Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago

This article was conducted with the aim of determining the level of integration of participatory bodies in the planning carried out by the management teams of educational institutions. Due to the importance of the role played by participatory bodies in the development of educational activities, it is essential that they take part in the organization and planning of processes together with the school management team. This study was carried out under the positivist paradigm, with a non-experimental quantitative approach, using a descriptive and cross-sectional design. For data collection, the survey technique was employed through a questionnaire administered via Google Forms, directed to 62 participants from Regional Education Office 15, Santo Domingo III, including principals, coordinators, psychologists, and school counselors. The analysis of the collected data was conducted using statistical methods, prioritizing the frequency of responses. The results obtained highlight the benefits of involving participatory bodies in school planning. Therefore, this study will have an impact on educational managers, management teams, participatory bodies, and the entire educational community, given the significance of integrating these bodies into the planning of educational activities and their impact on educational quality.

BackgroundAdvances in the management of HIV and AIDS have shifted the primary health concerns for these patients from opportunistic infections to cardiovascular diseases. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved survival, it has also been linked to complications such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, and coronary and peripheral artery disease. In the Dominican Republic, a middle-high-income country, healthcare practices for people living with HIV are generally not focused on preventing these comorbidities.Table 1.Patients demographicsCardiovascular risk factors 3 or more months after starting ARVsMethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from the HIV care program at a tertiary hospital in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. The aim was to identify and characterize dyslipidemia and its relationship with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Lipid profiles, serum glucose levels, and blood pressure readings were compared before and at least three months after starting antiretroviral treatment to assess any significant changes.Correlation between gender and cardiovascular risk factorsResultsA total of 298 medical records were reviewed, with 82% of patients on an antiretroviral regimen consisting of Tenofovir/lamivudine + Dolutegravir. Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common form of dyslipidemia (33.2%), followed by hypercholesterolemia (26.5%). Hypertension was prevalent in 72.5% of patients, and 40.6% exhibited fasting hyperglycemia. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with gender (p=0.03), but no statistically significant relationships were found between dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia.ConclusionThe high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes or pre-diabetes in the studied population highlights the need for preventive measures to address these chronic non-communicable diseases in HIV patients. It is crucial for healthcare providers to implement lifestyle modifications and consider medications that could slow the development of these complications.DisclosuresAll Authors: No reported disclosures

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) causes progressive motor dysfunction, with chorea as its hallmark symptom. Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT 2) inhibitors (tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine, valbenazine) are established symptomatic therapies, while dopamine stabilizers (pridopidine, ordopidine) are emerging therapies, but their net benefit and safety remain uncertain. Methods: Seven databases were searched through May 2025 following PRISMA guidelines. Random effects meta-analyses calculated mean differences (MDs) for the Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale total motor score (UHDRS TMS) and total maximal chorea score (TMC), plus risk ratios (RRs) for adverse events (AEs). Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) applied a Lan DeMets O’Brien Fleming α spending function with 80% power. Results: Seven randomized trials (1431 participants) met inclusion criteria. VMAT 2 inhibitors significantly improved motor outcomes versus placebo (UHDRS TMS: MD −3.80, 95% CI −5.76 to −1.83; TMC: MD −3.05, 95% CI −3.84 to −2.26; both I2 = 0%). Dopamine stabilizers produced no meaningful change (UHDRS TMS: MD −0.98, 95% CI −2.48 to 0.51; I2 = 32%). Neither class increased total AEs (VMAT 2: RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.48; dopamine stabilizers: RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.20; both I2 = 0%). TSA confirmed robust evidence for VMAT 2 benefits on TMC but indicated additional data are required to verify dopamine stabilizer effects on UHDRS TMS. Trial sequential analysis confirmed the reliability of VMAT2 for TMC; however, the sample size was insufficient to draw conclusions about the effects of dopamine stabilizers on UHDRS TMS or their safety outcomes, indicating that additional data are needed. Conclusions: VMAT-2 inhibitors may suggest potential improvements in motor symptoms in Huntington’s disease, while current evidence does not demonstrate a significant benefit of dopamine stabilizers. The safety profiles of both treatments appear generally comparable to placebo. Further rigorous and long-term studies are required to better establish their efficacy and safety.

La neurotoxina botulínica ha revolucionado la dermatología estética y terapéutica, ofreciendo diversas aplicaciones clínicas para el tratamiento de arrugas, hiperhidrosis y otros trastornos cutáneos. Esta revisión narrativa explora las alternativas terapéuticas empleadas en Ecuador y Latinoamérica, evaluando sus beneficios, riesgos y tendencias emergentes en la región. Se analizaron estudios recientes y revisiones sistemáticas para proporcionar una perspectiva integral del uso de la toxina botulínica en la dermatología latinoamericana. Este estudio adopta un enfoque de revisión narrativa, que permite explorar múltiples fuentes sin estar limitado por criterios sistemáticos rígidos. Se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos como PubMed, SciELO y LILACS para identificar estudios relevantes publicados en los últimos diez años. Criterios de inclusión y exclusión - Se incluyeron estudios clínicos, revisiones sistemáticas y reportes de casos que evaluaran aplicaciones dermatológicas de la neurotoxina botulínica en Latinoamérica. - Se excluyeron publicaciones con enfoques veterinarios, tratamientos experimentales no aprobados y estudios fuera de la región. Limitaciones del estudio Dado que los datos sobre el uso de la neurotoxina botulínica en Ecuador son limitados en comparación con países como Brasil y México, el análisis puede estar sesgado hacia regiones con mayor producción científica.

Foodborne diseases (FBDs) represent a significant public health concern, particularly in regions like Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), where surveillance gaps due to a lack of resources, knowledge, and technical abilities hinder control over outbreaks. This review investigates the bacterial pathogens responsible for FBDs, their prevalence, management challenges, and prevention strategies. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, focusing on bacterial FBDs in CAC from 2000 to 2024. PubMed and Google Scholar were used as primary databases, supported by other sources to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies focusing on bacterial pathogens, prevalence, risk factors, and surveillance practices. Out of the 509 studies initially identified, 35 met the inclusion criteria. The most prevalent pathogens were Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Campylobacter spp., and Aliarcobacter spp., with contamination often associated with poultry, eggs, and vegetables. Key challenges included inadequate surveillance systems, limited resources, and inconsistent reporting practices. A more significant investment in pathogen monitoring, documentation, and education, along with technologies like whole-genome sequencing (WGS), is crucial. Institutional and governmental funding is vital to improve surveillance and strengthen regional risk analysis.

The increasing complexity of food safety concerns, driven by the rising risks of contamination from pathogens, chemical hazards, and environmental influences, has highlighted the need for more effective detection and prevention strategies. Metagenomics, a powerful molecular tool, is transforming the food industry by providing a comprehensive understanding of the microbial communities in fresh produce, poultry, and meat. Advances in microbial detection techniques, such as shotgun sequencing, metabarcoding, and long-read sequencing technologies, have led to faster and more accurate pathogen detection, reducing the risk of outbreaks and ensuring public health protection. Despite its promise, several challenges remain in implementing metagenomics on a broader scale, including the high cost of sequencing technologies, the complexity of analyzing large datasets, and the lack of standardized procedures across platforms. These limitations hinder its adoption, particularly for smaller operations or in regions with fewer resources. This review examines the applications of metagenomics in food safety, focusing on its impact on meat, poultry, and fresh produce, while discussing the obstacles to its widespread use and potential solutions to overcome these barriers.