Staphylococcal biofilm formation on the surface of three different calcium phosphate bone grafts: a qualitative and quantitative in vivo analysis.

Differences in physico-chemical characteristics of bone grafts to fill bone defects have been demonstrated to influence in vitro bacterial biofilm formation. Aim of the study was to investigate in vivo staphylococcal biofilm formation on different calcium phosphate bone substitutes. A foreign-body guinea-pig infection model was used. Teflon cages prefilled with β-tricalcium phosphate, calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite, or dicalcium phosphate (DCP) scaffold were implanted subcutaneously. Scaffolds were infected with 2 × 10(3) colony-forming unit of Staphylococcus aureus (two strains) or S. epidermidis and explanted after 3, 24 or 72 h of biofilm formation. Quantitative and qualitative biofilm analysis was performed by sonication followed by viable counts, and microcalorimetry, respectively. Independently of the material, S. aureus formed increasing amounts of biofilm on the surface of all scaffolds over time as determined by both methods. For S. epidermidis, the biofilm amount decreased over time, and no biofilm was detected by microcalorimetry on the DCP scaffolds after 72 h of infection. However, when using a higher S. epidermidis inoculum, increasing amounts of biofilm were formed on all scaffolds as determined by microcalorimetry. No significant variation in staphylococcal in vivo biofilm formation was observed between the different materials tested. This study highlights the importance of in vivo studies, in addition to in vitro studies, when investigating biofilm formation of bone grafts.

Sitobion graminis Takahashi, 1950 (Hemiptera, Aphididae): first record in Brazil, biological and morphometric parameters

The species Sitobion graminis Takahashi, 1950 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) was first detected in Brazil in 1998, in Curitiba, Paraná state, associated with the grass species Erianthus sp., Calamagrotis sp. and Paspalum urvilei. Both the field-collected and laboratory-reared specimens presented a noticeable intrapopulational variation in body and appendix length and in dorso-abdominal sclerotization. This species has been recorded in Malaysia, New Guinea, India, Philippines and Africa, where it colonizes several species of Poaceae. S. graminis differs from other Sitobion species from Brazil associated with grasses, as it presents black cauda and siphunculi and exhibits a constriction in the base of the last rostral segment. Biological data were obtained in the laboratory by rearing newborn nymphs on the inflorescence of the host plants. They passed through four nymphal instars. The mean duration of the nymphal stage was of 11.4 days, with a mortality ratio of 36.5%. The mean pre-larviposition period was of 1.8 days; mean longevity of the females was 25.2 days; and mean fecundity was 18.7 nymphs/female, ranging from 2 to 41 nymphs/female.

Active civic participation of immigrants in Portugal

Portugal’s historical past strongly influences the composition of the country’s immigrant population. The main third-country foreign nationals in Portugal originate traditionally from Portuguese-speaking African countries (namely Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea Bissau, and S. Tomé e Príncipe) and Brazil. In 2001, a newly created immigrant status entitled “permanence” authorization uncovered a quantitative and a qualitative change in the structure of immigrant population in Portugal. First, there was a quantitative jump from 223.602 foreigners in 2001 to 364.203 regularized foreigners in 2003. Secondly, there was a substantial qualitative shift in the composition of immigrants. The majority of the new immigrants began coming from Eastern European countries, such as Ukraine, Moldavia, Romania, and the Russian Federation. Thus, European countries outside the E.U. zone now rank second (after African countries) in their contribution of individuals to the stocks of immigrant population in Portugal. The differences between the new and traditional immigration flows are visible in the geographical distribution of immigrants and in their insertion into the labour market. While the traditional flows would congregate around the metropolitan area of Lisbon and in the Algarve, the new migratory flows tend to be more geographically dispersed and present in less urbanized areas of Portugal. In terms of insertion in the labour market, although the construction sector is still the most important industry for immigrant labour, Eastern European workers may also be found in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The institutional conditions that encourage immigrants’ civic participation are divided at three different levels: the state, the local, and the civil society levels. At the state level, the High Commissioner for Migrations and Ethnic Minorities is the main organizational structure along with a set of interrelated initiatives operating under specific regulatory frameworks, which act as mediators between state officials and the Portuguese civil society, and more specifically, immigrant communities. At the local level, some municipalities created consultative councils and municipal departments aiming at encouraging the participation and representation of interests from immigrant groups and association in local policies. In the civil society sphere, the main actors in Portugal spurring immigrants civic participation are immigrant associations, mainstream associations directed toward immigration topics, and unions. The legal conditions framing immigrants’ access to social housing, education, health, and social security in Portugal are also considered to be positive. Conditions restricting immigrants’ civic participation are mainly normative and include the Portuguese nationality law, the regulations shaping the political participation of immigrants, namely in what concerns their right to vote, and employment regulations restricting immigrants’ access to public administration positions. Part II of the report focuses on the active civic participation of third country immigrants. First, reasons for the lack of research on this issue in Portugal are explained. On the one hand, the recent immigration history and the more urgent needs regarding school and economic integration kept this issue out of the research spotlight. On the other hand, it was just in the beginning of the 1990s that immigrants took the very first steps toward collective mobilisation. Secondly, the literature review of Portuguese bibliography covers research on third country immigrants’ associative movement, research on local authorities’ policies and discussion about ethnic politics and political mobilisation of immigrants in Portugal. As political mobilisation of these groups has been made mainly through ethnic and/or migrant organisations, a brief history of immigrants' associative movement is given. Immigrant associations develop multiple roles, covering the social, the cultural, the economic and the political domains. Political claiming for the regularisation of illegal immigrants has been a permanent and important field of intervention since the mid-1990s. Research results reveal the com5 plex relations between ethnic mobilisation and the set of legal and institutional frameworks developed by local and national governmental authorities targeted to the incorporation of minority groups. Case studies on the Oeiras district and on the Amadora district are then presented. Conclusions underline that the most active immigrant groups are those from Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, since these groups have constituted a higher number of ethnic associations, give priority to political claiming and present a more politicised discourse. Reflecting on the future of research on civic participation of third country immigrants in Portugal, the authors state that it would be interesting and relevant to compare the Portuguese situation with those of other European countries, with an older immigration history, and analyse how the Portuguese immigrants’ associative movement will be affected by a changing legal framework and the emergence of new opportunities within the set of structures regarding the political participation of minority groups.

Cooperação Portugal-PALOP no Domínio da Comunicação Social

The paper examines the cooperation between Portugal and the African Portuguese Speaking Countries (APSC: Angola, Cabo Verbe, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and S. Tomé and Príncipe) in media-relevant fields. It starts off with an outlook into cooperation activities undertaken by various countries in the APSC in such a field and assesses those initiatives in terms of linguistic and cultural significance. Next, I review the Portuguese institutional framework and the legal instruments for this kind of cooperation. The central aspect of the paper is a critical analysis of measures and projects related to training of journalists and other media professionals. The goal is to identify sensitive aspects and difficulties. I conclude with a global assessment of the Portuguese cooperation in the field of media and advance some suggestions for improvement.

A Casa como Centro das Relações de Parentesco e Mobilidade dos Emigrantes Cabo-Verdianos: o Caso dos Cabo-Verdianos em Portugal

Esta dissertação propõe estudar o papel que a casa desempenha na vida dos cabo-verdianos residentes em Portugal, particularmente na região de grande Lisboa, observando-os como um grupo étnico, isto é, como um conjunto de pessoas que tem por referência a sua origem, ou os seus antepassados próximos em Cabo Verde, ou noutras regiões para onde estes tenham emigrado assim como os imigrantes que já regressaram a Cabo Verde. Por “origem” entendese tanto a procedência geográfica de um lugar que ficou distante, quanto a vinculação a determinados referenciais culturais. A imigração em causa é da segunda metade do século XX, cujas motivações ora são de ordem económica (movidos pelo sistema fundiário que não permitia o acesso à terra para a maioria das populações das ilhas, pobreza extrema, etc.), ora de ordem natural (escassez e irregularidade das chuvas, com as consequentes secas prolongadas e fomes, dizimando pessoas e gados), ora de ordem política (perseguição política, fuga à prestação de serviços militares na Guiné, antes e após o 25 de Abril). Assim, será dado uma especial atenção ao papel que a casa, sobretudo a que foi deixada em Cabo Verde, desempenha nas relações de parentesco de pessoas que se encontram espalhadas por diversos países, bem como todo o processo que enrola a construção e a manutenção da mesma.

Amílcar Cabral: estratégias políticas e culturais para independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde

Nascido na Guiné portuguesa, educado em Cabo Verde e na universidade de portuguesa, profissional no campo da agronomia em Portugal e nos territórios colonizados, Cabral apelido que hoje dispensa muitas apresentações na historiografia africana, foi actor de um percurso único sedimentado nos tempos duros da dominação colonial portuguesa, quando fora de Portugal e do seu império, movimentos intelectuais, ideias políticas e acções culturais procuravam libertar o homem colonizado africano das malhas do colonialismo e da opressão. É com base nesta breve descrição que ressaltamos a necessidade de analisar as estratégias políticas e culturais de Cabral para a conquista da independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde, procurando o que foi produto da colonização portuguesa, mas sobretudo apurar como integrou contribuições teóricas internacionais e africanas, que em meados do século XX marcaram as escolhas e práticas dos intelectuais e políticos africanos integrados no processo de luta de libertação e independência. Procuramos estudar neste trabalho, a forma como este notável político africano estruturou as suas aprendizagens, e reflexões articulando a realidades guineenses e caboverdeanas do século XX, e as correntes marcantes do pensamento libertador africano. Tentaremos também perceber as diversas dinâmicas que possam ter contribuído de alguma maneira especial para construção da sua identidade que resultou na sua entrega à luta de libertação nacional. Cabral, as suas estratégias políticas e culturais, o seu impacto nos territórios africanos constituiu o eixo central desta investigação a que titulamos «Amílcar Cabral: Estratégias políticas e culturais para a independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde».

Resilência, sustentabilidade e qualidade de vida em sistemas urbanos : efeitos da crise (pós-2008) em Portugal e no sistema urbano do oeste

Este estudo analisa as dinâmicas da imprensa e do jornalismo nos territórios da África Portuguesa (Cabo Verde, Angola, Moçambique, São Tomé e Príncipe e Guiné) ao longo do período colonial, entre 1842-1974. Os papéis desempenhados pelo jornalismo e as características do sistema de imprensa são observados, discutidos e analisados no contexto sociopolítico do império colonial português nos séculos XIX e XX. No estudo das relações entre a imprensa e o império adopta-se uma perspectiva multidisciplinar, na qual dialogam a história, a sociologia e a ciência política, permitindo uma compreensão aprofundada das interacções e interdependências entre a imprensa, o império colonial e os regimes políticos. O estudo de caso da África Portuguesa demonstra que a imprensa e o jornalismo nos cinco territórios apresentaram dinâmicas e características similares no período colonial. A imprensa foi decisiva na afirmação do colonialismo português, mas o jornalismo também contestou e opôs-se e ao projecto imperial. Foi ao longo do colonialismo que a imprensa emergiu, desenvolveu-se e consolidou-se como uma instituição de perfil político e como plataforma dos conflitos sociais.

A imprensa e o império na África Portuguesa, 1842-1974

Este estudo analisa as dinâmicas da imprensa e do jornalismo nos territórios da África Portuguesa (Cabo Verde, Angola, Moçambique, São Tomé e Príncipe e Guiné) ao longo do período colonial, entre 1842-1974. Os papéis desempenhados pelo jornalismo e as características do sistema de imprensa são observados, discutidos e analisados no contexto sociopolítico do império colonial português nos séculos XIX e XX. No estudo das relações entre a imprensa e o império adopta-se uma perspectiva multidisciplinar, na qual dialogam a história, a sociologia e a ciência política, permitindo uma compreensão aprofundada das interacções e interdependências entre a imprensa, o império colonial e os regimes políticos. O estudo de caso da África Portuguesa demonstra que a imprensa e o jornalismo nos cinco territórios apresentaram dinâmicas e características similares no período colonial. A imprensa foi decisiva na afirmação do colonialismo português, mas o jornalismo também contestou e opôs-se e ao projecto imperial. Foi ao longo do colonialismo que a imprensa emergiu, desenvolveu-se e consolidou-se como uma instituição de perfil político e como plataforma dos conflitos sociais.

Co-infecção por vírus da hepatite B e vírus da imunodeficiência humana em países africanos

Introdução: Actualmente, estima-se que existam dois milhões de indivíduos infectados por vírus da hepatite B (VHB) e que, cerca de 25% dos indivíduos com infecção crónica morrem devido a sequelas resultantes da infecção por VHB. Paralelamente, calcula-se que existam cerca de 33 milhões de indivíduos infectados por VIH, sendo que 22, 5 milhões residem na região de África a sul do Sara. Na região de África a sul do Sara existem poucos estudos efectuados no âmbito da co-infecção por VIH/VHB. Contudo, dos estudos existentes, esta taxa pode situar-se entre os 2,4% e os 9,9%. Objectivo: Avaliar as taxas de seroprevalência de VHB e VIH, assim como a taxa de co-infecção por VIH/VHB em Angola, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau e Moçambique. Métodos: Foram efectuadas duas pesquisas bibliográficas neste estudo. A primeira, realizada nos meses de Setembro/Outubro 2008, tinha como objectivo contextualizar a infecção por VHB, VIH e a co-infecção por VIH/VHB nos países desenvolvidos e nos países em desenvolvimento. A segunda pesquisa foi efectuada durante o mês de Agosto de 2009, e visava apenas cobrir a realidade dos países em análise, relativamente aos objectivos previamente delineados do estudo. Resultados: Em Moçambique, constatou-se que a seroprevalência de VIH-1 tinha quadriplicado entre 1993 (1,17%) e o ano 2000 (4,5%). Na Guiné-Bissau, entre 1997 e 1999, também a seroprevalência de VIH-1 duplicou (2,5% e 5,2%, respectivamente). Em Cabo-Verde, no ano de 2006, a seroprevalência de VIH era 2,4%, enquanto que a seroprevalência da infecção por VHB era 4,4%. Em Angola, no ano de 2005, a seroprevalência de VIH era de 2,5%. Neste estudo também foi avaliada a co-infecção, sendo que nenhum caso foi diagnosticado. Conclusão: É urgente realizarem-se mais estudos nos países PALOP, no âmbito da seroprevalência das monoinfecções VIH e VHB, assim como na co-infecção por VIH/VHB, uma vez que existe pouca informação disponível. De qualquer modo, sendo a infecção por VHB uma doença prevenível por vacina, é fundamental que os planos de vacinação continuem a ser postos em prática nos países onde já estão implementados e, no caso dos países que ainda não os têm, que a sua implementação seja efectuada de forma sustentada e o mais brevemente possível.

The genome sequencing of an albino Western lowland gorilla reveals inbreeding in the wild

BACKGROUND: The only known albino gorilla, named Snowflake, was a male wild born individual from Equatorial Guinea who lived at the Barcelona Zoo for almost 40 years. He was diagnosed with non-syndromic oculocutaneous albinism, i.e. white hair, light eyes, pink skin, photophobia and reduced visual acuity. Despite previous efforts to explain the genetic cause, this is still unknown. Here, we study the genetic cause of his albinism and making use of whole genome sequencing data we find a higher inbreeding coefficient compared to other gorillas.RESULTS: We successfully identified the causal genetic variant for Snowflake's albinism, a non-synonymous single nucleotide variant located in a transmembrane region of SLC45A2. This transporter is known to be involved in oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4) in humans. We provide experimental evidence that shows that this amino acid replacement alters the membrane spanning capability of this transmembrane region. Finally, we provide a comprehensive study of genome-wide patterns of autozygogosity revealing that Snowflake's parents were related, being this the first report of inbreeding in a wild born Western lowland gorilla.CONCLUSIONS: In this study we demonstrate how the use of whole genome sequencing can be extended to link genotype and phenotype in non-model organisms and it can be a powerful tool in conservation genetics (e.g., inbreeding and genetic diversity) with the expected decrease in sequencing cost.

Efficacy of daptomycin in implant-associated infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: importance of combination with rifampin.

Limited treatment options are available for implant-associated infections caused by methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We compared the activity of daptomycin (alone and with rifampin [rifampicin]) with the activities of other antimicrobial regimens against MRSA ATCC 43300 in the guinea pig foreign-body infection model. The daptomycin MIC and the minimum bactericidal concentration in logarithmic phase and stationary growth phase of MRSA were 0.625, 0.625, and 20 microg/ml, respectively. In time-kill studies, daptomycin showed rapid and concentration-dependent killing of MRSA in stationary growth phase. At concentrations above 20 microg/ml, daptomycin reduced the counts by >3 log(10) CFU/ml in 2 to 4 h. In sterile cage fluid, daptomycin peak concentrations of 23.1, 46.3, and 53.7 microg/ml were reached 4 to 6 h after the administration of single intraperitoneal doses of 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. In treatment studies, daptomycin alone reduced the planktonic MRSA counts by 0.3 log(10) CFU/ml, whereas in combination with rifampin, a reduction in the counts of >6 log(10) CFU/ml was observed. Vancomycin and daptomycin (at both doses) were unable to cure any cage-associated infection when they were given as monotherapy, whereas rifampin alone cured the infections in 33% of the cages. In combination with rifampin, daptomycin showed cure rates of 25% (at 20 mg/kg) and 67% (at 30 mg/kg), vancomycin showed a cure rate of 8%, linezolid showed a cure rate of 0%, and levofloxacin showed a cure rate of 58%. In addition, daptomycin at a high dose (30 mg/kg) completely prevented the emergence of rifampin resistance in planktonic and adherent MRSA cells. Daptomycin at a high dose, corresponding to 6 mg/kg in humans, in combination with rifampin showed the highest activity against planktonic and adherent MRSA. Daptomycin plus rifampin is a promising treatment option for implant-associated MRSA infections.

Advances in vaccination against Helicobacter pylori.

A vaccination against Helicobacter pylori may represent both prophylactic and therapeutic approaches to the control of H. pylori infection. Different protective H. pylori-derived antigens, such as urease, vacuolating cytotoxin A, cytotoxin-associated antigen, neutrophil-activating protein and others can be produced at low cost in prokaryote expression systems and most of these antigens have already been administered to humans and shown to be safe. The recent development by Graham et al. of the model of H. pylori challenge in humans, the recent published clinical trials and the last insight generated in animal models of H. pylori infection regarding the immune mechanisms leading to vaccine-induced Helicobacter clearance will facilitate the evaluation of immunogenicity and efficacy of H. pylori vaccine candidates in Phase II and III clinical trials.

Contribution à l'écologie et la zoogéographie de Micropotamogale lamottei (Mammalia, Tenrecidae)

Eighty eight specimens of the West African Pigmy Otter shrew Micropotamogale lamottei were collected in Western Ivory Coast between 1971 and 1976. Most of the animals had been drowned accidentally bow-nets; four were live-trapped by the author. The Pigmy Otter shrew lives not only in swampy areas, as supposed by other authors, but also in small rivers and forest streams. The species is well adapted to its aquatic environment; it feeds mainly on fresh water crab and fish, swims well, is able to remain submerged for 10 to 15 minutes when alarmed, and grooms itself carefully and regularly. A survey carried out locally shows that the species is relatively common in the mountainous region surrounding Danané and Man, and further west in similar habitats of Liberia and Guinea. Its distribution in the Ivory Coast extends no more than 50 km around Danané-Man core-area. It is thought that living Potamogalinae stem from an early adaptative radiation of the Tenrecidae in continental Africa. Later on, the terrestrial forms were probably eliminated by competing Soricidae and Erinaceidae, their aquatic way of life enabling the Potamogalinae to survive until now.