Beneficial effects of fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to assess the preventive effect of an eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid-concentrate fish oil on neuropathic pain development and regenerative features of sciatic nerve in rats. METHODS: In the present study, rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and sham-operated ones received fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (0.36 or 0.72 g/kg per day, oral) or saline solution for 21 days, with thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia being assessed before and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury. KEY FINDINGS: Fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (0.72 g/kg) reversed thermal hyperalgesia and significantly reduced mechanical allodynia. In addition, ω-3 treatment (0.72 g/kg) promoted the recovery of the Sciatic Functional Index as well as restored axonal density and morphology, without the formation of neuroma in the injured sciatic nerves after 21 days. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids administration relieves thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia effectively and also enhances the recovery process in rats with CCI of the sciatic nerve. These findings might contribute to new therapeutic approaches including omega-3 fatty acids in neuropathic pain treatment.

Antidepressant and antinociceptive activities in animal models and in vitro assessment of the anti-thyroid activity of bis(DL-pyroglutamate)magnesium complex.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium is an essential element related with biochemistry of the brain and different types of depression have been associated with its deficiency. METHODS: The structure of a novel magnesium bis(DL-pyroglutamate) (Mg(DL-pGlu)2) was elucidated by X-ray crystallography. Wistar rats were used in the in vivo experiments. The antidepressant-like effect was assessed by the forced swim test (FST) and the antinociceptive activity was evaluated using hot plate test. In both, non-specific effects were evaluated by the open field test. Anti-thyroid activity was examined using Lang's method. Albumin binding behavior was evaluated by 3D fluorescence spectroscopy. RESULTS: For the Mg(DL-pGlu)2 complex (30 mg/kg), the FST test on Wistar rats revealed a decrease of 22% in the immobility time and an increment of 106% in the swimming time. The compound alters neither the locomotor activity nor the body weight after chronic administration. At the same dose, it showed antinociceptive activity, increasing the response latency. It blocks iodination reactions generating a charge transfer complex with iodine hence indicating anti-thyroid activity (Kc = 45366.5 ±â€¯29 M-1). Albumin 3D fluorescence spectroscopy experiments showed intensity increase of peak A and decrease of peak B. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the new compound produced a lowering of the immobility time and an increment of the swimming ability of the rats. The compound is able to increase the response latency in 70.0%, to capture iodine (anti-thyroid activity) and to interact with albumin through covalent type of interaction of the free NH groups.

Impact of interventions including vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis on the frequency of meningitis in the African meningitis belt: a scoping review protocol.

In the African meningitis belt (region from Senegal to Ethiopia), there are around 30,000 reported cases of meningococcal disease per year. The main aetiological agent is Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup A. Since 2010, vaccination efforts have increased and hundreds of millions of people have been vaccinated. There are indications that the epidemiology of meningococcal disease is changing. This is the protocol of a scoping review, the objective of which is to describe the extent and nature of the research evidence about the impact of vaccination on meningitis frequency. Primary studies and reviews are eligible for inclusion in the review if they assess the impact of interventions that include N. meningitidis vaccination in countries of the African meningitis belt, report meningitis frequencies, and include an element of comparison. The sources of records are electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane register of clinical trials, African Index Medicus, and clinicaltrials.gov), surveillance reports at country level, online resources of large stakeholders involved in vaccination, reference lists of included records, and experts in the field. The search strategy is based on the combination of the condition of interest, the intervention, and the geographical region. The findings of this review will be presented using figures, tables, and thematic narrative synthesis. This review will not produce a pooled estimate of what the impact of vaccination is, but will give insight in how the authors of the included records assessed the impact.

Insecticide treated curtains and residual insecticide treatment to control Aedes aegypti: An acceptability study in Santiago de Cuba.

BACKGROUND: Within the context of a field trial conducted by the Cuban vector control program (AaCP), we assessed acceptability of insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) and residual insecticide treatment (RIT) with deltamethrin by the community. We also assessed the potential influence of interviewees' risk perceptions for getting dengue and disease severity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We embedded a qualitative study using in-depth interviews in a cluster randomized trial (CRT) testing the effectiveness of ITCs and RIT in Santiago de Cuba. In-depth interviews (N = 38) were conducted four and twelve months after deployment of the tools with people who accepted the tools, who stopped using them and who did not accept the tools. Data analysis was deductive. Main reasons for accepting ITCs at the start of the trial were perceived efficacy and not being harmful to health. Constraints linked to manufacturer instructions were the main reason for not using ITCs. People stopped using the ITCs due to perceived allergy, toxicity and low efficacy. Few heads of households refused RIT despite the noting reasons for rejection, such as allergy, health hazard and toxicity. Positive opinions of the vector control program influenced acceptability of both tools. However, frequent insecticide fogging as part of routine AaCP vector control actions diminished perceived efficacy of both tools and, therefore, acceptability. Fifty percent of interviewees did feel at risk for getting dengue and considered dengue a severe disease. However, this did not appear to influence acceptability of ITCs or RIT. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Acceptability of ITCs and RIT was linked to acceptability of AaCP routine vector control activities. However, uptake and use were not always an indication of acceptability. Factors leading to acceptability may be best identified using qualitative methods, but more research is needed on the concept of acceptability and its measurement.

The additional benefit of residual spraying and insecticide-treated curtains for dengue control over current best practice in Cuba: Evaluation of disease incidence in a cluster randomized trial in a low burden setting with intensive routine control.

BACKGROUND: Aedes control interventions are considered the cornerstone of dengue control programmes, but there is scarce evidence on their effect on disease. We set-up a cluster randomized controlled trial in Santiago de Cuba to evaluate the entomological and epidemiological effectiveness of periodical intra- and peri-domiciliary residual insecticide (deltamethrin) treatment (RIT) and long lasting insecticide treated curtains (ITC). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sixty three clusters (around 250 households each) were randomly allocated to two intervention (RIT and ITC) and one control arm. Routine Aedes control activities (entomological surveillance, source reduction, selective adulticiding, health education) were applied in the whole study area. The outcome measures were clinical dengue case incidence and immature Aedes infestation. Effectiveness of tools was evaluated using a generalized linear regression model with a negative binomial link function. Despite significant reduction in Aedes indices (Rate Ratio (RR) 0.54 (95%CI 0.32-0.89) in the first month after RIT, the effect faded out over time and dengue incidence was not reduced. Overall, in this setting there was no protective effect of RIT or ITC over routine in the 17months intervention period, with for house index RR of 1.16 (95%CI 0.96-1.40) and 1.25 (95%CI 1.03-1.50) and for dengue incidence RR of 1.43 (95%CI 1.08-1.90) and 0.96 (95%CI 0.72-1.28) respectively. The monthly dengue incidence rate (IR) at cluster level was best explained by epidemic periods (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 5.50 (95%CI 4.14-7.31)), the IR in bordering houseblocks (IRR 1.03 (95%CI 1.02-1.04)) and the IR pre-intervention (IRR 1.02 (95%CI 1.00-1.04)). CONCLUSIONS: Adding RIT to an intensive routine Aedes control programme has a transient effect on the already moderate low entomological infestation levels, while ITC did not have any effect. For both interventions, we didn't evidence impact on disease incidence. Further studies are needed to evaluate impact in settings with high Aedes infestation and arbovirus case load.

Evidence of promising biological-pharmacological activities of the sertraline-based copper complex: (SerH2)2[CuCl4].

In the current study the ability of copper complex to exert multiple biological activities is combined with the pharmacological action of sertraline (SerH2Cl, antidepressant drug). The hydrated and anhydrous forms of the tetrachlorocuprate(II) salts, namely (SerH2)2[CuCl4]·½H2O and (SerH2)2[CuCl4], were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The hydrate complex crystallizes in the monoclinic P21 space group with a=8.0807(2) Å, b=36.2781(8) Å, c=12.6576(3) Å, ß=95.665(2)°, and Z=4 molecules per unit cell and the un-hydrate in P21 with a=13.8727(6) Å, b=7.5090(3) Å, c=18.618(1) Å, ß=104.563(6)°, and Z=2. It has been suggested that Cu(II) ions might be critical in the development of mood disorders, showed potent biocidal activity, and also acted as analgesic adjuvant. To improve sertraline efficiency, the antidepressant and analgesic activities of the complex have been assessed in rats denoting a marked synergistic effect. Antithyroid and antimicrobial activities were also evaluated. Because depressive disorders and hyperthyroidism diseases led to an oxidative stress state, antioxidant capability has also been tested. The complex behaved as a good superoxide radical scavenger (IC50=6.3×10-6M). The ability of the complex to act as bromoperoxidase mimic was assessed. A pseudo-first order constant of k=0.157±0.007min-1 has been determined. The complex evidences promising biological-pharmacological activities and the albumin binding studies showed a Kb of 2.90×103M-1 showing an improvement in the uptake of sertraline by albumin at 8h incubation (time required for effective interaction of sertraline with the protein).

Changing paradigms in Aedes control: considering the spatial heterogeneity of dengue transmission / Cambio de paradigma en el control de Aedes: consideración de la heterogeneidad espacial de la transmisión del dengue

Current dengue vector control strategies, focusing on reactive implementation of insecticide- based interventions in response to clinically apparent disease manifestations, tend to be inefficient, short-lived, and unsustainable within the worldwide epidemiological scenario of virus epidemic recrudescence. As a result of a series of expert meetings and deliberations, a paradigm shift is occurring and a new strategy, using risk stratification at the city level in order to concentrate proactive, sustained efforts in areas at high risk for transmission, has emerged. In this article, the authors 1) outline this targeted, proactive intervention strategy, within the context of dengue epidemiology, the dynamics of its transmission, and current Aedes control strategies, and 2) provide support from published literature for the need to empirically test its impact on dengue transmission as well as on the size of disease outbreaks. As chikungunya and Zika viruses continue to expand their range, the need for a science-based, proactive approach for control of urban Aedes spp. mosquitoes will become a central focus of integrated disease management planning.

Las estrategias actuales de control de vectores del dengue, centradas en la ejecución reactiva de intervenciones con insecticidas en respuesta a la aparición de cuadros clínicos evidentes de la enfermedad, suelen ser ineficientes, de duración limitada e insostenibles en el contexto epidemiológico mundial, caracterizado por la recrudescencia de las epidemias virales. Como resultado de una serie de reuniones y deliberaciones entre expertos, está en proceso un cambio de paradigma y ha surgido una nueva estrategia, que consiste en estratificar el riesgo de cada ciudad para concentrar y mantener los esfuerzos proactivos donde hay un alto riesgo de transmisión. En este artículo, los autores 1) describen esta estrategia de intervención específica y proactiva dentro del contexto de las características epidemiológicas del dengue, la dinámica de su transmisión y las estrategias actuales de control de Aedes y 2) fundamentan con fuentes bibliográficas la necesidad de demostrar empíricamente las repercusiones de esta estrategia sobre la transmisión del dengue y el tamaño de los brotes. Dado que los virus del chikunguña y el Zika siguen ampliando su alcance, uno de los objetivos primordiales de la planificación de la atención integrada de estas enfermedades estará determinado por la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque científico y proactivo del control urbano de los mosquitos del género Aedes.

Changing paradigms in Aedes control: considering the spatial heterogeneity of dengue transmission.

Current dengue vector control strategies, focusing on reactive implementation of insecticide-based interventions in response to clinically apparent disease manifestations, tend to be inefficient, short-lived, and unsustainable within the worldwide epidemiological scenario of virus epidemic recrudescence. As a result of a series of expert meetings and deliberations, a paradigm shift is occurring and a new strategy, using risk stratification at the city level in order to concentrate proactive, sustained efforts in areas at high risk for transmission, has emerged. In this article, the authors 1) outline this targeted, proactive intervention strategy, within the context of dengue epidemiology, the dynamics of its transmission, and current Aedes control strategies, and 2) provide support from published literature for the need to empirically test its impact on dengue transmission as well as on the size of disease outbreaks. As chikungunya and Zika viruses continue to expand their range, the need for a science-based, proactive approach for control of urban Aedes spp. mosquitoes will become a central focus of integrated disease management planning.

Las estrategias actuales de control de vectores del dengue, centradas en la ejecución reactiva de intervenciones con insecticidas en respuesta a la aparición de cuadros clínicos evidentes de la enfermedad, suelen ser ineficientes, de duración limitada e insostenibles en el contexto epidemiológico mundial, caracterizado por la recrudescencia de las epidemias virales. Como resultado de una serie de reuniones y deliberaciones entre expertos, está en proceso un cambio de paradigma y ha surgido una nueva estrategia, que consiste en estratificar el riesgo de cada ciudad para concentrar y mantener los esfuerzos proactivos donde hay un alto riesgo de transmisión. En este artículo, los autores 1) describen esta estrategia de intervención específica y proactiva dentro del contexto de las características epidemiológicas del dengue, la dinámica de su transmisión y las estrategias actuales de control de Aedes y 2) fundamentan con fuentes bibliográficas la necesidad de demostrar empíricamente las repercusiones de esta estrategia sobre la transmisión del dengue y el tamaño de los brotes. Dado que los virus del chikunguña y el Zika siguen ampliando su alcance, uno de los objetivos primordiales de la planificación de la atención integrada de estas enfermedades estará determinado por la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque científico y proactivo del control urbano de los mosquitos del género Aedes.

Changing paradigms in Aedes control: considering the spatial heterogeneity of dengue transmission / Cambio de paradigma en el control de Aedes: consideración de la heterogeneidad espacial de la transmisión del dengue

ABSTRACT Current dengue vector control strategies, focusing on reactive implementation of insecticide-based interventions in response to clinically apparent disease manifestations, tend to be inefficient, short-lived, and unsustainable within the worldwide epidemiological scenario of virus epidemic recrudescence. As a result of a series of expert meetings and deliberations, a paradigm shift is occurring and a new strategy, using risk stratification at the city level in order to concentrate proactive, sustained efforts in areas at high risk for transmission, has emerged. In this article, the authors 1) outline this targeted, proactive intervention strategy, within the context of dengue epidemiology, the dynamics of its transmission, and current Aedes control strategies, and 2) provide support from published literature for the need to empirically test its impact on dengue transmission as well as on the size of disease outbreaks. As chikungunya and Zika viruses continue to expand their range, the need for a science-based, proactive approach for control of urban Aedes spp. mosquitoes will become a central focus of integrated disease management planning.

RESUMEN Las estrategias actuales de control de vectores del dengue, centradas en la ejecución reactiva de intervenciones con insecticidas en respuesta a la aparición de cuadros clínicos evidentes de la enfermedad, suelen ser ineficientes, de duración limitada e insostenibles en el contexto epidemiológico mundial, caracterizado por la recrudescencia de las epidemias virales. Como resultado de una serie de reuniones y deliberaciones entre expertos, está en proceso un cambio de paradigma y ha surgido una nueva estrategia, que consiste en estratificar el riesgo de cada ciudad para concentrar y mantener los esfuerzos proactivos donde hay un alto riesgo de transmisión. En este artículo, los autores 1) describen esta estrategia de intervención específica y proactiva dentro del contexto de las características epidemiológicas del dengue, la dinámica de su transmisión y las estrategias actuales de control de Aedes y 2) fundamentan con fuentes bibliográficas la necesidad de demostrar empíricamente las repercusiones de esta estrategia sobre la transmisión del dengue y el tamaño de los brotes. Dado que los virus del chikunguña y el Zika siguen ampliando su alcance, uno de los objetivos primordiales de la planificación de la atención integrada de estas enfermedades estará determinado por la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque científico y proactivo del control urbano de los mosquitos del género Aedes.

[Translation into practice of empowerment strategies for dengue prevention: facilitators and barriers]. / Traslación a la práctica de estrategias de empoderamiento en la prevención del dengue: facilitadores y barreras.

Objective To identify facilitators and barriers to the process of translating community empowerment strategies into the practice of the national Aedes aegypti control program in Cuba. Methods A case study of the process was conducted from 2005 to 2009 at national and provincial levels of the control program. Data from participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis were triangulated and analyzed inductively and deductively. Results The main facilitators identified included a proposal for an empowerment strategy effective in reducing Aedes aegypti infestation, which was explained in such a way that it could be implemented by program staff; and a control program with national coverage capable of implementing the proposal. The principal barriers were the complexity of the strategy and the absence of organizational changes needed to facilitate its insertion into the control program. Each barrier or facilitator identified was either static or dynamic in nature. Dynamic factors are those that offer signals for action. Conclusions Multiple barriers and facilitators influence the process of translating community empowerment strategies into the practice of the Cuban Aedes aegypti control program. The analysis of these factors as either static or dynamic makes it possible to design more appropriate and effective strategies that can promote the process and increase the likelihood of success.

Cost of intensive routine control and incremental cost of insecticide-treated curtain deployment in a setting with low Aedes aegypti infestation.

INTRODUCTION: Information regarding the cost of implementing insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the ITC implementation cost, in addition to the costs of intensive conventional routine activities of the Aedes control program in the city of Guantanamo, Cuba. METHODS: A cost-analysis study was conducted from the perspective of the Aedes control program, nested in an ITC effectiveness trial, during 2009-2010. Data for this study were obtained from bookkeeping records and activity registers of the Provincial Aedes Control Programme Unit and the account records of the ITC trial. RESULTS: The annual cost of the routine Aedes control program activities was US$16.80 per household (p.h). Among 3,015 households, 6,714 ITCs were distributed. The total average cost per ITC distributed was US$3.42, and 74.3% of this cost was attributed to the cost of purchasing the ITCs. The annualized costs p.h. of ITC implementation was US$3.80. The additional annualized cost for deploying ITCs represented 19% and 48.4% of the total cost of the routine Aedes control and adult-stage Aedes control programs, respectively. The trial did not lead to further reductions in the already relatively low Aedes infestation levels. CONCLUSIONS: At current curtain prices, ITC deployment can hardly be considered an efficient option in Guantanamo and other comparable environments.

Cost of intensive routine control and incremental cost of insecticide-treated curtain deployment in a setting with low Aedes aegypti infestation

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Information regarding the cost of implementing insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the ITC implementation cost, in addition to the costs of intensive conventional routine activities of the Aedes control program in the city of Guantanamo, Cuba. METHODS A cost-analysis study was conducted from the perspective of the Aedes control program, nested in an ITC effectiveness trial, during 2009-2010. Data for this study were obtained from bookkeeping records and activity registers of the Provincial Aedes Control Programme Unit and the account records of the ITC trial. RESULTS The annual cost of the routine Aedes control program activities was US$16.80 per household (p.h). Among 3,015 households, 6,714 ITCs were distributed. The total average cost per ITC distributed was US$3.42, and 74.3% of this cost was attributed to the cost of purchasing the ITCs. The annualized costs p.h. of ITC implementation was US$3.80. The additional annualized cost for deploying ITCs represented 19% and 48.4% of the total cost of the routine Aedes control and adult-stage Aedes control programs, respectively. The trial did not lead to further reductions in the already relatively low Aedes infestation levels. CONCLUSIONS At current curtain prices, ITC deployment can hardly be considered an efficient option in Guantanamo and other comparable environments.

Traslación a la práctica de estrategias de empoderamiento en la prevención del dengue: facilitadores y barreras / Translation into practice of empowerment strategies for dengue prevention: facilitators and barriers

Objetivo. Identificar facilitadores y barreras del proceso de traslación de estrategias de empoderamiento comunitario a la práctica del programa nacional de control de Aedes aegypti en Cuba. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio de caso del proceso en el período 2005–2009 en los niveles nacional y provincial del programa de control. Se triangularon datos procedentes de la observación participante, la entrevista en profundidad y el análisis de documentos, que se analizaron inductiva y deductivamente. Resultados. Entre los facilitadores destacan la existencia, por un lado, de una propuesta de estrategia de empoderamiento efectiva en la reducción de la infestación por Aedes aegypti, que estaba descrita de manera que pudiera ser implementada por el personal del programa y, por otro lado, de un programa de control con cobertura nacional dispuesto a ponerla en práctica. Las principales barreras fueron la complejidad propia de la estrategia y la ausencia de cambios organizacionales que facilitaran su inserción dentro del programa. Tanto las barreras como los facilitadores fueron de naturaleza estática o dinámica. Los factores dinámicos son aquellos que ofrecen señales para la acción. Conclusiones. Son múltiples las barreras y facilitadores del proceso de traslación a la práctica de las estrategias de empoderamiento comunitario en el programa nacional de control de Aedes aegypti en Cuba. Su análisis como factores de naturaleza estática y dinámica permitiría diseñar estrategias más adecuadas y eficaces para impulsar el proceso e incrementaría sus probabilidades de éxito.

Objective. To identify facilitators and barriers to the process of translating community empowerment strategies into the practice of the national Aedes aegypti control program in Cuba. Methods. A case study of the process was conducted from 2005 to 2009 at national and provincial levels of the control program. Data from participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis were triangulated and analyzed inductively and deductively. Results. The main facilitators identified included a proposal for an empowerment strategy effective in reducing Aedes aegypti infestation, which was explained in such a way that it could be implemented by program staff; and a control program with national coverage capable of implementing the proposal. The principal barriers were the complexity of the strategy and the absence of organizational changes needed to facilitate its insertion into the control program. Each barrier or facilitator identified was either static or dynamic in nature. Dynamic factors are those that offer signals for action. Conclusions. Multiple barriers and facilitators influence the process of translating community empowerment strategies into the practice of the Cuban Aedes aegypti control program. The analysis of these factors as either static or dynamic makes it possible to design more appropriate and effective strategies that can promote the process and increase the likelihood of success.

Traslación a la práctica de estrategias de empoderamiento en la prevención del dengue: facilitadores y barreras / Translation into practice of empowerment strategies for dengue prevention: facilitators and barriers

RESUMEN Objetivo Identificar facilitadores y barreras del proceso de traslación de estrategias de empoderamiento comunitario a la práctica del programa nacional de control de Aedes aegypti en Cuba. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de caso del proceso en el período 2005–2009 en los niveles nacional y provincial del programa de control. Se triangularon datos procedentes de la observación participante, la entrevista en profundidad y el análisis de documentos, que se analizaron inductiva y deductivamente. Resultados Entre los facilitadores destacan la existencia, por un lado, de una propuesta de estrategia de empoderamiento efectiva en la reducción de la infestación por Aedes aegypti, que estaba descrita de manera que pudiera ser implementada por el personal del programa y, por otro lado, de un programa de control con cobertura nacional dispuesto a ponerla en práctica. Las principales barreras fueron la complejidad propia de la estrategia y la ausencia de cambios organizacionales que facilitaran su inserción dentro del programa. Tanto las barreras como los facilitadores fueron de naturaleza estática o dinámica. Los factores dinámicos son aquellos que ofrecen señales para la acción. Conclusiones Son múltiples las barreras y facilitadores del proceso de traslación a la práctica de las estrategias de empoderamiento comunitario en el programa nacional de control de Aedes aegypti en Cuba. Su análisis como factores de naturaleza estática y dinámica permitiría diseñar estrategias más adecuadas y eficaces para impulsar el proceso e incrementaría sus probabilidades de éxito.

ABSTRACT Objective To identify facilitators and barriers to the process of translating community empowerment strategies into the practice of the national Aedes aegypti control program in Cuba. Methods A case study of the process was conducted from 2005 to 2009 at national and provincial levels of the control program. Data from participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis were triangulated and analyzed inductively and deductively. Results The main facilitators identified included a proposal for an empowerment strategy effective in reducing Aedes aegypti infestation, which was explained in such a way that it could be implemented by program staff; and a control program with national coverage capable of implementing the proposal. The principal barriers were the complexity of the strategy and the absence of organizational changes needed to facilitate its insertion into the control program. Each barrier or facilitator identified was either static or dynamic in nature. Dynamic factors are those that offer signals for action. Conclusions Multiple barriers and facilitators influence the process of translating community empowerment strategies into the practice of the Cuban Aedes aegypti control program. The analysis of these factors as either static or dynamic makes it possible to design more appropriate and effective strategies that can promote the process and increase the likelihood of success.

No effect of insecticide treated curtain deployment on aedes infestation in a cluster randomized trial in a setting of low dengue transmission in Guantanamo, Cuba.

OBJECTIVE & METHODOLOGY: The current study evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Insecticide Treated Curtain (ITC) deployment for reducing dengue vector infestation levels in the Cuban context with intensive routine control activities. A cluster randomized controlled trial took place in Guantanamo city, east Cuba. Twelve neighborhoods (about 500 households each) were selected among the ones with the highest Aedes infestation levels in the previous two years, and were randomly allocated to the intervention and control arms. Long lasting ITC (PermaNet) were distributed in the intervention clusters in March 2009. Routine control activities were continued in the whole study area. In both study arms, we monitored monthly pre- and post-intervention House Index (HI, number of houses with at least 1 container with Aedes immature stages/100 houses inspected), during 12 and 18 months respectively. We evaluated the effect of ITC deployment on HI by fitting a generalized linear regression model with a negative binomial link function to these data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: At distribution, the ITC coverage (% of households using ≥1 ITC) reached 98.4%, with a median of 3 ITC distributed/household. After 18 months, the coverage remained 97.4%. The local Aedes species was susceptible to deltamethrin (mosquito mortality rate of 99.7%) and the residual deltamethrin activity in the ITC was within acceptable levels (mosquito mortality rate of 73.1%) after one year of curtain use. Over the 18 month observation period after ITC distribution, the adjusted HI rate ratio, intervention versus control clusters, was 1.15 (95% CI 0.57 to 2.34). The annualized cost per household of ITC implementation was 3.8 USD, against 16.8 USD for all routine ACP activities. CONCLUSION: Deployment of ITC in a setting with already intensive routine Aedes control actions does not lead to reductions in Aedes infestation levels.

Stroke Severity Score based on Six Signs and Symptoms The 6S Score: A Simple Tool for Assessing Stroke Severity and In-hospital Mortality.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ascertaining stroke severity and predicting risk of in-hospital mortality is crucial to advise patients and families about medical decisions. We developed and tested the validity of a new stroke score, the 6S Score (Stroke Severity Score based on Six Signs and Symptoms), for quantifying ischemic stroke severity and predicting in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We prospectively assessed 210 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients. The cohort was further divided into a derivation (n=120) and a validation (n=90) sample. From a total of 10 stroke signs and symptoms, we selected those with likelihood ratio's P<0.005. We tested the validity of the score for predicting in-hospital mortality by using receiver operating characteristic curves. We used a scatterplot and the Spearman's test to evaluate the correlation between the 6S Score and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale as a marker of stroke severity. We used principal component and exploratory factor analyses for assessing qualitative aspects of the 6S Score. RESULTS: The C statistic for in-hospital mortality was 0.82 for the 6S Score and 0.86 for the National Institutes of health Stroke Scale, respectively, with no significant differences between each other (P=0.79). The correlation between both scores was strong (Spearman's rho 0.68, P<0.001). The factor analyses showed a good balance between left/right hemispheres and anterior/posterior circulations. CONCLUSIONS: The 6S Score may constitute a tool for easily assessing stroke severity and predicting stroke mortality. Further research is needed for further assessing its external validity.

Difusión masiva de reportes situacionales sobre dengue: efectos de la intervención en Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia / Mass communication of dengue surveillance data: effect of an intervention in Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia

Introducción. La retroalimentación a las comunidades de la situación de dengue en su localidad, podría ser útil para mantener la motivación para su participación en el control del dengue y disminuir los índices entomológicos de Aedes . Objetivos. Evaluar la cobertura y el alcance de una intervención basada en la difusión masiva de reportes situacionales sobre el dengue y su efecto en la presencia de criaderos intradomiciliarios de Aedes spp. en Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional de corte transversal en 1.426 viviendas, para establecer la presencia de criaderos intradomiciliarios y caracterizar la exposición a la intervención. El efecto de la intervención se evaluó en un estudio de casos y controles. Los casos obedecieron al total de viviendas con criaderos positivos y, entre las viviendas sin criaderos positivos ubicadas en la misma manzana del caso, se seleccionaron aleatoriamente cuatro controles por caso. Resultados. El índice de viviendas positivas fue de 2,5 %. La cobertura fue del 59,4 % y el alcance del 22,3 %. El contacto con la intervención no se asoció con la ausencia de criaderos intradomiciliarios positivos. La presencia de matas con agua o floreros se asoció con criaderos positivos (p=0,01) y el uso de anjeos se consideró como factor protector (p=0,02). Conclusiones. Aunque la cobertura de la intervención fue adecuada, no se observó que tuviera efecto sobre la ausencia de criaderos intradomiciliarios positivos. Por lo tanto, se requiere la evaluación de la intervención en términos de su fidelidad, diseño y proceso de implementación.

Introduction: Maintaining communities abreast of their local dengue situation could help to keep them motivated to participate in dengue control and to decrease Aedes entomological indexes. Objectives: To evaluate the coverage and reach of an intervention based on mass-media communication of dengue surveillance reports and its effect on the presence of intra-domiciliary breeding sites for Aedes in Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia. Materials and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,426 households to identify the intra-domiciliary breeding sites and to characterize the intervention exposure. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, a case-control study was performed. All households with positive breeding sites were considered as cases. Four controls per case were randomly selected among the non-positive breeding site households located on the same block of the case. Results: The positive house index was 2.5%; coverage was 59.4% and reach was 22.3%. There was no association between the intervention and the presence of intra-domiciliary breeding sites. The presence of water plants and flower pots were associated to positive breeding sites (p=0.01) and the use of screens was associated to the absence of breeding sites (p=0.02). Conclusions: Although intervention coverage was adequate, the lack of association between the intervention and the absence of positive breeding sites requires assessing its fidelity, factors related to the design, and the implementation process.

Diffusion of community empowerment strategies for Aedes aegypti control in Cuba: a muddling through experience.

Effective participatory strategies in dengue control have been developed and assessed as small-scale efforts. The challenge is to scale-up and institutionalize these strategies within dengue control programs. We describe and critically analyze the diffusion process of an effective empowerment strategy within the Cuban Aedes aegypti control program, focusing on decision-making at the national level, to identify ways forward to institutionalize such strategies in Cuba and elsewhere. From 2005 to 2009, we carried out a process-oriented case study. We used participant observation, in-depth interviews with key informants involved in the diffusion process and document analysis. In a first phase, the data analysis was inductive. In a second phase, to enhance robustness of the analysis, emerging categories were contrasted with Rogers' five-stage conceptual model of the innovation-decision process, which was eventually used as the analytical framework. The diffusion of the empowerment strategy was a continuous and dynamic process. Adoption was a result of the perceived potential match between the innovative empowerment strategy and the performance gap of the Ae. aegypti control program. During implementation, the strategy was partially modified by top level Ae. aegypti control program decision-makers to accommodate program characteristics. However, structure, practices and organizational culture of the control program did not change significantly. Thus rejection occurred. It was mainly due to insufficient dissemination of know-how and underlying principles of the strategy by innovation developers, but also to resistance to change. The innovation-diffusion process has produced mitigated results to date, and the control program is still struggling to find ways to move forward. Improving the innovation strategy by providing the necessary knowledge about the innovation and addressing control program organizational changes is crucial for successful diffusion of empowerment strategies. Issues highlighted in this particular experience might be relevant in the innovation-diffusion process of other complex innovations within health systems.

[Mass communication of dengue surveillance data: effect of an intervention in Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia]. / Difusión masiva de reportes situacionales sobre dengue: efectos de la intervención en Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Maintaining communities abreast of their local dengue situation could help to keep them motivated to participate in dengue control and to decrease Aedes entomological indexes. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the coverage and reach of an intervention based on mass-media communication of dengue surveillance reports and its effect on the presence of intra-domiciliary breeding sites for Aedes in Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,426 households to identify the intra-domiciliary breeding sites and to characterize the intervention exposure. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, a case-control study was performed. All households with positive breeding sites were considered as cases. Four controls per case were randomly selected among the non-positive breeding site households located on the same block of the case. RESULTS: The positive house index was 2.5%; coverage was 59.4% and reach was 22.3%. There was no association between the intervention and the presence of intra-domiciliary breeding sites. The presence of water plants and flower pots were associated to positive breeding sites (p=0.01) and the use of screens was associated to the absence of breeding sites (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Although intervention coverage was adequate, the lack of association between the intervention and the absence of positive breeding sites requires assessing its fidelity, factors related to the design, and the implementation process.

[Implementation of the International Health Regulations in Cuba: evaluation of basic capacities of the health sector in selected provinces]. / Implementación del Reglamento Sanitario Internacional en Cuba: evaluación de capacidades básicas del sector salud en provincias seleccionadas.

OBJECTIVE: Obtain baseline information on the status of the basic capacities of the health sector at the local, municipal, and provincial levels in order to facilitate identification of priorities and guide public policies that aim to comply with the requirements and capacities established in Annex 1A of the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR-2005). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by application of an instrument of evaluation of basic capacities referring to legal and institutional autonomy, the surveillance and research process, and the response to health emergencies in 36 entities involved in international sanitary control at the local, municipal, and provincial levels in the provinces of Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. RESULTS: The polyclinics and provincial centers of health and epidemiology in the three provinces had more than 75% of the basic capacities required. Twelve out of 36 units had implemented 50% of the legal and institutional framework. There was variable availability of routine surveillance and research, whereas the entities in Havana had more than 40% of the basic capacities in the area of events response. CONCLUSIONS: The provinces evaluated have integrated the basic capacities that will allow implementation of IHR-2005 within the period established by the World Health Organization. It is necessary to develop and establish effective action plans to consolidate surveillance as an essential activity of national and international security in terms of public health.