Estrategias de gestión en innovación para empresas de rehabilitación física de Bucaramanga, Colombia

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación cuyo objetivo fue diseñar estrategias de gestión en innovación para tres empresas de rehabilitación física de Bucaramanga. Se trata de una investigación con un enfoque de tipo estudio de caso y descriptiva, cuyos resultados surgen de la aplicación del “Instrumento de evaluación de gestión en innovación para los servicios de rehabilitación física de Bucaramanga”. Los hallazgos encontrados identificaron que cuando las organizaciones tienen presente que a fin de alcanzar altos niveles de competitividad es necesario el desarrollo de estrategias en conformidad con las necesidades más sobresalientes, le permitirán a la empresa ser productiva, facilitando el aprendizaje dentro de la organización para que exista una real cultura de innovación en todos losniveles que componen la compañía, y mantener así un cambio continuo con el fin de mejorar procesos

Nuclear and mitochondrial data on Trichuris from Macaca fuscata support evidence of host specificity

Whipworms are parasitic intestinal nematodes infecting mammals, and traditionally humans and other primates that have so far been considered infected by Trichuris trichiura. Recent molecular studies report a more complex scenario suggesting the presence of a species complex with several Trichuris taxa specifically infecting only one primate species as well as taxa able to infect a range of primate species. The systematics of the group is important for taxonomic inference, to estimate the relative zoonotic potential, and for conservation purposes. In fact, captive animals living in zoological gardens are usually infected by persistent monoxenous intestinal parasites. Here, two Japanese macaques living in the Bioparco Zoological Garden of Rome were found infected by Trichuris sp. Nematodes were characterized at the molecular level using nuclear (btub and 18S) and mitochondrial (16S and cytb) markers and then compared to Trichuris collected previously in the same location, and to other Trichuris infecting primates. Evidences from mitochondrial and nuclear markers allowed for the identification of Trichuris sp. specific to Macaca fuscata. Results obtained here also described a uniform taxonomic unit of Trichuris, separated but closely related to Trichuris trichiura, thus, emphasizing its zoonotic potential for workers and visitors

Causas que propician la aparición de resistencia antihelmíntica en unidades de explotación bovina en la provincia Camagüey

In order to determine which of the causes that lead to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance, are present in our bovine exploitation units, an exhaustive observation was made of the application and management form with anthelmintics in different units in the province of Camagüey , assessing the influence of technical personnel on the factors: dose adjustment due to an erroneous estimation of the live weight of the animals, contamination of the drug due to the use of non-sterile needles and accessories and re-packaging of the drug. This result was issued in percentage form. 100 Veterinary Doctors and Technicians who applied this treatment were surveyed. The data obtained were processed in the SPSS program (version 10.0), where a cross-contingency table analysis was performed between the categories (Medical and Technical) and the knowledge of the dose and susceptibility of the different parasitic taxonomic groups to the anthelmintics of most used in our country: Levamisole, Ivermectin, Albendazole and Niclosamide, with the aim of determining if these technical groups have the knowledge evaluated. The decision is made through the Chi-square Test, confirming that there is inadequate use of antiparasitic drugs.Con el objetivo de determinar cuáles de las causas que conllevan a la aparición de resistencia antihelmíntica, están presentes en nuestras unidades de explotación bovina, se realizó la observación exhaustiva de la forma de aplicación y manejo con los antihelmínticos en diferentes unidades en la provincia de Camagüey, evaluándose la incurrencia del personal técnico en los factores: ajuste de dosis por estimación errónea del peso vivo de los animales, contaminación del fármaco por el uso de agujas y accesorios no estériles y reenvase del fármaco. Este resultado se emitió en forma porcentual. Fueron encuestados 100 Médicos y Técnicos Veterinarios que aplican este tratamiento. Los datos obtenidos fueron procesados en el programa SPSS (versión 10.0), donde se efectuó un análisis de tabla de contingencia cruzada entre las categorías (Médico y Técnico) y el conocimiento de la dosis y susceptibilidad de los diferentes grupos taxonómicos parásitos a los antihelmínticos de mayor uso en nuestro país: Levamisol, Ivermectina, Albendazol y Niclosamida, con el objetivo de determinar si dichos grupos técnicos poseen el conocimiento evaluado. Se toma la decisión mediante el Test de Chi cuadrado, constatándose que existe inadecuado uso de los antiparasitarios

Perfeccionamiento de la estrategia curricular de medio ambiente de la carrera de ciencias farmacéuticas de la Universidad de Oriente, Cuba.

La Educación ambiental se enfoca en los aspectos relacionados a cómo continuar el desarrollo al mismo tiempo que se protege, preserva y conserva los sistemas de soporte vital del planeta. Para poder garantizar el enfoque sistémico y multidisciplinario de los aspectos relacionados con este tipo de educación es imprescindible realizar en los colectivos, actividades metodológicas para establecer un sistema para la enseñanza de sus diferentes métodos, instrumentos y metodología que permitan lograr una mayor preparación de los estudiantes en la solución a los problemas de su esfera profesional. Es por ello que el objetivo del presente trabajo es perfeccionar la Estrategia de Medio Ambiente de la Carrera de Ciencias Farmacéuticas desde el enfoque Ciencia-Tecnología-Sociedad en aspectos relacionados con investigaciones realizadas sobre el uso de insecticidas de menor riesgo para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. Como punto de partida, se tomó el desarrollo de insecticidas botánicos a partir de plantas medicinales, que es una de las líneas de investigación del Departamento de Farmacia de la Universidad de Oriente, que evalúa la eficacia de diferentes plantas del Oriente de Cuba para el control alternativo de moscas y mosquitos de importancia médico-sanitaria, demostrando la efectividad y no toxicidad de estos extractos vegetales, representando estas sustancias un método alternativo eficaz. Se revisó la Estrategia Curricular de Medio Ambiente de la Carrera y se incluyeron en estas actividades relacionadas con las investigaciones realizadas sobre el uso de insecticidas ecológicos en seis asignaturas pertenecientes tanto al currículo base como optativo

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Prevalence of Plasmodium parasites in non-human primates and mosquitoes in areas with different degrees of fragmentation in Colombia

Parasites from the genus Plasmodium, responsible of causing Malaria in humans, are able to infect also non-human primates (NHPs), increasing the potential risk of zoonoses and their globally public health concern. This study aimed to determine the circulating species of Plasmodium in Anopheles and Ateles hybridus, Cebus versicolor, Alouatta seniculus and Aotus griseimembra living in fragmented forests within the Magdalena River valley, in order to evaluate the risk of infection to humans associated with the presence of NHPs and Anopheles infected with Plasmodium spp. One hundred and sixty six fecal samples and twenty-five blood samples were collected from NHPs, while four hundred and forty two Anopheles were collected. DNA extraction, electrophoresis and sequencing were conducted in order to identify Plasmodium spp. Plasmodium was detected in 20 samples of NHPs, and the higher Plasmodium prevalence was found for P. malariae/brasilianum in blood and fecal samples of A. seniculus and A. hybridus respectively. Plasmodium falciparum was found infecting A. seniculus, while P.vivax/simium infected A. hybridus, C. versicolor and A. seniculus. P. malariae/brasilianum was found infecting all the four NHPs species. Plasmodium prevalence in NHPs was not related to fragmentation (General linear model: fecal samples Pr= 0.415, blood samples= 0.272) or distance to nearest town (General linear model: fecal samples Pr= 0.272, blood samples= 0.272). Infection with P.vivax/simium was found in Anopheles nuneztovari, Anopheles neomaculipalpus, and Anopheles triannulatus. Furthermore, Anopheles oswaldoi and Anopheles triannulatus were found infected with P. malariae/ brasilianum.The minimum infection rate in Anopheles species was related to fragmentation (General linear model: Pr= 0.002) but not related to distance to nearest town (General linear model: Pr= 0.056). The presence of Plasmodium spp. in NHPs and Anopheles spp. in fragmented forests is a scenario that suggests important epidemiological implications and the associated risk of malaria transmission

Detection of Plasmodium spp. from faecal samples in non-human neotropical primates in forest fragments in Colombia

Plasmodium parasites are present in non-human primates (NHP) living in tropical regions around the world. In Latin America, NHP are considered as potential reservoirs of Plasmodium brasilianum / Plasmodium malariae, and some species have been found infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium simium, which is closely related to Plasmodium vivax; but in spite of their importance in malaria transmission cycle, relatively little attention has been given to them. This study aimed to determine the circulating species of Plasmodium in three NHP species living in fragmented forest areas. The study site was located in a forest fragment in Santander, Colombia (06°43’N, 74°09’W). Primates were followed from dawn to dusk. Faecal samples were collected from the soil immediately after defecation, and placed in falcon tubes with 96% ethanol. Samples from 24 brown spider monkeys (Ateles hybridus), 32 capuchin monkeys (Cebus versicolor) and 30 red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) were collected. DNA was extracted using a ZR faecal DNA MiniPrep Zymo Kit, Plasmodium sp. detection was performed through PCR, and second reactions were conducted for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax detection. All PCR products were visualized on aga- rose gel and positive samples were sequenced. Plasmodium falciparum was identified by sequencing in one faecal sample of A. seniculus, while P. vivax was identified by sequencing in one faecal sample of C. versicolor

Detection of Plasmodium sp. in non-human primates and mosquitoes in forest fragments in Colombia

Plasmodium parasites infect non-human primates (NHP) in tropical regions around the world. In Latin America, NHP are potential reservoirs of Plasmodium brasilianum/Plasmodium malariae, and some NHP species have been found infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium simium, as reported previously. Considering the risk of infection to humans associated with the presence of NHP and Anopheles infected with 115 Plasmodium spp., this study aimed to determine the circulating species of Plasmodium in vectors and NHP species living in fragmented forest areas in Colombia. Sampling was conducted in five different forest fragments. Primates were followed and faecal samples were collected immediately after defecation, and placed in tubes with RNAlater solution. Samples from 75 Ateles hybridus, 25 Cebus versicolor, 58 Alouatta seniculus and eight Aotus griseimembra were collected. Blood samples from four A.hybridus, nine C. versicolor, five A. seniculus and seven A. griseimembra were obtained. Adult mosquitoes were sorted after capture and most female Anopheles were preserved in RNAlater buffer, the remaining were kept dry for taxonomic identification. Plasmodium sp. detection was performed through PCR, and second reactions were conducted for Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium vivax detection, using ribosomal and mitocondrial primers. PCR products were visualized on agarose gel and positive samples were sequenced. Mosquito identification was confirmed through DNA barcoding. From faecal samples it was found P.falciparum infecting A.seniculus, while P. malariae infected A. seniculus, A. hybridus and A. griseimembra. P. vivax infected A. hybridus, A. seniculus and C. versicolor. From blood samples it was found P. malariae infecting all the four NHP species tested and P.vivax infected A. hybridus. Infection with P.vivax was confirmed in three Anopheles species and one was positive for P. malariae. This scenario suggests important epidemiological implications in the human - NHP interface and the associated risk of Malaria transmission

Identificación de parásitos gastrointestinales en primates Cebus albifrons, Ateles hybridus y Alouatta seniculus en un bosque fragmentado en San Juan del Carare, Colombia

Introducción. La fragmentación de los bosques permite un mayor contacto entre humanos y primates no humanos, lo cual aumenta la posibili- dad de transmisión de parásitos. Objetivo. Evaluar la diversidad de parásitos gas- trointestinales en primates Cebus albifrons, Ateles hybridus y Alouatta seniculus, en condiciones de fragmentación y pérdida del hábitat, lo cual es relevante en el estudio y el seguimiento del estado de salud de dichos primates. Materiales y métodos. El muestreo se hizo en San Juan del Carare (06°43’N, 74°09’ W). Se recolectaron 5 muestras de A. hybridus, 15 de C. albifrons y 10 de A. seniculus, las cuales se recogieron del suelo inmediatamente después de que los individuos defecaban, y se conservaron en formol y etanol al 96 %. Se tomó un frotis fecal directo con solución salina (0,85 %) y lugol (1 %), identificando larvas y huevos con base en su morfología. Además, se extrajo ADN mediante el kit QIAamp DNA stool, reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y electroforesis, para identificar Plasmodium spp., Giardia spp. y Blastocystis hominis. Resultados. El 92,8 % de las muestras analiza- das mediante frotis fecal, resultaron positivas para parásitos gastrointestinales. Se identificaron seis familias de nematodos: Trichuridae, Trichostrongylidae, Oxyuridae, Strongyloididae, Ancylostomatidae y Ascarididae; una familia de protozoos, Entamoebidae, y huevos de trematodos y acantocéfalos. Mediante secuenciación, se identificó B. hominis. Conclusiones. Se encontraron diferencias en la diversidad y la prevalencia de parásitos en las tres especies de primates examinadas, proba- blemente debido a diferencias en su dieta y comportamiento. Cebus albifrons y A. seniculus presentaron mayor diversidad de parásitos, en comparación con A. hybridus. El filo Nematoda se encontró en las tres especies de primates y presentó la mayor prevalencia