Assessing an inclusive model to increase access to comprehensive gender-based violence response services and improve HIV outcomes in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) are associated with increased vulnerability to HIV and difficulty accessing HIV services; at the same time, people living with HIV are at an increased risk of GBV. Key populations most affected by HIV - gay and other men who have sex with men, female sex workers and transgender women - also experience a disproportionate burden of GBV. In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, a local civil society organisation has led efforts to improve and integrate GBV and HIV services while making them welcoming to key population members and people living with HIV. According to interviews with service providers and service users and an analysis of service statistics, the intervention improved service quality and coordination, increased disclosures of violence and increased GBV response service uptake among the general population, key population members and people living with HIV. Findings also suggest that the intervention increased the uptake of HIV services, including HIV testing and post-exposure prophylaxis, and improved mental health among those receiving GBV response services. This case study of integrated GBV and HIV services describes a new model for simultaneously, synergistically and inclusively addressing two major epidemics negatively affecting health and well-being in affected communities today.

First record of Pseudoryzomys simplex (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) in a flooded area of the Pantanal, Brazil / Primeiro registro de Pseudoryzomys simplex (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) em área alagada do Pantanal, Brasil

Pseudoryzomys simplex is a small to medium sized terrestrial rodent confined to lowland open areas with strong seasonal rainfall throughout the Chaco, Cerrado and Caatinga. Despite its extensive range, the species is difficult to trap. In this report we provide the first record of P. simplex in the Pantanal, where three specimens were collected in a pasture of exotic grass. The specimens are morpometrically similar to the population from Paraguay (Chaco). In this sense, our report shows how interesting a taxonomic review of the species would be to better understand the real significance of the geographic variation herein observed.(AU)

Pseudoryzomys simplex é um roedor terrestre de pequeno a médio porte que ocorre em áreas abertas de planícies com fortes precipitações sazonais ao longo dos Chaco, Cerrado e Caatinga. Apesar de sua extensa distribuição, a espécie é difícil de ser capturada. No presente estudo, fornecemos o primeiro registro de P. simplex no Pantanal, onde três espécimes foram coletados em uma pastagem de capim exótico. Os espécimes são morfometricamente semelhantes à da população do Paraguai (Chaco). Neste sentido, o nosso relatório mostra quão interessante seria uma revisão taxonômica das espécies para melhor compreender o significado real da variação geográfica aqui observada.(AU)

First record of Pseudoryzomys simplex (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) in a flooded area of the Pantanal, Brazil / Primeiro registro de Pseudoryzomys simplex (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) em área alagada do Pantanal, Brasil

Abstract Pseudoryzomys simplex is a small to medium sized terrestrial rodent confined to lowland open areas with strong seasonal rainfall throughout the Chaco, Cerrado and Caatinga. Despite its extensive range, the species is difficult to trap. In this report we provide the first record of P. simplex in the Pantanal, where three specimens were collected in a pasture of exotic grass. The specimens are morpometrically similar to the population from Paraguay (Chaco). In this sense, our report shows how interesting a taxonomic review of the species would be to better understand the real significance of the geographic variation herein observed.

Resumo Pseudoryzomys simplex é um roedor terrestre de pequeno a médio porte que ocorre em áreas abertas de planícies com fortes precipitações sazonais ao longo dos Chaco, Cerrado e Caatinga. Apesar de sua extensa distribuição, a espécie é difícil de ser capturada. No presente estudo, fornecemos o primeiro registro de P. simplex no Pantanal, onde três espécimes foram coletados em uma pastagem de capim exótico. Os espécimes são morfometricamente semelhantes à da população do Paraguai (Chaco). Neste sentido, o nosso relatório mostra quão interessante seria uma revisão taxonômica das espécies para melhor compreender o significado real da variação geográfica aqui observada.

Endoparasites of wild animals from three biomes in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil / Endoparasitas de animais silvestres de três biomas do Mato Grosso, Brasil

The population of wild animals is regulated by many biotic and abiotic factors, and parasites are a biotic factor that affects the dynamic and density of host populations. From 2002 to 2014, 62 wild animals from the biomes Pantanal, Amazon, and "Cerrado" (or Savanna), which died in attendance in the veterinary hospital or have been road-killed, underwent necropsy for parasitological examination. Overall, 36 species of parasites were identified from 24 host species. Among the parasites, the most prevalent order was Oxyurida (29.1%), followed by Strongylida (20.9%), Spirurida (19.4%), Ascaridida (16.2%), Pentastomida (3.2%), Echinostomida (3.2%), Gygantorhynchia (3.2%), Rhabditida (1.6%), Plagiorchiida (1.6%), and Monilimorfida (1.6%), especially nematodes, which have more biotic potential and is more easily adapted to the environment than other classes. The occurrence of endoparasites was observed more frequently in endothermic than ectothermic animals, and herein is reported eleven new host occurrences for endoparasites in wild animals. The study has contributed to the knowledge on the biodiversity of parasites in wild animals from three biomes in central-western Brazil.(AU)

Populações de animais selvagens são reguladas por diversos fatores bióticos e abióticos, e parasitas são um fator biótico que afetam a dinâmica e a densidade de populações. De 2002 até 2014, 62 animais silvestres provenientes dos biomas Pantanal, Amazônia e Cerrado, que vieram a óbito no atendimento do hospital veterinário ou foram encontrados atropelados em rodovias, foram submetidos à necropsia parasitológica. Ao todo 36 espécies de parasitas foram identificadas em 24 espécies de hospedeiros. Entre os parasitas, a ordem mais prevalente foi Oxyurida (29,1%), seguida por Strongylida (20,9%), Spirurida (19,4%), Ascaridida (16,2%), Pentastomida (3,2%), Echinostomida (3,2%), Gygantorhynchia (3,2%), Rhabditida (1,6%), Plagiorchiida (1,6%) e Monilimorfida (1,6%), destacando-se os nematódeos, por seu maior potencial biótico e facilidade de adaptação ao meio do que as demais classes. A maior ocorrência de endoparasitas foi observada em animais endotérmicos que ectotérmicos, e este estudo registra onze novas ocorrências de hospedeiros para endoparasitas de animais selvagens. O estudo contribui para o conhecimento da biodiversidade de parasitas em animais silvestres dos três biomas do Centro-Oeste do Brasil.(AU)

First record of Pseudoryzomys simplex (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) in a flooded area of the Pantanal, Brazil.

Pseudoryzomys simplex is a small to medium sized terrestrial rodent confined to lowland open areas with strong seasonal rainfall throughout the Chaco, Cerrado and Caatinga. Despite its extensive range, the species is difficult to trap. In this report we provide the first record of P. simplex in the Pantanal, where three specimens were collected in a pasture of exotic grass. The specimens are morpometrically similar to the population from Paraguay (Chaco). In this sense, our report shows how interesting a taxonomic review of the species would be to better understand the real significance of the geographic variation herein observed.

Endoparasites of wild animals from three biomes in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil / Endoparasitas de animais silvestres de três biomas do Mato Grosso, Brasil

The population of wild animals is regulated by many biotic and abiotic factors, and parasites are a biotic factor that affects the dynamic and density of host populations. From 2002 to 2014, 62 wild animals from the biomes Pantanal, Amazon, and "Cerrado" (or Savanna), which died in attendance in the veterinary hospital or have been road-killed, underwent necropsy for parasitological examination. Overall, 36 species of parasites were identified from 24 host species. Among the parasites, the most prevalent order was Oxyurida (29.1%), followed by Strongylida (20.9%), Spirurida (19.4%), Ascaridida (16.2%), Pentastomida (3.2%), Echinostomida (3.2%), Gygantorhynchia (3.2%), Rhabditida (1.6%), Plagiorchiida (1.6%), and Monilimorfida (1.6%), especially nematodes, which have more biotic potential and is more easily adapted to the environment than other classes. The occurrence of endoparasites was observed more frequently in endothermic than ectothermic animals, and herein is reported eleven new host occurrences for endoparasites in wild animals. The study has contributed to the knowledge on the biodiversity of parasites in wild animals from three biomes in central-western Brazil.(AU)

Populações de animais selvagens são reguladas por diversos fatores bióticos e abióticos, e parasitas são um fator biótico que afetam a dinâmica e a densidade de populações. De 2002 até 2014, 62 animais silvestres provenientes dos biomas Pantanal, Amazônia e Cerrado, que vieram a óbito no atendimento do hospital veterinário ou foram encontrados atropelados em rodovias, foram submetidos à necropsia parasitológica. Ao todo 36 espécies de parasitas foram identificadas em 24 espécies de hospedeiros. Entre os parasitas, a ordem mais prevalente foi Oxyurida (29,1%), seguida por Strongylida (20,9%), Spirurida (19,4%), Ascaridida (16,2%), Pentastomida (3,2%), Echinostomida (3,2%), Gygantorhynchia (3,2%), Rhabditida (1,6%), Plagiorchiida (1,6%) e Monilimorfida (1,6%), destacando-se os nematódeos, por seu maior potencial biótico e facilidade de adaptação ao meio do que as demais classes. A maior ocorrência de endoparasitas foi observada em animais endotérmicos que ectotérmicos, e este estudo registra onze novas ocorrências de hospedeiros para endoparasitas de animais selvagens. O estudo contribui para o conhecimento da biodiversidade de parasitas em animais silvestres dos três biomas do Centro-Oeste do Brasil.(AU)

Validity of measures of pain and symptoms in HIV/AIDS infected households in resources poor settings: results from the Dominican Republic and Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS treatment programs are currently being mounted in many developing nations that include palliative care services. While measures of palliative care have been developed and validated for resource rich settings, very little work exists to support an understanding of measurement for Africa, Latin America or Asia. METHODS: This study investigates the construct validity of measures of reported pain, pain control, symptoms and symptom control in areas with high HIV-infected prevalence in Dominican Republic and Cambodia Measures were adapted from the POS (Palliative Outcome Scale). Households were selected through purposive sampling from networks of people living with HIV/AIDS. Consistencies in patterns in the data were tested used Chi Square and Mantel Haenszel tests. RESULTS: The sample persons who reported chronic illness were much more likely to report pain and symptoms compared to those not chronically ill. When controlling for the degrees of pain, pain control did not differ between the chronically ill and non-chronically ill using a Mantel Haenszel test in both countries. Similar results were found for reported symptoms and symptom control for the Dominican Republic. These findings broadly support the construct validity of an adapted version of the POS in these two less developed countries. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that the selected measures can usefully be incorporated into population-based surveys and evaluation tools needed to monitor palliative care and used in settings with high HIV/AIDS prevalence.

Eletrocardiografia computadorizada em cäes / Computerized electrocardiography in dogs

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e comparar os registros eletrocardiográficos de cäes clinicamente normais, obtidos pelos métodos convencional, computadorizado e pela leitura direta do registro computadorizado impresso, visando padronizar o método informatizado e confrontá-lo com o convencional. Concluiu-se que existem diferenças quanto a amplitude e duraçäo da onda P e duraçäo do complexo QRS entre diferentes métodos, especialmente em relaçäo ao computadorizado, devendo-se sempre levar em consideraçäo esse fato durante a interpretaçäo dos exames

Eletrocardiografia computadorizada em cães

The objective of this work was to analyze and to compare the electrocardiograms of normal dogs, obtained by conventional and computerized methods and by reading the computerized registration printed on paper. The obtained results showed that there are differences among the three methods on P wave and QRS complex.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e comparar os registros eletrocardiográficos de cães clinicamente normais, obtidos pelos métodos convencional, computadorizado e pela leitura direta do registro computadorizado impresso, visando padronizar o método informatizado e confrontá-lo com o convencional. Concluiu-se que existem diferenças quanto a amplitude e duração da onda P e duração do complexo QRS entre diferentes métodos, especialmente em relação ao computadorizado, devendo-se sempre levar em consideração esse fato durante a interpretação dos exames.

Soluble HLA-I in rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To study serum levels of Class I soluble HLA (sHLA-I) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyositis or dermatomyositis (PM/DM) or scleroderma and to assess the possible influence of ethnic factors on concentration in each disease group. METHODS: Solid-phase enzyme linked immunoassay was used to measure sHLA-I in the serum of 385 patients with varied ethnic backgrounds (American-Caucasians, African-Americans, Georgian-Caucasians) with rheumatic diseases. Studies on patients were compared to similar measurements of 189 healthy individuals. RESULTS: Mean sHLA-I levels were significantly higher in patients with SLE than those observed in healthy individuals or other rheumatic diseases. Highest concentrations were present in Georgian-Caucasian patients with SLE. American-Caucasian patients with RA or scleroderma had higher sHLA-I levels than normal Caucasian individuals. The majority of patients with PM/DM in all ethnic subgroups were low secretors of sHLA-I. CONCLUSION: Mechanisms underlying the secretion of sHLA-I appear to differ among the rheumatic diseases studied and various ethnic groups. These genetic differences in sHLA-I secretion could be associated with ethnic and pathophysiologic differences among these rheumatic diseases.

Modelos de lepra multibacilar en huéspedes no alterados: estado actual / Multibacillary models of leprosy in not changed hosts: actual status

Se ha reportado lepra diseminada multibacilar en sujetos no alterados en tres especies de armadillos, chimpancés, monos mangabey, mono rhesus,, mono africano verde, ratas y ratones desnudos. No se ha demostrado que el chimpancé sea constantemente susceptible y por lo tanto requiere ser más estudiado para establecer su potencial utilidad. Los armadillos, debido a su facilidad de acceso, por lo menos en el Hemisferio Occidental, tienen grandes potenciales para experimentación, pero su utilidad en casi todas las áreas de experimentación casi no ha sido estudiada. Los ratones y las ratas desnudos tienen la ventaja de estar disponibles para laboratorios con el equipo adecuado; sin embargo, su cuidado es tedioso, su mantenimiento costoso y estos animales tienen vidas relativamente cortas. Las infecciones en los ratones desnudos parecen ser muy intensas y son, como las del armadillo, más graves que en la mayoría de los pacientes con lepra. Además, estos roedores, aunque no están alterados artificialmente, tienen una deficiencia inmunológica genética establecida en contraste con el sistema inmune de los individuos susceptibles a la lepra. El mono mangabey, aunque todavía en las etapas iniciales de experimentación, parece ofrecer la mejor esperanza hoy en día como modelo ideal para la lepra. Las únicas desventajas inmediatas son el ministro relativamente escaso de este animal y el costo de mantenimiento. Una enorme ventaja es la cercanía de esta especie a la especie humana. Las características de la enfermedad observada hasta el momento en los cinco sujetos estudiados sugieren que habrá muchas similitudes entre la lepra en el mono y el humano. El tiempo y los estudios los dirán