Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Today, the world is engaged in a war without quarter. Health systems have been tested for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for thousands of deaths and exhibits a high contagion capacity, regardless of socioeconomic status, race or culture in the affected countries.

It is a priority to call attention to the importance of legislating on telemedicine in Honduras, as it quickly becomes a tool for patient care in these times of national emergency due to the epidemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID disease- 19. Currently, most hospitals have collapsed or their specialty services are not available due to changes due to the pandemic that affects the general population.

Before the emergency on December 1, World AIDS Day, it passed without pain or glory. Reviewing allusive literature draws attention to the similarity of the event in Honduras with the article “La prevención olvidada: reemergencia del VIH en Chile” (Stuardo, 2017).

Introduction: Aedes aegypti is the main vector responsible for the transmission of dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Zika. Honduras has a high morbidity burden secondary to these arboviruses. The bacteria from soil Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) has been used to control Ae. Aegypti. Studies are needed to describe and monitor those variables that influence its effectiveness. The study aim was to determine the impact of water renewal on the residual effect of Bti on the control of Aedes aegypti in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2015. Methods: An experimental study was conducted. The units of analysis were larvae of stages III and IV of Aedes aegypti, collected in Tegucigalpa from February to April of 2015. Two different doses of Bti (2.5 mg / L and 5 mg / L) were analyzed in containers with three types of water change (no change, every 2 days and every 7 days). Four replicates were made with Bti and 4 controls for each dose analyzed in the bioassays during a period of 64 days. Results: The higher the water renewal, the lower the Bti residual effect. Mortality remained above 90% for 13 days for all different doses and frequency of replacement. Conclusion: Our data reinforce that water exchange, such as occurs in domestic scenarios, has a negative influence on the residual effect of Bti. It is important to keep in mind this evidence when using Bti as a vector control strategy.

Introduction: Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) is a broad term that applies to any liver injury from a prescription or over-the-counter drug, herb, or dietary supplement that manifests as a spectrum clinically diverse, from elevations in asymptomatic liver tests to liver failure. Case presentation: We present a case documented in our hospital in the first quarter of 2019, of a 53-year-old male patient with a 2-week history of fever with a history of multiple drug use one month prior to admission. The viral screening, bacterial fungal and immunological tests were negative, as well as the imaging studies carried out. Improvement was evident after withdrawal of all the drugs used, and evidence of injury associated with drug toxicity was confirmed by liver biopsy. Discussion: This pathology is an adverse pharmacological reaction, and can lead to liver failure and even death, if a timely diagnosis is not made. There is need for a simple objective diagnostic test, but there is the lack of consensus on which lab abnormalities are specific; despite being an old problem, there is lack of systematic report of cases that help establish causality. Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers should continue reporting these cases, even the apparent low incidence of these events in our region.

La pandemia de COVID-19 y los recientes fenómenos climatológicos nos exigen replantearnos absolutamente todo. Año a año nos vamos dando cuenta de nuestra vulnerabilidad como especie humana. El año 2020 termina dejándonos un panorama incierto y lleno de retos, por lo que tendremos que reflexionar sobre las alternativas existentes y poner en marcha las acciones que permitan una pronta y efectiva recuperación, así como la reactivación de los distintos sectores productivos. En este sentido, la economía naranja y las industrias creativas y culturales (ICC) juegan un papel decisivo para la recuperación post-COVID 19, post ETA e IOTA. Las ICC, al igual que la mayoría de los sectores productivos, se vieron afectados drásticamente. Sin embargo, se debe resaltar la adaptabilidad y la transformación que han tenido en este tiempo. La creatividad y capacidad de reinvención han jugado un papel fundamental para su sobrevivencia. Durante estos meses, hemos analizado introspectivamente como ciudadanos de la “casa común” cuál es nuestra responsabilidad con ella. Las conclusiones serán variadas; no obstante, la gran mayoría coincidirá en que se deberá hacer cambios sustanciales en salud, educación, vivienda y protección del medio ambiente. La complejidad de los problemas de hoy exige que sean estudiados desde múltiples perspectivas. Para abordar los desafíos a los que nos enfrentamos, es necesario examinar y comprender las interconexiones de los sistemas.

Introduction: The compressive strength of concrete is the most important design parameter in infrastructure projects in Honduras. The study aim was to determine the compressive strength of concrete (with and without accelerating additives) from the initial setting time by using a pocket penetrometer. Likewise, the relationship between the initial setting time and the water / cement ratio was studied. Methods: Hydraulic concrete mixes were made with a 1: 2: 3 ratio for different water / cement ratios (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6). Slump and compressive strength were determined at 28 days, with the extraction of mortar samples necessary to test the initial setting time. Results: The findings showed a linear negative relationship between the initial setting time and the water / cement ratio. The compressive strength could be explained by the initial setting time using the equation generated, 98% of the time. Conclusion: The use of accelerating additives does not contribute to increased strength. However, the use of accelerating additives made most of the mixes more fluid, regardless of the water / cement ratio. There is a utility correlation between the compressive strength of concrete and the initial setting time.

Introduction: Coffee is one of the most important crops worldwide, ranking second after crude oil. In 1850, coffee began to expand with the promotion of European settlers. Coffee represents an important economic activity in Central America, representing around 10% of world production. Methods: A bibliographic review was carried out to identify information related to coffee cultivation. Discussion: Ethiopia is believed to be the original birthplace of coffee. There are two main species of coffee cultivation: Arabica and Robusta. The molecular phylogeny of coffee species is based on 28,800 joined nucleotide polymorphisms defining relationships between species. On the other hand, coffee production has been a fundamental pillar for the Honduran economy, positioning itself as the largest coffee exporter in Central America and the fifth in the world. Conclusion: Due to the importance of coffee in the world and in Honduras, it is important to highlight the role of biotechnology in the development of varieties resistant to different pests and diseases, guaranteeing a sustainable crop production.

Introduction: Limited considerations have been given to the indirect benefits provided by rooftop photovoltaic systems. The study aim was to analyze the influence of rooftop-mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules on the thermal load of an industrial building in Choloma, Honduras. Methods: The study was performed by installing temperature sensors on the exterior and interior faces of the warehouse roof of an industrial building before and after the installation of a photovoltaic system. The information recorded by the sensors was used in a thermodynamic model to determine the heat transfer and heat gain. Results: The exterior roof temperature showed an average reduction of 9.29 °C after the installation of PV modules. Additionally, the maximum exterior roof temperature decreased 14.6 °C after the PV system installation. Conversely, the interior ceiling did not present significant changes. The thermodynamic analysis showed that before the installation of PV modules, the average heat gain on the chosen days was 18.16 Wh /m2, while it obtained an average of 2.94 Wh / m2 after the installation. Conclusion: A reduction of an 83.8% in the total heat gain was obtained through the warehouse roof.

Los analistas de diferentes áreas del conocimiento aseguran que después de superada la pandemia del COVID-19, el mundo será muy diferente. Según sus diagnósticos, entraremos a una nueva realidad donde la vida, la producción y el consumo estarán marcados por las restricciones que ahora tenemos y que habrán de mantenerse superada la crisis. Esto obligará a cambios sustanciales, que, entre otras cosas, implicarán amplios espacios de desarrollo para la virtualidad y la innovación tecnológica. En efecto, resulta razonable pensar que las cosas no podrán seguir siendo iguales frente a una epidemia que ha obligado a todos los países a imponer medidas drásticas a sus habitantes y a sus economías; frente a una crisis que ha descubierto la fragilidad de nuestros sistemas y que nos ha abierto los ojos frente a la posibilidad de repetirse en la misma forma o en versiones y manifestaciones diferentes.