ABSTRACT Objective To describe the psychosocial factors in the dimensions of work demands in the residents of medical specialties in Barranquilla. Methods A qualitative study with phenomenological methodology in residents of medical specialties assigned to an Institution of Higher Education in Barranquilla. Through the in-depth interviews, the experiences, experiences, and considerations manifested in their daily lives and mental health were collected, in the face of the situations, they face daily in their training in the work context amid the execution of their operational responsibilities. Results The five most outstanding dimensions were concentrated in the domain demands of work, with 266 testimonies demands of emotional self-control, followed by 237 in the dimension quantitative demands, 165 in demands of mental load, 152 in environmental demands and of physical effort, and 142 in demands of responsibility of the position. Conclusions It is important to review the burdens of work demands throughout the course of the residency of the medical-surgical specialties to reduce psychosocial risks in the performance of their functions.

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir los factores psicosociales en las dimensiones demandas de trabajo en los residentes de especialidades médicas en Barranquilla. Métodos Estudio cualitativo con metodología fenomenológica en residentes de especialidades médicas adscritos a una institución de educación superior en Barranquilla. Mediante entrevistas en profundidad se recogieron las experiencias, vivencias y consideraciones manifestadas en su vida cotidiana y en su salud mental, frente a las situaciones que afrontan a diario en su formación en el contexto laboral en medio de la ejecución de sus responsabilidades operativas. Resultados En el dominio de demandas de trabajo se concentraron las cinco dimensiones más sobresalientes, con 266 testimonios-demandas de autocontrol emocional; seguidos de 237 en la dimensión demandas cuantitativa; 165, en demandas de carga mental; 152, en demandas ambientales y de esfuerzo físico; y 142, en exigencias de responsabilidad del cargo. Conclusiones Es importante revisar las cargas de las demandas de trabajo a lo largo del curso de la residencia de las especialidades medico quirúrgicas para disminuir los riesgos psicosociales en el desempeño de sus funciones.

ABSTRACT The pioneer of Preceramic archaeology in Peru, Frédéric Engel (1981: 24), argued that archaeologicalsitedistributionduring theEarlyHolocene, wasdefinedby the fogoasissituation’of lomas -the seasonal oases sustained by ocean fogs that flourish along the arid Pacific coast ofPeru- a proposition that remains much debated. Here we reassess Engel’s ideas using archaeological findings from Middle Preceramic archaeological sites (to c. 4500 cal BP) from alongside and within the lomas of the south coastof Peru.

Resumen Frédéric Engel (1981:24), el pionero de los estudios del Precerámico en el Perú, argumentó que la distribución de los sitios arqueológicos durante el Holoceno temprano fue determinada por“la capacidad de las lomas” -oasis estacionales producidos por la humedad oceánica que estánpresentes a lo largo de la costa del Perú- una proposición que aún se encuentra en debate. Nosotros evaluaremos las ideas de Engel basándonos en datos de sitios arqueológicos del PrecerámicoMedio (hasta 4500 años cal AP) ubicados dentro y cerca de las lomas de la costa sur del Perú.

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar las percepciones de la enfermedad que se asocian con hábitos de vida saludable en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas en Medellín y municipios aledaños. Método: Estudio prospectivo correlacional basado en la aplicación del cuestionario breve de percepciones de la enfermedad (BIPQ), cuestionario de la salud del paciente (PHQ-9), cuestionario de ansiedad generalizada (GAD-7) y un cuestionario de hábitos de vida saludable. Participaron 51 pacientes con diferentes enfermedades crónicas: migraña, cáncer de seno, diabetes, artritis reumatoide, enfermedad cardiovascular e hipertensión arterial primaria. La evaluación de los hábitos de vida saludable se llevó a cabo tres meses después. Resultados: Se encontró que en promedio los participantes comprenden su enfermedad (M = 8,09, D.T. = 2,48), perciben que sus acciones (M = 7,06, D.T. = 2,79) y el tratamiento (M = 7,89, D.T. = 2,69) la controlan y que esta tiene un carácter crónico (M = 7,49, D.T. = 3,16); que hay correlaciones entre los hábitos de vida saludables (HVS) con la percepción de consecuencias de forma negativa, y la identidad y preocupación emocional de manera positiva (p < 0,05). Además, que una relación lineal entre las consecuencias (Beta = 0,391) y la preocupación emocional por la enfermedad (Beta = 0,311) con los HVS, F (5, 45) = 2,707, p < 0,05. Las proporciones de depresión y ansiedad en la muestra fueron similares a las de la población general. Conclusiones: La percepción de que una enfermedad tiene consecuencias negativas y la preocupación por esta lleva a la implementación de comportamientos saludables.

Abstract Objective: This paper aims to assess illness perceptions associated with healthy lifestyle habits in patients with chronic diseases in Medellin and surrounding municipalities. Method: A prospective correlational study was conducted using a brief illness perceptions questionnaire (BIPQ), a patient’s health questionnaire (PHQ-9), a generalized anxiety questionnaire (GAD-7) and a healthy habits questionnaire. 51 patients with different chronic diseases were sampled, illness such as: migraine, breast cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and primary arterial hypertension. The assessment of healthy lifestyle habits (HLH) was done three months later. Results: It was found, as a result, that people with chronic diseases understand their illness (M = 8.09, S.D. = 2.48); some of them perceive that their actions (M = 7.06, S.D. = 2.79) and others perceive that their treatment (M = 7.89, S.D. = 2.69) control their diseases and that they have a chronic nature (M = 7.49, S.D. = 3.16). Significant correlations were found between HLH and the perception of consequences in a negative way, and the emotional identity and concern in a positive way (p < 0.05). A linear relationship was found between consequences (Beta = 0.391) and the emotional concern (Beta = 0.311) for the disease with HLH, F (5. 45) = 2.707, p < 0.05. The proportion of depression and anxiety in the sample was similar to general population. Conclusions: The perception that a disease has negative consequences and the concern for it leads to the implementation of healthy behaviors.

Resumo Depressão e estresse têm sido associados ao prognóstico da Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde (QVRS). Contudo, não há clareza sobre quando os sintomas de depressão devem ser mensurados. Uma amostra de 177 pacientes com cardiopatia isquêmica foi acompanhada por 15 meses, para comparar o efeito do estresse e a depressão durante a internação e, três meses depois, avaliou-se a trajetória do componente físico da QVRS. Os resultados da comparação de duas curvas de crescimento latente mostraram que a depressão e o estresse pós-alta estão negativamente correlacionados com o componente físico da QVRS, e que os sintomas depressivos afetam negativamente o prognóstico desses pacientes.

Abstract Depression and stress have been related with poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) prognosis. However, it is not clear when these depressive symptoms should be measured. A sample of 177 Coronary Heart Disease patients were followed for 15 months aimed to compare the effect of depression and stress measure at time of hospitalization and three months later on the physical HRQoL trajectory. Linear growth models’ results showed that depression and stress after discharge are negatively correlated with the physical HRQoL and depressive symptoms negatively affect the prognosis of these patients.

BACKGROUND The current chemotherapy for Chagas disease is based on monopharmacology with low efficacy and drug tolerance. Polypharmacology is one of the strategies to overcome these limitations. OBJECTIVES Study the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of associations of benznidazole (Bnz) with three new synthetic T. cruzi-triosephosphate isomerase inhibitors, 2, 3, and 4, in order to potentiate their actions. METHODS The in vitro effect of the drug combinations were determined constructing the corresponding isobolograms. In vivo activities were assessed using an acute murine model of Chagas disease evaluating parasitaemias, mortalities and IgG anti-T. cruzi antibodies. FINDINGS The effect of Bnz combined with each of these compounds, on the growth of epimastigotes, indicated an additive action or a synergic action, when combining it with 2 or 3, respectively, and an antagonic action when combining it with 4. In vivo studies, for the two chosen combinations, 2 or 3 plus one fifth equivalent of Bnz, showed that Bnz can also potentiate the in vivo therapeutic effects. For both combinations a decrease in the number of trypomastigote and lower levels of anti-T. cruzi IgG-antibodies were detected, as well clear protection against death. MAIN CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the studied combinations could be used in the treatment of Chagas disease.

Interest in natural products as a source for innovation in drug discovery and agrochemicals is still growing worldwide. Natural products, whose immense diversity has been appreciated for many years, may become in a rich source of novel chemical structures. Our country is a rich source of both biological and chemical diversity which may be useful as a source of novel chemical structures. Even when natural products have been used as medicinal agents for many years in Cuba, their use as agrochemicals are still limited. Thus, the present review focuses on recent advances in the studies on natural products performed by the "Centro de Estudios de Productos Naturales, CEPN" during the past ten years, highlighting on those with potential use as biomedical and agrochemicals. 15 plant species were studied; Agave brittoniana Trel. Subsp. brachypus A Álvarez de Zayas (Agavaceae); Juniperus barbadensis L. var. Lucayana (Britt.) RP Adams (Cupressaceae); Melia azedarach Linn. (Meliaceae); Tectona grandis Linn. f. (Lamiaceae); Lantana camara Linn. (Verbenaceae); Lantana trifolia Cham. (Verbenaceae); Citrus sinensis (Linn.) Osbeck cv Valencia (Rutaceae); Maytenus buxifolia (A Rich) Griseb (Celastraceae); Maytenus elaeodendroides Griseb (Celastraceae); Maytenus urquiolae B Mory (Celastraceae); Solanum americanum W. Mill (Solanaceae); Thalassia testudinum Kon. (Hydrocharitaceae); Sesbania rostrata Bremek & Oberm (Fabaceae); Pluchea carolinensis G Don (Asteraceae) and Ageratina havanensis (HB & K) RM King & Robinson (Asteraceae). By means of a bio-guided fractionation, isolated structures as well as semi-purified fractions were assayed as antioxidant, antiparasitic, antibiotic, insecticides, antifungal, and skin regenerating and healing effects. The strategy employed allows us to discover novel secondary metabolites with potential for industrial development as pharmaceuticals and/or agrochemicals. Besides, in addition to the goal of discovering new bioactive agents, the presence of unique bioactive compounds notably contribute to increase the knowledge of plant species in Cuba.