Impact of individual-level social capital on quality of life among AIDS patients in China.

With growing recognition of the social determinants of health, social capital is an increasingly important construct in international health. However, the application of social capital discourse in response to HIV infection remains preliminary. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of social capital on quality of life (QoL) among adult patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A convenient sample of 283 patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) was investigated in Anhui province, China. QoL data were collected using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. Social capital was measured using a self-developed questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to explore associations between social capital and QoL. The study sample had a mean physical health summary (PHS) score of 50.13 ± 9.90 and a mean mental health summary (MHS) score of 41.64 ± 11.68. Cronbach's α coefficients of the five multi-item scales of social capital ranged from 0.44 to 0.79. When other variables were controlled for, lower individual levels of reciprocity and trust were associated with a greater likelihood of having a poor PHS score (odds ratio [OR] =2.02) or PHS score (OR=6.90). Additionally, the factors of social support and social networks and ties were associated positively with MHS score (OR=2.30, OR=4.17, respectively). This is the first report to explore the effects of social capital on QoL of AIDS patients in China. The results indicate that social capital is a promising avenue for developing strategies to improve the QoL of AIDS patients in China, suggesting that the contribution of social capital should be fully exploited, especially with enhancement of QoL through social participation. Social capital development policy may be worthy of consideration

La agricultura familiar como elemento de sustentabilidad en los sistemas ganaderos de doble propósito

Los sistemas de producción con vacunos de doble propósito, representan una invalorable alternativa en el trópico para la obtención de leche y carne, infiriendo que esta actividad a su vez genere bienestar en las comunidades rurales. Dentro de sus ventajas, aparece una importante utilización de la mano de obra familiar, lo que le confiere al sistema ventajas comparativas con sistemas más complejos. Sin embargo la falta de adopción tecnológica y sus implícitos pobres resultados zootécnicos y económicos, la poca calificación en la mano de obra y la renuencia a actuar de forma organizada, genera modelos de producción poco eficientes que permiten poca satisfacción desde el punto de vista familiar, dificultan la sostenibilidad de estas modalidades de producción y la estabilización de sus espacios de vida. En este sentido el Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones agrícolas (INIA) del estado Yaracuy, pretende desarrollar un sistema de producción con integración del grupo familiar como fuerza de trabajo y la unidad productiva, donde la agricultura de tipo hortofrutícola se convierta en un recurso auxiliar en la estrategia de vida de la familia, abriendo la posibilidad de uso de sus productos tanto para el autoconsumo como a la venta de excedentes. El rescate de viejas tradiciones de producción familiar de rubros hortícolas, frutales y de especies de animales menores, procesos continuos de capacitación e intercambio de experiencias en la búsqueda de la calificación en la mano de obra, el trabajo participativo y el estímulo por la organización de grupos de productores, así como la consolidación de proyectos integrados de desarrollo humano, son los objetivos de esta propuesta de trabajo [email protected]@[email protected]

Efecto de la adición de urea y el tipo de fermentación en la estabilidad de silajes de Caña de Azúcar (Saccharum spp.)

The effect of the addition of 1%, 2% and 3% urea levels and two fermentations (FAe = aerobic and FAn = anaerobic) on fermentation and microbiological parameters were study in sugar cane microsilos, made in 3 kg black polyethylene bags capacity. Treatments were: sugarcane (control) and sugarcane added to the 3 levels of urea in fresh weight basis, subject to the 2 fermentations for 30 days. Variables evaluated were dry matter (DM), ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3), pH and counting of fungal flora, the latter two at 0, 24 and 48 hours post-fermentation aerobic exposure. We used a factorial design 4 x 2 (4 treatments x 2 fermentation) with 3 replications. The data were processed through InfoStat program. Showed higher percentage of MS with the addition of urea to 1% in both fermentations (FAn = 23.02% and FAe= 26.45%), decreasing as increased the level of urea in the microsilos. As the percentage of N-NH3 rise was observed as it increased the levels of urea, yielding the highest values for FAn (2.13%) and FAe (1.45%) to add 3% urea. pH values were found acceptable to the FAn (3.43, 4.38 and 4.54) after the silage mass to be subjected to aerobic conditions for 0, 24 and 48 hours respectively, while for FAe (3.26; 3.93 and 5.90) reached levels close to neutrality within 48 hours. With regard to fungal development, was corroborated fungistatic effect of urea from 1% concentration, even when the silo was exposed to air for 48 hours, with Aspergillus sp. the species most resistant to treatment. In conclusion, the addition of urea to 1% in sugarcane silage helps maintain the stability of the silo once exposed to aerobic post-fermentation conditions.Se estudió el efecto de la adición de 1%, 2% y 3% de urea y dos fermentaciones (FAe= aeróbica y FAn= anaeróbica), sobre parámetros fermentativos y microbiológicos en microsilos con caña de azúcar, confeccionados en bolsas de polietileno negro de capacidad 3 Kg. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron: caña sola (testigo) y caña adicionada con 3 niveles de urea en función del peso fresco, sometidos a 2 fermentaciones durante 30 d. Se evaluaron las variables Materia Seca (MS), nitrógeno amoniacal (N-NH3), pH y recuento de flora fúngica, estos dos últimos a las 0, 24 y 48 h de exposición aeróbica post-fermentación. Se utilizó un diseño factorial 4 x 2 (4 tratamientos x 2 fermentaciones) con 3 repeticiones. Los datos obtenidos fueron procesados a través del programa estadístico InfoStat. Se observó mayor porcentaje de MS con la adición de urea al 1% bajo ambas fermentaciones (FAn= 23,02% y FAe= 26,45%), disminuyendo a medida que se incrementó el nivel de urea en los microsilos. En cuanto al porcentaje de N-NH3 se evidenció un ascenso a medida que se aumentó los niveles de urea, obteniéndose los mayores valores para FAn (2,13%) y FAe (1,45%) al adicionar urea al 3%. Fueron encontrados valores de pH aceptables para la FAn (3,43; 4,38 y 4,54), después de ser sometida la masa ensilada a condiciones aeróbicas durante 0, 24 y 48 h respectivamente, mientras que para FAe (3,26; 3,93 y 5,90) llegó a niveles cercanos a la neutralidad transcurridas 48 h. En cuanto al desarrollo fúngico, se corroboró el efecto fungistático de la urea a partir del 1% de concentración, aún cuando el silo estuvo expuesto al aire por 48 h, siendo Aspergillus sp. la especie más resistente a los tratamientos. En conclusión, la adición de urea al 1% en silajes de caña de azúcar contribuye a mantener la estabilidad del silo una vez expuesto a condiciones aeróbicas pos-fermentación

Description of the oocysts of three new species of 'Eimeria' (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Iguanid lizards (Sauria: Iguanidae) of Central and South America

Three new species of Eimeria are described from iguanid lizards of Central and South America. The oocysts of each species have no micropyles or residua and the sporocysts lack Stieda bodies, but all have a sporocyst residuum. Eimeria sanctaluciae n.sp. was found in the St. Lucia tree lizard, Anolis luciae, collected from the Maria Islands, Lesser Antilles. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, averaging 17.3 x 16.5 microns, with a single layered colourless wall; about 60% contain polar granules. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal and average 7.7 x 5.5 microns. Eimeria liolaemi n.sp. was recovered from the blue-gold swift, Liolaemus taenius, from Chile. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, measuring 21 x 20.1 microns with a single-layered colourless wall. The sporocysts are subspherical and average 7.4 x 6.8 microns. Eimeria caesicia n.sp. is described from the Brazilian collared iguanid, Tropidurus torquatus. The oocysts measure 27.4 x 23.7 microns, are spherical to subspherical, with a bilayered wall, the outer surface of which appears pale blue in colour, the thin, inner wall appearing brown, when viewed by direct light under the optical microscope. The sporocysts are subspherical and average 9.4 x 7.2 microns. Unnamed polysporocystid oocysts with dizoic sporocysts are reported from the faeces of the lesser St. Vincent tree lizard, Anolis trinitatis and the possibility of spurious parasitism briefly discussed. In addition, oocysts of an unnamed Isospora sp. with a smooth oocyst wall which closely resembles I. reui were recovered from A. trinitatis

Evidence of the presence of West Nile Virus in mosquito pools in North Eastern Region of Venezuela

Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-21T17:25:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) ae_guimaraes_etal_IOC_2013.pdf: 384280 bytes, checksum: 62e847183f454753700f356b4b35e5e1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013Fundación Instituto Carabobeño para la Salud. Dirección de Salud Ambiental. INSALUD. Estado Carabobo. VenezuelaInstituto Nacional de Salud Pública. Chiapas. México.Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud. MPPS. Dirección de Salud Ambiental. Aragua. Venezuela.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Díptera. Rio de janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidad de Oriente. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biomedicina y Ciencias Aplicadas. Sucre, Venezuela.Universidad de Oriente. Postgrado en Biología Aplicada. Sucre, Venezuela.The aim of this study was to determine the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in northeastern Venezuela. Research was conducted in the Laguna de los Patos, Cumana, Sucre State to demonstrate the presence of WNV RNA in mosquitoes caught in traps of Light (CDC + CO2) by RT-PCR, during the period July 2007 to February 2008. We found a positive mosquito pool for the species Coquillettidia (Rhynchotaenia) venezuelensis (Theobald, 1912). The minimum rate of infection of the caught was 0.16/ 1,000 individuals. Continued entomological surveillance is needed for establishing with conclusive criteria etiological responsibility of this and other species in these arboviruses