Intragenomic variation in the second internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA of species of the genera Culex and Lutzia (Diptera: Culicidae)

Culex is the largest genus of Culicini and includes vectors of several arboviruses and filarial worms. Many species of Culex are morphologically similar, which makes their identification difficult, particularly when using female specimens. To aid evolutionary studies and species distinction, molecular techniques are often used. Sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from 16 species of the genus Culex and one of Lutzia were used to assess their genomic variability and to verify their applicability in the phylogenetic analysis of the group. The distance matrix (uncorrected p-distance) that was obtained revealed intragenomic and intraspecific variation. Because of the intragenomic variability, we selected ITS2 copies for use in distance analyses based on their secondary structures. Neighbour-joining topology was obtained with an uncorrected p-distance. Despite the heterogeneity observed, individuals of the same species were grouped together and correlated with the current, morphology-based classification, thereby showing that ITS2 is an appropriate marker to be used in the taxonomy of Culex

Distribution of mosquitoes in the South East of Argentina and first report on the analysis based on 18S rDNA and COI sequences

Although Mar del Plata is the most important city on the Atlantic coast of Argentina, mosquitoes inhabiting such area are almost uncharacterized. To increase our knowledge in their distribution, we sampled specimens of natural populations. After the morphological identification based on taxonomic keys, sequences of DNA from small ribosomal subunit (18S rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes were obtained from native species and the phylogenetic analysis of these sequences were done. Fourteen species from the genera Uranotaenia, Culex, Ochlerotatus and Psorophora were found and identified. Our 18S rDNA and COI-based analysis indicates the relationships among groups at the supra-species level in concordance with mosquito taxonomy. The introduction and spread of vectors and diseases carried by them are not known in Mar del Plata, but some of the species found in this study were reported as pathogen vectors

Performance of reconstruction and identification of tau leptons decaying to hadrons and nu(tau) in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search has been performed for heavy resonances decaying to ZZ or ZW in 2l2q final states, with two charged leptons (l = e, mu) produced by the decay of a Z boson, and two quarks produced by the decay of a W or Z boson. The analysis is sensitive to resonances with masses in the range from 400 to 4500 GeV. Two categories are defined based on the merged or resolved reconstruction of the hadronically decaying vector boson, optimized for high- and low-mass resonances, respectively. The search is based on data collected during 2016 by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions with a center-of-mass energy of root s = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). No excess is observed in the data above the standard model background expectation. Upper limits on the production cross section of heavy, narrow spin-1 and spin-2 resonances are derived as a function of the resonance mass, and exclusion limits on the production of W' bosons and bulk graviton particles are calculated in the framework of the heavy vector triplet model and warped extra dimensions, respectively.A search has been performed for heavy resonances decaying to ZZ or ZW in 2l2q final states, with two charged leptons (l = e, mu) produced by the decay of a Z boson, and two quarks produced by the decay of a W or Z boson. The analysis is sensitive to resonances with masses in the range from 400 to 4500 GeV. Two categories are defined based on the merged or resolved reconstruction of the hadronically decaying vector boson, optimized for high- and low-mass resonances, respectively. The search is based on data collected during 2016 by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions with a center-of-mass energy of root s = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). No excess is observed in the data above the standard model background expectation. Upper limits on the production cross section of heavy, narrow spin-1 and spin-2 resonances are derived as a function of the resonance mass, and exclusion limits on the production of W' bosons and bulk graviton particles are calculated in the framework of the heavy vector triplet model and warped extra dimensions, respectively.The algorithm developed by the CMS Collaboration to reconstruct and identify tau leptons produced in proton-proton collisions at root s = 7 and 8 TeV, via their decays to hadrons and a neutrino, has been significantly improved. The changes include a revised reconstruction of pi(0) candidates, and improvements in multivariate discriminants to separate tau leptons from jets and electrons. The algorithm is extended to reconstruct tau leptons in highly Lorentz-boosted pair production, and in the high-level trigger. The performance of the algorithm is studied using proton-proton collisions recorded during 2016 at root s = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). The performance is evaluated in terms of the efficiency for a genuine tau lepton to pass the identification criteria and of the probabilities for jets, electrons, and muons to be misidentified as tau leptons. The results are found to be very close to those expected from Monte Carlo simulation.Peer reviewe

Cardiovascular health assessment in routine cancer follow-up in community settings: survivor risk awareness and perspectives

Abstract Background Guidelines recommend cardiovascular risk assessment and counseling for cancer survivors. For effective implementation, it is critical to understand survivor cardiovascular health (CVH) profiles and perspectives in community settings. We aimed to (1) Assess survivor CVH profiles, (2) compare self-reported and EHR-based categorization of CVH factors, and (3) describe perceptions regarding addressing CVH during oncology encounters. Methods This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from an ongoing NCI Community Oncology Research Program trial of an EHR heart health tool for cancer survivors (WF-1804CD). Survivors presenting for routine care after potentially curative treatment recruited from 8 oncology practices completed a pre-visit survey, including American Heart Association Simple 7 CVH factors (classified as ideal, intermediate, or poor). Medical record abstraction ascertained CVD risk factors and cancer characteristics. Likert-type questions assessed desired discussion during oncology care. Results Of 502 enrolled survivors (95.6% female; mean time since diagnosis = 4.2 years), most had breast cancer (79.7%). Many survivors had common cardiovascular comorbidities, including high cholesterol (48.3%), hypertension or high BP (47.8%) obesity (33.1%), and diabetes (20.5%); 30.5% of survivors received high cardiotoxicity potential cancer treatment. Less than half had ideal/non-missing levels for physical activity (48.0%), BMI (18.9%), cholesterol (17.9%), blood pressure (14.1%), healthy diet (11.0%), and glucose/ HbA1c (6.0%). While > 50% of survivors had concordant EHR-self-report categorization for smoking, BMI, and blood pressure; cholesterol, glucose, and A1C were unknown by survivors and/or missing in the EHR for most. Most survivors agreed oncology providers should talk about heart health (78.9%). Conclusions Tools to promote CVH discussion can fill gaps in CVH knowledge and are likely to be well-received by survivors in community settings. Trial registration NCT03935282, Registered 10/01/202

Implantação das mesas nacionais de negociação permanente do Sistema Único de Saúde em secretarias estaduais e municipais de saúde

This article aimed to evaluate the implementation status of the permanent negotiating tables and to identify the obstacles and the advances that have elapsed from the negotiation processes in the Brazilian states and cities. It was a descriptive and exploratory study of national scope. The data collection took place in 2012 and 2013, through a survey of 519 health managers and focus groups with 49 managers and 11 members of the National Permanent Negotiating Table. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and by content analysis. We identified 132 negotiating tables, of which only 87 are in operation. The main reasons for not deploying the tables are the lack of technical advice and the use of other tools for negotiating labor. The main changes in work relationships because of the negotiating tables were the holding of public tenders and selective processes, work valuation policies and the implementation of careers and salary plans. We concluded that despite the potential of the tables as negotiating devices, their implementation and full operation face great challenges.O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a implantação da mesa de negociação permanente e identificar os entraves e os avanços decorridos dos processos de negociação no âmbito dos estados e dos municípios brasileiros. O método usado foi estudo descritivo e exploratório, de abrangência nacional. A coleta de dados se deu em 2012 e 2013, por meio de survey com 519 gestores de saúde e grupos focais com 49 gestores e 11 integrantes da Mesa Nacional de Negociação Permanente. Dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e por análise de conteúdo. Verificou-se existência de 132 mesas de negociação, das quais apenas 87 estão em funcionamento. Os principais motivos para não implantação das mesas são a falta de assessoria técnica e a utilização de outras ferramentas para negociação do trabalho. As principais mudanças nas relações de trabalho em decorrência da atuação das mesas de negociação foram a realização de concursos e de processos seletivos públicos, políticas de desprecarização do trabalho e a implantação de planos de cargos, carreiras e salários. Conclui-se que apesar da potencialidade das mesas como dispositivos de negociação, sua implantação e seu pleno funcionamento esbarram em grandes desafios