[Exposure to second-hand smoke in school adolescents from Tunja (Colombia), 2017]. / Exposición al humo de segunda mano en adolescentes escolarizados de Tunja, Colombia, 2017.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of morbidity. This is one of the main preventable public health problems in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke at home and out-of-home, in school adolescents from Tunja-Colombia. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study included 1100 school students, aged between 11 and 19 years. The information was obtained using a self-administered and totally anonymous questionnaire. For the analysis, the proportions of everyday exposure and the mean number of days of exposure to second-hand smoke during a regular week were estimated. For the associations, ordinal logistic regression and negative binomial regression models were performed. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 14.5 years, with the majority (59%) being female. As regards second-hand tobacco smoke exposure at home, an everyday prevalence of 4.9% was found, from 1 to 6 days of 14.7%, with a mean exposure of 0.7 days (SD 1.7). Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of exposure to second-hand smoke out-of-home: every day 8%, from 1 to 6 days of 34.1%, with a mean exposure of 1.5 days (SD 2.2). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of exposure to second-hand smoke in adolescents of Tunja was high. Interventions at school and family level are recommended to counteract this problem.

Cambios en tasas de infección asociada a catéter central y factores relacionados en una unidad neonatal con la implementación de toallas de clorhexidina / Changes in central line associated bloodstream infection rates and related factors in a neonatal unit with the use of chlorhexidine wipes

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter central en neonatos aumentan la morbimortalidad. La clorhexidina es un antiséptico de amplio espectro que disminuye la colonización bacteriana cutánea y las tasas de infección asociada a catéter en neonatos. Comparamos las tasas de infección con limpieza con clorhexidina acuosa frente a las medidas de higiene convencional. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio experimental prospectivo no aleatorizado de los neonatos con dispositivo intravascular central de la unidad de cuidados intensivos e intermedios neonatales del Hospital General de Medellín. En el grupo experimental se implementó una toalla desechable impregnada con clorhexidina acuosa al 2%, sin retirar ni enjuagar el producto; el control recibió el baño tradicional. La limpieza se inició tras el primer día de vida y a frecuencia interdiaria independiente del peso o la edad gestacional. El estudio duró 6 meses; en los tres primeros se realizó el baño con clorhexidina y en los últimos los cuidados convencionales. RESULTADOS: Participaron 133 pacientes, 61 en el grupo experimental y 72 en el control. En la mediana del peso al nacer (1.960 y 1.927 g) no hubo diferencia significativa (p= 0,905) entre ambos. El grupo experimental con clorhexidina tenía más pacientes con ventilación mecánica (42,6 vs. 15,35%) con una diferencia significativa (p= 0,001). No hubo diferencia en las medianas del tiempo de estancia hospitalaria y permanencia del catéter (p= 0,189 y 0,246). La tasa de infección del torrente sanguíneo se redujo de 5,1 a 3,8 por 1.000 días de catéter (p= 1,0), siendo el germen más aislado Staphylococcus aureus meticilín-sensible. En el análisis secundario, la intervención intraabdominal y los múltiples accesos vasculares centrales fueron predictores de infección asociada al catéter. CONCLUSIONES: La limpieza cutánea con clorhexidina acuosa al 2% es una medida que puede reducir la infección asociada a catéter. Fue segura en neonatos de más de 25 semanas y más de 650 g desde el segundo día de vida

INTRODUCTION: Central line associated bloodstream infections increase mortality in neonates. Chlorhexidine is a wide spectrum antiseptic that decreases bacterial colonization and central line infection in newborns. We compared central line associated bloodstream infection rate in neonates with chlorhexidine wipes and neonates with conventional hygiene measures. METHODOLOGY: A prospective, nonrandomized experimental study was carried out, including all neonates with intravascular device of central location who were in the intensive and intermediate neonatal care unit of the General Hospital of Medellín. In the experimental group, a disposable towel impregnated with 2% aqueous chlorhexidine was implemented per patient, without removing or rinsing the product; the control group received the traditional bath. The clean-up started after the first day of life and the frequency was inter-day independent of weight or gestational age. The study time was six months, during August 2017 to January 2018; in the first three the bath was carried out with chlorhexidine and in the last the conventional care. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients participated, 61 experimental group and 72 control group. In the median birth weight (1960 and 1927 grams) there was no significant difference (p= 0.905) between both groups. The experimental group had more patients with mechanical ventilation (42.6% vs. 15.35) with significant difference (p= 0.001). There was no difference in the median length of hospital stay and the length of the catheter stay (p= 0.189 and 0.246). The rate of infection of the bloodstream was reduced from 5.1 to 3.8 per 1,000 catheter days (p= 1.0); the most commonly isolated germ being methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. In the secondary analysis, the intra-abdominal intervention and the multiple central vascular accesses were predictors of infection associated with the catheter. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous cleansing with 2% aqueous chlorhexidine is a measure that can contribute to reduce the rates of catheter-associated infection. It was also safe in neonates older than 25 weeks and weighing more than 650 grams from the second day of life

Structural, magnetic and electronic properties of pulsed-laser-deposition grown SrFeO3-δ thin films and SrFeO3-δ /La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 multilayers.

We studied the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of [Formula: see text] (SFO) thin films and [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]MnO3 (LCMO) superlattices that have been grown with pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] (LSAT) substrates. X-ray reflectometry and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) confirm the high structural quality of the films and flat and atomically sharp interfaces of the superlattices. The STEM data also reveal a difference in the interfacial layer stacking with a SrO layer at the LCMO/SFO and a LaO layer at the SFO/LCMO interfaces along the PLD growth direction. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) data suggest that the as grown SFO films and SFO/LCMO superlattices have an oxygen-deficient [Formula: see text] structure with I4/ mmm space group symmetry ([Formula: see text]). Subsequent ozone annealed SFO films are consistent with an almost oxygen stoichiometric structure ([Formula: see text]). The electronic and magnetic properties of these SFO films are similar to the ones of corresponding single crystals. In particular, the as grown [Formula: see text] films are insulating whereas the ozone annealed films are metallic. The magneto-resistance effects of the as grown SFO films have a similar magnitude as in the single crystals, but extend over a much wider temperature range. Last but not least, for the SFO/LCMO superlattices we observe a rather large exchange bias effect that varies as a function of the cooling field.

Preclinical evaluation of collagen type I scaffolds, including gelatin-collagen microparticles and loaded with a hydroglycolic Calendula officinalis extract in a lagomorph model of full-thickness skin wound.

Previously, we have developed collagen type I scaffolds including microparticles of gelatin-collagen type I (SGC) that are able to control the release of a hydroglycolic extract of the Calendula officinalis flower. The main goal of the present work was to carry out the preclinical evaluation of SGC alone or loaded with the C. officinalis extract (SGC-E) in a lagomorph model of full-thickness skin wound. A total of 39 rabbits were distributed in three groups, of 13 animals each. The first group was used to compare wound healing by secondary intention (control) with wound healing observed when wounds were grafted with SGC alone. Comparison of control wounds with wounds grafted with SGC-E was performed in the second group, and comparison of wounds grafted with SGC with wounds grafted with SGC-E was performed in the third group. Clinical follow-ups were carried in all animals after surgery, and histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed on tissues taken from the healed area and healthy surrounding tissue. Histological and histomorphometric results indicate that grafting of SGC alone favors wound healing and brings a better clinical outcome than grafting SGC-E. In vitro collagenase digestion data suggested that the association of the C. officinalis extract to SGC increased the SGC-E cross-linking, making it difficult to degrade and affecting its biocompatibility.

Magnetic proximity effect in YBa2Cu3O7/La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3 and YBa2Cu3O7/LaMnO(3+δ) superlattices.

Using neutron reflectometry and resonant x-ray techniques we studied the magnetic proximity effect (MPE) in superlattices composed of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 and ferromagnetic-metallic La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 or ferromagnetic-insulating LaMnO(3+δ). We find that the MPE strongly depends on the electronic state of the manganite layers, being pronounced for the ferromagnetic-metallic La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 and almost absent for ferromagnetic-insulating LaMnO(3+δ). We also detail the change of the magnetic depth profile due to the MPE and provide evidence for its intrinsic nature.

Desiccation resistance in two species of Drosophila.

Three populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura, each one represented by 12 isofemale lines, and one laboratory strain of D. melanogaster were tested for desiccation resistance at two time periods. Except in the case of one population of D. pseudoobscura, the ability to withstand drying was significantly greater in females than in the corresponding males. The males of the three populations of D. pseudoobscura differed significantly among themselves in their resistance to desiccation, as did the females. The females of D. melanogaster exhibited a consistently higher survival rate than those of D. pseudoobscura, but not the males. These results are discussed with reference to the third chromosome inversion polymorphism of D. pseudoobscura and the cosmopolitan distribution of D. melanogaster.