Cuticle-induced endo/exoacting chitinase CHIT30 from Metarhizium anisopliae is encoded by an ortholog of the chi3 gene

The characterization of chitinase genes and enzymes is an important step toward global understanding of the chitinolytic system in entomopathogenic fungi. Chitinase CHIT30 from Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae (strain E6) has both endo- and exochitinase activities and is a potential determinant of pathogenicity. Serum anti-CHIT30 specifically detected this chitinase amongst five isoenzymes shown in glycol-chitin activity gels. Chitinase CHIT30 secretion is upregulated by chitin, tick cuticle and low concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine (0.25%) and is downregulated by both high N-acetylglucosamine (1%) and glucose (1%) concentrations. Chitinase CHIT30 was produced at tick cuticle during fungal infection. The chi3 gene was assigned to code chitinase CHIT30 in M. anisopliae var. anisopliae.     

Mammalian cell invasion and intracellular trafficking by Trypanosoma cruzi infective forms

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, occurs as different strains or isolates that may be grouped in two major phylogenetic lineages: T. cruzi I, associated with the sylvatic cycle and T. cruzi II, linked to the human disease. In the mammalian host the parasite has to invade cells and many studies implicated the flagellated trypomastigotes in this process. Several parasite surface components and some of host cell receptors with which they interact have been identified. Our work focused on how amastigotes, usually found growing in the cytoplasm, can invade mammalian cells with infectivities comparable to that of trypomastigotes. We found differences in cellular responses induced by amastigotes and trypomastigotes regarding cytoskeletal components and actin-rich projections. Extracellularly generated amastigotes of T. cruzi I strains may display greater infectivity than metacyclic trypomastigotes towards cultured cell lines as well as target cells that have modified expression of different classes of cellular components. Cultured host cells harboring the bacterium Coxiella burnetii allowed us to gain new insights into the trafficking properties of the different infective forms of T. cruzi, disclosing unexpected requirements for the parasite to transit between the parasitophorous vacuole to its final destination in the host cell cytoplasm.     

Wound healing of laparoscopic esophageal myotomy with or without an added gastric patch

Background: The purpose of this research is to compare the wound healing of the laparoscopic esophagomyotomy with and without a gastric patch. Methods: Twelve male pigs were distributed into two groups of six animals. Esophagomyotomy was performed in group A. A gastric patch was associated to the myotomy in group B. On the 21^st postoperative day, lumen molding was accomplished to determine the index of stenosis (IS) at the area of myotomy (AM). Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of wound healing were also studied at AM. Three microscopic morphologic patterns were defined for morphometric evaluation: leukocytes (constituted by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells), new endothelial cells, and collagen fibers. Results: There was a longer operative duration in group B (93.6 min) than in group A (45 min). At AM, IS was negative (lumen increased) and equivalent in both groups: −11.1% in group A and −12.7% in group B. Mesotelial epithelium covering RM was observed in group A. Inflammatory reaction was greater in group B in comparison with group A (leuCocytes: 22 cells versus 8.6; fibrosis: 25.5 fibers versus 15.6; granulation tissue: 18.7 vessels versus 9.7). Conclusion: Esophagomyotomy followed by gastric patch does not heal adequately and is worsened by the presence of foreign body granulomas around stitches. Myotomy without gastric patch is faster and causes lower inflammation. Myotomy alone or with gastric patch does not lead to esophageal stenosis at RM and does not lead to restoration of the esophageal musculature continuity.     

Diphyllobothriasis, Brazil

Cases of human diphyllobothriasis have been reported worldwide. Only 1 case in Brazil was diagnosed by our institution from January 1998 to December 2003. By comparison, 18 cases were diagnosed from March 2004 to January 2005. All patients who became infected ate raw fish in sushi or sashimi.     

Cohort study methodology of the ITINERE Project on heroin users in three Spanish cities and main characteristics of the participants

BACKGROUND: Cohort studies make it possible to monitor the health impact of drug use and to identify related factors. We describe the methodology and baseline characteristics of a cohort of heroin users designed with this objective. METHODS: The participants were 991 young, community-recruited heroin users in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. Most subjects were named by other participants (39.7%) or by non-participating drug users or ex-users (44.7%). A computer-aided questionnaire was administered (self-administered with audio for questions related with sex). A dried-blood spot sample was collected and anthropometric measurements were made. Both participants and recruiters received remuneration. Univariate and bivariate statistical methods were used. RESULTS: Some 42.4% had changed the main route of heroin administration, mainly to injection in Barcelona and to the pulmonary route in Seville. About 75.8% (Barcelona), 49.8% (Madrid), and 15.5% (Seville) had injected drugs in the last 12 months. In Madrid and Seville, 96-97% used heroin in base form, while in Barcelona heroin hydrochloride predominated. Heroin and cocaine were frequently mixed in the same dose (generally base cocaine in Madrid and Seville, and cocaine hydrochloride in Barcelona). CONCLUSIONS: Important geographic differences persist in the prevalence of drug injection and in the patterns of heroin and cocaine use, which could explain the unequal distribution of some health problems. The difficulties encountered in recruiting the sample suggest that the incidence of heroin use has declined considerably.     

Prevalence and associations of symptoms of upper extremities,repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and 'RSI-like condition'. A cross sectional study of bank workers in Northeast Brazil

Background  

The repetitive strain injury syndrome (RSI) is a worldwide occupational health problem affecting all types of economic activities. We investigated the prevalence and some risk factors for RSI and related conditions, namely 'symptoms of upper limbs' and 'RSI-like condition'.     

Relating configuration and learning in Brazil and Australia

PURPOSE: This paper aims to investigate whether an organisation's configuration, with regard to its operating environment, could have a bearing on the learning that occurs within the organisation because the configuration can be considered an artefact capable of enabling learning and capable of facilitating the storage and utilisation of the results of learning. This raises an interesting question about the ability of organisations to shape the configuration that enables and facilitates them, which in turn would shape the learning itself. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Reported in this paper is research in healthcare organisations in Brazil and Australia that use a multidisciplinary model of care delivery which test these relationships. FINDINGS: The paper's findings indicate that in the Brazilian case learning has to do with the formal acquisition of knowledge for use within professions, by professionals who are in practice and teaching. In the Australian case learning has to do with the flexible acquisition of knowledge across professions, within and between teams. ORIGINALITY/APPROACH: This paper is useful to those wishing to facilitate learning in an organisation.     

Contemporary specificities of labour in the health care sector: introductory notes for discussion

Background  

This paper combines the literature on public health, on economics of health and on economics of technological innovation to discuss the peculiarities of labour in the health care sector.