Showing papers by "Central University of Ecuador published in 2009"

Mammal hunting by the Shuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon: is it sustainable?

Abstract: Although hunting is still critical to the subsistence of many people throughout Amazonia, this practice may not be sustainable under current socio-economic conditions. Native societies are rapidly undergoing socio-economic changes that exacerbate the pressure on wildlife and habitats, indicating the urgent need to assess the impacts of subsistence hunting. In a 12-month study we assessed hunting patterns in four Shuar native communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Hunting patterns and impact of hunting activities were documented using interviews, direct observations, self-monitoring records, community landscape mapping and mammal surveys. Although Shuar harvest a wide-range of wildlife species, including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals we only report information about mammals. A total of 3,181 individuals (c. 26,000 kg) of 21 mammal species were hunted during the 12 months. We used three algorithms for assessing the sustainability of hunting: the production, stock-recruitment and harvest models. Of the 21 mammal species hunted there were sufficient data to assess 15, 12 of which were hunted above maximum sustainable levels within the 243 km2 hunting catchment area. The immediate need to conserve wildlife populations is not obvious to Shuar hunters who still enjoy what they perceive to be an inexhaustible source of wild meat. In this context management of Shuar hunting practices to control harvest levels is complex. The assessment presented here is the first step of what needs to be a long-term wildlife management process.

Urine Antigen Detection for the Diagnosis of Human Neurocysticercosis

Abstract: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major cause of seizures and epilepsy. Diagnosis is based on brain imaging, supported by immunodiagnosis in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Lumbar puncture is invasive and painful. Blood sampling is slightly painful and poorly accepted. Urine antigen detection has been used for other parasites and tried in NCC with suboptimal performance. We used a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA to detect Taenia solium antigens in urine from 87 Peruvian neurocysticercosis patients (viable cysts, N = 34; subarachnoid cysticercosis, N = 10; degenerating parasites, N = 7; calcified lesions, N = 36) and 32 volunteers from a non-endemic area of Peru. Overall sensitivity of urine antigen detection for viable parasites was 92%, which decreased to 62.5% in patients with a single cyst. Most patients (30/36, 83%) with only calcified cysticercosis were urine antigen negative. Antigen levels in paired serum/urine samples (evaluated in 19 patients) were strongly correlated. Non-invasive urine testing for T. solium antigens provides a useful alternative for NCC diagnosis.

Comparative intradermal tuberculin test in dairy cattle in the north of Ecuador and risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis

Abstract: We studied the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in Mejia canton, the major dairy cattle production area in northern Ecuador. Twenty dairy herds comprising 2,022 cattle were selected. In 2007, each animal was tested using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CITT). In 2008, a follow-up test was performed in the same herds. The true annual incidence was 1.70%, and the true prevalence was 7.41% and 7.13% in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The prevalence was 0.27% and 0.57% in medium-sized herds in 2007 and 2008, respectively, compared with 8.63% and 8.43% in large herds (P < 0.01). The number of skin test-positive cases also increased significantly with age (P = 0.03), contacts with other species of animals (P < 0.01), and introduction of new cattle (P = 0.04). Herd prevalence was 55% in 2007 and 65% in 2008. This study shows the lack of knowledge in cattle farmers about this zoonosis and the necessity for a national BTB control program in Ecuador.

Molecular identification of endocervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection among gestations at risk for preterm birth in Ecuador.

Abstract: Aim and method To identify Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) endocervical infection among gestations at risk for preterm birth by means of DNA amplification.

ART integration in oral health care systems in Latin American countries as perceived by directors of oral health.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to carry out a situation analysis of: a) prevalence of ART training courses; b) integration of ART into the oral healthcare systems and; c) strengths and weaknesses of ART integration, in Latin American countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire, consisting of 18 questions, was emailed to directors of national or regional oral health departments of all Latin American countries and the USA. For two countries that had not responded after 4 weeks, the questionnaire was sent to the Dean of each local Dental School. The questions were related to ART training courses, integration of ART in the dental curriculum and the oral healthcare system, barriers to ART implementation in the public health system and recommendations for ART implementation in the services. Factor analysis was used to construct one factor in the barrier-related question. Means and percentages were calculated. RESULTS: The response rate, covering 55% of all Latin American countries, was 76%. An ART training course had been given in all Latin American countries that responded, with more than 2 having been conducted in 64.7% of the respondent countries. ART was implemented in public oral health services in 94.7 % of the countries, according to the respondents. In 15.8% of the countries, ART was applied throughout the country and in 68.4%, in some areas or regions of a country. ART had been used for more, or less, than three years in 42.1% and 47.4% of the countries, respectively. Evaluation and monitoring activities to determine the effectiveness of ART restorations and ART sealants had been carried out in 42.1% of the countries, while evaluation training courses had taken place in only 3 countries (15.8%). Respondents perceived the "increase in the number of treated patients" as the major benefit of ART implementation in public oral health services. The major perceived barrier factors to ART implementation were "operator opinion" and "high patient load", followed by "lack in supplies of materials and instruments and operators" and "lack of ART training". Respondents recommended that the number of ART courses should be increased. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of ART into the public oral health systems in Latin American countries has taken place but is still in its infancy. More ART training courses need to be organized if the approach is to be adopted in oral health service systems in these countries.

Participación ciudadana y educación: ¿cómo la educación puede ampliar las posibilidades de participación?

Abstract: Dentro de las construcciones politicas, mentales y discursivas, la educacion y la participacion ciudadana son vistas como temas prioritarios de la agenda colectiva. Sin embargo, sus interrelaciones y dinamica conjuntas, no son tan sencillas como puede parecer. Ambas han sufrido del mismo mal: ser parcialmente acaparadas por movimientos y tendencias corporativistas, clientelares y politizadas. Pero al mismo tiempo ambas vienen de una misma Logica fundamental como es la emergencia de la sociedad de derechos. Mas alla de las demandas de los poderes y los sistemas establecidos, ambas deben tener como objetivo de dotar a los cambios sociales de un sentido incluyente, deliberativo y democratico.

Quemadura eléctrica, a propósito de un caso clínico quirúrgico: surgical clinic case

Abstract: We present a representative case of a patient arriving to the Burns Unit of “Baca Ortiz” Children Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, with an electric burn diagnose....

Nivel óptimo de lisina digestible en dietas para gallinas de postura de primer ciclo

Abstract: The optimum biological digestible lysine level in laying hens past production peak was determined in a 7-wk trial using diets with different digestible lysine levels. A total of 336 Isa Babcock B-300 laying hens (32 wk old) housed in cages were distributed randomly in seven treatments with four replicates each and 12 hens per replicate. The basal diet was based on sorghum, soybean and sesame meal, contained 15 % crude protein and 0.50 % digestible lysine. Six experimental diets were formulated with digestible lysine levels ranging from 0.50 % to 0.74 %, L-lysine HCl was added to increase lysine levels by 0.04 % in each successive diet. Production variable data were recorded weekly: average egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion and feed intake. At 3.5 weeks, egg component variable data (percentage albumen, yolk and shell) were collected. Data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis with the principal components technique, and a regression analysis with quadratic transformation. The principal components exhibited a quadratic effect (P<0.01), with egg mass (0.899) having a greater effect on digestible lysine requirements than other components, such as egg weight (0.590). Egg mass was thus used to calculate the optimum biologically digestible lysine level requirement for the studied laying hens, which was 0.659 %, or 12.14 mg lysine per gram egg mass.