Impact of the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in Argentina during 2021: An observational quantification of the death probability for confirmed cases in Buenos Aires province.

Background: A SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign was launched in Argentina in January 2021. The vaccines then available were administered to the population in several different schemes. This observational study presents a quantification of the impact of the different schemes on the probability of death for confirmed COVID-19 cases in Argentina's Buenos Aires Province. The results provide a local measure of the schemes' effectiveness that heretofore has been lacking. Methods: The study's main source of information is the Integrated Health Information System database, which contains 1,538,113 records of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) cases reported in 2021 in the Province. To assess the real-world effectiveness of the vaccination campaign, two categorical variables representing vaccination status were defined. Probability of death was formulated as a generalized linear model with a logistic link and includes variables for geography, a socio-economic level index, symptom onset, sex, and vaccination status. The effectiveness level was derived from the death probability estimates. Findings: The study's findings indicated that the most effective vaccine was rAd26-rAd5 (Sputnik), with ChAdOx1-S (AZ/Covishield) and BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) following in efficacy, for both single and multiple doses. The effectiveness of a single dose was consistently below 50%, while it ranged from 50% to 90% for two or more doses. Notably, the analysis of variables such as the municipality of residence of the infected persons and the season of symptom onset yielded particularly intriguing insights. The socioeconomic level of a municipality emerged as a moderately strong predictor of the probability of death, which was marginally higher in municipalities with lower-income populations. Additionally, the data revealed an increased probability of death during the winter season. Interpretation: The vaccination campaigns carried out in Buenos Aires Province in 2021 significantly contributed to reducing the number of deaths due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among its population. However, the extent of this impact varied considerably depending on individual characteristics such as age, health status, and vaccination schedule adherence.

Physicochemical and pharmacotechnical characterization of Prussian blue for future Prussian blue oral dosage forms formulation.

Ferric hexacyanoferrate, Fe4 [Fe(CN)6]3 · xH2O, known as Prussian blue (PB), has proven its effectiveness as an antidote in cases of accidental poisoning or poisoning caused by radioactive materials such as cesium (Cs) and thallium (Tl); which due to their solubility in water, when absorbed by the human body, cause serious damage to vital organs. The local development of a drug with PB as an active ingredient arises as a response to the civil and military needs established within the Ministry's pharmacy request for national defense. This fact contemplates the circumstances related to public health protection in the nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical (NRBQ) of the emergency institutions in health and national security. In this paper and by using various analytical techniques, the characterization of the locally synthesized PB with pharmaceutical quality has been described, as a first step to predict its behavior in the preparation of a drug that contains it as an active ingredient. The research findings demonstrate that locally synthesized PB is suitable for use in oral dosage forms, enabling the local development of drug formulations incorporating PB, thus being able to potentially become a main resource in the treatment of Cs and Tl poisoning in any accidental or intended of the population. This development opens up the possibility of creating drug formulations that incorporate PB at a local level, making it a potentially significant resource in the treatment of Cs and Tl poisoning. The ability to locally produce and utilize PB in oral dosage forms could be crucial in addressing cases of accidental or intentional exposure within the population. This advancement not only contributes to the scientific understanding of PB but also holds promising implications for practical applications in public health and emergency situations.

Development of a formulation of potassium iodide tablets as an antidote against nuclear incidents.

Objectives: Potassium iodide (KI) is a treatment to neutralize radioactive agents that could be inhaled or ingested in nuclear incidents. The inorganic salt KI constitutes a source of iodine, which in the body acts by accumulating in the thyroid gland, producing its saturation, and thus preventing the fixation of radioactive iodine species. In Spain, the Military Defence Pharmacy Centre (CEMILFARDEF) was challenged to develop this antidote to be distributed among the population surrounding nuclear power plants, in only one new solid pharmaceutical form for oral administration, in order to replace the two pharmaceutical forms available, which are capsules for adults and oral solution for children, considered less versatile. Methods: A selection of excipients was carried out to achieve pharmacotechnical behaviour suitable for the industrial manufacture of potassium iodide in tablets, complying with the pre-established process and finished product quality parameters. The development allowed the preparation of three industrial-sized batches on which the stability of the developed formulation was studied. Results: An uncoated 65 mg double-scored potassium iodide tablet was developed using easily accessible excipients in the formulation and direct compression as the manufacturing method. The formula complied with the stability tests, with which the development carried out can respond to the eventual demand that its elaboration would entail in the event of nuclear incidents. Conclusions: The developed formulation of a 65 mg double-scored potassium iodide tablet allows the great variability of user needs, from infants to adults with a single pharmaceutical form, which additionally implies logistical benefits in distribution, stock control and appropriate renewal according expiration dates, among the population surrounding nuclear power plants and available to deployed military personnel, in the event of potential nuclear incidents.

Effects of Different Rapid Weight Loss Strategies and Percentages on Performance-Related Parameters in Combat Sports: An Updated Systematic Review.

Most combat sports (CS) are structured in weight categories, and it is very common to carry out body weight adjustment strategies in order to compete in lower weight categories. For this reason, different rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies are usually performed to pass the pre-competition weigh-in test, and then a replenishment of fluids and carbohydrate-rich foods is conducted in an attempt to recover the weight and avoid a performance loss. In this context, no clear references have been found on whether these types of strategies have negative effects, impairing the athlete's combat and/or physical performance. For this reason, the aim of this study was to review the scientific literature on the effect of rapid weight reduction strategies on the performance of CS athletes. A literature search was performed through four different databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect). Four inclusion criteria were established as follows: (1) the subjects had to be competitors in the CS and carry out RWL strategies; (2) at least two measurement points, that is, normal conditions and dehydration condition; (3) measurements in a real competition or simulating the same conditions; (4) original research articles written in English or Spanish and available in full text. Finally, a total of 16 articles were finally included in this research. All subjects (n = 184) were athletes from combat disciplines, with a minimum of 3-4 years of practice, as well as with certain experience in RWL. Six of the studies reported that an RWL strategy of around 5% of body weight loss did not affect performance parameters. However, the other ten studies with RWL between 3 and 6% or even higher reported negative effects or impairments on different parameters related to performance and/or athlete's psychophysiology, such as perceived fatigue, mood states, strength and power production, as well as changes in hormonal, blood and urine parameters, body composition, or the kinematics of the technical gesture. Although there is still no clear answer to the issue approached in this research, in general terms, it seems that in order to guarantee an acceptable athletic performance of the competitor, the weight loss should not exceed 3% to ≤5% of body weight together with ≥24 h for adequate (or at least partial) recovery and rehydration processes. In addition, it is highly recommended to lose weight progressively over several weeks, especially focusing on competitions lasting several days, as well as multiple rounds or qualifying stages.

Estudio comparativo de divisibilidad de diferentes formulaciones de prednisona / Comparative study on the divisibility of different prednisone formulations

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la influencia de la divisibilidad en comprimidos de prednisona 30 mg. La división de comprimidos se utiliza a menudo en la práctica farmacéutica para ajustar las dosis administradas. La prednisona es un corticoesteroide (glucocorticoide) utilizado en el tratamiento de sustitución en la insuficiencia adrenal incluyendo entre otras la enfermedad de Addison. Como medicamento de referencia se utilizó Dacortin 30 mg, el cual se comparó con dos medicamentos genéricos. Se estudiaron diferentes características farmacotécnicas para evaluar la calidad de los comprimidos estudiados, tales como la disgregación y la resistencia a la rotura. Atendiendo al estudio de fraccionamiento de comprimidos, se determinó la diferencia sobre el peso teórico esperado (pérdida de masa media tras el fraccionamiento de cada marca comercial). La liberación del principio activo se estudió mediante el ensayo de velocidad de disolución en fracciones de comprimidos. Los resultados de las tres presentaciones comerciales fueron estudiados y analizados estadísticamente con un nivel de confianza de un 95 %. (AU)

The objective of this work was to study the influence of the division in prednisone tablets 30 mg. The division of tablets is often used in pharmaceutical practice to adjust the administered doses. Prednisone is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) used in the substitution treatment in adrenal insufficiency including, among others, Addison’s disease. As a reference drug, Dacortin 30 mg was used, and compared with two generic drugs. Different pharmacotechnic characteristics were studied to evaluate the quality of the tablets studied, such as disintegration, and the resistance to crushing. Based on the study of tablet fractionation, the difference over the expected theoretical weight was determined (loss of average mass after the fractionation of each trademark). The release of the active substance was carried out with dissolution rate study in fractions of tablets. The results of the three commercial formulations were studied and statistically analyzed with a confidence level of 95 %. (AU)

Study of Different Chitosan/Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Proportions in the Development of Polyelectrolyte Complexes for the Sustained Release of Clarithromycin from Matrix Tablets.

This study investigated the combination of different proportions of cationic chitosan and anionic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for the development of polyelectrolyte complexes to be used as a carrier in a sustained-release system. Analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) confirmed ionic interactions occur between the chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose chains, which increases drug entrapment. The results of the dissolution study in acetate buffer (pH 4.2) showed significant increases in the kinetic profiles of clarithromycin for low proportions of chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose tablets, while the tablets containing only chitosan had high relaxation of chitosan chains and disintegrated rapidly. The Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model for the different interpolymer complexes demonstrated that the clarithromycin transport mechanism was controlled by Fickian diffusion. These results suggest that the matrix tablets with different proportions of chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose enhanced the ionic interaction and enabled the prolonged release of clarithromycin.

Optimizing leaf sweeping and collection in the Argentine city of Trenque Lauquen.

A solution strategy based on integer linear programming models has been developed for leaf sweeping operations in the Argentine city of Trenque Lauquen. The aim is to achieve efficiency in the assignment of sweepers to city blocks, the identification of leaf bag deposit points and the routes to be followed by collection trucks for leaf bag pickup. Previous to this strategy, sweeper assignments were improvised and inefficient, with blocks often left unswept. Furthermore, no method was available for accurately determining the number of sweepers needed to ensure either full coverage of all city zones within the working day or a balanced work load distribution across all sweepers. Application of the solution strategy by the city has resulted in efficient definitions of sweeper requirements while optimizing sweeper assignments such that all blocks are covered. Once the strategy is fully implemented, the number of bag deposit points under the manual definitions should be reduced by roughly one-half and the total travel distance of the truck routes, modelled as an asymmetric travelling salesman problem, should be cut by 10-15% with the consequent savings in time, vehicle use and fuel consumption.

Self-Micellizing Technology Improves the Properties of Ezetimibe and Increases Its Effect on Hyperlipidemic Rats.

The aim of this work was to develop ezetimibe self-micellizing solid dispersions using Kolliphor® RH40 (MS-K) as a surfactant incorporating ezetimibe (EZ) into the croscarmellose hydrophilic carrier. Different ezetimibe:Kolliphor® ratios were studied to select micellar systems that improve the dissolution properties of ezetimibe. The different formulations were characterized by means of solid state analysis by SEM, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dissolution studies. These physicochemical studies showed a decrease from the crystalline structure of ezetimibe (EZ) to its amorphous state in the micellar systems (MS-K). A rapid dissolution profile was observed in these micellar systems compared to the drug raw material and physical mixture. Efficacy studies were conducted using a high-fat diet that induced hyperlipidemic rats. The micellar system selected (MS-K 1:0.75) revealed a significant improvement in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) compared to ezetimibe raw material. The histopathological examination of liver tissue also showed that this micellar system exhibited more beneficial effects on liver steatosis compared to ezetimibe raw material (EZ-RM) and the high-fat diet group (HFD). This study suggests that EZ micellar systems using Kolliphor® RH40 could enhance the antihyperlipidemic effect of ezetimibe and reduce liver steatosis.

Estudio comparativo de divisibilidad de diferentes formulaciones de prednisona / Comparative study on the divisibility of different prednisone formulations

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la influencia de la divisibilidad en comprimidos de prednisona 30 mg. La división de comprimidos se utiliza a menudo en la práctica farmacéutica para ajustar las dosis administradas. La prednisona es un corticoesteroide (glucocorticoide) utilizado en el tratamiento de sustitución en la insuficiencia adrenal incluyendo entre otras la enfermedad de Addison. Como medicamento de referencia se utilizó Dacortin 30 mg, el cual se comparó con dos medicamentos genéricos. Se estudiaron diferentes características farmacotécnicas para evaluar la calidad de los comprimidos estudiados, tales como la disgregación y la resistencia a la rotura. Atendiendo al estudio de fraccionamiento de comprimidos, se determinó la diferencia sobre el peso teórico esperado (pérdida de masa media tras el fraccionamiento de cada marca comercial). La liberación del principio activo se estudió mediante el ensayo de velocidad de disolución en fracciones de comprimidos. Los resultados de las tres presentaciones comerciales fueron estudiados y analizados estadísticamente con un nivel de confianza de un 95 %

The objective of this work was to study the influence of the division in prednisone tablets 30 mg. The division of tablets is often used in pharmaceutical practice to adjust the administered doses. Prednisone is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) used in the substitution treatment in adrenal insufficiency including, among others, Addison's disease. As a reference drug, Dacortin 30 mg was used, and compared with two generic drugs. Different pharmacotechnic characteristics were studied to evaluate the quality of the tablets studied, such as disintegration, and the resistance to crushing. Based on the study of tablet fractionation, the difference over the expected theoretical weight was determined (loss of average mass after the fractionation of each trademark). The release of the active substance was carried out with dissolution rate study in fractions of tablets. The results of the three commercial formulations were studied and statistically analyzed with a confidence level of 95 %

An integer programming approach to a real-world recyclable waste collection problem in Argentina.

This article reports on the use of mathematical programming techniques to optimise the routes of a recyclable waste collection system servicing Morón, a large municipality outside Buenos Aires, Argentina. The truck routing problem posed by the system is a particular case of the generalised directed open rural postman problem. An integer programming model is developed with a solving procedure built around a subtour-merging algorithm and the addition of subtour elimination constraints. The route solutions generated by the proposed methodology perform significantly better than the previously used, manually designed routes, the main improvement being that coverage of blocks within the municipality with the model solutions is 100% by construction, whereas with the manual routes as much as 16% of the blocks went unserviced. The model-generated routes were adopted by the municipality in 2014 and the national government is planning to introduce the methodology elsewhere in the country.

Desgarro retiniano posterior, asociado a LASIK en miopía. Su tratamiento en 1989 y evaluación en 2015 / Posterior retinal tear, myopia and LASIK. Its treatment in 1989 and follow up in 2015

Caso de desgarro retiniano posterior grande, paravascular, inferotemporal en ojo izquierdo, con desprendimiento de retina y hemorragia vítrea parcial en mujer de 30 años, miope de -5.00 dioptrías. El relato de su tratamiento, resultados inmediatos obtenidos en 1989 y su seguimiento tardío con valoración actualizada en 2015.

Case of large posterior, paravascular, inferotemporal retinal tear associated with a partial vitreous emorrhage and a quadrantic retinal detachment in a 30 years old myopic woman of -5.00 diopters. Management, initial results in 1989 and follow-up with current evaluation in 2015.

Sixty-Seven Years of Land-Use Change in Southern Costa Rica.

Habitat loss and fragmentation of forests are among the biggest threats to biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in tropical landscapes. We use the vicinity of the Las Cruces Biological Station in southern Costa Rica as a regional case study to document seven decades of land-use change in one of the most intensively studied sites in the Neotropics. Though the premontane wet forest was largely intact in 1947, a wave of immigration in 1952 initiated rapid changes over a short period. Overall forest cover was reduced during each time interval analyzed (1947-1960, 1960-1980, 1980-1997, 1997-2014), although the vast majority of forest loss (>90%) occurred during the first two time intervals (1947-1960, 1960-1980) with an annual deforestation rate of 2.14% and 3.86%, respectively. The rate dropped to <2% thereafter and has been offset by forest recovery in fallow areas more recently, but overall forest cover has continued to decline. Approximately 27.9% of the study area is forested currently. Concomitantly, the region shifted from a single contiguous forest to a series of progressively smaller forest fragments with each successive survey. A strong reduction in the amount of core habitat was paralleled by an increased proportion of edge habitat, due to the irregular shape of many forest fragments. Structural connectivity, however, remains high, with an expansive network of >100 km of linear strips of vegetation within a 3 km radius of the station, which may facilitate landscape-level movement for some species. Despite the extent of forest loss, a substantial number of regional landscape-level studies over the past two decades have demonstrated the persistence of many groups of organisms such as birds and mammals. Nonetheless, the continued decline in the quantity and quality of remaining habitat (~30% of remaining forest is secondary), as well as the threat of an extinction debt (or time lag in species loss), may result in the extirpation of additional species if more proactive conservation measures are not taken to reverse current trends-a pattern that reflects many other tropical regions the world over.

Presencia constante del músculo esfenomandibular (quinto masticador) / Continued presence of the sphenomandibular muscle (fifth chewing muscle)

El músculo esfenomandibular es un músculo masticador (quinto masticador) constante en nuestro medio, verificado por disección de seis piezas cadavéricas anatómicas de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Privada del Valle durante los años académicos: 2012 -2013.

The sphenomandibular muscle is a chewing muscle (fifth chewing muscle) constant in our enviroment, verified by dissection of six anatomical cadaverous pieces of the School of Health Science of the Private University of the Valley during the academic years: 2012 -2013.

Bifurcación alta de la arteria braquial (humeral) / Bifurcation of the brachial artery (humeral)

El presente trabajo se trata de la observación, por disección, de la bifurcación alta de la arteria braquial o humeral en cadáveres. En 34 años, de trabajo de docencia en anatomía en anfiteatros de Universidades de La Paz, Bolivia y realizando disecciones en más de 200 cadáveres, se observaron, en cuatro de ellos, la bifurcación alta de la arteria braquial o humeral. Hoy presentamos el último hallazgo de esta serie.

A method for optimizing waste collection using mathematical programming: a Buenos Aires case study.

A method is proposed that uses operations research techniques to optimize the routes of waste collection vehicles servicing dumpster or skip-type containers. The waste collection problem is reduced to the classic travelling salesman problem, which is then solved using the Concorde solver program. A case study applying the method to the collection system in the southern zone of Buenos Aires is also presented. In addition to the typical minimum distance criterion, the optimization problem incorporates the objective of reducing vehicle wear and tear as measured by the physics concept of mechanical work. The solution approach, employing graph theory and mathematical programming tools, is fully described and the data correction process is also discussed. The application of the proposed method minimized the distance travelled by each collection vehicle in the areas studied, with actual reductions ranging from 10 to 40% of the existing routes. The shortened distances led in turn to substantial decreases in work done and therefore in vehicle wear and tear. Extrapolation of the results to the entire southern zone of Buenos Aires indicates potential savings for the civic authorities of more than US $200,000 per year in addition to the qualitative impacts of less traffic disruption, less vehicle driver fatigue and less pollution.

Estudio comparativo de disgregación de diferentes formulaciones de olanzapina / Comparative study on the disintegration of different olanzapine formulations

Las formas de dosificación bucodispersables son productos farmacéuticos que se disgregan y disuelven rápidamente en la saliva cuando se colocan en la boca. Hay distintos tipos de formulaciones y procesos de fabricación que pueden emplearse para su elaboración. En este trabajo, se estudia las diferencias entre los genéricos bucodispersables con 10 mg de olanzapina comercialmente disponibles en España y Zyprexa Velotab reconocido como innovación galénica. Se han analizado distintos aspectos, tales como forma y tamaño, formulación cualitativa, tiempo de disgregación in vitro en saliva artificial y material de acondicionamiento. Entre todos los productos analizados, Zyprexa Velotab fue el que tuvo una ultrarrápida disgregación en 3 segundos y el menor residuo de dispersión (AU)

Orally dispersable dosage forms are pharmaceutical products that disintegrate and dissolve rapidly in saliva when placed in the mouth. There are several types of formulations and manufacturing technologies, which may be used to produce orodispersibles. This work investigates different generic 10 mg olanzapine orodispersible products commercially available in Spain and the innovative Zyprexa Velotab manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co. Several aspects such as the shape and size, qualitative formulation, in vitro disintegration time in artificial saliva and packaging are analyzed. Among all the products tested Zyprexa Velotab showed an ultra fast disintegration in 3 seconds and the lowest dispersión (AU)

dialectica comunista a la luz de la ciencia

Contenido:1.La concepcion dialectica del cosmos 2.La verdad para el mrxismo 3.La ley marxista de la interpretacion de los contrarios 4.Inexistencia y falsedad de los contrarios dialecticos 5.La ley marxista de la negacion de la negacion 6.La ley marxista de la transformacion de la cantidad en cualidad y viceversa 7.La metafisica marxista del movimiento 8.Los desconcertantes problemas de la vida y de la energia.