Interest in developing novel wound dressings with antibacterial properties elaborated from natural sources continues to grow. In this study, a Tween-80 (T80)-stabilized carvacrol (CAR) emulsion was incorporated into pectin (PEC) membranes at 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00% (v/v). Membranes were obtained by the dry-casting method, characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and CAR retention (HPLC), and tested for antibacterial activity. The retention percentage of CAR in the membranes ranged from 9.1-13.9%. Infrared spectra analysis indicated changes in the hydrogen bonds of the membranes that suggest an interaction between the polymer matrix and the CAR:T80 emulsion. Microstructural analysis of the membranes showed the presence of hole-like features on the surface (≈ 4-6 µm diameter) that indicate entrapment of the micelles in the matrix (microcapsules). The PEC-CAR membranes exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two pathogens commonly associated with wounds and intra-hospital infections.

Abstract: The arthrosis of the wrist is a degenerative, traumatic or idiopathic process, which cause problem for patient characterized by pain, loss of mobility, swelling and deformity of the affected wrist. A surgical alternative is proximal row carpectomy, which consists of resection of the lunate, scaphoid and triquetrum, forming a new joint between the radius and the distal row carpus. Material and methods: Observational, descriptive, case series. 15 patients were evaluated who underwent proximal row carpectomy during the period January 2007-August 2009, with clinical follow-up until august 2010 through mayo and DASH scores, measuring strength. Range of motion and pain. 80% of patients were between 35 and 64 years. The predominant sex was male in 67%. The result was satisfactory in 73%, according to the scale of Mayo. The DASH scale in the postoperative period also improves. Conclusions: The proximal carpectomy is a surgical alternative, it preserves some joint mobility, reduced pain and improved disability of the limb.

Resumen: La artrosis de la muñeca es un proceso degenerativo, postraumático o idiopático que provoca al paciente dolor, pérdida de la movilidad, inflamación y deformidad. Las opciones quirúrgicas incluyen: artrodesis total de muñeca que produce una mejoría del dolor y disminución de la inflamación, otros tratamientos que permiten movilidad relativa son las artrodesis parciales. Otra solución quirúrgica es la carpectomía o la resección de la primera hilera del carpo, de tal manera que constituya una nueva articulación entre el radio y la segunda fila del carpo, obteniendo una congruencia articular adecuada. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, serie de casos. Se valoraron 15 pacientes con carpectomía proximal durante el período de Enero de 2007 a Agosto de 2009, a quienes se realizó medición de arcos de movilidad y fuerza mediante las escalas de Mayo-DASH. Resultados: En 80% de los pacientes entre 35 y 64 años se encontró predominio del sexo masculino en 67%. La mejoría del dolor fue evidente, pasando de una media 7.7 en el preoperatorio a 2.7 en el postoperatorio, 10% de los casos presentaron dolor residual. Conclusiones: La carpectomía proximal representa una alternativa terapéutica que permite conservar la movilidad con mejora del dolor en la artrosis de muñeca.

El objeto del presente estudio fue caracterizar las propiedades fisco-química del fruto y pseudofruto de Anacardium occidentale L., bajo condiciones de secano. Se seleccionaron 10 frutos de especimenes de Anacardium occidentale L. ubicados en el Centro frutícola (CENFRUZU-CORPOZULIA), municipio Mara, estado Zulia, Venezuela. Se realizaron dos cosechas de agosto-septiembre (1) y de enero-febrero (2). La composición físico-química del fruto se determinó a través de los métodos Covenin y AOAC; el contenido de azúcares se determinó por HPLC. Se aplicó un diseño totalmente al azar con 10 repeticiones. Cada planta constituyó una unidad experimental. La masa fresca y seca (fruto y pseudofruto) difieren estadísticamente (P<0,01) en ambas cosechas. El largo y ancho del fruto y el pseudofruto, no presentan diferencias significativas (P<0,01) en las cosechas (1 y 2). Los ºBrix del pseudofruto y la acidez titulable del fruto obtenidos en el presente estudio, son mayores a los reportados previamente. Los frutos presentaron una excelente firmeza. Se evidenció en el fruto y pseudofruto la presencia de fructosa, glucosa y sacarosa. La fructosa fue el azúcar predominante.

The physicochemical composition of the fruit and pseudo-fruit of Anacardium occidentale L. (Cashew) was evaluated under unirrigated land conditions. The experiment was carried out in the Centro Frutícola (CORPOZULIA), Zulia, Venezuela. Fruits were harvested during two periods, August September (1) and January February (2). The physicochemical composition was determined by Covenin and AOAC methods. The sugar composition was made by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ten trees were selected at random, ten replicates were made and each plant was treated as an experimental unit. The dry and fresh mass of the fruit and pseudo-fruit are statistically different (P<0.01) in both harvest (1 and 2). The fruit and pseudo-fruit dimensions (long and wide) did not show significant differences (P<0.01) in both harvest. The ºBrix of pseudo-fruit and the titrable acidity of fruit obtained are higher than values reported in previous investigations. The fruit showed a good hardness. The sugar composition of the fruit and pseudo-fruit showed the presence of fructose, glucose and sucrose. Fructose was the main sugar present in the samples studied.