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

Finding alternatives to fossil fuels is important to mitigate climate change. This study investigates the development of Chlorella vulgaris under different levels of light intensities, whey, and pH from a Box-Behnken experimental design. Maximum biomass growth and lipids/carbohydrate content were measured as response variables. The aim is to understand how the microalga responds to various environmental conditions to optimize its growth and biofuel precursors accumulation. The modified Gompertz kinetic model was adjusted to experimental data to understand how the studied conditions impact the growth rate. As a response, it reached production of 2.17 gbiomass·L-1 at high level of intensity light, whey, and pH. The experiments indicated that the accumulation of lipids/carbohydrates is directly correlated with light intensity; however, the levels of whey concentration and pH played a different role in the production of these compounds, obtaining 88 mglipid·gbiomass-1 and 14.54 mgcarbohydrate·gbiomass-1. Finally, the results showed that under light stress (continuous lighting, which can affect biomass growth due to the diurnal cycle of light and darkness), a high availability of nutrients, and an adequate pH an antagonistic relationship in the synthesis of lipids and carbohydrates was observed, that is, as the concentration of lipids increases, the concentration of carbohydrates decreases. Indicating that these compounds compete for the same carbon precursor and that the microalga prefers to increase the synthesis of lipids instead of carbohydrates since the energy content of lipids is higher than that of carbohydrates.

The increasing global demand for animal protein has driven the broiler industry to optimize production systems and better understand limiting factors affecting performance. This study evaluated four different heating systems to determine their correlation with climatic variables, zootechnical performance, pellet fuel consumption, and energy usage. Data were obtained from a private broiler integration company in Southwest Paraná, Brazil, specializing in the griller broiler category. The study covered a 28-day housing period for 12 flocks (both male and female), each consisting of approximately 120,000 birds, for 28 days. The analyzed variables included indoor and outdoor environmental temperature, relative air humidity, carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration inside the poultry houses, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, pellet fuel consumption, and energy consumption. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in R software. Results indicated that correlations among variables were generally weak. However, environmental conditions had the greatest influence on broiler performance. The first principal component explained 74.1% of the total variance, with minimum CO₂ concentration, external temperature, minimum and maximum internal temperature, and pellet fuel consumption being key contributing factors. The second principal component included maximum CO₂ concentration, weight gain, and minimum internal and external relative humidity. Among the evaluated heating systems, the fourth machine tested exhibited the lowest pellet fuel consumption while maintaining satisfactory weight gain and feed conversion rate despite its relatively high energy consumption. These findings suggest that temperature control and pellet fuel consumption are critical factors in optimizing broiler production efficiency, ultimately contributing to improved growth performance and resource utilization.

Introduction: Even though health-related quality of life (HRQL) and mood states are key indicators of the well-being of adolescents, their relationship has not been analyzed in students from Antioquia, Colombia. Objective: To determine HRQL and mood states in schoolchildren from Antioquia. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,957 schoolchildren and adolescents aged between 9 and 20 years. Measurements of HRQL, anxiety, depression, hostility and happiness, physical activity, sedentary behavior, parental social support, and socioeconomic status were applied. Results: A high quality of life (HQL) was observed more frequently in male participants, students with parental support, physically active, and those belonging to medium and high socioeconomic status. HQL decreased 15% as their age increased by one year. Also, HQL was reduced when depression, anxiety, and sedentary behavior increased. Furthermore, depression and anxiety levels were higher in women, older students, as well as in those without parental control and with sedentary behavior. Conclusions: HRQL is associated with mood states, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and parental support. In contrast, mood states are related to gender, parental support, HQL, and sedentary lifestyle.

Introduction: The diagnosis of appendicitis in young boys and preadolescent girls who are beginning their sexual development is difficult. Objective: To determine the usefulness of the Alvarado scale in children aged between 1 to 14 years, who have abdominal pain. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study using information from clinical records of minors who were admitted due to abdominal pain at the University Hospital of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, between January 2017 and December 2018. A cut-off point greater than seven was applied to estimate both the operative characteristics of the scale and its operative characteristics curve. Results: 323 out of the 451 records analyzed included children with acute appendicitis. Male patients with an average age of 9.4 ± 2.8 years predominated, 26% of which experienced appendix rupture. 66.6% of the 13 minors aged 4 years old diagnosed with appendicitis also had appendix rupture. The scale had a 96% specificity and a 38.8% sensitivity. Likewise, a value of 7.5 was the best cut-off value of the ROC curve to discriminate between children with and without appendicitis. Conclusion: The scale was accurate to discriminate between children with and without appendicitis. Early ultrasonography is recommended for children under 4 years of age.

Introduction: Cerebrovascular diseases are a public health problem affecting the different capabilities of patients, including communication. Thus, caregivers play a fundamental role in their recovery. Objective: To describe the communicative role of caregivers in the support of patients with stroke sequelae in the city of Sincelejo, Colombia. Materials and methods: A positivist paradigm, quantitative approach, and descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 40 caregivers, who were selected according to criteria sampling and chain recruitment. A sociodemographic survey about favorability and communicative well-being as well as the Likert Scale were applied. A reliability and internal consistency analysis was conducted. Results: The majority of caregivers were women. Informal caregivers, with high school education, and belonging to low socioeconomic status were also predominant. A positive attitude regarding competences such as being and knowing what to do; appropriate treatment of patients, with justice and respect, were observed as common features. The knowledge competence was considered unfavorable, which was characterized by limited understanding regarding pathology, strategies used, and insufficient skills, techniques, and abilities to fulfill their functions. Conclusions: Caregivers of stroke patients should be qualified through programs that improve the being, knowing, and knowing how to do competencies.

Introduction: Sociocultural and economic conditions as well as climate variability can affect the incidence of dengue. Objective: To determine the impact of climate variability on the frequency of dengue cases in Palmira, Colombia, between 2010 and 2015. Materials and methods: Ecological and exploratory study, which related temperature, precipitation, and reported and confirmed cases of dengue. The frequency of dengue as well as its annual and monthly averages and medians were registered. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze cases and climate variables. Results: 2,832 cases of dengue were analyzed during the study period, with an annual average of 472. The association between the analyzed climate variables and the incidence of dengue was confirmed in 65 % of the cases. In 2010, the highest incidence of dengue and the highest average rainfall level were both reported. Also, the incidence of dengue increased coincidentally after the end of La Niña Phenomenon (2011). Conclusion: Between 2010 and 2015, a correlation between the incidence of dengue and climate variables (temperature and precipitation) was found in Palmira. However, future studies should analyze sociodemographic, cultural, behavioral, and geographic variables to better understand the dynamics of dengue.

Introduction: Biosafety standards knowledge promotes quality and risk-free care for patients and health personnel. Objective: To identify the level of knowledge about biosafety measures in senior students from a Nursing program at a university in Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study with 89 students chosen through a non-probabilistic sampling method. The instrument used was “level of knowledge of biosafety measures in Nursing students.” A Chi-square test (95% CI) was applied to analyze the relationship between the study variables and participants’ level of knowledge. The statistical techniques were performed using version 16 of the Statgraphics statistical software. Results: Medium and low knowledge levels were registered, with percentages of 24.72% and 75.28%, respectively. Furthermore, a minimal difference was observed when the level of knowledge of students was related to academic semesters. Finally, 85% of participants were not cognizant about the concept of hazardous waste. Conclusion: Medium and low levels of knowledge reflect an alarming scenario, which was probably caused by virtual teaching due to the confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Health education imparts knowledge, skills, and awareness about health issues to promote healthy behaviors that contribute to improving the quality of life. It empowers individuals to take responsibility for their own health and to take proactive steps to prevent disease and promote a healthy lifestyle. Objective: To implement didactic strategies for focused on health and on the prevention of intestinal parasitosis. Materials and methods: Descriptive observational longitudinal study in which educational institutions were selected in the Chocó-Magdalena and Norandina biogeographic provinces of the department of Antioquia. In each school, two groups were formed: one with health education intervention, which received pedagogical support with educational health strategies for six months, and another without any educational intervention. Results: In the schools of Chocó-Magdalena biogeographic province, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.000 y p = 0.008 for schools 1 and 2, respectively) was observed between the schoolchildren in the intervention group and those in the non-intervention group regarding their knowledge of parasite prevention. Conclusions: The adequate implementation of these educational strategies is essential to ensure a positive impact on the health and well-being of the population.

Introduction: Student evaluations of professors through surveys are valuable instruments for adjusting to higher education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face education was suspended to comply with health guidelines. Objective: To determine the effect of technology-mediated learning on professors' evaluations of students in the Dentistry academic program at Universidad del Valle for theoretical subjects before and during the pandemic. Materials and methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted. The quantitative phase utilized the faculty evaluation system database. The periods 2018 (n = 218), 2019 (n = 296), 2020 (n = 68), and 2021 (n = 347) were reviewed, and the years 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 were compared. The qualitative phase employed the focus group technique. Results: The median faculty evaluation 2018 was 4.84/5.0, in 2019: 4.94/5.0, in 2020: 4.87/5.0, and in 2021: 4.75/5.0. Significant differences between 2018 and 2019 (p = 0.047) and 2019 and 2021 (p = 0.00) were found. The content analysis of the two focus groups generated four categories: student study methodologies, discipline and routines, professor teaching methodologies, and emotions and socialization. Conclusions: For students, face-to-face learning remains crucial in the educational process.

Introduction: Pregnancy after the age of 35 is an increasingly common trend in the contemporary world; however, aspects such as returning to work and its relationship with family functionality and social support remain underexplored. Objective: To assess work reentry, family functionality, and social support in women who experienced pregnancy after the age of 35 in Medellín and the metropolitan area of Antioquia, Colombia. Materials and methods: A descriptive study measuring sociodemographic characteristics, social support, family functionality, and satisfaction with work reentry following pregnancy in 106 women from the department of Antioquia, Colombia. Results: Of the participants, 82.1 % had an education level higher than secondary school, and over half belonged to the upper-middle class. No participant with normal family functionality reported unsatisfactory work reentry, and approximately 80 % of these women were still employed. 75 % of the participants reported not experiencing postpartum depression; however, only 43.8 % self-reported normal family functionality. Conclusion: For a pregnant woman over 35 years of age, a functional family and a positive perception of social support play a beneficial role in work reentry.