Estimación poblacional y sanitaria de Canis lupus familiaris en zonas rurales y urbanas de Huancarama, Perú / Population and health estimate of Canis lupus familiaris in rural and urban areas of Huancarama, Peru

RESUMEN El objetivo de la investigación fue estimar la población de canes con propietario y evaluar algunos aspectos de su estado sanitario en el distrito de Huancarama. El estudio fue cuantitativo, observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se efectuó en noviembre de 2020. Las viviendas se seleccionaron mediante un muestreo estratificado aleatorio proporcional que contemplaba a los centros poblados como estratos. Se realizó una encuesta a los jefes de familia en las viviendas utilizando como instrumento una guía de entrevista validada por expertos. La información recolectada se transfirió a una hoja de Excel® para ser procesada con el software Epidat 4.2. El 70% (IC95% = 65,8-74,2%) de las viviendas tuvo canes. Los centros poblados con mayor tenencia de canes fueron Tunyabamba y Mateclla (100%, respectivamente). La mayoría de viviendas tuvo un solo can (51,3%), con predominio del sexo macho (68,8%) y edades entre 2 y 8 años (77,6%). Pocas familias tuvieron en confinamiento a sus canes (19%) y los han esterilizado (2%). Sin embargo, aunque la mayoría de los canes fueron vacunados contra la rabia (81,9%), son pocos los que tuvieron control veterinario (16%). Todos los centros poblados, a excepción de California, tuvieron en promedio un can por vivienda. En el distrito existen 1.717 canes con propietario y una razón de tres personas por cada can. Los centros poblados de Llactabamba, Acco, Tunyabamba, Lambraspata, Los Ángeles, Sotapa Pararani y otros tuvieron una razón de dos personas por can. En conclusión, existe excesiva cantidad de canes en el distrito de Huancarama, constituyendo una proporción elevada en relación con la de personas.

ABSTRACT The objective of the research was to estimate the population of dogs with an owner and to evaluate some aspects of their sanitary status in the district of Huancarama. The study was quantitative, observational, descriptive and cross-sectional. It was carried out in November 2020. The dwellings were selected through a proportional random stratified sampling considering the populated centers as strata. A survey of household heads was conducted using an interview guide validated by experts as an instrument. The information collected was transferred to an Excel* sheet to be processed later with the Epidat 4.2 software. 70% (95% CI = 65, 8-74, 2%) of the dwellings had dogs. The populated centers with the highest proportion of dog ownership were Tunyabamba and Mateclla (100%, respectively). Most of the dwellings had only one dog (51, 3%), with a predominance of the male sex (68, 8%) and ages between 2-8 years (77, 6%). Few families have their dogs confined (19%) and have them sterilized (2%). However, although the majority of the dogs were vaccinated against rabies (81,9%), few had veterinary control (16%). All populated centers, with the exception of California, had an average of one can per dwelling. In the district there are 1.717 dogs with owners and a ratio of three people to each dog. The population centers of Llactabamba, Acco, Tunyabamba, Lambraspata, Los Angeles, Sotapa Pararani, and others had a ratio of two people per dog. In conclusion, there is an excessive number of dogs in the district of Huancarama, constituting a high proportion in relation to that of people.

Kidney Smartphone Diagnostics.

Here we present a method for a mobile point-of-care (POC) testing of urinary albumin concentration, a biomarker of kidney damage and cardiovascular disease. The self-testing strips are meant to be interpreted by means of a smartphone application. The limits of detection range from 0.15 to 0.30 g/L urinary albumin, though results below 0.10 g/L are presented in a quantitative manner and estimates larger than this threshold are shown as categorical variables in a qualitative manner for increasing urinary albumin concentrations. Calibrated once under standard conditions, the app enables the user to capture problem samples and calculate the corresponding concentration. Negative and positive findings must be interpreted, taking into account the inherent limitations of the method, and professional health advice must be requested for diagnostic considerations. Acknowledgment of the association between early life nutrition and long-term renal health and the adoption of preventive strategies targeting high-risk groups is key for the reduction of the burden of chronic kidney disease on a global scale.

Hormonal Smartphone Diagnostics.

Mobile point-of-care diagnostics are paramount for the provision of healthcare. Hormonal diagnostics are powerful tools to monitor timely changes in human physiology. Hormone concentrations in serum directly correlate with urine excretions with minor time delays. Therefore, rapid tests for hormones in urine have been widely used for decades as means of early diagnostics, particularly in lateral flow immunoassay formats. However, the challenge of reading and interpreting these binary tests remains. Here we present a method for utilizing mobile technologies to quantitatively read and interpret hormonal test strips. The method demonstrates the detection of a urinary by-product of progesterone, pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG), and its relation to ovulation and the fertility cycle.

Ammonia-sensitive photonic structures fabricated in Nafion membranes by laser ablation.

Here we report the fabrication and characterization of photonic structures in Nafion membranes sensitive to ammonia in the 0.19%-12.5% concentration range. The photonic structures were recorded by laser ablation of silver nanoparticles synthesized in situ by diffusion. The particles showed an average diameter of 17 nm with a narrow size distribution. After ablation, the nanoparticles generated a diffracting structure giving colorful reflections at defined peak wavelengths. The reflectivity at these wavelengths was directly proportional to concentration after ammonia exposure. The concentration range that can be measured with these membranes encompasses the fatal limit of exposure and the lower flammable limit of gaseous ammonia. Interrogation by reflection spectroscopy makes them suitable for remote sensing and real-time monitoring of gases.

Reusable, robust, and accurate laser-generated photonic nanosensor.

Developing noninvasive and accurate diagnostics that are easily manufactured, robust, and reusable will provide monitoring of high-risk individuals in any clinical or point-of-care environment. We have developed a clinically relevant optical glucose nanosensor that can be reused at least 400 times without a compromise in accuracy. The use of a single 6 ns laser (λ = 532 nm, 200 mJ) pulse rapidly produced off-axis Bragg diffraction gratings consisting of ordered silver nanoparticles embedded within a phenylboronic acid-functionalized hydrogel. This sensor exhibited reversible large wavelength shifts and diffracted the spectrum of narrow-band light over the wavelength range λpeak ≈ 510-1100 nm. The experimental sensitivity of the sensor permits diagnosis of glucosuria in the urine samples of diabetic patients with an improved performance compared to commercial high-throughput urinalysis devices. The sensor response was achieved within 5 min, reset to baseline in ∼10 s. It is anticipated that this sensing platform will have implications for the development of reusable, equipment-free colorimetric point-of-care diagnostic devices for diabetes screening.

The regulation of mobile medical applications.

The rapidly expanding number of mobile medical applications have the potential to transform the patient-healthcare provider relationship by improving the turnaround time and reducing costs. In September 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance to regulate these applications and protect consumers by minimising the risks associated with their unintended use. This guidance distinguishes between the subset of mobile medical apps which may be subject to regulation and those that are not. The marketing claims of the application determine the intent. Areas of concern include compliance with regular updates of the operating systems and of the mobile medical apps themselves. In this article, we explain the essence of this FDA guidance by providing examples and evaluating the impact on academia, industry and other key stakeholders, such as patients and clinicians. Our assessment indicates that awareness and incorporation of the guidelines into product development can hasten the commercialisation and market entry process. Furthermore, potential obstacles have been discussed and directions for future development suggested.

Holographic detection of hydrocarbon gases and other volatile organic compounds.

There is a need to develop sensors for real-time monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrocarbon gases in both external and indoor environments, since these compounds are of growing concern in human health and welfare. Current measurement technology for VOCs requires sophisticated equipment and lacks the prospect for rapid real-time monitoring. Holographic sensors can give a direct reading of the analyte concentration as a color change. We report a technique for recording holographic sensors by laser ablation of silver particles formed in situ by diffusion. This technique allows a readily available hydrophobic silicone elastomer to be transformed into an effective sensor for hydrocarbon gases and other volatile compounds. The intermolecular interactions present between the polymer and molecules are used to predict the sensor performance. The hydrophobicity of this material allows the sensor to operate without interference from water and other atmospheric gases and thus makes the sensor suitable for biomedical, industrial, or environmental analysis.

[Quality perceived by outpatients at the pharmaceutical care clinic]. / Calidad percibida por los pacientes externos en la consulta de atención farmacéutica del servicio de farmacia.

OBJECTIVE: To know the satisfaction degree manifested by outpatients presenting in the hospital pharmacy department pharmaceutical care clinic, and to identify organizational improvement items. METHOD: A survey with 8 close-ended questions and 1 open-ended question was designed where patients recorded their suggestions or comments on the service provided. A sample size of 591 surveys was estimated, which allowed to estimate parameters of interest with a 95% confidence interval and a +/- 5% accuracy, adjusting by a 40% potential losses percentage. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 70%; 23.6% of patients considered that finding the PD was difficult or very difficult. Waiting time was normal for 51.8%, but long or excessive for 18.4% of patients. Fifty-six percent of individuals considered the information received useful or very useful, and 81.1% considered that staff friendliness was good or very good. Care timetable was inadequate for 18.1%; 47.7% pointed out that the attending pharmacist did not identify him or herself. Overall satisfaction extent was 7.51 (of 10). A plan for improvement activities was designed and implemented regarding: care timetable, pharmacy department signaling, and general information on clinic matters. CONCLUSIONS: The survey allowed to identify organizational weaknesses. Overall score was very satisfactory, yet improvable. Future surveys are required for result comparisons and continual improvement assessment.