Abstract The Medellin Metaharzburgitic Unit (MMU), emplaced onto the western continental margin of Pangea during Triassic time, is located in the Central Cordillera of Colombia and consists of metaharzburgites, minor metadunites and chromitite bodies (Patio Bonito and San Pedro ore deposits). The ultramafic rocks contain relicts of mantle-derived olivine, chromian spinel and minor orthopyroxene, and a later metamorphic mineral assemblage composed by tremolite, chlorite, talc, fine-grained recrystallized olivine, serpentine-group minerals, magnetite, and secondary chromian spinel, formed during the thermal evolution of the unit. The Cr# [Cr/(Cr+Al) atomic ratio] of the accessory primary chromian spinel in the metaperidotites ranges from 0.58 to 0.62 and overlaps those of supra-subduction peridotites from ophiolites. According to textural and compositional variations, the accessory chromian spinel in the metaperidotites can be classified into three groups: i) partially altered chromian spinel with an Al-rich core, ii) porous, Cr-Fe2+-enriched and Al-Mg-depleted chromian spinel, and iii) homogeneous Fe3+-rich chromian spinel. These variations can be related to superimposed medium-T metamorphism that reached amphibolite facies (ca. 600 ºC). Chromitite bodies associated with the metaperidotites have massive and semi-massive textures, and mainly consist of chromian spinel crystals, which show large unaltered cores surrounded by thin alteration rims of ferrian chromian spinel and chlorite. Chromitites are Al-rich (#Cr <0.6) and strongly depleted in platinum group elements (ΣPGE <41 ppb). The primary petrological and geochemical characteristics preserved in the metaperidotites and chromitites indicate that the MMU formed at shallow levels of a suboceanic lithospheric mantle related to a supra-subduction zone (back-arc basin/incipient arc scenario), and that the chromitites crystallized from a tholeiitic magma (back-arc basin basalt type).

Resumen La Unidad Metaharzburgítica de Medellín (UMM), emplazada en el margen continental de Pangea durante el Triásico, localizada en la Cordillera Central de Colombia, comprende metaharzburgitas y en menor proporción metadunitas y cuerpos de cromitita (depósitos de Patio Bonito y San Pedro). Estas rocas contienen olivino mantélico, Cr-espinela y en menor proporción ortopiroxeno, además de una asociación metamórfica posterior compuesta por tremolita, clorita, talco, olivino recristalizado de grano fino, minerales del grupo de la serpentina, magnetita y Cr-espinela secundaria, formada durante los procesos de evolución térmica de esta unidad. La Cr-espinela primaria tiene #Cr [Cr/(Cr+Al)] entre 0.58 y 0.62, similar a los valores de las peridotitas de zonas de suprasubducción. La Cr-espinela accesoria se puede clasificar en tres grupos según sus variaciones texturales y composicionales: i) Cr-espinela parcialmente alterada con un núcleo rico en Al, ii) Cr-espinela porosa, enriquecida en Cr-Fe2+ y empobrecida en Al-Mg, y iii) Cr-espinela homogénea rica en Fe3+. Las variaciones texturales y composicionales de las Cr-espinelas accesorias son evidencia de un metamorfismo superpuesto que alcanzó facies anfibolita (ca. 600 ºC). Los cuerpos de cromitita asociados a las metaperidotitas tienen texturas masivas y semi-masivas y comprenden núcleos de Cr-espinela inalterada rodeados por bordes de Cr-espinela férrica y clorita. Las cromititas son ricas en Al (grado refractario: #Cr en la Cr-espinela primaria <0.6) y un contenido total muy bajo de elementos del grupo de platino (ΣPGE <41 ppb). Las características petrológicas y geoquímicas primarias de las metaperidotitas y las cromititas indican que estas últimas cristalizaron a partir de un magma toleítico (tipo basalto de cuenca de trasarco) y que la UMM representa niveles someros del manto litosférico suboceánico relacionado con una zona de suprasubducción (cuenca de trasarco/arco incipiente).

O estudo tem por objetivo identificar a situação vacinal de idosos quanto às vacinas antinfluenza, a dupla tipo adulto, constituída dos toxicóides tetânico e diftérico, e à antipneumocócica polissacarrídea 23 valente, relacionando-a com aspectos demográficos, com a qualidade de vida, o índice de funcionalidade e a motivação para o autocuidado. O estudo é do tipo transversal, com uma amostra de 509 idosos. A média de idade foi de 70,30 anos e predominou o gênero feminino. A situação vacinal foi: antinfluenza - 76,4%; dupla adulto - 73,9%; e antipneumocócica polissacarrídea 23 valente - 6,7 %. Não se constatou uma diferença significativa na relação da prevalência das vacinas com o gênero, mas houve uma diferença considerável entre os grupos que fizeram ou não a vacina dupla adulto e alguns domínios de Qualidade de Vida. Os resultados também evidenciaram uma diferença significativa na independência funcional entre o grupo que recebeu e o grupo que não recebeu a vacina antipneumocócica polissacarrídea 23 valente.

This study aimed to identify the immunization status of the elderly in relation to the influenza, diphtheria-tetanus and pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent vaccines, relating status to demographic aspects, quality of life, level of functionality and motivation for self-care. The study had a sample of 509 individuals. The mean age was 70.30 years and the female gender prevailed. The immunization status was: influenza- 76.4%; diphtheria-tetanus- 73.9%; and pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent - 6.7%. No significant difference was found in the relation between the prevalence of vaccination and gender, but there was a considerable difference between the groups who had or had not received the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine and some areas of Quality of Life. The results also showed a significant difference in terms of functional independence between the group that received and the group that did not receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent vaccine.

O estudo tem por objetivo identificar a situação vacinal de idosos quanto às vacinas antinfluenza, a dupla tipo adulto, constituída dos toxicóides tetânico e diftérico, e à antipneumocócica polissacarrídea 23 valente, relacionando-a com aspectos demográficos, com a qualidade de vida, o índice de funcionalidade e a motivação para o autocuidado. O estudo é do tipo transversal, com uma amostra de 509 idosos. A média de idade foi de 70,30 anos e predominou o gênero feminino. A situação vacinal foi: antinfluenza - 76,4%; dupla adulto - 73,9%; e antipneumocócica polissacarrídea 23 valente - 6,7 %. Não se constatou uma diferença significativa na relação da prevalência das vacinas com o gênero, mas houve uma diferença considerável entre os grupos que fizeram ou não a vacina dupla adulto e alguns domínios de Qualidade de Vida. Os resultados também evidenciaram uma diferença significativa na independência funcional entre o grupo que recebeu e o grupo que não recebeu a vacina antipneumocócica polissacarrídea 23 valente.

This study aimed to identify the immunization status of the elderly in relation to the influenza, diphtheria-tetanus and pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent vaccines, relating status to demographic aspects, quality of life, level of functionality and motivation for self-care. The study had a sample of 509 individuals. The mean age was 70.30 years and the female gender prevailed. The immunization status was: influenza- 76.4%; diphtheria-tetanus- 73.9%; and pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent - 6.7%. No significant difference was found in the relation between the prevalence of vaccination and gender, but there was a considerable difference between the groups who had or had not received the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine and some areas of Quality of Life. The results also showed a significant difference in terms of functional independence between the group that received and the group that did not receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent vaccine.

Dois derivados cumarínicos, o ester metílico do ácido 4-esculetinocarboxílico (1) e o éster etílico do ácido 4-esculetinocarboxílico (2), foram isolados da esponja marinha Axinella cf. corrugata. A determinação estrutural dos compostos isolados foi realizada pela análise de seus dados espectroscópicos e pela síntese do composto 2. Estes são os primeiros derivados cumarínicos isolados de uma esponja marinha. O éster etílico 2 apresentou atividade in vitro contra a SARS 3Cl-protease e de inibição de células Vero infectadas com o SARS coronavírus, em concentrações que não provocaram citotoxicidade.

Two coumarin derivatives, esculetin-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1) and esculetin-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (2), have been isolated from the marine sponge Axinella cf. corrugata. Structure determination included analysis of spectroscopic data and total synthesis of compound 2. These are the first coumarin derivatives isolated from a marine sponge. The ethyl ester 2 was found to be an in vitro inhibitor of SARS 3CL-protease and an effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV replication in Vero cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations.

In a four-year period (July/2001-June/2005), 410 Haemophilus spp. isolates were studied. Those were isolated from sputum at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição (NSC) in Porto Alegre city (RS). beta-lactamase enzyme was detected in 113 (27.6%) of isolates through chromogenic cephalosporin method. Fifty-eight (51.3%) of them showed sensibility to ampicillin through disc-diffusion method using Haemophilus Test Medium (HTM) by NCCLS criteria. In 297 (72.4%) isolates beta-lactamase was not detected by chromogenic cephalosporin method. Five (1.7%) of them were resistant and 1 (0.3%) intermediate to ampicillin using disc-diffusion method. The authors emphasized the importance of Haemophilus spp. resistance to ampicillin research in clinical laboratories routine and the use of more than one method for this analysis was proposed, due to different resistance mechanisms in Haemophilus spp.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed a household latrine revision intervention implemented in Kabul, Afghanistan for evidence of a reduction in diarrhoeal disease. METHODS: A case-control design involving 1238 cases and 625 controls was used. Logistic regression modelling was performed both for children <5 years and <11 years, and the parameter estimates were later used with results from a stratified cluster sample survey. This survey used a verbal autopsy methodology to enable an estimation of the number of deaths averted over a 1-year period. A cost-effectiveness analysis using direct and indirect costs for the intervention was then conducted and the results compared with primary health care interventions identified from a Medline search. FINDINGS: Conditional logistic regression showed that patients were less likely than controls to live in households with revised latrines (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.42 - 0.77 for children <5 years, and OR 0.53, 95% = CI 0.41 - 0.67 for children <11 years). The results from the survey of cause-specific mortality by verbal autopsy enabled estimation of the number of deaths averted over a 1-year period due to the intervention; these estimations were 235 (95% CI = 109 - 360) for children <5 years and 285 (95% CI = 180 - 397) for children <11 years. Estimates of cost effectiveness ranged from approximately US$ 1800 to US$ 4100 per death averted depending on age and payer perspective. CONCLUSION: These estimates are conservative because only 1 year of effectiveness is considered, yet they compare favourably with a review of other paediatric interventions. These results are important because funding for sanitation interventions is often limited by the belief that the interventions are not cost-effective.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar una intervención de renovación de letrinas domésticas llevada a cabo en Kabul, Afganistán, para comprobar si efectivamente se habían reducido las enfermedades diarreicas. MÉTODOS: Se hizo un estudio de casos y controles que abarcó a 1238 casos y 625 testigos. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística a los niños menores de 5 años y a los niños de 11 años o menos, y los parámetros estimados se emplearon a continuación con los resultados de una encuesta de muestras estratificadas por conglomerados. En dicha encuesta se usó el método de las autopsias verbales para estimar el número de defunciones evitadas durante un periodo de un año. Se realizó un análisis de costoeficacia basado en los costos directos e indirectos de la intervención, y los resultados se compararon con los de otras intervenciones de atención primaria identificadas en una búsqueda en MEDLINE. RESULTADOS: La regresión logística condicional mostró que los pacientes tenían menos probabilidades que los controles de vivir en hogares con letrinas renovadas (razón de posibilidades (OR) = 0,57, intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95% = 0,42 a 0,77 para los niños < 5 años, y OR = 0,53, IC95% = 0,41 - 0,67, para los niños < 11 años). Los resultados de la encuesta sobre mortalidad por causas específicas mediante autopsias verbales permitieron estimar el número de defunciones evitadas a lo largo de un periodo de un año gracias a la intervención; esas estimaciones fueron de 235 (IC95% = 109 - 360) para los niños < 5 años y de 285 (IC95% = 180 - 397) para los niños < 11 años. Las estimaciones de la costoeficacia oscilaron entre aproximadamente US$ 1800 y US$ 4100 por muerte evitada, según la edad y la entidad que asumiera los costos. CONCLUSIÓN: Las estimaciones obtenidas son moderadas porque sólo se considera un periodo de un año de eficacia, pese a lo cual salen favorecidas si se comparan con otras intervenciones pediátricas. Estos resultados son importantes porque la financiación de las intervenciones de saneamiento suele resentirse como consecuencia de la creencia de que esas intervenciones no son costoeficaces.

INTRODUCTION: Nous avons évalué une intervention de rénovation des latrines domestiques à Kaboul (Afghanistan) afin de mettre en évidence une éventuelle réduction des maladies diarrhéiques. MÉTHODES: Une étude cas-témoins portant sur 1238 cas et 625 témoins a été réalisée. Un modèle de régression logistique a été établi pour les enfants de moins de 5 ans et pour ceux de 0 à 11 ans ; les estimations obtenues ont par la suite été utilisées avec les résultats d'un sondage par grappes stratifié dans lequel on a appliqué la méthode d'autopsie verbale pour estimer le nombre de décès évités sur une période d'un an. On a ensuite effectué une analyse de coût-efficacité en prenant en compte les coûts directs et indirects de l'intervention et comparé les résultats à ceux d'interventions de soins de santé primaires recensées lors d'une recherche sur Medline. RÉSULTATS: L'étude de régression logistique conditionnelle a montré que les cas avaient une plus faible probabilité que les témoins d'habiter dans des foyers disposant de latrines rénovées (odds ratio (OR) = 0,57, intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95 % : 0,42-0,77 pour les enfants de moins de 5 ans, et OR = 0,53, IC 95 % : 0,41-0,67 pour les enfants de 0 à 11 ans). Les résultats de l'enquête par autopsie verbale sur la mortalité spécifiquement due à la diarrhée ont permis d'estimer le nombre de décès évités sur une période d'un an grâce à l'intervention, soit 235 (IC 95 % : 109-360) chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans et 285 (IC 95 % : 180-397) chez les 0-11 ans. Les estimations du rapport coût-efficacité allaient d'environ US$ 1800 à US$ 4100 par décès évité, selon l'âge considéré et le point de vue adopté pour le calcul des coûts. CONCLUSION: Il s'agit ici d'estimations prudentes puisque les calculs ne portent que sur une période d'un an, mais qui se comparent favorablement aux résultats d'autres interventions pédiatriques. Ces résultats sont importants, car le financement des interventions sanitaires est souvent limité par un certain scepticisme quant au rapport coût-efficacité des interventions.

One hundred and ten specimens of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Pimelodidae) and 582 specimens of Schizodon borelli (Anostomidae) collected in the high Paraná River were analyzed. On necropsy 74% of P. corruscans were found to be parasitized; proteocephalidean cestodes presented the greatest number. With regard to S. borelli, the percentage of parasitism reached 19.42% and the nematode Cucullanus pinnai was the most abundant. The absence of correlation between the endoparasitic diversity and the standard length of the two host species indicates that each one presents homogeneity in alimentary behaviour during all its life time, permiting the uniform recruitment of the same species of endoparasites during all its ontogenetic development. Independence of diversity values in relation to sex of P. corruscans and S. borelli evidences that the ecological relationships are similar between males and females in these species. Both host's infrapopulations presented a typical overdispersed pattern of distribution with isolationist characteristics.

One hundred and ten specimens of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Agassiz, 1829) (Pimelodidae), "pintado", and 582 specimens of Schizodon borelli (Boulenger, 1900) (Anostomidae), "piava", collected in the floodplain of the high Paraná River were analyzed. P. corruscans presented 74.54% of parasitism while S. borelli presented 19.42%. Results of the present research show that in the case of P. corruscans, two species of proteocephalideans presented a significant relationship with the type of environment with regard to prevalence. Spasskyelina spinulifera (Woodland, 1935) was the only species that presented a relationship between the intensity of infection and the environment. In S. borelli only Cucullanus pinnai Travassos. Artigas & Pereira, 1928 presented a relationship with the environment. In this case the mean intensity was greater in lentic environments. The high values of the similarity index in the three environments studied indicate a considerable homogeneity of the endohelminths' species with regard to P. corruscans and S. borelli. This is probably due to what occurs with environments during the high water period when they are interlinked. The hydrological level was a less influential variable in endoparasitic infrapopulations of the hosts studied. In P. corruscans only three species, S. spinulifera, Nomimoscolex sudobim Woodland, 1934 and Megatnylacus travassosi Pavanelli & Rego, 1992 presented higher mean intensities in the high water period. This fact was also observed in the case of C. pinnai in S. borelli.

Os Autores, após terem demonstrado no laboratório a atividade "in vitro" de 119 produtos naturais de origem vegetal no bloqueio da evolução externa de Ancilostomídeos e S. stercoralis, pesquisaram a aplicação prática da Profilaxia ecológica fitoquímica das respectivas endemias parasitárias. A investigação foi realizada em dois grupos populacionais de favelados da Ilha do Governador (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil), ao longo de 26 meses de intenso trabalho que compreendeu: 1) seleção e levantamento demográfico das áreas; 2) inquérito geral para determinação da incidência parasitária; 3) introdução dos vegetais ativos em uma das áreas, ficando a outra como controle; 4) tratamento em massa de ambas as populações, repetido 10 meses depois; 5) três controles epidemiológicos, após cada tratamento e a intervalos constantes de 60 a 70 dias, para verificação das reinfestações e do confronto final da prevalência das helmintoses nas duas áreas. Das plantas introduzidas somente se adaptou o C. citratus que atingiu uma concentração média de uma touceira por 10 m². Os níveis de ancilostomose cairam na área plantada de 23,2% para 2,2% e na área controle de 14,5% para 5,8%, durante o período de 21 meses da investigação. A estrongiloidose desceu de 17,1% para 0,6% na área tratada fitoecologicamente e de 13,0% para 2,9% na área controle. Da população inicialmente examinada, 46% foram acompanhados até o término da experiência. A redução da prevalência de ancilostomídeos, 30,5% superior na área plantada, é considerada estatisticamente significativa e, portanto, o novo método profilático válido e viável. Para conclusão definitiva, já teve início uma pesquisa comparada, sob rigorosas condições de controle. Tudo indica que o método ora instituído, pioneiro na literatura mundial, seja de grande valor profilático reduzindo sensivelmente a prevalência, após tratamento em massa das populações, nas áreas endêmicas. Pelas suas características, tais como aceitação popular, pequeno custo operacional e, sobretudo, obtenção de resultados a curto prazo, será altamente oportuno, considerando-se que os recursos convencionais são baseados na educação e engenharia sanitárias, cujos resultados são obtidos a médio e longo prazos e sempre dependentes de cada indivíduo. Além da aplicação médico-sanitária, a presente pesquisa poderá estabelecer possibilidades na profilaxia de certas fitonoses e zoonoses de grande importância econômica na agropecuária.

The previously reported activity of natural products of plant origin which inhibit the external larval evolution of Ancylostomidae and of Strongyloides stercoralis, has now been applied in the pratical ecological prophylaxis of human parasitic disease. The study was made in two populations of low economic level inhabiting shanty towns on the Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. During 26 months the following phases were completed: 1 - selection and census ofeach area; 2 - parasitological survey; 3 - mass treatment of both populations with the anthelminthics pyrantel pamoate and thiabendazole, this treatment repeated 10 months later; 4 - introduction of plants with parasitic inhibitory activity in one area, leaving the other as control; 5 - three epidemiological Controls, one after each treatment and then at intervals of 60 to 70 days to determine the prevalence and reinfection leveis of the two parasites in each area. Of the plants introduced only lemon-grass, Cymbopogon citratus, survived and attained an average density of one dump per 10 m². Ancylostomiasis levels fell in the plantedarea from 23.2% to 2.2% and in the control are from 14.5% to 5.8% during the twenty-one month study. Strongyloidiasis fell from 17.1% to 0.6% in the planted area, and from 13% to 2.9% in the control area. 46% of the initially examined populations were followed through to the end. The reduction in prevalence of hookworms, 30.5% higher in the planted area, is considered statistically significant, and the method therefore valid and viable. Supporting evidence is being sought in a parallel experiment with animais where complete control is possible. The method, apparently novel, seems of value in the reduction of reinfection after mass treatment in endemic areas. It is popularly acceptable, cheap and produces quick results and may bridge the gap until definitive measures such as sanitary education and engineering produce their longer term solution. In addition to the medicai and sanitary application, the results presented suggest applications in the veterinary and phytosanitary fields.