Analysis of the Effects of Lockdown on Staff and Students at Universities in Spain and Colombia Using Natural Language Processing Techniques.

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of lockdown using natural language processing techniques, particularly sentiment analysis methods applied at large scale. Further, our work searches to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the university community, jointly on staff and students, and with a multi-country perspective. The main findings of this work show that the most often related words were "family", "anxiety", "house", and "life". Besides this finding, we also have shown that staff have a slightly less negative perception of the consequences of COVID-19 in their daily life. We have used artificial intelligence models such as swivel embedding and a multilayer perceptron as classification algorithms. The performance that was reached in terms of accuracy metrics was 88.8% and 88.5% for students and staff, respectively. The main conclusion of our study is that higher education institutions and policymakers around the world may benefit from these findings while formulating policy recommendations and strategies to support students during this and any future pandemics.

The Impact of COVID 19 on University Staff and Students from Iberoamerica: Online Learning and Teaching Experience.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great impact on mental health in society. Considering the little attention paid by scientific studies to either students or university staff during lockdown, the current study has two aims: (a) to analyze the evolution of mental health and (b) to identify predictors of educational/professional experience and online learning/teaching experience. (2) Methods: 1084 university students and 554 staff in total from four different countries (Spain, Colombia, Chile and Nicaragua) participated in the study, affiliated with nine different universities, four of them Spanish and one of which was online. We used an online survey known as LockedDown, which consists of 82 items, analyzed with classical multiple regression analyses and machine learning techniques. (3) Results: Stress level and feelings of anxiety and depression of students and staff either increased or remained over the weeks. A better online learning experience for university students was associated with the age, perception of the experience as beneficial and support of the university. (4) Conclusions: The study has shown evidence of the emotional impact and quality of life for both students and staff. For students, the evolution of feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as the support offered by the university affected the educational experience and online learning. For staff who experienced a positive professional experience, with access to services and products, the quality-of-life levels were maintained.

A hybrid mathematical modeling approach of the metabolic fate of a fluorescent sphingolipid analogue to predict cancer chemosensitivity.

Sphingolipid (SL) metabolism is a complex biological system that produces and transforms ceramides and other molecules able to modulate other cellular processes, including survival or death pathways key to cell fate decisions. This signaling pathway integrates several types of stress signals, including chemotherapy, into changes in the activity of its metabolic enzymes, altering thereby the cellular composition of bioactive SLs. Therefore, the SL pathway is a promising sensor of chemosensitivity in cancer and a target hub to overcome resistance. However, there is still a gap in our understanding of how chemotherapeutic drugs can disturb the SL pathway in order to control cellular fate. We propose to bridge this gap by a systems biology approach to integrate i) a dynamic model of SL analogue (BODIPY-FL fluorescent-sphingomyelin analogue, SM-BOD) metabolism, ii) a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) of the fluorescence features to identify how the SL pathway senses the effect of chemotherapy and iii) a fuzzy logic model (FLM) to associate SL composition with cell viability by semi-quantitative rules. Altogether, this hybrid model approach was able to predict the cell viability of double experimental perturbations with chemotherapy, indicating that the SL pathway is a promising sensor to design strategies to overcome drug resistance in cancer.

Responsabilidad social institucional (RSI): experiencias en el entorno de una emergencia política compleja / Institutional social responsibility (RSI): experiences in the environment of a complex political emergency

Las instituciones académicas en su contexto funcional deben estar comprometidas con una gestión socialmente responsable. La teoría de la Responsabilidad Social presenta cuatro dimensiones relacionadas con los beneficios, el desempeño político, las demandas sociales y los valores éticos. La RSI de la ANM venezolana asume y exige, desde una visión globalizada, articular las diversas partes de la institución en un proyecto de promoción social de principios éticos y de desarrollo social equitativo y sostenible. Ante la tragedia que vive Venezuela, en los últimos 3 años, donde la crisis humanitaria, dado el grado de complejidad y prolongación en el tiempo, ha evolucionado a una emergencia política compleja se identifican sus factores fundamentales, tales como la inseguridad alimentaria, las epidemias, los desplazamientos forzados, la conflictividad y violencia con víctimas mortales en número creciente, el empobrecimiento acelerado de la población y la falta de acceso a servicios básicos, insumos y medicamentos esenciales. A partir de esta situación se plantea un modelo dinámico de RSI para afrontar los retos de la crisis con énfasis en la grave situación de la salud. Se analizan los aspectos más relevantes de la Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida (ENCOVI) que se realiza en forma consecutiva desde 2014 y que describe la realidad imperante en el país, lo que demuestra la dimensión de la tragedia que afronta Venezuela. Considerando cifras oficiales y extraoficiales de organizaciones no gubernamentales de gran credibilidad se describe la grave situación que plantean las enfermedades emergentes y reemergentes tales como la malaria, el sarampión, dengue, chikungunya y difteria. Mención aparte merece la situación de la salud materno-infantil y juvenil dada la vulnerabilidad de este segmento de la población, considerando, entre otros aspectos la alta mortalidad neonatal. Junto a la solicitud de retomar la senda de una gerencia de estado que responda a nuestra realidad nacional se plantea una estrategia de comunicación basada en la educación médica y comunitaria que haga operativa y exitosa esta propuesta de RSI, considerando, entre otros elementos nuestro proyecto de maestría y la promoción de doctorados de futuros Académicos Individuos de Número (AU)

The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) upregulates metalloproteinase-2 and VEGF through PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2 activation in human trophoblast Swan 71 cells.

INTRODUCTION: Although the expression of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and its receptor (G-CSFR) in placental tissues suggests that the cytokine could play a role in placental development, the relevance of G-CSF:G-CSFR interaction in trophoblast cells remains to be studied. Thus, the possible functional role of G-CSF was examined in a human trophoblast cell line (Swan 71 cells). METHODS AND RESULTS: The expression of G-CSFR was detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot assays. G-CSF treatment exerted neither a proliferative nor a protective effect on H2O2-mediated cell death in trophoblast cells. Gelatin zymography of supernatants collected from G-CSF-treated cells showed an increment of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity. We also found higher MMP-2 and VEGF expression levels in conditioned medium from cells exposed to G-CSF. In addition, it was demonstrated that G-CSF induced the activation of PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2 pathways, which in turn activated NF-kB. By using selective pharmacological inhibitors, it was showed that these pathways are mediating the biological effects produced by G-CSF in Swan 71 cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated for the first time that G-CSF increases MMP-2 activity and VEGF secretion in Swan 71 cells through activation of PI3K/Akt and Erk signaling pathways, both contributing to the translocation of NF-kB to the nucleus. These data suggest that G-CSF is involved in the regulation of trophoblast function, and should be considered as a locally produced cytokine probably contributing to embryo implantation and the development of a functional placenta.

Reflexiones de José María Bengoa sobre la pobreza: aportes de una conferencia en la universidad simón bolívar / Reflections of Jose Maria Bengoa on poverty: contributions from a conference at universidad simón bolívar

El trabajo revisa las concepciones de José María Bengoa sobre la pobreza. Se parte del análisis de su célebre publicación sobre la Medicina Social en el medio rural venezolano de 1940, en la cual presenta sus primeras interpretaciones sobre las manifestaciones de la pobreza, especialmente vinculadas con el salario. En una segunda parte se analiza una conferencia dictada por Bengoa en la Universidad Simón Bolívar en 1990, en la cual presenta los rasgos fundamentales en la evolución de la pobreza en el contexto de América Latina y Venezuela. En esta publicación Bengoa formula propuestas para mejorar el diseño de los programas de reducción de la pobreza, con repercusiones en la práctica de las políticas sociales. Finalmente, se plantean las implicaciones para la acción que tales concepciones tienen en la agenda actual de la política social en Venezuela(AU)

The paper reviews the conceptions of Jose Maria Bengoa on poverty. Firstly, the analysis takes into account the initial reflections of Bengoa on poverty published in his seminal work “Medicina Social en el medio rural venezolano” in 1940. In this publication, Bengoa presents his first interpretations on the characteristics of poverty, especially those associated with family income. In the next section, the paper analyzes the contents presented by Bengoa in a conference at USB in 1990. In the conference, Bengoa points out the relevant features of the evolution of poverty in the context of Latin America and Venezuela and proposes alternatives to improve the design of programs in this area of social policy. Finally, the paper presents major implications for action in the current social policy agenda in Venezuela(AU)

[Spondylodiscitis due to Fusobacterium nucleatum: new diagnostic method]. / Espondilodiscitis por Fusobacterium nucleatum: nueva forma de diagnóstico.

Fusobacterium spp. are Gram negative anaerobe bacteria. Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by these bacteria is very unusual; in fact, we could only find 11 cases in the literature. We report the case of a male, 46 year-old patient who had had lumbar pain for several weeks that irradiated to the right leg, and did not respond to NSAID treatment. The work-up included MRI, biopsy with draining of the collection and a universal PCR followed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The latter was used to make the microbiologic diagnosis, which identified Fusobacterium nucleatum as the causative agent. Final treatment consisted of clindamycin. In conclusion, spondylodiscitis due to Fusobacterium spp. is a rare and difficult to diagnose entity, due both to its clinical characteristics and to the difficulty in making the right microbiologic diagnosis. Vertebral biopsy and molecular microbiologic techniques such as Universal PCR rDNa, are essential to identifying the organism, making the diagnosis and prescribing appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Sistema político, políticas públicas y calidad de la atención médica a las enfermedades cardiovasculares: caso de estudio en Caracas-Venezuela / Political System, Public Policy and Quality of Medical Care for Cardiovascular Disease: A Case Study in Caracas, Venezuela / Sistema político, políticas públicas equalidade da assistência médica para doença cardiovascular: um estudo de caso em Caracas, Venezuela

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la calidad del servicio de cardiología del Hospital Militar “Dr. Carlos Arvelo”, con base en los criterios del Programa Cardiovascular del Estado Venezolano.Durante el periodo de estudio (1990-2009), se caracterizaron dos sistemas políticos totalmente diferentes que influyeron en los resultados de la investigación. El estudio fue retrospectivo. Se utilizaron dos tipos de instrumentos, siendo la unidad de análisis los 1421 pacientes egresadosde la institución con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio. Para la evaluación se utilizó la auditoría llamada “muestreo irrestricto aleatorio”. Los resultados alcanzados fueron: a) para el periodo 1990- 1999 la calidad del servicio fue de 73%; b) durante el periodo 1999-2009 la calidadse cuantificó en 58%. La institución no se planificó para un aumento del 75% de la población atendida en el segundo periodo, siendo objeto de una política que desmejoró su calidad...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the cardiology service at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital based on the criteria of the Venezuelan State Cardiovascular Program. Duringthe study period (1990-2009), two completely different political systems were in effect and had an impact on the research results. The study had a retrospective approach. We used two types of instruments and had 1421 patients discharged from the institution with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction as the unit of analysis. For the assessment, we used the simple randomsampling audit method. The results achieved were: a) during the 1990-1999 period the quality of service was 73%, b) during the 1999-2009 period the quality was quantified as 58%. Theinstitution was not prepared for an increase of 75% in the population served during the second period, as a result of the implementation of a policy that worsened the quality of the service...

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade do serviço de cardiologia do Hospital Militar “Dr. Carlos Arvelo “, com base nos critérios do Programa Cardiovascular do Estado Venezuelano.Durante o período de estudo (1990-2009), caracterizaram-se dois sistemas políticos totalmente diferentes que influiram sobre os resultados da pesquisa. O estudo foi retrospectivo. Utulizaram-se dois tipos de instrumentos, sendo a unidade de análise os 1421 pacientes que receberam alta com diagnóstico de infarto agudo do miocárdio. Para a avaliação utilizou-se a auditoria chamada de “amostragem irrestrita aleatória”. Os resultados alcançados foram: a) para o período 1990 – 1999,a qualidade de serviço foi de 73%, b) durante o período 1999-2009, a qualidade foi quantificada em 58%. A instituição não foi planejada para um aumento de 75% da população atendida no segundo período, sendo alvo de uma política que desmelhorou a sua qualidade...

Preparation for a medical mission to Jamaica--pharmacy's perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To describe preparation of a medical mission from a pharmacy team's perspective. METHODS: Essential components of the medication planning process include the development of a separate medication budget, a medication formulary (based on needs assessment and availability) and acquisition of medications and medical supplies. RESULTS: For the medical mission to Jamaica, medications are often purchased or donated from various locations, including retail pharmacies, drug wholesalers, medication drives, pharmaceutical companies, and medication assistance programmes specific to medical missions. It is essential to understand the policy associated with the importation of medications which can be found in the Approval Process for Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, Medical devices, Precursor Chemicals and Narcotics, a paper developed by the Ministry of Health, Jamaica. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of planning and preparation are required for the medical mission to Jamaica to be a success; assistance and cooperation is necessary from all members of the interdisciplinary medical mission team. It is imperative to plan ahead, be organized and equipped to handle unexpected situations so that quality care can be delivered to the patients to be served.

Preparation for a medical mission to Jamaica - pharmacy's perspective / Preparación para una misión médica en Jamaica - perspectiva farmacéutica

OBJECTIVES: To describe preparation of a medical mission from a pharmacy team's perspective. METHODS: Essential components of the medication planning process include the development of a separate medication budget, a medication formulary (based on needs assessment and availability) and acquisition of medications and medical supplies. RESULTS: For the medical mission to Jamaica, medications are often purchased or donated from various locations, including retail pharmacies, drug wholesalers, medication drives, pharmaceutical companies, and medication assistance programmes specific to medical missions. It is essential to understand the policy associated with the importation of medications which can be found in the Approval Process for Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, Medical devices, Precursor Chemicals and Narcotics, a paper developed by the Ministry of Health, Jamaica. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of planning and preparation are required for the medical mission to Jamaica to be a success; assistance and cooperation is necessary from all members of the interdisciplinary medical mission team. It is imperative to plan ahead, be organized and equipped to handle unexpected situations so that quality care can be delivered to the patients to be served.

OBJETIVO: Describir la preparación de una misión médica desde la perspectiva de un team de farmacia. MÉTODOS: Componentes esenciales del proceso de planificación de la medicación incluyen el desarrollo de un presupuesto separado de medicamentos, un formulario de medicamentos (basado en la evaluación de las necesidades y la disponibilidad) y la adquisición de medicamentos y suministros médicos. RESULTADOS: Para la misión médica a Jamaica, se obtienen medicamentos a menudo comprados o donados desde varias localidades, incluyendo farmacias minoristas, mayoristas de medicamentos, campañas de venta de medicamentos, compañías farmacéuticas y programas de asistencia de medicamentos específicos para misiones médicas. Es esencial comprender la política asociada con la importación de medicamentos que se pueden hallar en el Proceso de Aprobación para Alimentos, Medicamentos, Cosméticos, Equipos Médicos, Precursores Químicos y Narcóticos - un documento elaborado por Ministerio de Salud, Jamaica. CONCLUSIONES: Se requieren niveles elevados de planificación y preparación para que la misión médica a Jamaica sea un éxito. Hace falta la asistencia y cooperación de todos los miembros del equipo médico interdisciplinario de la misión. Es imperativo planificar con tiempo, ser organizados, y estar bien equipados a fin de dar solución a situaciones inesperadas, de manera que se pueda ofrecer una atención de calidad a los pacientes.

Efeito do laser terapeutico de baixa potencia sobre o processo de reparacao ossea em Tibia de Rato / Effect of low power therapeutic laser on process of bone healing in Rat Tibia

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos do laser terapeutico de baixa potencia sobre o processo de reparacao ossea em tibia de rato. O modelom experimental consistiu na realizacao de uma osteotomia mecanica por escareacao na face medial da tibia de 48 ratos machos, utilizando uma broca odontologica de aco cilindrica. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos, sendo que os grupos 1 e 2 foram irradiados com laser na dose de 5 J/cm2 e 50 J/cm2, respectivamente, enquanto o grupo 3 (controle) recebeu tratamento, respectivamente. Os parametros referentes ao tecido de reparo avaliados foram: 1. comportamento biomecanico ao final de 14 dias PO e 2. morfologia ao final de 7 e 14 dias do PO, referentes ao tecido de reparo. Os chados das analises histomorfologicas dos 7 dias do PO demonstraram melhor evolucao do processo de reparacao no grupo irradiado com a dose de 50 J/cm2, comparado aos demais grupos. Esses resultados sugerem que, sob as condicoes xperiemntais da investigacao, terapia laser de baixa potencia (LLLT) favorece o processo de reparacao ossea durante seus estagios iniciais

Spontaneous migration of a bullet in the cerebellum--case report.

A 15-year-old boy presented with a gunshot wound in the left cerebellar hemisphere. He was confused and left cerebellar signs were noted. The patient underwent the first surgery for debridement of the entry wound in the left parietal region and second surgery to remove the bullet. However, the bullet could not be located via a left unilateral suboccipital craniectomy in the park bench position, because it had migrated to the opposite side due to the effects of gravity in just a few hours. Skull radiography obtained just before the third surgery showed that the bullet had returned to the left side, and it was removed easily via the previous craniectomy in the sitting position. The clinical course suggests that in removing a bullet, skull radiography or computed tomography should be obtained just before surgery, or even intraoperatively, and that those findings should be the basis for the surgical procedure and operative position.

Normalization of left ventricular dysfunction in systemic hypertension.

BACKGROUND: In hypertensive heart disease, it is uncertain whether the impairment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function might be reverted by antihypertensive treatment. HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to address the likelihood of recovery of LV dysfunction and to identify factors potentially related. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with primary (n = 16) and renovascular (n = 10) hypertension participated in the study and were classified into Groups A (n = 12) and B (n = 14) according to normalization or persistent left ventricular dysfunction (fractional shortening < 0.30) after 36 weeks of follow-up. All patients received standard medical therapy and appropriate procedures for renovascular disease correction. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with recovery. RESULTS: Patients in Group A compared with those in Group B were younger (41 +/- 14 vs. 52 +/- 10 years; p < 0.05), had a greater frequency of renovascular hypertension (8 vs. 2; p < 0.05), showed shorter LV end-diastolic (54 +/- 5 vs. 61 +/- 8 mm; p < 0.05) and end-systolic dimensions (41 +/- 6 vs. 49 +/- 9 mm; p < 0.05), and lower mass index (215 +/- 64 vs. 261 +/- 47 g.m-2; p < 0.05) before treatment, whereas fractional shortening (0.24 +/- 0.4 vs. 0.20 +/- 0.5; p > 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (116 +/- 12 vs. 122 +/- 19 mmHg; p > 0.05) were similar. On follow-up, Group A patients showed lower diastolic blood pressure (89 +/- 15 vs. 105 +/- 20 mmHg; p < 0.05) and mass index (142 +/- 34 vs. 222 +/- 40 g.m-2; p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified systolic dimension and renovascular hypertension as factors associated with fractional shortening normalization. CONCLUSION: The recovery of LV dysfunction is expected to occur most likely in patients with renovascular hypertension and the shortest systolic dimensions.

En búsqueda del foco infeccioso: utilidad de los leucocitos marcados con TC99M en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del paciente infectado / Imaging of infections with Tc99 labeled Leukocytes Scintigraphy

A fin de comprobar la eficacia de la Centellografía con leucocitos marcados con TC99m para detectar infecciones en huesos, articulaciones y partes blandas se realizaron 41 exploraciones utilizando Cámara Gamma SPECT y planar Elscint y Technicare. Se realizaron 17 diagnósticos positivos de infección, resultando uno de ellos falso positivo y 24 diagnósticos negativos, con un falso negativo. Todos los pacientes fueron revisados por dos especialistas en Medicina Nuclear por separado, con interrupción del tratamiento antibiótico 24-48 horas antes del estudio. El estudio reveló alta sensibilidad diagnóstica con valores relevantes para el tratamiento y evolución clínica de los pacientes por lo que concluimos que los leucocitos marcados constituyen un método muy útil en el diagnóstico de las patologías infecciosas (AU)

En búsqueda del foco infeccioso: utilidad de los leucocitos marcados con TC99M en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del paciente infectado / Imaging of infections with Tc99 labeled Leukocytes Scintigraphy

A fin de comprobar la eficacia de la Centellografía con leucocitos marcados con TC99m para detectar infecciones en huesos, articulaciones y partes blandas se realizaron 41 exploraciones utilizando Cámara Gamma SPECT y planar Elscint y Technicare. Se realizaron 17 diagnósticos positivos de infección, resultando uno de ellos falso positivo y 24 diagnósticos negativos, con un falso negativo. Todos los pacientes fueron revisados por dos especialistas en Medicina Nuclear por separado, con interrupción del tratamiento antibiótico 24-48 horas antes del estudio. El estudio reveló alta sensibilidad diagnóstica con valores relevantes para el tratamiento y evolución clínica de los pacientes por lo que concluimos que los leucocitos marcados constituyen un método muy útil en el diagnóstico de las patologías infecciosas

Huesos suturales en el pterion / Sutural bones in the pterion

Las variaciones de los huesos del cráneo son de interés para la anatomía, antropología física, imagenología y medicina legal. Con el propósito de aportar mayores detalles sobre los huesos suturales que se presentan en el pterion, fueron analizados 205 cráneos secos de individuos brasileños, adultos, de ambos sexos, blancos y no blancos. El hueso sutural fue observado en 31 cráneos (15,1 por ciento), localizándose 19 en el lado derecho (61,3 por ciento), 8 en el izquierdo (25,8 por ciento) y 4 en ambos lados (12,9 por ciento. Con relación al sexo, 14 estuvieron presentes en cráneos masculinos (45,2 por ciento) y 17 en femeninos (54,8 por ciento). En relación al grupo étnico, 20 eran del grupo blancos (64,5 por ciento) y 11 de no blancos (35,5 por ciento). Las articulaciones de este hueso sutural con los huesos vecinos fueron clasificados en 4 tipos: tipo I, donde se articuló con los huesos frontal, parietal, ala mayor del esfenoides y temporal, disposición encontrada en 17 cráneos (54,8 por ciento); tipo II, donde se articuló con el parietal, temporal y ala mayor del esfenoides, encontrado en 11 cráneos (35,5 por ciento); tipo III, donde se articuló con el temporal, frontal y ala mayor del esfenoides, observado en 2 cráneos (6,5 por ciento) y tipo IV, donde se articuló con el parietal, frontal y ala mayor del esfenoides, encontrado en 1 cráneo (3,2 por ciento). Correlacionando las variables lado, sexo, grupo étnico y hueso sutural, el análisis estadístico reveló que la presencia de estos huesos es significativa en los individuos blancos y en el lado derecho