Determination of metallic nanoparticles in soils by means spICP-MS after a microwave-assisted extraction treatment.

Current sample preparation strategies for nanomaterials (NMs) analysis in soils by means single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry have significant constrains in terms of accuracy, sample throughput and applicability (i.e., type of NMs and soils). In this work, strengths and weakness of microwave assisted extraction (MAE) for NMs characterization in soils were systematically investigated. To this end, different extractants were tested (ultrapure water; NaOH, NH4OH, sodium citrate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate) and MAE operating conditions were optimized by means of design of experiments. Next, the developed method was applied to different type of metallic(oid) nanoparticles (Se-, Ag-, Pt- and AuNPs) and soils (alkaline, acid, sandy, clayey, SL36, loam ERMCC141; sludge amended ERM483). Results show that Pt- and AuNPs are preserved and quantitatively extracted from soils in 6 min (12 cycles of 30 s each) inside an 800 W oven by using 20 mL of 0.1 M NaOH solution. This methodology is applicable to soils showing a wide range of physicochemical properties except for clay rich samples. If clay soil fraction is significant (>15%), NMs are efficiently retained in the soil thus giving rise to poor recoveries (<10%). The analysis of labile NMs such as Se- and AgNPs is not feasible by means this approach since extraction conditions favors dissolution. Finally, when compared to current extraction methodologies (e.g., ultrasound, cloud point extraction, etc.), MAE affords better or equivalent accuracies and precision as well as higher sample throughput due to treatment speed and the possibility to work with several samples simultaneously.

Desarrollo de una intervención centrada en espiritualidad en pacientes con cáncer / Building a Model of Spirituality-Centered Psychotherapy for Patients with Cancer

Teniendo en cuenta la crisis existencial y espiritual que experimentan los pacientes con cáncer en estadios avanzados se buscó desarrollar una intervención que fomentara el bienestar espiritual y que fuera aplicable a nuestro contexto. Para esto, a partir de una búsqueda de literatura sobre intervenciones centradas en espiritualidad, se establecieron ejes metodológicos y temáticos y se estructuró una psicoterapia orientada a la búsqueda y construcción del sentido de la vida, organizada en ocho sesiones semanales de 90 minutos, para grupos de cuatro a siete pacientes. Se concluye que esta intervención es adecuada para pacientes colombianos con cáncer y con otras enfermedades terminales y se sugiere realizar estudios sobre su eficacia y efectividad antes de su aplicación en la práctica clínica.

Taking into account the spiritual and existential crisi that patients diagnosed with cancer have to face along their advance phases, it was necessary to plan an intervention that promoted the existential wellbeing and could be applied to our context. To do this, based on literature about spititual interventions, we could establish methodological and thematic points in order to structure a psychotherapy focused on building the sense of life. It was organized on eight sessions a week, each one 90 minutes long, for groups of four to seven patients, and it is suggested to develop research about its efficiency and effectiveness before its application on the clinical practice.

Adaptación transcultural de la escala Daily Spiritual Experience Scale para su uso en Colombia / Cross-cultural adaptation of the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale for its use Spirituality in Colombia

Objetivo: Realizar la adaptación transcultural de la escala Daily Spiritual Experience Scale para su uso en Colombia. Método: Se obtuvo el permiso para el uso de la escala y se siguieron las siguientes etapas a partir del algoritmo de la European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer: traducciones directas e independientes de la escala por 2 traductores hablantes nativos del español colombiano, obtención de una versión preliminar a partir de las anteriores versiones, traducciones inversas e independientes de la escala por 2 traductores hablantes nativos de inglés, revisión del proceso por la autora de la escala e inclusión de sugerencias y realización de una prueba piloto. Resultados: Las traducciones directas fueron similares en las instrucciones, opciones de respuesta y 11 de los 16 items de la escala; en 4 items se requirió una reunión de consenso para escoger la mejor opción de traducción; las traducciones inversas fueron similares entre si, y con la versión original de la escala, la autora sugirió emplear algunos términos más adecuados en 6 items, luego de aclarar el propósito del item; estas sugerencias fueron incluidas en la versión preliminar de la escala; en la prueba piloto, realizada con pacientes con cáncer, no se observaron dificultades de comprensión, confusión, molestia, y tampoco se sugirió un nuevo parafraseo. Conclusión: Se cuenta con la versión en español colombiano de la escala Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, para ser sometida a un estudio de validación previo a su uso en la evaluación de experiencias espirituales diarias en población clínica y general.

Objective: To make a cross-cultural adaptation of the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale for its use in Colombia. Method: Permission was obtained to use the scale and the stages of the EORTC organization were followed: direct and independent translations of the Scale by two native Colombian Spanish speaking translator. A preliminary version was obtained from these two versions, followed by independent back-translations of the Scale by two native English speaking translators, a review of the process by the author of the Scale, as well as including suggestions, and finally the performing of a pilot test. Results: The direct translations were similar as regards the instructions, response options, and 11 of the 16 items of the Scale. Four of the items required a consensus meeting to choose the best translation option. The back-translations were similar between themselves and with the original version of the Scale. The author suggested some more suitable terms in 6 items after clarifying the intention of the item. These suggestions were included in the preliminary version of the Scale. In the pilot test, performed with cancer patients, no difficulties in comprehension were observed, nor confusion or discomfort. No new paraphrasing was suggested. Conclusion: There is now a version of the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale in Colombian Spanish to be subjected to a validation study prior to its use in the evaluation of the spiritual experiences in the clinical and general population.

Use of black vulture (Coragyps atratus) in complementary and alternative therapies for cancer in Colombia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although Coragyps atratus has been used as a traditional therapy for patients with cancer, the scientific literature does not contain enough information on how this therapy is used or the mechanisms that explain this therapeutic practice. OBJECTIVES: To understand the methods of use and the reasons given by patients and caregivers for the use of Coragyps atratus in cancer treatment. METHODS: This study used a qualitative design based on twenty in-depth interviews of patients with cancer or caregivers of patients with the disease. The analysis of the text was based on an inductive thematic approach. RESULTS: Resistance to disease and immune enhancement are properties attributed to Coragyps atratus when used for cancer treatment. The most recommended method of use is fresh blood ingestion, and the associated mechanism of action is transfer of immune factors to the individual who consumes it. CONCLUSIONS: Use of Coragyps atratus as a treatment for cancer is a popular alternative therapy in Colombia. More studies are needed to understand the clinical effects of this intervention in cancer patients.

Concepto de calidad de vida en mujeres con cáncer / The concept of quality of life in women suffering from cancer

Objetivo Analizar el concepto de calidad de vida en mujeres con cáncer y evaluar la estructura del concepto según grupos de edad. Material y métodos Se efectuó esta pregunta abierta a 114 mujeres con cáncer de seno: ¿En su opinión, qué es calidad de vida? Se realizó análisis lexicográfico de las respuestas mediante métodos factoriales para variables categóricas. Resultados Las formas gráficas y los segmentos repetidos más frecuentes se relacionaron con conceptos asociados a bienestar y salud. El análisis de formas características corrobora la importancia de conceptos relacionados con salud, bienestar y tranquilidad. Según los grupos de edad hay conceptos predominantes: En el de mujeres más jóvenes destaca la preocupación por el derecho de tener buen tratamiento. En el de 41-50 años el poder manejar su enfermedad y ver respuesta al tratamiento. En el de 51-60 años es importante la capacidad funcional y de disfrute, a pesar de padecer enfermedad. En el de mayores de 60 años resalta el bienestar espiritual. Se detectaron tres dimensiones: Salud como capacidad de disfrutar funciones nutricias y afectivas, capacidad de autonomía o de sana dependencia, y armonía familiar y social. Los grupos de edad se representan de manera diferencial en cada una de estas tres dimensiones. Conclusiones La espiritualidad y la disponibilidad de sistemas de salud que garanticen el tratamiento surgen como dominios importantes en pacientes con cáncer. La calidad de vida es un concepto que se modifica dependiendo de la edad de los pacientes, lo cual apoya la concepción subjetiva del constructo.

Objective Analyzing a group of females suffering from cancers concept of the quality of life and evaluating how they perceived such concept, depending on patients age-group. Methods The following open-ended question was put to a sample of 114 women suffering from breast cancer, "In your opinion, what is quality of life?" Their replies were analyzed using factorial methods for categorical variables. Results The most used graphical forms and repeated segments were associated with notions linked to well-being and health; analyzing characteristic forms supported these concepts importance. Some concepts appeared to be more relevant according to patient age-group. The young female group emphasized the right and opportunity to have adequate treatment whilst overcoming disease and response to its treatment were relevant to the 41-50 year-old group. Functioning and enjoyment were significant for the 51-60 year-old group whilst patients aged over 60 emphasized spiritual well-being. Binary correspondence analysis identified three domains: health (not just being the absence of disease or infirmity), autonomy or adequate dependence, and family/social well-being. Age-groups had differential representation regarding each domain. Conclusions Besides traditional domains, spirituality and a particular system guaranteeing access to quality health-care emerged as being important domains in female cancer patients perception of the quality of life. Quality of life is a multidimensional and dynamic concept that changes according to age; this suggested that quality of life is supported by subjective conceptualization; the use of scales for measuring quality of life could thus be questionable because of their subjectivity and dynamic nature.

[The concept of quality of life in women suffering from cancer]. / Concepto de calidad de vida en mujeres con cáncer.

OBJECTIVE: Analyzing a group of females suffering from cancers concept of the quality of life and evaluating how they perceived such concept, depending on patients age-group. METHODS: The following open-ended question was put to a sample of 114 women suffering from breast cancer, "In your opinion, what is quality of life?" Their replies were analyzed using factorial methods for categorical variables. RESULTS: The most used graphical forms and repeated segments were associated with notions linked to well-being and health; analyzing characteristic forms supported these concepts importance. Some concepts appeared to be more relevant according to patient age-group. The young female group emphasized the right and opportunity to have adequate treatment whilst overcoming disease and response to its treatment were relevant to the 41-50 year-old group. Functioning and enjoyment were significant for the 51-60 year-old group whilst patients aged over 60 emphasized spiritual well-being. Binary correspondence analysis identified three domains: health (not just being the absence of disease or infirmity), autonomy or adequate dependence, and family/social well-being. Age-groups had differential representation regarding each domain. CONCLUSIONS: Besides traditional domains, spirituality and a particular system guaranteeing access to quality health-care emerged as being important domains in female cancer patients perception of the quality of life. Quality of life is a multidimensional and dynamic concept that changes according to age; this suggested that quality of life is supported by subjective conceptualization; the use of scales for measuring quality of life could thus be questionable because of their subjectivity and dynamic nature.