[Frequency of diabetic retinopathy and associated factors in Puerto Montt, Chile]. / Estudio de prevalencia de retinopatía diabética en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 de la comuna de Puerto Montt y sus factores asociados.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of decreased visual acuity, whose prevalence has increased between 1990 and 2020. In Chile the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was estimated at 24.8%. AIM: To assess the prevalence of DR in a southern Chilean city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a database of diabetic patients attending primary health care centers at Puerto Montt, Chile, 196 patients with DR and 392 patients without DR, matched by age and presence of chronic complications, were chosen for this case-control study. RESULTS: The prevalence of DR in the database of diabetic patients was 33.3%. glycated hemoglobin, the frequency insulin use, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, microalbuminuria, and proteinuria were significantly worse in cases. A multivariate analysis showed that retinopathy is much more likely to occur when the variables insulin use, neuropathy, and microalbuminuria concur. CONCLUSIONS: DR was associated with worse metabolic parameters and the presence of neuropathy in this case control study.

Estudio de prevalencia de retinopatía diabética en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 de la comuna de Puerto Montt y sus factores asociados / Frequency of diabetic retinopathy and associated factors in Puerto Montt, Chile

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of decreased visual acuity, whose prevalence has increased between 1990 and 2020. In Chile the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was estimated at 24.8%. AIM: To assess the prevalence of DR in a southern Chilean city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a database of diabetic patients attending primary health care centers at Puerto Montt, Chile, 196 patients with DR and 392 patients without DR, matched by age and presence of chronic complications, were chosen for this case-control study. RESULTS: The prevalence of DR in the database of diabetic patients was 33.3%. glycated hemoglobin, the frequency insulin use, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, microalbuminuria, and proteinuria were significantly worse in cases. A multivariate analysis showed that retinopathy is much more likely to occur when the variables insulin use, neuropathy, and microalbuminuria concur. CONCLUSIONS: DR was associated with worse metabolic parameters and the presence of neuropathy in this case control study.

Hydrogeological responses in tropical mountainous springs.

This study presents a hydrogeochemical analysis of spring responses (2013-2017) in the tropical mountainous region of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The isotopic distribution of δ18O and δ2H in rainfall resulted in a highly significant meteoric water line: δ2H = 7.93·Î´18O + 10.37 (r2 = 0.97). Rainfall isotopic composition exhibited a strong amount-dependent seasonality. The isotopic variation (δ18O) of two springs within the Barva aquifer was simulated using the FlowPC program to determine mean transit times (MTTs). Exponential-piston and dispersion distribution functions provided the best-fit to the observed isotopic composition at Flores and Sacramento springs, respectively. MTTs corresponded to 1.23 ± 0.03 (Sacramento) and 1.42 ± 0.04 (Flores) years. The greater MTT was represented by a homogeneous geochemical composition at Flores, whereas the smaller MTT at Sacramento is reflected in a more variable geochemical response. The results may be used to enhance modelling efforts in central Costa Rica, whereby scarcity of long-term data limits water resources management plans.

Chitosan-Starch Films with Natural Extracts: Physical, Chemical, Morphological and Thermal Properties.

The aim of this study is to analyze the properties of a series of polysaccharide composite films, such as apparent density, color, the presence of functional groups, morphology, and thermal stability, as well as the correlation between them and their antimicrobial and optical properties. Natural antioxidants such as anthocyanins (from cranberry; blueberry and pomegranate); betalains (from beetroot and pitaya); resveratrol (from grape); and thymol and carvacrol (from oregano) were added to the films. Few changes in the position and intensity of the FTIR spectra bands were observed despite the low content of extract added to the films. Due to this fact, the antioxidants were extracted and identified by spectroscopic analysis; and they were also quantified using the Folin-Denis method and a gallic acid calibration curve, which confirmed the presence of natural antioxidants in the films. According to the SEM analysis, the presence of natural antioxidants has no influence on the film morphology because the stretch marks and white points that were observed were related to starch presence. On the other hand, the TGA analysis showed that the type of extract influences the total weight loss. The overall interpretation of the results suggests that the use of natural antioxidants as additives for chitosan-starch film preparation has a prominent impact on most of the critical properties that are decisive in making them suitable for food-packing applications.

Antimicrobial, Optical and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan-Starch Films with Natural Extracts.

Natural extracts possess several kinds of antioxidants (anthocyanins, betalains, thymol, carvacrol, and resveratrol) that have also demonstrated antimicrobial properties. In order to study these properties, extracts from cranberry, blueberry, beetroot, pomegranate, oregano, pitaya, and resveratrol (from grapes) were obtained. Growth inhibition tests of mesophilic aerobes, coliforms, and fungi were conducted in films prepared from the extracts in accordance with Mexican Official Norms (NOM). Optical properties such as transparency and opacity, mechanical properties, and pH were also analyzed in these materials. The films with beetroot, cranberry, and blueberry extracts demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi in comparison with unmodified chitosan-starch film. This study shows that the addition of antioxidants improved the antimicrobial performance of these films. It was also found that antimicrobial properties are inherent to the films. These polymers combined with the extracts effectively inhibit or reduce microorganism growth from human and environmental contact; therefore, previous sterilization could be unnecessary in comparison with traditional plastics. The presence of extracts decreased transmittance percentages at 280 and 400 nm, as well as the transparency values, while increasing their opacity values, providing better UV-VIS light barrier properties. Despite diminished glass transition temperatures (Tg), the values obtained are still adequate for food packaging applications.

Diversidad de serotipos de Salmonella en camarones de cultivo crudos congelados (Litopeneaus vannamei) de Venezuela / Diversity of Salmonella serotypes in raw frozen culture shrimps (Litopeneaus vannamei) from Venezuela

La evaluación de la calidad sanitaria de los camarones procesados y destinados a la exportación requiere determinaciones permanentes que garanticen la inocuidad del producto. No obstante, la información sobre la diversidad y ocurrencia de Salmonella en camarones es muy escasa en Venezuela. Se determinó la prevalencia y diversidad de cepas de Salmonella en 1.022 muestras de camarones crudos congelados procedentes de cultivo para exportación y procesados en una planta del estado Zulia. La recolección, manejo y transporte de las muestras para los análisis bacteriológicos se realizaron de acuerdo al manual de Administración de Drogas y Alimentos norteamericana y la norma venezolana COVENIN. La serotipificación de Salmonella se realizó según la fórmula antigénica descrita por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica estuvo presente en 20 muestras, obteniendo una prevalencia de 2%. Adicionalmente, se observó una amplia diversidad de serotipos de Salmonella, siendo los más frecuentes Tennessee (20%), Typhimurium (15%), Caracas (10%) y Kentucky (10%). La presencia y amplia diversidad de serotipos de Salmonella pudieran estar relacionadas con las condiciones de producción del camarón. En cambio, la baja prevalencia pudiera deberse a las condiciones higiénicas de la planta procesadora y al efecto de las bajas temperaturas.

The evaluation of the sanitary quality of processed shrimps destined for exportation requires permanent determinations which guarantee the safety of the product. Nevertheless, the information regarding Salmonella diversity and occurrence in shrimps is very scarce in Venezuela. The prevalence and diversity of Salmonella strains was determined in 1,022 samples of raw frozen shrimps destined for exportation and processed in a facility located at Zulia State. The collection, management and transportation of samples for the bacteriological analyses were done according to a manual published by the North American Food and Drug Administration and the Venezuelan regulations COVENIN. Salmonella serotyping was done according to the antigenic formula described by the World Health Organization. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica was found in 20 samples, establishing a 2 % prevalence. Additionally, a wide variety of Salmonella serotypes was found, the most frequent being Tennessee (20%), Typhimurium (15%), Caracas (10%), and Kentucky (10%). The presence and wide variety of Salmonella serotypes could be related to the production conditions of shrimps. On the other hand, the low prevalence could be due to the hygienic conditions of the processing plants and the effect of low temperatures.

Avaliação comparativa por meio de eletromiografia de superfície do padrão de comportamento dos músculos masseter e temporal em pacientes parcialmente edentados antes e após a reabilitação com prótese parcial removível / Comparative evaluation through surface electromyograph of thetemporal e masseter muscles behaviour pattern in partially edentulous patients before and after removable partial denture rehabilitation

Como um procedimento de avaliação, a eletromiografia clínica de superfície, envolve a detecção e o registro de potenciais elétricos de fibras musculares esqueléticas, fornecendo um instrumento útil para documentar o papel do músculo na atividade física e para avaliar a integridade do sistema neuromuscular. Tendo em vista sua utilidade, somada a relatos na literatura da existência de comprometimento muscular nos pacientes parcialmente edentados, e ainda a inexistência de relatos literários sobre a modificação do padrão de atividade muscular nos pacientes parcialmente edentados após a reabilitação; nosso objetivo nessa pesquisa foi registrar e comparar eletromiograficamente, as atividades musculares, de pacientes classe I e II de Kennedy (edentados posteriores uni ou bilaterais) em um dos arcos, antes e de 2 a 3 semanas após a instalação de próteses parciais removíveis (PPRs) e assim verificar o comportamento dos músculos masseter direito e esquerdo e temporal (feixe anterior) direito e esquerdo nessas duas situações durante a execução de abertura máxima, contração isométrica máxima voluntária (CIMV), repouso e mastigação.. Após a realização desse estudo, pudemos concluir que a utilização das PPRs, restabelece os contatos oclusais posteriores perdidos e desta forma, modifica para melhor as atividades eletromiográficas da musculatura em questão (masseter e temporal). Os pacientes monitorados apresentaram um aumento extremamente significante (p < 0,0001) da eficiência da musculatura estudada durante a mastigação e ainda uma diminuição, também extremamente significante (p < 0,0001), da atividade elétrica dos masseteres e temporais durante o período de repouso e na execução da abertura máxima.

Grau de severidade das desordens temporomandibulares entre pacientes classe I de Kennedy, portadores e não portadores de prótese parcial removível / Severity of temporomandibular disorders among Kennedy class I patients, wearers or not of removable partial dentures

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a severidade dos sinais e sintomas das desordens temporomandibulares (DTMs) em 48 pacientes edentados mandibulares posteriores bilaterais (classe I de Kennedy), sintomáticos, portadores ou não de prótese parcial removível (PPR), por meio da utilização de multitestes de escores que compõe o índice craniomandibular (ICM). Com essa finalidade, foram feitas avaliações precisas dos movimentos mandibulares, dos ruídos articulares, da sensibilidade à palpação nas regiões da articulação temporomandibular e dos músculos mastigatórios, perfazendo um total de 66 procedimentos para cada um dos pacientes que participaram desta investigação. Foi utilizado um terceiro grupo de pacientes sintomáticos (n=24), totalmente dentados, que atuou como controle. Para comparação dos dados, foram aplicados testes de análise de variância e comparações múltiplas. Os resultados sugeriram que os pacientes edentados bilaterais sem PPR apresentaram maior severidade dos sinais e sintomas das DTMs quando comparados com os portadores de PPR, e que os pacientes totalmente dentados foram os que apresentaram o maior severidade na comparação entre todos os grupos em relação a essas desordens. Concluímos que a maior parte das desordens temporomandibulares pode ser avaliada com segurança por meio da utilização do sistema de escores pelo índice craniomandibular