Abstract A new species of Sternopygus is described from the Orinoco River of Venezuela using traditional methods of morphometrics and meristics, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging for osteological analysis. The new species is readily separated from all congeners in having broad, vertical pigment bars that extend from the mid-dorsum to the ventral margin of the pterygiophores. A similar color pattern, characterized by subtle differences in the densities and sizes of chromatophores, is also present in juveniles of S. obtusirostris from the Amazon River, juveniles of S. sabaji from rivers of the Guiana Shield, and S. astrabes from clearwater and blackwater terra firme streams of lowlands around the Guiana Shield. The new species further differs from other congeners in the Orinoco basin by having a reduced humeral pigment blotch with poorly defined margins, a proportionally smaller head, a longer body cavity, a more slender body shape in lateral profile, and in having vertical pigment bars that extend ventrally to the pterygiophores (vs. pigment saddles not reaching the pterygiophores). The description of this species raises to three the number of Sternopygus species in the Orinoco basin, and to 11 the total number of Sternopygus species.

Resumen Se describe una nueva especie de Sternopygus del río Orinoco de Venezuela utilizando métodos tradicionales de morfometría y merística, y microtomografía computarizada (micro-CT) para análisis osteológico. La nueva especie se distingue fácilmente de todos los congéneres por tener barras de pigmento verticales anchas que se extienden desde la parte media del dorso hasta el margen ventral de los pterigióforos. Un patrón de color similar, caracterizado por diferencias sutiles en las densidades y tamaños de los cromatóforos, también está presente en juveniles de S. obtusirostris del río Amazonas, juveniles de S. sabaji de ríos del Escudo Guayanés y S. astrabes de aguas claras y arroyos de tierra firme de aguas negras de las tierras bajas alrededor del Escudo Guayanés. La nueva especie se diferencia aún más de otros congéneres en la cuenca del Orinoco por tener una mancha de pigmento humeral reducida con márgenes mal definidos, una cabeza proporcionalmente más pequeña, una cavidad corporal más larga, una forma corporal más delgada en el perfil lateral y por tener barras de pigmento verticales que extenderse ventralmente a los pterigióforos (frente a las monturas de pigmentos que no llegan a los pterigióforos). La descripción de esta especie eleva a tres el número de especies de Sternopygus en la cuenca del Orinoco y a 11 el número total de especies de Sternopygus.

Abstract: Background: Mixtures of herbicide sites of action (SOA) are often promoted as an effective practice for proactive herbicide resistance management, but the cost of implementation is less-often considered in these recommendations, especially in the academic literature. Objective: Estimate the costs of implementing herbicide SOA mixtures that are effective for herbicide resistance management under different scenarios involving crops, weed species, and existing resistance. Methods: Using data from the Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska, an optimization function was used to find the lowest cost for effective weed control (single herbicide providing ≥90%), and effective resistance management (at least 2 SOA providing ≥90%) under various crop, weed, and herbicide resistance scenarios. Results: In corn and soybean, effective SOA mixtures for waterhemp and Palmer amaranth increased herbicide costs at least 2-fold compared to herbicide costs that provided effective weed control with a single SOA. Resistance to certain SOA had greater impact on the cost of effective herbicide mixtures; in corn, resistance to SOA Group 5 or Group 9 herbicides caused the greatest increase in mixture costs, whereas in soybean Group 9 or Group 14 resistance caused the greatest increase in mixture costs. In dry edible bean, effective mixtures were at least 5 times more expensive than similar scenarios in soybean, and in several scenarios, there were no herbicide mixtures available that met effective resistance management criteria. Conclusions: The use of effective herbicide SOA mixtures has sound scientific basis for slowing the evolution of herbicide resistance, but the cost of implementation is a major barrier for widespread adoption even in fields where herbicide resistance is not yet present.

BACKGROUND: One third of patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) do not use the formal health system to access healthcare AIM: In this manuscript we analyse the therapeutic decisions of hypertensive and diabetic patients in rural eastern DRC and the reasons for these decisions SETTING: The study was conduct in two health zones (HZ) in South Kivu (Bagira and Walungu), DRC METHODS: A mixed-methods convergent study was conducted from November 2018 to December 2018. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire and qualitative data were collected using focus groups. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a Fischer exact test, while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis RESULTS: Out of 382 subjects declaring a chronic pathology, hypertensives and diabetics represented 21.5% and 7.9%, respectively. Health facilities were the first therapeutic choice of the chronically affected persons. The alternative therapeutic choices found were the use of prayer rooms, consultation with traditional healers and self-medication. Poverty, ignorance, the pharmaceutical business, and the socio-cultural dimension of the disease are the main causes of alternative therapeutic choices for hypertensives and diabetics CONCLUSION: To ensure appropriate care for patients with chronic diseases in rural areas, it is important to establish a bridge of regulated collaboration between the formal and informal health sector

There is no consensus on the diagnostic algorithms for many scenarios of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which hinders the establishment of governmental guidelines in endemic and non-endemic countries. In the acute phase, parasitological methods are currently employed, and standardised surrogate molecular tests are being introduced to provide higher sensitivity and less operator-dependence. In the chronic phase, IgG-based serological assays are currently used, but if a single assay does not reach the required accuracy, PAHO/WHO recommends at least two immunological tests with different technical principles. Specific algorithms are applied to diagnose congenital infection, screen blood and organ donors or conduct epidemiological surveys. Detecting Chagas disease reactivation in immunosuppressed individuals is an area of increasing interest. Due to its neglect, enhancing access to diagnosis of patients at risk of suffering T. cruzi infection should be a priority at national and regional levels. nonendemic non countries phase employed operatordependence. operatordependence operator dependence. dependence operator-dependence IgGbased IgG based used accuracy PAHOWHO PAHO WHO principles surveys interest neglect T levels

Resumo As bacias costeiras do nordeste do Brasil usadas neste estudo compõem duas ecorregiões diferentes para peixes de água doce (Estuário do Amazonas e drenagens costeiras e Parnaíba) e duas áreas de endemismo para Characiformes (Maranhão e Parnaíba), exibindo uma diversificada e ainda pouco explorada fauna de peixes de água doce. A estrutura populacional e biogeografia de duas espécies migradoras de peixes de água doce exploradas comercialmente nas regiões do Maranhão e Parnaíba foram analisadas. Dados de sequências moleculares e análises estatísticas foram utilizados para estimar redes de haplótipos e tempos de divergência entre linhagens, e foram correlacionados com a história hidrográfica das drenagens e paleodrenagens da região. Um total de 171 sequências foram geradas para ambas espécies, Schizodon dissimilis (coI, n = 70) e Prochilodus lacustris (D-loop, n = 101). Todas análises identificaram a presença de três grupos geneticamente delimitados para S. dissimilis e seis grupos para P. lacustris. A análise de tempo de divergência das linhagens indicou uma diversificação entre estas espécies nos últimos 1 Ma. Os resultados indicam influência da geodispersão na formação da ictiofauna do Maranhão, devido eventos de capturas de cabeceira e conexões reticuladas entre as fozes dos rios ao longo da planície costeira devido às flutuações eustáticas do nível do mar.

Abstract The coastal basins in Northeastern Brazil used in this study make up two different ecoregions for freshwater fishes (Amazonas estuary and coastal drainages, and Parnaiba) and two areas of endemism for Characiformes (Maranhão and Parnaíba), and exhibits a diversified yet poorly explored freshwater fish fauna. The population structure and biogeography of two migratory freshwater fish species that are commercially exploited from Maranhão and Parnaíba regions were herein analyzed. Molecular sequence data and statistical analyses were used to estimate haplotypes networks and lineage divergence times and correlated with hydrographic history of drainage and paleodrainages of the region. A total of 171 sequences was produced for both species, Schizodon dissimilis (coI, n = 70) and Prochilodus lacustris (D-loop, n = 101). All analyses identified the presence of three genetically delimited groups of S. dissimilis and six groups of P. lacustris. The lineage time analyses indicate diversification among these species within the past 1 million year. The results indicate the influence of geodispersal in the formation of the ichthyofauna in the studied area through headwater stream capture events and reticulated connections between the mouths of rivers along the coastal plain due to eustatic sea level fluctuations.

Abstract Objective: We assessed prevalence of suicidal ideation and plans among illicit drug users and their association with contextual factors, by gender. Methods: Cross-sectional study. In a sample of 511 illicit drug users recruited during spring 2012 in drug treatment and prevention facilities in Catalonia (Spain), the prevalence of suicidal ideation/plans in the last 12 months was assessed. Poisson regression was used to examine associations between suicidal ideation/plans and various factors (socio-demographic, psychological, illegal drug market activities and marginal income generation activities, which included any reported sex work, stealing, peddling, begging or borrowing on credit from a dealer). Results: The average age was 37.9 years (standard deviation: 8.62); 76.3% were men. Suicidal ideation/plans were reported by 30.8% of men and 38.8% of women, with no significant differences by age or gender. Recent aggression (male prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.2; female PR = 1.4), psychological treatment (male PR = 1.2; female PR = 1.3) and illegal/marginal income generation activities (male PR = 1.5; female PR = 1.1) were associated with suicidal ideation/plans. Men who trafficked were more likely to have suicidal ideation/plans (PR = 1.3), while prison history was positive for women (PR = 1.8) and negative for men (PR = 0.7). Conclusions: Prevalence of suicidal ideation/plans was high among illicit drug users recruited from healthcare facilities. Besides psychological variables, participation in illegal market activities and crime ought to be considered in drug users’ suicidal prevention. Suicide risk needs to be evaluated in drug treatment facilities and psychological status and context contemplated.

Resumen Objetivo: Se evaluó la prevalencia de ideación y de planes suicidas entre los/las consumidores/as de drogas ilícitas y su asociación con factores contextuales, por sexo. Métodos: Estudio transversal. En una muestra de 511 consumidores/as de drogas ilícitas, reclutados/as durante la primavera de 2012 en centros de tratamiento y preventivos de Cataluña, se evaluó la presencia de ideación o plan suicida en los últimos 12 meses. Se utilizó una regresión de Poisson para examinar las asociaciones entre la ideación o el plan suicida y diversos factores (sociodemográficos, psicológicos, mercado de drogas y actividades marginales de generación de ingresos, considerándose trabajo sexual, robo, venta ambulante, mendicidad o endeudamiento con un traficante). Resultados: La edad media fue de 37,9 años (desviación estándar: 8,62). El 76,3% eran hombres. El 30,8% de los hombres y el 38,8% de las mujeres reportaron ideación o plan suicida, sin diferencias significativas por sexo y edad. La agresión reciente (razón de prevalencia [PR] hombres = 2,2, PR mujeres = 1,4), el tratamiento psicológico (PR hombres = 1,2, PR mujeres = 1,3) y las actividades ilegales o marginales de generación de ingresos (PR hombres = 1,5, PR mujeres = 1,1) se asociaron a la ideación o plan suicida. Los hombres que traficaban eran más propensos a tener ideación o plan suicida (PR = 1,3), mientras que la prisión lo fue positivamente para las mujeres (RP = 1,8) y negativamente para los hombres (PR = 0,7). Discusión: La prevalencia de ideación o plan suicida fue alta entre los/las consumidores/as de drogas ilícitas reclutados/as en centros sanitarios. El estado psicológico, la participación en actividades de mercado y el crimen deben considerarse especialmente para la prevención del suicidio. El riesgo de suicidio debe ser evaluado en los centros de tratamiento de drogas, contemplando el estado psicológico y el contexto.

Abstract Objective: We assessed prevalence of suicidal ideation and plans among illicit drug users and their association with contextual factors, by gender. Methods: Cross-sectional study. In a sample of 511 illicit drug users recruited during spring 2012 in drug treatment and prevention facilities in Catalonia (Spain), the prevalence of suicidal ideation/plans in the last 12 months was assessed. Poisson regression was used to examine associations between suicidal ideation/plans and various factors (socio-demographic, psychological, illegal drug market activities and marginal income generation activities, which included any reported sex work, stealing, peddling, begging or borrowing on credit from a dealer). Results: The average age was 37.9 years (standard deviation: 8.62); 76.3% were men. Suicidal ideation/plans were reported by 30.8% of men and 38.8% of women, with no significant differences by age or gender. Recent aggression (male prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.2; female PR = 1.4), psychological treatment (male PR = 1.2; female PR = 1.3) and illegal/marginal income generation activities (male PR = 1.5; female PR = 1.1) were associated with suicidal ideation/plans. Men who trafficked were more likely to have suicidal ideation/plans (PR = 1.3), while prison history was positive for women (PR = 1.8) and negative for men (PR = 0.7). Conclusions: Prevalence of suicidal ideation/plans was high among illicit drug users recruited from healthcare facilities. Besides psychological variables, participation in illegal market activities and crime ought to be considered in drug users’ suicidal prevention. Suicide risk needs to be evaluated in drug treatment facilities and psychological status and context contemplated.

Resumen Objetivo: Se evaluó la prevalencia de ideación y de planes suicidas entre los/las consumidores/as de drogas ilícitas y su asociación con factores contextuales, por sexo. Métodos: Estudio transversal. En una muestra de 511 consumidores/as de drogas ilícitas, reclutados/as durante la primavera de 2012 en centros de tratamiento y preventivos de Cataluña, se evaluó la presencia de ideación o plan suicida en los últimos 12 meses. Se utilizó una regresión de Poisson para examinar las asociaciones entre la ideación o el plan suicida y diversos factores (sociodemográficos, psicológicos, mercado de drogas y actividades marginales de generación de ingresos, considerándose trabajo sexual, robo, venta ambulante, mendicidad o endeudamiento con un traficante). Resultados: La edad media fue de 37,9 años (desviación estándar: 8,62). El 76,3% eran hombres. El 30,8% de los hombres y el 38,8% de las mujeres reportaron ideación o plan suicida, sin diferencias significativas por sexo y edad. La agresión reciente (razón de prevalencia [PR] hombres = 2,2, PR mujeres = 1,4), el tratamiento psicológico (PR hombres = 1,2, PR mujeres = 1,3) y las actividades ilegales o marginales de generación de ingresos (PR hombres = 1,5, PR mujeres = 1,1) se asociaron a la ideación o plan suicida. Los hombres que traficaban eran más propensos a tener ideación o plan suicida (PR = 1,3), mientras que la prisión lo fue positivamente para las mujeres (RP = 1,8) y negativamente para los hombres (PR = 0,7). Discusión: La prevalencia de ideación o plan suicida fue alta entre los/las consumidores/as de drogas ilícitas reclutados/as en centros sanitarios. El estado psicológico, la participación en actividades de mercado y el crimen deben considerarse especialmente para la prevención del suicidio. El riesgo de suicidio debe ser evaluado en los centros de tratamiento de drogas, contemplando el estado psicológico y el contexto.

Sweet potato is an important 'indigenised' root crop in South Africa. It features prominently in smallholder cropping systems because of its versatility, drought tolerance and positive role in food security. It outranks most staple crops in vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and protein content. Much information is available on sweet potato as a drought tolerant and food security crop, but critical reviews that link its drought tolerance with food security are lacking. We review sweet potato as a food security crop, focusing on mechanisms associated with drought. We conclude that the crop has great potential in the light of imminent challenges associated with drought as a negative effect of climate change.

Free flap transfer is an essential tool within the reconstructive repertoire for the surgical treatment of major burn patients. For a long time there has been controversy about the influence of the timing over the complication rate, as well as the increased complication risk when we perform reconstruction by means of free flaps in burn patients. We designed a retrospective study about free flap reconstructions performed in our Burns Unit at the Hospital Universitari y Politecnic La Fe, Valencia ( Spain), in the period from 2001 to 2013, collecting data related to the patient, the lesion, the reconstructive procedure, the results, and all this data related to timing. For the data analysis and associations between the different variables we used contingency tables and applied the Chi-square independence test. In addition we present 2 representative clinical reports about burn reconstructive surgery. Data from 21 reconstructive procedures with free flaps in burn patients were collected. Immediate primary reconstruction (in the first 5 days) is not performed in any patient, while early primary reconstruction (from day 5 to 21) was performed in 28,57 % of cases; the intermediate primary reconstruction (from day 21 to 6th week) was performed in 28,57 %, the secondary reconstruction (more than 6 weeks) in 9,5 % and sequelae surgery in 33,33 % of the cases. Major and minor complication rate were 19,05 % and 9,5 % respectively; 50 % of major complications happened in early primary reconstruction period, whereas no complication is registered in intermediate primary period, the rest of complications are equally divided between secondary reconstruction period and sequelae surgery (both of them 25 %). No statistically significant association between the variables is found in any of the comparisons performed. In conclusion, we think that reconstruction with free flaps applied to burn patients presents a higher major complication rate when performed in the early primary period (from day 5 to day 21 after the burn).

La transferencia de colgajos libres es una herramienta fundamental dentro del arsenal reconstructivo para el tratamiento quirúrgico del gran quemado. Durante años ha existido controversia sobre la influencia del momento de la cirugía sobre la tasa de complicaciones, así como el alto riesgo de complicaciones al realizar reconstrucciones con colgajos libres en pacientes quemados. Diseñamos un estudio retrospectivo de las reconstrucciones quirúrgicas mediante colgajos libres realizadas en nuestra Unidad de Quemados del Hospital Universitari y Politecnic La Fe, de Valencia (España) en el periodo comprendido entre 2001 y 2013, recogiendo todos los datos relativos al paciente, a la lesión, al procedimiento reconstructivo, a los resultados y relacionando todo ello con el momento en el cual se realizó la cirugía. Para el análisis de los datos y asociaciones entre distintas variables usamos tablas de contingencia y aplicamos el test de independencia de Chi-cuadrado. Exponemos además 2 casos clínicos representativos de la cirugía reconstructiva practicada en pacientes quemados. Recogimos en total datos de 21 procedimientos de reconstrucción mediante colgajo libre en pacientes quemados. En ninguno se realizó reconstrucción primaria inmediata (en los primeros 5 días), mientras que la reconstrucción primaria temprana (entre el día 5 y el 21) se realizó en el 28,57 % de los casos, la primaria intermedia (entre el día 21 y las 6 semanas) en el 28,57 %, la secundaria (más de 6 semanas) en el 9,5 %, y la cirugía de secuelas en el 33,33 % de los casos. Las tasas de complicaciones mayores y menores fueron respectivamente 19,05 % y 9,5 % . El 50 % de complicaciones mayores ocurrieron en el periodo de reconstrucción primaria temprana, mientras que no registramos ninguna en el periodo primario intermedio. El resto de complicaciones se repartió a partes iguales entre el periodo secundario y la cirugía de secuelas (ambas con el 25 %). No encontramos asociación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables en ninguna de las comparaciones realizadas. En conclusión, creemos que la reconstrucción mediante colgajos libres en pacientes quemados presenta un riesgo más elevado de complicaciones mayores cuando se realiza en el periodo primario temprano (entre los días 5 y 21 tras la quemadura).

O chá vem sendo considerado uma bebida saudável e com propriedades medicinais desde tempos bem remotos, mas recentemente tem ganhado grande interesse no meio científico devido a suas atividades como antioxidante. Os polifenóis do chá verde vêm demonstrando possuir atividades quimiopreventivas. Recentemente, pesquisadores descobriram que o EGCG, a principal catequina do chá verde, poderia ter efeito anti-HIV quando acoplado ao receptor CD4. Muitos fatores podem influenciar de forma significativa na composição do chá, como sua espécie, estação que foi colhida, idade da folha, clima e técnicas de cultura (solo, irrigação e fertilizantes). Este artigo vem apresentar uma metodologia analítica desenvolvida para análise em CLAE, usando coluna de fase reversa C-18 e fase móvel composta de água, acetonitrila, metanol, acetato de etila, ácido acético glacial (89:6:1:3:1 v/v/v/v/v) para análise simultânea de cafeína (CAF), catequina (C), epicatequina (EC) e galato de epicatequina (EGCG) em amostras de chá verde, cultivado no Brasil, e colhidas nas estações de primavera, verão e outono; comparando-os com o chá preto brasileiro, amostras de chá verde japonês e chinês e também com dois extratos padronizados importados de chá verde. O método foi avaliado estatisticamente e se mostrou adequado para analisar qualitativamente e quantitativamente as amostras.

Tea has been considered a medicine and a healthy beverage since ancient times, but recently it has received a great deal of attention because of its antioxidant properties. Green tea polyphenols have demonstrated to be an effective chemopreventive agent. Recently, investigators have found that EGCG, one of the green tea catechins, could have anti-HIV effects when bound to CD4 receptor. Many factors can constitute important influences on the composition of tea, such as species, season, age of the leaf, climate, and horticultural practices (soil, water, minerals, fertilizers). This paper presents an HPLC analytical methodology development, using column RP-18 and mobile phase composed by water, acetonitrile, methanol, ethyl acetate, glacial acetic acid (89:6:1:3:1 v/v/v/v/v) for simultaneous determination and quantification of caffeine (CAF), catechin (C), epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in samples of Camellia sinensis (green tea) grown in Brazil and harvested in spring, in summer and in autumn, in comparison to Brazilian black tea, to samples of Japanese and Chinese green tea and to two standardized dry extracts of green tea. The method has been statistically evaluated and has proved to be adequate to qualitative and quantitative determination of the samples.