RESUMO
Most people with diabetes suffer some deterioration of the feet. Diabetic foot syndrome causes ulceration in about 15% of cases and such deterioration leads to amputation in about 2.5% of diabetic patients, diminishing their quality of life and generating extraordinary costs for patients and public health systems. Currently, there is no objective method for the detection of diabetic foot syndrome in its early stages. We propose terahertz imaging as a method for the evaluation of such deterioration. This screening method could aid the prevention and medical treatment of this condition in the future.
Assuntos
Pé Diabético/diagnóstico por imagem , Interpretação de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , Imagem Terahertz/métodos , Adulto , Amputação Cirúrgica/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Pé Diabético/economia , Pé Diabético/psicologia , Pé Diabético/cirurgia , Feminino , Custos de Cuidados de Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prognóstico , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Fatores de Risco , Síndrome , Imagem Terahertz/instrumentaçãoRESUMO
The declining water availability for agriculture is becoming problematic for many countries. Therefore the study of plants under water restriction is acquiring extraordinary importance. Botanists currently follow the dehydration of plants comparing the fresh and dry weight of excised organs, or measuring their osmotic or water potentials; these are destructive methods inappropriate for in-vivo determination of plants' hydration dynamics. Water is opaque in the terahertz band, while dehydrated biological tissues are partially transparent. We used terahertz spectroscopy to study the water dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana by comparing the dehydration kinetics of leaves from plants under well-irrigated and water deficit conditions. We also present measurements of the effect of dark-light cycles and abscisic acid on its water dynamics. The measurements we present provide a new perspective on the water dynamics of plants under different external stimuli and confirm that terahertz can be an excellent non-contact probe of in-vivo tissue hydration.
Assuntos
Arabidopsis/fisiologia , Folhas de Planta/química , Espectroscopia Terahertz/métodos , Água/química , Ácido Abscísico/farmacologia , Arabidopsis/efeitos dos fármacos , Ritmo Circadiano , Desidratação , Pressão Osmótica , Reguladores de Crescimento de Plantas/farmacologia , Folhas de Planta/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Serological tests for Cowdria ruminantium infection have been hampered by low specificity. Here, an indirect ELISA based on purified antigen, a competitive ELISA using a recombinant major antigenic protein (MAP-1) and an indirect ELISA based on the MAP-1B region of the recombinant MAP-1 were compared. The tests were validated using 3000 sera of ruminants from 14 islands of the Lesser Antilles as well as sequential serum samples from 10 cattle, 17 goats and 10 sheep vaccinated with inactivated C. ruminantium in ISA 50 adjuvant and from 14 goats infected with a virulent culture supernatant. All tests detected significantly higher percentages of positives on Antigua, Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante, where C. ruminantium had been isolated before. Overall specificity calculated with sera from the other 11 heartwater-free islands was 98.1%, 98.5%, and 99.4% for the ELISA based on crude antigen, recombinant MAP-1 and MAP-1B, respectively. Sensitivities observed with sequential serum samples were similar for all tests. Tests based on recombinant antigens, especially the MAP-1B, showed improved specificity, suggesting their use for epidemiological studies in regions where the distribution of cowdriosis is unknown. In addition, the competitive ELISA is useful for studies in wildlife for which species-specific conjugates do not exist.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Antígenos de Bactérias , Ehrlichia ruminantium/imunologia , Hidropericárdio/diagnóstico , Animais , Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/imunologia , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/diagnóstico , Doenças dos Bovinos/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/métodos , Doenças das Cabras/diagnóstico , Doenças das Cabras/imunologia , Cabras , Hidropericárdio/imunologia , Proteínas Recombinantes/imunologia , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Ovinos , Doenças dos Ovinos/diagnóstico , Doenças dos Ovinos/imunologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/diagnóstico , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/imunologia , Carrapatos , Índias OcidentaisRESUMO
A genetic predisposition to resistance (R)/susceptibility (S) has been demonstrated for cowdriosis in certain goal lines. In order to identify genetic markers of R/S and to follow their transmission to the offspring, 4 groups of sires and dams were crossbred in 1991, 1992, and 1993: Rr, RS, SR, and SS. The offspring were challenged at the age of six months with subsequent challenge of the S parent. From 28 presumed S dams, 7 turned out R and from 2 presumed S sires, 1 was R and the other undefinable. The resistance rate was 76% for 21 RR kids and 45% for 20 RS kids. The R character seems to be better transmitted by dams than the S one. No difference was observed between R and S goats in terms of incubation period and body temperature level after challenge. There was no statistical effect found of sex, litter size, or birth mass on the R/S character; only a slight effect on daily mass gain was observed. Sperm has been collected from 4 S sires (died after challenge) and 5 R sires, and stored in liquid nitrogen in order to conceive additional SR and SS progeny. Several caprine leucocyte antigens seem to be genetic markers of R (Be 1, CLY) and of S (Be 9, Be 22, Be 23). Further powerful tools like microsatellites and probes defining other interesting loci possibly involved in disease pathogenesis are now at hand and will be included in future experiments.
Assuntos
Ehrlichia ruminantium , Doenças das Cabras , Cabras/genética , Infecções por Rickettsiaceae/veterinária , Animais , Cruzamentos Genéticos , Feminino , Marcadores Genéticos , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Cabras/imunologia , Imunidade Inata/genética , Larva , Masculino , Polimorfismo Genético , Probabilidade , Recombinação Genética , Infecções por Rickettsiaceae/diagnóstico , Infecções por Rickettsiaceae/imunologia , Espermatozoides/microbiologia , CarrapatosRESUMO
The Amblyomma variegatum eradication campaign was officially started in April 1994 in Martinique and in Guadeloupe, including its dependencies of Marie Galante, Desirade and St Martin. A budget of $10.5 and $5.9 million for Guadeloupe and Martinique, respectively, was initially (1991) calculated and considered necessary to achieve the program. However, EEC, the most important donor, estimated that 75% only of this proposal was acceptable, on which it agrees to support a maximum of 50%. The balance had to be provided by French government, local political institutions, and animal owners. The current budget actualized in 1995 by veterinary authorities of Martinique and Guadeloupe is $7,200,000 and $9,900,000 respectively. The program will take 5 years: preparation (1 year), acaricide application (3 years), surveillance (1 year). During this first year, a pilot committee was established, and a project leader was designated for each island. Efforts were essentially oriented to organize the program in the field and to obtain funds from French and local counterparts. Funds allowed the recruitment and training of 19 new agents in Guadeloupe and 9 in Martinique, in addition to personnel already involved in the tick control program. Census of animal owners and identification of cattle started or were developed. Tenders were invited to provide vehicles and acaricides. For the latter, choices were made considering the prices and efficacy as well as funds available. Due to a limited budget and cost of pour-on formulations, pour-on acaricides will be used on a maximum of 30% of animals only. In order to investigate animal owners' reticences and the most appropriate media channels to establish a communication and a training program, a survey was conducted in Guadeloupe on a sample of 301 animal owners. The results are presented. In order to strengthen the chances of success of the campaign in the French islands, it is expected that a similar program will take place soon in infested neighboring islands.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos , Inseticidas , Controle de Ácaros e Carrapatos/organização & administração , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Carrapatos , Animais , Orçamentos , Bovinos , Custos e Análise de Custo , Cães , Cabras , Política , Densidade Demográfica , Ruminantes , Inquéritos e Questionários , Suínos , Controle de Ácaros e Carrapatos/economia , Controle de Ácaros e Carrapatos/tendências , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/prevenção & controle , Índias OcidentaisRESUMO
A serological survey was performed of 1788 cattle, goats and sheep on 13 islands in the Lesser Antilles. Sera were tested by microscopic agglutination (MAT) using a panel of 22 live antigens. Evidence of past exposure, at a titer of > or = 100, was found in 101 animals (5.6%). Antibodies were more common in cattle and goats (7.2% in each) than in sheep (1.7%). Seroprevalence was highest in cattle in Martinique (20%) and in goats in St. Vincent (23%). The predominant serogroups were Sejroe (largely confined to cattle in Martinique), Autumnalis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, and Cynopteri. Eleven cattle from Martinique and 2 sheep with titers of > or = 800 showed evidence of recent infection.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos , Doenças das Cabras , Leptospirose/veterinária , Doenças dos Ovinos , Animais , Região do Caribe/epidemiologia , Bovinos , Geografia , Cabras , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Testes Sorológicos , Ovinos , Índias Ocidentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A serological survey was performed of 1788 cattle, goats and sheep on 13 islands in the Lesser Antilles. Sera were tested by microscopic agglutination (MAT) using a panel of 22 live antigens. Evidence of past exposure, at a titer of > or = 100, was found in 101 animals (5.6 percent). Antibodies were more common in cattle and goats (7.2 percent in each) than in sheep (1.7 percent). Seroprevalence was highest in cattle in Martinique (20 percent) and in goats in St. Vincent (23 percent). The predominant serogroups were Sejroe (largely confined to cattle in Martinique), Autumnalis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, and Cynopteri. Eleven cattle from Martinique and 2 sheep with titers of > or = 800 showed evidence of recent infection. (AU)
Assuntos
21003 , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos , Doenças das Cabras , Doenças dos Ovinos , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , Leptospirose/veterinária , Região do Caribe/epidemiologia , Bovinos , Geografia , Cabras , Prevalência , Testes Sorológicos , Ovinos , Índias Ocidentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum, is an African tick species which infests livestock and wildlife. It was probably introduced in the central eastern islands of the Caribbean during the 18th or 19th century, with cattle shipped from Senegal. In Africa and the Caribbean, this tick is a vector of heartwater (a rickettsial disease of ruminants) and is associated with acute dermatophilosis (a bacterial skin disease of animals). Until 1948, only Guadeloupe and the neighbouring islands of Marie Galante and Antigua were infested with this tick species. Following increased agricultural commerce between Guadeloupe and Martinique, the latter became infested in 1948. Between 1967 (when the tick was identified in St Croix) and 1988 (when a male tick was reported in St Vincent), fourteen new islands were reached by this tick. Most of the dissemination of the tick to new islands cannot be explained by legal or illegal movements of livestock. Recently-determined circumstantial evidence strongly links the increase in populations of the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), a migrating bird established in the Caribbean circa 1960, with increased colonisation of new islands by A. variegatum. Considering the wide range of areas currently occupied by this bird species in the Greater Antilles and on the American mainland, there is a high probability that the tick will also expand its range and invade new areas. Eradication of A. variegatum from the Caribbean and thus from the western hemisphere, and the strengthening of measures to prevent inter-island movements of livestock, would be the only effective means of preventing this threat.
Assuntos
Animais Domésticos/parasitologia , Vetores Aracnídeos/fisiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Carrapatos/fisiologia , Animais , Doenças das Aves/epidemiologia , Doenças das Aves/transmissão , Aves , Feminino , Masculino , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Infestações por Carrapato/transmissão , Índias Ocidentais/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The most important ticks transmitting diseases to ruminants in the Caribbean islands are: Amblyomma variegatum, vector of cowdriosis and associated with acute dermatophilosis; Amblyomma cajennense, potential vector of cowdriosis; Boophilus microplus, vector of babesiosis and anaplasmosis. At the present time, Amblyomma variegatum is widespread in the Lesser Antilles from Barbados to Puerto Rico. The intensity of the tick control program varies in the different islands and the tick infestation in each island ranges from limited foci to widespread infestations. The vector situation appeared stable since 1988 in the Lesser Antilles but the outbreak in 1992 in Puerto Rico emphasized the risk of spread to other islands and to the American mainland, particularly with cattle egrets. Cowdriosis remains apparently limited to Guadeloupe and Antigua. Amblyomma cajennense, experimental vector of cowdriosis, is present in Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad but also in most American countries. Boophilus microplus is widespread throughout the Caribbean. Its presence and importance are often indirectly estimated by the clinical and serological diagnosis of babesiosis and anaplasmosis. There is no correlation between the intensity of Amblyomma variegatum control in each island of the Lesser Antilles and the effect on the Boophilus microplus population measured by the seroprevalence to babesiosis and anaplasmosis, but within the island of Martinique a regular Amblyomma variegatum control decreases the seroprevalences to babesiosis and anaplasmosis.
Assuntos
Anaplasmose/transmissão , Babesiose/transmissão , Infecções por Rickettsiaceae/veterinária , Controle de Ácaros e Carrapatos , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/veterinária , Anaplasmose/epidemiologia , Animais , Babesiose/epidemiologia , Região do Caribe/epidemiologia , Ehrlichia ruminantium , Insetos Vetores , Infecções por Rickettsiaceae/epidemiologia , Infecções por Rickettsiaceae/transmissão , Ruminantes , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/transmissão , CarrapatosRESUMO
The most important ticks transmitting diseases to ruminants in the Caribbean islands are: Amblyomma variegatum, vector of cowdriosis and associated with acute dermatophilosis: Amblyomma cajennense, potential vector of cowdriosis; Boophilus microplus, vector of babesiosis and anaplasmosis. At the present time, Amblyomma variegatum is widespread in the Lesser Antilles from Barbados to Puerto Rico. The inensity of the tick control program varies in the different islands and the tick infestation in each island ranges from limited foci to widespread infestations. The vector situation appeared stable since 1988 in the Lesser Antilles but the outbreak in 1992 in Puerto Rico emphasized the risk of spread to other islands and to the American mainland, particularly with cattle egrets. Cowdriosis remains apparently limited to Guadeloupe and Antigua. Amblyomma cajennense, experimental vector of cowdriosis, is present in Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad but also in most American countries. Boophilus microplus is widespread throughout the Caribbean. Its presence and importance are often indirectly estimated by the clinical and serological diagnosis of babesiosis and anaplasmosis. There is no correlation between the intensity of Amblyomma variegatum control in each island of the Lesser Antilles and the effect on the Boophilus microplus population measured by the seroprevalence to babesiosis and anaplasmosis, but within the island of Martinique a regular Amblyomma variegatum control decreases the seroprevalences to babesiosis and anaplasmosis (AU)