Morosidad y rentabilidad en las Cajas Rurales de Ahorro y Crédito en el Perú, periodo 2018-2020

La presente investigación llamada “Morosidad y rentabilidad en las Cajas Rurales de Ahorro y Crédito en el Perú, periodo 2018-2020” tuvo como objetivo buscar una relación entre la morosidad y la rentabilidad de las Cajas Rurales de Ahorro y Crédito en el Perú, para ello se analizó sus estados financieros e índices de morosidad tomados por la SBS y los estados financieros ubicados en el portal de la SBS durante el periodo 2018-2020. La estrategia metodológica fue de enfoque cuantitativo, tipo básica, nivel de investigación correlacional y diseño de investigación no experimental; la técnica de recolección de datos fue la revisión documental y el instrumento una ficha de datos. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron establecer que el período con mayor variabilidad fue el 2018 en contraposición al año 2020 donde se registran medidas con menor variabilidad en la cartera atrasada, cartera de alto riesgo, rentabilidad financiera y margen de rentabilidad, a excepción de la rentabilidad económica. Se concluyó que la cartera atrasada y la cartera de alto riesgo se relacionan con la rentabilidad económica y rentabilidad financiera, a excepción del margen de rentabilidad financiera. Los resultados inferenciales indican que la cartera atrasada sí se relaciona con la rentabilidad económica con un coeficiente de -0.764 y p- valor de 0.000, la cartera atrasada se relaciona con la rentabilidad financiera con coeficiente de correlación de -0.417 y u p-valor de 0.011, la cartera atrasada no se relaciona con el margen de rentabilidad financiera en las CRAC con un coeficiente de correlación 0.955 y p-valor 0.001, la cartera de alto riesgo si se relaciona con la rentabilidad económica en las CRAC con un coeficiente de correlación -0.798 y pvalor 0.00, la cartera de alto riesgo si se relaciona con la rentabilidad financiera en las CRAC con un coeficiente de correlación -0.459 y un p-valor 0.005 y la cartera de alto riesgo no se relaciona con el margen de rentabilidad financiera en las CRAC un coeficiente de correlación -0.006 y un p-valor 0.97

Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children

Background Persistent diarrhoea (diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days) accounts for one third of all diarrhoea related deaths in developing countries in some studies. Probiotics may help treatment. Objectives To evaluate probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. We also contacted authors of included trials and organizations working in the field, and checked reference lists. The date of the most recent search was 13 December 2012 Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials comparing a specified probiotic agent with placebo or no probiotic in children with persistent diarrhoea. Data collection and analysis Two review authors assessed the eligibility, risk of bias, extracted and analysed data. Differences were resolved by discussion. Statistical analysis were performed using the fixed-effect model and the results were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main results Four trials were included, with a total number of 464 participants; one trial had a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that probiotics reduced the duration of persistent diarrhoea (mean difference 4.02 days, 95%CI 4.61 to 3.43 days, n = 324, two trials). Stool frequency was reduced with probiotics in two trials. One trial reported a shorter hospital stay, which was significant, but numbers were small. No adverse events were reported.Revisión por pare

Influence of the critical parameters on the density estimate of some fatty acids by the Rackett's method

9 páginas, 3 figuras, 3 tablas.[ES] En este trabajo se realiza un estudio comparativo de las propiedades críticas temperatura y presión en los ácidos grasos palmítico, esteárico y oléico, proporcionadas por diferentes fuentes bibliográficas. Estas propiedades se utilizan en la ecuación de Rackett para estimar la densidad de las sustancias puras. Se describen y emplean los métodos más comúnmente aplicados en estos casos para estimar dichas propiedades críticas. Se selecciona un conjunto de valores de propiedades críticas para aplicarlas en la estimación de la densidad por la ecuación de Rackett. Se proponen los valores de las propiedades críticas con los que se obtiene una mejor estimación de la densidad, cuando se compara con resultados experimentales. Se demuestra que la selección de las propiedades críticas influye de forma decisiva en la estimación de propiedades físicas mediante la ecuación de Rackett.[EN] In this work a comparative study is carried out of the critical properties of temperature and pressure applied for the palmitic, stearic and oleic fatty acids, provided by different bibliographical sources. These properties are used in the Rackett's equation to estimate the density of the pure substances. The most commonly employed methods are described and applied in these cases to estimate these critical properties. A group of values of critical properties is selected to estimate the density using the Rackett's equation. The values of the critical properties that give a better estimation of the density, according to Rackett's equation, when compared with the experimental results are proposed. It is demonstrated that the selection of the critical properties influences in a decisive way in the estimation of physical properties by means of the Rackett's equation.Los autores hacen constar su agradecimiento a: La Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología, por la ayuda recibida para la realización de este trabajo: ALI 95 0517. Al Instituto de Cooperación Iberoamericana (ICI), por la beca proporcionada para la realización de la Tesis Doctoral.Peer reviewe

Characterization of two Achromobacter xylosoxidans isolates from patients with pertussis-like symptoms

OBJECTIVE: To characterize two Achromobacter xylosoxidans recovered from 2 patients diagnosed with pertussis during a Bordetella pertussis surveillance program. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs from 2 children under 1 year of age with clinical suspicion of pertussis were analyzed by culture and PCR. RESULTS: Two Achromobacter xylosoxidans A8, closely related to Bordetella spp. were recovered from 2 patients diagnosed of pertussis, both carrying the ptxA gene and IS418 the pertussis toxin encoding gene. Subsequently, antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated by disk-diffusion method and by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Although more detailed studies are needed, the present data highlight the possibility that Achromobacter xylosoxidans, closely related Bordetella pertusssis microorganisms and not covered under the vaccine umbrella, might also result in cases of whooping cough. Thereby further surveillance is necessary to determine the extension and relevance of their pathogenic role in order to discriminate their real public health implication

Síntesis y caracterización de redes poliméricas interpenetradas de quitosana-poli(ácido acrílico-coacrilamida)

Se prepararon redes poliméricas interpenetradas de quitosana (QUI) con poli(ácido acrílico) (PAAc) y poliacrilamida (PAAm) mediante la polimerización radicálica de la acrilamida (AAm) y el ácido acrílico (AAc) en presencia de la quitosana, utilizando como sistema iniciador persulfato de amonio, [(NH4)2S2O8, a 1,2 · 10-3 mol/L] con N,N,N’,N’- tetrametilendiamina como activador, en relación 1 : 1 mol/L con el persulfato a 50 ºC . Se utilizó como entrecruzante la N,N’-metilenbisacrilamida a 3,3 ·10-3 mol/L . Los materiales obtenidos se caracterizaron por microscopia electrónica de barrido y la composición relativa de los polímeros en los sistemas fue confirmada por espectroscopia FTIR. Se utilizaron la relaciones de absorbancias a 1 670, 1 662 y 1 082 cm–1, A1662/A1082 y A 1670/A1082, como indicativas de la composición relativa de AAm y el AAc en estos materiales. La capacidad de hinchamiento en equilibrio de los terpolímeros (QUI/PAAc/PAAm) resultó altamente dependiente de la composición. Al ser sometidos a un tratamiento con NaOH(ac) 1 mol/L las características del sistema variaron apreciablemente. Se incrementó el hinchamiento y la sensibilidad al pH del medio en comparación con los sistemas QUI/PAAc/PAAm antes del tratamiento con NaOH(ac). Estos resultados fueron discutidos en términos de los cambios químicos y estructurales que tienen lugar durante el tratamiento con NaOH(ac). Los geles son denominados “sistemas inteligentes” por ser sensibles a la temperatura y la fuerza iónica del medio

Regulatory T-cell Number in Peripheral Blood at 1 Year Posttransplant as Predictor of Long-term Kidney Graft Survival

Background: Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a role in limiting kidney transplant rejection and can potentially promote long-term transplant tolerance. There are no large prospective studies demonstrating the utility of peripheral blood Treg cells as biomarkers for long-term graft outcome in kidney transplantation. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of the absolute number of peripheral blood Treg cells after transplantation on long-term death-censored graft survival. Methods: We monitored the absolute numbers of Treg cells by flow cytometry in nonfrozen samples of peripheral blood in 133 kidney transplant recipients, who were prospectively followed up to 2 years after transplantation. Death-censored graft survival was determined retrospectively in January 2017. Results: The mean time of clinical follow-up was 7.4 ± 2.9 years and 24.1% patients suffered death-censored graft loss (DCGL). Patients with high Treg cells 1 year after transplantation and above the median value (14.57 cells/mm3), showed better death-censored graft survival (5-year survival, 92.5% vs 81.4%, Log-rank P = .030). One-year Treg cells showed a receiver operating characteristic - area under curve of 63.1% (95% confidence interval, 52.9-73.2%, P = 0.026) for predicting DCGL. After multivariate Cox regression analysis, an increased number of peripheral blood Treg cells was a protective factor for DCGL (hazard ratio, 0.961, 95% confidence interval, 0.924-0.998, P = 0.041), irrespectively of 1-year proteinuria and renal function. Conclusions: Peripheral blood absolute numbers of Treg cells 1 year after kidney transplantation predict a better long-term graft outcome and may be used as prognostic biomarkers

Awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru

Background Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem. Objective To describe the awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pimentel beach, Peru. The “Beach Questionnaire” was used and we surveyed all the beachgoers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from March 5 to March 19. For the statistical analysis, sun exposure habits, sunburns history, knowledge, attitudes and practices were crossed with sex using the chi2 test. Results We surveyed 410 beachgoers, the most frequent phototype was type III (40.5%). Only the 13.66% of the respondents correctly answered the seven knowledge questions related to sun exposure and skin cancer. Men more frequently agreed that “when they are tanned their clothes looks nicer” (p = 0.048). Likewise, regarding the questions “Sunbathing is relaxing” and “Sunbathing improves my mood”, men agreed or totally agreed with more frequency than women (63.64% vs. 46.15%, p < 0.001; and 61.36% vs 49.15%, p = 0.014, respectively). Regarding sun protection practices, women more frequently used sunshade (p = 0.001) and sunscreen (SPF ≥ 15) (p < 0.001) when compared to the male group. Conclusion Sun exposure is a potentially preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, awareness of the risks of UVR overexposure and adequate sun-protective behaviors and attitudes are essential. Our results, however, are not as favorable as expected. Public health efforts should encourage sun-safety precautions and intervention campaigns should be carried out in recreational settings, such as the beaches

Identfication of viral and bacterial etiologic agents of the pertussis-like syndrome in children under 5 years old hospitalized

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children, remaining a major public health concern, especially affecting children under 5 years old from low-income countries. Unfortunately, information regarding their epidemiology is still limited in Peru. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed from a previous cross-sectional study conducted in children with a probable diagnosis of Pertussis from January 2010 to July 2012. All samples were analyzed via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the following etiologies: Influenza-A, Influenza-B, RSV-A, RSV-B, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza 1 virus, Parainfluenza 2 virus, Parainfluenza 3 virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Results: A total of 288 patients were included. The most common pathogen isolated was Adenovirus (49%), followed by Bordetella pertussis (41%) from our previous investigation, the most prevelant microorganisms were Mycoplasma pneumonia (26%) and Influenza-B (19.8%). Coinfections were reported in 58% of samples and the most common association was found between B. pertussis and Adenovirus (12.2%). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of Adenovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other etiologies in patients with a probable diagnosis of pertussis. Despite the presence of persistent cough lasting at least two weeks and other clinical characteristics highly suspicious of pertussis, secondary etiologies should be considered in children under 5 years-old in order to give a proper treatment.Revisión por pare

Accuracy of clinical pallor in the diagnosis of anaemia in children: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is highly prevalent in children of developing countries. It is associated with impaired physical growth and mental development. Palmar pallor is recommended at primary level for diagnosing it, on the basis of few studies. The objective of the study was to systematically assess the accuracy of clinical signs in the diagnosis of anaemia in children. METHODS: A systematic review on the accuracy of clinical signs of anaemia in children. We performed an Internet search in various databases and an additional reference tracking. Studies had to be on performance of clinical signs in the diagnosis of anaemia, using haemoglobin as the gold standard. We calculated pooled diagnostic likelihood ratios (LR's) and odds ratios (DOR's) for each clinical sign at different haemoglobin thresholds. RESULTS: Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were performed in Africa, in children underfive. Chi-square test for proportions and Cochran Q for DOR's and for LR's showed heterogeneity. Type of observer and haemoglobin technique influenced the results. Pooling was done using the random effects model. Pooled DOR at haemoglobin <11 g/dL was 4.3 (95% CI 2.6–7.2) for palmar pallor, 3.7 (2.3–5.9) for conjunctival pallor, and 3.4 (1.8–6.3) for nailbed pallor. DOR's and LR's were slightly better for nailbed pallor at all other haemoglobin thresholds. The accuracy did not vary substantially after excluding outliers. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis did not document a highly accurate clinical sign of anaemia. In view of poor performance of clinical signs, universal iron supplementation may be an adequate control strategy in high prevalence areas. Further well-designed studies are needed in settings other than Africa. They should assess inter-observer variation, performance of combined clinical signs, phenotypic differences, and different degrees of anaemia

Use of tocilizumab in kidney transplant recipients with COVID-1

Acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with coronavirus infection is related to a cytokine storm with large interleukin-6 (IL-6) release. The IL-6-receptor blocker tocilizumab may control the aberrant host immune response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) . In this pandemic, kidney transplant (KT) recipients are a high-risk population for severe infection and showed poor outcomes. We present a multicenter cohort study of 80 KT patients with severe COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab during hospital admission. High mortality rate was identified (32.5%), related with older age (hazard ratio [HR] 3.12 for those older than 60 years, P = .039). IL-6 and other inflammatory markers, including lactic acid dehydrogenase, ferritin, and D-dimer increased early after tocilizumab administration and their values were higher in nonsurvivors. Instead, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased after tocilizumab, and this decrease positively correlated with survival (mean 12.3 mg/L in survivors vs. 33 mg/L in nonsurvivors). Each mg/L of CRP soon after tocilizumab increased the risk of death by 1% (HR 1.01 [confidence interval 1.004-1.024], P = .003). Although patients who died presented with worse respiratory situation at admission, this was not significantly different at tocilizumab administration and did not have an impact on outcome in the multivariate analysis. Tocilizumab may be effective in controlling cytokine storm in COVID-19 but randomized trials are needed