The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of a strategy of changes to manage the bio-economic efficiency of a Murrah Buffalo production system in the province of Camagüey, Cuba, located 210 north and 770 west, 217 meters above sea level. The climate is tropical humid (Aw) plain. The mean annual precipitations average 1 180 mm (71 % between May and October), and temperature is between 24 and 29° C. The local soil is carbonated brown, brown without carbonates, and reddish-brown fersiallitic. The system comprises 5 100 ha and has 536 workers/year. A strategy to introduce management changes in agro-technology, food, reproduction, replacement, health, salary policies, and training was implemented as part of an innovation package with a systemic and participatory approach. The evaluation lasted eight years, and it was critical to increase dairy production in more than 200 000 kg/year in 2012, in comparison to 2004, with improvements in natality and reduction of operational expenses of the system. It was concluded that the strategy had a determining effect on the system's indicators.

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar los efectos de una estrategia de cambios en el manejo en la eficiencia bio-económica de un sistema cooperativo de producción de Búfalos Murrah de Camagüey en Cuba, localizado en los 210 Norte y los 770 Oeste a 217 msnm. El clima es tropical húmedo (Aw) de llanura. La media anual de las precipitaciones fue de 1 180 mm (71 % de mayo a octubre) y temperaturas entre 24 y 29° C. El suelo es pardo carbonatado, pardos sin carbonatos y fersialíticos pardo rojizos. El sistema ocupa un área de 5 100 ha y emplea 536 trabajadores/año. Una estrategia de cambios en el manejo agro-técnico, alimentario, reproductivo, de reemplazos, en salud, política de salarios y determinadas acciones de capacitación fue puesta en práctica como una especie de paquete innovador con enfoque sistémico y participativo. La evaluación se desarrolló durante ocho años y fue determinante en el incremento de la producción de leche en más de 200 000 kg/año en el 2012 respecto al 2004, con una mejora en la natalidad y reducción en los gastos operacionales del sistema. Se concluye que la estrategia tuvo un efecto determinante en el comportamiento favorable de los indicadores del sistema.

Cereals constitute a relevant part of human and domestic animal diet. Under storage conditions, one of the most significant problems of these crops is insect pests as the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky). This insect species is usually controlled by means of synthetic insecticides but problems as toxic residues and resistance has led to the search for more friendly control alternatives such as botanical insecticides. The aim of this research was to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the insecticidal properties of the powder and the essential oil of peumo (Cryptocarya alba [Molina] Looser; Lauraceae) leaves against S. zeamais. The variables assessed were toxicity by contact and fumigant activity, adult emergence (F1), repellent effect, and impact on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed germination. A completely randomized design was used with five treatments and 10 replicates. The higher mortality levels were obtained at 80 g powder kg-1 grain and 40 mL essential oil kg-1 grain of C. alba; in both cases, the mortality of adult S. zeamais surpassed 80%. The emergence of adults S. zeamais (F1) was reduced by 100% at 80 g powder kg-1 grain and 40 mL essential oil kg-1 grain. Germination of wheat seeds treated with C. alba powder and essential oil was not affected. Both, the powder and the oil treatments showed repellent effect, but not fumigant activity.

Objetivo El conocimiento parcial de estadísticas nacionales acerca de accidentalidad por animales venenosos, con distribución geográfica en Colombia, motiva el estudio de dichas circunstancias. El objetivo fue realizar una línea base de los accidentes por animales venenosos reportados de forma telefónica al Centro de Investigación, Gestión e Información Toxicológica de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia (CIGITOX), provenientes de todo el país, y cuyo registro se encontraba en bases de datos de los cinco años de funcionamiento del centro (2006-2010). Metodología Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de los datos generados por CIGITOX en un período de tiempo de cinco años (2006-2010). El análisis estadístico se hizo en hojas de cálculo de Excel 2011. Resultados Se encontraron, reportados y atendidos, 1 783 casos de los cuales el 47 % correspondió a accidente ofídico (evento de notificación obligatoria para Colombia), 25 % por escorpiones y 11 % por arañas, seguidos de otros que tienen representación epidemiológica menor en los principales departamentos de ocurrencia que fueron Antioquia, Valle del Cauca y Cundinamarca. Discusión Se presenta una perspectiva general de la problemática que puede favorecer programas de salud pública para el mejoramiento de la capacidad de respuesta de las comunidades, instituciones y profesionales del sector salud.

Objective This study was motivated as only partial knowledge is available (regarding national statistics) about accidents caused by poisonous animals in Colombia. The study was aimed at establishing a base-line concerning accidents reported by phone to the Toxicology Management and Research Information Centre (CIGITOX) from all over Colombia; such data was taken from the centre's data-base following its five years of being in operation(2006-2010). Methods This was a descriptive, retrospective study, taking information from the CIGITOX database over a five-year period (2006-2010); Excel 2011was used for statistical analysis. Results The database contained 1,783 cases which had been reported and attended; 47 % concerned snake bite accidents (an obligatory report event in Colombia), 25 % scorpion stings and 11 % spider bites, followed by others having valuable epidemiologic representation in the main areas of occurrence, such as the Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Cundinamarca departments. Discussion The data provided an overview of the situation which could lead to promoting public health program aimed at raising awareness in communities, institutions and healthcare professional's whilst enforcing their ability to respond effectively.

In two field-collected populations of de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype previously selected with the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (NEO-R, NEO-N), and a population susceptible to insecticides (SUSC), the level of response to the insecticide thiametoxam, as well as the life and fertility tables were determined. At LC95, the NEO-R population showed a resistance ratio (RR95) value of 8.8-fold, an intrinsic rate of increase (r m) of 0.72. The fitness of the NEO-R and NEO-N populations in relation to the SUSC was 1.5 and 2.0, respectively. The RR95 value for NEO-N was 1.9-fold; it's r m value was 0.082, while in the SUSC population was 0.041. The developmental time of egg and adult were longer in NEO-R population, while the nymph and pupa lasted longer in the NEO-N and SUSC populations. The developmental time was different in the three NEO-R, NEO-N, and SUSC populations with 19.7 d (315.84 degree days or dd), 15.7 d (250.4 dd) and 18.5 d (296.6 d), respectively. The populations previously selected with thiamethoxam did not reproduce faster than their susceptible counterpart.

Spiromesifen is an insecticide that inhibits the synthesis of lipids and, in Mexico, its use against the Tomato-Potato Psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc), on chili pepper (Capsicum annum), tomato (Lycopersicon sculentum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) began in 2005; however more information is needed to understand its toxicity on this insect pest. The aim of this research was to determine the toxicity of spiromesifen against each of the biological stages of tomato-potato psyllid, its effect on fertility and viability of eggs deposited by treated females, as well as the female preference to lay eggs on treated and non treated plants. The relative toxicity at 95% mortality (highest LC95 value /LC95 value of the respective biological stage) of spiromesifen in egg, nymph 1, nymph 2, nymph 3, nymph 4, and nymph 5 were 517.5; 31316.2; 2950.1; 315.6; 18.2 and 1-fold, respectively. There were no differences in the toxicity of spiromesifen between adult males and females. The number of laid eggs was reduced as the spiromesifen concentration used to treat female increased and egg hatch was reduced in all tested doses. In the "no choice" test, females deposited 38.6 ± 2.01 eggs by leaf of non treated chili pepper type jalapeño, while in the treated with 360 mg L-1 we observed 0.3 ± 0.08 eggs by leaf. In the "choice" test, the oviposition decreased as the dose increased. There were no eggs on plants treated with 2400 mg L-1 of spiromesifen.

Objetive: To analyze the impact of the use of the double J stent in the incidence of urological complications, like fistula urinary and ureteral obstruction in kidney transplants. Materials and methods: Between August 2003 and December 2005, 59 adult recipients underwent renal transplant. A retrospective study was conducted on two groups of patients: Group A with double J stent and group B without it. We reviewed the urological complications: fistula, ureteral obstruction and urinary tract infection. Results: Group A: One ureteral obstruction and two urinary fistulas (7%) were developed in this group. 13 patients (46%) had a positive urinary culture. In only one case was necessary to retire the double J stent because of ureteral obstruction. Group B: Four patients (13%) developed ureteral obstruction and another five (16%) developed urinary fistula. 9 patients (29%) had a positive urinary culture. Conclusion: The routine insertion of a double J stent in kidney transplants reduces the number of early complications urinary fistula and ureteral obstructions.

Objetivo: Analizar si la cateterización sistemática de la anastomosis ureterovesical en el trasplante renal mediante un catéter doble J disminuye la incidencia de las complicaciones urológicas tipo fístula y estenosis ureterales. Material y métodos: En el periodo comprendido entre agosto de 2003 y diciembre de 2004 realizamos 59 trasplantes renales de donante cadáver. Establecemos dos grupos, grupo A pacientes que durante el trasplante se les coloca un catéter doble J y grupo B pacientes trasplantados sin colocación de catéter. Mediante un estudio retrospectivo analizamos la incidencia de fístulas urinarias, estenosis ureterales y procesos infecciosos en ambos grupos. Resultados: En el grupo A (con catéter doble J) se detectaron 1 caso de estenosis ureteral y 2 casos (7%) de fístula urinaria. En un paciente fue necesaria la retirada del catéter al producir obstrucción por coágulos. Trece pacientes (46%) presentaron un cultivo de orina positivo. En el grupo B (sin catéter doble J) se evidenciaron 4 casos (13%) de estenosis ureteral y 5 casos (16%) de fístula urinaria. Nueve pacientes (29%) presentaron un cultivo de orina positivo. Conclusión: El empleo del catéter doble J de forma profiláctica en el trasplante renal, disminuye las fístulas urinarias y en mayor medida las estenosis ureterales.

Objective: To analyze the incidence of urological complications, like fistula and stenosis in our series of 282 renal transplants and their management. Materials and methods: Between December 1995 and October 2005, 282 adult recipients underwent renal transplant. The most common urological complication was urinary fistula. This complication was observed in 24 cases (8.5%), ureteral stenosis in 18 cases (6.4%) and both of them in 5 (1.7%). The items recorded on these patients included the time to diagnosis, the image technique, the type of ureteral stents and the clinical evolution. Results: Endourologic treatment with percutaneos nefrostomy, double-J catheter and metalic endoprotesis was performed successfully in 76.4% of urinary fistula, in 66.7% of ureteral obstruction and in 60% of patients who developed both of them. Conclusion: Endourologic procedures have replaced open reconstructive surgery in most patients with ureteral obstruction or urinary fistula after renal transplant, because they may offer a definitive treatment with low morbidity.

Objetivo: Analizar la incidencia de las complicaciones urológicas, fístulas y estenosis urinarias, observadas en nuestra serie de 282 trasplantes así como el tratamiento de las mismas. Material y métodos: Entre diciembre de 1995 y octubre de 2005, hemos realizado 282 trasplantes renales. La complicación urológica más frecuente ha sido la fístula urinaria observándose en 24 casos (8,5%), seguida de la estenosis ureteral en 18 casos (6,4%) y en 5 casos se observaron ambas complicaciones. Dentro de los datos recogidos de los pacientes destacamos el tiempo de diagnóstico, las técnicas de imagen empleadas, el tipo de catéter ureteral empleado y la evolución clínica. Resultados: El tratamiento endourológico mediante nefrostomía percutánea, catéter doble J y endoprótesis ha sido eficaz en el 76,4% de las fístulas urinarias, en el 66,7% de las estenosis ureterales y en el 60% de los pacientes que presentaron ambas complicaciones. Conclusión: El tratamiento endourológico ha reemplazado a las técnicas de cirugía abierta en el manejo de la mayoría de las estenosis ureterales y fístulas urinarias post-trasplante renal, al ser un tratamiento definitivo con una baja morbilidad asociada.