[Isolation, characterization and typing of Escherichia coil 0157:H7 strains from beef products and milk]. / Aislamiento, caracterización y subtipificación de cepas de Escherichia coli O157: H7 a partir de productos cárnicos y leche.

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an emergent pathogen associated with foodborne diseases, especially foodstuffs of animal origin. A total of 250 beef samples (ground beef and hamburgers) obtained from retail outlets in Santa Fe and Santo Tomé cities, and 150 milk samples from bulk tank milk from dairy barns of the region were analyzed by selective enrichment and immunomagnetic separation. Escherichia coli O157:H7 stx2, eae and ehxA positive strains were isolated from three (1.2%) beef samples. The strains could be differentiated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, phagetyping and genotyping of stx. The milk samples were negative for STEC O157. These findings confirm the role of food of animal origin in the epidemiology of E. coli O157:H7 - associated diseases.

Diagnóstico de parasitosis gastrointestinal en ganado vacuno de razas carniceras con diferentes técnicas coproparasitológicas / Diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasitosis in beef cattle of butcher breeds with different coproparasitological techniques

RESUMEN Las parasitosis gastrointestinales en bovinos de producción son uno de los problemas sanitarios más importantes a nivel mundial. Estos nematodos ocasionan problemas gastroentéricos que se caracterizan clínicamente por diarrea, debilidad, hemorragias y deshidratación. Entre las parasitosis gastrointestinales causadas por nematodos en ganado bovino, se destacan las familias: Trichuridae, Trichostrongylidae, Ancylostomidae, Ascaridae y Strongyloididae. El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la eficacia de las distintas técnicas coproparasitológicas cualitativas y cuantitativas para la detección de nematodos gastrointestinales en ganado bovino. Para este estudio se utilizaron 250 muestras de vacas de raza carnicera, divididos en diferentes grupos, para la aplicación de las técnicas coproparasitológicas de tipo cualitativo y cuantitativo, los cuales fueron escogidos específicamente teniendo en cuenta criterios de inclusión y exclusión para cada animal. Los resultados entregados por este estudio indicaron que el mayor porcentaje en la identificación de estados infectantes parasitarios fue por medio de las técnicas coproparasitologicas de tipo cualitativo, principalmente aquellas de flotación de sulfato de zinc y magnesio con un 50%.

ABSTRACT Gastrointestinal parasites in production cattle are one of the most important health problems worldwide. These nematodes cause gastroenteric problems that are clinically characterized by diarrhoea, weakness, bleeding and dehydration. Within the gastrointestinal parasites caused by nematodes in cattle, the following families stand out: Trichuridae, Trichostrongylidae, Ancylostomidae, Ascaridae and Strongyloididae. The purpose of this research was to determine the efficacy of the different qualitative and quantitative coproparasitological techniques for the detection of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle. For this study, 250 samples of beef breed cows were used, divided into different groups, for the application of qualitative and quantitative coproparasitological techniques, which were specifically chosen taking into account inclusion and exclusion criteria for each animal. The results delivered by this study indicated that the highest percentage in the identification of parasitic infective states was through qualitative coproparasitological techniques, focused mainly on zinc and magnesium sulfate flotation techniques with 50%.

A feasibility study on the bioconversion of CO2 and H2 to biomethane by gas sparging through polymeric membranes.

In this study, the potential of a pilot hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor for the conversion of H2 and CO2 to CH4 was evaluated. The system transformed 95% of H2 and CO2 fed at a maximum loading rate of 40.2 [Formula: see text] and produced 0.22m(3) of CH4 per m(3) of H2 fed at thermophilic conditions. H2 mass transfer to the liquid phase was identified as the limiting step for the conversion, and kLa values of 430h(-1) were reached in the bioreactor by sparging gas through the membrane module. A simulation showed that the bioreactor could upgrade biogas at a rate of 25m(3)/mR(3)d, increasing the CH4 concentration from 60 to 95%v. This proof-of-concept study verified that gas sparging through a membrane module can efficiently transfer H2 from gas to liquid phase and that the conversion of H2 and CO2 to biomethane is feasible on a pilot scale at noteworthy load rates.

[Condom use among the young engaging in vaginal intercourse]. / Uso del profiláctico entre la juventud en sus relaciones de coito vaginal.

OBJECTIVE: To describe young people's use of condoms in penetrative vaginal intercourse, and to identify the factors associated with this use. METHOD: The information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire put in 1,000 people between 14 and 24 years of age resident in the region of Andalusia (Spain). The results of the sample were representative and the trust interval was 95%. A bivariante analysis was carried out and hierarchical logistic regression equations were adjusted to verify associations between the dependent variable use of the condom in the vaginal intercourse and the variables proposed from PRECEDE model (predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing). The adjustment of the model was of a 38%, according to the Nagelkerke's statistic. RESULTS: Of the people surveyed, 750 had affective and/or sexual relations with physical contact, and 63% of these had vaginal intercourse (47% of all surveyed). Of those, people that only had vaginal intercourse once (12% of all surveyed), 83% (10,3% of all surveyed) used a condom, whereas, people that had sex more than once (34% of all surveyed), 49% always used a condom (16,9% of all surveyed). The variables associated with always using a condom were: intention of safe behaviour with their regular partner and low frequency of practice. The variables associated with never using a condom were: living emancipated, having an external locus of control (thinking that becoming infected depends upon external factors), low number of zones of the body identified as pleasure-sensitive, thinking that a condom is not necessary if one trusts his or her partner, intention of unsafe behaviour with their regular partner, and not talking with the partner about preventive methods before having sex. DISCUSSION: The most associated factors with using or not a condom in vaginal intercourse are predisposing (attitudes, values and believes) that are related with the kind of sexual partner. Interventions (based on the young active participation) are suggested to make them perceived the compatibility between the trust with the partner and the use of condom, and put in doubt the false safety given by a partner perceived as habitual.

[An experience with public education in nutritional health in 2 communities in Jalisco, Mexico]. / Una experiencia de educación popular en salud nutricional en dos comunidades del Estado de Jalisco, México.

This study describes a popular educational process conducted in two communities in Jalisco, Mexico. The purpose was to add an alfalfa concentrate to the population's diet as an alternative, locally available food source. Previous studies had shown that alfalfa contains high protein, vitamin, and essential amino acid levels and can be useful to supplement and improve child nutrition. This resource had not been used previously due to lack of knowledge concerning its properties and harvesting and processing procedures and because it had traditionally been used as livestock feed. The current study included four steps: 1) community knowledge, 2) a community survey using interviews, home visits, and child nutrition evaluation, 3) formation of work groups in a community meeting, and 4) an educational program, working with a self-diagnostic tool taking child nutritional status into account. Our work focused on two areas simultaneously: family nutrition and the alfalfa concentrate as a way to improve it. Although this process was lengthy, it resulted in the acceptance and inclusion of alfalfa concentrate. In addition, the community groups formed in the process remain as an ongoing organizational resource.

[Reduction of the number of cesarean sections from 28% to 13%: does it reduce or increase perinatal maternal mortality: the great doubt?]. / La reducción de cesáreas de 28 a 13% incrementa o no la mortalidad materna y perinatal; la gran duda?

According to the new trends related to decrease the cesarean section rates, we conducted our retrospective investigation in order to investigate if the decrease of the cesarean section from 28 to 13%, affect the perinatal mortality (before labor and during labor) and maternal mortality. The years included in this paper were 1990 and 1995. We justified our investigation because some professional in health, believe that the decrease of the cesarean section produce an increase of the maternal and perinatal mortality. In 1990 and 1995 this were our obstetric activity respectively: 1954 and 1504 cesarean section, 4899 and 9176 vaginal deliveries, 6893 and 10730 alive newborns, 172 and 199 perinatal deaths, and finally 9 and 11 maternal deaths. The comparative statistical analysis is as following: for perinatal mortality CHi2 8.00, p 0.004 and OR 1.33 (1.09-1.66) and for maternal mortality Chi2 0.34, P 0.56 and OR 1.30 (0.50-3.36). The risk of perinatal deaths increased in 1990. In relation to the maternal deaths, the risk of mortality didn't increase in 1995.

[Trying vaginal delivery in 1000 patients with previous cesarean section in the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara]. / Intento de parto vaginal en 1000 pacientes con antecedente de una cesárea previa en el Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara.

Because of the main justification for practicing a cesarean section is due to a previous cesarean and the rasing rates frequency of this operation, we concluded a descriptive and prospective investigation in order to analize the factibility and security of vaginal delivery after one cesarean section. We include 1000 patients with a past history of one previous cesarean section and with the following main characteristics: normal evaluation of the actual pregnancy and a gestational age of at least 36 weeks of pregnancy, no pelvis stenosis and a normal fetal status. The management were expectant and or with the use of oxitocin, prostaglandin PGEJ, uterionhibition and or amnioinfusion according to medical indication, 679 (67.9%) patients had a vaginal delivery; one ruterine rupture (0.001 x 1000) happened (the place of the rupture were not in the scar of the previous cesarean); two uterine dehicence (0.002 x 1000) of the previous uterine scar; one of this require laparotomy and sture of the dehiscence scar and the other one only require observation. We had two intrapartum fetal dead (0.002 x 1000) on due to the uterine rupture and the other one because of a taquisitolia not corrected by betamimetics. The factibility and security of vaginal delivery after one previous cesarean section is a logical and reasonable strategy in order to decrease the actual high rates of cesarean section. Whenever we try a viginal delivery in a patients with one previous cesarean is imperative to keep in mind that if something is not going well during the attempts we must repeat another cesarean.

Effect of thermal hydrolysis and ultrasounds pretreatments on foaming in anaerobic digesters.

Foam appears regularly in anaerobic digesters producing operational and safety problems. In this research, based on the operational observation at semi-industrial pilot scale where sludge pretreatment mitigated foaming in anaerobic digesters, this study aimed at evaluating any potential relationship between foaming tools applied to activated sludge at lab-scale (foam potential, foam stability and Microthrix parvicella abundance) and the experimental behavior observed in pilot scale and full-scale anaerobic digesters. The potential of thermal hydrolysis and ultrasounds for reducing foaming capacity was also evaluated. Filamentous bacteria abundance was directly linked to foaming capacity in anaerobic processes. A maximum reduction of M.parvicella abundance (from 5 to 2) was reached using thermal hydrolysis with steam explosion at 170°C and ultrasounds at 66.7kWh/m(3), showing both good anti-foaming properties. On the other hand, foam potential and stability determinations showed a lack of consistency with the bacteria abundance results and experimental evidences.

Reducción del Riesgo en Equipos Biomédicos y en Instalaciones Eléctricas de Entornos Clínicos / Risk Reduction in Electrical Networks and Safety of Biomedical Equipment in Clinical Settings

Resumen Se analizan 112 auditorías de instalaciones eléctricas y seguridad de equipos biomédicos en 78 Institutos de Medicina Altamente Especializada (IMAE) del Uruguay, realizadas a lo largo de 14 años, clasificando el nivel de riesgo y de cumplimiento de normas desde el punto de vista de Ingeniería Clínica. Cada visita incluye una encuesta al personal encargado de mantener y gestionar la infraestructura eléctrica y el equipamiento biomédico, que abarca el estado de mantenimiento, el control y la documentación de las instalaciones eléctricas y del equipamiento biomédico. Se evalúa el riesgo con un puntaje de 0 a 4. En 2004-2007 el 74% de los IMAE tenía irregularidades en la instalación eléctrica, gestión de equipamiento, control de calidad o documentación. Además, un 15% de los que tenían problemas, tenía en particular equipamiento indicado como "equipo peligroso". En los períodos siguientes esta proporción baja paulatinamente hasta 0% en 2016-2017. No obstante, continúa existiendo un déficit en la gestión del equipamiento y en la documentación formal. El aporte de la Universidad en el seguimiento técnico de los IMAE se ha materializado en una mejora en materia de seguridad.

Abstract 112 field inspections to 78 high technology medical centers (IMAE is the Spanish acronym) over 14 years are analyzed. All visits were evaluated as to Clinical Engineering good practices and were assigned a risk level. All audits included a questionaire to maintenance management personnel on electrical network operation as well as on biomedical equipment follow-up and documentation from acquisition to disposal. Risk is assigned a level 0 to 4 at each visit. In 2004-2007, 74% of IMAEs had safety problems in one or more of electrical network, maintenance management or documentation, and 15% of the IMAEs with safety problems had one piece of equipment described as simply "dangerous". Electrical safety problems were eventually reduced to 0% in 2016-2017, probably as a consequence of regular audit and counseling by this University Clinical Engineering Program.

Insulin-like growth factor-II and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in bovine cystic ovarian disease.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the most common reproductive disorders of cattle and is considered to have multifactorial aetiology. An accepted hypothesis involves neuroendocrinological dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis; however, the role of growth factors in COD has not been extensively investigated. The present study examines the potential role of members of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family in COD. Expression of genes encoding IGF-II and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) was examined and the distribution of IGF-II within the follicular wall was assessed immunohistochemically. Finally, the concentration of IGF-II protein was determined in follicular fluid. There was increased IGF-II mRNA in the wall of cystic follicles, mainly associated with granulosa cells. Additionally, there was significantly more IGF-II protein in granulosa and theca cells in cystic follicles, but no change in the concentration of IGF-II in follicular fluid. Total IGFBPs, assessed by western blotting, were similar in different structures. However, by discriminating each IGFBP a decrease was detected in IGFBP-2 expression in cystic follicles that may be related to the observed higher expression of IGF-II. In summary, the present study provides evidence to suggest that COD in cattle is associated with modifications in the IGF-II system.

[Predictors of use of ante-natal care]. / Predictores de utilización de la atención prenatal.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the association and possible interactions between emotional and cognitive factors in pregnant women and their use of institutional antenatal care. It was assumed that the knowledge and attitude of a pregnant woman determines her approach to demanding antenatal care. DESIGN: Analytic study. SETTING: Hospitals in the Health Area of Jalisco, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: 2955 women leaving hospital early who had had at least 2 antenatal consultations. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Personal and reproductive characteristics of the women, opportunity and continuity of antenatal care, knowledge of pregnancy and the antenatal care programme, attitudes towards institutional medical care of pregnancy. RESULTS: In the logistical regression model, 6 associations or interactions between unsatisfactory antenatal care and the variables analysed were found. The strong association of positive attitudes and sufficient knowledge in achieving satisfactory antenatal care was notable, and was even placed above the question of receiving, or otherwise, free medical provision from the health service. CONCLUSIONS: Undoubtedly, women's educational background plays a major role. This obliges the health services to strengthen their educational programmes by adjusting them to women's culture.

[Family influence in the metabolic control of the type-2 diabetic]. / Influencia de la familia en el control metabólico del paciente diabético tipo II.

This paper presents the results of the identification and association of certain family characteristics of type II diabetes patients in relation with its metabolic control in 121 families of tw o health centers of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in 1989. The attitude an d information about of the sickness, and the complications and therapeutics were evaluated through psychosocial evaluations. The majority of the family members showed a negative attitude and a profound understanding of the disease process. Only a 16.5 per cent of the patients were under control, and found a strong association between lack of control and nuclear family involved in the last cycles of this type of unit: independence and retirement.

[The prevalence and risk factors of cleft lip and cleft palate in 2 hospitals in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico]. / Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de labio y paladar hendido en dos hospitales, en la Ciudad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to determine the prevalence of the cleft lip and palate and its association with some risking factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational and analytic study, of 44 newborn infants with cleft lip and palate and their controls, in 33,461 consecutive births, with 20 weeks or more, and birth weight more than 500 g, since November of 1988 to June of 1991. The information were obtained from the database of the Congenital External Malformation Register, done by the University of Guadalajara, in four hospitals. The prevalence of the cleft lip and palate was calculated. Of the variables studied their association was searched with congenital malformation in 2 x 2 tables, calculating, its chi square, confidence interval, and old ratio. RESULTS: The prevalence of the cleft lip and palate was of 13.2 x 10,000 births. By categories: cleft lip 2.7 x 10,000, cleft lip and palate 7.8 x 10,000 and cleft palate 2.7 x 10,000. The only statistics differences with control group were the association with antecedent of other malformation in the family and methrorrague during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The found prevalence is similar to the one informed in the literature, with some differences by categories. The association with antecedent of another malformation in the family, support the role of the hereditary role in the multifactorial etiology.

[Polydactyly in 26,670 consecutive births. The clinical characteristics, prevalence and risk factors]. / Polidactilia en 26,670 nacimientos consecutivos. Características clínicas, prevalencia y factores de riesgo.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of polydactyly, its clinical characteristic and its association with some risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, case-control study, of 45 newborn with polydactyly and their controls, in 26,670 consecutive births in the Nuevo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, with 20 weeks or more of gestational age, and birth weight greater than 500 g, since November of 1988 to October of 1992. The information were obtained from the database of the Congenital External Malformation Register, carried out by the University of Guadalajara. The prevalence of polydactyly was obtained and clinical characteristic were documented. Continuous variables were compared using t Student test. For discrete variables, analysis were carried out using X2 test and the odds ratio. RESULTS: The prevalence of polydactyly was of 1.73 x 1,000 alive newborn. The polydactyly of the hands in 26 newborn; preaxial in five and 21 was postaxial. The polydactyly in the foot was present in 19 newborn. The only statistics differences with control group were: low length and the antecedent of other malformation in the family. CONCLUSION: The found prevalence is different to the one informed in the literature. The association with antecedent of another malformation in the family, support the role of hereditary factors in etiology.

Percepción del peso corporal y estrategias utilizadas para controlarlo, en adultos costarricenses / Body weight perception and strategies used to control body weight among Costa Rican adults

Justificación: La obesidad se considera un problema de salud pública. La encuesta directa es el método más utilizado para generar información al respecto, pero su alto costo económico limita obtener datos periódicos. Se han experimentado otros métodos de recolección de información; entre ellos la encuesta telefónica se concibe como una opción válida de costo menor. Objetivo: Explorar la percepción del peso corporal de adultos costarricenses y las estrategias utilizadas para controlarlo, mediante el análisis de la información obtenida en la primera Encuesta Telefónica de Salud del IDESPO. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se elaboraron preguntas abiertas sobre conocimiento, percepción y estrategias sobre peso corporal, que se incorporaron en la primera Encuesta Telefónica de Salud del IDESPO. Resultados: El 50,3 por ciento y 42 por ciento de los sujetos se percibieron con peso normal y peso alto o muy alto, respectivamente. Las principales estrategias para perder el peso: hacer ejercicio, 29,4 por ciento, cambios en la alimentación; 42 por ciento de los hombres y 44 por ciento de las mujeres reportaron "no hacer nada". Al contrastar la percepción del peso con el IMC estimado, más del 25 por ciento de mujeres y 34 por ciento de hombres que se percibieron con peso normal presentaron sobrepeso. Conclusiones: La metodología de encuesta telefónica introduce una subestimación en la percepción del exceso de peso conforme avanza la edad. La encuesta telefónica no sustituye las encuestas directas, pero se visualiza como alternativa para generar información sobre factores de riesgo cardiovascular. El reto próximo será validarla en nuestro contexto.

Rationale: Obesity is considered a public-health problem. A direct survey is the method most-frequently used to generate relevant information but its high economic cost doesn´t allow obtaining periodic data. Other methods of collecting information have been tried and, among these, the telephone survey is seen as a valid option at lower cost.Objective: To explore the perception of body-weight among Costa Rican adults as well as the strategies used to control this variable by analyzing information obtained in the First Telephone Health Survey conducted by IDESPO (The Institute for Social Studies in Populations.) Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out. Open questions were developed having to do with knowledge, perception and strategies to deal with body-weight. These were incorporated into the Health Survey mentioned above.Results: 50.3 % and 42% of the subjects, respectively, had a self-perception of normal weight or of high - very high weight. The main weight-loss strategies were: doing exercise (29.4%), changes in diet and no special strategy (the latter as admitted by 42% of men and 44% of women). When comparison of self-perception of weight with estimated BMI was done, more than 25% of females and more than 34% of males of those thinking they had normal weight were actually overweight. Conclusions: a telephone-survey methodology introduces an underestimate in the self-perception of overweight according to age. While telephone surveys do not substitute direct surveys, they can be seen an an alternative to generate information about cardiovascular risk factors. The next challenge will to validate these surveys in Costa Rica.

Aislamiento, caracterización y subtipificación de cepas de Escherichia coli O157:H7 a partir de productos cárnicos y leche / Isolation, characterization and typing of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains from beef products and milk

Escherichia coli productor de toxina Shiga (Stx) (STEC) O157:H7 es un patógeno asociado a enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos, fundamentalmente de origen animal. Se investigó la presencia de E. coli O157 en 250 muestras de carne picada y hamburguesas obtenidas de comercios de las ciudades de Santa Fe y Santo Tomé (Pcia. de Santa Fe) y en 150 muestras de leche provenientes de tanques de enfriado de tambos de la región, utilizando enriquecimiento selectivo y separación inmunomagnética. A partir de 3 muestras de carne (1,2%) se aislaron cepas E. coli O157:H7 stx2, eae, y ehxA positivas, que pudieron ser diferenciadas mediante electroforesis de campo pulsado, fagotipificación y genotipificación de stx. No se aislaron cepas STEC O157:H7 a partir de las muestras de leche. Estos hallazgos confirman la participación de los alimentos de origen animal en la epidemiología de las enfermedades producidas por E. coli O157:H7.

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an emergent pathogen associated with foodborne diseases, especially foodstuffs of animal origin. A total of 250 beef samples (ground beef and hamburgers) obtained from retail outlets in Santa Fe and Santo Tomé cities, and 150 milk samples from bulk tank milk from dairy barns of the region were analyzed by selective enrichment and immunomagnetic separation. Escherichia coli O157:H7 stx2, eae and ehxA positive strains were isolated from three (1.2%) beef samples. The strains could be differentiated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, phagetyping and genotyping of stx. The milk samples were negative for STEC O157. These findings confirm the role of food of animal origin in the epidemiology of E. coli O157:H7 - associated diseases.