Rapid and Non-Invasive Detection of Aedes aegypti Co-Infected with Zika and Dengue Viruses Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy.

The transmission of dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) has been continuously increasing worldwide. An efficient arbovirus surveillance system is critical to designing early-warning systems to increase preparedness of future outbreaks in endemic countries. The Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a promising high throughput technique to detect arbovirus infection in Ae. aegypti with remarkable advantages such as cost and time effectiveness, reagent-free, and non-invasive nature over existing molecular tools for similar purposes, enabling timely decision making through rapid detection of potential disease. Our aim was to determine whether NIRS can differentiate Ae. aegypti females infected with either ZIKV or DENV single infection, and those coinfected with ZIKV/DENV from uninfected ones. Using 200 Ae. aegypti females reared and infected in laboratory conditions, the training model differentiated mosquitoes into the four treatments with 100% accuracy. DENV-, ZIKV-, and ZIKV/DENV-coinfected mosquitoes that were used to validate the model could be correctly classified into their actual infection group with a predictive accuracy of 100%, 84%, and 80%, respectively. When compared with mosquitoes from the uninfected group, the three infected groups were predicted as belonging to the infected group with 100%, 97%, and 100% accuracy for DENV-infected, ZIKV-infected, and the co-infected group, respectively. Preliminary lab-based results are encouraging and indicate that NIRS should be tested in field settings to evaluate its potential role to monitor natural infection in field-caught mosquitoes.

Malaria absorption peaks acquired through the skin of patients with infrared light can detect patients with varying parasitemia.

To eliminate malaria, scalable tools that are rapid, affordable, and can detect patients with low parasitemia are required. Non-invasive diagnostic tools that are rapid, reagent-free, and affordable would also provide a justifiable platform for testing malaria in asymptomatic patients. However, non-invasive surveillance techniques for malaria remain a diagnostic gap. Here, we show near-infrared Plasmodium absorption peaks acquired non-invasively through the skin using a miniaturized hand-held near-infrared spectrometer. Using spectra from the ear, these absorption peaks and machine learning techniques enabled non-invasive detection of malaria-infected human subjects with varying parasitemia levels in less than 10 s.

Posibilidades y limitaciones de la tele-estomatología / Possibilities and limitations of teledentistry

ABSTRACT Dental care is considered to be an example of complex manual interventions in the medical sector. The vision presented describes the organization of dental care based on the application of modern telecommunication technologies. In developed countries, general dental practitioners have a positive attitude toward incorporating teledentistry into their practice. In PubMed there is a tendency to increase the states by telehealth key words and tags, including teledentistry. Those health care tendencies show a steady trend toward the broadening of teledentistry services(AU)

RESUMEN El cuidado dental se considera un ejemplo de intervenciones manuales complejas en la industria médica. La visión presentada describe la organización de la atención dental basada en la aplicación de las modernas tecnologías de telecomunicación. En los países avanzados, los odontólogos generales tienen una actitud positiva ante la idea de introducir la teledentistería en su práctica. En PubMed hay una tendencia a aumentar los estados por las palabras clave y las etiquetas de la telesalud, incluida la teledentistería. Esas tendencias en materia de atención de la salud muestran una tendencia constante a la ampliación de los servicios de teledentistería(AU)

Hernia hiatal volvulada no complicada: ¿se debe operar siempre para prevenir la emergencia por isquemia gástrica? / Noncomplicated volvulada hiatal hernia: one is due to always operate to prevent the emergencia by gastric ischemia?

Antecedentes: El estómago herniado en el tórax con componente paraesofágico tiene riesgo de volvulación. Se ha propuesto que el diagnóstico de hernia para esofágica o mixta indica la cirugía electiva para evitar la urgencia; otros opinan que la urgencia sería tan excepcional que no merece dicha consideración. Objetivos: Evaluar la indicación de cirugía en las hernias hiatales mixtas (HHM). Lugar: Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Universidad de Buenos Aires. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo. Población: 60 pacientes con HHM al diagnóstico (2002-05). Método: Se analiza cuántas estaban volvuadas al momento del diagnóstico por radiología y endoscopia, y en la indicación quirúrgica. Resultados: Sobre 60 pacientes con diagnóstico de HHM, en 18 se observó volvulación gástrica al momento del diagnóstico. 7 (11,6%) pacientes requirieron internación de urgencia: 5 por afagia (2 Nissen laparoscópico, 1 Nissen convencional, 1 Toupet laparoscópico, 1 reducción y cierre defecto diafragmático laparoscópico) y 2 por falla multiorgánica por necrosis gastrica (1 gastrect total, y 1 -93años- no operada). Otros 8 (13%) requirieron adelantar la cirugía programada por agravamiento del dolor, disfagia, anemia y/o regurgitación. Conclusión: El grado de compromiso de la vasculatura o de la luz gastro-esofágica determinará la urgencia quirúrgica, aunque estas alteraciones son dinámicas. Un 25 de los pacientes en esta serie necesitaron acelerar su tratamiento quirúrgico, un 11,6% con internación de urgencia (3,3% con necrosis gástrica).

Superior vena cava syndrome with central venous catheter for chemotherapy treated successfully with fibrinolysis.

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of cases of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome associated with chronic indwelling central venous catheters. Fibrinolytic therapy and endovascular treatment are currently achieving good results. We present a case history of a patient with SVC with a catheter used for chemotherapy, which was successfully treated with catheter-directed (intraclot) infusion thrombolytic therapy with urokinase.

A bioactive biflavonoid from Campnosperma panamense.

Lanaroflavone (1), a biflavonoid isolated from the methanol extract of the aerial part of Campnosperma panamense by bioguided fractionation, has been assessed for in vitro antiprotozoal activity. Lanaroflavone showed both antimalarial and leishmanicidal activities, but was inactive against Chagas disease vector, Trypanosoma cruzi.

Infección por H. pylory en pacientes con sintomatología gástrica / H. pylori infection in patients with gastric symptomatology

Con el propósito de evaluar la infección por H. pylori en pacientes con sintomatología del tracto gastroentestinal alto, se estudiaron 120 pacientes que acudieron a la unidad de gastroenterología del Instituto de Prevención Social del Ministerio de Educación (IPASME) y Cliníca San Vicente de Paúl durante el período Noviembre 1999 - Diciembre de 2000. A cada uno se realizó una endoscopia digestiva superior y se le tomaron dos biopsias de la mucosa del antro gástrico para detectar la presencia de H. pylori mediante los métodos prueba rápida de ureasa y coloración de Gram, y una muestra de sangre para serología. Los métodos prueba rápida de ureasa y coloración de Gram exhibieron una sensibilidad superior (98,92 por ciento) a la presentada por el método serológico (93,55 por ciento). Se diagnosticaron 106 pacientes positivos para H. pylori. El estudio endoscópico relevó que entre los pacientes positivos 92 (86,79 por ciento) presentaban lesiones en la mucosa, el resto (14=13,20 por ciento) tenían una mucosa normal. De los pacientes con H. pylori y mucosa lesionada 43 (46,73 por ciento) presentaron gastritis aguda, 31 (33,71 por ciento) gastritis crónica y 18 (19,56 por ciento) ulcera gástrica. Se encontró asociación altamente significativa entre la prevalencia de H. pyloti y el estado de la mucosa (Z=6,71, P<0,001)

Antiprotozoal activities of Colombian plants.

In our search for therapeutical alternatives for antiprotozoal chemotherapy, we collected a selection of 44 plants from western Colombia upon ethnopharmacological and chemotaxonomic considerations. Polar and apolar extracts of these species were examined for antimalarial activity using in vitro tests with two clones of Plasmodium falciparum. Leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity were determined in vitro using promastigote and amastigote forms of several strains of Leishmania sp. and epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Among the selected plants, the 15 following species showed good or very good antiprotozoal activity in vitro: Aspidosperma megalocarpon, Campnosperma panamense, Conobea scoparioides, Guarea polymera, Guarea guidonia, Guatteria amplifolia, Huberodendron patinoi, Hygrophila guianensis, Jacaranda caucana, Marila laxiflora, Otoba novogranatensis, Otoba parviflora, Protium amplium, Swinglea glutinosa and Tabernaemontana obliqua. Cytotoxicity was assessed in U-937 cells and the ratio of cytotoxicity to antiprotozoal activity was determined for the active extracts. Ten extracts from eight species showed selectivity indexes > or = 10. Among the extracts that showed leishmanicidal activity, the methylene chloride extract of leaves from C. scoparioides showed a selectivity index in the same range that the one of the Glucantime control. Several of the active leishmanicidal plants are traditionally used against leishmaniasis by the population of the concerned area.

Bioactive acridone alkaloids from Swinglea glutinosa.

A new prenylated acridone alkaloid, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-2,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-10-methyl-9-acridone (1), was isolated from the stembark of Swinglea glutinosa, along with three known acridone alkaloids, 5-hydroxynoracronycine (2), 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-10-methyl-9-acridone (3), and 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-10-methylacridone (4). The isolated alkaloids were assessed in vitro against chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains and for cytotoxicity using HeLa cells.

Triterpenoid saponins from Isertia pittieri.

Two new 27-nor-triterpenoid saponins, pyrocincholic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl-28-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (1) and pyrocincholic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (2) were isolated from the stem bark of Isertia pittieri, together with two known bidesmosidic quinovic acid glycosides. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic studies.

[The atrioventricular canal and vascular ring. The surgical treatment of a rare anatomical association]. / Canale atrioventricolare e anello vascolare. Trattamento chirurgico di una rara associazione anatomica.

We report the clinical and surgical data of 11 patients with atrioventricular canal and vascular ring. Down syndrome was present in 8 cases (72.7%); 8 patients were female (72.7%). Seven patients underwent, at the same time, correction of vascular ring and banding of the pulmonary artery with 4 death. Two children underwent correction of vascular ring and subsequent correction of atrioventricular canal without mortality. Two patients underwent correction of atrioventricular canal and subsequent correction of the vascular ring with one death. The mortality of the 6 patients operated after the age of 6 months was in measure of 16.6%. This association of malformations may be due to anomalies of neural crest and, although rare, should be particularly kept in mind referring to female patients with Down syndrome.

Pharmacognosy of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret.

A chemical investigation of the bark of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret, performed in our laboratory, allowed the isolation and identification of three new triterpenoid saponins (mimonosides A, B and C), three steroid saponins (3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl campesterol, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl stigmasterol and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl beta-sitosterol) together with lupeol, campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol. The three new triterpenoid saponins were subjected to in vitro biological tests (immunomodulation and proliferation) using different animal and human cells in culture. The results of these tests contribute to explain the traditional use of this plant material.

Complexometric titration of Ti(IV) with 2-(5-chloro-2-pyridylazo)-5-dimethylaminophenol as indicator.

A method for determination of titanium by a reverse titration with EDTA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, with 2-(5-chloro-2-pyridylazo)-5-dimethylaminophenol as indicator, is presented; use of the method for analysis of titanium paints is also described.

[Early management of foreign bodies in the upper digestive tract with flexible fiberendoscopy]. / Manejo precoz de los cuerpos extraños en el tracto digestivo superior con fibroendoscopia flexible.

We present our five year experience (1983-1988) in 74 patients who intentionally or accidentally ingested foreign bodies, and their management with flexible fibroendoscopy. A higher incidence was observed in children under 6 years of age, and adults between 30 and 50 years of age. The major presenting symptom was the "sentation of foreign body", and 24% of patients presented no symptomatology. The most commonly encountered foreign bodies were: fishbone, coins, chicken bones, and meat fragments. An esophageal location was the most commonly found, predominantly in the proximal third. Flexible endoscopy performed in 59 patients (80%), successfully removing the foreign body in 93.2%. In the remaining cases it was demonstrated previously that the foreign body could not be reached by the endoscope.

[Traditional medicine in the Central Plateau of Haiti. 1. Study of the traditional therapeutic system in a rural socio-cultural area]. / La médecine populaire dans le plateau central d'Haiti. 1. Etude du système therapeutique traditionnel dans un cadre socio-culturel rural.

An ethnomedical and ethnopharmacological research on the traditional use of plants to cure human diseases was carried out in the Thomonde area located in the Central Plateau of Haiti. The use of medicinal plants is widespread among the rural population and is often the first treatment utilized. An ethnomedical approach to the Haitian traditional therapeutic system and popular beliefs is made. The percentage home remedies used as first treatment against 38 diseases was determined by means of an investigation performed on a quantitative scale.

[Traditional medicine in the Central Plateau of Haiti. 2. Ethnopharmacologic inventory]. / La médecine populaire dans le plateau central d'Haiti. 2. Inventaire ethnopharmacologique.

An ethnomedical and ethnopharmacological research on the traditional use of plants to cure human diseases was carried out in the Thomonde area located in the Central Plateau of Haïti. Part 1 of this publication was an ethnomedical study of the traditional folk therapy system. In this second part, we list 161 local plants, distributed in 64 botanical families, currently used for treating 38 common diseases. These 161 species were collected and identified. Their latin names, local names, local medicinal uses, the used part of the plant and the form of remedy are described.

Emulsiones: aspectos físico-químicos / Emulsions: physico-chemical aspects

Se ha estudiado la influencia de la formulación físico-química (salinidad de la fase acuosa, EACN del aceite, naturaleza del surfactante, naturaleza y concentración del cosurfactante), sobre la naturaleza y propiedades de los sistemas Surfactante-Alcohol-Agua-Aceite emulsionados. Dicha influencia se muestra en un diagrama bidimensional mixto generalizado (Formulación-Fracción volumétrica de fase acuosa, fw). A relaciones agua/aceite próximas a la unidad (30% 70%), la inversión depende fundamentalmente de la proporción volumétrica de las fases, es decir, está controlada por factores físicos. Basándose en los resultados obtenidos, se propone una clasificación general del tipo de emulsión, de acuerdo con la formulación óptima y las líneas de inversión. La existencia de correlaciones entre las diferentes variables de formulación en el óptimo, los fenómenos asociados y una regla lineal de mezclas, sugieren la utilización de un nuevo método de caracterización de surfactantes, más rápido y exacto que el método HLB. Experimentalmente se usan uno o dos surfactantes conocidos y el parámetro característico correspondiente, que puede ser el HLB, es independiente de las demás variables físico-químicas

Plants of Haiti used as antifertility agents.

Haitian empirical medicine sprang from both European (16th to 19th century) and African (especially voodoo) traditional therapies. The use of medicinal herbs is highly developed. Our purpose was to list the plants held to be antifertility agents in the island. We identified about twenty species more or less currently used by the women as abortifacients or emmenagogues. The chemistry and active components of a few species are well-known. However, for most of them, some were partially studied, and no relation could be established between their chemical composition and their potential activities, and the rest are chemically unknown. We chemically screened extracts of Casearia ilicifolia, Eleutherine bulbosa, Rhoeo spathacea and Stemodia durantifolia, and identified flavonoids, triterpenes and sterols in the leaves of C. ilicifolia, and naphthoquinones, and a new anthraquinone, anthracene-9,10-dione-1,5-diol-4-methoxy-3-methyl-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester, in the bulbs of E, bulbosa. R. spathacea showed a stimulative activity on mouse uterus. Antifertility screening tests of C. ilicifolia and E. bulbosa showed activity in rats, but also probably toxicity.

Plants of Haiti used as antifertility agents

Haitian empirical medicine sprang from both European (16th to 19th century) and African (especially voodoo) traditional therapies. The use of medicinal herbs is highly developed. Our purpose was to list the plants held to be antifertility agents n the island. We identified about twenty species more or less currently used by the women as abortifacients or emmenagogues. The chemistry and active components of a few species are well-known. However, for most of them, some were partially studied, and no relation could be established between their chemical composition and their potential activities, and the rest are chemically unknown. We chemically screened extracts of casearia ilicifolia, Eleutherine bulbosa, Rhoeo spathacea and the leaves of C.ilieifolia, and naphthoquinones, and a new anthraquinine, anthracene -9, 10-dione-1, 5-diol-4-methoxy-3-methyl-2-carboxylec acid methyl ester, in the bulbs of E. bulbosa, R.spathacea showed a stimulative activity on mouse uterus. Antifertility screening tests of C.ilieifolia and E. bulbosa showed activity in rats, but also probably toxicity