Riesgos psicosociales en personal de salud del Perú: análisis de propiedades psicométricas del ISTAS 21 / Psychosocial risks in Peruvian health personnel: analysis of psychometric properties of ISTAS 21 questionnaire

Objetivo: Analizar las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario ISTAS 21 para valorar los riesgos psicosociales en personal de salud hospitalario y de servicios de atención primaria que suministran cuidados a pacientes Covid-19. Metodología: Diseño descriptivo, transversal, en el que se analiza las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario ISTAS 21, para valorar los riesgos psicosociales en personal de salud. Resultados: Se evaluaron 231 profesionales (M=34.9, DE = 9.36 años), provenientes de hospitales y servicios de atención primaria. El análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) evidencia pobre ajuste para el modelo de 5 factores de la estructura original (RMSEA = .120, CFI = .660, TLI = .597, y SRMR = .140), por lo que se evalúa la estructura con un AFE, que explica el 50% de la varianza y posee 5 factores, con adecuada consistencia interna. Conclusión: El ISTAS 21 cuenta con evidencia de validez y adecuada consistencia interna; y puede ser usado para identificar riesgos psicosociales en personal de salud peruanos que atienden pacientes Covid-19.(AU)

Objective: To analyze the psychometric properties of the ISTAS 21 questionnaire to assess psychosocial risks in hospital and primary health care personnel who provide care to Covid-19 patients. Methodology: the study has a descriptive, cross-sectional design, in which the psychometric properties of the ISTAS 21 questionnaire to assess psychosocial risks in health personnel were analyzed. Results: 231 professionals (M=34.9, SD=9.36 years) from hospitals and primary care services were evaluated. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evidences poor fit for the 5-factor model of the original structure (RMSEA = .120, CFI = .660, TLI = .597, and SRMR = .140), so the structure is evaluated with an AFE, which explains 50% of the variance and has 5 factors, with adequate internal consistency. Conclusions: It is concluded that the ISTAS 21 has evidence of validity and adequate internal consistency; and can be used to identify psychosocial risks in Peruvian health personnel who care for Covid-19 patients.(AU)

TOCOSH FLOUR (Solanum tuberosum L.): A Toxicological Assessment of Traditional Peruvian Fermented Potatoes.

Potato tocosh is a naturally processed potato for nutritional and curative purposes from traditional Peruvian medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of tocosh flour (TF). For sub-acute toxicity, TF was administered orally to rats daily once a day for 28 days at doses of 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW). Animals were observed for general behaviors, mortality, body weight variations, and histological analysis. At the end of treatment, relative organ weights, histopathology, hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed. For acute toxicity, TF was administered orally to mice at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg BW at a single dose in both sexes. Body weight, mortality, and clinical signs were observed for 14 days after treatment. The results of acute toxicity showed that the median lethal dose (LD50) value of TF is higher than 2000 g/kg BW but less than 5000 mg/Kg BW in mice. Death and toxicological symptoms were not found during the treatment. For sub-acute toxicity, we found that no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAEL) of TF in rats up to 1000 g/kg BW. There were statistically significant differences in body weight, and relative organ weight in the stomach and brain. No differences in hematological and biochemical parameters were observed when compared with the control group. For sub-acute toxicity, histopathological studies revealed minor abnormalities in liver and kidney tissues at doses of 5000 mg/Kg. Based on these results, TF is a traditional Peruvian medicine with high safety at up to 1000 mg/kg BW for 28 days in rats.

Protective effect of Chuquiraga spinosa Lessing associated with simvastatin on N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced prostate cancer in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chuquiraga spinosa Lessing (ChS) has shown protective effect on  N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced prostate cancer in rats. Currently, statins are being studied for their pro-apoptotic and antimetastatic effects. The main objective of this research was to determine the protective effect associated with the oral administration of simvastatin and ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of ChS in the prevention of prostate cancer. METHODS: Fifty-six albino male rats were randomized into seven groups: I) negative control: physiological serum: 2 mL/kg; II) TCN: testosterone 100 mg/kg + cyproterone 50 mg/kg + NMU 50 mg/kg; III) TCN + S40 (simvastatin 40 mg/kg); IV) TCN + ChS250 (ChS 250 mg/kg); V) TCN + ChS50 (ChS 50 mg/kg) + S40; VI) TCN + ChS250 (ChS 250 mg/kg) + S40; and VII) TCN + ChS500 (ChS 500 mg/kg) + S40. The antioxidant activity was tested by using (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH) assay. Hematology, toxicological biochemical parameters, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), histology and prostate size were evaluated as main indicators of protective effect. RESULTS: Triglyceride values were decreased in the groups receiving ChS, being significant (P=0.02) in IV and VII group compared to cancer-inducing group (TCN). In groups that received ChS, PSA levels (P=0.71) were significant compared with TCN group. The VII group had the lowest prostate volume by sonography. The TCN group showed multiple foci of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN) with the presence of cells in mitosis; whilst, groups V and VI had few areas of HG-PIN. CONCLUSION: In experimental conditions, the ethanolic extract of C. spinosa in association with simvastatin showed a protective effect on prostate cancer through hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Effect of Piper aduncum L. against Sodium Fluoride (NaF)-Induced Toxicity in Albino Mice.

Piper aduncum, commonly known as matico, is a plant that grows in the mountainous and coastal regions of Peru, and is studied for its antimicrobial properties and various ethnopharmacological uses. The main objective of this study was to determine the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of the methanolic extract of Piper aduncum leaves in Mus musculus previously administered with sodium fluoride (NaF) using the Micronucleus test and the Comet assay. The extract was administrated orally in four different concentrations: 150, 300, 600, and 1200 mg/Kg for ten days. At the 11th day, a single dose of NaF was administrated via intraperitoneal at 20 mg/Kg. The genotoxicity study was performed with mice from the strain BALB/c, using the Micronucleus test on bone marrow and the Comet assay on peripheral blood according to OECD guidelines 474 and 489, respectively. The statistical analysis was performed by median analysis with ANOVA. Significant differences were found in Micronucleus frequency between the highest concentrations of Piper aduncum and NaF. The Comet assay showed significant reduction of NaF-induced damage on erythrocytes depending on the different concentrations of the extract which were evaluated in this study. It is concluded that the methanolic extract of P. aduncum leaves has cytoprotective and antioxidant activity against sodium fluoride.