RESUMEN

Anemia is the most common hematological disorder affecting humans. In Peru, anemia is a pressing issue that present the most significant concern due to its adverse effects, such as delayed growth and psychomotor development, in addition to a deficiency in cognitive development. Anemia is a significant public health issue in Peru, which has one of the highest prevalence rates in infants in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, affecting approximately 43.6 % of children under three years nationally as of 2017, with rural areas experiencing a higher prevalence of approximately 53.3 %. In 2019, the prevalence was highest in the Sierra (48.8 %) and Selva regions (44.6 %), whereas the coast had a lower rate of 33.9 % in children under 36 months. Although the composition of the gut microbiota is relatively well described in children, there is little information on the identification of the microbiota in iron-deficiency anemia. There is evidence that diseases or health conditions can change the microbiota, or vice versa. This study aimed to identify the microbiota in children with anemia who did not recover after iron treatment. In a previous study, we found that the phylum Actinobacteria was predominant in the microbiota of children with anemia. These data will be useful for understanding the functionality of the most important bacteria found in each group at the genus or species level, especially the metabolic pathways in which they participate and their links with iron metabolism. Microbial composition data were obtained through next-generation 16S rRNA sequencing (NGS) of stool samples from children with anemia in southern Peru. Numerous studies have underscored the importance of early symbiotic development in infant health and its long-term impact on health. From infancy, modulation of the gut microbiota can promote long-term health. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), iron-deficiency anemia may cause serious complications, such as fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. The development of the gut microbiota is regulated by a complex interplay between host and environmental factors. The bidirectional link between the gut microbiota and anemia plays an important role in tracking the gut microbiota and will be useful in understanding the composition of the intestinal microbiota and its implications in anemia, which has now become a public health problem. Our previous study investigated the microbial composition in children with iron-deficiency anemia and revealed the presence of several bacterial groups, including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi. In addition, these data may be useful for investigating the association between the intestinal microbiota of children with persistent anemia and those who have recovered.

RESUMEN

Introducción: La Pandemia COVID-19, ha tenido impactos negativos en la salud física y mental de las personas, así como las medidas adoptadas por los gobiernos, para prevenir el contagio masivo de la población como el confinamiento, el aislamiento social, el trabajo y educación virtual. Dentro de los afectados por estos cambios, se encontrarían los estudiantes universitarios del área de la salud, que además de estudiar en estas condiciones de pandemia, no han podido hacer sus prácticas de los servicios de salud. Esta situación de exposición al aislamiento, podría afectar la salud mental de los jóvenes estudiantes universitarios. Objetivo: determinar los niveles de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes universitarios y su relación con variables sociodemográficas y las características del aislamiento social durante la Pandemia COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional, de corte transversal y cuantitativo, con una muestra de 818 estudiantes universitarios de facultades de ciencias de la salud, mediante el cuestionario autoadministrado DASS-21. Resultados: Los principales hallazgos fueron: una mayor prevalencia en niveles altos (severos y extremadamente severos) en la ansiedad, alcanzado casi a 4 de cada 10 de los evaluados; por otro lado, en depresión y el estrés, 2 de cada 10 de los evaluados, se encontraron en los niveles mencionados. En relación con las variables sociodemográficas, las relacionadas con el COVID-19 y aislamiento social, se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con el género (mujeres > varones), el haber tenido COVID-19 (Sí > No) y vivir con familiares como antes de la pandemia (Sí > No) obtuvieron en promedio mayores puntajes en depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Conclusión: Los estudiantes que presentaron mayor depresión, ansiedad y estrés con una diferencia significativa fueron de género femenino, con antecedentes de haber tenido Covid-19, menor contacto con familiares y haber cumplido con aislamiento social total.

Introduction: The COVID-19 Pandemic has had negative impacts on the physical and mental health of people, as well as the measures adopted by governments to prevent the massive contagion of the population, such as confinement, social isolation, virtual work, and virtual education. Among those affected by these changes would be university students in the health area who, in addition to studying in these pandemic conditions, have been unable to do their health service practices. This situation of exposure to isolation could affect the mental health of young university students. Objective: To determine the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in university students, their relationship with sociodemographic variables, and the characteristics of social isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and quantitative study was carried out with a sample of 818 university students from health sciences faculties using the DASS-21 self-administered questionnaire. Results: The main findings were a higher prevalence of high levels (severe and highly severe) in anxiety, reaching almost 4 out of 10 of those evaluated; On the other hand, in depression and stress, 2 out of 10 of those evaluated were found at the mentioned levels. Concerning the sociodemographic variables, those related to COVID-19 and social isolation, statistically significant differences were found with gender (women > men), having had COVID-19 (Yes > No), and living with relatives as before. On average, the pandemic (Yes > No) obtained higher scores in depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: The students who presented greater depression, anxiety, and stress with a significant difference were female, with a history of having had Covid-19, less contact with family members, and having complied with total social isolation

RESUMEN

Sequence variation in the 16S gene is widely used to characterize diverse microbial communities. This was the first pilot study carried out in our region where the pulmonary microbiota of critically ill patients was investigated and analyzed, with the aim of finding a specific profile for these patients that can be used as a diagnostic marker. An study of critical patients mechanically ventilated for non-respiratory indications, in a polyvalent intensive care unit, was carried out; samplee were extracted by endotracheal aspiration and subsequently the microbiota was characterized through Next-Generation Sequencing Technology (NGS). The predominant phyla among the critically ill patients were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidata. In the surviving patients group, the predominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidata and Firmicutes, in the group of deceased patients thy were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidata. We found a decrease in commensal bacteria in deceased patients and a progressive increase in in-hospital germs.