Prevalence of respiratory viruses among febrile children with or without acute respiratory symptoms in Tanzania

Background Respiratory viruses are the most frequent cause of febrile illnesses in infants and young children but few investigations have assessed their impact and epidemiology in Africa . We investigated their rate in febrile outpatient children attending in Tanzania. Methods Children aged 2 months -10 years with fever >38 _C were recruited prospectively between April and December 2008. Medical history and clinical examination were recorded in a standardized fashion and nasopharyngeal swabs analyzed for the presence of 12 viruses by real-time PCR (FLUAV, FLUBV, RSV, MPV, HPIV-1/3, four types of HCoV, HBoV, PIC and HAdV). Ct values were used to provide semi-quantitative viral loads.Results Of 1005 febrile children enrolled, 623 (62%) had respiratory symptoms (URTI in 66%, bronchiolitis in 7% and clinical pneumonia in 27%); 156 (16%) had febrile illness that remained of unspecified etiology and 226 (22%) had other infectious diseases and no ARI (62 malaria, 56 gastroenteritis, 36 urinary tract and 72 others). The proportions of patients with at least one respiratory virus were 70%, 61% and 47% (Pvalue < 0.001) in these three groups. When excluding picornavirus and adenovirus these proportions were 48%, 24% and 26% (P-value < 0.001). Apart from picornavirus and adenovirus, influenza A and B viruses were the most frequent followed by coronavirus and RSV. The proportion of children with presumably high viral titers (Ct < 25) was higher in the group with respiratory symptoms (31%) than in the two other groups (21% and 16%). Influenza genotyping revealed strains that were similar to the ones circulating elsewhere in the world.Conclusion In African children with febrile illness, the prevalence of respiratory viruses, especially influenza A and B, is high particularly in the presence of respiratory symptoms, but also, although less so, in those with unspecified etiology or other infectious diseases. This highlights that these viruses are commonly circulating in Tanzanian children.

Utilização de uréia em misturas com sulfato de amônio ou com gesso na cultura de milho

Aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos devem ser considerados na adubação nitrogenada de cobertura na cultura de milho. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar, nos municípios de Votuporanga (SP) e Uberlândia (MG), o efeito de diferentes misturas de grânulos, contendo N e S, na produtividade de milho. Em um Argissolo Vermelho eutrófico A moderado textura arenosa (120 g kg-1 de argila) de Votuporanga, foram estimadas as perdas por volatilização de N-NH3, das misturas de grânulos constituídas por uréia (U) e sulfato de amônio (SA), ou U e gesso agrícola, aplicadas no primeiro parcelamento de cobertura nitrogenada. Em Uberlândia, em Latossolo Vermelho ácrico típico fase Cerrado subcaducifólio muito argiloso (720 g kg-1), foram determinados a distribuição de N-inorgânico e S-sulfato em profundidade, após a aplicação das misturas em cobertura, e os custos de aplicação dessas fontes. Os experimentos foram instalados em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, e as misturas de grânulos aplicadas em superfície, na entre linha de cultivo. Em Votuporanga, foram acompanhados dois experimentos: safra 2005/2006 e safrinha 2006. Na safra de 2005/2006, foram comparados quatro tratamentos de cobertura: testemunha, sem N, uréia+sulfato de amônio farelado (U+SAfa), uréia+gesso granulado (U+Gesso gr) e uréia+gesso em pó (U+Gesso pó), aplicados em dois parcelamentos de 45 kg ha-1 de N cada, nos estádios de cinco a seis folhas e 12 a 13 folhas. As perdas de N-NH3 volatilizado em função do N aplicado foram de 45,9, 56,6 e 61,1 % das misturas U+SAfa, U+Gesso pó e U+Gesso gr, respectivamente. A produtividade de grãos não mostrou diferença significativa entre os tratamentos, sendo, em média, de 5.362 kg ha-1. Na safrinha, uréia+sulfato de amônio granulado (U+SAgr) foi incluído nos tratamentos. Neste experimento, as misturas de grânulos foram aplicadas em doses de 50 kg ha-1 de N cada, em cobertura, nos estádios de três a quatro folhas e seis a sete folhas. A produtividade de grãos foi similar entre as fontes de U+SA e U+Gesso, sendo em média de 5.332 kg ha-1. Em Uberlândia, foram comparados os cinco tratamentos testados no experimento - safrinha de Votuporanga. As misturas de grânulos foram aplicadas em dose única de 90 kg ha-1 de N, no estádio de quatro a cinco folhas. Os maiores teores de N-mineral total foram detectados na camada de 0 a 10 cm de profundidade, em todos os tratamentos (abaixo de 3 mg dm-3), diminuindo em profundidade, enquanto o S-sulfato concentrou-se entre as camadas de 10 a 60 cm. Os tratamentos de U+Gesso e U+SA apresentaram, em média, produtividades de 11.364 e 10.300 kg ha-1 de grãos, respectivamente. O custo de aplicação de U+Gesso gr foi 27,7 % superior aos custos médios de aplicação de U+SAgr e U+SAfa, devido a seu menor teor de N, e 7,8 % superior em relação aos custos diretos totais por hectare. A mistura NK com aplicação posterior de U+Gesso pó apresentou custo de aplicação similar ao da U+Gesso gr, devido à dupla operação de aplicação do primeiro. Os resultados em ambas as regiões permitem concluir que o milho respondeu de forma similar à aplicação em cobertura das fontes mistas, U+SA e U+Gesso, independentemente da granulometria dos produtos, e que os custos de aplicação das formas U+Gesso foram superiores aos das misturas U+SA.

Leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction is necessary for photodynamic therapy induced vascular permeabilization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) affects vascular barrier function and thus increases vessel permeability. This phenomenon may be exploited to facilitate targeted drug delivery and may lead to a new clinical application of photodynamic therapy. Here, we investigate the role of leukocyte recruitment for PDT-induced vascular permeabilization. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-D, 2,000 kDa) was injected intravenously 120 minutes after focal PDT on striated muscle in nude mice bearing dorsal skinfold chambers (Visudyne® 800 µg/kg, fluence rate 300 mW/cm2 , light dose of 200 J/cm2). Leukocyte interaction with endothelial cells was inhibited by antibodies functionally blocking adhesion molecules ("MABS-PDT" group, n = 5); control animals had PDT but no antibody injection (group "PDT", n = 7). By intravital microscopy, we monitored leukocyte rolling and sticking in real-time before, 90 and 180 minutes after PDT. The extravasation of FITC-D from striated muscle vessels into the interstitial space was determined in vivo during 45 minutes to assess treatment-induced alterations of vascular permeability. RESULTS: PDT significantly increased the recruitment of leukocytes and enhanced the leakage of FITC-D. Neutralization of adhesion molecules before PDT suppressed the rolling of leukocytes along the venular endothelium and significantly reduced the extravasation of FITC-D as compared to control animals (156 ± 27 vs. 11 ± 2 (mean ± SEM, number of WBC/30 seconds mm vessel circumference; P < 0.05) at 90 minutes after PDT and 194 ± 21 vs. 14 ± 4 at 180 minutes after PDT). In contrast, leukocyte sticking was not downregulated by the antibody treatment. CONCLUSION: Leukocyte recruitment plays an essential role in the permeability-enhancing effect of PDT.

M. Tullii Ciceronis opera, omnium quae hactenus excusa sunt castigatissima, nunc primum in lucem edita (a Petro Victorio). Quartus tomus, in quo Marci Tullii Ciceronis opera philosophica

Comprend : Explicationes suarum in Ciceronem castigationum

Lixiviação de nitrogênio em latossolo incubado com lodo de esgoto

Lodo de esgoto contém teores elevados de N orgânico. Se for aplicado em quantidade excessiva em solos, há risco de poluição de águas subsuperficiais com nitrato, produto da mineralização do N. Por essa razão, um dos critérios agronômicos para a determinação da taxa máxima de aplicação do lodo de esgoto é a quantidade de N mineral que será disponibilizada às culturas. Neste trabalho, são apresentados os resultados relativos à lixiviação de N mineralizado em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico incubado durante 224 dias com dois tipos de lodo de esgoto anaeróbios, um de origem urbana (Franca, SP) e outro com presença de despejos industriais (Barueri, SP). Cada lodo de esgoto foi aplicado em quatro doses, contendo 0,13, 0,3, 0,5 e 1,0 g kg-1 de N orgânico. Essa quantidade de substrato mineralizável foi equivalente a 5, 11, 22 e 43 t ha-1 de lodo de Franca, e a 8, 15, 31 e 61 t ha-1 de lodo de Barueri. O experimento foi conduzido em colunas de percolação, sob temperatura de 25 a 28 °C em laboratório, fazendo-se lixiviações com solução extratora de KCl 0,01 mol L-1. Foram determinadas as quantidades de N mineral (N-NH4+ e N-NO3- + N-NO2-) extraídas nos percolados em doze épocas. Houve correlação significativa entre as quantidades aplicadas de N na forma orgânica e as quantidades de N mineralizadas durante a incubação nos dois tipos de lodo avaliados. O potencial de mineralização estimado pelo modelo exponencial simples foi de 73 mg kg-1 de N no solo sem aplicação de lodo, e aumentou de 107 para 224 mg kg-1 e de 132 para 364 mg kg-1 nos tratamentos com o lodo de esgoto de Franca e de Barueri, respectivamente. A fração de mineralização potencial do N orgânico dos dois tipos de lodo de esgoto decresceu com o aumento das doses aplicadas: 26, 25, 21 e 14 % para o de Franca, e 43, 39, 34 e 27 % para o de Barueri. Em consequência, o potencial de lixiviação de N no Latossolo aumentou de 46 para 207 % com as doses do lodo de Franca, e de 81 para 399 % com as doses do lodo de Barueri.

Restoration of anti-tetanus toxoid responses in patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy with or without a boost immunization: an INITIO substudy.

INITIO is an open-labelled randomized trial evaluating first-line therapeutic strategies for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. In an immunology substudy a tetanus toxoid booster (TTB) immunization was planned for 24 weeks after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). All patients had received tetanus toxoid immunization in childhood. Generation of proliferative responses to tetanus toxoid was compared in two groups of patients, those receiving a protease inhibitor (PI)-sparing regimen (n = 21) and those receiving a PI-containing (n = 54) regimen. Fifty-two participants received a TTB immunization [PI-sparing (n = 15), PI-containing (n = 37)] and 23 participants did not [PI-sparing (n = 6) or PI-containing (n = 17)]. Cellular responses to tetanus antigen were monitored by lymphoproliferation at time of immunization and every 24 weeks to week 156. Proportions with a positive response (defined as stimulation index > or = 3 and Delta counts per minute > or = 3000) were compared at weeks 96 and 156. All analyses were intent-to-treat. Fifty-two participants had a TTB immunization at median 25 weeks; 23 patients did not. At weeks 96 and 156 there was no evidence of a difference in tetanus-specific responses, between those with or without TTB immunization (P = 0.2, P = 0.4). There was no difference in the proportion with response between those with PI-sparing or PI-containing regimens at both time-points (P = 0.8, P = 0.7). The proliferative response to tetanus toxoid was unaffected by initial HAART regimen. Anti-tetanus responses appear to reconstitute eventually in most patients over 156 weeks when treated successfully with HAART, irrespective of whether or not a TTB immunization has been administered.

Mandatory infectious diseases consultation for MRSA bacteremia is associated with reduced mortality.

OBJECTIVES: Although infectious disease (ID) consultation has been associated with lower mortality in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, it is still not mandatory in many centers. This study aimed at assessing the impact of ID consultation on diagnostic and therapeutic management of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients with MRSA bacteremia from 2001 to 2010. ID consultations were obtained on request between 2001 and 2006 and became mandatory since 2007. RESULTS: 156 episodes of MRSA bacteremia were included, mostly from central venous catheter (32%) and skin and soft tissue (19%) infections. ID consultation coverage was 58% between 2001 and 2006 and 91% between 2007 and 2010. ID consultation was associated with more echocardiography (59% vs. 26%, p < 0.01), vancomycin trough level measurements (99% vs. 77%, p < 0.01), follow-up blood cultures (71% vs. 50%, p = 0.05), deep-seated infections (43% vs. 16%, p < 0.01), more frequent infection source control (83% vs. 57%, p = 0.03), a longer duration of MRSA-active therapy (median and IQR: 17 days, 13-30, vs. 12, 3-14, p < 0.01) and a 20% reduction in 7-day, 30-day and in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: ID consultation was associated with a better management of patients with MRSA bacteremia and a reduced mortality.

[Illustrations de Histoire de la mission des Pères Capucins en l'Isle de Maragnan et terres circonvoisines...] / L. Gaultier [grav.] ; Le Père Claude d'Abbeville, aut. du texte

Comprend : [Frontispice : Pape, moine, personnification de l'Eglise. Armoiries. XVIè siècle.] [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.90 : élévation d'une croix pour la bénédiction de l'Ile de Maragnan. XVIIè siècle.] [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.348 : indigène de l'Ile de Maragnan, nommé François Carypyra, de la tribu des Tabaiares. XVIIè siècle.] François Carypyra. [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.356 : indigène de l'Ile de Maragnan, nommé Jacques Patova. XVIIè siècle.] Jacques Patova. [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.359 : indigène de l'Ile de Maragnan, nommé Antoine Manen, natif de Renary, originaire de Para de l'Ouest. XVIIè siècle.] Anthoine Manen. [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.362 : indigène de l'Ile de Maragnan, nommé Itapoucou Topinamba et baptisé Louis-Marie. XVIIè siècle.] Louis Marie. [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.364 : indigène de l'Ile de Maragnan, nommé Ouäroyio Topinamba et baptisé Louis-Henry. XVIIè siècle.] Louis Henri. [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836] ; [pl. en reg. p.365 : indigène de l'Ile de Maragnan, nommé Iapouäy et baptisé Louis de Saint-Jean. XVIIè siècle.] Louis de St. Iehan. [cote : microfilm m 10858/R 15836]

Functional analysis of altered channel-activating protease-1 (CAP1) expression in the skin

Summary : The skin is a complex organ that protects the body against entry of pathogens and supplies a relatively dry and impermeable barrier to water loss. This barrier function is mainly provided by the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. Serine proteases are involved in skin physiology and it is known that mutations or alterations in their expression can lead to skin diseases. In order to investigate the importance of the regulated expression of CAPI/Prss8, a membrane bound serine protease expressed in the epidermis, we developed transgenic mice ectopically expressing CAPI/Prss8 in the skin. These animals exhibited a phenotype characterized by scaly skin, epidermal hypertrophy, inflammation and scratching behavior. This phenotype could be completely abolished in mice lacking the proteinase activated receptor 2 (PAR2) revealing PAR2 as a potential in vivo downstream target of CAP 1 /Prss8. We could also provide evidence of a CAP1 /Prss8 function independent of its catalytic activity. Additionally, mice ectopically expressing PAR2 in the skin developed a skin phenotype very similar to CAPI/Prss8 transgenic animals, supporting the hypothesis of PAR2 activation by CAPI/Prss8. We could furthermore demonstrate an inhibitory effect of the serine protease inhibitor nexin-I on CAPI/Prss8, since nexin-1 transgenic expression negated the skin phenotype observed in CAPI/Prss8 transgenic mice. CAP1/Prss8 and PAR2 transgenic animals, and the understanding of the interaction between CAPl/Prss8 and PAR2, can be helpful in developing potential CAPI/Prss8 and PAR2 inhibitory molecules that may be used as drugs to treat ichthyoses-like skin diseases. Résumé : La peau est un organe complexe qui protège le corps contre l'entrée des pathogènes et forme une barrière imperméable qui empêche la déshydratation. Cette fonction de barrière est surtout fournie par l'épiderme, la couche la plus superficielle de la peau. Le bon fonctionnement de cet organe est permis, entre autres, par les protéases à sérine qui sont des enzymes dont l'altération peut causer des maladies de la peau. Pour étudier l'importance de la régulation de CAP1/Prss8, une protéase à sérine exprimée au niveau de l'épiderme, des souris génétiquement modifiées, dans lesquelles CAP1/Prss8 est exprimé d'une manière ectopique dans la peau, ont été générées. Les animaux transgéniques pour CAP1/Prss8 présentent une peau squameuse, un épiderme hypertrophique, des processus inflammatoires et se grattent. Ce phénotype a pu être complètement guéri lorsque le gène de PAR2, un récepteur qui règle l'activité des cellules de l'épiderme, est inactivé chez la souris. Ceci montre que PAR2 est une cible de CAP1/Prss8 dans le système étudié. Des études expérimentales suggèrent de plus que l'effet de CAP1/Prss8 dans ce modèle ne dépend pas de son activité enzymatique. En dernière analyse, il a été démontré que l'expression transgénique de nexin-1, un inhibiteur des protéases à sérine exprimé dans la peau, a la capacité d'améliorer la peau squameuse et l'épiderme hypertrophique causés par CAP1/Prss8 transgénique. Les animaux transgéniques pour CAP1/Prss8 et PAR2, et la compréhension du mécanisme d'interaction entre eux, pourraient aider à développer et à tester des molécules inhibitrices de CAP1 /Prss8 et PARI qui pourraient alors être utilisées comme médicaments pour traiter des maladies de la peau comme les ichthyoses.