Effects of Physical Exercise on Gross Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Research shows many positive effects from physical exercise. The present study examined the impact of a structured physical exercise program compared to treatment as usual on the gross motor skills of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants included 20 children, from 4 to 7 years old, who were assigned to two groups; an experimental group (n = 10) who received a structured physical exercise program for 60-min sessions, three times a week for eight weeks, and a control group (n = 10) who received conventional physiotherapy. Gross motor skills were assessed with the Abbreviated Development Scale -3 before and after the physical exercise program. The experimental group exhibited significant improvements in gross motor skills compared to the control group. This study suggests that structured physical exercise programs can improve gross motor skills in children with ASD.

Efectividad de Intervención en enfermería para fortalecer la cooperación al tratamiento en pacientes con falla cardiaca / Effectiveness of nursing intervention to strengthen treatment cooperationinpatients with heart failure

Introducción: La falla cardiaca (FC) afecta a más de 23 millones de personas en el mundo. Se ha demostrado que las intervenciones de enfermería mejoran el conocimiento, comportamientos y reingresos hospitalarios. Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad de intervención de enfermería para fortalecer la cooperación al tratamiento en pacientes con FC. Métodos: Estudio pretest y postest cuasi experimental en una muestra conveniente de 70 pacientes con FC, grupo control (n=35) que recibió atención habitual y grupo experimental (n=35) tuvo la IE. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos: Escala Europea de Autocuidado EHFScB y la nueva escala de cooperación ECOOPFRGv1 previo proceso de validación por expertos. El estudio contó con el aval de comité de ética institucional y consentimiento informado de pacientes. Resultados: Se evaluó el efecto de la intervención de enfermería, los hallazgos evidenciaron que existió diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=<0,001) en el grupo experimental con respecto a las mediciones obtenidas en el grupo control. Conclusiones: Se comprueba la efectividad de la intervención de enfermería para fortalecer la cooperación al tratamiento en los pacientes con FC. Los hallazgos sugieren la importancia de desarrollar programas de educación que se centren en mejorar la cooperación al tratamiento y los comportamientos de gestión del cuidado. (AU)

Introduction: Heart failure (HR) affects more than 23 million people worldwide. Nursing interventions have been shown to improve hospital knowledge, behaviors, and readmissions. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of nursing intervention to strengthen treatment cooperation in patients with CF. Methods: Pretest and quasi- experimental posttest study in a suitable sample of 70 patients with CF, control group(n=35) who received usual care and experimental group (n=35) had EI. Two instruments were used: European Self-Care Scale EHFScB and the new ECOOPFRGv1 cooperation scale after validation process by experts. The study was endorsed by the institutional ethics committee and informed consent of patients. Results: The effect of the nursing intervention was evaluated, the findings showed that there was a statistically significant difference (p = < 0.001) in the experimental group with respect to the measurements obtained in the control group. Conclusions: The effectiveness of nursing intervention to strengthen treatment cooperation in patients with CF was verified. The findings suggest the importance of developing education programs that focus on improving treatment cooperation and care management behaviors. (AU)

Diptera (Insecta: Pterygota) larvae as predators of Strongyloides stercoralis causing false negative stool cultures.

A stool sample of a five-year-old boy with suspected STH infection arrived at the Laboratory of the Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), National University of Salta in Oran, province of Salta, Argentina in 2017. Three Harada Mori were prepared, of which only one showed the presence of S. stercoralis. In the other two, the presence of an unknown larva was observed, which was later identified as an insect larva of the Diptera order. PCR analysis of the liquid medium of Harada Mori and Diptera larvae revealed presence of S. stercoralis DNA. These results, added to the predatory characteristics of the dipteran larvae, indicate that the S. stercoralis larvae were prey for these organisms, resulting in a negative diagnosis for S. stercoralis in the Harada Mori.

Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi coinfections in a highly endemic area in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease are endemic in northern Argentina. In this study we evaluate the association between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi infections in villages with diverse prevalence levels for these parasites. Further understanding in the relationship between these Neglected Tropical Diseases of South America is relevant for the design of integrated control measures as well as exploring potential biologic interactions. METHODOLOGY: Community based cross-sectional studies were carried in different villages of the Chaco and Yungas regions in Argentina. Individuals were diagnosed by serology for S. stercoralis and T. cruzi. The association between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, and between anemia and the two parasites was evaluated using two approaches: marginal (Ma) and multilevel regression (Mu). RESULTS: A total of 706 individuals from six villages of northern Argentina were included. A total of 37% were positive for S. stercoralis, 14% were positive for T. cruzi and 5% were positive for both. No association was found between infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi in any of the models, but we found a negative correlation between the prevalence of these species in the different villages (r = -0.91). Adults (> 15 years) presented association with S. stercoralis (Ma OR = 2.72; Mu OR = 2.84) and T. cruzi (Ma OR = 5.12; Mu OR = 5.48). Also, 12% and 2% of the variance of infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, respectively, could be explained by differences among villages. On the other hand, anemia was associated with infection with S. stercoralis (Ma OR = 1.73; Mu OR = 1.78) and was more prevalent in adults (Ma OR = 2.59; Mu OR = 2.69). CONCLUSION: We found that coinfection between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi is not more frequent than chance in endemic areas. However, the high prevalence for both parasites, raises the need for an integrated strategy for the control of STH and Chagas disease.

Respuesta humoral y persistencia de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes hospitalizados / SARS-CoV-2 antibodies kinetics in hospitalized patients

Resumen Luego de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 se producen anticuerpos específicos y continúa siendo objeto de estudio su cinética, cuantificación y umbral protector. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la cinética de aparición de anticuerpos IgG/IgM anti SARS-CoV-2, magnitud de respuesta y duración en el tiempo, en 55 pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19, y relacionar el patrón de respuesta con diferentes parámetros demográ ficos y clínicos. Medidas con un ensayo cualitativo automatizado, VIDAS® SARS-Cov-2 (Biomerieux - ELFA) se evaluaron las variaciones en la concentración de anticuerpos a lo largo del tiempo con un modelo generalizado de efectos fijos. Todos los pacientes seroconvirtieron IgM e IgG, al día 10 y 10.5 respectivamente, patrón sincrónico mayoritario; no siendo de utilidad la IgM aislada como indicador de respuesta aguda. La sensibilidad clínica fue: semana 1, 30%, semanas 2 y 3, 72%, 4: 91% y 8: 96%. IgG permaneció detectable hasta los 6 meses (período de seguimiento) con gran heterogeneidad de magnitud; IgM negativizó en el 90.9% de los pacientes. Observamos un nivel mayor de IgM en los pacientes > 56 años, y en hombres respecto a mujeres. En pacientes con enfer medad pulmonar obstructiva crónica la respuesta de IgM está aumentada; los inmunocomprometidos y aquellos con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa tuvieron menor IgM e IgG respectivamente. De nuestro grupo de pacientes, aquellos que requirieron cuidados críticos, asistencia respiratoria mecánica y los que fallecieron no presentaron diferencias significativas en magnitud de respuesta humoral respecto de quienes tuvieron un curso menos grave. La metodología utilizada refleja adecuadamente la cinética de anticuerpos.

Abstract Specific antibodies are produced after infection by SARS-CoV2. Currently, the understanding of antibody responses following infection with SARS-CoV-2 is limited including the magnitude, duration of responses and correlates of protective immunity following infection. Here we intended to characterize humoral immune response in a cohort of 55 hospitalized patients for COVID-19 and its relationship with different demographic and clinical parameters. The ELFA assay VIDAS® SARS-Cov-2 (Biomerieux) measured IgG/IgM antibodies. Their concentration over time was evaluated with a fixed effects generalized linear model. All patients seroconverted IgM and IgG, at day 10 and 10.5 respectively, showing a majority synchronous pattern; IgM alone would not be useful as a marker of acute response. Clini cal sensitivity was: week 1, 30%, weeks 2 and 3, 72%, 4: 91% and 8: 96%. IgG seropositivity was sustained in patients up to 180 days (last time point measured), in contrast, IgM response was short-lived (91days) in 90.9% of patients. Longer term follow-up is needed to determine the duration of IgG responses. We observed a higher level of IgM in patients > 56 years, and in men compared to women. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, the IgM response is increased, while in immunocompromised and interstitial lung disease patients, IgM and IgG were lower, respectively. Those patients who required critical care, mechanical ventilation and those who died did not present significant differences in the magnitude of humoral response compared to those who had a less severe course. The methodology used adequately reflects the kinetics of antibodies.

[SARS-CoV-2 antibodies kinetics in hospitalized patients]. / Respuesta humoral y persistencia de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes hospitalizados.

Specific antibodies are produced after infection by SARS-CoV2. Currently, the understanding of antibody responses following infection with SARS-CoV-2 is limited including the magnitude, duration of responses and correlates of protective immunity following infection. Here we intended to characterize humoral immune response in a cohort of 55 hospitalized patients for COVID-19 and its relationship with different demographic and clinical parameters. The ELFA assay VIDAS® SARS-Cov-2 (Biomerieux) measured IgG/IgM antibodies. Their concentration over time was evaluated with a fixed effects generalized linear model. All patients seroconverted IgM and IgG, at day 10 and 10.5 respectively, showing a majority synchronous pattern; IgM alone would not be useful as a marker of acute response. Clinical sensitivity was: week 1, 30%, weeks 2 and 3, 72%, 4: 91% and 8: 96%. IgG seropositivity was sustained in patients up to 180 days (last time point measured), in contrast, IgM response was short-lived (91days) in 90.9% of patients. Longer term follow-up is needed to determine the duration of IgG responses. We observed a higher level of IgM in patients > 56 years, and in men compared to women. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, the IgM response is increased, while in immunocompromised and interstitial lung disease patients, IgM and IgG were lower, respectively. Those patients who required critical care, mechanical ventilation and those who died did not present significant differences in the magnitude of humoral response compared to those who had a less severe course. The methodology used adequately reflects the kinetics of antibodies.

Luego de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 se producen anticuerpos específicos y continúa siendo objeto de estudio su cinética, cuantificación y umbral protector. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la cinética de aparición de anticuerpos IgG/IgM anti SARS-CoV-2, magnitud de respuesta y duración en el tiempo, en 55 pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19, y relacionar el patrón de respuesta con diferentes parámetros demográficos y clínicos. Medidas con un ensayo cualitativo automatizado, VIDAS® SARS-Cov-2 (Biomerieux - ELFA) se evaluaron las variaciones en la concentración de anticuerpos a lo largo del tiempo con un modelo generalizado de efectos fijos. Todos los pacientes seroconvirtieron IgM e IgG, al día 10 y 10.5 respectivamente, patrón sincrónico mayoritario; no siendo de utilidad la IgM aislada como indicador de respuesta aguda. La sensibilidad clínica fue: semana 1, 30%, semanas 2 y 3, 72%, 4: 91% y 8: 96%. IgG permaneció detectable hasta los 6 meses (período de seguimiento) con gran heterogeneidad de magnitud; IgM negativizó en el 90.9% de los pacientes. Observamos un nivel mayor de IgM en los pacientes > 56 años, y en hombres respecto a mujeres. En pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica la respuesta de IgM está aumentada; los inmunocomprometidos y aquellos con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa tuvieron menor IgM e IgG respectivamente. De nuestro grupo de pacientes, aquellos que requirieron cuidados críticos, asistencia respiratoria mecánica y los que fallecieron no presentaron diferencias significativas en magnitud de respuesta humoral respecto de quienes tuvieron un curso menos grave. La metodología utilizada refleja adecuadamente la cinética de anticuerpos.

Scope and limitations of a multiplex conventional PCR for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis and hookworms.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the diagnostic characteristics of a conventional multiplex PCR for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis, N. americanus and Ancylostomas spp. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from a cross-sectional study in Orán department, Salta province, Argentina. The stool samples were analyzed using concentration-sedimentation, Harada Mori, McMaster, and Baermann techniques. DNA was extracted from 50 mg fecal sample using the FastPrep® Spin Kit for Soil. Three pairs of primers were used for the amplification of three products of 101, 330, and 577 base pairs (bp) for S. stercoralis, N. americanus and Ancylostoma spp, respectively. The sensitivity and analytical specificity of multiplex PCR were evaluated, as well as the sensitivity and diagnostic specificity, using a composite standard and Bayesian approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex PCR did not present cross-reaction with other intestinal parasites, and the detection limit for multiplex PCR was between 2 and 20 pg of genomic DNA. In addition it presented a diagnostic sensitivity of 97.4% for S. stercoralis and 90.3% for hookworms with a specificity of 100% and 87.6%, respectively. PCR identified a higher proportion (p <0.01) of coinfections (15.3%) than microscopic techniques (3.5%). Also, multiplex PCR showed that there was a positive association between S. stercoralis and hookworms (odds ratio = 2.12). However, this association was due to N. americanus (odds ratio= 3.22), since no association was observed between S. stercoralis and Ancylostoma spp. Neither was an association observed between the two species of hookworms.

Seroprevalence of the Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Humans from Yungas Rainforest and Gran Chaco Region from Argentina and Bolivia.

The threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. Data on the prevalence and distribution of infection with this parasite species is scarce in many critical regions. We conducted a seroprevalence study of S. stercoralis infection in 13 locations in the Gran Chaco and Yungas regions of Argentina and Bolivia during the period 2010-2016. A total of 2803 human serum samples were analyzed by ELISA-NIE which has a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 95%. Results showed that 551 (19.6%) of those samples were positive. The adjusted prevalence was 20.9%, (95% confidence interval (CI) 19.4%-22.4%). The distribution of cases was similar between females and males with an increase of prevalence with age. The prevalence in the different locations ranged from 7.75% in Pampa del Indio to 44.55% in Santa Victoria Este in the triple border between Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay in the Chaco region. Our results show that S. stercoralis is highly prevalent in the Chaco and Yungas regions, which should prompt prospective surveys to confirm our findings and the design and deployment of control measures.

Mitos y evidencias en odontología sobre la gestación / Dental myths and evidence on pregnancy

El objetivo de este artículo es revisar información enfocada en mitos sobre la gestación y la salud oral. Las gestantes son consideradas un grupo prioritario de atención en salud, pero una de las barreras más importantes para que esta atención sea realizada son las creencias populares que trascienden de generación en generación. Entre estas, podemos encontrar algunos mitos como el que las mujeres embarazadas desarrollan un mayor número de lesiones cariosas, debido a que el ser en formación requiere mayor requerimiento de calcio. De igual forma, se acepta como un proceso normal durante la gestación que por cada hijo se pierde un diente. Así mismo, existe también la creencia que la atención odontológica causa daño al feto por el uso de anestésicos locales o medicamentos. Otro de los mitos más temidos es la toma de imágenes radiográficas durante la gestación y si el uso de amalgama en las restauraciones dentales es toxicas para el bebé. (AU)

The objective of this article was to review information focused on myths about pregnancy and oral health. Pregnant women are considered a priority group in health care, but one of the most important barriers to this care is the popular beliefs passed on from generation to generation such as the myth that pregnant women develop more carious lesions because of their condition and calcium requirements. In addition, it is often said that for every pregnancy a woman has a tooth is lost. There is also the belief that dental care causes harm to the fetus by the use of local anesthetics, medications, radiographic images and that the use of amalgam in dental restorations is toxic to the fetus. (AU)

Effects of intragastrically-administered Tepary bean lectins on digestive and immune organs: Preclinical evaluation.

Previous work showed that Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) lectins exhibit differential cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines by apoptosis induction. In vivo studies using a Tepary bean lectin fraction (TBLF, 50 mg/kg of body weight) after colon cancer induction in rats showed that TBLF inhibited early precancerous lesions without systemic toxicity however, loss of body weight gain and activation of immune cells were observed. In order to know more about the possible adverse effects, we evaluated the administration of TBLF on digestive and immune organs. Sprague Dawley rats were administered TBLF for six weeks and allowed to recover for two weeks. Immune activation was observed through an increased lymphocyte-granulocyte ratio, an increased number of lymphoid follicles in intestinal Peyer's patches and a slight expansion of the splenic white pulp. Atrophy was observed in small intestine villi and crypt foci of the colon without normalization after the recovery period. Pancreas histopathology showed hypertrophy after the six-week administration period, particularly vacuolation and trabecular widening; but after the two-week recovery period atrophy was observed, suggesting a partial compensatory type process. Our results show that TBLF activates the immune system and affects digestive organs through direct interaction with intestinal epithelium, and indirectly by producing pancreatic hyperfunction. Further work will focus in longer recuperation periods after TBLF treatment.

Albendazole and ivermectin for the control of soil-transmitted helminths in an area with high prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworm in northwestern Argentina: A community-based pragmatic study.

BACKGROUND: Recommendations for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control give a key role to deworming of school and pre-school age children with albendazole or mebendazole; which might be insufficient to achieve adequate control, particularly against Strongyloides stercoralis. The impact of preventive chemotherapy (PC) against STH morbidity is still incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a community-based program with albendazole and ivermectin in a high transmission setting for S. stercoralis and hookworm. METHODOLOGY: Community-based pragmatic trial conducted in Tartagal, Argentina; from 2012 to 2015. Six communities (5070 people) were enrolled for community-based PC with albendazole and ivermectin. Two communities (2721 people) were re-treated for second and third rounds. STH prevalence, anemia and malnutrition were explored through consecutive surveys. Anthropometric assessment of children, stool analysis, complete blood count and NIE-ELISA serology for S. stercoralis were performed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: STH infection was associated with anemia and stunting in the baseline survey that included all communities and showed a STH prevalence of 47.6% (almost exclusively hookworm and S. stercoralis). Among communities with multiple interventions, STH prevalence decreased from 62% to 23% (p<0.001) after the first PC; anemia also diminished from 52% to 12% (p<0.001). After two interventions S. stercoralis seroprevalence declined, from 51% to 14% (p<0.001) and stunting prevalence decreased, from 19% to 12% (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Hookworm' infections are associated with anemia in the general population and nutritional impairment in children. S. stercoralis is also associated with anemia. Community-based deworming with albendazole and ivermectin is effective for the reduction of STH prevalence and morbidity in communities with high prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis.

Serologic Monitoring of Public Health Interventions against Strongyloides stercoralis.

Northwestern Argentina is endemic for soil-transmitted helminths, and annual deworming programs are carried out in prioritized areas. High prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis was reported in this area; therefore, control programs including ivermectin are being evaluated. The NIE-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for this purpose. In this community trial, two groups of patients, classified according to housing and living conditions were evaluated. Simultaneous with baseline survey, Group 1 was moved to new households with access to improved water and sanitation facilities (W and S), where deworming (MDA, massive drug administration) took place within 1 month; whereas Group 2 received MDA but remained living with unimproved W and S. The mean time interval between baseline and the follow-up was 331 days for Group 1 and 508 for Group 2. Anti-NIE levels were measured for each individual before and after interventions and follow-up optical density (OD) ratios were calculated to quantify the variation. A significant decrease of the anti-NIE levels between baseline and follow-up was observed in both groups. Nonetheless, the number of patients that achieved the cure criteria (OD ratio < 0.6) was higher in Group 1 than Group 2 with values of 72.7% (24/33) and 45.0% (18/40), respectively (P = 0.0197). Our results support the conclusion that a combined intervention including deworming and improvements in life conditions is more effective, in terms of the proportion of subjects cured than deworming alone. Furthermore, we found that NIE-ELISA is a useful test for assessing the response to treatment and to evaluate the outcome of control intervention programs.

Effect of Poor Access to Water and Sanitation As Risk Factors for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection: Selectiveness by the Infective Route.

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a public health problem in resource-limited settings worldwide. Chronic STH infection impairs optimum learning and productivity, contributing to the perpetuation of the poverty-disease cycle. Regular massive drug administration (MDA) is the cardinal recommendation for its control; along with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. The impact of joint WASH interventions on STH infections has been reported; studies on the independent effect of WASH components are needed to contribute with the improvement of current recommendations for the control of STH. The aim of this study is to assess the association of lacking access to water and sanitation with STH infections, taking into account the differences in route of infection among species and the availability of adequate water and sanitation at home. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Cross-sectional study, conducted in Salta province, Argentina. During a deworming program that enrolled 6957 individuals; 771 were randomly selected for stool/serum sampling for parasitological and serological diagnosis of STH. Bivariate stratified analysis was performed to explore significant correlations between risk factors and STH infections grouped by mechanism of entry as skin-penetrators (hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis) vs. orally-ingested (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). After controlling for potential confounders, unimproved sanitation was significantly associated with increased odds of infection of skin-penetrators (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.9; 95% CI: 2.6-5.9). Unimproved drinking water was significantly associated with increased odds of infection of orally-ingested (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.7). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of safe water and proper sanitation pose a risk of STH infections that is distinct according to the route of entry to the human host used by each of the STH species. Interventions aimed to improve water and sanitation access should be highlighted in the recommendations for the control of STH.

Identification of human intestinal parasites affecting an asymptomatic peri-urban Argentinian population using multi-parallel quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: In resource-limited countries, stool microscopy is the diagnostic test of choice for intestinal parasites (soil-transmitted helminths and/or intestinal protozoa). However, sensitivity and specificity is low. Improved diagnosis of intestinal parasites is especially important for accurate measurements of prevalence and intensity of infections in endemic areas. METHODS: The study was carried out in Orán, Argentina. A total of 99 stool samples from a local surveillance campaign were analyzed by concentration microscopy and McMaster egg counting technique compared to the analysis by multi-parallel quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This study compared the performance of qPCR assay and stool microscopy for 8 common intestinal parasites that infect humans including the helminths Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, and the protozoa Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis, and Entamoeba histolytica, and investigated the prevalence of polyparasitism in an endemic area. RESULTS: qPCR showed higher detection rates for all parasites as compared to stool microscopy except T. trichiura. Species-specific primers and probes were able to distinguish between A. duodenale (19.1%) and N. americanus (36.4%) infections. There were 48.6% of subjects co-infected with both hookworms, and a significant increase in hookworm DNA for A. duodenale versus N. americanus (119.6 fg/µL: 0.63 fg/µL, P < 0.001) respectively. qPCR outperformed microscopy by the largest margin in G. lamblia infections (63.6% versus 8.1%, P < 0.05). Polyparasitism was detected more often by qPCR compared to microscopy (64.7% versus 24.2%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multi-parallel qPCR is a quantitative molecular diagnostic method for common intestinal parasites in an endemic area that has improved diagnostic accuracy compared to stool microscopy. This first time use of multi-parallel qPCR in Argentina has demonstrated the high prevalence of intestinal parasites in a peri-urban area. These results will contribute to more accurate epidemiological survey, refined treatment strategies on a public scale, and better health outcomes in endemic settings.

Adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico en pacientes con factores de riesgo cardiovascular del Hospital Divino Niño de Buga Valle / Adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in patients with cardiovascular risk factors at the Hospital Divino Niño de Buga Valle

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el grado de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico en personas con factores de riesgo cardiovascular de la E.S.E Hospital Divino Niño Guadalajara de Buga Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Metodología: El estudio fue de tipo descriptivo cuantitativo, realizado con 335 pacientes inscritos en el programa de crónicos. Se aplicó la cuarta versión del instrumento diseñado por Bonilla y de Reales "Para evaluar los factores que influyen en la adherencia a tratamientos farmacológicos y no farmacológicos en pacientes con factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular" diseñado por Claudia Bonilla y Edilma Gutiérrez de Reales en el año 2006. Resultados: con respecto al grado de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico de los participantes en la investigación se encontró que 76 % de los pacientes se encuentran en situación de ventaja para adherencia, 14 % están en situación de riesgo de adherencia y el 9 % no tienen adherencia. Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes están adheridos a los tratamientos farmacológicos y no farmacológicos, lo cual se respalda con los hallazgos individuales por dimensiones relacionados con la disponibilidad de recursos económicos para la satisfacción de necesidades básicas. Estos hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de mejorar los procesos de atención a los pacientes inscritos en los programas de crónicos y mejorar la adherencia a enfermedades crónicas.

The objective of this research was to determine the degree of adherence to drug therapy and non-drug in people with cardiovascular risk factors of the E.S.E Hospital divine child Guadalajara de Buga Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Methodology: This study was quantitative descriptive, with 335 patients enrolled in the program of chronic. The instrument applied the fourth version of the instrument designed by Bonilla and real "to assess the factors that influence in adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease" designed by Claudia Bonilla and Edilma Gutiérrez de Reales in 2006. Results: regarding the degree of adherence to the pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of participants in the research found that 76% of the patients are in situation of advantage for adhesion, 14% are at risk of adhesion and 9% have no grip. Conclusions: the majority of patients are attached to the pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments, which keeps consistent with individual findings by dimensions related to the availability of financial resources for basic needs satisfaction. These findings suggest the need to improve the processes of care to patients enrolled in the programs of chronic and improved adherence to chronic diseases.

Wealthier and healthier: Redesigning the peruvian conditional cash transfer Program "Juntos" to achieve better health outcomes on infants

This report aims to assist the government in improving infant health outcomes in the poorestregions of Peru through changes in the implementation of Juntos and the promotion of an intersectoralapproach to address the underlying causes of infant health problems. To do so, the studyfirst implements a quantitative analysis to evaluate which supply-related conditions inconjunction with Juntos yield higher impacts on health-related intermediate and final healthoutcomes. The results are used to formulate several technically sound policy recommendations(AU)

Wealthier and healthier: Redesigning the peruvian conditional cash transfer Program "Juntos" to achieve better health outcomes on infants

This report aims to assist the government in improving infant health outcomes in the poorestregions of Peru through changes in the implementation of Juntos and the promotion of an intersectoralapproach to address the underlying causes of infant health problems. To do so, the studyfirst implements a quantitative analysis to evaluate which supply-related conditions inconjunction with Juntos yield higher impacts on health-related intermediate and final healthoutcomes. The results are used to formulate several technically sound policy recommendations

Chromate reduction by Arthrobacter CR47 in biofilm packed bed reactors.

Bacterial strain Cr47 was isolated from a landfarming process soil sample. It was identified, by 16s rDNA sequencing, as Arthrobacter sp. The time course of the Cr(VI) reduction was monitored in batch operated packed bed biofilm reactors (12 mL void volume) and in recirculating packed bed biofilm reactors (100 mL void volume) inoculated with bacterial strain Cr47. The reduction was evaluated with, 30 mg L(-1) Cr(VI) laboratory solutions prepared with K2Cr2O7 and enriched with glucose-minimal medium, and with 30 mg L(-1) Cr(VI) industrial model solutions prepared with chrome plating waste waters enriched with sucrose-minimal medium. Under batch mode the reduction reaction by the biofilm seemed to fit well an exponential-decay model with a first order kinetic parameter of 0.071 mg(L h)(-1) Cr(VI). In the recirculating reactor, monitored after 4 weeks from inoculation and fed with laboratory solutions the removal rate was 0.79 mg(L h)(-1). In the reactor fed with the industrial model solutions the maximum Cr(VI) removal rate attained was 0.49 mg(L h)(-1). Artrobacter sp. packed bed biofilm reactors achieved Cr(VI) reduction rates comparable to other aerobic and anaerobic fixed film bioreactors previously reported.

[Evaluation of serology as a diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infection in the local population of Guayaquil]. / Valoración de la serología como método diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori en la población local de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

INTRODUCTION: The infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and the diagnostic efficacy of the serologic tests has certain variability among the different geographic regions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to find the local validation of serological methods for diagnosis of H. pylori infection and to determine the best cutoff value for the local population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients were evaluated, 27 males and 21 females, with a mean age of 29.2 years. On each patient, 3 tests for H. pylori diagnosis were performed: IgG serology, IgA serology and histology. We performed IgG and IgA serologic test for H. pylori infection and a histological examination for each patient. Efficacy parameters as well as the ROC curve were obtained for the IgG and IgA serology using histology as the gold standard. RESULTS: The cutoff point with the highest efficacy for IgG serology was 16 U/ml (sensitivity 81%, specificity 65%, positive predictive value 81%, negative predictive value 65%, and accuracy 75%), and for IgA serology was 17 U/ml (sensitivity 61%, specificity 53%, positive predictive value 70%, negative predictive value 43%, and accuracy 58%). The area under the curve was 67.1% (CI 95%: 50 to 84.1) and 54.4% (CI 95%: 38.3 to 72.5) for IgG and IgA respectively. CONCLUSION: The serology is a valuable tool in our population with high prevalence of H. pylori, especially due to its low cost and easy performance, but a reduction ofthe cutoff value was necessary to obtain more sensibility and a more adequate identification of true positives cases.