Estudio de una tecnología de extracción y fraccionamiento de aceite de ñandú de alta calidad para su utilización en la industria cosmética y farmacéutica

El propósito de este estudio fue aplicar la metodología de extracción con calor en condiciones de vacío a grasa cavitaria y exterior para la obtención de aceite de ñandú (Rhea americana) con condiciones, una vez refinado, de humedad, acidez, índice de peróxidos, color y perfil de ácidos grasos compatibles con las exigencias del comercio internacional para los aceites de ratites. En cuanto al método de refinación seleccionado fue el método de refinación alcalina. Las condiciones elegidas para la neutralización fueron: NaOH 10% y 0.1% de exceso de la misma. Luego el aceite se lava hasta un contenido de jabones inferior a 50 ppm debido a que los mismos afectan el valor de acidez. De esta forma se lograron valores de acidez muy por debajo del límite requerido por la AEA (American Emu Association) para el aceite de emú extra refinado. Se utilizó tierra de blanqueo Supreme 126 (marca Tonsil de Quimica Sumex S.A.), en una concentración del 0.5 %. Se determinó que no existen diferencias sustanciales entre la grasa cavitaria y exterior y en el proceso de winterización se obtienen dos fracciones con perfil de ácidos grasos diferentes siendo la oleína más rica en ácidos grasos insaturados. El contenido de oleico prácticamente no varía entre las fracciones, mientras que el porcentaje de linoleico (ácido graso esencial) es superior para la oleína. En el presente trabajo se obtuvo un aceite cuyas características y parámetros de calidad son aceptables para los requerimientos internacionales que deben poseer los aceites para aplicación en cosmética, haciéndolo factible de comercializar. Por tanto los métodos de extracción y refinación adaptados para esta aplicación son adecuados y simples de aplicar. Abstract This study was made to apply the extraction method with temperature and vaccum application to internal and external fat of ñandú (Rhea Americana) to obtain a ñandú oil which once refined, has the humidity, acidity, peroxide value, color and fatty acid content similar to the ones required for the international trade of ratities oil. The refine method was the alkali one. The conditions used for the neutralization were NaOH 10% with 0.1% in excess. Then the oil was washed until a soap content lower than 50 ppm because they affect the acidity value. In this way the acidity values obtained were lower than the ones required from the AEA (American Emu Association) for the emu extra refined oil. Supreme 126 earth was used for the whitewash in a concentration of 0.5%. There was found no differences between the internal and the external fat. In the winterization process there were obtained two fractions with different fatty acid contain: the olein fraction was richer in unsaturated fatty acids. The oleic acid content was almost the same in both fractions, while the linoleic acid was higher for the olein fraction. In this study the product was an oil which characteristics and quality parameters are acceptable for the international requeriments for the oils used in cosmetics, and make it easy to trade. Because of this the extraction and refination methods applied are suitable for this use

Prevalence and distribution of pathogenic genes in Campylobacter jejuni isolated from poultry and human sources

Introduction: Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis. Despite its public health importance, the virulence factors and mechanisms underlying C. jejuni pathogenesis remain poorly understood and the relationships between these genes and the sources of the strains are not clear. We aimed to determine the virulence profiles of C. jejuni isolated from poultry and human cases of Campylobacteriosis. Methodology: A total of 50 strains of C. jejuni isolated from poultry and human cases of Campylobacteriosis were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of six pathogenic genes (flaA, iam, wlaN, cdtA, cdtB, cdtC). Results: A total of 40% (10/25) of the human isolates presented only one virulence marker. In contrast, 64% (16/25) of the poultry-derived strains showed four or five virulence markers. cdtA and flaA occurred more frequently in poultry-derived strains than in human strains. Ten different virulence profiles were observed among the human isolates and 11 among the poultry strains. Only four profiles were common to both sources: profiles 3 (flaA, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC), 5 (cdtA and cdtB), 7 (flaA and cdtB), and 10 (iam, flaA, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC). The human-derived strains had a higher Shannon diversity index (1.9396) and Simpson index (0.8367), indicating a more diversified population than found in poultry (1.7742 and 0.7333, respectively). Conclusions: We found variations in the genetic profiles of the circulating strains based on the isolation source and genes that are potentially pathogenic to humans were detected in poultry-derived strains

Desempenho Acústico de Paredes de alvenarias de blocos de concreto utilizadas entre unidades adjacentes

A exigência de isolação ao som aéreo entre unidades autônomas, quando um dos cômodos é dormitório, é um tema de discussão frequente, visto a dificuldade no atendimento ao critério estabelecido na norma brasileira de desempenho de edificações. Nesse sentido, este artigo objetiva mostrar os valores de isolamento a ruído aéreo entre ambientes adjacentes promovido por quatro tipos de paredes de alvenaria, duas estruturais e duas de vedação. O artigo foi elaborado com base na análise dos resultados de ensaios de isolação sonora feitos em campo, na análise de projetos e em visitas técnicas no local.  Os resultados apresentados mostram que as paredes de alvenarias de blocos de concreto têm potencial de promover isolamento a ruído aéreo entre unidades quando um dos cômodos é dormitório, sendo necessários cuidados de execução e controle

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

A look into the Grameen Bank and into the microcredit in Colombia

En el presente artículo se hace una exploración del microcrédito desde sus inicios con el Grameen Bank y la metodología utilizada por Muhammad Yunus, presentando una aproximación teórica de lo que es el mercado de crédito y la problemáticas que éste presenta. Se analiza también el modelo de grupos solidarios y cómo éstos permiten eliminar las asimetrías del mercado de crédito y, por último, se realiza un análisis del microcrédito en Colombia en cuanto a los montos de colocación y tasas de interés desde que se ha formalizado como política de Banca de Oportunidades.This article makes an exploration of microcredit from its beginning with the Grameen Bank and the methodology used by Muhammad Yunus. It presents a theoretical approximation of what the credit market is and the problems it has. It also analyses the model of solidarity groups and how they allow eliminating the asymmetries of the credit market and, finally, it presents an analysis of the Microcredit in Colombia regarding the amounts of placement and rates of interest since it has been formalized as Opportunities Banking policy

DESIGNING OF A FINANCIAL STATEMENT WITH A SPECIAL - ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSE, APPLIED TO THE DAIRY INDUSTRY SECTOR IN SABANA DE BOGOTÁ

Para realizar la presente investigación se estudiaron cinco empresas del sector lácteo ubicadas en la Sabana de Bogotá, porque su proceso productivo y comercial tiene gran incidencia sobre el medio ambiente. A dichas empresas se les analizó el proceso productivo y los estados financieros con el ánimo de detectar qué cuentas están relacionadas con aspectos medioambientales, con el fin de incluirlas dentro del estado financiero propuesto. Para la construcción del estado financiero de propósito especial-ambiental, se tuvo en cuenta la estructura del Plan Único de Cuentas para comerciantes, establecido mediante el decreto 2650/93, así mismo se siguieron las recomendaciones sobre información ambiental de la Unión Europea. El Estado financiero de propósito especial – ambiental, permitirá conocer de manera clara y sencilla cuáles han sido las inversiones, los ingresos, los costos y los gastos del ente económico en un período dado. Así mismo se podrá conocer la estructura patrimonial medioambiental puesto que en él se verán reflejados los activos, pasivos y patrimonio que la compañía tiene comprometidos con el medio ambiente.In order to carry out this research five companies from the dairy sector located in the Sabana de Bogotá were studied because their productive and commercial process has a great incidence on the environment. The productive process and the Financial Statements of those companies were analyzed to specify what counts are related to environmental aspects with the aim to include them on the given financial statement. To create the Financial Statement with a Special-Environmental Purpose, it was taken into account the structure of the Unique Plan of Counts for traders, established by the decree 2650/93; likewise, the European Community’s recommendations on environmental information were followed. The Financial Statement with a Special-Environmental Purpose allows clearly and simply to know what investments, incomes, costs and expenses of the economic entity in a given period are. Likewise, it is possible to know the environmental structure since the Financial Statement reflects the assets, liabilities and goods that the company has assigned to the environment

Scintimammography with 99mTc-MIBI versus dynamic MRI for non-invasive characterization of breast masses.

Although mammography remains the technique of choice for the early detection of breast cancer, several imaging techniques, including scintimammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have recently been proposed as adjuncts for this purpose and included in many diagnostic protocols. This study was undertaken to assess the clinical accuracy of scintimammography with technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) and contrast-enhanced MRI in the detection of primary breast carcinoma in patients with equivocal mammographic findings. Forty-nine patients with a suspicious breast mass detected either by physical examination or by mammography and ultrasound (US) were studied. All patients underwent scintimammography and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI 1 week apart. The results of the two techniques were compared and correlated to the final diagnoses. Two independent readers reported the scans using a four-point confidence scale. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained. Scintimammography showed an accuracy for tumour detection of 84\%, with a sensitivity of 80\% and a specificity of 88\%. MRI showed an accuracy of 86\%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 96\% and 75\%, respectively. Comparison of the two areas under the ROC curves showed no significant differences between MRI, 0.91+/-0.05 (mean+/-SD), and scintimammography, 0.88+/-0.05 (P=0.9). It is concluded that dynamic MRI and scintimammography possess comparable accuracy in the diagnosis of primary breast carcinoma in patients with equivocal mammographic or US findings