Long Non-Coding RNAs and Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Personalized Diagnosis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, is the most common form of dementia. Currently, there is no single test that can diagnose AD, especially in understudied populations and developing countries. Instead, diagnosis is based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, cognitive testing, and brain imaging. Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles, primarily composed of RNA, that participate in physiological processes related to AD pathogenesis such as cell proliferation, immune response, and neuronal and cardiovascular function. However, the identification and understanding of the potential role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AD diagnosis remain largely unexplored. Here, we clinically, cognitively, and genetically characterized a sample of 15 individuals diagnosed with AD (cases) and 15 controls from Barranquilla, Colombia. Advanced bioinformatics, analytics and Machine Learning (ML) techniques were used to identify lncRNAs differentially expressed between cases and controls. The expression of 28,909 lncRNAs was quantified. Of these, 18 were found to be differentially expressed and harbored in pivotal genes related to AD. Two lncRNAs, ENST00000608936 and ENST00000433747, show promise as diagnostic markers for AD, with ML models achieving > 95% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in both the training and testing datasets. These findings suggest that the expression profiles of lncRNAs could significantly contribute to advancing personalized AD diagnosis in this community, offering promising avenues for early detection and follow-up.

Evaluación de la expresión de PD-L1 e infiltración linfocitaria intratumoral en carcinoma de mama invasivo triple negativo / Evaluation of PD-L1 expression and intratumoral lym phocytic infiltration in triple-negative invasive breast car cinoma

Resumen Introducción : El endofenotipo de cáncer de mama triple negativo (TNBC) es uno de los menos frecuentes y sin diana terapéutica, por tanto, se plantea estudiar la correlación del punto de control inmunológico PD-L1 con el establecimiento de microambiente tumoral evaluado por la infiltración linfocitaria intratumoral estromal (TILs) y su importancia en la práctica clínica. Métodos : Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles, con 31 casos de carcinoma infiltrante de la mama triple negativo y 57 controles no pareados de endofenotipo Luminal A, Luminal B y HER-2 atendidos en un año. Se evaluaron las variables: tipo y grado his tológico, expresión PD-L1 con el clon 22C3, TILs, invasión linfovascular, tamaño tumoral, compromiso de ganglios linfáticos y metástasis. El análisis estadístico se ejecutó con la prueba de chi cuadrado y prueba de coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados : Se encontró una correlación negativa estadísticamente significativa entre TILs y PD-L1 (rho - 0.106, p 0.025), indicando que a mayor expresión de PD-L1, es menor la infiltración linfocitaria intratumo ral. En los grupos de TILs B (10-40% TILs) y C (40-90% TILs) donde se presenta marcado infiltrado inflamatorio intratumoral se evidenció mayor número de pacientes negativos para PD-L1 (CPS <10) con 16 y 10 casos res pectivamente. Para los casos TNBC se logró identificar un coeficiente de asociación negativa (rho -0.378) y con significancia estadística (p 0.01). Discusión : Se estableció la asociación de TNBC, TILs y expresión de PDL1, lo cual es importante para la instau ración de terapias diana y el desarrollo de la medicina de precisión.

Abstract Introduction : Triple negative breast cancer endophe notype (TNBC) is one of the least frequent and without therapeutic target; therefore we propose to study the correlation of PD-L1 immune checkpoint with the es tablishment of tumor microenvironment assessed by intratumoral stromal lymphocyte infiltration (TILS) and its importance in clinical practice. Methods : A retrospective case-control study was performed, with 31 cases of triple-negative infiltrat ing breast carcinoma and 57 unmatched controls of Luminal A, Luminal B and HER-2 endophenotype seen in one year. The following variables were evaluated: histologic type and grade, PD-L1 expression with clone 22C3, TILS, lymphovascular invasion, tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastasis. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient test. Results : a statistically significant negative correlation was found between TILS and PD-L1 (rho - 0.106, p 0.025), indicating that the higher the expression of PD-L1, the lower the intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration. In the TILS B (10-40% TILS) and C (40-90% TILS) groups where there was a marked intratumoral inflammatory infiltrate, a greater number of patients were negative for PD-L1 (CPS <10) with 16 and 10 cases, respectively. For TNBC cases a negative association coefficient was identified (rho -0.378) with statistical significance (p 0.01). Discussion : The association between TNBC, TILS and PDL1 expression was established, which is important for the establishment of target therapies and the develop ment of precision medicine.

[Evaluation of PD-L1 expression and intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration in triple-negative invasive breast carcinoma]. / Evaluación de la expresión de PD-L1 e infiltración linfocitaria intratumoral en carcinoma de mama invasivo triple negativo.

INTRODUCTION: Triple negative breast cancer endophenotype (TNBC) is one of the least frequent and without therapeutic target; therefore we propose to study the correlation of PD-L1 immune checkpoint with the establishment of tumor microenvironment assessed by intratumoral stromal lymphocyte infiltration (TILS) and its importance in clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed, with 31 cases of triple-negative infiltrating breast carcinoma and 57 unmatched controls of Luminal A, Luminal B and HER-2 endophenotype seen in one year. The following variables were evaluated: histologic type and grade, PD-L1 expression with clone 22C3, TILS, lymphovascular invasion, tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastasis. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient test. RESULTS: a statistically significant negative correlation was found between TILS and PD-L1 (rho - 0.106, p 0.025), indicating that the higher the expression of PD-L1, the lower the intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration. In the TILS B (10-40% TILS) and C (40-90% TILS) groups where there was a marked intratumoral inflammatory infiltrate, a greater number of patients were negative for PD-L1 (CPS <10) with 16 and 10 cases, respectively. For TNBC cases a negative association coefficient was identified (rho -0.378) with statistical significance (p 0.01). DISCUSSION: The association between TNBC, TILS and PDL1 expression was established, which is important for the establishment of target therapies and the development of precision medicine.

Introducción: El endofenotipo de cáncer de mama triple negativo (TNBC) es uno de los menos frecuentes y sin diana terapéutica, por tanto, se plantea estudiar la correlación del punto de control inmunológico PD-L1 con el establecimiento de microambiente tumoral evaluado por la infiltración linfocitaria intratumoral estromal (TILs) y su importancia en la práctica clínica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles, con 31 casos de carcinoma infiltrante de la mama triple negativo y 57 controles no pareados de endofenotipo Luminal A, Luminal B y HER-2 atendidos en un año. Se evaluaron las variables: tipo y grado histológico, expresión PD-L1 con el clon 22C3, TILs, invasión linfovascular, tamaño tumoral, compromiso de ganglios linfáticos y metástasis. El análisis estadístico se ejecutó con la prueba de chi cuadrado y prueba de coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: Se encontró una correlación negativa estadísticamente significativa entre TILs y PD-L1 (rho - 0.106, p 0.025), indicando que a mayor expresión de PD-L1, es menor la infiltración linfocitaria intratumoral. En los grupos de TILs B (10-40% TILs) y C (40-90% TILs) donde se presenta marcado infiltrado inflamatorio intratumoral se evidenció mayor número de pacientes negativos para PD-L1 (CPS <10) con 16 y 10 casos respectivamente. Para los casos TNBC se logró identificar un coeficiente de asociación negativa (rho -0.378) y con significancia estadística (p 0.01). Discusión: Se estableció la asociación de TNBC, TILs y expresión de PDL1, lo cual es importante para la instauración de terapias diana y el desarrollo de la medicina de precisión.

Compromiso secundario de glándulas mamarias por linfoma folicular / Secondary involvement of breasts by follicular lymphoma

Resumen Las lesiones metastásicas que comprometen la glándula mamaria son excepcionales, ocupando las neoplasias hematolinfoides el segundo lugar en orden de frecuencia en series de casos reporta dos en la literatura con una prevalencia de 0.04% a 1.6% en relación a todos los tumores malignos de la mama, alcanzando una incidencia anual de 0.07%, los cuales corresponden principalmente a linfomas secundarios. El 80% de estos son linfomas B difusos de células grandes, seguido de linfoma folicular y linfoma de la zona marginal. Presentamos una mujer de 60 años con diagnóstico de linfoma folicular que comenzó con una masa perirrenal derecha y ganglios linfáticos ipsilaterales retroperitoneales e inguinales, quien, durante su tratamiento, presentó avance en el estadio clínico con compromiso secundario inusual de ambas glándulas mamarias por esta neoplasia hematolinfoide. Se evaluó el comportamiento biológico de esta enfermedad para comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, mediante el análisis de factores clínicos, histológicos y pronósticos, permitiendo la estadificación definitiva, la cual fue determinante para la elección de la terapia individualizada acorde a las guías de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia científica, impactando positivamente en la evolución médica de la paciente.

Abstract Metastatic lesions involving the breast are exceptional; hematolymphoid neoplasias rank second as per their frequency in case series reported in the literature with a prevalence of 0.04% to 1.6% when consider ing all malignant breast tumors and reaching an annual incidence of 0.07%, mainly accounted for by secondary lymphomas. Eighty percent of them are diffuse, large B cells lymphomas (DLBCL), followed by follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. This case is about a 60 year-old woman with a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, who presented with a right perirenal mass and ipsilateral retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes, whose clinical status progressed during the treatment with unusual secondary involvement of both breasts by hematolymphoid neoplasia. The biological behavior of the condition was evaluated to understand the pathophysiological mecha nisms; this was done analyzing clinical, histologic and prognostic factors that led to a definitive staging, which was key to select the individualized therapy following the clinical practice guidelines based on scientific evidence, with a positive impact on the patient's medical progress.

Secondary involvement of breasts by follicular lymphoma / Compromiso secundario de glándulas mamarias por linfoma folicular

Abstract Metastatic lesions involving the breast are exceptional; hematolymphoid neoplasias rank second as per their frequency in case series reported in the literature with a prevalence of 0.04% to 1.6% when considering all malignant breast tumors and reaching an annual incidence of 0.07%, mainly accounted for by secondary lymphomas. Eighty percent of them are diffuse, large B cells lymphomas (DLBCL), followed by follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. This case is about a 60 year-old woman with a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, who presented with a right perirenal mass and ipsilateral retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes, whose clinical status progressed during the treatment with unusual secondary involvement of both breasts by hematolymphoid neoplasia. The biological behavior of the condition was evaluated to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms; this was done analyzing clinical, histologic and prognostic factors that led to a definitive staging, which was key to select the individualized therapy following the clinical practice guidelines based on scientific evidence, with a positive impact on the patient's medical progress.

Resumen Las lesiones metastásicas que comprometen la glándula mamaria son excepcionales, ocupando las neoplasias hematolinfoides el segundo lugar en orden de frecuencia en series de casos reportados en la literatura con una prevalencia de 0.04% a 1.6% en relación a todos los tumores malignos de la mama, alcanzando una incidencia anual de 0.07%, los cuales corresponden principalmente a linfomas secundarios. El 80% de estos son linfomas B difusos de células grandes, seguido de linfoma folicular y linfoma de la zona marginal. Presentamos una mujer de 60 años con diagnóstico de linfoma folicular que comenzó con una masa perirrenal derecha y ganglios linfáticos ipsilaterales retroperitoneales e inguinales, quien, durante su tratamiento, presentó avance en el estadio clínico con compromiso secundario inusual de ambas glándulas mamarias por esta neoplasia hematolinfoide. Se evaluó el comportamiento biológico de esta enfermedad para comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, mediante el análisis de factores clínicos, histológicos y pronósticos, permitiendo la estadificación definitiva, la cual fue determinante para la elección de la terapia individualizada acorde a las guías de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia científica, impactando positivamente en la evolución médica de la paciente.

Secondary involvement of breasts by follicular lymphoma.

Metastatic lesions involving the breast are exceptional; hematolymphoid neoplasias rank second as per their frequency in case series reported in the literature with a prevalence of 0.04% to 1.6% when considering all malignant breast tumors and reaching an annual incidence of 0.07%, mainly accounted for by secondary lymphomas. Eighty percent of them are diffuse, large B cells lymphomas (DLBCL), followed by follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. This case is about a 60 year-old woman with a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, who presented with a right perirenal mass and ipsilateral retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes, whose clinical status progressed during the treatment with unusual secondary involvement of both breasts by hematolymphoid neoplasia. The biological behavior of the condition was evaluated to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms; this was done analyzing clinical, histologic and prognostic factors that led to a definitive staging, which was key to select the individualized therapy following the clinical practice guidelines based on scientific evidence, with a positive impact on the patient's medical progress.

Las lesiones metastásicas que comprometen la glándula mamaria son excepcionales, ocupando las neoplasias hematolinfoides el segundo lugar en orden de frecuencia en series de casos reportados en la literatura con una prevalencia de 0.04% a 1.6% en relación a todos los tumores malignos de la mama, alcanzando una incidencia anual de 0.07%, los cuales corresponden principalmente a linfomas secundarios. El 80% de estos son linfomas B difusos de células grandes, seguido de linfoma folicular y linfoma de la zona marginal. Presentamos una mujer de 60 años con diagnóstico de linfoma folicular que comenzó con una masa perirrenal derecha y ganglios linfáticos ipsilaterales retroperitoneales e inguinales, quien, durante su tratamiento, presentó avance en el estadio clínico con compromiso secundario inusual de ambas glándulas mamarias por esta neoplasia hematolinfoide. Se evaluó el comportamiento biológico de esta enfermedad para comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, mediante el análisis de factores clínicos, histológicos y pronósticos, permitiendo la estadificación definitiva, la cual fue determinante para la elección de la terapia individualizada acorde a las guías de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia científica, impactando positivamente en la evolución médica de la paciente.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Plus Gene Expression Related to Progression from Leukoplakia to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Leukoplakia is one of the most frequently found lesions in the oral cavity, with a probability of 17 to 24% of becoming malignant cells in a period of 30 years. OBJECTIVE: To identify differentially expressed gene profiles of leukoplakia and its progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma, essential for the discovery of new biomarkers to predict and prevent the presence of diseases in the oral cavity. METHODS: Initially, gene profiles of GSE85514 and GSE160042 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used. Differentially expressed genes were identified using GEO2R. The CLUEGO plugin in Cytoscape was used for DEG functionality and enrichment analysis. Finally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape from data collected online from the STRING server. RESULTS: According to the MCC algorithm, the 10 most found gene sequences were HNRNPU, SMC1A, PAFAH1B1, EHMT1, SPTBN4, OLFM1, NCAM1, SF3B3, FGF2, and UBE2I; with HNRNPU, SMC1A, and PAFAH1B1 being the most representative of the modules. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to describe the gene sequences that promote the progression from leukoplakia to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Within these genes, the HNRNPU, SMC1A, and PAFAH1B1 constitute the main promising therapeutic targets to counteract the progression of oral cancer, they could also be important biomarkers for the diagnosis and classification of the disease.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with unusual presentation in vulva / Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans con presentación inusual en vulva

Abstract Gynecological sarcomas are uncommon and their location in the vulva and vagina has an incidence of 5% of all malignant neoplasms of the female genital tract. We present the case of a 54-year-old patient with a diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the vulva, an infrequent pathology, with less than 60 cases reported worldwide in this anatomical location. Clinically it has a locally aggressive behavior, due to the proliferation of spindle cells with pleomorphism and frequent figures of mitosis that infiltrate the reticular dermis and subcutaneous cellular tissue, giving rise to tumor lesions of variable size and with high rates of local recurrence. The treatment of first choice is surgical excision of the tumor with Mohs micrographic surgery or other surgical techniques for complete evaluation of the circumferential and deep peripheral margin. However, the identification of carcinogenesis mechanis ms where the chromosomal translocation t (17; 22) (q22; q13) is recognized, forming the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene, which participates in stimulating tumor cell proliferation, allowing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib for neoadjuvant therapy of surgically unresectable tumors and local recurrences.

Resumen Los sarcomas ginecológicos son infrecuentes y la localización de estos en vulva y vagina tienen una incidencia del 5% de todas las neoplasias malignas del tracto genital femenino. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 54 años con diagnóstico de dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans en vulva, una patología infrecuente, con menos de 60 casos reportados a nivel mundial en esta localización anatómica. Clínicamente tiene un comportamiento localmente agresivo, debido a la proliferación de células fusiformes con pleomorfismo y frecuentes figuras de mitosis que infiltran la dermis reticular y tejido celular subcutáneo, dando origen a lesiones tumorales de tamaño variable y con altas tasas de recurrencia local. El tratamiento en primera elección es la escisión quirúrgica del tumor con cirugía micrográfica de Mohs u otras técnicas quirúrgicas para evaluación completa del margen periférico circunferencial y profundo. Sin embargo, la identificación de mecanismos de carcinogénesis donde se reconoce la translocación cromosómica t (17; 22) (q22; q13), formando al gen de fusión COL1A1-PDGFB, el cual participa estimulando la proliferación celular tumoral, ha permitido la utilización de los inhibidores de la tirosina quinasa como el imatinib para la realización de terapia neoadyuvante en casos de tumores irresecables quirúrgicamente y en recurrencias locales.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with unusual presentation in vulva.

Gynecological sarcomas are rare and their location in the vulva and vagina has an incidence of 5% of all malignant neoplasms in the female genital tract. We present the case of a 54-year-old patient with a diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the vulva, an infrequent pathology with less than 60 cases reported worldwide in this anatomical location. Clinically, it is locally aggressive, due to the proliferation of spindle cells with pleomorphism and frequent mitotic figures infiltrating the reticular dermis and subcutaneous cellular tissue, giving rise to variable size tumors with high local recurrence rates. The first-line treatment is surgical excision of the tumor with Mohs micrographic surgery among other surgical techniques for complete circumferential peripheral and deep margin assessment. However, identification of carcinogenesis mechanisms where the chromosomal translocation t (17; 22) (q22; q13) is recognized, forming the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene, which participates in stimulating tumor cell proliferation, allowing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib for neoadjuvant therapy of surgically unresectable tumors and local recurrences.

Los sarcomas ginecológicos son infrecuentes y la localización de estos en vulva y vagina tienen una incidencia del 5% de todas las neoplasias malignas del tracto genital femenino. Presentamos una paciente de 54 años con diagnóstico de dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans en vulva, el cual es una patología infrecuente con menos de 60 casos reportados a nivel mundial en esta localización anatómica. Clínicamente tiene un comportamiento localmente agresivo, debido a la proliferación de células fusiformes con pleomorfismo y frecuentes figuras de mitosis que infiltran la dermis reticular y tejido celular subcutáneo, dando origen a lesiones tumorales de tamaño variable y con altas tasas de recurrencia local. El tratamiento en primera elección es la escisión quirúrgica del tumor con técnicas como cirugía micrográfica de Mohs u otras técnicas quirúrgicas para evaluación completa del margen periférico circunferencial y profundo. Sin embargo, la identificación de mecanismos de carcinogénesis donde se reconoce la translocación cromosómica t (17; 22) (q22; q13), formando al gen de fusión COL1A1-PDGFB el cual participa estimulando la proliferación celular tumoral, ha permitido la utilización de los inhibidores de la tirosina quinasa como el imatinib para la realización de terapia neoadyuvante en casos de tumores irresecables quirúrgicamente y en recurrencias locales.

Exosomes: Potential Disease Biomarkers and New Therapeutic Targets.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by cells, both constitutively and after cell activation, and are present in different types of biological fluid. Exosomes are involved in the pathogenesis of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, pregnancy disorders and cardiovascular diseases, and have emerged as potential non-invasive biomarkers for the detection, prognosis and therapeutics of a myriad of diseases. In this review, we describe recent advances related to the regulatory mechanisms of exosome biogenesis, release and molecular composition, as well as their role in health and disease, and their potential use as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of their main isolation methods, characterization and cargo analysis, as well as the experimental methods used for exosome-mediated drug delivery, are discussed. Finally, we present potential perspectives for the use of exosomes in future clinical practice.

Renal epidermoid cyst: A case report.

A 56-year-old male patient with no significant clinical history manifested lumbar pain, macroscopic hematuria and dysuria. Radiology images found a renal mass in the upper right pole at the pyelocaliceal level. A partial nephrectomy was performed to resect the tumor, and histology revealed the diagnosis of a renal epidermoid cyst, which is an infrequent lesion with a benign biological behavior. Its etiology is still controversial, but its clinical course is satisfactory after complete resection of the lesion.

Mitochondrial DNA deletion and duplication in Kearns-Sayre Syndrome (KSS) with initial presentation as Pearson Marrow-Pancreas Syndrome (PMPS): Two case reports in Barranquilla, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Kearns-Sayre Syndrome (KSS) and Pearson Marrow-Pancreas Syndrome (PMPS) are among the classic phenotypes caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions. KSS is a rare mitochondrial disease defined by a classic triad of progressive external ophthalmoplegia, atypical pigmentary retinopathy, and onset before 20 years. PMPS presents in the first year of life with bone marrow failure and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, and can evolve into KSS later in life. Even though an mtDNA deletion is the most frequent mutation in KSS and PMPS, cases of duplications and molecular rearrangements have also been described. In Colombia, few case reports of KSS and PMPS have been published in indexed journals or have been registered in scientific events. METHODS: We discuss clinical and genetic aspects of two case reports of pediatric female patients, with initial clinical diagnosis of PMPS who later evolved into KSS, with confirmatory molecular studies of an mtDNA deletion and an mtDNA duplication. RESULTS: A large-scale mtDNA deletion, NC_012920.1:m.8286_14416del, was confirmed by Southern Blot in patient 1. An mtDNA duplication of 7.9 kb was confirmed by MLPA in patient 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are compatible with the phenotypic and genetic presentation of PMPS and KSS. We present the first molecularly confirmed case reports of Colombian patients, diagnosed initially with PMPS, who later evolved to KSS.

Polymorphisms of leptin-melanocortin system genes associated with obesity in an adult population from Barranquilla / [Polimorfismos de los genes del sistema leptina-melanocortina asociados con la obesidad en la población adulta de Barranquilla].

Introduction: Obesity is considered a serious public health problem. Efforts have been directed to search for candidate genes such as LEP, LEPR, and MC4R involved in the leptin-melanocortin system. The neuroendocrine regulation of these genes on energy intake and balance influences the pathogenesis of this disease. Contradictory results regarding the association of these genes with obesity raise the need for new research. Objective: To analyze the association between obesity and LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms and the clinical and biochemical variables in obese adults from Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and methods: We analyzed 111 obese adults and 155 non-obese individuals as controls. The polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR. Besides, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. Results: No statistical differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies of gene polymorphisms between groups. The CC genotype of MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism was associated with increased systolic blood pressure and T allele and TT genotype, with decreased HDL cholesterol in obese adults. The effect of the other polymorphisms on these variables was not evidenced. Conclusions: LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were not associated with obesity in the population under study. MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Introducción. La obesidad se considera un grave problema de salud pública y por ello se hacen esfuerzos en la búsqueda de genes como el LEP, el LEPR y el MC4R del sistema leptina-melanocortina, el cual opera en la regulación neuroendocrina de la ingestión y el equilibrio energético e influye en la patogenia de la enfermedad. Los resultados contradictorios en torno a la asociación de estos genes con la obesidad plantean la necesidad de nuevas investigaciones. Objetivo. Analizar los polimorfismos rs2167270 del gen LEP, rs1137101 del gen LEPR y rs17782313 del gen MC4R asociados con la obesidad y sus variables clínicas y bioquímicas en una muestra de pacientes adultos de Barranquilla. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 111 personas obesas y 155 no obesas como controles. Los polimorfismos se determinaron mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en tiempo real. Se tomaron las medidas antropométricas, se evaluó la presión arterial y se hicieron pruebas bioquímicas. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas en la frecuencia alélica y genotípica de los polimorfismos en los grupos estudiados. En cuanto a las variables clínicas y bioquímicas, el genotipo CC del polimorfismo rs17782313 del gen MC4R, se asoció con un aumento de la presión arterial sistólica y, el alelo T y su genotipo homocigoto, con una disminución del colesterol HDL en los obesos. No se evidenció ningún efecto de los otros polimorfismos en estas variables. Conclusiones. Los polimorfismos rs2167270 del gen LEP, rs1137101 del gen LEPR y rs17782313 del gen MC4R, no se asociaron con obesidad en la población analizada. Se encontró que el polimorfismo rs17782313 del gen MC4R influyó en el aumento de la presión arterial sistólica y la disminución del colesterol HDL en las personas obesas.

Clinical performance and resource utilization in the start of a totally new Intensive Care Unit. Same staff, new area.

BACKGROUND: There is little information of intensive care unit (ICU) performance when it's relocated to a totally new and equipped area. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical performance and use of resources of a new respiratory-ICU (nRICU) in a large third-level care hospital. METHOD: Cross-sectional, comparative study using prospective data of patients admitted from July 17, 2017 to July 17, 2018. The Rapoport adjusted method was used to obtain the standardized clinical performance index (SCPI) and the standardized resource use index (SRUI). RESULTS: Out of 354 patients, those who were readmissions or remained hospitalized and those whose treatment was withheld or withdrawn where excluded from the analysis. In 301 patients, the observed survival at hospital discharge was 63% while the expected survival was 67.7%. Values of SCPI and SRUI were -1.03 and 0.05 respectively, placing results in coordinates within two standard deviations when plotted in the Rapoport chart. There was a statistically significant difference in survival when comparing the study period with outcomes obtained in the RICU before its relocation (63% vs. 55%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In its 1st year of operation, the nRICU had better clinical performance compared to the former RICU, with no change in the use of resources.

ANTECEDENTES: Existe poca información acerca del desempeño de una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) cuando es reubicada en un área totalmente nueva y equipada. OBJETIVO: Analizar el rendimiento clínico y el uso de recursos de la nueva UCI respiratoria (UCIR) de un hospital grande de tercer nivel. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal, comparativo, con datos prospectivos de pacientes ingresados del 17 de julio de 2017 al 17 de julio de 2018. Se usa el método ajustado de Rapoport para obtener el índice de rendimiento clínico estandarizado (IRCE) y el índice de uso de recursos estandarizado (IRURE). RESULTADOS: De 354 pacientes fueron excluidos los reingresos, los pacientes aún hospitalizados y aquellos a quienes se limitó o retiró el tratamiento. En 301 pacientes la sobrevida hospitalaria fue del 63%, mientras que la sobrevida esperada fue del 67.7%. El IRCE fue −1.03 y el IRURE fue 0.05, situando el resultado en coordenadas dentro de dos desviaciones estándar en el gráfico de Rapoport. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la sobrevida comparando el periodo de estudio con resultados de la UCIR obtenidos antes de su reubicación (63 vs. 55%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONES: En su primer año de funcionamiento, la nueva UCIR tuvo mejor rendimiento clínico que la antigua, sin modificación en el uso de recursos.

Characterization of patients with early vs. late-onset Alzheimers dementia / Caracterización de pacientes con demencia de tipo Alzheimer precoz vs tardío

Introduction: Alzheimer's dementia (AD) has an early and a late onset. More information is needed regarding risk factors according to the age of onset of AD. The objective is to characterize the sociodemographic, anthropometric, laboratory and genetic variables as well as the history of patients with ade novodiagnosis of AD, by age of onset, at the Hospital Universitario C.A.R.I.'s mental health site over a period of two years. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study of 39 patients with ade novodiagnosis of AD. A questionnaire was completed, paraclinical studies were ordered and a blood sample was obtained for APOE genotyping. The IBM SPSS 21 software was used for analysis. Results: 82.05% had late-onset and 17.95% had early-onset AD. Of those with early-onset AD, 57.14% were females, as were 71.90% of those with late-onset AD. 71.44% of those with early-onset AD were married and 53.12% with late-onset AD were widowed. Only 14.29% with early-onset and 18.75% with late-onset AD had optimal LDL levels. Altogether, 79.49% of the population was heterozygous for the ε4 allele. 71.43% of those with early-onset AD had a family history of dementia. Discussion: age is the main factor associated with AD and females were more frequent in both groups. Social relationships play a role in early detection of symptoms. Lipid profile abnormalities were seen in both groups. Having at least one ε4 allele is a frequent finding in AD. Having a first-degree relative with dementia and/or Alzheimer's was more frequent in early-onset AD.(Acta Med Colomb 2020; 45. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2020.1316).

Introducción: la demencia de tipo Alzheimer (DTA) tiene presentación precoz o tardía. Es necesaria mayor información sobre factores de riesgo según edad de aparición de DTA. El objetivo es caracterizar variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas, de laboratorio, genéticas y antecedentes en pacientes con diagnósticode novode DTA según edad de aparición en el Hospital Universitario C.A.R.I. sede salud mental en un periodo de dos años. Metodología: estudio descriptivo transversal con 39 pacientes con diagnósticode novode DTA. Se realizó un cuestionario, solicitaron paraclínicos y se obtuvo una muestra sanguínea para genotipificación deAPOE.Se utilizó el software IBM SPSS 21 para análisis. Resultados: el 82.05% tenían DTA tardío y 17.95% DTA precoz. El 57.14% con DTA precoz y 71.90% con DTA tardía eran de sexo femenino. El 71.44% con DTA precoz eran casados y 53.12% con DTA tardío eran viudos. Solo 14.29% con DTA precoz y 18.75% con DTA tardío tenían niveles óptimos de LDL. El 79.49% de la población era heterocigoto para el alelo ε4. El 71.43% con DTA precoz tenía antecedente familiar de demencia. Discusión: la edad es el principal factor asociado a DTA y el sexo femenino fue más frecuente en ambos grupos. Las relaciones sociales juegan un rol en la identificación temprana de la sintomatología. Las alteraciones del perfil lipídico se evidenciaron en ambos grupos. Tener al menos un alelo ε4 es un hallazgo frecuente de DTA. Tener un familiar con demencia y/o Alzheimer de primer grado de consanguinidad fue más frecuente en DTA precoz.(Acta Med Colomb 2020; 45. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2020.1316).

Polimorfismos de los genes del sistema leptina-melanocortina asociados con la obesidad en la población adulta de Barranquilla / Polymorphisms of leptin-melanocortin system genes associated with obesity in an adult population from Barranquilla

Introducción. La obesidad se considera un grave problema de salud pública y por ello se hacen esfuerzos en la búsqueda de genes como el LEP, el LEPR y el MC4R del sistema leptina-melanocortina, el cual opera en la regulación neuroendocrina de la ingestión y el equilibrio energético e influye en la patogenia de la enfermedad. Los resultados contradictorios en torno a la asociación de estos genes con la obesidad plantean la necesidad de nuevas investigaciones. Objetivo. Analizar los polimorfismos rs2167270 del gen LEP, rs1137101 del gen LEPR y rs17782313 del gen MC4R asociados con la obesidad y sus variables clínicas y bioquímicas en una muestra de pacientes adultos de Barranquilla. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 111 personas obesas y 155 no obesas como controles. Los polimorfismos se determinaron mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en tiempo real. Se tomaron las medidas antropométricas, se evaluó la presión arterial y se hicieron pruebas bioquímicas. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas en la frecuencia alélica y genotípica de los polimorfismos en los grupos estudiados. En cuanto a las variables clínicas y bioquímicas, el genotipo CC del polimorfismo rs17782313 del gen MC4R, se asoció con un aumento de la presión arterial sistólica y, el alelo T y su genotipo homocigoto, con una disminución del colesterol HDL en los obesos. No se evidenció ningún efecto de los otros polimorfismos en estas variables. Conclusiones. Los polimorfismos rs2167270 del gen LEP, rs1137101 del gen LEPR y rs17782313 del gen MC4R, no se asociaron con obesidad en la población analizada. Se encontró que el polimorfismo rs17782313 del gen MC4R influyó en el aumento de la presión arterial sistólica y la disminución del colesterol HDL en las personas obesas.

Introduction: Obesity is considered a serious public health problem. Efforts have been directed to search for candidate genes such as LEP, LEPR, and MC4R involved in the leptin- melanocortin system. The neuroendocrine regulation of these genes on energy intake and balance influences the pathogenesis of this disease. Contradictory results regarding the association of these genes with obesity raise the need for new research. Objective: To analyze the association between obesity and LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms and the clinical and biochemical variables in obese adults from Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and methods: We analyzed 111 obese adults and 155 non-obese individuals as controls. The polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR. Besides, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. Results: No statistical differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies of gene polymorphisms between groups. The CC genotype of MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism was associated with increased systolic blood pressure and T allele and TT genotype, with decreased HDL cholesterol in obese adults. The effect of the other polymorphisms on these variables was not evidenced. Conclusions: LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were not associated with obesity in the population under study. MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Síndrome de Townes-Brocks en Barranquilla, Colombia: Reporte de caso y estado del arte / Townes-Brocks Syndrome in Barranquilla, Colombia: Case report and state of the art

RESUMEN El síndrome de Townes-Brocks, descrito por primera vez en 1972, se caracteriza por tres anomalías congénitas mayores: malformación anorrectal, orejas displásicas y malformaciones del pulgar. Es un trastorno genético raro con herencia autosómica dominante y una prevalencia estimada de 1/250 0000, registrándose aproximadamente 164 casos en la literatura. En Colombia, solo un caso ha sido registrado en un evento científico, y este sería el primer caso publicado en una revista indexada. El objetivo de nuestro artículo es reportar el fenotipo del paciente y el estado actual del arte del síndrome de Townes-Brocks.

ABSTRACT Townes-Brocks syndrome, described in 1972, is characterized by three major congenital anomalies: anorectal malformation, dysplastic ears and thumb anomalies. It is a rare genetic disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance and an estimated prevalence of 1/250.0000. Approximately 164 cases have been reported in the literature. In Colombia, only one case was previously reported in a scientific event. Our case report is the first published in an indexed journal. Our article aims to report the patient's phenotype and the state of art of Townes-Brocks syndrome.

APOE gene polymorphism analysis in Barranquilla, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The genetic variability present in the APOE gene polymorphism is considered an important factor associated with predisposition to diseases affecting lipid metabolism, as well as heart diseases and Alzheimer's disease, among others. Understanding it as a risk factor in different populations and ethnic groups is a useful tool.  OBJECTIVE: To analyze the APOE gene polymorphism and determine allelic and genotypic frequencies of a representative sample of population from Barranquilla, Colombia.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive and comparative study. The sample size was 227 unrelated individuals from Barranquilla, Colombia.  RESULTS: The most frequent allele was the ε3, with 85%, followed by the ε4 allele (13%) and ε2 (1.8%). The genotypes found were: ε3/ε3: 71.8%, ε3/ε4: 24.2%, ε2/ε3: 2.2%, ε2/ε4: 1.3% and ε4/ε4: 0.4%. The ε2/ε2 genotype was not found in this study. The sample exhibited the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.  CONCLUSION: The frequency of the ε3 allele and the ε3/ε3 genotype was similar to that reported in the literature in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and in some Colombian Amerindian ethnic groups. The ε2/ε2 genotype was absent. This result is consistent with those found in other population groups worldwide. The frequency of the ε4 allele and the genotypes associated in this population could be related to the presence of diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction and Alzheimer.

Síndrome de Kabuki: presentación de un Caso y Revisión de la Literatura / Kabuki Syndrome: A case report and literature review

Resumen El síndrome de Kabuki (SK) es una patología muy rara, descrita por primera vez en 1981 por Niikawa y Kuroki en Japón. Se han publicado cerca de 400 casos a nivel mundial. En Colombia se conocen cinco casos diagnosticados y publicados; el caso objeto de este estudio sería el sexto en nuestro país. Presentamos la descripción del caso de una paciente de 2 años y 6 meses con rasgos dismórficos compatibles con síndrome de Kabuki. Examen físico: fisuras palpebrales elongadas, eversión del tercio lateral párpado inferior, cejas arqueadas con tercio lateral más despoblado, puente nasal deprimido, boca en carpa, paladar hendido, pabellones auriculares de baja implantación con rotación posterior. El síndrome de Kabuki se caracteriza por sus anomalías faciales peculiares que se consideran son la única manifestación que puede orientar al diagnóstico del mismo sin excepciones. Recientemente se han identificado mutaciones sin sentido y de corrimiento del marco de lectura, entre otras en el gen MLL2 en aproximadamente el 75 % de los casos y en una menor proporción deleciones y mutaciones sin sentido en el gen KDM6A.

Abstract Kabuki syndrome is a rare disease described by Kuroki and Niikawa in Japanese population in 1981. There are over 400 cases over the world and 5 cases described in Colombian population. Therefore this is the 6th Kabuki syndrome found in Colombia. We report a 2 years old female with Kabuki syndrome phenotype. Clinical examination showed: long palpebral fissures with eversion of the lateral third of the lower eyelids, a broad and depressed nasal tip, left palate and low setup ears. Kabuki syndrome includes facial features whit specific characteristics enough to classify the patients. However, there are some mutations in MLL2 gene present in almost 75 % of Kabuki syndrome. In addition there are some deletion and duplications abnormalities in KMD6A gene described in Kabuki syndrome patients.