Universidad Cristiana de Bolivia

Water management is becoming increasingly critical as the availability of this vital resource declines—a trend driven by human activity and forest fires. In the face of growing water scarcity, understanding aquifer dynamics is essential. Aquifer recharge is typically estimated using soil water balance models; however, these rely on detailed analyses of water distribution processes and are often constrained by uncertainties related to land surface changes and limited data availability. To address these challenges, this study presents the design, development, and preliminary results of a low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) system aimed at supporting aquifer recharge monitoring. The system comprises four end devices that continuously collect hydrological data, including albedo, soil moisture, temperature, and sap flow. Additionally, we implemented anomaly detection models to analyse the collected data in near real time for irregularities and sensor bursts. Initial findings from the system’s in situ deployment in the Chiquitania region of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, demonstrate its potential for continuous monitoring and prompt anomaly detection. This work represents a Phase I prototype with preliminary validation; absolute flux accuracy and species-specific calibration will be addressed in future campaigns.

ABSTRACT Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a major public health concern in Latin America, particularly in Bolivia, which reports one of the highest infection burdens worldwide. While congenital transmission has gained importance in many countries, vectorial transmission persists in rural and peri-urban areas. This study aims to assess the epidemiological characteristics and seroprevalence of CD among mothers and their children in Postervalle, a Bolivian community officially classified as having low vector infestation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2023, including 58 mothers and 104 children aged 4 to 17 years. Participants were recruited from the local school and underwent serological screening using three different diagnostic tests. Individuals testing positive on at least two assays were classified as seropositive. Sociodemographic data and exposure history were collected through structured questionnaires. Bivariate analysis was performed to identify associations between seropositivity and risk factors. Results Seroprevalence was 15.8% among mothers and 3.8% among children. All seropositive children were born to seronegative mothers, suggesting likely vectorial rather than congenital transmission. Children who tested positive were more likely to have lived in rural areas and in houses with mud walls (p = 0.046 and p = 0.012, respectively). Among mothers, being bitten by kissing bugs was significantly associated with seropositivity (p = 0.004). No significant differences were found in age or number of children between groups. Conclusion Despite its classification as a low-infestation area, Postervalle presents evidence of ongoing vectorial transmission of T. cruzi. These findings underscore the need for continued entomological surveillance and integrated vector control strategies, especially in vulnerable communities. The absence of congenital cases further highlights the importance of local vector-related risk factors. AUTHORS’ SUMMARY Chagas disease is a tropical infection caused by a parasite, known as Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease is mostly transmitted by vectors known as kissing bugs, but it can also be transmitted congenitally. In many Latin American countries, including Bolivia, this disease continues to affect large numbers of people, especially in rural areas where the vector is endemic. While some countries have made progress in controlling the vector that carries the parasite, transmission still occurs, often silently. In this study, we worked with mothers and their children in a small Bolivian town called Postervalle, which has been categorized as a low-risk area for the insect that spreads Chagas disease. We tested both the mothers and their children to see if they had been infected by the parasite. Surprisingly, none of the infected children had mothers who tested positive, suggesting they may have been infected by kissing bugs, not through birth. We also found that children who lived in homes with mud walls or rural areas were more likely to be infected. Our findings show that even in places thought to be low-risk, people—especially children—are still getting infected. This highlights the need for ongoing efforts to monitor and prevent Chagas disease, even in areas where it is assumed to be under control.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global public health. In hospitals, infant mortality due to bacterial sepsis is associated with AMR. The epidemiology of AMR in Bolivia (a lower-middle-income country) has not been sufficiently discussed. The aim of this study was to analyze AMR patterns over 8 years at a pediatric hospital in patients with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. This is a retrospective and analytical revision of AMR in bacteria isolated from blood cultures, performed between 2012 and 2019, in a pediatric hospital in Bolivia. Data analysis was conducted with Stata v14.0, and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine statistical significance. Four hundred and fifty-five (7.2%) positive blood cultures were identified from 6315 blood culture reports between 2012 and 2019. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated bacteria and showed a significant change in its AMR profile over the 8 years of the study. Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were also frequently isolated, and all demonstrated high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Overall, most of the clinically important microorganisms had high rates of AMR. In the present study, we report that isolated bacteria showed significant resistance to multiple drugs, and most demonstrated increased resistance over time. Worryingly, K. pneumoniae showed an increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Overall, despite the limitations, our study, which is one of the first of its kind in Bolivia, demonstrates the need for stricter policies of antibiotic stewardship in similar settings due to the global threat of AMR.

Apresenta-se uma revisão integrativa de literatura acerca da bulimia nervosa, seus aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos, bem como o impacto dessa condição na vida do indivíduo. Essa condição caracteriza-se por um transtorno alimentar em que o indivíduo apresenta comportamentos periódicos de compulsão alimentar, nos quais o indivíduo ingere uma quantidade excepcional de calorias em um curto período. Tais episódios são sequenciados por comportamentos compensatórios, sentidos pela paciente como manifestações descontroladas e humilhantes. Utilizam-se critérios diagnósticos para definir o quadro, que pode coexistir com outras comorbidades. Há necessidade de uma equipe multidisciplinar para intervir na melhoria e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes, assim como um tratamento voltado para os vários aspectos que esse transtorno apresenta.

Introdução: A cirurgia de bypass gástrico é amplamente utilizada no tratamento da obesidade mórbida, mas pode acarretar várias complicações cirúrgicas precoces. Este estudo revisa a literatura sobre essas complicações, examinando sua prevalência, fatores de risco, métodos de diagnóstico e abordagens terapêuticas. A identificação precoce e o manejo adequado dessas complicações são cruciais para melhorar os desfechos clínicos dos pacientes. Materiais, sujeitos e métodos: Para a elaboração deste artigo de revisão, foram consultados artigos científicos publicados e referenciados nas bases de dados Medline e PubMed, utilizando termos de busca relacionados a complicações pós-bypass gástrico. Resultados e discussão: As complicações precoces mais comuns incluem hemorragias e vazamentos anastomóticos, ocorrendo em até 5% dos casos. Hemorragias geralmente se manifestam nas primeiras 24 horas pós-operatórias e são diagnosticadas por sinais clínicos e exames de imagem. Vazamentos anastomóticos frequentemente apresentam dor abdominal, febre e taquicardia, sendo a tomografia computadorizada crucial para o diagnóstico. Obstruções intestinais resultam de herniações internas ou aderências, enquanto infecções da ferida cirúrgica e complicações pulmonares são frequentes em pacientes com comorbidades pré-existentes. O manejo dessas complicações varia desde intervenções endoscópicas até reoperações. A literatura destaca a necessidade de protocolos padronizados para prevenir, diagnosticar e tratar essas complicações. Considerações finais: A monitorização rigorosa e a identificação precoce das complicações são essenciais para melhorar os resultados pós-operatórios. Protocolos padronizados são necessários para reduzir a morbidade e mortalidade associadas à cirurgia de bypass gástrico.

A introdução destaca a importância da inovação no tratamento de hérnias, abordando a necessidade de comparar diferentes técnicas de hernioplastia para otimizar resultados. Enfatiza-se o contexto atual da cirurgia herniária e a busca por abordagens mais eficazes e seguras.

Introdução O etnoteatro é uma prática crítica e afetiva de fazer mundo que combina etnografia, conhecimento social e artes performativas. A participação de todos é horizontal e goza da qualidade das performances estéticas em fazer comum, com uma força que emana da troca entre investigador e participantes, mais em colaboração ativa e consequente do que em simples reciprocidade, quando a intenção é recolher reflexões e fazer mundo. Enquanto metodologia baseada na arte, o objetivo do etnoteatro ...

In John Milton's Paradise Lost, Pandemonium is the capital of hell, the place where demons have a board meeting in order to discuss their plans. It also means confusion, chaos, and commotion. Such a metaphor can be used to describe the creative process of a graphic designer, whose mind functions as an overflown cauldron filled with interconnected information in a complex network. Contrary to popular belief, ideas are not a result of divine inspiration or orderly and predictable thinking. They come to life due to repetitive practice, effort and experimentation, which are characteristics of the designers own repertoire. The purpose of this dissertation was to understand chance and experimentation inserted in the creative process of graphic design. This dissertation was based on the lines of a practical and theoretical research and consists of reflections from the bibliography on processes of design and creation, interviews with graphic designers and experiments that present, in practice, the design creation process, which is unique for each person, since it involves many aspects that will determine the final result. Thus, only deep involvement might eventually prove that unpremeditated elements collaborate in this process.

Evaluación de un programa de reinserción social de personas privadas de libertad drogodependientes en Asturias (España). Se trata de una investigación evaluativa que recoge la experiencia de las 211 personas que participaron en el programa desde su inicio, en 2002, hasta 2014. Incluye datos de historias clínicas y entrevistas telefónicas realizadas en 2015.