Costs Associated with Malaria in Pregnancy in the Brazilian Amazon, a Low Endemic Area Where Plasmodium vivax Predominates.

BACKGROUND: Information on costs associated with malaria in pregnancy (MiP) in low transmission areas where Plasmodium vivax predominates is so far missing. This study estimates health system and patient costs of MiP in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Between January 2011 and March 2012 patient costs for the treatment of MiP were collected through an exit survey at a tertiary referral hospital and at a primary health care centre in the Manaus metropolitan area, Amazonas state. Pregnant and post-partum women diagnosed with malaria were interviewed after an outpatient consultation or at discharge after admission. Seventy-three interviews were included in the analysis. Ninety-six percent of episodes were due to P. vivax and 4% to Plasmodium falciparum. In 2010, the total median costs from the patient perspective were estimated at US $45.91 and US$216.29 for an outpatient consultation and an admission, respectively. When multiple P. vivax infections during the same pregnancy were considered, patient costs increased up to US $335.85, representing the costs of an admission plus an outpatient consultation. Provider direct and overhead cost data were obtained from several sources. The provider cost associated with an outpatient case, which includes several consultations at the tertiary hospital was US$103.51 for a P. vivax malaria episode and US $83.59 for a P. falciparum malaria episode. The cost of an inpatient day and average admission of 3 days was US$118.51 and US $355.53, respectively. Total provider costs for the diagnosis and treatment of all malaria cases reported in pregnant women in Manaus in 2010 (N = 364) were US$17,038.50, of which 92.4% (US$ 15,741.14) due to P. vivax infection. CONCLUSION: Despite being an area of low risk malaria transmission, MiP is responsible for a significant economic burden in Manaus. Especially when multiple infections are considered, costs associated with P. vivax are higher than costs associated with P. falciparum. The information generated may help health policy decisions for the current control and future elimination of malaria in the area

Armazenamento de posturas de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) destinadas a criacao de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: scelionidae).

IX SINCOBIOL

Tomato growth and dry matter partitioning as a function of the irrigation water quality.

Neste estudo, foram avaliados o crescimento e a partição de matéria seca do tomateiro industrial cv IPA 6, cultivado sob irrigação com águas de diferentes condutividades elétricas (ECw) e proporções de sódio, em um delineamento fatorial 5x2, inteiramente casualizado. As mudas foram transplantadas para rizotrons e irrigadas diariamente, sendo as matérias secas da haste, ramos, inflorescências e frutos determinadas no final do ciclo da cultura. O solo foi retirado dos rizotrons em intervalos de 15 cm de profundidade, lavado e peneirado para determinação da matéria seca das raízes em camada do solo. A matéria seca da parte aérea foi reduzida em 6,9% por incremento unitário da salinidade

Geographic Distribution, Key Challenges and Prospects for the Conservation of Threatened Stingless Bee Melipona capixaba Moure e Camargo (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The stingless bee Melipona capixaba Moure and Camargo, 1994 is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Its occurrence is restricted to highlands in the Espírito Santo State, and it has possibly the smallest known geographic distribution among the cataloged stingless bees. It is therefore considered to be an endangered species. Perhaps because of its small area of occurrence, or because it was only identified two decades ago, little is known about the biology of this species, its current geographic distribution, or its actual preservation status. Here, we present the results from the largest sampling of M. capixaba conducted in its natural habitat. We developed a distribution map by using a geographic information system. Our data indicate that M. capixaba is found in the municipalities of Espírito Santo State at altitudes between 800 m and 1,200 m; with annual average temperatures around 18–23°C; precipitation more than 1,200 mm per year; and vegetation cover-type Mountain Dense Ombrophylous Forest, restricted to an area of approximately 3,450 km2. We observed colonies both in their natural habitat and under conditions of ex situ maintenance, and identified the key challenges and prospects for the conservation of this endangered bee

Simple camera calibration for light measurements

The availability and decreasing prices of digital photographic cameras using megapixel sensors could point to its use as high quality light measuring devices if simple and effective calibration procedures could be put to work.This paper proposes such a system, using a common digital camera combined with low cost reference color charts. The procedure to obtain the response function of the camera, the production of the color chart and its calibration is presented.In this way, it is possible to obtain light measurements otherwise only possible with sophisticated and expensive equipments.The research work is being conducted with partial funding from FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology)

Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the stability of lytic bacteriophages cocktail Salmonelex™ towards potential application on Salmonella inactivation

This work consisted in the first comprehensive study in which the potential to exploit the Salmonella lytic bacteriophages cocktail, Salmonelex™, in association with high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) towards potential application in egg matrices decontamination was evaluated. The impact of HHP (200–600 MPa) on the bacteriophages' viability pointed out a stability in the range of 200–400 MPa. From 400 MPa onwards, the inactivation was potentiated by an increase in the pressure magnitude, being matrix dependent. Salmonelex™ possessed a prominent baroresistance, requiring 600 MPa to completely lose its infectivity. Egg yolk presented the highest baroprotective effect, followed by whole egg and egg white. Transmission electron microscopy unveiled that 500 and 600 MPa elicited a detrimental impact on the bacteriophages’ structural integrity. It was noteworthy the barotolerance (200–300 MPa) of Salmonelex™, previously exposed to different pH conditions (5.0–9.0), which proved not to undermine its infectivity. Regarding the influence of ovalbumin, lysozyme, l-α-phosphatidylcholine, palmitic and oleic acids on the mild HHP-induced inactivation of Salmonelex™, a baroprotective effect was observed, particularly conferred by those compounds comprising egg yolk. The promising results highlighted the feasibility of utilizing Salmonelex™ as an adjuvant to mild HHP processing of egg matrices.publishe

Calibration of camera for light quality measurements of low-power lamps

Environmental concerns and power efficiency point to increased use of power efficient lamps. Different manufacturers and price targets produce a wide range of light outputs, varying in intensity and spectral distribution. This type of apparatus also presents a non-linear load to the electric power supply, introducing some problems that should be taken in consideration and corrected as much as possible. To be able to measure light quality, we propose a technique that uses a conventional digital photographic camera and a set of colour-reference reflective cards. By analysis of the obtained images, a colour quality index can be computed and used to compare different type of lamps. The calibration of the set-up is crucial for the approach and some problems need to be solved for the reliability of the method.This work is being conducted at Algoritmi Research Centre, University of Minho and sponsored by FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal