Unveiling Colombia's medicinal Cannabis sativa treasure trove: Phenotypic and Chemotypic diversity in legal cultivation.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis sativa is a highly versatile plant with a long history of cultivation and domestication. It produces multiple compounds that exert distinct and valuable therapeutic effects by modulating diverse biological systems, including the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Access to standardized, metabolically diverse, and reproducible C. sativa chemotypes and chemovars is essential for physicians to optimize individualized patient treatment and for industries to conduct drug-discovery campaigns. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize and assess the phytochemical diversity of C. sativa chemotypes in diverse ecological regions of Colombia, South America. METHODOLOGY: Ten cannabinoids and 23 terpenes were measured using liquid and gas chromatography, in addition to other phenotypic traits, in 156 C. sativa plants that were grown in diverse ecological regions in Colombia, a hotspot for global biodiversity. RESULTS: Our results reveal significant phytochemical diversity in Colombian-grown C. sativa plants, with four distinct chemotypes based on cannabinoid profile. The significant amount of usually uncommon terpenes suggests that Colombia's environments may have unique capabilities that allow the plant to express these compounds. Colombia's diverse climates offer enormous cultivation potential, making it a key player in both domestic and international medicinal and recreational C. sativa trade. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore Colombia's capacity to pioneer global C. sativa production diversification, particularly in South America with new emerging markets.

Effect of lateral septum vasopressin administration on reward system neurochemistry and amphetamine-induced addictive-like behaviors in female rats.

Introduction: The chronic use of psychostimulants increases the risk of addiction and, there is no specific pharmacologic treatment for psychostimulant addiction. The vasopressin (AVP) system is a possible pharmacological target in drug addiction. Previous results obtained in our laboratory showed that amphetamine (AMPH) treatment decreases lateral septum (LS) AVP levels in male rats, and AVP microinjection in LS decreases addictive-like behavior. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of AMPH treatment on LS AVP levels and the effect of LS AVP administration on the expression of AMPH-conditioned place preference (CPP) in female rats. The secondary objectives were to study the effect of LS AVP administration on LS GABA and glutamate release in male and female rats and on nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine (DA) release in female rats. Methods: Female rats were conditioned with AMPH (1.5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline for 4 days. Results: Conditioning with AMPH did not change LS AVP content in females. However, AVP microinjection into the LS decreased the expression of conditioned place preference (CPP) to AMPH. Glutamate and GABA extracellular levels in the LS induced by AVP were studied in males and females. NAc GABA and DA extracellular levels induced by LS AVP microinjection in female rats were measured by microdialysis. In males, AVP perfusion produced a significant increase in LS GABA extracellular levels; however, a decrease in GABA extracellular levels was observed in females. Both in males and females, LS AVP perfusion did not produce changes in LS glutamate extracellular levels. Microinjection of AVP into the LS did not change GABA or DA extracellular levels in the NAc of females. Discussion: Therefore, AVP administration into the LS produces different LS-NAc neurochemical responses in females than males but decreases CPP to AMPH in both sexes. The behavioral response in males is due to a decrease in NAc DA levels, but in females, it could be due to a preventive increase in NAc DA levels. It is reasonable to postulate that, in females, the decrease in conditioning produced by AVP microinjection is influenced by other factors inherent to sex, and an effect on anxiety cannot be discarded.

Mixed-methods evaluation of a group psychosocial intervention for refugee, migrant and host community women in Ecuador and Panamá: Results from the Entre Nosotras cluster randomized feasibility trial.

Community-based psychosocial interventions are key elements of mental health and psychosocial support; yet evidence regarding their effectiveness and implementation in humanitarian settings is limited. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility and safety of conducting a cluster randomized trial evaluating two versions of a group psychosocial intervention. Nine community clusters in Ecuador and Panamá were randomized to receive the standard version of the Entre Nosotras intervention, a community-based group psychosocial intervention co-designed with community members, or an enhanced version of Entre Nosotras that integrated a stress management component. In a sample of 225 refugees, migrants and host community women, we found that both versions were safe, acceptable and appropriate. Training lay facilitators to deliver the intervention was feasible. Challenges included slow recruitment related to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, high attrition due to population mobility and other competing priorities, and mixed psychometric performance of psychosocial outcome measures. Although the intervention appeared promising, a definitive cluster randomized comparative effectiveness trial requires further adaptations to the research protocol. Within this pilot study we identified strategies to overcome these challenges that may inform adaptations. This comparative effectiveness design may be a model for identifying effective components of psychosocial interventions.

Functionalizing Dendrimers for Targeted Delivery of Bioactive Molecules to Macrophages: A Potential Treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection-A Review.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that replicates inside human alveolar macrophages. This disease causes significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization 1.4 million people died of this disease in 2021. This indicates that despite the progress of modern medicine, improvements in diagnostics, and the development of drug susceptibility tests, TB remains a global threat to public health. In this sense, host-directed therapy may provide a new approach to the cure of TB, and the expression of miRNAs has been correlated with a change in the concentration of various inflammatory mediators whose concentrations are responsible for the pathophysiology of M. tuberculosis infection. Thus, the administration of miRNAs may help to modulate the immune response of organisms. However, direct administration of miRNAs, without adequate encapsulation, exposes nucleic acids to the activity of cytosolic nucleases, limiting their application. Dendrimers are a family of highly branched molecules with a well-defined architecture and a branched conformation which gives rise to cavities that facilitate physical immobilization, and functional groups that allow chemical interaction with molecules of interest. Additionally, dendrimers can be easily functionalized to target different cells, macrophages among them. In this sense, various studies have proposed the use of different cell receptors as target molecules to aim dendrimers at macrophages and thus release drugs or nucleic acids in the cell of interest. Based on the considerations, the primary objective of this review is to comprehensively explore the potential of functionalized dendrimers as delivery vectors for miRNAs and other therapeutic agents into macrophages. This work aims to provide insights into the use of functionalized dendrimers as an innovative approach for TB treatment, focusing on their ability to target and deliver therapeutic cargo to macrophages.

Co-Encapsulation of Curcumin and α-Tocopherol in Bicosome Systems: Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activity.

A novel co-encapsulation system called bicosomes (bicelles within liposomes) has been developed to overcome the limitations associated with the topical application of curcumin (cur) and α-tocopherol (α-toc). The physicochemical properties and biological activity in vitro of bicosome systems were evaluated. Bicelles were prepared with DPPC, DHPC, cur, and α-toc (cur/α-toc-bicelles). Liposomal vesicles loading cur/α-toc-bicelles were prepared with Lipoid P-100 and cholesterol-forming cur/α-toc-bicosomes. Three cur/α-toc-bicosomes were evaluated using different total lipid percentages (12, 16, and 20% w/v). The results indicated that formulations manage to solubilize cur and α-toc in homogeneous bicelles < 20 nm, while the bicosomes reaches 303-420 nm depending on the total lipid percentage in the systems. Bicosomes demonstrated high-encapsulation efficiency (EE) for cur (56-77%) and α-toc (51-65%). The loading capacity (LC) for both antioxidant compounds was 52-67%. In addition, cur/α-toc-bicosomes decreased the lipid oxidation by 52% and increased the antioxidant activity by 60% compared to unloaded bicosomes. The cell viability of these cur/α-toc-bicosomes was >85% in fibroblasts (3T3L1/CL-173™) and ≥65% in keratinocytes (Ha-CaT) and proved to be hematologically compatible. The cur/α-toc-bicelles and cur/α-toc-bicosomes inhibited the growth of C. albicans in a range between 33 and 76%. Our results propose bicosome systems as a novel carrier able to co-encapsulate, solubilize, protect, and improve the delivery performance of antioxidant molecules. The relevance of these findings is based on the synergistic antioxidant effect of its components, its biocompatibility, and its efficacy for dermal tissue treatment damaged by oxidative stress or by the presence of C. albicans. However, further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of cur/α-toc bicosomes in vitro and in vivo.

Evaluating the feasibility of a group psychosocial intervention for migrant and host community women in Ecuador and Panamá: protocol for a multi-site feasibility cluster trial.

BACKGROUND: Community- and strengths-based psychosocial interventions are central to mental health and psychosocial support guidelines, but rigorous evidence regarding the effectiveness of these interventions is limited. The complexity and variability that is inherent to many community-based psychosocial interventions requires innovative strategies in order to facilitate the comparability and synthesis across research studies without compromising the fit and appropriateness of interventions to specific study populations and context. Entre Nosotras is a community-based psychosocial intervention developed for migrant and host community women that is designed to be flexible enough to enable integration of external intervention components and adaptable to diverse study contexts and populations. This protocol describes a study that aims to evaluate the appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of integrating a standardized stress management intervention into Entre Nosotras. METHODS: This study will evaluate the appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility, and safety of intervention and research procedures for a cluster randomized comparative effectiveness trial conducted in Ecuador and Panamá with migrant and host community women. In this feasibility trial, we will allocate communities nested within the three study sites to the integrated Entre Nosotras + stress management intervention versus Entre Nosotras alone through stratified randomization. Migrant and host community women residing in these study communities who report low to moderate levels of distress will be allocated to the intervention condition that their community is assigned (n = 220 total). We will collect quantitative measures of psychosocial wellbeing, psychological distress, coping, social support, and functioning from study participants. We will collect quantitative measures of fidelity and facilitator competencies through observation and facilitator self-assessment. Data on appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility, and safety will be gathered from participants and facilitators through quantitative assessments at 0, 5, and 10 weeks post-enrollment and qualitative interviews conducted with all facilitators and a subset of 70 study participants during the post-intervention follow-up period. DISCUSSION: Results from this feasibility trial will determine whether a multi-site cluster randomized comparative effectiveness trial of an adaptable community-based psychosocial intervention for migrant and host community women is relevant, acceptable, and feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05130944 . Registered November 23, 2021-retrospectively registered.

Community-based participatory design of a psychosocial intervention for migrant women in Ecuador and Panama.

There is increasing evidence supporting the effectiveness of scalable mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions delivered by non-specialists for improving wellbeing among migrant populations in humanitarian settings. Balancing fidelity in the implementation of evidence-based MHPSS interventions with their fit to the needs and preferences of new populations and contexts remains a challenge when introducing MHPSS interventions in new settings. This paper describes a community-based participatory approach to MHPSS intervention design incorporating processes to promote local adaptability and fit while maintaining standardized elements of existing MHPSS interventions. We conducted a mixed-methods study to design a community-based MHPSS intervention that fit the mental health and psychosocial needs of migrant women in three sites in Ecuador and Panama. Drawing from a set of community-based participatory research methods, we identified the priority mental health and psychosocial needs among migrant women, co-developed intervention mechanisms that aligned with those needs, matched mechanisms to existing psychosocial intervention components, and iteratively piloted and refined the intervention with community stakeholders. The resulting intervention was a five-session, lay facilitator-delivered group intervention titled, Entre Nosotras ('among/between us'). The intervention combined elements of individual and community problem solving, psychoeducation, stress management, and social support mobilization to address prioritized problems including psychological distress, safety, community connectedness, xenophobia and discrimination, and social support. This research outlines an emphasis on the social dimension of psychosocial support, as well as a process for balancing fit and fidelity in intervention design and implementation.

Rol de la Familia en el Compromiso Escolar Desde la Perspectiva de Estudiantes con Necesidades Educativas Especiales / Family Role in the School Engagement from the Perspective of Students with Special Education Needs

RESUMEN: El compromiso escolar se entiende como el nivel de involucramiento del estudiante con su escuela, su sentido de pertenencia, y la motivación por aprender y obtener logros académicos. En este estudio se busca caracterizar el rol de la familia en el compromiso escolar desde la perspectiva de estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales. Para tal efecto, se realizó un estudio cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico. Los participantes son ocho estudiantes de primer y segundo año de enseñanza secundaria de la Región del Biobío, Chile. Se utilizó la técnica de fotoelicitación, narración fotográfica, y entrevistas. Se realizó análisis de contenido con los datos. Los resultados muestran que la dimensión emocional del compromiso escolar es la que más aparece reportada en la experiencia subjetiva de los estudiantes, a través de sentimientos relacionados con el "estar presente", el apoyo y la acogida. En segundo lugar, aparece la dimensión conductual del compromiso, a través del monitoreo, el uso de recordatorios y la reiteración sobre la importancia de estudiar. Finalmente, sobre la dimensión cognitiva, solo algunos estudiantes mencionan acciones de apoyo pedagógico de forma directa o indirecta. Respecto a las necesidades educativas especiales, estas no aparecen como un tema relevante en la experiencia de los participantes. Se discuten estos resultados respecto de la importancia del apoyo parental en el compromiso escolar de los estudiantes.

ABSTRACT: School engagement is the level of involvement of students with their school, their sense of belonging, and the motivation to learn and achieve academic goals. The purpose of this study was to characterize the role of the family on school engagement from the perspective of students with special educational needs. For this purpose, a qualitative study with a phenomenological focus was carried out. Eight Chilean students from first and second grade of secondary schools from the Biobio region, Chile, participated in the study. The study employed the technique of photo-elicitation, photographic narration, and interviews. Content analysis was performed with the data. The results show that the emotional dimension of school engagement is the most reported one, highlighting subjective experiences related to their families "being present", providing support, and making company. The behavioral dimension of the engagement appears to a lower extent, through parental actions such as monitoring, reminding school work, and stressing the importance of education. In relation to the cognitive dimension, fewer students mentioned families provided pedagogical support actions. Participants do not mention special educational needs as a relevant issue in their academic experience. Tese results are discussed highlighting the importance of family support on students' school engagement.

Características y motivaciones de las mujeres donantes del banco de leche en el Complejo Asistencial Dr. Sótero del Río / Characteristics and motivations of donors to the human milk ba nk in Dr. Sótero del Rio Hospital, Chile

El propósito de este trabajo fue describir las características, motivaciones, barreras y fuentes de información de las mujeres donantes del Banco de Leche en el Complejo Asistencial Dr. Sótero del Río (CASR). MÉTODO: El diseño utilizado en este estudio correspondió a uno de tipo transversal descriptivo. Se realizó una encuesta telefónica con 15 preguntas a 82 mujeres que fueron donantes en al menos una oportunidad en el banco de leche del CASR desde el año 2015 a septiembre de 2017. Se estimaron proporciones para las variables categóricas y medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión para la edad Se calcularon intervalos de confianza al 95%. RESULTADOS: La edad media de las donantes fue de 31,3 años con una desviación estándar de 4,6. El 92,7% se encontraba casada o en convivencia y un 58,5% (IC 95% 47,1 - 69,3) cursó educación profesional superior completa. La principal motivación para donar fue la empatia (41,5% [IC 95% 30,7 - 52,9]) y las principales fuentes de conocimiento fueron internet/redes sociales 43,9% (IC 95% 33,0 - 55,3) y personal de salud 32% (IC 95% 22,9 - 44,2). CONCLUSIONES: La mujer donante del banco de leche del CASR, se encuentra principalmente casada o en convivencia, posee un alto nivel educacional y trabaja fuera del hogar. Estos resultados podrían orientar estrategias al fortalecimiento del banco de leche.

This study sought to describe characteristics, motivations, barriers, and sources of information of human milk donors to the milk bank at Dr. Sótero del Río Hospital, Chile. METHODS: A descriptive and cross - sectional study was carried out. We conducted a 15-question telephone survey in 82 women who were at least one-time milk donors between 2015 and 2017. Statistical analysis included frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and measures of central tendency and dispersion for quantitative variables. We calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The mean age of donors was 31.34,6 years; 92.7% were married or were living with their partner and 58.5% (95% CI of 47.1- 69.3) had completed higher education. The main motivation for donating was helping others (41.5% [95% CI of 30.7- 52.9]). The primary sources of knowledge on milk donations were the internet and social networks (43.9% [IC 95% 33.0- 55.3]), followed by health personnel 32% (95% CI of 22.9- 44.2). CONCLUSIONS: The donor profile in CASR's milk bank is a young woman, with a stable partner and high educational level. These results could provide useful information to improve strategies for human milk donation.

Antarctic thraustochytrids: Producers of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Thraustochytrids have been isolated from different aquatic systems; however, few studies have reported their occurrence in Antarctica. In this study, 13 strains close to strains belonging to the genera Oblongichytrium, Thraustochytrium, and Aurantiochytrium were isolated from seawater samples collected near the Antarctic Base Professor Julio Escudero (S 62°12'57' E 58°57'35″). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found in the total lipids of all the isolates; DHA content of the biomass (dry weight) varied between 3.3 and 33 mg/g under the growth conditions for isolation. Five of the Antarctic thraustochytrids were able to accumulate lipids at levels higher than 20% w/w. Two strains, RT2316-7 and RT2316-13, were selected to test the effect of the incubation temperature (at 5°C for 14 days and at 15°C for 5 days). Incubation temperature had little effect on the lipid content and biomass yield; however, its effect on the fatty acid composition was significant (p < .05). The low incubation temperature favored the accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), palmitic acid and stearic acid in the total lipids of RT2316-7. Percentage of EPA, DHA and the omega-6 fatty acid dihomo-γ-linolenic acid of total fatty acids of RT2316-13 was higher at the low incubation temperature. RT2316-13 accumulated the highest lipid content (30.0 ± 0.5%) with a carbon to nitrogen mass ratio equal to 16.9. On the contrary, lipid accumulation in RT2316-7 occurred at high concentration of the nitrogen sources (monosodium glutamate or yeast extract). The capability to accumulate lipids with a fatty acid profile that can be tuned through cultivation temperature make the Antarctic thraustochytrid RT2316-13 a candidate for the production of lipids with different uses.

Pediatric ocular trauma: intraorbital foreign body. case report

ABSTRACT Introduction: Penetrating traumas in the orbit and intraorbital foreign bodies during pediatric age are rare and could be associated with vascular and optic nerve injuries. Clinical case: Five-year-old female patient with penetrating trauma in left orbit of 1 hour of evolution caused by a brush after accidentally tripping with a classmate while painting during art class. The patient was taken the pediatric emergency department of the Clinica Universitaria Colombia in Bogotá where she was admitted, assessed with scanographic studies and taken to surgery to remove the intraorbital foreign body. Discussion: The case of this patient was characterized by indemnity of the eyeball, central artery and vein of the retina and optic nerve, in addition to timely and interdisciplinary management that reduced the risk of complications. Conclusions: The analysis of the clinical evolution of the patient allowed identifying the key events to approach this type of cases, as well as the multiple management and prognosis alternatives according to the type and trajectory of the penetrating object.

RESUMEN Introducción. Los traumas penetrantes en la órbita y los cuerpos extraños intraorbitarios durante la edad pediátrica son raros, pero pueden asociar compromiso vascular y del nervio óptico. Presentación del caso. Paciente femenino de cinco años de edad con trauma penetrante en órbita izquierda de una hora de evolución causado con un pincel. La niña tropezó con un compañero mientras pintaba durante la clase de artes cuando se produjo el accidente. Fue llevada a urgencias pediátricas de la Clínica Universitaria Colombia en Bogotá, donde fue ingresada, valorada con estudios escanográficos y llevada a cirugía para extracción del cuerpo extraño intraorbitario. Discusión. El caso de esta paciente se caracterizó por la indemnidad del globo ocular, la arteria y vena centrales de la retina y el nervio óptico, además de un manejo oportuno e interdisciplinario que disminuyó el riesgo de complicaciones. Conclusiones. El análisis del curso clínico de la paciente permitió identificar los eventos clave para el abordaje de estos casos, sus variaciones de manejo y el pronóstico según el tipo y la trayectoria del objeto penetrante.

Production of Lipids and Proteome Variation in a Chilean Thraustochytrium striatum Strain Cultured under Different Growth Conditions.

Total lipids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production by a Chilean isolated thraustochytrid were evaluated under different growth conditions in shake flasks. The analyzed strain was identified as Thraustochytrium striatum according to an 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The strain (T. striatum AL16) showed negligible growth in media prepared with artificial seawater at concentrations lower than 50% v/v and pH lower than 5. Maltose and starch were better carbon sources for growth than glucose. DHA content of the biomass grown with maltose (60 g L-1) was doubled by increasing the agitation rate from 150 to 250 rpm. The DHA (0.8-6%) and eicosapentaenoic acid (0.2-21%) content in the total lipids varied depending on culture conditions and culture age. Lipid and DHA concentration increased (up to 5 g L-1 and 66 mg L-1, respectively) by regularly feeding the culture with a concentrated starch solution. Carotenoid accumulation was detected in cells grown with maltose or starch. Contrasting conditions of starch and glucose cultures were selected for comparative proteomics. Total protein extracts were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis; 25 spots were identified using ESI-MS/MS. A protein database (143,006 entries) for proteomic interrogation was generated using de novo assembling of Thraustochytrium sp. LLF1b - MMETSP0199_2 transcriptome; 18 proteins differentially expressed were identified. Three ATP synthases were differentially accumulated in cultures with glucose, whereas malate dehydrogenase was more abundant in cells cultured with starch.

Anti-steatotic effects of an n-3 LCPUFA and extra virgin olive oil mixture in the liver of mice subjected to high-fat diet.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by liver steatosis, oxidative stress, and drastic depletion of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA), namely, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3, DHA), which trigger lipolysis stimulation and lipogenesis inhibition. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has important antioxidant effects. This study evaluated the anti-steatotic effects of n-3 LCPUFA plus EVOO in the liver of male C57BL/6J mice subjected to a control diet (CD) (10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrate) or high fat diet (HFD) (60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrate), without and with supplementation with n-3 LCPUFA (100 mg per kg per day) plus EVOO (100 mg per kg per day) for 12 weeks. HFD induced (i) liver steatosis (increased total fat, triacylglycerols, and free fatty acid total contents), (ii) higher fasting serum glucose and insulin levels and HOMA index, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and TNF-α and IL-6, (iii) liver and plasma oxidative stress enhancement, (iv) depletion of the n-3 LCPUFA hepatic content, and (v) increment in lipogenic enzyme activity and reduction in lipolytic enzyme activity. These changes were either reduced (p < 0.05) or normalized to control the values in animals subjected to HFD supplemented with n-3 LCPUFA plus EVOO. In conclusion, n-3 LCPUFA plus EVOO intervention exerts anti-steatotic effects underlying antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, improved insulin sensitivity, and recovery of the lipolytic/lipogenic status of the liver altered by HFD, and supports the potential therapeutic use of n-3 LCPUFA plus EVOO supplementation in the treatment of human liver steatosis induced by nutritional factors or other etiologies.

The intake of maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) berry extract normalizes H2O2 and IL-6 concentrations in exhaled breath condensate from healthy smokers - an explorative study.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory diseases are associated with pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Though studies in animal models suggest that dietary polyphenols improve lung injury, no intervention studies were carried out in humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether the intake of an anthocyanin-rich maqui extract improved H2O2 and IL-6 concentrations in exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) from asymptomatic smokers. FINDINGS: 15 asymptomatic smokers with mild cigarette smoking (3 pack-year [2.4 - 7.7]) (mean [CI95%]) were recruited in this exploratory longitudinal study. They ingested 2 g of maqui extract (polyphenol content = 5.18 ± 2.00 g GAE/100 g; FRAP value = 27.1 ± 2.0 mmol Fe(++)/100 g), twice daily for two weeks. EBCs were collected before and after treatment and the changes in H2O2 and IL-6 concentrations were determined by fluorimetry and Elisa, respectively. The EBC contents of H2O2 and IL-6 H2O2 before and after treatment in smokers were also compared with those determined in single EBC samples from 8 healthy non-smokers subjects. At baseline, the H2O2 concentrations were higher and those of IL-6 lower in the smokers than in the non-smokers. Maqui extract significantly decreased H2O2 (p < 0.0002) and increased IL-6 (p < 0.004) in the EBC from smokers. The EBC concentrations of H2O2 and IL-6 after maqui administration did not differ between smokers and non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Maqui extract normalizes IL-6 and H2O2 concentrations in EBC from humans with mild smoking habits. If confirmed, these results suggest that dietary polyphenols might be considered as an interesting alternative for the dietary management of respiratory disorders.

Ampliación de la distribución de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) en el departamento de Caldas: potencial aumento del riesgo de leishmaniasis visceral / Expansion of the distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the department of Caldas: Increased risk of visceral leishmaniasis

Introducción. Diversos estudios a nivel taxonómico y molecular sugieren que Lutzomyia longipalpis, principal vector de la leishmaniasis visceral en Latinoamérica, es un complejo de especies con amplia distribución a lo largo del continente y con adaptaciones a diferentes hábitats. Objetivo. Realizar vigilancia entomológica en el área de influencia de la hidroeléctrica Miel I. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron trampas adhesivas en una intersección de 400 km, aproximadamente, para la captura de insectos, los cuales fueron identificados con la clave taxonómica de Young y Duncan. Resultados. En este estudio se reporta la presencia de Lu. longipalpis en los municipios de Norcasia a una altitud de 392 msnm y en Marquetalia a 1.387 msnm; es el primer reporte a esta altura para esta especie en Colombia. Conclusiones. Se sugiere que la ampliación de la distribución geográfica y altitudinal de Lu. longipalpisen el país podría estar relacionada con la existencia del complejo de especies Lu. longipalpis, o a factores ambientales como el aumento de temperatura debido al cambio climático global que viene sucediendo en las últimas décadas. Esta última hipótesis sugeriría que se están creando nuevos hábitats propicios para el establecimiento de Lu. longipalpis, lo cual genera un nuevo riesgo epidemiológico de posibles nuevos focos de leishmaniasis visceral en el país.

Introduction: Diverse taxonomical and molecular studies suggest that Lutzomyia longipalpis, main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America, is a complex of species widely distributed throughout the continent and adapted to different habitats. Objective: To carry out entomological surveillance in the area of influence of the Miel I Hydroelectric Plant. Materials and methods: Adhesive traps were used in a transect covering an area of approximately 400 km for the capture of insects, which were then identified using the Young and Duncan taxonomical key. Results: This study reports the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the municipalities of Norcasia at an altitude of 392 masl, and in Marquetalia at 1,387 masl. Conclusions: We suggest that the increase in the geographical and altitudinal distribution could be related to the existence of the Lu. longipalpis species complex, or to environmental factors, such as the rise in temperature due to global climate changes, which create the establishment of Lu. longipalpis, generating a new epidemiological risk for new visceral leishmaniasis foci in the country.

[Expansion of the distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the department of Caldas: Increased risk of visceral leishmaniasis]. / Ampliación de la distribución de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae) en el departamento de Caldas: potencial aumento del riesgo de leishmaniasis visceral.

INTRODUCTION: Diverse taxonomical and molecular studies suggest that Lutzomyia longipalpis , main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America, is a complex of species widely distributed throughout the continent and adapted to different habitats. OBJECTIVE: To carry out entomological surveillance in the area of influence of the Miel I Hydroelectric Plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adhesive traps were used in a transect covering an area of approximately 400 km for the capture of insects, which were then identified using the Young and Duncan taxonomical key. RESULTS: This study reports the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the municipalities of Norcasia at an altitude of 392 masl, and in Marquetalia at 1,387 masl. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the increase in the geographical and altitudinal distribution could be related to the existence of the Lu. longipalpis species complex, or to environmental factors, such as the rise in temperature due to global climate changes, which create the establishment of Lu. longipalpis , generating a new epidemiological risk for new visceral leishmaniasis foci in the country.

Solvent inhalation (toluene and n-hexane) during the brain growth spurt impairs the maturation of frontal, parietal and occipital cerebrocortical neurons in rats.

Solvent abuse during pregnancy may cause "fetal solvent syndrome", which is characterized by mild brain atrophy and associated with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional abnormalities. The present study investigated whether solvent inhalation during the preweaning period (P2-P21) alters the morphological maturation of frontal, parietal, and occipital cortical neurons. Twelve hours after delivery (postnatal day 0, P0), litters were cross-fostered, culled to 8 pups/dam and housed together with a dam in standard laboratory cages. Litters were randomly assigned to the "air-only" group (n=64, 8 litters) and to the "solvent-sniffer" group (n=72, 9 litters). During P2-P21, each animal was exposed daily to either organic solvent vapors (75% toluene and 18% n-hexane, a solvent mixture commonly found in glues and adhesives) or clean air. To determine the impact of early solvent inhalation on cortical neuronal differentiation, brains were stained using the Golgi-Cox-Sholl procedure to quantitatively assess neocortical pyramidal cell dendrogenesis. Preweaning, solvent-exposed animals displayed dramatic impairments in dendritic growth as well as significant reductions in brain weight and size.

LARVAS DE DIGENEA EN Melanoides tuberculata (GASTROPODA: THIARIDAE) EN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA / Larval stages of digenea from Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) in Medellín, Colombia

Se describen las larvas de digeneos que se obtuvieron en Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae), molusco dulceacuícola del que se colectaron 125 especímenes en el lago del Jardín Botánico Joaquín Antonio Uribe de Medellín. En el laboratorio se individualizaron y se estimuló la emisión cercariana con una fuente luminosa. El 9,6 % de los caracoles emitió cercarias. Los moluscos emisores se sacrificaron para obtener los demás estadios larvarios. Las larvas se montaron al microscopio, se midieron y luego se dibujaron. Los caracteres morfológicos permitieron establecer la presencia de Centrocestus formosanus (Heterophyidae) y de dos Philophthalmidae. Uno de estos es primer registro para Colombia. Se confirma la sensibilidad de M. tuberculata a infecciones por digeneos, así como la especificidad de los filoftálmidos por moluscos hospedadores de la superfamilia Cerithioidea.

The larvae of two trematodes found in the freshwater mollusk Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) are described. 125 snails from the Medellin’s Botanical Garden Joaquín Antonio Uribe were collected. In the laboratory, each individual was placed alone and stimulated with light in order to have cercaria emission. 9.6% of the snails released cercariae. These were separated in three morphologies. From each one, 15 individuals were measured and drawn. Photographs were taken. Based on their morphological characteritics the presence of Centrocestus formosanus (Heterophyidae) was determined. The other two morphologies were classified in the family Philophthalmidae. One of them constitutes the first register for Colombia. The sensibility of M. tuberculata to infections by digeneans, and the specificity of the family Philophthalmidae to mollusk hosts of the superfamily Cerithioidea are confirmed.

Primer informe de Lutzomyia yuilli Young & Porter, 1972 y Lutzomyia triramula (Fairchild & Hertig 1952) (Diptera: Psychodidae) en el departamento de Caldas, Colombia / First record of Lutzomyia yuilli Young & Porter, 1972 and Lutzomyia triramula (Fairchild & Hertig 1952) (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Caldas departament, Colombia

Durante estudios de foco en varios municipios del departamento de Caldas, Colombia, donde se han presentado casos de leishmaniosis cutánea, se recolectaron nueve especies de Lutzomyia: Lutzomyia gomezi (Nitzulescu 1931), Lu. ayrozai (Barreto & Coutinho 1940), Lu. panamensis (Shannon 1926), Lu. bifoliata Osorno, Morales, Osorno & Hoyos, 1970, Lu. trapidoi (Farchild & Hertig 1952), Lu. yuilli Young & Porter, 1952, Lu. triramula (Fairchild & Hertig 1952), Lu. atroclavata (Knab 1913) y Lu. trinidadensis (Newstead 1922). Dos de estos taxones constituyen nuevos registros para el departamento, Lu. yuilli del subgénero Nyssomyia, y Lu. triramula del subgénero Trichopygomyia. Los individuos de Lu. yuilli se obtuvieron mediante el uso de trampas de luz tipo Shannon y CDC en el municipio de Norcasia, mientras que los de Lu. triramula se recolectaron usando trampas de luz y adhesivas en los municipios de Norcasia y Victoria. Se discute la importancia de este hallazgo teniendo en cuenta la limitada distribución de Lu. triramula en el territorio colombiano y la capacidad vectorial de Lu. yuilli.

Nine species of Lutzomyia were collected during the research of various cutaneous leishmaniasis foci in the department of Caldas, Colombia: Lutzomyia gomezi (Nitzulescu, 1931), Lu. ayrozai (Barretto & Coutinho 1940), Lu. panamensis (Shannon 1926), Lu. bifoliata Osorno, Morales, Osorno & Hoyos, 1970, Lu. trapidoi (Fairchild & Hertig 1952), Lu. yuilli Young & Porter, 1972, Lu. triramula (Fairchild & Hertig 1952), Lu. atroclavata (Knab 1913), and Lu. trinidadensis (Newstead 1922). Two of these species constitute a new record for the department, Lu. yuilli of the subgenus Nyssomyia, and Lu. triramula of the subgenus Trichopygomyia. The specimens of Lu. yuilli were collected using Shannon and CDC light traps in the municipality of Norcasia, while the specimens of Lu. triramula were collected using light and sticky traps in both Norcasia and Victoria municipalities. The importance of this finding, taking into account the limited distribution of Lu. triramula in the Colombian territory and the vector capacity of Lu. yuilli is considered.

[Updated geographical distribution and ecoepidemiology of the triatomine fauna (Reduviidae: Triatominae) in Colombia]. / Actualización de la distribución geográfica y ecoepidemiología de la fauna de triatominos (Reduviidae: Triatominae) en Colombia.

Information concerning triatomine records from provinces and municipalities was accumulated-including data indicating natural infections with trypanosomatides-that has been previously published or reported by Colombian provincial health services and research institutes. Altitude appeared to be the main factor responsible for the distribution of the insects. Illustrations summarize the information provided by the above records. A triatomine fauna classification is presented that corresponds to the eco-epidemiological conditions of the country, considering altitude as the factor determining the geographical distribution of these vectors. Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma dimidiata, Triatoma maculata and Triatoma venosa are considered the major transmission risk species in Colombia, according to the frequency in which they are reported inside dwellings and peridomiciliary areas. Entomological surveillance providess a necessary tool to reinforce the control strategies for Chagas disease. This also allows the evaluation of transmission risk that the sylvatic triatomines represent in Colombia.