RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have emerged as a new paradigm in nicotine delivery systems. Although they are marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco, public perceptions of their safety and utility vary widely. This study aims to understand the percentage of use, factors associated, perceptions, and attitudes about e-cigarettes among Ecuadorian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the Ecuadorian population aged 18-65 years through a convenience sample, using a structured online questionnaire designed to collect responses from voluntary participants over three months, from February to April 2023. The questionnaire assessed the respondents' attitudes and perceptions towards e-cigarettes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and adjusted logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with e-cigarette use. RESULTS: Out of a total of 3047 Ecuadorian adults, the percentage of e-cigarette ever use was 27.9% (n=850), with 19.4% being current users and 8.5% former users. A negative stance towards e-cigarettes was predominant, with 66.3% considering e-cigarette use a public health problem in Ecuador. A significant association was observed between e-cigarette use and perceived harmfulness (p<0.001). Among non-users, there was a predominant stance in favor of control measures and disapproval of e-cigarette use among minors (p<0.001). The factors associated with the use of electronic cigarettes included being health personnel (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.26-1.80). Older age (aged >24 years) and a history of tobacco use were associated with lower e-cigarette use (current users, OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.25-0.38; previous users, OR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.18-0.28). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight a significant percentage of e-cigarette use among Ecuadorian adults, especially among younger groups. There is a need for comprehensive public health education about e-cigarettes in Ecuador. There is strong support from the public for control measures, suggesting the potential acceptability of regulations concerning e-cigarettes.
RESUMEN
Objetivo: Analizar en pacientes con síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP), alteraciones del metabolismo lipídico y su correlación con el índice de masa corporal y resistencia insulínica. Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de 30 pacientes con SOP, que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, entre marzo y septiembre de 2013. Se evaluó el perfil lipídico y se correlacionó con índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia abdominal (CA) y HOMA-IR, empleándose el Coeficiente V de Cramer. Resultados: El 36,67% (11/30 pacientes) tuvieron colesterol total (CT) >200 mg/dL; 86,67% (26/30 pacientes) cHDL <50 mg/dL.; 63,33% (19/30 pacientes) cLDL >130 mg/dL y el 73,33% (22/30 pacientes) triglicéridos (TG) >150 mg/dL. El 93,33% (28/30 pacientes) presentaron alteraciones de al menos uno de los factores del perfil lipídico. Se observó una correlación baja entre IMC y CT (0,20), moderada entre IMC y cHDL (0,48) y muy baja entre IMC y TG (0,12). La relación entre perfil lipídico y CA demostró una correlación baja entre CA y CT (0,25), CA y cHDL de 0,45 (correlación moderada) y CA y TG de 0,23 (correlación baja). Las correlaciones entre HOMA-IR y perfil lipídico reflejaron una correlación moderada entre HOMA-IR y CT (0,52), HOMA-IR y cHDL de -0,34 (correlación inversa baja) y HOMA-IR y TG de 0,30 (correlación baja). Conclusión: La dislipidemia es común en pacientes con SOP; las alteraciones más frecuentes fueron disminución del cHDL (87,10%) y elevación de TG (74,19%), las cuales son factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la mujer.
Objective: To analyze in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), abnormal lipid metabolism and its correlation with body mass index and insulin resistance. Methods: Observational, descriptive study of 30 patients with PCOS, who met the inclusion criteria between March and September 2013. Lipid profile was evaluated and correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and HOMA-IR, using the Cramer V coefficient. Results: The 36.67% (11/30 patients) had total cholesterol (TC)> 200 mg/dL; 86.67% (26/30 patients) HDL-C <50 mg/dL; 63.33% (19/30 patients) LDL-C >130 mg/dL and 73.33% (22/30 patients) triglycerides (TG) >150 mg/dL. The 93.33% (28/30 patients) showed abnormalities at least one factor lipid profile. We observed a low correlation between BMI and CT (0.20), BMI and HDL-C of 0.48 (moderate correlation) and BMI and TG 0.12 (very low correlation). The relationship between lipid profile and WC demonstrated a low correlation between WC and CT (0.25), WC and HDL-C 0.45 (moderate correlation), and WC and TG 0.23 (low correlation). The correlations between HOMA-IR and lipid profile showed a moderate correlation between HOMA-IR and CT (0.52), HOMA-IR and HDL-C of -0.34 (low inverse correlation), and HOMA-IR and TG 0,30 (low correlation). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is common in patients with PCOS. The most frequent alterations were decreased HDL cholesterol (87.10%) and elevated TG (74.19%), which are cardiovascular risk factors in women.
RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory paramyxovirus that is distributed worldwide and induces significant airway morbidity. Despite the relevance of hMPV as a pathogen, many aspects of the immune response to this virus are still largely unknown. In this report, we focus on the antiviral immune response, which is critical for viral clearance and disease resolution. Using in vitro and in vivo systems, we show that hMPV is able to induce expression of lambda interferon 1 (IFN-λ1), IFN-λ2, IFN-λ3, and IFN-λ4. The induction of IFN-λ expression by hMPV was dependent on interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF-7) expression but not on IRF-3 expression. Treatment of hMPV-infected mice with IFN-λ reduced the disease severity, lung viral titer, and inflammatory response in the lung. Moreover, the IFN-λ response induced by the virus was regulated by the expression of the hMPV G protein. These results show that type III interferons (IFN-λs) play a critical protective role in hMPV infection. IMPORTANCE: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a pathogen of worldwide importance. Despite the relevance of hMPV as a pathogen, critical aspects of the immune response induced by this virus remain unidentified. Interferons (IFNs), including IFN-λ, the newest addition to the interferon family, constitute an indispensable part of the innate immune response. Here, we demonstrated that IFN-λ exhibited a protective role in hMPV infection in vitro and in an experimental mouse model of infection.