Critical analysis of molluscicide application in schistosomiasis control programs in Brazil

In Brazil,Biomphalaria glabrata,B.tenagophila,and B.straminea are naturally infected by the trematode Schistosoma mansoni,the causative agent of schistosomiasis.Despite decades of governmental efforts through official control programs,schistosomiasis remains an important public health problem in the country:thousands of people are infected with the trematode each year and millions live in endemic areas.The World Health Organization recommends using a combination of molluscicide(niclosamide)and mass chemotherapy to control the transmission of schistosomiasis,with this treatment successfully reducing the morbidity of the disease.In the past,niclosamide has been used in official schistosomiasis control programs in Brazil.However,as B.glabrata recolonizes even after molluscicide application,the use of molluscicides has gradually decreased in the country until they were discontinued in 2002,mainly due to the rising global pressure to preserve the environment and the difficulties of obtaining licenses from the Brazilian Ministry of Environment to use toxic substances in aquatic ecosystems.Therefore,the discovery of new molluscicides,which could be more selective to Biomphalaria species and less harmful to the aquatic ecosystem,is necessary.In addition,political efforts to sensitize funders to provide grants for this field of research are required.In this context,this article aims to make a critical analysis of molluscicide application in schistosomiasis control programs in Brazil.

Pain and quality of life in leprosy patients in an endemic area of Northeast Brazil:a cross-sectional study

Background:Pain emerges as a challenge in the treatment of leprosy patients.In this study,we describe the prevalence and type of pain in patients with leprosy,and its effect on patients’quality of life in an endemic area of Northeast Brazil.Findings:A cross-sectional survey of 260 patients attending leprosy reference centres in Sergipe,Northeast Brazil was conducted.Individuals were assessed for the presence and type of pain,skin sensory loss,peripheral nerve enlargement,touch and pinprick sensations,mechanical allodynia and nerve palpation.Participants completed the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire,and we also used the Brief Pain Inventory scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF instrument to arrive at our results.One hundred and ninety-five(75%)patients reported pain,mostly of the neuropathic type.Pain was moderate in 84(43.1%)and severe in 94(48.2%)participants.The presence of pain was associated with disability(p=0.001),leprosy reactions(p=0.004)and lower quality of life.Most patients with neuropathic pain were treated with steroids,despite their low efficacy for this type of pain.Conclusion:Pain is highly prevalent among leprosy patients and is associated with low quality of life.Leprosy management should include a systematic assessment of the type of pain a patient experiences in order to provide adequate treatment.

Ni-Cr合金钎焊单层金刚石砂轮界面结构的研究

以 Ni Cr合金粉做钎料适当控制钎焊工艺条件 ,成功研制了单层钎焊金刚石砂轮 .利用扫描电镜和 X射线能谱 ,结合金相及试样逐层的 X射线衍射结构分析 ,剖析了 Ni Cr合金与金刚石和钢基体钎焊界面的微区组织结构 ,揭示了 Ni Cr合金对金刚石和钢基体的浸润性及钎焊机理 .钎焊过程中 Ni Cr合金中的 Cr元素在金刚石界面形成富 Cr层并与金刚石表面的 C元素反应生成 Cr7C3;在钢基体结合界面上 Ni Cr合金和钢基体中的元素相互扩散形成冶金结合 .这是实现合金层与金刚石及钢基体之间都有较高结合强度的主要因素 。

阿米莉亚·埃尔哈特:消失在太平洋上空的传奇

阿米莉亚·埃尔哈特在世时在全世界各地素有声名。她那略带羞怯的魅力、独立的个性、坚韧的性格、压力之下展现的冷静镇定。

全氢冷发电机定子线圈接头补焊工艺

大型全氢冷发电机定子线圈接头为线夹结构,焊接比较困难,经常会发生焊接不合格。文章对焊接质量不良接头的补焊工艺进行了研究,并对定子线圈结构特点及使用要求进行详细分析,制定了合理的补焊结构和补焊工艺,成功对定子线圈线夹焊缝进行了补焊。