Understanding the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Venezuela

BACKGROUND

Despite nearly a quarter of Venezuelans remaining unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in the country have not been thoroughly investigated.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 15th to 30th, 2022, using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

RESULTS

The study analyzed data from 1,930 participants from all 24 states of Venezuela. The majority (93.4%) were vaccinated. The mean age was 40 years, predominantly female (67.3%), and held a university degree (70.6%). The mean KAP score was significantly higher among vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated ones (7.79 vs. 3.94 points for knowledge, 40 vs. 24 points for attitudes, and 16 vs. 10 points for practices, all p < 0.001). Increases in the scores for KAP were associated with increased odds of being vaccinated (84.6%, 25.6%, and 33% respectively for each one-point increase, all p < 0.001). Certain demographic factors such as marital status, occupation, religious beliefs, monthly income, and location influence COVID-19 vaccine knowledge. Higher income and certain occupations decrease the odds of low knowledge, while residing in specific states increases it. Attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine are influenced by age, health status, vaccination status, and location. Higher income and absence of certain health conditions decrease the odds of negative attitudes. Lastly, age, occupation, monthly income, and location affect vaccine practices. Advanced age and higher income decrease the odds of inappropriate practices, while residing in La Guaira state increases them.

CONCLUSION

Factors such as age, education level, occupation, monthly income, and location were found to be associated with knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine among the surveyed Venezuelans.

A proposal to evaluate the management of tuberculosis programs: a qualitative, evaluability assessment in the border region of Brazil and Venezuela

This study aims to analyze the feasibility of building an evaluative model for the management of the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program in the State of Roraima, located on the border between Brazil and Venezuela. This is an evaluability assessment, a type of study used as a pre-evaluation of the development and implementation stages of a program, as well as throughout its execution. The study was developed in stages comprising the: (i) definition of the intervention to be analyzed and its objectives and goals; (ii) construction of the intervention logical model; (iii) screening of parties interested in the evaluation; (iv) definition of the evaluative questions; and (v) design of the evaluation matrix. Four priority components were defined for the evaluation: management of the organization and implementation of tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control policy; epidemiological surveillance management; care network management; and management of expected/achieved results. In this model, and based on theoretical references, we defined the necessary resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and the expected impact for each of the policy management components. The management of the TB control program is feasible for evaluation based on the design of its components, the definition of structure and process indicators, and relevant results for the analysis of the management of TB prevention and control actions, as well as its influence on compliance with the agreed indicators and targets aiming at eradicating the disease by 2035.

Leveraging limited data from wildlife monitoring in a conflict affected region in Venezuela

Efficient monitoring of biodiversity-rich areas in conflict-affected areas with poor rule of law requires a combination of different analytical approaches to account for data biases and incompleteness. In the upland Amazon region of Venezuela, in Canaima National Park, we initiated biodiversity monitoring in 2015, but it was interrupted by the establishment of a large-scale mining development plan in 2016, compromising the temporal and geographical extent of monitoring and the security of researchers. We used a resource selection function model framework that considers imperfect detectability and supplemented detections from camera trap surveys with opportunistic off-camera records (including animal tracks and direct sighting) to (1) gain insight into the value of additional occurrence records to accurately predict wildlife resource use in the perturbated area (deforestation, fire, swidden agriculture, and human settlements vicinity), (2) when faced with security and budget constraints. Our approach maximized the use of available data and accounted for biases and data gaps. Adding data from poorly sampled areas had mixed results on estimates of resource use for restricted species, but improved predictions for widespread species. If budget or resources are limited, we recommend focusing on one location with both on-camera and off-camera records over two with cameras. Combining camera trap records with other field observations (28 mammals and 16 birds) allowed us to understand responses of 17 species to deforestation, 15 to fire, and 13 to swidden agriculture. Our study encourages the use of combinations of methods to support conservation in high-biodiversity sites, where access is restricted, researchers are vulnerable, and unequal sampling efforts exist.

Echinorhinus brucus (Bonnaterre, 1788) in the Caribbean Sea: A recurrent visitor, or are the artisanal fisheries exploiting deeper waters?

Documentation of Echinorhinus brucus, (Bonnaterre, 1788) in the western Atlantic primarily relies on chance observations. Georeferenced records in this area remain notably scarce. This study contributes the second Venezuelan and seventh Caribbean Sea specimens, increasing the western Atlantic count to 15 individuals. All specimens gathered here were sexually mature, with a slight dominance of females. Our bramble shark record appears to be driven more by the interplay of its biology and environmental factors than being a deliberate deep-sea fishery activity, which likely occurs in the Southern Caribbean area.

Is Eriocnemis luciani meridae (Aves: Trochilidae) a diagnosable taxon and does it come from Venezuela, with remarks on the collectors Salomn Briceo and Walther Frederick Henninger

Eriocnemis luciani meridae was originally described from a single specimen collected in the late 19th century in western Venezuela. Subsequently a second specimen of E. luciani, also labelled Venezuela, has been taken as additional proof for a highly disjunct population of this hummingbird, which otherwise ranges from southwest Colombia to southern Peru (taxonomy-dependent). Eriocnemis l. meridae has been accepted by all of the global checklists of birds, but has been routinely ignored by Venezuelan sources. In an effort to resolve this dichotomy of treatment, we re-examined the specimens plumage in comparison with relevant material in two major European bird collections. We found that the characters used to erect E. l. meridae are only doubtfully or weakly expressed in the holotype and appear invisible in the Ohio specimen, but both are clearly referrable to the species E. luciani. Evidence that the second specimen was definitely collected in Venezuela is weak and its overall provenance is unclear. In contrast, an extensive historical investigation of the relevant collectors indicates that the holotype does appear to have been taken in Venezuela, although perhaps not in the precise locality indicated for it. This leaves an unusual situation whereby we consider the case for a separate Venezuelan endemic taxon to be unproven, but there is no incontrovertible reason to exclude the species from the countrys avifauna; according to recent niche modelling data it is best searched for in the Sierra Nevada of Mrida state. In contrast, a second subspecies of E. luciani, E. l. baptistae, described by the same authors as endemic to part of western Ecuador is, according to our reappraisal, clearly diagnosable and is upheld.

Novel EDA mutations cause X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: the first study from Venezuela

We present what, to the best of our knowledge, is the first clinical and molecular genetic analysis of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia from the Venezuelan population. We analysed two families exhibiting classic clinical symptoms and identified a novel hemizygous EDA deletion (c.111delG) in one and a novel missense likely pathogenic variant (p.Gly192Glu) in the other.

An updated checklist of recent non-marine Ostracoda (Crustacea) from Venezuela

Information on the known species diversity of the non-marine ostracods in Venezuela is compiled from the available literature. The review resulted in 34 species and two varieties, belonging to the superfamilies Cypridoidea and Cytheroidea. Of these, the presence of one species should be confirmed for the country. Furthermore, eight taxonomic entities classified with open nomenclature are mentioned. As additional contributions to the annotated list, georeferences of the records are included, as well as amendments in names and information for some localities. Finally, information about the distribution of some species, which were erroneously assigned to other biogeographic areas, is clarified, which is essential to optimizing the accuracy of subsequent analyses.

Examining healthcare needs and decisions to seek health services among Venezuelan migrants living in Trinidad and Tobago using Andersen's Behavioral Model

Introduction

Beginning in 2016, Trinidad and Tobago experienced increasing flows of migrants and refugees from Venezuela. Through a Government Registration Exercise in 2019, followed by a Re-registration Exercise in 2020, migrants and refugees benefitted from access to publicly available primary care and emergency medical services. By applying Andersen's Behavioral Model for Health Service Use, our study examined the non-communicable disease care needs of migrants, and factors influencing their decision to seek public and private health services.

Method

Between September and December 2020, a health questionnaire was administered via telephone to n = 250 migrants from Venezuela. Descriptive statistics summarized the constructs of Andersen's Behavioral Model. The model comprised of predisposing factors including migrants' social characteristics; enabling factors namely monthly earnings, education level and most trusted source of information on medical needs; need for care factors such as migrants self-reported health status, presence of non-communicable health conditions and having visited a doctor in the past 12 months; and the outcome variables which were migrants' decisions to seek public and private health services. Pearson χ2 tests, odds ratios and multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination examined the factors influencing a migrant's decision to seek health services.

Results

Overall, 66.8% of migrants reported they would seek public health services, while 22.4% indicated they would seek private health services. Predisposing factors namely length of time residing in Trinidad and Tobago (p = 0.031) and living with family/friends (p = 0.049); the enabling factor of receiving information from publicly available sources (p = 0.037); and the need for care factor of visiting a doctor for a physical health problem (p = 0.010) were significant correlates of their decision to seek care in the public sector. Predisposing factors namely living with family/friends (p = 0.020) and the enabling factor of having difficulty accessing healthcare services (p = 0.045) were significant correlates of their decision to seek care from private providers.

Discussion

Our findings demonstrated the positive association between social networks and a migrant's decision to use public and private health services, thus underscoring the importance of family and friends in facilitating health service use, promoting proper health practices and preventing diseases. Overall, the use of Andersen's Behavioral Model aided in identifying the factors associated with the use of health services by Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago. However, further studies are needed to better understand their need for ongoing care, to inform policy, and to plan targeted health interventions for addressing the gaps in health service access, barriers and use.

Differential NRAMP1gene's D543N genotype frequency: Increased risk of contracting tuberculosis among Venezuelan populations

NRAMP1 and VDR gene polymorphisms have been variably associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) amongst populations having different genetic background. NRAMP1 and VDR gene variants' association with susceptibility to active infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was analyzed in the Warao Amerindian population, an ethnic population from Venezuela's Orinoco delta region. Genomic DNA was extracted from individuals with and without TB to evaluate genetic polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Four NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms were analyzed: D543N (rs17235409), 3' UTR (rs17235416), INT4 (rs3731865), and 274C/T (rs2276631), and one VDR gene polymorphism: FokI (rs2228570). The results showed that the genotypes D543N-A/A, 3'UTR-TGTG+/+, INT4-C/C, and 274C/T-T/T of known polymorphism in the NRAMP1 gene, as well as the genotypes FokI-F/f and FokI-f/f in the VDR gene were most often found in indigenous Warao with active TB. Binomial logistic regression was used for evaluating associations between polymorphisms and risk of contracting TB, an association between NRAMP1-D543N-A/A genotype distribution and TB susceptibility was found in Warao Amerindians. Regarding Venezuelan populations having different genetic backgrounds; statistically significant TB associations concerning NRAMP1-D543N-A/A, INT4-C/C and 3'UTR-TGTG+/+ variant genotype distributions in Warao Amerindians (indigenous) compared to Creole (admixed non-indigenous population) individuals were found. In conclusion, the results thus indicated that the association between NRAMP1-D543N-A/A genotype and TB in Warao Amerindians could support such allele's role in host susceptibility to Mtb infection.

Association between Disability and Unmet Food Needs in the Venezuelan Migrant and Refugee Population: Analysis of a Population-Based Survey, 2022

In Peru, Venezuelan migrants and refugees have been exposed to food shortages before their emigration. This problem could have worse outcomes in vulnerable populations (such as people with disabilities); however, the literature on the basic needs of this population is still scarce. The objective was to determine the association between the presence of disability and the unmet need for access to food in the household of the Venezuelan migrant and refugee population residing in Peru. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Second Survey of the Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru (ENPOVE 2022). The outcome variable was unmet need for food, while the independent variable was the presence of disability. Poisson log generalized linear regression models (crude and adjusted for potential confounding variables) were fitted to evaluate the association between the variables of interest, reporting prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 7739 migrants and refugees from Venezuela were included. The proportion of unmet need for access to food in the household was 45.2%, while the proportion of disability was 2.1%. People with disabilities were found to be more likely to have an unmet need for access to food at home (adjusted PR [aPR]: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08–1.46; p = 0.003). According to our findings, almost half of Venezuelan households were found to have an unmet need for access to food. In addition, Venezuelan migrants and refugees with disabilities were more likely to have an unmet need for this basic need.

The Work, Economic, and Remittance Stress and Distress of the COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Policies: The Case of Venezuelan Migrants in Argentina and Chile

According to the social stress process model, global crises are macro-level stressors that generate physiological stress and psychological distress. However, existing research has not identified immigrants' COVID-19 containment policy stressors or examined the social stress of sending remittances amid crises. Drawing on in-depth longitudinal interviews with 46 Venezuelan immigrants-half before and half during the pandemic-in Chile and Argentina, we identified the COVID-19 containment policies' stressors. We focused on Venezuelan immigrants because they constitute one of the largest internationally displaced populations, with most migrating within South America. We found that the governmental COVID-19 containment measures in both countries generated four stressors: employment loss, income loss, devaluation of employment status, and inability to send needed remittances. Moreover, sending remittances helped some migrants cope with concerns about loved ones in Venezuela. However, sending remittances became a social stressor when immigrants struggled to simultaneously sustain their livelihoods and send financial support to relatives experiencing hardships in Venezuela. For some immigrants, these adversities generated other stressors (e.g., housing instability) and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Broadly, for immigrants, the stressors of global crises transcend international borders and generate high stress, which strains their psychological well-being.

Advances in the Development of Small Molecule Antivirals against Equine Encephalitic Viruses

Venezuelan, western, and eastern equine encephalitic alphaviruses (VEEV, WEEV, and EEEV, respectively) are arboviruses that are highly pathogenic to equines and cause significant harm to infected humans. Currently, human alphavirus infection and the resulting diseases caused by them are unmitigated due to the absence of approved vaccines or therapeutics for general use. These circumstances, combined with the unpredictability of outbreaks-as exemplified by a 2019 EEE surge in the United States that claimed 19 patient lives-emphasize the risks posed by these viruses, especially for aerosolized VEEV and EEEV which are potential biothreats. Herein, small molecule inhibitors of VEEV, WEEV, and EEEV are reviewed that have been identified or advanced in the last five years since a comprehensive review was last performed. We organize structures according to host- versus virus-targeted mechanisms, highlight cellular and animal data that are milestones in the development pipeline, and provide a perspective on key considerations for the progression of compounds at early and later stages of advancement.

Anthropogenic threats to the Vulnerable Andean Condor in northern South America

Vultures comprise one of the most threatened groups of birds worldwide. With a total population not exceeding 6700 mature individuals, and in rapid decline across its range, the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) is listed as a Vulnerable species in the IUCN red list. Local population extinctions and decline are of particular concern in northern South America, where no more than 340 condors may exist at present. Despite this, no quantitative assessments exist in Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela regarding the threats affecting Andean Condor populations. To address this, we compiled records of Andean Condors injured, or killed, between 1979 and 2021. We obtained data of 164 condors affected by different causes of injury, of which 83.5% were reported in Ecuador, 15.2% in Colombia, and 1.2% in Venezuela. Of the total number, 84.7% of the injured individuals died. Between 1979 and 2021, in Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, at least 103 Andean Condors were presumably poisoned, 22 were shot, and 39 individuals were affected by other causes. The total number of individuals affected by different causes represents between 48% and 72% of the total population estimated in northern South America. Of great concern is the fact that, between 2007 and 2021, poisoning and shooting together caused the loss of 19-31% of the estimated population of condors in Ecuador, and 7-21% of the estimated population in Colombia. Given the important mortality induced by humans, environmental education programs, socio-ecological research, application of environmental laws, and management strategies based on scientific evidence to prevent and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts are urgently required for effective Andean Condor conservation in northern South America.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Three Latin American Countries: Reasons Given for Not Becoming Vaccinated in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela

Although vaccines have been developed to prevent COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy is a significant barrier for vaccination programs. Most research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has blamed misinformation and misstated concerns about effectiveness, safety, and side effects of these vaccines. The preponderance of these studies has been performed in the Global North. Although Latin American has been substantially and negatively impacted by COVID-19, few studies have examined COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy there. We explored reasons volunteered for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy from a sample of 1,173 Colombians, Ecuadorians, and Venezuelans. Overall, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in these three countries is higher than desirable, but most people who are COVID-19 vaccine hesitant offered one reason or fewer. The reasons offered are diverse, including myths and exaggerations, but also individual-level contraindications for vaccination and structural barriers. Because of the diversity of reasons, single-issue mass campaigns are unlikely to bring about large shifts in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Our data suggest that interpersonal communication, particularly in Ecuador, and addressing structural concerns, particularly in Venezuela, are likely to have the greatest impact on vaccine uptake.

Perceived ethnic discrimination and job satisfaction amongst mental health nurses of color in Venezuela

Venezuela's social and economic crisis of the past eight years has had an impact on healthcare services. However, because Venezuela has traditionally been thought to be a country with low levels of racism, it has been assumed that mental health nurses' satisfaction is the same across ethnic groups. The present study tests that hypothesis. Results come out showing that, as compared to whites, mental health nurses of color in Venezuela have lower levels of job satisfaction, and higher levels of perceived ethnic discrimination. Results also show that amongst mental health nurses of color in Venezuela, perceived ethnic discrimination and job satisfaction are negatively correlated.

Fractured families and social networks: Identifying risk and resilience factors for supporting positive mental health in Venezuelan immigrant groups

OBJECTIVES

Language barriers, isolation, and challenges related to social integration, acculturative stress, and systemic discrimination are correlated with poor physical and mental health outcomes among immigrant populations. Emerging literature highlights the importance of social networks for resiliency and well-being. This study explores the experiences of Venezuelan immigrants in central Florida, factors that have promoted resilience, and considerations for mental health providers to meet the needs of this population.

METHOD

A phenomenological approach was used to engage Venezuelan immigrants who had been in the United States for at least 6 months (n = 48) in dialogue about forced migration, identity, and adaptation. Five focus groups using a semistructured format were conducted to explore aspects of the experience before, during, and after migration. Recruitment was done through word of mouth and community gatekeepers.

RESULTS

Participants were 54% female with an average age of 45, 85% had at least 1 college degree, and more than half left Venezuela since 2011. Themes were identified from the focus group transcripts and clustered into three broad areas: characteristics and individual experiences, mental health, and family and social context. Major findings included the need for culturally responsive mental health support, which appeared to mitigate distress and the centrality of social networks in support of resiliency.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from the present study suggest that community context, support for ethnic identity, and the ability to foster meaningful connections to others with similar experience and identity are critical factors in resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A qualitative study of employment, working and health conditions among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia

This study aims to explore the perceptions of the Venezuelan immigrant population in Medellín, Colombia, regarding their employment, working and health conditions (physical, mental and psychosocial). A qualitative study was conducted (focused ethnography perspective). Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 31 Venezuelans and 12 key informants from different social organisations that work with the immigrant population. A narrative content analysis was carried out (Atlas.Ti 8.0 software). The migratory process for Venezuelans is caused for political, economical and social aspects in Venezuela and Colombia is offered as the first destination for labour establishing. Access to the labour market is limited to certain occupations, in many cases in the informal economy. Participants referring low salaries, working long hours and reduced social benefits. Occupational risks are evidenced by low experience in the labour market. Some health problems are perceived, and a good part of the interviewed population referred to signs and symptoms related to mental health problems. Barriers to access health and social protection services were found. Finally, future expectations depend on their adaptation to Colombia, the improvement of social conditions in Venezuela or having chances of improving their social and living conditions in another country. A high labour and social vulnerability were found in Venezuelan participants that impact on physical and mental health. Political and strategies from a public health perspective are required and the implementation of systems for monitoring and evaluating the labour and health situation in the working immigrant population.

José Gregorio Hernández: At the crossroads of medicine and religion in Venezuela

After being ravished by a bloody civil war in the 1860 s, Venezuela's healthcare system was very precarious. In this context, one particularly bright medical student stood out, José Gregorio Hernández. As part of a program to modernize medicine in Venezuela, José Gregorio was sent on a scholarship to pursue medical studies in Europe. He brought back to Venezuela equipment and medical knowledge in bacteriology and pathophysiology. This was instrumental in laying the foundations for major healthcare modernization in Venezuela. Throughout his life, José Gregorio negotiated his intense Catholic faith, with his scientific leanings as a physician. His untimely tragic death in 1919 elevated him to a saintly status amongst Venezuelans. Consequently, his image became a powerful symbol for practitioners of prescientific medicine.

Manta and devil ray species occurrence and distribution in Venezuela, assessed through fishery landings and citizen science data

Manta and devil rays (collectively mobulids) belong to the monogeneric Mobulidae, which currently comprises 10 species, including a putative third manta ray species (Mobula cf. birostris). These large planktivorous rays are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans of the world. To date, six mobulid species are reported for the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, three of which had previously been reported in Venezuela (Mobula birostris, Mobula tarapacana and Mobula hypostoma). A preliminary assessment of fishery landings and citizen science data was conducted to further the scientific knowledge of mobulid species in Venezuela. Fisheries landing data were collected at Margarita Island between 2006 and 2007, and again in 2014. Data mining of internet search engines and social media platforms spanning the past two decades was also conducted. A total of 117 individuals of five mobulid species were recorded: Mobula sp. (n = 27), M. birostris (n = 36), M. tarapacana (n = 3), Mobula mobular (n = 26), Mobula thurstoni (n = 14) and M. cf. birostris (n = 11). The latter three species are the first confirmation of these species in Venezuela. The authors found no records of the previously reported M. hypostoma during this study. Although the occurrence of M. hypostoma in Venezuela remains possible because of the broad regional range of this species, its current presence in Venezuela is invalidated given the repeated misidentifications which have occurred in previous publications. The results of this study increase the number of reported mobulid ray species in Venezuela to five (excluding M. hypostoma). The overall data from juvenile manta rays and pregnant M. mobular and M. thurstoni recorded in this study, combined with the occurrence of all but one species of mobulid ray found in the western Atlantic Ocean, suggest Venezuela provides important habitat for this threatened family of rays.

Asymmetric impact of financial development, trade openness, and environmental degradation on economic growth in Venezuela

This study assesses the asymmetric impact of financial development, trade openness, and environmental degradation on economic growth in Venezuela between 1980 and 2019 using the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model. Findings from the bounds test indicate the presence of cointegration between the series in the model. Further findings from the study showed evidence of a significant negative long-run impact of negative shocks to financial development on long-run economic growth, thereby confirming that declining financial development hinders economic growth in Venezuela. Furthermore, positive and negative shocks of trade openness show a positive impact on economic growth in the long run. Meanwhile, in the short-run, negative shocks to financial development negatively impacts economic growth, while one year lagged negative shocks to financial development improve the short-run economic growth. More so, results from the long-run asymmetric test reveal that only financial development has a significant asymmetric effect on economic growth. However, errors to the system are adjusted at a speed of 38%. This study, thus, recommends the improvement of the financial sector and removing barriers to trade where possible, while adopting low carbon emissions for economic growth.

Evaluation of insecticide treated window curtains and water container covers for dengue vector control in a large-scale cluster-randomized trial in Venezuela

BACKGROUND

Following earlier trials indicating that their potential in dengue vector control was constrained by housing structure, a large-scale cluster-randomized trial of insecticide treated curtains (ITCs) and water jar covers (ITJCs) was undertaken in Venezuela.

METHODS

In Trujillo, Venezuela, 60 clusters (6223 houses total) were randomized so that 15 clusters each received either PermaNet insecticide-treated window curtains (ITCs), permanent insecticide-treated water storage jar covers (ITJCs), a combination of both ITCs and ITJCs, or no insecticide treated materials (ITMs). A further 15 clusters located at least 5km from the edge of the study site were selected to act as an external control. Entomological surveys were carried out immediately before and after intervention, and then at 6-month intervals over the following 27 months. The Breteau and House indices were used as primary outcome measures and ovitrap indices as secondary. Negative binomial regression models were used to compare cluster-level values of these indices between the trial arms.

RESULTS

Reductions in entomological indices followed deployment of all ITMs and throughout the trial, indices in the external control arm remained substantially higher than in the ITM study arms including the internal control. Comparing the ratios of between-arm means to summarise the entomological indices throughout the study, the combined ITC+ITJC intervention had the greatest impact on the indices, with a 63% difference in the pupae per person indices between the ITC+ITJC arm and the internal control. However, coverage had fallen below 60% by 14-months post-intervention and remained below 40% for most of the remaining study period.

CONCLUSIONS

ITMs can impact dengue vector populations in the long term, particularly when ITCs and ITJCs are deployed in combination.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN08474420; www.isrctn.com.

Mental Health and Religiosity Amongst Marialionceros in Venezuela

Although the religion of Maria Lionza is practiced throughout Venezuela, it is not in the mainstream of Venezuelan culture. As a result, traditionally this religious manifestation has been perceived negatively by the dominant religious establishment, as well as by intellectual and political elites. One particular concern in this dominant narrative is that the religion of Maria Lionza represents Venezuela's uncivilized past and therefore, it is an obstacle to the nation's path to modernization. This notion has found resonance in the realm of psychology, as it has been posited that the religion of Maria Lionza may have detrimental effects on mental health. The present study tests that hypothesis, by studying a sample of 68 Marialionceros and comparing them with a control group of 62 Catholics and 53 Protestants. Results show that, as compared to Catholics and Protestants, Marialionceros are at greater risk for schizotypy, but not for general mental health. Results also show that amongst Marialionceros, increased religiosity predicts decreased risk of depression.

Strongyloides hyperinfection in a patient from Venezuela with lower gastrointestinal bleeding

We herein present a case of unsuspected Strongyloides stercoralis (Ss) hyperinfection diagnosis. No screening due to origin or immunosuppressed condition had been done and treatment was presumably prescribed lately, with subsequent vital risk for the patient.

Attitudes of Medical Students Towards Psychiatry in Venezuela: a 6-Year Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

The authors evaluated changes in attitude towards psychiatry of medical students in one medical school in Venezuela.

METHODS

Balon's modified questionnaire was administered to first and sixth-year medical students to analyze their attitude towards psychiatry. The answers were compared with McNemar's test.

RESULTS

The students' negative perception of psychiatry increased by the end of medical school with 45% of sixth-year students reportedly feeling uncomfortable when working with patients with psychiatric illness compared to only 8.3% of first-year medical students. Interest in specializing in psychiatry decreased from 2.6% in first-year medical students to 0% in sixth-year medical students (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Different factors may lead to the loss of interest in psychiatry of medical students in Venezuela, such as little time spent with patients, being in contact only with patients with psychosis, stigma about psychiatry among medical doctors and friends, feeling more comfortable with other specialties, and other specialties having a higher perceived status and being better paid.

Using an Algorithm to Fit a GAMLSS Model on Dry Matter Data from Brachiaria brizantha

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Forage production in the tropics is generally asymmetrically distributed. Hence the need to use more complex models, especially when multiple comparisons are made and there are very large deviations from normality. The objective of this research is to fit a Generalized Additive Model for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) model on accumulated dry matter data from &lt;i&gt;Brachiaria brizantha&lt;/i&gt; using a model selection algorithm. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; A Box-Cox Power Exponential (BCPE) distribution was adjusted on the dry matter from &lt;i&gt;Brachiaria brizantha&lt;/i&gt; data implementing GAMLSS in R (programming language). The accumulated dry matter data for &lt;i&gt;B. brizantha&lt;/i&gt; were obtained from a study carried out on a farm in the state of Portuguesa, Venezuela. The explanatory covariate x was the interval between cuts (21, 28, 35 and 42 days). &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The dependent variable (dry matter) exhibited both skewness and kurtosis. GAMLSS allowed flexible modeling of both the distribution of the dry matter yield from &lt;i&gt;B. brizantha&lt;/i&gt; and the dependence of all the parameters of the distribution on intervals between cuttings. For the dry matter yield from &lt;i&gt;B. brizantha&lt;/i&gt;, which exhibited skewness and leptokurtosis, the BCPE distribution, provided the best fit. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The interval between cuttings showed an effect that is reflected in the average yield of dry matter from &lt;i&gt;B. brizantha&lt;/i&gt;. The interval between cuts affected the skewness and the kurtosis of the distribution.

Development of hydro-social-economic-environmental sustainability index (HSEESI) in integrated water resources management

Sustainable development is a grand challenge of the present century, with tremendous direct and indirect implications for a range of social, economic, and environmental factors. This research proposes a water-centric framework for evaluating "relative" sustainability of the status quo in a country via a new "hydro-social-economic-environmental sustainability index" (HSEESI). We test this framework across 35 countries of American continent using national-scale surveyed data for the 2005-2017 periods. HSEESI possesses four dimensions, namely economic, social development, knowledge and technology, and health sanitation and environment, and 12 related indicators for characterizing these dimensions. Based on the developed HSEESI scores, we assess the linkages between water resources and social-economic-environmental systems at the country level, using single and hybrid-artificial intelligence-gene expression programming (GEP) methods. The former method involves all the indicators, while the latter focuses only on the most effective indicators. Further, we aggregate these analyses at three spatial scales, including American continent, North American countries, and South American countries. Our analyses show that both methods lead to approximate similar results, but the latter is preferred for larger scales as it is more cost effective. Overall, results indicate that the status of water resources in North America is relatively sustainable, whereas in South America, it is relatively unsustainable. Importantly, social development, health sanitation, and environmental dimensions, in both North and South American continents, seem to have a relatively unsustainable status, indicating that water resources systems may not have enough capacity to meet the needs of those dimensions. At the country level, our analyses show that water resources systems of Uruguay, Guyana, and Venezuela may face the highest relative unsustainability, across economic, social development, and health sanitation and environment dimensions. The approach and the framework developed in this study can be applied in other regions around the world and with a more detailed representation of intra-country sustainability issues. It can inform managers and policymakers for sustainable planning and developing water resources projects across scales.

Disjoint and Functional Principal Component Analysis for Infected Cases and Deaths Due to COVID-19 in South American Countries with Sensor-Related Data

In this paper, we group South American countries based on the number of infected cases and deaths due to COVID-19. The countries considered are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The data used are collected from a database of Johns Hopkins University, an institution that is dedicated to sensing and monitoring the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. A statistical analysis, based on principal components with modern and recent techniques, is conducted. Initially, utilizing the correlation matrix, standard components and varimax rotations are calculated. Then, by using disjoint components and functional components, the countries are grouped. An algorithm that allows us to keep the principal component analysis updated with a sensor in the data warehouse is designed. As reported in the conclusions, this grouping changes depending on the number of components considered, the type of principal component (standard, disjoint or functional) and the variable to be considered (infected cases or deaths). The results obtained are compared to the k-means technique. The COVID-19 cases and their deaths vary in the different countries due to diverse reasons, as reported in the conclusions.

Lipid Accumulation Product Is More Related to Insulin Resistance than the Visceral Adiposity Index in the Maracaibo City Population, Venezuela

BACKGROUND

Visceral adiposity is related to insulin resistance (IR), a metabolic state considered as a risk factor for other cardiometabolic diseases. In that matter, mathematical indexes such as the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and the lipid accumulation product (LAP) could indirectly assess IR based on visceral adiposity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association and diagnostic accuracy of VAI and LAP to diagnose IR in the adult population of Maracaibo city.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with multistage sampling. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were built to determine VAI and LAP cutoff points to predict IR. A set of logistic regression models was constructed according to sociodemographic, psychobiologic, and metabolic variables.

RESULTS

1818 subjects were evaluated (51.4% women). The area under the curve (AUC) values for LAP and VAI were 0.689 (0.665-0.714) and 0.645 (0.619-0.670), respectively. Both indexes showed a higher IR risk in the upper tertile in bivariate analysis. However, in the logistic regression analysis for the IR risk, only the 2nd (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.37-2.65; p < 0.01) and 3rd (OR: 5.40; 95% CI: 3.48-8.39; p < 0.01) LAP tertiles showed a significant increase. This behaviour was also observed after adjusting for hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CPR).

CONCLUSION

Although both indexes show a low predictive capacity in individuals with IR in the Maracaibo city population, the LAP index was more strongly associated with IR.

Impacts of fishing on the Caribbean white sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, in Margarita Island, Venezuela

The Caribbean white sea urchin, L. variegatus, is locally harvested in Margarita Island and other locations of southeastern Venezuela. The recent reduction of densities raises concerns about potential impacts for overfishing. Densities of L. variegatus were estimated at Impact and Control locations between late-2012 and mid-2015 to 1) test temporal changes, comparing with 1997-1998 estimations, 2) the effect of seasonal closure on resource recovery and 3) the effect of local expansion. The results suggest that, after a period of fourteen years, an important decrease in L. variegatus densities occurred, as well as a lack of population recovery in fishing areas during seasonal closures. Furthermore, during the monitoring program, it was observed fishing activities in one Control location that subsequently showed clear patterns of population depletion, like other Impact locations. Fishing impact on L. variegatus populations is severe, persistent and expands over time without evidence of recovery, therefore it is expected that local populations of L. variegatus would collapse under current exploitation levels. However, due to the L. variegatus life history and its distribution range, recovery of impacted populations could be possible via recruitment of planktonic larvae if effective management actions are imposed. It is recommended to exercise more regulations on fishing activities and to execute management measures that allow recovering the stocks to maintain local populations of sea urchin.

Quality of Professional Life and Burnout of the Nursing Staff at an Intensive Care Unit in Venezuela

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between the level of quality of professional life and the characteristics of the burnout syndrome of the nursing staff in the intensive care unit.

METHODS

An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a public hospital in Mérida (Venezuela), with the participation of 40 nurses from a total population of 43. The Professional Quality of Life of 35 items (QoPL-35) and Maslach Burnout Inventory scales were used.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 67.5% were professionals and 32.5% were residents, < 41 years of age (75%) and of female sex (90%). The professional quality of life was regular (median = 213), the intrinsic motivation dimension was the best scored (median = 76), followed by that of workload (median = 68) and that of directive support (median = 65). The prevalence of high burnout syndrome was 22.5%; emotional exhaustion affected 75.5% of the participants and 37.5% had low personal achievement. The level of professional quality of life was related with the severity of the burnout syndrome (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The professional quality of life of the nurses in the ICU studied was regular and is associated with a higher risk of suffering severe burnout syndrome.

Predictors of patient safety culture in hospitals in Venezuela: A cross-sectional study

An organization's culture with regard to patient safety is important because it defines the beliefs and practices of the organization, and consequently its efficiency and productivity.Knowing the level of this and the factors that influence or not their dynamic represents a challenge, due to the degree of complexity and specificity of the elements involved.The aim of this study was to analyze predictors of patient safety culture in public and private hospitals and examining the factors that contribute to it, constructing a new and specific theoretical and methodological model.This study was carried out by reviewing medical records, detecting healthcare professionals directly involved in caring (N = 588), for patients in 2 public hospitals and 2 private hospitals in Venezuela (N = 566), conducting an "Analysis of Patient Safety Culture" questionnaire. The results were subsequently analyzed, derived 3 predictors factors and using a Patient Safety Culture Index (PSCI) for specific determination to evaluate patient safety culture level.The analysis showed that all hospitals had a "moderately unfavorable" PSCI (public = 52.96, private = 52.67, sig = 0.90). The PSCI was calculated by assessing the weight of the following factors in the index: occupational factors (factor loading = 32.03), communication factors (factor loading = 11.83), and organizational factors (factor loading = 9.10). Traumatology presented the lowest PSCI of all the care units, falling into the "unfavorable" category (36.48), and Laboratory the highest (70.02) (sig = 0.174), falling into the "moderately favorable" category. When analyzing professional groups, nurses had the highest PSCI, with a "moderately unfavorable" rating (PSCI = 61.1) and medical residents the lowest, falling into the "unfavorable" category (35.2). Adverse event reporting is determined by "management expectations and actions" (sig = 0.048) and "direct interaction with the patient" (sig = 0.049).The use of this theoretical and methodological approach in other contexts may provide a more objective system for identifying more specific needs and factors that influence in patient safety culture, and consequently, opportunities for improvement when constructing a patient safety culture in healthcare institutions. Efforts need to be made to improve safety culture in the hospitals studied, irrespective of whether they are public or private.

Diagnostic performance of anti-Zika virus IgM, IgAM and IgG ELISAs during co-circulation of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses in Brazil and Venezuela

Background

Serological diagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is challenging because of the antibody cross-reactivity among flaviviruses. At the same time, the role of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) is limited by the low proportion of symptomatic infections and the low average viral load. Here, we compared the diagnostic performance of commercially available IgM, IgAM, and IgG ELISAs in sequential samples during the ZIKV and chikungunya (CHIKV) epidemics and co-circulation of dengue virus (DENV) in Brazil and Venezuela.

Methodology/Principal findings

Acute (day of illness 1–5) and follow-up (day of illness ≥ 6) blood samples were collected from nine hundred and seven symptomatic patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter study between June 2012 and August 2016. Acute samples were tested by RT-PCR for ZIKV, DENV, and CHIKV. Acute and follow-up samples were tested for IgM, IgAM, and IgG antibodies to ZIKV using commercially available ELISAs. Among follow-up samples with a RT-PCR confirmed ZIKV infection, anti-ZIKV IgAM sensitivity was 93.5% (43/46), while IgM and IgG exhibited sensitivities of 30.3% (10/33) and 72% (18/25), respectively. An additional 24% (26/109) of ZIKV infections were detected via IgAM seroconversion in ZIKV/DENV/CHIKV RT-PCR negative patients. The specificity of anti-ZIKV IgM was estimated at 93% and that of IgAM at 85%.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings exemplify the challenges of the assessment of test performance for ZIKV serological tests in the real-world setting, during co-circulation of DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV. However, we can also demonstrate that the IgAM immunoassay exhibits superior sensitivity to detect ZIKV RT-PCR confirmed infections compared to IgG and IgM immunoassays. The IgAM assay also proves to be promising for detection of anti-ZIKV seroconversions in sequential samples, both in ZIKV PCR-positive as well as PCR-negative patients, making this a candidate assay for serological monitoring of pregnant women in future ZIKV outbreaks.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos but can also be transmitted sexually or vertically from mother-to-child. The same mosquitoes transmit dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which cause similar clinical syndromes. The ZIKV epidemics in the Pacific and the Americas that occurred between 2015 and 2017 were linked to congenital abnormalities, most prominently microcephaly, in newborns. Because most infections are asymptomatic, diagnosis via indirect serological assays is an important strategy. On the other hand, many serological assays are affected by cross-reactivity resulting from prior infections by closely related viruses, such as DENV. This study evaluated three commercially available and widely used immunoassays that detect IgG, IgM or IgA and M (IgAM) antibodies to ZIKV. Our results suggest that the IgAM test performs best by detecting around 90% of RT-PCR confirmed infections. We also detected additional infections that were not detected by RT-PCR. The strength of this study is that it was carried out in two different countries of the American region where several arboviruses are endemic and that sequential blood samples from individual patients were available to evaluate the performance of the tests over time.

Coordinated intensification to reconcile the 'zero hunger' and 'life on land' Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encourage nations to substantially increase food production to achieve zero hunger (SDG 2) while preserving life on land (SDG 15). A key question is how to reconcile these potentially competing goals spatially. We use integer linear programming to develop an 'integrated land use planning framework' that identifies the optimal allocation of 17 crops under different hypothetical conservation targets while meeting agricultural demands by 2030. Intensifying existing cropland to maximum yield before allocating new cropland would reduce land requirement by 43% versus cropland expansion without intensification. Even with yield gap closure, tropical and sub-tropical crops still require expansion, primarily allocated to Venezuela, eastern Brazil, Congo Basin, Myanmar and Indonesia. Enforcement of protected areas, via avoiding conversion in 75% of Key Biodiversity Areas and 65% of intact areas, is vital to attain biodiversity targets but bears large opportunity costs, with agricultural rents dropping from $4.1 to $2.8 trillion. Although nationally constrained forest conservation efforts would earn 9% less agricultural rents compared to globally coordinated conservation solutions, they were also able to reduce intact habitat and forest loss (43% and 35% reduction). Our results demonstrate that careful choice of the allocation of future cropland expansion, could dramatically reduce-but not eliminate-the tradeoffs between the SDGs for food production and land biodiversity conservation.

A New Species of Butterfly of the Genus Protopedaliodes from the Isolated Tramen Tepui in the Guyana Shield (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

A new species of Protopedaliodes Viloria & Pyrcz, a satyrine butterfly genus endemic to the highest part of the Guyana Shield, P. arekuna Pyrcz & Stachowicz n. sp., is described from the summit area, ca. 2400 m, of Tramen Tepui, an isolated mountain situated on the Venezuela-Guyana border. It is a remarkable finding as it is probably a narrow endemic, and only the fourth known member of the genus. Morphologically it most closely resembles P. kukenani Viloria & Pyrcz from the Roraima-Kukenán twin peaks. COI barcode analysis shows, however, high genetic distances between these two species, 9-10%. Protopedaliodes taxonomy is briefly revised, from the perspective of the monophyly of the genus based on preliminary molecular and morphological comparative data, including the female genitalia described for the first time for P. kukenani and P. ridouti Viloria & Pyrcz.

Limonoids from Guarea guidonia and Cedrela odorata: Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) Modulator Properties of Chisomicine D

Nine new limonoids (1-9) were isolated from the stem bark of Guarea guidonia (1-4) and Cedrela odorata (5-9). Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and MS data and chemical methods as three A2,B,D-seco-type limonoids (1-3), a mexicanolide (4), three nomilin-type (5-7) limonoids, and two limonol derivatives (8 and 9). A DFT/NMR procedure was used to define the relative configurations of 1 and 3. A surface plasmon resonance approach was used to screen the Hsp90 binding capability of the limonoids, and the A2,B,D-seco-type limonoid 8-hydro-(8S*,9S*)-dihydroxy-14,15-en-chisomicine A, named chisomicine D (1), demonstrated the highest affinity. By means of mass spectrometry data, biochemical and cellular assays, and molecular docking, 1 was found as a type of client-selective Hsp90 inhibitor binding to the C-terminus domain of the chaperone.

Cross-border malaria in Northern Brazil

BACKGROUND

Cross-border malaria is a major barrier to elimination efforts. Along the Venezuela-Brazil-Guyana border, intense human mobility fueled primarily by a humanitarian crisis and illegal gold mining activities has increased the occurrence of cross-border cases in Brazil. Roraima, a Brazilian state situated between Venezuela and Guyana, bears the greatest burden. This study analyses the current cross-border malaria epidemiology in Northern Brazil between the years 2007 and 2018.

METHODS

De-identified data on reported malaria cases in Brazil were obtained from the Malaria Epidemiological Surveillance Information System for the years 2007 to 2018. Pearson's Chi-Square test of differences was utilized to assess differences between characteristics of cross-border cases originating from Venezuela and Guyana, and between border and transnational cases. A logistic regression model was used to predict imported status of cases.

RESULTS

Cross-border cases from Venezuela and Guyana made up the majority of border and transnational cases since 2012, and Roraima remained the largest receiving state for cross-border cases over this period. There were significant differences in the profiles of border and transnational cases originating from Venezuela and Guyana, including type of movement and nationality of patients. Logistic regression results demonstrated Venezuelan and Guyanese nationals, Brazilian miners, males, and individuals of working age had heightened odds of being an imported case. Furthermore, Venezuelan citizens had heightened odds of seeking care in municipalities adjacent Venezuela, rather than transnational municipalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-border malaria contributes to the malaria burden at the Venezuela-Guyana-Brazil border. The identification of distinct profiles of case importation provides evidence on the need to strengthen surveillance at border areas, and to deploy tailored strategies that recognize different mobility routes, such as the movement of refuge-seeking individuals and of Brazilians working in mining.

SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity in Venezuela: Predominance of D614G variants and analysis of one outbreak

SARS-CoV-2 is the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 disease. The first two cases of COVID-19 were detected in Venezuela on March 13, 2020. The aim of this study was the genetic characterization of Venezuelan SARS-CoV-2 isolates. A total of 7 full SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were obtained by Sanger sequencing, from patients of different regions of Venezuela, mainly from the beginning of the epidemic. Ten out of 11 isolates (6 complete genomes and 4 partial spike genomic regions) belonged to lineage B, bearing the D614G mutation in the Spike protein. Isolates from the first outbreak that occurred in the Margarita Island harbored an in-frame deletion in its sequence, without amino acids 83–85 of the NSP1 of the ORF1. The search for deletions in 48,635 sequences showed that the NSP1 gene exhibit the highest frequency of deletions along the whole genome. Structural analysis suggests a change in the N-terminal domain with the presence of this deletion. In contrast, isolates circulating later in this island lacked the deletion, suggesting new introductions to the island after this first outbreak. In conclusion, a high diversity of SARS-CoV-2 isolates were found circulating in Venezuela, with predominance of the D614G mutation. The first small outbreak in Margarita Island seemed to be associated with a strain carrying a small deletion in the NSP1 protein, but these isolates do not seem to be responsible for the larger outbreak which started in July.

How protected are marine protected areas: A case study of tributyltin in Latin America

Protected areas (PAs) are dedicated and managed to achieve long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. However, few studies have assessed contamination/pollution, one of the top five biodiversity threats, within these areas. In fact, more than 100,000 molecules used in consumer goods are potentially affecting over 250,000 protected areas distributed worldwide. As a result, chemical appraisal within PAs require specific approaches to be feasible. Herein, an approach for assessment of contamination in marine protected areas (MPAs) spread over large continental and/or global areas was proposed and tested using, as a case study, the impact of tributyltin (TBT) within Latin America. This approach included area delimitation, bibliographic survey, construction of attribute tables, data insertion in a Geographic Information System, overlapping with worldwide shapefiles of PAs, identification of affected PAs and evaluation of impacts using the outcomes against specific environmental quality guidelines/directives. A total of 259 records of TBT occurrence and/or its biological effect within 53 marine protected areas (including biosphere reserves, Ramsar sites and National parks) were gathered. Among affected species, were recorded 18 gastropods exhibiting imposex. In addition, 6 bivalves, 1 crustacean, and 3 fish species presenting TBT residues in tissues were seen in MPAs from Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Venezuela. Since levels of TBT recorded in several studied MPAs were enough do induce deleterious biological responses over marine biota, it was clear that conservancy goals of some "protected" areas are under threat. Considering that only TBT exposure was appraised, and these areas are likely to be concomitantly exposed to other classes of contaminants, the actual scenario can be even more frightening. Although initially applied as a TBT case study, the present approach enables an overview for other chemicals within protected areas worldwide.

Loricaria cuffyi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a new species of loricariin catfish from the Guiana Shield

Loricaria cuffyi n. sp. is described based on 36 specimens from the Essequibo and upper Negro River drainages in western Guyana and the upper Orinoco River drainage in Venezuela. The new species can be distinguished from sympatric and geographically proximate congeners by a postorbital notch that is inconspicuous, shallow and rounded, odontode ridges on the dorsum of head and predorsal weakly developed, abdominal plates tightly joined and completely covering the median abdominal space and pectoral girdle, higher anterior lateral plate counts, and coloration characteristics. The distribution of the new species adds to an interesting and well-documented biogeographical pattern exhibited by other Guiana Shield loricariids influenced by the proto-Berbice during the Cenozoic and recent configuration of drainages in the Guiana Shield. We present an update on the taxonomy of Loricaria, and discuss the biogeography and conservation status of the new species.

Genetic Diversity and Characterization of Symbiotic Bacteria Isolated from Endemic Phaseolus Cultivars Located in Contrasting Agroecosystems in Venezuela

Phaseolus vulgaris is a grain cultivated in vast areas of different countries. It is an excellent alternative to the other legumes in the Venezuelan diet and is of great agronomic interest due to its resistance to soil acidity, drought, and high temperatures. Phaseolus establishes symbiosis primarily with Rhizobium and Ensifer species in most countries, and this rhizobia-legume interaction has been studied in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. However, there is currently no evidence to show that rhizobia nodulate the endemic cultivars of P. vulgaris in Venezuela. Therefore, we herein investigated the phylogenetic diversity of plant growth-promoting and N2-fixing nodulating bacteria isolated from the root nodules of P. vulgaris cultivars in a different agroecosystem in Venezuela. In comparisons with other countries, higher diversity was found in isolates from P. vulgaris nodules, ranging from α- and β-proteobacteria. Some isolates belonging to several new phylogenetic lineages within Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer, and Mesorhizobium species were also specifically isolated at some topographical regions. Additionally, some isolates exhibited tolerance to high temperature, acidity, alkaline pH, salinity stress, and high Al levels; some of these characteristics may be related to the origin of the isolates. Some isolates showed high tolerance to Al toxicity as well as strong plant growth-promoting and antifungal activities, thereby providing a promising agricultural resource for inoculating crops.

Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune empress of the world): Reflections of an immigrant dermatologist

Immigration has been considered a common human behavior, but it is usually the result of severe conditions that force people to leave their countries. For specialized physicians who have invested years of study, training, hard work, and money to establish a successful career, the decision to leave behind everything to start over is as difficult as for the rest of the people. Adapting to a new country requires a good deal of patience, persistence, and resilience to reinvent oneself, exploring and developing new areas, plus using knowledge and experiences previously acquired. This paper reflects the anxieties, fears, and hopes of a dermatologist driven by the dynamics of a migratory process. The reflections are framed with verses of the goddess Fortune, extracted from a medieval Codex, as a way to compare how Fortune's whims can change circumstances to keep us moving upward and downward during our lives.

Evolution of growth traits in invasive Pereskia aculeata (Cactaceae): testing the EICA hypothesis using its specialist herbivore, Catorhintha schaffneri (Coreidae)

BACKGROUND

Species introduced into new habitats are fitter than their native populations, as hypothesized by the 'evolution of increased competitive ability' (EICA). Here, Pereskia aculeata Miller was used as a model to test EICA and explore how 'enemy release' may have influenced the invasion success of its 400-year-old introduced populations (genotypes) compared with native populations. Plant growth traits (height and shoot length) of 15 genotypes [four from the introduced range (South Africa) and 11 from the native range (Brazil and Argentina, Venezuela and The Dominican Republic)] were assessed. Damage and impact of a shoot-feeding, sap-sucking specialist Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky & Garcia on ten genotypes were also compared.

RESULTS

All but one of the invasive genotypes were significantly taller than native genotypes. Although the invasive genotypes were relatively more damaged by herbivory than some of the native genotypes, the observed differences were not explained completely by their origins. Nonetheless, the findings partially supported the predictions of the EICA hypothesis because invasive genotypes were generally taller than native genotypes, but did not fully support the hypothesis because they were not always more damaged than the native genotypes by C. schaffneri.

CONCLUSION

Invasive genotypes had an advantage in the introduced range as they can climb neighbouring vegetation more quickly than native genotypes, but the damage incurred by the invasive genotypes relative to the native genotypes suggests only that C. schaffneri would be as damaging in South Africa, where it serves as a biocontrol agent, as it is in its native distribution in Brazil. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

A new species of Wallinia Pearse, 1920 (Digenea: Allocreadiidae), in Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Characidae) in Northeast Brazil, based on morphology and DNA sequences

Wallinia caririensis n. sp. is described from the intestine of Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Characidae) collected in the Batateiras River in the municipality of Crato, Ceará state, Brazil. The description was based on integrative taxonomy approach using DNA sequences from the D1-D3 domains of the 28S rDNA gene. The new species was confirmed through the phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA gene, which showed that Wallinia caririensis n. sp. is a sister taxon of Wallinia brasiliensis (Dias, Müller, Almeida, Silva, Azevedo, Pérez-Ponce de León, and Abdallah, 2018, and Wallinia anindoi Hernández-Mena, Pinacho-Pinacho, García-Varela, Mendonza-Garfias, and Pérez-Ponce de León, 2019), a species which parasitizes Astyanax fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819), A. lacustris (Lucena and Soares, 2016) in Brazil, and A. aeneus (Günther, 1860) in Mexico, with genetic divergences of 2% and 3%, respectively. The new species can be distinguished morphologically from its congeners by possessing large body size (length and width) and tapered extremity in the posterior end of the body, eyespots are present at the pharynx level, and vitelline follicles reach up to the half distance between the posterior testis and the extremity of the body, by having larger testes distributed in coincident zones (i.e., contiguous) and non-operculated eggs (a conspicuous characteristic in W. brasiliensis). To date, species of this genus have already been described in freshwater fishes from Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Southeastern Brazil. The species described in this study consists of the second species parasitizing characids in Brazil, and the first record in Northeastern Brazil. This finding fills a gap and expands the biogeographic distribution of the genus Wallinia in South America.

SARS-CoV-2 spread across the Colombian-Venezuelan border

INTRODUCTION

Venezuela and Colombia both adopted measures of containment early in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Venezuela's ongoing humanitarian crisis has decimated its health care system, and forced millions of Venezuelans to flee through its porous border with Colombia. The extensive shared border, and illegal cross-border transit through improvised trails between the two countries are major challenges for public health authorities. We report the first SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Venezuela, and present a snapshot of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiologic landscape in the Colombian-Venezuelan border region.

METHODS

We sequenced and assembled viral genomes from total RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal (NP) clinical specimens using a custom reference-based analysis pipeline. Three assemblies obtained were subjected to typing using the Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak LINeages 'Pangolin' tool. A total of 376 publicly available SARS-CoV-2 genomes from South America were obtained from the GISAID database to perform comparative genomic analyses. Additionally, the Wuhan-1 strain was used as reference.

RESULTS

We found that two of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Venezuela belonged to the B1 lineage, and the third to the B.1.13 lineage. We observed a point mutation in the Spike protein gene (D614G substitution), previously reported to be associated with increased infectivity, in all three Venezuelan genomes. Additionally, three mutations (R203K/G204R substitution) were present in the nucleocapsid (N) gene of one Venezuelan genome.

CONCLUSIONS

Genomic sequencing demonstrates similarity between SARS-CoV-2 lineages from Venezuela and viruses collected from patients in bordering areas in Colombia and from Brazil, consistent with cross-border transit despite administrative measures including lockdowns. The presence of mutations associated with increased infectivity in the 3 Venezuelan genomes we report and Colombian SARS-CoV-2 genomes from neighboring borders areas may pose additional challenges for control of SARS-CoV-2 spread in the complex epidemiological landscape in Latin American countries. Public health authorities should carefully follow the progress of the pandemic and its impact on displaced populations within the region.

Ammoglanis natgeorum, a new miniature pencil catfish (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the lower Atabapo River, Amazonas, Venezuela

A new species of the sand-dwelling catfish genus Ammoglanis is described from a marginal habitat of the lower Atabapo River, a left-bank blackwater tributary of the upper Orinoco River in Amazonas, Venezuela, adjacent to the border with Colombia. Ammoglanis natgeorum is distinguished from all congeners by trunk pigmentation pattern consisting of scattered ventral chromatophores concentrated around the anal-fin base and numerous additional meristic and anatomical characteristics. A. natgeorum is the second species of Ammoglanis described from the Orinoco River basin after Ammoglanis pulex, and several shared character states (e.g., eight total dorsal-fin rays, overall coloration pattern and presence of two finger-like papillae posterior to chin) suggest that it is more closely related to Ammoglanis obliquus (from the central Amazon basin) and A. pulex than to other congeners.