Convocatoria al XII Congreso Internacional de Investigación REDU 2025
¡Ya está abierta la convocatoria al XII Congreso Internacional de Investigación REDU 2025! Del 25 al 27 de noviembre de 2025, la Universidad Yachay Tech será sede de uno de los encuentros académicos más importantes del país: el XII Congreso Internacional de Investigación REDU 2025, un espacio para compartir conocimiento, innovación y ciencia al servicio del desarrollo sostenible. Este evento reunirá a investigadores, académicos y profesionales de Ecuador y de la región, con el propósito de impulsar soluciones sostenibles desde la ciencia, la tecnología y la innovación. 🌎 Ejes temáticos:🔹 Energía🔹 Tecnología🔹 Ciencias de la vida🔹 Desarrollo territorial sostenible El congreso constituye una plataforma estratégica para visibilizar la producción científica de las universidades, fortalecer redes de colaboración y generar impacto a través del conocimiento. 📍 Lugar: Universidad Yachay Tech📅 Fecha: 25 al 27 de noviembre de 2025📝 Inscripciones abiertas: https://congreso.redu.edu.ec 🙌 Agradecemos su apoyo y compromiso con el fortalecimiento de la investigación en la educación superior ecuatoriana.
Neurobrucellosis manifesting as secondary hemiparkinsonism in a veterinary technician: A case report and evidence-based review
https://bit.ly/472kDTH Neurobrucellosis is a severe complication of brucellosis, occurring in 3%–10% of systemic cases. Movement disorders, particularly parkinsonism, are rare manifestations that present significant diagnostic challenges and are often associated with occupational exposure. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 51-year-old male veterinary technician who developed progressive right hemiparkinsonism over two years, accompanied by systemic symptoms including fever, weight loss, and arthralgia. Diagnosis was established through characteristic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings of lymphocytic pleocytosis, positive CSF and serum serology for Brucella, and definitive molecular confirmation with a positive CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Brucella DNA. Dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography (DaT-SPECT) revealed an atypical pattern of nigrostriatal dopaminergic deficit, supporting a secondary cause. The patient was treated with a six-month, ceftriaxone-based triple-antibiotic regimen and symptomatic levodopa/carbidopa. This resulted in the resolution of systemic symptoms and significant functional recovery, with mild residual parkinsonian features at 24-month follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights neurobrucellosis as a critical differential diagnosis for atypical parkinsonism, particularly in patients with a relevant occupational or environmental exposure history. Early diagnosis through comprehensive serological and molecular testing, followed by prompt initiation of evidence-based antibiotic protocols, can substantially improve clinical outcomes. This report underscores the imperative of stringent occupational safety measures in preventing this debilitating zoonotic infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02376
Quality and Bias in Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Latin American Nursing Journals: A Meta-Epidemiological Study
https://bit.ly/3W5L1Hi Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential for evidence-based nursing care. However, the quality of reporting and adherence to methodological standards in Latin American nursing journals remains unclear. This study evaluates the characteristics, reporting quality, and potential risk of bias of RCTs published in Latin American nursing journals. Objective: To assess the reporting compliance and risk of bias of RCTs published in Latin American nursing journals. Design: Meta-research study. Methods: A comprehensive handsearch of 29 Latin American nursing journals was performed covering publications from 2000 to 2024. Identified RCTs were assessed for adherence to CONSORT reporting guidelines and evaluated for risk of bias. Outcomes were classified using the COMET taxonomy. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results: A total of 6377 references were screened, identifying 34 eligible RCTs, most published after 2018. The median CONSORT compliance was 19 reported items (IQR 16–22). High compliance (> 90%) was observed in abstract reporting items, study objectives, and participant selection criteria. However, critical methodological features such as randomization procedures, blinding, and protocol registration showed low adherence (< 40%). Risk of bias was mostly rated as having “some concerns”, largely due to insufficient reporting. According to the COMET taxonomy, the most frequently reported outcome domains were “Delivery of care” and “Physical functioning”. Conclusions: Reporting compliance and risk of bias of RCTs published in Latin American nursing journals presents significant gaps, particularly in key methodological domains. These shortcomings hinder transparency, reproducibility, and integration into evidence synthesis. Strengthening editorial policies and enforcing reporting standards could enhance the quality and reliability of published research in Latin American nursing journals. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.70049
Differential impact of coffee quantity and sweetening on body composition parameters and inflammation
https://bit.ly/3JcLc0y Coffee is the most consumed and popular beverage worldwide. The health benefits of its regular, moderate consumption are well known, and include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as metabolic effects, reducing the risk of obesity and related diseases. The available literature, however, provides no information about the effect of coffee consumption on body composition (BC) and inflammation. The present cross-sectional observational study aims to investigate the effect of coffee consumption on BC and inflammation-related parameters, as well as the possible impact of adding sugar and the frequency of consumption. Methods: Coffee consumption habits, preference for adding sugar and frequency of daily consumption were assessed in 2,556 adults (1,080 men and 1,476 women). BC was assessed using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), whilst high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were monitored for inflammatory status. Results: A total of 1,855 subjects (680 men and 1,175 women) were included in the statistical analysis. Compared to non-consumers, coffee consumers showed lower body mass index (BMI), waist girth (WG), and hs-CRP levels, and higher skeletal muscle mass (SMM), appendicular SMM (ASMM), phase angle (PhA), and standardised PhA (SPA) (p < 0.001 for all). The same trend was observed for unsweetened coffee consumers compared to subjects consuming sweetened coffee. With increasing coffee consumption, BMI, WG, and hs-CRP generally decreased, whilst SMM and ASMM showed a bell-shaped trend with peak values in those consuming 2–3 cups per day. Similarly, PhA and SPA values were highest among moderate coffee consumers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption, particularly unsweetened coffee, is associated with more favourable body composition and inflammatory profiles. Given the observational design, causality cannot be established. Nevertheless, the results may inform dietary guidance aimed at supporting muscle maintenance and mitigating obesity-related metabolic risk. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1673677
Healthcare attitudes toward depression in Latin America: a latent class analysis from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela using the Spanish-validated revised depression attitude questionnaire (SR-DAQ)
https://bit.ly/4hgVJEQ Background: Depression significantly impacts health systems worldwide, particularly in Latin America, where cultural stigmatization and misconceptions about mental health deter individuals from seeking help. Healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward depression may affect its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To categorize Latin American healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards diagnosis and management of depression in subgroups using the Spanish-validated Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (SR-DAQ). Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 2,409 professionals using SR-DAQ from 2019 to 2022. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify attitude classes and explore demographic influences. Results: Among our sample, four attitude classes were identified: Depression Skeptics (21%), Depression Cautious (33%), Depression Neutrals (18%), and Depression Advocates (28%). Gender and medical subspecialty significantly influenced class membership, with females and mental health specialists more likely to be part of the Advocates. Conclusion: The study reveals varied attitudes towards depression among Latin American healthcare professionals, suggesting the need for tailored public health strategies to enhance effective depression care and management. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02612-1
Hyssop-infused Electrospun Nanofiber Mask for Antiviral Protection
https://bit.ly/495bf4h The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in demand for effective face masks to prevent virus transmission. Face masks serve as protective barriers, reducing the spread of infectious aerosols between individuals. This has accelerated global research and development efforts focused on mask technologies. Traditional masks, such as surgical masks and R95 respirators, often involve a trade-off between breathability and filtration efficiency. Electrospun nanofiber membrane–based face masks have gained significant attention due to their nanoscale pores, lightweight design, and high filtration efficiency, making them commercially viable and widely adopted. The integration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and graphene has further enabled the development of advanced, multifunctional, reusable filtration membranes with higher adsorption capacity. Unlike these existing approaches, this study introduces a novel antiviral face mask that uniquely combines cellulose acetate nanofibers with hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) essential oil, a herbal additive that has not previously been explored in electrospun mask design. The nanofibers, produced via electrospinning, exhibit diameters ranging from 35 to 75 nm, significantly enhancing their ability to capture small particles, including viruses, compared with conventional masks. The incorporation of hyssop essential oil not only provides natural antiviral and antibacterial functionality but also differentiates this mask from other herbal oil–based or graphene/MOF-enhanced membranes. Experimental testing demonstrated substantial antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the dual advantage of superior PM2.5 filtration efficiency (99.6%) and improved breathability over R95 masks highlights the practical benefits of this design. This dual-function mask offers a promising solution for both air pollution control and COVID-19 prevention by combining advanced filtration with active pathogen inactivation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-025-02186-w