Brigadier-General Wilfrid Malleson (1866-1946) received his commission into the Royal Artillery in 1886 and transferred to the Indian Army in 1904. He was relatively inexperienced in combat having served on the staff of Field Marshal Kitchener as part of the British military mission in Afghanistan. Malleson was later transferred to East Africa where the 2nd South African Division fell under his overall command during the catastrophic attack on Salaita Hill. This was the first occasion, since the formation of the Union Defence Force (UDF) in 1912, where a British officer commanded South African troops in battle - with disastrous consequences. There were deep underlying reasons behind the fledgling UDF's first defeat at the hands of the veteran Germans, commanded by the wily Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck (1870-1964). Malleson's lack of combat experience was a factor in the defeat, but more importantly, the uninspired plan of attack doomed the UDF to failure.

Brigadier-Generaal Wilfrid Malleson (1966-1946) het in 1886 sy kommissie ontvang in die Koninklike Artillerie, waarna hy in 1904 na die Indiese Leër toe verplaas is. Ten spyte daarvan dat hy deel was van veldmaarskalk Kitchener se staf tydens die Britse militêre missie in Afghanistan, was sy gevegservaring relatief beperk. Malleson is later verplaas na Oos-Afrika waar hy in bevel was van die Suid-Afrikaanse 2de Divisie tydens die katastrofiese aanval op Salaita-heuwel. Dit was die eerste geval, sedert die stigting van die Unieverdedigingsmag (UVM) in 1912, dat ʼn Britse offisier in bevel was van Suid-Afrikaanse troepe tydens ʼn geveg - met rampspoedige gevolge. Daar was diep onderliggende redes vir die UVM se eerste nederlaag teen ervare Duitse troepe onder die bevel van die uitgeslape kolonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck (1870-1964). Hoewel Malleson se gebrek aan gevegservaring ʼn rol gespeel het in die nederlaag, was dit grotendeels die ongeïnspireerde plan vir die aanval wat gelei het tot die UVM se mislukking.

Introduction: The stimulatory role of estrogens on prolactin secretionn and on proliferation of lactotropic cells is well-established. There is scarce literature about the effects of menopause in patients with prolactinomas. Objectives: To assess the evolution of tumor size and prolactin (PRL) levels in patients with microprolactinomas diagnosed and treated with dopamine agonists bromocriptine (BEC)/cabergoline (CAB) during their fertile age and the effects of discontinuation of those drugs after menopause. Material and methods: retrospective, multicenter study. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with microprolactinomas during their fertile age were studied in their menopause. Mean ± SD age at menopause was 49±3.6 years. In all patients, treatment was stopped when they reached menopause. Results: Mean ± SD pre-treatment PRL level was 120 ± 58 ng/ml and during menopause after stopping treatment, it was 23 ± 14 ng/ml before 12 months, and 16 ± 6 ng/ml after 12 months. During menopause and when stopping treatment, the tumor disappeared in 9/21 and the tumor size decreased in 12/21 patients; a year or more after treatment discontinuation, the tumor disappeared in 9/12 and was unchanged in 3/12. The mean ± SD treatment duration was 135 ± 74 months. Two patients were restarted on treatment because PRL levels increased. Conclusions: Normal PRL levels and sustained reduction or resolution of adenomas were achieved in most patients studied. Only two out of 21 restarted treatment because of hyperprolactinemia. Dopamine agonists might be safely stopped after menopause in patients with microprolactinomas. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 51:136-141, 2014 No financial conflicts of interest exist.

Introducción: El papel estimulante de los estrógenos sobre la secreción de prolactina y sobre la proliferación de los lactotropos está bien establecido. Hay escasa literatura sobre los efectos de la menopausia en pacientes con prolactinomas. Objetivos: Evaluar la evolución del tamaño del tumor y de los niveles plasmáticos de prolactina (PRL) en pacientes con microprolactinomas diagnosticados y tratados con agonistas dopaminérgicos (AD) durante su edad fértil y los efectos de la suspensión del tratamiento después de la menopausia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico. Veintiún pacientes con microprolactinomas diagnosticados durante su edad fértil fueron estudiados en la menopausia. La edad media ± SD de la menopausia fue de 49 ± 3,6 años. En todas las pacientes se suspendió el tratamiento en la menopausia. Resultados: El nivel de PRL pretratamiento fue de 120 ± 58 ng/ml (media±SD) durante la menopausia, al suspender el tratamiento antes de los 12 meses de 23 ± 14 ng/ml y después de 12 meses o más de 1 año de 16 ± 6 ng / ml. Durante la menopausia y al suspender el tratamiento, el tumor desapareció en 9/21 y disminuyó en 12/21 pacientes; un año o más de un año después de la suspensión del tratamiento, el tumor desapareció en 9 /12 y se mantuvo sin cambios en 3/12. La duración promedio del tratamiento fue de 135 ± 74 meses. Dos pacientes reiniciaron el tratamiento debido a que los niveles de PRL aumentaron. Conclusiones: En la mayoría de las pacientes estudiadas se normalizaron los niveles plasmáticos de prolactina y se observó una disminución o desaparición de los microprolactinomas. Los AD podrían suspenderse después de la menopausia en pacientes microprolactinomas. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 51:136-141, 2014 Los autores declaran no poseer conflictos de interés.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to report the safety and effectiveness of initiating or switching to insulin analogue therapy in the Argentinean subpopulation of the A1chieve study. Materials and methods: Observational, non-interventional study. The Argentinean cohort included 607 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), both insulin-naïve and prior insulin users, who initiated treatment with biphasic insulin aspart 30, insulin detemir or insulin aspart ± oral antidiabetic agents. Results: Baseline HbA1c (±SD) was poor: 9.4 ± 2.1 %. At 6 months, a reduction in the HbA1c of -1.8 ± 2.1 % was observed in the entire cohort, and of -2.3 ± 2.1 % and -1.1 ± 1.8 % in insulin-naïve patients and prior insulin users, respectively. Overall, the rate of hypoglycaemia increased in insulin-naïve patients, whereas a reduction was observed in those switching from other insulins. An increase in the body weight (±SD) was noted in insulin-naïve patients (0.8 ± 4.3 kg). Conclusions: Poor glycemic control was observed in the Argentinean population of the A1chieve study. The initiation of insulin analogue therapy showed an improvement in HbA1c, in both insulin-naïve patients and previous insulin users, which was a good opportunity for improvements in self-care and metabolic control, regardless of the type of insulin regimen used, with a good tolerability and safety profile. These findings are consistent with those obtained from the entire A1chieve study cohort.

Objetivos: el objetivo de este artículo es informar acerca de la seguridad y la efectividad de iniciar o cambiar a un tratamiento con insulinas análogas en la subpoblación argentina del estudio A1chieve. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional, de no intervención. En la cohorte argentina participaron 607 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 (DM2), con o sin tratamiento previo con insulina, quienes inciaron un tratamiento con insulina aspártica bifásica 30, insulina detemir o insulina aspártica con o sin antidiabéticos orales (ADOs). Resultados: el grado de control metabólico al inicio del estudio, medido por HbA1c basal (± DE) fue pobre: 9,4 ± 2,1 %. A los 6 meses, se observó una reducción de HbA1c de -1,8 ± 2,1 % en la cohorte completa, y -2,3 ± 2,1% y -1,1 ± 1,8 % para los pacientes sin tratamiento previo con insulina y con tratamiento previo con insulina, respectivamente. En general, la tasa de hipoglucemia se incrementó en aquellos pacientes que recibieron insulina por primera vez, mientras que se observó una disminución en los pacientes que, previamente, recibían otras insulinas. Se observó un incremento del peso corporal (± DE) en los pacientes sin tratamiento previo con insulina (0,8 ± 4,3 kg). Conclusiones: en la población argentina del estudio A1chieve, se observó un control metabólico deficiente. Se logró una mejoría de la HbA1c al iniciar un tratamiento con análogos de insulina, ya sea en pacientes naïve usuarios previos de insulina,siendo una gran oportunidad para lograr amplias mejorías en el autocuidado y en el control metabólico, independientemente del tipo de regimen insulínico utilizado, con buena tolerabilidad y seguridad. Estos hallazgos coinciden con los resultados obtenidos en la cohorte completa del estudio.

Schistosoma mansoni eggs are classified, according to morphological characteristics, as follows: viable mature and immature eggs; dead mature and immature eggs, shells and granulomas. The scope of this study was to compare the staining characteristics of different morphological types of eggs in the presence of fluorescent labels and vital dyes, aiming at differentiating live and dead eggs. The eggs were obtained from the intestines of infected mice, and put into saline 0.85%. The fluorescent labels were Hoechst 33258 and Acridine Orange + Ethidium Bromide and vital dyes (Trypan Blue 0.4% and Neutral Red 1%). When labelled with the probe Hoechst 33258, some immature eggs, morphologically considered viable, presented fluorescence (a staining characteristic detected only in dead eggs); mature eggs did not present fluorescence, and the other types of dead eggs, morphologically defined, showed fluorescence. As far as Acridine Orange + Ethidium Bromide are concerned, either the eggs considered to be live, or the dead ones, presented staining with green color, and only the hatched and motionless miracidium was stained with an orange color. Trypan Blue was not able to stain the eggs, considered to be dead but only dead miracidia which had emerged out of the shell. Neutral Red stained both live and dead eggs. Only the fluorescent Hoechst 33258 can be considered a useful tool for differentiation between dead and live eggs.

To compare the epidemiological profile and socioeconomic factors associated to the infection by Schistosoma mansoni in a rural and an urban endemic area a cross-sectional study was performed in Água Branca de Minas (rural area) and Bela Fama (urban area), both situated in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two hundred and eighty eight individuals were surveyed in the rural area and 787 in the urban area. Water contact and socioeconomic questionnaires were used to identify risk factors for the infection. The prevalences of 38.8% and 9.7% and the geometric mean of eggs per gram of faeces of 117.8 and 62.3 were found in the rural and urban areas, respectively. By multivariate statistical analysis age groups over nine years old and previous specific treatment were associated with the infection in rural area. In urban area age over nine years old, low quality housing, weekly fishing and swimming were associated after adjustment by logistic regression

Two groups of Schistosoma japonicum infected patients (acute and chronic ) and non-infected individuals were studied using IgA antibody to egg antigen (SEA) and IgG and IgM antibodies to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). The means and standard deviation of the optical density in ELISA of acute, chronic and negative groups for IgA anti-SEA were 583±124.7, 98.2±78.8 and 82.2±39. 3, respectively. There was a statistically significance between acute patients and chronic patients (P<0.01). The means and standard deviation of IgG and IgM antibodies to KLH were 501.5±150.6, 113.0±79.1, 28.8±56.3 and 413.6±148.5, 70.2±14.8, 65.3±45.3, respectively. The detection results of IgA to SEA compared with the IgG and IgM to KLH did not demonstrate a significant difference (P>0.01). The sensitivities of IgA to SEA and IgG and IgM antibodies to KLH for the detection of acute infection were 95.24%, 90.48% and 85.71%, respectively. Therefore, this study showed that the detection of IgA to SEA is also a useful new method for the serological differentiation of acute and chronic schistosomiasis japonica in humans.

Um estudo dos fatores associados à forma hepatoesplênica foi desenvolvido em uma área endêmica (Comercinho, Minas Gerais), onde a prevalência da infecção pelo Schistosoma mansoni era 70,4%. Dos 1408 habitantes com > 2 anos de idade, 1162 (82,5%) participaram do estudo. As características sócio-demográficas e os motivos de contatos com águas dos pacientes com forma hepatoesplênica (n = 73) foram comparados aos daqueles sem esplenomegalia que apresentavam (controles positivos; n = 804) ou não (controles negativos; n = 285) ovos de S. mansoni nas fezes. A análise multivariada foi feita, considerando a existência de colinearidade entre a situação sócio-econômica da família, a fonte de água do domicílio e o tomar banho nos córregos. Os resultados mostram que a presença da forma hepatoesplênica em crianças estava fortemente associada à ocupação do chefe de família (trabalhadores manuais) (OR = 11,4; IC 95% = 1,4-91,8), à ausência de água encanada (OR = 7,7; IC 95% = 2,6-23,1) e ao hábito de tomar banho nos córregos (OR e IC 95% = 7,6); 2,5-22,9 e 5,7; 1,3-25,5 para contatos mais (> uma vez/semana) e menos freqüentes, respectivamente esse hábito implicava contatos mais intensos e era conseqüência dos primeiros fatores. Os resultados são sugestivos de que o abastecimento de água no domicílio pode reduzir a morbidade da esquistossomose por diminuir a necessidade de contatos intensos com águas naturais.

A study of factors associated with the hepatosplenic clinical form of schistosomiasis was carried out in an endemic area (Comercinho, Minas Gerais) where prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection was 70.4%. Of the 1,408 inhabitants aged two years and over, 1,162 (82.5%) participated in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics and reasons for water contacts of individuals with the hepatosplenic form (n = 73) were compared to those who did not present splenomegaly and eliminated (positive controls; n + 804) or did not eliminate S. mansoni eggs in stools (negative controls; n = 285). Multivariate analysis was performed, considering the existence of colinearity among socio-economic status of the family, running water in the household, and bathing in streams. The hepatosplenic form in children was strongly associated with occupation of the head of the family (manual workers) (OR = 11.4; 95% CI = 1.4 - 91.8), absence of running water in the household (OR = 7.7; 95% CI = 2.6 - 23.1), and bathing in streams (OR and 95% CI 7.6; 2.5-22.9 and 5.7; 1.3-25.5 for frequencies > weekly and <= weekly, respectively); bathing in streams, which implies intense contacts, was a consequence of the first two factors. Our results suggest that running water in the household can decrease morbidity from schistosomiasis because it reduces the need for intense contacts with streams.

Um estudo dos fatores associados à forma hepatoesplênica foi desenvolvido em uma área endêmica (Comercinho, Minas Gerais), onde a prevalência da infecção pelo Schistosoma mansoni era 70,4%. Dos 1408 habitantes com > 2 anos de idade, 1162 (82,5%) participaram do estudo. As características sócio-demográficas e os motivos de contatos com águas dos pacientes com forma hepatoesplênica (n = 73) foram comparados aos daqueles sem esplenomegalia que apresentavam (controles positivos; n = 804) ou não (controles negativos; n = 285) ovos de S. mansoni nas fezes. A análise multivariada foi feita, considerando a existência de colinearidade entre a situação sócio-econômica da família, a fonte de água do domicílio e o tomar banho nos córregos. Os resultados mostram que a presença da forma hepatoesplênica em crianças estava fortemente associada à ocupação do chefe de família (trabalhadores manuais) (OR = 11,4; IC 95% = 1,4-91,8), à ausência de água encanada (OR = 7,7; IC 95% = 2,6-23,1) e ao hábito de tomar banho nos córregos (OR e IC 95% = 7,6); 2,5-22,9 e 5,7; 1,3-25,5 para contatos mais (> uma vez/semana) e menos freqüentes, respectivamente esse hábito implicava contatos mais intensos e era conseqüência dos primeiros fatores. Os resultados são sugestivos de que o abastecimento de água no domicílio pode reduzir a morbidade da esquistossomose por diminuir a necessidade de contatos intensos com águas naturais.

A study of factors associated with the hepatosplenic clinical form of schistosomiasis was carried out in an endemic area (Comercinho, Minas Gerais) where prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection was 70.4%. Of the 1,408 inhabitants aged two years and over, 1,162 (82.5%) participated in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics and reasons for water contacts of individuals with the hepatosplenic form (n = 73) were compared to those who did not present splenomegaly and eliminated (positive controls; n + 804) or did not eliminate S. mansoni eggs in stools (negative controls; n = 285). Multivariate analysis was performed, considering the existence of colinearity among socio-economic status of the family, running water in the household, and bathing in streams. The hepatosplenic form in children was strongly associated with occupation of the head of the family (manual workers) (OR = 11.4; 95% CI = 1.4 - 91.8), absence of running water in the household (OR = 7.7; 95% CI = 2.6 - 23.1), and bathing in streams (OR and 95% CI 7.6; 2.5-22.9 and 5.7; 1.3-25.5 for frequencies > weekly and <= weekly, respectively); bathing in streams, which implies intense contacts, was a consequence of the first two factors. Our results suggest that running water in the household can decrease morbidity from schistosomiasis because it reduces the need for intense contacts with streams.