Blood biochemistry of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles foraging in northern Sinaloa, Mexico.

Blood parameters provide an excellent tool to evaluate the health status of wildlife. However, there are few studies about health parameters of sea turtles in Mexico. For olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), no information was available to establish the health baseline for the species. The objective of this study was to establish reference blood biochemistry values for olive ridley turtles in the northern Sinaloa foraging area. Between 2013 and 2015, 82 olive ridley turtles were captured. Body condition index (BCI) presented a mean of 1.46 ± 0.14 (1.17-2.02) that categorized the population with excellent body condition; in addition, 99% of the turtles captured had a good physical appearance. Blood was collected for biochemistry analysis from 60 turtles. Significantly higher values of total protein, albumin, A/G ratio (albumin/globulin) and PCV (packed cell volume or hematocrit) were observed in adult when compared to subadult turtles. On the other hand, no significant differences were found when females and males were compared. Based on the BCI, physical assessment, and blood parameters, and compared to other sea turtle species, olive ridley turtles in northern Sinaloa were considered in excellent health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish normal blood biochemistry values of foraging olive ridley turtles in northern Sinaloa.

Hábitos alimentarios, actividad física y nivel socioeconómico en estudiantes universitarios de Chile / Eating habits, physical activity and socioeconomic level in university students of Chile

Introducción: Los estudiantes universitarios son vulnerables a una mala nutrición, no consumen meriendas entre las comidas, no desayunan, ayunan por largas horas, prefieren la comida rápida y además no realizan ejercicios físicos. La población universitaria es considerada la población adulto joven clave para la promoción y prevención de salud para las futuras generaciones, por lo que es trascendental identificar la situación actual nutricional y la frecuencia de actividad física de los universitarios. Objetivos: Determinar los factores que intervienen en la elección de los alimentos y la frecuencia de actividad física en estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Se evaluaron 799 voluntarios de cuatro universidades de la quinta región de Chile. Se aplicó un instrumento para determinar el nivel de actividad física y de hábitos alimentarios, el test kidmed para determinar la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea y un instrumento Adimark para determinar el nivel socioeconómico de los sujetos. Finalmente se realizó una evaluación antropométrica para determinar IMC, masa grasa y masa muscular. Resultados: La inactividad física es mayor en mujeres que en hombres y plantean que la principal razón para no hacer ejercicio es la falta de tiempo y la pereza. En ambos sexos no leen las etiquetas nutricionales y tienen una media adherencia a la dieta mediterránea. Discusión: Existen bajos conocimientos de nutrición que provocan una mala calidad en la alimentación de los sujetos y no existe motivación para realizar mayor actividad física. El nivel socioeconómico no tiene relación con los hábitos alimentarios ni con la actividad física, por lo que es necesario integrar programas regulares y permanentes de vida sana en todas las universidades (AU)

Introduction: University students are vulnerable to poor nutrition; they don't eat snacks between meals, don't eat breakfast or fast for long hours, prefer fast food and don't exercise. University students is considered the key young adult population group for health promotion and prevention for future generations, so it's crucial identify the current nutritional status and frequency of physical activity. Objectives: To determine the factors involved in the choice of food and frequency of physical activity in university students. Methods: 799 volunteers were evaluated from four universities of the fifth region of Chile. Instrument was applied to determine the level of physical activity and eating habits, KIDMED test to determine adherence to the Mediterranean diet and Adimark instrument to determinate the socioeconomic status of the subjects. Finally, anthropometric evaluation to determinate BMI, fat mass and muscle mass. Results: Physical inactivity is higher in women than in men and that the main reason for not exercising is lack of time and laziness. In both sexes don't read nutrition labels and have a low and average adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Discussion: The low knowledge of nutrition is the cause of the poor food quality of subjects and there isn't greater motivation to perform physical activity. Socioeconomic status isn't related to eating habits and physical activity. It's necessary to integrate programs regular and permanent healthy lifestyle in all universities (AU)

Extended use of prefilled humidifier reservoirs and the likelihood of contamination.

UNLABELLED: We sought to determine the potential for disposable prefilled humidifiers to become contaminated during extended patient use. METHODS & MATERIALS: We sampled the water in 55 humidifier reservoirs, which were being used by patients or which had been used by patients and then been placed on 'standby,' and had the samples cultured by a commercial clinical laboratory. RESULTS: None of the humidifiers showed contamination after 72 hours of continuous patient use, and 33 of the 55 were used by patients for an additional 3-9 days with no contamination. Fifteen humidifiers that had been in use on patients were put in a standby mode for 30-32 days, with 5 continuing for 60-62 days, with no contamination seen. CONCLUSIONS: An automatic 72-hour change-out for prefilled humidifiers used with low-flow oxygen (less than or equal to 4 L/min) is wasteful. Our study demonstrates that the use-time of humidifiers can be safely extended to as long as 6-12 days.