Early mutational signatures and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Gamma and Lambda variants in Chile.

Genomic surveillance (GS) programmes were crucial in identifying and quantifying the mutating patterns of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we develop a Bayesian framework to quantify the relative transmissibility of different variants tailored for regions with limited GS. We use it to study the relative transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Chile. Among the 3443 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between January and June 2021, where sampling was designed to be representative, the Gamma (P.1), Lambda (C.37), Alpha (B.1.1.7), B.1.1.348, and B.1.1 lineages were predominant. We found that Lambda and Gamma variants' reproduction numbers were 5% (95% CI: [1%, 14%]) and 16% (95% CI: [11%, 21%]) larger than Alpha's, respectively. Besides, we observed a systematic mutation enrichment in the Spike gene for all circulating variants, which strongly correlated with variants' transmissibility during the studied period (r = 0.93, p-value = 0.025). We also characterised the mutational signatures of local samples and their evolution over time and with the progress of vaccination, comparing them with those of samples collected in other regions worldwide. Altogether, our work provides a reliable method for quantifying variant transmissibility under subsampling and emphasises the importance of continuous genomic surveillance.

Active Surveillance in Prostate Cancer: Current and Potentially Emerging Biomarkers for Patient Selection Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents one of the most frequent malignancies and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in adult men worldwide. PCa mortality rates have been declining in several Western countries; one of the possible reasons may be related to the application of prostate-specific antigen early detection policies. These early detection protocols increase PCa-specific patient survival; however, a high percentage of these cases corresponds to low-risk PCa that grows very slowly and is unlikely to metastasize to threaten survival. Many low-risk PCa patients receive aggressive therapies, such as radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy, that are costly for patients and/or health systems and generate side effects that affect the quality of life. An alternative to surgery and radiotherapy treatments for low-risk PCa is active surveillance (AS), a strategy based on close disease monitoring and intervention only if the disease progresses. However, proper identification of low-risk PCa patients at the time of diagnosis is essential for the effectiveness AS. The selection of AS candidates remains challenging; thus, effective prognostic biomarkers are needed. SUMMARY: This review article addresses the characteristics of the current and emerging PCa prognostic biomarkers, including tests available for tissue, blood, and urine analyses, for the appropriate selection of PCa patients for AS. In addition, and based on published literature, we performed a selection of potential new biomarkers that can distinguish low-risk PCa. KEY MESSAGES: The literature search yielded four tissue-based tests, two blood-based tests, and six urine-based tests that can be used to determine PCa risk classification. However, most available tests are expensive; thus, cost-effective analyses are needed in order to obtain the approval of government agencies and to be financed by the health systems. Available prognostic urine tests have shown great progress over the last years, and they have the advantage of being minimally invasive; therefore, they may become a routine disease progression test for patients under AS. In addition, new research conducted in the last decade has shown promising biomarkers, including mRNA, miRNA, long noncoding RNA, and metabolites, that could improve existing tests or allow the development of new tools for AS patient selection.

Evaluación del desempeño de los egresados del programa de enfermería de la universidad de Santander 2004-2010 / Performance evaluation of nursing graduates program of the university of Santander 2004-2010

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el impacto laboral de los egresados del programa de enfermería de la universidad de Santander entre el periodo 2004-2010, con el fin de medir el desempeño laboral basado en calidad y posicionamiento en el medio. Siendo este importante para establecer la calidad del programa académico cursado y el nivel de competencia profesional de los egresados. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional de corte transversal, la recolección de la información se llevó a cabo en el segundo periodo académico del 2011 y primer periodo del 2012. La población estuvo conformada por los Empleadores de egresados del Programa de Enfermería de la Universidad de Santander UDES y Egresados del Programa de Enfermería de la Universidad de Santander UDES. Ambas muestras fueron seleccionadas mediante muestreo no probabilístico de tipo intencional o conveniencia. Resultados: se encuestaron 105 egresados, se contactaron 20 empleadores que evaluaron en total 53 egresados. La evaluación realizada por los empleadores respecto a conocimientos y capacidades de los egresados a su cargo muestra que en cuanto a conocimientos teóricos más del 50% perciben que el nivel de sus subalternos es bueno, el 60% perciben bueno la comunicación oral y escrita, la capacidad de resolver problemas y creatividad fueron calificados por un 45% de los evaluadores dentro de las categorías de bueno y excelente, el 65% perciben un nivel de excelencia para el compromiso ético, integridad y honestidad. Discusión y Conclusiones: El perfil de los egresados evaluados del Programa de Enfermería UDES es asistencial en un 60%. Los egresados del Programa de Enfermería UDES obtuvieron una calificación buena en conocimientos prácticos, aprendizaje, capacidad de análisis, comunicación oral, comunicación escrita, adaptación a cambios, trabajar bajo presión y asumir responsabilidades.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the work of nursing program graduates from the University of Santander from the period 2004-2010, in order to measure job performance based on quality and positioning in the middle. Since this is important to establish the quality of the academic program completed and the level of professional competence of graduates. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study, the data collection took place in the second academic period of 2011 and first quarter of 2012. The population consisted of Employers of graduates of the Nursing Program at the University of Santander UDES and graduates from Nursing Program at the University of Santander UDES. Both samples were selected by non- probability sampling rate intentional or convenience. Results: 105 graduates surveyed, 20 employers were contacted that evaluated a total of 53 graduates. The assessment by employers of knowledge and skills of graduates in charge shows that knowledge about more than 50% feel that the level of his subordinates is good, 60% perceived good oral and written communication, while that the ability to solve problems and creativity were rated with 45% within the categories of good and excellent, 65% perceive a level of excellence for ethical commitment, integrity and honesty. Furthermore, 55% of employers believe that graduates increasingly well prepared, 35% say that graduate better prepared, while only 10% think that graduate less prepared. Discussion and Conclusions: The profile of the graduates of the Nursing Program UDES evaluated is care by 60%. Graduates of the Nursing Program UDES were rated good in the areas of skills, learning, analytical skills, oral communication, written communication, adaptation to change, work under pressure and take responsibility.