Onchocerciasis in the Americas: from arrival to (near) elimination

Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a blinding parasitic disease that threatens the health of approximately 120 million people worldwide. While 99% of the population at-risk for infection from onchocerciasis live in Africa, some 500,000 people in the Americas are also threatened by infection. A relatively recent arrival to the western hemisphere, onchocerciasis was brought to the New World through the slave trade and spread through migration. The centuries since its arrival have seen advances in diagnosing, mapping and treating the disease. Once endemic to six countries in the Americas (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela), onchocerciasis is on track for interruption of transmission in the Americas by 2012, in line with Pan American Health Organization resolution CD48.R12. The success of this public health program is due to a robust public-private partnership involving national governments, local communities, donor organizations, intergovernmental bodies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and the pharmaceutical industry. The lessons learned through the efforts in the Americas are in turn informing the program to control and eliminate onchocerciasis in Africa. However, continued support and investment are needed for program implementation and post-treatment surveillance to protect the gains to-date and ensure complete elimination is achieved and treatment can be safely stopped within all 13 regional foci

Megacity and local contributions to regional air pollution : An aircraft case study over London

In July 2017 three research flights circumnavigating the megacity of London were conducted as a part of the STANCO training school for students and early career researchers organised by EUFAR (European Facility for Airborne Research). Measurements were made from the UK's Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146-301 atmospheric research aircraft with the aim to sample, characterise and quantify the impact of megacity outflow pollution on air quality in the surrounding region. Conditions were extremely favourable for airborne measurements, and all three flights were able to observe clear pollution events along the flight path. A small change in wind direction provided sufficiently different air mass origins over the 2 d such that a distinct pollution plume from London, attributable marine emissions and a double-peaked dispersed area of pollution resulting from a combination of local and transported emissions were measured. We were able to analyse the effect of London emissions on air quality in the wider region and the extent to which local sources contribute to pollution events. The background air upwind of London was relatively clean during both days; concentrations of CO were 88-95 ppbv, total (measured) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were 1.6-1.8 ppbv and NOx was 0.7- 0.8 ppbv. Downwind of London, we encountered elevations in all species with CO>100 ppbv, VOCs 2.8-3.8 ppbv, CH4>2080 ppbv and NOx>4 ppbv, and peak concentrations in individual pollution events were higher still. Levels of O3 were inversely correlated with NOx during the first flight, with O3 concentrations of 37 ppbv upwind falling to 26 ppbv in the well-defined London plume. Total pollutant fluxes from London were estimated through a vertical plane downwind of the city. Our calculated CO2 fluxes are within the combined uncertainty of those estimated previously, but there was a greater disparity in our estimates of CH4 and CO. On the second day, winds were lighter and downwind O3 concentrations were elevated to 39-43 ppbv (from 32 to 35 ppbv upwind), reflecting the contribution of more aged pollution to the regional background. Elevations in pollutant concentrations were dispersed over a wider area than the first day, although we also encountered a number of clear transient enhancements from local sources. This series of flights demonstrated that even in a region of megacity outflow, such as the south-east of the UK, local fresh emissions and more distant UK sources of pollution can all contribute substantially to pollution events. In the highly complex atmosphere around a megacity where a high background level of pollution mixes with a variety of local sources at a range of spatial and temporal scales and atmospheric dynamics are further complicated by the urban heat island, the use of pollutant ratios to track and determine the ageing of air masses may not be valid. The individual sources must therefore all be well-characterised and constrained to understand air quality around megacities such as London. Research aircraft offer that capability through targeted sampling of specific sources and longitudinal studies monitoring trends in emission strength and profiles over time

The anisotropy of granular materials

The effect of the anisotropy on the elastoplastic response of two dimensional packed samples of polygons is investigated here, using molecular dynamics simulation. We show a correlation between fabric coefficients, characterizing the anisotropy of the granular skeleton, and the anisotropy of the elastic response. We also study the anisotropy induced by shearing on the subnetwork of the sliding contacts. This anisotropy provides an explanation to some features of the plastic deformation of granular media.Comment: Submitted to PR

Composición nutricional en hojas de 20 genotipos de Moringa oleifera Lam

Objective: Determine the nutritional composition of fresh and dehydrated leaves of 20 Moringa oleifera Lam genotypes. Design/morphology/approach: The vegetative material was obtained from three-year-old trees of 20 genotypes of Moringa oleifera, stablished in the Experimental station Rosario Izapa of INIFAP. For the proximal analysis, the standardized methods recommended by national and international standards were used. Results: The highest nutrient content was found in the dehydrated leaves, in which high average contents of crude protein were found (26.9 g/100g); calcium (2560.8 mg/100g); iron (12.5 mg/100g) and potassium (1976 mg/100g), as well as acceptable average crude fiber contents (9.5 g/ 100/g); fat (5.7 g/100g); carbohydrates (42.9 g/100g); energy value (330.4 kcal/ 100g); zinc (4.9 mg/100g); sodium (95.1 mg/100g); magnesium (408.3 mg/100g) and phosphorus (271.6 mg/100g). The highest contents of crude protein, zinc, potassium and phosphorus, iron and calcium were registered in the genotypes RIMOR10 and RIMOR 6. Limitations on the study /implications:  It is necessary to verify the nutritional content of moringa leaves in other environmental conditions different from the study area. Findings/conclusions: Dehydrated moringa leaves have a high content of crude protein, iron, calcium and potassium, as well as acceptable contents of crude fiber, fat, carbohydrates, energy value, zinc, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus, higher than other foods, so that its consumption is considered a viable alternative to complement the traditional diet to reduce the problem of malnutrition in Mexico.Objetivo: Determinar la composición nutricional de hojas frescas y deshidratadas de 20 genotipos de Moringa Moringa oleifera Lam. Diseño/metodología/: El material vegetal se obtuvo de árboles de tres años de edad de 20 genotipos de Moringa oleifera, establecidos en el Campo Experimental Rosario Izapa del INIFAP. Para el análisis proximal se utilizaron los métodos estandarizados y recomendados por las normas nacionales e internacionales. Resultados: El mayor contenido de nutrientes se encontró en las hojas deshidratadas, con contenidos promedio altos de proteína cruda (26.9 g/100/g); calcio (2560.8 mg/100g); hierro (12.5 mg/100g) y potasio (1976 mg/100g), así como contenidos promedio aceptables de fibra cruda (9.5 g/100/g); grasa (5.7 g/100g); carbohidratos (42.9 g/100/g); valor energético (330.4 Kcal/100g); zinc (4.9 mg/100g); sodio (95.1 mg/100g); magnesio (408.3 mg/100g) y fósforo (271.6 mg/100g). Los mayores contenidos de proteína cruda, zinc, potasio y fósforo, hierro y calcio se registraron en los genotipos RIMOR 10 y RIMOR 6. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Se considera necesario verificar el contenido nutricional de hojas de moringa, en otras condiciones de ambiente diferentes a las del área de estudio. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Las hojas deshidratadas de moringa poseen un alto contenido de proteína cruda, hierro, calcio y potasio, así como contenidos aceptables de fibra cruda, grasa, carbohidratos, valor energético, zinc, sodio, magnesio y fósforo, superior al de otros alimentos, por lo que su consumo se considera una alternativa viable como complemento de la dieta tradicional para reducir el problema de desnutrición en México

El proceso de enfermar de los médicos y sus consecuencias en el profesionalismo

La idiosincrasia de la profesión médica, los rasgos de personalidad característicos del médico y la falta de formación específica para reconocer y tratar adecuadamente la propia vulnerabilidad, predisponen a este colectivo a padecer más patología mental y, probablemente, un deficiente tratamiento de otras enfermedades. La mayoría de los estudios realizados hasta el momento se centran en la patología mental y adictiva del médico, desde el punto de vista del riesgo para la mala praxis y la seguridad de sus pacientes. La revisión narrativa de la literatura científica realizada (MEDLINE, EMBASE e IME 1985-2016) ha mostrado que, en el entorno hispanoparlante, apenas disponemos de información actualizada sobre el médico como paciente, a pesar de ser un tema de indudable relevancia desde el punto de vista de la seguridad asistencial, del profesionalismo y del propio bienestar de los profesionales. La situación del médico que enferma es compleja y poco conocida, con conflicto de roles y con repercusiones en la ética profesional y la calidad asistencial. The idiosyncrasy of the medical profession, the characteristic personality traits of the physician and the lack of specific training to properly recognize and treat one’s own vulnerability dispose this group to suffer more mental pathology and probably worse control of other medical diseases. Most of the studies promoted so far focus on the psychiatric and addictive concerns of the physician, from the point of view of the sick doctor as being at risk for malpractice and to guarantee the safety of their patients. The narrative review of scientific literature (MEDLINE, EMBASE and IME 1985-2016) has shown that we do not have in the Spanish-speaking environment updated information about the doctor as a patient, despite being a topic of incipient media repercussion and undoubtedly relevant from the point of view of patient safety, professionalism and medical ethics and as well as the welfare of professionals. The characteristic of a sick doctor are more complex than the rest of patients with a conflict of roles and repercussions on professional ethics and the quality of care

Caracterización morfoagronómica de coyol (Acrocomia aculeata Jacq.) para determinar su potencial productivo de aceite para biodiesel

Objective: To characterize morphologically natural populations of Acrocomia aculeata to determine the potential production of oil for biodiesel. Design/morphology/approach: Eight natural populations of the species were selected in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca. As descriptors 25 quantitative and qualitative characters were selected. The analysis of the main components and hierarchical conglomerates was performed with the PRINCOMP and PROC CLUSTER procedures of SAS, respectively. The dendrogram of groups of populations with morphological similarities was generated. Results: The first three main components explain 69.4% of the total morphological variation. CP1 explained 29.6% of the total variation with the characters stem diameter, mesocarp thickness, seed length, seed width, seed length-width ratio, seed thickness and seed weight. CP2 explained 26.1% of the variation, with the characters fruit width, fruit length, mesocarp color, and oil content in the mesocarp. CP3 explained 13.7% of the variation with the length of the rachis, epicarp color and endocarp color. The eight populations were integrated into five morphologically distinct groups. Limitations on the study/implications: It is necessary to expand the number of populations for greater precision on the diversity of the species in Mexico. Findings/conclusions: A wide genetic diversity of A. culeata was found. The variables that mostly explain this diversity correspond to the fruit and seed. The species represents a viable alternative for obtaining inputs for the production of biodiesel in Mexico.Objetivo: Caracterizar morfológicamente poblaciones naturales de Acrocomia aculeata para determinar su potencial para la producción de aceite para biodiesel. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se seleccionaron ocho poblaciones naturales de la especie en los estados de Chiapas y Oaxaca. Como descriptores se seleccionaron 25 caracteres cuantitativos y cualitativos. El análisis de componentes principales y conglomerados jerárquico se realizó con los procedimientos PRINCOMP y PROC CLUSTER de SAS, respectivamente. Se generó el dendograma de grupos de poblaciones con similitudes morfológicas. Resultados: Los tres primeros componentes principales explican el 69.4% de la variación morfológica total. El CP1 explicó el 29.6% de la variación total con los caracteres diámetro del tallo, grosor del mesocarpio, longitud de semilla, ancho de semilla, relación longitud-ancho de semilla, grosor de la semilla y peso de semilla. El CP2 explicó el 26.1% de la variación, con los caracteres ancho del fruto, largo del fruto, color del mesocarpio y contenido de aceite en el mesocarpio. El CP3 explicó el 13.7% de la variación con los caracteres longitud de raquis, color de epicarpio y color de endocarpio. Las ocho poblaciones se integraron en cinco grupos morfológicamente distintos. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Es necesario ampliar el número de poblaciones para una mayor precisión sobre la diversidad de la especie en México. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Se encontró una amplia diversidad genética en A. aculeata. Las variables que mayormente explican dicha diversidad corresponden al fruto y semilla. La especie representa una opción viable para la obtención de aceite para la producción de biodiesel en México