The research was carried out in a rural-urban environment with the aim of evaluating the atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel and copper. To determine the corrosivity category of the environment, the ISO 9223 standard was used. Air pollutants were determined according to the methodologies and protocols described in ISO 9225, using the wet sail method to measure chloride ions (Cl-) and the sulfation dish to detect sulfur dioxide (SO2). The results indicate that the pollutant SO2 is classified within the parameters P0 to P1, indicating low levels of corrosive potential, while the pollutant Cl- is assigned an aggressiveness index of S2, recognized as high. Regarding the category of corrosivity of the materials in the study environment, carbon steel showed a C2 classification defined as low, copper category C1 interpreted as very low.
Moringa oleifera Lam. se cultiva en varias zonas de Cuba. Es un árbol de tamaño mediano, de unos 10 m de altura. Se informa que contiene alcaloides, flavonoides, antocianinas, β-carotenos y clorofilas. Posee propiedades antiinflamatorias, antioxidantes, antimicrobianas, anticancerígenas, antihepatotóxicas y antiulcerosas. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar la bromatología de diferentes partes de Moringa oleifera cultivada en Cuba (hojuelas, raquis, corteza de la planta y los componentes de las semillas: endospermo y cáscara). Con este fin, se determinaron parámetros de control de la calidad de la materia seca de Moringa oleifera y de los extractos obtenidos a partir de ésta. Se realizó el tamizaje fitoquímico y la composición proximal. Se determinó el contenido de pigmentos, polifenoles y flavonoides, así como la actividad antioxidante por el método del DPPH por el método espectrofotométrico. En general, los parámetros se mostraron en correspondencia con las especificaciones de calidad previamente establecidas para material vegetal y el extracto. Estos hallazgos respaldan la aplicación potencial de las partes de Moringa oleifera, especialmente las hojas y el endospermo, en el desarrollo de alimentos funcionales y suplementos dietéticos. Palabras claves: Potencial nutracéutico, ingredientes de alimentos funcionales, etnobotánica, plantas medicinales Cuba, fitoquímica de Moringa, Moringa oleifera, hojas, semilla, polifenoles, ciencia de los alimentos, antioxidantes, pigmentos
Seabirds are crucial components of marine ecosystems, serving as bioindicators of the state of marine trophic webs. Comprehensive inventories of seabirds at sea could contribute to their conservation, marine spatial planning, and environmental impact assessment. Cuba hosts a large number of seabird breeding colonies, but lacks extensive information on the at-sea distribution and density of seabirds. Between July and September 2023, we conducted transects from vessels to survey seabirds at sea, as part of a multidisciplinary marine expedition throughout the archipelago. We recorded eight families of seabirds, with Laridae (gulls and terns) and Fregatidae (frigatebirds) exhibiting the highest density at the regional scale. The Southwest and North Central regions hosted the highest diversity (number of families), while the Southwest, South Central, and Northwest showed the highest densities of seabirds. Phoenicopteridae had significantly higher density than Laridae and Fregatidae, and the latter two showed higher densities than Phaethontidae (tropicbirds) at the transect scale. The sighting schedule, sea state, type of vessel, and pair of observers during the survey influenced the recorded seabird density, although larger sample sizes are required to confirm this. This study represents the first comprehensive at-sea survey of seabird populations in Cuban waters, establishing a baseline for future assessments of population sizes and the impacts of human activity on marine conservation efforts. Resumen Las aves marinas son componentes cruciales de los ecosistemas marinos, ya que sirven como bioindicadores del estado de las redes tróficas marinas. La realización de inventarios exhaustivos de las aves marinas en el mar podría contribuir a su conservación, a la planificación espacial marina y a la evaluación de impactos ambientales. Cuba alberga un gran número de colonias reproductivas de aves marinas, pero carece de información exhaustiva sobre su distribución y densidad en el mar. Entre julio y septiembre de 2023, realizamos transectos desde embarcaciones para censar aves marinas en el mar, como parte de una expedición marina multidisciplinaria en todo el archipiélago. Registramos ocho familias de aves marinas, siendo Laridae (gallegos y gaviotas) y Fregatidae (fragatas) las de mayor densidad a escala regional. Las regiones suroeste y centro-norte albergaron la mayor diversidad (número de familias), mientras que las suroeste, sur-central y noroeste mostraron las mayores densidades de aves marinas. Phoenicopteridae tuvo una densidad significativamente mayor que Laridae y Fregatidae, y las dos últimas mostraron densidades mayores que Phaethontidae (aves tropicales) a escala de transecto. El horario de avistamiento, estado del mar, tipo de embarcación y la pareja de observadores durante el muestreo influyeron en la densidad de aves marinas registradas, aunque se necesita mayor tamaño de muestras para confirmar esto. Este estudio representa el primer muestreo exhaustivo en el mar de las poblaciones de aves marinas en aguas cubanas, estableciendo una línea de base para futuras evaluaciones del tamaño de las poblaciones y el impacto de la actividad humana en los esfuerzos de conservación marina.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a global health concern. Blood donation centres employ comprehensive screening measures to identify donors with STIs, such as HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis, which can also transmitted through blood transfusions. Herein, we investigated the seroprevalence of STIs and demographic determinants related to multiple infections among rejected blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Angola. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 1885 rejected blood donors serologically screened for anti-HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and anti-TP during pre-donation screening at the NBTS, located in Luanda, the capital city of Angola, between March 2022 to July 2023. Overall, HIV (11.2%), HBsAg (71.7%), HCV (9.30%), and Syphilis (8.80%) were detected. The multiple infection rate was 2.30%. HIV and syphilis were associated with age (p < 0.05). HBV was related to age, areas of residence, and occupation (p < 0.05). HCV was related to areas of residence and educational level (p < 0.05). No relationship was observed between demographic characteristics with multiple infections (p > 0.05). Individuals aged over 40 years (OR: 2.48, p = 0.393), males (OR: 1.33, p = 0.639), non-urbanized regions (OR: 1.18, p = 0.594), low educational level (OR: 3.46, p = 0.222), and employed (OR: 1.34, p = 0.423), were more likely to have multiple infections. Our results demonstrate a high rate of circulation of STIs among blood donation candidates in Luanda. HBV was the main reason for the rejection of candidates. However, nucleic acid-based screening techniques should be considered to ensure better quality screening for occult infections in blood donor candidates.
Marine megafauna in Cuba have been relatively understudied and have received less management attention compared to other marine ecosystem components like fish and corals. This is due to various factors, including the dispersed distribution of these species, their low overall abundance (likely a result of multiscale anthropogenic threats), and the high cost of effective survey techniques, all of which have limited the availability of reliable and representative data. In this study, we present the findings of the first nationwide at-sea study of marine megafauna in Cuba. The survey covered 2190 NM, with 1233 hrs of observation over 45 d from July to September 2023. We documented boat-based sightings of cetaceans, manatees, and marine turtles across six zones, and for each sighting, we recorded the species or species group, the number of individuals, the coordinates, and the sea state. We made a total of 24 sightings, comprising 85 individuals. Delphinids accounted for the majority of sightings (66%) and individual numbers (88%), followed by manatees (12% of sightings, 6% of individuals) and marine turtles (21% of sightings, 6% of individuals). We observed the highest number of cetacean sightings and individuals off northcentral Cuba, with the highest concentration at Ensenada (inlet) de Cayo Francés. Additionally, we record the first sightings of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) and spotted dolphin ( Stenella spp.) in four of the six zones. Our results provide a baseline on marine megafauna distributions in Cuba that can aid future research and management.
