Changing levels of income and multidimensional poverty among persons with disabilities in Colombia: A pseudo panel analysis.

In Colombia, more than 4 per cent of the population lives with disability and high levels of income and multidimensional poverty have been recognised within this group. However, there is no information on how the levels of poverty have changed over time or whether households with members with disabilities are more likely to be chronically poorer than households without disabilities in the country. In addition, no evidence exists on the potential effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic characteristics of persons with disability. This study aims to contribute to the literature on this topic by analysing a nationally representative survey (Quality of Life Survey) from 2018 to 2022 and studying the changes in the levels of income and multidimensional poverty of persons with disabilities and their household, and identifying whether any changes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The function of FGF signaling in the lens placode.

Previous studies suggested that FGF signaling is important for lens formation. However, the times at which FGFs act to promote lens formation, the FGFs that are involved, the cells that secrete them and the mechanisms by which FGF signaling may promote lens formation are not known. We found that transcripts encoding several FGF ligands and the four classical FGF receptors are detectable in the lens-forming ectoderm at the time of lens induction. Conditional deletion of Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 from this tissue resulted in the formation of small lens rudiments that soon degenerated. Lens placodes lacking Fgfr1 and 2 were thinner than in wild-type embryos. Deletion of Fgfr2 increased cell death from the initiation of placode formation and concurrent deletion of Fgfr1 enhanced this phenotype. Fgfr1/2 conditional knockout placode cells expressed lower levels of proteins known to be regulated by FGF receptor signaling, but proteins known to be important for lens formation were present at normal levels in the remaining placode cells, including the transcription factors Pax6, Sox2 and FoxE3 and the lens-preferred protein αA-crystallin. Previous studies identified a genetic interaction between BMP and FGF signaling in lens formation and conditional deletion of Bmpr1a caused increased cell death in the lens placode, resulting in the formation of smaller lenses. In the present study, conditional deletion of both Bmpr1a and Fgfr2 increased cell death beyond that seen in Fgfr2(CKO) placodes and prevented lens formation. These results suggest that the primary role of autocrine or paracrine FGF signaling is to provide essential survival signals to lens placode cells. Because apoptosis was already increased at the onset of placode formation in Fgfr1/2 conditional knockout placode cells, FGF signaling was functionally absent during the period of lens induction by the optic vesicle. Since the expression of proteins required for lens formation was not altered in the knockout placode cells, we can conclude that FGF signaling from the optic vesicle is not required for lens induction.

[Argentine Consensus of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema]. / Consenso argentino de diagnóstico y tratamiento del angioedema hereditario.

OBJECTIVES: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease. During the last years, many studies and advances have been developed with the aim of better understanding the pathophysiology, as well as optimizing patient management. Several international working groups have attempted to clarify and standardize the care of HAE communicated as guidelines and consensus recommendations. We considered necessary to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with HAE in Argentina. METHODS: A group of specialists of allergy and immunology from Argentina by using the online surveys methodology as well as face to face meetings developed the intended consensus. RESULTS: Recommendations were established based on published evidence and the expert opinion. The consensus focused on diagnosis, acute management of attacks, short and long-term prophylaxis, special situations (pediatrics and pregnancy) and disease management considering the health care system in Argentina. CONCLUSION: The recommendations established in this consensus guidelines will optimize the management of patients with HAE in Argentina.

Objetivos: El angioedema hereditario es una enfermedad poco frecuente. Durante los últimos años se han desarrollado muchas investigaciones y registrado avances con el objetivo de entender mejor la fisiopatología y optimizar la atención a los pacientes. Diversos grupos de trabajo internacionales han intentado clarificar y normalizar el cuidado de pacientes con angioedema hereditario, lo que se ha reflejado en guías y consensos. Consideramos necesario desarrollar un documento de consenso con recomendaciones para el diagnóstico y tratamiento del angioedema hereditario en Argentina. Metodología: Un grupo de expertos de Argentina, conformado por especialistas en Alergia e Inmunología mediante metodología de ronda de encuestas a distancia y reuniones presenciales llevó adelante la elaboración del consenso pretendido. Resultados: Se establecieron recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia publicada y en el criterio de los expertos participantes. Las recomendaciones se enfocaron en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y profilaxis de las crisis a corto y largo plazo, control de situaciones especiales y consideraciones del sistema de salud en Argentina. Conclusión: Las recomendaciones establecidas en este consenso permitirán optimizar la atención médica de los pacientes con angioedema hereditario en Argentina.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling is essential for lens fiber cell differentiation.

The vertebrate lens provides an excellent model to study the mechanisms that regulate terminal differentiation. Although fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are thought to be important for lens cell differentiation, it is unclear which FGF receptors mediate these processes during different stages of lens development. Deletion of three FGF receptors (Fgfr1-3) early in lens development demonstrated that expression of only a single allele of Fgfr2 or Fgfr3 was sufficient for grossly normal lens development, while mice possessing only a single Fgfr1 allele developed cataracts and microphthalmia. Profound defects were observed in lenses lacking all three Fgfrs. These included lack of fiber cell elongation, abnormal proliferation in prospective lens fiber cells, reduced expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p27(kip1) and p57(kip2), increased apoptosis and aberrant or reduced expression of Prox1, Pax6, c-Maf, E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma-crystallins. Therefore, while signaling by FGF receptors is essential for lens fiber differentiation, different FGF receptors function redundantly.

The function of VEGF-A in lens development: formation of the hyaloid capillary network and protection against transient nuclear cataracts.

A network of capillaries branches from the hyaloid vascular system and surrounds the mammalian lens throughout much of its embryonic development. These vessels are presumed to be important for the growth and maturation of the lens, although the lenses of non-mammalian vertebrates have no comparable vessels. Over expression of VEGF-A in the lens increases the extent of these capillaries, but it is not known whether VEGF-A from the lens is necessary for their formation or survival. To address this question, we deleted Vegfa in the lens. This prevented the formation of the capillary networks adjacent to the lens capsule, but did not alter nearby hyaloid vessels at the surface of the retina. Postnatal lenses lacking Vegfa were smaller than wild type and, by 1 month of age, many had mild nuclear opacities. These opacities regressed with age. The lens is hypoxic throughout most of life and VEGF-A expression is often regulated by the transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1. Lenses lacking Hif1a were of apparently normal size, had markedly reduced levels of mRNA for VEGF-A and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, but had normal-appearing capillaries covering their surface. We conclude that VEGF-A from the lens is necessary for the formation of the normal hyaloid vascular system and that lack of these capillaries was the most likely cause of growth retardation during fetal and early postnatal lens development. In the absence of HIF-1 function, sufficient VEGF-A is produced by the lens to promote capillary formation. Further study is needed to explain the formation of the mild opacities seen in some lenses lacking Vegfa and their regression later in life.

Remote biochemical verification of tobacco use: Reducing costs and improving methodological rigor with mailed oral cotinine swabs.

INTRODUCTION: Multi-site tobacco cessation trials could benefit from remote biochemical verification for tobacco use without invasive, time-consuming, or expensive collection processes. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous studies examining the predictive validity of oral fluid swabs for the detection of cotinine levels with samples collected off-site and mailed for on-site interpretation. METHODS: Tobacco users were recruited through an online survey and participants who met the initial eligibility criteria were invited to take part. Those who elected to enroll provided two positive iScreen Oral Fluid Device (OFD) cotinine test samples during an in-office visit. One sample was used as a control and stored in a temperature-regulated location, while the other was mailed from one of ten surrounding counties. Mailing method and time from collection to mailing were varied, and results were assessed against control samples. RESULTS: Twenty tobacco users enrolled in the study. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 31 (M = 16.45, SD = 1.54). Several types of tobacco use were reported, with electronic cigarettes the most commonly reported product. None of the mailed sample interpretations changed from pre- to post-mailing, with up to twenty-one days from sample collection to results confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the use of mailed oral swabs may be an easy to use, reliable, and low-cost option for the detection of cotinine in tobacco users when in-person collection is not feasible. Test result interpretations were found to be unchanged after mailing, and after extended post-collection time gaps.

Expression and regulation of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins in mammalian lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: In the mammalian lens, the expression of the beta- and gamma-crystallin families is thought to be limited to fiber cells. However, several studies detected these proteins or their mRNAs in human lens epithelial cells. To resolve this apparent discrepancy, 14 crystallin mRNAs were examined and the expression and subcellular distribution of selected crystallin proteins in lens epithelial cells determined. METHODS: Transcript levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR using mRNA from P3 rat lens epithelia cultured for 0 or 20 hours or 4 or 7 days in basal medium or with added FGF2. Antibodies to betaB1-, gammaS-, alphaA-, and alphaB-crystallins were used for Western blot analysis of proteins extracted from adult mouse, human, bovine, rabbit, and rat lens epithelial and fiber cells. Rat lenses or lens epithelia were rapidly fixed in situ, 30 minutes after death, or after dissection from the lens, and the intracellular distributions of crystallins were examined by immunostaining and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Four patterns of crystallin gene expression were detected in cultured lens epithelia. Transcripts encoding most beta- and gamma-crystallins were detectable and, in some cases, abundant at the time of explantation. Changes in crystallin protein levels in P3 epithelia cultured in basal or FGF-supplemented medium generally reflected the changes in their mRNAs. betaB1- and gammaS-crystallins were abundant in adult human, mouse, rat, rabbit, and bovine lens epithelial cells. The alpha-, beta- and gamma-crystallins were found in distinct subcellular locations in adult lens epithelial cells. These proteins dramatically relocalized during fiber cell differentiation and after death and/or dissection of the lens epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: BetaB1- and gammaS-crystallins are normally abundant in adult mammalian lens epithelial cells. Complex programs of transcription and degradation regulate the accumulation of crystallin mRNAs in lens epithelial cells after stress, at different ages, and during cell differentiation. Because crystallins selectively localize in distinct subcellular compartments during differentiation or stress, they may function to protect lens cells from injury. After stress, most alphaA- and alphaB-crystallin subunits are not in the same macromolecular complexes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and signaling in the lens.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have identified sequences encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and one of the VEGF receptors (VEGFR2, Flk-1, KDR) in lens fiber cells. The current study was undertaken to determine the distribution of VEGF-A protein in the lens, whether signaling through VEGF receptors occurs in lens cells, the pattern of VEGF-A expression during lens development, and the effect of hypoxia on VEGF-A expression. METHODS: VEGF-A and VEGFR2 were localized using immunocytochemistry. VEGF-A and VEGFR2 protein were identified and quantified by Western blot analysis. Activated (tyrosine phosphorylated) VEGFR2 was detected by immunoprecipitation with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody followed by Western blot analysis with antibody to VEGFR2. Levels of VEGF-A mRNA were measured by quantitative PCR. Suturing the lids of adult mouse or rabbit eyes for 3 days was used to induce lens hypoxia. RESULTS: VEGFR2 sequences were present in adult human lens epithelial cells, and VEGF-A transcripts were detected in chicken embryo, adult human, and mouse lens epithelial cells. VEGF-A protein localized to the ends of mouse embryo lens fiber cells at developmental stages when the fetal vasculature was forming. At later stages, VEGF-A was distributed uniformly throughout the cytoplasm of cortical fiber cells. VEGFR2 was present in mouse lens epithelial and fiber cells and was tyrosine phosphorylated at all stages examined. VEGF-A protein was barely detectable in lens epithelial cells during the first postnatal week, but increased as the capillaries of the anterior pupillary membrane regressed. VEGF-A levels were highest in adult lenses. Suturing the eyelid caused an increase in VEGF-A mRNA and protein in lens epithelial and fiber cells. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-A secreted by lens cells may stimulate the formation of the fetal vasculature, but regression of these vessels is not likely to be caused by a reduction in VEGF-A production by the lens. An active VEGF-A signaling system of unknown function appears to be active in the lens. It is likely that VEGF-A expression is regulated by tissue hypoxia at all stages of lens development.

Endothelial cell-astrocyte interactions and TGF beta are required for induction of blood-neural barrier properties.

We sought to establish a blood-neural barrier (BNB) model of astrocyte contact with endothelial cells (EC) to test the hypothesis that transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) promotes an EC barrier-phenotype. Astrocyte-EC contact induced BNB properties in EC. Transendothelial resistance was augmented by direct contact between astrocytes-EC, but not by astrocyte-conditioned medium or astrocyte-EC coculture conditioned medium. Coculture of EC and astrocytes led to significant increase in endothelial occludin levels and junctional localization. EC gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activity was increased by direct contact with astrocytes, by conditioned medium from cocultures or by TGF beta1. Coculture inhibited EC proliferation with no effect on astrocyte proliferation. A neutralizing antibody to TGF beta decreased GGT activity in cocultures and increased cell number. Whereas total TGF beta was not significantly altered by coculture, activated TGF beta increased in astrocyte-EC cocultures. In summary, astrocyte-EC contact induces BNB characteristics in EC and locally activated TGF beta is responsible for part of the induction.

Cyclic peptide alkaloids from the bark of Discaria americana.

The isolation and structure determination of cyclic peptide alkaloids, discarine-M and discarine-N, along with seven known cyclic peptide alkaloids, adouetine-Y', franganine, frangulanine, discarines-A, -B, -C, and -D from the root bark of Discaria americana are described. Structures were determined spectroscopically, especially using 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. The crude methanol extract, the basic ether extract, and the alkaloids 6 and 7 also weakly inhibited growth of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

Signaling through FGF receptor-2 is required for lens cell survival and for withdrawal from the cell cycle during lens fiber cell differentiation.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play important roles in many aspects of development, including lens development. The lens is derived from the surface ectoderm and consists of an anterior layer of epithelial cells and elongated, terminally differentiated fiber cells that form the bulk of the tissue. FGF signaling has been implicated in lens induction, proliferation, and differentiation. To address the role of FGFs in lens development, we inactivated FGF receptor-2 (Fgfr2) using a Cre transgene that is expressed in all prospective lens cells from embryonic day 9.0. Inactivation of Fgfr2 shows that signaling through this receptor is not required for lens induction or for the proliferation of lens epithelial cells. However, Fgfr2 signaling is needed to drive lens fiber cells out of the cell cycle during their terminal differentiation. It also contributes to the normal elongation of primary lens fiber cells and to the survival of lens epithelial cells.

Uncinariasis y café: los antecedentes de la intervención de la Fundación Rockefeller en Colombia: 1900-1920 / Ankylostomiasis and caffee: the antecedents of the Rockefeller Foundation's intervention in Colombia: 1900-1920

Este artículo muestra cómo los intereses cognitivos de los médicos colombianos con respecto a la uncinariasis y a los intereses económicos de los agricultores cafeteros locales se encuentra con los intereses económicos de la Fundación Rockefeller y del estado norteamericano, para permitir el inicio de la campaña contra la uncinariasis liderada por la Fundación Rockfeller, en 1920. Primero se examina la situación de la enfermedad en el país entre 1900 y 1919 desde el punto de vista de los médicos y sus intentos en crear campañas contra ella, así como también el interés que los productores cafeteros prestaron a la enfermedad. En segundo lugar, se examina cómo la Fundación Rockefeller concibió y realizó la campaña contra la uncinariasis como un mecanismo de penetración a los estados latinoamericanos con el fin de sensibilizar positivamente a estos gobiernos a favor de las acciones de la fundación en la salud pública que beneficiarían, en últimas, sus empresas de explotación de materias primas en la región. Se encontró que, tanto los médicos como los agricultores colombianos que hacían parte de la élite local, asociaron la uncinariasis con efectos negativos para la producción cafetera, en el momento en que Colombia logró vincularse en forma definitiva al capitalismo internacional gracias a la exportación del grano. Esto hizo que el estado colombiano acogiera fácilmente la campaña de la fundación, campaña que para la élite local representaba un fin y para la Fundación Rockefeller un medio

Cáncer del seno y factores asociados en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología enero-junio 1990 / Breast cancer and associated factors

Se estudió la frecuencia de aparición del cáncer de seno asociada a la presencia de ciertos factores que se han encontrado involucrados en esta patología clasificados en dos grupos en esta patología clasificados en dos grupos principales: Factores de riesgo: edad, secuencia, sexo menarquia, menopausia, edad de primer parto, número de hijos, zona de procedencia del país, antecedente de cáncer de seno o de otro cáncer en la familia, lactancia materna, uso de anovulatorios y antecedente de enfermedad fibroquística en la paciente. Como factores pronósticos se tomaron tipo histológico, metástasis, lado, cuadrante, estado se analizó como una variable de control. Se tomó para este estudio el universo de pacientes que acudieron a consulta de seno del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC), durante el primer semestre de 1990, teniendo en cuenta que este centro asistencial sirve como fuente de remisión de todo el país. Se encontró que las edades de mayor frecuencia de aparición están entre los 40 y 44 años y entre los 60 y 64 años. Las pacientes del grupo que tuvieron una menopausia tardía con menarquia temprana fueron las de menor frecuencia de aparición, contradiciendo diversos estudios. La zona urbana se encontró con mayor incidencia de presentación de cáncer. Se presentó una menor incidencia de cáncer de seno en pacientes con un mayor número de hijos. Los antecedentes negativos de cáncer en alguno de los miembros de ella. Este estudio debe completarse con estudios posteriores que amplíen los conocimientos en temas referentes ya sea a pronóstico o a tratamiento, ya que este trabajo no profundizó en el tema de pronóstico y no se evaluó el tópico del tratamiento

Cual es la prevalencia de la tuberculosis y su asociacion con los factores de riesgo en la poblacion del barrio Canteras, determinada durante los meses de julio de 1986 a marzo de 1987 / Which is the prevalence of tuberculosis and its association with risk factpors of the population from Barrio Canteras, stablished during the months from July 1986 to March 1987

Para efectos del presente estudio se tomo un universoo de 219 personas que habitaban en el barrio Canteras (Bogota D.E.) cuyas edades oscilaban entre 0 y 75 anos. Para recolectar los datos se utilizaron encuestas y la historia clinica (anamnesis y examen fisico). Inicialmente se contacto a un miembro de cada familia (51) para obtener informacion respecto a las condiciones de vida y detectar la poblacion sintomatica respiratoria. De este ultimo grupo se encuestaron nuevamente los mayores de 14 anos para detectar problemas respiratorios especificos y a los menores de 15 anos se les hizo historia clinica. Al grupo de ninos de 0 a 10 anos se les tomo hisopado laringeo, lavado y aspirado gastrico, baciloscopia y Rx de torax y a toda la poblacion se le aplico tuberculina para analizar su respuesta inmunologica. A los mayores de 10 anos se les hizo baciloscopia y abreugrafia. En relacion con los factores ambientales y socioeconomicos se encontro que la mitad de la poblacion era analfabeta funcional, mas de la mitad percibia $20.000 mensuales o menos por familia, la vivienda era fisicamente inadecuada y las personas vivian hacinadas; la disposicion de basuras y excretas favorecian la aparicion de enfermedad, 72 por ciento cohabitaba con animales domesticos, el 44 por ciento ha estado en contacto personas tuberculosas, otros revelaron exposicion cronica al polvo, al humo de lena y eran fumadores de tabaco. Sinembargo, en ninguna de las personas con sintomas respiratorios se detecto tuberculosis pulmonar