Recent Advances in Biomolecular Patho-Mechanistic Pathways behind the Development and Progression of Diabetic Neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is primarily characterized by distal sensory loss, reduced mobility, and foot ulcers that may potentially lead to amputation. The multifaceted etiology of DN is linked to a range of inflammatory, vascular, metabolic, and other neurodegenerative factors. Chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress are the three basic biological changes that contribute to the development of DN. Although our understanding of the intricacies of DN has advanced significantly over the past decade, the distinctive mechanisms underlying the condition are still poorly understood, which may be the reason behind the lack of an effective treatment and cure for DN. The present study delivers a comprehensive understanding and highlights the potential role of the several pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying the etiopathogenesis of DN. Moreover, Schwann cells and satellite glial cells, as integral factors in the pathogenesis of DN, have been enlightened. This work will motivate allied research disciplines to gain a better understanding and analysis of the current state of the biomolecular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of DN, which will be essential to effectively address every facet of DN, from prevention to treatment.

Advancements in Genetic and Biochemical Insights: Unraveling the Etiopathogenesis of Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative movement disorder worldwide, which is primarily characterized by motor impairments. Even though multiple hypotheses have been proposed over the decades that explain the pathogenesis of PD, presently, there are no cures or promising preventive therapies for PD. This could be attributed to the intricate pathophysiology of PD and the poorly understood molecular mechanism. To address these challenges comprehensively, a thorough disease model is imperative for a nuanced understanding of PD's underlying pathogenic mechanisms. This review offers a detailed analysis of the current state of knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PD, with a particular emphasis on the roles played by gene-based factors in the disease's development and progression. This study includes an extensive discussion of the proteins and mutations of primary genes that are linked to PD, including α-synuclein, GBA1, LRRK2, VPS35, PINK1, DJ-1, and Parkin. Further, this review explores plausible mechanisms for DAergic neural loss, non-motor and non-dopaminergic pathologies, and the risk factors associated with PD. The present study will encourage the related research fields to understand better and analyze the current status of the biochemical mechanisms of PD, which might contribute to the design and development of efficacious and safe treatment strategies for PD in future endeavors.

Multifunctional CoFe2O4/ZnO nanocomposites: Probing magnetic and photocatalytic properties.

Developing nanocomposites as efficient photocatalysts for eliminating hazardous contaminants is essential because of growing severity of water pollution. In this study, we have analysed the morphological, structural, magnetic, and optical properties of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites synthesized via hydrothermal approach and used for removal of rose bengal (RB) dye from contaminated water. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of synthesized nanocomposite revealed two distinct phases that matched with CoFe2O4 and ZnO. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra enlightened Co-O, Fe-O, and O-Zn-O binding peaks in synthesized nanocomposites. The band gap of nanocomposite, as determined by UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), varies from 3.19 to 3.25 eV. The wide band gap semiconductor (ZnO) is believed to be responsible for this transformation by introducing new sub-bandgap energy levels. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has shown the roles of various ions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis revealed spherical morphology of synthesized samples. The highest magnetism of pure CoFe2O4 was 34.61 emu/g, making it the most magnetic among all the synthesized materials. Furthermore, CoFe2O4/ZnO (1:4) nanocomposite exhibited the highest degradation of RB dye. The recombination of electron-hole pairs is inhibited by interfacial charge transfer provided by CoFe2O4 and ZnO. The results showed that CoFeZn14 nanocomposite is a promising candidate for wastewater treatment. CoFeZn14 demonstrated remarkable stability, showcasing its ability to be reused up to four times without compromising its efficiency. .

Estrategia educativa para el cuidado domiciliario de los bebes prematuros: Madres usuarias del programa madre canguro de Tunja, Colombia / Educational strategy por home care of premature babies: mothers users of kangaroo mother program from Tunja, Colombia

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue diseñar y aplicar una estrategia educativa sobre cuidados del RN en el hogar, con los componentes: contacto piel a piel, posición canguro, lactancia materna exclusiva, temperatura ideal y oxigenación ideal. Permitiendo identificar conocimientos y capacidades para cuidar a sus hijos. Se evidenció la necesidad de empoderar a las madres para que ofrecieran el cuidado a sus hijos en el hogar por medio de la Teoría de Mediano Rango de Kristen Swanson. Materiales y Métodos: Se diseñó y aplicó un formato de evaluación sobre conocimientos de componentes del PMC, a diez madres. Se realizó la intervención educativa, en varios etapas con demostraciones prácticas en talleres; detección de vacíos conceptuales y acompañamiento con intervenciones personalizadas. Resultados: Se encontró falta de conocimiento sobre los ítems básicos de posición del niño, contacto piel a piel, alimentación, manejo del oxígeno, evaluación de la temperatura y respiración, signos de alarma y beneficios del PMC. Se detectaron factores culturales y del sistema de salud como obstáculos para que las mamás asumieran compromisos para con el cuidado de los bebés. Discusión: El correcto desarrollo del PMC ambulatorio debe iniciar partiendo del diagnóstico de necesidades educativas relacionadas con el cuidado materno perinatal. El apoyo del profesional de enfermería, es fundamental para que las madres tengan seguridad y autonomía dentro del domicilio. Conclusión: El diseño de la estrategia educativa debe ser flexible, disponer de recursos humanos dedicados a capacitación individualizada, visitas de monitoreo y evaluación familiar, ya que contribuyen a afianzar el apoyo, disipar dudas, temores y en la correcta aplicación de las actividades prácticas del PMC.

Introduction: The Objective of this study was to make and to apply an educational strategy aimed at users of PMC mothers at the Hospital San Rafael in Tunja, about RN-care at home, according to the components: skin-to-skin, kangaroo position, exclusive breastfeeding, perfect temperature and perfect oxygenation. The mothers degree of compliance was taken into account, allowing to identify with a semi structured interview, the level of knowledge and skills that they had to care their preterm infants. Finally, we evaluated the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the mothers after receiving the training. Also we evidenced the need to empower mothers to care their children at home watching the Kangaroo Mother Program components through the Medium-Range Theory Kristen Swanson. Materials and Methods: We anticipated an experience that included the design and application of an evaluation form about knowledge of Kangaroo Mother Program components, PMC, to ten mothers, through semi structured interview; evaluation and observation in PMC techniques to determine the level of ability to children care at home. Educational intervention was performed in several stages: Training Group Activities about theoretical concepts, practical demonstrations in participatory workshops, semi-structured interviews, and conceptual gap detection was performed with accompaniment personalized interventions focused on motivation, reinforcement and retraining in the theoretical and practical PMC components. Results: The lack of structured knowledge on basic items child's position, skin to skin contact, food, oxygen management, evaluation of temperature and respiration, warning signs and benefits of PMC. All mothers met the PMC and its importance for child care but seven continued to feel fear to take the baby to home especially with oxygen. Cultural factors were detected and the health system was constituted obstacles for moms to make commitments for the care of babies. Discussion: The Kangaroo Mother Program in Hospital San Rafael in Tunja is considered viable because it is a strategy that meets the needs of population, and involves aspects of management commitment Breastfeeding Program, Programs Strategies to reduce infant mortality, and the accreditation of the Neonatology Service. Also reaffirms its viability to transcend in decreased readmissions, and long term, the decrease in neonatal mortality. The proper development of outpatient PMC should start based on the actual diagnosis related educational needs perinatal maternal care. The support of nurses to the mother in making decisions, it is essential for them to have security to develop the autonomy that can occur within the home. Conclusion: The design of the educational strategy for training purposes in PMC hospital should be flexible, allowing adjustments according to socioeconomic and cultural conditions, particularly levels of education, mother's age and parity; it was found that these factors influence the security, compliance and continuity of the PMC. The training group activities are effective mothers, but it is necessary to have resources dedicated to individualized training, to monitoring and evaluation visits in the family for feedback, as it helps develop family support, to dispel the doubts, fears, and in the correct application of the practical activities of the PMC.

Prevalencia del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en estudiantes universitarios de la salud y ciencias sociales / Prevalence of use of psychoactive substances in university students of the health and social sciences

Introducción: la prevalencia de vida de alguna sustancia psicoactiva ilícita o lícita de uso indebido en estudiantes universitarios de Colombia es del 29.3%. Materiales y Métodos: Se condujo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, el tamaño de la muestra fue calculado por programa académico con una frecuencia esperada del 2%, error estándar del 0.5% y una confianza del 95%. Se empleó el cuestionario “factores de riesgo y de protección para el consumo de drogas en jóvenes” desarrollado por Varela Arévalo M.T. y colaboradores, del Grupo de investigación Psicología, Salud y Calidad de Vida de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali. Resultados: Se evaluaron 995 estudiantes de la Facultad de Salud y de Ciencias Sociales, 76.71% eran mujeres, la mediana de edad fue de 21 años, el 93.90% de los estudiantes eran solteros. Las sustancias psicoactivas de mayor consumo dado la prevalencia de vida fueron en orden: el alcohol 83.73%, tabaco 34.08%, marihuana 11.87%, alucinógenos 4.59% y cocaína 2.33%; además, con una prevalencia actual del 61.69%, 16.40%, 3.05%, 1.60% y 0.42% para cada sustancia, respectivamente. Los hombres presentan mayor prevalencia de consumo en la vida y actual de cigarrillo, marihuana, cocaína y alucinógenos que las mujeres, (valor de p<0.01). Dentro de los problemas provocados por el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas se destacan los interpersonales, conflictos personales, económicos, académicos y/o laborales. Discusión y Conclusiones: Es necesario desarrollar e implementar programas o estrategias de promoción de la salud mental y prevención del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en los estudiantes universitarios, vinculando a bienestar universitario, con el propósito de evitar que la prevalencia del consumo aumente, afecte el proyecto de vida de los estudiantes y problemas biopsicosociales.

Introduction: the lifetime prevalence of any illicit or licit psychoactive substance misuse in college students from Colombia is 29.3%. Objective: We determined the magnitude of psychoactive substance use among students in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Sciences at the University of Santander. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study; the sample size was calculated by academic program with an expected frequency of 2%, standard error of 0.5% and a 95% confidence. Questionnaire was used “risk factors and protective for youth drug use” developed by Varela Arévalo MT and collaborators, Psychology Research Group, Health and Quality of Life at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali. Results: A total of 995 students from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences were evaluated, 76.71% were women, the median age was 21 years, 93.90% were single. The most widely consumed psychoactive substance given the prevalence of life were in order: 83.73% alcohol, snuff 34.08%, 11.87% marijuana, hallucinogens 4.59% and cocaine 2.33%, also with a current prevalence of 61.69%, 16.40%, 3.05 %, 1.60% and 0.42% for each substance, respectively. Men have a higher prevalence of use in life and current cigarette, marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens than women (p <0.01). Among the problems caused by the consumption of psychoactive substances highlights interpersonal, personal conflicts, economic, academic and employment. Discussion and Conclusions: It is necessary to develop and implement programs and strategies to promote mental health and prevention of psychoactive substance use in college students, linking university welfare, in order to prevent the prevalence increases, affecting the life project students and biopsychosocial problems.