Building monitoring during the partial implosion stage

The partial collapse of a building in Colombia caused severe damage to its structural components. An implosion was realized to induce the collapse of 50% of the deteriorated building. To evaluate the influence of the implosion on the remaining structure, a monitoring survey was realized using triaxial accelerometers. Time signals associated with ambient, seismic and forced vibration were obtained. A study of the records in the time and the frequency domain was made. The analysis of the information allowed determining some structural properties that were useful to calibrate the analytical model of the structure. © 2015, International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, ISHMII. All rights reserved

An interferon gamma release assay specific for Histoplasma capsulatum to detect asymptomatic infected individuals: A proof of concept study

Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic mycosis in the Americas. Currently, there is no laboratory test capable to detect subclinical or latent infections by Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc), which might develop as severe infections in immunocompromised individuals. For the first time to our knowledge, we explore the suitability of an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) to detect latent Hc infection in asymptomatic individuals. A cohort of 126 volunteers was enrolled in the study, 13 of which underwent a Hc infection in the past, and 93 of them showing risk factors for this infection. The remaining 20 participants did not refer any risk factors of Hc infection, but eight of them showed evidences of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All participants were recruited in Medellin, Colombia, between January 2014 and December 2017. Whole blood samples were cultured with four different Hc crude antigens and phytohemaglutinin as positive control. The interferon (IFN)-? released by T lymphocytes upon antigen stimulation was quantified by ELISA. A defined cutoff value of 20 pg/ml for the IFN-? concentration allowed us to distinguish between the group with documented past infections and the group of noninfected individuals with high sensitivity (70-92%) and specificity (85-95%), for the four tested antigens. Positive 82-95% and negative 77-92% predictive values were also very high, comparable to those reported for commercially available IGRAs. The new test constitutes a promising screening method to detect individuals with latent Hc infection, even decades after the primary infection, as evidenced in this study. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology

Corrigendum: An interferon gamma release assay specific for Histoplasma capsulatum to detect asymptomatic infected individuals: A proof of concept study

[No abstract available

High malnutrition rate in Venezuelan Yanomami compared to Warao Amerindians and Creoles: significant associations with intestinal parasites and anemia

Contains fulltext : 125614.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Children in rural areas experience the interrelated problems of poor growth, anemia and parasitic infections. We investigated the prevalence of and associations between intestinal helminth and protozoan infections, malnutrition and anemia in school-age Venezuelan children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 390 children aged 4-16 years from three rural areas of Venezuela: the Amazon Region, Orinoco Delta and Carabobo State. Stool samples were collected for direct parasitic examinations. Anthropometric indicators of chronic (height-for-age Z score) and acute (weight-for-height and Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age Z score in respectively children under 5 years of age and children aged 5 years and above) malnutrition were calculated. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were built to determine factors associated with nutritional status and polyparasitism. RESULTS: Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis prevalences were highest in children from the Amazon rainforest (respectively 72% and 18%) while children from the Orinoco Delta and Carabobo State showed higher rates of Ascaris lumbricoides (respectively 28% and 37%) and Trichuris trichiura (40% in both regions). The prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection was not significantly different between regions (average: 18%). Anemia prevalence was highest in the Amazon Region (24%). Hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased in children with a hookworm infection. Malnutrition was present in respectively 84%, 30% and 13% of children from the Amazon Region, Orinoco Delta and Carabobo State. In multivariate analysis including all regions, G. lamblia and helminth infections were significantly and negatively associated with respectively height-for-age and weight-for-height/BMI-for-age Z scores. Furthermore, hemoglobin levels were positively associated with the height-for-age Z score (0.11, 95% CI 0.02 - 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In rural populations in Venezuela helminthiasis and giardiasis were associated with acute and chronic nutritional status respectively. These data highlight the need for an integrated approach to control transmission of parasites and improve the health status of rural Venezuelan children