Abstract Due to the accelerated growth of the world population, the need for food has increased. Due to the differentiated climatic factors that Ecuador has, the usage of pesticides and fertilizers has increased at an alarming rate, in search of increasing the productivity of crops, which results in an accumulation of residues in food and soil. In this study, the search for concentrations of metals and ions from fertilizers in four high-consumption products will be limited to INIAP Cecilia and Chaucha Amarilla potatoes, Kidney Tomato and Paiteña Onion found in markets and supermarkets. The metals were determined by using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry with a mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). For ions, through a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The values found were within the norm. Differences were found between the metal content of the potato between peel and pulp where the latter will appear at the highest concentrations. Multivariate statistics showed that the samples are grouped by the planting site and not the type of sample, which shows the importance of the soil and the cultivation process. The generation of a classification model for fed products with the analyzed parameters is discussed.

Resumen Debido al crecimiento acelerado de la población, el requerimiento de alimentos se ha incrementado. A esta demanda se suman los factores climáticos diferenciados que tiene Ecuador, los cuales inciden en que los agricultores utilicen pesticidas y fertilizantes de forma indiscriminada para incrementar la productividad de los cultivos. El resultado de esta práctica es una acumulación de residuos tanto en los alimentos como en el suelo. En este estudio se determinó las concentraciones de metales e iones provenientes de los fertilizantes en cuatro productos de alto consumo: papa INIAP Cecilia, papa chaucha amarilla, tomate riñón y cebolla paiteña encontrados en los mercados y supermercados. Los metales fueron determinados por espectrometría de plasma acoplado inductivamente con espectrómetro de masas (ICP-MS) y los iones a través de un espectrofotómetro UV-visible. Los valores encontrados estuvieron dentro de la norma. Se detectó diferencias entre la concentración de metales de la papa entre cáscara y pulpa donde esta última mantenía las mayores concentraciones. La estadística multivariada permitió evidenciar que las muestras se agrupan por el sitio de siembra y no por el tipo de muestra, lo que revela la importancia del suelo y el proceso de cultivo. Se obtuvo un modelo de clasificación de productos con base en los parámetros analizados.

The effect of different electrodeposition variables of chitosan coatings on Ti-6Al-4V substrates is studied. Electrolytic solutions containing chitosan at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt/v% was used to coat Ti-6Al-4V grit-blasted samples through electrodeposition, at 1.5 and 3.0 V, for 2.5, 20 and 30 min. Coating surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Adhesion behavior was characterized by scratch testing, and coating stability under physiological conditions was assessed by swelling test. Electrodeposited coatings with longer times and high chitosan concentrations produced porous coatings, with a hydrogel-like structure, with better surface adhesion than those at lower concentrations and times. Swelling tests displayed a high initial swelling with posterior rapid degradation and stabilization at 3h, indicating the potential need for a crosslinking agent. These results suggest that chitosan electrodeposition has great potential for coating applications of metallic implants, and further in vitro cell assays are proposed for future studies.

Summary Objective: To describe different psycho-spiritual elements in a sample of stage IV cancer patients from a public hospital in Lima, Peru, through the application of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp) scale. Methods: Application of FACIT-Sp to a sample of patients (n = 100) diagnosed with stage IV cancer at the Oncology Service of the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza. The 33-question instrument, designed to evaluate psycho-spiritual elements, analyzes five areas: social well-being (SWB), emotional well-being (EWB), functional well-being (FWB), meaning and peace (MP) and faith (F). Results: The most prominent aspect was F (average score=13.53 ± 3.05, corresponding to 84.56% of the maximum possible score), and the lowest was FWB (average score=15.79 ± 6.89, corresponding to 56.39% of the maximum possible score). Conclusions: According to FACIT-Sp, the most developed psycho-spiritual aspect among the participating patients was the one related to Faith, whereas the least developed, the one linked to the area of Functional Well-Being.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir los diferentes elementos psico-espirituales en pacientes con cáncer aplicando la escala Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well Being, FACIT-Sp (Evaluación Funcional de Terapia de Enfermedades Crónicas y Bienestar Espiritual). Métodos: Aplicación de la escala a una muestra de pacientes (n =100) con diagnóstico de cáncer, estadio IV, del Servicio de Oncología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza. El instrumento de 33 preguntas examina cinco áreas: bienestar social (SWB), bienestar emocional (EWB), bienestar funcional (FWB), sentido y paz (MP) y fe (F). Resultados: En la muestra estudiada, el aspecto más resaltante fue el relacionado con F (puntaje promedio=13,53 ± 3,05, correspondiente al 84,56% del puntaje máximo posible) y el más bajo fue el vinculado a FWB (puntaje promedio=15,79 ± 6,89, correspondiente al 56,39% del puntaje máximo posible). Conclusiones: De acuerdo a FACIT-Sp, el aspecto psico-espiritual más desarrollado en los pacientes de la muestra estudiada fue el relativo a la Fe y el menos desarrollado, el vinculado al área de Bienestar Funcional.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of mucositis and peri-implantitis associated with the use of two types of implants—conventional versus platform switching after one year of loading. A longitudinal study of 64 implants in 25 patients was performed. Clinical variables, such as clinical pocket depth and bleeding upon probing, plaque, mobility, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, and radiographic bone loss, were analyzed. The case definition for peri-implantitis was established as pockets of ≥ 5 mm with bleeding and bone loss ≥ 2 mm. One year after implant loading, the prevalence of mucositis and peri-implantitis with conventional implants (CIs) was 81.2% and 15.6%, respectively. For platform switching implants (PSIs) the prevalence was 90% and 6.6%, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.5375). However, there was a trend towards a lower prevalence of peri-implantitis with platform switching Implants.

The atmosphere of the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia was monitored with the objective of identifying airborne pollen and spores throughout a whole year. Sampling was performed between February 2010 and March 2011, coinciding with the La Niña climate phenomenon, which is characterized by a considerable increase in precipitation. Samples of airborne spores and pollen were obtained from a suction Hirst-type volumetric sampler. A total of 62 pollen and spores types were recorded during sampling, of which 30 were angiosperms, two were gymnosperms, 10 were monilophytes, and 20 were fungi. The families displaying the highest pollen counts were Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Polypodiaceae. We recorded an inverse relationship among precipitation and the quantity and diversity of pollen grains and fern spores. The angiosperm and gymnosperm taxa showed the greatest recorded grains throughout the sampling year with respect to the species mentioned herewith, which have been reported as allergenic in various aerobiological studies.

Se realizó un monitoreo de la atmosfera del área urbana de Medellín, con el objetivo de identificar polen y esporas que se transportan por el aire a lo largo del año. El muestreo se realizó entre febrero de 2010 y marzo de 2011. Las muestras de polen y esporas aéreas se obtuvieron utilizando un captador volumétrico de succión tipo Hirst. En el trabajo se registraron 62 tipos polínicos y esporas, de las cuales 30 corresponden a angiospermas, dos a gimnospermas, 10 a pteridofitos y 20 a hongos. Las familias con mayor número de individuos por muestreo fueron: Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae y Polypodiaceae. Se observó una relación inversamente proporcional entre la cantidad y diversidad de granos de polen y esporas de helechos encontrados, con respecto a la precipitación a lo largo del muestreo. Los taxones de angiospermas y gimnospermas que mayor cantidad de granos aportaron en los conteos durante el año de muestreo, corresponden a especies introducidas, con reportes de alergenicidad.

Recently home assisted ventilation care (HAV) in children with chronic respiratory insufficiency has been developed. Objective: To report our experience about children discharged with HAV and their follow-up. Patients and methods: We reviewed the clinical notes of 15 children (9 girls) who were discharged from the Paedriatric Service of the Chilean Catholic University between january 1993 and december 2000. Patients: were aged between 5 months and 15 years, 6 had neuromuscular disease, 4 chronic lung disease, 1 thoracic deformity and 4 had severe tracheobronchomalacia. 12 required tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation was used in 4 cases (PLV-102, Lifecare), in 8 CPAP and Downs flow generator with PEEP valve, and in 3 BiPAP. The decision to use HAV was decided 2-4 months after admission, depending on the child’s condition, and was accomplished 1-4 months later, taking into account the family situation and health insurance status. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 8 years. The hospitalization rate was 2.5 and 0.4 admissions/patient/year for morbidity and system failure respectively, with a hospitalization period of 16.5 + 9 days/year. Weaning of the ventilatory system was achieved in 5 patients and 1 died due to a progressive neurological disorder. In summary our experience of home care for the ventilator dependent child supports the use of HAV as a therapeutic alternative. It has few complications and can save significant medical costs

Resumen Introducción: En los últimos años se han desarrollado sistemas de apoyo ventilatorio en domicilio (SAVED), que han logrado tratar pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria crónica en su hogar. Objetivo: revisar nuestra experiencia en los pacientes con SAVED. Pacientes y Método: Se revisaron las fichas de los 15 pacientes (9 mujeres) con SAVED dados de alta del Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, entre enero de 1993 y diciembre 2000. Se describen las características del grupo y su seguimiento. Resultados: Sus edades al alta fluctuaron entre 5 meses y 15 años; 6 tenían enfermedad neuromuscular, 4 daño pulmonar crónico, 1 deformidad torácica y 4 traqueobroncomalacia grave. Doce requirieron traqueostomía, de estos, 4 utilizaron ventilación mecánica (PLV-102, LifeCare) y 8 CPAP con generador de flujo (Downs) y válvula de PEEP, y 3 ventilación nasal a través de BiPAP. El alta fue entre 2 y 4 meses desde el ingreso y la implementación del SAVED entre 1 y 4 meses, de acuerdo a la realidad familiar y previsional. El período de seguimiento fue de 3 meses a 8 años. La tasa de reingreso fue 2,5 y 0,4 ingresos/paciente/año por morbilidad y por falla de sistema respectivamente; el tiempo promedio de estadía en el hospital fue de 16,5 ± 9 días/año. Se logró la retirada del SAVED en 5 pacientes y 1 niño falleció debido a su enfermedad neurológica. En resumen, nuestra experiencia demuestra que los SAVED son una alternativa real en el manejo de pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria crónica grave. Esta terapia presenta escasas complicaciones, permite enviar al paciente a su casa y disminuye en forma significativa los costos del tratamiento