Artisanal Spearfishery in Temperate Nearshore Ecosystems of Chile: Exploring the Catch Composition,Revenue, and Management Needs

We used extensive field data on catch and effort as well as fisher interviews to characterize the catch composition and revenue associated with the unregulated artisanal spearfishery in Chile (18–33°S). Sampling was performed on commercial spearfishing trips (snorkel and hookah diving gear) between spring 2010 and summer 2011. Two-way crossed ANOVA showed significant effects of region (latitude) and dive gear on fishery variables such as biomass CPUE (CPUE_b), numeric CPUE (CPUE_n), catch species richness, fishing depth, cost, and income. Catches included 22 fish species from 15 families. Among the 23 species, 17 were associated with temperate rocky reef habitats: 14 carnivorous species, 2 omnivorous species, and 1 herbivorous species. Our results indicated that smaller, less-valuable rocky reef fishes (e.g., Peruvian Morwong Cheilodactylus variegatus, Chilean Sandperch Pinguipes chilensis, and Peruvian Rock Seabass Paralabrax humeralis) supported higher CPUE_b and CPUE_n than large, high-value, emblematic rocky reef species (e.g., Vieja Graus nigra, Galapagos Sheephead Wrasse Semicossyphus darwini, and Acha Medialuna ancietae). The CPUE_b was significantly higher for hookah fishers than for snorkel fishers. Our results revealed that artisanal spearfishing activities provide important revenue for the fishers (2–3 times the minimum monthly wage in Chile), thereby incentivizing a rapid expansion of this unregulated fishery. Management options based on territorial user rights and catch and size restrictions are discussed in light of these findings.

Received December 19, 2013; accepted March 29, 2016     

Coronary artery calcification,atherogenic lipid changes,and increased erythrocyte volume in black injection drug users infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 treated with protease inhibitors

Background Protease inhibitors (PIs) may be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We assessed the effects of HIV PIs on subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods The lipid profiles, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores, and blood cell morphologic changes were quantified in 98 black adult participants, aged 25 to 45 years, with HIV-1 infection in Baltimore, Md. Fifty-five participants (56.1%) were taking PIs; 43 participants (43.9%) were not. The Student t and χ² tests were used as a means of detecting the between-group differences. Results Participants in both the PI and non-PI groups were similar in age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, and red and white blood cell counts. Compared with the non-PI group, the PI group had significantly higher serum total cholesterol (4.8 ± 1.0 vs 3.8 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P < .001) and LDL cholesterol (2.9 ± 0.8 vs 2.1 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P < .001) levels and red blood cell mean corpuscular volume (92.2 ± 9.3 vs 86.8 ± 7.2 μm³, P = .048). The CAC scores in the PI group were also higher than those in the non-PI group (11.0 ± 28.6 [n = 43] vs 1.7 ± 5.8, P = .043). CAC scores were marginally associated with log-transformed duration of the PI therapy (P = .055). Serum CRP levels remained unchanged (5.5 ± 13.6 mg/L [n = 45] vs 3.9 ± 5.5 mg/L, P = .467). Serum total cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level, red blood cell mean corpuscular volume, and CAC scores were indicated by means of regression analyses to be associated with log-transformed duration of the PI therapy. Conclusions The use of PIs is associated with coronary artery calcification, atherogenic lipid changes, and increased erythrocyte volume in individuals infected with HIV-1. (Am Heart J 2002;144:642-8.)     

Experimental infection and horizontal transmission of Bartonella henselae in domestic cats.

In order to study B. henselae transmission among cats, five young cats were kept in confinement for two years, one of them being inoculated by SC route with B. henselae (10(5) UFC). Only occasional contact among cats occurred but the presence of fleas was observed in all animals throughout the period. Blood culture for isolation of bacteria, PCR-HSP and FTSZ (gender specific), and BH-PCR (species-specific), as well as indirect immunofluorescence method for anti-B. henselae antibodies were performed to confirm the infection of the inoculated cat as well as the other naive cats. Considering the inoculated animal, B. henselae was first isolated by blood culture two months after inoculation, bacteremia last for four months, the specific antibodies being detected by IFI during the entire period. All contacting animals presented with bacteremia 6 months after experimental inoculation but IFI did not detect seroconversion in these animals. All the isolates from these cats were characterized as Bartonella (HSP and FTSZ-PCR), henselae (BH-PCR). However, DNA of B. henselae could not be amplified directly from peripheral blood by the PCR protocols used. Isolation of bacteria by blood culture was the most efficient method to diagnose infection compared to PCR or IFI. The role of fleas in the epidemiology of B. henselae infection in cats is discussed.     

Impact of malocclusion on affective/romantic relationships among young adults

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which different types of malocclusion influence the development of affective/romantic relationships among young adults of both sexes.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 360 men and women ranging in age from 18 years to 25 years. Criteria for exclusion from the sample were the following: participants could not be married, visually impaired, or students of a higher education course in the area of health. In this study, images of young adult men and women in the same age range as that of the evaluators were used. These images were manipulated to create different types of malocclusion: diastema, open bite, crowding, gingival (or gummy) smile, little exposure of teeth. Six groups of images containing six images each were formed and consisted of two experimental images (digitally manipulated) and four control images. These images were provided to the participants, who evaluated them by means of a questionnaire and a visual analog scale. The Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were used for data analysis.Results: All malocclusions had a negative impact on acceptance by the evaluators for the purposes of affective/romantic relationships, with crowding being the type of malocclusion that led to the highest level of rejection (P < .01).Conclusion: Malocclusions have a negative influence on the development of affective/romantic relationships among young adults. Individuals with good occlusion are seen in a more positive light, from the perspective of affective life.     

Association Between Periodontitis and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Background: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no systematic review of the potential association between periodontitis and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the current literature. The aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis is to search for scientific evidence regarding the association between periodontitis and GDM. Methods: The present study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement and registered (CRD2014010728) with PROSPERO (International prospective register for systematic reviews, University of York, York, UK). A search was conducted in three electronic databases without restrictions regarding language or date of publication. From 190 studies selected, 15 underwent full‐text analysis. Eight studies were eligible (five cross‐sectional and three case‐control studies), and seven were entered in the meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis was performed with tests for sensitivity and statistical heterogeneity. Summary effect measures were calculated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: There was a significant association between periodontitis and GDM in the meta‐analyses of four cross‐sectional studies (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.32) and two case‐control studies (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.52 to 4.65). However, sensitivity tests for case‐control studies showed a lack of consistency in data; when including one case‐control study, the significance was null (meta‐analysis of three case‐control studies: OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.68 to 4.21). Conclusions: There was substantial clinical, methodologic, and statistical heterogeneity among the studies. The scientific evidence cannot affirm a positive association between periodontitis and GDM. Future studies with different designs in distinct populations should be conducted to investigate this association.     

Multimodality noninvasive imaging demonstrates in vivo cardiac regeneration after mesenchymal stem cell therapy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis, with noninvasive multimodality imaging, that allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) produce and/or stimulate active cardiac regeneration in vivo after myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: Although intramyocardial injection of allogeneic MSCs improves global cardiac function after MI, the mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon are incompletely understood. METHODS: We employed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging in MSC-treated pigs (n = 10) and control subjects (n = 12) serially for a 2-month period after anterior MI. A sub-endocardial rim of tissue, demonstrated with MDCT, was assessed for regional contraction with MRI tagging. Rim thickness was also measured on gross pathological specimens, to confirm the findings of the MDCT imaging, and the size of cardiomyocytes was measured in the sub-endocardial rim and the non-infarct zone. RESULTS: Multi-detector computed tomography demonstrated increasing thickness of sub-endocardial viable myocardium in the infarct zone in MSC-treated animals (1.0 +/- 0.2 mm to 2.0 +/- 0.3 mm, 1 and 8 weeks after MI, respectively, p = 0.028, n = 4) and a corresponding reduction in infarct scar (5.1 +/- 0.5 mm to 3.6 +/- 0.2 mm, p = 0.044). No changes occurred in control subjects (n = 4). Tagging MRI demonstrated time-dependent recovery of active contractility paralleling new tissue appearance. This rim was composed of morphologically normal cardiomyocytes, which were smaller in MSC-treated versus control subjects (11.6 +/- 0.2 mum vs. 12.6 +/- 0.2 mum, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With serially obtained MRI and MDCT, we demonstrate in vivo reappearance of myocardial tissue in the MI zone accompanied by time-dependent restoration of contractile function. These data are consistent with a regenerative process, highlight the value of noninvasive multimodality imaging to assess the structural and functional basis for myocardial regenerative strategies, and have potential clinical applications.     

An experimental vaccine against American dermal leishmaniasis: experience in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

A vaccine prepared from killed and sonicated promastigotes of five Brazilian strains of Leishmania was used during an epidemic of American dermal leishmaniasis that occurred in Viana county, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Initially, all of the participants in the vaccination programme had negative reactions to Montenegro antigen. Forty days after the last dose of vaccine had been given, 87.6% of the 216 vaccinated individuals had become Montenegro-positive whereas the 266 unvaccinated persons remained Montenegro-negative. The study area had an unstable population and details are given about the human population changes that occurred during the two-year study period. Taking into account population movements, 1.5% of those vaccinated and 6.4% of the unvaccinated group developed dermal leishmanial lesions by the end of the first year. At the end of the second year, 1.7% of those vaccinated and 8.9% of the unvaccinated group had become infected. The difference in infection rates of the two groups is statistically significant at both the end of the first and second years of observation. Diagnosis of the disease(s) was based on the clinical appearance of lesions combined with parasitological and/or immunological evidence and subsequent responses to treatment. The experience gained in Viana also provided information about the storage and administration of the experimental vaccine which have been used in mounting a randomized clinical trial.     

Characterization of Leishmania sp. strains isolated from autochthonous cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil

Four Leishmania sp. samples were isolated from autochthonous human cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. These strains were characterized using indirect immunofluorescence with a panel of Leishmania-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and by PCR amplification and hybridization assay of the mini-exon gene with group specific probes. The results obtained with the MAbs were in agreement with the genetic marker. Two isolates (MHOM/BR/89/JSC89-H1 and MHOM/BR/89/JSC89-H2) were identified as L. (Leishmania) amazonensis and two (MHOM/BR/96/LSC96-H3 and MHOM/BR/97/LSC97-H4) as L. (Viannia) braziliensis. The southernmost autochthonous cases of ACL in Brazil are due to two different Leishmania sp. species, confirming the spreading of ACL on the American continent.     

Functional evaluation of sympathetic and parasympathetic system in Chagas' disease using dynamic exercise

Ten normal subjects and 14 patients with chronic Chagas' disease (seven with and seven without heart disease) underwent dynamic exercise on a cycle ergometer. Heart rate (HR), pulmonary ventilation (V), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured. Increasing workloads (25, 50, 100, and 150 W) were applied for 4 min and intercalated with resting periods. The main objective of this protocol was to analyse heart rate response in relation to the other cardiorespiratory variables in order to evaluate the functional conditions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac efferents. Analysis of the results showed that (a) the group of chagasic patients with heart disease had lower heart rates (p less than 0.05) than normal subjects during the initial 10 s (delta HR 0-10 s) of effort (fast component); (b) the difference between the normal subjects and chagasic patients without heart disease was not statistically significant; (c) the abnormalities in heart rate response were due to depression of parasympathetic efferent action on the sinus node; (d) the slow heart rate response (delta HR 1-4 min), which expresses the degree of sympathetic stimulation of the sinus node, was comparable in the three groups studied, thus showing unimpaired adrenergic responses during dynamic exercise in Chagas' disease; and (e) the V, VO2, VCO2, and RQ values were normal at all workloads in each group, suggesting that vagal dysfunction does not affect oxygen transport at these submaximal levels of dynamic exercise.