The role of the perioperative prone position in the low recurrence of pressure injuries in the pelvic region.

OBJECTIVE: A pressure injury (PI) is a localised area of damage to the skin and/or underlying soft tissue as a result of a sustained mechanical loading. There are three key aetiological mechanisms to PI formation-direct cell deformation, inflammatory oedema and ischaemic damage-which are typically activated sequentially to drive a spiral of injury. This article discusses the role of the perioperative prone position as a rational approach to reducing the recurrence of pelvic PI after reconstructive surgery. METHOD: Patients with deep PI in the pelvic region, who were operated on from 2011 to 2019, were retrospectively evaluated. The protocol of care included training in the prone position, followed by maintenance of the prone position for 4-6 weeks postoperatively. The reconstruction was performed with fasciocutaneous and myocutaneous local or regional flaps. RESULTS: The study evaluated a total of 26 patients. The rate of recurrence of PIs was 15.4% (4/26) in the mean follow-up of 54 months. Regarding postoperative complications, four cases of partial dehiscence of the suture occurred. CONCLUSION: This perioperative protocol of maintaining a prone position seems to be safe for the patient, and it can be used to prevent or reduce the recurrence of deep PIs on the pelvic region after reconstructive surgery.

Do the new triatomine species pose new challenges or strategies for monitoring Chagas disease? An overview from 1979-2021.

Chagas disease persists as one of the most important, and yet most neglected, diseases in the world, and several changes in its epidemiological aspects have been recorded since its discovery. Currently, some of the most relevant changes are related to: (i) the reduction in the incidence of the endemic due to the control of the most important vectors, Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus, in many countries; (ii) the migration of human populations spreading cases of the disease throughout the world, from endemic to non-endemic areas, transforming Chagas disease into a global threat; and (iii) new acute cases and deaths caused by oral transmission, especially in the north of Brazil. Despite the reduction in the number of cases, new challenges need to be responded to, including monitoring and control activities aiming to prevent house infestation by the secondary vectors from occurring. In 1979, Lent & Wygodzinsky(1) published the most complete review of the subfamily Triatominae, encompassing 111 recognised species in the taxon. Forty-two years later, 46 new species and one subspecies have been described or revalidated. Here we summarise the new species and contextualise them regarding their ecology, epidemiologic importance, and the obstacles they pose to the control of Chagas disease around the world.

Effects of soft X-ray radiation damage on paraffin-embedded rat tissues supported on ultralene: a chemical perspective.

Radiation damage is an important aspect to be considered when analysing biological samples with X-ray techniques as it can induce chemical and structural changes in the specimens. This work aims to provide new insights into the soft X-ray induced radiation damage of the complete sample, including not only the biological tissue itself but also the substrate and embedding medium, and the tissue fixation procedure. Sample preparation and handling involves an unavoidable interaction with the sample matrix and could play an important role in the radiation-damage mechanism. To understand the influence of sample preparation and handling on radiation damage, the effects of soft X-ray exposure at different doses on ultralene, paraffin and on paraffin-embedded rat tissues were studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and X-ray microscopy. Tissues were preserved with three different commonly used fixatives: formalin, glutaraldehyde and Karnovsky. FTIR results showed that ultralene and paraffin undergo a dose-dependent degradation of their vibrational profiles, consistent with radiation-induced oxidative damage. In addition, formalin fixative has been shown to improve the preservation of the secondary structure of proteins in tissues compared with both glutaraldehyde and Karnovsky fixation. However, conclusive considerations cannot be drawn on the optimal fixation protocol because of the interference introduced by both substrate and embedding medium in the spectral regions specific to tissue lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Notably, despite the detected alterations affecting the chemical architecture of the sample as a whole, composed of tissue, substrate and embedding medium, the structural morphology of the tissues at the micrometre scale is essentially preserved even at the highest exposure dose.

Agreement on the prescription of antimicrobial drugs.

BACKGROUND: There is universal awareness of the difficulties faced by doctors when prescribing antimicrobials. METHODS: Over a six-month period patients hospitalized in the ICU and under treatment with antibiotics and/or antifungals were eligible to participate in the study. The data were assessed by two infectious diseases specialists. Once completed, all case forms were sent independently to both evaluators (TZSC and ARM) by e-mail. Based on the data received, the evaluator completed a form automatically generated on the e-mail and returned it to the original mailbox for further analysis. We assessed the level of agreement between infectious disease specialists and the physicians directly responsible for the decision to begin antimicrobial therapy, as well as to assess the appropriateness of the regimen prescribed. RESULTS: Among the antimicrobial regimens prescribed to the 177 patients, 36% were considered inappropriate by specialist #1 and 38% were considered inappropriate by specialist #2. We found 78% agreement by at least one of the infectious disease specialists with the prescribed antimicrobial regimen, and in 49% of cases both specialists agreed with the prescribed regimen. Both disagreed with the prescribed regimen in 22% of the cases and they disagreed between themselves in 29% of the cases. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the difficulties in prescribing effective empirical antimicrobial therapy--they are of such magnitude that even two specialists in infectious diseases, well acquainted with our hospital's resistance patterns and our patients' profiles have considerable disagreement.

Evidence that hematophagous triatomine bugs may eat plants in the wild.

Blood feeding is a secondary adaptation in hematophagous bugs. Many proteins are secreted in the saliva that are devoted to coping with the host's defense and to process the blood meal. Digestive enzymes that are no longer required for a blood meal would be expected to be eventually lost. Yet, in many strictly hematophagous arthropods, α-amylase genes, which encode the enzymes that digest starch from plants, are still present and transcribed, including in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) and its related species, which transmit the Chagas disease. We hypothesized that retaining α-amylase could be advantageous if the bugs occasionally consume plant tissues. We first checked that the α-amylase protein of Rhodnius robustus retains normal amylolytic activity. Then we surveyed hundreds of gut DNA extracts from the sylvatic R. robustus to detect traces of plants. We found plant DNA in 8% of the samples, mainly identified as Attalea palm trees, where R. robustus are usually found. We suggest that although of secondary importance in the blood-sucking bugs, α-amylase may be needed during occasional plant feeding and thus has been retained.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of diagnostic imaging examinations in the Brazilian unified healthcare system (SUS).

Objectives: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volumes of use of diagnostic imaging examinations in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), the only healthcare provider for approximately 160 million people. Methods: We collected the monthly numbers of diagnostic imaging examinations in the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 from a database provided by SUS. Data were collected by specific type of examination across different imaging modalities, both for the outpatient (elective and emergency) and inpatient settings. Results: There was a large reduction in the annual volume of almost all types of diagnostic imaging examinations in SUS in 2020, compared to 2019. Decreases were generally greater among outpatients than in the hospital setting, in which the annual volume of use of most modalities was similar or even higher in 2021 than in the pre-pandemic period. Computed tomography (CT) was the only modality for which use increased in 2020 compared to 2019. In contrast to other types of examinations, the use of chest CT was much higher in both 2020 and 2021 than in the preceding years. The relative changes in diagnostic imaging use in SUS started around March-April 2020, when the pandemic began to get worse in Brazil, and tended to correlate to COVID-19 incidence in Brazil over the following months. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a large impact on the use of diagnostic imaging examinations in the SUS. Policies and actions are needed to alleviate the resulting potential adverse health effects and to optimize the use of diagnostic tests in the future.

Exploring the Hidden World of Vectors of Chagas Disease: A Fascinating Look at the Taxonomic Aspects of the Psammolestes Genus (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected illness affecting approximately seven million individuals, with vector transmission occurring via triatomine bugs. The Rhodniini tribe comprises 24 species, grouped into the Rhodnius and Psammolestes genera. Given the importance of accurately identifying CD vectors, the taxonomy of Psammolestes spp. was revisited using morphological and morphometric data. Specimens of P. tertius, P. coreodes, and P. arthuri were collected, and the morphological characteristics of the head, thorax, abdomen, and eggs were analyzed. Morphometric studies of eggs were also conducted. Dichotomous keys allowing for the differentiation of Psammolestes spp. were elaborated based on adult insect and egg morphological characteristics. Through these studies, it was possible to differentiate the three Psammolestes species and confirm that this genus should not be classified under the Rhodnius genus, contributing to Rhodniini taxonomy.

Genome Size Variation of Chagas Disease Vectors of the Rhodniini Tribe.

The genome size of five Rhodnius species (R. milesi, R. nasutus, R. neivai, R. prolixus, and R. robustus) and two Psammolestes species (P. coroedes and P. tertius) were estimated using flow cytometry and/or k-mer distributions in genome sequences. Phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models highlighted significant genome size variations among species and between sexes, with R. prolixus showing the largest genome. In this study we provide the first data on female genome size in Triatominae. For five species, female genome size did not differ from males, except for R. robustus, where females had smaller genomes. Genome size estimations based on the k-mer distribution method were less than those estimated from flow cytometry, but both methods exhibited the same pattern of sexual differences. Further genomic studies are needed to infer whether genome size variation could be an adaptive trait in Rhodnius.

Hadrontherapy techniques for breast cancer.

Radiotherapy plays a key role in breast cancer treatment, and recent technical advances have been made to improve the therapeutic window by limiting the risk of radiation-induced toxicity or by increasing tumor control. Hadrontherapy is a form a radiotherapy relying on particle beams; compared with photon beams, particle beams have specific physical, radiobiological and immunological properties, which can be valuable in diverse clinical situations. To date, available hadrontherapy techniques for breast cancer irradiation include proton therapy, carbon ion radiation therapy, fast neutron therapy and boron neutron capture therapy. This review analyzes the current rationale and level of evidence for each hadrontherapy technique for breast cancer.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids: a possible new risk factor of toxicant-associated fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Industrial toxin and drugs have been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); in these cases, the disease has been termed toxicant-associated steatohepatitis (TASH). AIM: This study hypothesizes that the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) could also be a risk factor to TASH or better toxicant-associated fatty liver disease (TAFLD) development. METHODOLOGY: Case-control study including 180 non-competitive recreational male bodybuilders from August/2007 to March/2009. Ninety-five had a history of intramuscular AAS use (cases; G1) and 85 were non-users (controls; G2). They underwent a clinical evaluation and abdominal ultrasound, and their blood levels of aminotransferases, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lipids, glucose and insulin were measured. TAFLD criteria: history of AAS use >2 years; presence of hepatic steatosis on ultrasound and/or aminotransferase alterations with normal CPK levels; exclusion of ethanol intake ≥20 g/day or use of other drugs; and exclusion of obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and other liver diseases. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance ≥3 was considered insulin resistant. Independent t-test, odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: All cases were asymptomatic. Clinical and laboratorial data were similar in G1 and G2 (P>0.05). TAFLD criteria were observed in 12.6% of the G1 cases and 2.4% of controls had criteria compliant with non-alcoholic fatty liver related to metabolic conditions. OR was 6.0 (95% CI: 1.3-27.6). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AAS could be a possible new risk factor for TAFLD. In this type of fatty liver disease, the individuals had a low body fat mass and they did not present insulin resistance.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumour: a rare and challenging entity.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT) is rare and locally aggressive, and malignant transformation is a possibility. Because there is no consensus on the best treatment approach, the authors present a treatment algorithm based on several case reports. A 57-year-old male patient resorted to surgical consultation with a giant perianal cauliflower-like mass. A BLT was diagnosed. Due to the involvement of the anal sphincter, a wide local excision saving the rectum failed. Abdominoperineal resection was performed. Malignant transformation was diagnosed, and adjuvant radiotherapy was delivered. Clinical evolution was uneventful. Aggressive behaviour despite the absence of malignancy is the hallmark of BLT. The common presentation is an anal mass with a cauliflower-like appearance. Anal verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the major differential diagnoses. BLT treatment is challenging. Surgery is the first-line treatment, raging from wide local excision to abdominoperineal resection. To improve outcomes, chemoradiation can be used in combination with surgery. Long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Integrating X-ray kV millimetric field dosimetry with a synthetic diamond detector into the treatment planning system commissioning of a preclinical irradiator.

PURPOSE: Small animal irradiators are equipped with x-ray beams and cone collimators with millimeter dimensions to be used in preclinical research. The use of small fields in the kV energy range may require the application of energy-dependent, field size-dependent, or depth-dependent correction factors to the dosimetric data acquired for treatment planning system (TPS) commissioning purposes to obtain accurate dose values. Considering that these corrections are also detector dependent, the suitability of a synthetic single-crystal diamond detector for small-field relative dosimetry in a preclinical irradiator (220-kVp) was evaluated to avoid the necessity of applying correction factors during TPS commissioning. METHODS: The detector response was assessed during the transition for field sizes ranging from 20 × 20 mm2 to 3 × 3 mm2 , using the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP). The percentage depth dose distributions (PDDs), lateral profiles and output factors (OFs) were measured. The PDDs for the synthetic diamond detector were compared to the distributions acquired using a small-volume microchamber (0.016 cm3 ) and with Monte Carlo calculations using the MC3D in-house software package. The profiles and OFs were compared to the data from a silicon solid-state detector and to radiochromic film data provided by the manufacturer; for the OF determination, measurements made using a microchamber were added for comparison. The performance of several detectors used as references was previously validated for relative dosimetry in preclinical irradiators. A commercial TPS was commissioned for the factor-based algorithm, using the data acquired with the diamond detector, and no additional correction factors were applied. To verify the performance of the TPS and the accuracy of the dosimetric methodology, radiochromic film irradiation in water was conducted, and two-dimensional (2D) dose distributions in the coronal and axial planes were compared under different gamma criteria. RESULTS: Compared with the microchamber and MC3D distributions, the agreement of the PDDs using the synthetic diamond detector was better than 2%. The profile data exhibited very good agreement compared with the data from the silicon detector, with an average and a maximum difference of 0.31 and 0.39 mm in the penumbras, respectively. Compared with the data from the radiochromic film, the average and maximum differences were equal to 0.77 and 0.89 mm, respectively. Very good agreement, within 1%, was obtained between the OFs measured with the synthetic diamond detector and the radiochromic film, compared only for the cone collimators. The validation of the TPS commissioning using gamma criteria compared to film showed an average passing rate of 100% and 93.2% with a global gamma criterion of 1 mm/3% for the coronal and axial planes, respectively, including the 3 × 3 mm2 field size and penumbra regions. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic diamond is a suitable detector for the complete relative dosimetry of small x-ray fields. The commissioning of the TPS with its own beam dosimetric data exhibited encouraging results even in a 3 × 3 mm2 field and penumbra region. This methodology allows for the prediction of 2D dose distributions with an accuracy in water ranging from 3 to 5% compared to the 2D distribution from film dosimetry.

Development, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of a Novel Aptamer (Anti-MUC1/Y) for Breast Cancer Therapy.

MUC1, the transmembrane glycoprotein Mucin 1, is usually found to be overexpressed in a variety of epithelial cancers playing an important role in disease progression. MUC1 isoforms such as MUC1/Y, which lacks the entire variable number of tandem repeat region, are involved in oncogenic processes by enhancing tumour initiation. MUC1/Y is therefore considered a promising target for the identification and treatment of epithelial cancers; but so far, the precise role of MUC1/Y remains to be elucidated. In this work, we developed and identified a DNA aptamer that specifically recognizes the splice variant MUC1/Y for the first time. The DNA aptamer could bind to a wide variety of human cancer cells, and treatment of MUC1/Y positive cells resulted in reduced growth in vitro. Moreover, MUC1/Y aptamer inhibited the tumour growth of breast cancer cells in vivo. The present study highlights the importance of targeting MUC1/Y for cancer treatment and unravels the suitability of a DNA aptamer to act as a new therapeutic tool.

Technical Note: Fricke dosimetry for blood irradiators.

PURPOSE: The Fricke dosimeter has been shown to be a viable option as an absorbed dose standard. This work aims to provide the dose distribution in an irradiator container during blood irradiation using Fricke dosimetry. METHODS: Measurements were performed using a Gammacell Elan 3000 blood irradiator at Hemocenter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A specific phantom was constructed and patented by the authors to perform these measurements. Fricke solution was prepared according to international protocols, and polyethylene bags filled with Fricke solution (n = 19) were spatially distributed within the phantom. Control bags were also submitted to the same process, except the irradiation. The irradiation time was calculated to give 25.7 Gy to the central portion of the phantom, the same dose used for blood bags. RESULTS: Encouraging results were obtained with an overall uncertainty of 2.1% (k = 1). The obtained results were compared with the doses calculated by the physicist from Hemocenter based on parameters provided by the manufacturer. The mean dose delivered to the Fricke bag in the center of the phantom (cavity 2) was 28.7 ± 0.5 Gy, which is 12% higher than the planned dose of 25.7 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results showed that the setup (Fricke and phantom) is able to perform dosimetry for blood irradiators. The delivered dose was higher than expected. This highlights the importance in controlling all the parameters during irradiation to ensure the correct dose for all irradiated bags.

Effects of magnesium sulphate on the onset time of rocuronium at different doses: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Rocuronium may provide excellent onset time, but high doses are required for effective action. Several strategies have managed to shorten rocuronium onset time, including the use of Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4). METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients were randomized into six groups according to rocuronium dose received (0.3, 0.6 or 1.2 mg.kg-1) and the administration of saline or MgSO4 (60 mg.kg-1). Correlations between tissue perfusion and rocuronium onset time was determined by variations in perfusion index. RESULTS: Median (quartiles) rocuronium onset times were 85.5 (74.0-92.0); 76.0 (52.0-87.0) and 50.0 (41.0-59.5) seconds for 0.3, 0.6 mg.kg-1 and 1.2 mg.kg-1 doses, respectively. MgSO4 decreased rocuronium onset at doses of 0.3 mg.kg-1 (60.0 [48.0-74.3] seconds) and 0.6 mg.kg-1 (44.0 [39.0-49.0] seconds) but not at 1.2 mg.kg-1 (38.0 [33.5-56.3] seconds) (p < 0.001). Perfusion index variations in groups that received MgSO4 were greater than in controls. A negative correlation between shorten onset and increased perfusion index was observed in rocuronium doses of 0.3 mg.kg-1 (r = -0.50; p < 0.001) and 0.6 mg.kg-1 (r = -0.424; p < 0.001), but not for 1.2 mg.kg-1 dose (r = -0.25; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: MgSO4 reduces rocuronium onset time at doses of 0.3 mg.kg-1 and 0.6 mg.kg-1 being that the latter has a similar effect when compared to the dose of 1.2 mg.kg-1, with or without the use of MgSO4. TRIAL REGISTRY AT: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/ REGISTRY NUMBER: RBR-96CY3K.

Genotypic Trypanosoma cruzi distribution and parasite load differ ecotypically and according to parasite genotypes in Triatoma brasiliensis from endemic and outbreak areas in Northeastern Brazil.

This study aimed to identify the Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes and their relationship with parasitic load in distinct geographic and ecotypic populations of Triatoma brasiliensis in two sites, including one where a Chagas disease (ChD) outbreak occurred in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. Triatomine captures were performed in peridomestic and sylvatic ecotopes in two municipalities: Marcelino Vieira - affected by the outbreak; and Currais Novos - where high pressure of peridomestic triatomine infestation after insecticide spraying have been reported. The kDNA-PCR was used to select 124 T. cruzi positive triatomine samples, of which 117 were successfully genotyped by fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB). Moreover, the T. cruzi load quantification was performed using a multiplex TaqMan qPCR. Our findings showed a clear ecotypic segregation between TcI and TcII harboured by T. brasiliensis (p<0.001). Although no genotypes were ecotypically exclusive, TcI was predominant in peridomestic ecotopes (86%). In general, T. brasiliensis from Rio Grande do Norte had a higher T. cruzi load varying from 3.94 to 7.66 x 106T. cruzi per insect. Additionally, TcII (median value=299,504 T. cruzi/intestine unit equivalents) had more than twice (p=0.1) the parasite load of TcI (median value=149,077 T. cruzi/intestine unit equivalents), which can be attributed to a more ancient co-evolution with T. brasiliensis. The higher prevalence of TcII in the sylvatic T. brasiliensis (70%) could be associated with a more diversified source of bloodmeals for wild insect populations. Either TcI or TcII may have been responsible for the ChD outbreak that occurred in the city of Marcelino Vieira. On the other hand, a smaller portion of T. brasiliensis was infected by TcIII (3%) in the peridomicile, in addition to T. rangeli genotype A (1%), often found in mixed infections. Our results highlight the need of understanding the patterns of T. cruzi genotype´s development and circulation in insect vectors and reservoirs as a mode of tracking situations of epidemiologic importance, as the ChD outbreak recently recorded for Northeastern Brazil.

Small-field dosimetry with a high-resolution 3D scanning water phantom system for the small animal radiation research platform SARRP: a geometrical and quantitative study.

Improvements in dosimetry in preclinical radiation research facilitate the application of results to the newest radiotherapy techniques, reducing gaps that hinder translation. Currently, guidelines for small-field kV photon dosimetry of small animal irradiators have not been published, and most of the publications are based on radiochromic film dosimetry. In this study, we evaluated the performance of four detectors, three ionization chambers (ICs): (PTW Advanced Markus, PTW Semiflex 31010, PTW PinPoint-3D 31016) and one solid-state detector (PTW 60017 unshielded Diode E) regarding their suitability for relative dosimetry of the small animal radiation research platform SARRP (220 kVp). The measurements were performed in a high-resolution 3D scanning phantom, centering the detectors in the field following the in-plane and cross-plane profiles method at two depths. Depth dose curves (PDDs) and profiles were measured in water for field sizes ranging from 40 × 40 mm2 to 5 × 5 mm2. Quantitative analysis was performed through global and local dose differences (DDs) between the PDDs and the Advanced Markus parallel plate IC data and through the gamma index (γ) criteria for profiles compared against data from EBT3 films provided by the manufacturer. Compared to the Advanced Markus IC, the PDD results suggest that PinPoint-3D is suitable for depth measurements at this beam quality, even near the surface, with agreements better than 1%. Semiflex 31010 was accurate to within 1.5% for measurements deeper than 5 mm. Diode E showed a dramatic DD and should not be recommended for the field sizes and kVp evaluated in this study. In agreement with γ analyses, PinPoint-3D and Diode E are good candidates for profile measurements of field sizes from 40 × 40 mm2 to 10 × 10 mm2. For 5 × 5 mm2 profiles, only Diode E showed good results, making it a recommended detector for profile measurements.

Feasibility study of the Fricke chemical dosimeter as an independent dosimetric system for the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP).

For the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) with X-ray beams in the medium energy range (tube operating voltage at 220 kVp), reference dosimetry is based on the AAPM TG-61 recommendations following the in-phantom method. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the Fricke solution as a dosimeter to determine the absorbed dose to water. Feasibility studies at this X-ray energy range are not widely available. We evaluated the accuracy, dose linearity and dose rate dependence in a comparison with an NE 2571 Farmer ionization chamber (IC) and measurements in water. The G(Fe3+) factor was calculated from the curve fitting of the chemical yields for two radioactive sources (192Ir and 60Co) and one X-ray system with a tube operating at 150 and 250 kVp. The same methodology was followed for the dependence of the G(Fe3+) value on the energy and the dose agreement assessment for 180 and 200 kVp in the SARRP. The Fricke system exhibits a good linear response over the range of 5-70 Gy and an accuracy better than 2% for a 2 Gy/min dose rate. The dose rate dependence is smaller than 1% for dose rates greater than 1 Gy/min. The dependence of the G(Fe3+) value on the energy is smaller than 0.41%, with dose agreements better than 2%. The feasibility of the dosimeter for measurements at high doses and high dose rates makes it a suitable tool for dosimetric verifications in several preclinical irradiation configurations.

Triatoma brasiliensis species complex: characterization of the external female genitalia.

The Triatoma brasiliensis complex is composed of six species (Triatoma bahiensis, T. juazerensis, T. lenti, T. melanica, T. petrocchiae, and T. sherlocki) and two subspecies (T. brasiliensis brasiliensis and T. b. macromelasoma). Phylogenetic studies have shown that it is a monophyletic group, but the morphological relationships among the members can be better understood. We applied a tool of high resolution based on morphology to identify details that characterize the female genitals for each member of this group. The external genital structures of five to fifteen females of each taxon were analyzed. Insects had their abdomen transversely cut to separate the last abdominal segments, and representative illustrations obtained via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are shown. Observations were performed in the dorsal and the ventral views. The morphological characterization of female external genitalia allowed a differentiation of each species/subspecies. The subspecies T. b. brasiliensis and T. b. macromelasoma were the most similar. On the other hand, dorsal view of structures evidenced some unique characteristics for T. petrocchiae and T. sherlocki. Regarding these structures for T. petrocchiae, the differentiation was in accordance with molecular studies, since this species exhibits the highest genetic distances in relation to other species of T. brasiliensis complex.