The impact of COVID-19 on deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Chile: an analysis of panel data for 16 regions, 2017-2022.

Background: Although several studies have documented the detrimental impacts of global COVID-19 containment measures on individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, a comprehensive analysis of mortality rates for these conditions within the Chilean population is notably lacking. This study aimed to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates among individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Chile. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal cross-sectional study was conducted, considering mortality data for specific mental health conditions during the pre-pandemic and pandemic contexts of COVID-19 in Chile. Quantile regression techniques were employed to analyze the existence of differences between the two periods, while non-observable heterogeneity models for panel data methods were used to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 mortality on crude mortality rates. Findings: Statistically significant differences were observed in the number of deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's disease between the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic periods. Specifically, crude mortality rates decreased by 10% (-0.10 [95% CI: -0.16, -0.05]) during the pandemic period. Furthermore, the number of deaths from COVID-19 during the pandemic period has a very weak incidence of deaths from mental health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's. Specifically, a unit percentage increase in confirmed cases from COVID-19 would result in a 7% (-0.07 [95% CI: -0.13, -0.001]) decrease in the number of deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's. These findings are supported by the application of panel regression with one-way random effects models. Interpretation: The study findings indicate a reduction in mortality rates attributed to dementia and Alzheimer's disease during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. This decline could be attributed to the potential underreporting of mental illness as the cause of death during the pandemic period. Several studies have highlighted that approximately 30% of death certificates fail to document the presence of a dementia syndrome. Moreover, the cause of death recorded for individuals with mental health conditions may be influenced by the physician's familiarity with the patient or reflect the prevailing approach to managing end-stage dementia patients. Funding: This work received no funding.

Indirect estimation of the need for palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive cross-sectional study using mortality data in the Biobío Region, Chile.

BACKGROUND: People with chronic diseases in their advanced phase require palliative care. This is essential to ensure their quality of life as it ends. However, a very low percentage of patients receive the necessary palliative care. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the planning and provision of palliative care. Despite this, in Chile, palliative care coverage was extended by law to cover nononcological chronic diseases. Implementation of this law is expected to be a significant challenge in terms of material resources, as well as the need for the formation of specialized palliative care teams. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the need for palliative care for all chronic diseases to generate useful input for planning and decision-making in public health. OBJECTIVES: To indirectly estimate the need for palliative care among people with Chronic Oncological Diseases (COD) and Chronic Non-Oncological Diseases (CNOD) during the prepandemic and pandemic context due to COVID-19 in the Biobío Region in Chile. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on mortality data from chronic oncological and nononcological diseases during the prepandemic (2010-2018) and pandemic (2020-2021) contexts due to COVID-19 in a Region of Chile through indirect estimation using minimal estimate, standardized mortality rates and geographically weighted regression. RESULTS: It was estimated that 76.25% of deaths from chronic diseases in the Biobío Region would have required palliative care, which represents 77,618 people who should have been included in these health benefits. The pandemic had a significant effect on the average number of deaths from CNOD. People belonging to this group were more likely to die from COVID-19 than from their baseline disease, unlike the deaths of people from COD, where no significant changes were observed. CONCLUSION: These estimates highlight the potential size of the population requiring palliative care and emphasize the importance of recognizing the rights of individuals with COD and CNOD conditions. It is evident that there is a significant demand for palliative care services, as well as a pressing need for adequate resources, effective management, and strategic planning to cater to the needs of this population. This is particularly crucial in the heavily impacted areas and communes of the Biobío Region, Chile.

Burnout y factores predictores en profesionales de Enfermería chilenos a un año de pandemia por COVID-19 / Burnout and predicting factors in Chilean nursing professional after one year of COVID-19 pandemic

Objetivo: analizar la asociación de variables sociodemográficas y laborales, estado de salud, inteligencia emocional, apoyo social percibido y espiritualidad en el desarrollo del burnout en profesionales de Enfermería a un año del comienzo de la pandemia COVID-19 en Chile.Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal (julio-octubre 2021). La población de estudio fueron enfermeras, que hubieran trabajado durante la pandemia en cualquier centro de atención sanitaria en Chile, atendiendo a pacientes al menos durante tres meses. Se aplicó un cuestionario online que incluía perfil enfermera, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Cuestionario Nórdico Estandarizado, Trait-Meta Mood Scale-24, Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social Percibido e Índice Breve de Religiosidad y Espiritualidad. Se llevó a cabo análisis descriptivo, correlaciones y regresión lineal.Resultados: participaron 192 profesionales, 181 (94,3%) eran mujeres. La edad media (DE) fue de 30,8 (6,81) años. La antigüedad laboral media (DE) fue de 5,6 (5,98) años. El 64,1% de las enfermeras presentó burnout. Se evidenció relación inversa y moderada entre las dimensiones de burnout e inteligencia emocional (directas, para el caso de realización personal). Se observó relación directa y moderada entre la realización personal y el apoyo social de amigos. También hubo relación indirecta y cercana a moderada entre cansancio emocional y espiritualidad. En los modelos predictivos, el dolor físico y la inteligencia emocional se asociaron con burnout.Conclusiones: más de la mitad de los profesionales de Enfermería de la muestra presentó burnout, siendo sus principales predictores el dolor físico y la inteligencia emocional.(AU)

Objective: to analyse the impact of sociodemographic and occupational variables, health status, emotional intelligence, perceived social support and spirituality, upon the development of burnout in Nursing professionals at one year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile.Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted (July to October 2021). The study population were nurses who had worked during the pandemic at any healthcare centre in Chile, seeing patients during at least three months. An online questionnaire was applied, including the nurse profile, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Standardized Nordic questionnaire, the Trait-Meta Mood Scale-24, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Brief Spirituality/Religiousness Index. Descriptive analysis, correlations and linear regression were conducted.Results: the study included 192 professionals, 181 (94,3%) were female. Their mean age (SD) was 30.8 (6.81) years. Their mean seniority (SD) was 5.6 (5.98) years. Of these nurses, 64.1% presented burnout. A reverse and moderate relationship was observed between the burnout and emotional intelligence dimensions (direct in the case of personal fulfilment). A direct and moderate relationship was observed between personal fulfilment and social support by friends. There was also an indirect and close to moderate relationship between emotional exhaustion and spirituality. In the predictive models, physical pain and emotional intelligence were associated with burnout.Conclusions: more than half of Nursing professionals presented burnout, and its main predictors were physical pain and emotional intelligence.(AU)

Assessing the effectiveness of quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile using Bayesian structural time series models.

Background: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, all existing health protocols were tested under the worst health crisis humanity has experienced since the Black Death in the 14th century. Countries in Latin America have been the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 1.5 million people killed. Worldwide health measures have included quarantines, border closures, social distancing, and mask use, among others. In particular, Chile implemented total or partial quarantine measures depending on the number of infections in each region of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effectiveness of these quarantines in relation to the public health measures implemented by government entities at the national level. Objective: The main objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of national- and region-level quarantines in Chile during the pandemic based on information published by the Chilean Ministry of Health, and answers to the following question are sought: Were quarantine measures in Chile effective during the COVID-19 pandemic? Methods: The causal effect between the rates of COVID-19 infections and the population rates in Phase 1 and Phase 2 quarantines in the period from March 2020 to March 2021 in different regions of Chile were evaluated using intervention analyses obtained through Bayesian structural time series models. In addition, the Kendall correlation coefficient obtained through the copula approach was used to evaluate the comovement between these rates. Results: In 75% of the Chilean regions under study (12 regions out of a total of 16), an effective Phase 1 quarantine, which was implemented to control and reduce the number of cases of COVID-19 infection, was observed. The main regions that experienced a decrease in cases were those located in the north and center of Chile. Regarding Phase 2, the COVID-19 pandemic was effectively managed in 31% (5 out of 16) of the regions. In the south-central and extreme southern regions of Chile, the effectiveness of these phases was null. Conclusion: The findings indicate that in the northern and central regions of Chile, the Phase 1 quarantine application period was an effective strategy to prevent an increase in COVID-19 infections. The same observation was made with respect to Phase 2, which was effective in five regions of northern Chile; in the rest of the regions, the effectiveness of these phases was weak or null.

Genome Sequences of 22 T1-like Bacteriophages That Infect Enterobacteriales.

Here, the full genome sequences of 22 T1-like bacteriophages isolated from wastewater are reported. Eight (BlueShadow, Brooksby, Devorator, ElisaCorrea, Reinasaurus, SorkZaugg, Supreme284, ZeroToHero) were isolated on Citrobacter, six on Klebsiella (Chell, FairDinkum, HazelMika, Opt-817, P528, PeteCarol), and eight on Escherichia (Fulano1, Mishu, Opt-719, PhleaSolo, Punny, Poky, Phunderstruck, Sadiya).

Impact of COVID-19 on deaths from respiratory diseases: Panel data evidence from Chile.

The COVID-19 pandemic has relegated pathologies that were previously commonplace to a secondary context. Therefore, it is necessary to study the evolution of these diseases in the presence or absence of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: The present study had the following objectives: 1. to evaluate the relationship between the COVID-19 epidemic and the possible decrease in death from respiratory disease (DRd) in Chile; and 2. to study the relationships between meteorological variables and severity of COVID-19 with respect to DRd from January 2018 to February 2021. METHODS: The variable number of DRds in Chile was analyzed considering the monthly records of meteorological variables (temperature, precipitation and humidity) in each region of Chile and the severity of COVID-19 to evaluate the mortality trend before and after the pandemic. For this, different nonobservable heterogeneity models for panel data were used. RESULTS: The variables that affect DRd include the number of deaths from COVID-19, which led to a decrease in DRd (negative effect) when increased, the number of patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU), which led to an increase in DRd (positive effect) when increased, and the minimum temperature, which had a negative effect on DRd. These results are supported by the application of panel regression with one-way random-effects models. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a reduction in the number of DRds other than COVID-19 during the pandemic in Chile. This could be explained by the sanitary measures applied by the Ministry of Health of Chile in relation to mobility restrictions and social distancing, among others. Therefore, DRd decreased in accordance with the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnout académico como factor predictivo del riesgo suicida en estudiantes de enfermería / Academic burnout as a predictive factor of suicide risk in nursing students

Objetivo principal: Relacionar el síndrome de burnout académico con el riesgo suicida en los estudiantes de enfermería de una universidad del norte de Chile. Metodología: enfoque cuantitativo, correlacional, y de corte transversal, de diseño no experimental. Resultados principales: los participantes reportaron un 10 % de la muestra con riesgo suicida moderado y severo, y ambas variables presentaron relaciones estadísticamente significativas (r=,501, p<,000). Conclusión principal: Existe relación entre el burnout académico y el riesgo suicida. Asimismo, la detección oportuna y precoz de la relación entre el burnout académico y el riesgo suicida puede ayudar a prevenir el comportamiento suicida e incluso el suicidio en estudiantes de enfermería. Urge que las universidades busquen estrategias de pesquisa precoz del síndrome de burnout y así evitar tragedias como las de un suicidio asociado.(AU)

Objective: To relate the academic burnout syndrome with the suicide risk in nursing students at a university in the north of Chile. Methodology: quantitative, correlational, and cross-sectional approach, of non-experimental design. Main results: the participants reported 10 % of the sample with moderate and severe suicide risk, and both variables presented statistically significant relationships (r = ,501; p<,000). Main conclusion: There is a relationship between academic burnout and suicide risk. Likewise, the timely and early detection of the relationship between academic burnout and suicidal risk can help prevent suicidal behavior and even suicide in nursing students. It is urgent that universities seek early screening strategies for burnout syndrome and thus avoid tragedies such as associated suicide.(AU)

Prediction of confirmed cases of and deaths caused by COVID-19 in Chile through time series techniques: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Chile has become one of the countries most affected by COVID-19, a pandemic that has generated a large number of cases worldwide. If not detected and treated in time, COVID-19 can cause multi-organ failure and even death. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the behavior of the spread of COVID-19 as well as the projection of infections and deaths. This information is very relevant so that public health organizations can distribute financial resources efficiently and take appropriate containment measures. In this research, we compare different time series methodologies to predict the number of confirmed cases of and deaths from COVID-19 in Chile. METHODS: The methodology used in this research consisted of modeling cases of both confirmed diagnoses and deaths from COVID-19 in Chile using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA henceforth) models, Exponential Smoothing techniques, and Poisson models for time-dependent count data. Additionally, we evaluated the accuracy of the predictions using a training set and a test set. RESULTS: The dataset used in this research indicated that the most appropriate model is the ARIMA time series model for predicting the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, whereas for predicting the number of deaths from COVID-19 in Chile, the most suitable approach is the damped trend method. CONCLUSION: The ARIMA models are an alternative to modeling the behavior of the spread of COVID-19; however, depending on the characteristics of the dataset, other methodologies can better predict the behavior of these records, for example, the Holt-Winter method implemented with time-dependent count data.

Orientation of Belminus triatomines to cockroaches and cockroaches' fecal volatiles: an ethological approach

Most triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) are hematophagous, though Belminus species can live off of cockroach hemolymph to complete their life cycle. In this work we described the fixed action pattern (FAP) employed by B. ferroae to identify, approach and suck on a living cockroach. The FAP described here is composed of the following stereotyped behaviors: 1) visual and/or olfactory detection of the cockroach, 2) reaching, 3) cautious approach, 4) antennal exploration, 5) extension of the proboscis, 3) piercing to sedate, 5) walking  away and waiting (post sedation behavior), 6) second cautious approach, 7) extension of the proboscis, 8) piercing to suck hemolymph. In order to identify chemicals cues that could elicit such FAP, we examined the behavior of B. corredori, B. ferroae and B. herreri in response to the cockroaches' odor, fresh cockroach feces and fresh rodent wastes. The last two sources were tested based on the assumption that abundant chemicals near host refuges could serve as cues for host orientation. We found the cockroach odor emanating from a box significantly attracted B. herreri in a still air olfactometer. The three Belminus species approached the captive cockroach after one hour, but avoided to climb the box. Odors emanating from the cockroach feces attracted B. corredori and B. ferroae in a Y-olfactometer. The FAP sequence observed suggests Belminus bugs are not predators like the rest of reduviids (assassin bugs) ­but are kleptophagous ectoparasites, since they do not attack and kill a prey but rather steal hemolymph from its invertebrate host. Triatomines and their hosts have intimately shared the same refuge for millions of years. Similar odors occur across invertebrate and vertebrate refuges, and are recurrent in human abodes, thus plausibly explaining how these kleptophagous bugs can readily switch to the domestic habitat.

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Arsenic Sources in Groundwater Flow Systems.

The presence of arsenic in groundwater constitutes a hazard for the environment and human health, and the determination of its source has become a global challenge, which can be approached by defining the natural background levels (NBL) in conjunction with the indicator kriging method, with the aim of delineating anthropogenically contaminated areas. However, having a unique value of NBL for large areas can generate interpretation errors. This research integrates the determination of the flow systems present in the Calera Aquifer, and the definition of the natural background levels in each flow system by making estimation maps in ArcGIS using two databases, 10 years apart, to evaluate the spatio-temporal variation of arsenic in groundwater. The results indicate a notable increase in the probability of exceeding the arsenic NBL, mainly in the intermediate flow, which may be due to movement resulting from mining activities as well as a mixture of regional and intermediate flows caused by the extraction of water for agriculture and drinking water supplies. The presented values exceed the maximum limits allowed for human consumption, as stated by the World Health Organization.

[Description of external cuticular setae of head, thorax, legs, abdomen and genitalia of four Triatominae species].

INTRODUCTION: The classification of the cuticular extensions of insects has been proposed as a taxonomic tool; however, the internal and external processes of the cuticular extensions of the Triatominae subfamily have not been fully analyzed and categorized. Objective: To describe the setae from different regions of the outer cuticle of several triatomine species by scanning electron microscopy. Materials and methods: Triatomines were washed and dried, after which different regions of the body from Eratyrus mucronatus, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus and Belminus ferroae specimens were dissected, mounted on graphite double-sided adhesive tape over metal supports, metalized with gold and micrographed for further analysis. Results: We described nine types of cuticular setae. We found five types of setae in B. ferroae and T. maculata, four in P. geniculatus and only one in E. mucronatus. According to the proposed typology, type 3 seta was the most common in T. maculata, P. geniculatus and E. mucronatus, whereas type 1a predominated in B. ferroae. Conclusion: Type 3 seta was the most common in the Triatomini tribe (T. maculata, E mucronatus and P. geniculatus), whereas type 1a seta was specific to B. ferroae (tribe Bolboderini), suggesting that the surface morphology of the setae may have taxonomic value at tribe taxonomic level.

Descripción de setas cuticulares externas de cabeza, tórax, patas, abdomen y genitales en cuatro especies de Triatominae / Description of external cuticular setae of head, thorax, legs, abdomen and genitalia of four Triatominae species

Introducción. Se han propuesto clasificaciones de las extensiones cuticulares de los insectos para utilizarlas como herramienta taxonómica. A pesar de los diversos estudios morfológicos adelantados en triatominos, el conocimiento que se tiene sobre la distribución y los tipos morfológicos de estas estructuras en la subfamilia aún es escaso y fragmentario. Objetivo. Describir las setas de diferentes regiones de la cutícula externa de varias especies de triatominos mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido. Materiales y métodos. Se lavaron y se secaron especímenes de Eratyrus mucronatus, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus y Belminus ferroae, y a continuación se disecaron diferentes regiones de sus cuerpos y se montaron sobre cinta adhesiva de grafito de doble faz en soportes metálicos. Se metalizaron con oro y se tomaron las micrografías para su posterior análisis. Resultados. Se describieron nueve tipos de setas cuticulares. En B. ferroae y T. maculata se encontraron cinco tipos de setas, en P. geniculatus, cuatro, y en E. mucronatus, un solo tipo. Según la tipología propuesta, la seta de tipo 3 fue la más común en cada especie, excepto en B. ferroae, en la cual predominó la seta de tipo 1a. Conclusión. La seta más común en las especies de la tribu Triatomini (T. maculata, E. mucronatus y P. geniculatus) fue la de tipo 3; la seta de tipo 1a fue específica para la especie B. ferroae, taxón de la tribu Bolboderini, lo cual permite suponer que la morfología superficial de las setas podría tener valor taxonómico a nivel de tribu.

Introduction: The classification of the cuticular extensions of insects has been proposed as a taxonomic tool; however, the internal and external processes of the cuticular extensions of the Triatominae subfamily have not been fully analyzed and categorized. Objective: To describe the setae from different regions of the outer cuticle of several triatomine species by scanning electron microscopy. Materials and methods: Triatomines were washed and dried, after which different regions of the body from Eratyrus mucronatus, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus and Belminus ferroae specimens were dissected, mounted on graphite double-sided adhesive tape over metal supports, metalized with gold and micrographed for further analysis. Results: We described nine types of cuticular setae. We found five types of setae in B. ferroae and T. maculata, four in P. geniculatus and only one in E. mucronatus. According to the proposed typology, type 3 seta was the most common in T. maculata, P. geniculatus and E. mucronatus, whereas type 1a predominated in B. ferroae. Conclusion: Type 3 seta was the most common in the Triatomini tribe (T. maculata, E mucronatus and P. geniculatus), whereas type 1a seta was specific to B. ferroae (tribe Bolboderini), suggesting that the surface morphology of the setae may have taxonomic value at tribe taxonomic level.

[Morphological abnormalities in the cibarium of Lutzomyia evansi (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) caught in Trujillo, Venezuela]. / Anomalías morfológicas en los dientes del cibario de Lutzomyia evansi (Diptera: Psychodidae) en el estado Trujillo, Venezuela.

INTRODUCTION: Lutzomyia evansi is a recognized vector of Leishmania infantum in Colombia and Venezuela. OBJECTIVE: To describe and illustrate the morphological abnormalities in Lu. evansi females captured in a rural focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Trujillo, Venezuela. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phlebotomine sand flies were collected using CDC light traps, Shannon traps and aspiration in resting places. The identification was performed according to Young & Duncan (1994) and drawings were made using a microscope with camara lucida . RESULTS: Abnormalities in the cibarium of Lu. evansi were detected in 4 (0.12%) females of the 3,477 adults that were studied. CONCLUSION: Lutzomyia evansi can have uncommon morphological variants associated with an increase in the number of teeth in the cibarium and their arrangement, which may lead to errors in the taxonomic identification of anomalous specimens. The study of such deformities can serve to avoid taxonomic identification errors.

Situación epidemiológica del tabaquismo en Chile / Tobacco consumption in Chile: an epidemiological approach

El artículo presenta una caracterización del consumo de tabaco en Chile, utilizando para ello el modelo ecológico de enfermedades transmisibles, analizándolo como enfermedad crónica de carácter epidémica. Se comentan características del hospedero, agente etiológico, reservorio, ambiente y vector, en relación al tabaco. El consumo de cigarrillo evoluciona rápidamente en sociedades desarrolladas hacia bajas prevalencias en actuales. Globalmente la situación es heterogénea, persistiendo países como Chile, con consumo elevado y de difícil control. La prevalencia de fumadores actuales es de 40,6 por ciento, estimándose que un tercio de ellos podrían ser dependientes a la nicotina. En base al modelo de progresión de la epidemia de tabaquismo (López et al), se postula que Chile se encuentra en la Etapa III de la epidemia, caracterizada por alto consumo de tabaco en varones, prevalencia aun en aumento en mujeres e incipiente manifestación de carga de enfermedad atribuible al tabaco. Chile ha modificado recientemente su legislación sobre tabaco (venta y publicidad, preservación de aire libre de humo de tabaco, restricción al consumo y aumento de impuestos), lo que augura mejores perspectivas de control. El modelo de progresión epidémica muestra buena capacidad predictiva, sugiriendo para Chile para las próximas décadas, aumento en enfermedades atribuibles al tabaco (cardiovasculares, respiratorias crónicas y tumores malignos), superado el umbral de tiempo de exposición a prevalencias elevadas. A través de este análisis se identifican oportunidades de intervención tanto a nivel clínico como de salud pública, y se sugieren medidas específicas para optimizar el control y tratamiento del tabaquismo en nuestro país...

An epidemiological description about tobacco consumption in Chile is introduced in this article, based on the ecological model about transmission derived from communicable diseases. The logic of epidemic diseases and epidemiologic triad is translated and applied to the case of tobacco consumption looking for main characteristics of etiological agent (tobacco products), host, environment, main vector and their reservoir. Global trends on smoking behavior has been rapidly changed from high rates to unexpected low rates in developed world, reached due to successful strategies on prevention and control. Chile shows a complex profile, with high rates of smoking in general population, among adolescents and young adults and women. The tobacco epidemic progression model (Lopez et al 1994) is analyzed in order to understand its timing, changes in smoking prevalence and the burden of tobacco attributable burden of diseases. Chile is probably placed in an early stage of phase III of the proposed epidemic model on tobacco consumption, facing the next decades, raising trends in mortality rates due to chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and malignant tumors, after the threshold of minimal time exposure time has been surpassed. Crucial support coming from health and teaching professional is expecting for better Chilean policies on prevention, control and treatment of smoking...

[Prevalence of obesity and altered lipid profile in university students]. / Prevalencia de obesidad y perfil lipídico alterado en jóvenes universitarios.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a serious public health problem because its association with the risk to develop various chronic diseases. Atherogenic dyslipidemia that often accompany obesity is also associated to the metabolic syndrome and to cardiovascular diseases. The transition from adolescence to young adulthood appears to be a period where major changes occur in the lifestyle which contributes to the development of obesity, however, little attention has been given to this transition stage. The inclination to adopt unhealthy behaviors which occurs during early adulthood may be increased on university students because their lifestyle, which is characterized by lack of time to eat a healthy diet, which can make them susceptible to obesity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of obesity and lipid levels abnormalities and their relationship in a group of university students. METHODS: Transversal study of university students aged between 18 and 24 years. Body mass index, waist circumference and blood lipid profile where evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 620 students surveyed about one-third have either overweight or obesity. 86% of students had at least one alteration in the evaluated parameters. Lipid profile results show a high prevalence of minor alterations in levels, particularly in cholesterol linked to low density lipoproteins levels. CONCLUSIONS: University young students have a high prevalence of overweight and plasma lipid levels above the norm, but most are in the low-risk categories. It is necessary to establish early preventive measures aimed at promoting in the university student good eating habits and increased physical activity.

Introducción: La obesidad constituye un grave problema de salud pública por su asociación con los riesgos a desarrollar enfermedades crónicas. La dislipidemia aterogénica que acompaña con frecuencia a la obesidad también está asociada al síndrome metabólico y a las enfermedades cardiovasculares. La transición entre la adolescencia y el adulto es un periodo con modificaciones importantes en el estilo de vida que contribuyen al desarrollo de la obesidad, sin embargo es poca la atención brindada a esta etapa. La tendencia a adoptar comportamientos poco saludables durante esta transición puede incrementarse en los universitarios que llevan un estilo de vida caracterizado por la falta de tiempo para llevar una dieta saludable, haciéndolos susceptibles a desarrollar obesidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de la obesidad y de las anormalidades en los niveles de lípidos y su relación en un grupo de universitarios. Métodos: Estudio transversal que evalúa Índice de Masa Corporal, diámetro de cintura y perfil de lípidos en universitarios con un rango de edad de 18 a 24 años. Resultados: De los 620 jóvenes estudiados, aproximadamente un tercio tienen sobrepeso u obesidad. El 86% presentó al menos una alteración en los parámetros evaluados. Los resultados del perfil lipídico muestran alta prevalencia de alteraciones leves, particularmente en los niveles de colesterol ligado a lipoproteínas de baja densidad. Conclusiones: Los jóvenes Universitarios presentan alta prevalencia de lípidos plasmáticos por encima de la norma y exceso de peso. Es necesario establecer medidas preventivas dirigidas a promover en los universitarios buenos hábitos alimenticios y mayor actividad física.

In situ and in silico evaluation of amine- and folate-terminated dendrimers as nanocarriers of anesthetics.

The search for new nano-systems for targeted biomedical applications and controlled drug release has attracted significant attention in polymer chemistry, pharmaceutics, and biomaterial science. Controlled drug delivery has many advantages over conventional drug administration, such as reduction of side effects, maintaining a stable plasma level concentration and improving the quality of life of patients. In this study, PAMAM G5 dendrimers and PAMAM G5-folic acid conjugates (PAMAM G5-FA) are synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Controlled release studies at different pH values show that PAMAM G5-FA is a good candidate as a carrier for tramadol and morphine, while mathematical modeling is conducted, suggesting that the release process is governed by a diffusion mechanism. In addition, using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the structural and energetic properties that facilitate the encapsulation of tramadol and morphine by unmodified and functionalized PAMAM-G5 dendrimers at low, neutral and high pH. Our results correlate well with experimental data, confirming that tramadol and morphine may be encapsulated both by functionalized PAMAM dendrimers and unmodified PAMAM. Moreover, the simulations further reveal that hydrogen-bond and electrostatic interactions govern the affinity the dendrimers for both drugs. This information is envisioned to prove useful for the encapsulation of other drugs and for the design of novel functionalized dendrimers.

Prevalencia de obesidad y perfil lipídico alterado en jóvenes universitarios / Prevalence of obesity and altered lipid profile in university students

Introducción: La obesidad constituye un grave problema de salud pública por su asociación con los riesgos a desarrollar enfermedades crónicas. La dislipidemia aterogénica que acompaña con frecuencia a la obesidad también está asociada al síndrome metabólico y a las enfermedades cardiovasculares. La transición entre la adolescencia y el adulto es un periodo con modificaciones importantes en el estilo de vida que contribuyen al desarrollo de la obesidad, sin embargo es poca la atención brindada a esta etapa. La tendencia a adoptar comportamientos poco saludables durante esta transición puede incrementarse en los universitarios que llevan un estilo de vida caracterizado por la falta de tiempo para llevar una dieta saludable, haciéndolos susceptibles a desarrollar obesidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de la obesidad y de las anormalidades en los niveles de lípidos y su relación en un grupo de universitarios. Métodos: Estudio transversal que evalúa Índice de Masa Corporal, diámetro de cintura y perfil de lípidos en universitarios con un rango de edad de 18 a 24 años. Resultados: De los 620 jóvenes estudiados, aproximadamente un tercio tienen sobrepeso u obesidad. El 86% presentó al menos una alteración en los parámetros evaluados. Los resultados del perfil lipídico muestran alta prevalencia de alteraciones leves, particularmente en los niveles de colesterol ligado a lipoproteínas de baja densidad. Conclusiones: Los jóvenes Universitarios presentan alta prevalencia de lípidos plasmáticos por encima de la norma y exceso de peso. Es necesario establecer medidas preventivas dirigidas a promover en los universitarios buenos hábitos alimenticios y mayor actividad física (AU)

Introduction: Obesity is a serious public health problem because its association with the risk to develop various chronic diseases. Atherogenic dyslipidemia that often accompany obesity is also associated to the metabolic syndrome and to cardiovascular diseases. The transition from adolescence to young adulthood appears to be a period where major changes occur in the lifestyle which contributes to the development of obesity, however, little attention has been given to this transition stage. The inclination to adopt unhealthy behaviors which occurs during early adulthood may be increased on university students because their lifestyle, which is characterized by lack of time to eat a healthy diet, which can make them susceptible to obesity. Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity and lipid levels abnormalities and their relationship in a group of university students. Methods: Transversal study of university students aged between 18 and 24 years. Body mass index, waist circumference and blood lipid profile where evaluated. Results: Of the 620 students surveyed about one-third have either overweight or obesity. 86% of students had at least one alteration in the evaluated parameters. Lipid profile results show a high prevalence of minor alterations in levels, particularly in cholesterol linked to low density lipoproteins levels. Conclusions: University young students have a high prevalence of overweight and plasma lipid levels above the norm, but most are in the low-risk categories. It is necessary to establish early preventive measures aimed at promoting in the university student good eating habits and increased physical activity (AU)

Demographic fitness of Belminus ferroae (Hemiptera: Triatominae) on three different hosts under laboratory conditions

Triatominae are widely recognised for their role as vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi. One of the main biological characteristics of this subfamily is their obligate haematophagous condition. However, previous studies on Belminus herreri and Belminus ferroae suggested that cockroaches are their principal hosts in domiciles. Due to this peculiar behaviour, the aim of this study was to analyse several demographic and reproductive parameters of B. ferroae fed on three different hosts (mice, cockroaches and Rhodnius prolixus) and relate B. ferroae fitness to these alternative hosts. The cohorts were reared under constant conditions. The egg hatching rate was similar for cohorts fed on cockroaches (69.4%) and R. prolixus (63.8%), but was much lower for the cohort fed on mice (16%). The development time from the nymph to adult stage and the average age of first reproduction (α) presented lower values in the cohort fed on cockroaches, which is consistent with the higher population growth rate associated with this host. Demographic parameters [intrinsic rate of natural increase, finite rate of population growth, net reproductive rate and damping ratio] showed statistically significant differences between the cohorts. Analysis of the life history of B. ferroae revealed a higher fitness related to the cockroach. The implications of these results for the origin of the subfamily are discussed.

Demographic fitness of Belminus ferroae (Hemiptera: Triatominae) on three different hosts under laboratory conditions.

Triatominae are widely recognised for their role as vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi. One of the main biological characteristics of this subfamily is their obligate haematophagous condition. However, previous studies on Belminus herreri and Belminus ferroae suggested that cockroaches are their principal hosts in domiciles. Due to this peculiar behaviour, the aim of this study was to analyse several demographic and reproductive parameters of B. ferroae fed on three different hosts (mice, cockroaches and Rhodnius prolixus) and relate B. ferroae fitness to these alternative hosts. The cohorts were reared under constant conditions. The egg hatching rate was similar for cohorts fed on cockroaches (69.4%) and R. prolixus (63.8%), but was much lower for the cohort fed on mice (16%). The development time from the nymph to adult stage and the average age of first reproduction (α) presented lower values in the cohort fed on cockroaches, which is consistent with the higher population growth rate associated with this host. Demographic parameters [intrinsic rate of natural increase, finite rate of population growth, net reproductive rate and damping ratio] showed statistically significant differences between the cohorts. Analysis of the life history of B. ferroae revealed a higher fitness related to the cockroach. The implications of these results for the origin of the subfamily are discussed.

The sandfly fauna, anthropophily and the seasonal activities of Pintomyia spinicrassa (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeastern Colombia.

This study was conducted to identify the sandfly fauna and the anthropophilic species in a coffee-growing area of Villanueva, Norte de Santander, Colombia, a focus of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, and to analyse the relationship between the most frequent species and rainfall, relative humidity and temperature, with the aim of contributing to epidemiological surveillance in the area. Sandfly collections were performed fortnightly between February 2006-September 2007 using automatic light traps, Shannon traps, protected human bait and aspiration in resting places. A total of 7,051 sandflies belonging to 12 species were captured. Pintomyia spinicrassa (95.7%) predominated. Pintomyia oresbia and Lutzomyia sp. of Pichinde were found in the state of Norte de Santander for the first time. Pi. spinicrassa, Pintomyia nuneztovari, Micropygomyia venezuelensis, Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) scorzai and Lu. (Helcocyrtomyia) sp. were captured on the protected human bait. A significant association between Pi. spinicrassa abundance and the total rainfall and the average temperature and humidity 10 days before the collection was observed. The dominance of Pi. spinicrassa, a recognised vector of Leishmania braziliensis, especially during the dry periods, indicates that the risk of parasite transmission may increase.