Informality, economic complexity, and internalization of rules.

This research aimed to find out the relationship between informality and the internalization of the rules of behavior required for complexity in the economic system, as better knowledge is required for formalization policy to have a greater impact. We use the economic complexity index (ECI) for 2018 at the regional level in Colombia, which combines the country's productive structure with the amount of knowledge and know-how embodied in the goods it produces. The informality measure we use is the individual's affiliation to social security (in particular health insurance), and we use a proxy of civic rule's internalization as an inverse relation with traffic tickets. This research aimed to shed new light on public policy to improve formalization and its economic impact. First, we include a theory that includes both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation types. The self-determination theory or organismic integration theory proposes this theory. Second, we have argued that the motivation to formalize is intrinsic to greater cultural capacity. Individuals gradually internalize rules of behavior that have repercussions on social dynamics. Third, the composition and characteristics of the families in the study sample seem to show that some factors increase the propensity for informality. Our empirical analysis reveals that group of people with a lower educational level are the ones who are more likely to belong to the informal labor market. These results are consistent with the literature. Multivariate Probit regression was used to examine these factors.

Closure of a Difficult-to-Manage Chronic Pressure Injury with the Use of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (APRP).

Pressure injury (PI) corresponds to a skin damage of ischemic aetiology that affects the integrity of the skin and is produced by prolonged pressure or friction between a hard internal and external surface. Treatment can be challenging when there is no resolution with usual care. The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (APRP) gel arises as a therapeutic possibility in the presence of chronic pressure injuries. The case of a patient with chronic PI who has been treated with APRP is presented, achieving resolution of the lesion.

Evidencia del comportamiento circadiano de la epo con dependencia del sexo e independencia de parámetros fisiológicos en jóvenes entrenados en la altura moderada / Sex dependent and physiologically independent circadian variation in epo in young amateur athletes / Evidencia do comportamento circadiano da epo com dependência do sexo e independência de parâmetros fisiológicos em jovens treinados na altura moderada

La importancia de la Epo como hormona central en los procesos de ambientación a la altura es clara dado su efecto estimulante sobre la producción eritrocitaria. Su naturaleza hormonal ha llevado a que algunas investigaciones evalúen su circadianidad con reportes no contundentes e inclusive contradictorios al respecto. Objetivo: Analizar la circadianidad de la Epo en sujetos que realizan entrenamiento aeróbico en la altura intermedia (2600 msnm) comparando diferencias entre hombres y mujeres. Materiales y métodos: Se reclutaron residentes a la altura intermedia de por lo menos 18 meses, de ambos sexos y que tuvieran entrenamiento aeróbico al menos durante 8 meses previos a la realización del estudio para medir su Epo cada 4 horas durante 24 horas y correlacionarla con algunas variables fisiológicas y ambientales. Resultados: Existe comportamiento circadiano en la Epo tanto para hombres como para mujeres, con un mesor para hombres de 20:10 h y 16:33 h para mujeres. En cuanto a la acrofase, esta se presenta hacia las 17:52 h para hombres y a las 15:50 h para las mujeres. El análisis de diferencia de medias muestra una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los dos grupos Conclusión: Existe circadianidad diferencial entre hombres y mujeres en cuanto a sus niveles de Epo, la cual es independiente de variables fisiológicas y ambientales. Tema: Ritmo circadiano. Subtema: Eritropoyetina.

Erythropoietin Epo is the key hormone in the process of erythropoiesis and, therefore, essential for acclimation to altitude. Although circadian variation in Epo levels has been reported before, the results are often contradictory. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Epo levels follow a circadian variation and that such variation depends on gender and standard physiological variables. We evaluated circadian variation in Epo levels in amateur young athletes living at intermediate elevation (Bogota, Colombia: 2600 m) and analyzed the potential association with physiological variables. Materials and Methods: Six men and six women were included in the study assuring at least eight months of aerobic regime before participation. We took blood samples every 4 h over 24 h to quantify Epo levels and measured physiological variables (hear rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation). Results: Our results show a circadian variation in Epo levels (cosinor analysis p<0.05) and a significant difference in mesor (men = 20:10 h, women = 16:33 h, p = 0.0001) and acrophase between males and females (men = 17:52 h, women = 15:50 h). In contrast, we did not detect any significant association with the physiological variables measured. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a circadian variation in Epo levels and that such rhythmicity is dependent on gender and independent of physiological variables. Ongoing research aims to detect the controller of the oscillation detected in this project. Themes: Circadian Rhythm. Topics: Erythropoietin.

A importância da Epo como hormona central nos processos de adaptação na altura é evidente dado o efeito estimulante sobre a produção eritrocitária. Sua natureza hormonal tem levado à pesquisa da circadianidade desta, com resultados não contundentes e inclusive contraditórios. Objetivo: Analisar de forma comparativa a circadianidade da Epo em homens e mulheres que fazem treinamento aeróbico na altura intermedia (2600 msnm). Materiais e Métodos: Foram incluídos residentes na altura intermedia, com uma idade mínima de 18 meses, ambos sexos, e treinamento aeróbico durante pelo menos 8 meses prévios da realização da investigação. Na população incluída, a Epo foi medida com intervalo de 4 horas (durante 24 horas) com o fim de correlaciona-la com algumas variáveis fisiológicas e ambientais. Resultados: Existe comportamento circadiano na Epo tanto em homens (mesor: 20:10 h) quanto em mulheres (mesor: 16:33 h). A acrofase se apresentou às 17:52 h nos homens e às 15;50 h nas mulheres. A análise comparativa de medidas descreve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos avaliados. Conclusão: Existe circadianidade diferencial entre homens e mulheres nos níveis da Epo, sendo independente das variáveis fisiológicas e ambientais. Tópico: Ritmo circadiano Subtópico: Eritropoietina.

A controlled clinical trial with pirfenidone in the treatment of pathological skin scarring caused by burns in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic skin scarring reversion remains a big challenge for surgeons, as disfiguring scars have a dramatic influence on patient's quality of life. METHODS: A controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate 8% pirfenidone (PFD) gel administered topically 3 times a day during 6 months to 33 pediatric patients with hypertrophic scars caused by burns. A total of 30 patients with hypertrophic scars with identical Vancouver Scar Scale values were treated with pressure therapy and included as controls. Improvements were evaluated by Vancouver Scar Scale and a Visual Analog Scale. Safety parameters were determined by the presence of adverse events and monitoring laboratory and hematology parameters. RESULTS: Patients treated with PFD during 6 months presented a continuous monthly statistically significant scar regression in comparison with the initial Vancouver measurement (P = <0.001). PFD group showed a higher improvement of all scar features as compared with control group treated with pressure therapy (P = <0.001). In the PFD group, 9 of 33 patients (27%) had their scores decreased in Vancouver classification by more than 55%, 22 patients (67%) had a 30% to 45% decrease, whereas 2 patients (6%) had a 30% decrease or less. Control group treated with pressure therapy showed a slight improvement in 16% of cases on an average. Patients did not show serious adverse effects or laboratory alterations throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Topical administration of 8% PFD gel 3 times a day is more effective and safe in the treatment of hypertrophic scars caused by burns in children, as compared with standard pressure therapy.

Fibrogenic polymorphisms (TGF-beta, PAI-1, AT) in Mexican patients with established liver fibrosis. Potential correlation with pirfenidone treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this work was to establish a potential correlation between specific polymorphisms and presence of hepatic fibrosis in Mexican patients with established liver fibrosis (ELF). Second, necroinflammatory index improvement was correlated with Pirfenidone (PFD) treatment response and the same polymorphisms. METHODS: We analyzed TGF-beta polymorphisms in codon 25, a single basepair guanine insertion-deletion polymorphism (4G/5G) for PAI-1 and angiotensin AT-6 single nucleotide polymorphism located in -6 promoter region. Twenty patients infected with either hepatitis C virus (HCV) (n = 13) or affected by alcohol consumption (n= 7) were included. Thirty subjects with no hepatic damage were included in control group. Blood samples for genomic DNA were obtained and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 polymorphisms were done by polymerase chain reaction-artificial introduction of a restriction site, TGF-beta by polymerase chain reaction-amplification refractory mutation system and AT by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Liver biopsies were obtained at baseline and after 12 months of PFD treatment. RESULTS: Established liver fibrosis patients had the homozygote G/G TGF-beta genotype, which has been associated with increased development of fibrosis. None of our patients had the G/C genotype. All pure HCV and pure alcohol abuse subjects carried G/G TGF-beta genotype (100% vs 37% control) (P = 0.0006). The odds of having TGF-beta G/G genotype was 19.5 for HCV patients and 10.83 for alcohol consumption patients as compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Established liver fibrosis patients had an improvement in necroinflammatory index after PFD treatment when correlated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and angiotensinogen-6 genotypes. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that a combination of inherited polymorphisms increased the risk of advanced fibrosis in ELF patients. Pure HCV and pure alcohol consumption patients which were homozygous G/G carriers had 19.5- and 10.8-fold higher risk to develop advanced fibrosis respectively.

Coccidioidomicosis sistémica. Informe de un caso en Colombia

Los autores informan el caso de un hombre de 33 años de edad, procedente de la Guajira (Colombia), conductor de un vehiculo recolector de basura en la zona, quien fue remitido por presentar pérdida de peso, adinamia, febrículas y lesiones en la piel. El exámen físico mostró poliadenopatias, hipoventilación en tercio medio de ambos hemotorax, hepatomegalia abscesos y lesiones cutáneas. El estudio micológico de estas lesiones reveló al exámen directo la presencia de esférulas en diversas etapas de maduración, con paredes gruesas en cuyo interior se observaron endosporas. El cultivo mostró crecimiento inicial de una colonia blanca, humeda y membranosa que se fue tornando algodonosa. La revisión microscópica de estas colonias reveló micelio hialino, septado y ramificado con artroconidias intercalares. Basados en estos hallazgos, se estableció un diagnóstico de coccidioidomicosis sistémica.