Anaerobic digestion process for biogas and biomolecules production: microflora identification and characterization

The anaerobic process was efficient in organic matter removal. During the process, an interesting compound as quercetin was produced inside of reactor. Phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of phylotypes affiliated with gamma-Proteobacteria, Choroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Archaea were represented by phylotypes belonging to the genus Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta

Evaluation of the agronomic performance and taxonomic characterization of four clones of oregano (Origanum sp.)

The objectives of this study were to evaluate four clones of oregano grown in major production areas andcarry out the taxonomic identification of these clones. Four clones of oregano named as "Mendocino","Compacto", "Cordobés" and "Criollo" were field evaluated in two locations: La Consulta (Mendoza) andCapilla de los Remedios (Córdoba). The following traits were measured: plant height (taken as the length ofthe longest branch in cm), fresh weight (kg ha-1) and dry weight (kg ha-1) and the water (%) and fiber contentwere estimated. The fiber content was estimated as the ratio dry weight / fresh weight). The botanicalidentification of the tested clones was conducted using the identification keys proposed by Ietswaart, Xifredaand Rouquaud & Videla. Significant differences between environments and between clones were observed forall analyzed traits. From the botanical identification it was determined that the clone "Medocino" correspondsto the hybrid Origanum x majoricum, the clone "Compacto" belongs to the species Origanum vulgare sspvulgare and clones "Criollo" and "Cordobés" both belong to the species Origanum vulgare ssp hirtum. Thedifferences observed between clones in terms of their agronomic performance were consistent with the resultsof the taxonomic identification of the clones.Fil: Torres, Lorena Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Chaves, Ana Guadalupe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.agropecuarias. Departamento de Fundamentación Biologica; ArgentinaFil: Barboza, Gloria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Brunetti, Paula Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Bustos, J. A.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Massuh, Yamile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Ocaño, S.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Castillo, N.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, M. S.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentin

Patient and Provider Perspectives on How Trust Influences Maternal Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant Women in Kenya

Background Pregnant women and newborns are at high risk for infectious diseases. Altered immunity status during pregnancy and challenges fully vaccinating newborns contribute to this medical reality. Maternal immunization is a strategy to protect pregnant women and their newborns. This study aimed to find out how patient-provider relationships affect maternal vaccine uptake, particularly in the context of a lower middle- income country where limited research in this area exists. Methods We conducted semi-structured, in-depth narrative interviews of both providers and pregnant women from four sites in Kenya: Siaya, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Marsabit. Interviews were conducted in either English or one of the local regional languages. Results We found that patient trust in health care providers (HCPs) is integral to vaccine acceptance among pregnant women in Kenya. The HCP-patient relationship is a fiduciary one, whereby the patients’ trusts is primarily rooted in the provider’s social position as a person who is highly educated in matters of health. Furthermore, patient health education and provider attitudes are crucial for reinstating and fostering that trust, especially in cases where trust was impeded by rumors, community myths and misperceptions, and religious and cultural factors. Conclusion Patient trust in providers is a strong facilitator contributing to vaccine acceptance among pregnant women in Kenya. To maintain and increase immunization trust, providers have a critical role in cultivating a positive environment that allows for favorable interactions and patient health education. This includes educating providers on maternal immunizations and enhancing knowledge of effective risk communication tactics in clinical encounters

Effects of a multidisciplinar cognitive rehabilitation program for patients with mild Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program on cognition, quality of life, and neuropsychiatry symptoms in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: The present study was a single-blind, controlled study that was conducted at a university-based day-hospital memory facility. The study included 25 Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers and involved a 12-week stimulation and psychoeducational program. The comparison group consisted of 16 Alzheimer's patients in waiting lists for future intervention. INTERVENTION: Group sessions were provided by a multiprofessional team and included memory training, computer-assisted cognitive stimulation, expressive activities (painting, verbal expression, writing), physiotherapy, and physical training. Treatment was administered twice a week during 6.5-h gatherings. MEASUREMENTS: The assessment battery comprised the following tests: Mini-Mental State Examination, Short Cognitive Test, Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Test scores were evaluated at baseline and the end of the study by raters who were blinded to the group assignments. RESULTS: Measurements of global cognitive function and performance on attention tasks indicated that patients in the experimental group remained stable, whereas controls displayed mild but significant worsening. The intervention was associated with reduced depression symptoms for patients and caregivers and decreased neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's subjects. The treatment was also beneficial for the patients' quality of life. CONCLUSION: This multimodal rehabilitation program was associated with cognitive stability and significant improvements in the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients. We also observed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and caregiver burden. These results support the notion that structured nonpharmacological interventions can yield adjunct and clinically relevant benefits in dementia treatment

Maestría en Relaciones Internacionales: selección de trabajos de estudiantes (2018-2019)

La Maestría en Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) se dicta desde el año 1987 en forma ininterrumpida, con el objetivo primordial de ofrecer un ámbito de formación y reflexión en el estudio de las Relaciones Internacionales, desde una perspectiva que abarca las dimensiones política, económica, social y jurídica. En este sentido, y como parte de esta trayectoria la carrera ha sido recategorizada por Resolución 285/10 de la Comisión Nacional de Evaluación y Acreditación Universitaria (CONEAU) con la máxima categoría: "A" (Excelente), lo cual le ha implicado en forma permanente el desafío de ofrecer canales de perfeccionamiento para los alumnos y los egresados y difundir de esta manera sus logros. Para cumplir parte de estos fines la Maestría brinda la posibilidad de acceder a tutorías, participación en congresos, seminarios y charlas, pasantías en instituciones con las que el Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI) posee convenio y toda actividad de extensión que se realice, además de la posibilidad de formar parte de los Departamentos y Centros de Estudios y de las publicaciones que realice el Instituto. En esta oportunidad, presentamos una nueva edición de la serie “Selección de Trabajos de la Maestría en Relaciones Internacionales”, en la cual se han incluido los trabajos más sobresalientes de las asignaturas optativas correspondientes al plan de estudios de la carrera durante los años 2018 y 2019. Asimismo, se destaca la labor del Comité de Redacción integrado por los siguientes docentes de la Maestría: Patricia Kreibohm, Norberto Consani, Diego Buffa, Laura Bogado Bordázar, Alejandro Simonoff, Elsa Llenderozas y Paulo Botta, quienes asistieron y orientaron a los alumnos en sus creaciones. Y el trabajo de la investigadora Dulce Daniela Chaves, quien ha realizado la actividad de coordinación de la presente publicación.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionale

Alternatives for the treatment of schistosomiasis: physico-chemical characterization of an inclusion complex between praziquantel and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

O praziquantel (PZQ) é o fármaco de escolha no tratamento da esquistossomose. Porém, ele apresenta baixa solubilidade aquosa, o que pode limitar a sua biodisponibilidade no organismo. Para contornar estas características foi feita a inclusão da molécula do PZQ em hidroxipropil-beta-ciclodextrina (HP-β-CD). Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi preparar e caracterizar o complexo de inclusão PZQ/HP-β-CD. Estudos morfológicos, espectroscópicos e de calorimetria diferencial de varredura, demonstraram os primeiros indícios da interação hóspede/hospedeiro. Analisando a cinética de incorporação da molécula de PZQ na cavidade da HP-β-CD, pode-se determinar a constante cinética, além do tempo para equilíbrio do sistema. Utilizando-se isoterma de solubilidade foi possível observar que a interação com HP-β-CD aumentou a solubilidade aquosa do PZQ em 2,4 vezes. Ensaios de citotoxicidade in vitro, utilizando fibroblastos, demonstraram não haver indícios de toxicidade para estas células, nas concentrações testadas. Os resultados indicam que há um potencial favorável da aplicação deste fármaco na forma complexada em HP-β-CD.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Avaliação de Características Químicas do Solo Durante a Decomposição Cadavérica e suas Aplicações à Química Forense

The estimation of the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) is a primordial parameter in the investigation of crimes against life. In tropical climate areas, the cadaveric decomposition occurs in an accelerated form, preventing the PMI estimation by usual methods. Understanding how different circumstances affect the cadaveric composition is very important to develop methods that enable the PMI estimation in several climatic conditions. One of the alternatives, however not much explored in Brazil, refers to the use of soil chemistry for the determination of longstanding PMIs. In this research, variations in soil chemical properties were monitored during swine carcasses cadaverous decomposition in a tropical forest area in order to recognize patterns and evaluate the applicability of these by the criminal expertise. Among the evaluated characteristics are the levels of pH, inorganic nitrogen (ammonia and nitrate), total nitrogen, carbon nitrogen proportion (C: N), exchangeable aluminum, available phosphorus and macro and micronutrients. The results showed distinct variations according to the decomposition phases observed and also to the way the carcasses were deposited in the study environment (above or below the soil), evidencing the possibility of using these variations in the development of models for the prediction of postmortem intervals lasting up to 67 days. © 2018 Secretaria Regional do Rio de Janeiro da Sociedade Brasileira de Quimica. All rights reserved