Circadian regulation of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis during the oviposition cycle in laying hens.

Maintenance of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in laying hens is crucial for preservation of skeletal integrity and eggshell quality, though physiological regulation of these systems is incompletely defined. To investigate changes in mineral and vitamin D3 homeostasis during the 24-h egg formation cycle, 32-wk-old commercial laying hens were sampled at 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15, 18, 21, 23, and 24 h post-oviposition (HPOP; n ≥ 4). Ovum location and egg calcification stage were recorded, and blood chemistry, plasma vitamin D3 metabolites, circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH), and expression of genes mediating uptake and utilization of calcium and phosphorus were evaluated. Elevated levels of renal 25-hydroxylase from 12 to 23 HPOP suggest this tissue might play a role in vitamin D3 25-hydroxylation during eggshell calcification. In shell gland, retinoid-x-receptor gamma upregulation between 6 and 8 HPOP followed by subsequently increased vitamin D receptor indicate that vitamin D3 signaling is important for eggshell calcification. Increased expression of PTH, calcitonin, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) receptors in the shell gland between 18 and 24 HPOP suggest elevated sensitivity to these hormones toward the end of eggshell calcification. Shell gland sodium-calcium exchanger 1 was upregulated between 4 and 7 HPOP and plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1 increased throughout eggshell calcification, suggesting the primary calcium transporter may differ according to eggshell calcification stage. Expression in shell gland further indicated that bicarbonate synthesis precedes transport, where genes peaked at 6 to 7 and 12 to 18 HPOP, respectively. Inorganic phosphorus transporter 1 (PiT-1) expression peaked in kidney between 12 and 15 HPOP, likely to excrete excess circulating phosphorus, and in shell gland between 18 and 21 HPOP. Upregulation of FGF23 receptors and PiT-1 during late eggshell calcification suggest shell gland phosphorus uptake is important at this time. Together, these findings identified potentially novel hormonal pathways involved in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis along with associated circadian patterns in gene expression that can be used to devise strategies aimed at improving eggshell and skeletal strength in laying hens.

A comparative analysis exposes an amplification delay distinctive to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants of clinical and public health relevance.

ABSTRACTMutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome may negatively impact a diagnostic test, have no effect, or turn into an opportunity for rapid molecular screening of variants. Using an in-house Emergency Use Authorized RT-qPCR-based COVID-19 diagnostic assay, we combined sequence surveillance of viral variants and computed PCR efficiencies for mismatched templates. We found no significant mismatches for the N, E, and S set of assay primers until the Omicron variant emerged in late November 2021. We found a single mismatch between the Omicron sequence and one of our assay's primers caused a > 4 cycle delay during amplification without impacting overall assay performance.Starting in December 2021, clinical specimens received for COVID-19 diagnostic testing that generated a Cq delay greater than 4 cycles were sequenced and confirmed as Omicron. Clinical samples without a Cq delay were largely confirmed as the Delta variant. The primer-template mismatch was then used as a rapid surrogate marker for Omicron. Primers that correctly identified Omicron were designed and tested, which prepared us for the emergence of future variants with novel mismatches to our diagnostic assay's primers. Our experience demonstrates the importance of monitoring sequences, the need for predicting the impact of mismatches, their value as a surrogate marker, and the relevance of adapting one's molecular diagnostic test for evolving pathogens.

Diabetic neuropathy: Molecular approach a treatment opportunity.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) encompasses a group of clinical or subclinical manifestations involving a dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system. The cause of the dysfunction is the development of microvascular complications related to diabetes, a disease that affects about 381 million people worldwide. Approximately 50% of patients currently diagnosed with diabetes are expected to manifest DN in the next 10 years. The diagnosis can be made clinically by establishing a good patient history and delving into the symptoms to rule out other etiologies. Treatment of DN focuses on glycemic control and the use of medications to reduce pain, including NSAIDs, antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs. The pathogenesis is of multifactorial origin, associated with various metabolic, vascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. The three fundamental cellular alterations participating in the development of DN are chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Since the combination of all three is capable of giving rise to nerve ischemia and direct axonal injury, these factors play a key role in the development of polyneuropathy. However, neuronal and microvascular changes do not occur in the same way in all patients with DN, some of whom have no detectable blood abnormalities.

Scoping health literacy in Latin America.

Studies evaluating the influence of health literacy on patient behavior and outcomes suggest a positive relationship between health literacy and health knowledge, health behaviors, and health status. In Latin American countries, studies assessing health literacy are few, regional, and demonstrate considerable variation, with reported rates of adequate health literacy ranging from 5.0% to 73.3%. In this paper, we examine and explore the state of health literacy and efforts to promote it in Latin America. Key challenges to those efforts include socioeconomic inequality, social/geographic isolation, and cultural-, language-, and policy-related barriers, many of which disproportionately affect indigenous populations and others living in rural areas. Greater use of infographics, videos, and mobile apps may enhance health literacy and patient empowerment, especially when language barriers exist. This paper provides strategies and tools for tailored programming, examples of successful health literacy interventions, and policy recommendations to improve health literacy in Latin America, intending to spur additional discussion and action. Centrally organized collaboration across multiple sectors of society, with community involvement, will enhance health literacy and improve health and well-being across Latin America.

Chemical characterization (LC-MS-ESI), cytotoxic activity and intracellular localization of PAMAM G4 in leukemia cells.

Generation 4 of polyamidoamine dendrimer (G4-PAMAM) has several biological effects due to its tridimensional globular structure, repetitive branched amides, tertiary amines, and amino-terminal subunit groups liked to a common core. G4-PAMAM is cytotoxic due to its positive charges. However, its cytotoxicity could increase in cancer cells due to the excessive intracellular negative charges in these cells. Furthermore, this work reports G4-PAMAM chemical structural characterization using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS (LC-MS) by electrospray ionization to measure its population according to its positive charges. Additionally, the antiproliferative effects and intracellular localization were explored in the HMC-1 and K-562 cell lines by confocal microscopy. The LC-MS results show that G4-PAMAM generated multivalent mass spectrum values, and its protonated terminal amino groups produced numerous positive charges, which allowed us to determine its exact mass despite having a high molecular weight. Additionally, G4-PAMAM showed antiproliferative activity in the HMC-1 tumor cell line after 24 h (IC50 = 16.97 µM), 48 h (IC50 = 7.02 µM) and 72 h (IC50 = 5.98 µM) and in the K-562 cell line after 24 h (IC50 = 15.14 µM), 48 h (IC50 = 14.18 µM) and 72 h (IC50 = 9.91 µM). Finally, our results showed that the G4-PAMAM dendrimers were located in the cytoplasm and nucleus in both tumor cell lines studied.

A baseline assessment of hydrologic alteration degree for the Mexican catchments at gauged rivers (2016).

River regime has been modified in several freshwater bodies around the world. This alteration has led to species loss, water pollution, higher or lesser economic profits, changes in magnitude, timing, duration and rate change of flow, among others. Thus, hydrologic alteration assessment allows evaluating the regime parameters so that stakeholders, decision-makers, and dams managers may take efficient actions to mitigate or rehabilitate riparian ecosystems. In the present study, Hydrologic Alteration Indexes on Rivers (IAHRIS, for its acronym in Spanish) and the Mexican standard approach were considered to evaluate 1150 gauged catchments in Mexico and come up with an alteration baseline for 67.03% of the country surface. The comparison may assist stakeholders to propose potential changes in the Mexican standard approach. Results reveal that 232 analyzed catchments can be considered as non-altered according to IAHRIS. In stark contrast, there are 281 non-altered catchments in Mexico in agreement with the official standard approach. Altered catchments are mainly impacted by minimum flow metrics and connectivity discharge. Additionally, the correlation between alteration indexes and 5 socio-economic variables was checked to identify which variables may greatly impact hydrologic alteration evolution or mitigation. From the five selected variables, the Human Development Index is significatively correlated to extreme minimum metrics (p = 0.94) while the Gross Domestic Product to extreme maximum metrics (p = 0.90).

Agenda Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública / National Agenda for Research in Public Health

El 2 de diciembre de 2019 se presentó la Agenda Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública en el Ministerio de Salud de Argentina. El establecimiento de prioridades en una Agenda Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública es un proceso sistemático, participativo y reflexivo, que permite guiar la investigación hacia problemas relevantes, prevalentes y emergentes de la población, orientar los recursos hacia los temas priorizados, fortalecer y/o crear grupos, centros y redes de investigación para la salud pública, mejorar las capacidades para el desarrollo de investigación de calidad e incrementar la evidencia local para la toma de decisiones a fin de mejorar la salud de la población y los sistemas sanitarios en el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sustentable 2030. Como metodología para la elaboración de la Agenda se eligió el Método Delphi modificado por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). En la elaboración de esta herramienta participaron la Dirección de Investigación para la Salud (DIS) del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, a través de la Red Ministerial de Investigación en Salud (REMINSA), y la OPS. A lo largo de todo el proceso se consideró imprescindible lograr una amplia participación de actores de los niveles provinciales y nacionales, y de los sectores público y privado. La presencia de una Agenda Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública permitirá generar investigación científica nacional y regional, e implementar políticas y recomendaciones que impacten en la salud de las poblaciones

Live birth and multiple birth rates in US in vitro fertilization treatment using donor oocytes: a comparison of single-embryo transfer and double-embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare live birth rates (LBRs) and multiple birth rates (MBRs) between elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) and double-embryo transfer (DET) in donor oocyte in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments in both a cycle-level and clinic-level analysis. METHODS: Donor oocyte IVF treatments performed by US IVF clinics reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013-2014 were included in the analysis. Primary outcomes included LBR and MBR. Secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery (GA) and birth weight (BW) of offspring. These outcomes were evaluated on an individual cycle level as well as on the clinic level. RESULTS: In multivariable models, LBR did not change significantly as clinics utilized eSET more frequently. MBR decreased significantly as utilization of eSET increased, from 39% MBR in clinics that utilized eSET 0-9% of the time to 7% MBR in clinics that used eSET 70% of the time (P < .0001). Mean BW and GA of IVF-conceived offspring both increased as clinics utilized eSET more frequently (2778 to 3185 g [P < .0001] and 37.5 to 38.5 weeks [P = .02] for clinics with the lowest and highest eSET utilization, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: US IVF clinics utilizing eSET with higher frequencies have clinically comparable LBRs and significantly lower MBRs than clinics with lower-frequency eSET utilization. Mean offspring BW and GA increased with higher eSET utilization, further confirming the improved safety of this practice.

Tratamiento de la hipercalemia en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en terapia dialítica / Treatment of hyperkaliemia in patients with chronic renal disease and dialytic therapy

Resumen: Debido a que la alteración electrolítica en la enfermedad renal crónica más importante es la hipercalemia, se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía respecto del tratamiento de la misma en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en terapia dialítica. Se analizaron artículos seleccionados en PubMed Central, EBSCO, Medlineplus, SciELO bajo el título hiperkalemia, hyperkalemia management, hyperkalemia treatment e hiperkalemia aguda y crónica (causa, epidemiología, métodos diagnósticos y métodos de tratamientos clásicos y actuales). Se analizaron diversos artículos de revisión y artículos de tratamiento en etapa prediálisis y en terapia dialítica; se analizaron los artículos que definieron la hipercalemia como la elevación mayor a 5 mEq/L en suero y que consideraron causa la excesiva ingesta de potasio, el desplazamiento extracelular y la alteración en la eliminación de potasio en los riñones, incluidas las manifestaciones clínicas y de laboratorio. Tambien se incluyó el análisis de artículos que asociaron la hipercalemia con la aparición de la insuficiencia renal, insuficiencia cardiaca y con la administración de medicamentos, incluidos los inhibidores del sistema renina angiotensina aldosterona, diuréticos ahorradores de potasio y antinflamatorios no esteroides. Las opciones de tratamiento de la hipercalemia en la enfermedad renal crónica continúan siendo limitadas a pesar del desarrollo de nuevos medicamentos, por lo que el objetivo del tratamiento en la hipercalemia aguda y crónica es revertir los efectos adversos principalmente en el corazón, desplazando el potasio a nivel intracelular, eliminando el potasio a nivel corporal, disminuyendo los síntomas y normalizando las concentraciones séricas del mismo.

Abstract Since the most important electrolytic alteration in chronic kidney disease is hyperkalemia, a review of the literature was conducted in the management of renal hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and in dialysis therapy. Analysis of selected articles in PubMed Central, EBSCO, Medlineplus, SciELO under the title hyperkalemia, hyperkalemia management, hyperkalemia treatment and acute and chronic hyperkalemia (etiology, epidemiology, diagnostic methods and methods of classic and current treatments). Various review articles and treatment articles were analyzed in the pre-dialysis and dialysis stages. The articles that defined hyperkalemia as an elevation greater than 5 mEq/L in serum were analyzed and considered the etiology of excessive potassium intake, extracellular displacement and alteration in the elimination of potassium at the renal level, including clinical and laboratory manifestations. Also included was the analysis of articles that associated hyperkalemia with the development of renal failure, heart failure and with the use of drugs including renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Treatment options for hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease continue to be limited despite the development of new drugs, so the goal of treatment in both acute and chronic hyperkalemia is to reverse adverse effects primarily at the cardiac level, potassium at the intracellular level, eliminating the potassium at the corporal level, diminishing the symptoms and normalizing the serum concentrations of the same.

Strongyloidiasis in Latin American immigrants: a pilot study.

The United States of America (USA) has the largest international population of any nation in the world. Immigrants from Latin American countries, where intestinal parasites are endemic, comprise more than half of this population. This study aims to determine the prevalence of strongyloidiasis, a potentially deadly parasitic infection, in foreign-born individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Washington, DC, to determine the seroprevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection using an NIE-ELISA IgG antibody assay. Multi-parallel quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed in stool samples of NIE-ELISA-positive patients to investigate possible polyparasitism. The NIE-ELISA assay detected an S. stercoralis prevalence of 4.2% in a group of 119 volunteers. Combining NIE-ELISA and qPCR detected a parasite prevalence of 5.0%. Our results underscore the relevance of systematic testing for gastrointestinal parasites in individuals from endemic regions. It also makes a case for a survey in the USA to identify immigrants' risk for strongyloidiasis and other gastrointestinal parasitic infections.

Active tuberculosis patients have high levels of IgA anti-alpha-crystallin and isocitrate lyase proteins.

SETTING: Mexico City, Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To identify proteins synthetised by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in hypoxic culture, which resemble more closely a granuloma environment than aerobic culture, and to determine if they are recognised by antibodies from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). DESIGN: Soluble extracts from M. tuberculosis H37Rv cultured under aerobic or hypoxic conditions were analysed using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and proteins over-expressed under hypoxia were identified by mass spectrometry. The presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA and IgM antibodies against these proteins was determined in the serum of 42 patients with active PTB and 42 healthy controls. RESULTS: We selected three M. tuberculosis H37Rv proteins (alpha-crystallin protein [Acr, Rv2031c], universal stress protein Rv2623 and isocitrate lyase [ICL, RV0467]) that were over-expressed under hypoxia. Titres of anti-Acr and anti-ICL IgA antibodies were higher in patients than in healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71 for anti-ICL IgA antibodies. CONCLUSION: ICL could be used in combination with other M. tuberculosis antigens to improve the sensitivity and specificity of current serological TB diagnostic methods.

Volumetría del remanente gástrico poscirugía de manga gástrica / Post-Sleeve Gastric Pouch Volumetry

La cirugía bariátrica, en sus diferentes modalidades, es una técnica empleada cada vez más en el manejo de los pacientes con obesidad. La cirugía de manga gástrica es una técnica restrictiva utilizada ampliamente y que presenta buenos resultados; sin embargo, al igual que cualquier otro procedimiento, no está exento de complicaciones. En este artículo se indica una manera precisa de evaluar el volumen del remanente gástrico, ya que el incremento de este posterior a la cirugía de manga gástrica es una de las principales causas por las cuales no hay pérdida de peso luego este procedimiento.

Bariatric surgery, through its various forms, is a technique which is increasingly used in the management of patients with obesity. The gastric sleeve is a widely used restrictive technique and it has good results, however, like any other procedure is not exempt of complications. This paper discusses an accurate measurement of gastric pouch, since its increased size is a major cause of absence of weight loss after this procedure.

Prevalencia de anemia drepanocitica en población de la comunidad de San Juan, Yoro / Prevalence of sickle cell disease in population of the community of San Juan, Yoro

La anemia drepanocitica es una hemoglobinopatía hereditaria, considerada un trastorno recesivo autosómico, se caracteriza por producción de hemoglobina defectuosa. Objetivo: establecer la prevalencia de anemia drepanocitica y algunas características de las personas que la padecen en la comunidad de San Juan, Yoro. Material y Métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal; la población fue de 488 personas y la muestra de 220. La unidad de estudio fue seleccionada aleatoriamente. El estudio se desarrolló en tres momentos; Fase I: comprendió la organización de material y reactivos necesarios para realizar la prueba de inducción de drepanocitos. Fase II: incluyó la recepción de muestras, homogenización de las mismas con ayuda de un mezclador hematológico y la realización de hemograma completo, así como el montaje de la prueba de inducción de drepanocitos y observación microscópica de la prueba realizada. Fase III: comprendió el reporte de resultados en boletas de exámenes. Para la recolección de datos el grupo de trabajo se capacitó para la toma de la muestra de sangre, misma que fue realizada por un microbiólogo del Hospital Escuela Universitario. Se elaboró y aplicó a la muestra poblacional un instrumento tipo encuesta, con preguntas abiertas y cerradas. Resultados: la prevalencia de anemia drepanocitica fue de 10.4%, la relación femenino/masculino fue 1:1.3; la edad de los positivos fue: 10 de 16-45(43.5%), años 8 de 6-15(34.8%) años y 5(21.7%) de 46 y más. El 30.4% de la población con anemia perniciosa, poseían escolaridad de secundaria incompleta y el 26.1% percibían ingresos económicos. Conclusión: La prevalencia de la enfermedad encontrada es similar con la registrada por la Secretaría de Salud, predominó en el sexo masculino y se encontró en población mayor de 50 años, lo que podría indicar que la esperanza de vida ha mejorado en las personas con anemia drepanocitica...(AU)

[Triage in primary care emergency services]. / Triaje en los servicios de urgencia de atención primaria (sistema de triaje en atención primaria).

OBJECTIVE: To design and validate a triage system for emergency services in primary care. METHODS: A classification of 5 priority levels was used (red, orange, yellow, green and blue). The first phase of the project was documentation, a classification based on the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC2), and grouping the reasons for consultation with their respective decision trees into 97 different codes. The second phase was a pilot with 115 patients in which two independent evaluators performed triage. In the third stage of validation, triage was carried out on patients arriving at the emergency services (23,168 patients) over an eight month period, with continuous monitoring of the results. RESULTS: The level of concordance between two independent observers in the patients of the pilot obtained a Kappa of 0.7. The time of triage was 108.82sec (SD; 94.14). The main reasons for consultation were ear, nose and throat problems (27.6%), respiratory (15.7%), and musculoskeletal (14%). Distribution by priority: red (0.1%), orange (8.3%), yellow (17.9%), green (62.7%), blue (11%). Triage discharges/hospital admittance levels: 3.79/3.36 (P<.05). Professionals agreed with the triage level in more than 99% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The triage system shows good interobserver agreement results, has a good correlation with the referral hospital, and there was no disagreement with the opinion of professionals.

Triaje en los servicios de urgencia de atención primaria (sistema de triaje en atención primaria) / Triage in primary care emergency services

Objetivo. Diseñar y validar un sistema de triaje para los servicios de urgencia de atención primaria. Material y métodos. Se utilizó una clasificación en 5 niveles de prioridad. La primera fase del proyecto fue de documentación, se partió de la clasificación CIAP2 y se agruparon los diferentes códigos en 97 motivos de consulta con sus respectivos árboles de decisión. La segunda fase consistió en una prueba piloto con 115 pacientes en los que 2 evaluadores independientes llevaron a cabo el triaje. En la tercera fase de validación se realizó el triaje en los pacientes que acudieron a los servicios de urgencia (23.168 pacientes) durante 8 meses con un seguimiento continuo de los resultados. Resultados. Se comprobó el grado de concordancia entre 2 observadores independientes en los pacientes de la prueba piloto obteniéndose un índice Kappa de 0,7. El tiempo medio de triaje fue de 108,82 sg (dt 94,14). Los principales motivos de consulta fueron los problemas otorrinolaringológicos (27,6%), respiratorios (15,7%) y del aparato locomotor (14%). Distribución por prioridad: rojos (0,1%), naranjas (8,3%), amarillos (17,9%), verdes (62,7%), azules (11%). Media nivel triaje en altas/hospitalizados: 3,79/3,36 (p<0,05). Los profesionales estuvieron de acuerdo con el nivel de triaje en más del 99% de los casos. Conclusiones. El sistema de triaje presenta unos buenos resultados de concordancia entre observadores y tiene una buena correlación con la derivación hospitalaria, no encontrándose discordancias con la opinión de los profesionales(AU)

Objective. To design and validate a triage system for emergency services in primary care. Methods. A classification of 5 priority levels was used (red, orange, yellow, green and blue). The first phase of the project was documentation, a classification based on the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC2), and grouping the reasons for consultation with their respective decision trees into 97 different codes. The second phase was a pilot with 115 patients in which two independent evaluators performed triage. In the third stage of validation, triage was carried out on patients arriving at the emergency services (23,168 patients) over an eight month period, with continuous monitoring of the results. Results. The level of concordance between two independent observers in the patients of the pilot obtained a Kappa of 0.7. The time of triage was 108.82sec (SD; 94.14). The main reasons for consultation were ear, nose and throat problems (27.6%), respiratory (15.7%), and musculoskeletal (14%). Distribution by priority: red (0.1%), orange (8.3%), yellow (17.9%), green (62.7%), blue (11%). Triage discharges/hospital admittance levels: 3.79/3.36 (P<.05). Professionals agreed with the triage level in more than 99% of cases. Conclusions. The triage system shows good interobserver agreement results, has a good correlation with the referral hospital, and there was no disagreement with the opinion of professionals(AU)

Estado nutricional, parasitario y hematológico en niños de dos programas de atención del Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) / Nutritional status related to a hematological condition and parasitic infections in children supported by Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)

Introducción: la desnutrición afecta principalmente a los niños menores de cinco años. El Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) desarrolla, entre otros, algunos programas que buscan impactar positivamente en el estado nutricional de los menores de cinco años. Objetivo: describir el estado nutricional (según indicadores antropométricos), hematológico y parasitario de dos grupos de niños de los programas de Hogares Comunitarios (HC) y Desayunos Infantiles (DI) pertenecientes al ICBF en el centro zonal 4 de Medellín. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte en 164 menores de cinco años. Los datos se recolectaron mediante encuestas, peso corporal de los niños, estatura/longitud y toma de sangre y análisis coprológico. Resultados: 47,1% de la muestra eran niños, con edad promedio de tres años; 56,6% de los menores pertenecían al estrato 1, mayormente entre los niños de HC. El promedio del peso corporal fue 14,4 kg, sin diferencias estadísticas entre los grupos; 45% de los niños presentaron riesgo de desnutrición crónica, global el 32% de los menores y aguda el 14%, sin diferencias entre los dos grupos. De acuerdo a lo esperado para la edad el 21% de los menores tenía disminución de la hemoglobina y 11% del hematocrito. En la comparación de los grupos no hubo diferencias significativas de los parámetros hematológicos. En el 66,7% de los niños se encontraron parásitos intestinales, principalmente Giardia lamblia. Conclusión: se encontró un importante porcentaje de niños con desnutrición y anemia, que refleja la necesidad de fortalecer tanto los programas, como la educación de los menores y las familias, así como las condiciones sociales y económicas, los cuales influyen en la salud de la población evaluada y en su estado nutricional.

Malnutrition is a condition affecting mostly children younger than five years. ICBF supports many nutritional programs, which is trying to improve the nutritional status for children younger than 5 five years. Objective: describe nutritional status related to a hematological condition and parasitic infections in two groups of children participating in programs such as the “Hogares comunitarios” (HC) and “Desayunos Infantiles” (DI) supported by the ICBF in zone 1 Medellin-Colombia. Methods: it is a cross-sectional study, 164 children were recruted, data was collected, applying questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and evaluating blood and stool samples. Results: 47,1% of the subjects were boys, mean age was 3 years, 56,6% of the children were in the lowest social economic level, mainly children participating in HC program. The average for weight was 14,4kg, no statistical significant differences between groups were found, but 45% of the children classified for chronic malnutrition risk, 32% for global malnutrition and 14% for acute malnutrition. According to the age 21% of the population studied had low hemoglobin level and 11% has low hematocrit level. No significant statistics between groups for hematological markers were found. Parasitic infection was present in 67%, they were mainly infected by Giardia lamblia. Conclusion: malnutrition and anemia was prevalent in this population. It is necessary to encourage and support programs that should benefit children and their families, improving education and social economic conditions could help to improve their nutritional status.

Evaluación de la actividad hipotensora del Maytenus krukovii (chuchuhuasi) en rata conciente / Maytenus krukovii (chuchuhuasi) effects on blood pressure and cardiac frequency in conscious rats

Maytenus krukovii (chuchuhuasi), oriunda de la amazonía sudamericana, tradicionalmente se le atribuye acción analgesica, antiinflamatoria, afrodisíaca entre otros; investigaciones reportan acción analgésica con intermediación de receptores opiáceos, efecto antipirético, antiinflamatorio y gastroprotector. El presente estudio experimental indagó acerca de la acción sobre la presión arterial y frecuencia cardiaca del chuchuhasi en rata conciente. Se utilizaron 10 ratas albinas machos, a las que se les administró vía oral, 1000 mg/kg de extracto metanolico de chuchuhuasi, se registraron básales y controles de presión arterial y frecuencia cardiaca a las 1, 3, 4 y 24 horas, utilizando el LE 5000 Meter Pressure. Los resultados obtenidos muestran comparados con los valores basáles, actividad hipotensora del Maytenus Krukovii destacándose el máximo efecto a la hora de administración arterial sistólica (238 vs. 181 mmhg), diastolica (200 vs 129 nmhg) y media (299 vs 187 mmhg); respecto a la frecuencia cardiaca Maytenus Krukovii mostró actividad bradicárdica, siendo su máximo efecto a las 3 horas de administrar el chuchuhuasi (430 vs 386 latidos por minutos). Se concluye en que Maytenus krukovii presenta acción hipotensora y cronotropa negativa.

Maytenus krukovii (chuchuhuasi), is originary from the South America Amazonian Forest, traditionally anti-inflammatory, analgesic, aphrodisiac proporties are atributed to this plant. Research reports suggest analgesic action by intermediation of opioid receptors, antipyretic effect, antiinflammatory and gastro protective actions. The presente experimental study inquited about the action of chuchuhuasi on blood pressure and cardiac frequency on conscious rats. Ten male albino rats were administered orally with 1000 mg/kg of methanolic extract of chuchuhuasi. Basal blood pressure and cardiac frequency were registared alt hour 1, 3, 4 and 24, using LE 5000 Meter Pressure. Results obtained show comparative values regarding basal values, with hipontensive activity of Maytenus krukovii. The maximum values is detected at the first hour of administration, systolic blood pressure (238 vs. 181 mmHg), diastolic (200 vs. 129 NMHG) and media (299 vs. 187 mmHg); were obtained. Redarding cardiac frequency, Maytenus krukowii showed bradychardic activity the highest effect recorded after 3 hours (430 vs. 386 beats/minute). We conclude that Maytenus krukovii has hypotensive action and negative chronotropic effects.

Climaterio y menopausia en mujeres afrodescendientes: una aproximación al cuidado desde su cultura / Climacteric and Menopause in Afro-colombian Women: A Culturebased Approach to Health Care

Para explorar las prácticas sobre protección y cuidado durante la transición del climaterio a la menopausia se llevó a cabo un estudio en mujeres colombianas afrodescendientes que viven en el Distrito de Aguablanca, Cali, Colombia, a fin de evaluar los factores socioculturales que influyen en su cuidado. Se siguió la etnoenfermería con el objeto de averiguar la perspectiva femenina étnica, e identificar las prácticas beneficiosas y de riesgo para su salud. La investigación tuvo como participantes claves a 17 mujeres. En la consolidación de la muestra se aplicaron los criterios de saturación de datos. En los resultados se evidenció la relación de las mujeres con su propio cuerpo, su defensa y fortificación desde la menarquia como fase preparatoria de sus funciones reproductivas, hasta cuando aparece la menopausia. De acuerdo con su cultura, si no tienen en cuenta estas prácticas tradicionales, sufrirán diversas dolencias en la etapa final de su periodo de procreación. Los cuidados sobresalientes se relacionan con el significado de la sangre, así como con el ejercicio de la sexualidad, la limpieza, la alimentación especial y el equilibrio que se debe guardar entre el calor y el frío. Las entrevistadas atribuyen a la menopausia cambios en su cuerpo, en sus diferencias emocionales de conducta y en las expectativas de la sexualidad. Para el presente estudio estos hallazgos se agruparon en tres temas principales: sentir los profundos cambios en la vida: el cuerpo; sentir los cambios en los estados de ánimo; y vivir la sexualidad.