Photosynthesis, Anatomy, and Metabolism as a Tool for Assessing Physiological Modulation in Five Native Species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, renowned for its exceptional species richness and high endemism, acts as a vital reservoir of terrestrial biodiversity, often referred to as a biodiversity hotspot. Consequently, there is an urgent need to restore this forest to safeguard certain species and to unravel the ecophysiological adaptations of others. This study aims to integrate some physiological parameters, including gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence, with anatomical and metabolic techniques to elucidate how five different native species (Paubrasilia echinata, Chorisia glaziovii, Clusia nemorosa, Licania tomentosa, and Schinus terebinthifolius), each occupying distinct ecological niches, respond to seasonal variations in rainfall and their consequences. Our investigation has revealed that C. nemorosa and P. echinata exhibit robust mechanisms to mitigate the adverse effects of drought. In contrast, others demonstrate greater adaptability (e.g., S. terebinthifolia and C. glaziovii). In this context, exploring metabolic pathways has proven invaluable in comprehending the physiological strategies and their significance in species acclimatization. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of water restrictions and their consequential effects on various species, defining the strategies each species uses to mitigate water privation during the dry season.

Reflexiones iniciales: renovación de la política pública distrital de comunicación comunitaria en bogotá

Este texto expone una reflexión académica sobre el proceso de renovación de la política pública de comunitaria en Bogotá (Colombia) realizada durante 2020 y 2022. Inicialmente, se presentan las consideraciones conceptuales sobre las cuales se cimienta el trabajo en relación con las políticas de comunicación, la comunicación comunitaria y el problemático cruce entre estos conceptos. Luego, intenta describir y analizar las tensiones originadas en el interior de la Mesa Distrital de Comunicación Comunitaria en el marco de la fase preparatoria de la política pública. Y finalmente se sugieren algunas ideas o desafíos producto de la experiencia, que bien podrían ser asumidos en las futuras etapas del proyecto político. Entre ellas cabe destacar la urgente necesidad de redefinir la comunicación comunitaria, a partir de las prácticas ejercidas por los medios comunitarios y el actual momento histórico, porque solo así sería posible identificar el carácter de la comunicación y el sentido de la política pública en el actual proceso de reconstrucción.

Summary This text aims to present an academic reflection on the process of renewal of the public community policy in Bogota - Colombia, which will be carried out between 2020 and 2023. Initially, it presents the conceptual considerations on which the work is based in relation to communication policies, community communication, and the problematic crossover between these concepts. Then, it attempts to describe and analyze the tensions originated within the Mesa Distrital de Comunicación Comunitaria, in the framework of the preparatory phase of the public policy. And, finally, it suggests some ideas or challenges resulting from the experience, which could well be assumed in the future stages of the political project. Among them, it is worth highlighting the urgent need to redefine community communication, based on the practices exercised by community media and the current historical moment, because, only in this way, it would be possible to identify the character of communication and the meaning of public policy in the current reconstruction process.

Optimal Laboratory Cultivation Conditions of Limnospira maxima for Large-Scale Production.

Cultivating Limnospira maxima, renowned for its abundant proteins and valuable pigments, faces substantial challenges rooted in the limited understanding of its optimal growth parameters, associated high costs, and constraints in the procurement of traditional nitrogen sources, particularly NaNO3. To overcome these challenges, we conducted a comprehensive 4 × 3 factorial design study. Factors considered included white, red, blue, and yellow light spectra, along with nitrogen sources NaNO3 and KNO3, as well as a nitrogen-free control, for large-scale implementation. Optimal growth, measured by Optical Density, occurred with white and yellow light combined with KNO3 as the nitrogen source. These conditions also increased dry weight and Chl-a content. Cultures with nitrogen deprivation exhibited high values for these variables, attributed to carbon accumulation in response to nitrogen scarcity. Phycocyanin, a crucial pigment for nutrition and industry, reached its highest levels in cultures exposed to white light and supplemented with KNO3, with an impressive content of 384.11 g kg-1 of dry weight. These results highlight the efficacy and cost-efficiency of using a combination of white light and KNO3 for large-scale L. maxima cultivation. This strategy offers promising opportunities to address global food security challenges and enhance the production of industrially relevant pigments.

A New and Profitable Protocol to DNA Extraction in Limnospira maxima.

Limnospira maxima is a remarkable organism showing great potential as a versatile and sustainable food source, offering a powerful solution to address the pressing issues of malnutrition and undernourishment worldwide. L. maxima contains high amounts of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. It can be grown in both bioreactors and open systems; however, before considering industrial production, optimization studies of the cultivation must be conducted to obtain knowledge about the ideal environmental conditions. Additionally, for the molecular typing of L. maxima strains and their industrial scaling, high-quality and large quantity DNA extraction is required. Notwithstanding, DNA extraction from L. maxima can be challenging due to the low amount of DNA in cells and the presence of difficult-to-remove substances such as polysaccharides and polyphenols. In this study, the quality and quantity of DNA extracted from two types of L. maxima samples (Limnospira maxima strain SISCA accession GenBank: OR195505.1) were evaluated using three commercially available DNA extraction kits and two types of input biological material. The results showed that Pbact-P kit had the highest quantity and quality of DNA, while CTAB-P allowed for a higher quantity and quality of RNA, making them optimal protocols for nucleic acid extraction to improve PCR, rt-PCR, and genome sequencing of L. maxima compared with other extraction methods.

Frecuencia del dolor anterior de rodilla luego de reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con autoinjerto hueso-tendón-hueso / Frequency of anterior knee pain following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone-tendon-bone autograft

Introducción. La ruptura del ligamento anterior cruzado (LCA) es una condición frecuente a nivel global y la reconstrucción artroscópica con autoinjerto de hueso-tendón-hueso (HTH) constituye una de las técnicas quirúrgicas para su tratamiento. No obstante, esta técnica puede generar complicaciones como dolor anterior de rodilla. Actualmente, se desconoce su prevalencia en Colombia.Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de dolor anterior de rodilla luego de la reconstrucción de LCA con autoinjerto HTH en pacientes operados en un periodo de 4 años en el Hospital San José en Bogotá, Colombia.Metodología. Estudio descriptivo realizado en pacientes con diagnóstico de ruptura del LCA llevados a cirugía de reconstrucción de este ligamento mediante HTH entre enero de 2014 y diciembre de 2017. Se realizó una encuesta telefónica y, en los pacientes con dolor, una valoración clínica para caracterizar dicho dolor. Los datos se describen usando frecuencias absolutas y relativas, así como medianas y rangos.Resultados. Se incluyeron 257 pacientes, la mayoría de los cuales eran hombres (87,5%) y adultos jóvenes (42,4%). La prevalencia del dolor anterior de rodilla fue 11,6%. Además, ninguno de los pacientes operados en 2014 presentó dolor anterior de rodilla en el momento de la valoración (a 4 o más años de seguimiento).Conclusiones. La reconstrucción del LCA mediante HTH es una técnica quirúrgica que ofrece excelentes resultados en términos de escalas funcionales y estabilidad de la rodilla. La prevalencia de dolor anterior de rodilla fue inferior a la reportada en otros estudios y se localizó con mayor frecuencia en el sitio donante (polo inferior de la rótula y tuberosidad tibial anterior)

Introduction. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common condition worldwide, and one of the surgical techniques used to treat it is arthroscopic reconstruction with bone-tendon-bone (BTB) autograft. However, this technique can result in complications such as anterior knee pain, but its prevalence in Colombia is currently unknown.Objective. To establish the frequency of anterior knee pain after ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft in patients operated on over a 4-year period at the Hospital San José in Bogotá, Colombia.Methodology. Descriptive study performed in patients diagnosed with ACL injury and taken to ACL reconstruction surgery using BTB autograft between January 2014 and December 2017. A telephone survey and a clinical assessment were performed to characterize pain in patients presenting with this symptom. Data are described using absolute and relative frequencies, as well as medians and ranges.Results. A total of 257 patients were included, most of whom were male (87.5%) and young adults (42.4%). The prevalence of anterior knee pain was 11.6%. Moreover, none of the patients operated on in 2014 had anterior knee pain at the time of assessment (at 4 or more years of follow-up).Conclusions. ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft is a surgical technique that offers outstanding outcomes in terms of functional scales and knee stability. The frequency of anterior knee pain was lower than reported in other studies and was more frequently located at the donor site (lower pole of the patella and anterior tibial tuberosity)

Defectos de pared abdominal anterior fetal: manejo y protocolo de seguimiento prenatal de Gastroquisis y Onfalocele. Ecuador, 2019. / Abdominal anterior abdominal wall defects: management and prenatal protocol of Gastrochisis and Omphalocele. Ecuador, 2019

Los defectos de la pared abdominal son un grupo de malformaciones congénitas poco comunes que presentan alteraciones heterogéneas y comparten una característica en común, que es la herniación o evisceración de uno o más órganos de la cavidad abdominal, debido a un defecto en la formación de la pared abdominal. Existen diversas patologías entre las que se encuentran extrofia de vejiga y extrofia de cloaca y la Pentalogía de Cantrell, sin embargo, las más frecuentes son la gastrosquisis y el onfalocele; en esta revisión se discutirá el manejo y el protocolo de seguimiento de estas dos patologías.

Abdominal wall defects are a group of rare congenital malformations, which represent heterogeneous alterations and share an uncommon characteristic, which is the herniation or evisceration of one or more organs of the abdominal cavity, due to a defect in the formation of the abdominal wall. There are several pathologies among which are bladder exstrophy and cloacal exstrophy and the Pentalogy of Cantrell, however, the most frequent are gastroschisis and omphalocele. In this article we will review and discuss the management and follow-up protocol of these two pathologies

Cuidados del enfermo al final de la vida: actuación del médico internista / The rol of the Internist in the care of the terminal patient

La atención del enfermo terminal constituye un reto para el médico internista; a menudo se presentan síntomas como el dolor y otros que ocasionan sufrimiento al paciente. La medicina paliativa constituye una excelente opción para el aliviocon un sentido de compasión. En ocasiones se puede requerir la sedación paliativa. La difusión de la eutanasia (suprimir la vida del enfermo) y del suicidio asistido como solución al sufrimiento, que ha sido propuesta en diversos países y en algunos se practica, atenta contra la dignidad del enfermo, va en contra de la esencia de la medicina al convertir al médico en un "matador."El papel de los familiares es fundamental en la atención del paciente sufriente(AU)

This is a challenge for the specialist in internal medicine. The terminal patient has often symptoms like pain and others which cause suffering. Paliative medicine is an excellent option for alleviating these symptoms with a sense of compassion. Some times paliative sedation can be required. In some countries euthanasia and assisted suicide as a solution to suffering has been proposed and practiced this attempts against the dignity of the patient, goes against de essence of medicine by converting the physician in a "killer" . The rol of the family es fundamental in the care of these patients who suffer(AU)

Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolates from Healthy Conjunctiva and a Comparative Analysis with Isolates from Ocular Infection.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common commensal of healthy conjunctiva and it can cause endophthalmitis, however its presence in conjunctivitis, keratitis and blepharitis is unknown. Molecular genotyping of S. epidermidis from healthy conjunctiva could provide information about the origin of the strains that infect the eye. In this paper two collections of S. epidermidis were used: one from ocular infection (n = 62), and another from healthy conjunctiva (n = 45). All isolates were genotyped by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), detection of the genes icaA, icaD, IS256 and polymorphism type of agr locus. The phenotypic data included biofilm production and antibiotic resistance. The results displayed 61 PFGE types from 107 isolates and they were highly discriminatory. MLST analysis generated a total of 25 STs, of which 11 STs were distributed among the ocular infection isolates and lineage ST2 was the most frequent (48.4%), while 14 STs were present in the healthy conjunctiva isolates and lineage ST5 was the most abundant (24.4%). By means of a principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and a discriminant analysis (DA) it was found that ocular infection isolates had as discriminant markers agr III or agr II, SCCmec V or SCCmec I, mecA gene, resistance to tobramycin, positive biofilm, and IS256+. In contrast to the healthy conjunctiva isolates, the discriminating markers were agr I, and resistance to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and oxacillin. The discriminant biomarkers of ocular infection were examined in healthy conjunctiva isolates, and it was found that 3 healthy conjunctiva isolates [two with ST2 and another with ST9] (3/45, 6.66%) had similar genotypic and phenotypic characteristics to ocular infection isolates, therefore a small population from healthy conjunctiva could cause an ocular infection. These data suggest that the healthy conjunctiva isolates do not, in almost all cases, infect the eye due to their large genotypic and phenotypic difference with the ocular infection isolates.

Staphylococcus epidermidis with the icaA⁻/icaD⁻/IS256⁻ genotype and protein or protein/extracellular-DNA biofilm is frequent in ocular infections.

In ocular infections (OIs) caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, biofilms composed mainly of poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) have been widely studied, but PNAG-independent biofilms have not. Therefore, we searched for a relationship between the ica operon (involved in PNAG-biofilm) and the biochemical composition of biofilms in isolates from OI. Isolates from OI (n = 62), from healthy conjunctiva (HC; n = 45) and from healthy skin (HS; n = 53), were used to detect icaA and icaD genes, and the insertion sequence 256 (IS256) using PCR. The compositions of the biofilms were determined by treatment with NaIO4, proteinase K and DNase I. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to characterize the isolates, and the expression of aap and embp genes was determined by real-time qPCR. A strong relationship between the icaA(-)/icaD(-)/IS256(-) genotype and protein- or protein/extracellular DNA (eDNA)-biofilm composition was found in the isolates from OI (53.6%), whereas the icaA(+)/icaD(+)/IS256(-) genotype and carbohydrate-biofilm was most prevalent in isolates from HC (25%) and HS (25%). Isolates with an icaA(-)/icaD(-)/IS256(-) genotype and protein-biofilm phenotype were predominantly of the ST2 lineage, while carbohydrate-biofilm-producing strains were mainly of the ST9 lineage. The protein-biofilm-producing strains had higher expression levels of aap gene than carbohydrate-biofilm-producing strains; while embp gene did not have the same pattern of expression. These results suggest that S. epidermidis strains with icaA(-)/icaD(-)/IS256(-) genotype and protein- or protein/eDNA-biofilms have a stronger ability to establish in the eye than S. epidermidis strains with icaA(+)/icaD(+)/IS256(-) genotype and PNAG-biofilms.

Determinación del somatotipo en jugadores infantiles de voleibol: validez como criterio de selección de jóvenes talentos deportivos / Assessment of somatotype in young voleyball players: validity as criteria to select young sports talent

Las características antropométricas de los deportistas pueden determinar su rendimiento deportivo. Por esa razón se pretende conocer el somatotipo de jugadores infantiles de voleibol para poder así, controlar el entrenamiento y asegurar un adecuado desarrollo de los deportistas. En este estudio se analizaron 154 jugadores/as, con edades comprendidas entre 12 y 14 años. Los datos se extrajeron según las técnicas recomendadas por la ISAK (2001). Los resultados mostraron un perfil endomesomorfo tanto en chicos como en chicas, lo que concuerda con el perfil predominante en estas edades. Por otra parte, al comparar el somatotipo de estos jugadores con el de otros estudios observamos una cierta homogeneidad en el caso de los chicos, lo que invalidaría la tendencia actual de usar este parámetro como criterio para la selección de jóvenes talentos deportivos. Sin embargo, si podría ser un elemento a tener en cuenta en el caso de las chicas, ya que su perfil es mucho más heterogéneo.

The anthropometric characteristics of athletes can determine their sporting performance. For this reason, we?ve defined the somatotype of young volleyball players in order to be able to control their sports training and to ensure their appropriate athletic development. In the present investigation 154 male and female volleyball players (aged from 12 to 14 years) were analyzed. Data were collected according to the ISAK protocol. The results show an endomesomorphic profile for male and female volleyball players agreeing with the predominant profi le at these ages. However, after comparing these data with results obtained in other studies, we observed a certain homogeneity in the male somatotype, invalidating the current trend of using this parameter as criteria to select young sports talent. However, somatotype could be a factor to take into account with female athletes, since their profi le is much more heterogeneous.

[Side branch occlusion during direct stent implantation. Incidence and related factors]. / Compromiso de vasos secundarios durante la implantación directa de stent coronario. Incidencia y factores relacionados.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the compromise of side branches when jailed by a coronary stent implanted without balloon predilation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 56 patients in which at least a coronary stent was implanted without balloon predilation and covering a side brach (58 stents, 1.04 +/- 0.19 per patient) were studied. The effect of direct coronary stent implantation over side branch flow, as well as the characteristics associated were studied. RESULTS: The main vessel was left anterior descending in 63%, left circumflex in 21%, right coronary in 14%, and left main in one case. An angiographic successful result in the main vessel was obtained in all cases. Coronary flow was TIMI 3, 2, 1, and 0 in 95%, 3%, 0%, and 2% before the procedure, in comparison with 86%, 2%, 3%, and 9% after stent implantation (p = 0.204). The incidence of side branch occlusion was 12% (7/58). In one case, the side branch was dilated across the stent struts, and thus the rate of side branch loss at the end of the procedure was 10% (6/58). In cases of side branch occlusion, there was a more severe stenosis at its origin before stent implantation (30.2 +/-31.3% vs 16.8 +/- 11.1%, p = 0.028). Fifty percent of side branches occluded after direct coronary stent implantation and angiographically re-evaluated at follow-up became patent, and 88% of side branches not affected after stent implantation remained patent at 6.2+/-1.9 months. CONCLUSION: The rate of side branch occlusion after direct stent implantation in our series was 12%, that is not different from that reported for conventional stent implantation. Thus, the decision of using direct or conventional coronary stenting should not be conditioned by the presence of side branches arising from the target lesion.

Compromiso de vasos secundarios durante la implantación directa de stent coronario: Incidencia y factores relacionados / Side branch occlusion during direct stent implantation: Incidence and related factors

Objetivo: El objetivo fue evaluar el grado de compromiso de las ramas que son enjauladas durante la implantación directa de stent. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudiaron 56 pacientes en los que se implantó al menos un stent coronario (58 stents) sin dilatación previa con balón y en los que se enjauló alguna rama secundaria. Se evaluó la tasa de pérdida de la rama, el efecto de la implantación del stent sobre el flujo de esta rama y los factores relacionados con estos hechos. Resultados: El vaso principal fue la descendente anterior en el 63%, la circunfleja en el 21%, la coronaria derecha en el 14% y el tronco principal de la coronaria izquierda en un caso. Se obtuvo éxito angiográfico sobre el vaso principal en todos los casos. Antes del procedimiento, el flujo a nivel de la rama secundaria era TIMI grado 3, 2 y 0 en 55 (95%), 2 (3%) y un caso (2%), respectivamente. Tras la implantación del stent, el flujo era TIMI grado 3, 2, 1 y 0 en 50 (86%), 1 (2%), 2 (3%) y 5 (9%) casos, respectivamente (p = 0.204). La incidencia de pérdida de la rama fue 12% (7/58); en un caso, se intentó con éxito recanalizar y dilatar ésta a través de los struts del stent, por lo que la tasa de pérdida de rama final fue 10% (6/ 58). Las ramas que se ocluyeron tenían un mayor grado de estenosis en el origen antes de la implantación del stent (30.2 ± 31.3% vs 16.8 ± 11.1%, p = 0.028). En los pacientes que se reevaluaron angiográficamente, a los 6.2 ±1.9 meses, el 50% de las ramas que se habían ocluido se encontraban permeables, y el 88% de las que no se comprometieron seguían permeables. Conclusiones: La tasa de oclusión de las ramas con la implantación directa de stent fue 12% en nuestra serie, cifra similar a la que ocurre con la implantación de stent tras dilatación con balón. Por tanto, la existencia de ramas localizadas en el segmento en el que va a implantarse el stent no tiene por qué condicionar la decisión o no de realizar una dilatación previa con balón.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the compromise of side branches when jailed by a coronary stent implanted without balloon predilation. Patients and methods: 56 patients in which at least a coronary stent was implanted without balloon predilation and covering a side brach (58 stents, 1.04 ± 0.19 per patient) were studied. The effect of direct coronary stent implantation over side branch flow, as well as the characteristics associated were studied. Results: The main vessel was left anterior descending in 63%, left circumflex in 21%, right coronary in 14%, and left main in one case. An angiographic successful result in the main vessel was obtained in all cases. Coronary flow was TIMI 3, 2, 1, and 0 in 95%, 3%, 0%, and 2% before the procedure, in comparison with 86%, 2%, 3%, and 9% after stent implantation (p = 0.204). The incidence of side branch occlusion was 12% (7/58). In one case, the side branch was dilated across the stent struts, and thus the rate of side branch loss at the end of the procedure was 10% (6/58). In cases of side branch occlusion, there was a more severe stenosis at its origin before stent implantation (30.2 ± 31.3% vs 16.8± 11.1%, p = 0.028). Fifty percent of side branches occluded after direct coronary stent implantation and angiographically reevaluated at follow-up became patent, and 88% of side branches not affected after stent implantation remained patent at 6.2 ± 1.9 months. Conclusion: The rate of side branch occlusion after direct stent implantation in our series was 12%, that is not different from that reported for conventional stent implantation. Thus, the decision of using direct or conventional coronary stenting should not be conditioned by the presence of side branches arising from the target lesion.

Neuroimagen de la toxoplasmosis en el paciente con Sida / Tomographic images in patient with AIDS and neurologic syptoms

Se realiza la revisión de la literatura del compromiso del SNC en el paciente con SIDA, ilustrando los casos con imágenes de pacientes atendidos en el HSJD. Se propone un árbol de decisiones en pacientes con sintomatología neurológica y diagnóstico de SIDA