University of El Salvador

Nos dirigimos a usted con el debido respeto, en atención a dos contribuciones publicadas en volúmenes anteriores de Alerta: «La importancia del derecho sanitario en la legislación en salud», de Molina Velásquez y Erazo Salas, y «Desafíos actuales del derecho a la protección de la salud en El Salvador», de Alfaro Alvarado. Ambos trabajos coinciden en señalar que el derecho sanitario requiere no solo un fundamento normativo, sino también de mecanismos efectivos de aplicación, especialmente en contextos de emergencia y en la protección de grupos en situación de vulnerabilidad. Considero fundamental profundizar en la educación sanitaria como complemento indispensable. Esta no se limita a la difusión de información, ya que constituye un proceso de alfabetización en salud, dirigido tanto a la población en general como a los actores que intervienen en el sistema sanitario.

Este estudio explora la influencia de cinco tipos de habilidades digitales (operativas, estratégicas, sociales de comunicación e información, y creativas) en el uso de las TIC para el trabajo escolar en México. La investigación utilizó datos de un análisis a gran escala de 4,990 registros de personas, en su mayoría niños, niñas y adolescentes, que eran usuarios frecuentes de las TIC y estaban inscritos en diferentes niveles educativos, según lo reportado por la Encuesta Nacional sobre Disponibilidad y Uso de Tecnologías de la Información en los Hogares (ENDUTIH) 2024. Los datos se analizaron utilizando un enfoque de múltiples etapas que combina un Modelo de Ecuaciones Estructurales de Mínimos Cuadrados Parciales (PLS-SEM) validado (R2 = 0.891), Análisis de Mapas de Importancia-Desempeño (IPMA) y Análisis de Condiciones Necesarias (NCA). Los resultados muestran diferencias en la influencia de las cinco habilidades digitales en el uso de las TIC para el trabajo escolar y, en particular, resaltan la importancia de las competencias operativas y la irrelevancia de las habilidades sociales. Los resultados del cIPMA proporcionan evidencia para respaldar el diseño de estrategias de integración de tecnología en las escuelas. Este trabajo concluye que, si bien una sólida base en habilidades operativas es un prerrequisito esencial para el uso académico de las TIC en México, la falta sistemática de desarrollo de competencias creativas y estratégicas de alto nivel está frenando el potencial de los estudiantes. Para ello, se sugieren algunas líneas de investigación futuras, incluyendo la integración efectiva de las redes sociales en las prácticas docentes escolares.

This paper presents a machine learning-based approach for analyzing and predicting the behavior of electrical frequency in the El Salvador power grid using data collected from a Frequency Disturbance Recorder (FDR). The research is based on previous studies on the statistical and temporal analysis of frequency data, integrating predictive modeling techniques to improve understanding and forecasting capabilities. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network was implemented to process high-resolution time-series data collected between September 2022 and June 2023. Data were preprocessed by resampling, normalization, and conversion to optimize computational efficiency. The LSTM model demonstrated strong predictive capabilities, particularly at smaller time intervals, achieving a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.01 and a coefficient of determination (R<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup>) of 0.8375 with resampled data of 6 seconds. However, limitations in the performance of the model were observed with resampled data on an hourly basis, highlighting challenges in capturing long-term dependencies. The study contributes to ongoing efforts to utilize advanced machine learning techniques to monitor the power of the system and emphasizes the potential for scalable and efficient predictive solutions.

Banana pseudostem is an abundant lignocellulosic residue with potential for value-added applications. This study evaluated five banana varieties to determine their suitability for bioplastic production, with Williams showing the highest cellulose yield (26.99% ± 0.23). Cellulose extracted from this variety was combined with corn-starch (1:1 w/w) to synthesize a bioplastic through gelatinization and lyophilization. FTIR confirmed effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose from the pseudostem and evidenced new hydrogen-bond interactions between cellulose and starch through O–H band shifts (3335 → 3282 cm−1). SEM revealed a porous laminar morphology with cellulose particles (40–52 µm) embedded within the starch matrix. DSC analysis showed that the bioplastic exhibits an intermediate thermal profile between its components, while mechanical compression increased the endothermic transition temperature (from 69 °C to 85 °C) and reduced molecular mobility. Tensile testing demonstrated that compression markedly improved mechanical performance, increasing tensile strength from 0.094 MPa to 0.69 MPa and density from 110 to 638.7 kg/m3. These findings indicate that cellulose–starch bioplastics derived from banana pseudostem possess favorable structural, thermal, and mechanical characteristics for short-use applications. The approach also contributes to the valorization of agricultural waste through biodegradable material development.

Introduction: Addictions pose a major global health and socioeconomic challenge. Treatment strategies include pharmacological interventions, deep brain stimulation, and ablative procedures. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as a noninvasive, precise option for addiction management. nderstanding the anatomy and connectivity of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is key to refining radiosurgical targets and improving outcomes.Method: Diffusion tensor imaging from 3T and 1.5T MRI scanners was obtained in five healthy subjects using T1 and T2 sequences. Images were fused with autosegmentation of the NAc, ventral tegmental area (VTA), amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and periventricular gray (PVG). The insula, medial/lateral orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were manually drawn. Connectivity to the NAc was visually assessed with fractional anisotropy thresholds (20–10). The five densest fiber tracts guided target selection, aligned to the anterior–posterior commissure, and transferred to Gamma Plan for radiosurgical planning.Results: The strongest connections were between the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), hypothalamus, VTA, PVG, and amygdala with the NAc. The mOFC–NAc and hippocampus–NAc tracts were the most and least robust, respectively. Derived stereotactic coordinates supported connectome-based targeting, proposing a 90 Gy dose to the NAc shell and aligning the 20 Gy isodose for neuromodulation. The right and left NAc received &gt; 20 Gy in 75.2% and 55.6% of their volumes, while the optic apparatus received ≤ 5.4 Gy (Dmax).Discussion: The NAc, within the ventral striatum, integrates limbic, cognitive, and motor inputs regulating reward and motivation. Its shell and core subregions differ functionally, with the shell showing dense dopaminergic input from the VTA and high sensitivity to reinforcement stimuli. Chronic substance exposure induces neuroplastic changes underlying compulsive behaviors, making the NAc shell a rational neurosurgical target. DBS, radiofrequency ablation, and SRS have yielded variable but promising results in refractory opioid and alcohol dependence. Advances in diffusion imaging now enable precise mapping of NAc connectivity and subregion-specific targeting. High-dose (up to 90 Gy) LINAC-based radiosurgery has shown safety and potential for radiomodulation, highlighting the therapeutic promise of anatomically informed, connectivity-guided interventions.Conclusions: Addiction remains a pervasive disorder with high relapse rates despite medical and behavioral therapies. Radiosurgery, a time-tested and safe functional technique, may offer a new treatment alternative. Connectivity-based SRS using commercial planning software allows visualization and autosegmentation of key NAc connections, supporting patient-specific, circuit-informed targeting in addiction neuromodulation.

Although Corchorus olitorius has been traditionally used in folk medicine for various purposes for a long time and has components that may have antiviral effects, there is not much scientific data to support any particular antiviral effects of the plant. More research is required to investigate its antiviral effectiveness against certain viral infections and to comprehend the underlying mechanisms.The goals of this research were to create biodegradable and partially soluble polymeric nanoparticles (polylactide-co-glycolide- poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles) (PLGA-PCL NPs) loaded with C. olitorius (referred to as C.O./PLGA-PCL-NPs) and to examine their potential impact against the Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) virus. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to chemically characterize the fixed oil of the shrub Corchorus olitorius (C. olitorius, family Malvaceae). Additionally, we used all the components identified in an in silico molecular docking investigation, screening them against HSV-1 DNA polymerase (PDB ID: 2GV9) and thymidine kinase from HSV-1 complexed with 5-iododeoxyuridine (HSV-1 TK; PDB ID: 1KI7). The possibility of using Corchorus olitorius oil (C.O.) to cure Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is examined in this study. C.O., a plant oil rich in fatty acids and sterols, was encapsulated in nanoparticles (NPs) made from a blend of polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymers. We optimized the formulation to create NPs with minimal clumping, a small size, and a stable electrical charge. The optimized NPs displayed a spherical morphology with minimal agglomeration, the smallest hydrodynamic size (151.2 ± 0.24 nm), the lowest polydispersity index (0.326 ± 0.04), and the highest ζ potential -25.6 ± 0.04 mV) compared to other formulations. These NPs effectively trapped C.O. (77.5 ± 0.44%) and released it gradually (89 ± 0.98%) over 72 h. Both C.O. and the C.O.-loaded NPs displayed significant antiviral activity against HSV-1. To understand this effect, we built a network analysis of HSV-1 genes and identified potential interactions between C.O. components and these genes. The top 10 hub genes, AKT1, TNF, EGFR, STAT3, SRC, BCL2, IL1B, HSP90AA1, PPARG, and MTOR, are reported. Additionally, computer modeling predicted how the chemical compounds of C.O. might interact with a key HSV-1 enzyme. These findings suggest that C.O./PLGA-PCL NPs hold promise as a new treatment for HSV-1 infections.

Objetivo: explorar la percepción sobre la salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR) de hombres que se desarrollan en entornos universitarios predominantemente masculinos. Material y método: estudio cualitativo exploratorio, basado en el paradigma interpretativo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a once estudiantes de sexo masculino de la Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas de la Universidad de Chile, seleccionados mediante muestreo por conveniencia. El análisis se efectuó por medio un análisis de contenido inductivo, con codificación temática y triangulación de investigadoras. El estudio contó con aprobación ética y consentimiento informado. Resultados: se identificaron tres categorías principales: concepción e interés sobre la SSR, autocuidado y responsabilidad y el rol de la masculinidad como barrera o facilitador del acceso a la atención, información y accionar personal sobre la SSR. Se evidenció desconocimiento, escaso interés inicial y una delegación persistente de la responsabilidad en SSR hacia el sexo femenino. Los participantes reconocen una baja percepción de riesgo y un acceso limitado a la atención en salud, lo que afecta su involucramiento. Se valoraron positivamente instancias de movilización social como espacios de educación no formal. Conclusión: los hombres aún se relacionan con la SSR desde una posición periférica, delegando su responsabilidad a mujeres, lo que impacta negativamente en su salud. Se requiere incorporar enfoques de género y de masculinidades en las políticas públicas y servicios de salud para avanzar hacia la equidad y corresponsabilidad en SSR.

Abstract Introduction Chagas disease (ChD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, leads to progressive cardiac damage driven by both parasite-induced and host immune-mediated mechanisms, yet contemporary human patient data remain limited in translating these findings into clinical practice. Given the underrepresentation of Central America—particularly El Salvador—in prior ChD human research, we conducted a cross-sectional study to identify clinical and laboratory markers that could guide treatment strategies for ChD patients in this region. Methods Clinical information and biological specimen were collected from Salvadorian patients with suspected Chagas disease. Blood and plasma were tested for parasitemia and laboratory markers, respectively. Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) definition was based on age-adjusted NT-proBNP thresholds. Results 191/200 (95.5%) were confirmed Chagas seropositive. 116/191 (61%) reported receipt of trypanocidals. Patients with CCM (35/191 [18%]) were older (median 57 [IQR 45–68] vs 40 [33–50], p&amp;lt;0.0001), more arrhythmic (37% vs 16%, p=0.009), and showed reduced ejection fraction (n=83) [%] (55 [48–58] vs 63 [59–68], p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients with CCM more frequently had elevated Troponin I (29% vs 1.3%, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and persistent parasitemia (23% vs 7.1%, p=0.010), showed higher anti-trypanosoma IgG [S/CO] (13 [12–15] vs 8.7 [5.8–12], p&amp;lt;0.0001), and were less likely to have received past trypanocidal therapy (43% vs 65%, p=0.021). After adjusting for age and sex, multivariate logistic regression confirmed the same variables as independent predictors of CCM. Discussions Our results depict significant morbidity among Salvadorian patients with Chagas disease. Clinical correlates of progression to CCM with risk stratification potential were determined.