Potential of locally sustainable food baits and traps against the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata in Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Small-scale farmers often take a double hit from pests such as tephritid fruit-flies. The high price of products against fruit-flies, together with the higher risk of reinfestation from neighboring orchards, limits options for control. Therefore, management requires low-cost local products and concerted action. Peach production in central Bolivia is increasingly affected by invasive Ceratitis capitata. To provide locally sustainable techniques that could incentivize area-wide cooperation of growers, we tested efficiency and specificity of low-cost lures and traps compared with commercial lures and traps (Tephritrap). RESULTS: In the laboratory, the local fermented beverage 'chicha' and baker's yeast were equally or more attractive than commercial lures. Both chicha and baker's yeast trapped more flies in field (average FTD 10.31 and 9.49), whereas commercially hydrolyzed protein lure (4.71) or Torula yeast (6.82). However, many non-target species were caught (57.3% and 53.4%). Of the six PET bottles-based traps used, the T-trap caught a similar number of flies (average FTD 5.55), but fewer beneficial insects (0.16) compared to the Tephritrap (0.92). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides fruit growers with an economical and effective method to capture large numbers of C. capitata, suitable to be part of integrated pest management programs for fruit fly control. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Agenda Social para mejorar el desempeño de un sistema de salud: caso de estudio / Social agenda to improve performance of health system: case study / Agenda Social para melhorar o desempenho de um sistema de saúde: estudo de caso

RESUMEN Objetivo Empoderamiento por parte de la Asociación Civil "Hijos de Morán" del Sistema de Salud del Municipio Morán del Estado Lara, Venezuela. Métodos Se implementa una metodología de evaluación basada en los preceptos de Lasswell y Torgerson para realizar una Agenda Social y una evaluación técnica del Sistema de Salud. Para la realización de la agenda social, se utilizó la combinación de la "Estructuración de los Problemas Públicos" y el "Marco Lógico"; y para la Evaluación Técnica, se generaron diversos instrumentos cumpliendo con las normas de ingeniería y requerimientos en servicios médicos. Luego, se realizó una aproximación de los costos a cinco años para mejorar las tecnologías médicas. Resultados La Agenda Social fue discutida con los actores del Sistema de Salud incluidos los actores políticos. Las tomas de decisión se dividieron en dos aspectos: la primera referida a los determinantes que influyen en la salud, y los elementos constitutivos del Sistema de Salud. Los costos a cinco años para mejorar las tecnologías médicas es US$ 5 421 818. Discusión Se considera que la metodología implementada es replicable para las diferentes regiones, especialmente donde existe déficit de consenso, que lamentablemente es en la gran mayoría y se hacen recomendaciones de políticas públicas orientadas a mejorar el desempeño institucional del Sistema de Salud.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective Empowerment on the part of the Civil Association "Hijos de Morán" of the Health System of the Morán Municipality of Lara State, Venezuela. Methods The fundamentals of the Harol Lasswell and Douglas Torgerson methodologies were implemented to create a Social Agenda and conduct a technical assessment of the healthcare system. To develop the Social Agenda, the Logic Framework and the Public Problem Structuration methodologies were implemented. For the technical assessment, multiple instruments were generated, complying with engineering standards and medical service requirements. Finally, a five-year cost approximation was made to improve medical technologies. Results The Social Agenda was discussed with all the health care system stakeholders, including politicians. Decision-making was divided into two aspects: the first referred to the determinants that influence health, and the second to the constituent elements of the health system. The five-year cost necessary for improving medical technologies is USD 5 421 818. Discussion The methodology implemented is considered replicable in different regions, especially in those are where there is a consensus deficit, which unfortunately are the vast majority. Public policy recommendations are made aimed at improving the institutional performance of the health care system.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivo Empoderamento da Associação Civil "Hijos de Morán" do Sistema de Saúde do Município de Morán do Estado de Lara, Venezuela. Métodos Uma metodologia de avaliação baseada nos preceitos de Lasswell e Torgerson é implementada para realizar uma Agenda Social e uma avaliação técnica do Sistema de Saúde. Para a execução da agenda social, foi utilizada a combinação da "Estruturação de Problemas Públicos" e do "Quadro Lógico"; e para a Avaliação Técnica, foram gerados diversos instrumentos atendendo a normas e requisitos de engenharia em serviços médicos. Em seguida, uma aproximação de custo de cinco anos foi realizada para melhorar as tecnologias médicas. Resultados A Agenda Social foi discutida com os atores do Sistema Único de Saúde, incluindo atores políticos. A tomada de decisão foi dividida em dois aspectos: o primeiro referia-se aos determinantes que influenciam a saúde e aos elementos constituintes do Sistema de Saúde. O custo de cinco anos para melhorar as tecnologias médicas é de US $ 5.421.818. Discussão Considera-se que a metodologia implementada é replicável para as diferentes regiões, principalmente onde há falta de consenso, que infelizmente é na grande maioria e são feitas recomendações de políticas públicas voltadas para a melhoria do desempenho institucional do Sistema de Saúde.(AU)

[Social agenda to improve performance of health system: case study]. / Agenda Social para mejorar el desempeño de un sistema de salud: caso de estudio.

OBJECTIVE: Empowerment on the part of the Civil Association "Hijos de Morán" of the Health System of the Morán Municipality of Lara State, Venezuela. METHODS: The fundamentals of the Harol Lasswell and Douglas Torgerson methodologies were implemented to create a Social Agenda and conduct a technical assessment of the healthcare system. To develop the Social Agenda, the Logic Framework and the Public Problem Structuration methodologies were implemented. For the technical assessment, multiple instruments were generated, complying with engineering standards and medical service requirements. Finally, a five-year cost approximation was made to improve medical technologies. RESULTS: The Social Agenda was discussed with all the health care system stakeholders, including politicians. Decision-making was divided into two aspects: the first referred to the determinants that influence health, and the second to the constituent elements of the health system. The five-year cost necessary for improving medical technologies is USD 5 421 818. DISCUSSION: The methodology implemented is considered replicable in different regions, especially in those are where there is a consensus deficit, which unfortunately are the vast majority. Public policy recommendations are made aimed at improving the institutional performance of the health care system.

OBJETIVO: Empoderamiento por parte de la Asociación Civil "Hijos de Morán" del Sistema de Salud del Municipio Morán del Estado Lara, Venezuela. MÉTODOS: Se implementa una metodología de evaluación basada en los preceptos de Lasswell y Torgerson para realizar una Agenda Social y una evaluación técnica del Sistema de Salud. Para la realización de la agenda social, se utilizó la combinación de la "Estructuración de los Problemas Públicos" y el "Marco Lógico"; y para la Evaluación Técnica, se generaron diversos instrumentos cumpliendo con las normas de ingeniería y requerimientos en servicios médicos. Luego, se realizó una aproximación de los costos a cinco años para mejorar las tecnologías médicas. RESULTADOS: La Agenda Social fue discutida con los actores del Sistema de Salud incluidos los actores políticos. Las tomas de decisión se dividieron en dos aspectos: la primera referida a los determinantes que influyen en la salud, y los elementos constitutivos del Sistema de Salud. Los costos a cinco años para mejorar las tecnologías médicas es US$ 5 421 818. DISCUSIÓN: Se considera que la metodología implementada es replicable para las diferentes regiones, especialmente donde existe déficit de consenso, que lamentablemente es en la gran mayoría y se hacen recomendaciones de políticas públicas orientadas a mejorar el desempeño institucional del Sistema de Salud.

Waveform optimization for internal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: A novel atrial defibrillator was developed at the Royal Victoria Hospital in collaboration with the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre, University of Ulster. This device is powered by an external pulse of radiofrequency energy and designed to cardiovert using low-tilt monophasic waveform (LTMW) and low-tilt biphasic waveform (LTBW), 12 milliseconds pulse width. This study compared the safety and efficacy of LTMW with LTBW for transvenous cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Patients were anticoagulated with warfarin to maintain International Normalized Ratio between 2 and 3 for 4 weeks prior cardioversion. Warfarin international normalized ratio level was maintained in between 2 and 3 for 4 weeks prior cardioversion. St Jude's defibrillating catheter was positioned in the distal coronary sinus and right atrium and connected to the defibrillator via a junction box. After a test shock using a dummy load, the patient was cardioverted in a step-up progression from 50 to 300 V. Shock success was defined as return of sinus rhythm for 30 seconds or more. If cardioversion was unsuccessful at peak voltage, the patient was crossed over to the other arm of the waveform type and cardioverted at peak voltage. RESULTS: Thirty patients were randomized equally to LTBW and LTMW (15 each). Seven out of 15 patients (46%) cardioverted to sinus rhythm with LTBW, and 1 (6%) of 15, with LTMW (P = .035). Including crossover patients, 14 patients (46%) converted to sinus rhythm. After crossover, 4 patients were cardioverted with LTBW and 2 with LTMW. Overall mean voltage, current, and energy used for cardioversion were 270.53 ± 35.96 V, 3.68 ± 0.80 A, and 9.12 ± 3.73 J, respectively, and intracardiac impedance was 70.82 ± 13.46 Ω. For patients who were successfully cardioverted, mean voltage, current, energy, and intracardiac impedance were 268.28 ± 42.41 V, 3.52 ± 0.63 A, 8.51 ± 3.16 J, and 73.92 ± 12.01 Ω. There were no major adverse complications during the study. Cardiac markers measured postcardioversion were unremarkable. CONCLUSION: Low-tilt biphasic waveform was more efficacious for low-energy transvenous cardioversion of AF. A significant proportion of patients were successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm with low energy. Radiofrequency-powered defibrillation can be safely used for transvenous cardioversion of AF.

Evaluación tecnológica basada en políticas públicas para la red primaria de salud del estado Miranda, Venezuela / Avaliacao tecnológica baseada em políticas públicas para a rede primária de saúde do Estado de Miranda, Venezuela / Technology assessment based on public policies for the primary health network of Miranda State, Venezuela

Se evalúa la tecnología de 54 ambulatorios de la red primaria de salud de la Gobernación del estado Miranda en Venezuela, con base en la teoría de Weilbull sobre la distribución teórica de la rata de fallas de los equipos. La evaluación se desarrolla en tres pasos. Primer paso: análisis de la data suministrada por la Gobernación; segundo paso: evaluación de la infraestructura y tercer paso: desarrollo de técnicas y conocimientos. Se concluye que en el caso de Venezuela hay una mora de más de diez años en la ejecución de la Ley Orgánica de Salud. Se recomienda un plan de salud y la ejecución de un proyecto de ingeniería clínica para mejorar una gestión efectiva y eficiente, dadas las circunstancias en que vive el país...

This is a study conducted by the Unit for Health Technology Assessment of Universidad Simon Bolívar, in order to assess the technology of 54 outpatient primary health centers for the Government of Miranda State, Venezuela. The health network is of recent creation (2009), when the central government absorbed by presidential decree its original 250 outpatient facilities. In the discussion of the results, a proposal was made for the implementation of a health plan and technology management, to improve the performance of health programs developed by the Government...

Avalia-se a tecnologia de 54 ambulatórios da rede primária de saúde do Governo do Estado de Miranda na Venezuela, com base na teoria de Weilbull sobre distribuição teórica da taxa de falhas dos aparelhos. Avaliação é desenvolvida em três passos. Primeiro passo: análise dos dados ministrados pelo Governo; segundo passo: Avaliação da infra-estrutura. Terceiro passo: desenvolvimento de técnicas e conhecimento. Para o caso da Venezuela, conclui-se que tem um atraso de mais de dez anos na execução da Lei Orgânica da Saúde. Recomenda-se plano de saúde e execução de projeto de engenharia clínica para obter uma gestão efetiva e eficiente, dadas as circunstancias em que vive o país...