Incidence of acute respiratory symptoms and COVID-19 infection in children in public schools in Bogotá, Colombia, from July to November, 2020 / Incidencia de síntomas respiratorios agudos y COVID-19 en niños de escuelas públicas de Bogotá, Colombia, entre julio y noviembre de 2020

Introduction: More than 90% of children infected with COVID-19 worldwide developed mild to moderate disease. In Colombia, during 2020, COVID-19 infections in children stayed below 9.2% of the total cases, with no trends for age group or sex. Objective: To estimate the incidence of acute respiratory symptoms and COVID-19 in children from public schools in Bogotá, Colombia during the second semester of 2020. Material and methods: A telephone survey was conducted in over 5,000 scholar children. Antecedents and use of health services were informed. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: A total of 151.470 persons per day accounting for an IR of 157,8 per 100,000 people; almost three times the rate reported by the official surveillance system in the city. Conclusion: A lack of diagnosis and consultation in children was found compared to the general population. Further research is needed to elucidate the true burden of the disease in children.

Introducción. Más del 90% de los niños infectados con COVID-19 en el mundo, desarrollaron enfermedad leve a moderada. En Colombia, durante el 2020, la infección del COVID-19 en niños se mantuvo por debajo de 9,2 % del total de los casos sin tendencias por grupo de edad o sexo. Objetivo. Estimar la incidencia de síntomas respiratorios agudos y COVID19 en niños de escuelas públicas en Bogotá (Colombia) durante el segundo semestre de 2020. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo una encuesta telefónica en más de 5.000 escolares. Se recolectó información de antecedentes médicos y uso de servicios de salud. La información obtenida se describió mediante estadística descriptiva. Resultados. Se contabilizó un total de 151.470 personas al día para una tasa de incidencia de 157,8 en 100.000 personas, casi tres veces la tasa reportada por el sistema de vigilancia oficial de la ciudad. Conclusión. Se encontraron deficiencias en el diagnóstico y consulta de los niños, al compararlos con la población general. Se necesita más investigación para dilucidar la verdadera carga de la enfermedad en la población infantil.

Autoevaluación de competencias profesionales de enfermería, en un hospital público de tercer nivel en Guanajuato, México / Self-assessment of nursing professional competencies in a tertiary level public hospital in Guanajuato, Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar la autoevaluación de las competencias profesionales de enfermería, en un hospital público de tercer nivel de atención, relacionadas con sus características laborales. Material y Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo correlacional, en 162 profesionales de enfermería de los servicios de hospitalización de un hospital público de tercer nivel de atención, se utilizó el instrumento validado "Competencias profesionales para licenciados en enfermería", con una confiabilidad de Alfa de Cronbach de 0.97, el estudio se apegó a lo estipulado en el Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Investigación. Resultados: De los profesionales de enfermería evaluados el 77.2% corresponde al sexo femenino; el rango de edad que predominó fue de 41- 45 años con 50.6%, en su mayoría casados (44.4 %). Destaca la antigüedad laboral de 11 a 14 años (48.1%) y el grado académico de Licenciatura (49.4%). El nivel global de competencias profesionales se ubicó en 164.8 (DE=11.4) de una puntuación máxima de 200, el indicador de ética destaca con una media de 33.85 (DE=2.88), seguido del indicador de atención integral con una media de 33.33 (DE=3.22). No se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa, entre las competencias profesionales del personal de enfermería y las características laborales. Conclusiones: El personal de enfermería, se percibe competente para brindar atención integral con apego ético; no obstante, se demanda fortalecer dimensiones como la educación, investigación y gestión, que contribuyan a la mejora continua de la calidad y seguridad en la atención.

Abstract: Objective: Analyze the self-assessment of the professional competencies of nurses in a tertiary care public hospital related to their work characteristics. Material and Methods: Quantitative, descriptive correlational study of 162 nursing professionals in the hospitalization services of a tertiary care public hospital, using the validated instrument "Professional competencies for nursing graduates", with a Cronbach's Alpha reliability of 0.97, the study complied with the stipulations of the Regulations of the General Law of Health on Research. Results: Of the nursing professionals evaluated, 77.2% were female; the predominant age range was 41-45 years with 50.6%, mostly married (44.4%). The most outstanding characteristics were seniority of 11 to 14 years (48.1 %) and a bachelor's degree (49.4 %). The overall level of professional competencies was 164.8 (SD=11.4) out of a maximum score of 200, the ethics indicator stands out with a mean of 33.85 (SD=2.88), followed by the comprehensive care indicator with a mean of 33.33 (SD=3.22). No statistically significant relationship was found between the professional competencies of the nursing staff and the work characteristics. Conclusions: The nursing staff is perceived as competent to provide comprehensive care with ethical attachment; however, there is a demand to strengthen dimensions such as education, research and management that contribute to the continuous improvement of quality and safety in care.

Total mercury exposure risk and selenium content measuring on fishery products consumed by women of childbearing age from Bogota, Colombia / Riesgo de exposición a mercurio total y medición del contenido de selenio en productos de la pesca consumidos por mujeres en edad fértil de Bogotá, Colombia

Background: Dietary exposure to mercury in women of childbearing age could result in neurological effects on the fetus. A health risk assessment of total mercury by fishery products intake has not been conducted in this population group in Bogota, Colombia. On the other hand, it has been suggested that selenium content on fishery products may have a protective effect against mercury toxicity. Nevertheless, selenium content on fish species marketed in Bogota has not been determined. Objective: Exposure risk to total mercury and selenium content on fishery products consumed by women of childbearing age from Bogota, Colombia, were assessed. Methods: Total mercury and selenium concentrations for products available at fish stores and supermarkets were determined. The exposure risk to total mercury was estimated considering the intake of these products by women of childbearing age group. Results: Total mercury highest concentrations were 0.8166 mg/kg in mota (Calophysusmacropterus), and 0.6275 mg/kg in catfish (Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum). On the other hand, the highest selenium concentration was 0.6471 mg/kg in nicuro (Pimelodus blochii). Finally, it was established that for women of childbearing age group, health risk of exposure to total mercury due to mota intake exceeded by 8.56-fold the reference dose. Conclusions:Mota intake considerably increases exposure risk to total mercury on women of childbearing age from Bogota, Colombia. The selenium levels established in the fishery products assessed, except for catfish and mota, are theoretically suggestive of a protective effect of selenium against mercury toxicity. Consequently, continuous total mercury concentrations monitoring is required to protect health of women of childbearing age and the general population from Bogota, Colombia

Antecedentes: La exposición dietética al mercurio en mujeres en edad fértil podría provocar efectos neurológicos en el feto. En Bogotá, Colombia no se han realizado evaluaciones de riesgo por la exposición al mercurio total debido a la ingesta de productos de la pesca en este grupo de la población. Por otro lado, ha sido sugerido que el contenido de selenio en los productos de la pesca podría tener un efecto protector frente a la toxicidad por mercurio, sin embargo, el contenido de selenio en las especies de peces comercializadas en Bogotá, Colombia no ha sido determinado. Objetivo: Evaluar el riesgo de exposición al mercurio total y el contenido de selenio en los productos de la pesca consumidos por las mujeres en edad fértil de Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Se determinaron las concentraciones de mercurio total y selenio en distintos productos de la pesca disponibles en pescaderías y supermercados. El riesgo de exposición a mercurio total se estimó considerando la ingesta de estos productos por parte de un grupo de mujeres en edad fértil. Resultados: Las concentraciones más altas de mercurio total fueron de 0.8166 mg/kg en mota (Calophysus macropterus) y 0.6275 mg/kg en bagre (Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum). Por otro lado, la concentración más alta de selenio fue de 0.6471 mg/kg en nicuro (Pimelodus blochii). Finalmente, se estableció que el riesgo de exposición a mercurio total, debido a la ingesta de mota, excedió en 8.56 veces la dosis de referencia en el grupo de mujeres en edad fértil. Conclusiones: La ingesta de mota aumenta el riesgo de exposición al mercurio total en las mujeres en edad fértil de Bogotá, Colombia. Por otro lado, los niveles de selenio identificados en los productos evaluados, excepto en bagre y mota, teóricamente sugieren un posible efecto protector del selenio contra la toxicidad por mercurio. Considerando lo indicado, es necesario realizar un monitoreo continuo de las concentraciones de mercurio total en los productos de la pesca, con el fin de proteger la salud de las mujeres en edad fértil y de la población general de Bogotá, Colombia

Factores asociados a complicaciones en pacientes diabéticos con enfermedad coronaria multivaso intervenidos quirúrgicamente en un centro cardiovascular de alta complejidad / Factors associated with complications in diabetic patients with multivessel coronary disease surgically operated in a highly complex cardiovascular center

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y de procedimiento asociadas a complicaciones en pacientes diabéticos con enfermedad coronaria severa, sometidos a revascularización quirúrgica. Métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y enfermedad coronaria multivaso, sometidos a revascularización quirúrgica, en el que se evaluaron las características individuales, clínicas y de procedimiento asociadas a complicaciones posquirúrgicas. Se realizó un análisis bivariado y multivariado mediante regresión logística binaria. Resultados: Los factores asociados a complicaciones fueron edad, índice de masa corporal, fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, clase funcional de la Asociación del Corazón de Nueva York (NYHA, su sigla en inglés por New York Heart Association) preintervención y antecedente de consumo de alcohol y tabaco; de estos, la edad es la variable que persiste con significancia estadística tras el modelo de regresión logística binaria. Conclusión: La incidencia de complicaciones posoperatorias en pacientes diabéticos sometidos a revascularización quirúrgica es comparable con la observada en estudios previos, y el factor asociado encontrado para este grupo de pacientes es la edad. El modelo podría explicar el 23 % del desarrollo de complicaciones en la cohorte estudiada.

Abstract Objective: To determine the sociodemographic, clinical and procedural characteristics associated with complications in diabetic patients with severe coronary disease treated by coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study in patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary disease, undergoing surgical revascularization, where individual, clinical and procedural characteristics associated with surgical complications were evaluated. A bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. Results: The factors associated with complications that were found were: age, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, pre intervention New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, alcohol and tobacco history. Of these, age was the only variable that persists with statistical significance after the logistic regression model. Conclusion: The incidence of postoperative complications in diabetic patients undergoing surgical revascularization is comparable to that observed in previous studies. The associated factor found for this group of patients is the age.

Determinación de intervalos biológicos de referencia para adultos en el equipo hematológico BC-5000 de la Escuela de Microbiología de la Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 2017 / Determination of reference biological intervals in a hematology analyzer BC-5000 of the Microbiology School of the University of Antioquia, Medellin 2017

RESUMEN Introducción: los valores del hemograma en adultos pueden variar de acuerdo con factores como el origen étnico, la edad, el sexo y la altura sobre el nivel del mar, por lo cual es indispensable conocer intervalos biológicos asociados a nuestra población. Por esto el objetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar intervalos biológicos de referencia (IBR) para adultos en un equipo hematológico BC-5000. Metodología: estudio descriptivo transversal con 111 donantes entre 18 y 62 años de un banco de sangre de Medellín. Se realizó un hemograma, proteína C reactiva y ferritina. Se calcularon los IBR siguiendo las recomendaciones de la Federación Internacional de Química Clínica. La comparación de los IBR según sexo se realizó con la prueba T-student. Resultados: los IBR calculados mediante la fórmula X ± (DS * 1,96) mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre hombres y mujeres para el recuento de la mayoría de los parámetros. Se obtuvieron medias estadísticas mayores en mujeres para el recuento de leucocitos y plaquetas, recuentos absolutos y relativos de algunas células blancas, volumen plaquetario medio (VPM) y plaquetocrito (PCT). Discusión: la presencia de andrógenos en el sexo masculino, inductores del sistema eritropoyético, así como los estrógenos y el período menstrual, supresores del mismo, pueden explicar los valores menores en el recuento eritrocitario, en los rangos de hemoglobina, hematocrito y glóbulos rojos en las mujeres. Las altas cargas de estrógenos e interleucinas 6 y 10 en las mujeres amplían la vida media de células como linfocitos, explicando la diferencia en el recuento leucocitario a expensas de linfocitos encontrados en el presente estudio.

SUMMARY Introduction: The adult hemogram values can vary according factors such as ethnic origin, age, sex and level above the sea, whereby it is essential to know the biological intervals associated to our own population. Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine biological reference intervals (BRI) for adults with the hematological equipment BC-5000. Methods: This is a transversal descriptive study with 111 blood bank donors from Medellín, between 18 62 years old. Hemogram, Creactive protein and ferritin were done. The BRI were calculated according to the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), with the formula X ± (DS * 1, 96). BRI comparison according sex was carried out with the t-student test. Results: Calculated BRI by X ± (DS * 1, 96) formula, showed statistically significant differences (P < 0, 05) between men and women for count in most of the parameters. Higher statistical means were obtain in women for the count of leukocytes and platelets, absolute counts of some white cells, VPN y PCT. Discussion: The presence of androgens in the male sex, inductors of the erythropoiesis system, as well as the estrogens and menstrual period, suppressor of this system, can explain the lower values in the female erythrocyte count, the hemoglobin, hematocrit and red cell lower ranges. The high estrogen and interleukins 6 and 1 loads in women, drive the extended half-life of some cells like lymphocytes, that can explain the difference in leucocyte count found in the present study.

Análisis de metilación en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica en diferentes instituciones médicas de Medellín / Methylation analysis in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in different medical institutions in Medellín

Fundamento: la leucemia mieloide crónica es una neoplasia mieloproliferativa crónica que se caracteriza por la presencia del cromosoma filadelfia. Para esta se ha diseñado como tratamiento los inhibidores de tirosin kinasa, que genera en los pacientes una respuesta hematológica, citogenética y molecular. Esta enfermedad se caracteriza por presentar tres fases clínicas que son producto de la acumulación de daños tanto genéticos representados por mutaciones puntuales y alteraciones en el cariotipo; y cambios epigenéticos en genes tales como ABL-1, OSCP1, PDLIM4, NPM2, ER y p15. Objetivo: describir los patrones de metilación de seis genes en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica en distintas fases de la enfermedad tratados con algún ITK´s o en su defecto con hidroxiurea en dos hospitales de Medellín. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico trasversal, en el que se recolectaron 34 muestras a conveniencia de pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica. Para hacer el análisis de estas muestras se usó una PCR específica de metilación. Los datos analizados no se distribuyeron de forma normal, por lo que se realizaron pruebas no paramétricas como U de Man Whitney y test exacto de Fischer, con una significancia de 0,05. Resultados: se encontró diferencias de estadísticas significativas en los datos del hemograma de ambas fases de la enfermedad, también se encontró una alta frecuencia de genes metilados en fase acelerada. La metilación de p15, ABL-1, ER son independiente de la fase de la enfermedad. En los pacientes tratados con hidroxiurea se observó una metilación del 100 % para los genes NPM2, OSCP1 y PDLIM4 este comportamiento no se observó en los individuos tratados con ITK´S, no obstante, para aquellos pacientes que desarrollaron resistencia a los ITK´s se observó un porcentaje de metilación mayor en los genes OSCP1, ABL-1 y PDLIM4. Conclusiones: la metilación en los genes PDLIM4 y OSCP1, puede asociarse con pronóstico desfavorable, ya que puede estar relacionado con la progresión de fase crónica a acelerada y el desarrollo de resistencia a los ITK´s.

Background: chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome. A specific treatment is designed as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ITK's), which induces patients to have a hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular response. This disease is characterized by three clinical phases that result from the accumulation of genetic damage, both represented by point mutations and alterations in the karyotype; and epigenetic changes in genes such as ABL, OSCP1, PDLIM4, Npm2, ER and p15. Objective: to describe the schemes of six gens in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in different stages of the disease and treated with some ITK in two hospitals in Medellín. Methods: a descriptive transversal study was conducted, in which 34 samples were collected at the convenience of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To make the analysis of these samples methylation specific PCR was done. Results: statistical differences in blood count data from both phases of the disease was found, a high frequency of methylated genes in accelerated phase was also found. p15 methylation, ABL, ER are independent of the stage of the disease. In patients treated with hydroxyurea, methylation of 100 % for OSCP1 and PDLIM4 genes was observed and this behavior was not observed in individuals treated with ITK'S. In patients who developed resistance to ITK's however was observed a higher percentage of methylation in genes OSCP1 and PDLIM4. Conclusions: methylation in PDLIM4 and OSCP1 genes could be associated with poor prognosis possibly being associated with progression of chronic to accelerated phase and the development of resistance to ITK's.

Biomarcadores de mercurio y su relación con la edad, en Bogotá, 2014 / Mercury Biomarkers and Age in Bogotá, 2014 / Biomarcadores de Mercúrio e a Sua Relação com a Idade, Bogotá, 2014

Introducción: El mercurio se encuentra en forma natural o antrópica, con capacidad de acumularse en el organismo (bioacumulación) y concentrarse en las cadenas alimentarias (biomagnificación),especialmente en peces. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, análisis secundario de biomarcadores de mercurio y su relación con la edad, a partir del estudio "Prevalencia de mercurio y plomo en población general de Bogotá 2012/2013". Resultados:Participaron 401 personas; el promedio de edad fue de 46,5 años; el 74,8 % fueron mujeres. Los valores promedio de concentración de mercurio fueron 0,294 µg/L en orina, 3,127 µg/L en sangre y 1,003 µg/g en cabello. La prevalencia general de personas con niveles que superaron los valores límite de referencia internacional dados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA), para mercurio fue de 13,5 %. Se presentó correlación positiva entre la edad y las concentraciones de mercurio en sangre y en cabello, p < 0,05. Discusión: Al encontrar el aumento de la edad con el incremento de los niveles de mercurio en sangre y cabello puede explicarse por el proceso conocido como bioacumulación; aunque el cuerpo humano está diseñado para eliminar de manera natural contaminantes como el mercurio, dicha eliminación es muy lenta, y con el paso de los años el cuerpo se satura y supera la capacidad del organismo. Debe fortalecerse el desarrollo de sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica que permitan avanzar en la detección temprana de posibles casos de intoxicación derivados de la exposición ambiental a mercurio.

Introduction: Mercury is a heavy metal released naturally and anthropically in the environment; it may change by microbial metabolism and become methyl-mercury accumulated within the organisms (bioaccumulation) and concentrated within food chains (biomagnification), especially fish. Due to bioaccumulation, its elimination over time is more difficult and slower because the system is saturated exceeding the removal ability of the organism. Materials and methods: A descriptive study and a secondary analysis of mercury biomarkers related to age from the study "Prevalence of mercury and lead in general population of Bogota 2012/2013". Results: Measurements were made with 401 people, whose average age was 46.5 years; 74.8 percent women. The mean values of Hg concentration, 0.294 µg/L in urine; 3.127 µg/L in blood; 1.003 µg/g in hair. Overall prevalence of people with levels exceeding the international reference limit values given by WHO and EPA for Hg was 13.5 percent. There was a positive correlation between age and Hg concentrations in blood and hair, P < 0.05. Discussion: Hg-increased levels found in blood and hair related to the increased age can be explained by bioaccumulation process since the human body has been created to remove naturally contaminants such as Hg, and this is very slow and over time the body saturates exceeding the ability to remove them. Therefore, the development of epidemiological monitoring systems should be strengthened to allow a timely exposure of probable events of intoxication caused by environmental Hg exposure, whose emphasis should be on the most vulnerable population.

Introdução: O mercúrio encontra-se presente no ambiente de forma natural ou antrópica; este pode mudar por metabolismo microbiano e se converter em metil-mercúrio com capacidade de se acumular nos organismos (bioacumulação) e se concentrar na cadeia alimentar (bio-magnificação), especialmente em peixes. Devido à bioacumulação, sua eliminação com o andar do tempo é mais difícil e lenta, pois o sistema satura-se superando a sua capacidade de eliminação do organismo. Materiais e métodos: Estudo descritivo, análise secundário de biomarcadores de mercúrio e a sua relação com a idade a partir do estudo "Prevalência de mercúrio e chumbo na população geral de Bogotá 2012/2013". Resultados: Foram realizadas medições em 401 pessoas, cuja média de idade foi 46,5 anos; o 74,8% foram mulheres. Os valores médios de concentração de Hg foram 0,294 µg/L na urina, 3,127 µg/L no sangue; 1,003 µg/g no cabelo. A prevalência geral de pessoas com níveis que superaram os valores limites de referência internacional, dados pela OMS e EPA para Hg foi de 13,5%. Teve correlação positiva entre a idade e as concentrações de Hg no sangue e cabelo P < 0,05. Discussão: O achado do aumento dos níveis de Hg no sangue e no cabelo respeito do aumento da idade pode se explicar pelo processo nomeado bio- acumulação, pois o corpo humano embora esenhado para eliminar de jeito natural contaminantes como o Hg, é muito lento e com o decorrer do tempo o corpo satura-se superando a sua capacidade para elimina-los. A vista disso, deve se fortalecer o desenvolvimento de sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica que permitam avançar na detecçãooportuna de possíveis casos de intoxicação derivados da exposição ambiental a Hg, cujo ênfase deve ser orientado à população mais vulnerável.

Cuantificación en tiempo real de un conjunto de muestras colombianas de relevancia histórica mediante la detección de un fragmento corto de la región hipervariable II del ADN mitocondrial

Introducción. A diferencia de otro tipo de investigaciones, el análisis de ADN antiguo (ADNa) requiere la implementación de condiciones metodológicas y de infraestructura especializadas que garanticen la autenticidad de los resultados. Uno de los criterios de autenticidad para este tipo de muestras es la cuantificación del material genético, en la cual es común el uso de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) cuantitativa en tiempo real, por su sensibilidad y especificidad. La implementación de estas metodologías y de las condiciones necesarias para el cumplimiento de los requisitos de autenticidad hace que este tipo de investigación sea dispendioso y costoso. Objetivo. Generar una estrategia de cuantificación del ADN mitocondrial de muestras seriamente degradadas mediante un sistema sencillo y de fácil implementación. Materiales y métodos. El sistema se basa en el uso de iniciadores que posibilitan la amplificación específica de fragmentos cortos del ADN mitocondrial. La posterior purificación de este fragmento permite generar una curva estándar con concentraciones acordes al estado de degradación de la muestra. Resultados. Se detectó ADN antiguo proveniente de restos óseos y tejidos momificados de diferentes fechas. Además, el sistema permitió detectar la presencia de agentes inhibidores del ADN. Conclusión. La implementación de la estrategia aquí planteada es sencilla, puede reducir los costos de la investigación y, además, permite la detección de ADNa en muestras muy degradadas, así como la discriminación entre las muestras que no poseen material genético y aquellas que presentan agentes inhibidores.

Introduction: Unlike other molecular biology studies, the analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) requires special infrastructure and methodological conditions to guarantee the quality of the results. One of the main authenticity criteria is DNA quantification, where quantitative real-time PCR is often used given its sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the implementation of these conditions and methodologies to fulfill authenticity criteria imply higher costs. Objective: To develop a simple and less costly method for mitochondrial DNA quantification suitable for highly degraded samples. Materials and methods: The proposed method is based on the use of mini-primers for the specific amplification of short fragments of mitochondrial DNA. The subsequent purification of these amplified fragments allows a standard curve to be constructed with concentrations in accordance to the state of degradation of the samples. Results: The proposed method successfully detected DNA from ancient samples including bone remains and mummified tissue. DNA inhibitory substances were also detected. Conclusion: The proposed method represents a simpler and cost-effective way to detect low amounts of aDNA, and a tool to differentiate DNA-free samples from samples with inhibitory substances.

El derecho a la alimentación desde la contratación pública de servicios sociales de suministro / The right to food using public contracting regarding social services' supply

El Estatuto General para la Contratación de la Administración Pública, Ley 80 de 1993, actúa como la directriz que normatiza los procesos de contratación en Colombia y constituye el punto de partida para la compra de bienes y servicios en las instituciones públicas; además, es una de las herramientas jurídicas más importante de actualización de la gestión pública. Su objetivo es contribuir a la eficiencia en el manejo de los recursos públicos, a la moralización de la gestión y a la economía en el proceso de contratación estatal, desde sus principios rectores en el marco de la buena fe. Para el caso de la contratación del suministro de alimentación en contextos públicos, el objetivo que busca el Estado, a través de sus programas y proyectos de asistencia, es el de viabilizar la Política Nacional de Seguridad alimentaria y nutricional -la alimentación como derecho-, mitigar el hambre y mejorar, de alguna manera, las condiciones nutricionales y de salud colectiva de poblaciones excluidas y vulnerables por pobreza. Teóricamente, esto genera unas garantías sociales y económicas para el país en materia de desarrollo.

The General Regulations regarding Public Administration Procurement (Law 80/1993) act as the guidelines for standardising contracting in Colombia and form the starting point for public institutions' purchasing goods and services. They also represent one of the most important legal tools for updating public management. They were designed to ensure efficient management of public resources, ethical standards for management and cost-cutting concerning government contracting, based on their guiding principle of acting in good faith. Regarding public contracting for supplying food, the state's goals, through its assistance programmes and projects, is to enable national policy regarding food and nutrition security (seeing food as a right), mitigate hunger and improve nutritional conditions and the collective health of populations which are vulnerable and/or excluded by poverty. This should theoretically provide social and economic guarantees for Colombia's development.

Conocimientos y prácticas de los trabajadores de un hospital sobre el manejo de residuos Hospitalarios, Chocó, Colombia, 2012 / Knowledge and practices of workers of a Hospital about handling of hospital waste, Chocó Colombia, 2012

Introducción: los residuos hospitalarios y similares constituyen un grave problema de salud por el riesgo de contaminación biológica y química, y sus impactos negativos sobre la calidad de vida humana y el ambiente. Objetivo: describir los conocimientos y prácticas de los trabajadores de una Empresa Social del Estado de Chocó-Colombia sobre el manejo de residuos hospitalarios y su asociación con sexo, edad, área de servicios y tiempo de labor en la Institución. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal, en 67 empleados de seis áreas de trabajo de un hospital de Colombia. Se aplicó una escala sobre conocimientos y prácticas relacionadas con el manejo de residuos hospitalarios. Los datos se almacenaron y analizaron en Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows, software SPSS 20, con medidas de resumen, frecuencias, chi cuadrado y Anova. Resultados: en los conocimientos el 40% presentó un grado insatisfactorio, en las prácticas el 17,9% fue regular y solo 3% excelente. Los conocimientos no presentaron asociación estadística con el sexo, el área de servicios, la edad y el tiempo laborado en la Institución Prestadora de Servicios de Salud, excepto en el personal del laboratorio clínico, donde 89% presentaron un conocimiento entre bueno y excelente. Las prácticas no presentaron asociación estadística con el sexo, el área de servicio, la edad y el tiempo de servicio. Conclusión: se observó una elevada proporción de conocimientos y prácticas inadecuadas o insatisfactorias frente al manejo de residuos, independiente del sexo, la edad, el área de trabajo y el tiempo de servicio; esto implica que el problema es generalizado en la Institución y evidencia la necesidad de mejorar los programas de educación y capacitación...

Introduction: hospital waste and similar are relevant health problem for the biological and chemicals risk, and negative impacts on the human quality of life and the environment. Objective: to describe the knowledge and practices of the workers of a Empresa Social del Estado from Chocó, Colombia about the handle of the hospital waste. Materials and methods: cross sectional study in 67 workers of six work areas of a hospital from Colombia. A scale about knowledge and practices about hospital waste was applied. The data is stored and analyzed in SPSS 20, with summary measures, frequencies, chi2 and Anova. Results: in knowledge 40% presented an unsatisfactory grade, in practice 17.9% was regular and only 3.0% excellent. The knowledge do not presented statistical association with sex, area of service, age and the time worked in the IPS, except in clinical laboratory staff, where 89% had a good knowledge. Practices showed no statistical association with sex, area of service, age and length of service. Conclusion: there was a high proportion of practices and knowledge unsatisfactory related with waste management, independent of gender, age, work area and service time, this implies that the problem is widespread in the institution and highlights the need to improve education programs and training...

Checklist do filo Chaetognatha do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Checklist of chaetognatha phyllum from São Paulo State, Brazil

O filo Chaetognatha é constituído de um pequeno número de animais marinhos deuterostomados, filogeneticamente isolados, de simetria bilateral e corpo alongado em forma de torpedo ou seta, cujo comprimento pode variar de 2 a 120 mm. O corpo é dividido em três regiões: cabeça, tronco e cauda. A cabeça apresenta um par de olhos e a boca situada no vestíbulo ventral, a qual é circundada por uma coroa de espinhos fortes e por uma ou duas fileiras de dentes. O tronco possui um ou dois pares de nadadeiras laterais e a cauda uma nadadeira na extremidade posterior. São hermafroditas protândricos sendo em geral a fecundação cruzada, interna, e o desenvolvimento direto. São predadores que se alimentam de uma grande variedade de organismos. O canibalismo também é observado no grupo. Os quetógnatos desempenham papel fundamental na teia trófica marinha, como carnívoros primários e item alimentar de organismos planctófagos especialmente peixes de interesse comercial. São considerados bons indicadores de áreas de pesca, potencialmente importantes, grandes produtores de matéria orgânica particulada e peça chave no fluxo do carbono nos oceanos. Mais recentemente, foram reconhecidos como hospedeiros intermediários no ciclo de vida de vários grupos de parasitas marinhos. Os quetógnatos são encontrados em todos os mares, oceanos e regiões estuarinas, sendo mais abundantes entre os 100 e 200 m de profundidade. Com exceção dos componentes da família Spadellidae, que agrupa espécies bentônicas, a grande maioria é planctônica. A distribuição desses organismos é influenciada em geral pelas condições hidrológicas, sendo algumas espécies usadas como indicadoras de massas de água. No momento, 209 espécies de Chaetognatha foram descritas no mundo, das quais 29 ocorrem no Atlântico Sul e 25 em águas brasileiras. No estado de São Paulo, apenas, 14 espécies foram encontradas nas regiões costeiras e oceânicas.

The species of Chaetognatha, commonly called arrow-worms, are considered one of the most taxonomically isolated animal groups, with obscure phyletic origin. They are deuterostomes of small size, between 2 and 12 mm, with bilateral symmetry and transparent torped-shaped body, although some species have pigmentation. The body consists of the head, the trunk and the tail. The head bears a ventrally placed mouth, surrounded by two sets of rigid hooks and rows of small teeth, both used in prey capture. There are two dorsal eyes, which are absents in some deep living species. The trunk bears paired lateral fins and the tail a single fin. They are protandrous hermaphrodites with direct development, being the cross-fertilization probably typical in this phylum. Fertilization is internal and the eggs released directly into the water. Although chaetognaths are eaten by numerous larger carnivorous organisms, in the food web they are important predators and a significant trophic link between small herbivores and larger predators, including important commercial fish species. Cannibalism is known, particularly in some species. They have been recognized as important producers of large quantities of fecal pellets, which must play a significant role in the flux of organic carbon in the oceans. Chaetognaths are also considered good indicators of potentially important fishery areas, and more recently, they gained recognition as vectors in the life cycles of various parasite groups. They are exclusively marine and can be found in all oceans from surface to great depths and in estuarine regions. Generally are most abundant around 100-200 m depths. With exception to the epibenthic family Spadellidae, the chaetognaths are conspicuous members of the zooplankton. Their distribution pattern is influenced by the hydrobiological conditions and some species are known as indicators of water masses. A total of 209 species were recorded in the world's oceans, and 29 for the South Atlantic. Twenty five species are known from the Brazilian waters and only 14 species from coastal and offshore waters of São Paulo State.

Checklist da classe appendicularia (Chordata: Tunicata) do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Checklist of class appendicularia (Chordata: Tunicata) from São Paulo State, Brazil

Os tunicados da classe Appendicularia são organismos pelágicos, exclusivamente marinhos, caracterizados pela ausência da cavidade branquial e da cloaca, bem como pela retenção de notocorda e cauda muscular no estágio adulto. O corpo, delicado e transparente, é formado pelo tronco que raramente excede os 5 mm e pela cauda, várias vezes mais longa que o tronco. São hermafroditas protândricos, exceção feita à espécie Oikopleura dioica, que na época da reprodução lançam os gametas na água onde ocorre a fecundação. Os apendiculários se alimentam basicamente de pico-nanoplâncton, bem como de pequenas diatomáceas, vírus, bactérias e material coloidal. Durante a alimentação utilizam a casa ou "house", secretada pelo epitélio glandular do tronco, que possui filtros internos para concentrar as partículas antes de serem selecionadas e ingeridas. Na teia alimentar marina, são elo importante entre o pico-nanoplâncton e os níveis tróficos superiores já que servem de alimento para os outros componentes do zooplâncton, incluindo peixes de interesse comercial. Sua elevada taxa de fecundidade e de crescimento, aliada à capacidade de produzir quantidades significativas de matéria orgânica representada pela casas descartadas e pelotas fecais, os tornam peça fundamental no fluxo de energia. A neve marinha produzida por estes organismos, representa uma importante fonte de carbono para as camadas mais profundas. Os apendiculários são encontrados em todas as regiões neríticas e oceânicas do mundo, sendo mais abundantes na camada dos 100 a 200 m, embora algumas espécies habitem as regiões meso e batipelágicas. A maior diversidade de espécies foi registrada em águas quentes. Das 82 espécies identificadas até o momento em todo o mundo, 43 foram citadas para o Oceano Atlântico Sul, 29 para as águas brasileiras e 20 espéies para o Estado de São Paulo.

The appendicularians are planktonic tunicates exclusively marine, characterized by the presence of the notochord in the adult stage and the lack of the peribranchial cavity and cloacae. The body is transparent and divided into two regions: a trunk, exceptionally exceeding 5 mm, and a tail which is generally several times longer than the trunk. These organisms, with exception of Oikopleura dioica, are hermaphroditic protandric, and release their gametes directly to the water column. They have both very high fecundity and growth rate. The primarily food item of appendicularians is pico-nannoplankton, virus, bacteria and mucoid substances. They feed by means of a complex mucous structure, the "house" which is secreted by the trunk and used as tangential flow filter to concentrate ambient food particles prior to their collection by the pharyngeal filter. The appendicularians are important food item of others components of the zooplankton, including larval and adult fish. On the other hand, the marine snow produced by them contribute substantially to the carbon turn over time. The sinking rates of their faecal pellets and discharged houses can reach deep waters and their repackaging activity may play a significant role in channeling short lived carbon toward sequestration. The Appendicularians are conspicuous members of marine zooplankton, occurring in both neritic and oceanic regions of all oceans. High number of species is epipelagic, being most abundant around 100-200 m. However, some species inhabit the meso-and bathypelagic regions. The highest diversity of Appendicularians has been reported from warmest waters. At the moment 82 species belonging to the Oikopleuridae, Fritillariidae and Kowalesvkiidae families were identified, and from these, 43 species have been recorded in South Atlantic and 29 species in Brazilian waters. In São Paulo State twenty species were found along the coastal waters.

Biological control of Rhizoctonia solani in tomatoes with Trichoderma harzianum mutants

Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani in tomatoes cultivated under greenhouse and field conditions was analyzed using the Trichoderma harzianum mutants Th650-NG7, Th11A80.1, Th12A40.1, Th12C40.1 and Th12A10.1 and ThF2-1, respectively. Their innocuousness on tomato cultivars 92.95 and Gondola (greenhouse assays), and on cultivar Fortaleza (field assays) was established. Alginate pellets (1.7 g pellets/L soil) containing c.a1 x 10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/g pellet were applied to a soil previously inoculated with R. solani at transplant (greenhouse) or to a naturally infected soil (field). Controls considered parental wild strains, a chemical fungicide and no additions. Th11A 80.1, Th12A10.1 and Th650-NG7 prevented the 100% mortality of tomato plants cv. 92.95 caused by R. solani, and the 40% mortality in tomato plants cv. Gondola (greenhouse assays). Mortality reduction was reflected in canker level lessening and in plant parameters increases (development, fresh and dry weights). A different degree of susceptibility of tomato plants was observed, being Gondola cv. more resistant than 92.95 cv. to infection in a soil previously inoculated with R. solani. Tomato plants of cv. Fortaleza did not show mortality in naturally infected soils (field assays), where the mutant ThF2-1 reduced significantly the canker level caused by R. solani.

Biocontrol capacity of wild and mutant Trichoderma harzianum (Rifai) strains on Rhizoctonia solani 618: effect of temperature and soil type during storage

Wild (Th11, Th12 and Th650) and mutant (Th11A80.1, Th12A40.1, Th12C40.1 and Th650-NG7) Trichoderma harzianum strains were stored for 180 days at 5ºC or at 22ºC, in two types of soils. Strains recovered at 90, 120 and 180 days from the two types of soils, retained their full capacity to biocontrol Rhizoctonia solani 618, that produces crown and root rot of tomatoes. Recovery, estimated as colony forming units (cfu) of the wild and mutant strains, showed that all increased their cfu after storage independently of the type of soil and temperature, although kinetic behavior differed among strains. Ratios of recovery after storage in type B soil/ type A soil or at 22ºC/5ºC, higher or lower than one respectively, allowed to establish that Th11 and Th12 were the most appropriate strains for the biocontrol of R. solani in conditions where growth of the phytopathogen is optimal.

New strains obtained after UV treatment and protoplast fusion of native Trichoderma harzianum: their biocontrol activity on Pyrenochaeta lycopersici

The obtainment of 30 new strains from native Trichoderma harzianum after UV light irradiation (UV-A and UV-C), and of 82 strains resulted from protoplast fusion were accomplished. The new strains, initially selected for their growing rate under low temperature and high pH conditions, as well as for their innocuousness on tomato plants, were tested for in vitro inhibition of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici in dual cultures and due to secretion of volatile and diffusible metabolites. All the UV-A and UV-C selected candidate mutants were innocuous to tomato plants, but none of them showed improvement in their biocontrol activity on P. lycopersici. Th12A20.1 increased 1.3 and 1.9 fold the total fresh weight of Fortaleza tomato plants when compared to its parental strains Th12 and Th11, respectively. The selected candidate mutants obtained through protoplast fusion were also innocuous to tomato plants, but only ThF1-2 and ThF4-4 inhibited 1.3 fold (in dual cultures) and 5 fold (due to secretion of volatile metabolites) the growth of P. lycopersici, respectively, in relation to the mean inhibitory effect of both parents. Therefore, these candidate mutants could be included in experiments under field conditions.

Biocontrol of root and crown rot in tomatoes under greenhouse conditions using Trichoderma harzianum and Paenibacillus lentimorbus: additional effect of solarization

Trichoderma harzianum 650 (Th650) and Paenebacillus lentimorbus 629 (Pl629) selected earlier for their ability to control Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum in vitro, were applied alone or combined with solarization (summer assay) and/or with methyl bromide (MeBr) (summer and winter assays) to a soil with a high inoculum level, for the control of tomato root rot caused by the complex F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici - Pyrenochaeta lycopersici - Rhizoctonia solani. Evaluations were also performed independently for root damage caused by P. lycopersici, and also for R. solani in the summer assay. MeBr decreased tomato root damage caused by the complex from 88.7 percent to 21.2 percent and from 78.4 percent to 35.7 percent in the summer and in the winter assay, respectively. None of the bio-controllers could replace MeBr in the winter assay, but Th650 and Pl629 reduced root damage caused by this complex in the summer assay. Treatments with bio-controllers were improved by their combination with solarization in this season. Independent evaluations showed that the positive control of Th650 towards R. solani and the lack of effect on P. lycopersici correlates well with the endochitinase pattern expressed by Th650 in response to these phytopathogens. Root damage caused by R. solani can be controlled at a similar level as it does MeBr in summer assays, thus representing an alternative to the use of this chemical fungicide for the control of this phytopathogen.

IP3 production in the hypersensitive response of lemon seedlings against Alternaria alternata involves active protein tyrosine kinases but not a G-protein

IP3 increase and de novo synthesis of scoparone are produced in the hypersensitive response (HR) of lemon seedlings against the fungus Alternaria alternata. To elucidate whether a G-protein and/or a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) are involved in signal transduction leading to the production of such a defensive response, we studied the HR in this plant system after treatment with G-protein activators alone and PTK inhibitors in the presence of fungal conidia. No changes in the level of IP3 were detected in response to the treatment with the G-protein activators cholera toxin or mastoparan, although the HR was observed in response to these compounds as determined by the scoparone synthesis. On the contrary, the PTK inhibitors lavendustin A and 2,5-dihidroxy methyl cinnamate (DHMC) not only prevented the IP3 changes observed in response to the fungal inoculation of lemon seedlings but also blocked the development of the HR. These results suggest that the IP3 changes observed in response to A. alternata require a PTK activity and are the result of a G-protein independent Phospholipase C activity, even though the activation of a G-protein can also lead to the development of a HR. Therefore, it appears that more than one signaling pathway may be activated for the development of HR in lemon seedlings: one involving a G-protein and the other involving a PTK-dependent PLC.

The development of Alternaria alternata is prevented by chitinases and beta-1, 3-glucanases from Citrus limon seedlings

In addition to phytoalexin synthesis, the defense response of intact Citrus limon seedlings against Alternaria alternata involves both constitutive and induced enzyme activities such as chitinases (Ch) and beta-1,3-glucanases (Glu). A alternata conidial germination was prevented by protein extracts from inoculated lemon seedlings, but also by extracts from mock-inoculated specimens. On the other hand, degradation of mycelia was accomplished only by protein extracts from inoculated seedlings. The presence of six Ch isoenzymes and of four Glu isoenzymes was detected in protein extracts from mock-inoculated seedlings. As a result of fungal inoculation, the isoenzyme pattern of Ch and Glu changed, making possible the detection of a new Ch isoenzyme and of three new Glu. Also, some constitutive Ch and Glu increased their enzyme activity, and those Ch that increased their activity also showed a broadening of their substrate specificity. These changes were prevented by alpha-amanitin and cycloheximide, suggesting that the presence of new Ch and Glu isoenzymes was due to de novo synthesis of proteins. Results suggest that constitutive Ch and Glu could act as pre-formed defense molecules in Citrus limon preventing A. alternata germination, while those induced after fungal inoculation of lemon seedlings could act along with the former, to produce lysis of fungal mycelia, resulting in a more efficient control of A. alternata development.

Signal transduction in lemon seedlings in the hypersensitive response against Alternaria alternata: participation of calmodulin, G-protein and protein kinases

The development of an effective hypersensitive response (HR) in any plant system relies, not only in their gene composition and expression, but also on an effective and rapid signal transduction system. Lemon seedlings induce the phenylpropanoid pathway, which results in the de novo biosynthesis of the phytoalexin scoparone, as part of the hypersensitive response against Alternaria alternata. In order to elucidate some of the signaling elements that participate in the development of HR in lemon seedlings, we used several compounds that are known as activators or inhibitors of signal transduction elements in plants or in animal cells. Lemon seedlings treated either with cholera toxin or with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), in the absence of A. alternata induced phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, E. C. 4.3.1.5) and the synthesis of scoparone, suggesting the participation of a G-protein and of a serine/threonine kinase, respectively, in signal transduction. The use of trifluoperazine (TFP), W-7, staurosporine, lavendustin A or 2,5dihydroximethyl cinnamate (DHMC) prevented PAL induction as well as scoparone biosynthesis in response to the fungal inoculation, thus allowing us to infer the participation of Calmodulin (CaM), of serine/threonine and of tyrosine protein kinases (TPK) for signal transduction in Citrus limon in response to A. alternata

The expression of extracellular fungal cell wall hydrolytic enzymes in different Trichoderma harzianum isolates correlates with their ability to control Pyrenochaeta lycopersici

Four isolates of Trichoderma harzianum (ThN3, Th11, Th12 and Th16) were selected for their ability to control the in vitro development of the tomato root pathogen Pyrenochaeta lycopersici. Analysis of the mechanisms involved in biocontrol showed that the formation of non-volatile metabolites appears to be one of those involved in biocontrol of P. lycopersici by all T. harzianum isolates tested. Nevertheless, the higher secretion of chitinases, both in number of isoenzymes and activity by the Th11 strain, correlated well with its higher ability to control this agent in laboratory and greenhouse experiments as compared to the other T. harzianum isolates tested. The secretion of ß -1,3-endoglucanases and/or proteases appeared to have less significance than endochitinases in the biological control of P. lycopersici