Population dynamics of Triatoma vitticeps (Stål, 1859) in Itanhomi, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Taxonomic markers (head structure morphometry, isoenzymes and randon amplified polymorphism of DNA - RAPD) were used to understand the population dynamics of Triatoma vitticeps, predominant triatomine species in Itanhomi district, using samples obtained from domestic, peridomiciliary and sylvatic habitats. Morphometric analysis revealed sexual dimorphism within the three samples although specimens could not be separated according to the habitat in which they were captured. Forty-two bands were analyzed from RAPD profiles generated using four primers. A dendrogram constructed from Dice's similarity coefficient values showed that migration of the insects between the habitats has occurred, without structuring of populations. Moreover, the dendrogram obtained from the genetic distance values showed an important gene flow between the sylvatic and domestic habitats. No polymorphism was found in the electrophoretic mobility of proteins for the ten enzymes studied. Our results revealed movement of triatomines between the three habitats, suggesting that the presence of T. vitticeps in houses should not be ignored. As invasion of houses by sylvatic insects is frequent and the natural infection indices of this species are among the highest known, epidemiological vigilance studies may reveal possible changes in T. vitticeps behaviour which could present future risks to public health.

Exploiting triatomine behaviour: alternative perspectives for their control

Living in close association with a vertebrate host and feeding on its blood requires different types of adaptations, including behavioural adjustements. Triatomines exhibit particular traits associated with the exploitation of their habitat and food sources and these traits have been the subject of intense analysis. Many aspects of triatomine behaviour have been relatively well characterised and some attempts to exploit the behaviours have been undertaken. Baited traps based on host-associated cues, artificial refuges and light-traps are some of the tools used. Here we discuss how our knowledge of the biology of Chagas disease vectors may help us sample and detect these insects and even increase the efficiency of control measures.

Prevención de los comportamientos sexuales de riesgo en los adolescentes: SIDA, otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual y embarazos no deseados

En la actualidad, los adolescentes son uno de los grupos que por sus características conductuales, cognitivas y sociales, se encuentran en mayor riesgo frente al posible contagio con el VIH. Esta amenaza para la salud y el bienestar de los adolescentes, se ha venido a sumar a otros problemas ya existentes en este colectivo: los embarazos no deseados y las enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS), que también se derivan de la no utilización de precauciones en las relaciones sexuales. En este trabajo se exponen diversos factores biológicos, psicológicos (conductuales y cognitivos) y sociales que pueden facilitar, dificultar o impedir los comportamientos sexuales de prevención de los adolescentes, y se revisan y valoran algunas de las intervenciones preventivas realizadas. A partir de esta revisión se argumenta sobre la conveniencia de unificar los programas para la prevención simultánea de los tres trastornos, maximizando de esta forma los recursos disponibles

Vaporization behaviour and some thermodynamic properties of the Pd-In, Pd-Pb, Pd-Sn systems

In this study, the vaporization behaviour of solid Pd-rich phases in the Pd-Pb, Pd-In and Pd-Sn systems was investigated by Knudsen-effusion-cell coupled with mass-spectrometry. The Pb, Pd, In vapor pressures [no Sn(g) has been detected in the vapor of Pd-Sn system] were evaluated in the temperatures range 1190-1563 K from the ion intensities measured over two-phases regions. Thermodynamic quantities were derived from vapor pressure data. In particular, for the Pd-Sn binary, the intermediate phase Pd7Sn2, the existence of which has been recently proposed, has been studied here for the first time. Furthermore, preliminary thermochemical data are presented for the diatomic intermetallic molecules PdSn and PdPb, which have been for the first time identified in the vapors in equilibrium over liquid solutions of appropriate composition at higher temperatures (1935-2025 K). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aplicación del sistema LISREL para el análisis de un modelo de comportamiento sexual de prevención en ADVP

Se aplica el Sistema LISREL, para el análisis de un modelo de comportamiento sexual de prevención del contagio con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en una muestra de 63 adictos a las drogas por vía parental (ADVP) en tratamiento. Se incluyen en el modelo variables que habitualmente son evaluadas y registradas en los centros de rehabilitación y cuya influencia ha sido demostrada en estudios anteriores. En líneas generales, los resultados corroboran los datos aportados por otros autores respecto a que los hombres y los sujetos VIH+ son, en general, más preventivos en sus relaciones sexuales

Desenmascarar el pensamiento heteronormativo de la educación en la diversidad afectivo-sexual: Guías didácticas en Cataluña: Una óptica psicosocial crítica

El projecte fa una anàlisi dels programes educatius o guies didàctiques dirigides a treballar la diversitat afectiva i sexual què s’han desenvolupat en els centres de primària i secundària a Catalunya fins al curs 2006-2007

Behaviour of the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in Andalusia, Spain, at the onset of the 2009-10 season.

In Andalusia, Spain, the pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus has spread throughout the community, being the dominant influenza strain in the season so far. The current objective of the Andalusia Health Service is focussed on the mitigation of the health and social impact by appropriate care of the patients at home or in health centres. The 2009-10 seasonal influenza epidemic started early compared with to previous seasons. This article analyses the influenza A(H1N1)v situation in Andalusia until the week 39/2009.

Malaria transmission blocking immunity and sexual stage vaccines for interrupting malaria transmission in Latin America

Malaria is a vector-borne disease that is considered to be one of the most serious public health problems due to its high global mortality and morbidity rates. Although multiple strategies for controlling malaria have been used, many have had limited impact due to the appearance and rapid dissemination of mosquito resistance to insecticides, parasite resistance to multiple antimalarial drug, and the lack of sustainability. Individuals in endemic areas that have been permanently exposed to the parasite develop specific immune responses capable of diminishing parasite burden and the clinical manifestations of the disease, including blocking of parasite transmission to the mosquito vector. This is referred to as transmission blocking (TB) immunity (TBI) and is mediated by specific antibodies and other factors ingested during the blood meal that inhibit parasite development in the mosquito. These antibodies recognize proteins expressed on either gametocytes or parasite stages that develop in the mosquito midgut and are considered to be potential malaria vaccine candidates. Although these candidates, collectively called TB vaccines (TBV), would not directly stop malaria from infecting individuals, but would stop transmission from infected person to non-infected person. Here, we review the progress that has been achieved in TBI studies and the development of TBV and we highlight their potential usefulness in areas of low endemicity such as Latin America.

Comienza la formación de la red de salud sexual y reproductiva de Andalucía

Boletín semanal para profesionales sanitarios de la Secretaría General de Salud Pública y Participación Social de la Consejería de Salud

Mejorar el acceso a la píldora postcoital y la educación sexual, recomendación de las sociedades científicas

Boletín semanal para profesionales sanitarios de la Secretaría General de Salud Pública y Participación Social de la Consejería de Salud

Condition-dependent genetic benefits of extrapair fertilization in female blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus.

In many socially monogamous birds, both partners perform extrapair copulations (EPC). As this behaviour potentially inflicts direct costs on females, they are currently hypothesized to search for genetic benefits for descendants, either as 'good' or 'complementary' genes. Although these hypotheses have found some support, several studies failed to find any beneficial consequence of EPC, and whether this behaviour is adaptive to females is subject to discussion. Here, we test these two hypotheses in a natural population of blue tits by accounting for the effect of most parameters known to potentially affect extrapair fertilization. Results suggest that female body mass affected the type of extrapair genetic benefits obtained. Heavy females obtained extrapair fertilizations when their social male was of low quality (as reflected by sexual display) and produced larger extrapair than within-pair chicks. Lean females obtained extrapair fertilizations when their social mate was genetically similar, thereby producing more heterozygous extrapair chicks. Our results suggest that mating patterns may be condition-dependent.

La promoción de la salud sexual y reproductiva, un activo para el bienestar de las personas

Boletín semanal para profesionales sanitarios de la Secretaría General de Salud Pública y Participación Social de la Consejería de Salud

Presentado el plan andaluz frente al vih/sida y otras infecciones de transmisión sexual

Boletín semanal para profesionales sanitarios de la Secretaría General de Salud Pública y Participación Social de la Consejería de Salud

La educación sexual y la prevención de embarazos no deseados, retos de la promoción de la salud sexual y reproductiva

Boletín semanal para profesionales sanitarios de la Secretaría General de Salud Pública y Participación Social de la Consejería de Salud