Introduction: Cow’s milk has been considered for years as the primary source of food and nutrition in humans because no other food presents better nutritional values than the ones it offers to people who ingest it. However, poor milking practices and a lack of knowledge of the personnel involved in producing artisan cheese cause the products that are part of our daily diet to be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. Objective: To determine the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in cheese sold in the ‘El Arenal’ market in Cuenca – Ecuador, during March 2023. Methodology: The universe consists of the merchants of the ‘El Arenal’ market in the city of Cuenca -Ecuador. Thirty-two samples were collected from eight designated stalls selling artisan cheeses at this Market in Cuenca, Ecuador. Staphylococcus aureus will be detected using Compact Dry X-SA plates. Results: Staphylococcus aureus presence in cheese samples using Compact Dry X-SA plates was determined to verify if it is within the parameters established according to NTE INEN 1528:2012 standard. Conclusion: The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in cheese sold in ‘El Arenal’ market in Cuenca -Ecuador, March 2023 will be determined. The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in cheese samples sold in the ‘El Arenal’ market will be identified using Compact Dry X-SA plates; the colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus in the cheese samples will be quantified.

Introduction: Child malnutrition is an alarming health problem due to its profound consequences in the lives of infants; reason it is essential to monitor the nutritional status. Objective: to assess body composition in schoolchildren from Ecuadorian Public Educational Institutions. Methodology: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,372 schoolchildren. The triceps skinfold and arm circumference were used to identify the body composition. The Frisancho (1990) formulas were used for the interpretation of the results. Results: in the muscular area of the arm, 29% of the male infants had reduced musculature in relation to 21% of the female infants; the fat area of the male arm was greater by 39% while the females had 36%. Conclusion: Most of the schoolchildren presented an exceptionally low protein reserve, in contrast to a normal caloric reserve, being the most representative result in males. This condition is associated with a probable state of malnutrition in the subjects. However, in future studies the association of the anthropometric variables analyzed with other factors should be considered to obtain definitive results regarding body composition and nutritional risk situation. General study area: Nutrition and Dietetics. Specific study area: Nutritional Status Assessment. Study type: Original paper.

Introduction: the lifestyle adopted by individuals directly influences their health state and even more so when coping with a chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objective: to assess lifestyle and its influence on glycemic control in diabetic patients. type 2. Methodology: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in forty-six users treated in the outpatient clinic of the Dr. Rafael Rodríguez Zambrano Hospital in Manta-Ecuador. The IMEVID survey was applied to identify the lifestyle of the population, while the glycemic parameters were obtained from the clinical history of each patient. Results: a 54.3% of the patients had a not very favorable lifestyle, 41.3% had an unfavorable lifestyle and 4.3% had a favorable lifestyle. The blood glucose values ranged from 70 to 305 mg/dL, observing that 89.13% presented glucose values higher than recommended. Plasmatic glucose levels above the recommendation were identified in 50% of the patients with an unfavorable lifestyle; however, this result was not statistically significant. Conclusion: most of the patients in this study led an inadequate lifestyle, with elevated plasma glucose parameters; situation that predisposes them to complications associated with the disease. General study area: Nutrition and Dietetics. Specific study area: Clinical Nutrition. Study type: Original paper.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus (SA), an invasive bacterium, has a high prevalence of causing nosocomial infections due to its common presence in healthcare professionals’ and patients’ nostrils and hands. Being ubiquitous in nature, this pathogen is primarily found in hospital environments and is considered a vector of infectious diseases. It is estimated that more than 70% of bacteria that causes nosocomial infections become resistant to at least one commonly used drug. General Objective: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus strains in inert surfaces of the ‘José Félix Valdivieso’ Hospital. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Samples were collected from inert surfaces in the emergency and hospitalization areas, such as stretcher handrails, switches, door handles, serum holders, and metallic medical records. Sterile swabs moistened in BHI were used to collect the samples, which were preserved and transported for processing at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Biochemistry and Pharmacy of the Catholic University of Cuenca. Results: Six strains of S. aureus were isolated and distributed in operating (67%) and pediatric (33%) areas. All strains were sensitive to cefoxitin, while three strains showed resistance to penicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin: the latter two exhibiting inducible resistance. Conclusions: The presence of S. aureus was evidenced in two critical areas, posing a risk factor for developing nosocomial infections

Introduction: the gastrointestinal system, further from its classic role in nutrition and immunity, also fulfills endocrine functions through the secretion of hormones that participate in homeostasis. Objective: present the generalities of the neuroendocrine role of the gastrointestinal system and its impact on homeostasis. Methodology: narrative review of the literature that included forty-six articles selected based on their open availability and to be published in English and Spanish. Conclusion: the study of gastrointestinal hormones allows the development of new diagnostic technologies and treatment targets in the context of different pathologies. Knowing the role of these hormones, from the perspective of biomedical sciences, could contribute to the treatment of pathologies such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

Introduction. Milk is a biological liquid with high nutrient content produced by the mammary glands of cows; it contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, enzymes, and hormones that benefit the development of children and adults. To ensure its quality, milk must meet specific requirements established in the Ecuadorian Technical Standard - National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases 9 (NTE INEN by its Spanish acronym). These parameters are evaluated through sensory analysis, physicochemical properties, and microbiological tests to ensure their safety and purity before being processed in dairy plants and consumed in various forms and derivatives. Objective. To detect residues of beta-lactam antibiotics, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides in the cooperative center of Ludo, Ecuador, to establish the quality of raw bovine milk supplied to dairy industries. Methodology. Samples were collected from various suppliers, employing three different routes on random days. Absence or presence of antibiotic residues was determined using the Bioeasy Rapid Test Kit. Results. The analysis of antibiotic residues revealed two positive cases among the 116 collected samples. One case tested positive for beta-lactams, while the other exhibited sulfonamides residues. These substances are used to treat various cattle-related pathologies. Hence, keeping a record of treated animals and complying with milk withdrawal times is crucial. Conclusion. The presence of antibiotic residues in raw bovine milk is concerning due to the adverse effects on human health, including allergies, dysbacteriosis, antimicrobial resistance, and toxicity. It can also lead to the rejection of the product.

Introduction. Fecal coliforms are common microorganisms found in the intestinal microbiota. They are considered harmless when their quantification falls within permissible parameters. However, enterobacteria are often observed on surfaces with high human traffic, such as shopping malls. The development of such bacterial presence is usually attributed to inadequate aseptic practices and poor personal hygiene. Detecting the presence of enterobacteria serves as an indicator of potential fecal contamination. Objective. This study aims to determine and quantify the presence of fecal coliforms on inert surfaces within a shopping center in the city of Cuenca. Methodology. The study adopts an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional approach.

Results. In this study, 166 samples were collected from various inert surfaces within the shopping center. Samples were taken before the establishment's opening and after its closing to capture differing levels of human activity. High-traffic areas such as chairs, tables, railings of electric bleachers, and elevator buttons were targeted. The analysis revealed the presence of fecal coliforms in 74.69% of the samples examined. Conclusion. The findings highlight a significant increase in positive samples for fecal coliforms after the establishment's closing. Klebsiella pneumoniae, a dominant strain identified, is linked to various opportunistic infectious pathologies. The bacterial contamination within the establishment is associated with deficiencies in aseptic practices and personal hygiene.

In the environment there are toxic substances, one of these is smog that is emitted by vehicles, gases that react to sunlight and cause these to be harmful to people's health. In the present investigation, we sought to determine how the pollutants found in the environment can cause occupational diseases in the Traffic Agents of the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Ambato (GADMA), since they oversee controlling the vehicular flow in a pedestrian way. and others through motorized means, within the city. The methodology used was cross-correlational. The sample consisted of 263 traffic agents. Once the chi-square study has been conducted, it can be affirmed that the variables are 95% of an independent nature, considering that cough occurs in greater quantities in men than in women. The disease that Traffic Agents usually present is bronchitis, caused to a considerable extent by the toxic gases that are emitted especially by vehicles. The particulate matter in some places exceeds the permissible limits as indicated in table 3, which causes it to cross the lung membrane and cause respiratory diseases. Through the study it is observed that environmental pollutants are those that can cause health problems in Traffic Agents when they are in their jobs, especially those who work on foot since they are in greater contact with these gases. harmful to health.