Factors of Susceptibility of Human Myiasis Caused by the New World Screw-Worm, Cochliomyia hominivorax in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This study was carried out between July 2007 and June 2008 and reports on the occurrence of human myiasis caused by the New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in São Gonçalo in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Liquid or solid vaseline was used to suffocate the larvae, which were then preserved in 70% ethanol and sent to the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz for identification. C. hominivorax were identified in all 22 cases of myiasis. There were 12 male and 10 female patients with ages ranging from 03 to 71. Ethnically the highest incidence was among black people, with 17 cases. Open wounds were the main cause of the parasitosis, whereas poor personal hygiene, the low educational level, alcoholism, bedridden patients, and physical or mental disability were possibly secondary factors; in addition to all these factors the income of the patients was very low

Convergence of marine megafauna movement patterns in coastal and open oceans

The extent of increasing anthropogenic impacts on large marine vertebrates partly depends on the animals’ movement patterns. Effective conservation requires identification of the key drivers of movement including intrinsic properties and extrinsic constraints associated with the dynamic nature of the environments the animals inhabit. However, the relative importance of intrinsic versus extrinsic factors remains elusive. We analyze a global dataset of ∼2.8 million locations from >2,600 tracked individuals across 50 marine vertebrates evolutionarily separated by millions of years and using different locomotion modes (fly, swim, walk/paddle). Strikingly, movement patterns show a remarkable convergence, being strongly conserved across species and independent of body length and mass, despite these traits ranging over 10 orders of magnitude among the species studied. This represents a fundamental difference between marine and terrestrial vertebrates not previously identified, likely linked to the reduced costs of locomotion in water. Movement patterns were primarily explained by the interaction between species-specific traits and the habitat(s) they move through, resulting in complex movement patterns when moving close to coasts compared with more predictable patterns when moving in open oceans. This distinct difference may be associated with greater complexity within coastal microhabitats, highlighting a critical role of preferred habitat in shaping marine vertebrate global movements. Efforts to develop understanding of the characteristics of vertebrate movement should consider the habitat(s) through which they move to identify how movement patterns will alter with forecasted severe ocean changes, such as reduced Arctic sea ice cover, sea level rise, and declining oxygen content

Relationships of the minerals and fatty acid contents in processed turkey meat products

In this paper, the chemical composition of a set of processed foods made of turkey meat, including meatball, blanquet, hamburger? smoked chest, ham, smoked ham, roule and frankfurter, are reported. Each product was analyzed for content of saturated fats, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, non-identified fats, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc. In average, fatty acids are present in approximately equivalent percent concentrations, i.e. saturated :monounsaturated: polyunsaturated congruent to 1:1:1. Sodium, the major mineral ranged from 681 to 1327 mg per 100 g of processed meat. Iron and calcium concentration ranges were 0.4-2.2 and 3.0-43.6 mg/100 g, respectively. The results were analyzed by the multivariate techniques, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). It was shown that HCA can group all the samples, according to their types, and into some extent also according their basic composition (only dark meat, white meat, meat with shortening added and frankfurter as single cluster). On the other hand PCA could better expose the relationship between the products according to their fatty acids and mineral composition. PC1 discriminates fatty/lean products, while PC2 discriminates the frankfurters by its content of salts added, Ca and Fe from milk and soy, all added during processing, and finally PC4 which discriminates the white/dark meat products through Zn concentration from dark meat. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.69325926

The effect of different proportions of males and females over the Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) biotic potential and longevity under laboratory conditions

Chrysomya albiceps specimens were derived from colonies kept under laboratory conditions. The oviposition period, total number of eggs-mass and the weight of the eggs-mass (average/female) presented significant differences between colonies regarding the sexual ratio of 1male/1female (situation I), when compared to the other ratios (1male/3female, situation II), (1male/5female, situation III), (3male/1female, situation IV) and (5 male/1female, situation V). It was ascertained that the increase in the proportion of females, resulted in higher weight and greater number of ovipositions and lenghtening of the period of oviposition, leads to a decrease in their lifespan

First record of Chrysomya albiceps Wiedemann, 1819 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) maggots from a sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in Kerala, South India

Fully grown third stage larvae (LIII) of Chrysomya albiceps were recovered from aberrant sites viz. trachea and rumen during necropsy of a free-range sambar deer that had been observed to bear an inflamed tongue infested with maggots and subsequently died due to starvation. Five dead maggots of C. bezziana were also recovered from rumen. The aberrant locations of the recovery of the maggots indicated that they might have reached these sites accidentally. This is the first report of LIII of C. albiceps from a sambar deer from Kerala, South India

Saúde sexual e reprodutiva em penitenciária feminina, Espírito Santo, Brasil Sexual and reproductive health of female inmates in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Identificar o perfil sociodemográfico e as condições de saúde das mulheres encarceradas em penitenciária feminina. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo descritivo de março a setembro de 1997, em penitenciária feminina do Estado do Espírito Santo. Todas as presidiárias foram convidadas a participar da pesquisa. Participaram 121 mulheres com idade superior a 18 anos, avaliadas por meio de entrevista aplicada, explorando informações sociodemográficas, clínicas e criminais, registradas em questionário estruturado, seguida de exame clínico-ginecológico. RESULTADOS: Um total de 121 mulheres foram incluídas. A média de idade das participantes foi de 30,2 anos (DP 8,98) e de escolaridade, 4,8 anos (DP 3,50). Todas já haviam tido atividade sexual pregressa; a idade média do primeiro coito foi de 15,2 anos (DP 2,55), variando de nove a 27 anos; e 28% apresentavam história de doença sexualmente transmissível (DST). Doze (9,9%) mulheres estavam grávidas no momento da entrevista. História de gravidez na adolescência foi freqüente. A maioria não adotava nenhum método contraceptivo e nem fazia uso de preservativos. Laqueadura tubária foi observada em 19,8% e citologia cervical anormal em 26,9%. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento sobre problemas de saúde existentes dentro do sistema carcerário pode contribuir para fortalecer e ampliar o papel de reabilitação que lhe é conferido. Entretanto, somente a cooperação entre os órgãos de saúde pública e o sistema penitenciário pode produzir resultados eficientes.<br>OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic profile and health problems of inmates in a women's prison. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted from March to September 1997 in a women's prison in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. All inmates were invited to participate in the study. A total of 121 women aged more than 18 years were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographics, clinical and criminal past history. Following the interview, subjects underwent clinical and gynecological examination. RESULTS: Of 121 women included in the study, the mean age was 30.2 years (SD 8.98) and the mean of schooling was 4.8 years (SD 3.50). All participants reported previous sexual activity, the mean age of the first sexual intercourse was 15.2 years (SD 2.55) ranging from 9 to 27 years. Previous STDs were reported by 28%; 12 (9.9%) were pregnant at the time. Teenage pregnancy was often reported. Most women reported no use of either any contraceptive methods or condoms. Tubal ligation was seen in 19.8% and abnormal Pap smear in 26.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about health problems inside the prison system can contribute to promoting and increasing social rehabilitation. However, effective results could be seen only with collaboration between public health authorities and the prison system