ABSTRACT From October 1994 to September 1996, in the municipality of Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State, phlebotomines were captured on the walls of the houses by means of a manual suction tube and light traps, in the household, the peridomicile and in the forest. As it is an area undergoing a real expansion and an increment in the local tourism, with the purpose of assessing changes in the phlebotomine fauna caused by environmental changes in the region, new captures were made in the same location from October 2015 to September 2016, this time using only light traps. In the two phases of the study, a total of 6,681 phlebotomines were captured. The results indicated that Ny. intermedia and Mg. migonei are fully adapted to this anthropic environment, while Pi. fischeri was more abundant and eclectic, and was probably attracted to exercise hematophagy. Nyssomyia intermedia can be suggested as the main vector of the etiological agent of the American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in the studied areas. Pintomyia fischeri can also transmit Leishmania braziliensis, both in the environment altered by human action, and in the wild environment. Phlebotomines were captured in greater numbers between 6 and 8 pm in the peridomicile and between 9 and 11 pm in the household. The highest densities of phlebotomines were recorded in December, January and February. Despite almost 20 years between the two studies in the municipality of Mangaratiba, there was no change in the profile of the phlebotomine fauna in general; however, there was a greater density of species of medical importance in areas that suffered environmental impacts.

Abstract One of the basic needs for a country’s economic development is to cover the major fuel demand, and both energy consumption and environmental impacts resulting from the production of such fuels need to be fast and reliable. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an estimate of energy consumption and atmospheric emissions of some of the pollutant species reported by Pemex Refinacion under different projections. The predictive estimate model was applied considering four different gasoline demand scenarios, as well as different refining technology options to satisfy fuel consumption needs, based on production yields: four different types of refineries, three types of crude oils and eight different processes. Emission estimates were determined applying emission factors, both for the type of fossil fuel energy source used in the direct heating processes for vapor generation, as well by using electric energy. Results show that the equivalent energy consumption relative to the total processes crude is greater in complex refineries (full conversion); however, a greater conversion efficiency allows a smaller volume of crude consumption needed to satisfy the fuel demand with lower emissions relative to other types of technologies. Mexico’s possible refineries need to adapt themselves to different operation scenarios, such as changes in the crude’s yield, the quality of the product, variations in the prices of the crude and of the refined products. Therefore, is important to develop and apply perspectives than maximize productivity and minimize energy consumption, reducing air emissions, in constant change scenarios. Finally, the problem would then be evaluating which would be more convenient to obtain a greater socio-economic benefit: reduce emissions to the atmosphere or to lower operation costs of the refinery.

Resumen Cubrir la demanda de combustibles de mayor consumo es una de las necesidades básicas para el desarrollo económico de un país. Así también, el consumo de energía y los impactos ambientales debidos a la producción de estos combustibles deben ser informados con prontitud y confiabilidad. El objetivo que se persigue en este artículo es contribuir para obtener un estimado del consumo de energía y de las emisiones atmosféricas de algunas de las especies contaminantes reportadas por Pemex refinación, analizando diferentes proyecciones. El modelo de estimación predictivo se aplicó considerando cuatro escenarios de demanda de gasolinas, así como las siguientes opciones tecnológicas de refinación para satisfacer el consumo del combustible, con base en un rendimiento de producción: cuatro tipos de refinerías, tres tipos de crudo y ocho procesos. La estimación de las emisiones se determinó aplicando factores de emisión, tanto por tipo de fuente de energía fósil consumida en los procesos de calentamiento directo o para la generación de vapor, así como por el uso de energía eléctrica. Los resultados muestran que el consumo equivalente de energía respecto al total de crudo procesado es mayor en las refinerías muy complejas (R4), sin embargo, su gran eficiencia de conversión permite consumir menor volumen de crudo para satisfacer la demanda del combustible con emisiones bajas al aire, respecto a otro tipo de tecnologías. Las posibles refinerías en México tendrán que adaptarse a diferentes escenarios operativos, como cambios en el rendimiento del crudo, calidad del producto, así como variación en los precios del crudo y de los productos refinados. Por lo tanto, es importante desarrollar e implementar enfoques que maximicen la productividad y minimicen el consumo de energía, reduciendo las emisiones atmosféricas en escenarios operativos de constante cambio. Por último, el problema sería entonces evaluar qué sería más conveniente para obtener un mayor beneficio socioeconómico: reducir las emisiones a la atmósfera o disminuir los costos de operación de la refinería.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is regarded as a public health problem in the Oiapoque basin, between Brazil and French Guiana. METHODS Data on ACL occurrence/epidemiological profile and etiology were sourced from Brazilian health services and a reference laboratory. Rainfall correlation was also analyzed. RESULTS: Majority of the ACL cases were observed in adult men working as gold miners. ACL incidence peaks appeared to be linked to periods 2 months after the dry season. Migratory flow was found to be a non-negligible complicating factor in epidemiological surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Binational strategies are required to minimize exposure for high-risk populations.

BACKGROUND There is little information on the effect of using deltamethrin-impregnated dog collars for the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of 4% deltamethrin-impregnated collars (Scalibor®) in controlling visceral leishmaniasis in Lutzomyia longipalpis by comparing populations in intervention and non-intervention areas. METHODS Phlebotomine flies were captured over 30 months in four neighbourhoods with intense visceral leishmaniasis transmission in Fortaleza and Montes Claros. We calculated the rates of domicile infestation, relative abundance of Lu. longipalpis, and Lu. longipalpis distribution in each site, capture location (intra- and peridomestic locations) and area (intervention and non-intervention areas). FINDINGS In the control area in Fortaleza, the relative abundance of Lu. longipalpis was 415 specimens at each capture site, whereas in the intervention area it was 159.25; in Montes Claros, the relative abundance was 5,660 specimens per capture site in the control area, whereas in the intervention area it was 2,499.4. The use of dog collars was associated with a reduction in captured insects of 15% (p = 0.004) and 60% (p < 0.001) in Montes Claros and Fortaleza, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONS We observed a lower vector abundance in the intervention areas, suggesting an effect of the insecticide-impregnated collars.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The present note discusses some evidence on the increasing potential risk for American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) transmission in the Northern Brazilian State of Amapá, the Guianan-Amazon biome. METHODS Early and present data about AVL were collected, including our recent entomological findings. RESULTS: The spread of the sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, and a sylvatic reservoir host, the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous in that region represents important findings related to the epidemiology of AVL in the Guianan-Amazon biome. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that Brazilian authorities need to develop surveillance strategies in these risk areas.

Since the description of Lutzomyia longipalpis by Lutz and Neiva more than 100 years ago, much has been written in the scientific literature about this phlebotomine species. Soares and Turco (2003) and Lainson and Rangel (2005) have written extensive reviews focused on vector-host-parasite interactions and American visceral leishmaniasis ecology. However, during the last two decades, the success of Lu. longipalpis in colonising urban environments and its simultaneous geographical spreading have led to new theoretical and operational questions. Therefore, this review updates the general information about this species and notes the more challenging topics regarding the new scenario of urbanisation-spreading and its control in America. Here, we summarise the literature on these issues and the remaining unsolved questions, which pose recommendations for operational research.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in the communities of the Campus FIOCRUZ Mata Atlântica (CFMA) in the City of Rio de Janeiro initiated the investigation of the Phlebotominae fauna in the Atlantic Forest to determine the occurrence of putative ACL vectors associated with the enzootic cycle. METHODS: For 24 consecutive months, sand flies were captured inside the forest and in the border area near the communities. RESULTS: The following sand fly species were identified: Brumptomyia brumpti, Brumptomyia cunhai, Brumptomyia nitzulescui, Lutzomyia edwardsi, Lutzomyia pelloni, and Lutzomyia quinquefer. Other identified sand fly vectors, such as Lutzomyia intermedia (the predominant species), Lutzomyia migonei, Lutzomyia whitmani, Lutzomyia fischeri, and Lutzomyia hirsuta hirsuta, are associated with ACL transmission, and the vector for American visceral leishmaniases (AVL), Lutzomyia longipalpis, was also found. CONCLUSIONS: All sand fly vectors were found in both studied environments except for Lutzomyia whitmani, which was only identified in the forest. This study represents the first identification of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the CFMA, and the epidemiological implications are discussed.

O principal vetor de leishmaniose visceral (LV) no Brasil é Lutzomyia longipalpis. Entretanto, a ausência de L. longipalpis em área com casos autóctones de LV demonstra a existência de outras espécies na transmissão dessa doença. Estudo realizado na cidade de La Banda, Argentina, e São Vicente Férrer, Brasil, correlacionou a ausência de L. longipalpis e a presença de Lutzomyia migoneicom casos autóctones de LV. Em São Vicente Férrer, foi comprovada a infecção natural de L. migonei por Leishmania infantum chagasi. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ecologia dos flebotomíneos L. longipalpis e L. migonei no município de Fortaleza, área endêmica para LV. A captura de flebotomíneos foi realizada em 22 pontos de coleta distribuídos nas quatro regiões do município de Fortaleza. No total, foram capturados 32.403 flebotomíneos. Destes, 18.166 (56%) eram da espécie L. longipalpis e 14.237 (44%) eram L. migonei. Houve diferença significativa de densidade entre os vetores em cada local de captura (intra e peri) (p<0,0001). Esses achados confirmam que, na cidade de Fortaleza, L. migonei e L. longipalpis estão bem distribuídos, bem como adaptados ao ambiente intradomiciliar e que L. migonei, possivelmente, compartilhe com L. longipalpis o papel de vetor da LV em Fortaleza.

The main vector for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil is Lutzomyia longipalpis. However, the absence of L. longipalpis in a region of autochthonous VL demonstrates the participation of other species in the transmission of the parasite. Studies conducted in La Banda, Argentina, and São Vicente Férrer, Pernambuco State, Brazil, have correlated the absence of L. longipalpisand the presence of L. migonei with autochthonous cases of VL. In São Vicente Férrer, Pernambuco, there was evidence for the natural infection of L. migonei with Leishmania infantum chagasi. Thus, the objective of this work was to assess the ecology of the sand flies L. longipalpis and L. migonei in Fortaleza, an endemic area for VL. Insect capture was conducted at 22 sampling points distributed across four regions of Fortaleza. In total, 32,403 sand flies were captured; of these, 18,166 (56%) were identified as L. longipalpis and 14,237 (44%) as L. migonei. There were significant density differences found between the vectors at each sampling site (indoors and outdoors) (p <0.0001). These findings confirm that L. migonei and L. longipalpis are distributed throughout Fortaleza, where they have adapted to an indoor environment, and suggest that L. migonei may share the role as a vector with L. longipalpis in the transmission of VL in Fortaleza.

En este trabajo se preparó una serie de copolímeros de estireno con metil n-hexadecilitaconato con diferentes composiciones. Las polimerizaciones se llevaron a cabo por vía radical, en masa a 60ºC y AIBN como iniciador. En la mayoría de los casos los copolímeros se obtuvieron con buenos rendimientos y el incremento de cualquiera de los monómeros en la relación de alimentación incrementa su contenido en el copolímero, observándose en algunos casos que la composición del copolímero es bastante próxima a la relación usada en la alimentación. La estructura molecular de los copolímeros fue caracterizada mediante FTIR y un detallado estudio de RMN que incluyó ¹H, 13C y experimentos bidimensionales. Los estudios de RMN indicaron que los copolímeros son básicamente al azar y que los desplazamientos químicos de muchas señales, y de modo particular las de los OCH3 y OCH2 correspondientes a las unidades de itaconato, están fuertemente influenciados por el entorno vecino. Los desplazamientos químicos de RMN-13C fueron analizados mediante estudios de simulación, donde se empleó el método GIAO (por sus siglas en inglés Gauge-Independent Atomic Orbital), observándose una buena correlación entre los valores experimentales y los calculados.

A series of copolymers of styrene with methyl-n-hexadecylitaconates using different compositions in the feed have been prepared in bulk via radical at 60ºC with AIBN as initiator. In most of the cases the copolymers were obtained in good yields and the increase of one of the monomers in the feed mixture raises its amount in the copolymer and in some cases the copolymer composition is close to the feed ratio. The copolymers molecular structure was characterized by FTIR and a detailed study of NMR spectroscopy which included ¹H, 13C and bidimentional experiments. The NMR studies indicate that the copolymers have a mainly random distribution of the monomeric units and the chemical shifts of the signals, especially the OCH3 and OCH2 are strongly influenced by the neighbor environment. 13C NMR chemical shifts were also analyzed by simulation studies using ab initio Gauge-Independent Atomic Orbital (GIAO) calculations; we observed a good correlation between the experimental and calculated values.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil: Species distribution and potential vectors of leishmaniases. Rio de Janeiro State, in Brazil, has endemic areas of both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases. In these areas, entomologic surveillance actions are highly recommended by Brazil's Ministry of Health. The present work describes the results of sand fly captures performed by the Health Department of Rio de Janeiro State between 2009 and 2011 in several municipalities. An updated species list and distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in the state are provided based on an extensive literature review. Currently, the sand fly fauna of Rio de Janeiro State has 65 species, belonging to the genera Brumptomyia (8 spp.) and Lutzomyia (57 spp.). Distribution maps of potential leishmaniases vector species Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia, L. migonei, L. (N.) whitmani, L. (N.) flaviscutellata and L. (Lutzomyia) longipalpis are provided and their epidemiological importance is discussed.

Phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of Guaraí in the state of Tocantins (TO), an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as ACL vectors. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in TO. Nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia bourrouli, Nyssomyia antunesi and Psychodopygus complexus. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the evenness index were higher in the rural settlement area than in the periurban area. The evaluation of different ecotopes within the rural area showed the highest frequencies of Ev. bourrouli and Ny. antunesi in chicken coops, whereas Ny. whitmani predominated in this ecotope in the periurban area. In the rural settlement area, Ev. bourrouli was the most frequently captured species in automatic light traps and Ps. complexus was the most prevalent in Shannon trap captures. The rural settlement environment exhibited greater phlebotomine biodiversity than the periurban area. Ps. complexus and Psychodopygus ayrozai naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were identified. The data identified Ny. whitmani as a potential ACL vector in the periurban area, whereas Ps. complexus was more prevalent in the rural environment associated with settlements.

La copolimerización a bajos grados de conversión de estireno (S) con di-n-alquilitaconatos (DI-n) y de metil-n-alquil itaconatos (MeI-n) con cadenas laterales de 12, 14, 16, 18 y 22 átomos de carbono se llevó a cabo por vía radical, en masa a 60ºC y empleando AIBN como iniciador. La estructura química de los copolímeros se caracterizó por FTIR y RMN-1H y 13C y la composición se determinó por RMN-1H. Los estudios de RMN indican que los copolímeros son estadísticos pero con cierta tendencia a la alternancia. Las relaciones de reactividad (ri) entre el estireno e itaconatos se calcularon mediante los métodos de Fineman-Ross (FR), Kelen Tüdös (KT) y una modificación esta última. Los valores obtenidos de r1(DI) y r2(S) en la copolimerización entre los DI-n con n = 12, 14 y 16 con S estuvieron en el rango de 0.22 a 0.28 para DI-n y 0.19 a 0.39 para S, mientras que los valores encontrados para los DI-n con n = 18 y 22 son del orden de 0.42-0.50 y 0.37-0.47 para el itaconato y estireno respectivamente. Para la serie de MeI-n, los valores oscilaron entre 0.01 hasta 0.41 para los itaconatos y 0.44 a 0.97 para el S.

Low yields copolymerization of styrene (S) with di-n-alkylitaconates (DI-n) and methyl n-alkylitaconates (MeI-n) with alkyl side chain of 12, 14, 16, 18 and 22 carbon atoms were carried out in bulk via radical at 60ºC with AIBN as initiator. The copolymers chemical structure was characterized by FTIR and 1H and 13C-NMR, and the composition was determined by 1H-NMR. The NMR studies indicate that the copolymers are random, but with some tendency to alternation. The monomers reactivity ratios between the styrene and itaconates in the copolymerization (ri) were calculated by the Fineman-Ross (FR), Kelen Tüdös (KT) methods and a modification of the last one. The obtained values of r1(DI) and r2(S) in the copolymerization among DI-n with n = 12, 14 and 16 with S were in the range of 0.22 to 0.28 for DI-n and 0.19 to 0.39 for S. Whereas for DI-n with n = 18 and 22 the values are in the order of 0.42-0.50 and 0.37-0.47 respectively. For the copolymer series derivatives of MeI-n the values were between 0.01-0.41 for the itaconate and 0.44-0.97 for S.

The aim of the present review is to give relevant information on aspects of the biology and ecology, including the vectorial competence of Lutzomyia sand fly species suggested as vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. The disease, due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, has been registered in most municipalities in all the Brazilian states and its transmission is associated with more than one sand fly species in each geographical region. A variety of Leishmania species can be found in the Amazon basin, where different epidemiological chains have been detected with the participation of different phlebotomine vectors. Finally, a discussion is presented on some sand fly species found naturally infected by Leishmania, but for which there is as yet no evidence regarding their epidemiological importance.

Studies were undertaken on the phlebotomines in the municipalities of Bujari, Xapuri and Rio Branco in the state of Acre. The abundance of species on the ground and in the tree canopy was estimated by Standardized Index of Species Abundance. Of the 52 species identified, Lutzomyia (N.) antunesi, Lutzomyia (N.) whitmani, Lutzomyia (P.) davisi, Lutzomyia migonei, Lutzomyia (N.) umbratilis, Lutzomyia (N.) flaviscutellata, Lutzomyia (T.) ubiqui-talis, Lutzomyia (P.) hirsuta hirsuta, Lutzomyia (P.) paraensis and Lutzomyia (P.) ayrozai are known to be vectors of Leishmania, the causative agent of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Lutzomyia (T.) auraensis, Lu. (N.) antunesi, Lu. (N.) whitmani and Lu. (P.) davisi accounted for 66.95% of the specimens collected. Lu. (N.) whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by Lu. (N.) antunesi and Lu. (P.) davisi. Lu. (N.) antunesi was the most abundant species in the soil as well as in the canopy. Lu. (N.) umbratilis occurred in all three municipalities and was the fifth most abundant species in the Chico Mendes Municipal Park in Rio Branco. It was collected on both the ground level as well as in the canopy; however, it was more frequently collected in the tree canopy. The present study suggests the existence of three transmission cycles of Leishmania in Acre, including the transmission of Leishmania (V.) guyanensis by Lu. (N.) umbratilis south of the Amazon River.

São apresentados os hábitos que condicionam a competência vetorial de Lutzomyia longipalpis e discutidas as evidências que confirmam a importância deste flebotomíneo na cadeia de transmissão da leishmaniose visceral no Brasil. Discute-se, também, o novo perfil epidemiológico da leishmaniose visceral, associado à ambientes urbanos, e o papel desempenhado por Lu. longipalpis neste processo, sua origem silvestre e capacidade de adaptação. É citado outro flebotomíneo, Lu. cruzi, como transmissor em alguns municípios da região central do Brasil, com base em estudos realizados em áreas endêmicas.

The article discusses habits related to the vectorial competence of Lutzomyia longipalpis, along with evidence confirming the importance of this sand fly species in the epidemiological chain of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. A new epidemiological profile for visceral leishmaniasis is also postulated, associated with domestic environments and the role of Lu. longipalpis in this process, its sylvatic origin, and its capacity to adapt to a wide range of habitats. Another sand fly species, Lu. cruzi, is mentioned as a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in some municipalities in Central Brazil, based on studies in endemic areas of the country.