Isotermas de adsorción y cinética de secado de ciertas hortalizas y aromáticas cultivadas en Misiones

El presente trabajo es parte de un proyecto cuyo objetivo es desarrollar o adaptar un sistema de secado para la obtención de hortalizas y plantas aromáticas deshidratadas. En esta etapa, se determinaron las isotermas de adsorción y la cinética de secado de las hortalizas: cebollita de verdeo (Allium cepa L.) , puerro (Allium porrum L.) y pimiento verde (Capsicum annuum L.) , y las plantas aromáticas: orégano (Origanum mejorana L) y perejil ( Petroselinum sativus Hoffm ). Las isotermas de adsorción se determinaron utilizando el método estático, exponiendo las muestras a atmósferas generadas con soluciones salinas saturadas a 30 º C hasta alcanzar el equilibrio másico. Para determinar la cinética de secado, se utilizó una capa delgada de material que fue secada en un secadero de flujo transversal a 60 º C. Los valores experimentales de las isotermas de adsorción se ajustaron al modelo de Guggenhein, Anderson y de Boer (GAB) y los errores promedios porcentuales variaron entre el 5,05 y 11,17%. Los contenidos de humedad obtenidas para una actividad de agua de 0,6, límite para el crecimiento microbiano, fueron: para la cebollita de verdeo 19,87% (bs), para el puerro 19,32% (bs), para el pimiento verde 22,5% (bs), para el orégano 11,27% (bs) y para el perejil. 12,78% (bs). Los datos de la cinética de secado se ajustaron a 10 modelos matemáticos y se calcularon dos tipos de errores, los denominados X 2 y raíz cuadrada del error cuadrático medio, seleccionándose los modelos que presentaban menores errores. El modelo denominado «una aproximación a la difusión» presentó mejor ajuste para la cebollita de verdeo, el puerro, y el pimiento verde; y el modelo de Midilli para el orégano y el perejil. Los tiempos de secado para los materiales estudiados variaron entre 82 y 250 minutos

Treatment outcomes and relapses of pulmonary tuberculosis in Lazio, Italy, 1999-2001: a six-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to enhance tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcome monitoring by linking diverse surveillance systems and estimating treatment outcomes including relapse. METHODS: Tuberculosis treatment was surveyed in the Lazio region (Italy) from 1999 to 2001; a six-year follow-up of notified cases was undertaken to detect relapses. The results were analyzed as a population-based case-control study comparing each unsuccessful outcome and relapse with eligible controls. RESULTS: Of the 974 patients who entered the survey, 805 (82.6%) had complete treatment evaluations; 398 (49.4%) had a successful outcome, 401 (49.8%) had an unsuccessful outcome, and six developed chronic TB. Death was associated with age >64 years (OR 5.9; 95% CI 3.1-11.2), male gender (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.0-4.4), and using second-line drugs (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.0-5.4). Treatment failure was associated with previous treatment (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.4-6.7) and being male, being foreign born (OR 6.6; 95% CI 2.1-21.2), receiving second-line drugs (OR 7.4; 95% CI 1.8-29.5), and receiving modified therapy (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.7-14.9). Relapses after successful outcomes were detected in 5.5%, for which the strongest predictor was having extrapulmonary lesions (OR 22.8; 95% CI 1.8-287.3). CONCLUSIONS: Linking our survey data to other surveillance systems improved the mortality estimates and detected a high rate of relapse. Having received previous treatment and being a foreigner were independent determinants of treatment failure, suggesting that both acquired and primary drug resistance affect TB patients in Lazio

Emergency Department crowding and hospital bed shortage: is Lean a smart answer? A systematic review

OBIECTIVE: Emergency Departments (EDs) worldwide face the challenges of crowding, waiting times, and cost containment. This review aims to provide a synthesis of the current literature focused on how Lean Thinking Principles and tools can be applied in an ED to address overcrowding and hospital admissions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary studies showing Lean interventions and implementation in ED visits, not requiring additional resources measuring specific outcomes (i.e. length of stay, patient volume, patient satisfaction, waiting times for the first visit, waiting times for diagnostic results, left without being seen) were selected. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EconLit, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Business Sources Complete, and Health Technology Assessment were used to conduct searches. Full-text articles of all potentially relevant publications were reviewed for eligibility. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion by all reviewers. Quality assessment and critical appraisal of selected studies were also evaluated by applying the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set. RESULTS: Nine before-and-after studies met these eligibility criteria. Management of patient flow was the main intervention. Almost all studies showed EDs performance improvement: increased patient volume, decreased length of stay and number of patients left without being seen, reduced costs, and increased patient satisfaction. Only one case reported worse results after Lean intervention implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Though Lean Principals have been used in healthcare for many years conclusion of their effects could still not be drawn. Surely, human-centered approach, top management support, work standardization, resources allocation and adaptation to the local context seem to be crucial for success. Furthermore, higher quality studies are needed: specific research design, appropriate statistical tests and outcome measures are needed. Before large-scale implementation, further studies are needed to evaluate the true ability of Lean interventions to improve healthcare delivery

De novo balanced chromosome rearrangements in prenatal diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: We surveyed the datasheets of 29 laboratories concerning prenatal diagnosis of de novo apparently balanced chromosome rearrangements to assess the involvement of specific chromosomes, the breakpoints distribution and the impact on the pregnancy outcome. METHOD: By means of a questionnaire, data on 269.371 analyses performed from 1983 to 2006 on amniotic fluid, chorionic villus and fetal blood samples were collected. RESULTS: A total of 246 balanced anomalies were detected at frequencies of 72% for reciprocal translocations, 18% for Robertsonian translocations, 7% for inversions and 3% for complex chromosome rearrangements. The total frequencies of balanced rearrangements were 0.09%, 0.08% and 0.05% on amniotic fluid, chorionic villus and fetal blood samples. CONCLUSION: A preferential involvement of chromosomes 22, 7, 21, 3, 9 and 11 and a less involvement of chromosomes X, 19, 12, 6 and 1 was observed. A nonrandom distribution of the breakpoints across chromosomes was noticed. Association in the location of recurrent breakpoints and fragile sites was observed for chromosomes 11, 7, 10 and 22, while it was not recorded for chromosome 3. The rate of pregnancy termination was about 20%, with frequencies decreasing from complex chromosomal rearrangements (33%), reciprocal translocations (24%) to inversions (11%) and Robertsonian translocations (3%