Digital Health Literacy Related to COVID-19: Validation and Implementation of a Questionnaire in Hispanic University Students.

Digital health literacy influences decision-making in health. There are no validated instruments to evaluate the digital literacy about COVID-19 in Spanish-speaking countries. This study aimed to validate the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) about COVID-19 adapted to Spanish (COVID-DHLI-Spanish) in university students and to describe its most important results. A cross-sectional study was developed with 2318 university students from Spain, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha and principal component analysis. Construct validity was analyzed using Spearman's correlations and the Kruskal−Wallis test. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was good for the global scale (Cronbach's alpha 0.69, 95% CI 0.67) as well as for its dimensions. A total of 51.1% (n = 946) of students had sufficient digital literacy, 40.1% (n = 742) had problematic digital literacy, and 8.8% (n = 162) had inadequate digital literacy. The DHLI was directly and significantly correlated with age, subjective social perception, sense of coherence, and well-being (p < 0.001). The average digital literacy was higher in men than in women, in students older than 22 years, and in those with greater satisfaction with online information (p < 0.001). The COVID-DHLI-Spanish is useful for measuring the digital literacy about COVID-19 in Spanish-speaking countries. This study suggests gaps by gender and socioeconomic perception.

Health of the Newborn and Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review / Saúde do recém-nascido e amamentação durante a pandemia de COVID-19: Uma revisão da literatura

Abstract Objective The present article presents a literature review concerning the microbiota of breast milk and the influence of epigenetics in the susceptibility to COVID-19. Methods A literature review. Results Breastfeeding transfers microbiota, nutrients, diverse white blood cells, prebiotics, hormones, and antibodies to the baby, which provide short- and longterm immunological protection against several infectious, gastrointestinal, and respiratory illnesses. The little evidence available shows that breast milk very rarely carries the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and even in those cases, it has been discarded as the source of contagion. Conclusion The reviewed studies show evidence of a beneficial effect of breastfeeding and highlights its importance on the current pandemic due to the immune reinforcement that it provides. Breastfed individuals showed better clinical response due to the influence on the microbiota and to the nutritional and immune contribution provided by breast milk, compared with those who were not breastfed.

Resumo Objetivo O presente artigo apresenta uma revisão de literatura sobre amicrobiota do leite materno e a influência da epigenética na suscetibilidade à COVID-19. Métodos Revisão de literatura. Resultados A amamentação transfere microbiota, nutrientes, diversos glóbulos brancos, prebióticos, hormônios e anticorpos para o bebê, os quais proporcionam proteção imunológica de curto e longo prazo contra diversas doenças infecciosas, gastrointestinais e respiratórias. As poucas evidências disponíveis mostram que o leite materno transportamuito raramente o vírus SARS-CoV-2, emesmo nestes casos, ele foi descartado como fonte de contágio. Conclusão Os estudos revisados mostram evidências de um efeito benéfico da amamentação e destacam sua importância na atual pandemia devido ao reforço imunológico que ela proporciona. Os indivíduos amamentados mostraram melhor resposta clínica devido à influência sobre a microbiota, e à contribuição nutricional e imunológica proporcionada pelo leite materno, em comparação com aqueles que não o foram.

Health of the Newborn and Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: The present article presents a literature review concerning the microbiota of breast milk and the influence of epigenetics in the susceptibility to COVID-19. METHODS: A literature review. RESULTS: Breastfeeding transfers microbiota, nutrients, diverse white blood cells, prebiotics, hormones, and antibodies to the baby, which provide short- and long-term immunological protection against several infectious, gastrointestinal, and respiratory illnesses. The little evidence available shows that breast milk very rarely carries the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and even in those cases, it has been discarded as the source of contagion. CONCLUSION: The reviewed studies show evidence of a beneficial effect of breastfeeding and highlights its importance on the current pandemic due to the immune reinforcement that it provides. Breastfed individuals showed better clinical response due to the influence on the microbiota and to the nutritional and immune contribution provided by breast milk, compared with those who were not breastfed.

OBJETIVO: O presente artigo apresenta uma revisão de literatura sobre a microbiota do leite materno e a influência da epigenética na suscetibilidade à COVID-19. MéTODOS: Revisão de literatura. RESULTADOS: A amamentação transfere microbiota, nutrientes, diversos glóbulos brancos, prebióticos, hormônios e anticorpos para o bebê, os quais proporcionam proteção imunológica de curto e longo prazo contra diversas doenças infecciosas, gastrointestinais e respiratórias. As poucas evidências disponíveis mostram que o leite materno transporta muito raramente o vírus SARS-CoV-2, e mesmo nestes casos, ele foi descartado como fonte de contágio. CONCLUSãO: Os estudos revisados mostram evidências de um efeito benéfico da amamentação e destacam sua importância na atual pandemia devido ao reforço imunológico que ela proporciona. Os indivíduos amamentados mostraram melhor resposta clínica devido à influência sobre a microbiota, e à contribuição nutricional e imunológica proporcionada pelo leite materno, em comparação com aqueles que não o foram.

Lactancia materna durante la Pandemiade COVID-19 / Breastfeeding During Covid-19 Pandemic

Propósito dela revisión:El objetivo de la revisión es delinear el rol de la Lactancia materna en mujeres con sospecha o diagnóstico de COVID-19. Buscamos reportes en donde se incluye el rol de la microbiota de la leche materna bajo las condiciones de la pandemia de COVID-19. Recientes Hallazgos: Actualmente existen reportes de detección de anticuerpos contra SARS-CoV en la sangre del cordón umbilical y en la leche materna.La placenta tiene una expresión muy baja de los receptores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA2) que parecen limitar la entrada de SARS-CoV-2al feto. Extracto: El apego precoz del recién nacido a su madre y la lactancia materna en la primera hora después del nacimiento, al igual que el mantenimientode la lactancia exclusiva en los primeros 6 meses de vida, garantizan un crecimiento y desarrollo adecuados, así como la protección inmunológica a enfermedades, especialmente respiratorias y digestivas. En el caso de madres con COVID-19, no se ha documentado transmisión vertical de la madre al hijo. No hay evidencia del virus en el líquido amniótico al momento del nacimiento de un bebé ni en la leche materna, por lo que se indica continuar la lactancia, pero cumpliendo rigurosamente las medidas de seguridad e higiene. Adicionalmente, se ha reportado que el tipo de parto y el manejo del mismo podrían estar implicados en el contagio por COVID-19, a través de sangre, heces fecales y otros.

Purpose of the review: The objective of the review is to delineate the role of Breastfeeding in women with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19. We are looking for reports that include the role of the breast milk microbiota under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent Findings: Currently there arereports of detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV in umbilical cord blood and breast milk. The placenta has a very low expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptors that appear to limit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the fetus. Extract: Theprecocious attachment of the newborn to its mother and breastfeeding in the first hour after birth, as well as the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, guarantee adequate growth and development, as well as the immunological protection against diseases, especially respiratory and digestive. In the case of mothers with COVID-19, vertical transmission from mother to child has not been documented. There is no evidence of the virus in the amniotic fluid at the time of the birth of a baby or in breast milk, so it is indicated to continue breastfeeding, but strictly complying with safety and hygiene measures. Additionally, it has been reported that the type of delivery and its management could be involved in the spread of COVID-19,through blood, feces and others

Métodos de identificación polifásica aplicados a la búsqueda de microorganismos con potencial industrial / Polyphasic identification methods applied in searching for microorganisms with industrial potential

Introducción: La bioprospección de metabolitos de interés antropogénico emplea métodos de recolección de microorganismos en ecosistemas extremófilos o endémicos. La microbiota aislada en estos lugares puede o no incluir microorganismos patógenos. Es imprescindible un enfoque interdisciplinario que permita abordar la búsqueda de las especies de interés mientras se preserva la buena salud de los investigadores. Objetivo: Identificar molecular, bioquímica y morfológicamente microorganismos patógenos humanos en cepas celulolíticas de importancia industrial almacenadas en el banco de cepas del Laboratorio de Investigación de la Facultad de Ingeniería Química de la Universidad Central del Ecuador, procedentes del Yasuní, la Antártida y Balzapamba. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de bioprospección de bacterias celulolíticas empleando técnicas de microbiología ambiental. Se evaluaron las características morfológicas mediante tinciones, como por ejemplo Gram. Además, se realizaron pruebas bioquímicas y antibiogramas para bacterias Gram-negativas y Gram-positivas. Las pruebas moleculares utilizaron extracción de ADN bacteriano para la secuenciación Sanger del gen 16S. Resultados: Se encontraron las especies Klebsiella pneumoniae (Y2 y Y3r) y Nocardia asteroides (Y1 y Y3p) en las muestras de material lignocelulósico recolectadas en Yasuní, mientras que las especies aisladas en la Antártida y en Balzapamba corresponden a Bacillus subtillis. Conclusiones: Se identificaron cepas pertenecientes a diferentes géneros bacterianos. Las bacterias del género Klebsiella, en las muestras colectadas en Yasuní, podrían tener un potencial patógeno. Eso se puede corroborar con técnicas de genotipificación. Por lo tanto, puede existir riesgo para los seres humanos que realizan bioprospección en ese ecosistema y se deben tomar medidas de bioseguridad.

Abstract Background: The bioprospection of metabolites of anthropogenic interests employs methods of collecting microorganisms in extremophile or endemic ecosystems. The microbiota isolated in these places may or may not include pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach is essential to address the search of the species of interest while the good health of the researchers is preserved. Objective: To identify in molecular, biochemical and morphologically ways some human pathogenic microorganisms in cellulolytic strains of industrial importance stored in the strain bank of the Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the Central University of Ecuador, from Yasuní, Antarctic and Balzapamba. Methods: IA bioprospecting study of cellulolytic bacteria was performed using environmental microbiology techniques. Morphological characteristics were assessed by Gram staining. In addition, biochemical tests and antibiograms were performed for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The molecular tests used extraction of bacterial ADN for 16S gene Sanger sequencing. Results: The species Klebsiella pneumoniae (Y2 and Y3r) and Nocardia asteroides (Y1 and Y3p) were found in samples of lignocellulosic material collected in Yasuni, while the isolated species in Antarctica and Balzapamba correspond to Bacillus subtillis. Conclusions: Strains belonging to different bacterial genera were identified. The bacteria of the genus Klebsiella from the samples collected in Yasuní could have a potential pathogen. This can be corroborated with genotyping techniques. Therefore, there could be a risk to humans who perform bioprospecting in that ecosystem and biosecurity measures should be taken.