Evaluation of the Chagas Disease Control Program in Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Introduction: Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil temporarily (2001-2005) interrupted epidemiological surveillance for Chagas disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the Chagas Disease Control Program (CDCP) in Açucena and to offer suggestions for improving local epidemiological surveillance. Methods: This study was conducted in three phases: I) a serological investigation of schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 years using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test performed on blood collected on fi lter paper followed by ELISA, indirect immunofl uorescence (IIF) and indirect hemaglutination (IHA) on venous blood for borderline cases and those in the gray zone of reactivity; II) vector evaluation using the data obtained by local health agents during 2006-2010; and III) examination by ELISA, IIF and IHA of serum samples from the inhabitants of houses where infected Triatoma vitticeps was found and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas disease. Results: Five individuals had inconclusive results in the ELISA screening but were seronegative for Chagas disease. The triatomine evaluation revealed the presence of three species: Triatoma vitticeps, Panstrongylus megistus and Panstrongylus diasi. Triatoma vitticeps was the most prevalent and widespread, with a higher (67%) index of Trypanosoma cruzi fl agellates and evidence of colonization. Most of the inhabitants of the infested houses recognized triatomines and had basic knowledge about Chagas disease. Conclusions: Although T. vitticeps is not clearly associated with Chagas disease transmission, these results highlight the importance of maintaining CDCP in endemic areas and the need for greater emphasis on epidemiological surveillance, especially in areas with important vectorial changes or that have been modified by human intervention

Selection and validation of reference genes for functional studies in the Calliphoridae family

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The genera Cochliomyia and Chrysomya contain both obligate and saprophagous flies, which allows the comparison of different feeding habits between closely related species. Among the different strategies for comparing these habits is the use of qPCR to investigate the expression levels of candidate genes involved in feeding behavior. To ensure an accurate measure of the levels of gene expression, it is necessary to normalize the amount of the target gene with the amount of a reference gene having a stable expression across the compared species. Since there is no universal gene that can be used as a reference in functional studies, candidate genes for qPCR data normalization were selected and validated in three Calliphoridae (Diptera) species, Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, Cochliomyia macellaria Fabricius, and Chrysomya albiceps Wiedemann. The expression stability of six genes (Actin, Gapdh, Rp49, Rps17, alpha-tubulin, and GstD1) was evaluated among species within the same life stage and between life stages within each species. The expression levels of Actin, Gapdh, and Rp49 were the most stable among the selected genes. These genes can be used as reliable reference genes for functional studies in Calliphoridae using similar experimental settings.14Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2008/58106-0]CNPq [477335/2009-8]FAPESP [2009/13463-3

A respiração frenolabial na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica: revisão da literatura

Esta revisão teve por objetivo destacar os principais achados publicados nos últimos dez anos sobre os efeitos da respiração frenolabial (RFL) em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). A busca dos artigos foi realizada nas bases de dados Lilacs, IBECS, MEDLINE e SciELO, por meio dos seguintes descritores da área da saúde (DeCS): doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, reabilitação, respiração, hiperinsuflação e dispneia, e suas respectivas versões na língua inglesa (MeSH), além do termo pursed-lip breathing. Após a eliminação dos títulos repetidos, foram selecionados somente os estudos que abordavam a RFL como tema principal, resultando em 12 artigos científicos, 10 ensaios clínicos e 2 revisões bibliográficas. Segundo os achados, a RFL proporciona: alterações sobre a gasometria arterial, caracterizada pelo aumento da saturação e pressão parcial de oxigênio; padrão ventilatório, com diminuição da frequência respiratória e aumento de tempo expiratório e do volume corrente; mecânica ventilatória, por meio do recrutamento de musculatura abdominal expiratória e dos músculos da caixa torácica e acessórios da inspiração; diminuição no consumo de oxigênio; alterações na modulação autonômica cardíaca induzida pelo aumento da atividade parassimpática e, por fim, melhora na qualidade de vida destes pacientes. A RFL é considerada uma manobra de grande importância, por repercutir de forma positiva em diversos sistemas e sobre a qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores da DPOC.This review aimed at standing out the main findings published in the last ten years on the effects of pursed-lip breathing (PLB) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The search for articles was performed in Lilacs, IBECS, MEDLINE, and SciELO database by using the descriptors of health (DeCS): doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, reabilitação, respiração, hiperinsuflação e dispneia, and their respective versions in the English language (MeSH), the term pursed-lip breathing was also in such list. After removing the repeated titles, only studies addressing PLB as the main theme were selected, resulting in 12 papers, 10 clinical trials, and 2 systematic reviews. According to the findings, the PLB provides: changes on arterial gases, which are characterized by increased oxygen saturation and partial pressure of oxygen; ventilatory pattern with decreased respiratory rate and increased expiratory time and tidal volume; respiratory mechanics, by recruiting the expiratory abdominal muscles and muscles of the rib cage and accessories inspired; decrease in oxygen consumption; alterations in cardiac autonomic modulation induced by increase in parasympathetic activity and, ultimately, improved quality of life of these patients. The PLB is considered a maneuver of great importance to have a positive effect on various systems and on the quality of life of patients with COPD