Título del artículo:

Virulence Profiles of Salmonella enterica Isolated from Three Food Matrices Collected from Retail Markets

Salmonella enterica is one of the most common foodborne pathogens associated with the consumption of contaminated porcine, dairy, and avian products. Nontyphoidal Salmonella is a major cause of bacterial diarrhea, responsible for ∼150 million cases and 60,000 deaths annually. The main goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and to establish the virulence profile (VP) from genes (avrA, invE, ssaD, sseF, ssaQ, ttrC) and plasmid genes (pefA, spvB, spvC) in isolates obtained from cheese, chicken, and pork sold in food markets in Barrancabermeja, Colombia. A survey was conducted on 100 samples each matrix. The detection of Salmonella spp. followed the ISO 6579:2017 standards modified, and isolates were confirmed using the invA gene. In addition, single polymerase chain reaction assays were developed to detect the nine virulence genes. Salmonella spp. was found in 62%, 32%, and 14% of pork, chicken, and cheese samples, respectively. A total of 277 isolates were biochemically, serologically, and molecularly compatible with Salmonella spp. The most representative serogroups were C and B. Forty-seven combinations of virulence gene were detected; 53.5% of the pork isolates, 46.2% of the cheese isolates, and 39% of the chicken isolates were distributed among VP1, VP2, and VP3 suggesting a higher pathogenic potential. In addition, seven isolates harbored plasmid-encoded virulence genes (spvB and spvC), which are associated with increased invasiveness. The results revealed a higher prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pork and chicken compared with other studies conducted in Colombia. The serogroups identified include serovars that more frequently affect humans Salmonella Enteriditis, Salmonella Newport, and Salmonella Typhimurium. The isolations have the majority of the virulence genes studied. These findings highlight the need to improve control measures and educate food handlers to minimize the presence of Salmonella spp. and its potential transmission.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease

Título del artículo:

Types of Coercive Practices, Disability and Days in Crisis in People With Suicide Attempts in Latin American

The present study aimed to identify the types of coercive practices in healthcare services and to analyze their relationship with psychosocial disability and days in crisis among individuals with suicide attempts in Colombia. A mixed-methods design was adopted. The quantitative component consisted of an analytical cross-sectional study with a stratified sample of 622 individuals, using validated instruments to assess depressive symptoms, resilience, subjective well-being, loneliness, continuity of care and psychosocial disability. The qualitative component involved 30 semi-structured interviews, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Multivariate analysis explained 45.1% of the variance in days in crisis. Coercive practices were significantly associated with higher levels of psychosocial disability, more severe depressive symptoms, and lower scores in resilience and subjective well-being (p <.001). Qualitative findings revealed perceptions of dehumanizing treatment, normalization of coercion by health personnel and disruption of the therapeutic relationship. Coercive practices represent a risk factor for psychosocial recovery.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Community Mental Health Journal

Título del artículo:

Visual and bibliometric analysis of interventions based on Equine-Assisted Therapy

Background: Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) stands out for its benefits for people with various health conditions, not only disabilities but also general health issues, contributing to the development of specific competencies. Objective: This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the literature on equine therapy, evaluating the scientific landscape, emerging trends, and collaboration networks to guide future research and practices in this field. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database, which includes more than 16000 scientific journals. Results: The search, conducted between 2000 and 2024, identified 332 articles on equine therapy in rehabilitation, of which 233 met the selection criteria. Most studies were conducted in the United States, followed by Brazil and Korea. The average age of the articles is 7.21 years, and the average number of citations per document is 26.87. The most prominent journals were Pediatric Physical Therapy and Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, while authors such as Kwon Jeong-Yi and Lee Ji Young stood out for their collaborations. Conclusion: EAT is gaining recognition as an effective intervention, especially in physical and neurological rehabilitation. The growing international collaboration and the quality of the research highlight the global interest in this area, with a significant contribution from researchers across various regions to the knowledge of the field.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Salud Uninorte

Título del artículo:

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION IN VENEZUELA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Geothermal energy is a useful source for the generation of electricity, heat, cooling, mineral extraction, oxygen, and hydrogen. For several decades, Venezuela has focused its energy model on its immense hydrocarbon reserves. Nevertheless, the need to diversify energy sources for the transition to net-zero carbon emissions entails considering the potential of renewable geothermal resources that have been largely exploited for recreational purposes until now (i.e., thermal waters), as well as exploring the geothermal characteristics of potential hydrocarbon deposits. The objective of this article is to perform a state-of-the-art investigation of the geothermal resources available in Venezuela (i.e., hydrothermal reservoirs, hot dry rocks, hydrocarbon reservoirs with high water cut production and at high temperature, among others), along with existing exploitation techniques for the generation of geothermal energy in the country. This article reviews the prevailing physics of geothermal reservoirs (fluid flow in porous media, heat transfer, the thermodynamics of fluids, chemical reactions, etc.), and international geothermal techniques such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems, Closed-Loop Geothermal systems, the integration of the organic Rankine cycle and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer to produce electricity and hydrogen, mineral extraction, geothermal CO2 plume for CO2 emission management, among others. Based on available technical reports, each method will be discussed in terms of its underlying technique, as well as its environmental impact. The results of this review indicate that within the scenarios that could be predicted in Venezuela for geothermal power generation are the following: the production of electricity and hydrogen from hydrothermal and/or aquifer systems, the conversion of depleted/abandoned oil and gas wells or high-water cut reservoirs to geothermal, combination of geothermal and CO2 storage/management, or other potential energy sources like hydrogen, together with mineral extraction from the produced water. Results based on international experiences indicate the importance of considering physicochemical and geochemical reactions, as well as an adequate heat transfer from reservoir to surface equipment, which can have an impact on the efficiency and cost of the processes. This article will provide one of the strategic tools to help in the exploitation of renewable geothermal resources in Venezuela and the transition to decarbonization. It opens up opportunities for the development of geothermal resources in the country where up to now these resources have remained underexploited. It also brings in international experiences on geothermal technologies to promote field applications and practical implementation of this technology in Venezuela.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering OMAE

Título del artículo:

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCED WATER IN VENEZUELA’S MAJOR HYDROCARBON BASINS (EASTERN VENEZUELA AND MARACAIBO BASINS): EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION, GEOTHERMAL ENERGY AND MINERAL EXTRACTION

Sustainable water management in hydrocarbon production poses a significant challenge for Venezuela\'s oil and gas industry, particularly in the Eastern Venezuela and Maracaibo basins. Traditionally, the water lifecycle in the hydrocarbon industry has focused on phase separation (e.g., hydrocarbons and solids), treatment (e.g., emulsions), transport, disposal, storage, and utilization. However, water valorization techniques for renewable energy production have yet to be fully explored. This article introduces a workflow for hydrogen production, geothermal energy generation, and valuable mineral extraction from produced water in Venezuela, aiming to enhance water resource utilization and diversify energy sources with a low environmental impact. A comprehensive review is conducted on available information, including published technical reports and scientific publications, production profiles, and physicochemical water analyses. The conversion of existing wells in high-water zones and/or aquifers is emphasized, along with the techniques for hydrogen production through water electrolysis. The review also explores potential formations containing valuable metals and minerals, together with the techniques—both research-focused and industrial—used for the extraction and production of electrolytic hydrogen and minerals like lithium. Key factors influencing these processes are also identified. The results of this study suggest that several potential scenarios for managing produced water in Venezuela include hydrogen production, the use of geothermal energy through existing wells (with possible reconditioning), mineral extraction from produced brines, the application of alternative enhanced/improved oil recovery (EOR/IOR) processes, water use for agricultural purposes, among others. Current findings highlight the importance of considering physicochemical and geochemical reactions—such as precipitation of solids, scaling, mineralization, acid gas generation, and corrosion—along with the selection of suitable materials, management and storage of acidic gases, electrolyzer efficiency, and an effective underground-surface heat transfer system. These factors are crucial as they directly affect the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the processes.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering OMAE