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Hybrid compounds have a significant impact on agriculture as slow macro- and micronutrient administration systems. This study aimed to evaluate the synthesis and effect of the hybrid compound Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF in different concentrations on the in vitro growth of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews). A total of 13 vanilla plantlets per treatment were cultivated in test tubes with semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and without growth regulators and treated with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 mg L−1 of Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF. After 60 days of culture, we evaluated different morphological and biochemical parameters, such as shoot length, root length, the number of roots, the number of leaves, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic compound content. Our results showed that the Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF at 10 mg L−1 concentration increased plantlet length. Furthermore, we observed an increase in root length and number with the 5 and 10 mg L−1 concentrations, and a decrease in these same parameters with the 15 and 30 mg L−1 Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF concentrations. There were no significant differences regarding the number of leaves or total chlorophyll content. As for the antioxidant capacity, we observed an increase with 5, 10, and 15 mg L−1 of Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and a decrease with the highest concentration. Finally, the phenolic and carotenoid content decreased with the 15 and 30 mg L−1 Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF concentrations compared to the control. In conclusion, the hybrid compound Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF showed beneficial effects on the growth, physiology, and biochemistry of V. planifolia in vitro when plants were treated at low concentrations. Additionally, the high concentrations used in this study did not induce toxicity. Our findings suggest that Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF could be used as a biostimulant in vanilla during its in vitro culture. However, due to the hormetic effect and the possible different reactions of different genotypes, this requires further detailed research.

Abstract Background We aimed to identify the 2001–2013 incidence trend, and characteristics associated with adolescent pregnancies reported by 20–24-year-old women. Methods A retrospective analysis of the Cuatro Santos Northern Nicaragua Health and Demographic Surveillance 2004–2014 data on women aged 15–19 and 20–24. To calculate adolescent birth and pregnancy rates, we used the first live birth at ages 10–14 and 15–19 years reported by women aged 15–19 and 20–24 years, respectively, along with estimates of annual incidence rates reported by women aged 20–24 years. We conducted conditional inference tree analyses using 52 variables to identify characteristics associated with adolescent pregnancies. Results The number of first live births reported by women aged 20–24 years was 361 during the study period. Adolescent pregnancies and live births decreased from 2004 to 2009 and thereafter increased up to 2014. The adolescent pregnancy incidence (persons-years) trend dropped from 2001 (75.1 per 1000) to 2007 (27.2 per 1000), followed by a steep upward trend from 2007 to 2008 (19.1 per 1000) that increased in 2013 (26.5 per 1000). Associated factors with adolescent pregnancy were living in low-education households, where most adults in the household were working, and high proportion of adolescent pregnancies in the local community. Wealth was not linked to teenage pregnancies. Conclusions Interventions to prevent adolescent pregnancy are imperative and must bear into account the context that influences the culture of early motherhood and lead to socioeconomic and health gains in resource-poor settings.

Los metales con fines curativos se han utilizado desde las civilizaciones antiguas (china, egipcia, griega y romana). El cobre se usaba para esterilizar heridas, el oro para tratar la piel de las personas con viruela y la plata para curar heridas e infecciones. Actualmente, diversos compuestos inorgánicos se utilizan en el tratamiento de distintas enfermedades. Por ejemplo, algunas sales de aluminio, bismuto, calcio, magnesio y sodio se utilizan para los padecimientos estomacales. En cuanto al cáncer, el cisplatino fue el primer fármaco metálico utilizado en los tratamientos de quimioterapia. Además, se sabe que el trióxido de arsénico es un metalofármaco utilizado para tratar pacientes con leucemia. Incluso, otros metalofármacos a base de paladio y rutenio son excelentes agentes anticancerígenos activados por la luz que han sido aprobados en fases avanzadas de ensayos clínicos. Por lo tanto, el uso de metalofármacos en la terapia del cáncer se ha estudiado desde la década de 1960 hasta la actualidad. Durante este período, los científicos han buscado nuevos metalofármacos más eficaces, más selectivos y con menos efectos secundarios. Los esfuerzos han llevado a la consideración de una amplia variedad de metales en la tabla periódica, los cuales se discutirán en este artículo. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v16i3.1010

Background: Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is considered a neglected disease in several countries. One of the main problems about this disease is the lack of an effective treatment and the absence of adverse effects. T. cruzi, like most pathogenic fungi and yeasts, require specific sterols to maintain viability and proliferative capacity during their life cycle. However, the oxidation of this molecule to ergosterol peroxide has shown several biological effects, including its trypanocidal activity. Methods: We have synthesized MOFs nanoparticles as carrier system coupled to ergosterol peroxide (MOFs-EP) and we have studied its effect on the circulating forms of the T. cruzi parasite. Results: MOFs-EP possess an efficient trypanocidal activity at much lower inhibitory concentrations (ng/mL) that the concentrations shown by ergosterol peroxide (mg/mL) when administered unconjugated form. Conclusion: Our results open a new possibility in the biomedical application of MOFs and ergosterol peroxide in the search for new options for the treatment of Chagas disease.

Abstract Background Access to food is a basic necessity, and food insecurity may impair the individual’s well-being and health. Self-rated health measurements have frequently been used to assess population health. Little is known, however, as to whether food security is associated with self-rated health in low- and middle-income settings. This study aims at analyzing the association between food security and self-rated health among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in a rural Nicaraguan setting. Methods Data was taken from the 2014 update of a health and demographic surveillance system in the municipalities of Los Cuatro Santos in northwestern Nicaragua. Fieldworkers interviewed women about their self-rated health using a 5-point Likert scale. Food insecurity was assessed by the household food insecurity access (HFIAS) scale. A multilevel Poisson random-intercept model was used to calculate the prevalence ratio. Results The survey included 5866 women. In total, 89% were food insecure, and 48% had poor self-rated health. Food insecurity was associated with poor self-rated health, and remained so after adjustment for potential confounders and accounting for community dependency. Conclusion In this Nicaraguan resource-limited setting, there was an association between food insecurity and poor self-rated health. Food insecurity is a facet of poverty and measures an important missing capability directly related to health.

We identified clusters of multiple dimensions of poverty according to the capability approach theory by applying data mining approaches to the Cuatro Santos Health and Demographic Surveillance database, Nicaragua. Four municipalities in northern Nicaragua constitute the Cuatro Santos area, with 25,893 inhabitants in 5,966 households (2014). A local process analyzing poverty-related problems, prioritizing suggested actions, was initiated in 1997 and generated a community action plan 2002–2015. Interventions were school breakfasts, environmental protection, water and sanitation, preventive healthcare, home gardening, microcredit, technical training, university education stipends, and use of the Internet. In 2004, a survey of basic health and demographic information was performed in the whole population, followed by surveillance updates in 2007, 2009, and 2014 linking households and individuals. Information included the house material (floor, walls) and services (water, sanitation, electricity) as well as demographic data (birth, deaths, migration). Data on participation in interventions, food security, household assets, and women's self-rated health were collected in 2014. A K-means algorithm was used to cluster the household data (56 variables) in six clusters. The poverty ranking of household clusters using the unsatisfied basic needs index variables changed when including variables describing basic capabilities. The households in the fairly rich cluster with assets such as motorbikes and computers were described as modern. Those in the fairly poor cluster, having different degrees of food insecurity, were labeled vulnerable. Poor and poorest clusters of households were traditional, e.g., in using horses for transport. Results displayed a society transforming from traditional to modern, where the forerunners were not the richest but educated, had more working members in household, had fewer children, and were food secure. Those lagging were the poor, traditional, and food insecure. The approach may be useful for an improved understanding of poverty and to direct local policy and interventions.

Introducción. El Salvador no cuenta con datos actualizados de prevalencia en menores de 15 años de la infección por helmintos transmitidos por contacto con el suelo. Además, al ser uno de los países en las Américas que reporta un número bajo de casos de malaria, se considera que su eliminación allí es factible. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia y la intensidad de la infección por geohelmintos y la prevalencia de Plasmodium spp. en escolares de 8 a 10 años de El Salvador. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de corte transversal en las cinco zonas eco-epidemiológicas del país (planicie costera, depresión central, cadena volcánica, cadena costera y zona montañosa). La presencia de geohelmintiasis se estudió en 1.325 estudiantes y, la de malaria, en 152. Se utilizó la técnica de Kato-Katz para la detección de geohelmintos, y para el diagnóstico de la malaria, una prueba rápida, el estudio mediante microscopía y la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Resultados. La prevalencia total de geohelmintiasis fue de 7,9 % (IC95% 6,6-9,5). En la planicie costera fue de 14,9 % (IC95% 10,9-19,7); en la depresión central, de 9,4 % (IC95% 6,5-13,3); en la cadena volcánica, de 6,6 % (IC95% 4,2-10,5); en la cadena costera, de 5,9 % (IC95% 3,8-9,4), y en la cadena montañosa, de 2,6 % (IC95% 1,4-5,7). La proporción de infección de gran intensidad debida a cualquiera de las especies de geohelmintos fue de 0,3 %. No se encontraron escolares infectados con Plasmodium spp. Conclusión. La prevalencia de geohelmintos fue baja y la especie más prevalente fue Trichuris trichiura. La intensidad de la infección debida a cualquiera de las especies de geohelmintos fue leve (

Background: In a post-war frontier area in north-western Nicaragua that was severely hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, local stakeholders embarked on and facilitated multi-dimensional development initiatives to break the cycles of poverty. Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the process of priority-setting, and the strategies, guiding principles, activities, achievements, and lessons learned in these local development efforts from 1990 to 2014 in the Cuatro Santos area, Nicaragua. Methods: Data were derived from project records and a Health and Demographic Surveillance System that was initiated in 2004. The area had 25,893 inhabitants living in 5,966 households in 2014. Results: A participatory process with local stakeholders and community representatives resulted in a long-term strategic plan. Guiding principles were local ownership, political reconciliation, consensus decision-making, social and gender equity, an environmental and public health perspective, and sustainability. Local data were used in workshops with communities to re-prioritise and formulate new goals. The interventions included water and sanitation, house construction, microcredits, environmental protection, school breakfasts, technical training, university scholarships, home gardening, breastfeeding promotion, and maternity waiting homes. During the last decade, the proportion of individuals living in poverty was reduced from 79 to 47%. Primary school enrolment increased from 70 to 98% after the start of the school breakfast program. Under-five mortality was around 50 per 1,000 live births in 1990 and again peaked after Hurricane Mitch and was approaching 20 per 1,000 in 2014. Several of the interventions have been scaled up as national programs. Conclusions: The lessons learned from the Cuatro Santos initiative underline the importance of a bottom-up approach and local ownership of the development process, the value of local data for monitoring and evaluation, and the need for multi-dimensional local interventions to break the cycles of poverty and gain better health and welfare.

Background: Recent studies have shown an excess of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among younger adult males in the Pacific coastal region of Nicaragua and suggest a non-conventional CKD etiology in this region. These studies have been conducted in small, non-representative populations. Objectives: We conducted a large population-based cross-sectional study to estimate CKD prevalence in León, Nicaragua, and to evaluate the association between previously investigated risk factors and CKD. Methods: Estimated glomerular filtration rate, derived using the MDRD equation, was assessed to determine CKD status of 2275 León residents. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence odds ratios. León CKD prevalence was also standardized to the demographic distributions of the León Health and Demographic Surveillance System and the León 2005 Census. Results: CKD prevalence was 9.1%; twice as high for males (13.8%) than females (5.8%). In addition to gender, older age, rural zone, lower education level, and self-reported high blood pressure, more years of agricultural work, lija (unregulated alcohol) consumption, and higher levels of daily water consumption were significantly associated with CKD. Notably, self-reported diabetes was associated with CKD in adjusted models for females but not males. Conclusions: Our findings are comparable to those found in regional studies and further support the hypothesis of a Mesoamerican Nephropathy.

In the title compound, [Co2(C7H5O2)4(C10H8N2)4]·6C6H5COOH, the centrosymmetric cobalt dimer co-crystallizes with six molecules of benzoic acid. Each CoII atom is coordinated by four O atoms in a distorted square-planar arrangement while the N atoms are located in apical positions. The dihedral angles between the rings comprising each of the 4,4′-bipyridyl ligands are 25.2 (2) and 22.8 (2)°. In the crystal, the three-dimensional network is assembled by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds.

Postinfectious IBS is defined in the industrialized world as IBS onset following a sentinel gastrointestinal infection. In developing nations, where repeated bacterial and parasitic gastrointestinal infections are common, the IBS pathophysiology may be altered. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between intestinal parasite infection and IBS in the “nonsterile” developing world environment. IBS subjects were identified from a population-based sample of 1624 participants using the Rome II Modular Questionnaire. Stool samples from cases and randomly selected controls were examined for ova and parasites. Logistic regression models explored the relationship between IBS and parasite infection. The overall IBS prevalence among participants was 13.2% (9.3% males, 15.9% females). There was no difference in parasite carriage between IBS cases and controls, 16.6% versus 15.4% (P=0.78), nor among IBS subtypes. The pathophysiology of post-infectious IBS may be altered in the developing world as compared to industrialized nations and warrants investigation.

Este experimento se llevó a cabo con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto del tratamiento físico y químico en la composición química y digestibilidad “in vitro” de la materia seca (DIVMS) y materia orgánica (DIVMO) de rastrojo de maíz sometido a dichos tratamientos. Setenta y cinco pacas de rastrojo de maíz (25 molidas, 25 picadas y 25 enteras) fueron tratadas con 4% de amoniaco anhidro (NH3) con base en el peso seco durante cuatro semanas. El mismo número de pacas con igual tamaño de partícula permaneció sin tratar con NH3. Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2x3 (cero y cuatro % NH3 y tres tamaños de partícula). Se observó un decremento en la cantidad de materia seca a medida que el tamaño de partícula aumentó. El incremento en el porcentaje de proteína cruda en el rastrojo tratado molido, picado y entero fue de 110, 116 y 91 unidades mayor respecto al rastrojo sin tratar. El extracto etéreo se vio incrementado por la amonificación en promedio 7,3% con respecto al rastrojo sin tratar. El contenido de cenizas se incrementó en promedio 6,0% con la amonificación. El NH3 disminuyó los valores de fibra detergente neutro en 20,0; 7,0 y 7,7% para forraje molido, picado y entero, respectivamente. En lo que respecta a la fibra ácido detergente se observó un decremento de 7,17; 12,83 y 11,42% para el rastrojo molido, picado y entero, respectivamente, en relación al rastrojo sin tratar. La DIVMS y DIVMO se incrementaron con el tratamiento con NH3.

RESUMEN Objetivo: el propósito de este estudio fue establecer un factor asociativo que relacione la morfología del sistema cráneo - cervical con el nivel de inteligibilidad articulatoria del habla en sujetos jóvenes. Métodos: estudio transversal, consideró una muestra de 42 jóvenes universitarios de un universo de 140, ambos sexos, sin antecedentes mórbidos y con un rango de edad entre 18 y 21 años. Se evalúo: a) inteligibilidad articulatoria mediante el coeficiente de variación periódica diadococinética, b) parámetros posturales estáticos tradicionales mediante método fotogramétrico y c) patrón postural cefálico mediante radiografía cefalométrica lateral. Resultados: se encontraron 36 sujetos con inteligibilidad adecuada y 6 alterada, donde la variable rotación cráneo cervical antero-posterior presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p= 0,009) entre el grupo con inteligibilidad normal respecto al grupo con inteligibilidad alterada. El análisis de regresión lineal evidenció que sujetos que presentan rotación posterior de cabeza sobre cuello presentan mayor variabilidad en la emisión silábica del rendimiento diadocinético del habla (Sq r lineal = 0,128). Conclusión: se establece que la postura cefálica con presencia de rotación posterior de la cabeza sobre el cuello se asocia a la pérdida de inteligibilidad del habla en la muestra estudiada.

RESUMEN En varios países centroamericanos se observa que el número de muertes por enfermedad renal crónica asociada a causas no tradicionales (ERCnt) entre trabajadores del campo continúa creciendo y existe un subregistro. Se presenta el resultado de un proceso de consenso coordinado por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS), el Centro para el Control de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos (CDC) y la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nefrología e Hipertensión Arterial (SLANH). Este consenso busca aumentar la probabilidad de detectar y registrar las muertes por estas causas. Se reconoció el impacto negativo que tiene la falta de un instrumento estandarizado y la baja capacitación que se tiene en la profesión médica para un registro adecuado de la o las causas de muerte. Como resultado del consenso, se propone el uso de un código de la Lista para Propósitos Especiales (de manera temporaria) dentro de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-10), continuar con la promoción del uso del instrumento internacional estandarizado de la OMS para el registro de causas y eventos antecedentes relacionados con la muerte, aumentar el entrenamiento de los médicos responsables por el llenado del certificado de defunción, la realización de acciones para aumentar la completitud y calidad de la información de mortalidad, un algoritmo de decisión para facilitar la selección de la ERCnt como causa específica de muerte, presentando el papel que debieran tener los diferentes mecanismos regionales y subregionales en la región de las Américas para mejorar la situación del registro de mortalidad por ERC y ERCnt.

This work presents three scientific contributions: the new metal organic framework (UV-012) crystal structure, the evaluation of this new material for dye adsorption and a new mechanism that explains the excellent and selective anionic dye adsorption by this material. UV-012 was synthesized by a solvothermal method and characterized by single crystal and powder XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR. Methyl orange (MO) adsorption experiments in water were completed, obtaining the maximum adsorption capacity (1410 mg g−1) determined by Langmuir's mathematical model. The value obtained is one of the highest reported to date for a MOF or a coordination polymer; this exceptional performance is attributed to the MOF–dye electrostatic interaction, which is associated with bpp linkers in the MOF structure. The adsorption kinetics is described by a pseudo-second-order model. The pH effect was studied, which indicated that the adsorption capacity decreases proportionally when the pH increases. UV-012 presents high potential to adsorb other anionic dyes such as Congo red or indigo carmine; however, its cationic dye adsorption performance (methylene blue) was not significant, which indicates selectivity toward anionic dyes. The most important conclusion of this work is: MOFs constructed from pyridinic linkers will present high adsorption capacity in the removal of anionic dyes, due to the strong electrostatic interaction between this type of linker and the negative charge of the dye. To the best of our knowledge, this conclusion has not been published previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los cambios generados por la pandemia del COVID-19 en la forma de trabajo en las organizaciones, ha acelerado la incorporación de nuevas tecnologías que han permitido el desarrollo del trabajo remoto. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los cambios en los componentes de la satisfacción laboral después de un año de implementado el trabajo remoto. Para ello se realizó una encuesta aleatoria a 560 trabajadores de oficina con un año de experiencia de trabajo ininterrumpido después de la pandemia en la ciudad de Huancayo, Chupaca o Concepción, en la región central del Perú. Los resultados están asociados al clima de seguridad psicológica, el acoso laboral, el compromiso afectivo y el sistema de trabajo de alto rendimiento. Se realizaron correlaciones no paramétricas, comparaciones emparejadas entre los estados previos y posteriores a la pandemia y un análisis en la situación reciente. Se concluye la mejora general de las dimensiones de la satisfacción laboral, siendo las excepciones la implementación de sistemas de trabajo de alto rendimiento y una reducción del compromiso con el trabajo en la modalidad remota.

La ciudad de Huancayo, como otras ciudades intermedias en Latinoamérica, enfrenta problemas de cambios de uso de suelo poco planificados y una acelerada dinámica del mercado del suelo urbano. La escases y desactualización de información sobre el territorio urbano impiden la adecuada clasificación de áreas urbanas, limitando la forma de su intervención. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo la incorporación de métodos no asistidos y mixtos para la clasificación espacial de zonas urbanas considerando el valor especulativo del suelo, la proporción del suelo urbanizado y otras variables geoespaciales. Entre los medios de recolección de datos, se usó imágenes Multi-Espectrales (MSI) del satélite Sentinel-2, el sistema vial primario y una muestra de puntos de observación directa. Los datos procesados fueron incorporados en mapas georreferenciados, a los cuales se añadió además los límites urbanos y pendientes oficiales. Durante el procesamiento de los datos se empleó el algoritmo K-Means, junto a otros métodos de machine learning y juicio asistido. Como resultado, se obtuvo una caracterización objetiva de zonas urbanas que difiere de la planificación existente.