Search

Background: In Venezuela, the predominant vaccines administered are BBIBP-CorV and Gam-COVID-Vac. Despite robust evidence from randomized clinical trials validating the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in mitigating hospitalization and mortality, there is still a lack of post-authorization safety studies conducted within this demographic population. Methods: A prospective observational study from October 5, 2021 to March 31, 2022 encompassed COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients from four sentinel hospitals in Venezuela. Patient lethality was predicted using Charlson Comorbidity index. Clinical outcomes were assessed through WHO's COVID-19 Clinical Progression Scale. Results: Out of the 175 patients assessed, 85 (48.6%) were vaccinated. The median Charlson Comorbidity index was 3 points, with no statistically significant differences observed between the groups (p = 0.2). A total of 50 (28.6%) patients died during the study period, with higher proportion of deaths in unvaccinated patients (35.6% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.035). Advanced age (OR = 1.043, 95% CI = 1.015–1.071, p = 0.002) was associated with increased death risk, whereas vaccination against COVID-19 (OR = 0.428, 95% CI = 0.185–0.99, p = 0.047), high oxygen saturation (OR = 0.964, 95% CI = 0.934–0.995, p = 0.024), and enoxaparin administration (OR = 0.292, 95% CI = 0.093–0.917, p = 0.035) were associated with decreased death risk. Conclusion: During the third and fourth waves of the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a 57% reduction in lethality among patients in four public hospitals in Venezuela. Key summary points: Less than half (48.6%) of the patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. At least one out of four patients died during the study period, mainly in the unvaccinated group. Advanced age was associated with a higher risk of death. Vaccination against COVID-19, high oxygen, and enoxaparin administration were factors associated with a lower risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our knowledge, in Venezuela. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among PLHIV seen at the outpatient clinic of a reference hospital in Venezuela. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among PLHIV aged 18 years and over seen at the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela between March 2021 and February 2022. Results: A total of 238 PLHIV were included in the study. The median age was 43 (IQR 31–55) years, and the majority were male (68.9%). Most patients (88.2%, n = 210) came for routine check-ups, while 28 (11.3%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of patients (96.1%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), but only 67.8% had a viral load test, with almost all (95.6%) being undetectable. Among those who attended regular appointments, 11.9% reported missing at least one medical consultation, and 3.3% reported an interruption in their ART refill. More than half of the patients (55.5%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the rest expressed hesitancy to get vaccinated. Most patients with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were male (65.1%), younger than 44 years (57.5%), employed (47.2%), and had been diagnosed with HIV for less than one year (33%). However, no statistically significant differences were found between vaccinated patients and those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Older age was a risk factor for missing consultations, while not having an alcoholic habit was identified as a protective factor against missing consultations. Conclusion: This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on adherence to medical consultations and interruptions in ART among PLHIV seen at the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the global panorama of the 21st century, migration has emerged as a phenomenon of profound socioeconomic, political and humanitarian relevance. Within this context, Venezuelan migration has acquired outstanding visibility due to its magnitude, complexity and multiple implications. The massive exodus of Venezuelan citizens from their country of origin has had a significant impact on both Venezuela and the countries receiving this migration. In particular, Colombia has been one of the most prominent destinations for Venezuelan migrants, presenting a series of challenges and opportunities for both migrants and the receiving society. Venezuelan migration to Colombia has been characterized by its multifaceted nature and its cross-cutting consequences in various aspects of contemporary life. In the socioeconomic sphere, the arrival of large numbers of migrants has raised crucial questions about the labor market, economic inclusion and employment dynamics for both the migrants themselves and the local population. In addition, migration has impacted cultural perceptions and coexistence in receiving communities, generating reflections on diversity, interculturality and the construction of identities in contexts of human mobility. Although migration is a phenomenon that crosses current societies, research on the subject tends to ignore the relationships that the subject establishes with the environment and that affect his or her identity, social ties and even life project. The objective of the research was to learn about the process of attachment and identity to the place of Venezuelan migrants residing in the city of Medellin, Colombia. The research was qualitative, framed in the case study method. Environmental psychology was used as a conceptual reference to understand the relationships of the participants with the natural and built environment. The results showed that, although attachment and identity are similar categories, they should be analyzed independently; thus the trajectories followed by migrants, once they leave their country of origin, are often stressful because they place the subject at the margin or on the threshold of society. This is a state of social liminality or psychologically stressful transitional phase in the face of mobility from one country to another. Migrants may develop place attachment, i.e., an affective bond for the space, and wish to remain in it because they feel comfortable and safe. Personal and institutional support networks and the geographic and cultural similarities between the two countries are factors that strongly influence positive attachment to the environment. However, the identity to the place is complicated by the migrant condition that contributes to the subject feeling as a foreigner at all times and the xenophobic discrimination behaviors, by Colombians, hinder belonging to the new place of arrival. This suggests that, despite developing an attachment to place, migrants face social and psychological barriers that limit their ability to establish an identity rooted in their place of residence. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the migrant experience and may have important implications for the formulation of integration policies and programs in similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria‐endemic areas are not spared from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to co-infection scenarios where overlapping symptoms impose serious diagnostic challenges. Current knowledge on Plasmodium spp. and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co‐infection in pregnant women remains limited, especially in Latin America, where Plasmodium vivax infection is highly prevalent. Methods: This is a case series of five pregnant women with P. vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection hospitalized in two main malaria referral centers of the Capital District and Bolivar state, Venezuela between March 13, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Results: Clinical and laboratory data from five pregnant women with a mean age of 22 years were analyzed; three of them were in the third trimester of pregnancy. Comorbidities included obesity in two cases, hypertension in one, and asthma in one. Three out of five patients had severe to critical COVID-19 disease. Dry cough, fever, chills, and headache were the most frequent symptoms reported. Laboratory analyses showed elevated aspartate/alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels, thrombocytopenia, and severe anemia as the most relevant abnormalities. The mean period between symptom onset and a positive molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 infection or positive microscopy for Plasmodium spp. was 4.8 ± 2.5 days and 2.8 ± 1.6 days, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 ± 7 days. Three women recovered and were discharged from the hospital. Two women died, one from cerebral malaria and one from respiratory failure. Three adverse fetal outcomes were registered, two miscarriages and one stillbirth. Conclusion: This study documented a predominance of severe/critical COVID-19 disease and a high proportion of adverse maternal–fetal outcomes among pregnant women with malaria and COVID-19 co-infection. More comprehensive prospective cohort studies are warranted to explore the risk factors, management challenges, and clinical outcomes of pregnant women with this co-infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, pregnant women and newborns are more vulnerable to adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in Venezuela, there are no integrated data in a national surveillance system to identify the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes of pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among Venezuelan pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 seen at the "Ruiz y Páez" University Hospital Complex and the San Cristobal Central Hospital between June 2020 and September 2021. Information was obtained from physical and digitised clinical records using a purpose-designed proforma to collect epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, treatment, obstetric and perinatal complications, and maternal-foetal outcomes data.Results: A total of 80 pregnant women with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were seen within the study period, 59 (73.8%) survived and 21 (26.2%) died. The median (interquartile range) age was 29 (23-33) years, the majority being in the third trimester of pregnancy (81.2%; n = 65). Interestingly, four (5%) pregnant women were co-infected with malaria by Plasmodium vivax and three (3.8%) with syphilis. The most frequent symptoms were fever (75%; n = 60), dry cough (68.8%; n = 55), dyspnoea (55%; n = 44), and headache (53.8%; n = 43). The most frequent maternal complications were anaemia (51.5%; n = 66) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (17.5%; n = 14). The most frequent perinatal complications were preterm delivery (39.2%; n = 20/51) and oligohydramnios (31.3%; n = 25). A total of 29 (36.3%) adverse foetal outcomes were documented, 21 stillbirth and eight abortions.Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the clinical-epidemiological behaviour of COVID-19 in hospitalised Venezuelan pregnant women. Anaemia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, oligohydramnios, and low birth weight were the most frequent maternal-foetal complications in this population of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to assess hardness reduction of natural water by using variable load substrates from two oxidic lithological materials (OLM), namely “C Material” and “L Material,” that were collected from natural deposits in Venezuela. Adsorption tests were performed with natural substrates that were activated with NaOH. The results revealed the presence of amphoteric iron, silicon, and aluminium oxides in their structures. Column experiments show a retention capacity of 12.51 and 11.02 mgCaCO3/kg for Materials L and C, respectively. Activation increased 2.5 times the yield of the process, 29.28 mgCa2+/kg for Material L and 26.94 mgCa2+ /kg for Material C, due to increases in the density of surface negative charges. The adsorption was non-specific and the data conformed to the Freundlich model. It is concluded that the materials examined are excellent options for treating water hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has particularly affected countries with weakened health services in Latin America, where proper patient management could be a critical step to address the epidemic. In this study, we aimed to characterize and identify which epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical risk factors defined COVID‐19 infection from the first confirmed cases through the first epidemic wave in Venezuela. A retrospective analysis of consecutive suspected cases of COVID‐19 admitted to a sentinel hospital was carried out, including 576 patient cases subsequently confirmed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Of these, 162 (28.1%) patients met the definition criteria for severe/critical disease, and 414 (71.2%) were classified as mild/moderate disease. The mean age was 47 (SD 16) years, the majority of which were men (59.5%), and the most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension (23.3%). The most common symptoms included fever (88.7%), headache (65.6%), and dry cough (63.9%). Severe/critical disease affected mostly older males with low schooling (p < 0.001). Similarly, higher levels of glycemia, urea, aminotransferases, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in severe/critical disease patients compared to those with mild/moderate disease. Overall mortality was 7.6% (44/576), with 41.7% (28/68) dying in hospital. We identified risk factors related to COVID‐19 infection, which could help healthcare providers take appropriate measures and prevent severe clinical outcomes. Our results suggest that the mortality registered by this disease in Venezuela during the first epidemic wave was underestimated. An increase in fatalities is expected to occur in the coming months unless measures that are more effective are implemented to mitigate the epidemic while the vaccination process is ongoing. Highlights: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to assess the epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients in Venezuela.Regarding the occupation, 15% of the patients were healthcare workers.Patients with more year's smoking, bilateral crackles and altered state of consciousness were associated with severe/critical disease.Only 42% of the patients with severe/critical disease criteria were hospitalized, of which 41.7% died. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicoespacios is the property of Institucion Universitaria de Envigado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article analyzes how the type of product influences the decision to purchase online. Consumers prefer to buy books and computers online, but choose to buy clothes, shoes, and perfumes in physical stores due to the direct experience. Durable products, such as cell phones and electronics, are the most popular for online purchases. Preferences vary for credibility products, with vitamins being preferred online and beauty or personal care products being preferred in physical stores. Although physical stores remain attractive for products that require a direct test, the trend indicates an increase in online shopping. The main reasons for buying online are convenience, convenience, and the possibility of acquiring products from anywhere in the world. Physical stores offer the experience of direct contact with the product and personalized service. The store's reputation is important both in physical stores and online. In summary, companies must know the consumer and adapt to their preferences to succeed in the market. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Saber: Revista Multidisciplinaria del Consejo de Investigacion is the property of Universidad de Oriente and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Malaria-endemic areas are not spared from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to co-infection scenarios where overlapping symptoms pose serious diagnostic challenges. Current knowledge on Plasmodium spp. and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co-infection remains limited, especially in Latin America. Objective: Clinically and epidemiologically characterize patients with P. vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection in Venezuela. Materials and methods: We present here a case series of 12 patients with P. vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection seen at two main malaria referral centres of the Capital District and Bolivar state, Venezuela between March 13, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Results: Nine out of 12 patients had moderate to severe COVID-19 disease, and three patients had mild COVID-19 disease. Fever (12/12), chills (11/12), dry cough (9/12), headache (7/12), and diaphoresis (6/12) were the most frequent symptoms reported. Elevated AST/ALT levels, thrombocytopenia, severe anaemia, and thrombocytosis were the most relevant laboratory abnormalities documented. Mean time span between symptom onset and a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 infection based on RTPCR or a positive microscopy for Plasmodium spp. was 6.3 (SD 3.4; range: 3-15) days and 3.3 (SD 3.4; range: 1-13) days, respectively. Nine patients had previous P. vivax malaria episodes (range: 1-11), three of whom within the past six months (possible relapse cases). Conclusions: In malaria-endemic regions, suspected COVID-19 patients should also be monitored for malaria diagnosis without delays due to overlapping symptoms. P. vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection could increase the severity of the disease rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CES Psicologia is the property of Universidad CES and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The assessment of work stress is one of the most important aspects in the current scope of occupational psychological health, especially when it comes to chronic levels of involvement. Here are the results of the Venezuelan psychometric validation of the Cuban version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Results show adequate reliability of the instrument and suggest the need to remove item 1 to ensure its construct validity. Some indicators reveal the divergent criterion validity of the MBI-GS on the degree of the participant's psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Reumatología Clínica is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Los pactos sociales y el contrabando en la frontera Norte de Santander (Colombia)-Táchira (Venezuela) son promovidos por diversos actores. Esta dinámica responde a un problema alentado por la diferencia entre los modelos económicos de ambos países, que genera asimetrías en el diferencial cambiario y costo de bienes y servicios, creando parte de la dinámica social, cultural y económica de esta frontera. Son numerosas las familias que sostienen su economía con estos ingresos. Por ello, el artículo emprende un primer análisis de estas relaciones con la aplicación de la Regresión Categórica, mediante el Escalamiento Óptimo (CatReg) en dos muestras de 2.394 y 1.398 personas. El resultado indicó que las variables independientes más significativas en ambos contextos son las siguientes: los grupos armados al margen de la ley son parte de la dinámica fronteriza, y la percepción de un ambiente de ilegalidad y comportamiento de las personas no basado en normas convencionales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The yellow-shouldered parrot (Amazona barbadensis) is listed in Venezuela as Endangered and internationally as Vulnerable, primarily due to poaching for the illegal pet trade. Various interventions have been implemented to reduce poaching (increasing the population from 700 in 1989 to 1600 in 2009), but poaching pressure is still high, and is ever-changing, requiring an evolving response. Between 2000 and 2003, our only intervention was environmental education in schools: in the short term, unsurprisingly, it had no impact on poaching, which reached 100% of nestlings in monitored nests. From 2004 onwards, we implemented a set of new field interventions. In 2004, 24h field surveillance decreased poaching to 56%. In 2005, the addition of foster nests and a pilot test of “assisted breeding” brought the figure down to 18%. In 2006, assisted breeding was expanded, achieving 0% poaching. In 2007, poachers raided our “secure” site, and took 34 nestlings, bringing poaching up to 60%. A pilot study of artificial nests offered promising results. In 2008 and 2009, the addition of patrolling by local police reduced poaching to 16% and 1%, respectively. During 2004–2009, nestling poaching averaged 25%. Ensuring parrot recruitment in the future will require a combination of the strategies employed to date; in the short term, expanding the use of artificial nests to increase availability of nesting sites in easily-patrolled areas has the most potential to build on past successes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We compiled a list of fish for the Andean piedmont of the Casanare Department in Colombia based on the fieldwork results carried out between 2006 and 2009 in 52 field stations in the main rivers of the region, revised information in biological collections and conducted a literature review. We derived 168 species belonging to six orders, 27 families and 93 genera, nine of these are new records for the Orinoco Basin in Colombia. The Cusiana River had the highest number of species (115 sp.) follow by the Cravo Sur (96 sp.), Pauto (58 sp.), Túa (49 sp.), Upía (45 sp.), Casanare (15 sp.) and Guachiría (10 sp.) rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli is an important causative agent of acute diarrheic syndrome. , Objective: To identify clonal groups of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), in 485 children with acute diarrhea aged 0 to 10 years attending health care centers in Arismendi, Benítez and Sucre municipalities, Sucre state, Venezuela, from March to December, 2011. , Materials and Methods: After obtaining the informed consent, stool samples were collected. Escherichia coli was identified using standard coproculture methods and serology with polyvalent and monovalent antisera. DNA was isolated, and eae (intimin) and bfpA (bundlin) genes were amplified through two multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR). , Results: The presence of bacterial infection was determined in 39.6% of coprocultures. The prevalence of E. coli was 54.7%; 82.9% of these isolates were positive by serology for the evaluated serogroups and serotypes, which were mostly identified in children between 0 and 2 years (37.9%); 48.6% of E. coli strains amplified the eae gene; of these, 58.8% were classified as typical EPEC (eae+ y bfp+). EPEC II was the most common serogroup (38.7%), with predominance of typical EPEC (60%). In positive strains for eae gene, the β intimin allele was the most frequently identified (74.5%). Only four strains with O157:H7 serotype were identified, which showed no PCR amplification of the eae and bfpA genes. , Conclusion: This study showed the importance of molecular tests to identify diarrheagenic E. coli strains causing clinical conditions of varying severity.

Introduction: In Venezuela, acute diarrheic syndrome (ADS) is a primary cause of morbi-mortality, often involving the Salmonella genus. Salmonella infections are associated with acute gastroenteritis, one of the most common alimentary intoxications, and caused by the consumption of contaminated water and food, especially meat., Methods: Conventional and molecular methods were used to detect Salmonella strains from 330 fecal samples from individuals of different ages and both sexes with ADS. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the molecular characterization of Salmonella, using invA, sefA, and fliC genes for the identification of this genus and the serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium, respectively., Results: The highest frequency of individuals with ADS was found in children 0-2 years old (39.4%), and the overall frequency of positive coprocultures was 76.9%. A total of 14 (4.2%) strains were biochemically and immunologically identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, of which 7 were classified as belonging to the Enteritidis serotype, 4 to the Typhimurium serotype, and 3 to other serotypes. The S. enterica strains were distributed more frequently in the age groups 3-4 and 9-10 years old., Conclusions: The molecular characterization method used proved to be highly specific for the typing of S. enterica strains using DNA extracted from both the isolated colonies and selective enrichment broths directly inoculated with fecal samples, thus representing a complementary tool for the detection and identification of ADS-causing bacteria.

A retrospective study in a hospital-based sample of Venezuelan patients with rheumatoid arthritis was made to estimate the lag time between onset of symptoms, diagnosis, and initiation of DMARD treatment. Medical records and in-person interview of patients to fill in a questionnaire collecting information on demographics and initiation of symptoms, first consultation with any physician, time of diagnosis, and initiation of first disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug were reviewed. We performed descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression analysis. Mean lag time between symptom onset and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was 40.5 months (range 1-424). Mean lag time between onset of symptoms and first consultation with a physician and between first consultation and diagnosis was 16.3 and 23.9 months, respectively. Mean lag time between onset of symptoms and initiation of DMARD treatment was 56.9 months. A definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was done by a rheumatologist in 251 patients (92.3%). First consultation with an orthopedist or a primary care physician, first consultation in a public versus a private health center, and diagnosis before 2000 were associated with longer lag time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Venezuelan patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a marked delay from disease onset to diagnosis and initiation of first DMARD. First consultation with an orthopedist and consultation in a public versus a private health center were the variables with the strongest effect on lag time to diagnosis and to initiation of first DMARD.