Vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 exposed to different densities of microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy,1856)

Vector competence of Cuter quinquefascictus Say, 1823 exposed to different densities of microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856). The metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil is endemic for Dirofilaria immitis and has an environment favorable to the development of Culex quinquefasciatus. The goal of this study was to evaluate the vector competence of the Cx. quinquefasciatus RECIFE population for D. immitis transmission. A total of 2.104 females of Cx. quinquefasciatus RECIFE population were exposed to different densities of D. immitis microfilariae blood meals, ranging from 1,820 to 2,900 mf/ml of blood, in a natural membrane apparatus. The results showed a variation between 92.3% and 98.8% of females fed. The exposure of the Cx. quinquefasciatus RECIFE population to different densities of microfilariac did not influence the mortality of the mosquitoes. Infective larvae from D. immitis were observed in the Malpighian tubules beginning on the 12(th) day, whereas larvae were observed in the head and proboscis beginning oil the 13(th) day following infection. The vector efficiency index (VEI) presented by the mosquitoes ranged front 7.8 to 56.5. The data demonstrates that the Cx. quinquefasciatus RECIFE population has great potential for the transmission of D. immitis, as it allowed the development of the filarid until the infectious stage at the different densities of microfilariae to which it was exposed.52465866

Evolução na utilização e nos gastos de uma operadora de saúde

Brazil’s aging population and the rising number of people reliant upon the country’s supplementary healthcare system have elicited the concern of public and private managers regarding the increase in healthcare costs. In this paper, the costs per gender, per type of medical expenses and per age group of a major Brazilian self-managed healthcare provider between 2007 and 2013 were analyzed. This healthcare provider is of interest because, besides portraying a single condition of revenue growth restricted to the existing contributors, it also replicates the demographic profile expected for Brazil in 2050, when approximately one-third of its population will be over 60 years of age. The analyses confirm the current literature as they show an increase in healthcare plan usage by the elderly and the difference between admission rates by gender. They also reveal an increase in average length of stay in hospital and the increase in medical costs far above inflation, especially for materials and medicines. It is hoped that this study will help scholars and others interested in comparisons of medical expense trends, especially by age and sex, and that it encourages further collaboration on the sustainability of health insurance providers in Brazil

QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (Q-PCR) FOR SPUTUM SMEAR DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS

Objective: To assess quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) for the sputum smear diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB. Method: This is a prospective study to assess the accuracy of a diagnostic test, conducted on 140 sputum specimens from 140 patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB, attended at two referral hospitals for people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A Löwenstein-Jensen medium culture and 7H9 broth were used as gold standard. Results: Of the 140 sputum samples, 47 (33.6%) were positive with the gold standard. q-PCR was positive in 42 (30%) of the 140 patients. Only one (0.71%) did not correspond to the culture. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the q-PCR were 87.2%, 98.9% and 95% respectively. In 39 (93%) of the 42 q-PCR positive cases, the CT (threshold cycle) was equal to or less than 37. Conclusion: q-PCR performed on sputum smears from patients living with HIV/AIDS demonstrated satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, and may therefore be recommended as a method for diagnosing PTB

Construção e avaliação de software educacional sobre cateterismo urinário de demora

Tratando-se de uma era na qual a informação constitui abertura concernente aos benefícios que dela advêm, o campo da informática em enfermagem ganha seu momento. Este estudo teve como objetivo construir um software educativo para o ensino-aprendizado da técnica de cateterismo urinário de demora e comparar a apreensão do conhecimento sobre a técnica de cateterismo urinário de demora antes e após a aplicação de um software educativo. Pesquisa descritiva de abordagem quantitativa tendo como fundamentação pedagógica na construção do software as teorias de Piaget e Vygotsky. Posteriormente, avaliou-se o processo ensino-aprendizagem através de um questionário composto por 10 questões de múltipla escolha, anterior à utilização do software, e o mesmo teste após o manuseio do software, resolvidos por 60 alunos participantes. Os dados obtidos demonstraram significativa contribuição do software após a aplicação do mesmo, sendo bastante útil no processo ensino-aprendizagem

Subjectivity and Sexuality Production in Women Living With HIV/Aids: a Sociopoetic Production

The study aims to apprehend the subjectivity production possibilities concerning sexuality in a group of women living with HIV/aids, based on the sociopoetic method. The subjects were nine women with HIV/aids attended at the public referral hospital for infectious diseases in Fortaleza-CE. The results appoint that sexuality appears in several dimensions: in the sexual act, in knowing their own body, in professional accomplishment, in feelings of desire and love, besides the feeling of freedom. We concluded that sexuality is present in the individual's totality; it is not limited to the sexual act, but goes much further and is characterized as a dynamic realityEl objetivo de este estudio fue aprender las posibilidades de producción de subjetividad acerca de la sexualidad en un grupo de mujeres viviendo con el HIV/SIDA, a partir del método de la socio-poética. Los sujetos fueron nueve mujeres con HIV/SIDA asistidas en un hospital público de referencia para enfermedades infecciosas de Fortaleza, CE. Los resultados apuntan que la sexualidad aparece en varias dimensiones: en el acto sexual, en el conocer el propio cuerpo, en la realización profesional, en los sentimientos de deseo y amor, además del sentimiento de libertad. Se concluye que la sexualidad se encuentra en la totalidad del individuo, ella no se limita al acto sexual, va mucho más allá y se configura como realidad dinámica.O objetivo deste estudo foi apreender as possibilidades de produção de subjetividade acerca da sexualidade em um grupo de mulheres vivendo com o HIV/AIDS, a partir do método da sociopoética. Os sujeitos foram nove mulheres com HIV/AIDS assistidas no hospital público de referência para doenças infecciosas de Fortaleza, CE. Os resultados apontam que a sexualidade aparece em várias dimensões: no ato sexual, no conhecer o próprio corpo, na realização profissional, nos sentimentos de desejo e amor, além do sentimento de liberdade. Conclui-se que a sexualidade se encontra na totalidade do indivíduo, ela não se limita à questão do ato sexual, vai muito mais além e se configura como realidade dinâmica

Developments on drug discovery and on new therapeutics: highly diluted tinctures act as biological response modifiers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the search for new therapies novel drugs and medications are being discovered, developed and tested in laboratories. Highly diluted substances are intended to enhance immune system responses resulting in reduced frequency of various diseases, and often present no risk of serious side-effects due to its low toxicity. Over the past years our research group has been investigating the action of highly diluted substances and tinctures on cells from the immune system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have developed and tested several highly diluted tinctures and here we describe the biological activity of M1, M2, and M8 both <it>in vitro </it>in immune cells from mice and human, and <it>in vivo </it>in mice. Cytotoxicity, cytokines released and NF-κB activation were determined after <it>in vitro </it>treatment. Cell viability, oxidative response, lipid peroxidation, bone marrow and lymph node cells immunophenotyping were accessed after mice <it>in vivo </it>treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>None of the highly diluted tinctures tested were cytotoxic to macrophages or K562. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages treated with all highly diluted tinctures decreased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release and M1, and M8 decreased IFN-<it>γ </it>production. M1 has decreased NF-κB activity on TNF-α stimulated reporter cell line. <it>In vivo </it>treatment lead to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production was increased by M1, and M8, and lipid peroxidation was induced by M1, and M2. All compounds enhanced the innate immunity, but M1 also augmented acquired immunity and M2 diminished B lymphocytes, responsible to acquired immunity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the results presented here, these highly diluted tinctures were shown to modulate immune responses. Even though further investigation is needed there is an indication that these highly diluted tinctures could be used as therapeutic interventions in disorders where the immune system is compromised.</p