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Background: Comprehensive HIV prevention and care strategies focused on MSM and transwomen (TW) in Peru remain elusive. We conducted a trial of a combination prevention strategy including establishing a community [...]

The objective of this research was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and stability during controlled storage of the particles of oleoresin paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) produced by Micro and Nano spray dryer. Micro and Nano spray dryer produced micro and submicron particles, respectively. Micro and submicron particles exhibited similar values of solubility, but showed significant differences in all parameters of colour and in the moisture content and water activity. At the end of spray dried process, both powders presented significant differences in the carotenes recovery. Micro-particles showed higher content of carotenes on the surface than the submicron particles. However, both particles showed similar protection to the carotenes at the end of storage. The best storage condition for both particles was around water activity (aw) of 0.529 with about 50% carotenes retained at 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work shows how the co-simulation increases the advantages and decreases the drawbacks for exoskeleton design. The proposed methodology has three stages: the design of a biomechanical part, the mechanical design and the control system. For the biomechanical analysis, OpenSim R solves the muscle-skeleton system and includes models for different conditions that can be used in the design process. SolidWorks R that is applied in assistive computer design evaluates the mechanical part of the exoskeleton and Matlab R solves the control system that takes over the exoskeleton. It allows getting a personalized design which simulates the complete walking movements, covering the kinematic restrictions to achieve a natural human movement and the user limitations when they have any problem for to walk. The results show how the co-simulation is applied to complete a virtual prototype and the programs are linked hand in hand. Although conventional simulation by one program can save money and time, it cannot solve the entire exoskeleton design problem; as a result the co-simulation is an excellent option in biomechanical, mechanical and control systems that need accurate and swift results in each part of the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on Rhodnius pallescens, Triatoma ryckmani and other triatomines from Nicaragua. Recorded in 1535, an adult male species of the Nicaraguan Triatomine dimidiata was captured while feeding on a man. The author provides a chart on the details of the collection of triatomine species in the country.

Hamartomatous polyps of the jejunum and ileum are common in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. However, some appear in the absence of other characteristics of the syndrome and manifest as abdominal pain due to an invagination of the intestine caused by polyps, which cedes spontaneously. We present the case of a girl age 13 years with history of 6 years of abdominal pain and cyclic vomiting. An ultrasound was taken where we observed pseudokidney sign and targetlike in the left hypochondrium; subsequently, we observed negative filling defect which deformed the intestinal lumen in filiform shape at the level of the jejune; later the abdominal tomography confirmed the findings of intestinal invagination. During surgery the intestinal invagination was located at the level of the jejune, which shrank satisfactorily; pathology reported a Peutz-Jeghers hamartomatous polyp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.: To analyze the elements of a navigation program in Lima that facilitated the linkage of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) with HIV care., Material and Methods.: We conducted interviews with 20 users receiving navigation services and 4 peer navigators living with HIV., Results.: The work of the navigators contributed to filling a gap in HIV services, providing personalized accompaniment to navigate the health care system and facilitating the process of engaging with care., Conclusions.: Patient navigation based on the development of users' strengths can be a useful and feasible strategy to improve linkage to medical care for MSM and TW in Peru, incorporating peer navigators to health teams, horizontality in treatment and public health strategies with greater community participation., Motivation for the study. In Peru, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) present low levels of linkage to HIV medical care, which is crucial to consider it a chronic disease, guarantee a healthy life and prevent transmission. Main findings. We implemented a program with specialized personnel called peer navigators, which helped MSM and TW to identify personal strengths and become autonomous within a fragmented and unfriendly health system. Implications. Incorporating peer navigators is a useful and feasible strategy that contributed to filling a gap in HIV care services, providing accompaniment, education and horizontal treatment to improve linkage to medical care for MSM and TW.

Traditional cocoa bean fermentation is a spontaneous process and can result in heterogeneous sensory quality. For this reason, yeast-integrated starter cultures may be an option for creating consistent organoleptic profiles. This study proposes the mixture of Hanseniaspora opuntiae and Kluyveromyces marxianus (from non-cocoa fermentation) as starter culture candidates. The microorganisms and volatile compounds were analyzed during the cocoa fermentation process, and the most abundant were correlated with predominant microorganisms. Results showed that Kluyveromyces marxianus, isolated from mezcal fermentation, was identified as the dominant yeast by high-throughput DNA sequencing. A total of 63 volatile compounds identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS were correlated with the more abundant bacteria and yeast using Principal Component Analysis and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering. This study demonstrates that yeasts from other fermentative processes can be used as starter cultures in cocoa fermentation and lead to the formation of more aromatic esters, decrease the acetic acid content., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)