Removal of nickel(II) from wastewater using a zeolite-packed anaerobic bioreactor: Bacterial diversity and community structure shifts.

In recent years, overexploited industrialization and urbanization activities have led to significant amounts of heavy metals released into the environment. Metal ion contamination of water, especially with toxic metals such as nickel(II) [Ni(II)], which is extensively applied in the electroplating industry, has been a serious problem. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Ni(II) removal from real industrial wastewater using a 2 L, lab-scale, up-flow, anaerobic, zeolite-packed bioreactor inoculated with a heterotrophic consortium as the bioadsorbent. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed significant shifts in their bacterial diversity and structural composition along the bioreactor treatment location, where the bacterial genus was dominated by Kosmotogae followed by Firmicutes as Ruminococcus and Clostridium. However, Fervidobacterium and the Geobacter genus were absent at the end of the bioreactor treatment, suggesting that they play a key role in the beginning of Ni(II) removal anaerobic treatment. The physico-chemical results revealed that the Ni(II) removal rate was 99% for 250-500 ppm metal tested, with an efficient alkalinity rate and high production of biogas, which confirmed that anaerobic digestion of microorganisms was successfully performed through the process. Finally, this anaerobic bioreactor configuration offers an accessible and ecofriendly high-rate metal removal strategy from mining and electroplating effluents.

The burden of the most common rheumatic disease in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Estimating the burden of rheumatic diseases (RDs) requires proper evaluation of its lethal and nonlethal consequences. In Colombia, it is possible to find local data and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) reports that collect information from varied contexts and apply complex statistical models, but no on-site estimations are available. METHODS: This was a descriptive study on the burden of RD based on occurrence and mortality data in the general population during 2015, including information and prevalence estimations from the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) study. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were estimated by combining measures of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLDs). For disability weight estimations among cases, different COPCORD responses were mapped using flowcharts to show the severity distribution according to GBD. All model parameters and results were validated through an expert consensus panel. RESULTS: Low back pain (LBP) was the RD with the greatest burden of disease, costing 606.05 (95% CI 502.76-716.58) DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by osteoarthritis (292.11; 95% CI 205.76-386.85) and rheumatoid arthritis (192.46, 95% CI 109.7-239.69). CONCLUSIONS: The burden of RD is as high in Colombia as in other countries of the region. The results offer an interesting tool for optimizing healthcare system design as well as for planning the distribution of human and economic resources to achieve early diagnosis and adequate care of these diseases.

Pharmacogenetic aspects of methotrexate in a cohort of Colombian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, over time, ~40% of patients may experience therapeutic failure or drug toxicity. The genetic variability of the enzymes involved in the MTX metabolic pathway seem to serve an important role in the eventual therapeutic failure or drug toxicity. Depending on the enzymes affected, the toxicity or the therapeutic response may change. The present study reports some of the polymorphisms identified in enzymes in the MTX metabolic pathway that are present in a group of Colombian patients with RA, and assesses the associations of these polymorphisms with toxicity or therapeutic response to the medication. A total of 400 patients with RA were evaluated, of which 76% were women. the average age was 60.7±13.9 years and the duration of the disease was 13.2±10.9 years. The disease activity scoring method, DAS28-CRP, was used to evaluate the therapeutic response. Toxicity was determined based on reports of adverse events during the evaluation of the patients. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) assessed using reverse transcription-PCR in the present study were MTHFR C677T, A1298C, ATIC C347G, RFC-1-G80A, FPGS-AG and DHFR-CT. The SNPs of MTHFR C677T (P=0.05) and A1298C (P=0.048) were significantly associated with the efficacy of MTX, and DHFR-CT (P=0.01) and ATIC C347 (P=0.005) were significantly associated with documented toxicity. Haematological, hepatic or renal toxicity was not associated with any of the SNPs. The results obtained in Colombian patients with RA receiving MTX are similar to those reported in other populations; however, the SNPs associated with a lack of response previously reported in the literature were not observed in our data. The SNPs identified in the present study may be used as biomarkers to predict response to MTX in terms of efficacy and toxicity in Colombian patients with RA.

Association of ERAP2 polymorphisms in Colombian HLA-B27+ or HLA-B15+ patients with SpA and its relationship with clinical presentation: axial or peripheral predominance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase (ERAP)1 and ERAP2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-B27+ or HLA-B15+ patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). METHODS: 104 patients with SpA according to Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria were included in the study. HLA typing was performed by PCR. The polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR on genomic DNA using customised probes for SNPs rs27044, rs17482078, rs10050860 and rs30187 in ERAP1, and rs2910686, rs2248374 and rs2549782 in ERAP2. RESULTS: 70 of the104 patients with SpA were HLA-B27+ and 34 were HLA-B15+. The distribution of ERAP1 and ERAP2 SNPs between the HLA-B15+ and HLA-B27+ patients with SpA did not reveal differences. Likewise, no differences in the frequencies of ERAP1 SNP haplotypes and alleles HLA-B15 or HLA-B27 were found. Interestingly, however, the frequencies of three particular haplotypes formed by ERAP2 SNPs rs2549782/rs2248374/rs2910686 varied between HLA-B15+ and HLA-B27+ patients: the ERAP2 SNPs haplotype TGT was more common in HLA-B15+ patients with SpA (OR 2.943, 95% CI 1.264 to 6.585; P=0.009), whereas the ERAP2 SNP haplotypes TGC and CAT were more associated with HLA-B27+ patients with SpA: (OR 4.483, 95% CI 1.524 to 13.187; p=0.003) and (OR 9.014, 95% CI 1.181 to 68.807; p=0.009), respectively. CONCLUSION: An association was found between HLA-B15+ patients with SpA and haplotype TGT of ERAP2 SNPs. On the other hand, HLA-B27+ patients with SpA were associated with ERAP2 haplotypes TGC and CAT. These associations could be related to the clinical presentation of the disease, specifically with a peripheral or axial predominance, respectively.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of chikungunya patients from six Colombian cities, 2014-2015.

In 2014, the chikungunya virus reached Colombia for the first time, resulting in a nationwide epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of suspected chikungunya cases. Chikungunya infection was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 548 patients where included in the study. Of these patients, 295 were positive for antibodies against chikungunya (53.8%), and 27.6% (151/295) were symptomatic for chikungunya infection, with a symptomatic:asymptomatic ratio of 1.04:1. Factors associated with infection included low income and low socio-economic strata (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-3.2, p = 0.003 and OR: 2.1; CI: 1.3-3.4, p = 0.002, respectively). Confirmed symptomatic cases were associated with symmetric arthritis (OR: 11.7; CI: 6.0-23.0, p < 0.001) of ankles (OR: 8.5; CI: 3.5-20.9, p < 0.001), hands (OR: 8.5; CI: 3.5-20.9, p < 0.001), feet (OR: 6.5; CI: 2.8-15.3, p < 0.001), and wrists (OR: 17.3; CI: 2.3-130.5, p < 0.001). Our study showed that poverty is associated with chikungunya infection. Public health strategies to prevent and control chikungunya should focus on poorer communities that are more vulnerable to infection. The rate of asymptomatic infections among confirmed cases was 48.8%. However, those with symptoms displayed a characteristic rheumatic clinical picture, which could help differentiate chikungunya infection from other endemic viral diseases.

Intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells for refractory systemic sclerosis management: TWo-year follow-up

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease whose etiology remains unknown. Some patients prove refractory and require other therapies. Recently, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of disease refractory to conventional treatments has been considered. We present a case of refractory systemic sclerosis; Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cell was given in response. Decrease in perioral wrinkles, reduced telangiectasia and decrease in modified Rodnan skin score were observed two years later. A decrease in brain natriuretic peptide and improved pulmonary function were also found. And improvement of pulmonary fibrosis on high resolution tomography and capillaroscopy changes. In conclusion, MSC infusion seems to be effective and safe treatment of refractory scleroderma

La esclerosis sistémica es una enfermedad autoinmune de etiología desconocida y difícil manejo. Algunos casos que se tornan refractarios requieren terapias alternativas, como las células madre mesenquimales (MSC). Presentamos un caso de esclerosis sistémica refractaria que se llevó a terapia con MSC de gelatina de Wharton. Tras dos años, se observó ∗ Corresponding disminución en arrugas peribucales, aumento en apertura bucal, reducción de telangiectasias y en Rodnan modificado. También hubo disminución del péptido natriurético cerebral y mejora de pruebas de función pulmonar desde los seis meses de seguimiento, con mejoría en fibrosis pulmonar en tomografía de alta resolución y cambios en la capilaroscopia. En conclusión, el tratamiento con infusión de MSC parece efectivo y seguro en esclerosis sistémica refractaria.

Mesenchymal stromal cells represent a therapeutic option for systemic sclerosis patients / Células estromales mesenquimales representan una opción terapéutica en pacientes con esclerosis sistémica

ABSTRACT The mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are hematopoietic stem cells with high capacity of differentiation to other cellular lineages, depending on the microenvironment in which they live as well as on the interaction and signaling pathways they establish with the extracellular matrix. Several properties have been described in these cells: proangiogenic, antifibrotic and immunomodulatory. These properties are being studied as a therapeutic approach for autoimmune diseases such as cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc is a systemic chronic disease, with an approximate prevalence of 35.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in North America and of 0.02% in Colombia in 2018. There are two different clinical variants, diffuse and localized. In both variants an important skin involvement and a rapidly deterioration of organs is present, which can overshadow the clinical prognosis and increase the mortality. Options for the treatment of advanced diffuse SSc are scarce mainly targeting symptomatic control with little impact on the progression and mortality. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in new therapies like advanced cellular therapy with hematopoietic stem cells and stromal mesenchymal cells. This article reviews the information related to the use of stromal mesenchymal cells in patients with this disease.

RESUMEN Las células mesenquimales estromales son células madre no hematopoyéticas pluripotenciales con alta capacidad de derivación a diferentes linajes celulares, dependiendo tanto del microambiente en el que se encuentren, como de la interacción y señalización que establezcan con la matriz extracelular del entorno, esto ha permitido describir un potencial proangiogénico, antifibrótico e inmunomodulador, que ha sido blanco de investigación en enfermedades autoinmunes como la esclerosis sistêmica cutánea. Considerando que la esclerosis sistêmica cutánea es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, con una prevalencia estimada de 35,6 casos por cada 100.000 habitantes en Norte América y de 0,02% en nuestro país para el 2018, se caracteriza por presentar dos variables clínicas principalmente; una variante limitada y una variante difusa, presentando en ambas un compromiso extenso de piel y órganos que puede ser rápidamente progresivo y deteriorar el pronóstico de los pacientes que la padecen aumentando su mortalidad. Debido a que las opciones terapéuticas en esta entidad son limitadas y buscan únicamente el control de síntomas, pero con poco impacto en progresión y mortalidad, terapias celulares avanzadas han surgido como nuevas opciones terapéuticas incluyendo el trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas y las células mesenquimales estromales. A continuación, se revisará acerca de la utilidad y evidencia de células mesenquimales estromales en pacientes con esta enfermedad.

Carcinoma de pulmón como disparador de una respuesta autoinmune: un desafío médico / Lung cancer acting as a trigger of autoimmunity: a medical challenge

RESUMEN Existe una relación compleja, dinámica y bidireccional entre la autoinmunidad y el cáncer. Si bien los mecanismos carcinogénicos y fisiopatológicos de las enfermedades autoinmunes no están claramente dilucidados, existe una base inmunológica común relacionada con la expresión de autoantígenos por parte de las células tumorales que desencadenan una respuesta antitumoral, facilitando el desarrollo de síndromes paraneoplásicos reumáticos y enfermedades autoinmunes reumáticas en población genéticamente susceptible. Se presenta un caso de un hombre que debutó con un síndrome pulmón riñón y se diagnosticó cáncer de pulmón y lupus eritematoso sistémico de forma simultánea.

A B S T R A C T There is a complex, dynamic, and bidirectional connection between autoimmunity and cancer. The underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis and physiopathological aspects of autoimmune diseases are not fully understood. However, there is a common immunological base related to expression of autoantigens by tumour cells that cause an anti-cancer immune response, thereby, triggering the development of paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes and autoimmune rheumatic diseases in a genetically predisposed population. The case is reported of a 57 year-old man presenting with pulmonary renal syndrome, and who was diagnosed lung cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus at the same time.