Species structure of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna in the Brazilian western Amazon

We surveyed areas of the state of Rondônia in western Amazon for phlebotomine, which are potential vectors of leishmaniasis. A total of 5,998 specimens were captured, resulting in the identification of 48 species within the Lutzomyia (99.98%) and Brumptomyia (0.02%) genera. The predominant species was Lutzomyia davisi, followed by Lutzomyia umbratilis, Lutzomyia llanosmartinsi, Lutzomyia c. carrerai, Lutzomyia dendrophyla, Lutzomyia nevesi and Lutzomyia whitmani. All sand flies identified as vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil, i.e., Lu. davisi, Lu. umbratilis, Lu. c. carrerai and Lu. whitmani, were found in the surveyed areas.

Study of sand fly fauna in an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis and canine visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Espírito Santo do Pinhal, São Paulo, Brazil

Canine American visceral leishmaniasis and American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) cases have been recorded in Espírito Santo do Pinhal. The aim of this study was to gather knowledge of the sand fly community and its population ecology within the municipality. Captures were made weekly over a period of 15 months in the urban, periurban and rural areas of the municipality, using automatic light traps. A total of 5,562 sand flies were collected, comprising 17 species. The most abundant species were Nyssomyia whitmani and Pintomyia pessoai in the rural area, Lutzomyia longipalpis and Ny. whitmani in the periurban area and Lu. longipalpis in the urban area. The highest species richness and greatest index species diversity were found in the rural area. The similarity index showed that urban and periurban areas were most alike. Lu. longipalpis was found in great numbers during both dry and humid periods. The presence of dogs infected with Leishmania infantum chagasi in the urban area indicates a high risk for the establishment of the disease in the region. A high abundance of Ny. whitmani and Pi. pessoai in the rural and periurban areas indicates the possibility of new cases of ACL occurring in and spreading to the periurban area of Espírito Santo do Pinhal.

La Connectivitat biològica entre el massís de l' Albera i el massís de les Salines: una aproximació des de la fauna vertebrada

Aquest projecte pretén estudiar la falta de connectivitat biològica entre la serra de l' Albera i el massís de les Salines (Pirineu empordanès)

Pla de gestió Reserva Natural de Fauna Salvatge de l’Illa de Fluvià

El projecte es basa en l’ elaboració del Pla de gestió de la Reserva Natural de Fauna Salvatge de l’ Illa del Fluvià, coneguda també com l’ Illa de Fares o de Besalú, entre les comarques de la Garrotxa i el Pla de l’ Estany. Es donen un seguit de propostes de millores i també propostes que permetin aprofitar el potencia educatiu de la zona

Distribution of phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) across an urban-rural gradient in an area of endemic visceral leishmaniasis in northern Brazil

The number of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases has increased over the past 10 years in Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast regions of the country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the urbanisation of VL vectors in Barcarena, Pará, an area in northern Brazil where VL is endemic. Sandflies were captured using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps along an urban-rural gradient. The CDC traps were installed inside hen houses at a height of 150 cm. A total of 5,089 sandflies were collected and 11 species were identified. The predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (rate of 95.15%), which suggests its participation in the transmission of VL. A total of 1,451 Lu. longipalpis females were dissected and no Leishmania infections were detected. Most of the sandflies were captured at the border of a forest (88.25%) and no flies were captured in the urban area, which suggests that transmission is still restricted to rural sites. However, the fact that a specimen was collected in an intermediate area indicates that urbanisation is a real possibility and that vector monitoring is important.

Ecologia del tram final del riu Ebre: la comunitat de macròfits i macroinvertebrats associats

Durant els últims anys al tram final del riu Ebre s’han produit canvis molt importants a l’ecosistema fluvial: l’augment de la transparència de l’aigua ha comportat una proliferació massiva de macròfits que ha provocat canvis en l’estructura tròfica i en la composició de les comunitats biològiques, representant un greu perill per espècies amenaçades com Margaritifera auricularia. A més del problema ecològic, els macròfits estan provocant molts problemes socio-econòmics perjudicant les captacions d’aigua (centrals nuclears, hidroelèctriques i regadius), creant problemes per a la navegació fluvial, i afavorint la proliferació d’espècies molestes com la mosca negra (Simulium erythrocephalum). Entre les diferents causes que podrien explicar aquests canvis en l’ecosistema hi ha: la disminució del fòsfor dissolt, la regularització i la disminució de cabals, i l’aparició d’espècies introduides com el musclo zebra. Segurament es tractarà d’un efecte combinat de les diferents causes però és necessari analitzar-les per tal de conèixer quines tenen més incidència i així, poder proposar mesures de gestió per als problemes ecològics que pateix el tram final de l’Ebre. Al present projecte de tesi (inclós en el projecte d’I+D: efectes de la millora de la qualitat de l'aigua i de l'alteració del règim de cabals sobre les comunitats biològiques del tram final del riu Ebre) s’estudiarà la comunitat de macròfits i macroinvertebrats associats per tal de determinar el paper que tenen en el canvis que s’han produit al riu durant els últims anys.

The sandfly fauna, anthropophily and the seasonal activities of Pintomyia spinicrassa (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeastern Colombia

This study was conducted to identify the sandfly fauna and the anthropophilic species in a coffee-growing area of Villanueva, Norte de Santander, Colombia, a focus of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, and to analyse the relationship between the most frequent species and rainfall, relative humidity and temperature, with the aim of contributing to epidemiological surveillance in the area. Sandfly collections were performed fortnightly between February 2006-September 2007 using automatic light traps, Shannon traps, protected human bait and aspiration in resting places. A total of 7,051 sandflies belonging to 12 species were captured. Pintomyia spinicrassa (95.7%) predominated. Pintomyia oresbia and Lutzomyia sp. of Pichinde were found in the state of Norte de Santander for the first time. Pi. spinicrassa, Pintomyia nuneztovari, Micropygomyia venezuelensis, Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) scorzai and Lu. (Helcocyrtomyia) sp. were captured on the protected human bait. A significant association between Pi. spinicrassa abundance and the total rainfall and the average temperature and humidity 10 days before the collection was observed. The dominance of Pi. spinicrassa, a recognised vector of Leishmania braziliensis, especially during the dry periods, indicates that the risk of parasite transmission may increase.

The phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Guaraí, state of Tocantins, with an emphasis on the putative vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural settlement and periurban areas

Phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of Guaraí in the state of Tocantins (TO), an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as ACL vectors. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in TO. Nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia bourrouli, Nyssomyia antunesi and Psychodopygus complexus. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the evenness index were higher in the rural settlement area than in the periurban area. The evaluation of different ecotopes within the rural area showed the highest frequencies of Ev. bourrouli and Ny. antunesi in chicken coops, whereas Ny. whitmani predominated in this ecotope in the periurban area. In the rural settlement area, Ev. bourrouli was the most frequently captured species in automatic light traps and Ps. complexus was the most prevalent in Shannon trap captures. The rural settlement environment exhibited greater phlebotomine biodiversity than the periurban area. Ps. complexus and Psychodopygus ayrozai naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were identified. The data identified Ny. whitmani as a potential ACL vector in the periurban area, whereas Ps. complexus was more prevalent in the rural environment associated with settlements.

The sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) of the Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the state of Rio de Janeiro is sporadic and can be characterised as a peridomestic transmission that occurs in modified natural environments. The aim of this work was to study the fauna and ecological characteristics of sandflies in an environmentally protected area (the State Park of Serra da Tiririca) within the remnants of the Atlantic Forest in the municipalities of Niterói and Maricá and their possible relationship with leishmaniasis. Captures were performed using light traps during the night once a month for one year in both sylvatic environments and areas surrounding homes near the park. A total of 1,037 sandflies were captured, belonging to nine genera and 12 species: Evandromyia tupynambai (34.1%), Migonemyia migonei (20.6%), Brumptomyia cunhai (13.8%), Micropygomyia schreiberi (9.7%), Psathyromyia lanei (6.5%), Brumptomyia nitzulescui (5.7%), Evandromyia edwardsi (5.4%), Nyssomyia intermedia (2.8%), Evandromyia cortelezzii (0.6%), Pintomyia bianchigalatiae (0.5%), Lutzomyia longipalpis (0.2%) and Sciopemyia microps (0.1%). Both Mg. migonei and Ny. intermedia may be acting as vectors of CL in this area.

Recambios en un solo tiempo de prótesis de cadera y rodilla sobre terreno contaminado: nuestra experiencia

Objective: Evaluate the results obtained in the simultaneous replacement of a septic arthroplasty or a second septic replacement (implanting the prosthesis in a contaminated eld). Material and method: Series of 17 cases, with a mean age of 66.8 years and average follow-up of 49 months. The exclusion criteria were serious immunological depression and unknown germ or not sensitive to at least three antibiotics. After the intervention, the corresponding antibiotics were administered between six weeks and three months. Recovery was established as the normality for infection indicator variables at least nine months after the replacement. Results: 14 patients developed towards total recovery (follow-up at least 9 months and maximum 84 months). 3 cases presented relapse, all three carriers of Staphylococcus epidermidis (at 1, 3 and 7 months of follow-up respectively). The success percentage is 82.41% (average follow-up of 49 months). Conclusions: Simultaneous replacements is an interesting option for patients with plural pathologies as it o"ers a single operation, less morbidity, quicker return to activities to restore normal function and less associated costs

Ecologia e rappresentazione dello spazio: Saviano, Tournier, DeLillo

Résumé: Great traveller and tireless observer, the Sicilian poet and writer Bartolo Cattafi was trying to escape from his land for his whole life, which was conducted paradoxically autour de sa chambre, but also travelling through islands and continents, where he found inspiration for his poetry and prose. For this reason, his literary contribution, which never betrayed his poetic nature and reporter character, gives an added value to the modern ulyssic dimension. The latter considers travelling as an essential life step and it is closely related to the concept of attachment to its own land. These two perspectives, often met in his different «isole lontane», define the career of this singular migrant figure. Initially he moves to Milan to fulfil the need to find a job. Later he will find in his own Sicily the harmony and the serenity he has been looking for in the course of his travels. The writings collected in 2008 and object of this study reveal interesting affinities to those published in the "Mondadori" series edited by his good friend Vittorio Sereni and that explain part of the works belonging to the Sicilian author, clarifying his topoi and obsessions.

Phlebotomine fauna, natural infection rate and feeding habits of Lutzomyia cruzi in Jaciara, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil is transmitted by the phlebotomine Lutzomyia longipalpis and in some midwestern regions by Lutzomyia cruzi. Studies of the phlebotomine fauna, feeding habits and natural infection rate by Leishmania contribute to increased understanding of the epidemiological chain of leishmaniases and their vectorial capacity. Collections were performed in Jaciara, state of Mato Grosso from 2010-2013, during which time 2,011 phlebotomines (23 species) were captured (68.70% Lu. cruzi and 20.52% Lutzomyia whitmani). Lu. cruzi females were identified by observing the shapes of the cibarium (a portion of the mouthpart) and spermatheca, from which samples were obtained for polymerase chain reaction to determine the rates of natural infection. Engorged phlebotomines were assessed to identify the blood-meal host by ELISA. A moderate correlation was discovered between the number of Lu. cruzi and the temperature and the minimum rate of infection was 6.10%. Twenty-two females were reactive to the antisera of bird (28%), dog (3.30%) and skunk (1.60%). We conclude that Lu. cruzi and Lu. whitmani have adapted to the urban environment in this region and that Lu. cruzi is the most likely vector of VL in Jaciara. Moreover, maintenance of Leishmania in the environment is likely aided by the presence of birds and domestic and synanthropic animals.

Opinião dos alunos quanto ao ensino dos diagnósticos de enfermagem segundo a taxonomia da NANDA

Acreditando na importância do diagnóstico de enfermagem,o seu ensino foi introduzido ha 4 anos nas disciplinas de Assistência de Enfermagem à Saúde da mulher e Enfermagem Perinatal, no 6o. período do curso de graduação em enfermagem da UNICAMP. Com o intuito de avaliar essa experiência, propusémo-nos a levantar a opinião dos alunos e obter subsídios para aprimorar o ensino. Foram ministradas 4 horas de ensino teórico e indicada bibliografia básica. A aplicação prática supervisionada foi desenvolvida durante 21 horas numa unidade neonatal e 45 horas em centros de saúde. Ao término das disciplinas, 16 alunos responderam a um questionário com questões fechadas e abertas. O grupo de alunos respondentes foi unânime em considerar válido o estudo dos diagnósticos de enfermagem. A maioria considerou mais adequado introduzir o ensino no 3o. semestre, quando se iniciam os procedimentos básicos de enfermagem. Quanto à dificuldade de aprendizado do uso dos diagnósticos, 68, 7% dos alunos relataram um nível de dificuldade superior a 25% e inferior a 75%. O grupo de alunos como um todo achou que o estudo do diagnóstico de enfermagem trouxe modificações no seu conceito de assistência de enfermagem.

Functional diversity decreases with temperature in high elevation ant fauna

1. Severe environmental conditions filter community species compositions, forming clines of functional diversity along environmental gradients. Here, the changes in functional diversity in ant assemblages with severe environmental conditions in the Swiss Alps were investigated. 2. Eight sites were sampled along an elevation gradient (1800-2550 m). The variation in functional diversity was analysed along an elevation gradient considering four traits: social structure (monogynous vs. polygynous), worker size, pupal development, and nest structure. 3. Ant species richness and functional diversity decreased with decreasing temperature. Species found in colder habitats tended to live in subterranean nests rather than in mounds and exhibit a polymorphism in queen number, either within or across populations. The phylogenetic diversity did not decrease at colder temperature: Formicinae and Myrmicinae occupied the full range of elevations investigated. 4. An insulation experiment indicated that mounds are more thermally insulated against the cold compared with soil. The absence of a mound-building ant from high elevations probably results from a reduction in the amount of vegetal materials provided by coniferous trees. 5. More severe abiotic conditions at higher elevations act as a filter on ant assemblages, directly through physiological tolerances to the abiotic conditions and indirectly as the vegetation necessary for nest building shifts with elevation.</list-item