Efficacy of a sun protection workbook for kidney transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial of a culturally sensitive educational intervention.

A culturally sensitive educational intervention that encouraged sun protection behaviors among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) was developed and the short-term efficacy was evaluated. Non-Hispanic White, Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic Black patients, who received a transplant 2-24 months prior to the study, were randomized into two study groups: intervention versus standard of care. Electronic reminders tailored to the weather conditions were sent every 2 weeks by text message or email. Self-reported surveys and biologic measurements were obtained prior to the intervention and 6 weeks later. Among the 101 study participants, there was a statistically significant increase in knowledge, recognition of personal risk of developing skin cancer, willingness to change sun protection behavior and self-reported performance of sun protection in participants receiving the intervention in comparison with those receiving standard of care (p < 0.05). The pigment darkening of the sun-exposed forearm and sun damage of the forearm and sunburns/skin irritation from the sun were significantly less in participants receiving the intervention (p < 0.05). Providing sun protection education at the beginning of summer with reminders tailored to weather conditions helped KTRs adopt sun protection practices. This sun protection program for KTRs may be incorporated into the care provided by the nephrologist or transplant surgeon.

[Evaluation of fish silage prepared by microbiological route as a proteinic supplement in diets for fattening chickens]. / Evaluación del ensilado de pescado elaborado por vía microbiológica como suplemento proteínico en dietas para pollos de engorde.

A bioassay in broilers was carried out during a six-week period, to evaluate, as a protein source, the quality of fish silage produced by microbiological means and to compare it with that of fish flour and soybean flour. A total of 28 broilers of the Cross by Cross strain were used, sexed and assigned at random. Additionally, the fish silage was subjected to moisture (8.1%), ash (18.4%), protein (59.5%), fat (7.55%), carbohydrates (6.47%), and pH (4.2) determinations for its inclusion in the diets formulation. The results obtained did not permit establishment of significant differences between the weight increments presented by chicks fed with fish flour, and those fed with fish silage. Nevertheless, the food conversion index of the chicks consuming the diet prepared with fish silage proved to be better that the conversion index of the diet prepared with fish and soy flours. No lesions in the organs of the animals studied were observed, and the sensory trials indicated that chicks fed with the fish silage did not present differences with those commercially acquired.

Evaluación del ensilado de pescado elaborado por via microbiológica como suplemento proteínico en dietas para pollos de engorde / Evaluation of fish silage prepared by microbiological rout as proteinic supplement in diets for fattening chickens

Se llevó a cabo un bioensayo de seis semanas, con pollos de engorde, para evaluar la calidad del ensilado de pescado producido por vía microbiana como fuente proteínica, y compararlo con harina de pescado y harina de soya. Se utilizaron, para el caso, 128 pollo sexados del cruce Cobb x Cobb, dispuestos en forma aleatoria. Adicionalmente, el ensilado de pescado se sometió a determinaciones de humedad (8.1%), cenizas (18.4%), proteínas (59.5%), grasas (7.55%), carbohidratos (6.47%), pH (4.2) a fin de efectuar su inclusión en la formulación de las dietas. Los resultados obtenidos no permitieron establecer diferencias significativas entre los incremento de peso desarrollados por las aves alimentadas con harina de pescado y los pollos alimentados con ensilado de pescado. Sin embargo, el índice de conversión de la aves que consumieron la dieta con ensilado de pescado resultó ser mejor que el índice de conversión de la dieta con harina de pescado y con harina de soya. No se observaron lesiones en los órganos de las aves sometidas a estudio, y las pruebas sensoriais indicaron que los pollos alimentados con ensilado de pescado no presentaban diferencias con los pollo adquiridos comercialmente