Efficacy of insecticides used in indoor residual spraying for malaria control: an experimental trial on various surfaces in a "test house".

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a public health problem in the Brazilian Amazon region. In integrated vector management for malaria (anopheline) control, indoor residual spraying (IRS) represents one of the main tools in the basic strategy applied in the Amazonian states. It is essential to understand the residual efficacy of insecticides on different surfaces to determine spray cycles, ensure their rational use, and prevent wastage. This study aimed to evaluate the residual efficacy of six insecticide formulations used in the National Malaria Control Programme on four different types of walls in a field simulation at a "test house". METHODS: The tests were performed as a field-simulating evaluation at a "test house" built in the municipality of Macapá. Six insecticide formulations comprising four pyrethroids, a carbamate, and an organophosphate were used, and evaluated when applied on different wall surfaces: painted wood, unpainted wood, plastered cement, and unplastered cement. The insecticides were applied to the interior walls of the "test house" by a trained technician. RESULTS: In the bioassays performed with pyrethroids, deltamethrin water-dispersible granules (WG) performed particularly well, presenting residual bioefficacy of 8 months on both wood surfaces after the IRS, whereas alpha-cypermethrin suspension concentrate (SC) and etofenprox wettable powder (WP) demonstrated residual bioefficacy of 4 months on at least one of the wood surfaces; however, the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin WP showed a low residual bioefficacy (< 3 months) on all tested surfaces, demonstrating its inefficiency for areas with a long transmission cycle of malaria. For the carbamate-bendiocarb WP, residual bioefficacy for 3 months was achieved only on wood surfaces. In general, the organophosphate pirimifos-methyl capsule suspension (CS) demonstrated the best result, with a mortality rate < 80% over a period of 6 months on all surfaces tested. CONCLUSION: Insecticide efficiency varies among different types of surface; therefore, a "test house" is a valuable evaluation tool. This work highlights the usefulness of associating the residual efficacy of insecticides on the surfaces commonly found in houses in endemic areas, together with knowledge about the transmission cycle duration of the transmission cycle and the insecticide susceptibility of the vector. This association helps in the decision-making for the malaria control intervention regarding.

Histomorphometric analysis of the healing process after the replantation of rat teeth maintained in bovine milk whey and whole milk.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In cases of tooth avulsion, a minimal extra-alveolar dry storage period or the use of a suitable storage medium is crucial to maintaining the vitality of the periodontal ligament. Whey has similar properties to milk and has therefore been investigated as a storage medium for avulsed teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repair process after replantation of rat teeth kept in whey and whole milk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six male rats were divided into four groups of nine animals. The upper right incisor was extracted under general anesthesia. In Group I, the teeth were immediately replanted without treatment (positive control). In Group II, the teeth were stored in 50 mL of sweet whey. In Group III, the teeth were kept in 50 mL of long-shelf-life whole milk (UHT, Parmalat® ). In Group IV, the teeth were kept dry (negative control). After 60 minutes, the teeth in Groups II, III, and IV were replanted into their sockets. The animals were subjected to euthanasia 60 days after replantation. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The organization of the periodontal ligament in Group II (whey) was similar to that in Groups I (immediate replantation) and III (whole milk) (P > .05). However, some specimens in this group exhibited periodontal fibers inserted into the bone and cementum throughout the entire length of the periodontal ligament. This occurred in the group submitted to immediate replantation, whereas this histological aspect was not seen in whole milk group. Group IV (late replantation) had a higher rate of root resorption. Regarding the root repair process, it was expected that Group I (immediate) would demonstrate more favorable repair than the other groups. However, Group III (whole milk) had better results when compared to Groups II (whey) and IV (late) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Whey and whole milk achieved similar results and were adequate storage media for avulsed teeth.

Land cover, land use and malaria in the Amazon: a systematic literature review of studies using remotely sensed data.

The nine countries sharing the Amazon forest accounted for 89% of all malaria cases reported in the Americas in 2008. Remote sensing can help identify the environmental determinants of malaria transmission and their temporo-spatial evolution. Seventeen studies characterizing land cover or land use features, and relating them to malaria in the Amazon subregion, were identified. These were reviewed in order to improve the understanding of the land cover/use class roles in malaria transmission. The indicators affecting the transmission risk were summarized in terms of temporal components, landscape fragmentation and anthropic pressure. This review helps to define a framework for future studies aiming to characterize and monitor malaria.

Inspiratory muscle training in type 2 diabetes with inspiratory muscle weakness.

PURPOSE: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may present weakness of the inspiratory muscles. We tested the hypothesis that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) could improve inspiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, functional capacity, and autonomic modulation in patients with type 2 diabetes and weakness of the inspiratory muscles. METHODS: Maximal inspiratory muscle pressure (PImax) was evaluated in a sample of 148 patients with type 2 diabetes. Of these, 25 patients with PImax<70% of predicted were randomized to an 8-wk program of IMT (n=12) or placebo-IMT (n=13). PImax, inspiratory muscle endurance time, pulmonary function, peak oxygen uptake, and HR variability were evaluated before and after intervention. RESULTS: The prevalence of inspiratory muscle weakness was 29%. IMT significantly increased the PImax (118%) and the inspiratory muscle endurance time (495%), with no changes in pulmonary function, functional capacity, or autonomic modulation. There were no significant changes with placebo-IMT. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 diabetes may frequently present inspiratory muscle weakness. In these patients, IMT improves inspiratory muscle function with no consequences in functional capacity or autonomic modulation.