Central University of Ecuador

About: Central University of Ecuador is a education organization based out in Quito, Ecuador. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 2220 authors who have published 1910 publications receiving 15052 citations.

Latitudinal patterns in tachinid parasitoid diversity (Diptera: Tachinidae): a review of the evidence

Abstract: Insect parasitoids may be an exception to the typical biogeographic pattern of increasing species richness at lower latitudes exhibited by most taxa. Evidence for this ‘anomalous’ latitudinal gradient has been derived from observations of hymenopteran parasitoids and it has been argued that other parasitoid groups should show a similar pattern of diversity. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this disparity, most notably the nasty host and resource fragmentation hypotheses. We review and evaluate these hypotheses with respect to tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae), and bring to the argument evidence from eight trapping surveys from temperate and tropical regions in the Americas including the United States, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. We find no evidence that tachinid fly diversity is lower in the tropics than in the temperate region. Our results, along with other lines of evidence, rather suggest that New World Tachinidae likely conform to the same negative relationship between latitude and richness as their largely phytophagous host taxa. We discuss geographic patterns of tachinid diversity in relation to ecological and evolutionary processes, and why they may differ from their hymenopteran parasitoid counterparts. Parasitoid taxa appear to vary strongly in their diversity responses to latitude and we concur with previous researchers that more survey data are necessary to reach strong conclusions about parasitoid latitudinal diversity patterns.

Prevalence of common hemoglobin variants in an afro-descendent Ecuadorian population

Abstract: Hemoglobinopathies are among the most studied and frequent pathologies These genetic disorders are considered a very important health care threat in many tropical countries Ecuador is a tropical Latin-American country with an important presence of afro-descendants (72%) Afro-descendants are among the ethnic groups with higher frequency of hemoglobinopathies reported Ambuqui is a region within the Imbabura province with an important presence of afro-descendants (>50%) The present study analyzed the frequency of the most common hemoglobin variants in an asymptomatic afro-descendent population using capillary electrophoresis From 114 individuals, 25 (22%) reported a hemoglobin variant All individuals that presented hemoglobin variants were heterozygotes (asymptomatic) Hemoglobin S (sickle cell trait) was the most frequent variant found (14%), followed by hemoglobin E (44%), Fetal (26%) and C (1%) Prevalence of hemoglobin S was consistent with populations from other countries, but it was lower than other Ecuadorian afro-descendent populations Frequency of hemoglobin C was lower than other afro-descendent populations This data suggests the possibility of gene flow from Native American individuals to the Ambuqui population there by lowering the frequency of their hemoglobin variants compared with other afro-descendant populations Evaluating the frequency of hemoglobinopathies in Ecuadorian populations is essential Despite the high frequency of these disorders, very few health care facilities implement hemoglobinopathies tests as a routine practice

A Performance-Centred competency-based approach to quality university teaching

Abstract: Introduction. In order to encourage more flexible working environments and establish generators of sustainable development for participating countries through an educated society, various international organisations that intervene in the quality dimension within the framework of a systemic approach to Higher Education, including the World Bank, have made multiple efforts to establish various recognitions, certifications and credits pertaining to competency-based education.Materials and Methods. The research, featuring a study of theoretical-interpretative design, was based around the qualitative paradigm. Information was obtained by means of semi-structured interviews with 14 lecturers from different universities in the city of Quito in Ecuador. The data obtained were triangulated with a review of the literature carried out by the researchers.Results. The informants considered cognitive competencies to be the most relevant within the context of teacher formation. Research, planning and organisation skills were not established in importance due to university professionalisation. Additionally, the need to establish curricular changes in the Ecuadorian university pedagogy was confirmed.Discussion and Conclusion. After contrasting the opinions of university professors and formation theories, a theoretical reflection is presented in which the importance of unifying professional formation and investigative competencies is emphasised. This unification allows the quality of higher education centred around the teacher as the main actor to be increased.

Pregnancy in adolescence and adverse neonatal outcomes in Ecuadorian mestizo newborns

Abstract: Objective To establish the association between pregnancy in early and middle adolescence and adverse neonatal outcomes in Ecuadorian mestizo newborns. Methods Study design: epidemiological, observational/descriptive, and cross-sectional. Settings: Gynecological and Obstetric Hospital Isidro Ayora at Quito, Ecuador, from July to October of 2018. Participants: this study included 303 newborns and their mothers, 101 children of adolescent mothers between 14 and 16 years old, 101 adolescents between the ages of 17 and 19, and 101 infants born to adult mothers between 20 and 34 years of age. Results There is no statistically significant association between maternal age, gestation time, neonatal morbidity and APGAR at 5 minutes. Neonatal morbidity is higher in adolescent mothers residing in rural areas and in these who had fewer than five prenatal check-ups. In the case of mothers with a pathological history, regardless of the area in which they resided, the highest percentages were recorded in the case of mothers of 24 to 30 years with five or more prenatal appointments, and in adolescent mothers from 14 to 19 years of age with fewer than five prenatal appointments. Indeed, the greater the number of prenatal evaluations the higher the percentage of pathological findings. There is a close relationship between the age of the mother and the number of prenatal check-ups performed during pregnancy. Conclusion Teenage mothers have a higher percentage of neonatal morbidity in deliveries with gestational age equal to or greater than 37 weeks of gestation and AGPAR 8 and 9 at 5 minutes. In addition, there were a higher percentage of cases of respiratory failure and sepsis in newborns, especially when fewer than five prenatal examinations were performed. The highest percentage of identified prenatal pathological antecedents occurred in the group of mothers from 20 to 34 years old who attended more than five prenatal controls. Young pregnant women go less frequently to prenatal appointments, particularly in rural areas, and their newborns have a higher percentage of respiratory failure and sepsis.