Carbon dots decorated magnetite nanocomposite obtained using yerba mate useful for remediation of textile wastewater through a photo-Fenton treatment: Ilex paraguariensis as a platform of environmental interest-part 2.

Two carbon dots (CD) with diameters of 4.9 ± 1.5 and 4.1 ± 1.2 nm were successfully synthesized through an acid ablation route with HNO3 or H2SO4, respectively, using Ilex paraguariensis as raw material. The CD were used to produce magnetite-containing nanocomposites through two different routes: hydrothermal and in situ. A thorough characterization of the particles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that all nanomaterials have spherical-like morphology with a core-shell structure. The composition of this structure depends on the route used: with the hydrothermal route, the shell is composed of the CD, but with the in situ process, the CD act as nucleation centers, and so the iron oxide domains are in the shell. Regarding the photocatalytic mechanism for the degradation of methyl orange, the interaction between the CD and the magnetite plays an important role in the photo-Fenton reaction at pH 6.2, in which ligand-to-metal charge transfer processes (LTMCT) allow Fe2+ regeneration. All materials (100 ppm) showed catalytic activity in the elimination of methyl orange (8.5 ppm), achieving discoloration of up to 98% under visible irradiation over 400 nm in 7 h. This opens very interesting possibilities for the use of agro-industrial residues for sustainable synthesis of catalytic nanomaterials, and the role of the interaction of iron-based catalysts with organic matter in heterogeneous Fenton-based processes.

Measurement of stigma and associated characteristics in people with tuberculosis in Medellín, Colombia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Stigma towards tuberculosis (TB) delays diagnosis and compromises adherence to treatment. We measured the degree of stigma and identified the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics that were associated with a higher degree of stigma in patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB in Colombia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 232 participants included in the TB control program in 2017. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were measured. The stigma component was measured through a validated scale and a multiple linear regression was used. RESULTS: The study analysed 232 patients, of which 52.2% were men, 53.5% were between 27 and 59 y of age and 66.8% had a basic-medium education level. Two characteristics were significantly related to a higher stigma score: the basic-medium education level and homeless status. Homeless status increased the stigma score by 0.27. In contrast, the adjusted stigma score decreased by 0.07 if the patient's health status was perceived as 'healthy'. CONCLUSION: Stigma is maximized in homeless patients and patients with a low education level. It is minimized in patients who perceive their state of health as 'healthy'.

Iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in organic microparticles from Yerba Mate useful for remediation of textile wastewater through a photo-Fenton treatment: Ilex paraguariensis as a platform of environmental interest - Part 1.

Seven composites of iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in organic microparticles mediated by Cu(II) were synthesized using yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) dry leaf extract as precipitant, capping agent, and dispersant medium, using different Cu/Fe molar ratios. A thorough characterization of the particles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and atomic absorption-spectrometry (AA) indicates that all materials have spheric-like morphology with nanoparticles composed by metal oxide phases embedded into organic microparticles. Interestingly, this organic matter is proposed to play an important role in the solids' photocatalytic activity in a photo-Fenton reaction, in which iron photo-leaching was elucidated, and a mechanism through ligand-to-metal charge transfer processes was proposed. All materials showed catalytic activity in the methyl orange elimination, achieving discolorations up to 96% in 2 h under UV irradiation at 375 nm. An experimental correlation between all samples' UV/Vis spectra and their performances for methyl orange discoloration was observed. This process opens a landscape very interesting for the use of agroindustrial residues for green synthesis of metal oxide nanomaterials and their use and understanding of organo-metallic systems participation in Fenton-based processes.

Delays in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis within a context of medium incidence, Medellín, Colombia, 2017: an operational research.

BACKGROUND: Delay in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is one of the first obstacles for controlling the disease. Delays generate greater deterioration of the health of the patients and increase the possibilities of transmission and infection at home and in the community. The aim of the study was to identify profiles and individual variables associated with patient delays and health care system delays in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Medellín, Colombia, a city that notifies 1400 new cases per year. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in adults with PTB was conducted from May to September of 2017. Sociodemographic, health care-seeking behaviour, and clinical variables were measured. The outcomes were patient delay and health care system delay. The data were obtained from records of the local TB program, and a questionnaire was applied by the health care team that performs routine field visits. Simple correspondence analysis was used to identify groups (profiles), and their characteristics. Cox's proportional hazards model was carried out to identify the variables associated with the delays. RESULTS: The study included 183 patients. The total delay median was 101 days (IQR: 64-163). Patient delay was of 35 days (IQR: 14-84), the profile with greater delay belonged to consumers of psychoactive substances. The health care system delay was of 27 days (IQR: 7-89), the attributes of the profile with greater delay were being a female, having more than two consultations before the diagnosis, and having prescribed antibiotics. Basic-medium educational level [HRa = 0.69; 95% CI (0.49-0.97)] and having a TB home contact [HRa = 0.68; 95% CI (0.48-0.96)] were associated with greater patient delay. Having negative acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear [HRa = 0.64; 95% CI (0.45-0.92)] and more than two consultations before the diagnosis [HRa = 0.33; 95% CI (0.22-0.49)] was associated with greater health care system delay. CONCLUSIONS: Data from epidemiological surveillance allowed locating risk groups with delays in TB diagnosis which requires the prioritisation of the local TB control program to promote early detection and prevention of adverse outcomes.

Catálogo y estudio farmacognóstico de plantas medicinales del distrito de Llacanora, provincia de Cajamarca, departamento de Cajamarca / Catalog and pharmacognostic study of medicinal plants of the district of Llacanora, province of Cajamarca, department of Cajamarca

Llacanora, en la provincia de Cajamarca es un distrito turístico de típico ambiente andino, poseedor de un valle fértil y pintorescos paisajes, uno de los menos poblados de la provincia, en su mayoría rural. Recurren en gran número a la medicina tradicional para la cura de sus males, por ello el consumo de plantas medicinales es amplio y muy variado para las diferentes enfermedades. La conocedora del saber tradicional del lugar llamada "la curandera", es la encargada de diagnosticar, preparar y administrar las plantas medicinales utilizando la sabiduría popular adquirida a lo largo de su experiencia. No existe documentación científica que recopile y revalore el uso, lo que podría perderse con el paso de los años. La forma de transmisión del conocimiento es netamente oral, lo que sería perjudicial por poseer especies potenciales en su mayoría para la búsqueda de nuevas terapias y fármacos. El objetivo del trabajo fue recolectar y estudiar las plantas medicinales utilizadas en el distrito de Llacanora, seleccionar aquellas de mayor uso a las que se les realizó el estudio farmacognóstico, cortes histológicos de la(s) droga(s) que permitieron determinar los constituyentes químicos; plasmar en los escritos gran parte de la sabiduría y cosmovisión del lugar. Todo ello con el fin de obtener datos de campo y laboratorio que servirán para posteriores estudios que validen los usos tradicionales atribuidos en la comunidad. Fueron realizadas 58 entrevistas semi-estructuradas dirigidas a la curandera del lugar y reconocida por la comunidad; así mismo se participó de vivencias durante la cura de pacientes, actividades familiares y comunitarias. Fueron colectadas, herborizadas y clasificadas taxonómicamente 53 plantas. Las especies fueron colectadas en los viajes al interior del lugar, guiadas por la curandera y miembros de su familia, del mismo modo aquellas que se encontraban en zonas muy alejadas y de difícil acceso fueron proporcionadas por lugareños. Las familias botánicas más citadas fueron Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae y Solanaceae. Los metabolitos secundarios más representativos fueron compuestos fenólicos, triterpenoides, esteroides, y alcaloides. Los cortes histológicos fueron realizados a la parte de la planta que es utilizada para las preparaciones medicinales (droga), siendo en su mayoría las hojas. En el catálogo se recopiló la información obtenida, resaltando el uso medicinal atribuido en el lugar, forma de preparación, dosis, botánica, hábitat y ubicación geográfica, entre otros puntos por cada especie. Así mismo, a partir de las entrevistas y vivencias se mostró la solidaridad, respeto mutuo entre la ciencia y tradición, confianza, amistad y necesidad de crear conciencia del cuidado de la biodiversidad entre los habitantes. Todo ello como contribución a la comunidad, para que el conocimiento tradicional y sus especies se mantengan vivas y se continúen usando a través del tiempo.

Informe del aislamiento de microsporum audouini de casos humanos en Cuba

Se informa el hallazgo del Microsporum audouini por primera vez en nuestro país, en 15 niños con tiña del cuero cabelludo, así como una niña con una lesión cutánea. Se describen las características que permiten llegar al diagnóstico de labotario de este dermatófito(AU)