[Interpopulation reproductive synchrony of Agave cocui (Agavaceae) in Venezuela]. / Sincronía reproductiva interpoblacional de Agave cocui (Agavaceae) en Venezuela.

Agave cocui (Agavaceae) is a species with broad distribution in arid and semiarid areas of Venezuela and Colombia. Despite of its ecological importance as a source of food for wildlife, and its economic value for production of a spirit drink, studies on the reproductive ecology of the species are relatively rare. In this study, we conducted a one-year evaluation of the flowering and fruiting phenology of A. cocui in the eight representative localities of the species' distribution in Venezuela. Within each study site, we chose an area with a minimum of 50 reproductive individuals and followed their reproductive phenophases with the help of binoculars, using six qualitative cathegories (emerging reproductive stalk, flowers, inmature fruits, mature fruits, bulbils and dry stalk) every two months. Emergence of the reproductive stalk in most of the examined populations began in September (rainy season), although this event delayed two months in a few populations. We detected significant negative correlations between precipitation and the percentage of flowering occurrence in four of the eight populations. Floral resources are available for flower visitors during approximately five months of the year (January-May). In most populations production of flowers initiated in January (dry season), and for Western Venezuela and Andean regions, the flowering main peak occurred in January. Localities from the Central and Eastern Coast exhibited the flowering peak in March, showing a delay of approximately two months with respect to other populations. Beginning of fruit set varied among localities from January to May; however, peak production of mature fruits concentrated in May, and fruit occurrence varied broadly between 5.2 and 85%. Bulbil production was detected in all populations and varied greatly among them (maximum percentage per population: 26.19-92.10%). High flowering synchronicity (Phenophase Overlapping Index: 0.756 and 0.999) was observed among all populations monitored in Western Venezuela, including the Andean localities. This condition might facilitate the existence of a nectar corridor from the Western Coast and nearby islands, to the Andean arid patches, which could be potentially used by nectar-feeding bats and birds dependent on agave flowers during part of the year.

COVID pandemic as an opportunity for improving mental health treatments of the homeless people.

BACKGROUND: Homeless population has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their living conditions, comorbidity with different pathologies and a greater frequency of mental disorders, make this population vulnerable. METHOD: We implemented a program of serial visits in a hostel for confined homeless of the city council social services, for the monitoring and treatment of mental disorders and substance abuse problems. Accompanied by serial phone and email contacts. RESULTS: A highly significant percentage (63%) had mental disorders or substance abuse, requiring pharmacological intervention, and 37% began follow-up in resources of the Mental Health and Addiction network of the Psychiatric Service at the end of the program. Hospital emergency service visits were drastically reduced. None of them were infected with COVID-19. An individualized Social plan was drawn up in order to reintegrate them with support in the community. CONCLUSIONS: The Results have been really positive, meeting all the objectives and opening up developing new programs in the future, in the pandemic outbreak and out of it.

The pharmacological interactions between direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis c and psychotropic drugs.

INTRODUCTION: Most direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and psychotropic drugs are metabolized by or induct/inhibit CYP enzymes and drug transporters. Although they are frequently coadministered, the drug-drug interactions (DDIs) have been little studied. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the interactions between the approved DAA or combination regimens and the main psychoactive substances, including legal and illegal drugs of abuse. Areas covered: We performed a literature search on PubMed database on drug interactions with the currently available antivirals for hepatitis C and a review of the information on pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and drug interactions from www.hep-druginteractions.org and from all the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). This review covers the DDI between the DAA regimens approved, such as simeprevir and sofosbuvir, paritaprevir, glecaprevir, voxilaprevir, ombitasvir, ledipasvir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir, elbasvir and grazoprevir, sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, and main psychotropic agents. Expert Commentary: DAA regimens based on sofosbuvir combination usually have less DDI than protease inhibitor-based regimens. Among protease inhibitors regimens, new combinations, such as glecaprevir/elbasvir and grazoprevir/elbasvir, seemed to have less DDI than the combination POrD (paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir/dasabuvir). However, the analysis of each interaction is theoretical and further interaction studies would be necessary to confirm actual effect.

Factores de Riesgo que Influyen en la Morbimortalidad de Pacientes con COVID-19

Resumen Objetivos: analizar los factores de riesgo asociados a la morbimortalidad de pacientes con covid-19 en el Hospital Dr. Benigno Sánchez. Métodos: el estudio fue de tipo descriptivo retrospectivo, la fuente de información fue recolectada a partir de historias clínicas de pacientes internados mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de covid-19, con una muestra de 26 pacientes internados en área covid-19 en enero y febrero. Resultados: se evidencia la Tabla que la edad media de los pacientes que evolucionaron favorablemente es de +/- 62 años, además que el sexo más afectado que requiero internación es el masculino que conformo un total de un total de 20 de los 25 pacientes de la muestra tomada del hospital Benigno Sánchez. Conclusiones: el sexo masculino y las personas de la tercera edad es la población más afectada, además ser los que más presentan síntomas de covid-19 con tendencia a complicarse, requiriendo de internación para un mejor manejo de la evolución de la enfermedad.

Abstract Objectives: to analyse the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with covid-19 at the Hospital Dr. Benigno Sánchez. Methods: a retrospective descriptive was conducted, the source of information was collected from medical records of hospitalised patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of covid-19, with a sample of 26 patients hospitalised in the COVID-19 area in January and February. Results: It is evident from the table that the mean age of the patients who evolved favorably is +/-62 years, anc that the most affected sex requiring hospitalisation is male, which made up a total of 20 of the 25 patients in the sample taken from the Benigno Sanchez hospital. Conclusions: the male sex and the elderly are the most affected population, besides being the ones who present more covid-19 symptoms with a tendency to develop complications, requiring hospitalization for a better management of the disease evolution.

Estudio Ecológico de Hogares Bolivianos y su Relación con la COVID-19, Gestión 2020

Resumen Objetivos: analizar las características sociales, educativas, síntomas, de los servicios de salud relacionados a la Covid-19 durante la pandemia en la población boliviana, 2020. Métodos: el tipo de estudio es ecológico, el universo es toda la población boliviana; Una población total de 11 633.371 habitantes, datos recabados por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) en el 2020, de los nueve departamentos del país, tanto del área urbana como rural, el cálculo de la muestra fue previamente determinada en la encuesta de hogares 2019 por parte del INE. Resultados: el estudio identificó que la tasa de contagio afectó más al área urbana (76,6%) que al área rural (23.4%); En relación al control y manejo de la covid-19 de la población de estudio, su resultado de prueba de laboratorio ha sido positivo (n=1092), que si necesito medicamentos para el tratamiento de la covid-19 (n=1220), en la mitad de la población encuestada, que si se siguió un protocolo para la covid-19 (n=1147). Conclusiones: se evidencia relación entre las características sociales, educativas y de atención y manejo en salud con la covid-19 de la población evaluada durante la pandemia del 2020, sin embargo, se requiere más investigación focalizada de las características ya mencionadas.

Abstract Objectives: To analyze the symptoms and the social and educational characteristics of health services related to Covid-19 during the pandemic in the Bolivian population in the 2020 management. Methods: The study type is ecological, the universe is the entire Bolivian population; an overall estimated of 11 633.371 people, data was collected from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in 2020, from all nine departments of the country, both urban and rural, the sample calculation was previously determined in the 2019 household survey by the INE. Results: The study found that the infection rate affected the urban area (76.6%) more than the rural area (23.4%); regarding control and management of covid-19 in the study population, it was found that n=1092 people tested positive in the laboratory test, and n=1220 needed medication for covid-19 and half of the surveyed population followed a therapeutic protocol for the management of covid-19 (n=1147). Conclusions: There is evidence of a relationship between social, educational and health care and management characteristics and covid-19 in the population assessed during the 2020 pandemic; however, more focused research is needed on the aforementioned characteristics.

Análisis bibliométrico de evidencia científica de vacunas (Sputnik V, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Janssen) para Covid-19

Objetivos: analizar la bibliometría de la evidencia científica de las principales 6 vacunas (Sputnik V, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Janssen) para Covid-19. Métodos: se realizó una recolección de datos bibliométricos mediante el uso de booleanos del motor de búsqueda de Pubmed y Google académico, con la finalidad de filtrar todos los ensayos clínicos aleatorizados publicados para cada vacuna, siguiendo las recomendaciones de GRADE en relación al nivel de evidencia (categoría A), posteriormente se procesó la base de datos para la visualización del análisis mediante: Excel, Scimago Graphica y Vosviewer. Resultados: se tomaron en cuenta 47 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (categoría A de evidencia científica, GRADE ) de las 6 vacunas mencionadas, se muestra que la vacuna Pfizer tiene la mayor cantidad de publicaciones, también citaciones a nivel global, a diferencia de la producción de evidencia científica de las otras vacunas, se encuentra que el país de origen de los autores con más predominio fue Estados Unidos, Reino Unido y Países Bajos, en relación a las revistas donde tuvieron más publicaciones fueron The Lancet y The new England Journal of medicine. Conclusiones: se visibiliza que las vacunas ya mencionadas cuentan con más producción científica en comparación a las vacunas producidas en otras partes del mundo, como ser Pfizer, AstraZeneca, entre las otras analizadas en este documento, como con una mayor distribución mundial, y una extensa red de apoyo por medio de citaciones a sus documentos científicos.

Objectives: to analyze the bibliometry of the scientific evidence of the main 6 Covid-19 vaccines (Sputnik V, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Janssen). Methods: data collection was carried out through the use of boolean searches on the Pubmed and Google Scholar search engines, in order to filter all published randomized clinical trials for each vaccine, following the recommendations of GRADE in relation to the level of evidence (category A), subsequently the database was processed for visualization of the analysis using: Excel, Scimago Graphica and Vosviewer. Results: 47 randomized clinical trials (category A of scientific evidence, GRADE) of the 6 mentioned vaccines were taken into account, it is shown that the Pfizer vaccine has the greatest number of publications, as well as global citations, unlike the production of scientific evidence of the other vaccines, it is found that the country of origin of the authors with the most prevalence was the United States, United Kingdom and Netherlands, in relation to the journals where they had the most publications they were The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine. Conclusions: it is visible that the already mentioned vaccines have more scientific production compared to vaccines produced in other parts of the world, such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, among the others analyzed in this document, as well as a wider global distribution, and a extensive network of support through citations to their scientific documents.

Enfermedades musculoesqueléticas y su asociación con el sobrepeso y obesidad en adultos mayores, un estudio transversal / Musculoskeletal diseases and their association with overweight and obesity in older adults, a cross-sectional study

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia y la asociación de enfermedades musculoesqueléticas con el sobrepeso y obesidad, y las diferencias respecto a edad y sexo. Métodos: el presente estudio es de tipo transversal, descriptivo y analítico, el universo está compuesto por pacientes adultos mayores a 60 años con diagnóstico de enfermedades musculoesqueléticas que acuden a consulta en el periodo de enero a diciembre, del año 2019, en el centro de salud "Villa Oruro", en Tiquipaya, Cochabamba, Bolivia, con un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, la muestra del estudio fue 353 pacientes. Resultados: se evaluó a 353 pacientes mayores a 60 años, 156 hombres y 197 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 71,51 ± 8,45 con índice de masa corporal promedio de 26,68 ± 1,77. Se realizó el análisis estadístico de asociación de variables categóricas, en base a rangos del índice de masa corporal (sobrepeso y obesidad) con las enfermedades musculoesqueléticas. Conclusiones: dentro de la evaluación del sobrepeso y obesidad, y su relación con patologías musculoesqueléticas, la gonartrosis es la más relacionada con la presencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, por lo que se recomienda establecer métodos de educación en la población con hábitos alimenticios y estilos de vida saludables para disminuir la prevalencia de enfermedades musculoesqueléticas asociadas a sobrepeso y obesidad.

Objectives: the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and association of musculoskeletal diseases with overweight and obesity, and the differences with respect to age and sex. Methods: this type of study is cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical, the universe is composed of adult patients over 60 years of age with a diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases who come for consultation in the period from January to December, year 2019, of the health center "Villa Oruro", Tiquipaya, Cochabamba, Bolivia, with a non-probabilistic sampling by convenience, the study sample was 353 patients. Results: we evaluated 353 patients over 60 years of age, 156 men and 197 women, with an average age of 71.51 ± 8.45 with an average body mass index of 26.68 ±1.77. Statistical analysis of association of categorical variables, based on body mass index ranges (overweight and obesity) with musculoskeletal diseases, was performed. Conclusions: within the evaluation of overweight and obesity, and their relationship with musculoskeletal pathologies, gonarthrosis is the most related to the presence of overweight and obesity, it is recommended and establish education in the population with healthy eating habits and lifestyles to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases associated with overweight and obesity.

Influencia de la pandemia del COVID-19 en la salud mental de los trabajadores en salud / Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care workers

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha debilitado la salud mental de la población, el personal sanitario es un grupo afectado, hecho importante considerando que son los integrantes principales frente al mayor reto que el mundo moderno ha enfrentado hasta el momento en lo referido a enfermedades infectocontagiosas. La enfermedad COVID-19 ha producido en el personal de salud ansiedad, depresión, nerviosismo, desvelo, entre otros; siendo estos síntomas resultados del estrés, turnos prolongados, excesiva carga de trabajo, capacitación inadecuada y equipo de protección personal escaso, haciéndolos propensos a desarrollar trastornos tales como el Síndrome de Burnout o Síndrome de estrés postraumático. La salud mental es fundamental para la salud pública, ya que el estado anímico del personal de salud es un determinante indirecto de la calidad de atención y salud del paciente; por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue el de realizar una revisión bibliográfica que analice la salud mental de los trabajadores de salud frente a la pandemia del COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the mental health of the population, health personnel are possibly an affected group, an important fact considering that they are the main elements in the face of the greatest challenge that the modern world has faced so far, in relation to diseases infectious. The COVID-19 disease has produced anxiety, depression, nervousness, and wakefulness in health personnel, among others; a result of stress, long shifts, excessive workload, inadequate training, and insufficient personal protective equipment; making them prone to disorders like Burnout Syndrome or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Mental health is fundamental for public health and that of health personnel is a determinant of the quality of care and health of the patient; therefore, the objective of this paper is to carry out a bibliographic review that analyzes the mental health of health workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Correlación y concordancia de los índices circunferencia/cintura y circunferencia/talla con el índice de masa corporal / Correlation and concordance of circunference waist and waist to height index with body mass index

OBJETIVO: analizar la correlación y concordancia de las medidas antropométricas de la circunferencia/talla y circunferencia cintura según ATP-III, IDF para Sudamérica y Europa con el Indice de Masa Corporal en pacientes adultos. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico de corte transversal en 339 pacientes tomando en cuenta variables como sexo, edad, peso, talla, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia cintura, circunferencia/talla y diagnóstico bajo criterios de inclusión y exclusión establecidos por el Seguro Social Universitario de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón. Se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado, correlación de Pearson, Índice de fiabilidad α-Cronbach y Concordancia Kappa de Cohen para los indicadores evaluados. RESULTADOS: el 66,4% de la muestra corresponde al sexo femenino. La mayor correlación (0,65) y concordancia (0,32) observada fue en el sexo masculino entre la Circunferencia Cintura y Circunferencia/Talla con el IMC. CONCLUSIÓN: existe una mejor una mejor concordancia y fiabilidad de los parámetros clínicos de riesgo Circunferencia Cintura y Circunferencia/Talla con el Indice de Masa Corporal de acuerdo a criterios de la ATP-III en la población evaluada.(AU)

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the correlation and concordance between Waist Circumference and Waist-Height Ratio with Body Mass Index according to ATP-III and IDF for Sudamerica and Europe criteria in adults. METHODS: an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out in 339 patients. The variables were gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-height ratio and diagnosis under inclusion and exclusion criteria stablished by Seguro Social Universitario of the Universidad Mayor of San Simón. It was calculated the Chi-squared test, Pearson´s correlation, Cronbach´s alpha reliability and Kappa concordance coefficients. RESULTS: the 66,4% of the sample is female. There is more correlation (0.65) and concordance (0.32) between Waist Circumference and Waist-Height Ratio with Body Mass Index in males. CONCLUSION: there is a better correlation and reliability between clinical risk indicators and cut points to, Waist Circumference and Waist-Height Ratio according to ATP-III criteria, with Body Mass Index in the evaluated population.(AU)

Sincronía reproductiva interpoblacional de Agave cocui (Agavaceae) en Venezuela

Interpopulation reproductive synchrony of Agave cocui (Agavaceae) in Venezuela. Agave cocui (Agavaceae) is a species with broad distribution in arid and semiarid areas of Venezuela and Colombia. Despite of its ecological importance as a source of food for wildlife, and its economic value for production of a spirit drink, studies on the reproductive ecology of the species are relatively rare. In this study, we conducted a oneyear evaluation of the flowering and fruiting phenology of A. cocui in the eight representative localities of the species’ distribution in Venezuela. Within each study site, we chose an area with a minimum of 50 reproductive individuals and followed their reproductive phenophases with the help of binoculars, using six qualitative cathegories (emerging reproductive stalk, flowers, inmature fruits, mature fruits, bulbils and dry stalk) every two months. Emergence of the reproductive stalk in most of the examined populations began in September (rainy season), although this event delayed two months in a few populations. We detected significant negative correlations between precipitation and the percentage of flowering occurrence in four of the eight populations. Floral resources are available for flower visitors during approximately five months of the year (January-May). In most populations production of flowers initiated in January (dry season), and for Western Venezuela and Andean regions, the flowering main peak occurred in January. Localities from the Central and Eastern Coast exhibited the flowering peak in March, showing a delay of approximately two months with respect to other populations. Beginning of fruit set varied among localities from January to May; however, peak production of mature fruits concentrated in May, and fruit occurrence varied broadly between 5.2 and 85%. Bulbil production was detected in all populations and varied greatly among them (maximum percentage per population: 26.19-92.10%). High flowering synchronicity (Phenophase Overlapping Index: 0.756 and 0.999) was observed among all populations monitored in Western Venezuela, including the Andean localities. This condition might facilitate the existence of a nectar corridor from the Western Coast and nearby islands, to the Andean arid patches, which could be potentially used by nectar-feeding bats and birds dependent on agave flowers during part of the year. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (3): 1359-1370. Epub 2011 September 01.

cocui (Agavaceae) es una especie de amplia distribución en zonas áridas y semiáridas de Venezuela y Colombia. A pesar de su importancia ecológica como fuente de recursos para la fauna silvestre y de su potencial valor económico como materia prima para la producción del licor “Cocuy de Penca”, los estudios sobre su ecología reproductiva son muy escasos. En este estudio se evaluó la fenología de floración y fructificación de A. cocui en ocho localidades de Venezuela. La fase reproductiva se inició al finalizar el periodo de lluvias. Las flores se producen durante cinco meses. Para la Región Noroccidental del país y los Andes los máximos de floración ocurrieron en enero, mientras que las localidades en la costa central y oriental exhibieron un desface de cerca de dos meses, a principios de marzo. La mayor sincronía floral ocurrió entre todas las poblaciones censadas en el occidente del país, incluyendo las localidades andinas. Dicha sincronía reproductiva potenciaría la conformación de un corredor de néctar para aves y murciélagos, que se extendería desde el Norte de Falcón, en la Costa Occidental, hasta los bolsones andinos, en el Suroeste del país.