Evaluation of Fungi Toxic Activity of Tannins and a Tannin-Copper Complex from the Mesocarp of Cocos Nucifera Linn

The fibrous envelope of the coconut tree is an agroindustrial waste product that possesses relevant properties, such as a high resistance to biological degradation, because of its phenolic compound composition. In this study, the fungitoxic activity of tannins and a tannin-copper complex from the mesocarp of Cocos nucifera Linn was conducted. An extract from the coconut mesocarp was obtained in acidic media using a 2.0 wt % solution of NaHSO3. Bioassays were conducted on alder wood (Alnus acuminata ssp. glabrata H.B.K.) using two types of aqueous solutions: 1) crude extract from the coconut mesocarp diluted at several concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 wt %); and 2) a tannin-copper complex formed in two stages by impregnation of the alder wood samples, first with the coconut mesocarp extract solutions followed by addition of a CuCl2 solution. The fungitoxic capacity of the tannin and tannin-copper complex solutions was evaluated by means of bioassays with Trametes versicolor (L. ex. Fr.) Pilát according to ASTM D 1413-07. The bioassays showed poor fungal inhibition for the wood samples impregnated with the crude extract solutions. However, the tannin-copper complex solutions showed greater fungal inhibition. Retention values of 4.03 and 1.76 kg m-3 were obtained. These values revealed high fungal inhibition for Trametes versicolor

COVID-19: Hematological and laboratory parameters in patients hospitalized during the second and third epidemic wave (2021-2022) at a private hospital in Caracas, Venezuela

The first wave of COVID-19 in Venezuela began in March 2020 and had a maximum of cases in August 2020. New outbreaks occurred in 2021 and 2022, during which we studied 603 hospitalized cases at the Clinica El Avila de Caracas: 370 (61.35 %) male and 233 (38.14 %) female. The average age was 65 years (range: 18-99 years). The hematological and laboratory studies were similar to those reported in 2020other studies outside of Venezuela. One hundred two (102) patients were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 80 % of these patients had not been vaccinated or did not receive the full vaccination schedule against COVID-19. The overall mortality of the 603 patients was 11.27 %