SNPs in Entire Mitochondrial Genome Sequences (≈15.4 kb) and cox1 Sequences (≈486 bp) Resolve Body and Head Lice From Doubly Infected People From Ethiopia, China, Nepal, and Iran But Not France.

Some people host lice on the clothing as well as the head. Whether body lice and head lice are distinct species or merely variants of the same species remains contentious. We sought to ascertain the extent to which lice from these different habitats might interbreed on doubly infected people by comparing their entire mitochondrial genome sequences. Toward this end, we analyzed two sets of published genetic data from double-infections of body lice and head lice: 1) entire mitochondrial coding regions (≈15.4 kb) from body lice and head lice from seven doubly infected people from Ethiopia, China, and France; and 2) part of the cox1 gene (≈486 bp) from body lice and head lice from a further nine doubly infected people from China, Nepal, and Iran. These mitochondrial data, from 65 lice, revealed extraordinary variation in the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms between the individual body lice and individual head lice of double-infections: from 1.096 kb of 15.4 kb (7.6%) to 2 bps of 15.4 kb (0.01%). We detected coinfections of lice of Clades A and C on the scalp hair of three of the eight people from Nepal: one person of the two people from Kathmandu and two of the six people from Pokhara. Lice of Clades A and B coinfected the scalp hair of one person from Atherton, Far North Queensland, Australia. These findings argue for additional large-scale studies of the body lice and head lice of double-infected people.

Second-generation sequencing of entire mitochondrial coding-regions (∼15.4 kb) holds promise for study of the phylogeny and taxonomy of human body lice and head lice.

The Illumina Hiseq platform was used to sequence the entire mitochondrial coding-regions of 20 body lice, Pediculus humanus Linnaeus, and head lice, P. capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae), from eight towns and cities in five countries: Ethiopia, France, China, Australia and the U.S.A. These data (∼310 kb) were used to see how much more informative entire mitochondrial coding-region sequences were than partial mitochondrial coding-region sequences, and thus to guide the design of future studies of the phylogeny, origin, evolution and taxonomy of body lice and head lice. Phylogenies were compared from entire coding-region sequences (∼15.4 kb), entire cox1 (∼1.5 kb), partial cox1 (∼700 bp) and partial cytb (∼600 bp) sequences. On the one hand, phylogenies from entire mitochondrial coding-region sequences (∼15.4 kb) were much more informative than phylogenies from entire cox1 sequences (∼1.5 kb) and partial gene sequences (∼600 to ∼700 bp). For example, 19 branches had > 95% bootstrap support in our maximum likelihood tree from the entire mitochondrial coding-regions (∼15.4 kb) whereas the tree from 700 bp cox1 had only two branches with bootstrap support > 95%. Yet, by contrast, partial cytb (∼600 bp) and partial cox1 (∼486 bp) sequences were sufficient to genotype lice to Clade A, B or C. The sequences of the mitochondrial genomes of the P. humanus, P. capitis and P. schaeffi Fahrenholz studied are in NCBI GenBank under the accession numbers KC660761-800, KC685631-6330, KC241882-97, EU219988-95, HM241895-8 and JX080388-407.

Model of Effective Control of Leishmaniasis in North Central Morocco and Updating the Mapping of the Circulating Species.

Leishmaniasis is among the most important emerging vector-borne protozoal disease in terms of disability adjusted life year (DALY'S). The main objectives of this study are, firstly to evaluate the epidemiological situation of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) from 2000 to 2015 in Moulay Yacoub Province and Fez Prefecture and secondly to analyze the impact of several factors (geographical and socio-economic factors) on the distribution of CL in these provinces. In addition, this study aims to identify the circulating species of Leishmania in order to justify the cause of the case maintenance and to prevent possible epidemics. The spatio-temporal evolution of CL from 2000 to 2015 in the study area revealed the endemic and epidemic character of the disease with a variation in the number of cases according to provinces, and districts. The sharp decrease of cases observed in the study area could be explained by the several control measures that concern the different actors of leishmaniasis. According to the statistical study, the presence of leishmaniasis is mainly related to population movement and environmental conditions. The results of the clinical identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the study area showed a diversity of clinical features with the presence of symptoms miming for L. tropica or L. infantum. This result was confirmed by the molecular study PCR-ITS1-RFLP.

En absence du vaccin et vu la complexité et la diversité des cycles des leishmanioses au Maroc, en plus de la présence des facteurs de risque (urbanisation anarchique, changements climatiques, facteurs socio-économiques…), notre étude s'intègre dans le cadre du Programme national de lutte contre les leishmanioses qui est une des priorités dans les programmes de lutte instaurés par l'OMS. Les objectifs de cette étude sont premièrement d'évaluer la situation épidémiologique depuis le déclenchement de l'épidémie de leishmaniose cutanée (LC) en 2000 jusqu'à 2015 dans la province de Moulay Yacoub et la préfecture de Fès et secondairement d'analyser l'impact de plusieurs facteurs sur la distribution de la LC. Aussi, cette étude vise à identifier les espèces de leishmanies circulantes au niveau de cette région. L'évolution spatio-temporelle de la LC de 2000 à 2015 dans la zone d'étude a révélé le caractère endémoépidémique de la maladie. La nette diminution après le pic de 2001 des cas de la LC peut être liée aux différents moyens de lutte réalisés annuellement et qui ont concerné les différents maillons du cycle. Selon les résultats de l'étude statistique (Ordinary Least Squares Regression [OLSR] et Chi2), la présence de la LC est principalement liée aux mouvements de la population et aux conditions environnementales. Les résultats de l'approche d'identification ont montré une diversité des caractéristiques cliniques avec la présence de symptômes qui indiquent une LC à L. tropica ou à L. infantum. Ce résultat a été confirmé par l'étude moléculaire PCR-ITS1-RFLP.

[Work ability of subjects with chronic musculoskeletal disorders]. / Capacidade para o trabalho em indivíduos com lesões músculo-esqueléticas crônicas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of personal, clinical, and occupational aspects on work ability of workers with and without work-related musculoskeletal disorders using the Work Ability Index. METHODS: There were participating 127 workers of industrial production lines of a medium-size multinational company. An approved version of the Work Ability Index, a questionnaire developed by Finland's Institute of Occupational Health, was used. Pain scale was also applied. A descriptive analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test and it was also performed a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A significant association was identified between the Work Ability Index and all personal, clinical and occupational aspects. Regression analysis showed that pain and sick leave together accounted for 59% of poor work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Different levels of pain severity were associated with distinct as well as equivalent levels of work ability loss. The results suggest that either pain reports were consistent or being both pain and work ability self-reported they therefore reflect the same perception mechanisms. Future studies might contribute to further understanding the trends found.

[Castleman's disease localized in the uterus or an inflammatory uterine pseudotumor. A case report and review of the literature]. / Localisation utérine de la maladie de Castleman ou éventuelle pseudo-tumeur inflammatoire de l'utérus. Un cas et revue de la littérature.

The authors report a case of Castleman's disease localised to the uterus. The treatment was surgical removal of the lesion with conservation of the uterus. Though in localised forms the prognosis is always favourable, multicentered lesions can suggest lymphoma. In our case that we report the anatomo-pathological appearances were not characteristic and this has led the authors to think of a differential diagnosis such as an inflammatory pseudo-tumour of the uterus of which only two cases have been previously reported.

A new quantitative in vitro for the detection of latex-specific IgE antibodies.

Immediate-type hypersensitivity to latex allergens has resulted in anaphylactic shock and death in numerous reported cases. The allergenic proteins of latex are contained within the natural rubber extract of Hevea brasiliensis and are eluted into the final product during the manufacturing process. The quantity and types of latex allergens found in different latex products depends on the manufacturing process. Not all of these allergens are available for use in the latex prick skin test, and as a result, such tests may not be conclusive. Furthermore, application of such allergens to the skin of undiagnosed hypersensitive individuals may have harmful effects on their health. Therefore, it is important to be able to utilize in vitro methods, which reliably identify latex allergy without placing hypersensitive individuals at risk. We have developed a relatively simple and new enzyme immuno-assay (EIA) method for the detection of latex allergy. This in vitro method is quantitative and allows for the classification of allergy to latex in a short time. In comparative studies, ninety-nine serum specimens with documented clinical history of latex allergy were tested by this method, and the results paralleled those of the skin prick test performed by an independent group. The data showed that the specificity and sensitivity of our assay approaches 97.5% and 100%, respectively. We conclude that, by using a simple assay, the detection of specific IgE to latex proteins may be valuable for screening individuals and for the diagnosis of allergy to latex.

Detection of autoantibodies to nuclear antigens by EIA and IF techniques.

The detection of antibodies to certain nuclear components has considerable importance in the diagnosis and management of patients with autoimmune diseases. In this study, antibodies to nuclear antigens in 250 positive and negative patient specimens were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Specimens were tested by three different EIA assays for autoantibodies to SS-A, SS-B, Scl-70 Sm, RNP, Jo-1, ENA, Histone, ss-DNA and ds-DNA and one IF assay for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA). The majority of positive specimens were also confirmed positive by Western Blot. Ninety-seven percent of IF-ANA positive specimens assayed positive by EIA-ENA assay and only 6% of ENA negative specimens tested positive in IF-ANA assay indicating that EIA-ENA assay is as reliable as IF-ANA for screening patient specimens. Forty-five percent of EIA Jo-1 positive specimens showed negative IF-ANA results indicating that IF-ANA assay is not a reliable method for detection of antibodies to Jo-1. This may be due to the fact that specimens with low titer and sera which are positive for a limited number of specific nuclear antigen(s) cannot produce visible or clear fluorescence patterns and therefore are reported negative by IF-ANA. Our data shows that both methods are reliable for screening purposes, however EIA has greater specificity over IF because the presence or absence of antibody to a specific antigen can be better assessed. Overall, due to higher reproducibility, low cost, antigen specificity, and the nature of EIA, we recommend microtiter-based EIA assays for detection of antibodies to nuclear antigens.

Blunted response to systemic nitric oxide synthase inhibition in the cerebral circulation of patients with Type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke, but the mechanisms that impart the excess risk are unclear. Endothelial dysfunction, which has been demonstrated in the coronary and peripheral vasculature of diabetic patients, is an important early marker of vascular disease. However, the effect of diabetes on cerebrovascular endothelium has not been examined. We sought to investigate the effect of diabetes on basal cerebrovascular endothelial function as assessed by response to the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). METHODS: Fourteen men with Type 2 diabetes and 15 age-matched male control subjects were recruited. The participants had no clinically evident vascular disease and were taking no vasoactive or lipid-lowering medication. Each received a single 15-min intravenous infusion of L-NMMA (0.8 mol/kg/min). Cerebral blood flow was assessed by colour Doppler imaging of the internal carotid artery (ICA) at 10-min intervals for 20 min prior to and following the infusion. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was assessed by transtemporal Doppler ultrasound at the same time points. RESULTS: L-NMMA produced a mean reduction in ICA flow area under curve (AUC) in the control group of 12.8 +/- 17.8% compared with a 2.1 +/- 21.7% reduction in the group with diabetes (P < 0.05), indicating blunted basal cerebrovascular response to NOS inhibition in the diabetic group. There was no significant change in MCAv following L-NMMA in either group. Mean +/- sd MAP rose 6.4 +/- 4.2 mmHg in the control group vs. 8.8 +/- 3.5 mmHg in the diabetic group [P = not significant (NS)]. No adverse event or symptom was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Response to NOS inhibition is impaired in the cerebral circulation of patients with diabetes. This observation is consistent with the elevated cerebrovascular risk reported in this population, and may represent a future therapeutic target in stroke prevention.

Capacidade para o trabalho em indivíduos com lesões músculo-esqueléticas crônicas / Work ability of subjects with chronic musculoskeletal disorders

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto de fatores pessoais, do trabalho e da lesão na capacidade funcional dos trabalhadores com e sem história de acometimento de lesões músculo-esqueléticas relacionadas ao trabalho, através da aplicação do índice de capacidade para o trabalho. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 127 trabalhadores da linha de produção de uma empresa multinacional de porte médio. Foi aplicada uma tradução autorizada do índice de capacidade para o trabalho, um questionário elaborado pelo Instituto de Saúde Ocupacional da Finlândia, assim como uma escala de dor. Os resultados foram analisados descritivamente, por meio do teste qui-quadrado e pela análise de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: Todos os fatores pessoais, ocupacionais e clínicos analisados apresentaram relação significativa com a capacidade para o trabalho. A análise de regressão mostrou que as variáveis de dor e afastamentos, quando associadas, explicam 59 por cento das ocorrências de baixa capacidade para o trabalho. CONCLUSÕES: Diferentes níveis de dor refletiram níveis também distintos e equivalentes de perda da capacidade para o trabalho, o que pode sugerir que os relatos de dor são consistentes. Ou, por outro lado, que ambos - dor e incapacidade - são baseados em auto-relatos e, portanto, estão permeados pelos mesmos mecanismos de percepção. Estudos futuros podem contribuir para melhor avaliar essas tendências.

Abordagem da fisioterapia na avaliaçäo de melhorias ergonômicas de um setor industrial / Physical therapy approach in evaluation of ergonomics improvement of an industrial sector

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar posturas adotadas no trabalho, cargas manuseadas, características da atividade e desconfortos músculo-esqueléticos e um setor industrial de escolha de lápis antes e após uma intervenção ergonômica. Dois grupos de trabalhadores participaram deste estudo: um grupo de 61 indivíduos que participou do estudo 1, e outro de 20 indivíduos, escolhidos aleatoriamente a partir do primeiro grupo, que participou do estudo 2. Os desconfortos percebidos antes e após a intervenção foram avaliados por um procedimento cego de avaliadores. As atividades do setor antigo (pré) e de novo (pós-intervenção) foram filmados e observados diretamente. As posturas foram registradas. O ciclo de trabalho foi cronometrado, as subetapas descritas e as cargas manuseadas e a produtividade foram medidas. Foi realizada uma entrevista para registro da percepção dos funcionários sobre a intervenção. O teste foi qui-quadrado foi utilizado para o estudo dos desconfortos . Os resultados indicaram que os trabalhadores passaram a adotar posturas mais favoráveis após a intervenção para os segmentos: pescoço, cotovelo e coluna lombar. No entanto, as posturas do ombro e punho não apresentaram melhora. O manuseio de cargas foi completamente eliminado com a automação do transporte dos feixes de lápis e o trabalho muscular isométrico reduzido em 88 por cento. A duração total do ciclo de trabalho foi levemente reduzida e a natureza das tarefas tornou-se mais esteriotipada. A análise dos desconforto mostrou uma redução significativa para todas as regiões estudadas (0 < 0,00001). Considerando os resultados deste estudo, é possível observar que a redução da força exercida e das posturas extremas durante as tarefas parece ter recebido maior impacto na redução dos desconfortos do que outros fatores, como ritmo de trabalho e controle de tarefa, os quais pioraram após a intervenção.