RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with cardiovascular risk in teachers in a private university in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical phase. Probabilistic sampling was performed by proportional fixation with 104 full-time teachers who met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: There were 55 women (52.9%) and 49 men (47.1%). A statistically significant relationship was found with age (p=.001) with an OR 0.351, and with body mass index (p=.000) with an OR 6.071, establishing that altered body mass index conferred a 6-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Body mass index is a constant variable in terms of the relationship with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, which reflects individuals' lifestyle.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedad Cardiaca , Humanos , Masculino , Sobrepeso , Factores de Riesgo , UniversidadesRESUMEN
Interspecies transmission of pathogens is an unfrequent but naturally occurring event and human activities may favour opportunities not previously reported. Reassortment of zoonotic pathogens like influenza A virus can result from these activities. Recently, swine and birds have played a central role as "mixing vessels" for epidemic and pandemic events related to strains like H1N1 and H5N1. Unsafe practices in poultry markets and swine farms can lead to interspecies transmission, favouring the emergence of novel strains. Thus, understanding practices that lead to interspecies interactions is crucial. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate poultry processing practices in formal and informal markets and the use of leftovers by swine farmers in three Peruvian cities: Lima (capital), Tumbes (coastal) and Tarapoto (jungle). We conducted 80 direct observations at formal and informal markets and interviewed 15 swine farmers. Processors slaughter and pluck chickens and vendors and/or processors eviscerate chickens. Food safety and hygiene practices were suboptimal or absent, although some heterogeneity was observed between cities and chicken vendors versus processors. Both vendors (76%) and processors (100%) sold the chicken viscera leftovers to swine farmers, representing the main source of chicken viscera for swine farms (53%). Swine farmers fed the chicken viscera to their swine. Chicken viscera cooking times varied widely and were insufficient in some cases. Non-abattoired poultry leads to the sale of poultry leftovers to small-scale swine farms, resulting in indirect but frequent interspecies contacts that can lead to interspecies transmission of bacterial pathogens or the reassortment of influenza A viruses. These interactions are exacerbated by suboptimal safety and hygiene conditions. People involved in these activities constitute an at-risk population who could play a central role in preventing the transmission of pathogens between species. Educational interventions on hygiene and food safety practices will be important for reducing the risk of interspecies influenza transmission.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Influenza A/aislamiento & purificación , Carne/microbiología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/veterinaria , Alimentación Animal , Animales , Pollos , Manipulación de Alimentos , Humanos , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/transmisión , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/virología , Perú/epidemiología , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/epidemiología , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/transmisión , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/virología , Factores de Riesgo , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/transmisión , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/virología , ZoonosisRESUMEN
Different Andean crops were used to obtain starches not previously reported in literature as raw material for the production of biodegradable polymers. The twelve starches obtained were used to prepare biodegradable films by casting. Water and glycerol were used as plasticizers. The mechanical properties of the starch based films were assessed by means of tensile tests. Compost tests and FTIR tests were carried out to assess biodegradability of films. The results show that the mechanical properties (UTS, Young's modulus and elongation at break) of starch based films strongly depend on the starch source used for their production. We found that all the starch films prepared biodegrade following a three stage process and that the weight loss rate of all the starch based films tested was higher than the weight loss rate of the cellulose film used as control.