Effects of microplastics pollution on the abundance and composition of interstitial meiofauna

Introduction: Pollution by microplastics is a global problem in marine environments, which impacts microorganisms and ecosystems at several spatial levels. Sandy beaches are depositional environments where microplastics tend to accumulate in large quantities. The co-occurrence of interstitial meiofauna and microplastics in sand grains raises the question on whether the accumulation of microplastics in the sediments affects the abundance and composition of the meiofaunal communities. Objective: To test the hypothesis that microplastics affect the meiofauna of urban sandy beaches. Methods: We studied the three main urban sandy beaches of Santa Marta, Colombia: El Rodadero, Santa Marta Bay, and Taganga. All are similar in morphology and external pressures, and differ from other beaches in the region. In April 2019 we collected 81 sand samples, equally distributed in the intertidal zone (upper, mid, and lower intertidal levels). We applied generalized linear models to abundance, and multivariate permutational tests to community composition. Results: We identified 17 taxonomic groups of meiofauna, and microplastic particles (mainly 45-500 micron fibres) evenly distributed across beaches and intertidal levels. There was more meiofauna at the mid intertidal level, and in fine and medium grain sediment. At the lower intertidal level, sites with more microplastics had less meiofauna. Abundance of microplastics explained 39 % of the variation in meiofaunal community composition at lower intertidal levels. Conclusions: The accumulation of microplastics might have a negative impact on these meiofaunal interstitial communities. This is not surprising: if microplastics occupy the same physical space as these animals, they might presumably modify the structure of sediments and the composition of interstitial water.

Introducción: La contaminación por microplásticos es un problema global en los ecosistemas marinos, con impacto sobre microorganismos y ecosistemas en varios niveles espaciales. Las playas arenosas son ambientes de deposición donde se tiende a acumular gran cantidad de microplásticos. La co-ocurrencia de meiofauna intersticial y microplásticos en granos de arena plantea la pregunta de que si la acumulación de microplásticos en sedimentos afecta la abundancia y composición de comunidades de meiofauna. Objetivo: Probar la hipótesis de que microplásticos afectan la meiofauna de playas arenosas urbanas. Métodos: Estudiamos las tres principales playas arenosas urbanas de Santa Marta, Colombia: El Rodadero, Bahía Santa Marta y Taganga. Estas son similares en morfología y presiones externas, y difieren de las otras playas de la región. En abril 2019 recolectamos 81 muestras de arena, distribuidas de manera equidistante en la zona intermareal (nivel intermareal superior, medio y bajo). Aplicamos modelos lineales generalizados de abundancia, y pruebas permutacionales multivariantes a la composición de comunidades. Resultados: Identificamos 17 grupos taxonómicos de meiofauna, y partículas de microplástico (principalmente fibras de 45-500 micras) distribuidos equitativamente a lo largo de las playas y niveles intermareales. Hubo más meiofauna en el nivel intermareal medio, y en sedimentos de grano mediano y fino. A niveles intermareales más bajos, sitios con más microplásticos tuvieron menos meiofauna. La abundancia de los microplásticos explicó el 39 % de la variación en comunidades de meiofauna a niveles intermareales bajos. Conclusión: La acumulación de microplásticos podría tener un impacto negativo sobre las comunidades de meiofauna intersticial. Esto no es de sorprender: si los microplásticos ocupan el mismo volumen físico que estos animales, estos podrían presuntamente modificar la estructura de sedimentos y la composición del agua intersticial.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre toxoplasmosis en dos comunas de Armenia, Quindío, con alta prevalencia de la infección / Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to toxoplasmosis in two districts of high prevalence in Armenia, Quindío / Conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas sobre toxoplasmose em duas comunas de Armenia, Quindío, com alta prevalência de infecção

Resumen Objetivo: Describir los conocimientos, las actitudes y las prácticas acerca de la toxoplasmosis en dos comunas de Armenia, Quindío, con alta prevalencia de la infección. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo con población de dos comunas de Armenia, Quindío. Se aplicó un cuestionario autodiligenciado tipo conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas. Esta herramienta incluyó elementos sobre el parásito Toxoplasma gondii, sus vías de transmisión, aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y de tratamiento generales, así como prácticas para evitar la infección. El instrumento se aplicó antes y después de una intervención educativa. Se describieron las frecuencias en el número de respuestas correctas antes y después de la intervención para cada comuna. Resultados: Participaron 27 personas, con una media de edad de 57 años. El 59 % fueron mujeres. El 48% había completado la educación media y el 40,7 % la primaria. El conocimiento del agente causal antes de la intervención fue del 22 %, mientras que posterior a la intervención fue del 92,3 % en la comuna 1 y del 81,8 % en la comuna 6. Posterior a la intervención, cerca del 90 % de los encuestados reconoció la retina como la principal estructura afectada y todos los encuestados reconocieron el consumo de agua hervida como factor protector. Conclusión: Los conocimientos sobre la toxoplasmosis en las dos comunas eran limitados. Luego de la intervención educativa, se evidenció un aumento en el porcentaje de respuestas correctas en la mayoría de las preguntas. Se recomienda realizar nuevas intervenciones educativas y en salud pública, para evaluar los efectos de estas a largo plazo.

Abstract Objective: To describe knowledge, attitudes and practices related to toxoplasmosis in two districts of high prevalence in Armenia, Quindío. Methodology: descriptive study; the population of two districts of Armenia, Quindío were engaged. A self-administered questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices was applied. This tool included elements related to Toxoplasma gondii, its transmission pathways, general clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects, as well as practices to prevent infection. The instrument was applied before and after an educational intervention. Frequencies were described as the number of correct answers before and after the intervention for each district. Results: 27 people participated, with an average age of 57 years. 59 % were women; 48 % had completed high school and 40.7 % had completed elementary school. Before the intervention, the knowledge of the causal agent was 22 %, while after the intervention, it was 92.3 % in district 1 and 81.8 % in district 6. After the intervention, about 90 % of participants recognized the retina as the main compromised structure and all participants recognized the consumption of boiled water as a protective factor. Conclusion: The knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis in the two districts was limited. After the educational intervention, there was an increase in the percentage of correct answers in most of the questions. New educational and public health interventions are recommended to assess the long-term effects of these interventions.

Resumo Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo é descrever os problemas, as ações e as práticas sobre a toxoplasmose nas comunidades da Armênia, Quindío, onde se nota alta prevalência da infecção. Metodologia: Este é um estudo descritivo que abrange uma população de duas comunas na Armênia, Quindío. Foi implementada uma ferramenta, que consiste em questionários destinados àquela população e aplicáveis pelos seus próprios membros, que correspondem a conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas. Essa ferramenta inclui elementos sobre o parasito Toxoplasma gondii, suas vias de transmissão, aspectos clínicos gerais, diagnósticos e tratamento, e práticas de prevenção. O instrumento foi aplicado antes e após uma intervenção educativa exata. Foram descritas as frequências do número de acertos, antes e depois da intervenção para cada comuna. Resultados: participaram 27 pessoas, com média de idade de 57 anos, das quais 59 % eram mulheres e 48 % tinham ensino médio completo e 40,7 % ensino primário. O conhecimento do agente causal antes da intervenção havia em 22 %, enquanto que após a intervenção, passou para 92,3 % na comuna 1, e 81,8 % na comuna 6. Após a intervenção, cerca de 90 % dos entrevistados reconheceram a retina como a estrutura mais afetada e todos os entrevistados reconheceram que o consumo de água fervida é um fator de proteção. Conclusão: Desconhecimento sobre a toxoplasmose nas duas comunas. Após a intervenção educativa, houve evidência de aumento do percentual de acertos na maioria das questões. Recomenda-se a realização de novas intervenções educacionais e de saúde pública, para avaliar os efeitos destas a longo prazo na populacão.

Attention, memory, and executive functions profile in a prospective cohort of patients with malignant glioma.

A prospective cohort study was structured to examine patient's tumor mass factors that could determine a specific cognitive function profile in patients with Malignant Glioma who survived after the Stupp protocol, while adjusting for previously explored confounding factors. Neuropsi - Attention and Memory (Second edition) was applied after tumor resection, but before any other oncological treatment. Follow-up neuropsychological evaluation was conducted when patients completed the Stupp protocol treatment scheme. To estimate the mean difference between follow-up and baseline Neuropsi subtest scores, a Bayesian Mixed Effects Model was fitted with three random-effect regressors representing tumor locations, co-administered medications and by-patient cognitive performance variability. Sixteen patients were included. Temporal lobe tumors were the most frequent (31.2%) and more than three-fourths of those were located in the left lobe; such results agree with the clinical and statistical significance that supports an impairment in the Semantic Verbal Fluency subtest (Mean score change = -5.97, 95% Credible Interval = [-8.01, -3.80]). The findings suggest that any potential variants in a determined cognitive dysfunction profile could be more influenced by tumor location than any other variable related to the patient's tumor mass or administered oncological medications; however, because the limited sample representativeness, additional studies are required.

Niveles de 25-hidroxivitamina D y riesgo cardiovascular en una población estudiantil universitaria de Armenia-Colombia / 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk in a university student population of Armenia-Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir la relación entre los niveles de 25-hidroxivitamina D y el riesgo cardiovascular en universitarios de Armenia- (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, durante 2017-2018. Se calculó el riesgo cardiovascular mediante las escalas Framingham, Framingham Colombia y OMS/ISH. Se determinaron los niveles de lípidos, insulina, citocinas y 25-hidroxivitamina D. Posteriormente se realizaron pruebas de Anova, regresión múltiple y prueba chi cuadrado. Se consideró un nivel de significancia cuando p<0,05. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 21,05 años (IC95: 20,62 - 21,48) y el promedio de vitamina D fue 27,7 ng/ml (IC95: 26,52 - 28,88). Hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo (p=0,009), siendo más frecuente la deficiencia e insuficiencia en el sexo femenino. El promedio de Puntaje Framingham fue -4,02±3,7. La variación explicada (R2) del Puntaje Framingham tiene relación con colesterol (p<0,001), cHDL (p<0,001) y vitamina D (p=0,039). El Porcentaje Framingham se relaciona con edad (p=0,031), perímetro abdominal (p=0,005), interferón-y (p<0,001) e interleucina-6 (p=0,050). Conclusión: La deficiencia e insuficiencia de vitamina D fueron condiciones prevalentes en esta población. La variación explicada del modelo de puntaje Framingham se asoció con colesterol, cHDL y vitamina D. El porcentaje de Framingham tuvo relación con la edad, el perímetro abdominal, interferón-y e interleucina-6.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk in Armenia-Colombia. Materials and methods: During 2017-2018 was conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. The cardiovascular risk was determined by Framingham, Framingham Colombia and OMS/ISH scores. Lipids, insulin, cytokines and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured. Then Anova test, multiple regression and Chi-square test were performed. Values below p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The average age was 21.05 years old (CI95: 20,62 - 21,48) and the average vitamin D levels was 27.7 ng/ml (CI95: 26,52 - 28,88). Statistically significant differences were also found by sex (p=0,009), deficiency and insufficient vitamin D were more frequent in women. The Framingham score was -4.02±3.7. There is a relation between the explained variation (R2) of the score with cholesterol (p<0.001), HDL cholesterol (p<0.001) and vitamin D (p=0.039). Framingham percentage is related to age (p=0.031), abdominal perimeter (p=0.005), interferon-Y (p<0.001) and interleukin-6 (p=0.050). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were prevalent conditions. The explained variation of the Framingham score model is associated with cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and vitamin D. And the Framingham percentage with age, abdominal perimeter, interferon-Y and interleukin-6.

Intestinal necrosis caused by acute mesenteric ischemia associated with pregnancy: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric ischaemia associated with pregnancy is a rare disease with a high mortality rate and its prognosis depends on the time passing between diagnosis and final management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 38-year-old Peruvian woman developed intestinal necrosis during week 35 of her pregnancy because of mesenteric ischaemia associated with her pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Given the findings of extensive intestinal necrosis, surgical resection was performed, causing short bowel syndrome. Histopathological analysis confirmed that the immediate cause of the patient's ischaemia was venous thrombosis associated with her gestation. CONCLUSION: Acute mesenteric ischaemia should be considered as a possible diagnosis in pregnant woman with risk factors for thrombophilia presenting with abdominal pain.

Memory and attention recovery in patients with High Grade Glioma who completed the Stupp protocol: A before-after study.

OBJECTIVES: Advances in therapeutic schemes for High Grade Gliomas, such as the introduction of Stupp protocol, have raised interest in elucidating its effects on quality of life and cognitive function. This study aims to examine executive functions, memory and attention in patients with High Grade Gliomas, before initiation and after completion of Stupp protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A before-after study was executed. Patients were selected from a consecutive sample of subjects with High Grade Gliomas who had not initiated Stupp protocol. Neuropsi - Attention and Memory test (Second edition) was employed to evaluate subjects. Inferential analysis was conducted with Bayesian Mixed Effects Model for repeated measures, using a contrast coding scheme for estimating the change between mean neurocognitive scores obtained before and after Stupp protocol. Model was fitted employing random-effect predictors accounting for concomitant administration of bevacizumab and anticonvulsants, and by-subject performance variability. As excluding patients who did not complete Stupp protocol might bias results, complementary analyses were conducted for determining if those were consistent in alternative scenarios. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included; 17 (58.6%) completed Stupp protocol and both neuropsychological evaluations. Inside Fixed Effects Model, 95% credible intervals for all cognitive functions crossed the zero threshold (No change); however, in all Mixed Effects Models, credible intervals for memory and attention did not cross zero. CONCLUSION: Results showed significant recovery in memory and attention functions after treatment and suggest a confounding role for co-administered treatments and other factors related to subject cognitive performance variability. Nevertheless, these findings need to be corroborated with additional studies including more representative samples.

Effects of biocide exposure on P. Aeruginosa, E. coli and A. Baumannii complex isolates from hospital and household environments / Efectos de la exposición a biocidas en aislados ambientales de P. Aeruginosa, E. coli y del complejo A. Baumannii hospitalarios y de la comunidad

Background: Bacterial responses to biocide exposure and its effects on survival and persistence remain to be studied in greater detail. Aim: To analyse the viability and survival of environmental isolates from household and hospital settings after biocide exposure. Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of chlorhexidine (CHxG), benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and triclosan (TC) were determined in isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii complex and Escherichia coli collected from hospital and house- holds environments. Viability was monitored after exposure and removal of biocides using agar cultures and flow cytometry. Findings: P. aeruginosa isolates showed greater tolerance for all biocides tested whereas A. baumannii complex and E. coli were less tolerant. When compared with reference strains, biocide tolerance was up to 8 to 13-fold higher for TC and BAC respectively. Flow cytometry showed that biocide exposure may induce viable but non-growing states in P. aeruginosa and E. coli isolates before becoming fully replicative. Changes in the susceptibility profile in one isolate of A. baumannii complex were observed after biocide exposure. Discussion: Bacteria isolates from hospital and households were able to recover after biocide exposure at bactericidal concentrations favouring persistence and spread of biocide-tolerant strains. This study reinforces that cleaning compliance should be monitored by non-culture based tests. Novel formulations in cleaning and disinfection protocols should be revisited in hospitals harbouring P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii multidrug resistant isolates.

Introducción: El efecto de la exposición a biocidas en las poblaciones bacterianas, su viabilidad y persistencia requieren de estudios detallados. Objetivo: analizar la viabilidad y persistencia de bacterias de ambientes hospitalarios y domésticos posterior a la exposición a biocidas. Materiales y Métodos: En un estudio experimental in vitro se determinó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) y la concentración bactericida (CBM) para chlorhexidina (CHxG), cloruro de benzalconio (BAC) y triclcosan (TC) en aislados de Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10), el complejo Acinetobacter baumannii (5) y Escherichia coli (5) obtenidos de ambientes hospitalarios y domésticos. La viabilidad y susceptibilidad bacteriana después de la exposición y remoción del biocida fue evaluada por citometria de flujo y cultivo. Resultados: Independiente de su procedencia P. aeruginosa presentó mayor tolerancia a todos los biocidas. El complejo A. baumannii y E. coli fueron hasta 8 a 13 veces más tolerantes a BAC y TC que las cepas de referencia. Se observó que la exposición a biocidas altamente efectivos induce formas viables no replicativas en P. aeruginosa y E. coli. Un aislado del complejo A baumannii presentó cambios en el perfil de susceptibilidad posterior a la exposición. Discusión: Aislados tanto de ambiente hospitalario como de la comunidad pueden recuperarse después de la exposición a concentraciones bactericidas de los biocidas favoreciendo la persistencia y diseminación de bacterias no replicativas. Por lo anterior métodos alternativos al cultivo deben utilizarse en el seguimiento de protocolos de limpieza y desinfección. Los tiempos de recuperación de la viabilidad bacteriana deben tenerse en cuenta en la formulación de protocolos para erradicar y/o controlar cepas hospitalarias de P. aeruginosa o A. baumannii multirresistentes.

Doxorubicin encapsulated in stealth liposomes conferred with light-triggered drug release.

Stealth liposomes can be used to extend the blood circulation time of encapsulated therapeutics. Inclusion of 2 molar % porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) imparted optimal near infrared (NIR) light-triggered release of doxorubicin (Dox) from conventional sterically stabilized stealth liposomes. The type and amount of PoP affected drug loading, serum stability and drug release induced by NIR light. Cholesterol and PEGylation were required for Dox loading, but slowed light-triggered release. Dox in stealth PoP liposomes had a long circulation half-life in mice of 21.9 h and was stable in storage for months. Following intravenous injection and NIR irradiation, Dox deposition increased ∼ 7 fold in treated subcutaneous human pancreatic xenografts. Phototreatment induced mild tumor heating and complex tumor hemodynamics. A single chemophototherapy treatment with Dox-loaded stealth PoP liposomes (at 5-7 mg/kg Dox) eradicated tumors while corresponding chemo- or photodynamic therapies were ineffective. A low dose 3 mg/kg Dox phototreatment with stealth PoP liposomes was more effective than a maximum tolerated dose of free (7 mg/kg) or conventional long-circulating liposomal Dox (21 mg/kg). To our knowledge, Dox-loaded stealth PoP liposomes represent the first reported long-circulating nanoparticle capable of light-triggered drug release.

A NEW POPULATION OF THE HOODED ANTPITTA (Grallaricula cucullata: Grallaridae) FOR THE COLOMBIAN CENTRAL ANDES / Una nueva población del Tororoi Cabecirufo (Grallaricula cucullata: Grallaridae) para los Andes de Colombia

We report a new population of the Hooded Anpitta (Grallariculla cucullata) in the Central Andes of Colombia, a threatened bird species inhabiting montane cloud forests in Colombian and Venezuelan Andes. We present capture-rate data, which suggest the occurrence of a resident with the highest population size reported for this bird species.

Presentamos una nueva población del Tororoi Cabecirrufo (Grallariculla cucullata), una especie de ave amenazada de los bosques montanos nublados de los Andes de Colombia y Venezuela. Presentamos datos de tasas de captura que indican la presencia de una población residente con el tamaño poblacional más alto reportado para la especie.