neste estudo os dados são relativos ao distrito de Viana do Castelo, os dados são recolhidas da base de dados da Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto-Minho, uma zona não considerada endémica. Os animais infetados são a principal fonte de contaminação e dispersão da brucelose, é necessário uma reduzida carga bacteriana para ocorrer a infeção. Trata-se de uma doença que está longe de ser erradicada, impondo-se tomar medidas preventivas em relação à contaminação. Os testes usados na sua deteção podem ser alterados e melhorados de acordo com o estádio da doença. Na ULSAM são usados o teste de Wright e eventualmente a pesquisa microbiológica da bactéria Brucella. É pertinente saber o número de testes positivos que ocorrem por ano, se existe alguma sazonalidade relacionada com a doença, assim como, relacionar os parâmetros bioquímicos com um teste de Wright positivo. Os dados foram recolhidos entre o ano 2009-2013 com um número total de testes de 1035, dos quais o número total de positivos para o teste são 102, mas apenas trinta são positivos com significância. Os dados foram recolhidos através do programa Clinidata utilizado como base de armazenamento de dados da ULSAM e foram tratados estatisticamente com o programa SPSS juntamente com o Excel. Este estudo permitiu concluir que o número de casos em 2009 e 2010 era superior aos restantes anos, o que descreve uma tendência para diminuição do número de casos de brucelose atualmente no distrito de Viana do Castelo. Em relação a sazonalidade, os meses que apresentam uma percentagem superior a 50% em relação seroprevalência são os meses de Junho, Novembro e Dezembro. Os resultados revelam como declarado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde que o Distrito de Viana do Castelo não é uma zona endémica. Através da análise estatística foi possível concluir que um dos parâmetros bioquímicos, neste caso o número de leucócitos, poderá estar diretamente relacionado com um teste de Wright positivo, uma vez que, 37% da amostra de testes positivos revelam leucopenia.

Bacterial antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid by the latex agglutination test

Eighty purulent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with clinical evidence of meningitis were studied using the Directigen latex agglutination (LA) kit to determine the presence of bacterial antigen in CSF. The results showed a better diagnostic performance of the LA test than bacterioscopy by Gram stain, culture and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), as far as Neisseria meningitidis groups B and C, and Haemophilus influenzae type b are concerned, and a better performance than bacterioscopy and culture considering Streptococcus pneumoniae. Comparison of the results with those of culture showed that the LA test had the highest sensitivity for the Neisseria meningitidis group C. Comparing the results with those of CIE, the highest levels of sensitivity were detected for N. meningitidis groups B and C. Regarding specificity, fair values were obtained for all organisms tested. The degree of K agreement when the LA test was compared with CIE exhibited better K indices of agreement for N. meningitidis groups B and C.

TRH-TSH test in patients with schistosomiasis chronic forms

Diversas alterações na concentração sérica dos hormônios tiroidianos têm sido descritas em associação a doenças crônicas não-tiroidianas. Com relação às doenças hepáticas crônicas, a síndrome do T3 baixo foi descrita em pacientes cirróticos, enquanto a síndrome do T4 elevado foi encontrada em esquistossomóticos com a forma hepatoesplênica compensada. Com o intuito de verificar se as alterações relatadas na esquistossomose mansônica eram de origem "periférica" ou "central", realizamos a prova do TRH-TSH em 12 pacientes esquistossomóticos "puros" (6 hepatointestinais e 6 hepatoesplênicos compensados) e em 5 indivíduos controle. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o eixo hipotálamo-hipofisário é normal nas formas crônicas da esquistossomose e que provavelmente as alterações previamente relatadas devem ser '"periféricas" e não " centrais".

Modified Discrete PSO to Increase the Delivered Energy Probability in Distribution energy Systems

This paper proposes a PSO based approach to increase the probability of delivering power to any load point by identifying new investments in distribution energy systems. The statistical failure and repair data of distribution components is the main basis of the proposed methodology that uses a fuzzyprobabilistic modeling for the components outage parameters. The fuzzy membership functions of the outage parameters of each component are based on statistical records. A Modified Discrete PSO optimization model is developed in order to identify the adequate investments in distribution energy system components which allow increasing the probability of delivering power to any customer in the distribution system at the minimum possible cost for the system operator. To illustrate the application of the proposed methodology, the paper includes a case study that considers a 180 bus distribution network.

Factores que influenciam a actividade física na vida diária dos doentes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica

RESUMO: A monitorização da actividade física diária nos doentes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC) tem sido alvo de grande interesse nos últimos tempos. No entanto, ainda nenhum estudo reuniu o conjunto de factores – grau de obstrução, hiperinsuflação pulmonar, alteração das trocas gasosas, dispneia, dessaturação de oxigénio, capacidade de exercício, ansiedade e depressão – que podem afectar a sua realização, nem os correlacionou com os dados obtidos com o pedómetro e que reflectem o que cada doente realmente faz no seu dia-adia. O presente estudo teve como objectivo principal identificar os factores que influenciam a actividade física na vida diária dos doentes com DPOC. Estudaram-se 55 doentes do sexo masculino com idade média de 67 anos e um FEV1 médio de 50,8% do previsto, com DPOC moderada a muito grave (estadios II a IV), de entre os utentes do Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Respiratória do Centro Hospitalar de Torres Vedras. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros da escala de dispneia modificada do Medical Research Council (MMRC), escala London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL), escala de Ansiedade e Depressão Hospitalar (HADS), índice BODE, estudo funcional respiratório em repouso, teste de marcha de seis minutos e o número de passos por dia utilizando um pedómetro por um período de três dias. Observou-se que os doentes deram em média 4972 passos por dia e apresentaram uma cotação total média de 17,7 na LCADL, tendo existido diferenças estatisticamente significativas em função da gravidade da doença, sendo que os doentes mais graves são os que em média andam menos no seu dia-a-dia e apresentam maior limitação na realização das actividades de vida diária. O número de passos por dia apresentou correlações significativas com as variáveis idade, dispneia, depressão, hiperinsuflação monar, gravidade de obstrução (FEV1), trocas gasosas (DLCO), saturação arterial de oxigénio mínima e correlação mais forte com a distância percorrida no TM6m. Este estudo permitiu identificar que os factores determinantes da actividade física na vida diária de doentes com DPOC nos estadios II a IV, foram a dispneia e a distância percorrida no TM6m. Além disso, estes doentes constituem um grupo sedentário, particularmente a partir do estadio III, com níveis de actividade física diária baixos.-----------ABSTRACT There has been an increased interest in monitoring the daily physical activity in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, no specific study has been realized so far that has put the different factors which can affect the results obtained altogether, (such as the degree of obstruction, pulmonary hyperinflation, abnormal gas exchange, dyspnea, oxygen desaturation, exercise capacity, anxiety and depression) or correlated with data obtained from the pedometer, which reflect each patient actual activity in their daily life. This study aimed to identify the main factors that influence physical activity in daily life of patients with COPD. The scope of this study was 55 male patients with an average age of 67 years old and an average FEV1 of 50.8% predicted, with moderate to severe COPD (stages II to IV), among patients from the Respiratory Pathophysiology Laboratory of the Centro Hospitalar de Torres Vedras. Were evaluated the parameters of the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (MMRC), London Chest Activity of Daily Living scale (LCADL), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), BODE index, pulmonary function test at rest, six minute walk test (6MWT) and the number of steps per day using a pedometer for a period of three days. It was observed that patients have walked an average of 4972 steps per day and had a total score of 17.7 at LCADL, and statistically significant differences were stated depending on the severity of the disease. Whereas patients with a more severe degree of the disease have walked least in their daily life and show greater restraint in carrying out activities of daily living. The number of steps per day showed significant correlations with age, dyspnea, depression, lung hyperinflation, severity of obstruction (FEV1), gas exchange (DLCO), minimum arterial oxygen saturation and stronger correlation with distance walked on 6MWT. This study shows that the crucial factors of physical activity in daily life of COPD patients at stages II to IV were dyspnea and distance on 6MWT. Moreover, these patients constitute a sedentary group, particularly from the stage III, with lower levels of daily physical activity.

Multi-Agent Based Smart Grid Management and Simulation: Situation Awareness and Learning in a Test Bed with Simulated and Real Installations and Players

The rising usage of distributed energy resources has been creating several problems in power systems operation. Virtual Power Players arise as a solution for the management of such resources. Additionally, approaching the main network as a series of subsystems gives birth to the concepts of smart grid and micro grid. Simulation, particularly based on multi-agent technology is suitable to model all these new and evolving concepts. MASGriP (Multi-Agent Smart Grid simulation Platform) is a system that was developed to allow deep studies of the mentioned concepts. This paper focuses on a laboratorial test bed which represents a house managed by a MASGriP player. This player is able to control a real installation, responding to requests sent by the system operators and reacting to observed events depending on the context.

Application-Specific Modified Particle Swarm Optimization for energy resource scheduling considering vehicle-to-grid

This paper presents a modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) methodology to solve the problem of energy resources management with high penetration of distributed generation and Electric Vehicles (EVs) with gridable capability (V2G). The objective of the day-ahead scheduling problem in this work is to minimize operation costs, namely energy costs, regarding the management of these resources in the smart grid context. The modifications applied to the PSO aimed to improve its adequacy to solve the mentioned problem. The proposed Application Specific Modified Particle Swarm Optimization (ASMPSO) includes an intelligent mechanism to adjust velocity limits during the search process, as well as self-parameterization of PSO parameters making it more user-independent. It presents better robustness and convergence characteristics compared with the tested PSO variants as well as better constraint handling. This enables its use for addressing real world large-scale problems in much shorter times than the deterministic methods, providing system operators with adequate decision support and achieving efficient resource scheduling, even when a significant number of alternative scenarios should be considered. The paper includes two realistic case studies with different penetration of gridable vehicles (1000 and 2000). The proposed methodology is about 2600 times faster than Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) reference technique, reducing the time required from 25 h to 36 s for the scenario with 2000 vehicles, with about one percent of difference in the objective function cost value.

HEMAGGLUTINATION TEST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS: DEVELOPMENT OF A STABLE REAGENT USING HOMOLOGOUS AND HETEROLOGOUS ANTIGENS

A hemagglutination (HA) test was standardized using formalin- and tannin-treated gander red blood cells sensitized with a total salt extract of C. cellulosae (HA-Cc) and an antigenic extract of Cysticercus longicollis (HA-Cl) vesicular fluid. A total of 61 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were assayed, 41 from patients with neurocysticercosis and 20 from a control group, which were, respectively, reactive and non-reactive to ELISA using C. cellulosae. The CSF samples from the control group did not react and 35 (85.4%) and 34 (82.9%) CSF samples from patients were reactive to the HA-Cc and HA-Cl tests, respectively. The reagents ready for use were stable up to 6 months when stored at 4°C in 50% glycerol. The present results confirm that the reagent using Cysticercus longicollis stabilized with glycerol can be used as an alternative in the immunological diagnosis of neurocysticercosis

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY ON CANINE POPULATION WITH THE USE OF IMMUNOLEISH SKIN TEST IN ENDEMIC AREAS OF HUMAN AMERICAN CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN THE STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

A survey for canine tegumentary leishmaniasis (CTL) has been carried out between 1986 and 1993 in seven endemic localities for American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the State of Rio de Janeiro. 270 dogs have been examined for their clinical aspects, the development of delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) with Immunoleish antigen and with immunofluorescent antibody research of IgG (IF). 28.2% of them had ulcer lesions and 3.3% had scars. The lesions consisted of single (39.5%) and mucocutaneous lesions (31.6%), multiple cutaneous (25.0%) and mucocutaneous lesions associated with cutaneous ulcers (4.0%). Twelve (15.8%) isolates from biopsies were analyzed by zimodeme and schizodeme and identified as L. (V.) braziliensis. The overall prevalence of canine infection that was evaluated with the skin test was of 40.5% and with IF it was of 25.5%. Both tests showed a high positive rate with relation to the animals with mucosal lesions, as in the case of human mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The comparison of the two tests showed the skin test to have a better performance although there was no statistical difference (p>0.05) between them. The proportional sensitivity and specificity was of 84.0% and 74.0%, respectively. The Immunoleish skin test and IF are useful tools to be employed in CTL field epidemiological surveys.

THE PERSISTENCE OF LEPTOSPIRAL AGGLUTININS TITERS IN HUMAN SERA DIAGNOSED BY THE MICROSCOPIC AGGLUTINATION TEST

The persistence of agglutinins detected by MAT has created some problems to the interpretation of the results. The aim of this study was to examine the data of serology from 70 patients with serologically confirmed diagnosis of leptospirosis by during 3-13 months after being affected with leptospires in order to elucidate the interpretation of the persistence of agglutinins detected by MAT. Sixty-one patients sera (87.14%) had titers equal or greater than 800. Of these, two individuals maintained titers of 800 thirteen months after the onset. This study showed that only one sample of sera with high titers is not reliable to determine the time at which infection occurred.

In vitro studies of gum arabic-coated magnetic nanoparticles with mammalian cell cultures

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

Sistema de mapeamento e localização simultânea para inspecção subaquática

A sequente dissertação resulta do desenvolvimento de um sistema de navegação subaquático para um Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). A abordagem proposta consiste de um algoritmo em tempo real baseado no método de Mapeamento e Localização Simultâneo (SLAM) a partir de marcadores em ambientes marinhos não estruturados. SLAM introduz dois principais desafios: (i) reconhecimento dos marcadores provenientes dos dados raw do sensor, (ii) associação de dados. Na detecção dos marcadores foram aplicadas técnicas de visão artificial baseadas na extracção de pontos e linhas. Para testar o uso de features no visual SLAM em tempo real nas operações de inspecção subaquáticas foi desenvolvida uma plataforma modicada do RT-SLAM que integra a abordagem EKF SLAM. A plataforma é integrada em ROS framework e permite estimar a trajetória 3D em tempo real do ROV VideoRay Pro 3E até 30 fps. O sistema de navegação subaquático foi caracterizado num tanque instalado no Laboratório de Sistemas Autónomos através de um sistema stereo visual de ground truth. Os resultados obtidos permitem validar o sistema de navegação proposto para veículos subaquáticos. A trajetória adquirida pelo VideoRay em ambiente controlado é validada pelo sistema de ground truth. Dados para ambientes não estruturados, como um gasoduto, foram adquiridos e obtida respectiva trajetória realizada pelo robô. Os dados apresentados comprovam uma boa precisão e exatidão para a estimativa da posição.

VALIDATION OF 14C-UREA BREATH TEST FOR DIAGNOSIS OF Helicobacter pylori

The aim of this study was to validate the 14C-urea breath test for use in diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Thirty H. pylori positive patients, based on histologic test and thirty H. pylori negative patients by histology and anti-H. pylori IgG entered the study. Fasting patients drank 5 uCi of 14C-urea in 20 ml of water. Breath samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min. The difference of cpm values between the two groups was significant at all the time intervals, besides time 0 (p<0.0001). At 20 min, the test gave 100% sensitivity and specificity with a cut-off value of 562 cpm. Females were higher expirers than males (p=0.005). 14C-urea breath test is highly accurate for Helicobacter pylori diagnosis. It is fast, simple and should be the non-invasive test used after treating Helicobacter pylori infection.