Sapienza: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Systematic analysis of the relationship between intestinal microbiota and neurological disorders: emerging perspective in neurogastroenterology

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

By the complex gut-brain axis, the gut microbiota (GM) has a critical role in neurological function. The complex link between several neurological illnesses and the gut microbiota (GM) is examined in this comprehensive study. Strong evidence has been found, based on a review of the literature from 2019 to 2024, connecting GM dysbiosis to the etiology and development of conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, stroke, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In these cases, GM changes increase disease severity, interfere with immune responses, and worsen neuroinflammation. In particular, dysbiosis affects the prevalence of autoimmune encephalomyelitis in MS and adds to motor impairment and gastrointestinal symptoms in PD. Via pro-inflammatory microorganisms, dysregulated GM in AD exacerbates neurodegeneration. Moreover, the gut-brain axis influences emotion, behavior, and cognition, all of which are impacted by the development of ASD. In epilepsy, GM dysbiosis affects inflammatory responses and seizure frequency; in ALS, it leads to neuroinflammation and motor neuron degeneration. Notwithstanding noteworthy discoveries, the dearth of randomized controlled trials presents obstacles, requiring more mechanistic clarification and investigation of microbiota-targeted treatments for neurological disorders.

Heart failure remote monitoring: novel approaches and management strategies

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

Background. Globally, heart failure is a leading health problem, with an estimated 64 million cases worldwide, including 6.7 million in the U.S., according to estimates. The U.S. economic burden is expected to see a steep rise by the year 2030. Heart failure is a cause of 8.5% of heart disease-related deaths and a central cardiovascular killer. Emergency hospitalization rates and readmission rates are high. Methods: A systematic methodology was followed to generate authentic and reliable data on remote monitoring in the setting of heart failure patients. The inclusion criteria comprise articles describing remote monitoring interventions published in peer-reviewed journals and carried out in human subjects in English. Critical analysis applies quality assessment tools to assess methodological soundness, possible bias, and relevance to the research objective. Results: This review discusses wearable devices, e.g., Zoll HFMS ReDS, and Audicor, each effectively monitoring cardiac parameters and reducing H.F. hospitalizations. Implantable cardiac monitors such as LUX-Dx and CardioMEMS H.F. RM has potential to give real-time data for timely intervention and tailored therapies. The integration of machine learning algorithms in devices, for example, VitalPatch and the SimpleSense has led to increased use of these devices to make precise and efficient health care predictions, leading to improved patient outcomes. Conclusion: From all the research, remote monitoring devices and strategies are recommendable for patients with various cardiac complications. It can improve heart function, however, R.M. has not been seen to reduce the overall mortality rate among heart patients.

Social support perceived by the patient in home recovery

Karen Dayana Chasi Morocho, Fabiola Beatriz Chasillacta Amores — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

Background: Family and extrafamilial participation is the support provided to people in a state of vulnerability, therefore, recovery after hospital discharge tends to be the responsibility of individuals close to the environment, facilitating the recovery stage, allowing the commitment of family and close friends, and preventing hospital readmission; Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental design, cross-sectional and descriptive research was developed, which consisted of patients discharged from the Hospital Municipal Nuestra Señora de La Merced in the quarter August - October 2023, to whom the MOS questionnaire of social support was applied; Results: Female gender predominated in the study by 51%, with ages ranging from 18 to 30 years in 36%; in the whole sample predominates the MEDIUM range with 63% in social support index, 65% in emotional support, 63% in material support, 60% in positive social interaction and 42% in affective support; Conclusions: The support given to people during their recovery at home influences the progress of recovery, therefore, consideration and understanding in them is important; a large percentage of respondents receive good support from their family and friends in their recovery process at home.

Nursing care in autologous hematopoietic progenitor transplantation

Alison Paulina Cedeño Toapanta, Luis Felipe Chileno Camacho — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

Background: Autologous hematopoietic progenitor transplantation (auto-HPT) is a treatment for hematologic diseases that involves infusion of the patient's hematopoietic stem cells. It requires prior myeloablative conditioning and specialized care. The procedure, potential complications, and nursing care at different stages were described. Methods: Systematic review using the PRISMA approach, with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search was performed in multiple databases in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, between 2019 and 2023. Twenty full articles that met the criteria were analyzed. Results: The most commonly used source of hematopoietic progenitors at present is peripheral blood. Before infusion, the patient receives conditioning with high-dose chemotherapy. The main complication is infections; overall survival at 5 years is 68-80%. Nursing care in auto-HPCT is indispensable in all its stages because it performs preventive care, patient education, nutritional and emotional support, management of complications, and subsequent reintegration. Conclusion: Specialized and timely nursing care, based on the available evidence, allows improving the results and reducing the complications associated with auto-HPT, impacting the survival and quality of life of these patients.

Integration of omics technologies for the identification of predictive biomarkers in type 2 diabetes: a comprehensive analysis of recent literature

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

Background. Omics technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and Transcriptomics are being used for identifying biomarkers. These biomarkers are unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which can help to promote more personalized treatment strategies and advance our understanding of disease pathogenesis. Omics approaches enable the examination of genetic, protein, metabolic, and gene expression profiles more comprehensively while offering insights into T2DM risk, progression, and potential therapeutic targets. Methods: This review follows a systematic methodology, aimed at evaluating omics technology’s role in diabetes research. Utilizing literature searches, we got an initial pool of 257 studies with a rigorous selection process and narrowed the selection to 10 high-quality studies. Our methodology approach ensured the inclusion of relevant, peer-reviewed articles that contribute significantly to understanding the application of omics technologies in predicting biomarkers for type 2 diabetes. Results: The systematic review identifies ten high-quality studies illuminating substantial omics technology’s role in advancing our understanding of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Collectively, these studies demonstrate how genomics, proteomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, and Transcriptomics have uncovered novel biomarkers and molecular pathways for T2D. Our findings underscore all the omics potentials specifically for developing predictive biomarkers, enhancing diagnostics, and tailoring personalized treatment strategies. Genetic variations, metabolic alterations, and protein and RNA expression profiles were highlighted as key areas where omics technologies offer insights into the pathophysiology and management of T2D.

Impact of a chamber orchestra in the university environment: analysis of the development of artistic and cultural skills

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

The objective of this research was to explain the importance of the creation of the chamber orchestra established in the Faculty of Human Education Sciences and Technologies, the career of Pedagogy in Arts and Humanities of the National University of Chimborazo in the year 2023, through the review of scientific data and theoretical foundation, in order to demonstrate the musical and cultural artistic development. The research had a qualitative approach by virtue of the fact that a more personal interaction was required, and the level of research was analytical-synthetic, inductive - deductive, which helped to form the theoretical considerations of the chamber orchestra and its purpose in the university environment. Applying the technique of interviewing students and art professionals with trajectory and transcendental characteristics for the research. As results were obtained that the creation of the chamber orchestra has substantial benefits for university students, demonstrating improvement in discipline, development of skills, attitudes, and abilities, achieving academic, social-cultural benefits, encouraging teamwork and collaboration through practice and group performance in addition to gaining stage experience, which is crucial for the student of music and other fields related to the arts. The chamber orchestra, considered a jewel in the world of classical music, promotes the cultural and social diversity of the university community.

Productivity and economic growth of manufacturing SMEs in an Ecuadorian locality

Magdalena Iralda Valero Camino — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

Background: This study examines the relationship between competitiveness, external growth, productivity, and communication in manufacturing SMEs in a Ecuadorian locality from the perspective of entrepreneurs. Methods: Quantitative methods and a Likert scale were employed, for which an instrument was generated, whose reliability was determined by surveys to collect data on the perceptions and opinions of SME owners and managers. Results: The results revealed an interdependence between competitiveness and SME consumption, as well as a crucial relationship between external growth and the GDP of these companies. Additionally, an essential connection was found between improving productivity and effective communication in SMEs. Conclusions: Consequently, the importance of SMEs focusing their efforts on improving competitiveness, considering internationalization strategies, and recognizing communication as a key component for their business success is highlighted. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the challenges and opportunities facing manufacturing SMEs, offering a solid foundation for future research and actions aimed at promoting their development and economic growth.

A bibliometric analysis of literature trends in content marketing and content managers

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

The topic of marketing and content management has a considerable number of articles where the topic has been contextualized according to remarkable authors. However, there are few bibliometric studies in scientific journals on the subject addressed. The objective of the research is to analyze the evolution and trend of scientific production articles between the years 2018-2023; In the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and the VOSviewer tool was used through the bibliometric method, which allows the identification of the main authors and keywords through metric mappings. In this context, an exploratory qualitative analysis was carried out with guiding questions to evaluate the indexes of publications in the identification of years, journals, areas of knowledge, and countries. The results show that the year with the highest number of publications is 2022, and the countries with the most articles were: the United States and England; As for the most outstanding journals are the European Journal Of Marketing and the Journal Of Business Research; the field of knowledge the most outstanding areas are: Business, Management and Accounting/Business.

Level of digital competencies in students of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at an Ecuadorian university

Henry Rentería Macías — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

The present research consists of an exploratory study on student digital competencies. The objective is to analyze the level in its five areas: information, communication, content creation, security and problem solving, in students of the subject 'Computer Projects' of the ninth cycle of the systems engineering career of the Technical University "Luis Vargas Torres" of Esmeraldas. The research had a quantitative approach, with a non-experimental design and two intact groups. As an instrument, a test called "Ikanos", for testing digital competencies of universal character and validated in university students in Europe and Latin America. The results showed that the two groups are not equivalent and have an Intermediate level. This indicated that, despite being students of the ICT career, they could not be placed mostly in Advanced and Expert level. It is concluded about the need to include the development of digital competence as a fundamental element throughout the academic curriculum, from the beginning of the career of Information and Communication Technologies of UTLVTE, implementing strategies, from the first academic cycle, in the career.

The principle of innocence in the administration of indigenous justice in Ecuador

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0300

The administration of indigenous justice in Ecuador is characterized by having different schemes and ways of resolving a conflict; That is to say, each Aboriginal community and nationality applies indigenous justice according to its worldview, customs, and traditions; however, in general, the principle of innocence that emanates from positive law is also observed within ancestral jurisdiction. The objective of the manuscript is to critically analyze the procedure applied in the administration of indigenous justice to determine whether the principle of presumption of innocence is guaranteed. To carry out this activity, the inductive, analytical, customary, and descriptive method is used; Due to the vision, the objectives, and the complexity, a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach is assumed; It is pure, dogmatic, legal analytical, and descriptive legal; non-experimental design. The population involved is made up of Constitutional Guarantees Judges and indigenous authorities, to whom a six-question multiple choice questionnaire is applied. The results indicate that the investigations and tests determine the innocence or not of the accused, on the other hand, the main evidence that is analyzed within indigenous justice to determine the guilt of the offender is the testimony and background of the offender, this allows conclude by pointing out that if the principle of presumption of innocence is guaranteed in the administration of indigenous justice.