Were equatorial regions less affected by the 2009 influenza pandemic? The Brazilian experience

Although it is in the Tropics where nearly half of the world population lives and infectious disease burden is highest, little is known about the impact of influenza pandemics in this area. We investigated the mortality impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic relative to mortality rates from various outcomes in pre-pandemic years throughout a wide range of latitudes encompassing the entire tropical, and part of the subtropical, zone of the Southern Hemisphere (+5°N to −35°S) by focusing on a country with relatively uniform health care, disease surveillance, immunization and mitigation policies: Brazil. To this end, we analyzed laboratory-confirmed deaths and vital statistics mortality beyond pre-pandemic levels for each Brazilian state. Pneumonia, influenza and respiratory mortality were significantly higher during the pandemic, affecting predominantly adults aged 25 to 65 years. Overall, there were 2,273 and 2,787 additional P&I- and respiratory deaths during the pandemic, corresponding to a 5.2% and 2.7% increase, respectively, over average pre-pandemic annual mortality. However, there was a marked spatial structure in mortality that was independent of socio-demographic indicators and inversely related with income: mortality was progressively lower towards equatorial regions, where low or no difference from pre-pandemic mortality levels was identified. Additionally, the onset of pandemic-associated mortality was progressively delayed in equatorial states. Unexpectedly, there was no additional mortality from circulatory causes. Comparing disease burden reliably across regions is critical in those areas marked by competing health priorities and limited resources. Our results suggest, however, that tropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere may have been disproportionally less affected by the pandemic, and that climate may have played a key role in this regard. These findings have a direct bearing on global estimates of pandemic burden and the assessment of the role of immunological, socioeconomic and environmental drivers of the transmissibility and severity of this pandemic

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Possible chirality in the doubly-odd Tl-198 nucleus: Residual interaction at play

A candidate for chiral bands was found in (198)Tl for the first time in a mass region of oblate (or nonaxial with gamma >= 30 degrees) deformed nuclei. Two bands show very similar quasiparticle alignments, moments of inertia, and B(M1)/B(E2) ratios. They have a relative excitation energy of about 500 keV and different patterns of energy staggering. Calculations using the two-quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model with residual proton-neutron interaction included show that a triaxial deformation with gamma similar to 44 degrees agrees very well with all the experimental observations. Furthennore, considerable energy staggering for both partner bands was calculated for this pi h(9/2) circle times vi(13/2)(-1) configuration at gamma - 30 degrees, suggesting that chiral bands may have substantial energy staggering

Targeted lysis of HIV-infected cells by natural killer cells armed and triggered by a recombinant immunoglobulin fusion protein: implications for immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in both innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. The adaptive response typically requires that virus-specific antibodies decorate infected cells which then direct NK cell lysis through a CD16 mediated process termed antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In this report, we employ a highly polymerized chimeric IgG1/IgA immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion protein that, by virtue of its capacity to extensively crosslink CD16, activates NK cells while directing the lysis of infected target cells. We employ HIV as a model system, and demonstrate that freshly isolated NK cells preloaded with an HIV gp120-specific chimeric IgG1/IgA fusion protein efficiently lyse HIV-infected target cells at picomolar concentrations. NK cells pre-armed in this manner retain the capacity to kill targets over an extended period of time. This strategy may have application to other disease states including various viral infections and cancers

Dinâmica do chumbo no lago do parque Ingá, Maringá, PR, Brasil

Este trabalho analisa a dinâmica do chumbo no lago do parque do Ingá, Maringá - PR. Mensalmente durante um ano foram coletadas amostras de água e sedimentos e o pH e temperatura medidos no ato da coleta. Nas amostras de água foi determinada a Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO) e a concentração total de Pb na água e sedimentos. A determinação da concentração Pb na água e sedimentos foi feita com a técnica da espectrometria da absorção atômica, modalidade chama. Os valores médios mensais encontrados, em intervalos e médias globais foram respectivamente: concentração de Pb na água, em ng.mL-1, não detectado (nd) - 55,56 e 19,23; Pb em sedimentos, em µg.g-1, 48,73 - 92,87 e 71,93; pH, 7,02 - 8,23 e 7,60; temperatura, em °C, 19,33 - 27,48 e 23,73; DQO, em mg.L-1, 13,33 - 30,11 e 23,54. Uma análise dos resultados das variáveis medidas, em nível de 5% de significância permitem concluir que a concentração de Pb na água é independente dos pontos de coleta (local), mas, dependente do período de amostragem (temporalidade) e nos sedimentos dependente dos dois parâmetros.<br>This work introduce the study of lead dynamic in the lake of Ingá Park, Maringá - PR. Monthly, during a year, samples of water and sediments were collected and pH and temperature measured. In the water samples were determined the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the total lead concentration in water and sediment samples. The determination of lead concentration in water and sediments was performed with atomic absorption spectrometer - flame technique. The monthly mean values found, presented in intervals and global mean values, were respectively: lead concentration in water (ng.mL-1), non detected (nd) - 55.56 and 19.23; lead in sediments (µg.g-1), 48.73 - 92.87 and 71.93; pH, 7.02 - 8.23 and 7.60; temperature (ºC), 19.33 - 27.48 and 23.73; COD (mg.L-1), 13.33 - 30.11 and 23.54. A survey of the lead concentration results found permit to conclude, at 5% of significance, that the lead concentration in water was independent of the sampling point (local), but dependent of the sampling period (temporality) and in the sediment dependent of the two parameters