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Routine monitoring of inorganic arsenic in groundwater using sensitive, reliable, easy-to-use and affordable analytical methods is integral to identifying sources, and delivering appropriate remediation solutions, to the widespread global issue of arsenic pollution. Voltammetry has many advantages over other analytical techniques, but the low electroactivity of arsenic(V) requires the use of either reducing agents or relatively strong acidic conditions, which both complicate the analytical procedures, and require more complex material handling by skilled operators. Here, we present the voltammetric determination of total inorganic arsenic in conditions of near-neutral pH using a new commercially available 25 µm diameter gold microwire (called the Gold Wirebond), which is described here for the first time. The method is based on the addition of low concentrations of permanganate (10 µM MnO4-) which fulfils two roles: (1) to ensure that all inorganic arsenic is present as arsenate by chemically oxidising arsenite to arsenate and, (2) to provide a source of manganese allowing the sensitive detection of arsenate by anodic stripping voltammetry at a gold electrode. Tests were carried out in synthetic solutions of various pH (ranging from 4.7 to 9) in presence/absence of chloride. The best response was obtained in 0.25 M chloride-containing acetate buffer resulting in analytical parameters (limit of detection of 0.28 µg L-1 for 10 s deposition time, linear range up to 20 µg L-1 and a sensitivity of 63.5 nA ppb-1. s-1) better than those obtained in acidic conditions. We used this new method to measure arsenic concentrations in contrasting groundwaters: the reducing, arsenite-rich groundwaters of India (West Bengal and Bihar regions) and the oxidising, arsenate-rich groundwaters of Mexico (Guanajuato region). Very good agreement was obtained in all groundwaters with arsenic concentrations measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (slope = +1.029, R2 = 0.99). The voltammetric method is sensitive, faster than other voltammetric techniques for detection of arsenic (typically 10 min per sample including triplicate measurements and 2 standard additions), easier to implement than previous methods (no acidic conditions, no chemical reduction required, reproducible sensor, can be used by non-voltammetric experts) and could enable cheaper groundwater surveying campaigns with in-the-field analysis for quick data reporting, even in remote communities.
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RESUMEN Introducción: Entre los factores de riesgo que se asocian a complicaciones en el binomio madre-hijo se encuentran: antecedentes de trastornos hipertensivos, embarazo adolescente, consumo de drogas, historia obstétrica desfavorable con antecedentes de abortos u óbitos, enfermedades de transmisión sexual e infecciones del tracto urinario. Objetivo: Identificar el riesgo obstétrico en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19 en el área de salud ¨Bastión Popular¨, Guayaquil, Ecuador, en el periodo enero-junio de 2021. Método: Se realizó una investigación de campo, de tipo descriptiva-transversal, con un enfoque cuantitativo, que propició el análisis de las categorías del riesgo obstétrico registradas en historias clínicas de 117 gestantes, con firma de consentimiento informado para la obtención de los datos en dicha localidad a través de visitas domiciliarias. Fue empleada la escala o score de riesgo obstétrico. Resultados: Se alcanzó como resultado fundamental que el grupo etario de riesgo obstétrico de mayor frecuencia correspondió a las edades comprendidas entre 20 y 24 años y la principal categoría identificada fue el Alto riesgo. El riesgo obstétrico aumentó de manera proporcional cuando el periodo intergenésico se redujo. Conclusiones: Las mujeres jóvenes de 20 a 24 años son las que presentaron mayor riesgo obstétrico, además que el riesgo obstétrico, el cual se encuentra correlacionado con un mayor número de gestas, abortos, partos y cesáreas, por ello, es necesario proporcionarle información a la mujer sobre la gestación y sus complicaciones, para que sean capaces de identificar los factores de riesgos durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio.
ABSTRACT Introduction: Risk factors associated with complications in the mother-child pair include: history of hypertensive disorders, adolescent pregnancy, drug use, unfavorable obstetric history with a background of miscarriages or abortions, sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections. Objective: To identify the obstetric risk in times of COVID-19 pandemic at the ¨Bastión Popular¨ health area, Guayaquil, Ecuador, from January to June 2021. Method: A descriptive-transversal field research was carried out, with a quantitative approach, which favored the analysis of the obstetric risk categories recorded in the medical history of 117 pregnant women, who signed an informed consent, for the collection of data through home visits, using the obstetric risk scale or score. Results: Outcomes assessment showed, as main result, that the most frequent obstetric risk group was the age group 20 to 24 and the high risk factor was the main category identified. Obstetric risk increased proportionally when the interpregnancy interval was reduce. Conclusions: Young women between 20 and 24 years of age are those who presented the highest obstetric risk, which is correlate with a higher number of gestations, abortions, deliveries and cesarean sections. Therefore, it is necessary to provide women with information about pregnancy and its complications, so that they are able to identify risk factors during pregnancy, delivery and the puerperium.
RESUMO Introdução: Entre os fatores de risco que estão associados às complicações no binômio mãe-filho estão: histórico de doenças hipertensivas, gravidez na adolescência, uso de drogas, histórico obstétrico desfavorável com histórico de abortos ou óbitos, doenças sexualmente transmissíveis e infecções do trato urinário trato. Objetivo: Identificar o risco obstétrico em tempos de pandemia de COVID-19 na área de saúde "Bastión Popular", Guayaquil, Equador, no período janeiro-junho de 2021. Método: Foi realizada uma investigação de campo descritiva. com abordagem quantitativa, que levou à análise das categorias de risco obstétrico registradas nos prontuários de 117 gestantes, com consentimento informado assinado para obtenção dos dados na referida localidade por meio de visitas domiciliares. Foi utilizada a escala ou escore de risco obstétrico. Resultados: O principal resultado foi que a faixa etária de risco obstétrico mais frequente correspondeu às idades entre 20 e 24 anos e a principal categoria identificada foi Alto risco. O risco obstétrico aumentou proporcionalmente quando o período intergestacional foi reduzido. Conclusões: As mulheres jovens de 20 a 24 anos são as que apresentam maior risco obstétrico, além do risco obstétrico, que se correlaciona com maior número de gestações, abortos, partos e cesarianas, portanto, é necessário fornecer informações às mulheres sobre a gravidez e suas complicações, para que possam identificar os fatores de risco durante a gravidez, parto e puerpério.
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Arsenic is a carcinogenic groundwater contaminant that is toxic even at the parts-per-billion (ppb) level and its on-site determination remains challenging. Colorimetric test strips, though cheap and widely used, often fail to give reliable quantitative data. On the other hand, electrochemical detection is sensitive and accurate but considerably more expensive at the onset. Here, we present a study on arsenic detection in groundwater using a low-cost, open-source potentiostat based on Arduino technology. We tested different types of gold electrodes (screen-printed and microwire) with anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), achieving low detection limits (0.7 µg L-1). In a study of arsenic contaminated groundwaters in Mexico, the microwire technique provides greater accuracy than test strips (reducing the median error from -50% to +2.9%) and greater precision (reducing uncertainties from ±25% to ±4.9%). Most importantly, the rate of false negatives versus the World Health Organisation's 10 µg L-1 limit was reduced from 50% to 0% (N = 13 samples). Arsenic determination using open-source potentiostats may offer a low-cost option for research groups and NGOs wishing to perform arsenic analysis in-house, yielding superior quantitative data than the more widely used colorimetric test strips.
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Arsênio/análise , Técnicas Eletroquímicas/economia , Técnicas Eletroquímicas/instrumentação , Água Subterrânea/química , Monitoramento Ambiental , México , MicroeletrodosRESUMO
Infant and young child skin diseases are among the most common features of morbidity throughout the tropics. Because the skin is directly exposed to the environment, it is considerably affected by climatic and local conditions such as vectors and microorganisms, as in the case of leishmaniasis. In America the observed magnitude of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children has led to the study of increased risk of exposure of this group due to the possibility of peri- and intradomiciliary transmission. The present review pretends to make a concrete approach all through the broad and main figures of this parasitic disease, including the clinical, physiopathological, epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects, in order to be used as a practical source of reference for pediatricians leading with tropical cutaneous pathology in the region.
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Antiprotozoários/uso terapêutico , Leishmaniose Cutânea/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Cutânea/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , Antiprotozoários/administração & dosagem , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , América Latina/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Cutânea/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Cutânea/parasitologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Lepidopterism derived from contact with arthropods and/or their products can result in adverse reactions that vary in severity from mild irritation to severe reactions including anaphylactic shock and death. Lepidopterism includes cutaneous and/or mucosal manifestations, systemic symptoms, or both mucocutaneous and systemic manifestations. OBJECTIVE: Epidemic outbreaks of dermatitis due to Hylesia sp. have been recorded in several countries of Latin America. The impact of climatic changes occurring presently on migrational and reproductive cycles of Hylesia metabus is also discussed in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In Venezuela, swarms of migrating H. metabus moths are historically recognized as the causative agents of "Caripito itch," a disease that has become an important public health problem. RESULTS: In this review, we present a series of four case reports reflecting the wide clinical pleomorphism exhibited in lepidopterism by H. metabus. CONCLUSION: Although dermatitis caused by these moths is usually resistant to all therapeutic treatment, individualization of therapy based on symptoms led to successful treatment in all four cases.
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Dermatite de Contato/etiologia , Mariposas , Prurido/etiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Anestésicos Locais/uso terapêutico , Animais , Antipruriginosos/uso terapêutico , Clorfeniramina/uso terapêutico , Dermatite de Contato/tratamento farmacológico , Dexametasona/uso terapêutico , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Humanos , Hidrocortisona/uso terapêutico , Lidocaína/uso terapêutico , Loratadina/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prurido/tratamento farmacológico , Resultado do Tratamento , Triancinolona Acetonida/uso terapêutico , VenezuelaRESUMO
The occurrence of mixed infections of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. is becoming a common feature in Central and South America due to overlapping endemic areas. Unfortunately, the possibilities for treating flagellated kinetoplastid infections are still very limited and most of the available drugs exhibit severe side effects. Although the development of new drugs for Leishmania has markedly improved in the last years, the tendency is still to employ antimonial compounds. On the other hand, treatment for Chagas' disease is only available for the acute phase with no effective therapeutical options for chronic stage disease. The following case report substantiates the recently discovered effect of amiodarone as a nonconventional antiparasitic drug, particularly against Leishmania, breaching a new perspective in the therapeutic management of these important infectious parasitic diseases.
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El Estado como obligado a garantizar a los Colombianos el Derecho a la Seguridad Social, consagra un Plan Obligatorio de Salud en el que incluye varios servicios y medicamentos. Sin embargo no incluye tratamientos alternativos o medicina homeopática, bajo el entendido de que no reúne los requisitos para hacer parte de este plan, es por ello que mediante este trabajo de grado se pretende probar no sólo que dicha rama de la medicina reúne los requisitos legales para pertenecer al POS sino que su inclusión podría tener beneficios para la salud de los asociados, en la medida en que permite un trato más digno y personalizado al paciente, además de permitir al Estado realizar un control eficaz sobre el ejercicio de esta profesión ya que la falta del mismo podría causar graves consecuencias sanitarias si no es ejercida debidamente.