Zika emergence, persistence, and transmission rate in Colombia: a nationwide application of a space-time Markov switching model.

Zika, a viral disease transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, emerged in the Americas in 2015, causing large-scale epidemics. Colombia alone reported over 72,000 Zika cases between 2015 and 2016. Using national surveillance data from 1121 municipalities over 70 weeks, we identified sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with Zika's emergence, re-emergence, persistence, and transmission intensity in Colombia. We fitted a zero-state Markov-switching model under the Bayesian framework, assuming Zika switched between periods of presence and absence according to spatially and temporally varying probabilities of emergence/re-emergence (from absence to presence) and persistence (from presence to presence). These probabilities were assumed to follow a series of mixed multiple logistic regressions. When Zika was present, assuming that the cases follow a negative binomial distribution, we estimated the transmission intensity rate. Our results indicate that Zika emerged/re-emerged sooner and that transmission was intensified in municipalities that were more densely populated, at lower altitudes and/or with less vegetation cover. Warmer temperatures and less weekly-accumulated rain were also associated with Zika emergence. Zika cases persisted for longer in more densely populated areas with more cases reported in the previous week. Overall, population density, elevation, and temperature were identified as the main contributors to the first Zika epidemic in Colombia. We also estimated the probability of Zika presence by municipality and week, and the results suggest that the disease circulated undetected by the surveillance system on many occasions. Our results offer insights into priority areas for public health interventions against emerging and re-emerging Aedes-borne diseases.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block versus Epidural Anesthesia for Pain Management Post-Caesarean Delivery: A Pilot Study.

Background: Effective post-operative analgesia profoundly influences patient recovery and outcomes after caesarean delivery. The Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block represents a potential alternative, potentially offering greater effectiveness than epidural analgesia while causing fewer adverse effects. Objective: To assess if the abdominal transverse block provides superior postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing caesarean delivery compared to epidural analgesia. Methods: Participants were divided into parallel groups: an experimental group receiving TAP block (n=25) and a control group receiving epidural analgesia (n=24). All patients received a 10 mg dose of hyoscine at the end of the surgery. Experimental Group received a total of 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. In Epidural group received 0.2% ropivacaine at 4 mL/h for 24 hours. All participants were administered combined with neuroaxial block anesthesia. The patients selected for epidural analgesia received the mentioned dose, while the other group block had the epidural catheter removed after the cesarean section. The primary outcome was post-caesarean pain, evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at four intervals (0, 6, 12, and 24 hours). Also, surgical bleeding and residual motor were evaluated. VAS pain scores between the groups were compared using the Friedman test and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) for non-normally distributed data. The effect size was estimated with Eta Square ([Formula: see text]), considering values ≥0.38 as indicative of large effects. A two-tailed p-value < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: Statistically significant differences in pain scores were noted at 0 and 6 hours post-surgery (p<0.01). The TAP block group reported lower pain scores at 0 hours (mean=0.04) and 6 hours (mean=1.16) compared to the epidural group, reflecting a substantial effect size. Conclusion: The TAP block proves advantageous in mitigating postoperative pain for women post-caesarean delivery, particularly in the initial 6 postpartum hours. This relief promotes early mother-infant bonding and facilitates breastfeeding.

Clinical Manifestations of Dengue in Children and Adults in a Hyperendemic Region of Colombia.

Dengue is the most common arboviral disease in the world. Traditionally, it has affected more adults, but the incidence in children has increased in recent years. Colombia is no stranger to this change; therefore, we aimed to find the differences in signs, symptoms, and clinical, hematological, and hemogram characteristics between children under 12 years old and individuals aged 12 years and older in an endemic region of Colombia in 2020-2022. The analyses were conducted with baseline data, corresponding to a cross-sectional design. Multiple correspondence analysis was used for general, dermatological, and clinical symptom profiles. Discriminant analysis was used for laboratory profiles. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to nominal categorical data, employing Euclidean distances to analyze age groups. Discriminant analysis was applied to a training sample and validated on a test sample. The overall agreement of the model's discrimination, sensitivity, specificity, and fit indicators was calculated. The results indicated that individuals under 12 years exhibited distinct dermatological and clinical features, including rash, pruritus, hypotension, lymphocyte count, and platelet count, compared with those aged 12 years and older. In contrast, those 12 years and older were profiled for general and clinical symptoms such as pain (back pain, retro-orbital pain, headache), dizziness, chills, hematuria, tachypnea, and elevated/high hematocrit, hemoglobin, and basophil values. These findings are crucial to understanding the high incidence in children; they also facilitate rapid understanding of the disease in clinical care settings and differentiate it from other febrile outbreaks. This will affect disease control, particularly in severe cases, and reduce mortality.

Risk Factors Associated With Bullying in Context of a Territory Exposed to Armed Conflict: A Cross-sectional Study.

School violence and bullying are current and problematic events during adolescence. They are likely to have a marked presence in places highly exposed to armed conflict and violent environments, representing a double public health problem. The study aims to estimate the prevalence of different types of school violence perpetrated and experienced by school adolescents in a community with a history of exposure to armed conflict. Two thousand one hundred eighty-five school adolescents from a municipality in Colombia (males = 54.1%, 14-16 years = 38.6%) participated in the study. Nine educational institutions were included. A systematic random sampling was designed, with a proportional allocation of 35% within each school year from sixth to eleventh grade. The School Coexistence and Circumstances Affecting it-ECECA survey was applied. The prevalence and risks of bully and bullying were estimated. RRa were calculated with the 95% confidence interval adjusted for the other confounding variables. Analyses were constructed from generalized linear models, under the Poisson family and a logarithmic link function. We found a 9.3% of bullying victimization and a 3.5% prevalence of bully. A higher risk of bully was found among males, persons between 10 and 14 years of age, residents of rural or urban dispersed areas, residents of violent neighborhoods, alcohol consumers at school, and victims of aggression in childhood (RRa > 1.0, p-values <.05). The risk of victimization of bullying was higher in students younger than 15 years old, as residents of urban areas, having a history of childhood aggression, suffering abuse by a close person, and as alcohol users at school. This study provides evidence of risk factors for aggression and bullying that have implications for possible prevention measures in multiple social domains, including the individual, the family, and the school environment.

Immune system gene polymorphisms associated with severe dengue in Latin America: a systematic review.

One of the main challenges in the clinical management of dengue is the early identification of cases that could progress to severe forms of the disease. A biomarker that may enable this identification is the presence of genetic polymorphisms in genes associated with immune responses. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the Latin American literature on these genes. An electronic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs, and the Virtual Health Library, and reference lists of systematic reviews in the area. Case-control studies conducted in Latin American countries examining at least one form of genetic polymorphism related to immune responses against severe dengue were included. In total, 424 articles were identified and 26 were included in this systematic review. Of the 26 selected articles, 16 reported polymorphisms associated with the risk of developing severe dengue (Risk); Similarly, 16 articles reported polymorphisms associated with a decreased risk of severe dengue (Protective). The final analysis revealed that multiple polymorphisms in immune system genes were early markers of the progression of dengue in Latin Americans and found that polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha gene may have a critical role in dengue pathogenesis.

Fallo en la regulación de la fertilidad posparto en mujeres en vulnerabilidad social en Colombia / Failured to regulate postpartum fertility in vulnerable women in Colombia

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de fallo en la regulación de la fertilidad posparto y la asociación con otros factores en un municipio colombiano (2017). Método: Estudio observacional de corte transversal con 148 mujeres. Se aplicó un muestreo no aleatorio para incluir mujeres que hubieran tenido un parto en los últimos 5 años. Se calcularon la prevalencia y las razones de prevalencia. Se exploró la asociación con la prueba χ2 o la prueba exacta de Fisher bajo una significancia estadística de 0,05. Resultados: Se encontró una prevalencia de fallo de la regulación de la fertilidad posparto del 40,5%. La prevalencia se asoció con ejercer oficios del hogar, tener uno o dos hijos, no planificar o no acceder a métodos de planificación y haber tenido un embarazo con periodo intergenésico menor de 2 años (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Es necesario implementar estrategias para identificar barreras de acceso a la planificación, impactando en el espaciamiento entre embarazos y el acceso a los servicios. Lo anterior para generar múltiples beneficios para la madre, su hijo/a, el sistema de salud y la sociedad.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of regulated postpartum fertility failure and possible associated factors in a Colombian municipality (2017). Method: Cross-sectional observational study of 148 women. A non-random sampling method was used to include women who had given birth to a child in the last five years. Prevalence and prevalence ratios were calculated. Associations were examined at 0.05 statistical significance using χ2 test or Fishers exact test. Results: The prevalence of postpartum fertility failure was found to be 40.5%. The prevalence was associated with household work, having one or two children, not planning, or not having access to planning methods, and having a pregnancy with an interval between pregnancies of less than 2 years (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It is necessary to implement strategies to identify barriers to access to planning, which have an impact on the spacing between pregnancies and access to services. This will have multiple benefits for mother, child, health system and society.

Burden of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors: A challenge for primary health care in urban Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic, non-communicable diseases and the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality worldwide. Although its primary causes and consequences are preventable, it often remains undiagnosed. Consequently, this study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with normotensive, diagnosed, and undiagnosed hypertension in adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in Sabaneta, Colombia, between 2021 and 2022, with 286 adults aged 18 and older. Stratified and systematic random sampling methods were employed. The World Health Organization STEP survey and the Perez Rojas test were utilized to assess behavioral risk factors and sedentary lifestyles. Body mass index, waist circumference, and arterial tension were measured using standardized instruments. The prevalence of hypertension was then estimated. Risk factors influencing normotensive, diagnosed, and undiagnosed hypertension were analyzed using multinomial regression. The outcome variable comprised three categories: normotensive (reference category), diagnosed hypertension, and undiagnosed hypertension. The multinomial regression coefficients were exponentiated and are presented as relative risk ratios (RRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The model was adjusted for sex and sample weight per neighborhood. RESULTS: The study revealed a hypertension prevalence of 38.5% and an undiagnosed hypertension rate of 50.9%. Those with undiagnosed hypertension were predominantly adults over 60 years (RRR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.53-0.86), individuals with an elementary school education (RRR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.27-2.42), those physically active (RRR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.22-1.89), without prior diagnoses of chronic comorbidities (RRR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.12-1.82), and with obesity (RRR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.63-3.11) or overweight conditions (RRR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.334-2.15). CONCLUSIONS: Undiagnosed hypertension was significant among populations without risk conditions. There is an urgent need for community-based early detection and education strategies to mitigate this issue.

Pharmacological Modulation of Temporal Discounting: A Systematic Review.

Temporal discounting is a phenomenon where a reward loses its value as a function of time (e.g., a reward is more valuable immediately than when it delays in time). This is a type of intertemporal decision-making that has an association with impulsivity and self-control. Many pathologies exhibit higher discounting rates, meaning they discount more the values of rewards, such as addictive behaviors, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, social anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder, among others; thus, many studies look for the mechanism and neuromodulators of these decisions. This systematic review aims to investigate the association between pharmacological administration and changes in temporal discounting. A search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Cochrane. We used the PICO strategy: healthy humans (P-Participants) that received a pharmacological administration (I-Intervention) and the absence of a pharmacological administration or placebo (C-Comparison) to analyze the relationship between the pharmacological administration and the temporal discounting (O-outcome). Nineteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most important findings were the involvement of dopamine modulation in a U-shape for choosing the delayed outcome (metoclopradime, haloperidol, and amisulpride). Furthermore, administration of tolcapone and high doses of d-amphetamine produced a preference for the delayed option. There was a time-dependent hydrocortisone effect in the preference for the immediate reward. Thus, it can be concluded that dopamine is a crucial modulator for temporal discounting, especially the D2 receptor, and cortisol also has an important time-dependent role in this type of decision. One of the limitations of this systematic review is the heterogeneity of the drugs used to assess the effect of temporal discounting.

Bovine lactoferrin for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in health care personnel: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial (LF-COVID).

Lactoferrin (LF) has in vitro antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to determine the effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care personnel. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in two tertiary hospitals that provide care to patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lima, Peru. Daily supplementation with 600 mg of enteral bLF versus placebo for 90 days was compared. Participants were weekly screened for symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection and molecular testing was performed on suspected episodes. A serological test was obtained from all participants at the end of the intervention. The main outcome included symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. A sub-analysis explored the time to symptomatic infection. Secondary outcomes were the severity, frequency, and duration of symptomatic infection. The study was prematurely cancelled due to the availability of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in Peru. 209 participants were enrolled and randomized, 104 received bLF and 105 placebo. SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 11 (10.6%) participants assigned to bLF and in 9 (8.6%) participants assigned to placebo without significant differences (Incidence Rate Ratio = 1.23, 95%CI 0.51-3.06, p-value = 0.64). There was no significant effect of bLF on time to symptomatic infection (Hazard Ratio = 1.61, 95%CI 0.62-4.19, p-value = 0.3). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes. A significant effect of bLF in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection was not proven. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of bLF supplementation on SARS-CoV-2 infection.Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04526821, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04526821?term=LACTOFERRIN&cond=COVID-19&cntry=PE&city=Lima&draw=2&rank=1 .

Immune system gene polymorphisms associated with severe dengue in Latin America: a systematic review

ABSTRACT One of the main challenges in the clinical management of dengue is the early identification of cases that could progress to severe forms of the disease. A biomarker that may enable this identification is the presence of genetic polymorphisms in genes associated with immune responses. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the Latin American literature on these genes. An electronic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs, and the Virtual Health Library, and reference lists of systematic reviews in the area. Case-control studies conducted in Latin American countries examining at least one form of genetic polymorphism related to immune responses against severe dengue were included. In total, 424 articles were identified and 26 were included in this systematic review. Of the 26 selected articles, 16 reported polymorphisms associated with the risk of developing severe dengue (Risk); Similarly, 16 articles reported polymorphisms associated with a decreased risk of severe dengue (Protective). The final analysis revealed that multiple polymorphisms in immune system genes were early markers of the progression of dengue in Latin Americans and found that polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha gene may have a critical role in dengue pathogenesis.

Predicción fisicomatemática de la dinámica semestral de la malaria en Antioquia, Colombia / Physico-mathematical prediction of the biannual dynamics of malaria in Antioquia, Colombia

Introducción: La malaria es una enfermedad endémica en Colombia, cuyas características biológicas, fisiopatológicas y el impacto socioeconómico que genera la han posicionado como una enfermedad de interés en salud pública. Objetivo: Predecir el número de casos notificados de malaria para el segundo semestre del año 2020 en el departamento de Antioquia, a través de la aplicación de la teoría de la probabilidad y la caminata al azar. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional longitudinal retrospectivo. Se analizó la dinámica geométrica del comportamiento semestral de la epidemia de malaria en el departamento de Antioquia durante los años 2008-2020 con los datos del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública, como una caminata al azar probabilística. En relación con los aumentos y disminuciones consecutivas semestrales, se determinó el número de infectados más probable para el segundo semestre del año 2020. Resultados: El valor de la predicción fue de 3433. Al ser comparado con los valores reportados por el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública, se obtuvo un porcentaje de acierto del 95,4 %. Conclusiones: Al predecir con alta precisión el número de infectados para el segundo semestre del año 2020 en el departamento de Antioquia, se evidencia la potencialidad de la metodología para implementarse como una herramienta de vigilancia en salud pública y como un medio que sirva para apoyar la toma de decisiones en materia de políticas públicas.

Introduction: Malaria is an endemic disease in Colombia. Due to its biological and pathophysiological characteristics and socioeconomic impact, it is positioned as a disease of public health interest. Objective: To predict the number of reported cases of malaria for the second semester of 2020 in Antioquia department using the theory of probability and probabilistic random walk. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal, observational study was conducted. The geometric dynamics of the biannual development of malaria epidemic in Antioquia department from 2008 to 2020 was analyzed using the data from the National Surveillance System in Public Health as a probabilistic random walk. Regarding the consecutive biannual reductions and increments, the most probable number of infected individuals was determined for the second semester of 2020. Results: The predictive value was 3433. When it was compared to the values reported by the National Surveillance System in Public Health, a 95.4% accuracy rate was obtained. Conclusions: By predicting with high accuracy the number of infected individuals for the second semester of 2020 in Antioquia department, it is evident the methodology potential as a public health surveillance tool and as a means to support public policy decision making.

Síndrome metabólico postrasplante hepático en pacientes del Centro Especializado San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, 2013-2017 / Metabolic syndrome after liver transplant in patients at the Specialized Center San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, 2013-2017

Se revisaron las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes con trasplante hepático atendidos en el Centro Especializado San Vicente Fundación entre enero de 2013 y junio de 2017, para determinar la frecuencia de síndrome metabólico (SM) postrasplante. En instrumento validado se registraron datos sociodemográficos, antecedentes patológicos, antecedentes toxicológicos, complicaciones y criterios ATP III. Se utilizó OpenEpi 3,01 para análisis estadístico; se consideró significancia estadística con p<0,05. De 102 historias clínicas revisadas, se analizaron 73 que cumplieron criterios de inclusión (sin diagnóstico de SM pretrasplante y con información completa para el instrumento). La mayoría de los pacientes eran hombres (59%), adultos mayores (64%) y casados (62%). La frecuencia de SM postrasplante fue 66%; hubo asociación significativa entre SM y antecedentes de hipertensión arterial y diabetes. Se confirma que el SM es una complicación frecuente de los trasplantados hepáticos y los antecedentes de hipertensión y diabetes son los factores asociados más frecuentes.

The medical records of all liver transplant patients attended at the Centro Especializado San Vicente Fundación between January 2013 and June 2017 were reviewed in order to determine the frequency of post-transplant metabolic syndrome (MS). We collected sociodemographic data, pathological history, toxicological history, complications, and ATP III criteria in a validated instrument. The statistical analysis was carried out with OpenEpi 3.01; p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Of the 102 reviewed medical records, 73 met the inclusion criteria (no MS diagnosis prior to transplant and complete information for the instru­ment) and were analyzed. Most patients were male (59%), older adults (64%) and married (62%). The frequency of MS after liver transplant was 66%. The association between MS and history of hypertension and diabetes was significant. We confirmed that MS is a frequent complication in liver transplant recipients and that history of hypertension and diabetes are the most frequent associated factors.

Influencia de la actividad deportiva en el funcionamiento ejecutivo de los lóbulos frontales / Influence of sports activity on executive functioning of the frontal lobes

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la influencia de la práctica deportiva sobre el desempeño de las funciones ejecutivas y, a su vez, indagar si la ejecución individual y/o grupal del deporte establece diferencias en el desarrollo de estas habilidades cognitivas y las posibles relaciones asociadas a los tiempos de entrenamiento. Para esto, se estableció una metodología cuantitativa, de diseño comparativo-correlacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 100 participantes entre 18 y 25 años de edad de ambos géneros, distribuidos en tres grupos, uno de deportes de ejecución individual, otro de deportistas de actividad grupal y un grupo control con personas sin participación en actividades deportivas. Se encontraron, por ejemplo, mayores desempeños en funciones de planeación, memoria de trabajo, control inhibitorio y subtipos de atención por parte de quienes practicaban algún tipo de deporte, independiente de la modalidad de ejecución; pese a que, para algunas funciones cognitivas el participar de un deporte grupal generaba mayores puntuaciones en las tareas propuestas y, en otras, la ventaja la presentaron los integrantes de deportes individuales. Asimismo, se pudo establecer que existe una relación entre el tiempo semanal de entrenamiento y el funcionamiento de la actividad ejecutiva; esto, permitió corroborar la influencia de la actividad deportiva sobre el funcionamiento cognitivo subyacente en los lóbulos frontales.

This research aimed to determine the influence of sports practice on the performance of executive functions and, in turn, to inquire whether the individual and/or group performance of sports establishes differences in the development of these cognitive skills and the possible associated relationships to training times. To do this, a quantitative, comparative-correlational design methodology was established. The sample consisted of 100 participants between 18 and 25 years of age of both genders, divided into three groups, one for individual sports, another for athletes with group activity, and a control group with people without participation in sports activities. For example, greater performance was found in planning functions, working memory, inhibitory control and attention subtypes by those who practiced some type of sport, independent of the execution modality; Despite the fact that, for some cognitive functions, participating in a group sport generated higher scores in the proposed tasks and, in others, the advantage was presented by the members of individual sports. Likewise, it was established that there is a relationship between weekly training time and the performance of executive activity; This allowed to corroborate the influence of sports activity on underlying cognitive functioning on the frontal lobes.

Metabolic syndrome after liver transplant in patients at the specialized Center San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, 2013-2017. / Síndrome metabólico postrasplante hepático en pacientes del Centro Especializado San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, 2013-2017.

OBJECTIVES.: Motivation for the study: there is a lack of studies in Latin America on the frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients who receive liver transplants. Main findings: two-thirds (66%) of patients who received liver transplantation between 2013 and 2017 at the Specialized Center San Vicente Fundación de Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, subsequently presented metabolic syndrome. Implications: this study confirms that liver transplant recipients very frequently develop metabolic syndrome; however, the frequency found by this study (66%) was almost double that reported in other regions of the world, suggesting that patients from the Specialized Center San Vicente Fundación de Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, may present some additional condition. The medical records of all liver transplant patients attended at the Centro Especializado San Vicente Fundación between January 2013 and June 2017 were reviewed in order to determine the frequency of post-transplant metabolic syndrome (MS). We collected sociodemographic data, pathological history, toxicological history, complications, and ATP III criteria in a validated instrument. The statistical analysis was carried out with OpenEpi 3.01; p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Of the 102 reviewed medical records, 73 met the inclusion criteria (no MS diagnosis prior to transplant and complete information for the instru-ment) and were analyzed. Most patients were male (59%), older adults (64%) and married (62%). The frequency of MS after liver transplant was 66%. The association between MS and history of hypertension and diabetes was significant. We confirmed that MS is a frequent complication in liver transplant recipients and that history of hypertension and diabetes are the most frequent associated factors.

OBJETIVOS.: Motivation for the study: there is a lack of studies in Latin America on the frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients who receive liver transplants. Main findings: two-thirds (66%) of patients who received liver transplantation between 2013 and 2017 at the Specialized Center San Vicente Fundación de Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, subsequently presented metabolic syndrome. Implications: this study confirms that liver transplant recipients very frequently develop metabolic syndrome; however, the frequency found by this study (66%) was almost double that reported in other regions of the world, suggesting that patients from the Specialized Center San Vicente Fundación de Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, may present some additional condition. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes con trasplante hepático atendidos en el Centro Especializado San Vicente Fundación entre enero de 2013 y junio de 2017, para determinar la frecuencia de síndrome metabólico (SM) postrasplante. En instrumento validado se registraron datos sociodemográficos, antecedentes patológicos, antecedentes toxicológicos, complicaciones y criterios ATP III. Se utilizó OpenEpi 3,01 para análisis estadístico; se consideró significancia estadística con p<0,05. De 102 historias clínicas revisadas, se analizaron 73 que cumplieron criterios de inclusión (sin diagnóstico de SM pretrasplante y con información completa para el instrumento). La mayoría de los pacientes eran hombres (59%), adultos mayores (64%) y casados (62%). La frecuencia de SM postrasplante fue 66%; hubo asociación significativa entre SM y antecedentes de hipertensión arterial y diabetes. Se confirma que el SM es una complicación frecuente de los trasplantados hepáticos y los antecedentes de hipertensión y diabetes son los factores asociados más frecuentes.

Medial prefrontal cortex (A32 and A25) projections in the common marmoset: a subcortical anterograde study.

This study was aimed at establishing the subcorticals substrates of the cognitive and visceromotor circuits of the A32 and A25 cortices of the medial prefrontal cortex and their projections and interactions with subcortical complexes in the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus). The study was primarily restricted to the nuclei of the diencephalon and amygdala. The common marmoset is a neotropical primate of the new world, and the absence of telencephalic gyrus favors the mapping of neuronal fibers. The biotinylated dextran amine was employed as an anterograde tracer. There was an evident pattern of rostrocaudal distribution of fibers within the subcortical nuclei, with medial orientation. Considering this distribution, fibers originating from the A25 cortex were found to be more clustered in the diencephalon and amygdala than those originating in the A32 cortex. Most areas of the amygdala received fibers from both cortices. In the diencephalon, all regions received projections from the A32, while the A25 fibers were restricted to the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus at different densities. Precise deposits of neuronal tracers provided here may significantly contribute to expand our understanding of specific connectivity among the medial prefrontal cortex with limbic regions and diencephalic areas, key elements to the viscerocognitive process.

Development and characterization of dual-modified yam (Dioscorea rotundata) starch-based films.

The current consumer demand for fresh food and the interest in caring for the environment have driven the development of biodegradable film packaging to replace synthetic films to preserve the integrity of food. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of starch modifications (oxidized, cross-linked, and dual: oxidized/cross-linked), starch concentration (1 and 2%), and glycerol concentration (5 and 15%) on water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), optical, and structural properties of films based on "hawthorn" yam starch. The WVP of the films was 4.4 × 10-10 to 1.5 × 10-9 g/m∗s∗Pa, where the films with oxidized yam starch showed a 58.04% reduction concerning the native starch. The tensile strength of oxidized yam starch films showed a decrease of 17.51% with an increase in glycerol concentration. For the 1% starch concentration, elongation increased by 17.03% when the glycerol concentration was increased from 5 to 15%. Modification of starch, starch concentration, and glycerol have a significant effect on the barrier, mechanical, physical, and structural properties of films made with yam starch, where films made with oxidized yam starches at a concentration of 1% starch and 5% glycerol showed the best responses of the properties evaluated.

Potential Dermatological Conditions Resulting from a Prolonged Stay at Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review.

A new coronavirus emerged in 2019 in Wuhan, China named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Later, this virus spread worldwide, causing a disease called coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To control the outbreak, many countries announced mandatory quarantine; thus, people changed their lifestyles and started engaging in most activities from home. This review explains how some dermatological pathologies may be precipitated by prolonged stays at home, considering that quarantine was a widely used public health measure during 2020. Most of these dermatoses had to be seen, diagnosed, and treated through tele-dermatology, a remote health care system that took force during the COVID-19 pandemic because of its ease and efficiency in connecting health care professionals and their patients; therefore, reducing the risk of contagion and costs associated to medical care. This review of the principal dermatologic conditions during confinement could allow for a better preparation of health professionals.

Neurofuncionalidad de los procesos de memoria y funciones ejecutivas en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Neurofunctionality of memory and executive functions processes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / Neurofuncionalidade dos processos de memória e funções executivas em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

Esta investigación se propuso determinar el funcionamiento neuropsicológico de los procesos de memoria y funciones ejecutivas en el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Se planteó como un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño comparativo-correlacional y siguiendo un modelo no probabilístico para la selección de la muestra. Participaron 68 personas divididas en dos grupos equitativos, homólogos en edad, género y nivel de escolaridad. Se emplearon escalas para la medición de la funcionalidad en actividades cotidianas, y test estandarizados para la medición de los procesos de memoria y funciones ejecutivas. Se encontró que, el LES afecta la memoria verbal para información con contexto, tanto en almacenes de corto como de largo plazo, y la memoria visual a largo plazo; los pacientes presentan mayores fenómenos patológicos asociados a intrusiones y perseveraciones, y afecta el reconocimiento de la información; también altera la regulación conductual y la velocidad de procesamiento de la información, entre otras capacidades cognitivas, destacándose la tendencia al pensamiento concreto. Logró determinarse que el LES dificulta el funcionamiento de estos procesos cognitivos de forma diversa en sus diferentes formas de actividad funcional, siendo susceptible de modificar su influencia al considerarse factores como la edad, el tiempo en que tarda en establecerse el diagnóstico y el tiempo en tratamiento.

This research aimed to determine the neuropsychological functioning of memory and executive functions processes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It was proposed as a study with a quantitative approach, comparative-correlational design followed by a non-probabilistic model for sample selection. 68 participants were divided into two equitable groups, peers in age, gender and level of education. Scales were used to measure functionality in daily activities, and standardized tests for the measurement of memory and executive functions processes. It was found that SLE affects verbal memory for information with context in both short and long-term stores and long-term visual memory, patients present greater pathological phenomena associated with intrusions and perseverations and affects the recognition of information; it also alters the behavioral regulation and the speed of information processing, among other cognitive abilities, highlighting the tendency to concrete thinking. It was determined that SLE hinders the functioning of these cognitive processes in different ways and different forms of functional activity, being able to modify their influence by considering factors such as age, time it takes to establish the diagnosis and time in treatment.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar o funcionamento neuropsicológico dos processos de memória e funções executivas nos lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Para isso, foi proposto um estudo com abordagem quantitativa, design comparativo-correlacional e seguindo um modelo não probabilístico para a seleção da amostra. Participaram 68 pessoas que foram divididas em dois grupos equitativos, pares em idade, gênero e nível de educação. Foram usadas escalas para medir a funcionalidade em atividades diárias, bem como testes padronizados para a medição de processos de memória e funções executivas. Verificou-se que o LES afeta a memória verbal para informações com contexto em armazenes de curto e longo prazo e em memória visual de longo prazo; os pacientes apresentam mais fenômenos patológicos associados às intrusões e perseverações, e afeta o reconhecimento da informação; altera também a regulação comportamental e a velocidade do processamento da informação, entre outras habilidades cognitivas, destacando a tendência ao pensamento concreto. Assim, determinou-se que o LES dificulta o funcionamento desses processos cognitivos de diferentes formas de atividade funcional, sendo suscetível de modificar sua influência quando são considerados fatores como a idade, o tempo em que tardou para estabelecer-se o diagnóstico e o tempo sob tratamento.

Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture of the entorhinal cortex of the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus).

The entorhinal cortex (EC) is associated with impaired cognitive function such as in the case of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. The present study provides a detailed analysis of the cytoarchitectural and myeloarchitectural organization of the EC in the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus. Data were collected using Nissl and fiber stained preparations, supplemented with acetylcholinesterase and parvalbumin immunohistochemistry. The EC layers and subfields in the marmoset seem to be architectonically similar to those that have been proposed in nonhuman primates and humans to date; however, slight differences could be revealed using the present techniques. Throughout its rostrocaudal length, the entorhinal cortex presents a clear six-layered pattern. The entorhinal cortex is divided into six fields, named mainly in accordance to their rostrocaudal and mediolateral positions. At rostral levels, the neurons tend to be organized in patches that are surrounded by large, thick, radially oriented bundles of fibers, and the deep layers are poorly developed. At caudal levels, the divisions are more laminated in appearance. AChE staining at the borders of adjacent fields are consistent with the changes in layering revealed in Nissl-stained sections, of which the lateral regions of the EC display denser AChE staining than that of the medial banks. PV immunoreactivity was found in the labeled somata, dendrites, and axons in all layers and subdivisions. Additionally, we distinguished three subtypes of PV-immunoreactive neurons: multipolar, bipolar and spherical-shaped neurons, based on the shape of the somata and the disposition of the dendrites.

Impacto de las emociones sobre la memoria declarativa en la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Impact of emotions on declarative memory in Alzheimer's disease / Impacto das emoções na memória declarativa na doença de Alzheimer

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la influencia de las emociones en los procesos de memoria declarativa en personas con enfermedad de Alzheimer. Para esto, se planteó un estudio con diseño comparativo-correlacional y modelo no probabilístico. Participaron 160 adultos mayores, 80 con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Alzheimer y 80 con envejecimiento normal, homólogos en edad, género y nivel escolar. Se encontró que, de forma general, las emociones negativas favorecen la codificación, almacenamiento y evocación de la información en personas con Alzheimer, más que las positivas, y la mayor influencia se haya en contenidos de información asociados a emociones como miedo y tristeza. Asimismo, el brindar claves semánticas posibilita una mayor cantidad de información a ser evocada. La memoria en el envejecimiento normal y patológico se beneficia de los vínculos establecidos entre la información y las emociones contextuales al momento de registrarla y almacenarla, por lo que, siendo la memoria uno de los principales deterioros en la enfermedad de Alzheimer, este vínculo es clave en el abordaje de la patología y los programas de intervención clínica.

The objective of this research was to determine the influence of emotions on declarative memory processes in people with Alzheimer's disease. A study with a comparative-correlational design and a non-probabilistic model was proposed. 160 elderly people participated, 80 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and 80 with normal aging, homologous in age, gender and school level. It was found that in general negative emotions favor the coding storage and evocation of information in people with Alzheimer's disease, rather than positive ones, and the greatest influence is on information content associated with emotions such as fear and sadness. Likewise, providing semantic keys allows a greater amount of information to be evoked. Memory in normal and pathological aging benefits from the links established between information and contextual emotions at the time of recording and storing it since memory is one of the main impairments in Alzheimer's disease, this link is key in the approach of pathology and clinical intervention programs.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar a influência das emoções nos processos de memória declarativa em pessoas com doença de Alzheimer. Para isso, foi proposto um estudo com modelo comparativo-correlacional e não probabilístico. Participaram 160 idosos, sendo 80 com diagnóstico de doença de Alzheimer e 80 com envelhecimento normal, homólogos em idade, sexo e nível escolar. Achou-se que, em geral, as emoções negativas favorecem a codificação, armazenamento e evocação de informações em pessoas com doença de Alzheimer, ao invés das positivas, e a maior influência está no conteúdo de informação associado a emoções como medo e tristeza. Da mesma forma, fornecer chaves-semânticas permite que uma quantidade maior de informações seja evocada. A memória no envelhecimento normal e patológico se beneficia das ligações estabelecidas entre a informação e as emoções contextuais no momento de registrála e de armazená-la, de modo que, como a memória é um dos principais prejuízos na doença de Alzheimer, essa ligação é fundamental na abordagem da patologia e dos programas de intervenção clínica.