Showing papers by "National Autonomous University of Nicaragua published in 2010"

Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children and Young Adults in Nicaragua

Abstract: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) results in morbidity and mortality that is disproportionate among individuals in developing countries compared to those living in economically developed countries. The global burden of disease is uncertain because most previous studies to determine the prevalence of RHD in children relied on clinical screening criteria that lacked the sensitivity to detect most cases. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of RHD in children and young adults in Leon, Nicaragua, an area previously thought to have a high prevalence of RHD. This was an observational study of 3,150 children aged 5 to 15 years and 489 adults aged 20 to 35 years randomly selected from urban and rural areas of Leon. Cardiopulmonary examinations and Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed on all subjects. Doppler echocardiographic diagnosis of RHD was based on predefined consensus criteria that were developed by a working group of the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health. The overall prevalence of RHD in children was 48 in 1,000 (95% confidence interval 35 in 1,000 to 60 in 1,000). The prevalence in urban children was 34 in 1,000, and in rural children it was 80 in 1,000. Using more stringent Doppler echocardiographic criteria designed to diagnose definite RHD in adults, the prevalence was 22 in 1,000 (95% confidence interval 8 in 1,000 to 37 in 1,000). In conclusion, the prevalence of RHD among children and adults in this economically disadvantaged population far exceeds previously predicted rates. The findings underscore the potential health and economic burden of acute rheumatic fever and RHD and support the need for more effective measures of prevention, which may include safe, effective, and affordable vaccines to prevent the streptococcal infections that trigger the disease.

Maternal near miss and maternal death in the World Health Organization's 2005 global survey on maternal and perinatal health

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To develop an indicator of maternal near miss as a proxy for maternal death and to study its association with maternalfactors and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: In a multicenter cross-sectional study, we collected maternal and perinatal data from the hospital records of a sample of women admitted for delivery over a period of two to three months in 120 hospitals located in eight Latin American countries. We followed a stratified multistage cluster random design. We assessed the intra-hospital occurrence of severe maternal morbidity and the latter's association with maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes. FINDINGS: Of the 97 095 women studied, 2964 (34 per 1000) were at higher risk of dying in association with one or more of the following: being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), undergoing a hysterectomy, receiving a blood transfusion, suffering a cardiac or renal complication, or having eclampsia. Being older than 35 years, not having a partner, being a primipara or para > 3, and having had a Caesarean section in the previous pregnancy were factors independently associated with the occurrence of severe maternal morbidity. They were also positively associated with an increased occurrence of low and very low birth weight, stillbirth, early neonatal death, admission to the neonatal ICU, a prolonged maternal postpartum hospital stay and Caesarean section. CONCLUSION: Women who survive the serious conditions described could be pragmatically considered cases of maternal near miss. Interventions to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality should target women in these high-risk categories.

Size and albedo of Kuiper belt object 55636 from a stellar occultation

Abstract: The Kuiper belt is a collection of small bodies (Kuiper belt objects, KBOs) that lie beyond the orbit of Neptune and which are believed to have formed contemporaneously with the planets. Their small size and great distance make them difficult to study. KBO 55636 (2002 TX300) is a member of the water-ice-rich Haumea KBO collisional family. The Haumea family are among the most highly reflective objects in the Solar System. Dynamical calculations indicate that the collision that created KBO 55636 occurred at least 1 Gyr ago. Here we report observations of a multi-chord stellar occultation by KBO 55636, which occurred on 9 October 2009 ut. We find that it has a mean radius of 143 ± 5 km (assuming a circular solution). Allowing for possible elliptical shapes, we find a geometric albedo of 0.88 +0.15 -0.06 in the V photometric band, which establishes that KBO 55636 is smaller than previously thought and that, like its parent body, it is highly reflective. The dynamical age implies either that KBO 55636 has an active resurfacing mechanism, or that fresh water-ice in the outer Solar System can persist for gigayear timescales.

Conservation status of tropical dry forest remnants in Nicaragua: Do ecological indicators and social perception tally?

Abstract: Intensive deforestation is reducing dry tropical forest areas worldwide and increasing its fragmentation. Forest remnants can be the basis for the future recovery of this forest type if appropriate management practices are applied. This requires a better knowledge of their conservation status and the assessment of their perceived value by land users. In this study we compare the structure, species richness and diversity of different types of tropical dry forest remnants in Nicaragua and we assess their conservation status based on a new index: Social simplified Importance Value Index (SsIVI). This index summarizes both ecological indicators and the perception by local stakeholders of the conservation status of the tree species present. Results show that gallery and hillslope forest remnants have higher species richness and diversity than isolated vestigial patches. In all remnants, species richness and diversity is higher in the tree layer than in the regeneration layer. No differences are observed in valorisation among different types of remnants either for the tree layer or for the regeneration layer. In the hillslope forests, where several degrees of disturbance are present, the valorisation decreases with increasing degradation. Results of species composition and forest structure indicate a strong degradation of dry tropical forest remnants in Nicaragua. However, the similar social valorisation of the three types of remnants suggests that they face similar threats but also similar opportunities to be preserved. A decrease in valorisation with increasing degradation warns about the potential loss of the most degraded areas, unless forest restoration is applied.

Determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A in animal feed by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract: A rapid and simple method was developed to determine aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A in animal feed and pet foods by UHPLC-MS/MS. Because the complexity of the evaluated matrices, the proposed method is based on sonication extraction using an ACN/water mixture (80:20 v/v) followed by a clean-up step utilising C(18) as sorbent. Performance parameters of the method were evaluated, including linearity, trueness, precision and LOQ. Good linearity was found for all mycotoxins, with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 in the range considered, using matrix-matched calibration for quantification purposes. Recoveries ranged from 84 to 113%, with RSD lower than 20%, whereas LOQs were 5 microg/kg for the assayed mycotoxins. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the analysis of 19 real samples, detecting aflatoxin G2 in two samples at 13 and 17 microg/kg respectively, whereas the other mycotoxins were detected at trace levels (

Ecological, Groundwater, and Human Health Risk Assessment in a Mining Region of Nicaragua

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to integrate the relative risk from mercury exposure to stream biota, groundwater, and humans in the Rio Artiguas (Sucio) river basin, Nicaragua, where local gold mining occurs. A hazard quotient was used as a common exchange rate in probabilistic estimations of exposure and effects by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The endpoint for stream organisms was the lethal no-observed-effect concentration (NOECs), for groundwater the WHO guideline and the inhibitory Hg concentrations in bacteria (IC), and for humans the tolerable daily intake (TDI) and the benchmark dose level with an uncertainty factor of 10 (BMDLs(0.1)). Macroinvertebrates and fish in the contaminated river are faced with a higher risk to suffer from exposure to Hg than humans eating contaminated fish and bacteria living in the groundwater. The river sediment is the most hazardous source for the macroinvertebrates, and macroinvertebrates make up the highest risk for fish. The distribution of body concentrations of Hg in fish in the mining areas of the basin may exceed the distribution of endpoint values with close to 100% probability. Similarly, the Hg concentration in cord blood of humans feeding on fish from the river was predicted to exceed the BMDLs(0.1) with about 10% probability. Most of the risk to the groundwater quality is confined to the vicinity of the gold refining plants and along the river, with a probability of about 20% to exceed the guideline value.

Analyses of an Expressed Sequence Tag Library from Taenia solium, Cysticerca

Abstract: Background Neurocysticercosis is a disease caused by the oral ingestion of eggs from the human parasitic worm Taenia solium. Although drugs are available they are controversial because of the side effects and poor efficiency. An expressed sequence tag (EST) library is a method used to describe the gene expression profile and sequence of mRNA from a specific organism and stage. Such information can be used in order to find new targets for the development of drugs and to get a better understanding of the parasite biology. Methods and Findings Here an EST library consisting of 5760 sequences from the pig cysticerca stage has been constructed. In the library 1650 unique sequences were found and of these, 845 sequences (52%) were novel to T. solium and not identified within other EST libraries. Furthermore, 918 sequences (55%) were of unknown function. Amongst the 25 most frequently expressed sequences 6 had no relevant similarity to other sequences found in the Genbank NR DNA database. A prediction of putative signal peptides was also performed and 4 among the 25 were found to be predicted with a signal peptide. Proposed vaccine and diagnostic targets T24, Tsol18/HP6 and Tso31d could also be identified among the 25 most frequently expressed. Conclusions An EST library has been produced from pig cysticerca and analyzed. More than half of the different ESTs sequenced contained a sequence with no suggested function and 845 novel EST sequences have been identified. The library increases the knowledge about what genes are expressed and to what level. It can also be used to study different areas of research such as drug and diagnostic development together with parasite fitness via e.g. immune modulation.

Child labor and acute pesticide poisoning in Nicaragua: failure to comply with children's rights.

Abstract: Since 1995, Nicaragua has adopted several legal instruments to comply with children's rights, including international conventions and a minimum working age of 14 years. However, records from the Ministry of Health's Pesticide Program show continuing occupational acute pesticide poisonings (APP) among children five to 14-years-old from 1995 to 2006. We reviewed and described all reported APPs and estimated the yearly incidence and underreporting rates. Of 2069 APP cases, 432 were occupational. Annual incidence rates (range: 1-4.7/100,000) have been decreasing since 1997. Six fatal and most non-fatal cases were related to work in tobacco and basic grain crops. Based on underreporting data, we estimate actual incidence during the period studied to be 18,516 (95% CI, 3840-33,204) cases among five- to fourteen-year-olds. With regard to child labor and pesticide exposure, children's rights violations still exist and must be abolished in both formal employment and in the informal economy, including in family-based agricultural activities.

Primary and booster vaccination in Latin American children with a DTPw-HBV/Hib combination: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Background: Diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis (DTPw)-based combination vaccines are an attractive option to rapidly achieve high coverage and protection against other important pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). To ensure adequate antigen supply, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has introduced a new DTPw antigen source and developed a new DTPw-HBV/Hib combination vaccine containing a reduced amount of Hib polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP). This study was undertaken to compare the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of this new DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine with a licensed DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine (Tritanrix™-HBV/Hib). Methods: This was a randomized, partially-blind, multicenter study in three countries in Latin America (Argentina, Chile and Nicaragua). Healthy children received either the new DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine (1 of 3 lots; n = 439; double-blind) or Tritanrix™-HBV/Hib (n = 146; single-blind) co-administered with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) at 2, 4 and 6 months, with a booster dose at 18-24 months. Results: One month after the end of the 3-dose primary vaccination course, the new DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine was non-inferior to Tritanrix™-HBV/Hib in terms of seroprotection/vaccine response rates for all component antigens; ≥97.3% and ≥93.9% of subjects in the two groups, respectively, had seroprotective levels of antibodies against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and Hib and a vaccine response to the pertussis component. Persistence of antibodies against all vaccine antigens was comparable between groups, with marked increases in all antibody concentrations after booster administration in both groups. Both vaccines were generally well-tolerated as primary and booster doses. Conclusions: Results confirm the suitability of this new DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine comprising antigens from a new source and a reduced PRP content for inclusion into routine childhood vaccination programs. Trial registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00332566.

Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Population-Based Study in Nicaragua:

Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disabling functional gastrointestinal disorder, which serves as a model for abdominal pain syndromes. An association between intimate partner violence and IBS has been shown among White women in the industrialized world. To determine whether this relationship transcends cultural boundaries, we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey in Nicaragua using the innovative Health and Demographic Surveillance System in the Leon province. Women who had experienced physical intimate partner violence had significantly increased risk of IBS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35, 3.21), as did those who had experienced sexual intimate partner violence (OR = 2.85; 95% CI = 1.45, 5.59). These findings argue for intimate partner violence screening among Latina women with IBS.

A new species of worm salamander (Caudata: Plethodontidae: Oedipina ) in the subgenus Oeditriton from the highlands of northern Nicaragua

Abstract: We describe a new species of Oedipina (subgenus Oeditriton) from the highlands of north-central Nicaragua. The new species is most closely related to Oedipina kasios, a premontane species from north-central Honduras, and O. quadra, a lowland species from northern and eastern Honduras. It differs from O. kasios and O. quadra in molecular characters and by having a more slender habitus and fewer vomerine teeth. We also discuss the status of the additional populations of Oedipina from Nicaragua.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Markers and Phenotypes among Fecal E. coli Isolates Collected from Nicaraguan Infants

Abstract: We analyzed the prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) markers and common phenotypes in 2,164 E. coli isolates from 282 DEC-positive samples. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) were very diverse and were not correlated with diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) estA and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) belonged to a few phenotypes and were significantly correlated with diarrhea.

Etnobotánica medicinal y parasitosis intestinales en la isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua

Abstract: Thirteen Nicaraguan medicinal plants used in the community of Tilgue, Ometepe Island, were investigated for their activity against intestinal parasitoses. Ethnomedical values and metabolites implicated in their properties are discussed.

Nonfatal unintentional injuries in children aged <15 years in Nicaragua.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the nonfatal unintentional injuries among children aged <15 years treated in four emergency departments (EDs) in Nicaragua. The 2004 Injury Surveillance System included all cases of injuries that attended the four hospital EDs (n = 37,577). We analysed the records of 13,426 children aged <15 years who sustained nonfatal unintentional injuries. The leading causes of injuries were falls (50.5%), blunt force trauma (13.2%) and transport-related incidents (11.5%). Transport-related injuries primarily involved cyclists (42.3%) and motor-vehicle passengers (32.5%). Ten per cent of the injured children were hospitalised. This is the first study to present the epidemiology of nonfatal unintentional injuries among children treated in EDs in Nicaragua. Unintentional injuries are an important cause of morbidity, but the burden remains largely unaddressed. The implementation of the already well-established transportation-related prevention strategies should be a priority. P...

The application of electrical methods in exploration for ground water resources in the River Malacatoya sub-basin, Nicaragua

Abstract: Nicaragua is being substantially affected by climate change, whose impact is to be seen in marked seasonal variations of climatic and hydrometric parameters. Rainfall has declined sharply over the last decade within a strip of land that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean and extends from the extreme northwest of Lake Nicaragua (also known as Cocibolca) to the Departments of Madriz and Nueva Segovia and beyond the border with Honduras. Droughts and water shortages have changed the way of life of local inhabitants along the strip, which includes the Malacatoya sub-basin. Shallow aquifers and surface water levels have been notably reduced. This has increased the need to seek new water sources in the sub-basin from a flow-systems viewpoint, applying hy dro-geological, geophysical and hydro-geochemical techniques to create a conceptual model of how the systems operate. This article describes the application of 10 Continuous Vertical Electrical Soundings (CVES) and nine Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES), accompanied by a geological evaluation. Taken together, these techniques permit the identification and characterization – in terms of space and depth – of the aquifer formations present in three sub-areas of the sub-basin. Geophysical results indicate that the thickest aquifers were to be encountered in the Rio Malacatoya and Las Banderas quaternary units (unconfined aquifers). In these units, the flow is through porous media. In Teustepe, in the Rio Grande de Matagalpa, Cerro Oluma, La Libertad and Santa Lucia tertiary units, the flow is through fractured media (semi-confined aquifers).

Estrategias de reproducción de las unidades domésticas campesinas de Jucuapa centro, Nicaragua

Abstract: En este articulo se analizan las estrategias de reproduccion de las Unidades Domesticas Campesinas (UDC) de la Comunidad Jucuapa Centro, ubicada en el departamento de Matagalpa - Nicaragua, para evaluar su viabilidad de desarrollo. Las estrategias campesinas hacen referencia a los mecanismos que las unidades familiares practican para hacer frente a minimos nutricionales y satisfacer sus necesidades basicas y asegurar la supervivencia y reproduccion social. La agricultura campesina en esta comunidad esta inmersa en un proceso de recomposicion productiva, con la introduccion o ampliacion de rubros como cafe, frutas, ganaderia mayor y menor, que les han permitido mayores ingresos economicos. Sin embargo, la reorientacion de las actividades agricolas resulta insuficiente para garantizar la reproduccion socioeconomica de las UDC, donde sus miembros deben recurrir al desempeno de actividades fuera de la finca, las que no son actividades agricolas, sino complementarias, cuya logica se orienta a la obtencion de los maximos ingresos economicos y potencialidades ecologicas

Globalization and Free Trade Agreements: A Profile of a Nicaraguan Factory Community

Abstract: This study examines a Nicaraguan community 3 years after the signing of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to learn how families, living in a community constructed near a US-owned factory, maintained resilience under growing negative conditions. These conditions relate to family dislocation, loss of support systems, lack of childcare, safe water, and food security, in addition to labor injustices. Although maintaining relatively high scores on a baseline resilience test, these families and others like them in Central America, demonstrate a struggle for survival in a globalized context.

Barriers to follow-up of abnormal Papanicolaou smears among women in Leon Nicaragua.

Abstract: Cervical cancer screening programmes only succeed when the coverage, screening, treatment and follow-up of any abnormal results are of high quality. This study investigates the screening coverage and the quality of the follow-up of cervical cancer screening of women in Leon, Nicaragua, as well as the factors affecting coverage and barriers to follow-up. Two hundred and thirty-four sexually active women attending a public health centre (54), a public health post (63), or the gynaecology department of the public HEODRA hospital (117), were invited to answer an orally administered questionnaire. The screening coverage of cervical cancer was calculated and the follow-up after finding an abnormal screening result was assessed. The coverage was 60.6% (95% confidence interval 54.4–66.8%). One hundred and sixty-eight women (87%) were informed about the results. Eighteen (10, 7%) of the women who were informed about the results, were advised to have follow-up and 12 (66, 7%) of them did. Barriers to follow-up were...

uvby - β photoelectric photometry of Cepheid stars

Abstract: We present time-series uvby − β photometry of 41 classical Cepheid stars. A brief discussion of a comparison between the present data and previous photometric observations is included.

Actualización epidemiológica y clínica de los pacientes atendidos por el programa de hemofilia del banco nacional de sangre de Nicaragua, en el año 2010.

Abstract: Objetivo: Actualizar hasta el ano 2010, las caracteristicas epidemiologicas y clinicas de los pacientes que asisten al programa de Hemofilia del Banco Nacional de Sangre. Metodo: La fuente de datos fue el archivo Nacional del Programa de Hemofilia del Banco Nacional de Sangre, a partir del cual se realizo un llenado de ficha estructurada para cada paciente con variables epidemiologicas y clinicas, asi como datos de hemocomponentes administrados y enfermedades asociadas a estos. Resultados: Se estudiaron 179 pacientes con hemofilia, 148 (83 %) hemofilia tipo A, 22(12%) hemofilia tipo B y el 9(5%) no clasificadas. La edad de mayor predominio es de 15 a 19 anos con un porcentaje de 18.9%; el 25.7% procedentes de Managua, prevaleciendo la raza mestiza con un 74%. La mayoria diagnosticados a la edad de 0 a 4 anos, 72 % presentan antecedentes familiares. El sangrado y hemorragia son las manifestaciones clinicas mas frecuentes. En relacion al nivel de severidad, un 23% fue diagnosticado como grave, moderado 18% y leve 11%. El Plasma Fresco Congelado y Crio Precipitado son los hemocomponentes mas trasfundido, 74.3% y 73.1% respectivamente. La infeccion frecuentemente adquiridas a traves de trasfusiones es Hepatitis C 19.5%. Conclusiones: La hemofilia como problema de salud en Nicaragua ha mantenido el comportamiento epidemiologico y clinico desde el ano 2000 hasta el ano 2010, por lo que es una buena oportunidad para establecer un estudio de seguimiento y de tipo molecular.

Reproduction strategies of peasant domestic units in Jucuapa Centro, Nicaragua

Abstract: En este artículo se analizan las estrategias de reproducción de las Unidades Domesticas Campesinas (UDC) de la Comunidad Jucuapa Centro, ubicada en el departamento de Matagalpa Nicaragua, para evaluar su viabilidad de desarrollo. Las estrategias campesinas hacen referencia a los mecanismos que las unidades familiares practican para hacer frente a mínimos nutricionales y satisfacer sus necesidades básicas y asegurar la supervivencia y reproducción social. La agricultura campesina en esta comunidad está inmersa en un proceso de recomposición productiva, con la introducción o ampliación de rubros como café, frutas, ganadería mayor y menor, que les han permitido mayores ingresos económicos. Sin embargo, la reorientación de las actividades agrícolas resulta insuficiente para garantizar la reproducción socioeconómica de las UDC, donde sus miembros deben recurrir al desempeño de actividades fuera de la finca, las que no son actividades agrícolas, sino complementarias, cuya lógica se orienta a la obtención de los máximos ingresos económicos y potencialidades ecológicas.