The forensic analysis of soil by FTIR with multivariate analysis

Over the past few years more and more studies have been carried out in an attempt to utilize chemical profiles of soil using a wide variety of analytical methods. The value of soil as evidence rests with its prevalence at crime scenes and its transferability between the scene and the criminal. This can be of value for comparison if the scene of crime is known, but could also be so in the identification of a scene. The main basis for the comparison of sites to determine provenance is that soils vary from one place to another. The aim of this work is to find simple methods to identify soil provenance based on FTIR and multivariate analysi

Presencia de microorganismos antes y despues de la colocacion de hidroxido de calcio en conductos unirradiculares en los pacientes atendidos en las clinicas multidisciplinarias de la UNAN-Managua del segundo semestre del año 2014

El objetivo del presente estudio describir los microorganismos presentes antes y después de la colocación de hidróxido de calcio en conductos unirradiculares en los pacientes atendidos en las clínicas multidisciplinarias de la UNAN-MANAGUA durante el segundo semestre del año 2014. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, cuantitativo llevándose a cabo en los pacientes que presentaron piezas unirradiculares con diagnóstico de Periodontitis apical asintomáticas y Absceso apical crónico los cuales fueron 16 en total. Se observaron 5 diferentes especies de microorganismos encontrados en la periodontitis apical asintomática; E. faecalis, S. viridans, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo, Pantoea aglomerans y Pseudomona spp. Y en el absceso apical crónico se observaron 3 diferentes especies de microorganismos; E. faecalis, S. viridans y Citrobacter freundii. En los cuales los microrganismos que persistieron en 3 de las muestras inoculadas después de la colocación de hidróxido de calcio como medicación intraconducto fueron: E. faecalis y Klebsiella pneumoniae. Estos microorganismos presentaron sensibilidad antibiótica y solo la especie bacteriana Klebsiella pneumoniae mostro resistencia a la Ampicilina lo que indica que el uso irracional de anticrobianos puede afectar la eficacia del tratamiento endodóntico. Por lo que se concluye que la utilizacion de Hidrόxido de calcio durante 15 dias en las patologìas periapicales del tipo asintomàticas y cronicas, reduce el crecimiento de microorganismos creando un ambiente aseptico para la obturaciòn fina

Adolescents and youths’ opinions about the factors associated with cannabis use: a qualitative study based on the I-Change model

Background To learn about the experiences and opinions of adolescent non-consumers and regular cannabis users about cannabis use and the factors that determine its use, using the I-Change explanatory model as a basis. Methods Qualitative methodology with a content analysis was used. Focus groups were conducted with adolescents who were non-regular cannabis users (those who had not tried cannabis or had only experimented with it before) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent and young adult in recovery who were in a detoxification program. A deductive analysis of the audio-recorded and transcribed interviews was performed, using the domains of the I-Change Model as a reference. Results Personal problems, social problems or family problems can lead to cannabis use. There was a lack of knowledge and low risk perception about consumption of this drug. There are other factors that influence consumption, the perception of advantages, such as the feeling of freedom and the influence of the peer group. The consumption of this substance in girls is changing, becoming more and more equal to that of boys. The family has an important role to play in preventing drug use. Conclusion Knowledge of these factors is of vital importance as a prior step to the development of efficient intervention measures adjusted to the needs identified and the characteristics of the population. Keywords I-Change model, Nursing, Cannabis, Qualitative researc

Efectos del tratamiento con ácido fosfórico y calor sobre el aprovechamiento ruminal e intestinal del guisante de primavera

La protección de proteínas frente a la degradación ruminal mediante el tratamiento sucesivo con soluciones ácidas y calor se ha demostrado como un método eficaz para aumentar el valor proteico de alimentos muy degradables como la harina de girasol (Arroyo y González, 2009). En este trabajo se ha pretendido comprobar la eficacia de este tratamiento en otro alimento altamente degradable como es el guisante de primavera

Papel do ferro no mecanismo fungicida mediado pelo óxido nítrico de macrófagos murinos ativados com IFN-gama contra conídias do Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Iron is an essential growth element of virtually all microorganisms and its restriction is one of the mechanisms used by macrophages to control microbial multiplication. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, an important systemic mycosis in Latin America, is inhibited in its conidia-to-yeast conversion in the absence of iron. We studied the participation of iron in the nitric oxide (NO)-mediated fungicidal mechanism against conidia. Peritoneal murine macrophages activated with 50U/mL of IFN-gamma or treated with 35 µM Deferoxamine (DEX) and infected with P. brasiliensis conidia, were co-cultured and incubated for 96 h in the presence of different concentrations of holotransferrin (HOLO) and FeS0(4). The supernatants were withdrawn in order to assess NO2 production by the Griess method. The monolayers were fixed, stained and observed microscopically. The percentage of the conidia-to-yeast transition was estimated by counting 200 intracellular propagules. IFN-gamma-activated or DEX-treated Mthetas presented marked inhibition of the conidia-to-yeast conversion (19 and 56%, respectively) in comparison with non-activated or untreated Mthetas (80%). IFN-gamma-activated macrophages produced high NO levels in comparison with the controls. Additionally, when the activated or treated-macrophages were supplemented with iron donors (HOLO or FeSO4), the inhibitory action was reversed, although NO production remained intact. These results suggest that the NO-mediated fungicidal mechanism exerted by IFN-gamma-activated macrophages against P. brasiliensis conidia, is dependent of an iron interaction.O ferro é elemento essencial para o crescimento de microrganismos e sua limitação é um dos mecanismos usados por macrófagos para controlar a multiplicação microbiana. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, o agente da paracoccidioidomicose, uma das micoses sistêmicas mais importantes na América Latina, é inibido em sua conversão de conídia-à-levedura na ausência do ferro. Estudamos a participação do ferro no mecanismo fungicida mediado pelo óxido nítrico (NO) na sua interação com as conídias do fungo. Macrófagos peritoneais murinos ativados com 50U/mL de IFN-gama ou tratados com 35 µM Deferoxamina (DEX) e infectados com conídias do P. brasiliensis foram co-cultivados e incubados por 96 h na presença de concentrações diferentes de holotransferrina (HOLO) e FeS0(4). Os sobrenadantes foram retirados a fim de avaliar a produção de NO2 pelo método de Griess. Os macrófagos eram fixados, corados e observados ao microscópio. A porcentagem da transição de conídia-à-levedura foi estimada contando 200 propágulos intracelulares. Os macrófagos ativados com citocina ou tratados com DEX apresentaram inibição marcada da conversão de conídia-à-levedura (19 e 56%, respectivamente) em comparação com macrófagos controle (80%). Os macrófagos ativados com IFN-gama produziram elevação nos níveis de NO em comparação com macrófagos não-tratados ou não-activados. Adicionalmente, quando as monocapas ativadas ou tratadas foram suplementadas com doadores do ferro (HOLO ou FeSO4), a ação inibitória foi revertida embora a produção de NO permanecesse intacto. Estes resultados sugerem que o mecanismo fungicida mediado pelo NO exercido por macrófagos ativados com IFN-gama contra conídias do P. brasiliensis é dependente de uma interação do ferro

Performance of a Photovoltaic Pumping System

In this work, a PV pumping system was installed in a building at the University of Malaga. The system simulates a conventional PV pumping system which in real conditions would supply a small agricultural installation. In the installation under examination it has been find that it is possible to improve the overall efficiency of the system obtaining a similar volume of water with a less photovoltaic modules installed. It can be concluded that the optimal performance allow a lower investment cost. Also a lower surface for the PV generator is a benefit.Pumping water with solar photovoltaic (PV) is an application of particular interest in isolated systems. This technology has proven over the years to be an effective way to supply drinking water to communities, as well as for agricultural use (irrigation) and livestock (troughs). The earlier installations of PV pumping were based on the use of DC motors of medium and low power directly coupled to the PV generator operating centrifugal pumps. Later they have been proposing and using various types of systems based on different combinations of DC motors, AC motors, DC brushless motors, centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps, DC/DC converters and DC/AC inverters. They all have the common characteristic of being a result of specific developments to efficiently use in PV pumping systems. In this work a PV pumping system was installed on a building at the University of Malaga. The system simulates a conventional PV pumping system. A set of experiments has been carried out to study the performance of the system. In the installation studied, it has been proved that it is possible to improve the overall efficiency of the system by reducing the photovoltaic power installed to obtain the same volume of water. As a conclusion it may be said that a lower investment and less surface occupied by photovoltaic system is achieved.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Daily Heterosexist Experiences in LGBTQ+ Adults from Spain: Measurement, Prevalence, and Clinical Implications

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals face unique stressors related to their sexual and gender identities that have a detrimental impact on their mental health. Nonetheless, studies have not yet investigated these minority stressors among LGBTQ+ individuals from Spain. The limited availability of standardized tools/ instruments to measure minority stressors in Spanish makes it challenging to explore these experiences among Spanish speaking individuals. The present study aimed to examine the factor structure of the Daily Heterosexist Experiences Questionnaire (DHEQ) among LGBTQ+ adults from Spain, compare rates of minority stressors across diverse gender and sexual orientations, and examine the impact of daily heterosexist experiences (henceforth referred to as heterosexist experiences) on symptoms of depression and suicidal behavior. The sample was composed of 509 LGBTQ+ identifying adults in the age range of 18 to 60 years old. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the six dimensions of the DHEQ scale. Individuals identified as transgender or reporting a minority sexual orientation (i.e., asexual, pansexual) indicated higher levels of exposure to heterosexist experiences. Moreover, those with higher levels of heterosexist experiences had higher symptoms of depression and suicide behavior. The present study provides a tool for examining minority stressors in Spanish speaking LGBTQ+ adults. Assessing for minority stressors may aid in the identification of risk and protective factors when working with LGBTQ+ treatment seeking adults. - Las personas lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, transexuales y queer (LGBTQ+) enfrentan en su día a día estresores únicos relacionados con sus identidades sexuales y de género que pueden perjudicar a su salud mental. Sin embargo, no hay investigación que explore estos estresores minoritarios en población LGBTQ+ de España. La limitada disponibilidad de instrumentos estandarizados para medir los estresores minoritarios/experiencias heterosexistas en español dificulta hoy en día explorar estas experiencias en las personas de habla hispana. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la estructura factorial del Cuestionario de Experiencias Heterosexistas Diarias (DHEQ, según sus siglas en inglés) en adultos LGBTQ+ de España, comparar las tasas de experiencias heterosexistas en diversas identidades de género y orientaciones sexuales y examinar el impacto de las experiencias heterosexistas en los síntomas de depresión y comportamiento suicida. La muestra constaba de 509 adultos LGBTQ+ en el rango de edad de 18 a 60 años. El análisis factorial confirmatorio indica un buen ajuste para las seis dimensiones de la escala DHEQ. Las personas que se identificaron como trans o con una orientación sexual minoritaria (por ejemplo, asexual, pansexual) indicaban mayores niveles de exposición a experiencias heterosexistas. Además, niveles más altos de experiencias heterosexistas se asocian a mayores síntomas de depresión y comportamiento suicida. El presente estudio proporciona una herramienta para examinar experiencias heterosexistas en población adulta LGBTQ+ de habla hispana. La evaluación de experiencias heterosexistas puede ayudar en la identificación de factores de riesgo y de protección cuando se trabaja con adultos LGBTQ+ en el ámbito clínico

Contaminación microbiana ruminal de la fibra en gramíneas y efectos sobre sus estimas de degradación ruminal in situ.

La concentración de las fracciones de fibra en las muestras de contenido digestivo se asume como real, al no existir componente endógena para estas fracciones. Sin embargo, si las técnicas de aislamiento de estos residuos no permiten una extracción completa de los microorganismos adherentes podrían ocurrir errores de cierta importancia. En este trabajo se examina la contaminación microbiana ocurrida en el rumen en la fibra neutro (FND) y ácido (FAD) detergente y sus fracciones nitrogenadas (N-FND y N-FAD) de henos de ray-grass (HRG) y avena (HA), así como el efecto de su corrección sobre su degradabilidad efectiva (DE)

Progesterone improves porcine in vitro fertilisation system

In an effort to improve the quality of in vitro produced porcine embryos, the effect of progestagens — progesterone analogues — on the in vitro developmental competence of porcine oocytes was studied. A total of 1421 in vitro matured oocytes, from 4 replicates, were inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Progestagens were added to late maturation and embryo cultures (10 IU/ml). Fertilisation success (pre-maturation, penetration, monospermy and efficiency) and nuclear maturation were evaluated. There were no differences among prematuration rates between groups (P = 0.221). Penetration rates were higher (P < 0.001) in the presence of progestagens (75.0%) as compared to the control (51.7%). However, no differences were observed in monospermy percentages (P = 0.246). The results indicated that supplementation with progestagens increased the efficiency of the in vitro fertilisation system (P < 0.001). An additional beneficial effect was observed in nuclear maturation with progestagens (P = 0.035). In summary, progestagen supplementation is an important factor to improve the in vitro fertilisation procedure

Paper del farmacèutic en l’automedicació. UCD Costa de Ponent

Treballs d'Educació Farmacètica als ciutadans. Unitat Docent d'Estades en Pràctiques Tutelades. Facultat de Farmàcia , curs: 2013-2014, Tutors: Ramon Jódar Masanes, Anna Mas Comas i Marian March Pujo