Correlation of perceived stress, sleep pattern, and sleep quality of adult residents of the Philippines during the enhanced community quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION@#The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent enforcement of enhanced community quarantine in the Philippines has forced residents to stay within the confines of their home, reducing social interaction, and causing changes in the usual routine. The appearance of a novel coronavirus has also brought about an unprecedented period of stress and uncertainty.@*OBJECTIVE@#The primary objective of this study was to determine the perceived stress, sleep patterns, and sleep quality of adult residents of the Philippines during the enhanced community quarantine.@*METHODS@#This was a cross-sectional study which looked at the proportion of adult Filipinos with sleep difficulties during the period of the enhanced community quarantine, together with sleep quality and perceived stress. Three different questionnaires: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were electronically administered to participants. Their demographic data were also recorded. Correlation between all scores recorded from the Perceived Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were done. All collected data were statistically analyzed through descriptive statistics. Frequency and proportion were used for nominal variables, median and range for ordinal variables, and mean and standard deviation for interval/ratio variables. Pearson's rho/Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used in determining correlation between PSQI, ISI, and PSS scores.@*RESULTS@#301 participants were included. 64% had poor sleep quality on PSQI, and 73% were under moderate perceived stress. 45.5% were not tagged with clinically significant insomnia, while 36.5% were screened to have subclinical insomnia. Pairwise correlations among the PSQI, PSS, and ISI revealed a moderate positive relationship, where higher PSS, ISI, and PSQI scores correlated with higher scores across the three scoring systems. @*CONCLUSION@#Stress levels were moderately high, and sleep quality was poor during the period of enhanced community quarantine. Majority of participants did not have clinically significant insomnia, but many were found to have subclinical insomnia. Based on our data, higher levels of perceived stress correlated to sleep difficulties and poor sleep quality. These findings suggest that aside from efforts in preventing and treating COVID-19, a premium must also be put on addressing and managing each individual's stress levels and sleep difficulties, and practicing sleep hygiene during the pandemic.

Referral Patterns of Outpatient Palliative Care among the Head and Neck Cancer Population

Abstract Introduction Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience unique physical and psychosocial challenges that impact their health and quality of life. Early implementation of palliative care has been shown to improve various health care outcomes. Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the patterns of referral of patients with HNC to outpatient palliative care as they relate to utilization of resources and end-of-life discussions. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 245 patients with HNC referred to outpatient palliative care services at two Louisiana tertiary care centers from June 1, 2014, to October 1, 2019. The control group consisted of those that were referred but did not follow-up. Reasons for referral were obtained, and outcome measures such as emergency department (ED) visits, hospital readmissions, and advance care planning (ACP) documentation were assessed according to predictive variables. Results There were 177 patients in the treatment group and 68 in the control group. Patients were more likely to follow up to outpatient palliative care services if referred for pain management. Hospital system, prior inpatient palliative care, and number of outpatient visits were associated with an increased likelihood for ED visits and hospital readmissions. Those in the palliative care treatment group were also more likely to have ACP discussions. Conclusion Early implementation of outpatient palliative care among patients with HNC can initiate ACP discussions. However, there are discrepancies in referral reasons to palliative care and continued existing barriers to its effective utilization.

Honeycomb: a template for reproducible psychophysiological tasks for clinic, laboratory, and home use

Objective: To improve the ability of psychiatry researchers to build, deploy, maintain, reproduce, and share their own psychophysiological tasks. Psychophysiological tasks are a useful tool for studying human behavior driven by mental processes such as cognitive control, reward evaluation, and learning. Neural mechanisms during behavioral tasks are often studied via simultaneous electrophysiological recordings. Popular online platforms such as Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and Prolific enable deployment of tasks to numerous participants simultaneously. However, there is currently no task-creation framework available for flexibly deploying tasks both online and during simultaneous electrophysiology. Methods: We developed a task creation template, termed Honeycomb, that standardizes best practices for building jsPsych-based tasks. Honeycomb offers continuous deployment configurations for seamless transition between use in research settings and at home. Further, we have curated a public library, termed BeeHive, of ready-to-use tasks. Results: We demonstrate the benefits of using Honeycomb tasks with a participant in an ongoing study of deep brain stimulation for obsessive compulsive disorder, who completed repeated tasks both in the clinic and at home. Conclusion: Honeycomb enables researchers to deploy tasks online, in clinic, and at home in more ecologically valid environments and during concurrent electrophysiology.

Novel PF74-like small molecules targeting the HIV-1 capsid protein: Balance of potency and metabolic stability

Of all known small molecules targeting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) capsid protein (CA), PF74 represents by far the best characterized chemotype, due to its ability to confer antiviral phenotypes in both early and late phases of viral replication. However, the prohibitively low metabolic stability renders PF74 a poor antiviral lead. We report herein our medicinal chemistry efforts toward identifying novel and metabolically stable small molecules targeting the PF74 binding site. Specifically, we replaced the inter-domain-interacting, electron-rich indole ring of PF74 with less electron-rich isosteres, including imidazolidine-2,4-dione, pyrimidine-2,4-dione, and benzamide, and identified four potent antiviral compounds (

Screening of Strongyloides infection using an ELISA test in transplant candidates

OBJECTIVES: Hyperinfection or disseminated strongyloidiasis has been frequently reported after transplants and is related to high mortality. This study aimed to screen for strongyloidiasis using serological diagnoses in transplant candidates. METHODS: An ELISA test was performed with filariform larvae of Strongyloides venezuelensis as a source of antigen. RESULTS: In the serum from transplant candidates, anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies were detected in 35/150 (23.3%) samples by soluble fractions in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 31/150 (20.7%) samples by soluble fractions in Tris-HCl, 27/150 (18.0%) samples by membrane fractions in PBS and 22/150 (14.7%) samples by membrane fractions in Tris-HCl. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest the ELISA test, ideally using soluble fractions of filariform larvae S. venezuelensis in PBS, as an additional strategy for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in transplant candidates.

Satisfaction and burden of mental health personnel: data from healthcare services for substance users and their families

Objective: To evaluate satisfaction and burden of mental health personnel providing mental health services for substance users and their families. Method: Five hundred twenty-seven mental health workers who provide treatment for substance users in five Brazilian states were interviewed. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and measures of satisfaction (SATIS-BR) and burden of mental health personnel (IMPACTO-BR) were collected. Results: Type of mental health service and educational attainment were associated with degree of satisfaction and burden. Therapeutic community workers and those with a primary education level reported being more satisfied with the treatment offered to patients, their engagement in service activities, and working conditions. Workers from psychosocial care centers, psychosocial care centers focused on alcohol and other drugs, and social care referral centers (both general and specialized), as well as workers with a higher education, reported feeling overburdened. Conclusion: This study offers important information regarding the relationship of mental health personnel with their work. Care providers within this sample reported an overall high level of job satisfaction, while perceived burden differed by type of service and educational attainment. To our knowledge, this is the first study with a sample of mental health professionals working with substance users across five Brazilian states.

Composición lipídica y evaluación de las actividades antioxidante y leishmanicida del basidiomiceto Ganoderma sp / Lipid composition and evaluation of the antioxidant and leishmanicidal activities of the basidiomycete Ganoderma sp

Introducción: los hongos del género Ganoderma han sido utilizados para el cuidado de la salud en la medicina tradicional asiática por más de 2000 años. Desde 1980 los estudios químicos han reportado un sin número de metabolitos secundarios con propiedades bioactivas. Objetivo: identificar compuestos lipídicos en el extracto etanólico del hongo Ganoderma sp., además de evaluar sus actividades antioxidante y leishmanicida. Métodos: la extracción de las fracciones lipídicas presentes en el cuerpo fructífero de Ganoderma sp. Se realizó por Cromatografía en Columna. La elucidación estructural se determinó por Espectrometría de Masas y Resonancia Magnética Nuclear. La actividad antioxidante del extracto etanólico fue evaluada con las metodologías del radical 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) y el radical catiónico 2,2'-azinobis (3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfónico) (ABTS); la actividad leishmanicida por citometría de flujo y la actividad citotóxica usando el ensayo colorimétrico de bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetil-tiazol-2-il)-2,5-difenil tetrazolio (MTT) sobre la línea celular U937. Resultados: diecinueve esteres metílicos y ergosterol fueron identificados por espectrometría de masas en el extracto etanólico. Un compuesto triterpenoidal se elucidó usando Espectroscopia de Resonancia Magnética Nuclear. Los valores de concentración media inhibitoria (IC 50) de la actividad antioxidante del extracto etanólico para las metodologías de los radicales DPPH y ABTS fueron de 85,63 µg/mL y 62,82 µg/mL, respectivamente. Los valores de las actividades citotóxica y leishmanicida fueron > 200,0 µg/mL y 21,5 µg/mL ± 4,4 respectivamente. Conclusiones: las estructuras de los derivados de ácidos grasos elucidados corresponden a compuestos con diferentes grados de insaturación. En este estudio se realizó el reporte de la Ganoderona A, como compuesto triterpenoidal. La elevada actividad antioxidante en relación a otros trabajos sugiere que este organismo es una fuente importante de metabolitos secundarios con propiedades captadoras de radicales libres, aunque los valores de actividad leishmanicida no fueron significativos se recomienda continuar con el estudio de otras particiones del extracto etanólico(AU)

Introduction: Fungi from the genus Ganoderma have been used in Asian traditional medicine for more than 2 000 years. Since the year 1980 chemical studies have reported a large number of secondary metabolites with bioactive properties. Objective: Identify lipid compounds in ethanolic extract from the fungus Ganoderma sp. and evaluate their antioxidant and leishmanicidal activities. Methods: Extraction of lipid fractions from the fruiting body of Ganoderma sp. was conducted by column chromatography. Structural features were determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract was evaluated with the methodologies for radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and cationic radical 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS); leishmanicidal activity by flow cytometry, and cytotoxic activity with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay (MTT) on cell line U937. Results: Nineteen methyl esters and ergosterol were identified by mass spectrometry in the ethanolic extract. A triterpenoid compound was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Mean inhibitory concentration values (IC50) for antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract using the methodologies for radicals DPPH and ABTS were 85.63 µg/ml and 62.82 µg/ml, respectively. Values for cytotoxic and leishmanicidal activities were > 200.0 µg/ml and 21.5 µg/ml ± 4.4, respectively. Conclusions: The structure of the fatty acid derivatives identified corresponds to compounds with varying degrees of unsaturation. The study included the report of Ganoderma A as a triterpenoid compound. Antioxidant activity was found to be higher than in previous studies, suggesting that this organism is an important source of secondary metabolites with free radical scavenging properties. Although leishmanicidal activity values were not found to be significant, it is recommended to study other partitions of the ethanolic extract(AU)

Predictors of Obesity and Physical Health Complaints Among 911 Telecommunicators

BACKGROUND: This study aims to: (1) examine rates of obesity and physical health complaints among 911 telecommunicators; and (2) document the role of emotion dysregulation, psychological inflexibility, duty-related distress and dissociation, and psychopathology in predicting obesity and physical health complaints in this population. METHODS: The sample consisted of 911 telecommunicators from across the country (N = 758). Participants completed an online survey assessing their mental and physical health functioning. RESULTS: A total of 82.5% of the sample reported a body mass index that fell within the overweight or obese category and an average of 17 physical health complaints within the past month. Peritraumatic reactions (distress and dissociation), emotion dysregulation, and psychological inflexibility had effects on physical health largely through psychopathology (alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression). CONCLUSION: Development of adapted prevention and intervention efforts with this population is needed.

Psychosis associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency – A case report with review of literature.

Vitamin B12 is one of the essential vitamins affecting various systems of the body. Cases of neuropsychiatric disorders due to its deficiency are more common in elderly patients with a prevalence rate of 10-20%; however there have been few cases reported in children and adolescents as well. The most common psychiatric symptoms reported in the literature associated with vitamin B12 deficiency was depression, mania, psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment, dementia,delirium, acute confusional states and obsessive compulsive disorder. Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) is a neurological complication of vitamin B12 deficiency, characterized by demyelination of the dorsal and lateral spinal cord. With an early diagnosis and treatment, further development of symptoms can be prevented, before psychosis; dementia and severe depression can develop. The treatment is simple and effective and often gives very good results in these symptoms. Here we have reported a case of vitamin B12 deficiency in 19 years old, male who presented with months history of paraparesis and 3 months history of psychosis. The patient was non vegetarian. Past medical history, was insignificant. Premorbid personality was unremarkable with no substance use/ exposure or infections. No stressors were present. He was diagnosed with sub acute combined degeneration with psychosis due to vitamin B12 deficiency. He was treated with antipsychotics and parenteral vitamin B12. Patient improved but some residual weakness persisted in lower limbs after 10 days of parental treatment with Vitamin B12.

Parasitosis intestinales y características epidemiológicas en niños de 1 a 12 años de edad: ambulatorio urbano II Laura Labellarte, Barquisimeto, Venezuela / Intestinal parasites and features epidemilógicas in children 1-12 years of age: urban outpatient II Laura Labellarte, Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Las parasitosis intestinales son aún un problema de salud pública que requiere atención de los organismos la salud. Determinar la frecuencia de parasitosis intestinales y características epidemiológicas en niños de 1 a 12 años que acudieron al Ambulatorio Urbano Tipo II “Laura Labellarte”. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con muestra no probabilística por conveniencia, constituida por 139 niños. Previo consentimiento informado se realizó una entrevista, un examen de heces directo y concentrado y método de Graham. Los datos se procesaron en el Programa EPI-INFO 2007. Se calcularon porcentajes y proporciones, Chi cuadrado y test de Fisher con intervalo de confianza de 95%. Se encontró parasitado 49,6%, sin predilección por edad ni sexo. Se identificó Blastocystis hominis (43,5%), Enterobius vermicularis (39,1%), Giardia lamblia (33,3%), Entamoeba histolytica (10,1%) y Ascaris lumbricoides (1,4%). Se encontró comensales en 15%. El mayor número de parasitados se observó en quienes tenían inadecuadas disposición de excretas (71%), conservación de los alimentos (57,1%), calidad del agua de consumo (53,8%) y frecuencia de recolección de basura (50%), así como en los sintomáticos (51,3%), siendo más frecuente el dolor abdominal (66,7%). Se demostró asociación de vectores con Blastocystis hominis, moscas con Giardia lamblia y roedores con todos los agentes hallados. La elevada frecuencia de parasitos intestinales, especialmente Blastocystis hominis, con predominio entre quienes viven con fallas en la disposición de excretas, conservación de alimentos y la calidad del agua para consumo, demuestran la persistencia de las parasitosis intestinales como problema de salud pública

The intestinal parasitisms are still a problem of public health that requires attention of health organisms. To determine the frequency of intestinal parasitism and epidemiological characteristics in children 1 to 12 years old that attended the “Laura Labellarte” Urban Type II Ambulatory. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed, with a nonprobabilistic by convenience sample, constituted by 139 children. With a previous informed consent, parents were interviewed and a direct and concentrate fecal analysis and a Graham´s test were performed. The data was processed in EPI-INFO 2007 Program. Percentage, proportions, Chi square and Fisher`s test with confidence interval of 95% were calculated. 49,6% of patients were parasited, with no predilection by age or sex. Blastocystis hominis (43,5%), Enterobius vermicularis (39,1%), Giardia lamblia (33,3%), Entamoeba histolytica (10,1%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (1,4%) were identified. The greater number of parasited patients was observed in those who had inadequate disposition of feces (71%), food storage (57,1%), quality of drinking water (53,8%) and garbage collection (50%) as well as in symptomatic children (51,3%). The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain (66,7%). Association of vectors with Blastocystis hominis, flies with Giardia lamblia and rodents with all causal agents was demonstrated. The high intestinal parasitisms frequency, especially Blastocystis hominis, with predominance among those who live with faults in feces disposition, foods storage and quality of drinking water, demonstrates the persistence of intestinal parasitisms as a public health problem

Alteraciones clínico-metabólicas en mujeres con diabetes gestacional previa / Clinical metabolic disorders in women with previous gestational diabetes

Conocer la frecuencia de diabetes y otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres con diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) previa. Se evaluaron 92 mujeres con DMG previa, a quienes no se les había diagnosticado diabetes, que asistieron a la pesquisa posparto inicial o anual durante 2008. Se determinó presión arterial, circunferencia abdominal (CA) e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se practicó prueba de tolerancia oral a la glucosa, medición de niveles de insulina y lípidos séricos. Se estableció la presencia de síndrome metabólico (SM), aplicando los criterios ATP III e índice de resistencia a la insulina mediante el modelo Homa-R. Se usó t Student para la asociación de variables. La media de edad fue 34,7 ± 6,6 años y del período posparto, 3,5 ± 2,6 años. En 8,7 por ciento se hizo el diagnóstico de diabetes, 32,6 por ciento intolerancia a la glucosa y 12,0 por ciento, glucemia alterada en ayunas. 62,1 por ciento presentaba obesidad abdominal, 62,5 por ciento, algún tipo de dislipidemia y 23,80 por ciento, elevación de la presión arterial. 46,4 por ciento reunía los criterios de SM y 29,6 por ciento mostró un índice HOMA-R > 2,5. Las cifras de CA, IMC, triglicéridos, glucemia basal, glucemia 2 horas post-carga, e insulina 2 horas poscarga fueron más altas (P< 0,05) en mujeres con anormalidades de la tolerancia a la glucosa que en aquellas con tolerancia normal. Las mujeres con DMG previa muestran una elevada frecuencia de alteraciones clínicas y metabólicas que representan un potencial incremento del riesgo cardiovascular en un grupo poblacional relativamente joven

To know the frequency of diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). 92 women with previous GDM, without diagnosis of diabetes, who underwent initial or annual postpartum diabetes screening during 2008, were assessed. Blood pressure, abdominal circumference and body mass index were measured. They were tested for an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was diagnosed according ATP III criteria and the HOMA-R model was used for the insulin resistance index calculation. Student’s t test was used for variables association. The average age was 34.7 ± 6.6 years and postpartum period, 3.5 ± 2.6 years. 8.7 percent was diagnosed with diabetes, 32.6 percent with impaired glucose tolerance and 12.0 percent with impaired fasting glucose. 62.1 percent showed abdominal obesity, 62.5 percent presented some type of dyslipidemia and 23.8 percent, high blood pressure. 46.4 percent met the criteria for MS, and 29.6 percent showed a HOMA-R Index > 2.5. Abdominal circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, triglycerides, basal glucose, 2-h post-load glucose and 2-h post-load insulin values were higher (P< 0.05) in women with abnormal glucose tolerance than those with normal glucose tolerance. Women with previous GDM show a high frequency of clinical and metabolic abnormalities that point towards a potential increase of cardiovascular risk in a relatively young population

Analysis of cross-reactivity between group 1 allergens from mites

Mite allergen exposure can lead to sensitization in genetically predisposed individuals, and the development of asthma in previously sensitized individuals. The major allergens of mites belong to Dermatophagoides spp. and Blomia tropicalis (Bt). Various allergens of Bt have been cloned and sequenced. Some of them show homology sequence with purified allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronissynus (Dp). Recently, the allergen group 1 from Bt, Blo t 1, was cloned and sequenced at our laboratory. Recombinant Blo t 1 showed 35 % of identity and 50% of similarity with group 1 allergens as Der p 1 (from Dp), Der f 1 (from D. farinae) and Eur m 1 (from Euroglyphus maynei) at amino acid level. This would suggest that cross-reactivity between allergens of different mite species could exist. Here, we analyzed the crossreactivity between group 1 allergens from mites using recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies against them. ELISA inhibition assay showed that crossreactivity between homologous allergens from Dermatophagoides spp. is high, but it is low to moderate between mites from different species. IgE-reactivity analysis using serum samples from allergic individuals revealed a strong reactivity of rBlo t 1 for serum samples from subjects with highly positive reaction to Bt extract in skin test, but lack of reactivity of this protein with serum samples from individuals with highly positive reaction to house dust mite extract in the skin test. These results suggest that it is important to include Bt allergens in routine skin test in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy and precision of allergies.

Frecuencia e implicaciones clínicas del anticoagulante lúpico en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica estadio V en programa de hemodiálisis en Maracaibo Venezuela / Frequency and clinical implications of lupus anticoagulant in patients with terminal chronic renal failure in hemodialysis

El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la frecuencia del anticoagulante lúpico (AL) en una población de pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC) estadio V y su posible asociación con fenómenos trombóticos. Se estudiaron 63 pacientes que se clasificaron en dos (2) grupos: el Grupo A integrado por 32 pacientes con IRC estadio V sometidos a tratamiento de hemodiálisis y el Grupo B constituido por 31 pacientes con IRC en diferentes estadios bajo tratamiento conservador. Se determinó la presencia del AL por medio del método del veneno de v¡bora de Russell diluido. Se encontró AL positivo en cuatro pacientes (12,5 por ciento) del Grupo A y ninguno del Grupo B. Se presentaron siete eventos trombóticos (21,87 por ciento) en el grupo A y ninguno en el grupo B, tres de los eventos corresponden a 2 pacientes con AL positivo. Se estableció una diferencia estadísticamente significante (p < 0,001) entre los pacientes con AL positivo y con AL negativo que mostraron eventos trombóticos sometidos a hemodiálisis. 3 de los 4 pacientes con AL positivo, eran diabéticos y tenían menos de seis meses en hemodiálisis. El acceso vascular de todos los pacientes con AL positivo fue el catéter, representando el 57,1 por ciento de todos los pacientes con ésta forma de acceso vascular. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren la existencia de una relación entre la positividad del AL y la producción de eventos trombóticos en los pacientes con IRC estadio V sometidos a hemodiálisis a través de catéter, por lo que es conveniente determinar el AL en la exploración diagnóstica de los pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis, cuyo resultado posibilite la intervención preventiva o terapéutica adecuada a cada caso así como promover la confección precoz del acceso vascular permanente para hemodiálisis y evitar el uso prolongado de los accesos vasculares transitorios (catéter).

Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad del Zulia: pertinencia social y académica / Dental Faculty of the University of Zulia: social and academic pertinence

Evidenciar, la pertinencia social y académica de la Facultad de Odontología. Se utilizó el análisis prospectivo para caracterizar el modelo educativo y perfilar su tendencia en el contexto actual y futuro de la Universidad. La institución ha transitado cambios en su estructura académico-administrativo en el proceso de formación del talento humano comprometido socialmente. Los cambios están ligados con propuestas innovadoras gestados en períodos históricamente determinados. En estos procesos se ha buscado superar los modelos hegemónicos que sustentan la praxis en salud en los países latinoamericanos, intentando contribuir a resolver los problemas de salud de la población.

Cronología y secuencia de erupción de dientes permanentes en escolares wayúu. parroquia idelfonso vasquez. municipio maracaibo - estado zulia / Chronology and sequence of permanent teeth eruption in wayúu students. Idelfonso Vasquez Parish. Maracaibo County, Zulia State. Venezuela.

Se determina la cronología y secuencia de erupción de dientes permanentes, mediante estudio transversal sobre una muestra aleatoria de 512 niños de la etnia indígena wayúu, en edades entre 6 y 17 años, seleccionados entre los estudiantes de las escuelas de la parroquia Idelfonso Vásquez del Municipio Maracaibo (Estado Zulia - Venezuela). Para precisar la cronología, se utilizó el procedimiento empleado por Méndez en el estudio nacional de crecimiento y desarrollo humano de la República de Venezuela. La secuencia fue establecida de acuerdo con la sucesión cronológica de la edad mediana del grado de emergencia clínica inicial. Los resultados demuestran que la edad de erupción dentaria es más temprana en los niños wayúu que en los criollos, e igualmente que los dientes de la arcada inferior erupcionan más temprano que los de la arcada superior. La secuencia de erupción en los niños wayúu en la arcada superior es 26-16-, 11-21, 12-22, 14-24, 13-23, 15-25, 17-27 y en la arcada inferior [46-36, 31-41], 42-32, 34-44, 33-43,[ 45-35, 47-37]. Finalmente, se identificaron en el wayúu, “condiciones de beneficio” (bajo índice de extracciones prematuras, índice de exfoliación fisiológica, amamantamiento prolongado y consumo de alimentos sólidos a temprana edad), relacionados con sus prácticas culturales.

This study determines the chronology and sequence of permanent teeth eruption, using a cross-sectional in a random sample of 512 children of the wayúu ethnic group, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old, selected between the students of the schools of the Idelfonso Vasquez parish in Maracaibo County (Zulia State, Venezuela). In order to establish chronological dental eruption, the Mendez procedure was used, this procedure was initially used in the national growth and development study of the Venezuelan Republic. The sequence was established in accordance with the chronological succession of the average age degree of initial clinical emergency. The results show that the age of dental eruption is earlier in wayúu children then in the “criollo”, being this process even more accelerated in the female gender then in the male, also it was found that just as in the criollo group teeth in the lower maxilla erupt earlier then in the upper maxilla. The eruption sequence in the wayúu children in the upper maxilla was 26-16, 11-21, 12-22, 14-24, 13-23, 15-25, 17-27 and in the lower maxilla 46-36, 31-41, 42-32, 34-44, 33-43, 45-35, 47-37. Finally, this study allows the identification of “beneficial conditions” in the wayúu children such as: low index of premature extractions, low index of prolonged retention of primary teeth and high index of physiological exfoliation.

FACO/LUZ: hacia la construcción de un modelo educativo integral en odontología (parte I) / FACO/LUZ: towards the construction of an integred educational model in dentistry (part I)

Construir un modelo educativo integral que de respuesta a los retos de la odontología como ciencia comprometida socialmente, tanto en el contexto nacional como latinoamericano. Parte de algunas consideraciones que develan los principios y las políticas del Estado que rigen la educación superior en el mundo contemporáneo. Para la construcción de la propuesta, la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad del Zulia, FACO/LUZ, dio apertura a escenarios de discusión con la participación de los actores involucrados en el proceso, con la finalidad de evaluar la experiencia institucional en materia curricular. Igualmente, realizó un análisis crítico de las tendencias mundiales en educación y salud, a objeto de incorporarlas a la propuesta. En sus alcances el modelo posibilita la formación de talento humano cuya praxis apunte a la transformación cuali-cuantitativa, de la situación de salud bucal de la población. En su marco filosófico reafirma el modelo educativo docencia-servicio-investigación e inserta conceptos actuales relacionados con la bioética, transculturalidad, la epidiscipilinariedad y el uso de las lenguas autóctonas de la región y el país. Finalmente, el modelo permite integrar la teoría y la práctica (estudio-trabajo) en el marco de la estratégia de la atención primaria en salud.

Expresión y actividad de posibles polimorfismos provenientes de individuos normales en la proteína de 67 kd del sistema NADPH oxidasa utilizando el sistema COS phox / Expression and activity of polymorphisms in the 67-kDa protein of the NADPH oxidase system

El sistema NADPH oxidasa de las células fagocíticas cumple una función importante durante la respuesta antimicrobiana del organismo. La activación de este sistema está precedida por la translocación de las proteínas citosólicas p67 phox , p47 phox y p40 phox hacia la membrana para ponerse en contacto con el flavocitocromo b 558 , lo que induce la generación del anión superóxido, un precursor de agentes microbicidas oxidantes. El presente trabajo presenta un análisis funcional del sistema NADPH oxidasa basado en los hallazgos de polimorfismos encontrados en el gen de p67 phox de individuos sanos. Para esto se generaron mutaciones en el cADN que codifica la p67 phox y se expresaron en el sistema de células COS phox . Los datos obtenidos en el presente trabajo indican que los cambios Val 166 .Ile, Pro 329 .Ser y His 389 .Gln no generan alteraciones en el funcionamiento de la p67 phox cuando su función se analizó en el sistema transgénico basado en células COS-7. Por lo tanto, estos polimorfismos no generan ningún riesgo genético de producir deficiencias en la activación del sistema NADPH oxidasa. Además, se demuestra que el modelo de células COS phox representa un nuevo sistema celular, fácilmente transfectable que permite estudiar la función del sistema NADPH oxidasa de las células fagocíticas y sus particularidades genéticas. Finalmente, los hallazgos con estos polimorfismos nos permiten avanzar en el conocimiento sobre los mecanismos moleculares involucrados en la activación del sistema NADPH oxidasa células fagocíticas

Caracterización parasitológica, patogénica e inmunogénica de cepas salvajes de T. cruzi aisladas en los estados Lara y Yaracuy Venezuela / Parasitologic, pathogenic and inmunogenic's characteristics were determined from wild strains isolated from vectors and reservoirs in the states of Lara and Yaracuy Venezuela

Se determinaron las características parasitológicas, patogénicas e inmunogénicas de cepas salvajes de T. cruzi, aislados en los estados Lara y Yaracuy en Venezuela, comparadas con la cepa patrón YBM. la muestra consistió de cuarenta ratas (40) Sprague Dawley de 03 semanas de edad, divididas en 04 grupos de 10 ratas c/u. Cada rata fue inoculada con 100 tripomastigotes metacíclicos/gr. peso del animal, vía intradérmica. Cada grupo fue tratado con una cepa diferente, cuya identificación y procedencia era desconocida para los investigadores (método doble ciego). La parasitemia fue evaluada cada semana por 8 semanas mediante un Hemocitómetro. La integridad del Sistema Nervioso Autónomo (SNA) y de la funcionalidad cardíaca fue evaluada mediante estudios electrocardiográficos realizados antes y después de administrar Felinefrina 1mg/kg. Se realizaron tres estudios electrocardiográficos: animal sano (pre-inoculación), etapa aguda) 4 semanas post-inoculación) y etapa subaguda (9 semanas post-inoculación). La inmunogenicidad fue medida a los dos meses post inoculación, mediante la titulación de anticuerpos tipo IgG anti-T. cruzi y mediante Hipersensibilidad retardada. Nuestros estudios revelaron que la cepa Cauderales mostró la mayor (p<0.05) parasitemia comparadas con las cepas Nirgua y YBM, las cuales mostraron niveles menores de parasitemia; Guariquito no indujo parasitemia. La cepa de Nirgua fue la que evidenció una mayor inmunogenicidad del tipo humoral (p<0.05) y una mayor alteración del SNA reflejado por un aumento significativo de la respuestas bradicardizante en el período agudo y una respuesta taquicardizante significativa en el período subagudo ante la administración de FE. Cauderales mostró una inmunogenicidad humoral similar a YBM y no presentaron alteraciones en el SNA. Gúariquito no mostró respuesta inmune humoral, sin embargo; presentaron alteraciones en el SNA.

Phytomedicinal potential of tropical cloudforest plants from Monteverde, Costa Rica

A pharmacological survey of plants from Monteverde, Costa Rica, including 165 species representing 61 families has been carried out. Crude plant extracts have been tested for in-vitro bactericidal and fungicidal activity as well as cytotoxic and anti-herpes activity. Of these, 123 extracts exhibited notable cytotoxicity, 62 showed antibacterial activity, 4 showed antifungal activity, and 8 showed promising antiviral activity. Thus, 101 of the plant species examined in this work, or 62, showed marked bioactivity in one or more bioassays. These results underscore the phytomedicinal potential of Neotropical cloud forests.