First record of human trichinosis in Chile associated with consumption of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

The first South American case of human trichinosis, resulting from the consumption of roast wild boar (Sus scrofa) is reported in Chile. The patient presented fever, diarrhea, myalgias, facial edema, sub-conjunctival reddening, photophobia, eosinophilia, and elevated glutamic oxalacetic transaminase. The diagnosis was confirmed by two immunoenzymatic tests (ELISA) using somatic and excretion-secretion antigens.

Paleopathology and osteobiography of the people of Peñuelas, Chile's semiarid north

The Museo de La Serena, IV Region, Chile has collections of skeletal remains representing the agricultural Diaguita people of 500 years ago excavated in the 1980s from the sites Peñuelas 21 and 24, Chile's semiarid north. Their excellent preservation has permitted an osteobiographical and radiographic analysis to better understand the patterns of the disease. This research continues the osteological analyses begun in 1989 by Rosado that seek to understand the impact the transition to and adoption of farming had on the health of prehistoric populations. Because of the significance of paleopathology in the understanding of cultural and biological adaptations, it has also become necessary to assess the preservation status and design a conservation protocol to protect and document the remains. The objectives of this communication are to: establish demographic patterns of the skeletal samples and identify and diagnose skeletal paleopathologies via photography and radiographs. Intentional cranial alteration, limb and cranial fractures, dental wear, and dental abscesses and caries are among the interesting paleopathologies so far documented. Intentional cranial alteration is very common and is manifested as tabular erect in both males and females. The high frequency of carious lesions indicates a diet that emphasized carbohydrates. Skeletal radiographs are available for several of the individuals in the sample and this has afforded a more detailed description of the paleopathologies originally documented via photography.

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) atacamensis (Diptera: Culicidae), a new species from Northern Chile

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) atacamensis, a new species in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus, is described and validated using morphological characters of the male and female adult, male genitalia and immature stages. Molecular characterization employing sequences of the ITS2 rDNA and COI mtDNA are provided. The new taxon is compared with Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) pictipennis (Philippi) from central Chile based on morphological features of the adults, male genitalia and larva. Illustrations of the diagnostic characteristics of the male genitalia, fourth-instar larva and pupa are provided.

The risk of acquiring the new influenza A(H1N1) for Brazilian travelers to Chile, Argentina and the USA

We estimate the risk of acquiring the new influenza A(H1N1) for Brazilian travelers to Chile, Argentina and the USA. This is done by a mathematical model that quantifies the intensity of transmission of the new virus in those countries and the probability that one individual has of acquiring the influenza depending on the date of arrival and time spent in the area. The maximum estimated risk reached 7.5 cases per 10,000 visitors to Chile, 17 cases per 10,000 travelers to Argentina and 23 cases per 10,000 travelers to the USA. The estimated number of imported cases until 27 July is 57 ± 9 from Chile, 136 ± 27 from the USA and 301 ± 21 from Argentina, which are in accord with the official figures. Estimating the number of imported cases was particularly important for the moment of the disease introduction into this country, but it will certainly be important again as a tool to calculate the number of future imported cases from northern countries in our next inter-epidemic season, were imported cases can constitute again the majority of the new influenza burden to the Brazilian health services.

Sylvatic foci of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in Chile: description of a new focus and challenges for control programs

Triatoma infestans is one of the main domestic vectors of Chagas disease. Reports of wild habitat occurrences have recently increased. In Chile, after a successful elimination campaign of T. infestans domestic infestation, a sylvatic focus was reported in bromeliads in the metropolitan region. Here, we report a new focus of sylvatic T. infestans inhabiting rock piles in the Valparaíso region in central Chile. All T. infestans captured were nymphal instars living among the stones, which were inhabited by several mammal species, along with the sylvatic triatomine vector Mepraia spinolai. We found a prevalence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi of 36.54% in T. infestans, similar to the previous report for sylvatic specimens from bromeliads. Sylvatic populations of T. infestans should be studied at different geographic scales to elucidate their role in the maintenance of the sylvatic transmission cycle of T. cruzi and their possible role in threatening the domestic elimination of this vector. This information should be used to re-design the control programs in Chile to avoid the re-establishment of the domestic cycle.

Ecomuseo: Los Lagos, Región de los Ríos, Chile

El proyecto a realizar es un Ecomuseo en la XIV Región de Los Ríos, en la comuna deLos Lagos, Chile. La misión del museo es procurar un crecimiento económicosostenible a largo plazo, basándose en la riqueza patrimonial de la región. Se pretendeuna recuperación de la identidad local y dar una formación a la población de la zona quele lleve a conocer, apreciar, valorar, conservar, difundir, investigar y fomentar lasdiferentes expresiones patrimoniales histórico-culturales del territorio para disfrutar delos valores que encierran los elementos patrimoniales del municipio de Los Lagos y suentorno. Paralelamente deberíamos señalar su mandato en la difusión exterior delterritorio con la puesta en valor de su patrimonio con vistas a convertirlo en unatractivo turístico sostenible en términos económicos y ecológicos

DNA multigene sequencing of topotypic specimens of the fascioliasis vector Lymnaea diaphana and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Pectinidens (Gastropoda)

Freshwater lymnaeid snails are crucial in defining transmission and epidemiology of fascioliasis. In South America, human endemic areas are related to high altitudes in Andean regions. The species Lymnaea diaphana has, however, been involved in low altitude areas of Chile, Argentina and Peru where human infection also occurs. Complete nuclear ribosomal DNA 18S, internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 and ITS-1 and fragments of mitochondrial DNA 16S and cytochrome c oxidase (cox)1 genes of L. diaphana specimens from its type locality offered 1,848, 495, 520, 424 and 672 bp long sequences. Comparisons with New and Old World Galba/Fossaria, Palaearctic stagnicolines, Nearctic stagnicolines, Old World Radix and Pseudosuccinea allowed to conclude that (i) L. diaphana shows sequences very different from all other lymnaeids, (ii) each marker allows its differentiation, except cox1 amino acid sequence, and (iii) L. diaphana is not a fossarine lymnaeid, but rather an archaic relict form derived from the oldest North American stagnicoline ancestors. Phylogeny and large genetic distances support the genus Pectinidens as the first stagnicoline representative in the southern hemisphere, including colonization of extreme world regions, as most southern Patagonia, long time ago. The phylogenetic link of L. diaphana with the stagnicoline group may give light to the aforementioned peculiar low altitude epidemiological scenario of fascioliasis.

The hypogene iron oxide copper-gold mineralization in the Mantoverde District, Northern Chile

The Mantoverde iron oxide copper-gold (IOCC) district, northern Chile, is known for its Cu production from supergene ores. Recently, exploration outlined an additional hypogene ore resource of 440 Mt with 0.56 percent Cu, and 0.12 g/t An. The hypogene sulfide mineralization occurs mainly as chalcopyrite and pyrite, typically in specularite or magnetite-cemented breccias and associated stockworks. The host rocks underwent variably intense K feldspar alteration, chloritization, sericitization, silicification, and/or carbonatization. A district scale Na(-Ca) alteration is absent. The IOCC mineralization in the district shows a strong tectonic control by northwest- to north-northwest-trending brittle structures. Large Cu sulfide-rich veins or Cu sulfide-cemented breccias are absent. Therefore, head grades of 4 percent Cu are an exception. There is a positive correlation between Cu and An grades. Gold is probably contained mostly in chalcopyrite and pyrite. Elevated concentrations of light rare-earth elements (LREE) occur locally but are attributed to redistribution of LREE within the deposits rather than to derivation from external sources. The Cu-Au ores in the Mantoverde district are low in and have relatively low contents in heavy metals that are potentially hazardous to the environment, such as As (avg 14 ppm), Hg (<5 ppm), or Cd (<0.2 ppm). The sulfur isotope ratios of chalcopyrite from the IOCC deposits lie between -5.6 and 8.9 per mil delta(34)S(VCDT). They show systematic variations within the district, which are interpreted to reflect relative distance to inferred fluid conduits and the level of deposition within the hydrothermal system. Most initial (87)Sr/(86)Sr values of altered volcanic rocks and hydrothermal calcite from the Mantoverde district are between 0.7031 and 0.7060 and are similar to those of the igneous rocks of the region. Lead isotope ratios of chalcopyrite are consistent with Pb (and by inference Cu) derived from Early Cretaceous magmatism. The sulfur, strontium, and lead isotope data of chalcopyrite, calcite gangue, or altered host rocks, respectively, are compatible with a genetic model that involves cooling of metal and sulfur-bearing magmatic-hydrothermal fluids that mix with meteoric waters or seawater at relatively shallow crustal levels. An additional exotic sulfur input is likely, though not required, for the copper mineralization. Apart from the IOCC. deposits, there are a number of smaller magnetite(-apatite) bodies in the district. These are geologically similar to the Cu-Au-bearing magnetite bodies, but are related to splays of the north-south-trending Atacama fault zone and differ in alteration and texture.

Inversión en maquinaria y crecimiento económico en el largo plazo. Chile 1890-2005

L'estudi té dos objectius fonamentals: d'una banda, generar una sèrie anual d'inversió en maquinària en el llarg termini per a Xile, des de l'any 1890 fins al 2005; i de l'altra, aconseguir una aproximació a la estructura de la inversió en maquinària i com aquesta afecta el creixement econòmic a llarg termini.

Evaluación del razonamiento científico y comunicación oral y escrita en el licenciado en enfermería

Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado en Santiago de Chile. Tuvo como objetivo evaluar el razonamiento científico y comunicación oral y escrita en el licenciado en enfermería. Muestra constituida por 37 estudiantes licenciados en la carrera de enfermería. La investigación fue diseñada en tres etapas: I) creación y validación del instrumento; II) capacitación del equipo de docentes participantes para la aplicación uniforme del instrumento; III) aplicación del instrumento y análisis de datos. Los principales resultados muestran porcentajes diferentes de competencia obtenidos por los licenciados en enfermería, prevaleciendo el logro del razonamiento científico (83,16%); seguido de la comunicación oral y escrita (78,37%). Esta investigación muestra la utilidad para las Escuelas de Enfermería de implementar un sistema para evaluar el perfil de egresados del grado de licenciado en enfermería que garantice la calidad de la formación.

Global Prospects for Dairy in Argentina and Chile: Evidence from Field Visits and Model Simulations, August 2006

We assess the international competitiveness of the dairy industries in Argentina and Chile, combining recent market intelligence gathered from field visits with quantitative simulations of global policy reform scenarios. Both countries exhibit strong potential for export growth but face significant internal and external barriers to expanding their dairy industries. Global policy reforms would resolve some of the international obstacles to their expansion. Argentina has great potential, but it is handicapped by its current macroeconomic policies, trade policy distortions, and the uncertainty associated with policy implementation. Chile is more limited in terms of natural capacity for expansion, but it has a positive trade and investment environment.

Improving patient safety: how and why incidences occur in nursing care

The present investigation was a cross-sectional, quantitative research study analyzing incidents associated with nursing care using a root-cause methodological analysis. The study was conducted in a public hospital intensive care unit (ICU) in Santiago de Chile and investigated 18 incidents related to nursing care that occurred from January to March of 2012. The sample was composed of six cases involving medications and the self-removal of therapeutic devices. The contributing factors were related to the tasks and technology, the professional work team, the patients, and the environment. The analysis confirmed that the cases presented with similar contributing factors, thereby indicating that the vulnerable aspects of the system are primarily responsible for the incidence occurrence. We conclude that root-cause analysis facilitates the identification of these vulnerable points. Proactive management in system-error prevention is made possible by recommendations.

Políticas Públicas e desenvolvimento da Agricultura na Ilha de Santiago - Cabo Verde

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as políticas públicas direcionadas ao desenvolvimento do setor agrícola em Cabo Verde, mais concretamente na Ilha de Santiago. Devido, principalmente, às condições climáticas o setor agrícola sempre sofreu com alguns constrangimentos tanto no que se refere aos recursos naturais como também pela sua fraca base produtiva. A agricultura em Cabo Verde é marcada pela extrema dependência das chuvas, que são fracas e mal distribuídas no tempo e no espaço. Deste modo, isso acaba por se tornar um grave problema para o país, na medida em que a produção agrícola, por depender basicamente das chuvas, não garante a segurança alimentar da população. Em face disso, o governo cabo-verdiano nos últimos anos vem desenvolvendo alguns esforços na criação de alguns programas e planos de ação dirigidos ao desenvolvimento desse setor visando reduzir e acabar com os problemas que esse setor enfrenta devido às suas características peculiares. Para a realização deste trabalho, foram realizados 67 questionários com questões abertas e fechadas, dos quais 60 foram dirigidos aos agricultores e 7 aos atores governamentais ligados à questão agrícola no país. A técnica de tratamento dos dados utilizada para se alcançar os objetivos da pesquisa foi a análise de conteúdo. As conclusões do trabalho revelam que apesar de todos os esforços empreendidos pelo governo na criação de políticas públicas destinadas ao desenvolvimento desse setor, que este ainda não consegue desempenhar com plenitude todas as funções que lhe são conferidas no processo de desenvolvimento econômico. Essas políticas, por intermédio de alguns programas do governo destinados a esse setor beneficiam esse setor e repercutem positivamente nas condições de vida de uma pequena parcela das populações rurais, mas sabe-se que ainda há muito a se fazer para que essas melhorias não atinjam só um pequeno grupo de agricultores, mas os agricultores na sua totalidade.

Economia solidaria num país pequeno, insular e arquipelago

Esta pesquisa consiste num estudo sobre as organizações que desenvolvem a economia solidária em Cabo Verde, no âmbito dos empreendimentos económicos solidários, numa reacção contra os fenómenos de crescimento das desigualdades socio-económicas, na perspectiva de geração de emprego e rendimentos, com a finalidade de responder a relativa incapacidade do mercado de trabalho em criar empregos capazes de absorver a demanda. Procura-se compreender e analisar a dinâmica dos empreendimentos económicos solidários, com foco nas ilhas de Santiago e Fogo, como experiência de empreendimentos colectivos, a partir da observação empírica da sua estrutura organizacional. Uma vez que as grandes transformações económicas sentidas nas últimas décadas foram marcadas pela lógica excludente do capitalismo contemporâneo, com marcas profundas da degradação do aparelho do Estado a nível social, pelo aumento do desemprego e da precarização do trabalho, os empreendimentos solidários procuram, de certa forma, responder ao vazio criado e, em alguns casos, transformar-se numa alternativa económica e política, tomando um carácter emancipatório. A identificação de um conjunto de empreendimentos económicos como empreendimentos solidários é um fenómeno recente em Cabo Verde. Com efeito, essa denominação foi utilizada em meados do ano 2002, tendo como ponto de partida experiências surgidas nos meios populares urbanos e rurais, promovidas por organizações de base comunitária que buscam como opção, a geração de emprego e rendimento, como forma de debelar a exclusão socio-económica. Em Cabo Verde, há uma importante tradição cooperativa e associativa que se desenvolve desde o início da independência em 1975, conhecendo uma nova dinâmica nos anos 90. Pode-se afirmar que os empreendimentos económicos solidários são processos dinâmicos com espaços próprios, que os diferenciam das práticas cooperativas institucionalizadas no ano 1975. A pesquisa realizada em seis empreendimentos económicos solidários nas ilhas de Santiago e Fogo demonstra uma desigualdade em termos de motivação que levou as respectivas comunidades a enfrentar os problemas da sua subsistência na luta para a erradicação da pobreza, principalmente, na zona rural. No campo da presente pesquisa nota-se que o desenvolvimento comunitário está assente nos princípios de solidariedade, cooperação, ajuda-mútua e redes de parcerias nacionais e internacionais.