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

It is examined if the relationship empirically demonstrated between health and face-to-face social interactions is confirmed when it is virtual. The objective is to know if the perception of psychological well-being and receiving social support would explain the frequency of participation in virtual social networks (VSN). An ex-post-facto design was applied to a sample of 510 university Internet users (age, M = 22.89, SD = 5.67, 78.9% women). The level of psychological well-being (Spanish adaptation of the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale), social support (Family Social Support and Friends questionnaire - AFA) and the frequency of use of VSN are evaluated. To determine the relationships between the variables, correlation and hierarchical regression analyzes were carried out. The relative contribution of the perception of psychological well-being and of obtaining social support in the frequency of VSN use is confirmed, controlling the influences of age and gender. Specifically, the perception of having less ability to dominate the social environment and to obtain social support for friendships through VSN explains and allows predicting the increase in the frequency of use of such networks.

The present study establishes whether the pH of samples is crucial for measuring total carnitine in human plasma by tandem mass spectrometry and if it is necessary to neutralize the samples after alkaline hydrolysis of acylcarnitines. Free and total carnitine of ten plasma samples were measured by a radioenzymatic assay as a reference method, and forward there were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry divided into two groups: treated with hydrochloric acid and without hydrochloric acid measuring each sample five times for both variables. Free and total carnitine concentrations were similar for the radioenzymatic essay and tandem mass spectrometry. There was no significant difference between the two analyzed variables (treated with hydrochloric acid and without hydrochloric acid). It could be concluded that the pH of samples is no crucial for measuring total carnitine in plasma by tandem mass spectrometry, and it is not necessary to neutralize the samples after alkaline hydrolysis of acylcarnitines, then the shorter method, without adding hydrochloric acid can be used for total carnitine measurement in plasma by tandem mass spectrometry

The objective of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of an intervention program to develop emotional intelligence in a risk group. The methodology involves a quasi experimental design, with intact group, the same that was submitted to an evaluation before and after an intervention. The population consists of 33 female adolescents identified with suicidal ideation, and the instruments applied were Beck's suicidal ideation scale and BarOn Ice's emotional intelligence inventory. The results evidenced the finding of significant differences (p < 0.05) in the levels of both suicidal ideation (Z = -4.596) and emotional intelligence dimensions: intrapersonal (t = -7.815), stress management (t = 10.294) and general mood (t = 7.178). The prevalence of emotional intelligence affected in subjects with suicidal ideation is corroborated; so, the results agree with studies that support that the emotional intelligence modulates the suicidal risk. Therefore, it has been shown that the effectiveness of the intervention program allowed the development of emotional intelligence in the aforementioned dimensions. Consequently, the levels of suicidal ideation in the at-risk population were reduced. 

En la actualidad, el interés por la construcción de instrumentos de medición se ha incrementado notoriamente en las diferentes disciplinas académicas, ya sea con fines de investigación o de aplicación profesional; pero es necesario que los instrumentos presenten adecuadas propiedades psicométricas (validez y confiabilidad) a fin de garantizar su uso responsable

In the present study we seek to determine the attitude of nurses towards a person’s death process in the intensive care unit. A descriptive, non-probabilistic study was carried out, using convenience sampling of 30 nursing professionals assigned to a second level institution in the state of Durango, Mexico. The questionnaire on Attitudes to Death (CAM), based on the review of Death Attitudes and Self-Reported Health - Relevant Behaviors, was used in a Cuban version. It includes 33 reactants, grouped in six sub-scales for analysis: avoidance, acceptance, fear, passage, departure and professional perspective. The findings allowed to conclude that the professional nursing is prepared to take care of life, considering that they accept death as an inevitable fact. Nevertheless, from the professional perspective of the nurse practitioner, death is considered as a relief, taking into account the workload experienced by the relatives in the process of death.

Comorbidity is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the relationship between comorbidity and quality of life is inconsistent. The objective was to establish the prevalence of comorbidity and the relationship with the quality of life of patients with COPD in Santa Marta, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed in which in which participated outpatients diagnosed with COPD. Quality of life was evaluated with the CAT (COPD Assessment Test) instrument; scores higher than ten were considered poor quality of life. The sample was of 292 patients, in ages between 49 and 95 years; 61.6% male. A group of 232 participants (79.5%) presented some comorbidity associated with COPD. Quality of life was reduced in 192 patients (65.8%). Comorbidity did not significantly add to the quality of life (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 0.72-2.45), adjusted for age and sex. It is concluded that comorbidity is very frequent; however, it does not affect the quality of life in patients with COPD in Santa Marta. More research is needed with more participants.

This article presents part of the results of the research project “Strategies for Increasing Competitiveness through the Conformation of the Health Tourism Cluster in the Metropolitan Area of ​​Bucaramanga -AMB”, required to qualify for the Master's degree in Business Development of the Faculty of Business Sciences of Universidad del Magdalena. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the progress of the autonomous conformation of the health tourism cluster in Colombia. In this regard, we assess, in a methodological and rigorous way, the prospects of the health tourism market, from bibliographic review in English and Spanish –of a public, private and scientific institutional nature– by business initiative, as well as from studies carried out in regions of Colombia and worldwide, that have implemented this line as a development option by exploiting surrounding competitive advantages. Among the obtained results, the angles or dimensions of this phenomenon, in the economic and social context, become clear. In addition, the tourism patterns are highlighted, as well as the reasons why progress has been made in the conformation of the different clusters at a national level.  This allowed deep insights into the issue, based on the interest multisectoral vision.

A la fecha, Duazary, Revista Internacional de Ciencias de la Salud ha publicado catorce volúmenes, 28 números regulares y un suplemento en trece años ininterrumpidos de divulgación científica nacional e internacional. Sin embargo, no se cuenta con la publicación de una carta al editor y ello se evidencia claramente en las publicaciones de los años más recientes en que está modalidad ha crecido notablemente

Esta editorial tiene como objetivo generar una reflexión y abrir el debate sobre el sistema actual de salud que se refleja en prácticas naturalizadas que se contradicen con la esencia del significado de la salud. Se trata de la costumbre de acudir al sistema de salud únicamente cuando se considera que se está enfermo, o peor aún, la equivalencia reduccionista y casi automática del concepto de salud como sinónimo de medicina.

Parece que en el fin de nuestra evolución biológica, el objetivo máximo será que los humanos tengamos una inteligencia inimaginable. ¿Pero cuáles humanos? A veces este término confunde, de igual manera la otra pregunta sería ¿Qué tipo de inteligencia? ¿Inteligencia artificial? ¿Inteligencia artificial integrada en nuestros cerebros? ¿Y quiénes necesitaríamos esa inteligencia artificial?