Immunomodulatory effect of sp. in mononuclear cells extracted from the blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: Pathophysiological mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis arise because of a proinflammatory environment, generated by the interaction of autoreactive lymphocytes and proinflammatory mediators. Current strategies to mitigate the progression of the disease produce adverse effects, so there is a need for new therapeutic strategies and molecular targets to treat this disease. In this context, evidence suggests that scorpion venoms could modulate the immune response and some important cellular mechanisms of pharmacological interest.

Health evaluation of free-ranging and captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) in the Gran chaco, Bolivia.

Bolivia has a total of 47 species of Psittacidae, seven of which have been identified in our study site, the semiarid Gran Chaco of the Isoso. One species, the blue-fronted parrot (Amazona aestiva), is frequently captured by local Isoseño Guaraní Indians for exploitation on the national and international market. These birds are often temporarily housed in small villages under unhygienic conditions with poultry and other domestic species.

Increases in hypertension and blood pressure during pregnancy with increased bone lead levels.

Prior studies have revealed associations of current lead exposure (blood lead) and past lead exposure (bone lead) with risks of hypertension and elevated blood pressure. The authors examined the effects of blood and bone lead on hypertension and elevated blood pressure in the third trimester and postpartum among 1,006 women enrolled in Los Angeles prenatal care clinics between 1995 and 2001. The authors measured bone lead concentration by K-shell x-ray fluorescence in the tibia (mean = 8.

Sarcoptic mange in free-ranging pampas foxes in the Gran Chaco, Bolivia.

Sarcoptes scabiei infestation was diagnosed in two freshly dead free-ranging pampas foxes (Pseudalopex gymnocercus) in the Gran Chaco, Bolivia. Diagnosis was made based on histologic evaluation of skin biopsies and identification of the parasite from skin scrapings. Characteristic gross lesions consistent with mange were noted in 19 of 94 observations of free-ranging pampas foxes in the region from December 1998 to January 2000.