Wide therapeutic time window for nimesulide neuroprotection in a model of transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat

Results from several studies indicate that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is involved ischemic brain injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide on cerebral infarction and neurological deficits in a standardized model of transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Three doses of nimesulide (3, 6 and 12 mg/kg; i.p.) or vehicle were administered immediately after stroke and additional doses were given at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after ischemia. In other set of experiments, the effect of nimesulide was studied in a situation in which its first administration was delayed for 3 to 24 h after ischemia. Total, cortical and subcortical infarct volumes and functional outcome (assessed by neurological deficit score and rotarod performance) were determined 3 days after ischemia. The effect of nimesulide on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the injured brain was also investigated. Nimesulide dose-dependently reduced infarct volume and improved functional recovery when compared to vehicle. Of interest is the finding that neuroprotection conferred by nimesulide (reduction of infarct size and neurological deficits and improvement of rotarod performance) was also observed when treatment was delayed until 24 h after ischemia. Further, administration of nimesulide in a delayed treatment paradigm completely abolished PGE2 accumulation in the postischemic brain, suggesting that COX-2 inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemia to target the late-occurring inflammatory events which amplify initial damage

Teacher assessment for students through a software. Experience in Computer Science University of Cuba

La evaluación del profesor constituye una importante vía para el mejoramiento continuo del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en las instituciones educativas. En la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas (UCI), uno de los elementos tomados en consideración en este complejo proceso es el criterio valorativo de los que reciben la acción educativa: los estudiantes. Sin embargo, lograr un eficiente y oportuno procesamiento de la información obtenida de una población muy numerosa de estudiantes y profesores, constituía una compleja tarea ya que se realizaba de forma manual y en hojas de cálculo de Microsoft Excel. En el presente trabajo se describe la solución a esta problemática a partir de la informatización del proceso de recogida y gestión de los criterios evaluativos emitidos por los estudiantes sobre sus profesores, para lo cual se implementó una aplicación web en lenguaje de programación PHP, con framework Codelgniter y gestor de base de datos PostgreSQL. El cuestionario aplicado a los estudiantes está basado en estándares internacionales y fue aprobado por el consejo docente de la universidad. La aplicación informática, además de facilitar la aplicación del cuestionario a los estudiantes, brinda la información a través de varios reportes que son utilizados por los directivos docentes para evaluar a sus profesores, monitorear el proceso y tomar decisiones, todo con mayor agilidad y precisión, disminuyendo el gasto de recursos y mejorando su calidad.A avaliação do professor constitui uma importante via para o melhoramento contínuo do processo de ensino-aprendizagem nas instituições educativas. Na Universidade das Ciências Informáticas (UCI), um dos elementos tomados em consideração neste complexo processo é o critério valorativo dos que recebem a ação educativa: os estudantes. No entanto, conseguir um eficiente e oportuno processamento da informação obtida de uma população muito numerosa de estudantes e professores, constituía uma complexa tarefa já que se realizava de forma manual e em planilhas de Microsoft Excel. No presente trabalho se descreve a solução a esta problemática a partir da informatização do processo de recolhida e gestão dos critérios evaluativos emitidos pelos estudantes sobre seus professores, para o qual se implementou uma aplicação web em linguagem de programação PHP, com framework Codelgniter e gestor de base de dados PostgreSQL. O questionário aplicado aos estudantes está baseado em padrões internacionais e foi aprovado pelo conselho docente da universidade. A aplicação informática, além de facilitar a aplicação do questionário aos estudantes, brinda a informação através de variados reportes que são utilizados pelos diretivos docentes para avaliar a seus professores, monitorear o processo e tomar decisões, tudo com maior agilidade e precisão, diminuindo o gasto de recursos e melhorando sua qualidade.Teacher assessment is an important way for continuous improvement of teaching-learning process in educational institutions. At the Computer Sciences University (CSU) one of the factors taken into consideration in this complex process is the valuation approach of those receiving educational activity: students. However, achieving an efficient and timely processing of information obtained from a large students and teacher’s population, was a complex task as it is performed manually or in Microsoft Excel worksheets. In this paper it is described the solution to this problem, computerizing the process of collection and management of the evaluation criteria issued by students about their teachers, which was implemented in a Web application in PHP programming language, with framework Codelgniter manager and PostgreSQL database. The questionnaire given to students is based on international standards and was approved by the Teaching Council of the university. The computer application also facilitates the implementation of the questionnaire to students, providing information through various reports that are used by managers to evaluate teachers, to monitor the process and make decisions, especially with agility and precision, decreasing the expenditure of resources and improving their quality

CONEXIONES AFRO-ATLÁNTICAS: Rituales de vida y muerte en Brasil y Cuba

O presente artigo tem como objetivo principal buscar as conexões entre duas práticas religiosas de comunidades que proceden de zonas rurais e formadas por uma população maioritariamente negra. Neste estudio pretendemos aproximarmos aos diferentes rituais de vida e morte que se desenvolvem no Culto de São Sebastião (no Centro-Oeste brasileiro) e o Espiritismo de Cordón (na região oriental de Cuba) que podem ser explicados pela dinâmica das relações transculturais e o entrecruzamento cultural em ambos lugares.Palavras chave: Culto de São Sebastião, Espiritismo de Cordón, transculturação, entrecruzamento cultural.ResumenEl presente artículo tiene como objetivo principal buscar las conexiones entre dos práticas religiosas de comunidades que proceden de zonas rurales y formadas por una población mayoritariamente negra. En este estudio pretendemos acercarnos a los diferentes rituales de vida y muerte que se desarrollan en el Culto de São Sebastião (en el Centro-Oeste brasileño) y el Espiritismo de Cordón (en la región oriental de Cuba) que pueden ser explicados por la dinámica de las relaciones transculturales o entrecruzamiento cultural en ambos lugares.Palabras claves: Culto de São Sebastião, Espiritismo de Cordón, transculturación, entrecruzamento cultural.AFRO-ATLANTIC CONNECTIONS: Rituals of life and death in Brazil and CubaAbstractThe main objective of this article is to identify links between two religious practices among rural communities whose populations are predominantly black. This study examines the different rituals of life and death that take place in the Cult of São Sebastião (in the Brazilian midwest) and the Espiritismo de Cordón (in the eastern region of Cuba) and how they can be explained by the dynamics of cross-cultural relations or transculturation in both places.Key words: Cult of São Sebastião, Espiritismo del Cordón, transculturation, cultural interlinking

Ciclo de vida y colonización de Lutzomyia ovallesi (Diptera: Psychodidae), vector de Leishmania spp. en América Latina

The sandfly Lutzomyia ovallesi (Diptera: Psychodidae) from a focus of Leishmania braziliensisin Reventones, Cundinamarca, central Colombia, was reared and mantained for fourteen generations under laboratory conditions with daily temperature between 22-28 ""C and relative humidity between 90 and 98%. Males and females after emergente were kept in clean rearing containers within a poliestirene cage. Life cycle for individual rearing at each stage was as follows: egg, 9-12 days (iLutzomyia ovallesi (Diptera: Psychodidae), presente en un foco de Leishmania (V) braziliensis en Reventones, Cundinamarca, reg- ión ubicada en el centro de Colombia. se crió y mantuvo por catorce generaciones bajo condiciones de laboratorio con una temperatura diaria entre 22-28 ""C y una humedad relativa entre 90 y 98%. Después de la emergencia, se llevaron machos y hembras a vasos de poliestireno (transparente) y se mantuvieron en una nevera de icopor. La duración de cada uno de los estadios del ciclo de vida observado en las crías individuales fue: huevo 9-12 días (X = 10, 42, DE = 0,86); larva 17-11 días (X=9,9, DE=3,06); larva 11 7-13 días (X=9,5, DE= 3,06); larva III 4-12 (X=7,4, DE=1,50); larva IV 9-19 días (X=15,16, DE=2,66) y pupa 8-16 días (X=11, DE=1,89). El tiempo promedio para el desarrollo total del ciclo biológico fue de 63,36 días. La longevidad para las hembras presentó un rango entre 5 y 10 días (X=9,36) y para los machos entre 4 y 13 días (X=7,44). Con respecto a la productividad registrada a partir de un promedio de 30 hembras de Lutzomyia por vaso de cría, se obtuvo una producción mínima de 260 flebótomos en la quinta generación y una máxima de 4.51 1 en la décimotercera generación

Desarrollo embrionario de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae), bajo condiciones de laboratorio

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. The development of L. longipalpis eggs was monitored for six days under experimental conditions. This allowed describing the internal and external morphological characteristics of the egg and the newly born larvae, as well as estimating their length.  In eggs with one and two days of development, abundant vitello was observed without clear formation of blastula and gastrula. On the third day, a decrease in the vitelline envelope and the differentiation of some larval structures were recorded. On the fourth day the larva formed was observed, but not sclerotized. On the fifth day we visualized the caudal setae and through the chorion the differentiated larval structures, and on the sixth day the majority (90 %) of the larvae had hatched. On average, the length of the eggs was 372.8 µm and the width 109.0 µm, while the length of the larvae was 628.8 µm and the length of the caudal setae was 686.7 µmLutzomyia longipalpis es el principal vector de la leishmaniasis visceral en las Américas. Durante seis días se hizo seguimiento al desarrollo de los huevos de L. longipalpis bajo condiciones experimentales. Esto permitió describir las características morfológicas internas y externas del huevo y de las larvas recién nacidas, así como estimar su longitud. En huevos con uno y dos días de desarrollo, se observó abundante vitelo sin formación clara de blástula y gástrula. Al tercer día, se registró una disminución de la envoltura vitelina y la diferenciación de algunas estructuras de la larva. En el cuarto día se observó la larva formada, pero sin quitinización. Al quinto día se visualizaron las setas caudales y a través del corión las estructuras diferenciadas de la larva, y al sexto día la mayoría (90 %) de las larvas había eclosionado. En promedio, la longitud de los huevos fue de 372,8 µm y el ancho de 109,0 µm, en tanto que la longitud de las larvas fue de 628,8 µm y la de las setas caudales 686,7 µm

PCR para la confirmación de transmisión experimental de Leishmania chagasi a hámster sano por picadura de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae).

The use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was evaluated for its effectiveness as a tool in the detection of transmission of Leishmania chagasi to a hamster host, Mesocricetus auratus, by insect vector bite. Two pairs of uninfected and anesthetized hamsters were introduced into cages containing infected females of the typical phlebotomine sand fly vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis. The flies were experimentally infected with Leishmania chagasi and the infection was verified by dissection of subsamples. At 37 and 51 days after exposure to the infected flies, biopsies of each hamster's liver and spleen were subjected to direct histopathological and PCR examination. DNA was extracted with Chelex 100; for PCR amplification, primers specific to Leishmania minicircle DNA were used. PCR product was separated on agarose gels and visualized with UV. A band of approximately 120 base pairs was observed in 3 of the 4 biopsies, corresponding to the expected minicircle size. PCR was the only method that detected presence of the parasite. The results demonstrated that the sensitivity of PCR greatly expedites the confirmation process of a particular phlebotomine species as a vector of leishmaniasis.Se evaluó la efectividad de la PCR como herramienta en la detección de la transmisión experimental de Leishmania chagasi a hámster, Mesocricetus auratus, por picadura del insecto vector. Dos pares de hámsteres sanos y anestesiados fueron colocados en jaulas que contenían hembras de Lutzomyia longipalpis. Previamente, las hembras se infectaron experimentalmente con Leishmania chagasi y la infección se confirmó por disección en una submuestra. A los 37 y 51 días después de la exposición a los insectos infectados, las biopsias de hígado y bazo de cada hámster se sometieron a examen directo al microscopio, histopatología y PCR. El ADN se extrajo con Chelex 100®; en la amplificación se utilizó un par de iniciadores específicos para la región conservada de los minicírculos del ADN de Leishmania. El producto amplificado se separó en geles de agarosa y se visualizó bajo luz UV. En tres de las cuatro biopsias se observó una banda de 120 pares de bases, aproximadamente, correspondiente al tamaño esperado de la fracción del minicírculo. La técnica de PCR fue el único método que detectó la presencia del parásito. Estos resultados demostraron que la sensibilidad de la PCR acelera los procesos de incriminación vectorial de las especies vectoras de leishmaniasis

Distribución de los vectores de Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) en Colombia

Introduction. Since entomological surveillance is the main control strategy for visceralleishmaniasis, updated information on the distribution and ecology of involved vector species isnecessary for planning preventive measures.Objective. To present the updated and geo-referenced distribution of L. longipalpis and L.evansi, vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Colombia, considering their relationship with their habitat.Materials and methods. Distribution was estimated from records of the sand fly specimenscollected since 1967.The information was organized in a database from which the localitieswere selected and geographically analyzed with Arc view in order to develop the distributionmaps.Results. 40 localities were established for L. longipalpis along the upper (24), middle (11) andlower (5) Magdalena river valley. L. evansi was recorded in 19 localities of the middle (5) andlower (14) Magdalena valley.Conclusions. Both species showed consistent association with dry tropical forest (sensuHoldridge 1967), confirming the epidemiological risk for visceral leishmaniasis in these areas.Introducción. Debido a la importancia que tiene la vigilancia entomológica como principalmedida de control en el manejo de la leishmaniasis visceral, es necesario contar con informaciónactualizada acerca de la distribución y ecología de los insectos involucrados en la transmisiónpara optimizar las estrategias de prevención.Objetivo. Presentar la distribución actualizada geo-referenciada de L. longipalpis y L. evansi,vectores de los parásitos que causan leishmaniasis visceral en Colombia, teniendo en cuentala asociación de los insectos con su hábitat.Materiales y métodos. Los registros de distribución se obtuvieron a partir de los ejemplaresrecolectados en Colombia desde 1967. La información obtenida se organizó en una base dedatos a partir de la cual se tomaron las localidades que, posteriormente, fueron sometidas aanálisis geográficos por medio de Arc View que se utilizaron para realizar los mapas dedistribución.Resultados. Para L. longipalpis se obtuvieron 40 localidades todas distribuidas a lo largo delvalle del río Magdalena: Alto (24), Medio (11) y Bajo (5) Magdalena. L. evansi fue registradoen 19 localidades también ubicadas en el mismo valle: cinco en el Magdalena Medio y 14 elMagdalena Bajo.Conclusiones. Ambas especies demostraron una consistente asociación con regionesclasificadas principalmente como bosque seco tropical según las zonas de vida de Holdridgelo que confirma el riesgo epidemiológico de leishmaniasis visceral en estas áreas.Palabras clave: Psychodidae, leishmaniasis visceral, Colombia

Effects of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor nimesulide on cerebral infarction and neurological deficits induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor nimesulide has a remarkable protective effect against different types of brain injury including ischemia. Since there are no reports on the effects of nimesulide on permanent ischemic stroke and because most cases of human stroke are caused by permanent occlusion of cerebral arteries, the present study was conducted to assess the neuroprotective efficacy of nimesulide on the cerebral infarction and neurological deficits induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in the rat. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats, via surgical insertion of a nylon filament into the internal carotid artery. Infarct volumes (cortical, subcortical and total) and functional recovery, assessed by neurological score evaluation and rotarod performance test, were performed 24 h after pMCAO. In initial experiments, different doses of nimesulide (3, 6 and 12 mg/kg; i.p) or vehicle were administered 30 min before pMCAO and again at 6, 12 and 18 h after stroke. In later experiments we investigated the therapeutic time window of protection of nimesulide by delaying its first administration 0.5–4 h after the ischemic insult. RESULTS: Repeated treatments with nimesulide dose-dependently reduced cortical, subcortical and total infarct volumes as well as the neurological deficits and motor impairment resulting from permanent ischemic stroke, but only the administration of the highest dose (12 mg/kg) was able to significantly (P < 0.01) diminish infarct volume. The lower doses failed to significantly reduce infarction but showed a beneficial effect on neurological function. Nimesulide (12 mg/kg) not only reduced infarct volume but also enhanced functional recovery when the first treatment was given up to 2 h after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that nimesulide protects against permanent focal cerebral ischemia, even with a 2 h post-treatment delay. These findings have important implications for the therapeutic potential of using COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment of stroke

Definición de las condiciones de temperatura y almacenamiento adecuadas en la detección de ADN de Leishmania por PCR en flebotominos.

For epidemiological studies and control programs of leishmaniasis, taxonomic identification of the etiologic agent of the disease in the insect vector is of critical importance. The implementation of molecular techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has permitted great advances in the efficacy and sensitivity of parasite identification. Previously, these investigations involved labor-intensive dissections and required expert personnel. The present work evaluates the effects of storage methods of phlebotomine samples in the optimization of PCR identification of Leishmania. Females of Lutzomyia longipalpis, from the colony of the Instituto Nacional de Salud, were experimentally infected with Leishmania chagasi (= L. infantum), from the upper Magdalena Valley (Quipile, Cundinamarca, Colombia). The infected insects were preserved in three solutions: 100% ethanol, 70% ethanol, and TE; subsamples of each class were stored at -80 degrees C, -20 degrees C and room temperature. To determine infection rates, samples were dissected and screened microscopically. Chelex 100 was used for extraction of total Leishmania DNA. For PCR amplification, the kinetoplastic minicircle DNA primers OL1 and OL2 of Leishmania were used, and the products were visualized by electrophoresis in 1% agarose gels. For each of the 3 storage conditions, amplifications were successful, producing a approximately 120 base pair product unique to Leishmania. The results demonstrated the advantage of PCR as a routine screening method for detecting infected flies in endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis. Since storage method did not affect PCR amplification success, the most cost effective method -70% ethanol at room temperature--is the option recommended for storing entomological samples in vector incrimination studies.Para estudios epidemiológicos y programas de control de las leishmaniasis es importante la determinación taxonómica del insecto vector y del agente etiológico causante de esta enfermedad. Por su eficacia y sensibilidad, la utilización de técnicas moleculares, como la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) ha permitido avances en entomología médica. La metodología tradicional usada para la búsqueda de infección en los flebótomos es un método dispendioso que requiere mucho tiempo y capacitación para emitir un diagnóstico acertado. En el presente trabajo se evaluaron las condiciones y prácticas adecuadas para el almacenamiento de flebótomos con el propósito de aplicar la PCR. Hembras de Lutzomyia longipalpis de la colonia del Instituto Nacional de Salud se infectaron experimentalmente con una cepa de Leishmania chagasi del valle alto del río Magdalena (Quipile, Cundinamarca). Los insectos infectados se preservaron en tres soluciones: etanol al 100%, etanol al 70% y en buffer Tris- EDTA (TE); submuestras de cada una se almacenaron a -80 °C, -20 °C y a temperatura ambiente. Para determinar los porcentajes de infección, algunas de las hembras se disecaron para buscar las formas flageladas al microscopio. La extracción del KADN se realizó con Chelex 100. Para la amplificación se utilizaron los iniciadores OL1 y OL2 de Leishmania con electroforesis en geles de agarosa al 1%. En cada una de las condiciones descritas se logró la amplificación de un fragmento de »120 pb, correspondiente a Leishmania spp. Estos resultados muestran la ventaja de incorporar como técnica de rutina la PCR para detectar flebótomos infectados de zonas endémicas de leishmaniasis visceral. Por costo-efectividad, se concluyó que las muestras entomológicas para estudios de incriminación vectorial utilizando la PCR, se pueden preservar a temperatura ambiente en etanol al 70%

Five new species of Culicoides Latreille described from Colombia, yielding a new species list and country records (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The following five new species of Culicoides from Colombia are described, illustrated and placed to subgenus or species group: Culicoides antioquiensis, Culicoides gabrieli, Culicoides inermis, Culicoides micayensis and Culicoides nigrifemur. C. gabrieli is also known from Peru. When possible, their position in previously published keys is indicated and their features discussed in light of the most recent revisions. A list of 180 Culicoides species known (114) or suspected of being in Colombia (66) is given in a Table. Of these, 12 including the new species are recorded from Colombia for the first time.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (FCNM