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This study thoroughly examines the impact of aerosols on atmospheric heating rates over the North Atlantic Ocean, with a specific focus on developing African easterly waves (AEWs). The analysis leverages data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) DC-8 aircraft, dropsonde profiles, lidar observations, and satellite-based precipitation data obtained during NASA's Convective Processes Experiment – Cabo Verde (CPEX-CV) field campaign, as well as the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reanalyses. Using a four-stream radiative transfer model, the research specifically focuses on days characterized by Saharan dust coinciding with a developing AEW and contrasts its findings with a notable dust-only event in June 2020. The findings reveal notable differences in shortwave (SW) heating rates of over 1.5 K d−1 between reanalysis and observations, underlining the persistent challenges in accurately representing aerosol effects in the atmosphere, even after assimilating observational data. These discrepancies were present on days with both background and high dust concentrations, emphasizing the challenges in accurately representing aerosol radiative effects in models and highlighting the urgent need for improved aerosol representation in reanalysis datasets. Differences in heating rates were analyzed in a case study of two developing AEWs, one leading to a Category 4 hurricane (Fiona) and another leading to a short-lived tropical storm (TS; Hermine).

Abstract Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne RNA virus of the Phlebovirus genus in the phenuviridae family. Its genome is trisegmented with small (S), medium (M) and large (L) fragments. In nature, the virus exists as a single serotype that is responsible for outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF), a zoonotic disease that often occurs in Africa and the Middle East. RVFV genomes are thought to undergo both recombination and reassortment and investigations of these events is important for monitoring the emergence of virulent strains and understanding the evolutionary characteristics of this virus. The aim of this study was to characterize the genomes of RVFV isolates from cattle, sheep, and goats collected during an interepidemic period in Kenya between June 2016 and November 2021. A total of 691 serum samples from cattle (n = 144), goats (n = 185) and sheep (n = 362) were analysed at the Central Veterinary Laboratories. The competitive IgM-capture ELISA, was used to screen the samples; 205 samples (29.67%) tested positive for RVFV. Of the 205 positive samples, 42 (20.5%) were from cattle, 57 (27.8%) from goats, and 106 (51.7%) from sheep. All the IgM-positive samples were further analyzed by qPCR, and 24 (11.71%) tested positive with Ct values ranging from 14.788 to 38.286. Two samples, 201808HABDVS from sheep and 201810CML3DVS from cattle, had Ct values of less than 20.0 and yielded whole genome sequences with 96.8 and 96.4 coverage, respectively. There was no statistically significant evidence of recombination in any of the three segments and also phylogenetic analysis showed no evidence of reassortment in the two isolated RVFV segments when compared with other isolates of different lineages from previous outbreaks whose genomes are deposited in the GenBank. No evidence of reassortment leaves room for other factors to be the most probable contributors of change in virulence, pathogenicity and emergence of highly virulent strains of the RVFV.

Abstract Background Scavenging indigenous village chickens play a vital role in sub-Saharan Africa, sustaining the livelihood of millions of farmers. These chickens are exposed to vastly different environments and feeds compared to commercial chickens. In this study, we analysed the caecal microbiota of 243 Ethiopian village chickens living in different altitude-dependent agro-ecologies. Results Differences in bacterial diversity were significantly correlated with differences in specific climate factors, topsoil characteristics, and supplemental diets provided by farmers. Microbiota clustered into three enterotypes, with one particularly enriched at high altitudes. We assembled 9977 taxonomically and functionally diverse metagenome-assembled genomes. The vast majority of these were not found in a dataset of previously published chicken microbes or in the Genome Taxonomy Database. Conclusions The wide functional and taxonomic diversity of these microbes highlights their importance in the local adaptation of indigenous poultry, and the significant impacts of environmental factors on the microbiota argue for further discoveries in other agro-ecologies. Video Abstract

Cet article abordera les presentations du regard dans sa relation avec le phénomène du double. Pour ce faire, nous considérerons les écrits littéraires d’auteurs de la période romantique, qui ont fait de ce phénomène particulier le thème central de leurs récits et romans. Les conceptualisations de Freud et de Lacan nous permettront de faire une lecture clinique de ce sujet.

Summary:. The T-line hernia mesh is a synthetic, polypropylene mesh with mesh suture extensions designed to prevent anchor point failure by evenly distributing tension across the soft tissue. Previous studies have demonstrated the success of onlay ventral hernia repair with T-line hernia mesh, but retrorectus applications of the mesh have not yet been characterized. This technique article illustrates technical descriptions and clinical applications of the T-line hernia mesh in the retrorectus plane.

Abstract Background The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD)—the most frequent cause of dementia—is expected to increase as life expectancies rise across the globe. While sex-based differences in AD have previously been described, there remain uncertainties regarding any association between sex and disease-associated molecular mechanisms. Studying sex-specific expression profiles of regulatory factors such as microRNAs (miRNAs) could contribute to more accurate disease diagnosis and treatment. Methods A systematic review identified six studies of microRNA expression in AD patients that incorporated information regarding the biological sex of samples in the Gene Expression Omnibus repository. A differential microRNA expression analysis was performed, considering disease status and patient sex. Subsequently, results were integrated within a meta-analysis methodology, with a functional enrichment of meta-analysis results establishing an association between altered miRNA expression and relevant Gene Ontology terms. Results Meta-analyses of miRNA expression profiles in blood samples revealed the alteration of sixteen miRNAs in female and 22 miRNAs in male AD patients. We discovered nine miRNAs commonly overexpressed in both sexes, suggesting a shared miRNA dysregulation profile. Functional enrichment results based on miRNA profiles revealed sex-based differences in biological processes; most affected processes related to ubiquitination, regulation of different kinase activities, and apoptotic processes in males, but RNA splicing and translation in females. Meta-analyses of miRNA expression profiles in brain samples revealed the alteration of six miRNAs in female and four miRNAs in male AD patients. We observed a single underexpressed miRNA in female and male AD patients (hsa-miR-767-5p); however, the functional enrichment analysis for brain samples did not reveal any specifically affected biological process. Conclusions Sex-specific meta-analyses supported the detection of differentially expressed miRNAs in female and male AD patients, highlighting the relevance of sex-based information in biomedical data. Further studies on miRNA regulation in AD patients should meet the criteria for comparability and standardization of information.

Abstract Age-associated myometrial dysfunction can prompt complications during pregnancy and labor, which is one of the factors contributing to the 7.8-fold increase in maternal mortality in women over 40. Using single-cell/single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, we have constructed a cellular atlas of the aging myometrium from 186,120 cells across twenty perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. We identify 23 myometrial cell subpopulations, including contractile and venous capillary cells as well as immune-modulated fibroblasts. Myometrial aging leads to fewer contractile capillary cells, a reduced level of ion channel expression in smooth muscle cells, and impaired gene expression in endothelial, smooth muscle, fibroblast, perivascular, and immune cells. We observe altered myometrial cell-to-cell communication as an aging hallmark, which associated with the loss of 25 signaling pathways, including those related to angiogenesis, tissue repair, contractility, immunity, and nervous system regulation. These insights may contribute to a better understanding of the complications faced by older individuals during pregnancy and labor.

Objetivo: Reportar la sensibilidad al cambio e interpretabilidad de la versión argentina de la escala de catastrofización del dolor (PCS-Arg, por sus siglas en inglés) en una muestra de sujetos con dolor lumbar crónico (DLC). Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional y longitudinal. Se reclutaron sujetos con DLC derivados a la unidad de kinesiología de un hospital público de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Inicialmente, se registraron los datos demográficos y las puntuaciones de la PCS-Arg, así como la intensidad del dolor, discapacidad, calidad de vida y depresión mediante cuestionarios autoadministrados. En segunda instancia, al mes o alta del tratamiento, se repitieron los cuestionarios junto con una escala global de cambio. La sensibilidad al cambio fue evaluada mediante la validez de constructo longitudinal. La interpretabilidad se calculó mediante el método basado en el ancla, y se reportaron la diferencia mínima clínicamente importante (DMCI) y el beneficio clínico sustancial (BCS). Resultados: Se incluyeron 102 sujetos. La PCS-Arg demostró una sensibilidad al cambio aceptable. La DMCI fue de 10 puntos, con un área bajo la curva (AUC) de 0,65 y un intervalo de confianza del 95 % (IC95% 0,47-0,83). El BCS fue de 17 puntos, con un AUC de 0,66 (IC95% 0,55-0,77). Conclusión: La PCS-Arg es un instrumento sensible al cambio. La capacidad discriminativa de los valores para identificar la DMCI y el BCS fue pobre. Estos resultados permitirán interpretar el impacto de diferentes terapéuticas orientadas a modificar el catastrofismo, así como potenciar futuros ensayos clínicos que incluyan sujetos con DLC.

Introducción: El síndrome metabólico (SM) está asociado a un incremento del riesgo cardiovascular. Los donantes de sangre son una población aparentemente sana en donde ciertas características cardiometabolicas no son evaluadas en su selección, existiendo limitada información sobre su presencia. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de síndrome metabólico y sus características metabólicas en donantes de sangre. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en 244 donantes de sangre entre 18 y 55 años que acudieron al Servicio de Hemoterapia y Banco de sangre del Hospital Cayetano Heredia en Lima- Perú, durante el mes de mayo del 2023. Se realizó el diagnóstico de SM según los criterios del Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Se realizó un análisis bivariado entre el SM y características metabólicas con el sexo y se consideró un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: El 63.9% de los donantes de sangre fueron del sexo masculino. El 43.6 % de la población presentó SM. Las características más frecuentes fueron la hipertrigliceridemia (54.5%), obesidad abdominal (51.2%) y lipoproteina de alta densidad (HDL) bajo (48.8%). El rango de edad de 40 a 49 años presentó la mayor frecuencia de SM (14.3%). La hipertrigliceridemia y presión arterial elevada estuvieron asociadas al sexo masculino (p=0.003 y p=0.019 respectivamente), mientras que el HDL bajo al sexo femenino (p

Background Recent epidemiology of Rift Valley fever (RVF) disease in Africa suggests growing frequency and expanding geographic range of small disease clusters in regions that previously had not reported the disease. We investigated factors associated with the phenomenon by characterising recent RVF disease events in East Africa.Methods Data on 100 disease events (2008–2022) from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were obtained from public databases and institutions, and modelled against possible geoecological risk factors of occurrence including altitude, soil type, rainfall/precipitation, temperature, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), livestock production system, land-use change and long-term climatic variations. Decadal climatic variations between 1980 and 2022 were evaluated for association with the changing disease pattern.Results Of 100 events, 91% were small RVF clusters with a median of one human (IQR, 1–3) and three livestock cases (IQR, 2–7). These clusters exhibited minimal human mortality (IQR, 0–1), and occurred primarily in highlands (67%), with 35% reported in areas that had never reported RVF disease. Multivariate regression analysis of geoecological variables showed a positive correlation between occurrence and increasing temperature and rainfall. A 1°C increase in temperature and a 1-unit increase in NDVI, one months prior were associated with increased RVF incidence rate ratios of 1.20 (95% CI 1.1, 1.2) and 1.93 (95% CI 1.01, 3.71), respectively. Long-term climatic trends showed a significant decadal increase in annual mean temperature (0.12–0.3°C/decade, p

Mining activities are crucial in driving economic and industrial progress, yet they present significant environmental and public health challenges. This study evaluated a conventional physicochemical treatment and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for highly contaminated effluents generated during gold cyanidation within the mining sector. Total organic and inorganic carbon, heavy metal(loid)s (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, AsTOTAL), and CNTOTAL were monitored in the conventional treatment system and permeate product of a pilot-scale RO unit equipped with a BW30 membrane during approximately five weeks of in-situ operation. The conventional treatment process substantially reduced organic carbon load (e.g., 79% removal efficiency). However, it proved ineffective in lowering AsTOTAL and CNTOTAL concentrations, with levels ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 mg L−1 for AsTOTAL and 110–1620 mg L−1 for CNTOTAL after treatment, thus exceeding environmental standards. In contrast, the RO treatment achieved removal rates of approximately 99% for AsTOTAL and CNTOTAL, resulting in concentrations

BackgroundUntil recently, arbovirus surveillance is mainly focused on mosquito and tick vectors, resulting in the discovery of several mosquito- and tick-borne arboviruses. However, the role of sandflies in arbovirus transmission and disease has remained largely unexplored. This study sought to isolate and characterize arboviruses from phlebotomine sandflies from selected pastoral ecozones in the North Rift region of Kenya.MethodsSandflies were collected from selected sites in North Rift Kenya between 2015 and 2018. They were sorted and pooled by sex, site, and collection date. The pools were homogenized and inoculated onto Vero cells for virus isolation. The positive pools were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction targeting different arboviruses. The isolates were further characterized by high-throughput sequencing using Illumina Miseq platform.ResultsApproximately 28,226 sandflies translating to 824 pools were sampled from the selected regions. A total of 11 showed reproducible cytopathic effects on Vero cells. We identified five arboviruses: sindbis (n = 4) from Kacheliba and Baringo, Chandipura (n = 4) from Turkana and Baringo, Koutango (n = 1) and Ntepes (n = 1) from Baringo, and Bogoria (n = 1) from Kacheliba. The percent identities of the identified viruses were approximately 80% to 98% compared to known viruses in GenBank, suggesting that some of them could be novel viruses.ConclusionThis study successfully isolated and characterized five arboviruses from sandflies. The findings suggest that sandflies are potential hosts of a wide range of arboviruses and are therefore important vectors to consider in arbovirus surveillance and evaluated for their ability to transmit them. Further studies are needed to determine the public health importance and extent of exposure of these viruses to humans and livestock populations.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is endemic to African wild pigs (Phacochoerus and Potamochoerus), in which viral infection is asymptomatic, and Ornithodoros soft ticks. However, ASFV causes a lethal disease in Eurasian domestic pigs (Sus scrofa). While Sub-Saharan Africa is believed to be the original home of ASFV, publicly available whole-genome ASFV sequences show a strong bias towards p72 Genotypes I and II, which are responsible for domestic pig pandemics outside Africa. To reduce this bias, we hereby describe nine novel East African complete genomes in p72 Genotype IX and present the phylogenetic analysis of all 16 available Genotype IX genomes compared with other ASFV p72 clades. We also document genome-level differences between one specific novel Genotype IX genome sequence (KE/2013/Busia.3) and a wild boar cell-passaged derivative. The Genotype IX genomes clustered with the five available Genotype X genomes. By contrast, Genotype IX and X genomes were strongly phylogenetically differentiated from all other ASFV genomes. The p72 gene region, on which the p72-based virus detection primers are derived, contains consistent SNPs in Genotype IX, potentially resulting in reduced sensitivity of detection. In addition to the abovementioned cell-adapted variant, eight novel ASFV Genotype IX genomes were determined: five from viruses passaged once in primary porcine peripheral blood monocytes and three generated from DNA isolated directly from field-sampled kidney tissues. Based on this methodological simplification, genome sequencing of ASFV field isolates should become increasingly routine and result in a rapid expansion of knowledge pertaining to the diversity of African ASFV at the whole-genome level.

Tailings are a significant concern due to their potential release of toxic elements into the environment, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, understanding their polluting potential is crucial for effective mitigation strategies. This study evaluates the contaminating potential of eight tailing dams in the upper basin of the Puyango River in southern Ecuador. A physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of the tailings was conducted. The contents of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, V, and Zn were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The contamination index (IC) and the risk (RI) to the environment and population were evaluated. As a result, it was found that As, Cu, Pb, Se, and Zn exceeded the maximum permissible limits in all the samples according to Ecuadorian regulations. Six of the eight tailing dams presented very high pollution levels (21.28 < IC < 298.61), indicating a severe contamination risk. As, Sb, and Se were the most significant contributors to the index, with 29%, 31%, and 20% contribution to the overall IC, respectively. However, the risk assessment indicated a low risk (RI < 5) to both the population and the natural environment, mainly due to the distance between the tailing dams and the potential receptors. While the present risk associated with the studied tailing dams is low, there exists potential for long-term escalation.

Rift Valley fever (RVF), a mosquito-borne transboundary zoonosis, was first confirmed in Rwanda’s livestock in 2012 and since then sporadic cases have been reported almost every year. In 2018, the country experienced its first large outbreak, which was followed by a second one in 2022. To determine the circulating virus lineages and their ancestral origin, two genome sequences from the 2018 outbreak, and thirty-six, forty-one, and thirty-eight sequences of small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments, respectively, from the 2022 outbreak were generated. All of the samples from the 2022 outbreak were collected from slaughterhouses. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian-based phylogenetic analyses were performed. The findings showed that RVF viruses belonging to a single lineage, C, were circulating during the two outbreaks, and shared a recent common ancestor with RVF viruses isolated in Uganda between 2016 and 2019, and were also linked to the 2006/2007 largest East Africa RVF outbreak reported in Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia. Alongside the wild-type viruses, genetic evidence of the RVFV Clone 13 vaccine strain was found in slaughterhouse animals, demonstrating a possible occupational risk of exposure with unknown outcome for people working in meat-related industry. These results provide additional evidence of the ongoing wide spread of RVFV lineage C in Africa and emphasize the need for an effective national and international One Health-based collaborative approach in responding to RVF emergencies.

Abstract Asherman’s Syndrome is characterized by intrauterine adhesions or scarring, which cause infertility, menstrual abnormalities, and recurrent pregnancy loss. The pathophysiology of this syndrome remains unknown, with treatment restricted to recurrent surgical removal of intrauterine scarring, which has limited success. Here, we decode the Asherman’s Syndrome endometrial cell niche by analyzing data from over 200,000 cells with single-cell RNA-sequencing in patients with this condition and through in vitro analyses of Asherman’s Syndrome patient-derived endometrial organoids. Our endometrial atlas highlights the loss of the endometrial epithelium, alterations to epithelial differentiation signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch, and the appearance of characteristic epithelium expressing secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor during the window of implantation. We describe syndrome-associated alterations in cell-to-cell communication and gene expression profiles that support a dysfunctional pro-fibrotic, pro-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic environment.

Biogas and hydrogen (H2) are breaking through as alternative energy sources in road transport, specifically for heavy-duty vehicles. Until a public network of service stations is deployed for such vehicles, the owners of large fleets will need to build and manage their own refueling facilities. Fleet refueling management and remote monitoring at these sites will become key business needs. This article describes the construction of a prototype system capable of solving those needs. During the design and development process of the prototype, the standard industry protocols involved in these installations have been considered, and the latest expertise in information technology systems has been applied. This prototype has been essential to determine the Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities and Risks (SCOR) of such a system, which is the first step of a more ambitious project. A second stage will involve setting up a pilot study and developing a commercial system that can be widely installed to provide a real solution for the industry.

Introduction: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been very different in terms of morbidity and mortality, even among those territories with similar socioeconomic conditions and political backgrounds. Objective: To identify social determinants of socio-geographic inequality from COVID-19 mortality in Peru during the first year of pandemic. Material and Methods: Observational ecological research, based on the secondary analysis of mortality by COVID-19 during the year 2020 in the subnational governments of Peru. Results: The percentage of the population registered with social security was the only variable with statistical significance (t=2.921; p=0.008) that explained GMR due to COVID-19 (F=21.360; p=0.000). Adequate employment was the only variable with statistical significance (t=3.018; p=0.006) that explained SMR due to COVID-19 (F=18.910; p=0.000). The excess GMR and SMR due to COVID-19 amounted to 227.93 and 138.76 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants along the social gradient determined by the population enrolled in social security and those with adequate employment, respectively. Conclusions: The percentage of the economically active population with adequate employment, which is mainly under the social security, would have been the social determinant of the socio-gepgrphic inequality in COVID-19 mortality between the different subnational governments of Peru during the first year of the pandemic.

Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-demográficas de sujetos internados luego de una intervención quirúrgica que recibieron asistencia kinésica (AK) en sala de cirugía general de un hospital público de Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). El objetivo secundario es describir el uso de dispositivos de oxigenoterapia, el desarrollo de complicaciones pulmonares postoperatorias (CPP) y el tiempo transcurrido hasta la AK. Materiales y métodos: Se incluyeron datos de fichas kinésicas de sujetos que se sometieron a una cirugía abdominal, torácica o pélvica y que recibieron AK entre enero de 2019 y diciembre de 2022. Se registraron datos demográficos y clínicos, motivo de consulta kinésica, desarrollo de CPP, cantidad de días de AK y uso de de oxigenoterapia. Resultados: Se incluyeron 151 fichas kinésicas. Del total, 15 sujetos (9,9 %) desarrollaron CPP. En este grupo, la mediana de días transcurridos entre la cirugía y el comienzo de la AK fue de 8 días (RIQ 4-16), mientras que para los sujetos que no desarrollaron complicaciones fue de 4 días (RIQ 2-7). Un total de 57 sujetos (37,5 %) requirieron oxigenoterapia, de los cuales 3 requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva y 1 no invasiva. Conclusión: Se describieron las características clínico-demográficas de sujetos postquirúrgicos internados en sala de cirugía general de un hospital general de agudos de la CABA. Aquellos sujetos con CPP recibieron más días de AK y requirieron oxígeno suplementario durante un período más extenso. Los sujetos que no desarrollaron CPP recibieron AK en una etapa más temprana, en comparación con los que desarrollaron complicaciones.

El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar la cultura organizacional y su efecto motivacional en los trabajadores de una empresa privada. El estudio tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo y fue del tipo aplicado, con un diseño no experimental, transversal y correlacional. La población estuvo conformada por 100 individuos y se realizó un muestreo probabilístico aleatorio simple, donde el universo de estudio tuvo las mismas probabilidades de ser seleccionado, dando como resultado la aplicación del instrumento a 80 trabajadores de la empresa privada. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó la técnica denominada encuesta, siendo su instrumento el cuestionario con 36 preguntas basadas en las variables de estudio y 5 opciones de respuesta para cada una según una escala tipo Likert, las cuales fueron respondidas en línea por los colaboradores. Los resultados reflejan una correlación significativa entre la cultura organizacional y el efecto motivacional de los trabajadores, con un coeficiente de correlación de Spearman de 0,504** y un valor de p de 0,000. Esto indicó que la cultura organizacional tiene una influencia reveladora en la motivación de los trabajadores de la empresa privada.

Las organizaciones públicas están sujetas cada vez más a una exigencia de parte de la ciudadanía, por lo cual, el objetivo de la presente investigación es proponer un programa de operabilidad de comunicación interna para el personal de una red asistencial de Perú. La investigación es de carácter cuantitativa descriptiva, muestreo probabilístico de tipo aleatorio simple, con una muestra poblacional de 67 servidores; se utilizó la encuesta como técnica y como instrumento el cuestionario de clima laboral y comunicación interna. Los instrumentos obtuvieron una alta confiablidad a través del coeficiente de Alfa de Cronbach con un 0.87 para la comunicación interna y 0.86 para el clima laboral. De los resultados, la comunicación interna es percibida con un 62.7 % de nivel regular, es decir esta variable necesita ser fortalecida entre los colaboradores para mantenerlos informados y lograr los objetivos de la institución sobre todo en la dimensión de comunicación vertical descendente al existir barreras de comunicación; mientras tanto, el clima laboral es percibida en un nivel por mejorar (52.23 %), ya que un buen grupo de trabajadores aún les falta sentirse comprometidos con el éxito de la institución. Por tal motivo, se propone un programa de operabilidad para que se fortalezca la gestión de comunicación interna y mejore el clima laboral, siendo validado por el método de Delphi con una escala de valoración alta, concluyendo que la propuesta es conveniente para su aplicación.

Poultry enteric bacterial diseases are of significant economic importance because they are responsible for production losses due to weight loss, increased morbidity and mortality, and increased cost of production arising from poor feed conversion and treatment. This cross-sectional purposive study characterized enteric bacterial pathogens in poultry from selected agroclimatic regions in Kenya and investigated their antimicrobial resistance gene profiles. Cloacal (n = 563) and oropharyngeal (n = 394) swabs were collected and pooled into 16 and 14 samples, respectively, to characterize bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance gene profiles. We report that Proteobacteria, Chlamydiae, and Firmicutes are the most dominant phyla present in both cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs of the six poultry species studied, indicating the colonization of the poultry gut by many pathogenic bacteria. Using KEGG and COG databases, some pathways related to metabolism, genetic information, and cellular processing were detected. We also report the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes that confer resistance to β-lactamases, aminoglycosides, and tetracycline in most of the poultry analyzed, raising concern about the dangers associated with continuous and inappropriate use of these antibiotics in poultry production. The antimicrobial resistance gene data generated in this study provides a valuable indicator of the use of antimicrobials in poultry in Kenya. The information generated is essential for managing bacterial diseases, especially in backyard poultry raised under scavenging conditions.

There are initiatives to promote the creation of predictive COVID-19 fatality models to assist decision-makers. The study aimed to develop prediction models for COVID-19 fatality using population data recorded in the national epidemiological surveillance system of Peru. A retrospective cohort study was conducted (March to September of 2020). The study population consisted of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the surveillance system of nine provinces of Lima, Peru. A random sample of 80% of the study population was selected, and four prediction models were constructed using four different strategies to select variables: 1) previously analyzed variables in machine learning models; 2) based on the LASSO method; 3) based on significance; and 4) based on a post-hoc approach with variables consistently included in the three previous strategies. The internal validation was performed with the remaining 20% of the population. Four prediction models were successfully created and validate using data from 22,098 cases. All models performed adequately and similarly; however, we selected models derived from strategy 1 (AUC 0.89, CI95% 0.87-0.91) and strategy 4 (AUC 0.88, CI95% 0.86-0.90). The performance of both models was robust in validation and sensitivity analyses. This study offers insights into estimating COVID-19 fatality within the Peruvian population. Our findings contribute to the advancement of prediction models for COVID-19 fatality and may aid in identifying individuals at increased risk, enabling targeted interventions to mitigate the disease. Future studies should confirm the performance and validate the usefulness of the models described here under real-world conditions and settings.

Abstract Objectives To determine the association between internet addiction disorder (IAD) and anxiety and depressive symptomatology in high school students in two private schools in Chiclayo, Peru, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods Analytical cross-sectional investigation of 505 adolescents from two private schools. The dependent variables were anxiety and depressive symptomatology, measured with the Beck Adapted Depression Questionnaire (BDI-IIA) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. The main independent variable was IAD, measured with the Internet Addiction Test instrument(IATI). Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. Results The average age was 14.16 years and 54.9% were women. 22.2% and 3.2% presented mild and moderate IAD; respectively. 9.3% presented severe anxiety and 34.3% severe depressive symptomatology. In the simple regression, adolescents with mild, moderate and severe IAD presented 19% (PR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.05–1.35), 25% (PR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.02–1.53) and 53% (PR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.47–1.60) higher prevalence of depressive symptomatology; however, this association was not maintained in the multiple model. Anxiety increased 196% in adolescents with severe IAD (PR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.86–4.71). Conclusion We found that 2, 1, and 3 out of 10 students presented IAD, depressive symptomatology, and anxiety, respectively. We did not find an association between IAD and depressive symptomatology, but we did find an association with anxiety. Among the factors associated with the development of depressive symptomatology were the male sex, the presence of eating disorders, subclinical insomnia, using devices for more than 2 h, and using the Internet for academic activities. About anxiety, the associated factors are the female sex, the presence of eating disorders, subclinical insomnia, and the use of the Internet as social interaction. We recommend implementing counseling programs in view of the imminent introduction of the Internet as a pillar in education.

Introduction and aims: There are few studies that compare polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 and magnesium hydroxide (MH), as long-term treatment of functional constipation (FC) in children, and they do not include infants as young as 6 months of age. Our aim was to determine the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of PEG vs MH in FC, in the long term, in pediatric patients. Methods: An open-label, parallel, controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients from 6 months to 18 years of age, diagnosed with FC, that were randomly assigned to receive PEG 3350 or MH for 12 months. Success was defined as: ≥ 3 bowel movements/week, with no fecal incontinence, fecal impaction, abdominal pain, or the need for another laxative. We compared adverse events and acceptability, measured as rejected doses of the laxative during the study, in each group and subgroup. Results: Eighty-three patients with FC were included. There were no differences in success between groups (40/41 PEG vs 40/42 MH, p = 0.616). There were no differences in acceptability between groups, but a statistically significant higher number of patients rejected MH in the subgroups > 4 to 12 years and > 12 to 18 years of age (P = .037 and P = .020, respectively). There were no differences regarding adverse events between the two groups and no severe clinical or biochemical adverse events were registered. Conclusions: The two laxatives were equally effective and safe for treating FC in children from 0.5 to 18 years of age. Acceptance was better for PEG 3350 than for MH in patients above 4 years of age. MH can be considered first-line treatment for FC in children under 4 years of age. Resumen: Introducción y objetivo: Existen pocos estudios comparativos entre polietilenglicol (PEG) 3350 e hidróxido de magnesio (HM) para tratar el estreñimiento funcional (EF) a largo plazo en niños, y no incluyen lactantes desde 6 meses. El objetivo fue determinar la eficacia, la seguridad y la aceptabilidad de PEG vs HM en el EF a largo plazo en pacientes pediátricos. Métodos: Ensayo clínico controlado, paralelo, abierto, en pacientes de 6 meses a 18 años con diagnóstico de EF asignados aleatoriamente a PEG 3350 o HM durante 12 meses. Se definió éxito: ≥ 3 evacuaciones/semana, sin incontinencia fecal, impactación fecal, dolor abdominal o necesidad de otro laxante. Se compararon eventos adversos, así como la aceptabilidad, medida como dosis rechazadas del laxante durante el estudio en cada grupo y subgrupo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 83 pacientes con EF, sin que presentaran diferencias en éxito entre ambos grupos (40/41 PEG vs 40/42 HM, p = 0.616). No hubo diferencias en aceptabilidad entre ambos grupos, pero un número significativamente mayor de pacientes rechazó la leche de magnesia en los subgrupos de > 4 a 12 años y de > 12 a 18 años (p = 0.037 y p = 0.020, respectivamente). No hubo diferencias de eventos adversos entre ambos grupos y no se registraron eventos adversos clínicos ni bioquímicos graves. Conclusiones: Ambos laxantes fueron igualmente efectivos y seguros para tratar el EF en niños de 0.5 a 18 años. El PEG 3350 fue mejor aceptado que el HM por los pacientes mayores de 4 años. El HM puede ser considerado como tratamiento de primera línea para EF en niños menores de 4 años.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la condición física, composición corporal y el somatotipo en deportistas colombianos. Participaron 618 deportistas (Mujeres 25,89%), con edad de 14 a 22 años. Se tomaron medidas cinantropométricas y se realizaron pruebas de resistencia cardiovascular en tapiz rodante, salto squat jump y contramovimiento, flexibilidad sit and reach y abdominales en 1min. Los deportistas del grupo de deportes de marca y precisión obtuvieron el porcentaje de grasa y porcentaje de masa ósea más altos, mientras el grupo de deportes de combate fue el índice de masa corporal, la capacidad aeróbica, la fuerza de resistencia abdominal y los saltos; en el grupo de deportes de pelota fue el porcentaje de recuperación, y en el grupo de tiempo y marca, sobresalió el porcentaje de masa muscular y la flexibilidad. El somatotipo predominante fue mesomórfico. Los resultados más altos en cada variable dependieron de la disciplina deportiva practicada

Abstract Cities in the global south face dire climate impacts. It is in socioeconomically marginalized urban communities of the global south that the effects of climate change are felt most deeply. Santiago de Chile, a major mid-latitude Andean city of 7.7 million inhabitants, is already undergoing the so-called “climate penalty” as rising temperatures worsen the effects of endemic ground-level ozone pollution. As many cities in the global south, Santiago is highly segregated along socioeconomic lines, which offers an opportunity for studying the effects of concurrent heatwaves and ozone episodes on distinct zones of affluence and deprivation. Here, we combine existing datasets of social indicators and climate-sensitive health risks with weather and air quality observations to study the response to compound heat-ozone extremes of different socioeconomic strata. Attributable to spatial variations in the ground-level ozone burden (heavier for wealthy communities), we found that the mortality response to extreme heat (and the associated further ozone pollution) is stronger in affluent dwellers, regardless of comorbidities and lack of access to health care affecting disadvantaged population. These unexpected findings underline the need of a site-specific hazard assessment and a community-based risk management.

In the wake of Hurricane Maria and in response to the negligent inefficiency of the local and federal governments, community groups and collectives, grassroots organizations, and activists of multiple causes began organizing under the principles of mutual aid and solidarity in Puerto Rico. One of these is the Colectivo Casco Urbano de Cayey (CCUC), a community organization comprised of local activists and community leaders, undergraduate students, and a professor. This essay brings together four members of the collective in a dialogue where they reflect on the central role of solidarity in the CCUC's organizing and projects and the ways solidarity operates as a praxis of self-determination in the face of neoliberal austerity measures in Puerto Rico. We also highlight the relational work that was done prior to establishing the CCUC that enabled its creation. We also discuss how we negotiate our collaborative relationship across difference through critical dialogue and reflection, the challenges that arise because of our colonial subjectivities, and the ways we circumvent colonial logics through other ways of being and relating anchored in solidarity and interdependence.

We present the synthesis of a cross-linking enzyme aggregate (CLEAS) of a peroxidase from Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea Grass) (GGP). The biocatalyst was produced using 50%v/v ethanol and 0.88%w/v glutaraldehyde for 1 h under stirring. The immobilization yield was 93.74% and the specific activity was 36.75 U mg−1. The biocatalyst surpassed by 61% the free enzyme activity at the optimal pH value (pH 6 for both preparations), becoming this increase in activity almost 10-fold at pH 9. GGP-CLEAS exhibited a higher thermal stability (2–4 folds) and was more stable towards hydrogen peroxide than the free enzyme (2–3 folds). GGP-CLEAS removes over 80% of 0.05 mM indigo carmine at pH 5, in the presence of 0.55 mM H2O2 after 60 min of reaction, a much higher value than when using the free enzyme. The operational stability showed a decrease of enzyme activity (over 60% in 4 cycles), very likely related to suicide inhibition.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) plays a crucial role in global gold production. However, the adoption of poor mining practices or the use of mercury (Hg) in gold recovery processes has generated serious environmental contamination events. The focus of this study is assessing the concentration of Hg in surface waters within the coastal region of Ecuador. The results are used to conduct a human health risk assessment applying deterministic and probabilistic methods, specifically targeting groups vulnerable to exposure in affected mining environments. Between April and June 2022, 54 water samples were collected from rivers and streams adjacent to mining areas to determine Hg levels. In the health risk assessment, exposure routes through water ingestion and dermal contact were considered for both adults and children, following the model structures outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The results indicate elevated Hg concentrations in two of the five provinces studied, El Oro and Esmeraldas, where at least 88% and 75% of the samples, respectively, exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) set by Ecuadorian regulations for the preservation of aquatic life. Furthermore, in El Oro province, 28% of the samples exceeded the MPL established for drinking water quality. The high concentrations of Hg could be related to illegal mining activity that uses Hg for gold recovery. Regarding the human health risk assessment, risk values above the safe exposure limit were estimated. Children were identified as the most vulnerable receptor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish effective regulations that guarantee the protection of river users in potentially contaminated areas. Finally, it is important to continue investigating the contamination caused by human practices in the coastal region.

Recent studies indicate that monitoring only fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may not be enough to understand and tackle the health risk caused by particulate pollution. Health effects per unit PM2.5 seem to increase in countries with low PM2.5, but also near local pollution sources (e.g., traffic) within cities. The aim of this study is to understand the differences in the characteristics of lung-depositing particles in different geographical regions and urban environments. Particle lung deposited surface area (LDSAal) concentrations and size distributions, along with PM2.5, were compared with ambient measurement data from Finland, Germany, Czechia, Chile, and India, covering traffic sites, residential areas, airports, shipping, and industrial sites. In Finland (low PM2.5), LDSAal size distributions depended significantly on the urban environment and were mainly attributable to ultrafine particles (