University of Carabobo

The objective of this research is to describe emerging managerial leadership in learning organizations for the post-pandemic era. With a descriptive approach, sources of information available in Google Scholar were analyzed, selected according to the criteria of the research protocol, complemented with the hermeneutics-dialectics of authors based on their academic-professional experience. The managerial leader must possess technical and social skills, as well as competencies to master relationships and links by combining influence, objectives and processes from a social perspective that denotes his personal mastery. Adopt a participatory, resilient, stimulating and systemic leadership style to build a management style that recognizes that its collaborators are biopsychosocial, sensitive beings with new needs that demand meaning and purpose. As a human talent management strategy, it uses emotional salary aimed at promoting psychosocial well-being, attracting and retaining talent, improving quality of life and converting team members into partners of the organization, committed to generating profitable benefits that They will be shared. This promotes the creation of productive knowledge to promote change and adaptability in conditions of uncertainty, as a source of organizational learning that constitutes a sustainable competitive advantage for intelligent organizations.

En la tecnología educativa para la formación de los estudiantes de medicina, dentro del subsistema universitario, se va cerrando una brecha en el empleo de las tecnologías de cuarta dimensión como una nueva experiencia humana o, una nueva manera de formación, a través de la representación del ciberespacio. La metadimensionalidad de las TIC sumergen al usuario y lo hacen parte del proceso, dicho de otra manera, la cuarta dimensión tiene un grado de realidad en la educación médica por medio de visores tridimensionales y tetradimensionales del cuerpo humano. Con la fenomenología interpretativa como enfoque, se da paso al conocimiento para percibir una realidad en la educación médica del mañana, adoptándose como método el círculo hermenéutico que va del todo a las partes y de las partes al todo. Metadimensionalidad de las TIC, significa más allá de en cuanto a dimensión, para integrar plataformas digitales en una, representadas éstas por los metaversos, la bioimpresion, la georreferenciación satelital, la realidad aumentada, la realidad virtual, la proyección holográfica, entre otras tecnologías emergentes. Así el estudiante en su proceso de formación complementa con estos circuitos de tecnología, para un aprendizaje significativo en Ciencias de la Salud.

Se plantea el diseño de un laboratorio de servicio itinerante para el desarrollo del concepto de promoción de la investigación científica sobre criterios de responsabilidad social y ecológica - RSE. La metodología consiste en un conjunto de ensayos de ciencia con propósito para generar la propuesta de una plataforma de investigación, basado en estaciones para el estudio de principios físicos, herramientas de monitoreo y entrenamiento de modelos en línea, a fin de facilitar el estudio de casos de forma remota. Entre los hallazgos se encuentra la correlación de ciencias aplicadas para rehabilitación de mascotas, optimización de sistemas de energías renovables, turismo científico, rehabilitación de condiciones ambientales en modelos de glaciación, reciclaje inteligente de componentes electrónicos en nuevas tecnologías, valorización cultural en la enseñanza de la física, modelado matemático remoto y educación en valores con ciencia. Lo que permite concluir que la propuesta puede ser presentada a empresas como modelo de tecnología circular y líneas de I+D+i, en el marco de programas de RSE.

Entrepreneurship serves as a pivotal force for innovation and sustainable development. Today, its influence on wealth generation, job creation, and national economic growth is indisputable. Understanding the entrepreneurial profiles and capacities of future professionals has become a priority within both academic and business realms. While there is substantial research evidence highlighting the impact of entrepreneurship on the business sector, studies specifically examining university contexts worldwide are limited, particularly in developing nations. This study aimed to characterize the entrepreneurial capacity profile of university students in Ecuador, a developing country in South America. Drawing from a literature review, we developed an instrument adapted from the theory of planned behavior (TPB), incorporating personal attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as determinants of entrepreneurial intention. This framework measures entrepreneurial capacity, integrating prominent entrepreneurial competencies identified in the literature as part of personal factors: problem-solving, creativity, financial management, leadership, negotiation, decision-making, self-confidence, and resilience. The instrument was administered to a sample of university students in Ecuador. Using statistical methods, we analyzed the relationships between demographics (age and gender), educational background (parents' education and occupation), the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and TPB factors-including personal attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control-on entrepreneurial intention. Key findings reveal that age, gender, parents' educational background, occupation, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem significantly influence the entrepreneurial intentions of university students. Within their entrepreneurial profiles, self-confidence, creativity, and decision-making skills emerged prominently, while financial management, negotiation, and problem-solving showed potential areas for development. These results offer valuable insights for updating academic programs to foster entrepreneurial intention in Ecuador and other developing countries. Theoretically, this study reinforces TPB as a foundational framework in entrepreneurship research, particularly underscoring the moderating role of sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, and educational level. Practically, it provides a quantitative measurement tool and a control variable for future studies aiming to identify entrepreneurial skills within regional contexts.

Introduction: metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a condition characterized by hepatic steatosis (HS) of metabolic origin. To predict it, HS serum indices (HSSI) have been proposed and validated, whose performance in indigenous populations is unknown. Objectives: to describe the variation of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) indicators according to four SHSI in indigenous Venezuelans of the Piaroa ethnic group, and to explore the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MAFLD in this population. Methodology: non-experimental, descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study, with non-probabilistic and intentional sampling, in 75 indigenous Piaroas adults (18 to 65 years). The HSSI were used: FLI (Fatty Liver Index), HSI (Liver Steatosis Index), LAP (Lipid Accumulation Product) and VAI (Visceral Adiposity Index). Results: FLI values were higher in men and LAP values in women. FLI, LAP and VAI were higher in individuals ≥ 40 years old. Individuals with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 showed higher FLI, HSI and LAP values compared to individuals with lower BMI. Depending on the applied HSSI, the frequency of NAFLD varied between 1.3% and 40.5%, while for MAFLD it was between 2.7 and 21.6%. Conclusion: the increase in HSSI was associated with changes in CMR indicators compatible with the presence of fatty liver. The study of the metabolic profile of HS in the Piaroas indigenous people must be expanded, in order to design better focused prevention and therapeutic strategies.

We report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) functionalized with L‐cysteine (Ag‐cys NPs) for colorimetric detection of contaminants: Hg ²⁺ , Pb ²⁺ , Cr ⁶⁺ (CrO 4 ²⁻ /Cr 2 O 7 ² ), and As ³⁺ in water samples. AgNPs synthesized were obtained in water from the mixture of the cationic and non‐ionic surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and nonylphenol ethoxylate (NP‐10), respectively. Physicochemical characterization demonstrated a monomodal distribution of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 8.25 nm. The stability of the Ag‐cys NPs was evaluated by determining the surface charge, which was found to be +27.95 mV, indicating the stability of Ag‐cys NPs against flocculation. The interaction between Ag‐cys NPs and solutions of contaminants was studied. This was done by measuring the shift in LSPR band of Ag NPs covered with cys in the region of 400–450 nm. We observed a change or disappearance of color visually, indicating aggregation or oxidation of the Ag NPs. Concentration of cys, as well as the pH of the nanoparticles, were crucial in studying the aggregation process. This is a preliminary study in search of benefits such as low cost, in situ usability, ease of use, and rapid response making it a potential alternative to traditionally employed spectroscopic methods.

Digital competencies represent students' ability to use technology and digital media interactively to enhance their learning experiences. Given their growing importance, there is a need to develop instruments that can be used in different contexts to measure them. This research aims to develop and validate an instrument to measure digital competencies in university students and identify the dimensions that characterize it. Based on a literature review, a scale is designed and validated with students from a Venezuelan university. As a result, a model of 22 variables grouped into four dimensions is presented: Communication and digital security, Access to digital content management, Creation of digital content and use of digital media, and Digital empathy, which can be applied in similar environments. The results of the tests demonstrate the scale's psychometric properties in terms of both validity and reliability.

The CHA2DS2-VASc score was created as a predictive instrument of risk of embolic stroke occurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), for therapeutic decisions. This score was not created as a tool to assess ischemic stroke severity in patients with AF, although the components of the score are associated with the formation, size, and growth of thrombus in the left atrium. Based on this, we assessed the possible utility of CHA2DS2-VASc score as a pre-dictor of ischemic stroke severity in patients with stroke and AF, using the sim-plified 6S score as an indicator. Observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study, in which the CHA2DS2-VASc score was evaluated concerning the degree of ischemic stroke severity, using the 6S score as a reference for correlation analysis in patients hospitalized with stroke and AF in the emergency room of the Ciudad Hospitalaria “Dr. Enrique Tejera”, from January- September 2022. The median age was 71 [41-76] years, 55.3% were female, 85.9% had hyperten-sion; 42.4% diabetes, 31.8% previous stroke; 14% heart failure and 16.5% had previous AF. Only 5.9% of the patients received anticoagulation when admitted. The median [p25-p75] was 5 [4-6] points for the CHA2DS2-VASc score and 11 [8-11] points for 6S score. Both scores had a significant association (19.2%, R = 0.19, p <0.001. This study using the 6S severity score as an indicator, showed that CHA2DS2-VASc, could be a useful clinical tool to predict stroke severity.

Cervical polyps are typically benign exophytic lesions that are often asymptomatic and small during pregnancy. However, they can occasionally cause significant symptoms, leading to gestational complications. A lack of awareness of this condition, combined with inadequate diagnosis and treatment, can pose risks to maternal and fetal health, potentially resulting in complications or pregnancy loss. This case report describes a 36-year-old primigravida at 23 weeks of gestation who presented with sudden vaginal bleeding. Physical examination revealed an exophytic cervical lesion, which was successfully treated with polypectomy, allowing the pregnancy to progress to term without further bleeding. This case underscores the importance of promptly diagnosing the etiology of vaginal bleeding in the second half of pregnancy and considering endocervical polyps as a potential cause, emphasizing early diagnosis and intervention to reduce maternal and fetal risks.

This study comprehensively describes the interaction between SiO2 spherical nanoparticles and water molecules as a solvent medium. Our goal is to provide valuable insights into the significance of nanoparticle size in understanding their behavior and the resulting changes in the physical properties of materials. Our results indicate that SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit a strong affinity for water, which increases with the nanoparticle size. Our investigation can be relevant for the design of new composite materials with applications ranging from medical prostheses to quantum electronics, optoelectronic devices, catalysis, and photoluminescence. We have concentrated on the study of the amorphous, where size effects seem to be more pronounced.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A key component is arteriopathy due to oxidative stress, involving homocysteine as a modifiable risk factor by supplementing folic acid. Hypothesis: This meta-analysis hypothesizes that folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by lowering homocysteine levels. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases up to March 18, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, comparing folic acid supplementation with placebo or alternative treatments in adult patients. The primary outcomes were impact on cardiovascular diseases, stroke, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and mortality. Data were extracted and analyzed using random-effects models to calculate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Our analysis included 16 studies with 39,034 participants meeting the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis found a statistically significant reduction in stroke risk [RR: 0.87; 95%CI: 0.79, 0.96; P = 0.004] and mortality [RR: 0.92; 95%CI: 0.85, 0.99; P = 0.01]. It showed no statistically significant risk reduction in cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, or peripheral arterial disease. Additionally, when evaluating its effectiveness on HDL and LDL, folic acid supplementation showed no statistically significant difference in any of these values between the studies. Conclusions: Folic acid supplementation showed efficacy in reducing the risk of stroke and mortality. However, future research is necessary to investigate homocysteine's role in cardiovascular diseases and events. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO registry— CRD42024525945.

Los agentes quimioterapéuticos Doxorrubicina y el Paclitaxel han sido cuestionados desde hace algún tiempo, por los efectos negativos observados en algunos pacientes cuando se usan en concentraciones altas, lo que ha limitado su uso. En función de esa problemática se planteó en este estudio determinar el efecto in vitro del extracto del Crotón malambo, en líneas celulares de cáncer humano, y su posible interacción con ambos fármacos. Se estudiaron los siguientes fármacos: Doxorrubicina y Paclitaxel, y el extracto de C. malambo en las líneas celulares de cáncer de mamá MCF-7 y de cáncer de próstata PC3. Se empleó Sulforodamina B para determinar citotoxicidad. Se analizó la naturaleza de las interacciones entre los productos naturales y los fármacos quimioterapéuticos calculando el correspondiente índice de combinación (CI). Se encontró que el extracto, no tiene efecto citotóxico y si un efecto citostático sobre las líneas celulares estudiadas. Las combinaciones Doxorrubicina/C. malambo, permitieron reducir la concentración del fármaco desde 3,9 hasta 4,8 veces para inhibir la viabilidad celular en un 50% en la línea PC3, mientras que para MCF-7, se obtuvo un índice de reducción de la dosis de 2,29. En lo que respecta a la combinación del extracto y Paclitaxel solo mostro efecto sinérgico sobre la viabilidad celular de la línea PC3. Los hallazgos encontrados muestran el potencial farmacológico del extracto del C. malambo y abren las puertas a nuevos estudios tanto in vitro como in vivo que puedan demostrar la capacidad para lograr sinergismo y reducir las concentraciones terapéuticas de ambos fármacos.

Background: The use of beta-blockers in the perioperative period has been widely investigated due to their potential to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and mortality; yet their overall impact on various postoperative outcomes remains debated. This study constitutes a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of beta-blockers on mortality, MI, stroke, and other adverse effects such as hypotension and bradycardia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed across PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases; we included randomized controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies published from 1999 to 2024. Results: This meta-analysis included data from 28 studies encompassing 1,342,430 patients. Perioperative beta-blockers were associated with a significant increase in stroke risk (RR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.97, p = 0.03, I2 = 62%). However, no statistically significant association was found between beta-blocker use and mortality (RR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.38 to 1.01, p = 0.05, I2 = 100%). Subgroup analyses revealed a protective effect on mortality for patients with high risks, such as patients with a history of atrial fibrillation, chronic heart failure, and other arrhythmias. For myocardial infarction (RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.53 to 1.28, p = 0.36, I2 = 86%), a reduction in events was observed in the subgroup of randomized controlled trials. Beta-blockers significantly increased the risk of hypotension (RR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.70, p < 0.01, I2 = 25%) and bradycardia (RR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.37 to 3.74, p < 0.01, I2 = 64%). Conclusion: Perioperative beta-blockers show increasing rates of stroke events following non-cardiac surgery but do not significantly impact the incidence of MI or mortality. The increased risks of hypotension and bradycardia necessitate careful patient selection and monitoring. Future research should aim to refine patient selection criteria and optimize perioperative management to balance the benefits and risks of beta-blocker use in surgical settings.

Glioblastoma is the most commonly occurring malignant brain tumor, with a high mortality rate despite current treatments. Its classification has evolved over the years to include not only histopathological features but also molecular findings. Given the heterogeneity of glioblastoma, molecular biomarkers for diagnosis have become essential for initiating treatment with current therapies, while new technologies for detecting specific variations using computational tools are being rapidly developed. Advances in molecular genetics have made possible the creation of tailored therapies based on specific molecular targets, with various degrees of success. This review provides an overview of the latest advances in the fields of histopathology and radiogenomics and the use of molecular markers for management of glioblastoma, as well as the development of new therapies targeting the most common molecular markers. Furthermore, we offer a summary of the results of recent preclinical and clinical trials to recognize the current trends of investigation and understand the possible future directions of molecular targeted therapies in glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND Anopheles darlingi is the most efficient vector of malaria parasites in the Neotropics. Nevertheless, the specificities of its larval habitats are still poorly known. OBJECTIVES Characterize permanent larval habitats, and population dynamics of An. darlingi and other potential vectors in relation to climate, physicochemical variables, insect fauna and malaria cases. METHODS A 14-month longitudinal study was conducted in Porto Velho, Rondônia, western Brazilian Amazon. Monthly, 21 permanent water bodies were sampled. Immature anophelines and associated fauna were collected, physicochemical characteristics, and climate variables were recorded and analyzed. FINDINGS Five types of habitats were identified: lagoon, stream, stream combined with lagoon, stream combined with dam, and fishpond. A total of 60,927 anophelines were collected. The most abundant species in all habitats were Anopheles braziliensis and An. darlingi. The highest density was found in the lagoon, while streams had the highest species richness. Abundance was higher during the transition period wet-dry season. There was a lag of respectively four and five months between the peak of rainfall and the Madeira River level and the highest abundance of An. darlingi larvae, which were positively correlated with habitats partially shaded, pH close to neutrality, increase dissolved oxygen and sulphates. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The present study provides data on key factors defining permanent larval habitats for the surveillance of An. darlingi and other potential vectors as well as a log-linear Negative Binomial model based on immature mosquito abundance and climate variables to predict the increase in the number of malaria cases.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading global health challenge, being a highly prevalent cancer and a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The incidence of CRC varies significantly between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with higher rates of incidence but lower mortality in HICs. Factors such as genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and dietary habits play significant roles in CRC development, with the Western diet and limited access to screening contributing to increased incidence. This review highlights disparities in CRC screening, management, and outcomes between HICs and LMICs, with HICs benefiting from advanced screening methods like colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, while LMICs face challenges due to limited healthcare infrastructure and resources. Tailored strategies, including low-cost screening options and community-based initiatives, are critical in LMICs to improve early detection and outcomes. Future directions for improving CRC care globally include telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and mobile health technologies to bridge access gaps, as well as personalized medicine to enhance treatment efficacy. Global collaboration and investment in healthcare infrastructure are necessary to reduce CRC-related mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Introducción: La toxocariasis es una zoonosis, producida principalmente por Toxocara canis y Toxocara cati, cuyos hospedadores definitivos son el perro y el gato, respectivamente. Clínicamente se describen varias formas de toxocariasis. El diagnóstico es complicado, la identificación del parásito en el humano no puede hacerse por el ciclo incompleto, y la demostración de los anticuerpos específicos es el método más confiable. En Venezuela los datos de prevalencia son muy escasos, por lo que el objetivo del trabajo fue establecer el diagnóstico de toxocariasis y su relación los factores de riesgo en preescolares internados en el Hospital Central de Maracay, Venezuela. Metodología: Se empleó la técnica de ELISA para determinar los anticuerpos IgG contra antígenos de excreción/secreción de Toxocara spp. Los representantes completaron un cuestionario y se les realizó a los niños recuento de leucocitos y eosinofilos, así como evaluación clínica por pediatras. Resultados: 52% de los niños presentaron anticuerpos anti-Toxocara spp. mostrando amplia distribución en el estado. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron: fiebre (50%), tos (50%) y palidez (47,4%), entre los factores de riesgo asociados se encontró consumo de agua de chorro y contacto con perros en visitas a áreas recreacionales. Conclusión: Los hallazgos muestran una alta frecuencia de toxocariasis en el estado Aragua de Venezuela, la condición socioeconómica y contacto con perros juegan un rol importante en la presencia de toxocariasis.