GPR124 regulates murine brain embryonic angiogenesis and BBB formation by an intracellular domain-independent mechanism.

The GPR124/RECK/WNT7 pathway is an essential regulator of CNS angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. GPR124, a brain endothelial adhesion seven-pass transmembrane protein, associates with RECK, which binds and stabilizes newly synthesized WNT7 that is transferred to frizzled (FZD) to initiate canonical ß-catenin signaling. GPR124 remains enigmatic: although its extracellular domain (ECD) is essential, the poorly conserved intracellular domain (ICD) appears to be variably required in mammals versus zebrafish, potentially via adaptor protein bridging of GPR124 and FZD ICDs. GPR124 ICD deletion impairs zebrafish angiogenesis, but paradoxically retains WNT7 signaling upon mammalian transfection. We thus investigated GPR124 ICD function using the mouse deletion mutant Gpr124ΔC. Despite inefficiently expressed GPR124ΔC protein, Gpr124ΔC/ΔC mice could be born with normal cerebral cortex angiogenesis, in comparison with Gpr124-/- embryonic lethality, forebrain avascularity and hemorrhage. Gpr124ΔC/ΔC vascular phenotypes were restricted to sporadic ganglionic eminence angiogenic defects, attributable to impaired GPR124ΔC protein expression. Furthermore, Gpr124ΔC and the recombinant GPR124 ECD rescued WNT7 signaling in culture upon brain endothelial Gpr124 knockdown. Thus, in mice, GPR124-regulated CNS forebrain angiogenesis and BBB function are exerted by ICD-independent functionality, extending the signaling mechanisms used by adhesion seven-pass transmembrane receptors.

Social determination of alcohol consumption among Indigenous peoples in Colombia: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption is a social phenomenon that involves society, groups, and individuals from different cultures around the world. Among some Indigenous groups located in Colombia, South America, alcohol consumption has been present in their lives, where contradictory processes occur and generate public health attention. We aimed to analyze qualitative research findings on alcohol consumption among Indigenous peoples in Colombia. METHODS: This article used the qualitative meta-synthesis methodology, which included: (a) comprehensive search strategy, (b) appraisal of qualitative research reports, (c) findings classification, and (d) synthesis. Databases were searched for papers published from 2004 to 2019 in SCOPUS, LILACS, PROQUEST, and JSTOR, among other sources of information. A total of 2,159 papers were reviewed and finally, 13 studies were included in this meta-synthesis. The synthesis of findings included a constant comparative analysis and also aimed for the articulation of its findings to alternative perspectives in a predefined matrix. RESULTS: Nine Indigenous ethnic groups of Colombia were represented in the 13 articles analyzed. From the analysis emerged the symbolic approach "Alcohol: a chameleon that unpredictable society colors" as the meta-theme of this research. This reflects four social processes that influence interaction with alcohol: Dynamic Systems Mergers (Indigenous system, influence of non-Indigenous system); Diverse Authority Spheres (parenting, Indigenous authority, school, university, religious and spiritual, traditional medicine); Between Transculturation and Interculturality (cultural crises effects and dynamism); and the Paradoxes of the Normalization of Alcohol (reasons, functions, and types of alcohol consumption). Likewise, these results support the social determination of health and sociocultural epidemiology perspectives, as being an adequate way of explaining a complex phenomenon. CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption among Indigenous peoples in Colombia is a social construction. Alcohol acts as an instrument, which is present in the changing relationships and tensions of social processes. This is reflected in harmonies, or disharmonies, in the life of Indigenous Colombians, which take place in a historical, sociocultural, economic, and political context. The results provide a reference point to guide practice and research but also reiterate the need to include the social determination of health perspective in public policies, as a path to the understanding of alcohol consumption.

Response surface optimization of a method for extracting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from subaerial biofilms on rocky substrata.

The aim of the present study was to optimize a protocol for extracting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from biofilms on rocky substrata, as the EPS matrix is considered key to understanding the biofilm mode of life. For this purpose, we tested the extraction efficacy of NaOH and H2SO4 at different concentrations, temperatures and times for obtaining EPS from multi-species subaerial biofilms grown on granite blocks under laboratory conditions. Two experimental designs (Box-Behnken design and full factorial design) were used in testing each extractant. The extraction efficiency was determined by analysing the carbohydrate, protein and DNA contents of the extracts obtained. H2SO4 proved unsuitable as an extractant as it caused excessive cell lysis. However, response surface optimization of NaOH-mediated extraction enabled cell lysis to be minimized. Confirmation experiments were performed under the optimal conditions established and a protocol for extracting EPS is proposed, yielding the first quantitative data on EPS extracted from subaerial biofilms developed on rocky substrata. Graphical abstract Development of a method for extracting EPS from subaerial biofilms on rocky substrata.

Microdissection tools to generate organoids for modeling the tumor immune microenvironment.

Patient-derived tumor organoids have emerged as promising models for predicting personalized drug responses in cancer therapy, but they typically lack immune components. Preserving the in vivo association between tumor cells and endogenous immune cells is critical for accurate testing of cancer immunotherapies. Mechanical dissection of tumor specimens into tumor fragments, as opposed to enzymatic digestion into single cells, is essential for maintaining these native tumor-immune cell spatial relationships. However, conventional mechanical dissection relying on manual mincing is time-consuming and irreproducible. This study describes two microdissection devices, the µDicer and µGrater, to facilitate the generation of intact tumor fragments from mouse B16 melanoma, a common model of human melanoma. The µDicer- and µGrater-cut tumor fragments were used to generate air‒liquid interface (ALI) organoids that copreserve tumor cells with infiltrating immune subsets without artificial reconstitution. The µDicer, consisting of a hexagonal array of silicon microblades, was employed to investigate the effect of organoid size. The viability of ALI organoid immune cells appeared insensitive to organoid sizes exceeding ~400 µm but diminished in organoids ~200 µm in size. The µGrater, consisting of an array of submillimeter holes in stainless steel, was employed to accelerate dissection. For the samples studied, the µGrater was 4.5 times faster than manual mincing. Compared with those generated by manual mincing, ALI organoids generated by the µGrater demonstrated similar viability, immune cell composition, and responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. With further optimization, the µGrater holds potential for integration into clinical workflows to support the advancement of personalized cancer immunotherapy.

Multi-omics characterization of the microbial populations and chemical space composition of a water kefir fermentation.

In recent years, the popularity of fermented foods has strongly increased based on their proven health benefits and the adoption of new trends among consumers. One of these health-promoting products is water kefir, which is a fermented sugary beverage based on kefir grains (symbiotic colonies of yeast, lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria). According to previous knowledge and the uniqueness of each water kefir fermentation, the following project aimed to explore the microbial and chemical composition of a water kefir fermentation and its microbial consortium, through the integration of culture-dependent methods, compositional metagenomics, and untargeted metabolomics. These methods were applied in two types of samples: fermentation grains (inoculum) and fermentation samples collected at different time points. A strains culture collection of ∼90 strains was established by means of culture-dependent methods, mainly consisting of individuals of Pichia membranifaciens, Acetobacter orientalis, Lentilactobacillus hilgardii, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Acetobacter pomorum, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Pichia kudriavzevii, Acetobacter pasteurianus, Schleiferilactobacillus harbinensis, and Kazachstania exigua, which can be further studied for their use in synthetic consortia formulation. In addition, metabarcoding of each fermentation time was done by 16S and ITS sequencing for bacteria and yeast, respectively. The results show strong population shifts of the microbial community during the fermentation time course, with an enrichment of microbial groups after 72 h of fermentation. Metataxonomics results revealed Lactobacillus and Acetobacter as the dominant genera for lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria, whereas, for yeast, P. membranifaciens was the dominant species. In addition, correlation and systematic analyses of microbial growth patterns and metabolite richness allowed the recognition of metabolic enrichment points between 72 and 96 h and correlation between microbial groups and metabolite abundance (e.g., Bile acid conjugates and Acetobacter tropicalis). Metabolomic analysis also evidenced the production of bioactive compounds in this fermented matrix, which have been associated with biological activities, including antimicrobial and antioxidant. Interestingly, the chemical family of Isoschaftosides (C-glycosyl flavonoids) was also found, representing an important finding since this compound, with hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity, had not been previously reported in this matrix. We conclude that the integration of microbial biodiversity, cultured species, and chemical data enables the identification of relevant microbial population patterns and the detection of specific points of enrichment during the fermentation process of a food matrix, which enables the future design of synthetic microbial consortia, which can be used as targeted probiotics for digestive and metabolic health.

Association Between Hyponatremia and Maintenance Intravenous Solutions in Critically Ill Children: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objetive: We sought to determine the association between maintenance intravenous solutions and the presence of hyponatremia in children in pediatric intensive care (PICU). Materials and Methods: An analytical observational study in children hospitalized in the PICU between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients who received maintenance fluids within the first 48 h after admission and who had at least two serum sodium levels drawn during this time were included. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 1,668 patients were admitted to the PICU during the study period, 503 of whom met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 24 months (IQR 8-96) and 50.9% were female. Altogether, 24.1% of the children developed hyponatremia; it was more frequent in those who received hypotonic solutions (63 vs. 37%; OR 1.41 95% CI 0.92, 2.15 p = 0.106), who also had a longer hospital stay (20 vs. 14 days, difference in means 8 days, 95% CI 2.67, 13.3, p = 0.001). Children who received loop diuretics and those who were post-operative had a greater risk of developing hyponatremia if they received hypotonic solutions (aOR 2.1 95% CI 1.41, 3.0, p = 0.000). Those with balanced isotonic solutions had a lower risk of developing hyponatremia (aOR 0.59 95% CI 0.35, 0.99, p = 0.004) and hyperchloremia (aOR 0.51 95% CI 0.34, 0.77, p = 0.000), adjusted for disease severity. A greater risk of death was found in the group with severe hyponatremia <130 mEq/L (aOR 9.75 95% CI 1.64-58.15; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Hyponatremia associated with the use of hypotonic maintenance solutions occurs in one out of four children in intensive care. The use of these solutions is associated with a longer hospital stay, and the main risk groups are post-operative patients and those who receive loop diuretics. Clinical studies are needed to determine which maintenance solutions have the greatest efficacy and safety in critically ill children.

Long-term users of benzodiazepines in Colombia: Patterns of use and cessation of treatment.

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines have low abuse potential, but patients often develop physical dependence and neurological impairments. The objective of this study was to investigate treatment cessation and use of high doses in long-term benzodiazepine users in Colombia. METHODS: Retrospective study. Patients who used benzodiazepines for at least six months (long-term) were selected from a prescription database and followed from initiation of benzodiazepine treatment for up to 30 months. We investigated treatment duration and compared patients who received normal and high (≥2 mean prescribed daily dose) doses. RESULTS: Only 1255 (6.1 %) out of 20,567 patientsprescribed benzodiazepines became long-term users; their mean age was 60.6 years (SD=20.0) and 61.7 % were women. Mean high doses were used by 42.5 % (n=534) of the sample. Age under 20 years was a protector, whereas the long half-life benzodiazepines and use of other neurological medications were predictors of high dosage. Overall, 44.8 % (n=563) of the sample was still using benzodiazepines at the end of the study period. The use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants were negatively associated with cessation of benzodiazepine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A low proportion of patients starting benzodiazepines became long-term users. Nearly half of them used high doses and continued the medication for up to 30 months. Use of concomitant neurological drugs was associated with higher doses and less cessation.

Mapping the residual incidence of taeniasis and cysticercosis in Colombia, 2009-2013, using geographical information systems: Implications for public health and travel medicine.

BACKGROUND: In Colombia, taeniasis and cysticercosis have been significantly reduced over the past decades, however still reported with implications for public health and travel medicine. METHODS: An observational, retrospective study, in which the incidence of taeniasis and cysticercosis (ICD-10 codes B68s/B69s) in Colombia, 2009-2013, was estimated based on data extracted from the Individual Health Records System (Registro Individual de Prestación de Servicios, RIPS) was performed. The Geographic Information System (GIS) generated national maps showing the distribution of taeniasis and cysticercosis by department by year. RESULTS: During the period, 3626 cases were reported (median 796/year), for a cumulative crude national rate of 7.7 cases/100,000pop; 58.2% corresponded to male; 57% were <40 year-old (10.2% < 9.9 year-old). Cases were 57.6% neurocysticercosis, the rest were taeniasis due to T. solium, T. saginata, ocular cysticercosis and cysticerci in other organs. Bolivar, a touristic department, had the highest cumulated incidence rate (16.17 cases/100,000pop), as also evident across the map series developed in this study. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study, data presented provide recent estimates of national taeniasis and cysticercosis incidence in the country useful in public health and for travel medicine practitioners, as some highly touristic areas presented higher disease incidence. Improved control, particularly of taeniasis, should be an attainable goal, which among other strategies would require improved sanitation and health education to prevent transmission, but also enhanced surveillance.

Work-related illness, work-related accidents, and lack of social security in Colombia.

The impacts of neoliberal or market-based social security reforms in health have been extensively studied. How such reforms transformed employment-related insurance and entitlements, however, has received significantly less attention. This study aims to understand how the employment insurance system operates in Colombia and to assess how the experience of workers seeking social security entitlements relates to the system's structure. We conducted an ethnographic study of the Colombian Occupational Risk System between May 2014 and March 2016, with two main components: 1) analysis of the system itself through in-depth interviews with 32 people working in leadership positions and a systematic review of the system's most important legislation, and 2) a study of people who experienced problems receiving entitlements and were challenging the assessment of their work-related illness or accident. We conducted in-depth interviews with 22 people, followed up with half of them, and reviewed their case files. We found that difficulties accessing health care services, payments for medical leave, job reassignments, severance packages, and filing for pension benefits were common to all cases and resulted from overwhelming bureaucratic and administrative demands. Regional and national evaluation bodies dictate whether a given illness or accident is work-related, and establish a percentage of Loss of Wage Earning Capacity (LWEC). People's disabled bodies rarely reached the threshold of 50% LWEC to qualify for disability pensions. The lengthy process that workers were forced to endure to obtain work-related entitlements always involved the judiciary. The three competing for-profit financial sectors (health insurance, pension funds, and Occupational Risk Administrators) actively challenged workers' demands in order to increase their profits. We conclude that these for-profit sectors work contrary to the principles that sustain social security. Indeed, they push sick and disabled workers to unemployment, informality, economic dependence, and ultimately dire poverty.

In silico search of inhibitors of Streptococcus mutans for the control of dental plaque.

Biofilm is an extremely complex microbial community arranged in a matrix of polysaccharides and attached to a substrate. Its development is crucial in the pathophysiology of oral infections like dental caries, as well as in periodontal, pulp, and periapical diseases. Streptococcus mutans is one of the most effective microorganisms in lactic acid production of the dental biofilm. Identifying essential Streptococcus mutans proteins using bioinformatics methods helps to search for alternative therapies. To this end, the bacterial genomes of several Streptococcus mutans strains and representative strains of other cariogenic and non-cariogenic bacteria were analysed by identifying pathogenicity islands and alignments with other bacteria, and by detecting the exclusive genes of cariogenic species in comparison to the non-pathogenic ones. This study used tools for orthology prediction such as BLAST and OrthoMCL, as well as the server IslandViewer for the detection of pathogenicity islands. In addition, the potential interactome of Streptococcus mutans was rebuilt by comparing it to interologues of other species phylogenetically close to or associated with cariogenicity. This protocol yielded a final list of 20 proteins related to potentially virulent factors that can be used as therapeutic targets in future analyses. The EIIA and EIIC enzymatic subunits of the phosphotransferase system (PTS) were prioritized, as well as the pyruvate kinase enzyme, which are directly involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and in obtaining the necessary energy for the microorganism's survival. These results will guide a subsequent experimental trial to develop new, safe, and effective molecules in the treatment of dental caries.

Evaluación de adherencia a la guía de práctica clínica para el manejo de faringoamigdalitis aguda en la atención de urgencias del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia / Evaluation of adherence to the clinical practice guideline for the management of acute pharyngotonsillitis in the emergency care of the University Hospital San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia

Introducción: la faringoamigdalitis aguda, independientemente de su origen, es de los diagnósticos más frecuentes en los servicios de urgencias. Aunque se ha establecido que en la mayoría de casos su origen es viral, ante la dificultad de identificar su agente etiológico con hallazgos clínicos se ha aumentado la formulación indiscriminada de antibióticos, principalmente en los servicios de urgencias, lo que contribuye con la emergencia de resistencias bacterianas y la aparición de efectos secundarios. Se propone evaluar la adherencia a la guía de práctica clínica para el manejo de faringoamigdalitis aguda en urgencias en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio en Bogotá, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo retrospectivo. Se revisaron 7762 historias clínicas de pacientes que consultaron por urgencias entre 2016 y 2019 por dolor de garganta. Se analizaron los datos de formulación de analgésicos, antibióticos, solicitud de la prueba rápida de detección de Estreptococo betahemolítico del grupo A (SBHGA) y el registro de la presencia de exudados al examen físico. Resultados: se incluyeron 7762 pacientes. Del total, 74,2 % recibieron antibiótico y 98 % analgesia. Se solicitó la prueba rápida de detección de SBHGA al 11,53 % de los pacientes. La presencia de exudados es el principal factor asociado a la formulación de antibióticos, y la solicitud de una prueba rápida de detección disminuye significativamente su formulación, dado que 21 % de dichos estudios fueron positivos

Objective: Sore throat is one of the most frequent complaints in the ER, both in children and adults. Although it has been established that most cases of acute tonsillitis are caused by viruses, given the difficulty in identifying its etiology based exclusively upon clinical signs, the indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics in the emergency setting has become very frequent. This practice may lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and secondary effects. We evaluated the adherence of ER physicians to clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute tonsillitis at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out. Clinical records for emergency visits between the years of 2016 and 2019 were reviewed. Data regarding rapid antigen detection test for GABHS (RAD), antibiotic and analgesic prescription and tonsillar exudates on physical exam, were recorded. Results: 7.762 patients with acute tonsillitis were included in the study. 74,2% were prescribed antibiotics and 98% received pain medication. For 11,53% of cases the rapid antigen test for GABHS was requested. Although tonsillar exudates are the main factor associated with the formulation of antibiotics, only 21% of rapid antigen detection tests were positive. As such, the systemic use of rapid diagnostic tests may help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescription, bacterial resistance and drug side effects

Fatiga por compasión y agotamiento profesional en personal de salud ante el duelo y muerte en contextos hospitalarios / Compassion fatigue and burnout in healthcare facing of grief and death in hospital

Resumen Este artículo pretende identificar y analizar en la literatura la producción relacionada con la fatiga por compasión y el agotamiento psicológico presente en el personal sanitario que brinda atención y cuidado a personas durante los procesos de muerte y duelo de pacientes y sus familiares, respectivamente. Esta es una revisión integradora en las bases de datos JSTOR, ProQuest, Medline (vía PubMed), LILACS y Google Scholar en el periodo 2005-2018. La revisión permitió la identificación de tres cuerpos importantes de producción académica: trabajos de corte cualitativo que describen el fenómeno; los que desarrollan escalas y herramientas de medición del problema; y los que describen estrategias desarrolladas frente al mismo. En los contextos hospitalarios al personal de salud que acompaña a persona durante el proceso de muerte se le impide demostrar sentimientos y vivir el duelo por la pérdida de sus pacientes. Los trámites administrativos, la despersonalización sanitaria, el número de pacientes a cargo y la baja conciencia en relación con la muerte regulan de cierta forma lo acontecido, impidiendo que exista por parte del personal de salud descarga de sentimientos, llevándolos a presentar agotamiento psicológico y fatiga por compasión.

Abstract To identify and analyze in the literature the production related to comparison fatigue and psychological exhaustion present in healthcare personnel who provide care and attention to people during the death and grief processes of patients and their families, respectively. Integrative review in the JSTOR, ProQuest, Medline (vía PubMed), LILACS y Google Scholar databases in the period 2005-2018. The review identified the identification of three important bodies of academic production: on the one hand, qualitative studies that describe the phenomenon, secondly, those that scale and measurement tools of the problem and finally those that analyze strategies developed against the same. In hospital settings, health personnel accompanying a person during the death process are prevented from showing feelings and mourning the loss of their patients. The administrative procedures, the depersonalization of health, the number of patients in charge and the low conscience in relation to death regulated in a certain way, what happened, preventing health personnel from unloading feelings, leading them to present psychological exhaustion and fatigue. out of compassion.

Weaning rápido vs. weaning gradual de ventriculostomía externa en hidrocefalia secundaria a hemorragia subaracnoidea: Revisión sistemática de la literatura y metaanálisis / Weaning fast vs. Gradual Weaning of External Ventriculostomy in Hydrocephalus Secondary to Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-analysis

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión sistemática comparando dos estrategias de weaning de Derivación Ventricular externa (DVE) en pacientes con hidrocefalia aguda y su asociación con la proporción de derivación definitiva, infección del sistema nervioso central y duración de la estancia hospitalaria en cada una de las estrategias. Diseño: Revisión sistemática de la literatura. Fuentes de datos: Se realizaron búsquedas en PubMed, Embase, Lilacs. Se incluyò literatura gris, realizando búsquedas en Google académico, Dialnet, Open gray, Teseo y Worldcat hasta el 10 de septiembre de 2019. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva de estudios de los últimos 20 años en inglés, español y portugués, que compararan dos estrategias de weaning de DVE: rápida (WR) vs gradual (WG) en pacientes con hidrocefalia aguda. El resultado primario para esta Revisión Sistemática fue la proporción de derivación definitiva en cada uno de los regímenes. Se evaluó además, la proporción de infección del sistema nervioso central y la duración de la estancia hospitalaria. Dos investigadores extrajeron de forma independiente la información de los estudios y los resultados en concordancia con la Guía PRISMA. Resultados: La revisión arrojó en total 3 artículos que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión y que se consideraron de calidad metodológica aceptable, con un número de 1198 participantes no superpuestos, 569 que fueron sometidos a weaning rápido (WR), 629 en el grupo de weaning gradual (WG). No se encontró asociación estadisticamente significativa entre las estrategias de weaning y DVP OR 0.78 (Intervalo de confianza del 95% 0.3 a 2.06; P= 0.001; I2=85%), ni para infección del sistema nervioso central OR 0.54 (IC 95% 0,07 a 4.24); P= 0,05; I2= 74%) pero si se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria a favor de la estrategia de weaning ràpido, OR -4.34 (IC 95% -5.92 a -2.75, P= <0,00001; I2= 57%). Conclusión: Con la evidencia disponible actualmente no es posible concluir cuál es la mejor estrategia de weaning para DVE con respecto a la proporción de derivación definitiva o infecciones del sistema nervioso central; sin embargo, si se observa una tendencia clara frente a la duración de la estancia hospitalaria en la estrategia de WR. Se requiere establecer criterios claros en cuanto a la definición de WR o WG y a crear estándares en cuanto los tiempos y la definiciòn precisa de falla terapeutica respecto a estas pruebas, para posteriormente integrar y probar estos métodos en estudios idealmente prospectivos y aleatorizados.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review by comparing two strategies of external ventricular drain (EVD) in patients with acute hydrocephalus and its association with the proportion of definite drain, infection of the central nervous system, and duration of hospital stay in each strategy. Design: Systematic review of literature.Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Lilacs. Grey literature was included by conducting searches through Scholar Google, Dialnet, Open Gray, Teseo and Worldcat until the 10th September, 2019. Methods: An exhaustive search of studies was done of the last 20 years in English, Spanish and Portuguese, which compares two strategies of external ventricular drain weaning (EVD): Rapid (WR) Vs Gradual (WG)in patients with acute hydrocephalus. The primary result for this systematic review was the proportion of Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement in each of the regimes. Besides, the proportion of the infection of the central nervous system and the duration of the hospital stay was evaluated. Two researchers extracted in an independent way the information of the studies and results according to the guide PRISMA. Results: The review produced 3 articles in total which followed with the criteria of inclusion and which were considered of acceptable methodological quality, with 1198 non-superimposed participants, 569 who were subjected to rapid weaning (RW), 629 in the group of Gradual Weaning (GW). There were no significant differences between the 2 weaning ́s groups and DVP OR 0.78 (IC 95% 0.3 a 2.06; P= 0.001; I2=85%), for the infection of the Central Nervous System (CNS) OR 0.54 (IC 95% 0,07 a 4.24); P= 0,05; I2= 74%) but a significant differences was found in the duration of the hospital stay in favour of the strategy of RW, OR -4.34 (IC 95% -5.92 a -2.75, P= <0,00001; I2= 57%). Conclusion: With the current available evidence is not possible to conclude which is the best strategy of weaning for EVD regarding to the proportion of definite shunt or infections of the CNS; but if there is a clear trend regarding the length of hospital stay in the WR strategy. It is necessary to establish clear criteria as to the definition of WR or WG and to create standards as to the times and the precise definition of therapeutic failure with respect to these tests, to later integrate and test these methods in ideally prospective and randomized studies.

Recomendaciones ante el COVID-19 para la práctica de otología y audiología / Recomendations for the practice of otology and audiology during COVID-19

Hasta el momento, no se conoce con certeza si el virus SARS-CoV-2 se encuentra en la mucosa que recubre la trompa de Eustaquio, el oído medio o la mastoides, aunque es bastante probable que sí lo esté, dada la relación de vecindad anatómica y fisiológica que existe con la mucosa de la naso y orofaringe, ubicaciones en las que claramente se ha documentado alta carga viral. Actualmente, se encuentra en construcción científica la definición de los aspectos relacionados con la seguridad en la práctica integral otológica en el contexto de la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Este documento pretende recopilar el conocimiento y las experiencias nacionales e internacionales relacionados con la pandemia, para ser aplicados en el día a día en la práctica médica como especialistas. Es pertinente aclarar que el contenido de estos lineamientos deberá ser actualizado a medida que se conozca nueva información o evidencia, puesto que esta se encuentra en constante y rápida evolución.

Until now, it is not known with certainty if the SARS-CoV-2 virus is found in the mucosa that covers the Eustachian tube, the middle ear and the mastoid, but it is quite probable that it is, given the relationship that exists with the mucosa of the nasopharynx and oropharynx, anatomical sites where a high viral load has clearly been documented. The definition of safety-related aspects for the otological practice is currently under construction in the context of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). This document aims to gather the national and international knowledge and experiences related in order to be applied in the day to day of our medical practice as specialists. It is important to mention that the content of these guidelines should be updated as new information or evidence becomes known since it is constantly changing.

[Postprandial lipemia in Colombian young adults from different ethnic groups]. / Lipemia postprandial en adultos jóvenes de diferentes etnias en Colombia.

Postprandial lipemia has been associated with atherogenesis and other non infectious chronic diseases. A descriptive, non aleatory study of 51 healthy young adults (23.8 +/- 4 years) of different ethnic background was carried out to identify possible personal or life style factors associated with the response of plasma lipids after a mixed carbohydrate and lipid load. Personal, family, life styles including use of drugs and activity and ethnic background were recorded. Anthropometrical measurements, a short insulin and postprandial lipemia tests were done. From these observations body mass index (BMI) and area under the curve (AUC) for lipids and glucose were calculated. High mean values were observed in AUC for glucose, triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Postprandial glucose with differences by age (p=0.05 Bonferroni) but no ethnic, gender, BMI or insulin sensitivity related significant differences were found. Mestizos (40%) showed two, and Negroes three (27%) postprandial triglyceridemia peaks. Noteworthy, subjects presenting four peaks had elevated BMI. Higher triglyceridemia values were found in white and mestizos (p<0.05), in subjects older than 29 and in males (p<0.05). Statistical correlation (r2=0.70) between BMI and triglyceridemia and change in postprandial trigliceridemia was found in white and black subjects. NEFA declined up to the second hour, but at 6-7 hours they reached levels higher than base values. Higher than reported values for UCA and BMI and an abnormal response to fat intake with an early release of NEFA was found. The high correlation between BMI and postprandial trigliceridemia suggests that body mass index could be a good predictor of postprandial trigliceridemia.

Mística, yerbas santas y solidaridad: memoria del cuidado no médico de la lepra en Agua de Dios / Mystique, Holy Herbs and Solidarity: Memory of Non-Medical Care of Leprosy in Agua de Dios / Mística, ervas santas e solidariedade: memória do cuidado no médico da lepra em Agua de Dios

Resumen Introducción: La representación social de la lepra como una enfermedad del pasado, el carácter local que la circunscribe a los sanatorios y el escaso contacto de trabajadores de la salud foráneos con la enfermedad hace pensar que el conocimiento sobre su cuidado ha circulado entre generaciones de una manera más o menos confinada. Ese saber que incorpora no solo conocimiento biomédico, sino expresiones en saberes, creencias, prácticas, relatos, los actores que las construyen y recrean y su relación compleja con las dinámicas de inserción en el territorio, se constituye hoy, en sí mismo, en un patrimonio vivo, que merece ser narrado. Desarrollo: Se parte de comprender la memoria de los cuidados no médicos de la lepra en Agua de Dios, por medio de un estudio etnográfico, cuyos resultados permiten proponer dos expresiones. La primera involucra a agentes de salud no médicos y su relación con los sujetos de cuidado; que muestra que el cuidado demanda no solo conocimiento científico, sino también disposiciones particulares de los sujetos, como capacidad de escucha, observación, paciencia y trascendencia, acompañadas de un posicionamiento y negociación cotidianos en el territorio. La segunda está compuesta por las alternativas de cuidado intermediadas por otros agentes con saberes autorizados, que agrupan una amplia farmacopea relacionada con el uso de plantas medicinales, referencias a curanderos y prácticas solidarias de tutoría entre pacientes y relaciones de su bienestar con el medio ambiente. Conclusiones: Todas estas expresiones de cuidado desafían los discursos y prácticas canónicas de la biomedicina alrededor de esta enfermedad.

Abstract Introduction: The social representation of leprosy as a disease from the past, its local character that circumscribes it to the sanatoria, and the scarce contact of health workers with it suggest that the knowledge about its care has circulated between generations more or less confined. This confined knowledge, which incorporates not only biomedical knowledge but also expressions in knowledge, beliefs, practices, stories, the actors that construct and recreate them and their complex relationship with the dynamics of insertion in the territory in a living heritage, deserves to be narrated. Development: We begin by understanding the memory of the non-medical care of leprosy in Agua de Dios, through an ethnographic study, whose results allow us to propose two expressions of these. The first one, involving the non-medical health agents (especially nurses) and its relationship with care subjects, showed that this demands particular dispositions from the subjects as listening ability, observation, patience, and transcendence, accompanied by daily positioning and negotiation in the territory. The second is the care alternatives mediated by other agents with authorized knowledge that group a wide pharmacopeia related to the use of medicinal plants; references to healers and solidarity practices of mentoring between patients and relationships of their well-being with the environment. Conclusions: All these expressions of care challenge the discourses and canonical practices of biomedicine around this disease.

Resumo Introdução: A representação social da lepra como uma doença do passado, seu carácter local que a circunscreve aos sanatórios, e o escasso contato de trabalhadores da saúde estrangeiros com a doença, faz pensar que o conhecimento sobre seu cuidado, tem circulado entre gerações de uma maneira mais ou menos confinada. Esse saber "confinado", que incorpora não só conhecimento biomédico, senão expressões em saberes, crenças, práticas, relatos, os atores que as constroem e recriam e sua relação complexa com as dinâmicas de inserção no território, constitui-se hoje em si mesmo, em um patrimônio vivo, que merece ser narrado. Desenvolvimento: Partimos de compreender a memória dos cuidados não médicos da lepra em Agua de Dios, através de um estudo etnográfico, cujos resultados nos permitem propor duas expressões destes. A primeira que envolve agentes de saúde não médicos e sua relação com os sujeitos de cuidado, mostrou que esta demanda não só conhecimento "científico", mas também disposições particulares dos sujeitos como capacidade de escuta, observação, paciência e transcendência, acompanhadas de um posicionamento e negociação cotidianos no território. A segunda a constituem as alternativas de cuidado intermediadas por outros agentes com saberes "autorizados" que agrupam uma ampla farmacopeia relacionada com o uso de plantas medicinais; referências a curandeiros e práticas solidárias de tutoria entre pacientes e relações de seu bem-estar com o meio ambiente. Conclusões: Todas estas expressões de cuidado, desafiam os discursos e práticas canónicas da biomedicina ao redor desta doença.

Pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa en pediatría / Pediatric Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis

Resumen La pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa es una variante atípica, severa y poco frecuente de una forma crónica de pielonefritis, que puede ocurrir a cualquier edad. En niños está generalmente asociada a malformaciones urológicas congénitas como obstrucción de las vías urinarias. Se describe el caso de un paciente de un año con episodios febriles recurrentes en quien, tras el tratamiento fallido de una pionefrosis y después de descartar múltiples diagnósticos diferenciales, se decide realizar nefreureterectomía izquierda, considerando clínicamente una pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa, la cual fue confirmada por estudio histopatológico.

Abstract Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is an atypical, severe and infrequent variant of a chronic form of pyelonephritis, which can occur at any age. In children it is generally associated with congenital urological malformations as obstruction of the urinary tract. Next, we describe the case of a 1-year-old patient, with recurrent febrile episodes, where after the failed treatment of pionefrosis and after ruling out multiple differential diagnoses, it was decided to perform a left nephrectomy clinically considering a xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, a diagnosis confirmed by study histopathological.