Local threats and potential infectious hazards to maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in the southeastern Argentine Chaco

A near-threatened species, the maned wolf ’ s ( Chrysocyon brachyurus ) range extends from central Brazil, northern and eastern Bolivia, and southeastern Peru to the southeast of the Gran Chaco ecoregion and adjacent scrubland in Argentina. Rural domestic dogs under ownership may pose threats to maned wolves as reservoir hosts of multiple pathogens. A serologic survey of rural domestic dogs and maned wolves was conducted to document exposure to canine pathogens in southeastern Santiago del Estero, Argentina, with a parallel questionnaire of knowledge, attitudes, and perception of local villagers in relation to maned wolves. The three maned wolves examined had evidence of exposure to canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, Leptospira interrogans spp., and Dirofilaria immitis . Dogs had very high seroprevalence for Neospora caninum and canine coronavirus (67%), canine adenovirus (59%), D. immitis (58%), canine distemper virus (57%), Toxoplasma gondii (33%), and L. interrogans spp. (20%). Antibodies for canine parvovirus, Brucella canis and Trypanosoma cruzi were rare or absent. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that dog seroprevalence was not significantly associated with age, sex, and function for any of the pathogens investigated. The frequency distribution of seroreactivity to specific pathogens per dog was highly aggregated. Villagers considered that illegal trade, hunting, vehicular collisions, and interactions with dogs were the most serious local threats for maned wolves. The multiple threats faced by the maned wolf populations in southeastern Santiago del Estero suggest that their populations are unlikely to remain viable unless specific protection measures are taken.Fil: Orozco, Maria Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Leonardo A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; ArgentinaFil: Pino, Maria de la Cruz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; ArgentinaFil: Gurtler, Ricardo Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Condiciones de salud y trabajo en el comercio informal del municipio de Popayán, Colombia

Introduction: Health and work conditions of people dedicated to informal trade are of recent interest given the diagnosis realized by chancellorship of social protection in the year 2002-2007, in order to meet the needs of the population and establish health actions from departmental and municipal government level. However, Cauca department was not included in that diagnosis. Objective: Determinate the health and work conditions of informal traders marketplaces of Popayán, Colombia. Methodology: It was performed a descriptive and cross-sectional study, in 883 informal traders of five marketplaces from Popayán city, Colombia. There was applied the national survey of Conditions of Health and Work of the informal trade of Colombian chancellorship for the Social Protection. Results: It was found that of the 883 informal traders included in the study, a total of 568 individuals (64,3%) were women, of which 80,8% earn less than LMW (Legal Minimum Wage), 39,2% are head of households and only 2,99% have higher education levels. Most belong to the subsidized regime (47,6%), but social protection covers only health and not pensions (0,3%) neither professional risks (0,8%). More than 82,2% are sedentary, they consume alcohol in 54,1%, and smoking was successfully detected in a small percentage (10,6%). 51,5% reported having a good health condition, followed by 26,8% in the workplace found that the population is exposed to different factors of risk as: ergonomic, physical, chemical, of safety, psychosocial and civil insecurity. Conclusions: The conditions of health of the evaluated population are good although not all are affiliated a general integral security system; however, working conditions are precarious.Las condiciones de salud y de trabajo de las personas dedicadas al comercio informal son de reciente interés dado el diagnóstico realizado por el Ministerio de la Protección Social en el año 2002 – 2007, con objeto de conocer las necesidades de la población y así establecer las acciones en salud desde el nivel de gobierno departamental y municipal. No obstante, el departamento del Cauca no fue incluido en tal diagnóstico. Objetivo: eterminar las condiciones de salud y trabajo de los comerciantes informales de las plazas de mercado de Popayán, Colombia. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, en 883 comerciantes informales de cinco plazas de mercado de la ciudad de Popayán, Colombia. Se aplicó la Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Salud y Trabajo del Comercio Informal del Ministerio de Protección Social. Resultados: De los 883 comerciantes informales incluidos en el estudio, un total de 568 individuos (64,3%) fueron mujeres, de las cuáles 80,8% ganan menos de un SMLV, el 39,2% son cabeza de familia y solo el 2,99% tienen nivel de escolaridad superior. La mayor parte pertenecen al régimen subsidiado (47,6%), pero la protección social cubre solo la salud y no pensiones (0,3%) ni riesgos profesionales (0,8%). Más del 82,2% son sedentarios, consumen alcohol en un 54,1% y se logró detectar tabaquismo en un porcentaje pequeño (10,6%). Un 51,5% refirió tener una buena condición de salud, seguido por un 26,8% en regulares condiciones. En el entorno laboral se encontró que, la población se expone a diferentes riesgos como: ergonómicos, físicos, químicos, de seguridad, psicosocial e inseguridad ciudadana. Conclusiones: Las condiciones de salud de la población evaluada son buenas a pesar de que no todos se encuentran afiliados a un sistema general de seguridad integral; sin embargo, las condiciones de trabajo si son precarias

DHPM-OH como inhibidor de la corrosión en un acero API 5L X70 inmerso en un medio de NaCl al 3% saturado con CO₂

La DHPM‐OH fue evaluada como inhibidor de corrosión a diferentes concentraciones e inmerso en una solución de NaCl al 3% saturado con CO₂ Las pruebas electroquímicas empleando la espectroscopia de Impedancia electroquímica (EIS) demostraron que la mejor concentración para proteger la superficie meta lica fue a 50 ppm alcanzando un 85% de eficiencia de inhibición. Por otro lado, el análisis termodinámico demuestra que el proceso de adsorción que sigue el inhibidor orgánico es del tipo fisisorción modelo de adsorción de Langmuir

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): A Review Study of Basic Aspects of the Corrosion Mechanism Applied to Steels

AC impedance measurements have been applied for over twenty years in electrochemistry and physics to investigate the electrical properties of conductive materials and their interfaces using an external electrical impulse (VOLTAGE, V or CURRENT, I) as driving force. Furthermore, its application has recently appeared to be destined in the Biotechnology field as an effective tool for rapid microbiologic diagnosis of living organism in situ. However, there is no doubt that the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is still one of the most useful techniques around the world for metal corrosion control and its monitoring. Corrosion has long been recognized as one of the most expensive stumbling blocks that concern many industries and government agencies, because it is a steel destructive phenomenon that occurs due to the chemical interaction with aqueous environments and takes place at the interface between metal and electrolyte producing an electrical charge transfer or ion diffusion process. Consequently, it is experimentally possible to determine through the EIS technique the mechanism and control that kinectics of corrosion reactions encounter. First, EIS data is collected through a potentiostat/ galvanostat apparatus. After, it is fitted to a mathematical model (i.e. an equivalent electrical circuit, EEC) for its interpretation and analysis, fundamentally seeking a meaningful physical interpretation. Finally, this review reports some basic aspects of the corrosion mechanism applied to steels through the experimental EIS response using Nyquist or Bode plots. Examples are given for different applied electrochemical impedance cases in which steel is under study intentionally exposed to a corrosive aqueous solution by applying a sinusoidal potential at various test conditions

Síntesis y evaluación electroquímica de la corrosión de la α-D-alofuranosa en medio salino

Se demostró, que el carbohidrato α-D-alofuranosa sintetizado, a partir de α-D-glucofuranosa, actúa como un eficiente inhibidor orgánico de la corrosión del acero API 5L X70 inmerso en una solución acuosa al 3% de cloruro de sodio alcanzando un 80.4% de inhibición a una concentración de 5 ppm y un 93.9% a una concentración de 50 ppm, mientras la α-D-glucofuranosa lo hace en un 86.8% y 80.6% a esas mismas concentraciones.It was demonstrated that the carbohydrate α-D-allofuranose synthesized from α-D-glucofuranose, acts as an efficient organic corrosion inhibitor of API 5L X70 steel immersed in a 3% aqueous solution of sodium chloride reaching 80.4% inhibition at a concentration of 5 ppm and 93.9% at a concentration of 50 ppm, while the α-D-glucofuranose does so by 86.8% and 80.6% at the same concentrations

Variación de eficiencia de inhibición de la glucofuranosa y xilofuranosa en el acero API 5L X70 inmerso en 3% NaCl

Los carbohidratos no solo han mostrado ser excelentes andamios moleculares para la síntesis de diversos compuestos orgánicos con actividad biológica. De igual manera, un gran número de reportes científicos sobre su uso como inhibidores de la corrosión para diferentes metales en medio ácido principalmente ha sido demostrado utilizando bajas concentraciones. En este trabajo se reporta la síntesis corta y eco-amigable de la glucofuranosa y xilofuranosa, las que se obtienen buenos rendimientos. Los resultados de inhibición de la corrosión demuestran que la xilofurosa alcanzó el 89.5% a 50 ppm de eficiencia de inhibición de la corrosión a 50 ppm, mientras que la glucofuranosa fue del 80.6% a esa misma concentración, en la protección contra la corrosión del acero API 5L X70 e inmersos en medio salino (3% NaCl) mediante la Espectroscopia de Impedancia Electroquímica (EIS).Carbohydrates have not only been shown to be excellent molecular scaffolds for the synthesis of various organic compounds with biological activity. Likewise, a large number of scientific reports on their use as corrosion inhibitors for different metals in acidic media have mainly been demonstrated using low concentrations. In this work we report the short and eco-friendly synthesis of glucofuranose and xylofuranose, which yield good results. The corrosion inhibition results show that xyl furanose reached 89.5% at 50 ppm corrosion inhibition efficiency at 50 ppm, while glucofuranose was 80.6% at the same concentration, in corrosion protection of API 5L X70 steel and immersed in saline medium (3% NaCl) by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)

Citrinina como inhibidor de corrosión en medio dulce para un acero API 5L X52

Los problemas de la corrosión son frecuentes en la industria del petróleo donde la extracción de los crudos suele estar contaminado hasta con 26 mil ppm de cloruros provenientes de agua de mar. Los inhibidores de corrosión son ampliamente utilizados en el control y prevención de este fenómeno, sin embargo, la mayoría de los compuestos usados para este fin resultan demasiado tóxicos, costosos y dañinos tanto para el medio ambiente como para el ser humano. Esta situación ha creado la necesidad de encontrar inhibidores de corrosión que sean ambientalmente amigables y de bajo costo. Para simular las condiciones de basicidad en los ductos, se empleó cloruro de sodio saturado con dióxido de carbono. Por lo que, en este proyecto se evalúa a un inhibidor (citrinina) en condiciones de medio dulce para observar la influencia que tiene bajo diferentes velocidades de rotación y temperatura, así como un análisis cinético. Finalmente, la citrinina muestra protección contra la corrosión en condiciones estáticas alcanzando un 87% a 20 ppm.Corrosion problems are frequent in the oil industry where crude extraction is usually contaminated with up to 26 thousand ppm of chlorides from seawater. Corrosion inhibitors are widely used in the control and prevention of this phenomenon, however, most of the compounds used for this purpose are too toxic, expensive and harmful both for the environment and for the human being. This situation has created the need to find low cost and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors. To simulate the basicity conditions in the pipelines, sodium chloride saturated with carbon dioxide was used. Therefore, in this project an inhibitor (citrinin) is evaluated under sweet medium conditions to observe the influence it has under different rotation rates and temperature, as well as a kinetic analysis. Finally, citrinin shows protection against corrosion under static conditions reaching 87% at 20 ppm

Inside the Outbreak of the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1)v Virus in Mexico

Influenza viruses pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause global disease. Between mid March and mid April a pandemic influenza A virus emerged in Mexico. This report details 202 cases of infection of humans with the 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1)v which occurred in Mexico City as well as the spread of the virus throughout the entire country.From May 1st to May 5th nasopharyngeal swabs, derived from 751 patients, were collected at 220 outpatient clinics and 28 hospitals distributed throughout Mexico City. Analysis of samples using real time RT-PCR revealed that 202 patients out of the 751 subjects (26.9%) were confirmed to be infected with the new virus. All confirmed cases of human infection with the strain influenza (H1N1)v suffered respiratory symptoms. The greatest number of confirmed cases during the outbreak of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1)v were seen in neighbourhoods on the northeast side of Mexico City including Iztapalapa, Gustavo A. Madero, Iztacalco, and Tlahuac which are the most populated areas in Mexico City. Using these data, together with data reported by the Mexican Secretariat of Health (MSH) to date, we plot the course of influenza (H1N1)v activity throughout Mexico.Our data, which is backed up by MSH data, show that the greatest numbers of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) cases were seen in the most populated areas. We speculate on conditions in Mexico which may have sparked this flu pandemic, the first in 41 years. We accept the hypothesis that high population density and a mass gathering which took in Iztapalapa contributed to the rapid spread of the disease which developed in three peaks of activity throughout the Country

Convenience or Necessity? The Formation of the Working Class in the Universidades Laborales of Franco’s Spain (1955-1978)

La política educativa franquista tuvo como uno de sus principales objetivos la formación de la clase obrera, por lo que una de las principales instituciones educativas creadas en la época fueron las Universidades Laborales. Este artículo se centra en analizar las finalidades que perseguían estas macroinstituciones al formar los futuros obreros españoles, empleando para su estudio diversas fuentes primarias —documentales, archivísticas, gráficas y jurídicas—. Las conclusiones señalan que los objetivos de las Universidades Laborales fueron, por un lado, la formación profesional especializada y, por el otro lado, su adoctrinamiento en los principios ideológicos propugnados por el régimen.One of the main objectives of Franco’s educational policy was the training of the working class, which is why one of the principal educational institutions created during that period were the Universidades Laborales. This article is focused on analyzing the ends sought by these macroinstitutions in preparing the future workers of Spain, and it makes use of a variety of primary sources —documentary, archival, graphic and juridical— in order to study the subject. The conclusions indicate that the objectives of the Universidades Laborales were, on the one hand, specialized professional training and, on the other hand, their indoctrination in the ideological principles advocated by the regime

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation