Behavior of the Cultivable Airborne Mycobiota in air-conditioned environments of three Havanan archives, Cuba

High concentrations of environmental fungi in the archives repositories are dangerous for the documents preserved in those places and for the workers'health.The aims of this work were to evaluate the behavior of the fungal concentration and diversity in the indoor air of repositories of 3 archives located in Havana,Cuba,and to demonstrate the potential risk that these taxa represent for the documentary heritage preserved in these institutions.The indoor and outdoor environments were sampled with a biocollector.From the I/O ratios,it was evident that two of the studied archives were not contaminated,while one of them did show contamination despite having temperature and relative humidity values very similar to the other two.Aspergillus,Penicillium and Cladosporium were the predominant genera in the indoor environments.New finds for archival environments were the genera Harposporium and Scolecobasidium.The principal species classified ecologically as abundant were C.cladosporioides and P.citrinum.They are known as opportunistic pathogenic fungi.All the analyzed taxa excreted acids,the most of them degraded cellulose,starch and gelatin while about 48%excreted different pigments.But 33%of them showed the highest biodeteriogenic potential,evidencing that they are the most dangerous for the documentary collections.

Efficiency and effectiveness of systems for the treatment of domestic wastewater based on subsurface flow constructed wetlands in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Constructed wetlands(CwW)are well known nature-based systems for water treatment.This study evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of seven domestic wastewater treatment systems based on horizontal flow CWs in Jarabacoa,the Dominican Republic.The results showed that the CWs were efficient in reducing the degree of contamination of wastewater to levels below the Dominican wastewater discharge standards for parameters such as the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand(BOD5)and chemical oxygen demand,but not for the removal of phosphorus and fecal coliforms.In addition,a horizontal flow subsurface wetland in the peri-urban area El Dorado was evaluated in terms of the performance of wastewater treatment in tropical climatic conditions.The concentrations of heavy metals,such as zinc,copper,chromium,and iron,were found to decrease in the effluent of the wetland,and the concentrations for nickel and manganese tended to increase.The levels of heavy metals in the effluent were lower than the limit values of the Dominican wastewater discharge standards.The construction cost of these facilities was around 200 USD per population equivalent,similar to the cost in other countries in the same region.This study suggested some solutions to the improved performance of CWs:selection of a microbial flora that guarantees the reduction of nitrates and nitrites to molecular nitrogen,use of endemic plants that bioaccumulate heavy metals,combination of constructed wetlands with filtration on activated carbon,and inclusion of water purification processes that allow to evaluate the reuse of treated water.

Nutritional Supplement Ocoxin® Combined with Gemcitabine-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Background: the quality of life (QoL) of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with its limited survival, can be affected by chemotherapy-induced toxicity. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of introducing ocoxin oral solution (OOS) in combination with standard therapy on quality of life. Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in an exploratory, prospective, single-centre clinical trial in the oncology department of “Hermanos Ameijeiras” University Hospital in Havana, Cuba. Quality of life was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and toxicity was assessed using the NCI-CTC-AE classification version 5.0. Results: There was stability in the scores over time for overall QoL and the functional scale criteria, while in terms of symptoms, fatigue, pain and loss of appetite were reduced. No grade 3 - 4 adverse events (AEs) were recorded, and only 14.9% of toxicities were classified as grade 2, and these were considered to be unrelated to OOS. Biochemical and nutritional parameters were normalised at 12 months compared to the baseline values. Conclusions: This clinical study is the first report of the use of OOS in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, and demonstrates that it is able to maintain optimal quality of life with reduced severity of toxicity during and after combination treatment with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Renalof® versus Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for the Treatment of Kidney Stones ≤ 1 cm in Nicaragua

Objectives: To assess the efficiency in terms of cost-effectiveness (CE) of oral Renalof® treatment versus extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of kidney stones ≤ 1 cm in Nicaragua. Methods: A cost-effectiveness economic evaluation was carried out based on the results obtained in the randomised, prospective, observational, single-blind, prospective, phase 2 clinical trial. Cost-effectiveness and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated. Economic data were obtained from the Economics Department of Clínica Senior in Managua, Nicaragua. The monetary cost was expressed in US dollars (USD). Results: Treatment with Renalof® yielded a CE of $1,323.08/% remission, while ESWL was $9,498.54/% remission. The ICER shows that, in order to achieve a high percentage of kidney stone remission with ESWL, an extra $4,734.70 per patient must be invested. Conclusions: The use of Renalof® is shown to be a more cost-effective option than ESWL. It is recommended for the treatment of kidney stones ≤ 1 cm in size.

A Hybrid Model Evaluation Based on PCA Regression Schemes Applied to Seasonal Precipitation Forecast

Possible changes in the structure and seasonal variability of the subtropical ridge may lead to changes in the rainfall’s variability modes over Caribbean region. This generates additional difficulties around water resource planning, therefore, obtaining seasonal prediction models that allow these variations to be characterized in detail, it’s a concern, specially for island states. This research proposes the construction of statistical-dynamic models based on PCA regression methods. It is used as predictand the monthly precipitation accumulated, while the predictors (6) are extracted from the ECMWF-SEAS5 ensemble mean forecasts with a lag of one month with respect to the target month. In the construction of the models, two sequential training schemes are evaluated, obtaining that only the shorter preserves the seasonal characteristics of the predictand. The evaluation metrics used, where cell-point and dichotomous methodologies are combined, suggest that the predictors related to sea surface temperatures do not adequately represent the seasonal variability of the predictand, however, others such as the temperature at 850 hPa and the Outgoing Longwave Radiation are represented with a good approximation regardless of the model chosen. In this sense, the models built with the nearest neighbor methodology were the most efficient. Using the individual models with the best results, an ensemble is built that allows improving the individual skill of the models selected as members by correcting the underestimation of precipitation in the dynamic model during the wet season, although problems of overestimation persist for thresholds lower than 50 mm.

Risk Assessment of an Environmental Liability in the Commercialization of Hydrocarbons-A Secondary Publication

The risk analysis evaluates the probability of occurrence with the impact of said risks.In the hydrocarbon sector,an environmental liability is an improperly abandoned facility,soil contaminated by spills or others.The objective of this work is to define a risk management plan.The characterization of the residue and the area was carried out.Hazardous events were identified:overflow spill,soil contamination by infiltration,as well as radiant heat and suffocating and toxic fumes from a fire.The matrix method was applied considering the probability of occurrence against vulnerability.The danger of infiltration implied a high level of risk.The risk management plan was drawn up,its main action being the liquidation of the pool and the sanitation of the area.

不同产地马杜罗茄衣的质量特征研究

【目的】系统研究不同产地马杜罗茄衣的质量特性,为国内马杜罗茄衣生产和工业使用提供理论依据。【方法】以墨西哥、多米尼加、喀麦隆、美国和中国出产的马杜罗茄衣为材料,对比分析其颜色参数、外观质量、物理特性、化学成分、中性致香物质含量、感官质量和中、微量元素含量,采用灰色关联分析方法对不同产地马杜罗茄衣进行综合质量评价。【结果】不同产地马杜罗茄衣颜色明度值在30.62~33.23,各产区间差异较小,变异系数为2.8%;不同产地马杜罗茄衣的外观质量得分差异较小,且均处于较优水平,其中中国海南马杜罗茄衣外观质量最佳;物理特性指标中单叶质量的差异较大,含梗率和平衡含水率的差异较小。各产地马杜罗茄衣的总糖、还原糖含量均在1%以下,烟碱含量以中国海南产马杜罗茄衣最高,钾含量以墨西哥产马杜罗茄衣最高。不同产地马杜罗茄衣中、微量元素和中性致香物质含量差异较大。国外各产地马杜罗茄衣的感官质量均优于中国海南马杜罗茄衣。【结论】不同产地马杜罗茄衣颜色较为一致,外观质量和物理特性均处于优质水平,但以美国马杜罗茄衣的综合品质最好。

桑叶黄酮对49~56周龄蛋鸡生产性能、器官指数和生殖激素的影响

试验旨在研究桑叶黄酮对蛋鸡生产性能、器官指数及繁殖激素水平的影响,并初步探讨日粮中桑叶黄酮的适宜添加量。选取49~56周龄海兰褐蛋鸡240只,随机分为5组(每组4个重复,每个重复12只),各组间产蛋率差异不显著,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在日粮中分别添加10、50、100、200 mg/kg桑叶黄酮提取物。预试期1周,正试期8周。试验期间测定产蛋性能、饲料转化率,试验第8周屠宰测定器官指数和生殖激素水平。结果表明:与对照组相比,日粮中添加桑叶黄酮后对产蛋率、蛋重、料蛋比和平均日耗料均无显著影响,但可以提高产蛋率,以10 mg/kg添加水平产蛋率最高;添加桑叶黄酮对内脏器官无显著影响,但均可降低腹脂率;添加10、50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮均可增加十二指肠长度(P<0.05);添加10、50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可提高排卵后卵泡数量,添加50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可增加输卵管重量,而添加10、50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮均可增加血液中孕酮和雌二醇含量。由此可见,日粮中添加10~100 mg/kg桑叶黄酮能提高海兰褐蛋鸡产蛋率、降低腹脂率;而添加10、50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮均可显著增加十二指肠长度,提高孕酮和雌二醇含量。综合分析,桑叶黄酮在49~56周龄蛋鸡日粮中的适宜添加量为10~100 mg/kg。

Origin of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cuba in the 19th Century from Its Main Exponents and Some Notable Medical Descendants in the 20th Century

The Cuban people are made up of three major migratory currents, the Chinese are one of them. They brought their culture, the methods, and procedures of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the 19th century. Few were able to return and so they created families in Cuba;some of their descendants dedicated themselves to medicine. In order to investigate the practices that were predecessors of TCM in Cuba in the 19th century, a qualitative phenomenological research was carried out, reviewing what was published by various sources, applying documentary analysis, logical historical analysis, abstraction, synthesis, and systematization of the results on the regularities of the work and human behavior of Chinese doctors in the Cuban 19th and 20th centuries. This made it possible to identify six Chinese doctors in the 19th century in Cuba who gave rise to the beginning of some practices of TCM in Cuba, and five from the 20th century, descendants of coolies who dedicated themselves to other specialties of medicine. It was found that despite their geographical and time disperse, they were all notorious for their outstanding professional and human behavior, with a trail of accumulated successes in achieving “almost the impossible” with the patient. They have left their mark on Cuban culture.

Evaluation of Multiplicative Weight of Covariance Matrix on Hybrid Data Assimilation Schemes

This research develops a comparative study between different multiplicative weights that are assigned to the covariance matrix that represents the background error in two hybrid assimilation schemes: 3DEnVAR and 4DEnVAR. These weights are distributed between the static and time-invariant matrix and the matrix generated from the perturbations of a previous ensemble. The assigned values are 25%, 50%, and 75%, always having as a reference the ensemble matrix. The experiments are applied to the short-range Prediction System (SisPI) that works operationally at the Institute of Meteorology. The impact of Tropical Storm Eta on November 7 and 8, 2020 was selected as a study case. The results suggest that by giving the main weight to the ensemble matrix more realistic solutions are achieved because it shows a better representation of the synoptic flow. On the other hand, it is observed that 3DEnVAR method is more sensitive to multiplicative weight change of the first guess. More realistic results are obtained with 50% and 75% relations with 4DEnVAR method, whereas with 3DEnVAR a weight of 75% for the ensemble matrix is required.

Evaluation of Candidate Predictors for Seasonal Precipitation Forecasting

This research proposes to carry out a principal component analysis using the maximum covariance method, with the aim of finding the most robust spatio-temporal relationships between several candidate predictors and the accumulated monthly precipitation recorded in Cuba during the period 1980-2020. This process will make it possible to establish quantitative relationships that, together with theoretical considerations, make it possible to reduce the list of predictors to be used for the purpose of obtaining seasonal predictions. The values of the predictors are represented through monthly averages obtained from ERA5 reanalysis, while monthly accumulated precipitation data were obtained from a national-scope grid with 4 km of spatial resolution, used as predictand. The results obtained reflect the highest spatio-temporal correlation values with the first variability mode in all cases, indicating that the usual regime conditions are predominant and have a greater coupling with the precipitation variability in the analyzed temporal scale. In addition, they suggest that the candidates that explain the transport of moisture at low levels, as well as the gradients between the middle and lower troposphere, show the most robust associations. In the same way, the surface temperature of tropical Atlantic Sea, the flow related to Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and the thermodynamic indices, K Index and Galvez-Davison Index, present good degrees of association, for which reason they can be considered the most recommendable for carrying out forecasting experiments.

The impact of COVID-19 on the birth rate in Nigeria:a report from population-based registries

Background and objectives:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a pandemic that has become a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide,affecting the physical and mental health of individuals influencing reproduction.Despite the threat,it poses to maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria,there is little or no data on the impact it has on fertility,conception,gestation and birth.To compare the birth rate between pre-COVID and COVID times using selected months of the year.Materials and methods:This was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional analytical study data from the birth registries of three tertiary hospitals,comparing two years[2019(Pre-COVID)]versus[2020(COVID era)]using three months of the year(October to December).The data relied upon was obtained from birth registries in three busy maternity clinics all within tertiary hospitals in South-East Nigeria and we aimed at discussing the potential impacts of COVID-19 on fertility in Nigeria.The secondary outcome measures were;mode of delivery,booking status of the participants,maternal age and occupation.Results:There was a significant decrease in tertiary-hospital based birth rate by 92 births(P=0.0009;95%CI:-16.0519 to-4.1481)among mothers in all the three hospitals in 2020 during the COVID period(post lockdown months)of October to December.There was a significant difference in the mode of delivery for mothers(P=0.0096)with a 95%confidence interval of 1.0664 to 1.5916,as more gave birth through vaginal delivery during the 2020 COVID-19 period than pre-COVID-19.Conclusion:Tertiary-hospital based birth rates were reduced during the pandemic.Our multi-centre study extrapolated on possible factors that may have played a role in this decline in their birth rate,which includes but is not limited to;decreased access to hospital care due to the total lockdowns/curfews and worsening inflation and economic recession in the country.

日粮中添加桑叶粉对扬州鹅饲料利用率及生长和屠宰性能的影响

在扬州鹅的基础饲料中分别添加0%、2%、4%、6%和8%5种不同质量分数的桑叶粉,分析添食桑叶粉对扬州鹅饲料利用率以及鹅生长性能、生理生化指标和屠宰性能的影响。结果显示,随着桑叶粉添加量的增加,饲料中的干物质、粗灰分、粗蛋白、粗纤维、粗脂肪、钙、磷以及能量利用率均呈现下降趋势;与对照组相比,饲粮中添加6%和8%桑叶粉可显著降低扬州鹅的平均日增体质量(P<005),提高仔鹅的料重比;添加2%桑叶粉可在一定程度上增加胸肌厚度,但添加量达到4%时又有所下降;饲料中添加桑叶粉能降低扬州鹅血液中的总胆固醇和甘油三酯含量以及碱性磷酸酶活性;随着桑叶粉添加量的增加,仔鹅半净膛率有所下降,肝脏质量减小,腹脂率下降。综合上述试验结果,确定扬州鹅日粮中的最佳桑叶粉添加量为4%。

PMSM DTC系统逆变器故障的模糊神经网络诊断(英文)

针对永磁同步电机(PMSM)直接转矩控制(DTC)系统中常见的电力电子逆变器故障,提出了一种基于智能策略的诊断方法。根据PMSM DTC系统逆变器故障的特性,建立了一个自适应神经模糊网络的模型,选择PMSM的电流量作为故障检测和诊断的信号源,对系统正常及故障状态下的电流特性进行了分析,并利用训练好的模糊神经网络进行逆变器的故障诊断。仿真结果表明,该方法仅需检测电机的一相电流便可直接实现逆变器多种常见故障的诊断,摒弃了复杂的信号变换,同时节约了系统成本,保障了故障系统容错策略的实施。

水果蔬菜品质的无损检测方法的研究与应用

在分析水果和蔬菜品质评估和控制的常规方法的基础上,分析研究了水果蔬菜的无损品质检测的新技术和方法,主要的技术有碰撞试验法、音频和声波振动法、X射线法、核磁共振法、图像分析法及激光技术等.研究了采用这些方法进行水果和蔬菜多种品质指标的无损检测新方法,为水果蔬菜的快速无损检测提供了方法和依据.

古巴社区卫生服务介绍及对我国的启示

古巴拥有覆盖全国的三级诊疗体系,并且实现了百分之百全民医疗免费,其中社区卫生服务起到了举足轻重的作用,在公共卫生服务、基层医疗保健、全科医生培养方面积累了丰富的经验。我国的基层医疗卫生服务事业在几十年的发展中已取得了丰硕的成果,但仍有很大的发展空间。本文旨在介绍古巴医疗体系的发展和现状、社区卫生服务现状、全科医生培养情况,分析古巴社区卫生服务在开展慢性病管理和传染病防控方面的具体措施,通过多方面的对比为我国社区卫生服务事业进一步发展提供思路。

Analysis on Factors Affecting Seedling Establishment in Rice

Elongations of coleoptile and mesocotyl are related directly to rice seedling establishment in soil and height of plant is related to lodging in rice production. Twelve typical rice cultivars with different lengths of coleoptile and mesocotyl （long, medium and short） were selected by screening the lengths of coleoptile and mesocotyl in 1500 accessions. The seedling establishments of these typical cultivars were compared under the combinations of different sowing depths and flooding durations, and two semi-dwarf varieties （G140, Zhong 96-21） with good seedling establishments and optimum mesocotyl lengths were found. The length of mesocotyl was completely fitted negative binomial distribution and the length of coleoptile was nearly fitted Iognormal distribution. Analysis of the relationships among mesocotyl, coleoptile, seeding depth, flooding duration, and their interactions to seedling establishment percentage showed that there existed significant relations among mesocotyl, coleoptile, mesocotyl x coleoptile, seeding depth, flooding duration and mesocotyl x sowing depth in the experiment for seedling establishment.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of Viusid in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of Viusid,a nutritional supplement,as an antioxidant and an immunomodulator in patients with chronic hepatitis C.METHODS:Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis C who were non-responders to standard antiviral treatment were randomly assigned to receive Viusid(3 sachets daily,n=30) or placebo(n=30) for 24 wk.The primary outcome was the change in serum malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals(lipid peroxidation products).Secondary outcomes were changes in serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-10(IL-10).RESULTS:Statistically significant reductions in serum 4-hydroxyalkenals and malondialdehyde levels were observed in both groups in comparison with pretreatment values,but the patients who received Viusid showed a more marked reduction as compared with the control group(P=0.001).TNF-α levels significantly increased from 6.9 to 16.2 pg/mL(P< 0.01) in the patients who received placebo in comparison with almost unchanged levels,from 6.6 to 7.1 pg/mL(P=0.26),in the patients treated with Viusid(P=0.001).In addition,IL-10 levels were markedly increased in the patients treated with Viusid(from 2.6 to 8.3 pg/mL,P=0.04) in contrast to the patients assigned to placebo(from 2.8 to 4.1 pg/mL,P=0.09)(P=0.01).Likewise,the administration of Viusid markedly increased mean IFN-γ levels from 1.92 to 2.89 pg/mL(P< 0.001) in comparison with a reduction in mean levels from 1.80 to 1.68 pg/mL(P=0.70) in the placebo group(P< 0.0001).Viusid administration was well tolerated.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that treatment with Viusid leads to a notable improvement of oxidative stress and immunological parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Ex vivo antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from Roystonea regia fruits, on rat prostate tissue

Aim： To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone （T）-treated rats. Methods： In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups： one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 （100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg）. In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups： a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 （200, 400 or 800 mg/kg）. Results： In normal rats, D-004 （100-800 mg/kg） inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde （MDA） accumulation in prostate homogenates （35.7%-80.0%） vs. the controls. D-004 （200-800 mg/kg） significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80% and 50%, respectively, and totally （100%） in T-treated rats. Conclusion： Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue.

HCV-specific immune responses induced by CIGB-230 in combination with IFN-α plus ribavirin

AIM: To analyze hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific immune responses in chronically infected patients under triple therapy with interferon-&#x003b1; (IFN-&#x003b1;) plus ribavirin and CIGB-230.