The effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on growth velocity in young children from poor urban communities in Ecuador

SummaryObjectiveTo characterize the potential effects of Helicobacter infections on growth velocity in low socioeconomic status young children in a developing country.MethodsChildren were recruited in poor suburbs of Quito, Ecuador. Normally nourished, mildly and substantially malnourished children (defined using weight-for-age Z-scores at recruitment) formed equal strata. Six height and weight measurements were collected during one year. Enrollment and exit serum samples were analyzed for anti-Helicobacter IgG and exit non-diarrheal feces tested for Helicobacter antigen.ResultsAmong 124 participants (enrollment age 19±9 months), 76 (61%) excreted fecal antigen at exit (were infected). Of these, 44 were seropositive at least once (chronic infections) and 32 tested seronegative both times (new or acute phase infections). The adjusted linear growth velocity during follow-up in children with new infections was reduced by 9.7 (3.8, 15.6) mm/year compared to uninfected controls and 6.4 (0.0, 12.9) mm/year compared to children with chronic infections. The effects of Helicobacter infections on ponderal growth were not significant.ConclusionThese results suggest that linear growth velocity is reduced in young children during the initial phase of Helicobacter infection

Selección de sitios de anidación por el águila real Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus, 1758) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) en Janos, Chihuahua, México

Knowledge about the selection of nesting sites in birds of prey is essential to carry out any management of a population for its conservation. The golden eagle generally chooses rock walls to nest, and this selection is influenced by the natural and anthropic characteristics of the landscape. In Mexico, studying the golden eagle is important because it has a cultural value as a patriotic symbol and biological role regulating its prey populations. In addition, it is listed under the Official Mexican Norm 059-SEMARNAT-2010 in the category of threatened and there is little published scientific information on its ecology and biology in the country. Therefore, this study determined the habitat variables that influence the selection patterns of golden eagle nesting sites in Janos, Chihuahua; for which nesting sites and sites with similar characteristics without the presence of the golden eagle were located for its characterization. The obtained data was analyzed through generalized linear models, taking the presence and absence of nests as the response variable and the habitat characteristics of the sites as predictor variables. Fifteen nesting sites and sixteen sites without nests were located. Of 15 variables measured, there was only a statistically significant difference in the height of the rock walls (W = 44.5, p = 0.003001). The model with the best fit had an AICc value of 20.6, explaining 68% of the variability of the data and includes the variables of height of the rock walls and the roughness of the terrain, the latter being statistically significant (p = 0.0279). Terrain roughness was present in four of the top five candidate models reflecting the importance of topography for nest site selection that can provide isolation from disturbance for eagles.El conocimiento sobre la selección de sitios de anidación en aves rapaces es uno de los factores críticos para realizar cualquier manejo de una población para su conservación. El águila real generalmente elige paredes de roca para anidar, y esta selección está influenciada por las características naturales y antrópicas del paisaje. En México el estudio del águila real es importante debido a que tiene un valor cultural por ser un símbolo patrio y biológico por regular las poblaciones de sus presas, además, se encuentra listada en la Norma Oficial Mexicana 059-SEMARNAT-2010 en la categoría de amenazada y existe escasa información científica publicada sobre su ecología y biología en nuestro país. Por ello, se elaboró un estudio que determinó las variables de hábitat que influyen en los patrones de selección de sitios de anidación del águila real en Janos, Chihuahua. Se buscaron sitios de anidación de águila real y sitios semejantes sin presencia de la especie para tomar los datos de dichas variables; con esta información se analizaron los datos a través de modelos lineales generalizados, tomando como variable de respuesta la presencia y ausencia de nidos y las características del hábitat de los sitios como variables predictoras. Se localizaron 15 sitios de anidación y 16 sitios sin nidos; de 15 variables medidas solo existió diferencia estadística significativa en la altura de las paredes de roca (W = 44.5, p = 0.003001). El modelo con mejor ajuste tuvo un valor de AICc de 20.6, explicando el 68% de la variabilidad de los datos e incluye las variables de altura de las paredes de roca y la rugosidad del terreno, siendo esta última estadísticamente significativa (p =0.0279). La rugosidad del terreno y la altura de la pared de la roca que se presentaron en el mejor modelo reflejando la importancia de la topografía para la selección de sitios de anidación que puede proporcionar aislamiento de perturbaciones para las águilas

Acute Respiratory Diseases and Carboxyhemoglobin Status in School Children of Quito, Ecuador

Outdoor carbon monoxide comes mainly from vehicular emissions, and high concentrations occur in areas with heavy traffic congestion. CO binds to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), and reduces oxygen delivery. We investigated the link between the adverse effects of CO on the respiratory system using COHb as a marker for chronic CO exposure. We examined the relationship between acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and COHb concentrations in school-age children living in urban and suburban areas of Quito, Ecuador. We selected three schools located in areas with different traffic intensities and enrolled 960 children. To adjust for potential confounders we conducted a detailed survey. In a random subsample of 295 children, we determined that average COHb concentrations were significantly higher in children attending schools in areas with high and moderate traffic, compared with the low-traffic area. The percentage of children with COHb concentrations above the safe level of 2.5% were 1, 43, and 92% in low-, moderate-, and high-traffic areas, respectively. Children with COHb above the safe level are 3.25 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.65–6.38] times more likely to have ARI than children with COHb < 2.5%. Furthermore, with each percent increase in COHb above the safety level, children are 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03–1.28) times more likely to have an additional case of ARI. Our findings provide strong evidence of the relation between CO exposure and susceptibility to respiratory infections

Sobrevida en población pediátrica con leucemia linfoblástica aguda tratada con protocolo ALLIC-BFM de quimioterapia. Revisión sistemática

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood neoplasia. Current treatments allow more than 80% disease-free survival for five years. In 2000, a chemotherapy protocol called Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster intercontinental lymphoblastic leukemia (ALLIC BFM) was tested. The investigative process was carried out using the PRISMA methodology. This study aimed to systematize the information about the survival of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with the ALLIC BFM chemotherapy protocol in its 2002 or 2009 versions. 52% to 91.7% of patients showed an overall survival in patients where the 2002 protocol was used, and disease-free was from 45% to 83.3%; while, with the use of the 2009 protocol, an overall survival of 71.1% to 90% was reported, and disease-free survival was 69.4% to 90.3%. The main factors affecting survival were treatment-related complications, high-risk patients, and insufficient medication.La leucemia linfoblástica aguda constituye la neoplasia infantil más frecuente. Los tratamientos posibilitan más del 80% de supervivencia libre de enfermedad por cinco años. En el 2000, se probó el protocolo de quimioterapia ALLIC BFM. Utilizando la metodología PRISMA, se sistematizó la información acerca de la supervivencia de los pacientes pediátricos con leucemia linfoblástica aguda tratados con el uso del protocolo de quimioterapia ALLIC BFM en sus versiones de 2002 o 2009. La supervivencia global en pacientes donde se utilizó el protocolo de 2002 fue del 52% al 91,7% y la libre de enfermedad fue del 45% a 83,3%; mientras que, con el uso del protocolo 2009 se reportó una supervivencia global del 71,1% al 90% y la libre de enfermedad fue del 69,4% al 90,3%. Los principales factores que afectaron la supervivencia fueron las complicaciones relacionadas con el tratamiento, los pacientes de alto riesgo y la medicación insuficiente

Air pollution control and the occurrence of acute respiratory illness in school children of Quito, Ecuador

Because of air quality management and control, traffic-related air pollution has declined in Quito, Ecuador. We evaluated the effect of a city-wide 5-year air pollution control program on the occurrence of acute respiratory illness (ARI). We compared two studies conducted at the same location in Quito: in 2000, 2 years before the policy to control vehicle emission was introduced, and in 2007. Each study involved ~ 730 children aged 6–12 years, observed for 15 weeks. We examined associations between carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) serum concentration—an exposure proxy for carbon monoxide (CO)—ambient CO, and ARI in both cohorts. In 2007, we found a 48% reduction in the ARI incidence (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.45–0.62, p 2.5% as compared to the 2000 study. We found no association between COHb concentrations above the safe level of 2.5% and the ARI incidence (p = 0.736). The decline in air pollution due to vehicle emissions control was associated with a lower incidence of respiratory illness in school children

La Imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. municipios de corozal, Plato, sahagún y becerril

Este trabajo demuestra las actividades de aprendizaje y la representación de imágenes y narrativas como mecanismos de abordaje psicosocial de escenarios de violencia especialmente de conflictos internos en Colombia. Inicialmente se hace un análisis del caso de Camilo en el libro: Voces: Historias de Violencia y Esperanza en Colombia, editado por el Banco Mundial 2009, El conflicto armado es sin duda uno de los problemas que ha persistido y prevalecido en Colombia durante décadas, cobrándose luego millones de víctimas. Desde un inicio, la falta de espacios para una participación política justa alentó la violencia y la lucha armada; a lo largo de los años, los conflictos armados afectaron todo: la familia, los sueños, la ideología, la infancia, etc. Luego, se analizan y presentan estrategias para un abordaje psicosocial del caso en la comunidad Peñas Colorado, teniendo en cuenta soluciones que cumplan con los siguientes puntos orientadores: Posibles emergencias psicosociales tras la invasión y persecución militar, el impacto del estigma en la población. A partir de las respuestas a los puntos anteriores, se proponen tres estrategias psicosociales que pueden ayudar a mejorar el afrontamiento a la comunidad. A través del trabajo individual de los integrantes del grupo ubicado en diferentes municipios del país, A partir de métodos narrativos y la herramienta foto voz que reflejan diversas situaciones relacionadas con los conflictos armados que durante mucho tiempo han causado grandes daños al país, una comprensión psicosocial del impacto y proceso de la subjetividad y la memoria en temas relacionados con cada realidad identificada.This work demonstrates the learning activities and the representation of images and narratives as mechanisms of psychosocial approach to violent scenarios, especially internal conflicts in Colombia. Initially, an analysis of Camilo's case is made in the book: Voices: Stories of Violence and Hope in Colombia, published by the World Bank in 2009; the armed conflict is undoubtedly one of the problems that have persisted and prevailed in Colombia for decades, later claiming millions of victims. From the beginning, the lack of spaces for fair political participation encouraged violence and armed struggle; Over the years, armed conflicts have affected everything: family, dreams, ideology, childhood, etc. Then, strategies are analyzed and presented for a psychosocial approach to the case in the Peñas Colorado community, taking into account solutions that comply with the following guiding points: Possible psychosocial emergencies after the invasion and military persecution and the impact of stigma on the population. Based on the answers to the previous issues, three psychosocial strategies are proposed to help improve coping with the community. Through the individual work of the members of the group located in different municipalities of the country, based on narrative methods and the photovoice tool that reflects various situations related to armed conflicts that have caused significant damage to the country for a long time, a psychosocial understanding of the impact and process of subjectivity and memory in issues related to each reality identifie

La Escuela Intercultural Bilingüe

Una escuela intercultural bilingüe es aquella que brinda un servicio educativo de calidad a niños, niñas y adolescentes de inicial, primaria y secundaria que pertenecen a un pueblo indígena u originario, y que hablan una lengua originaria como primera o como segunda lengua. En esta escuela, las y los estudiantes logran óptimos niveles de aprendizaje al desarrollar un currículo intercultural que considera los conocimientos de las culturas locales articulados a los de otras culturas, cuentan con materiales educativos pertinentes en la lengua originaria y en castellano y tienen docentes formados en EIB que manejan la lengua de los estudiantes y el castellano, los mismos que desarrollan los procesos pedagógicos en las dos lenguas desde un enfoque intercultural. La escuela intercultural bilingüe es una institución educativa inserta en la comunidad, que responde a sus intereses y necesidades y que tiene una estructura y funcionamiento acordes con la cultura de los estudiantes