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BackgroundIn low- and middle-income countries, socioeconomic disadvantages often shape the dietary patterns of the people living in them, frequently towards a diet rich in calories and poor in nutrients. In Bolivia, very little is known about the dietary patterns of household; in this regard, this study aimed to identify the dietary patterns of the population in the Municipality of Cochabamba and to analyze their relationship with socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional observational study, with data collection conducted between October 2022 and March 2023. The sampling was done through a representative complex survey design of the Cochabamba urban population (n = 4496). Dietary patterns were constructed by combining principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Given their multidimensionality, socioeconomic, and demographic variables, the prevalence of cardio-metabolic diseases and food preferences were synthesized in a standardized index. This index was constructed by applying principal component analysis and multiple correspondence analysis. The association between dietary patterns and their determinants was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression considering a significance level of 0.05.ResultsTwo distinct dietary patterns were identified: whole-grain and plant-based foods (37%) and a calorie-rich but nutrient-poor diet (63%). This last one was statistically significantly associated with belonging to a medium–low socioeconomic stratum (p < 0.01), poor housing conditions (p < 0.05), informal occupational category (p < 0.05), food preferences for processed foods (p < 0.01), and a marginal association of interest with the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases (p < 0.1). In this study, the peripheral areas of Cochabamba concentrated the population with the highest adherence to the calorie-rich but nutrient-poor diet.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic disadvantages and dietary patterns in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Belonging to a lower socioeconomic group was the main determinant of dietary patterns. The presence of a dietary pattern composed mainly of highly processed foods highlights the need to implement public policy measures and interventions to limit the supply of these products, given their expected negative impact on health.

Neuropathic facial pain occurs due to pathologic dysfunctions of a nerve responsible for mediating sensory fibers to the head. Surgical interventions, in cases of failed medical therapy, include microvascular decompression, radiofrequency (RF) ablation, percutaneous balloon decompression, and stereotactic radiosurgery. In this review, we focused on RF ablation as a treatment for chronic facial pain. The objective of this review was to summarize available evidence behind RF ablation for facial pain, including pain outcome measures, secondary outcomes, and complications. Systematic review. This systematic review examined studies that applied the use of RF ablation for management of facial pain. This systematic review was reported following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Two reviewers independently scored the methodological quality of the selected studies. Due to heterogeneity of studies, a best-evidence synthesis of the available prognostic factors was provided. We reviewed 44 studies and assessed their short- and long-term pain relief measurements, as well as secondary outcomes including patient satisfaction, quality of life improvements, decrease in oral medication use, and recurrence rates. Maximal pain relief was achieved in treatment groups using combined continuous radiofrequency (CRF) and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapies, followed by CRF therapy alone and finally PRF therapy alone. All treatment regimens improved secondary outcomes. Common complications of treatment included facial numbness, masseter weakness, cheek hematomas, diminished corneal reflex, and dry eyes. A large variability in definitions of trigeminal neuralgia, RF technique, and patient selection bias was observed in our selected cohort of studies. In addition, there was a paucity of strong longitudinal randomized controlled trials and prospective studies. This systematic review found evidence that RF ablation is efficient in treating patients with facial pain, as well as in improving quality of life and reducing oral medication use. Maximal pain control is achieved using combined CRF and PRF therapy. Complications are uncommon and include facial numbness, masseter weakness, cheek hematomas, diminished corneal reflex, and dry eyes.

Headache is a very common condition that affects 5-9% of men and 12-25% of women in North America and Europe. Globally, the prevalence of active headaches among adults is 47%. The most common type of headache is tension headaches (38% of adults), followed by migraines (10%), and chronic headaches (3%). While the majority of headaches are benign, the disorder can severely negatively influence a patients' quality of life, which is directly reflected in societal costs. The objective of this review was to summarize available evidence behind radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for headache, including pain outcome measures, secondary outcomes, and complications. Systematic review. This systematic review examined studies that applied the use of RFA for management of headache. This systematic review was reported following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Two reviewers independently scored the methodological quality of the selected studies. Due to heterogeneity of studies, a best-evidence synthesis of the available prognostic factors was provided. In the present investigation, we evaluated 18 studies composed of 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 6 prospective studies, and 6 retrospective studies. All the studies assessed pain improvement with RFA in patients with headache. Most studies targeted the occipital nerve for treatment. Complications were mostly mild and self-limiting, including eyelid swelling, rash, superficial infection of the procedural site, and worsening of headache. A large variability in definitions of trigeminal neuralgia, radiofrequency technique, and patient selection bias was observed in our selected cohort of studies. In addition, there is a paucity of strong longitudinal RCTs and prospective studies. Our review discusses several studies that suggest the efficacy of RFA in the treatment of headaches. Outcomes varied based on the difference in approaches regarding continuous radiofrequency versus pulsed radiofrequency, temperature, and duration of administration. The majority of the studies discussed in this review indicate a therapeutic benefit of RFA for headaches over a short-term period. Pain outcomes beyond one year are understudied and further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of RFA for headaches.

Introduction: Glycemic variability (GV) has been associated with worse prognosis in critically ill patients. We sought to evaluate the potential association between GV indices and clinical outcomes in acute stroke patients. Methods: Consecutive diabetic and nondiabetic, acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke patients underwent regular, standard-of-care finger-prick measurements and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for up to 96 h. Thirteen GV indices were obtained from CGM data. Clinical outcomes during hospitalization and follow-up period (90 days) were recorded. Hypoglycemic episodes disclosed by CGM but missed by finger-prick measurements were also documented. Results: A total of 62 acute stroke patients [48 ischemic and 14 hemorrhagic, median NIHSS score: 9 (IQR: 3–16) points, mean age: 65 ± 10 years, women: 47%, nondiabetic: 79%] were enrolled. GV expressed by higher mean absolute glucose (MAG) values was associated with a lower likelihood of neurological improvement during hospitalization before and after adjusting for potential confounders (OR: 0.135, 95% CI: 0.024–0.751, p = 0.022). There was no association of GV indices with 3-month clinical outcomes. During CGM recording, 32 hypoglycemic episodes were detected in 17 nondiabetic patients. None of these episodes were identified by the periodic blood glucose measurements and therefore they were not treated. Conclusions: Greater GV of acute stroke patients may be related to lower odds of neurological improvement during hospitalization. No association was disclosed between GV indices and 3-month clinical outcomes.

Saliva acts as a natural buffer, neutralizing the acids produced by bacterial metabolism. Maintaining salivary pH in a range close to neutrality is essential for enamel remineralization processes. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of different concentrations and formulations of topical fluoride on the regulation of salivary pH in schoolchildren from the Altiplano region of Peru. A quantitative, longitudinal, double-blind, randomized experimental design was employed. A total of 200 children aged 6-12 years who voluntarily agreed to participate were randomly and equally distributed into four study groups. To ensure homogeneous assignment, sociodemographic variables (sex, family type, age, number of siblings, and frequency of daily brushing) and clinical variables (caries severity and oral hygiene level) were controlled. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed normality (  < 0.05), while Kruskal-Wallis test was used for between-group comparisons and the Friedman test for intragroup comparisons. Intragroup analysis revealed statistically differences in salivary pH at initial, post-brushing, 10, 30, 60 min and 24-hours measurements across all groups (Friedman's Test;  < 0.001). Between-group comparisons also showed significant differences in salivary pH at 10, 30, 60 min, and at 24 and 48 h (Kruskal-Wallis test;  < 0.05). In conclusion, the 5% fluoride varnish and fluoride gels (1.23% and 2%) demonstrated greater efficacy in regulating salivary pH, especially during the initial hours following application.

Urban heat and environmental pollution contribute to the deterioration of architectural heritage. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the impact of climatic, social, and environmental urban variables on heritage façade materials in three phases: identification of damage indexes based on materiality, observational flow analysis, and analysis of climate variability and wind chill using a thermographic camera and hygrometer. The results show that wood and ignimbrite are the materials most affected by heat and pedestrian behavior influences pedestrian traffic, choosing alternative routes to avoid discomfort caused by wind chill. This study aims to contribute to material analysis and develop conservation strategies for these types of heritage façades, addressing current environmental challenges and ensuring their durability over time.

El calor urbano y la contaminación ambiental contribuyen al deterioro del patrimonio arquitectónico. Debido a ello, esta investigación tiene por objetivo analizar el impacto de variables climáticas y variables sociales urbanas y ambientales, en los materiales de las fachadas patrimoniales, en tres fases: identificación del índice de daños según materialidad, análisis de flujo por observación y análisis de la variabilidad climática y sensación térmica con el uso de cámara termográfica e higrómetro. Los resultados evidencian que la madera y la ignimbrita son los materiales más afectados por el impacto de calor y el comportamiento de los peatones influye en su afluencia escogiendo vías alternas a fin de evitar molestias a causa de la sensación térmica. Este estudio tiene como propósito contribuir con el análisis material, para formular estrategias de conservación en fachadas patrimoniales de este tipo, frente a los desafíos ambientales de la actualidad, asegurando su durabilidad en el tiempo.

Introducción: el período de especialización de los médicos es una etapa que implica elevada prevalencia de estrés y puede desencadenar el síndrome del trabajador quemado. Objetivo: identificar los factores de riesgo del síndrome del trabajador quemado en médicos residentes peruanos. Métodos: estudio transversal analítico basado en el análisis secundario de los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Satisfacción de Usuarios en Salud 2016, que incluyó a 332 médicos residentes que laboraban en la Provincia Constitucional del Callao y los 24 departamentos del Perú. Las variables independientes fueron obtenidas del cuestionario N° 2 y la variable dependiente se midió con la Escala de Maslach (ítem 50 en el capítulo XI del cuestionario N° 2). El análisis multivariado incluyó el modelo de regresión Poisson con varianza robusta para determinar la asociación entre las variables. Resultados: se encontró que tuvieron mayor riesgo de desarrollar el síndrome del trabajador quemado aquellos cuyo tiempo transcurrido desde la titulación hasta el momento de la encuesta era menor de seis años (RP=2,93; IC95 %=1,59-5,39) y entre 6 a 10 años (RP=2,28; IC95 %=1,21-4,30); así como en aquellos con cargas laborales que no les daba tiempo para su vida personal y familiar (RP=2,45; IC95 %=1,72-3,50), en los que manifestaron tener una enfermedad provocada o agravada por el trabajo (RP=2,21; IC95 %=1,63-2,99) y los que habían sido víctimas de amenazas en su lugar de trabajo. Conclusiones: la sobrecarga laboral que desequilibra la relación vida laboral-vida personal/familiar y el sufrimiento de violencia psicológica en el centro laboral, especialmente cuando el residente se encuentra en los primeros diez años de ejercicio profesional y en presencia de alguna morbilidad, aumentan el riesgo del síndrome del trabajador quemado.

Climate change is a major ecological issue worldwide, and understanding its impacts requires analyzing above-ground biomass and sequestered carbon in tropical forests, as well as their role in climate change mitigation. The study aimed to quantify above-ground biomass and sequestered carbon in two developmental categories (stem trees and mature trees) and at two elevations (lower hill and upper hill) in a tropical forest in the central Peruvian Amazon, using species diversity, tree density, wood density, and forest structure. The study was conducted in two permanent measurement plots at different elevations. Data were collected using the Field Map Data Collector program on a laptop computer. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and total tree height were measured for individuals classified into two developmental categories: “stem trees” and “mature trees.” Higher values of species diversity (3.9), uniform angle index (0.88), and dominance index (0.43) were recorded at the lowest elevation (low hill). In contrast, the highest elevation (high hill) had higher values for crown diameter (9.7), crown volume (518.2), species mixture index (0.93), average above-ground biomass (3.21), and total above-ground biomass (234.02), as well as average carbon sequestration (1.6) and total carbon sequestration (117.01). In conclusion, the study found that altitude, developmental category, species diversity, and tree density significantly influence the amount of carbon sequestered.

Native potato clones grown in Peru contain bioactive compounds beneficial to human health. This study aimed to optimize the spray-drying nanoencapsulation of native potato phenolic extracts utilizing a central composite design and response surface methodology, obtaining the optimal treatment to an inlet temperature of 120 °C and an airflow of 141 L/h in the nano spray dryer B-90, which allowed maximizing the yield of encapsulation, antioxidant capacity (DPPH), encapsulation efficiency (EE), total phenolic compounds, and total flavonoids; on the other hand, it allowed minimizing hygroscopicity, water activity (Aw), and moisture. Instrumental characterization of the nanocapsules was also carried out, observing a gain in lightness, reddening of the color, and spherical nanoparticles of heterogeneous size (133.09–165.13 nm) with a negative ζ potential. Thermal, infrared, and morphological analyses confirmed the encapsulation of the core in the wall materials. Furthermore, an in vitro release study of phenolic compounds in an aqueous solution achieved a maximum value of 9.86 mg GAE/g after 12 h. Finally, the obtained nanocapsules could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industry.