Fluoroquinolone consumption and -resistance trends in mycobacterium tuberculosis and other respiratory pathogens: ecological antibiotic pressure and consequences in Pakistan, 2009-2015

Objective/background: Fluoroquinolones [FQs] are important anti-tuberculous drugs for the treatment of multidrug-resistant [MDR] tuberculosis. Resistance to FQs leads to fewer options for treatment of tuberculosis [TB], and infection with such strains may also require longer treatment duration. Trends of resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB] are indicators of MTB-resistance evolution. Drivers of such resistance need to be understood and studied to inform preventive strategies

Methods: Here, we present FQ-resistance rates and trends in Pakistan from 2010 to 2015 and compare rates with FQ-consumption data and rates in other community pathogens

Results: Our results reveal a recent decrease in FQ-resistance rates in MTB, but an increase in resistance for Haemophilus influenzae and Shigella spp. Correlation of FQ resistance with FQ consumption at the population level was weak for MTB, although strong associations were noted for H. influenzae and Shigella spp

Conclusion: We discuss the possible reasons for the decrease in resistance rates in TB, putative drivers of resistance other than volume of FQ consumption, and the possible impact of the National Tuberculosis Programme and drug regulatory activities

Aerobic, exercises: their cardiovascular and other benefits

Aerobic exercise can help prevent Ischemic Heart Disease and other diseases. Physical inactivity is a major factor for developing Coronary Artery Disease [CAD] which is characterized by deposit of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the inner lining of the arteries, that supply to cardiac muscle. It also contributes to other risk factors including obesity, hypertension, increased triglycerides, low level of HDL cholesterol and diabetes. The essential components of a systematic individualized exercise prescription include the appropriate mode, intensity, duration, frequency and progression of physical activity. There are four components of exercise program; a warm up, an endurance phase, optional recreational activity and a cool down. For sedentary individuals, exercise should start at 60% of maximum heart rate. Benefits of physical activity depend on the total amount of exercise. Vigorous leisure time activity should be promoted in order to give way to healthy living

Desenvolvimento de bebida láctea a base de flocos de abóbora / Development of a milk beverage based on pumpkin flakes

Um dos graves problemas de saúde pública no Nordeste brasileiro é a hipovitaminose A que se encontra associada, dentre outros factores, ao desmame precoce. Com vistas a minimizar o problema foi desenvolvida uma bebida láctea para desmame tendo como base a abóbora, vegetal que constitui uma importante fonte de carotenóides, cujo consumo é largamente difundido na Regiao. A metodologia envolveu a secagem da abóbora em "Drum dryer" (pressao máxima de vapor 6 atm, superfície do cilindro 0,75 m2 e velocidade 1 rpm) para a obtençao dos flocos, que foram analisados quanto a sua composiçao centesimal, carotenóides totais beta-caroteno, bolores e leveduras e coliformes totais a fecais, seguida do desenvolvimento de formulaçoes com açúcar e leite em pó integral, tendo em vista as recomendaçoes nutricionais (FAO/OMS) para a faixa etária de 6 a 12 meses. A aceitabilidade das formulaçoes foi testada através de um painel composto por 6 juízes treinados. Segundo os resultados, os flocos apresentaram rendimento 7 por cento, umidade 4,84 por cento; proteínas 4,0 por cento; cinzas 5,50 por cento; lipídeos 1,30 por cento; fibra 6,22 por cento; carboidratos 78,14 por cento; carotenóides totais 115,08 mug/g; beta-caroteno 80,64 mug/g; ausência de coliformes e 4,0 x 10(2) UFC/g de bolores e leveduras. A formulaçao selecionada após reconstituiçao com água (q.s.p. para 100 ml) atende 45 por cento das necessidades calóricas diárias das crianças e 100 por cento de vitamina A e proteínas, considerando uma ingestao de 400 ml/dia.

Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en una escuela de nivel primario de la ciudad Capital / Intestinal parasitism prevalence at a primary level school in the city

Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo con el objetivo, de determinar la prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal usando el método de Ritch en 383 estudiantes que cursan el nivel primario en la escuela Mauricio Báez durante el período, octubre de 1996 enero de 1997. Encontrándose que el 18.5// del total de los alumnos estaban infectados; el 62// se encontraba entre los 7-10 años; la especie encontrada con mayor frecuencia fue la Giardia, y las malas condiciones de las viviendas no influyó en la parasitosis