Study of the occurrence and ecosystem danger of selected endocrine disruptors in the urban water cycle of the city of Bogotá, Colombia.

Endocrine disruptors have been studied for their high occurrence in different environments including aquatic; however, in the context of developing countries, their occurrence, magnitude and potential threat have little information. This study involved the analysis of various components of the urban water cycle in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. As a result, it was found that the compounds with the highest occurrence are plasticizers such as phthalates and bisphenol A, whereas among the drugs, carbamazepine presented the highest concentrations (0.68-31.45 µg L-1); the analysis of the threat coefficient (HQ) showed the importance of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP) and estrone (E1) that can reach surface waters from domestic and industrial discharges.

Forest biomass density across large climate gradients in northern South America is related to water availability but not with temperature.

Understanding and predicting the likely response of ecosystems to climate change are crucial challenges for ecology and for conservation biology. Nowhere is this challenge greater than in the tropics as these forests store more than half the total atmospheric carbon stock in their biomass. Biomass is determined by the balance between biomass inputs (i.e., growth) and outputs (mortality). We can expect therefore that conditions that favor high growth rates, such as abundant water supply, warmth, and nutrient-rich soils will tend to correlate with high biomass stocks. Our main objective is to describe the patterns of above ground biomass (AGB) stocks across major tropical forests across climatic gradients in Northwestern South America. We gathered data from 200 plots across the region, at elevations ranging between 0 to 3400 m. We estimated AGB based on allometric equations and values for stem density, basal area, and wood density weighted by basal area at the plot-level. We used two groups of climatic variables, namely mean annual temperature and actual evapotranspiration as surrogates of environmental energy, and annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality, and water availability as surrogates of water availability. We found that AGB is more closely related to water availability variables than to energy variables. In northwest South America, water availability influences carbon stocks principally by determining stand structure, i.e. basal area. When water deficits increase in tropical forests we can expect negative impact on biomass and hence carbon storage.

Revisión de parámetros arrive, en artículos de revistas científicas chilenas, indexadas en Thomson Reuters, que utilizan animales de experimentación, in vivo, entre los años 2010 y 2012 / Revisão de parâmetros arrive em artigos de revistas científicas chilenas indexadas pela Thomson Reuters, que utilizam animais de experimentação in vivo, entre 2010 e 2012 / Guidelines arrive review, in chilean scientific journal articles, indexed in Thomson Reuters, that use animal experimentation, in vivo, between years 2010 and 2012

El artículo plantea conocer la situación de Chile respecto de las publicaciones científicas que informan utilizar animales de experimentación, basándose en las directrices ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments), para la investigación con animales. Su objetivo es evaluar la metodología de un ensayo clínico a partir de la descripción detallada, con exactitud y con transparencia, de su diseño, ejecución, análisis y resultados. Se seleccionaron seis revistas chilenas que informan utilizar animales de experimentación y pertenecen a las ciencias biomédicas, con publicaciones desde enero de 2010, fecha en que se publicó la normativa ARRIVE, a diciembre de 2012, las que corresponden al 12,2 por ciento (6/49) del total de revistas chilenas indexadas en Thomson Reuters. De estas revistas se seleccionaron 110 artículos de un total de 1.567, que corresponden al 7 por ciento. De los artículos analizados, ninguno cumplió con el total de los parámetros de la normativa ARRIVE para el uso de animales de experimentación. Surgen desafíos para la investigación cientifica que utiliza animales, como también para aquellas revistas que difunden la información obtenida, con la finalidad de elevar la cantidad y calidad de este tipo de publicaciones.

We propose to know the national situation regarding scientific publishing using experimental animals, based on the guidelines ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) for animal research. It aims to evaluate the methodology of a clinical trial, from the detailed description, with accuracy and transparency, its design, execution, analysis and results. They selected six Chilean magazines, that use experimental animals and belong to the biomedical sciences, since January 2010, when it was published ARRIVE regulations, to December 2012. Corresponding to 12.2 percent (6/49) of total Chilean journals indexed in Thomson Reuters. Of these 110 articles were selected, from a total of 1567, corresponding to 7 percent. Of the articles analyzed, none fulfilled with the total ARRIVE regulation parameters for use of experimental animals. Challenges arise for scientific research that uses animals for research, as well as for those journals that disseminate information obtained from these investigations. With the purpose of increasing the quantity and quality of these publications.

O artigo propõe conhecer a situação do Chile a respeito das publicações científicas que informam utilizar animais de experimentação, baseandose nas diretrizes ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments), para a investigação com animais. Seu objetivo é avaliar a metodologia de um ensaio clínico a partir da descrição detalhada, com exatidão e transparência de seu projeto, execução, análise e resultados. Foram selecionadas seis revistas chilenas que informam utilizar animais de experimentação e pertencem às ciências biomédicas, com publicações desde janeiro de 2010, data em que se publicou a normativa ARRIVE, a dezembro de 2012, as quais correspondem a 12,2 por cento (6/49) do total de revistas chilenas indexadas pela Thomson Reuters. Destas revistas foram selecionados 110 artigos de um total de 1.567, que correspondem a 7 por cento. Dos artigos analisados, nenhum cumpriu com o total dos parâmetros da normativa ARRIVE para o uso de animais de experimentação. Surgem desafios para a investigação cientifica que utiliza animais, como também para aquelas revistas que difundem a informação obtida, com a finalidade de elevar a quantidade e a qualidade deste tipo de publicações.

Carcinoma de mamas en mujeres diagnosticados en la ciudad de Barranquilla entre 2008-2011 / Breast carcinoma in women diagnosed in Barranquilla between 2008-2011

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo la identificación de carcinomas de mama en mujeres diagnosticados en la ciudad de Barranquilla entre 2008 – 2011 de forma descriptiva retrospectiva y utilizando un universo conformado por todos los resultados anatomopatológicos encontrados;los resultados se presentaron con tablas y gráficas univariadas en el programa estadístico Epi-InfoTM7. Dando resultados y conclusiones los cuales donde en los años estudiados se presentó un aumento de los diagnósticos pasando de 19,74% en el 2008 a 28,87% para el 2011; el rango de edad que mayores casos reportó fue de 50 – 59 años,la variedad más frecuente fue el carcinoma ductal infiltrante siendo el80.59% y para la Clasificación de Scarff-Bloom-Richardson modificada encontramos el grado II con 27,41% y al puntaje 8 con 15,50% los que predominaron.

The present research aimed to identify the female breast carcinomas diagnosed in Barranquilla between 2008 - 2011 in a descriptive retrospective and use the universe consists of all pathology results; the results were presented with tables and univariate graphs with in the statistical program Epi-InfoTM7. Giving results and conclusions where the years studied diagnoses increased going from 19.74% in 2008 to 28.87% for 2011 was presented; the older age range reported case was 50 to 59 years, the most common variety was infiltrating ductal carcinoma, being the 80.59% and for the classi-bloom-richardson scarff found the grade II modified with 27.41% and to score 8 15.50% which predominated.

Central Asian Post-Soviet health systems in transition: has different aid engagement produced different outcomes?

BACKGROUND: The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in a transition from centrally planned socialist systems to largely free-market systems for post-Soviet states. The health systems of Central Asian Post-Soviet (CAPS) countries (Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) have undergone a profound revolution. External development partners have been crucial to this reorientation through financial and technical support, though both relationships and outcomes have varied. This research provides a comparative review of the development assistance provided in the health systems of CAPS countries and proposes future policy options to improve the effectiveness of development. DESIGN: Extensive documentary review was conducted using Pubmed, Medline/Ovid, Scopus, and Google scholar search engines, local websites, donor reports, and grey literature. The review was supplemented by key informant interviews and participant observation. FINDINGS: The collapse of the Soviet dominance of the region brought many health system challenges. Donors have played an essential role in the reform of health systems. However, as new aid beneficiaries, neither CAPS countries' governments nor the donors had the experience of development collaboration in this context.The scale of development assistance for health in CAPS countries has been limited compared to other countries with similar income, partly due to their limited history with the donor community, lack of experience in managing donors, and a limited history of transparency in international dealings. Despite commonalities at the start, two distinctive trajectories formed in CAPS countries, due to their differing politics and governance context. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of donors, both financially and technically, remains crucial to health sector reform, despite their relatively small contribution to overall health budgets. Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan have demonstrated more effective development cooperation and improved health outcomes; arguably, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have made slower progress in their health and socio-economic indices because of their resistance to open and accountable development relationships.

Factores de Riesgo asociados al Síndrome de Burnout en estudiantes de Odontología de la Universidad del Valle / Risk Factors associated to BURNOUT Sindrome in dentistry students from University of Valle

Objective: To determine the risk factors predisposing to burnout syndrome in students from Dentistry Program at the University of Valle. Materials and Methods: In this cross -sectional study were enrolled 90 students in the period from February to June 2012 in the academic program of Dentistry from the Universidad del Valle, who attend third, fourth and fifth year. The test Maslach Bur - nout Inventory (MBI) was applied which consists of 22 items with 7 response options corresponding to three basic dimensions of burnout syndrome, emotional exhaustion (AE), depersonalization (D) and reduced personal or professional accomplishment (BR). Chi2 test were run for each of the factors and Kruscal Wallis and ANOVA were also applied. Results: The fifth graders scored an avera - ge of 5.60 on a scale of depersonalization (D), which was statistically significant, indicating that there is a risk factor present in this group of students. In this dimension of depersonalization, values were lower for levels 1, 2, 3 and 6 but there was no statistically significant differences between them. Given the sub-scale of emotional exhaustion (AE) the highest values were associated with socio-economic levels 3, 4 and 5. Conclusions: Our results show that the aca - demic load can be a predisposing factor that impacts mainly on the depersonalization and manifests itself at the end of college. Socioeconomic variables, family envi - ronment, age, or spend a certain semester do not constitute specific risk factors for development of the syndrome...(Au)

Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo predisponentes al síndrome de agotamiento laboral (BURNOUT) en es- tudiantes del Programa de Odontología de la Universidad del Valle. Materiales y métodos: En este estudio de tipo transversal, se seleccionaron 90 estudiantes matriculados en el periodo Febrero-Junio de 2012 en el programa académico de Odontología de la Universi- dad del Valle, que cursan tercero, cuarto y quinto año. A los sujetos seleccionados se les aplicó El test Maslach Burnout Inven- tory (MBI) el cual consta de 22 ítems con 7 opciones de respuesta que corresponden a tres dimensiones básicas del síndrome de BURNOUT; agotamiento emocional (AE), despersonalización (D) y baja realización personal o profesional (BR). Se realizaron pruebas de Chi2 y pruebas no paramétricas de Kruscal Wallis, y la prueba ANOVA. Resultados: Los estudiantes de quinto año obtuvieron un promedio de 5.60 en la es- cala de despersonalización (D), indicando que hay un factor de riesgo presente en este grupo de estudiantes. En esta dimensión, se encontraron los valores más bajos para los estratos 1, 2, 3 y 6 sin embargo no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significati - vas. Teniendo en cuenta la sub-escala de agotamiento Emocional (AE) los valores más altos se relacionaron con los estratos socio-económicos 3, 4 y 5. Conclusiones: La carga académica puede ser un factor predisponente que impacta principalmente en la despersonalización y se manifiesta al finalizar la carrera univer - sitaria. Las variables socio-económicas, el ambiente familiar, la edad o cursar un semestre específico no se constituyeron factores de riesgo para el desarrollo del síndrome...(Au)

Drought-mortality relationships for tropical forests.

*The rich ecology of tropical forests is intimately tied to their moisture status. Multi-site syntheses can provide a macro-scale view of these linkages and their susceptibility to changing climates. Here, we report pan-tropical and regional-scale analyses of tree vulnerability to drought. *We assembled available data on tropical forest tree stem mortality before, during, and after recent drought events, from 119 monitoring plots in 10 countries concentrated in Amazonia and Borneo. *In most sites, larger trees are disproportionately at risk. At least within Amazonia, low wood density trees are also at greater risk of drought-associated mortality, independent of size. For comparable drought intensities, trees in Borneo are more vulnerable than trees in the Amazon. There is some evidence for lagged impacts of drought, with mortality rates remaining elevated 2 yr after the meteorological event is over. *These findings indicate that repeated droughts would shift the functional composition of tropical forests toward smaller, denser-wooded trees. At very high drought intensities, the linear relationship between tree mortality and moisture stress apparently breaks down, suggesting the existence of moisture stress thresholds beyond which some tropical forests would suffer catastrophic tree mortality.

Drought sensitivity of the Amazon rainforest.

Amazon forests are a key but poorly understood component of the global carbon cycle. If, as anticipated, they dry this century, they might accelerate climate change through carbon losses and changed surface energy balances. We used records from multiple long-term monitoring plots across Amazonia to assess forest responses to the intense 2005 drought, a possible analog of future events. Affected forest lost biomass, reversing a large long-term carbon sink, with the greatest impacts observed where the dry season was unusually intense. Relative to pre-2005 conditions, forest subjected to a 100-millimeter increase in water deficit lost 5.3 megagrams of aboveground biomass of carbon per hectare. The drought had a total biomass carbon impact of 1.2 to 1.6 petagrams (1.2 x 10(15) to 1.6 x 10(15) grams). Amazon forests therefore appear vulnerable to increasing moisture stress, with the potential for large carbon losses to exert feedback on climate change.

Cuatro casos de cáncer de paratiroides / Four cases of parathyroid carcinoma

El carcinoma de paratiroides es una causa poco frecuente de hiperparatiroidismo primario, con una prevalancia que oscila entre 0.5 y 4 por ciento. Estas neoplasias tienen un curso agresivo por lo que es importante establecer un diagnóstico oportuno y realizar tratamiento quirúrgico precoz. En el Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición en un periodo de siete años, se realizaron 88 cirugías por hiperparatiroidismo primario, encontrándose en cuatro casos un carcinoma de paratiroides (prevalencia del 4.5 por ciento). Presentamos aquí las características clínicas, diagnóstico, tratamiento y evolución de estos pacientes

Carcinoma no funcionante de corteza suprarrenal: informe de un caso / Non-functional adrenal carcinoma: a case report

Los adenocarcinomas de la corteza suprarrenal son entidades clínicas muy poco comunes que alcanzan una frecuencia de 0.2 por ciento entre todas las neoplasias. Por lo regular, la mayoría de ellas son de tipo funcionante y tienen una presentación clínica que va a depender del exceso circulante de la hormona producida por cualquiera de las tres capas que componen la estructura cortical. Sin embargo, un mínimo porcentaje de estas neoplasias se consideran no funcionantes siendo, por su forma de presentación, todo un reto diagnóstico para el clínico. El objetivo del presente trabajo es informar el caso de un paciente masculino en la séptima década de la vida con pérdida de peso, masa suprarrenal derecha y otra en mesogastrio con determinación de 17 cetoesteroides, cortisol plasmático y ácido vainillilmandélico normales y en quien la necropsia mostró adenocarcinoma de corteza suprarrenal. Se realiza revisión de la literatura enfocada al diagnóstico y tratamiento