Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metals from Gold Mining Activities Using Clidemia sericea D. Don.

Soils contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) as a result of anthropogenic activities such as mining are a problem due to the adverse effects on human and environmental health, making it necessary to seek sustainable strategies to remediate contaminated areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the species Clidemia sericea D. Don for the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with PTEs (Hg, Pb, and Cd) from gold mining activities. The study was conducted for three months, with soils from a gold mining area in northern Colombia, and seeds of C. sericea, under a completely randomized experimental design with one factor (concentration of PTEs in soil) and four levels (control (T0), low (T1), medium (T2), and high (T3)), each treatment in triplicate, for a total of twelve experimental units. Phytotoxic effects on plants, bioconcentration (BCF), and translocation (TF) factors were determined. The results obtained for the tissues differed in order of metal accumulation, with the root showing the highest concentration of metals. The highest values of bioconcentration (BCF > 1) were presented for Hg at T3 and Cd in the four treatments; and of translocation (TF > 1) for Hg and Pb at T0 and T1; however, for Pb, the TF indicates that it is transferable, but it is not considered for phytoextraction. Thus, C. sericea demonstrated its potential as a phytostabilizer of Hg and Cd in mining soils, strengthening as a wild species with results of resistance to the stress of the PTEs evaluated, presenting similar behavior and little phytotoxic affectation on the growth and development of each of the plants in the different treatments.

Macronutrientes en el tejido foliar de albahaca Ocimum basilicum L. en respuesta a la aplicación de nitrógeno y potasio / Macronutrients in the leaf tissue of basil Ocimum basilicum L. in response to applications of nitrogen and potassium

RESUMEN La albahaca (Ocimum basilicum L.) es un cultivo promisorio de reciente explotación y expansión en Colombia; sin embargo, esta tendencia se ve limitada por el desconocimiento de la nutrición con elementos, como N y K. Con la aplicación de dosis óptimas de N y K, los productores pueden incrementar la productividad y calidad de este sistema productivo, atrayendo nuevos productores. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de nitrógeno y potasio sobre el contenido y relación de los macronutrientes en el tejido vegetal de albahaca. Las dosis de N y K fueron combinadas con base en la matriz Box-Berard aumentada (3):2k+2k+2k+1+1, constituyendo un total de 14 tratamientos, dispuestos bajo un diseño completamente al azar, con tres repeticiones. Se estudió la masa seca (MS) y las relaciones N/K, N/P, N/S, N/Ca, K/Ca, K/Mg, K/P y K/S, las cuales, fueron analizas con pruebas de medias y la metodología de superficie de respuesta. La albahaca desarrolló una mayor MS cuando la relación foliar de N y K con el resto de los nutrientes fue alta, a excepción de la relación de estos (N/K), la cual, fue estrecha. En este sentido, la MS fue 116,72% superior para las relaciones asociadas con nitrógeno y 120,84% para las de potasio, con respecto a las dosis mínimas de N y K. En albahaca, la concentración foliar de N y K debe predominar sobre el resto de macroelementos, condición obtenida con dosis de 100-190kg ha-1 de N y de 125-237,5kg ha-1 de K.

ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a promising crop of recent exploitation and expansion in Colombia, however, this trend is limited by ignorance of nutrition requirements of elements such as N and K. With the application of optimal doses of N and K, producers can increase the productivity and quality of this production system, attracting new producers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of nitrogen and potassium on the content and ratio of macronutrients in basil plant tissue. The doses of N and K were combined based on the increased Box-Berard matrix (3): 2k+2k+2k+1+1, constituting a total of 14 treatments, arranged under a completely randomized design with three repetitions. The dry mass (DM) and the relationships N/K, N/P, N/S, N/Ca, K/Ca, K/Mg, K/P and K/S were studied, and analyzed with tests of means and the response surface methodology. Basil developed a higher DM when the leaf ratio of N and K with the rest of the nutrients was high, except for the ratio of these (N/K), which was close. In this sense, the DM was 116.72% higher for the ratios associated with nitrogen and 120.84% for those of potassium, with respect to the minimum doses of N and K. In basil, the foliar concentration of N and K should predominate over the rest of macroelements, a condition obtained with doses of 100-190kg ha-1 of N and 125-237.5kg ha-1 of K.

[Pilot study of two different strategies to reinforce self care behaviors and treatment compliance among type 2 diabetes patients from low income strata]. / Estudio piloto de dos diferentes estrategias para reforzar conductas de autocuidado y adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes de bajos recursos económicos con diabetes tipo 2.

UNLABELLED: Long term diabetes self-management behaviors, and strict glycemic control are difficult to achieve in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: Asesss two different reinforcement strategies for diabetes selfcare management, psychological distress and glycemic control in a one year follow up study. METHODS: 70 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients, were recruited and randomly assigned to three study groups. Subjects in the control group (CG) continued with their normal treatment schedule. The second group received a reinforcement course at 6 months (RCG) and in the third group, patients were contacted monthly by phone (PHCG) to promote self-management attitudes and address problems as they arose. A battery of questions and laboratory work-up were obtained at baseline and at one year follow-up. RESULTS: At one year follow-up, the three groups significantly increased their diabetes-related knowledge. Both experimental groups displayed improved treatment compliance and had better adherence to the recommended meal plan (p=0.06 and 0.003). In addition, the PHCG significantly increased (p<0.0001) their adherence to pharmacological treatment. No significant differences were observed in glycemic control, prevalence of depression or diabetes related distress. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up patient reinforcement strategies improve strategic diabetes self-care management behaviors. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the positive impact of these benefits on diabetes related outcomes.

Estudio piloto de dos diferentes estrategias para reforzar conductas de autocuidado y adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes de bajos recursos económicos con diabetes tipo 2 / Pilot study of two different strategies to reinforce self care behaviors and treatment compliance among type 2 diabetes patients from low income strata

Antecedentes: Es difícil establecer conductas apropiadas de autocuidado y cumplir los objetivos terapéuticos en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el impacto de dos estrategias de reforzamiento en el autocuidado de la diabetes, variables psicosociales y control glucémico a un año de seguimiento. Métodos: Se incluyeron 70 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 asignados en forma aleatoria a tres grupos de estudio: grupo control (GC) que continuó con el programa habitual de tratamiento; un segundo grupo (GCR), que recibió un curso educativo después de seis meses; un tercer grupo (GRT), asignado a recibir llamadas telefónicas mensuales para promover conductas de autocuidado e intentar detectar y solucionar problemas. Se practicaron diversos cuestionarios y análisis de laboratorio al inicio y un año después. Resultados: Al año de seguimiento, los tres grupos mejoraron en forma significativa sus conocimientos en diabetes. Ambos grupos experimentales mejoraron su adherencia al plan de alimentación (p=0.06 y 0.003). El GRT también mejoró su adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico (p<0.0001). No se observaron cambios significativos en el control glucémico, prevalencia de depresión o disfunción emocional asociada a la diabetes. Conclusiones: Las estrategias de reforzamiento mejoran el autocuidado de la diabetes. Se requieren estudios a largo plazo para demostrar el impacto de estos beneficios en la calidad de vida y el logro de los objetivos terapéuticos.

Long term diabetes self-management behaviors, and strict glycemic control are difficult to achieve in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: Asesss two different reinforcement strategies for diabetes selfcare management, psychological distress and glycemic control in a one year follow up study. METHODS: 70 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients, were recruited and randomly assigned to three study groups. Subjects in the control group (CG) continued with their normal treatment schedule. The second group received a reinforcement course at 6 months (RCG) and in the third group, patients were contacted monthly by phone (PHCG) to promote self-management attitudes and address problems as they arose. A battery of questions and laboratory work-up were obtained at baseline and at one year follow-up. RESULTS: At one year follow-up, the three groups significantly increased their diabetes-related knowledge. Both experimental groups displayed improved treatment compliance and had better adherence to the recommended meal plan (p=0.06 and 0.003). In addition, the PHCG significantly increased (p<0.0001) their adherence to pharmacological treatment. No significant differences were observed in glycemic control, prevalence of depression or diabetes related distress. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up patient reinforcement strategies improve strategic diabetes self-care management behaviors. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the positive impact of these benefits on diabetes related outcomes.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Is there a true Hispanic paradox?

INTRODUCTION: The observation that Hispanics have lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality despite increased prevalence of diabetes and obesity, lower socioeconomic status and barriers to health care, has been termed the "Hispanic Paradox". There are problems of data reliability and confounding bias in the analysis of this paradox. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search in the MEDLINE was performed for information published during the last 30 years: National cohort studies, population based and case-control studies, vital statistics and major review articles were included using the following key words: Cardiovascular disease and overall mortality by ethnicity, in diabetic patients from the US and Latin America. RESULTS: A total of 140 articles were included, classified and analyzed separately according to the following thematic: The U.S. Hispanic population, cardiovascular (CV) and overall mortality rates in Hispanics, type 2 diabetes in Hispanics, diabetes and coronary heart disease, CV disease in Hispanic diabetic patients, CV risk profile in Hispanics, ethnicity and CV risk factors, diabetes and CV disease in Latin America and a search for the protective or causative factors for CV disease. CONCLUSIONS: Much controversy and diverse confounding factors surround the Hispanic paradox. The present data suggest that the lower mortality in Hispanics is not "genuine", but is rather caused by migratory factors and probably mild distortions due to selection combined with mild reporting errors that may produce the appearance of a paradox when there is none at all. Even more, recent studies do not confirm the lower mortality rates in US Hispanics compared to the Non Hispanic White population, or that Hispanics from Latin America have lower mortality rates from CV disease than the US population. In the current era of globalization, major changes in the socio-economic and cultural status of people in developing countries and disadvantaged and minority groups in developed nations has lead to the current diabetic and atherosclerotic heart disease epidemic.

Obesity, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome: new challenges in antipsychotic drug therapy.

Obesity and diabetes continue to be national health epidemics. Greater than 50% of adults in the United States are overweight, and >17 million people have diabetes--one third of whom are not diagnosed. Diabetes ranks number 1 in direct health care costs of any disease category. Patients who suffer from schizophrenia may be at twice the risk of developing diabetes compared with the general population. Some new antipsychotic agents are among several types of medications that may potentially impair glucose metabolism. For example, studies have shown that people treated with clozapine and olanzapine have developed elevated fasting serum insulin levels, suggestive of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance may be a result of irregularities in the insulin action sequence and it may occur long before overt diabetes. The further study of the effects of medications on glucose metabolism and their mechanisms, therefore, is essential to developing better treatment regimens that minimize insulin resistance and avoid associated health risks such as obesity and diabetes.

Sindrome de Reye seis años de experiencia en el Hospital Nacional de Niños de Costa Rica / Reye Syndrome: a 6 years' experience at the Costa Rican Children's Hospital

Se hizo una revision de los expedientes de 12 pacientes con diagnostico de salida o de fallecido por sindrome Reye, en el Hospital Nacional de Niños en un periodo de 6 años; 1980-85. Diez pacientes pertenecian al sexo masculino y dos al femenino; la edad de los pacientes oscilo entre los 4 y 8 meses en 6 pacientes y entre los 10 y 22 meses en los otros 6. El diagnostico en estos casos se establecio por clinica y hallazgos de laboratorio; los hallazgos clinicos mas frecuentemente encontrados fueron : hepatomegalia 83% de los casos, vomitos 75% de los casos, y convulsiones en 67% de los pacientes. Los hallazgos de laboratorio mas frecuentes fueron : TP prolongado 75% de los casos, y en un 58% de los pacientes se encontro hipoglicemia, hiperamonemia y alcalosis respiratoria. En tres pacientes se hizo biopsia hepatica, encontrandose esteatosis grasa en los tres y en uno ademas se encontro un agotamiento de glucogeno. De los doce pacientes 6 fallecieron (50%) y de los 6 que ingresaron vivos, 5 (42%) presentaban secuelas en el sistema nerviosos central.