A study of a couple with type 2 diabetes: dyadic adjustment and psychological morbidity

Objective: this study assessed dyadic adjustment and psychological morbidity in type 2 diabetic patients and their partners, focusing on the role of gender. Methods: 214 diabetic patients and their partners participated in the cross-sectional study and were assessed on psychological morbidity (HADS) and marital adjustment (RDAS). Data was analyzed using dyadic analysis, a statistical process that studies the patient/partner dyads simultaneously. Results: results revealed that the negative relationship between dyadic adjustment and psychological morbidity in female patients was stronger than in male diabetic patients or in partners of male diabetic patients. On the other hand, the relationship between dyadic adjustment and psychological morbidity in partners of diabetic men was stronger than the same relationship in partners of diabetic women. Conclusion: since gender is a moderator, it is important to attend to the different needs of female and male patients and the education of diabetic patients should be centered on the patient/partner dyad.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Desarrollo y validación de un método analítico para la cuantificación de permetrina 1% en shampoo mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC)

Se desarrolló y validó una nueva técnica de análisis por Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Resolución (HPLC) para la cuantificación de Permetrina 1% en Shampoo, de acuerdo a la exigencia y normatividad vigente referida a Buenas Prácticas de Fabricación de productos farmacéuticos (USP 36). La técnica de análisis se realizó mediante el tipo de muestreo aleatorio al azar, se tomó en cuenta la preparación de la muestra para que el principio activo pueda ser cuantificado en un sistema (fase móvil, columna cromatográfica y longitud de onda). Como paso previo a la validación de la técnica de análisis, se evaluó la aptitud del sistema cromatográfico, asegurando de esta manera, el funcionamiento adecuado del mismo. Posteriormente, se procedió a la validación del método de análisis evaluando los parámetros que indican las obras oficiales, como son: selectividad, linealidad, precisión, exactitud y robustez. Seguidamente, se elaboró el Protocolo de validación del método, para lo cual se contó con el diseño experimental y los procedimientos estadísticos, concluyéndose así que el método analítico propuesto es selectivo, porque permite el análisis del principio activo sin la interferencia de los excipientes presentes en la formulación del Shampoo, es lineal, porque los resultados obtenidos son directamente proporcionales a la concentración de analito en la muestra, es preciso, porque nos permite obtener resultados repetitivos y reproducibles, cuando este es aplicado en análisis repetitivos de la misma muestra y es exacto, ya que permite la recuperación de la totalidad de analito presente en la muestra, comprobándose así su validez.Was developed and validated a new analysis technique for liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the quantification of Permethrin 1% by Shampoo, according to the requirement and current regulations relating to good manufacturing practices for pharmaceutical products (USP 36). The technique of analysis was performed using the type of random sampling randomly, took into account the sample preparation for the active substance can be quantified in a system (mobile phase chromatographic column and wavelength). Prior to the validation of analytical technique it was evaluated the system suitability chromatographic, thus ensuring the proper functioning thereof was evaluated. Subsequently, we proceeded to validate the method of analysis evaluating the parameters that indicate the official work, such as: selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness. Then, Protocol validation method was developed, for which it had the experimental design and statistical procedures, thus concluding that the proposed analytical method is selective, it allows the analysis of the active ingredient without interference from the excipients present in the formulation of the shampoo, is linear in that the results obtained are directly proportional to the concentration of analyte in the sample, it is necessary, because it enables us for repeatable and reproducible results, when this is applied in repetitive analyzes of the same sample and exact because it allows the recovery of all of the analyte present in the sample and checked for validity.Tesi

Recognition, Perceptions and Treatment Practices for Severe Malaria in Rural Tanzania: Implications for Accessing Rectal Artesunate as a Pre-Referral

Objectives Preparatory to a community trial investigating how best to deliver rectal artesunate as pre-referral treatment for severe malaria; local understanding, perceptions of signs/symptoms of severe malaria and treatment-seeking patterns for and barriers to seeking biomedical treatment were investigated. Methodology/Principal Findings 19 key informant interviews, 12 in-depth interviews and 14 focus group discussions targeting care-givers, opinion leaders, and formal and informal health care providers were conducted. Monthly fever episodes and danger signs or symptoms associated with severe malaria among under-fives were recorded. Respondents recognized convulsions, altered consciousness and coma, and were aware of their risks if not treated. But, these symptoms were perceived to be caused by supernatural forces, and traditional healers were identified as primary care providers. With some delay, mothers eventually visited a health facility when convulsions were part of the illness, despite pressures against this. Although vomiting and failure to eat/suck/drink were associated with malaria, they were not considered as indicators of danger signs unless combined with another more severe symptom. Study communities were familiar with rectal application of medicines. Conclusions/Significance Communities' recognition and awareness of major symptoms of severe malaria could encourage action, but perceptions of their causes and poor discrimination of other danger signs – vomiting and failure to feed – might impede early treatment. An effective health education targeting parents/guardians, decision-makers/advisors, and formal and informal care providers might be a prerequisite for successful introduction of rectal artemisinins as an emergency treatment. Role of traditional healers in delivering such medication to the community should be explored

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ecology in Venezuela: epidemiologic correlates of common spoligotypes and a large clonal cluster defined by MIRU-VNTR-24

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tuberculosis remains an endemic public health problem, but the ecology of the TB strains prevalent, and their transmission, can vary by country and by region. We sought to investigate the prevalence of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>strains in different regions of Venezuela. A previous study identified the most prevalent strains in Venezuela but did not show geographical distribution nor identify clonal genotypes. To better understand local strain ecology, we used spoligotyping to analyze 1298 <it>M. tuberculosis </it>strains isolated in Venezuela from 1997 to 2006, predominantly from two large urban centers and two geographically distinct indigenous areas, and then studied a subgroup with MIRU-VNTR 24 loci.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The distribution of spoligotype families is similar to that previously reported for Venezuela and other South American countries: LAM 53%, T 10%, Haarlem 5%, S 1.9%, X 1.2%, Beijing 0.4%, and EAI 0.2%. The six most common shared types (SIT's 17, 93, 605, 42, 53, 20) accounted for 49% of the isolates and were the most common in almost all regions, but only a minority were clustered by MIRU-VNTR 24. One exception was the third most frequent overall, SIT 605, which is the most common spoligotype in the state of Carabobo but infrequent in other regions. MIRU-VNTR homogeneity suggests it is a clonal group of strains and was named the "Carabobo" genotype. Epidemiologic comparisons showed that patients with SIT 17 were younger and more likely to have had specimens positive for Acid Fast Bacilli on microscopy, and patients with SIT 53 were older and more commonly smear negative. Female TB patients tended to be younger than male patients. Patients from the high incidence, indigenous population in Delta Amacuro state were younger and had a nearly equal male:female distribution.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Six SIT's cause nearly half of the cases of tuberculosis in Venezuela and dominate in nearly all regions. Strains with SIT 17, the most common pattern overall may be more actively transmitted and SIT 53 strains may be less virulent and associated with reactivation of past infections in older patients. In contrast to other common spoligotypes, strains with SIT 605 form a clonal group centered in the state of Carabobo.</p

Proteome-wide analysis and diel proteomic profiling in the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis PCC 8005

The filamentous cyanobacteriumArthrospira platensishas a long history of use as a food supply and it has been used by the European Space Agency in the MELiSSA project, an artificial microecosystem which supports life during long-term manned space missions. This study assesses progress in the field of cyanobacterial shotgun proteomics and light/dark diurnal cycles by focusing onArthrospira platensis. Several fractionation workflows including gel-free and gel-based protein/peptide fractionation procedures were used and combined with LC-MS/MS analysis, enabling the overall identification of 1306 proteins, which represents 21% coverage of the theoretical proteome. A total of 30 proteins were found to be significantly differentially regulated under light/dark growth transition. Interestingly, most of the proteins showing differential abundance were related to photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle and translation processes. A novel aspect and major achievement of this work is the successful improvement of the cyanobacterial proteome coverage using a 3D LC-MS/MS approach, based on an immobilized metal affinity chromatography, a suitable tool that enabled us to eliminate the most abundant protein, the allophycocyanin. We also demonstrated that cell growth follows a light/dark cycle inA. platensis. This preliminary proteomic study has highlighted new characteristics of theArthrospira platensisproteome in terms of diurnal regulation

DESENVOLVIMENTO INICIAL E COMPONENTES DO RENDIMENTO EM RESPOSTA À ASSOCIAÇÃO ENTRE NÍVEL DE VIGOR E PROFUNDIDADE DE SEMEADURA NA CULTURA DO TRIGO

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência do nível de vigor em associação à profundidade de semeadura nos componentes do rendimento e na expressão do vigor de sementes e de trigo. Foram utilizadas sementes de trigo, cultivar TBIO Sintonia e os tratamentos foram constituídos de três níveis de vigor (alto, médio e baixo) em associação a quatro profundidades de semeadura (2; 4; 6 e 8 cm). Foram realizadas as seguintes avaliações: emergência e índice de velocidade de emergência em campo, altura de planta, número de perfilhos por planta, comprimento da espiga principal, número de espigas por planta e sementes por espiga; assim como do número de espiguetas por espiga. A emergência de plântulas foi reduzida com o incremento da profundidade de semeadura, sendo que sementes de alto vigor demonstraram desempenho superior. O comprimento da espiga principal foi reduzido na maior profundidade de semeadura. O número de espigas por planta e de espiguetas por espiga, aumenta com o incremento da profundidade de semeadura. Os componentes de rendimento em plantas de trigo são afetados pelo nível de vigor e pela profundidade de semeadura.Palavras-chave: Triticum aestivum, crescimento inicial, sementes de alta qualidade

The Effectiveness of Contract Farming for Raising Income of Smallholder Farmers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: a Systematic Review

Contract farming is used by an increasing number of firms as a preferred modality to source products from smallholder farmers in low and middle-income countries. Quality requirements of consumers, economies of scale in production or land ownership rights are common incentives for firms to offer contractual arrangements to farmers. Prices and access to key technology, key inputs or support services are the main incentives for farmers to enter into these contracts. There is great heterogeneity in contract farming, with differences in contracts, farmers, products, buyers, and institutional environments. The last decade shows a rapid increase in studies that use quasi-experimental research designs to assess the effects of specific empirical instances of contract farming on smallholders. The objective of this systematic review was to distill generalised inferences from this rapidly growing body of evidence. The review synthesised the studies in order to answer two questions: 1: What is known about the effect size of contract farming on income and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries? 2: Under which enabling or limiting conditions are contract farming arrangements effective for improving income and food security of smallholders