RESUMO
Snakebite envenomation is a global health problem. This health problem asymmetrically affects rural populations in developing countries to such an extent that it recently has been listed as a priority neglected tropical disease (NTD). It is estimated that 5.4 million individuals are bitten by snakes each year, causing at least 2.7 million envenomations and more than 100,000 deaths each year. Ecuador has one of the highest snakebite envenomation incidence rates in Latin America, mostly in the coastal and Amazonian provinces. Envenomations in these regions are the result of bites primarily by species of snakes belonging to the Viperidae family. Ecuador was able to locally produce antivenoms, however serious flaws were revealed in the antivenom production process, leading to the decommissioning of the existing facility. In the interest of public health, we have summarized the political and social setbacks experienced by the antivenom serum production plant in Ecuador, while encouraging resuming local production of snake antivenom to improve the responsiveness of the already overburdened health system.
Assuntos
Antivenenos , Mordeduras de Serpentes , Animais , Antivenenos/uso terapêutico , Equador , Humanos , Incidência , Mordeduras de Serpentes/epidemiologia , SerpentesRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, thoughts, and beliefs regarding the Zika virus and its prevention in a community of residents in the municipality of Caguas, Puerto Rico, and elicit their concerns and perceptions of risk. METHODS: A quantitative, non experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in a community in Caguas, Puerto Rico. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 158 residents, aged 21 and older, who participated voluntarily. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 via univariate and bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 158 surveyed, 64.6% were women; with a population average of 53.85 years. Of the respondents who believed that they would be affected in some way if they were infected by the Zika virus, over half (52.3%) felt that the virus represented a significant threat to their emotional stability. Of those who perceived emotional threat, 39.5% (n=32) continued to study after completing high school (X2=9.217, p=0.027), 57.9% (n=55) had private health insurance (X2=6.325; p=0.042), and 67.9% (n=55) reported it was little or unlikely to become infected (X2= 6.783; p=0.034). Out of those concerned, 57.4% (n=54) considered Zika very or extremely severe (X2=22.827, p<0.001) and 98.9% (n=93) clean the house surroundings as a preventive measure (X2 = 4.951, p=0.026). Lack of interest was the most common reason identified for not complying with preventive actions by the residents (89.2%). CONCLUSION: The underestimation both of the risk concerning the Zika virus and of its consequences was evident. This study reaffirms the need to develop a network that effectively and constantly communicates risk estimates, doing so while addressing the specific needs within the communities served by that network. Community interventions aimed at improving the benefits of and reducing the risks associated with and the perceived barriers to preventive behaviors are needed.
Assuntos
Emoções , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Infecção por Zika virus/epidemiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , Risco , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto Jovem , Infecção por Zika virus/prevenção & controle , Infecção por Zika virus/psicologiaRESUMO
El aceite de mora es un ingrediente natural con potencial en la industria cosmética y alimentaria, puede experimentar degradación oxidativa en condiciones ambientales. Se extrajo aceite a partir de semillas de mora empleando fluidos supercríticos, se microencapsuló mediante secado por aspersión y se evaluó la influencia de diferentes condiciones de operación en el rendimiento y la eficiencia del proceso. Se emplearon como materiales encapsulantes: masterdry, goma arábiga y maltodextrina. Se comparó el perfil de ácidos grasos antes y después de la microencapsulación y se estudió el tamaño y morfología de las microcápsulas. En el proceso de microencapsulación la temperatura de entrada fue la única variable estadísticamente significativa usando masterdry y goma arábiga. La goma arábiga resultó ser el mejor encapsulante entre los tres estudiados. Se obtuvieron microcápsulas con tamaños entre 8,2 y14 -im, con superficie continua en las paredes y ausencia de poros. Se comprobó que la microencapsulación con los tres encapsulantes permitió proteger el aceite y conservar mayoritariamente su perfil de ácidos grasos.
Blackberry oil is a natural ingredient with potential in cosmetics and food industry, however, it experiences oxidative degradation at ambient conditions. Therefore, oil was obtained from blackberry seeds by supercritical fluid extraction and then was microcapsulated by spray drying. The influence of different operating conditions during spray-drying towards yield and encapsulation was evaluated. Masterdry, gum arabic, and maltodextrin were used as wall materials. Fatty acid profile was compared before and after microencapsulation, the size and morphology of the microcapsules were also studied. Inlet temperature was the only statistically significant variable in process yield and efficiency when gum arabic and masterdry were used. Feed flow rate was statistically significant only for process yield and it was influenced negatively when maltodextrin was used. Gum arabic was the best wall material among the three studied. Microcapsules with sizes between 8.2 and 14 -im were obtained; continuous wall and no apparent cracks were observed. It was also seen that the fatty acid profile was mostly conserved after microencapsulation process carried out with the three wall materials.
O óleo de amora é um ingrediente natural com potencial na indústria cosmética e dos alimentos, é susceptível à degradação por oxidação em condições ambientais. O óleo de sementes de amora foi extraído usando fluidos supercríticos e foi microencapsulado por secagem por pulverização. Foi avaliada a influência de diferentes condições de operação sobre o rendimento e eficiência do processo. Foram utilizados como materiais de encapsulação: masterdry, maltodextrina, e goma arábica. O perfil dos ácidos graxos foi comparado antes e depois de microencapsulação, o tamanho e a morfologia das microcápsulas foi também estudada. Determinou-se que, no processo de microencapsulação a temperatura de entrada era a única variável estatisticamente significativa usando masterdry e goma-arábica. A goma-arábica mostrou ser o melhor encapsulante entre os três estudados. Foram obtidas microcápsulas com tamanhos entre 8,2 e 14 -im, superfície contínua sobre as paredes e ausência de poros. Verificou-se que a microencapsulação permitiu que os três encapsulantes protegessem o óleo e retivessem majoritariamente o seu perfil de ácidos graxos.