Prevalence of Calodium hepaticum (Syn. Capillaria hepatica) in house mice (Mus musculus) in the Azores archipelago

Copyright © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Calodium hepaticum (Syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a zoonotic liver nematode of mammals distributed worldwide. Rodents are believed to be the main reservoirs of this nematode. In this paper, prevalence of the parasite was analyzed in liver histological sections from 51 house mice (Mus musculus) caught in human-inhabited houses, from two localities (Furnas and Rabo de Peixe) on São Miguel island from the Azores archipelago (Portugal). Mean prevalence of infection was 19.6%, with 33.3% prevalence in Furnas and 4.1% in Rabo de Peixe (P = 0.07). No significant differences were found between the prevalence of infection and the age, body weight and the sex of mice. Hepatic lesions found were either acute and/or chronic stage and consisted of moderate to severe multifocal pyogranulomatous hepatitis with encapsulated eggs with typical bipolar plugs and moderate to severe necrotizing hepatitis consistent with larva tracks. Periportal inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte regeneration and bile duct hyperplasia were also noted. In most cases, hepatic lesions occupied more than 50% of the liver, but despite severe lesions, in some mice, no signs of hepatic failure were noticed. The high rate of infection found in the present study suggests that house mice are an important reservoir for this parasite in the Azores and could have a role in human transmission.CIRN (Centro de Investigacão em Recursos Naturais, Universidade dos Açores),and DRCT (Direcção Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia, Governo dos Açores)

E depois do Rendimento Social de Inserção? Uma análise longitudinal e biográfica de ex-beneficiários do concelho de Ribeira Grande

Neste trabalho procede-se ao estudo, de um ponto de vista longitudinal, do impacte do Rendimento Mínimo Garantido / Rendimento Social de Inserção nas trajectórias de inserção social e autonomização dos beneficiários. No plano analítico, este trabalho inscreve a análise das perspectivas teóricas sobre a pobreza e exclusão social, bem como, sobre as políticas de inserção e dispositivos de acompanhamento social. No plano empírico, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa eminentemente intensivaqualitativa, com uma vertente extensiva-quantitativa. Assim, analisaram-se os processos sociais referentes a situações de cessação da prestação de Rendimento Social de Inserção no ano de 2004, no concelho de Ribeira Grande, e efectuaram-se 12 entrevistas de orientação biográfica ao antigo titular da prestação. Os resultados obtidos revelam os impactes significativos do Rendimento Social de Inserção ao nível da satisfação de necessidades básicas e reforço de competências pessoais, sociais e profissionais, determinantes na construção de percursos de autonomização e inserção social. Contudo, não são expressivos os impactes da medida ao nível do emprego, embora seja esta a forma privilegiada de inserção. As trajectórias de vida após a cessação da prestação são marcadas, maioritariamente, por percursos de emprego/desemprego, sem que ocorra uma melhoria estável das condições de vida dos indivíduos, o que poderá justificar os percursos de reentrada na medida.This research pretends to study, trough an longitudinal approach, the impacts of the Minimum Income Guaranteed/Social Income of Insertion in the trajectories of social insertion and in the autonomy of its beneficiaries. In an analytical point of view, this work is based in the analysis of the theoretical perspectives of poverty, social exclusion and on the politics of insertion and devices of social support. An eminently intensive-qualitative research was developed, with an extensivequantitative approach. Data has been collected from registries referring to the situations of ceasing of Social Income of Insertion in the year of 2004 in the district of Ribeira Grande and from 12 interviews of biographical orientation to the previous bearer of the income. Obtained results show significant impacts of the Social Income of Insertion in the satisfaction of basic needs and in the reinforcement of personal, social and professional skills, essentials to the construction of paths of autonomy and social insertion. However, impacts regarding integration in the work market are not significant, even though this is the aimed form of insertion. Life trajectories after the ceasing of the Social Income of Insertion are characterized by paths of employment/unemployment, without a steady improvement of life conditions of the individuals, which can justify re-entries in the Social Income of Insertion

Association of bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) and urinary bladder tumours in cattle from the Azores archipelago

Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Urinary bladder tumours in cattle are caused by chronic ingestion of bracken fern and BPV-1/2 infection. The objective of the present study was to assess if BPV-2 was present in urinary bladder lesions from cattle with chronic enzootic haematuria (CEH) from the Azores archipelago (Portugal), in order to gain further information regarding the epidemiologic distribution of this virus. Samples were analysed using PCR specific primers for BPV-2 DNA and an immunohistochemistry for BPV E5 oncoprotein detection. We found a 28% incidence rate of BPV-2 DNA in different types of tumours and cystitis cases (13 out of 46 samples). Tested positive samples for PCR were also positive for the viral E5 oncoprotein; protein immunolabeling was mainly detected within the cytoplasm of urothelial cells, displaying a juxtanuclear distribution. This is the first report of BPV-2 detection in urinary bladder tumours associated with CEH in cattle from the Azores archipelago.Direcção Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia, Governo dos Açores, Portugal; Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico-II (Italia); CIRN (Centro de Investigação em Recursos Naturais, Universidade dos Açores) (Portugal)

Correlação entre variáveis cefalométricas e o trespasse vertical

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas MonizObjetivo: As más oclusões verticais têm, por vezes, subjacentes alterações esqueléticas. O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar as variáveis cefalométricas com maior potencial preditivo do trespasse vertical. Materiais e métodos: Foram selecionadas, dos processos da consulta de ortodontia da Clínica Dentária Egas Moniz, 90 telerradiografias laterais e formaram-se 3 grupos de estudo: grupo controlo (n=30) com trespasse vertical normal, grupo de estudo 1 (n=30) com trespasse vertical diminuído e grupo de estudo 2 (n=30) com trespasse vertical aumentado. Com recurso ao programa NemoStudio®, foram realizadas análises cefalométricas e obtidos os valores de 17 variáveis cefalométricas. Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente pelo programa IBM SPSS® Statistics, utilizando os testes de correlação de Spearman, ANOVA e Tukey. Resultados: A variável cefalométrica “ângulo entre o plano AB e o plano mandibular” apresentou uma correlação muito forte (0,705) com o trespasse vertical. Também as variáveis “altura facial inferior” (CC=-0,578), “arco mandibular” (CC=0,548), “ângulo interincisivo” (CC=0,517), “ângulo goníaco” (CC=-0,565), “ângulo do plano mandibular” (CC=-0,501), “ângulo facial + ângulo do plano mandibular” (CC=-0,669), “ângulo do eixo facial + ângulo do plano mandibular” (CC=-0,541) e “ODI” (CC=0,610) apresentaram uma correlação forte com o trespasse vertical. Apenas o “ângulo entre o plano AB e o plano mandibular”, “ângulo do plano facial + ângulo do plano mandibular”, “ângulo do eixo facial + ângulo do plano mandibular” e “ODI” possibilitaram a diferenciação dos grupos de estudo, através da comparação de médias. Conclusão: A variável cefalométrica com maior potencial preditivo do trespasse vertical foi o “ângulo entre o plano AB e o plano mandibular” com um coeficiente de correlação muito forte (CC=0,705) e muito significativo (p≤0,01).Objective: Vertical malocclusions have, sometimes, underlying skeletal changes. The aim of this study is to identify the cephalometric variables with the greatest potential to predict the vertical overlap. Materials and methods: Were selected, from the processes of orthodontic consultation of Dental Clinic Egas Moniz, 90 lateral cephalograms and formed 3 study groups: control group (n=30) with normal vertical overlap, group study 1 (n=30) with decreased vertical overlap and group study 2 (n=30) with increased vertical overlap. Using the NemoStudio® program, cephalometric analyzes were performed and the values of 17 skeletal cephalometric variables were obtained. The data were processed by IBM SPSS® Statistics, using Spearman correlation, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The cephalometric variable “angle between AB plane and mandibular plane” has a very strong correlation (0,705) with the vertical overlap. Also the variables “lower facial height” (CC=-0,578), “mandibular arch” (CC=0,548), “interincisal angle” (CC=0,517), “gonial angle” (CC=-0,565), “mandibular plane angle” (CC=-0,501), “facial angle + mandibular plane angle” (CC=-0,669), “facial axis angle + mandibular plane angle” (CC=-0,541) and “ODI” (CC=0,610) found a strong correlation with the vertical overlap. Only the “angle between AB plane and mandibular plane”, “facial plane angle + mandibular plane angle”, “facial axis angle + mandibular plane angle” and “ODI” allowed the differentiation of the 3 groups, using the comparison of means. Conclusion: The cephalometric variable with highest predictive potential for vertical overlap was “angle between AB plane and mandibular plane”, with a very strong (CC=0,705) and very significant (p≤0,01) correlation coefficient

Marine algal (seaweed) flora of Terceira Island, Azores

BACKGROUND: As for many other Azorean Islands, the macroalgal flora of Terceira (belonging to the central group of the archipelago) is poorly known, the published information reflecting occasional collections of sporadic visitors to the island. In order to overcome this and contribute to improve the knowledge of Azorean macroalgal flora at both local and regional scales, a thorough investigation was conducted. Both collections and presence data recordings were undertaken at the littoral and sublittoral levels down to approximately 40 m around the island, covering a total area of approximately 49 km2. This paper lists the taxonomic records and provides information on each species’ ecology and occurrence on the Island’s littoral. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 418 specimens (including taxa identified only to genus level) belonging to 147 taxa of macroalgae, comprising 95 Rhodophyta, 33 Chlorophyta and 19 Ochrophyta (Phaeophyceae) are registered. Of these, 113 were identified to species level (73 Rhodophyta, 24 Chlorophyta and 16 Ochrophyta), encompassing 35 new records for the Island (27 Rhodophyta, 6 Chlorophyta and 2 Ochrophyta). Most species are native, including the Macaronesian endemisms Codium elisabethiae O.C.Schmidt, Millerella tinerfensis (Seoane-Camba) S.M.Boo & J.M.Rico and Phyllophora gelidioides P.Crouan & H.Crouan ex Karsakoff. Eight species are introduced and 15 have uncertain origin.This research was supported by the project “CAMAG/TER - Caracterização das massas de água costeira da Ilha Terceira”, funded by the Azores Regional Government and lately by the project “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072” funded the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds). Afonso Prestes was supported by a PhD grant (M3.1.a/F/083/2015) awarded by Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Marine algal flora of Pico Island, Azores

BACKGROUND: The seaweed flora of Pico Island (central group of the Azores archipelago) has attracted interest of researchers on past occasions. Despite this, the macroalgal flora of the island cannot be considered well-known as published information reflects only occasional collections. To overcome this, a thorough investigation encompassing collections and presence data recording was undertaken. Research under the Campaigns "AÇORES/89", "PICO/91", "PICOBEL/2007" and "LAUMACAT/2011" covered a relatively large area (approximately 39 km2) around the island, encompassing the littoral and sublittoral levels down to about 40 m around the Island.This paper improves the knowledge of the Azorean macroalgal flora at local and regional scales by listing taxonomic records and providing information on the ecology and occurrence of each species present on the Island's littoral. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 4043 specimens (including taxa identified only to genus level) belonging to 303 taxa of macroalgae are registered, comprising 197 Rhodophyta, 53 Chlorophyta and 53 Ochrophyta (Phaeophyceae). From these, 225 were identified to species level (142 Rhodophyta, 41 Chlorophyta and 42 Ochrophyta), encompassing 110 new records for the island (69 Rhodophyta, 20 Chlorophyta and 21 Ochrophyta), three Macaronesian endemisms (Botryocladia macaronesica Afonso-Carillo, Sobrino, Tittley & Neto; Laurencia viridis Gil-Rodríguez & Haroun; Codium elisabethiae O. C. Schmidt), 14 introduced and 25 species with an uncertain status.This research was supported by the project “PICOBEL: Coastal benthic communities of Pico Island: characterization and monitoring”, funded by the Azores Regional Government and lately by the project “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072” funded the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds). Afonso Prestes was supported by a PhD grant (M3.1.a/F/083/2015) awarded by Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Marine algal flora of Formigas Islets, Azores

BACKGROUND: The oldest reference to marine life in Formigas Islets (oriental group of the Azores archipelago) goes back to the 16th century. Nevertheless, their macroalgal flora is poorly known, the published information mainly resulting from occasional collections of sporadic visitors. To overcome this and contribute to the knowledge of Azorean macroalgal flora at both local and regional scales, a thorough investigation was conducted in 1990 and 1991 under two expeditions promoted by the Marine Biology Research Group of the Department of Biology, University of the Azores. Collections and presence data recordings were undertaken at the littoral and sublittoral levels down to approximately 40 m, in an area of approximately 0.04 km2. This paper lists the taxonomic records and provides information regarding each species’ ecology and occurrence on the Islets’ littoral. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 320 specimens are registered (including taxa identified only at generic level) belonging to 90 taxa of macroalgae, from which 70 were diagnosed at species level. The confirmed species comprise 39 Rhodophyta, 12 Chlorophyta and 19 Ochrophyta (Phaeophyceae), distributed in 22 orders (13 Rhodophyta, 3 Chlorophyta and 6 Ochrophyta) and 37 families (24 Rhodophyta, 6 Chlorophyta and 7 Ochrophyta). Sixty-one species represent new records for the Islets, from which Botryocladia macaronesica Afonso-Carrillo, Sobrino, Tittley & Neto and Laurencia viridis Gil-Rodriguez & Haroun are Macaronesian endemisms. Most species are native to the Azores, but six have an uncertain origin and four are introduced (the Rhodophyta Asparagopsis armata Harvey; Laurencia dendroidea J.Agardh; Neoizziella divaricata (C.K.Tseng) S.-M.Lin, S.-Y.Yang & Huisman and the Ochrophyta Hydroclathrus tilesii (Endlicher) Santiañez & M.J.Wynne).This research was mainly supported by the projects Expeditions “SANTA MARIA and FORMIGAS/90” and “FORMIGAS/91” and lately by the project “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072” funded the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds). Afonso Prestes was supported by a PhD grant (M3.1.a/F/083/2015) awarded by Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study on the Prevention and Control of Infections in Dental Practice in Health Units of Luanda

The purpose of this study was to identify the problems arising from the importance attributed to the control of infections in dental practice in Luanda. An analytical, descriptive, and prospective study was designed to establish a cause and effect relationship based on an original semi-structured interview form with open and closed questions. In the sample, consisting of 28 dental professionals and 7 managers of dental care units, more than 75% were fully satisfied or satisfied with the notions of microbiology, 82% reported having had laboratory practice and 86% considered receiving knowledge during training to perform their activity. However, 86% did not receive any continuous training in the last three years. Infection Control Committees are operational, but in 71% of the cases there are no records of the Commissions' work reports or any microbiological mapping

Marine algal flora of Graciosa Island, Azores

BACKGROUND: The macroalgal flora of Graciosa (central group of Azores archipelago) is poorly known, with only 116 species recorded so far (authors personal data). The published information reflects occasional collections from sporadic field visits to the Island. To overcome this, a thorough investigation under the Expedition “GRACIOSA/2004”, the Campaigns “PADEL/2006”, “MACROBIOLMOL/2014” and “PIMA-BALA/2017” involving sample collecting and presence data recording, was undertaken over an area of 19 km2 encompassing littoral and sublittoral levels down to about 40 m around the Island. This paper lists the taxonomic records and provides information on species ecology and occurrence around the Island improving the knowledge of the Azorean macroalgal flora at both local and regional scales. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 1692 specimens belonging to 250 taxa of macroalgae (and including 55 taxa identified only at the genus level) are registered, comprising 166 Rhodophyta, 36 Chlorophyta and 48 Ochrophyta (Phaeophyceae). From these, 195 are identified to the species level (126 Rhodophyta, 31 Chlorophyta and 38 Ochrophyta) and comprise 156 native, 20 of uncertain origin and 14 introductions to the Island. Predaea feldmannii subsp. azorica Gabriel is an Azorean endemic, whereas Codium elisabethiae O.C. Schmidt, Botryocladia macaronesica Afonso-Carrillo, Sobrino, Tittley & Neto, Phyllophora gelidioides P.Crouan & H.Crouan ex Karsakoff and Laurencia viridis Gil-Rodríguez & Haroun represent Macaronesian endemics. Seventy-nine species are newly recorded to the algal flora of the Island.This research was supported by the projects “PADEL: Património natural e desenvolvimento sustentável do litoral dos Açores: a Ilha Graciosa como caso de estudo”, “MACROBIOMOL: Macroalgal biodiversity under molecular lens - towards a better understanding of North Atlantic biogeography”, “PIMA: Elaboração do programa de implementação da Diretiva-Quadro Estratégia Marinha - Programa invasoras marinhas nos Açores”, “BALA: Elaboração do programa de implementação da diretiva-quadro estratégia marinha - biodiversidade dos ambientes litorais dos Açores” and, most recently, by the project “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072”, funded by the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds). Afonso Prestes was supported by a PhD grant (M3.1.a/F/083/2015) awarded by Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determinação de áreas prioritárias para ações de controle da dengue

OBJECTIVE: To identify areas at risk of dengue transmission by means of cluster analysis. METHODS: A cluster analysis in which the primary analysis units were the 48 districts of the municipality of Niterói, Southeastern Brazil, was conducted. The districts were grouped into six strata according to sociodemographic conditions, using the k-means cluster analysis method. After defining the strata, the incidence of dengue was calculated for each stratum in relation to four different periods: 1998 - 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003 - 2006. RESULTS: The analysis on the incidence showed that the rates for the last three study periods were greatest in the stratum 2.1, which had the worst sanitation infrastructure conditions and high population increases, and in stratum 3.1, which had the highest percentage of shantytowns. Stratum 1.2 presented the lowest incidence and the best sanitation and income indicators, along with small increases in population and a low proportion of shantytowns. The incidence rates in 2001 and 2002 were high in most strata except for stratum 1.2, which had the districts with the least heterogeneity in relation to the indicators used. In 2001, the strata presented high rates of incidence when group immunity had supposedly become established for serotype I, thus expressing the transmission strength of this agent. CONCLUSIONS: The cluster analysis technique made it possible to recognize priority areas. It indicated areas where the dengue control and surveillance actions needed to be improved, along with structural improvements that influenced the living conditions and health of the municipality's population.OBJETIVO: Identificar áreas de riesgo de transmisión del dengue por medio del análisis de cluster. MÉTODOS: Fue realizado un estudio de agregados, teniendo como unidades primarias de análisis los 48 barrios del municipio de Niteroi, en sureste de Brasil. Las urbanizaciones fueron agrupadas según condiciones sociodemográficas en seis estratos, según la técnica de análisis de cluster por medio del método k-promedios. Posterior a la definición de los estratos fue realizado el cálculo de la incidencia del dengue por estrato para cuatro períodos distintos: 1998-2000; 2002; 2003-2006. RESULTADOS: El análisis de la incidencia mostró que las tasas para los tres últimos períodos del estudio fueron mayores en el estrato 2.1, de peores condiciones de infra-estructura de servicios de saneamiento y alto incremento poblacional, y en el estrato 3.1, donde hay mayor porcentaje de barrios. El estrato 1.2 presentó la menor incidencia y los mejores indicadores de saneamiento y renta, además de un pequeño incremento poblacional y menor proporción de barrios. Las tasas de incidencia en 2001 y 2002 fueron elevadas en la mayoría de los estratos, excepto en el estrato 1.2, cuyas urbanizaciones presentaron la menor heterogeneidad con relación a los indicadores utilizados. En 2001, los estratos presentaron altas tasas de incidencia cuando supuestamente la inmunidad de grupo se había establecido para el serotipo I, expresando la fuerza de transmisión de ese agente. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica de análisis de cluster posibilita el reconocimiento de áreas prioritarias, indicando aquellas donde acciones de control y vigilancia del dengue deben ser mejoradas, así como mejorías estructurales que interfieran en las condiciones de vida y salud de la población del municipio.OBJETIVO: Identificar áreas de risco de transmissão da dengue por meio da análise de cluster. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de agregados, tendo como unidades primárias de análise os 48 bairros do município de Niterói, RJ. Os bairros foram agrupados segundo condições sociodemográficas em seis estratos, segundo a técnica de análise de cluster por meio do método k-médias. Após a definição dos estratos foi realizado o cálculo da incidência da dengue por estrato para quatro períodos distintos: 1998 - 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003 - 2006. RESULTADOS: A análise da incidência mostrou que as taxas para os três últimos períodos do estudo foram maiores no estrato 2.1, de piores condições de infraestrutura de serviços de saneamento e alto incremento populacional, e no estrato 3.1, onde há maior percentual de favelas. O estrato 1.2 apresentou a menor incidência e os melhores indicadores de saneamento e renda, além de um pequeno incremento populacional e menor proporção de favelas. As taxas de incidência em 2001 e 2002 foram elevadas na maioria dos estratos, exceto no estrato 1.2, cujos bairros apresentaram a menor heterogeneidade em relação aos indicadores utilizados. Em 2001, os estratos apresentaram altas taxas de incidência quando supostamente a imunidade de grupo havia se estabelecido para o sorotipo I, expressando a força de transmissão desse agente. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de análise de cluster possibilita o reconhecimento de áreas prioritárias, indicando aquelas onde ações de controle e vigilância da dengue devem ser aprimoradas, bem como melhorias estruturais que interfiram nas condições de vida e saúde da população do município