Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Specific Energy Consumption for Cut-Off Grinding.

Cut-off operation is widely used in the manufacturing industry and is highly energy-intensive. Prediction of specific energy consumption (SEC) using data-driven models is a promising means to understand, analyze and reduce energy consumption for cut-off grinding. The present article aims to put forth a novel methodology to predict and validate the specific energy consumption for cut-off grinding of oxygen-free copper (OFC-C10100) using supervised machine learning techniques. State-of-the-art experimental setup was designed to perform the abrasive cutting of the material at various cutting conditions. First, energy consumption values were predicted on the bases of input process parameters of feed rate, cutting thickness, and cutting tool type using the three supervised learning techniques of Gaussian process regression, regression trees, and artificial neural network (ANN). Among the three algorithms, Gaussian process regression performance was found to be superior, with minimum errors during validation and testing. The predicted values of energy consumption were then exploited to evaluate the specific energy consumption (SEC), which turned out to be highly accurate, with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. The relationship of the predicted specific energy consumption (SEC) with material removal rate agrees well with the relationship depicted in physical models, which further validates the accuracy of the prediction models.

[The impact of novel drugs on the survival of patients with multiple myeloma in two chilean centers]. / Mieloma múltiple en Chile. Uso de drogas noveles en dos centros nacionales.

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of novel drugs, such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators, improved considerably the survival of patients with multiple myeloma. AIM: To evaluate the effect on survival of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators in patients with multiple myeloma in two national hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of clinical records from two hospitals of Santiago. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic data was obtained from 144 patients with multiple myeloma diagnosed between 2002 and 2016. RESULTS: Information was retrieved from 78 patients at one center and from 66 at the other center. The mean age at diagnosis was 58 and 62 years, the proportion of males was 53% and 52%, and presentation at stage III was 34% and 46%, respectively. The use of novel drugs, mainly bortezomib, was 90% in one of the centers and 3% in the other one. The use of autologous stem-cell transplantation was 47% and 3% respectively. The median overall survival of patients from the centers with and without access to novel drugs was 117 and 71 months respectively (p < 0.05). The five-year overall survival was 93 and 43% respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of novel drugs, especially bortezomib, and autologous stem-cell transplantation significantly improved the survival of multiple myeloma patients treated in national hospitals. It is necessary to include them as a first line treatment.

[Survival of 1,103 Chilean patients with multiple myeloma receiving different therapeutic protocols from 2000 to 2016]. / Mieloma múltiple en Chile: pasado, presente y futuro del programa nacional de drogas antineoplásicas (PANDA). Revisión de 1.103 pacientes.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most common malignancies found in hematology. AIM: To describe the features of patients with MM and perform a survival analysis according to the different treatment protocols used between 2000 and 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the database of the Chilean national anti-neoplastic drug program. Information was obtained from 1,103 patients, with a median age of 64.5 years (range 27-95) and a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. RESULTS: The mean overall survival (OS) of patients receiving or not receiving Thalidomide was 46 and 30 months, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean OS of patients treated before 2007 (treated with melphalan and prednisone) and between 2007 and 2012 (treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone) was 36 and 48 months respectively. In the group starting in 2013 (treated with cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone) the median survival had not been reached at 20 months of follow up (p = 0.01 for all comparisons). Autologous transplantation (AT) was carried out in only 18% of the eligible patients. The median OS of the patients who receive an AT had not been reached at 48 month compared with 36 month among those who did not received the procedure (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Even though overall survival has improved with time, new drugs must be introduced in our protocols to obtain similar results to those obtained worldwide.

[Evaluation of tools for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines on sexually transmitted infections]. / Evaluación de herramientas de implementación de la Guía de Práctica Clínica de infecciones de transmisión sexual.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the acceptability, perceived usefulness, and adoption of implementation tools and technical assistance provided by the Health Technology Assessment Institute (IETS) in hospitals in two regions of Colombia. METHODS: Assistance was provided for implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in 24 hospitals (17 in Antioquia and seven in Cundinamarca) in areas with high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, and for use of the implementation tools. Health professionals were given surveys and medical specialists were interviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 86% of respondents are familiar with the GPGs, 86% with the tracer recommendations, 79% with the interactive flow charts, and 82% with the evidence sheets, while 41% never used the implementation tools. Of the respondents who used the tools, 55% did so on their work computer, while 24% used their personal telephone. The most useful tools were the evidence sheets and flow charts (98%) and the tracer recommendations (92%). The least useful were the budgetary impact tools (81%). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation tools and technical assistance provided in hospitals in two regions of Colombia are perceived as useful and acceptable, although the degree of implementation is low. The findings of this research will help the different actors, such as the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the IETS, and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias), among others, improve their programs for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines.

[Adolescent and young adult Philadelphia negative B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of the Chilean protocol LLA 15-30]. / Leucemia linfoblástica aguda estirpe B Philadelphia negativa en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes: Resultados del Protocolo Terapéutico LLA 15-30, Programa Nacional de Cáncer del Adulto (PANDA), Ministerio de Salud, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Intensified treatment of Philadelphia chromosome negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(-)ALL) in adolescents by pediatric teams, with fve years disease free survival (DFS) rate of 65%, encouraged the use of intensified protocols in patients between 15 and 30 years, improving the DFS from 45% to 60-80%. The protocol LLA 15-30 for patients between 15 and 30 years with Ph(-)ALL, based on the Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol AALL0232 resulting in a five years DFS of 78%, was started in 2007 by the PANDA national program. AIM: To report the results of the prospective cohort study evaluating the results of this protocol four years after its implementation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2010, 68 Ph(-) ALL patients, aged between 15-30 years (75% males) were incorporated. Survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. RESULTS: Fifty percent of patients were of high risk. A complete response was achieved in 91%, early death occurred in 6% and induction failure in 3%. Median follow-up was 23 months. Overall survival, disease free survival and relapse rates at 35 months were 61.8, 67.5% and 31% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LLA 15-30 protocol significantly improved three-year overall survival from 31 to 62%. The 20% difference observed with AALL0232 protocol is explained by the high rate of relapse. Improving provider and patient compliance with protocols may eliminate this gap.

[Epidemiology of febrile neutropenia in adult patients with acute leukemia and lymphoma: Cohort study of public and private hospital of Santiago, Chile]. / Epidemiología de neutropenia febril en pacientes adultos con leucemia aguda y linfoma: Estudio de cohorte en hospitales público y privado de Santiago, Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common complication of patients undergoing chemotherapy (QMT). Clinical presentation is varied, from mild fever to severe sepsis with invasive bacterial infection (IBI) or invasive fungal infection (IFI), with great impact on prognosis and patient mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of FN episodes in adult patients with acute leukemia (AL) or lymphoma (L), diagnosed and treated at the Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica and Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río in Santiago from April 2010 to January 2012. RESULTS: 130 patients were included with 105 episodes of NF, with an incidence of 0.65 per 100 days of observation, higher in AL than L (1.31 vs 0.25, p = 0.001). Etiology or clinical focus was documented in 67 (63.8%) episodes, with IBI in 33 (31.4%) and IFI in 21 (20%) cases. Mortality related to infection occurred in 4 (6.2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports that the FN incidence and frequency of IBI and IFI during episodes are higher in AL vs. L. It is necessary to evaluate the impact of interventions to reduce its incidence, including the benefit and risk of using antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk subgroups.

NnSR1, a class III non-S-RNase constitutively expressed in styles, is induced in roots and stems under phosphate deficiency in Nicotiana alata.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Non-S-ribonucleases (non-S-RNases) are class III T2 RNases constitutively expressed in styles of species with S-RNase-based self-incompatibility. So far, no function has been attributed to these RNases. The aim of this work is to examine if NnSR1, a non-S-RNase from Nicotiana alata, is induced under conditions of phosphate (Pi) deprivation. The hypothesis is that under Pi-limited conditions, non-S-RNase functions may resemble the role of S-like RNases. To date, the only RNases reported to be induced by Pi deficiency are class I and class II S-like RNases, which are phylogenetically different from the class III clade of RNases. METHODS: Gene and protein expression of NnSR1 were assayed in plants grown hydroponically with and without Pi, by combining RT-PCR, immunoblot and enzymatic activity approaches. KEY RESULTS: NnSR1 transcripts were detected in roots 7 d after Pi deprivation and remained stable for several days. Transcript expression was correlated based on Pi availability in the culture medium. Antiserum against a peptide based on a hypervariable domain of NnSR1 recognized NnSR1 in roots and stems but not leaves exposed to Pi shortage. NnSR1 was not detected in culture medium and was pelleted with the microsomal fraction, suggesting that it was membrane-associated or included in large compartments. The anti-NnSR1 inhibited selectively the enzymatic activity of a 31-kDa RNase indicating that NnSR1 was induced in an enzymatically active form. CONCLUSIONS: The induction of NnSR1 indicates that there is a general recruitment of all classes of T2 RNases in response to Pi shortage. NnSR1 appears to have regained ancestral functions of class III RNases related to strategies to cope with Pi limitation and also possibly with other environmental challenges. This constitutes the first report for a specific function of class III RNases other than S-RNases.

A qualitative approach for a situation analysis of AMR risks in the food animal production sector.

In response to the need to manage Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), countries have produced National Action Plans (NAPs), which require detailed information of the AMR situation in all sectors. Considering the limited information that is publicly available for an analysis of the AMR situation in animal production, the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (FAO RLC) developed the "FAO tool for a situation analysis of AMR risks in the food and agriculture sectors." The objective of this paper is to present the methodology developed for a qualitative evaluation of the risk factors of AMR toward animal and human health, based on terrestrial and aquatic production systems and their associated national public and private mitigation measures. The tool was developed reflecting the AMR epidemiological model and the guidelines to conduct a risk analysis of AMR from the Codex Alimentarius and WOAH. Applied in four stages of progressive development, the objective of the tool is to provide a qualitative and systematic assessment of the risks of AMR from animal production systems, to animal and human health, and to identify gaps in cross cutting factors in AMR management. The tool consists of three instruments: (i) a survey to collect data for a situation analysis of AMR risks; (ii) a methodological procedure for the analysis of the information obtained; (iii) instructions for the preparation of a national roadmap for the containment of AMR at a national level. Based on the results from the information analysis, a roadmap is prepared by guiding and prioritizing the needs and sectoral actions for the containment of AMR under an intersectoral, multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, and according to country priorities and resources. The tool helps to determine, visualize and prioritize the risk factors and challenges that contribute to AMR from the animal production sector and that need to be addressed to manage AMR.

Disorganization of F-actin cytoskeleton precedes vacuolar disruption in pollen tubes during the in vivo self-incompatibility response in Nicotiana alata.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The integrity of actin filaments (F-actin) is essential for pollen-tube growth. In S-RNase-based self-incompatibility (SI), incompatible pollen tubes are inhibited in the style. Consequently, research efforts have focused on the alterations of pollen F-actin cytoskeleton during the SI response. However, so far, these studies were carried out in in vitro-grown pollen tubes. This study aimed to assess the timing of in vivo changes of pollen F-actin cytoskeleton taking place after compatible and incompatible pollinations in Nicotiana alata. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the in vivo F-actin alterations occurring during pollen rejection in the S-RNase-based SI system. METHODS: The F-actin cytoskeleton and the vacuolar endomembrane system were fluorescently labelled in compatibly and incompatibly pollinated pistils at different times after pollination. The alterations induced by the SI reaction in pollen tubes were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Early after pollination, about 70 % of both compatible and incompatible pollen tubes showed an organized pattern of F-actin cables along the main axis of the cell. While in compatible pollinations this percentage was unchanged until pollen tubes reached the ovary, pollen tubes of incompatible pollinations underwent gradual and progressive F-actin disorganization. Colocalization of the F-actin cytoskeleton and the vacuolar endomembrane system, where S-RNases are compartmentalized, revealed that by day 6 after incompatible pollination, when the pollen-tube growth was already arrested, about 80 % of pollen tubes showed disrupted F-actin but a similar percentage had intact vacuolar compartments. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that during the SI response in Nicotiana, disruption of the F-actin cytoskeleton precedes vacuolar membrane breakdown. Thus, incompatible pollen tubes undergo a sequential disorganization process of major subcellular structures. Results also suggest that the large pool of S-RNases released from vacuoles acts late in pollen rejection, after significant subcellular changes in incompatible pollen tubes.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Chile: The Impact of Combined CHOP Plus Rituximab in the Public Health System.

PURPOSE: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, prognostic factors, and results of DLBCL that was treated in the cancer centers of the public health system in Chile and compare cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) with rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients age > 15 years who were treated in 18 cancer centers in the country between 2001 and 2017 were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS), and Cox proportional hazard regression modeling was used to evaluate the effect of the addition of rituximab to CHOP on OS. RESULTS: A total of 1,807 patients were evaluated. The median age at diagnosis was 62 (range, 15-95) years, with a female predominance (53%). Half of the patients were age ≥ 60 years. Serology for HIV infection was positive in 5% of cases (96 cases). International Prognostic Index scores were available for 90% of patients, of which 45% had low-risk, 25% low-intermediate-risk, 18% high-intermediate-risk, and 11% high-risk scores. CHOP was administered to 986 patients (55%; median follow-up, 13.2 years) and R-CHOP to 821 patients (45%; median follow-up, 8.4 years). R-CHOP was associated with superior OS compared with CHOP (5-year 66% v 48%, and 10-year 53% v 35%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Rituximab improved the survival of patients with DLBCL diagnosed and treated in Chile. The benefit was sustained over time, with curative rates of > 50%. This intervention shows that the inclusion of this biological drug justified the expenses incurred by the Ministry of Health in the National Lymphoma Protocols in Chile.

Estimation of Specific Cutting Energy in an S235 Alloy for Multi-Directional Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Machining Using the Finite Element Method.

The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of the vibration-assisted turning process on the machinability of S235 carbon steel. During the experiments using this vibrational machining process, the vibrational amplitude and frequency of the cutting tool were adjusted to drive the tool tip in an elliptical or linear motion in the feed direction. Furthermore, a finite element analysis was deployed to investigate the mechanical response for different vibration-assisted cutting conditions. The results show how the specific cutting energy and the material's machinability behave when using different operational cutting parameters, such as vibration frequency and tool tip motion in the x-axis, y-axis, and elliptical (x-y plane) motion. Then, the specific cutting energy and material's machinability are compared with a conventional turning process, which helps to validate the finite element method (FEM) for the vibration-assisted process. As a result of the operating parameters used, the vibration-assisted machining process leads to a machinability improvement of up to 18% in S235 carbon steel. In particular, higher vibration frequencies were shown to increase the material's machinability due to the specific cutting energy decrease. Therefore, the finite element method can be used to predict the vibration-assisted cutting and the specific cutting energy, based on predefined cutting parameters.

Surface Damaging of Brass and Steel Pins when Sliding over Nitrided Samples Cut by Finishing and Roughing EDM Conditions.

In the forging industry, surface quality and surface treatments of dies are crucial parameters to extend their life. These components are usually machined by milling or by Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), and the final surface roughness depends on the machining techniques and operational conditions used in its fabrication. After milling, a nitriding treatment is widely applied to extend its service life. Nevertheless, no scientific report that informs about nitriding after EDM has been found. Accordingly, this work focuses on the wear and friction behavior of pins made of brass and medium carbon steel sliding over AISI H13 discs, made by wire EDM in the conditions of finishing and roughing. The discs are plasma nitride, and their effect on the wear during pin-on-disc tests is evaluated. In this sense, the analysis of the surface damage for the different pins will help us to understand the service life and wear evolution of the forging dies. The results show that plasma nitride reduces the friction and prevents the degradation of the pin, independently of the material of the pin, when sliding over finishing and roughing EDM conditions.

Model Based on an Effective Material-Removal Rate to Evaluate Specific Energy Consumption in Grinding.

Grinding energy efficiency depends on the appropriate selection of cutting conditions, grinding wheel, and workpiece material. Additionally, the estimation of specific energy consumption is a good indicator to control the consumed energy during the grinding process. Consequently, this study develops a model of material-removal rate to estimate specific energy consumption based on the measurement of active power consumed in a plane surface grinding of C45K with different thermal treatments and AISI 304. This model identifies and evaluates the dissipated power by sliding, ploughing, and chip formation in an industrial-scale grinding process. Furthermore, the instantaneous positions of abrasive grains during cutting are described to study the material-removal rate. The estimation of specific chip-formation energy is similar to that described by other authors on a laboratory scale, which allows to validate the model and experiments. Finally, the results show that the energy consumed by sliding is the main mechanism of energy dissipation in an industrial-scale grinding process, where it is denoted that sliding energy by volume unity decreases as the depth of cut and the speed of the workpiece increase.

CAUSES OF MATERNAL DEATH IN THE CALLAO REGION, PERÚ. DESCRIPTIVE STUDY, 2000-2015.

OBJETIVE: To identify the causes of maternal mor- tality in the Callao Region between 2000 and 2015. METHODS: Case series study conducted in public and private healthcare institutions in the region of Callao in Perú. Overall, 131 women who met the selection criteria were included as cases of maternal mortality (MM). MM was defined as death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period (within the first 42 days after childbirth) in healthcare institutions in Callao. MM clinical-epidemiological records were reviewed. The analysis was performed using percent frequencies and means. RESULTS: Of the causes of MM, 61.1 % were direct and 38.9 % were indirect. The most frequent direct causes were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstetric bleeding and miscarriage. Average time between the onset of discomfort and the decision to ask for assistance was 20 minutes; mean time to arrive at the healthcare institution after making the decision was 20 minutes; and mean delay time between arrival to the institution and provision of care was 7 minutes. Of the total number of maternal deaths, 96.9 % occurred in a healthcare institution. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the causes of MM are mainly of a direct type, primarily due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstetric bleeding and miscarriage, while indirect causes of MM were less frequent, consisting mainly of infectious causes..

TITULO: CAUSAS DE MUERTE MATERNA EN LA REGIÓN DE CALLAO, PERÚ. ESTUDIO DESCRIPTIVO, 2000-2015. OBJETIVO: Identificar las causas de mortalidad ma- terna en la región de Callao, entre los años 2000 y 2015. METODOS: Estudio de serie de casos en establecimientos de salud (ES) públicos y priva- dos de la región de Callao en Perú. Se incluyeron 131 mujeres como casos de muerte materna (MM) que cumplían los criterios de selección. Se consideró MM, mujer fallecida durante el embarazo, parto o posparto (dentro de los 42 días posparto), en ES del Callao. Se revisaron las historias clínico-epi- demiológicas de MM. El análisis se realizó usando frecuencias porcentuales y promedios. RESULTADOS: El 61,1 % de las causas fueron directas y el 38,9 % indirectas. Las causas directas más frecuentes fueron los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, las hemorragias obstétricas y el aborto. La mediana del tiempo que tardó la gestante desde el inicio de las molestias hasta que decidió pedir atención fueron 20 minutos, la mediana del tiempo que tardó en llegar al ES luego de decidir la atención fue de 20 minutos, y la mediana del tiempo de demora desde que llegó la gestante al ES hasta ser atendida fue de 7 minutos. El 96,9 % de las muertes maternas se produjeron en ES. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio demostró que la principal causa de MM es la directa, principalmente debido a trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo; la hemo- rragia obstétrica y el aborto, mientras que en menor proporción fueron las MM indirectas, principal- mente enfermedades infecciosas.

[Sanitary management and resistance to antimicrobial agents in production animals]. / Gestión sanitaria y resistencia a los antimicrobianos en animales de producción.

The important benefits of antimicrobial agents in disease control have turned them into a fundamental tool in animal production. Nevertheless, its elevated use and, often, misuse, has contributed to one of the main public health problems in the world: resistance to antimicrobial agents. At the animal production level, the applications in terms of health management allow decreasing the need to use antimicrobial agents and, in the cases where they are needed, the good practices reduce their potential to cause resistance to a minimum. Despite this, the application and development of new strategies that allow facing the problem on a trans-sectoral basis are required, integrating all participants in the public and private sector.

Los importantes beneficios de los antimicrobianos en el control de enfermedades los han transformado en una herramienta fundamental en la producción animal. Sin embargo, su elevado uso y, muchas veces, mal uso, ha contribuido a uno de los principales problemas de la salud pública a nivel mundial: la resistencia a los antimicrobianos. A nivel de la producción animal, las aplicaciones de manejos sanitarios permiten disminuir la necesidad de uso de antimicrobianos y en caso de necesitar su utilización, las buenas prácticas reducen al mínimo la posibilidad de generar resistencia. A pesar de esto, es necesario la aplicación y el desarrollo de nuevas estrategias que permitan enfrentar el problema de manera intersectorial, integrando a todos los participantes del sector público y privado.

Time measurement characterization of stand-to-sit and sit-to-stand transitions by using a smartphone.

The aim of this study is to analyze a common method to measure the acceleration of a daily activity pattern by using a smartphone. In this sense, a numerical approach is proposed to transform the relative acceleration signal, recorded by a triaxial accelerometer, into an acceleration referred to an inertial reference. The integration of this acceleration allows to determine the velocity and position with respect to an inertial reference. Two different kinematic parameters are suggested to characterize the profile of the velocity during the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions for Parkinson and control subjects. The results show that a dimensionless kinematic parameter, which is linked to the time of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions, has the potential to differentiate between Parkinson and control subjects.

Influence of the Regime of Electropulsing-Assisted Machining on the Plastic Deformation of the Layer Being Cut.

In this article, the influence of electropulsing on the machinability of steel S235 and aluminium 6060 has been studied during conventional and electropulsing-assisted turning processes. The machinability indices such as chip compression ratio ξ , shear plane angle ϕ and specific cutting energy (SCE) are investigated by using different cutting parameters such as cutting speed, cutting feed and depth of cut during electrically-assisted turning process. The results and analysis of this work indicated that the electrically-assisted turning process improves the machinability of steel S235, whereas the machinability of aluminium 6060 gets worse. Finally, due to electropluses (EPs), the chip compression ratio ξ increases with the increase in cutting speed during turning of aluminium 6060 and the SCE decreases during turning of steel S235.

[Effectiveness of mobile technology and weight gain in pregnant women in Callao, Peru]. / Eficacia de la tecnología móvil y ganancia de peso en gestantes en Callao, Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of mobile technology in the appropriate weight gain of pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study. The sample included 117 pregnant women attending health facilities at la Dirección Regional de Salud (Diresa), Callao. Messages were sent to 58 pregnant women who formed the experimental group to improve their lifestyles and assistance to prenatal care (APC), while 59 pregnant women received routine education provided for pregnants. Messages were sent every three days. The nutritional status of the pregnant women was evaluated using the pre gestational BMI at the first visit of the APC. The weight gain was obtained from the difference between pre-gestational weight and weight recorded during the last controls. RESULTS: The adequate weight gain was 27.6% of intervened pregnancies and 25.4% in the non-intervened. The 79.3% pregnant had six or more NPC in the group intervened and 54.2% in the non-intervened. The weight gain was excessive in 5.1% in the non-intervened pregnant and 1.7% in the intervened. The highest percentage of pregnant women with adequate weight gain (32.0%) was observed in the intervened pregnancies with pre-gestacional overwhegith. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistic difference in the use of mobile technology for a proper weight gain between both study groups. There were greater fulfillment of APC in intervened pregnancies compared to the non-intervened (p<0.05).

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de la tecnología móvil en la ganancia adecuada de peso de las gestantes estudiadas. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cuasi-experimental. Se incluyó a 117 gestantes que acudieron a establecimientos de salud de la Dirección Regional de Salud (Diresa), Callao. Se envió mensajes a 58 gestantes que conformaban el grupo experimental para mejorar sus estilos de vida y asistencia al control prenatal (CPN), mientras que 59 gestantes recibieron la educación rutinaria durante la gestación. Los mensajes se enviaron cada tres días. En la primera visita del control pre natal se evaluó el estado nutricional de las gestantes tomando como referencia el IMC pre gestacional. La ganancia de peso se obtuvo por diferencia entre el peso pre-gestacional y peso registrado durante los últimos controles. RESULTADOS: La ganancia de peso adecuada fue 27,6% de gestantes intervenidas y 25,4% en las no intervenidas. El 79,3% de gestantes tuvieron seis o más CPN en el grupo intervenido y 54,2% en las no intervenidas. La ganancia de peso fue excesiva en 5,1% en las gestantes no intervenidas y solo 1,7% en las intervenidas. El mayor porcentaje de gestantes con ganancia de peso adecuada (32,0%) se observó en las gestantes intervenidas con sobrepeso pre gestacional. CONCLUSIONES: No hubo diferencia estadística al usar la tecnología móvil para la adecuada ganancia de peso entre los grupos de estudio. Existió mayor cumplimiento de asistencia al CPN en el grupo de gestantes intervenidas comparado con el no intervenido (p<0,05).

Avian influenza in Chile: a successful experience.

Avian influenza (AI) was diagnosed in May 2002 for the first time in Chile and South America. The epidemic was caused by the highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) virus subtype H7N3 that emerged from a low pathogenic virus. The index farm was a broiler breeder, located in San Antonio, V Region, which at the time was a densely populated poultry area. Stamping of 465,000 breeders, in 27 sheds, was immediately conducted. Surveillance activities detected a second outbreak, 1 wk later, at a turkey breeding farm from the same company. The second farm was located 4 km from the index case. Only 25% of the sheds were infected, and 18,500 turkeys were destroyed. In both outbreaks, surveillance zones and across-country control measures were established: prediagnosis quarantine, depopulation, intensive surveillance, movement control, and increased biosecurity. Other measures included cleaning, disinfection, and controlling the farms with sentinels to detect the potential presence of the virus. Zoning procedures were implemented to allow the international trade of poultry products from unaffected areas. Positive serologic results to H5N2 virus also were detected in other poultry farms, but there was no evidence of clinical signs or virus isolation. Epidemiological investigation and laboratory confirmation determined that positive serology was related to a contaminated imported batch of vaccine against inclusion body hepatitis. All actions taken allowed the control of the epidemic, and within 7 mo, Chile was free of AI. Epidemic and control measures that prevented further spread are described in this article, which illustrates the importance of a combination of control measures during and after an outbreak of AI. This study is a good example of how veterinary services need to respond if their country is affected by HPAI.