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    Item type:Publication,
    Multilevel barriers to clinical and nutritional research in Latin America: a socioeconomic comparative analysis
    (Frontiers Media SA, 2025-12-31)
    Evelyn Frias-Toral
    ;
    Jaime Angamarca-Iguago
    ;
    Isabel Calvo Higuera
    ;
    Jorge Carriel-Mancilla
    ;
    Guillermo Contreras
    Clinical and nutritional research in Latin America faces significant challenges that limit scientific development and evidence-based healthcare. Understanding these barriers is essential for developing effective strategies to enhance research capacity in the region. This study aimed to identify multilevel barriers to clinical and nutritional research in Latin America and compare them between countries of different socioeconomic levels. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 327 healthcare professionals involved in clinical and nutritional research across Latin America. Data collection occurred via an online survey in which participants rated the importance of 16 potential barriers on a 3-point Likert scale. Analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests to compare barriers between upper-middle and lower-middle-income countries, logistic regression to identify predictors of research participation, and k-means cluster analysis to identify researcher profiles. Results Funding (84.4%), research materials (71.6%), and time constraints (70.9%) emerged as the most significant barriers across all countries. Three barriers showed statistically significant differences between income levels: participant commitment (73.6% vs. 42.6%, < 0.001), frequent appointments (56.6% vs. 37.8%, = 0.02), and language barriers (39.6% vs. 22.9%, = 0.02), all of which were higher in lower-middle-income countries. Logistic regression identified the importance of research materials (OR = 0.36, = 0.002) and telemedicine (OR = 1.74,  = 0.044) as significant predictors of research participation. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct researcher profiles based on barrier perception patterns. Conclusion Multilevel barriers to research in Latin America are dominated by universal resource constraints (funding, materials, time), with lower-middle-income countries facing additional challenges in participant engagement and study logistics. The relative homogeneity of most barriers across income groups suggests that regional and institutional factors may be more influential than national income levels. These findings provide a foundation for developing targeted strategies to strengthen research capacity and infrastructure across Latin America.
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    Item type:Publication,
    Quality Assessment of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management and Surgical Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
    (Wiley, 2025-01-10)
    Mario Vásquez-Peralta
    ;
    Alison Simancas-Racines
    ;
    Juan Marcos Parise-Vasco
    ;
    Camila Montesinos-Guevara
    ;
    Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are tools developed to support evidence‐based decision making in healthcare. However, despite the availability of CPGs for the surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence (FSUI), their methodological quality has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the methodological quality of published guidelines for the surgical management of FSUI using the AGREE II tool. A systematic search of CPGs published between 2017 and 2023 was performed in databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Trip Medical Database. Data extraction and guideline selection were performed independently by two reviewers, as was the assessment using the AGREE II instrument. Of 1459 initial records, six guidelines met the eligibility criteria. The scores for each domain evaluated were as follows: scope and purpose (45.83%; SD: 22.69), stakeholder participation (30.56%; SD: 29.03), development (48.56%; SD: 30.42), presentation clarity (58.80%; SD: 22.25), applicability (24.04%; SD: 26.36), and editorial independence (44.87%; SD: 32.88). One of the six included CPGs was rated as high quality and recommended for clinical practice. Three CPGs with modifications were recommended because there were still areas that needed improvement to enhance their quality, and two CPGs were not recommended for clinical practice because the six domains evaluated scored below 60%. According to these findings, it is essential that new CPGs developed for the surgical management of FSUI adhere to greater methodological rigor to ensure that recommendations are based on the best available evidence. Furthermore, guidelines should take into account patient values and clinical expertise to improve and facilitate effective healthcare decision making.
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    Signals for Muscular Protein Turnover and Insulin Resistance in Critically Ill Patients: A Narrative Review
    (MDPI AG, 2023-02-21)
    Sebastián P. Chapela
    ;
    ;
    Martha Montalvan
    ;
    Evelyn Frias-Toral
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    Alison Simancas-Racines
    <jats:p>Sarcopenia in critically ill patients is a highly prevalent comorbidity. It is associated with a higher mortality rate, length of mechanical ventilation, and probability of being sent to a nursing home after the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Despite the number of calories and proteins delivered, there is a complex network of signals of hormones and cytokines that affect muscle metabolism and its protein synthesis and breakdown in critically ill and chronic patients. To date, it is known that a higher number of proteins decreases mortality, but the exact amount needs to be clarified. This complex network of signals affects protein synthesis and breakdown. Some hormones regulate metabolism, such as insulin, insulin growth factor glucocorticoids, and growth hormone, whose secretion is affected by feeding states and inflammation. In addition, cytokines are involved, such as TNF-alpha and HIF-1. These hormones and cytokines have common pathways that activate muscle breakdown effectors, such as the ubiquitin–proteasome system, calpain, and caspase-3. These effectors are responsible for protein breakdown in muscles. Many trials have been conducted with hormones with different results but not with nutritional outcomes. This review examines the effect of hormones and cytokines on muscles. Knowing all the signals and pathways that affect protein synthesis and breakdown can be considered for future therapeutics.</jats:p>
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    Avian Influenza: Strategies to Manage an Outbreak
    <jats:p>Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious disease among the poultry population with high avian mortality, which generates significant economic losses and elevated costs for disease control and outbreak eradication. AI is caused by an RNA virus part of the Orthomyxoviridae family; however, only Influenzavirus A is capable of infecting birds. AI pathogenicity is based on the lethality, signs, and molecular characteristics of the virus. Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus has a low mortality rate and ability to infect, whereas the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus can cross respiratory and intestinal barriers, diffuse to the blood, damage all tissues of the bird, and has a high mortality rate. Nowadays, avian influenza is a global public health concern due to its zoonotic potential. Wild waterfowl is the natural reservoir of AI viruses, and the oral–fecal path is the main transmission route between birds. Similarly, transmission to other species generally occurs after virus circulation in densely populated infected avian species, indicating that AI viruses can adapt to promote the spread. Moreover, HPAI is a notifiable animal disease; therefore, all countries must report infections to the health authorities. Regarding laboratory diagnoses, the presence of influenza virus type A can be identified by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), immunofluorescence assays, and enzyme-linked immunoadsorption assay (ELISAs). Furthermore, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is used for viral RNA detection and is considered the gold standard for the management of suspect and confirmed cases of AI. If there is suspicion of a case, epidemiological surveillance protocols must be initiated until a definitive diagnosis is obtained. Moreover, if there is a confirmed case, containment actions should be prompt and strict precautions must be taken when handling infected poultry cases or infected materials. The containment measures for confirmed cases include the sanitary slaughter of infected poultry using methods such as environment saturation with CO2, carbon dioxide foam, and cervical dislocation. For disposal, burial, and incineration, protocols should be followed. Lastly, disinfection of affected poultry farms must be carried out. The present review aims to provide an overview of the avian influenza virus, strategies for its management, the challenges an outbreak can generate, and recommendations for informed decision making.</jats:p>
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    Obesity and periodontitis: a comprehensive review of their interconnected pathophysiology and clinical implications
    (Frontiers Media SA, 2024-08-07) ; ;
    Natali González
    ;
    Alison Simancas-Racines
    ;
    Raynier Zambrano-Villacres
    Obesity and periodontitis are significant health problems with a complex bidirectional relationship. Excess body fat is linked to systemic diseases and can lead to persistent inflammation, potentially harming periodontal health. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of teeth, poses substantial health risks. Both conditions share pathological processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, which aggravate health status and make treatment more challenging. Understanding this interaction is crucial for developing effective management strategies for both diseases. This study explores the multifaceted aspects of obesity and periodontitis and their reciprocal relationship.
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    Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and its association with gastric cancer: health benefits from a Planeterranean perspective
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-05-21) ; ;
    Martha Montalvan
    ;
    Evelyn Frias-Toral
    ;
    Alison Simancas-Racines
    The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has garnered increasing attention for its potential protective effects against gastric cancer (GC). The MD’s rich content of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds contributes to its ability to modulate gene expression, inhibit tumor growth, and regulate apoptosis. Studies have shown significant reductions in inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) among individuals adhering to the MD, suggesting its pivotal role in mitigating chronic inflammation-associated with cancer development. Furthermore, the MD’s anti-angiogenic properties, particularly in components like olive oil, red wine, fish, and tomatoes, offer promising avenues for reducing GC risk by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Additionally, the MD’s influence on intestinal microbiota composition underscores its potential in maintaining immune homeostasis and reducing systemic inflammation, factors crucial in GC prevention. Despite challenges such as variability in dietary adherence scoring systems and the need for further gender and geographical-specific studies, evidence supports the MD as a cost-effective and holistic approach to GC prevention. Emphasizing the role of nutrition in public health is a promising strategy with broad implications for global health and cancer prevention initiatives. Therefore, this review explores the multifaceted impacts of the MD on GC prevention, delving into its anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and molecular mechanisms.
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    Obesity and Obesity-Related Thyroid Dysfunction: Any Potential Role for the Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD)?
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-03-25)
    Sebastián Pablo Chapela
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    Alison Simancas-Racines
    ;
    Florencia Ceriani
    ;
    Andrés Luciano Nicolas Martinuzzi
    ;
    María Paula Russo
    This review aims to explore in-depth the different aspects of the association between very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), obesity and obesity-related thyroid dysfunction Recent Findings The VLCKD, proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for the management of certain chronic diseases, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Initially used to treat epilepsy, it has been shown to be effective in controlling body weight gain and addressing various pathophysiological conditions. Research has shown that a low-calorie, high-fat diet can affect thyroid hormone levels. Weight loss can also influence thyroid hormone levels. Studies have suggested that long-term use of VLCKD for refractory epilepsy may be related to the development of hypothyroidism, with an effect seen in various populations. In particular, women with obesity following VLCKD tend to have reduced T3 levels. Summary We propose further research to unravel the underlying mechanisms linking VLCKD to obesity and obesity-related thyroid dysfunction