Universidad Interamericana de Panamá

<p>El conocimiento de la estructura, regulación y función de los genes es un pilar fundamental de la biología molecular y la medicina moderna. Los genes son secuencias de ADN que contienen la información necesaria para producir proteínas o ARN funcionales, y no solo están formados por regiones codificantes (exones), sino también por intrones y elementos reguladores como promotores, enhancers y silencers. Mutaciones en cualquiera de estas regiones pueden alterar la función celular normal y dar lugar a diversas enfermedades. La regulación de la expresión génica asegura que no todos los genes se activen al mismo tiempo, sino que lo hagan de manera controlada según el tipo celular, el momento del desarrollo o las condiciones ambientales. Este control está mediado por factores de transcripción, modificaciones epigenéticas como la metilación del ADN y la acción de ARN no codificantes, mecanismos que permiten que a partir de una misma secuencia de ADN se generen múltiples tipos celulares especializados. La función de los genes se refleja en los productos que codifican, ya sea proteínas o ARN, que participan en procesos vitales como el metabolismo, la señalización celular o la reparación del ADN. Las variantes genéticas pueden provocar pérdida de función, como en el caso de la fibrosis quística por mutaciones en el gen CFTR, o ganancia de función, como sucede en ciertos oncogenes implicados en cáncer.</p>

<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Knowledge of the structure, regulation, and function of genes is a fundamental pillar of molecular biology and modern medicine. Genes are DNA sequences that contain the information necessary to produce functional proteins or RNA, and are not only made up of coding regions (exons), but also introns and regulatory elements such as promoters, enhancers, and silencers. Mutations in any of these regions can alter normal cellular function and lead to various diseases. The regulation of gene expression ensures that not all genes are activated at the same time, but rather in a controlled manner depending on the cell type, stage of development, or environmental conditions. This control is mediated by transcription factors, epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, and the action of non-coding RNAs, mechanisms that allow multiple specialized cell types to be generated from the same DNA sequence. The function of genes is reflected in the products they encode, whether proteins or RNA, which participate in vital processes such as metabolism, cell signaling, or DNA repair. Genetic variants can cause loss of function, as in the case of cystic fibrosis due to mutations in the CFTR gene, or gain of function, as occurs in certain oncogenes involved in cancer.</span></p>

<p><strong>INTRODUCCIÓN</strong>. La lactancia materna durante las primeras etapas de vida, constituye la forma óptima de alimentar a los bebés. <strong>OBJETIVOS</strong>. Identificar los beneficios de la lactancia materna, la influencia sobre hábitos orales y la diferencia entre la lactancia y el biberón mediante una revisión de estudios científicos. <strong>MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.</strong> Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de artículos con 20 años de vigencia en bases de datos en línea de búsqueda de literatura de investigación en ciencias biomédicas y biológicas. <strong>RESULTADOS.</strong> El amamantamiento directo de la madre evita retrognatismos y se obtiene mejor relación entre los maxilares, y disminuyen maloclusiones. <strong>CONCLUSIONES</strong>. Alteraciones funcionales o amamantamiento con biberón, puede afectar negativamente el desarrollo bucodental.</p>

The present study investigates the prevalence and patterns of drug consumption among Health Sciences students at the Inter-American University of Panama (UIP) in order to improve their academic performance. Objective: to be able to determine if there is a prevalence of drug consumption and analyze the relationship between drug consumption and academic performance. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional non-experimental study design was used to collect data through self-administered surveys sent through the Google Forms platform to 1,800 students from various majors at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Results: The results revealed a variable prevalence of drug consumption among the different races, with a trend towards the use of stimulants such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, vitamins, among others. Although a significant proportion of students admitted to having used drugs to improve their academic performance, the majority did not consider this use to be effective. Conclusion: The findings suggest the need to address this problem from a comprehensive perspective that considers the biological, psychological, social and educational aspects of drug use among university students.

The present study investigates the prevalence and patterns of drug consumption among Health Sciences students at the Inter-American University of Panama (UIP) in order to improve their academic performance. Objective: to be able to determine if there is a prevalence of drug consumption and analyze the relationship between drug consumption and academic performance. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional non-experimental study design was used to collect data through self-administered surveys sent through the Google Forms platform to 1,800 students from various majors at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Results: The results revealed a variable prevalence of drug consumption among the different races, with a trend towards the use of stimulants such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, vitamins, among others. Although a significant proportion of students admitted to having used drugs to improve their academic performance, the majority did not consider this use to be effective. Conclusion: The findings suggest the need to address this problem from a comprehensive perspective that considers the biological, psychological, social and educational aspects of drug use among university students.

El artículo analiza los antecedentes regulatorios de los datos personales en el sistema jurídico panameño; se lleva a cabo un estudio legislativo comparativo en materia de derechos digitales en Latinoamérica, así como de la problemática de la violencia digital, los tipos penales y todo lo relacionado con el derecho de acceso a la justicia en este ámbito. Como aporte, el trabajo examina las raíces sociales del problema y propone una explicación contemporánea, clara y un enfoque práctico para la aplicación de los derechos de las personas titulares de los datos personales y sensibles. Asimismo, se hacen definiciones conceptuales que permitan identificar los elementos que construyen el vínculo entre los derechos inalienables, las nuevas tecnologías y la justicia penal, y se exponen las diferentes corrientes jurisprudenciales en Panamá en relación con el derecho penal y la protección de datos personales.

Este trabajo se centra en la diversidad de funciones y tipos de ARN, una molécula crucial en la biología celular y genética. Los ARN se dividen en varias categorías según su función y estructura. El ARN mensajero (ARNm) actúa como intermediario en la síntesis de proteínas, copiando información genética del ADN y llevándola a los ribosomas. Los ARN ribosomales (ARNr) forman parte de los ribosomas y son esenciales para la síntesis proteica. Los ARN de transferencia (ARNt) transportan aminoácidos para la síntesis de proteínas. Además de estos, existen ARN con actividad catalítica llamados ribozimas, que participan en diversas reacciones químicas, como el corte y empalme de ARN. Los ARN reguladores, como los microARN y los ARN interferentes, modulan la expresión génica y tienen aplicaciones en la investigación y la terapia genética. Los ARN antisentido inhiben genes específicos, y los ARN no codificantes de cadena larga están relacionados con procesos biológicos como la impronta genética y la regulación génica en eucariotas. Dentro de los últimos puntos se desea resaltar la importancia de los ARN en la biología y su implicación en enfermedades, como el cáncer. También se mencionan las posibles aplicaciones terapéuticas de algunos ARN, como el uso de ARN de interferencia para tratar enfermedades virales.

Abstract Sea turtle nesting activity on newly monitored beaches yield important data to support future regional and global conservation assessments. Here, we report on nesting activity of Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) at Cascajilloso beach in Pacific Panama based on data from a new hatchery during seasons 2019, 2020 and 2021. Further to this, we conducted a field experiment analyzing the effects of artificial shade versus unshaded treatments on hatchlings' biometric characteristics, hatching success, incubation success and the incubation period. The analyses of three seasons showed that nesting activity, based on number of egg clutches transferred to the hatchery, reached a peak between September (33%) and October (25%). Curved carapace length (CCL) of nesting females (64.3–66.2 cm) was similar to other populations of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). The number of eggs clutches were 80 in 2019, 73 in 2020 and 108 in 2021; however, the clutch size was slightly smaller (93.92 ± 18.78 eggs) compared with other populations of the ETP. This could be a phenotypic variation of nesting females at this beach. The ability to move egg clutches to the hatchery was affected during 2020 season due to COVID19 restrictions. Heavy rainfall during the incubation period caused a reduction in ambient temperature resulting in cooler (maximum average 29.9°C) nest temperatures registered under artificial shade and unshaded treatments. This could result in males hatchlings during the 2020 season. The warmer temperatures in our experimental nests produced heavier hatchlings contrary to general assumptions, but this was also related to straight carapace length only after a threshold value of 40 mm. Hatchlings under the artificial shade were able to grow to a certain size but potentially at the costs of storing less mass (trade‐off). Ongoing beach patrolling and hatchery management techniques with long‐term baseline data collection are needed to secure the nesting population of L. olivacea in this recently surveyed beach.

BackgroundUnprecedented numbers of migrant people transiting through the Darién Gap at the Panama-Colombia border were recorded in 2021 and 2022. Data on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and service provision among migrant people in transit is generally extremely sparse. This study aimed to collect personal accounts of sexual behaviours and SRH needs and access to services among migrant people in transit through Panama.MethodsWe conducted a rapid-assessment qualitative study using semi-structured interviews during June-July 2022. Participants were migrant people in transit at three locations across Panama: (i) at the Migrant Reception Station (MRS) in Darién province at the Panama-Colombia border, (ii) in the city of David near the Costa Rica-Panama border, and (iii) at the Costa Rica-Panama border. Migrant peoples (>18 years) were invited to participate using purposive sampling.ResultsOverall, 26 adult migrant people (16 men, 10 women) across the three sites participated in the study. We identified three overarching themes from the interviews: (1) increased need for SRH service provision, (2) experiences of sex, relationships, and transactional sex, and (3) vulnerability to exploitation and sexual violence. All accounts reported that no formal SRH care was present during the journey through the Gap and described as inconsistent at the MRS in Darién. Provision of gynaecological or genital examinations, laboratory testing for urinary tract or STI, and prenatal care were mentioned to be the most pressing needs. Participants reported a change in their sexual behaviour while travelling, whether a decline in sexual libido or preference towards short-term partners. Most female participants recounted constantly fearing sexual violence during the journey through the Gap and several respondents reported witnessing incidents of sexual and other forms of violence.ConclusionThere are significant unmet needs regarding SRH care during the journey of migrant people transiting through the Darién Gap, at the MRS in the Darién province, and across Panama. Provision of antenatal care, rapid testing for HIV/STI, condom distribution, and care for victims of sexual violence would significantly reduce adverse SRH outcomes and improve the well-being of migrant people, even when in transit.

A clinical nutritionist (CN) is a university-educated professional trained to perform preventive and recovery functions in the health of patients. The actions of these professionals, both worldwide and in Latin America, may face barriers and opportunities that require careful identification and examination. The main objective of this study is to identify the most important barriers and opportunities for the clinical nutritionist in 13 Latin American countries. A qualitative study was carried out; the initial phase involved conducting in-depth individual interviews with 89 informants, experienced CNs from 13 Latin American countries. After calculating the mean and standard deviation, we ranked the top 10 most frequently reported barriers by assigning a score ranging from 1 to 10. Additionally, 3 opportunities were identified with a lower score from 1 to 3. Means and standard deviation were calculated to sort the responses. Results: the most important barrier was the absence of public policies that regulate and/or monitor compliance with the staffing of CNs according to the number of hospital beds, while the most important opportunity was the advances in technology such as software, body analysis equipment and other tools used in Nutritional Care. The identified barriers can interfere with the professional performance of CNs and, moreover, make it difficult to monitor the good nutritional status of patients. It is recommended to consider the barriers identified in this study, as well as the opportunities, with a view to improving the quality of hospital services with an adequate supply of nutritionists.