Un encuentro intercultural a partir del aprendizaje-servicio: El imperativo de revitalizar el Kichwa

Este artículo analiza el proyecto “Desarrollo Endógeno de Sigchos y Chugchilán” de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador a partir de tres componentes: la revitalización del kichwa, lengua originaria del páramo ecuatoriano; la aplicación de la metodología de Aprendizaje-Servicio (ApS) y la multiculturalidad en el Ecuador, a través de las lenguas y las experiencias interculturales. El ApS es una práctica educativa que se fundamenta en el compromiso ciudadano y democrático al juntar a estudiantes y comunidades en proyectos de servicio comunitario. En los últimos años el ApS ha adquirido interés en los círculos académicos; sin embargo, poco se ha escrito acerca de los desafíos que enfrentan proyectos de ApS enriquecidos con componentes multiculturales y de revitalización de las lenguas. Los resultados de este artículo sugieren que (1) el ApS, pese a las dificultades encontradas, contribuye a una mejor comprensión en las culturas y crea conciencia sobre la importancia de revitalizar las lenguas indígenas propias de un territorio y tiempo, y (2) persiste en nuestros días la dificultad de una comunicación horizontal de las lenguas escritas con las lenguas eminentemente orales. Finalmente, consideramos que la revitalización de las lenguas indígenas sigue siendo una deuda que tenemos con nuestros antepasados y un paso fundamental hacia un mundo intercultural. This article analyzes the project “Endogenous Development of Sigchos and Chugchilán” from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador focused on three components: revitalization of kichwa, Service-Learning (SL), and intercultural experiences. Service-learning (SL) is an educational methodology that brings together students and communities using civic-engagement and democracy as its foundation. Recently SL has acquired novelty in academic circles; however, less has been written on SL projects and their relationship with multiculturalism and language revitalization. This article suggests the following outcomes: (1) service-learning, despite several difficulties, contributes to a better understanding between cultures creating awareness about the importance of revitalizing indigenous languages immersed in their territory and time; and (2) the strains of a horizontal communication of written languages with eminently oral languages persist today. Finally, we consider that the revitalization of indigenous languages, such as Kichwa, continues to be a debt that we owe to our ancestors and that it is a fundamental step for an intercultural world

Flavonoids as a Natural Treatment Against Entamoeba histolytica

Over the past 20 years, gastrointestinal infections in developing countries have been a serious health problem and are the second leading cause of morbidity among all age groups. Among pathogenic protozoans that cause diarrheal disease, the parasite Entamoeba histolytica produces amebic colitis as well as the most frequent extra-intestinal lesion, an amebic liver abscess (ALA). Usually, intestinal amebiasis and ALA are treated with synthetic chemical compounds (iodoquinol, paromomycin, diloxanide furoate, and nitroimidazoles). Metronidazole is the most common treatment for amebiasis. Although the efficacy of nitroimidazoles in killing amebas is known, the potential resistance of E. histolytica to this treatment is a concern. In addition, controversial studies have reported that metronidazole could induce mutagenic effects and cerebral toxicity. Therefore, natural and safe alternative drugs against this parasite are needed. Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds. Flavonoids depend on malonyl-CoA and phenylalanine to be synthesized. Several flavonoids have anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Since the 1990s, several works have focused on the identification and purification of different flavonoids with amebicidal effects, such as, -(-)epicatechin, kaempferol, and quercetin. In this review, we investigated the effects of flavonoids that have potential amebicidal activity and that can be used as complementary and/or specific therapeutic strategies against E. histolytica trophozoites. Interestingly, it was found that these natural compounds can induce morphological changes in the amebas, such as chromatin condensation and cytoskeletal protein re-organization, as well as the upregulation and downregulation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (enzymes of the glycolytic pathway). Although the specific molecular targets, bioavailability, route of administration, and doses of some of these natural compounds need to be determined, flavonoids represent a very promising and innocuous strategy that should be considered for use against E. histolytica in the era of microbial drug resistance

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Adaptive vocational exploration

El desconocimiento de la personalidad y los intereses de los estudiantes influye en la motivación de estos hacia el estudio y las actividades académicas, lo que genera una mala percepción del ambiente escolar, además, de aumentar las posibilidades de inasistencia o falta de participación de los estudiantes. De lo anterior surge la necesidad de crear EVA, un aplicativo web que le permite a los estudiantes de básica secundaria conocer su personalidad, sus intereses y aquellas áreas y subáreas del conocimiento con las que mayor afinidad tiene, con el fin de recomendar actividades (extra)curriculares y convenios disponibles en su institución educativa. The lack of knowledge about students' personalities and interests influences their motivation for their studies and academic activities. The lack of motivation generates a negative perception of the school environment, increases the probability of skipping school, and causes a lack of participation. Due to this problem, we created a solution known as EVA. EVA is a web application that allows high school students to discover their personality, interests, and those areas and sub-areas of knowledge. Uncovering more information about their character will enable students to match the best extra-curricular activities and events available in their school according to their personality type. Ingeniero (a) de SistemasPregrad

Peroxynitrite and Peroxiredoxin in the Pathogenesis of Experimental Amebic Liver Abscess

The molecular mechanisms by which Entamoeba histolytica causes amebic liver abscess (ALA) are still not fully understood. Amebic mechanisms of adherence and cytotoxic activity are pivotal for amebic survival but apparently do not directly cause liver abscess. Abundant evidence indicates that chronic inflammation (resulting from an inadequate immune response) is probably the main cause of ALA. Reports referring to inflammatory mechanisms of liver damage mention a repertoire of toxic molecules by the immune response (especially nitric oxide and reactive oxygen intermediates) and cytotoxic substances released by neutrophils and macrophages after being lysed by amoebas (e.g., defensins, complement, and proteases). Nevertheless, recent evidence downplays these mechanisms in abscess formation and emphasizes the importance of peroxynitrite (ONOO−). It seems that the defense mechanism of amoebas against ONOO−, namely, the amebic thioredoxin system (including peroxiredoxin), is superior to that of mammals. The aim of the present text is to define the importance of ONOO− as the main agent of liver abscess formation during amebic invasion, and to explain the superior capacity of amoebas to defend themselves against this toxic agent through the peroxiredoxin and thioredoxin system

Biodistribution and Tumor Uptake of ⁶⁷Ga-Nimotuzumab in a Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Xenograft

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common tumor of the pulmonary pleura. It is a rare and aggressive malignancy, generally associated with continuous occupational exposure to asbestos. Only a multimodal-approach to treatment, based on surgical resection, chemotherapy and/or radiation, has shown some benefits. However, the survival rate remains low. Nimotuzumab (h-R3), an anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) humanized antibody, is proposed as a promising agent for the treatment of MPM. The aim of this research was to implement a procedure for nimotuzumab radiolabeling to evaluate its biodistribution and affinity for EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptors present in a mesothelioma xenograft. Nimotuzumab was radiolabeled with 67Ga; radiolabel efficiency, radiochemical purity, serum stability, and biodistribution were evaluated. Biodistribution and tumor uptake imaging studies by microSPECT/CT in mesothelioma xenografts revealed constant nimotuzumab uptake at the tumor site during the first 48 h after drug administration. In vivo studies using MPM xenografts showed a significant uptake of this radioimmunoconjugate, which illustrates its potential as a biomarker that could promote its theranostic use in patients with MPM

Sobrepeso y obesidad: problema de salud pública retos para la educación física y la actividad física

La presente obra de investigación nos adentra en ese laberinto moderno, producto de nuestro estilo de vida, la tecnocracia, el socio-consumo, el modernismo y todos estos cambios sociales que, en contrapartida, han producido alteraciones en nuestra biología con incidencia negativa en la salud individual, grupal y pública. En este contexto, el sobrepeso y la obesidad han adquirido tal relevancia y protagonismo que la Organización Mundial de la Salud -OMS establece a este binomio como uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública, por encima, incluso, del tabaquismo. Así pues, las dietas no saludables, el estilo de vida y la falta de actividades físicas periódicas son factores asociados a estos problemas de salud; que ya son considerados por muchos tratadistas, incluyendo los autores del presente trabajo, como pandemia mundial, sustentados por el número mayúsculo de casos en los cinco continentes. La incidencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad en el incremento de otras alteraciones de la salud está más que demostrado. Me refiero a la diabetes, la hipertensión arterial, la hipercolesterolemia o las enfermedades degenerativas del tipo osteoarticulares, así como las cardiovasculares. También las alteraciones psíquicas como la depresión, la ansiedad, la baja autoestima, los problemas del sueño, además de alteraciones hepáticas y digestivas. Y qué decir de la batería de indicadores que asocian la pareja sobrepeso-obesidad con 8 Sobrepeso y obesidad: problema de salud pública varios tipos de cáncer. Con lo cual, queda claro el interés de los investigadores y científicos por conocer y/o despejar la incidencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad en nuestras vidas y cómo profundizar estos estudios tomando en cuenta las diferentes y complejas características del tejido social humano: género, grupos etarios, estratos sociales, ubicación geográfica, actividad productiva, etc. A lo largo y ancho de esta investigación el lector podrá conocer el marco conceptual inherente al tema objeto de estudio. Así mismo, encontrará todo un planteamiento estandarizado para la recolección, procesamiento, interpretación y presentación de los datos resultantes que serán de mucho interés y utilidad tanto para quienes siguen estos temas, como para quienes desarrollen investigaciones ulteriores en torno al sobrepeso y la obesidad. Y de cómo atacar esta problemática desde la educación física y otras actividades físicas-deportivas. Este siglo XXI, que de entrada está mostrando el nivel virulento de los retos que nos deparará, será un siglo de inevitables cambios, en todos los órdenes. Conceptos, como los siguientes, son una pequeña muestra de ellos, con los cuales, tendremos forzosamente que familiarizarnos: nueva realidad, distancia social, teletrabajo, confinamiento, estado de alarma, citas on line, pandemia económica. Nos pone en la tesitura de predecir que todo este marco de circunstancias tendrá una inexorable incidencia multifactorial en el ser humano. Y el sobrepeso y la obesidad, verán su protagonismo potenciado por este estado de cosas con las que nos tocará convivir. Capítulo I 9 De allí, el carácter oportuno del presente trabajo realizado por un grupo de investigadores del más alto nivel académico y profesional, de vasta experiencia en el área y, con una mención muy especial. Todos conforman una muestra del altísimo nivel investigativo que hemos alcanzado en esta parte del mundo, cosa impensable hace sólo unas décadas atrásPRÓLOGO.........................................................................7INTRODUCCIÓN............................................................11CAPÍTULO I ...................................................................15 QUÉ ES LA OBESIDAD Y CÓMO ESTABLECERLA Manuel de Jesús Cortina Núñez y Luis Ángel Cardozo PachecoCAPÍTULO II .................................................................33 PANORAMA Y RETOS PARA LA EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA Y ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA José Ramón Sanabria Navarro y Óscar Miguel Rocha VillarealCAPÍTULO III ..............................................................53 UNA RUTA METODOLÓGICA PARA ABORDAR EL SOBREPESO Y LA OBESIDAD Luis Ángel Cardozo Pacheco y Camilo Alfonso González YepesCAPÍTULO IV ................................................................69 SOBREPESO Y OBESIDAD: ESTADÍSTICAS Y ANÁLISIS DE HALLAZGOS Gustavo Adolfo Jarava Acosta y Manuel De Jesús Cortina NúñezBIBLIOGRAFÍA............................................................107ANEXOS.........................................................................11