Psychological Inflexibility and Loneliness Mediate the Impact of Stress on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Healthcare Students and Early-Career Professionals During COVID-19.

Background: The current mental health state of healthcare professionals and students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador remains understudied and how to improve their mental health is a challenge. Objective: This study aimed to explore the anxiety and depressive symptomatology among healthcare students and professionals in Ecuador and to examine the role of psychological inflexibility, loneliness, and psychological stress as predictors of anxiety and depression symptoms. Methods: A total of 191 undergraduate and graduate healthcare students in clinical practice (early-career healthcare professionals) in Ecuador were surveyed between January and March 2021 using standardized measures of psychological stress (PSS), psychological inflexibility (AAQ), loneliness (UCLA), alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), and anxiety and depressive symptomatology (PHQ). Macro Process for SPSS (models 4 and 7) were used to test mediation effects. Results: Alcohol consumption varied between men and women and anxiety and depression symptomatology was generally low among the sample. Psychological inflexibility and loneliness mediated the impact of stress on anxiety and depressive mood in participants, regardless of gender and previous personal history of COVID-19. Discussion: Implications of psychological inflexibility and the prevention and coping with stress in healthcare professionals during COVID-19 are further discussed.

Disinfection of gloved hands during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Disinfection of gloves can be used during a pandemic situation when performing various procedures on the same patient or when removing personal protective equipment. If performing glove disinfection, there is a need to check the compatibility of gloves with the disinfectant product used. AIM: To test the resistance of nitrile gloves to various disinfectant solutions. METHODS: One hundred percent powder-free nitrile gloves, composed of nitrile butadiene rubber compounds, were exposed to various disinfectants to analyse resistance. The seven most commonly used disinfectant solutions in the healthcare field were selected for testing. The effects of each disinfectant were analysed in comparison with the control group (untreated glove). For tensile testing, the thickness of each test specimen was measured with a micrometer. FINDINGS: Bleach solution decreased the breaking load of gloves, although to a lesser extent than disinfectants that contained ethanol. CONCLUSION: Disinfectants that contain alcohol decrease the breaking load of nitrile gloves.

Differences in competitive ability for the occupancy of shelters in triatomines.

Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) are nocturnal blood-sucking insects. During daylight hours they remain in an akinetic state inside their shelters, whereas at dusk they become active and move outside. When they are outside their shelters during the photophase, triatomines are vulnerable to diurnal predators and the period just before dawn is critical to their survival. This work analyses the existence of competitive interactions involved in the occupancy of shelters by triatomines. Behavioural assays were performed in which nymphs of different stages, nutritional status or species were released in an experimental arena containing a space-limited artificial shelter. The proportions of individuals occupying the shelter during the photophase were quantified to estimate the competitive abilities of each stage and species. Intraspecific comparisons showed higher levels of shelter occupancy for fourth over fifth instars and fed over unfed nymphs of Triatoma infestans. Interspecific comparisons showed higher rates of shelter occupancy for Triatoma sordida in comparison with T. infestans, and for T. infestans over Rhodnius prolixus. Arrival order was also relevant to determining shelter occupancy levels: early arrival was advantageous in comparison with later arrival. The study of intra- and interspecific competitive interactions for shelter occupancy provides relevant information about colonization and recolonization processes in the natural environments of triatomines.

Female odours promote the activation of sheltered kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus males and modulate their orientation.

The existence of a pheromone emitted during copulation has been reported for Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Stål. Adults possess one pair of metasternal glands (MGs) from which female R. prolixus release volatiles mainly at night. We investigated whether these volatiles emitted by adult R. prolixus can modulate sexual-related behaviours of opposite and/or same sex individuals. We first used a shelter bioassay to test if adult activity patterns can be affected by chemical signals emitted by opposite sex conspecifics. We observed that males left the shelter more frequently in the presence of females, showing higher activity and an increase of intrasexual copulation attempts. Females showed no shelter-related activation in the presence of male odours. Second, we used a locomotion compensator device to investigate whether females or males show oriented responses to odours emitted by adults. We found that males oriented towards air currents carrying female odours but females did not orient towards odours emitted by adults. Finally, we observed that males oriented towards the female MG compounds. Thus, a volatile chemical signal emitted by females from their MGs promoted the activation of sheltered males and modulated orientation to air currents.

Acute aerocystitis in Nile tilapia bred in net cages and supplemented with chromium carbochelate and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Oreochromis niloticus bred in net cages were supplemented with cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) (0.3%) or chromium carbochelate (Cr) (18 mg/kg of feed) or in association (Sc + Cr), for 90 days. After this period, acute inflammation was induced in the swim bladder by inoculation of 3 × 10(8) CFU of inactivated Streptococcus agalactiae, and another group received 0.65% saline solution (control). Twelve, 24, and 48 h after stimulation, the inflammation was evaluated through total and differential counting of accumulated cells, and through leukocyte respiratory burst in the blood, cortisolemia, glycemia and serum lysozyme concentration. The results showed that there were greater total numbers of cells in the exudate of fish inoculated with inactivated bacterium than in those injected with saline solution, with predominance of lymphocytes, thrombocytes, macrophages and granulocytes. Tilapia supplemented with Cr presented increased total numbers of cells with significant accumulation of lymphocytes and reductions in cortisolemia and glycemia, but the different treatments did not have any influence on leukocyte respiratory burst or serum lysozyme concentration. Tilapia supplemented with Sc and the Cr + Sc association did not present significant changes to the variables evaluated, despite higher accumulation of lymphocytes in the inflammatory exudate from fish treated with Sc. The results indicate that tilapia bred in net cages and supplemented with Cr presented higher total accumulation of cells at the inflammatory focus, thus indicating an increase in the inflammatory response induced by the bacterium, probably due to the reduction in cortisolemia and higher glucose consumption. Thus, supplementation with Cr had beneficial action, which facilitated development of acute inflammation induced by the bacterium, but did not affect neither leukocyte respiratory burst in the blood nor serum lysozyme concentration.

Strategies to develop the nursing process and nursing care plans in the health system in Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Care plans provide guidelines to offer all patients the same quality assistance. Care plans constitute a base where every stage of the nursing process can be recorded, which will save time when handling documentation. Bolivian nurses are very keen to participate in this global trend in order to grasp the opportunity offered by the international cooperation programmes carried out between Spain and South America. AIMS: To identify obstacles and enablers encountered when implementing the nursing process and to set clear strategies and actions so as to develop the nursing process and care plans in Santa Cruz department (Bolivia) both in hospitals and universities. METHODS: The participatory action research was conducted between the Autonomous University of Gabriel René Moreno (Bolivia) and the University of Almería (Spain). The procedure for data collection included meetings with key informants, interviews, observation and workshops. Data were analysed using the constant comparison and categorized by common themes. RESULTS: Lack of time and instruments, shortage of resources and the need for continuous training came up as obstacles, whereas enablers were the nurses' involvement, the university-hospital coordination and the support given by institutions. Actions taken were the creation of a care plan unit, the implementation of a training programme, design of instruments and meetings held with authorities and institutional representatives. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting action research schemes within international cooperation programmes signifies an excellent opportunity for the nursing system in less-developed countries to be included in international plans with the aim of standardizing the nursing practice.

Blood thyroglobulin and TSH receptor mRNA detection by RT-PCR in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer patients

ObjetivoDurante los últimos años varios grupos han utilizado la técnica de RT-PCR para la detección de células tiroideas circulantes, mediante la amplificación del ARNm de Tg y TSH-R, sin embargo los resultados publicados son controvertidos. En este trabajo investigamos la utilidad de la detección de ARNm de Tg y del receptor de TSH (R-TSH) mediante RT-PCR en pacientes con carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides (CDT) durante el tratamiento con levotiroxina.Pacientes y métodosInvestigamos la expresión del ARNm de Tg y del R-TSH mediante RT-PCR con una y dos rondas de amplificación, en la sangre de 3 grupos de pacientes: A) 34 pacientes con CDT sin evidencia de enfermedad actual B) 8 pacientes con CDT y evidencia de metástasis y C) 13 sujetos normales. La expresión del ARNm de Tg fue también analizada mediante RT-PCR semicuantitativo.ResultadosSe detectó la presencia de ARNm de Tg y R-TSH en todos los sujetos (pacientes con CDT con y sin evidencia de enfermedad y en los sujetos normales) mediante RT-PCR con una y dos rondas de amplificación. Mediante RT-PCR semicuantitativo los niveles promedio de ARNm de Tg en los 3 grupos fueron los siguientes: Grupo A 0.182±0.107, GrupoB 0.329±0.298, Grupo C 0.305±0.217.ConclusionesLa detección de ARNm de Tg y de R-TSH por RT-PCR con una o dos rondas de amplificación no es una herramienta útil para el seguimiento de los pacientes con CDT. En los pacientes con CDT sin evidencia de enfermedad vigente, los niveles más bajos de ARNm de Tg, aunque no significativos, podrían indicar que un pequeño número de células tiroideas puede estar presente normalmente en la circulación o podría representar una transcripción ectópica de los mensajeros a partir de células de la sangre(AU)

ObjectiveDuring the last years several groups have used the technique of RT-PCR for the detection of circulating thyroid cells, through the amplification of thyroglobulin (Tg) and TSH receptor(TSH-R) mRNA; however the published results are controversial. In this study we investigated the utility for the detection of Tg and TSH-R mRNA by RT-PCR in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) during treatment with levothyroxine.Subjects and methodsWe investigated the expression of Tg and TSH-R mRNA by single and nested RT-PCR in the blood of 3 groups of subjects: (A) 34 patients with DTC and no evidence of disease, (B) 8 patients with DTC and evidence of local or distant metastasis and (C) 13 normal subjects. Expression levels of Tg mRNA were also analysed by comparative semi-quantitative RT-PCR.ResultsTg and TSH-R mRNA signals were detected in all subjects (patients with DTC with and without evidence of disease and in normal subjects) by single or nested RT-PCR. By semi-quantitative RT-PCR and densitometric analysis of PCR products, mean levels of circulating Tg mRNA of the 3 groups were: Group A 0.182±0.107, Group B 0.329±0.298 and Group C 0.305±0.217.ConclusionsSingle or nested RT-PCR for Tg and TSH-R mRNA is not a suitable tool in the follow-up of patients with DTC. Lower levels of Tg mRNA in patients with DTC without evidence of disease, although not significant, may indicate that small numbers of thyroid cells may be normally present in the circulation or may represent an ectopic transcriptionof messengers from blood cells(AU)

Blood thyroglobulin and TSH receptor mRNA detection by RT-PCR in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: During the last years several groups have used the technique of RT-PCR for the detection of circulating thyroid cells, through the amplification of thyroglobulin (Tg) and TSH receptor(TSH-R) mRNA; however the published results are controversial. In this study we investigated the utility for the detection of Tg and TSH-R mRNA by RT-PCR in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) during treatment with levothyroxine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated the expression of Tg and TSH-R mRNA by single and nested RT-PCR in the blood of 3 groups of subjects: (A) 34 patients with DTC and no evidence of disease, (B) 8 patients with DTC and evidence of local or distant metastasis and (C) 13 normal subjects. Expression levels of Tg mRNA were also analysed by comparative semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Tg and TSH-R mRNA signals were detected in all subjects (patients with DTC with and without evidence of disease and in normal subjects) by single or nested RT-PCR. By semi-quantitative RT-PCR and densitometric analysis of PCR products, mean levels of circulating Tg mRNA of the 3 groups were: Group A 0.182+/-0.107, Group B 0.329+/-0.298 and Group C 0.305+/-0.217. CONCLUSIONS: Single or nested RT-PCR for Tg and TSH-R mRNA is not a suitable tool in the follow-up of patients with DTC. Lower levels of Tg mRNA in patients with DTC without evidence of disease, although not significant, may indicate that small numbers of thyroid cells may be normally present in the circulation or may represent an ectopic transcription of messengers from blood cells.

Nematodos parásitos de Lutjanus synagris (Linneaus, 1758) y Lutjanus analis (Cuvier, 1828) (perciformes, Lutjanidae) en las zonas de santa marta y neguanje, caribe colombiano / Parasitic nematodes of Lutjanus synagris and Lutjanus analis (perciformes, lutjanidae) in areas of santa marta and neguanje, Colombian caribean

Se describen los nemátodos encontrados en el sistema digestivo de las especies de pargo Lutjanus synagris y Lutjanus analis. Esta investigación se orientó principalmente a la clasificación taxonómica de los parásitos y no a los efectos o patologías que estos puedan ocasionar en los peces. Se tuvo en cuenta que en Colombia los pargos constituyen uno de los recursos de mayor importancia para la comercialización; Lutjanus synagris y Lutjanus analis son especies demersales explotadas a lo largo de toda la región costera e insular del Caribe colombiano. Los tractos digestivos se colectaron de los pargos capturados artesanalmente (nasa, cordel) por pescadores de las zonas de Santa Marta y Neguanje; se identificaron los siguientes géneros de nemátodos: Capillaria spp., Contracaecum spp., Cucullanus spp. y Raphidascaris spp.; el último género fue el más representativo.

In this study nematodes are described found in the digestive system of the species Lutjanus synagris and Lutjanus analis. The aim of this research was the taxonomic location of the intestinal parasites and not the effects or pathologies that these can cause in the fishes. For this study one kept in mind that in Colombia the pargos constitute one of the resources of more importance for the commercialization, being Lutjanus synagris and Lutjanus analis, demersal species exploded along the whole coastal region to insular of the Caribbean of Colombia. The digestive tracts were from the pargos captured hand madely (nasa, line) for fishermen of Santa Marta and Neguanje areas; time during which were located four kind of nematodes: Capillaria spp., Contracaecum spp., Cucullanus spp. and Raphidascaris spp., being this last one the most representative.

Determinación taxonómica de tremátodos digéneos en las especies de pargo Lutjanus synagris (linnaeus, 1758) y Lutjanus analis (cuvier, 1828) en las bahías de santa marta y neguanje, parque nacional natural Tayrona, caribe colombiano / Taxonomic determination of digenean trematodes in the snapper species Lutjanus synagris (linnaeus, 1758) and Lutjanus analis (cuvier, 1828) in the bays of santa marta and neguanje, Tayrona national natural park, colombian caribbean

Desde febrero hasta octubre de 2002 se colectaron los tractos digestivos de las especies de pargo Lutjanus synagris y Lutjanus analis, capturados artesanalmente en la región de Santa Marta, Caribe colombiano. El objetivo del estudio fue clasificar taxonómicamente hasta el nivel específico posible los individuos colectados, teniendo en cuenta la zona del tracto digestivo con mayor abundancia de tremátodos; así mismo se elaboraron fichas taxonómicas en las que se consignó información adicional a la descripción de los organismos, como hospedador y distribución geográfica. Se identificaron los siguientes géneros de tremátodos: Torticaecum spp., Hamacreadium spp., Helicometrina spp., Lepocreadium spp., Pseudopecoelus spp., Xystretum spp., Lasiotocus spp., Stegopa spp., Paracryptogonimus spp., Siphodera spp., Stephanostomum spp. y Megalomyzon spp.

From February until October 2002, the digestive tracts were collected of species of snapper Lutjanus synagris and Lutjanus analis, captured handmadely in the region of Santa Marta - Colombian Caribbean. This study aimed to locate taxonomically lowest possible level individuals collected, taking into account the area of the digestive tract with greater abundance of trematodes, also taxonomic cards were developed in which appropriated additional information to the description of the organism, as a host and geographical distribution. They were identified Torticaecum spp., Hamacreadium spp., Helicometrina spp., Lepocreadium spp., Pseudopecoelus spp., Xystretum spp., Lasiotocus spp., Stegopa spp., Paracryptogonimus spp., Siphodera spp., Stephanostomum spp., and Megalomyzon spp.

Mating behavior of the hematophagous bug Triatoma infestans: role of Brindley's and metasternal glands.

We investigated if Brindley's and metasternal glands are involved in the sexual behavior of Triatoma infestans. In laboratory assays, we analyzed the effect of selective occlusion of Brindley's and metasternal glands of the female (separately and together) on the behavior of males. Control assays without occlusion of glands were also performed. We quantitatively tested if such glands affect mating occurrence, the copulatory attempts of males, and the aggregation of males around a mating couple. The number of mating attempts by males did not differ between treatments, demonstrating that likelihood of males mating did not depend on which gland is occluded in the female. In the absence of any occlusion, T. infestans mated and males aggregated. The proportion of copulations and aggregation behavior of males did not differ between treatments when female's Brindley's glands were occluded. However, when metasternal glands were occluded, the proportion of mating couples decreased and males did not aggregate. We demonstrated that the metasternal glands of the female are involved in the sexual behavior of T. infestans, while Brindley's glands seem to have no effect on mating behavior. Copulation and aggregation behavior of males likely result from the eventual release of volatiles from the female's metasternal glands.

Repeated plasticization and recovery of cuticular stiffness in the blood-sucking bug Triatoma infestans in the feeding context.

Triatominae bugs experience changes in the mechanical properties of their cuticle prior to feeding. This process-plasticization-allows a rapid stretching of the unsclerotized abdominal cuticle of triatominae larvae and it is evoked by sensory inputs related to feeding. We tested: (a) whether the cuticle recovers its original mechanical properties after plasticization, (b) whether repeated stimulation would be able to evoke recurrent plasticization along the same larval instar, (c) the temporal course of recovering cuticular stiffness. We injected Ringer solution into the body cavity of the bugs at constant pressure, using the injection rate (ml/min) as a measure of the cuticle extensibility. To trigger plasticization, individuals were allowed to feed on blood from an artificial feeder at 32+/-2 degrees C. After plasticization occurred, the abdominal cuticle gradually recovered its original mechanical properties. Bugs were capable of plasticizing for a second time when repeatedly stimulated. The effects of plasticization vanished between 1 and 2 h after stimulation. Although one full meal could suffice to accomplish moult in other Triatomine species, Triatoma infestans is able to feed repeatedly during a single larval instar. Accordingly to this, their cuticle recovers stiffness in some hours and becomes able to respond repeatedly to sensory inputs associated with feeding.

The role of water vapour in the orientation behaviour of the blood-sucking bug Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

The behavioural response to water vapour of the haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans was analysed. Dry or humid discrete sources at different temperatures were used as stimuli for insects walking on a locomotion compensator. Humidity significantly increased the tendency of these bugs to orientate towards thermal sources. Furthermore, humid sources at room temperature were attractive to T. infestans, but this effect was limited to short-range distances. On the other hand, dynamic sources, i.e. airstreams carrying different water vapour contents did not affect the spontaneous anemotactic behaviour of this species, neither in sign (positive) nor in intensity. The anemotactic behaviour was also not influenced by the physiological water balance state of the bugs. Results are discussed in relation to the cues released by living hosts of triatomine bugs and in relation to their responses to air-currents.

Comparison of disturbance stridulations in five species of triatominae bugs.

It has been observed that Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus females stridulate to reject copulatory attempts performed by males. In addition, triatomines stridulate when disturbed or handled. In the present study, the temporal structure and frequency spectra of vibrational signals produced by mechanically disturbed T. infestans, T. sordida, T. guasayana, R. prolixus and Dipetalogaster maxima were analysed and compared. The inter-ridge distances of the prosternal stridulatory organ of the same species were also measured. The frequency spectra and repetition rates were similar, despite individuals of these five species have different sizes, their stridulatory grooves have different inter-ridge distances, and also their vibratory signals exhibited different temporal patterns. The hypothesis that disturbance stridulations are non-specific signals and could function to deter predators was discussed.

Determination of benzoyl peroxide and benzoic acid levels by HPLC during wheat flour bleaching process.

Freshly milled wheat flour has a pale yellow color due to its carotenoids content. Benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent typically used to give such flour a better appearance. This free-radical initiator promotes carotenoids oxidation, thereby producing less colored compounds, and benzoic acid is a main final product. Samples of wheat flour were treated with 150 ppm of benzoyl peroxide to begin a bleaching process, and then subjected to ethyl ether extraction at different intervals of time. Benzoyl peroxide and benzoic acid levels in these extracts were monitored by means of HPLC in individual experiences. The resulting concentration of benzoyl peroxide after 9 days of contact with the bleaching agent was 11 ppm, dropping afterward to nondetectable levels. A maximum value for benzoic acid of 16 ppm was found after 12 h of bleaching. Subsequently this level decreased continuously until reaching a residual value of 6 ppm after 3 months.