[Evolution and impact of the infodemic on the child population in times of COVID-19Evolução e impacto da infodemia na população infantil em tempos de COVID-19]. / Evolución e impacto de la infodemia en la población infantil en tiempos de COVID-19.

The provision of timely, clear, correct information is an important strategy for controlling panic and containing a pandemic outbreak. However, as this task has not been prioritized in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a new lethal enemy has emerged that now poses another crisis, namely, the "infodemic", with consequences that have affected the entire population worldwide. In particular, it has increased the vulnerability of a group that is not often discussed: children, who constitute our study population.This article provides an analysis aimed at demystifying false constructs about the low impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child population. It gives a chronological description of the different events that were the building blocks of the infodemic, affecting this population in three phases: first, at the onset of the pandemic, when its effects on children were ignored altogether; second, when children were stigmatized as "super-spreaders"; and third, when the crisis resulting from a failure to transmit information to this population group became evident.The world is facing both the pandemic and a pressing need for communicative justice, which includes children as a primary target group. Taking a social determinants approach, this article proposes a new normal that includes using accurate and clear information to empower children to combat the infodemic virus from an early age.

Fornecer informações claras, corretas e oportunas constitui uma importante estratégia para controlar o pânico e conter uma pandemia. Porém, por não ser prioritário, dá origem a mais um inimigo mortal que atualmente configura outra crise dentro da pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, a infodemia. A infodemia tem consequências que repercutem em toda a população mundial, prejudicando sobretudo um grupo pouco falado e que é a nossa população de estudo: as crianças.Este artigo propõe uma análise reflexiva para desmitificar falsos constructos sobre o baixo impacto da pandemia de COVID-19, com a descrição cronológica dos diferentes eventos ocorridos que foram edificando os pilares da infodemia na população infantil. São considerados três momentos: o primeiro, no início da pandemia, com a invisibilização das crianças diante do vírus; o segundo, a estigmatização das crianças como "supertransmissores"; e o terceiro momento em que se evidencia a crise decorrente da falha em comunicar informações sobre este grupo populacional.O mundo enfrenta a pandemia e também uma necessidade atual de justiça comunicativa que englobe as crianças como grupo primário de atenção. Com uma abordagem de uma perspectiva de determinação social, propõe-se uma nova normalidade que inclua o empoderamento infantil com a divulgação de fatos claros para combater, desde a tenra idade, o vírus da infodemia.

Evolución e impacto de la infodemia en la población infantil en tiempos de COVID-19

[RESUMEN]. La provisión de información oportuna, clara y correcta constituye una importante estrategia de control del pánico y de contención de un brote pandémico; sin embargo, al no ser una de las tareas prioritarias, da lugar a otro de los enemigos letales, que hoy en día enmarca otra crisis dentro de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 como lo es la infodemia, cuyas consecuencias han afectado a toda la población a nivel mundial, vulnerando especialmente a un grupo del que poco se habla, y que constituye nuestra población de estudio, los niños. En este artículo se propone un análisis reflexivo que desmitifique falsos constructos acerca del bajo impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19, a través de una descripción cronológica de los diferentes eventos alrededor de la población infantil, que fueron construyendo los pilares de la infodemia en esta población, planteando tres momentos: el primero, al inicio de la pandemia, con una invisibilización de los niños ante el virus; el segundo momento de estigma bajo la figura de “super contagiadores” y el tercer momento donde se evidencia la crisis consecuencia del fracaso en la comunicación de información en este grupo poblacional. El mundo se enfrenta a la pandemia y además a la necesidad actual de una justicia comunicativa, que incluya a los niños como grupo primario de atención. Con un abordaje desde la determinación social, se plantea una nueva normalidad que incluya el empoderamiento de los niños con información real y clara para combatir, desde su corta edad, el virus de la infodemia.

[ABSTRACT]. The provision of timely, clear, correct information is an important strategy for controlling panic and containing a pandemic outbreak. However, as this task has not been prioritized in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a new lethal enemy has emerged that now poses another crisis, namely, the "infodemic", with consequences that have affected the entire population worldwide. In particular, it has increased the vulnerability of a group that is not often discussed: children, who constitute our study population. This article provides an analysis aimed at demystifying false constructs about the low impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child population. It gives a chronological description of the different events that were the building blocks of the infodemic, affecting this population in three phases: first, at the onset of the pandemic, when its effects on children were ignored altogether; second, when children were stigmatized as "superspreaders"; and third, when the crisis resulting from a failure to transmit information to this population group became evident. The world is facing both the pandemic and a pressing need for communicative justice, which includes children as a primary target group. Taking a social determinants approach, this article proposes a new normal that includes using accurate and clear information to empower children to combat the infodemic virus from an early age.

[RESUMO]. Fornecer informações claras, corretas e oportunas constitui uma importante estratégia para controlar o pânico e conter uma pandemia. Porém, por não ser prioritário, dá origem a mais um inimigo mortal que atualmente configura outra crise dentro da pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, a infodemia. A infodemia tem consequências que repercutem em toda a população mundial, prejudicando sobretudo um grupo pouco falado e que é a nossa população de estudo: as crianças. Este artigo propõe uma análise reflexiva para desmitificar falsos constructos sobre o baixo impacto da pandemia de COVID-19, com a descrição cronológica dos diferentes eventos ocorridos que foram edificando os pilares da infodemia na população infantil. São considerados três momentos: o primeiro, no início da pandemia, com a invisibilização das crianças diante do vírus; o segundo, a estigmatização das crianças como “supertransmissores”; e o terceiro momento em que se evidencia a crise decorrente da falha em comunicar informações sobre este grupo populacional. O mundo enfrenta a pandemia e também uma necessidade atual de justiça comunicativa que englobe as crianças como grupo primário de atenção. Com uma abordagem de uma perspectiva de determinação social, propõe-se uma nova normalidade que inclua o empoderamento infantil com a divulgação de fatos claros para combater, desde a tenra idade, o vírus da infodemia.

Protein composition and biochemical characterization of venom from Sonoran Coral Snakes (Micruroides euryxanthus).

The elapid genus, Micruroides, is considered the sister clade of all New World coral snakes (Genus Micrurus), is monotypic, and is represented by Sonoran Coral Snakes, Micruroides euryxanthus. Coral snakes of the genus Micrurus have been reported to have venoms that are predominantly composed of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) or three finger toxins (3FTx), but the venoms of the genus Micruroides are almost completely unstudied. Here, we present the first description of the venom of M. euryxanthus including identification of some proteins as well as transcriptomic, and biological activity assays. The most abundant components within M. euryxanthus venom are 3FTxs (62.3%) and there was relatively low proportion of PLA2s (14.2%). The venom phenotype supports the hypothesis that the common ancestor of Micrurus and Micruroides had a 3FTx-dominated venom. Within the venom, there were two nearly identical α-neurotoxins (α-Ntx), one of which was designated Eurytoxin, that account for approximately 60% of the venom's lethality to mice. Eurytoxin was cloned, expressed in a soluble and active form, and used to produce rabbit hyperimmune serum. This allowed the analysis of its immunochemical properties, showing them to be different from the recombinant αNTx D.H., present in the venoms of some species of Micrurus. Finally, we observed that the commercial antivenom produced in Mexico for coral snake envenomation is unable to neutralize the lethality from M. euryxanthus venom. This work allowed the classification of Micruroides venom into the 3FTx-predominant group and identified the main components responsible for toxicity to mice.

Evolución e impacto de la infodemia en la población infantil en tiempos de COVID-19 / Evolution and impact of the infodemic on the child population in times of COVID-19 / Evolução e impacto da infodemia na população infantil em tempos de COVID-19

RESUMEN La provisión de información oportuna, clara y correcta constituye una importante estrategia de control del pánico y de contención de un brote pandémico; sin embargo, al no ser una de las tareas prioritarias, da lugar a otro de los enemigos letales, que hoy en día enmarca otra crisis dentro de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 como lo es la infodemia, cuyas consecuencias han afectado a toda la población a nivel mundial, vulnerando especialmente a un grupo del que poco se habla, y que constituye nuestra población de estudio, los niños. En este artículo se propone un análisis reflexivo que desmitifique falsos constructos acerca del bajo impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19, a través de una descripción cronológica de los diferentes eventos alrededor de la población infantil, que fueron construyendo los pilares de la infodemia en esta población, planteando tres momentos: el primero, al inicio de la pandemia, con una invisibilización de los niños ante el virus; el segundo momento de estigma bajo la figura de "super contagiadores" y el tercer momento donde se evidencia la crisis consecuencia del fracaso en la comunicación de información en este grupo poblacional. El mundo se enfrenta a la pandemia y además a la necesidad actual de una justicia comunicativa, que incluya a los niños como grupo primario de atención. Con un abordaje desde la determinación social, se plantea una nueva normalidad que incluya el empoderamiento de los niños con información real y clara para combatir, desde su corta edad, el virus de la infodemia.

ABSTRACT The provision of timely, clear, correct information is an important strategy for controlling panic and containing a pandemic outbreak. However, as this task has not been prioritized in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a new lethal enemy has emerged that now poses another crisis, namely, the "infodemic", with consequences that have affected the entire population worldwide. In particular, it has increased the vulnerability of a group that is not often discussed: children, who constitute our study population. This article provides an analysis aimed at demystifying false constructs about the low impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child population. It gives a chronological description of the different events that were the building blocks of the infodemic, affecting this population in three phases: first, at the onset of the pandemic, when its effects on children were ignored altogether; second, when children were stigmatized as "super-spreaders"; and third, when the crisis resulting from a failure to transmit information to this population group became evident. The world is facing both the pandemic and a pressing need for communicative justice, which includes children as a primary target group. Taking a social determinants approach, this article proposes a new normal that includes using accurate and clear information to empower children to combat the infodemic virus from an early age.

RESUMO Fornecer informações claras, corretas e oportunas constitui uma importante estratégia para controlar o pânico e conter uma pandemia. Porém, por não ser prioritário, dá origem a mais um inimigo mortal que atualmente configura outra crise dentro da pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, a infodemia. A infodemia tem consequências que repercutem em toda a população mundial, prejudicando sobretudo um grupo pouco falado e que é a nossa população de estudo: as crianças. Este artigo propõe uma análise reflexiva para desmitificar falsos constructos sobre o baixo impacto da pandemia de COVID-19, com a descrição cronológica dos diferentes eventos ocorridos que foram edificando os pilares da infodemia na população infantil. São considerados três momentos: o primeiro, no início da pandemia, com a invisibilização das crianças diante do vírus; o segundo, a estigmatização das crianças como "supertransmissores"; e o terceiro momento em que se evidencia a crise decorrente da falha em comunicar informações sobre este grupo populacional. O mundo enfrenta a pandemia e também uma necessidade atual de justiça comunicativa que englobe as crianças como grupo primário de atenção. Com uma abordagem de uma perspectiva de determinação social, propõe-se uma nova normalidade que inclua o empoderamento infantil com a divulgação de fatos claros para combater, desde a tenra idade, o vírus da infodemia.

hTERT Protein Expression in Cytoplasm and Nucleus and its Association With HPV Infection in Patients With Cervical Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have analyzed the association between human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein expression (nuclear and cytoplasmic localization), hTERT methylation status, and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype infection in cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-three patients with cervical cancer were analyzed. hTERT protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. hTERT DNA methylation analysis was performed using a PCR-RLB-hTERT assay, targeting two regions of the hTERT promoter. Type specific HPV infection was detected by using GP5+/GP6+PCR-RLB. RESULTS: hTERT protein expression was found in both cytoplasm and nucleus (78.0% of the samples showed a cytoplasmic localization and 79.8% had a nuclear localization). A statistically significant association was found between alpha 9 and 7 HPV species with a non-methylation pattern of the hTERT promoter and between these species and high expression of hTERT protein with nuclear localization. CONCLUSION: hTERT protein is found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of patients with cervical cancer and confirm the relationship between the non-methylated status of hTERT promoter and some HPV species as well as the relationship between these species and hTERT protein expression.

A Study on Congruency Effects and Numerical Distance in Fraction Comparison by Expert Undergraduate Students.

School mathematics comprises a diversity of concepts whose cognitive complexity is still poorly understood, a chief example being fractions. These are typically taught in middle school, but many students fail to master them, and misconceptions frequently persist into adulthood. In this study, we investigate fraction comparison, a task that taps into both conceptual and procedural knowledge of fractions, by looking at performance of highly mathematically skilled young adults. Fifty-seven Chilean engineering undergraduate students answered a computerized fraction comparison task, while their answers and response times were recorded. Task items were selected according to a number of mathematically and/or cognitively relevant characteristics: (a) whether the fractions to be compared shared a common component, (b) the numerical distance between fractions, and (c) the applicability of two strategies to answer successfully: a congruency strategy (a fraction is larger if it has larger natural number components than another) and gap thinking (a fraction is larger if it is missing fewer pieces than another to complete the whole). In line with previous research, our data indicated that the congruency strategy is inadequate to describe participants' performance, as congruent items turned out to be more difficult than incongruent ones when fractions had no common component. Although we hypothesized that this lower performance for congruent items would be explained by the use of gap thinking, this turned out not to be the case: evidence was insufficient to show that the applicability of the gap thinking strategy modulated either participants' accuracy rates or response times (although individual-level data suggest that there is an effect for response times). When fractions shared a common component, instead, our data display a more complex pattern that expected: an advantage for congruent items is present in the first experimental block but fades as the experiment progresses. Numerical distance had an effect in fraction comparison that was statistically significant for items without common components only. Altogether, our results from experts' reasoning reveal nuances in the fraction comparison task with respect to previous studies and contribute to future models of reasoning in this task.

Follow-up study of HPV58 variants in women with incident HPV58 infection from a Colombian cohort.

Certain variants of human papillomavirus (HPV)type 58 are associated with an increased risk of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. However, little is known about the persistence of HPV58 E6/E7 variants in women with incident HPV58 infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence and persistence of HPV58 E6/E7 variants in 71 women with incident HPV58 infection throughout their follow-up. These women belonged to a cohort examined in a longitudinal study of 1,610 Colombian women, who were HPV-negative and had normal baseline cytology. E6/E7 DNA regions of HPV58-positive samples were amplified and sequenced using automated direct sequencing. A total of 639 samples were analyzed from the 71 women, and 117 samples (18.3%) were HPV58-positive. HPV58 E6/E7 variants were detected in 85.5% of the samples. The T307/A694/G744/A761 variant was identified in 88% of the samples, the T307/G744 variant was identified in 9% of samples and the T187/T307/A367/G744/G793/T798/A801/T840/C852 was identified in 3% of the samples. Overall, 50% of the HPV58 infections were present after 1 year of follow-up and all infections were cleared after 7 years. Women who had first sexual intercourse at >15 years of age had a lower clearance rate than those who had sexual intercourse for the first time at ≤15 years of age [hazard ratio (HR)=0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.09-0.92]. Likewise, parous women had a higher clearance rate than nulliparous women (HR=3.43, 95% CI=1.23-9.60). There was no difference in clearance rates between HPV58 E6/E7 variants. In conclusion, HPV58 variants were not associated with persistence of the infection in this group of women.

Association Between Type-specific HPV Infections and hTERT DNA Methylation in Patients with Invasive Cervical Cancer.

BACKGROUND: There exists limited information on the role of hTERT methylation, and its association with type-specific HPV infections in cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven frozen samples were analyzed for type-specific HPV infection using a GP5+/GP6+ PCR-RLB assay (RLB). hTERT DNA methylation analysis was performed using a newly developed PCR-RLB-hTERT. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent of samples were HPV-positive and fifteen different types were detected. hTERT methylation analysis of region 1 revealed no methylation in 78.8% of the samples and partial methylation in 21.2%. In region two, 68.2% showed no methylation and 31.8% showed a pattern of partial methylation. An association between the alpha 9 and alpha 7 species with a pattern of no methylation of hTERT in the region 1 was established (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Differences in patterns of methylation of the hTERT core promoter [region 1 (nt -208 to -1) and region 2 (nt +1 to +104) relative to first ATG] are related to the HPV species present.

Distribución de los genotipos del virus del papiloma humano en mujeres de Bogotá con anomalías en la citología cervicouterina / Genotype distribution of Human Papillomavirus in women from Bogotá with abnormal cervical smear

Objetivos: Determinar la distribución de los genotipos de VPH en mujeres de Bogotá con citología cervicouterina anormal. Métodos: Se colectaron muestras cervicales de 191 mujeres con ASCUS, 236 con lesiones intraepiteliales escamosas de bajo grado (LIEBG) y 116 de alto grado (LIEAG). La tipificación de VPH se realizó usando PCR con iniciadores consenso GP5+/GP6+ y reverse line blot. Resultados: La prevalencia de VPH fue 76,1%. Se observaron infecciones únicas en el 41,4% de las participantes, y coinfecciones en el 34,6%. La frecuencia de VPH según diagnóstico fue: 60,2%, 84,7% y 84,5% en ASCUS, LIEBG y LIEAG. Los VPH-16 y 58 fueron los tipos más frecuentes en los tres grupos, con frecuencias para VPH-16 de 20,4%, 33,9% y 38,8%, y para VPH-58 de 7,3%, 13,6%, 18,1% para ASCUS, LIEBG y LIEAG. En ASCUS y LSIL el tercer tipo en frecuencia fue VPH-56 (6,8% y 11,0%), mientras que en LIEAG fue VPH-18 (10,3%). Las infecciones con tipos virales probablemente oncogénicos y con tipos de bajo riesgo fueron mucho menos frecuentes y en general se presentaron como coinfecciones con tipos de alto riesgo. Conclusiones: Las infecciones con tipos de VPH de alto riesgo fueron las más frecuentes en todas las lesiones estudiadas, el VPH-58 ocupo el segundo lugar en frecuencia, como ha sido reportado en México y en general en Suramérica. El cambio hacia nuevas vacunas profilácticas que incluyan más tipos virales como el VPH-58 puede tener un mayor impacto en la disminución de la incidencia de lesiones preneoplásicas en nuestra región.

Objective: To determine the distribution of HPV genotypes in women from Bogotá with abnormal cervical smear. Methods: Cervical samples were collected from 191 women with ASCUS, 236 with low-grade (LSIL) and 116 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). HPV typing was performed using consensus PCR primers GP5+/GP6 + and reverse line blot. Results: The prevalence of HPV was 76.1%. Unique infections were observed in 41.4% of the participants and co-infections in 34.6%. The frequency of HPV according to diagnosis was: 60.2%, 84.7% and 84.5% in ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL respectively. HPV16 and 58 were the more frequent types in the three groups, HPV16 frequencies were 20.4%, 33.9% and 38.8%, and HPV58 frequencies were 7.3%, 13.6%, and 18,1% for ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL respectively. The third type in frequency in ASCUS and LSIL was HPV56 (6.8% and 11.0%), while in HSIL was HPV18 (10.3%). Infections with probably oncogenic types or with low risk types were much less frequent and generally were observed as co-infections with high-risk types. Conclusions: Infections with high risk HPV types were the most frequent in all studied lesions, VPH-58 ranked second in frequency as has been reported in Mexico and in general in South America. The change to new prophylactic vaccines including more viral types as HPV58 could have a higher impact in reducing the incidence of pre-neoplastic lesions in our region.

Presencia y persistencia de variantes moleculares del ORF E6 y ORF E7 del VPH 58 en mujeres con citología normal que pertenecen a la cohorte de Bogotá, Colombia / Presence and persistence of HPV 58 molecular variations ORF E6 and ORF E7 among women with normal cytology in the Bogotá, Colombia cohort

Objetivo: Analizar la presencia y persistencia de variantes en E6/E7/VPH 58 en muestras de mujeres con infecciones prevalentes por VPH 58, con citología normal, que pertenecen a la cohorte de Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Se utilizaron cepillados cervicales de 34 mujeres VPH 58, con citología normal, pertenecientes a la línea de base de la cohorte, con su respectivo seguimiento. Se amplificó la región E6/E7 del VPH 58 usando los iniciadores E6F1-E7R1 y los iniciadores E7P1-E7P2. Para el análisis de las variantes se utilizó la técnica de secuencia automática directa. La secuencia referencia del VPH 58 se utilizó para comparar las secuencias obtenidas. Resultados: En 27/34 muestras se lograron detectar variantes de E6/E7 de VPH 58. En total, se detectaron cinco variantes diferentes, dos de ellas nunca antes reportadas (A169/T307/A694/G744/A761 y T307/A694/G744/A761/G763). Los análisis de eliminación mostraron que el 75% de las variantes se habían eliminado antes de los dos años de seguimiento, y todas las variantes ya se habían eliminado a los seis años de seguimiento. Conclusiones: Dos nuevas variantes se reportaron a escala mundial de gran relevancia en los ámbitos filogenético y epidemiológico.

Objective: To analyze the presence and persistence of E6/E7 HPV58 variations in women with prevalent HPV 58 infection, with normal cytology, who belong to the Bogotá, Colombia cohort. Methods: Cervical cytobrush was used on 34 HPV58 women, with normal cytology, who are part of the cohort base line; respective follow was performed. The HPV58 E67/E7 region was broadened by using E6F1-E7R1 and E7P1-E7P2 indicators. Variation analysis was carried out with automatic direct sequencing. HPV58 sequence reference was used to compare the sequences that had been obtained. Results: In 27/34 samples, E6/E7 variations of HPV58 were successfully detected. A total of five different variations were detected, two of which had never been reported before (A169/T307/A694/G744/A761 and T307/A694/G744/A761/G763). Elimination analysis revealed that 75% of variations had been eliminated within two years of follow up, and that all variation had been eliminated at the end of six years of follow up. Conclusions: Two new variations of universal phylogenetic and epidemiologic noteworthiness were reported.

La sociedad y la cultura andina contemporánea: estudio de los saberes para la salud y la enfermedad en los pueblos originarios del norte de Chile / Contemporary Andean society and culture: study of knowledge for health and disease in the indigenous peoples of northern Chile

El estudio de los saberes para la salud y la enfermedad y de las prácticas médicas en la población de origen indígena plantea desafíos teóricos, sociales y políticos. Desde el punto de vista del análisis, la heterogeneidad cultural en la que se encuentra obliga a considerar los procesos de modernización, lo cual implica asumir una perspectiva histórica que no siempre consideran las investigaciones sobre la sociedad y cultura andina contemporánea. Este artículo pretende avanzar en este sentido. Planteamos que el peso de la escolaridad es gravitante en la diferenciación social y cultural y por lo tanto el nivel alcanzado incide en la comprensión de la naturaleza del cuerpo y su funcionamiento y en las prácticas para la salud. Los datos coinciden en gran parte con los informados por otros investigadores; a partir de estos, proponemos que es preciso ampliar el debate sobre la cuestión de la materialidad-inmaterialidad de las bases teóricas del pensamiento médico andino.