Prótesis colónicas en el tratamiento paliativo del cáncer colónico. Nuestra evaluación tras 10 años de experiencia / Self-expanding metal stents in the palliative treatmentof coloncancer. Results of 10 years of experience

Introducción: la colocación de prótesis metálicas autoexpansibles (PAE) por vía endoscópica surge como opción terapéutica para la obstrucción colónica neoplásica en dos situaciones: como tratamiento paliativo y como puente a la cirugía curativa. Este procedimiento evita cirugías en dos tiempos y disminuye la probabilidad de colostomía definitiva y sus complicaciones con el consecuente deterioro de la calidad de vida. Objetivo: comunicar nuestra experiencia en la colocación de PAE para el tratamiento paliativo de la obstrucción colorrectal neoplásica. Diseño: retrospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo y observacional. Material y métodos: se incluyeron todos los pacientes a quienes el mismo grupo de endoscopistas les colocó PAE con intención paliativa por cáncer colorrectal avanzado entre agosto de 2008 y diciembre de 2019. Fueron analizadas las variables demográficas y clínicas, el éxito técnico y clínico, las complicaciones tempranas y tardías y la supervivencia. Resultados: se colocó PAE en 54 pacientes. La media de edad fue 71 años. El 85% de las lesiones se localizó en el colon izquierdo. En el 57% de los pacientes se realizó en forma ambulatoria. El éxito técnico y clínico fue del 92 y 90%, respectivamente y la supervivencia media de 209 días. La tasa de complicaciones fue del 29,6%, incluyendo un 14,8% de obstrucción y un 5,6% de migración. La mortalidad tardía atribuible al procedimiento fue del 5,6%, ocasionada por 3 perforaciones tardías: 2 abiertas y 1 microperforación con formación de absceso localizado. Conclusiones: la colocación de PAE como tratamiento paliativo de la obstrucción neoplásica colónica es factible, eficaz y segura. Permitió el manejo ambulatorio o con internación breve y la realimentación temprana, mejorando las condiciones para afrontar un eventual tratamiento quimioterápico paliativo. Las mayoría de las complicaciones fueron tardías y resueltas endoscópicamente en forma ambulatoria. (AU)

Introduction: endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) emerges as a therapeutic option for neoplastic obstruction of the colon in two situations: as palliative treatment and as a bridge to curative surgery. This procedure avoids two-stage surgeries and reduces the probability of permanent colostomy and its complications with the consequent deterioration in quality of life. Objective: to report our experience in the placement of SEMS as palliative treatment in neoplastic colorectal obstruction. Design: retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive and observational study. Methods: all patients in whom the same group of endoscopists performed SEMS placement with palliative intent for advanced colorectal cancer between August 2008 and December 2019 were analyzed. Data collected were demographic and clinical variables, technical and clinical success, early and late complications, and survival. Results: SEMS were placed in 54 patients. The average age was 71 years. Eighty-five percent were left-sided tumors. In 57% of the patients the procedure was performed on an outpatient basis. Technical and clinical success was 92 and 90%, respectively, and median survival was 209 days. The complication rate was 29.6%, including 14.8% obstruction and 5.6% migration. Late mortality attributable to the procedure was 5.6%, caused by 3 late perforations: 2 open and 1 microperforation with localized abscess formation. Conclusions: The placement of SEMS as a palliative treatment for neoplastic colonic obstruction is feasible, effective and safe. It allowed outpa-tient management or brief hospitalization and early refeeding, improving the conditions to face an eventual palliative chemotherapy treatment. Most complications were late and resolved endoscopically on an outpatient basis. (AU)

Indicación, realización y resultado del cateterismo de venas adrenales en pacientes con hiperaldosteronismo primario / Indication, performance and outcomes of adrenal vein sampling in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism

El hiperaldosteronismo primario (HAP) es una causa importante de hipertensión arterial (HTA) secundaria. El estudio del mismo precisa de una alta sospecha clínica, además de un estudio hormonal que confirme la hipersecreción hormonal. Es importante iniciar el tratamiento adecuado una vez se confirma el diagnóstico, y para ello es preciso demostrar si la hipersecreción hormonal es unilateral (pacientes que podrían ser tributarios a tratamiento quirúrgico) o bilateral (pacientes que son tributarios a tratamiento únicamente farmacológico). En el Hospital del Mar desde el año 2016 existe un equipo de trabajo multidisciplinar en el que participan nefrólogos, endocrinólogos, radiólogos y cirujanos para evaluar los casos con sospecha de hiperaldosteronismo y consensuar el mejor abordaje diagnóstico-terapéutico de estos pacientes, incluyendo la necesidad de cateterismo venoso adrenal, que es una técnica que en los últimos años se ha erigido como gold standard para el estudio del HAP. En el presente estudio recogemos la experiencia de nuestro centro en la realización de cateterismo venoso adrenal y en la utilidad de este para el manejo de tales pacientes (AU)

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PAH) is an important cause of secondary hypertension (HTN). The study of the same requires a high clinical suspicion in addition to a hormonal study that confirms hormonal hypersecretion. It is important to start the appropriate treatment once the diagnosis is confirmed, and for this is necessary to demonstrate whether the hormonal hypersecretion is unilateral (patients who could be candidates for surgical treatment) or bilateral (patients who are candidates for pharmacological treatment only). At the Hospital del Mar since 2016 there has been a multidisciplinary work team in which Nephrologists, Endocrinologists, Radiologists and Surgeons participate to evaluate cases with suspected hyperaldosteronism and agree on the best diagnostic-therapeutic approach for these patients, including the need for adrenal vein sampling, which is a technique that in recent years has become the gold standard for the study of PAH. In the present study we collect the experience of our center in performing adrenal vein catheterization and its usefulness for the management of these patients (AU)

Quantification of Xylanolytic and Cellulolytic Activities of Fungal Strains Isolated from Palmaria palmata to Enhance R-Phycoerythrin Extraction of Palmaria palmata: From Seaweed to Seaweed.

R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) can be enzymatically extracted from red seaweeds such as Palmaria palmata. This pigment has numerous applications and is notably known as an antioxidant, antitumoral or anti-inflammatory agent. Enzymes secreted by P. palmata associated fungal strains were assumed to be efficient and adapted for R-PE extraction from this macroalga. The aim of the present study was to quantify both xylanolytic and cellulolytic activities of enzymatic extracts obtained from six Palmaria palmata derived fungal strains. Degradation of P. palmata biomass by fungal enzymatic extracts was also investigated, focused on soluble protein and R-PE extraction. Enzymatic extracts were obtained by solid state fermentation. Macroalgal degradation abilities were evaluated by measuring reducing sugar release using DNS assays. Soluble proteins and R-PE recovery yields were evaluated through bicinchoninic acid and spectrophotometric assays, respectively. Various enzymatic activities were obtained according to fungal isolates up to 978 U/mL for xylanase and 50 U/mL for cellulase. Enzymatic extract allowed high degrading abilities, with four of the six fungal strains assessed exhibiting at least equal results as the commercial enzymes for the reducing sugar release. Similarly, all six strains allowed the same soluble protein extraction yield and four of them led to an improvement of R-PE extraction. R-PE extraction from P. palamata using marine fungal enzymes appeared particularly promising. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first on the use of enzymes of P. palmata associated fungi in the degradation of its own biomass for biomolecules recovery.

Social vulnerability and tuberculosis: a vicious circle

A B S T R A C T Tuberculosis (TB) represents an important cause of morbidity and one of the top ten causes of mortality in the world, associated with economic problems, vulnerability marginalization, stigma and discrimination. From a mixed study that triangulates quantitative data and qualitative information, the main results of the characterization of the social vulnerability of people with TB in the municipality of Cali - Colombia are presented, based on the AVEO model that analyzes the social vulnerability related to assets and liabilities that people possess and the opportunities that the context offers. The results show assets, liabilities and opportunities related to TB treatment, articulated through demographic, biological, socioeconomic, psychosocial and habitat dimensions. It is concluded that there is a vicious circle between conditions of social vulnerability and tuberculosis, in which people with higher levels of social vulnerability are more affected by the disease in all dimensions of their existence, increasing or maintaining levels of vulnerability which that requires multisectoral interventions that go beyond health services.

La tuberculosis (TB) representa una importante causa de morbilidad y una de las diez primeras causas de mortalidad en el mundo, asociada con problemas económicos, vulnerabilidad, marginación, estigma y discriminación. A partir de un estudio mixto que triangula datos cuantitativos e información cualitativa, se presentan los principales resultados de la caracterización de la vulnerabilidad social de personas con TB en el municipio de Cali - Colombia, basado en el modelo AVEO que analiza la vulnerabilidad social relacionado los activos y los pasivos que poseen las personas y las oportunidades que ofrece el contexto. Los resultados muestran activos, pasivos y oportunidades relacionadas con el tratamiento de la TB, articuladas a través de dimensiones demográficas, biológicas, socioeconómicas, psicosociales y de hábitat. Se concluye que existe un círculo vicioso entre condiciones de vulnerabilidad social y tuberculosis, en el que las personas con mayores niveles de vulnerabilidad social se ven más afectadas por la enfermedad en todas las dimensiones de su existencia, aumentando o mantenido los niveles de vulnerabilidad, lo que requiere intervenciones multisectoriales que sobrepasan los servicios de salud.

Tuberculose; vulnerabilidade no mundo, associada a problemas econômicos, vulnerabilidade, marginalização, estigma e discriminação. Com social; saúde; saúde pública. base em um estudo misto que triangula dados quantitativos e informações qualitativas, são apresentados os principais resultados da caracterização da vulnerabilidade social das pessoas com TB no município de Cali -Colômbia, com base no modelo AVEO que analisa a vulnerabilidade social em relação aos ativos e passivos que as pessoas possuem e as oportunidades oferecidas pelo contexto. Os resultados mostram ativos, passivos e oportunidades relacionadas ao tratamento da TB, articuladas através das dimensões demográfica, biológica, sócio-econômica, psicossocial e de habitat. Conclui-se que existe um círculo vicioso entre as condições de vulnerabilidade social e a tuberculose, no qual as pessoas com níveis mais elevados de vulnerabilidade social são mais afetadas pela doença em todas as dimensões de sua existência, aumentando ou mantendo os níveis de vulnerabilidade, o que requer intervenções multisetoriais que vão além dos serviços de saúde.

Indication, performance and outcomes of adrenal vein sampling in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism.

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PAH) is an important cause of secondary hypertension (HTN). The study of the same requires a high clinical suspicion in addition to a hormonal study that confirms hormonal hypersecretion. It is important to start the appropriate treatment once the diagnosis is confirmed, and for this is necessary to demonstrate whether the hormonal hypersecretion is unilateral (patients who could be candidates for surgical treatment) or bilateral (patients who are candidates for pharmacological treatment only). At the Hospital del Mar since 2016 there has been a multidisciplinary work team in which Nephrologists, Endocrinologists, Radiologists and Surgeons participate to evaluate cases with suspected hyperaldosteronism and agree on the best diagnostic-therapeutic approach for these patients, including the need for adrenal vein sampling, which is a technique that in recent years has become the gold standard for the study of PAH. In the present study we collect the experience of our centre in performing AVC and its usefulness for the management of these patients.

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor immune infiltration in breast cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The tumor immune infiltrate has an impact on cancer control and progression, additionally a growing body of evidence has proposed the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in modulating the contexture of the tumor immune infiltrate. Here, we performed a systematic review to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy in the immune infiltration of breast cancer tumors. We systematically searched Pubmed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and BVS databases with a cutoff date of 11/06/2022. Studies in patients with pathological diagnosis of BC, whose first line of treatment was only NAC, were included. Only published experimental studies that measured tumor immune infiltrate before and after NAC by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHQ), or transcriptome were included. Reviews, studies with animal models and in-vitro models were excluded. Studies in which BC was not the primary tumor or studies with patients who received other types of neoadjuvant therapy were also excluded. The NIH quality assessment tool for before and after studies without control was used. We included 32 articles that evaluated the proximal tumor microenvironment before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 2072 patients who received NAC as first line of treatment and who were evaluated for immune infiltrate in the pre- and post-chemotherapy tumor sample. Results were divided into two major categories immune cells and in-situ expression of immune checkpoints and cytokines. Qualitative synthesis was performed with the 32 articles included, and in nine of them a quantitative analysis was achieved, resulting in six meta-analyses. Despite high heterogeneity among the articles regarding treatment received, type of tumor reported, and techniques used to evaluate immune infiltrate, we found a significant decrease of TILs and FoxP3 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO 2021 (Protocol ID: CRD42021243784) on 6/29/2021.

[Sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrants in the municipality of Cali, ColombiaNecessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de migrantes de origem venezuelana no município de Cali (Colômbia)]. / Necesidades en salud sexual y reproductiva en migrantes de origen venezolano en el municipio de Cali (Colombia).

Objective: This study seeks to understand the needs associated with the sexual and reproductive health of migrants of Venezuelan origin settled temporarily or permanently in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with Venezuelan migrants between 15 and 60 years old. Participants were selected using the snowball technique. Information was initially gathered from people identified by migrant organizations, followed by information gathering in areas with high concentrations of migrants of Venezuelan origin. In-depth interviews were held, and thematic content was analyzed. Results: Of the 48 migrants who participated, 70.8% did not have legal migratory status and were living in conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability. The participants had scarce economic resources, a lack of job opportunities, precarious human capital, and varying levels of social capital, coupled with weak social integration that limited their awareness and appropriation of their rights. Immigration status constituted an access barrier to health services and other social services. There was a particular need for information on sexual and reproductive health rights, with increased risk among young people 15 to 29 years old and members of the LGBTIQ+ community, due to their greater vulnerability and exposure to unsafe spaces for self-care, personal hygiene, and privacy, in addition to their greater need for health care, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, psychosocial support for violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, and gender transition processes. Conclusions: The sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrants are determined by their living conditions and migratory experiences.

Objetivo: Compreender as necessidades associadas à saúde sexual e reprodutiva (SSR) dos migrantes de origem venezuelana estabelecidos temporária ou permanentemente em Santiago de Cali, Colômbia. Método: Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo com migrantes de origem venezuelana entre 15 e 60 anos. Os participantes foram selecionados pela técnica de bola de neve. A coleta de informações começou com pessoas encaminhadas por organizações de migrantes e, posteriormente, percorrendo áreas com alta concentração de migrantes de origem venezuelana. Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade e análise de conteúdo temático. Resultados: Participaram 48 migrantes, dos quais 70,8% não tinham sua situação imigratória regularizada e se encontravam em situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. Os participantes tinham poucos recursos econômicos, falta de oportunidades de trabalho, capital humano precário e níveis variáveis de capital social, somados a uma fraca integração social que limitava a efetivação dos direitos dos quais são titulares. O status migratório é uma barreira ao acesso aos serviços de saúde e outros serviços sociais. Destacam-se as necessidades de informação sobre direitos à saúde sexual e reprodutiva, maior risco entre jovens de 15 a 29 anos e na comunidade LGBTIQ+ ­ devido à maior vulnerabilidade e exposição a espaços inseguros para autocuidado, higiene pessoal e privacidade ­, necessidade de cuidados e tratamento de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, apoio psicossocial em casos de violência, consumo de substâncias psicoativas, conflitos familiares e processos de transição de gênero. Conclusões: As necessidades em matéria de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos migrantes de origem venezuelana são determinadas por suas condições de vida e trajetórias migratórias.

Necesidades en salud sexual y reproductiva en migrantes de origen venezolano en el municipio de Cali (Colombia)

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Este estudio busca comprender las necesidades asociadas con la salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR) de migrantes de origen venezolano asentados de forma temporal o permanente en Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Método. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con migrantes de origen venezolano de entre 15 y 60 años. Los par- ticipantes se seleccionaron mediante la técnica de bola de nieve, y la recopilación de la información se inició con personas referenciadas por las organizaciones de personas migrantes y luego con recorridos en zonas de alta concentración de personas migrantes de origen venezolano. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad y análisis de contenido temático. Resultados. Participaron 48 personas migrantes, de las cuales 70,8% no tenía regularizada su condición migratoria y se hallaban en condiciones de vulnerabilidad socioeconómica. Las personas participantes con- taban con pocos recursos económicos, tenían falta de oportunidades de trabajo, precariedad de capital humano y niveles variables de capital social, sumado a una integración social débil que limitaba su apro- piación como titulares de derechos. El estatus migratorio se constituye en una barrera para el acceso a los servicios de salud y otros servicios sociales. Sobresalen las necesidades de información sobre derechos de salud sexual y reproductiva, un mayor riesgo entre jóvenes de 15 y 29 años y en la comunidad LGBTIQ+, debido a la mayor vulnerabilidad y la exposición a espacios inseguros para su autocuidado, aseo personal e intimidad, necesidades de atención y tratamiento de infecciones de transmisión sexual, apoyo psicosocial por violencia, consumo de sustancias psicoactivas, conflictos familiares y procesos de transición de género. Conclusiones. Las necesidades en temas de salud sexual y reproductiva de las personas migrantes de ori- gen venezolano están determinadas por sus condiciones de vida y trayectorias migratorias.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. This study seeks to understand the needs associated with the sexual and reproductive health of migrants of Venezuelan origin settled temporarily or permanently in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted with Venezuelan migrants between 15 and 60 years old. Parti- cipants were selected using the snowball technique. Information was initially gathered from people identified by migrant organizations, followed by information gathering in areas with high concentrations of migrants of Venezuelan origin. In-depth interviews were held, and thematic content was analyzed. Results. Of the 48 migrants who participated, 70.8% did not have legal migratory status and were living in conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability. The participants had scarce economic resources, a lack of job opportunities, precarious human capital, and varying levels of social capital, coupled with weak social inte- gration that limited their awareness and appropriation of their rights. Immigration status constituted an access barrier to health services and other social services. There was a particular need for information on sexual and reproductive health rights, with increased risk among young people 15 to 29 years old and members of the LGBTIQ+ community, due to their greater vulnerability and exposure to unsafe spaces for self-care, personal hygiene, and privacy, in addition to their greater need for health care, treatment of sexually transmitted infec- tions, psychosocial support for violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, and gender transition processes. Conclusions. The sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrants are determined by their living conditions and migratory experiences.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Compreender as necessidades associadas à saúde sexual e reprodutiva (SSR) dos migrantes de origem venezuelana estabelecidos temporária ou permanentemente em Santiago de Cali, Colômbia. Método. Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo com migrantes de origem venezuelana entre 15 e 60 anos. Os participantes foram selecionados pela técnica de bola de neve. A coleta de informações começou com pessoas encaminhadas por organizações de migrantes e, posteriormente, percorrendo áreas com alta con- centração de migrantes de origem venezuelana. Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade e análise de conteúdo temático. Resultados. Participaram 48 migrantes, dos quais 70,8% não tinham sua situação imigratória regularizada e se encontravam em situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. Os participantes tinham poucos recur- sos econômicos, falta de oportunidades de trabalho, capital humano precário e níveis variáveis de capital social, somados a uma fraca integração social que limitava a efetivação dos direitos dos quais são titulares. O status migratório é uma barreira ao acesso aos serviços de saúde e outros serviços sociais. Destacam-se as necessidades de informação sobre direitos à saúde sexual e reprodutiva, maior risco entre jovens de 15 a 29 anos e na comunidade LGBTIQ+ – devido à maior vulnerabilidade e exposição a espaços inseguros para autocuidado, higiene pessoal e privacidade –, necessidade de cuidados e tratamento de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, apoio psicossocial em casos de violência, consumo de substâncias psicoativas, conflitos familiares e processos de transição de gênero. Conclusões. As necessidades em matéria de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos migrantes de origem venezue- lana são determinadas por suas condições de vida e trajetórias migratórias.

Smart Polymer Surfaces with Complex Wrinkled Patterns: Reversible, Non-Planar, Gradient, and Hierarchical Structures.

This review summarizes the relevant developments in preparing wrinkled structures with variable characteristics. These include the formation of smart interfaces with reversible wrinkle formation, the construction of wrinkles in non-planar supports, or, more interestingly, the development of complex hierarchically structured wrinkled patterns. Smart wrinkled surfaces obtained using light-responsive, pH-responsive, temperature-responsive, and electromagnetic-responsive polymers are thoroughly described. These systems control the formation of wrinkles in particular surface positions and the reversible construction of planar-wrinkled surfaces. This know-how of non-planar substrates has been recently extended to other structures, thus forming wrinkled patterns on solid, hollow spheres, cylinders, and cylindrical tubes. Finally, this bibliographic analysis also presents some illustrative examples of the potential of wrinkle formation to create more complex patterns, including gradient structures and hierarchically multiscale-ordered wrinkles. The orientation and the wrinkle characteristics (amplitude and period) can also be modulated according to the requested application.

Deciphering interactions between the marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima and the fungus Aspergillus pseudoglaucus.

The comprehension of microbial interactions is one of the key challenges in marine microbial ecology. This study focused on exploring chemical interactions between the toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima and a filamentous fungal species, Aspergillus pseudoglaucus, which has been isolated from the microalgal culture. Such interspecies interactions are expected to occur even though they were rarely studied. Here, a co-culture system was designed in a dedicated microscale marine-like condition. This system allowed to explore microalgal-fungal physical and metabolic interactions in presence and absence of the bacterial consortium. Microscopic observation showed an unusual physical contact between the fungal mycelium and dinoflagellate cells. To delineate specialized metabolome alterations during microalgal-fungal co-culture metabolomes were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. In-depth multivariate statistical analysis using dedicated approaches highlighted (1) the metabolic alterations associated with microalgal-fungal co-culture, and (2) the impact of associated bacteria in microalgal metabolome response to fungal interaction. Unfortunately, only a very low number of highlighted features were fully characterized. However, an up-regulation of the dinoflagellate toxins okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin 1 was observed during co-culture in supernatants. Such results highlight the importance to consider microalgal-fungal interactions in the study of parameters regulating toxin production.

Necesidades en salud sexual y reproductiva en migrantes de origen venezolano en el municipio de Cali (Colombia) / Sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrants in the municipality of Cali, Colombia / Necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de migrantes de origem venezuelana no município de Cali (Colômbia)

RESUMEN Objetivo. Este estudio busca comprender las necesidades asociadas con la salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR) de migrantes de origen venezolano asentados de forma temporal o permanente en Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Método. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con migrantes de origen venezolano de entre 15 y 60 años. Los participantes se seleccionaron mediante la técnica de bola de nieve, y la recopilación de la información se inició con personas referenciadas por las organizaciones de personas migrantes y luego con recorridos en zonas de alta concentración de personas migrantes de origen venezolano. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad y análisis de contenido temático. Resultados. Participaron 48 personas migrantes, de las cuales 70,8% no tenía regularizada su condición migratoria y se hallaban en condiciones de vulnerabilidad socioeconómica. Las personas participantes contaban con pocos recursos económicos, tenían falta de oportunidades de trabajo, precariedad de capital humano y niveles variables de capital social, sumado a una integración social débil que limitaba su apropiación como titulares de derechos. El estatus migratorio se constituye en una barrera para el acceso a los servicios de salud y otros servicios sociales. Sobresalen las necesidades de información sobre derechos de salud sexual y reproductiva, un mayor riesgo entre jóvenes de 15 y 29 años y en la comunidad LGBTIQ+, debido a la mayor vulnerabilidad y la exposición a espacios inseguros para su autocuidado, aseo personal e intimidad, necesidades de atención y tratamiento de infecciones de transmisión sexual, apoyo psicosocial por violencia, consumo de sustancias psicoactivas, conflictos familiares y procesos de transición de género. Conclusiones. Las necesidades en temas de salud sexual y reproductiva de las personas migrantes de origen venezolano están determinadas por sus condiciones de vida y trayectorias migratorias.

ABSTRACT Objective. This study seeks to understand the needs associated with the sexual and reproductive health of migrants of Venezuelan origin settled temporarily or permanently in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted with Venezuelan migrants between 15 and 60 years old. Participants were selected using the snowball technique. Information was initially gathered from people identified by migrant organizations, followed by information gathering in areas with high concentrations of migrants of Venezuelan origin. In-depth interviews were held, and thematic content was analyzed. Results. Of the 48 migrants who participated, 70.8% did not have legal migratory status and were living in conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability. The participants had scarce economic resources, a lack of job opportunities, precarious human capital, and varying levels of social capital, coupled with weak social integration that limited their awareness and appropriation of their rights. Immigration status constituted an access barrier to health services and other social services. There was a particular need for information on sexual and reproductive health rights, with increased risk among young people 15 to 29 years old and members of the LGBTIQ+ community, due to their greater vulnerability and exposure to unsafe spaces for self-care, personal hygiene, and privacy, in addition to their greater need for health care, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, psychosocial support for violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, and gender transition processes. Conclusions. The sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrants are determined by their living conditions and migratory experiences.

RESUMO Objetivo. Compreender as necessidades associadas à saúde sexual e reprodutiva (SSR) dos migrantes de origem venezuelana estabelecidos temporária ou permanentemente em Santiago de Cali, Colômbia. Método. Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo com migrantes de origem venezuelana entre 15 e 60 anos. Os participantes foram selecionados pela técnica de bola de neve. A coleta de informações começou com pessoas encaminhadas por organizações de migrantes e, posteriormente, percorrendo áreas com alta concentração de migrantes de origem venezuelana. Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade e análise de conteúdo temático. Resultados. Participaram 48 migrantes, dos quais 70,8% não tinham sua situação imigratória regularizada e se encontravam em situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. Os participantes tinham poucos recursos econômicos, falta de oportunidades de trabalho, capital humano precário e níveis variáveis de capital social, somados a uma fraca integração social que limitava a efetivação dos direitos dos quais são titulares. O status migratório é uma barreira ao acesso aos serviços de saúde e outros serviços sociais. Destacam-se as necessidades de informação sobre direitos à saúde sexual e reprodutiva, maior risco entre jovens de 15 a 29 anos e na comunidade LGBTIQ+ - devido à maior vulnerabilidade e exposição a espaços inseguros para autocuidado, higiene pessoal e privacidade -, necessidade de cuidados e tratamento de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, apoio psicossocial em casos de violência, consumo de substâncias psicoativas, conflitos familiares e processos de transição de gênero. Conclusões. As necessidades em matéria de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos migrantes de origem venezuelana são determinadas por suas condições de vida e trajetórias migratórias.

Fabrication and Testing of Multi-Hierarchical Porous Scaffolds Designed for Bone Regeneration via Additive Manufacturing Processes.

Bone implants or replacements are very scarce due to the low donor availability and the high rate of body rejection. For this reason, tissue engineering strategies have been developed as alternative solutions to this problem. This research sought to create a cellular scaffold with an intricate and complex network of interconnected pores and microchannels using salt leaching and additive manufacturing (3D printing) methods that mimic the hierarchical internal structure of the bone. A biocompatible hydrogel film (based on poly-ethylene glycol) was used to cover the surface of different polymeric scaffolds. This thin film was then exposed to various stimuli to spontaneously form wrinkled micropatterns, with the aim of increasing the contact area and the material's biocompatibility. The main innovation of this study was to include these wrinkled micropatterns on the surface of the scaffold by taking advantage of thin polymer film surface instabilities. On the other hand, salt and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles were included in the polymeric matrix to create a modified filament for 3D printing. The printed part was leached to eliminate porogen particles, leaving homogenously distributed pores on the structure. The pores have a mean size of 26.4 ± 9.9 µm, resulting in a global scaffold porosity of ~42% (including pores and microchannels). The presence of nHA particles, which display a homogeneous distribution according to the FE-SEM and EDX results, have a slight influence on the mechanical resistance of the material, but incredibly, despite being a bioactive compound for bone cells, did not show a significant increase in cell viability on the scaffold surface. However, the synergistic effect between the presence of the hydrogel and the pores on the material does produce an increase in cell viability compared to the control sample and the bare PCL material.

Telomere length in bovine sperm is related to the production of reactive oxygen species, but not to reproductive performance.

Over the last decades, selection in cattle has mainly been based on milk production rather than on reproductive efficiency. While, when applied, focus on reproduction has involved females, attention has barely been paid to males and, if so, it has only looked at classical sperm quality parameters. In effect, variables such as telomere length have been missed, despite the fact that longer telomeres have been suggested to be linked to male fertility in humans. For this reason, the present study aimed to determine the length of telomeres in bovine sperm and their relationship with a) sperm quality evaluated through the conventional spermiogram and flow cytometry, and b) bull reproductive performance. For this purpose, 29 bulls were involved in this study. Sperm telomere length was evaluated through quantitative Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (qFISH), and sperm quality was determined at 0 h and 4 h post-thaw. Bull fertility was assessed as non-return to estrus rates after 90 days of artificial insemination. Although the mean telomere length in bovine sperm was 12.06 ± 2.75 kb, the intra-individual variability in length led us to observe three different groups of telomeres in each sperm cell: short telomeres (7.14% ± 5.79% of telomeres; 8.29 ± 2.34 kb), medium telomeres (31.03% ± 12.92% of telomeres; 16.00 ± 2.72 kb) and long telomeres (61.93% ± 18.11% of telomeres; 30.13 ± 11.35 kb). Moreover, whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found to be correlated to sperm telomere length (Rs = -0.492; P= 0.007), no correlation with other sperm quality parameters was found (P > 0.05). Reproductive performance after artificial insemination was not seen to be correlated to sperm telomere length (Rs = 0.123; P= 0.520). In conclusion, this study determined, for the first time, the mean telomere length in bovine sperm and also reported that there is a high variability within each sperm cell. Yet, while telomere length was found to be correlated to ROS generation, it was not related to bull reproductive performance.

Young but not older adults exhibit an expansion of CD45RA+CCR7+CD95+ T follicular helper cells in response to tetanus vaccine.

A subset of CD4+ T cells, known as T follicular helper (Tfh), provides co-stimulating signals required to establish long-term humoral immunity. Recent studies have shown a reduced frequency and functionality of this population in older adults in comparison to young adults, in response to vaccination. To evaluate whether memory generation of circulating Tfh (cTfh) cells contributes to this phenomenon, the memory subpopulations of cTfh, and their activation degree, were evaluated both ex-vivo and in-vitro, in response to the model antigen tetanus toxoid (TT) after the first dose of tetanus vaccine. Here, we report a lower frequency of cTfh after vaccination in older adults compared to young adults. Moreover, whereas cTfh from older adults preferably expanded with an effector memory phenotype, young adults experienced a temporal increase of CCR7+CD45RA+ cTfh cells, which also displayed higher levels of CD95, CD40L, CXCR3, and Bcl-6 upon antigen re-encounter. This phenotype was confirmed using automatized algorithm. In conclusion, our results suggest that an age-related loss of heterogeneity and an expansion of more differentiated memory cells within the cTfh compartment could affect the responsiveness of older individuals to vaccines, making this phenotype a characteristic feature of immunosenescence.

Análisis de desigualdades en salud. Una propuesta cualitativa / Analysis of health inequalities. A qualitative approach / Análise de desigualdades em saúde. Uma proposta qualitativa

Resumen Objetivo: Presentar los resultados de un estudio de las desigualdades sociales a partir de experiencias de manejo y tratamiento de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, y aportar elementos teóricos y metodológicos para analizar las desigualdades sociales en salud. Metodología: Investigación cualitativa, basada en relatos biográficos de personas diagnosticadas hacía más de un año, y con características socioeconómicas y socioculturales diversas. Los casos fueron seleccionados en diferentes centros de salud del municipio de Santiago de Cali (Colombia), procurando tener representación de clase social, género y condición étnico-racial diversas. Resultados: Se identificaron tres ámbitos que, articulados entre sí, configuran las condiciones de desigualdad a lo largo de las trayectorias de vida y en las experiencias de manejo y tratamiento de la diabetes. Estos son: el ámbito de la salud, que incluye el acceso y uso de servicios de salud y la satisfacción de necesidades en salud, el cuidado de la salud y los resultados en salud; el ámbito socioeconómico/cultural, que incluye los espacios sociales, las posiciones sociales, los capitales y los esquemas socioculturales de clasificación-jerarquización social; por último, el ámbito del contexto, que incluye las políticas y las situaciones económicas, sociales y culturales del entorno. Conclusiones: Analizar las desigualdades en salud implica comprender su producción social y no simplemente sus manifestaciones en los cuerpos o el acceso a servicios de salud. Se identificaron cuatro ejes claves de producción de desigualdades: el territorio, la articulación entre educación-trabajo, el género y las diferentes formas de violencia.

Abstract Objective: To present the findings of a study about social inequalities based on experiences of care and treatment of patients affected by type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and to provide theoretical and methodological elements to analyze social inequalities in health. Methodology: Qualitative study based on biographical stories of patients diagnosed for more than one year having different socioeconomic and sociocultural features was carried out. In an attempt to have representation of diverse social classes, genders and ethnic-racial conditions, cases were selected from different healthcare facilities of the Santiago de Cali municipality (Colombia). Results: Three interrelated domains which constitute conditions of inequality throughout life and in experiences of the care and treatment of diabetes were identified. They were health domain, which comprises the access and use of health services and satisfaction of health needs, health care and health results; socioeconomic domain, which includes social spaces, social positions, resources, sociocultural frames of social hierarchy formation; and finally, context domain, which involves policies and economic, social and cultural features of the patient's environment. Conclusions: In order to analyze health inequalities, not only understanding their manifestations in organisms or access to health services is necessary but also the comprehension of their social development. Four key elements for the development of inequalities were identified: the territory, the link between education and employment, gender, and various forms of violence.

Resumo Objetivo: Apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa relacionada com as desigualdades sociais partindo de experiências de manejo e tratamento do Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2, além de contribuir com elementos teóricos e metodológicos para analisar as desigualdades sociais em saúde. Metodologia: Pesquisa qualitativa, baseada em relatos biográficos de pessoas diagnosticadas há mais de um ano e com características socioeconômicas e socioculturais diversas. Os casos foram selecionados em diferentes centros de saúde do município de Santiago de Cali (Colômbia), procurando ter representação de classe social, gênero e condição étnico-racial diversas. Resultados: Foram identificadas três áreas que, combinadas entre si, formam as condições de desigualdade ao longo das experiências de vida e nos cuidados e tratamento do diabetes, que são: 1) Área da saúde, que inclui o acesso e uso de serviços de saúde e a satisfação de necessidades em saúde, o cuidado da saúde e os resultados em saúde; 2) Área social econômica/ cultural, que inclui os espaços sociais, as posições sociais, os capitais e os esquemas socioculturais de classificação-hierarquia social; e finalmente, 3) Área do contexto, que inclui as políticas e as situações econômicas, sociais e culturais do entorno. Conclusões: Analisar as desigualdades em saúde significa compreender sua produção social e não simplesmente suas manifestações nos corpos ou o acesso aos serviços de saúde. Foram identificados quatro campos-chave geradores de desigualdades: o território, a articulação entre educação e trabalho, o gênero e as diferentes formas de violência.

Procesos y capacidades en la Estrategia Alto a la Tuberculosis Valle del Cauca - Colombia / Processes and capacities in the Stop TB Strategy, Valle del Cauca - Colombia

Introducción: Pese a los esfuerzos, las metas de control de la tuberculosis no han sido alcanzadas debido, en gran parte, a problemas de gestión de los programas de tuberculosis. El año 2015 fue un hito en la lucha contra la tuberculosis en Colombia. Objetivo: Evaluar los procesos y las capacidades de la Estrategia Alto a la Tuberculosis en el Valle del Cauca-Colombia para generar conocimiento útil para la toma de decisiones estratégicas y operativas para todos sus actores. Métodos: El estudio se enmarca dentro de lo que se denomina investigación evaluativa. El diseño de la evaluación general fue un abordaje mixto (cualitativo-cuantitativo), y en particular, el componente de procesos y capacidades tuvo un abordaje cualitativo. El periodo de análisis fue 2008-2014 y la información se recolectó en 2015-2016 y se analizó en 2016-2017. Resultados: Se evidenciaron avances en la inclusión de la Estrategia en los planes territoriales e institucionales, así como en el desarrollo de herramientas para el seguimiento, pero bajos niveles de articulación interprogramática e institucionalización de la gestión de medicamentos. Se observó una escasa adaptación de estrategias de prevención, captación, detección y seguimiento de pacientes a las realidades locales, así como bajo grado de articulación entre instituciones y comunidad, de alianzas estratégicas y escasos procesos de gestión del conocimiento. Conclusiones: Se observa un encadenamiento de debilidades que explican un bajo desempeño local y departamental. Cada institución cumple con lo que establece la norma, haciendo lo que puede con lo que tiene, con un bajo enfoque estratégico de abordaje tanto a nivel territorial como institucional(AU)

Introduction: Despite the efforts, the tuberculosis control goals have not been achieved due, in large part, to problems of management of the tuberculosis programs. 2015 was a milestone in the fight against tuberculosis in Colombia. Objective: To evaluate the processes and capacities of the Stop Tuberculosis Strategy in Valle del Cauca, Colombia to generate useful knowledge for making strategic and operational decisions for all stakeholders. Methods: The study is framed within what is called evaluative research. The design of the general evaluation was a mixed approach (qualitative-quantitative), and in particular, the processes and capabilities component had a qualitative approach. The analysis period was 2008-2014 and the information was collected in 2015-2016 and analyzed in 2016-2017. Results: Progress was evident in the inclusion of the Strategy in territorial and institutional plans, as well as in the development of monitoring tools, but low levels of inter-program coordination and institutionalization of drug management. Scant adaptation of strategies was observed for prevention, recruitment, detection and monitoring of patients to local realities, as well as a low degree of articulation of strategic alliances between institutions and the community, and few knowledge management processes. Conclusions: There is a chain of weaknesses that explains poor local and departmental performance. Each institution complies with what is established in the norm, doing what they can with what they have, with a low strategic approach to tactic both at the territorial and institutional level(AU)

Pentadecaibins I-V: 15-Residue Peptaibols Produced by a Marine-Derived Trichoderma sp. of the Harzianum Clade.

In the course of investigations on peptaibol chemodiversity from marine-derived Trichoderma spp., five new 15-residue peptaibols named pentadecaibins I-V (1-5) were isolated from the solid culture of the strain Trichoderma sp. MMS1255 belonging to the T. harzianum species complex. Phylogenetic analyses allowed precise positioning of the strain close to T. lentiforme lineage inside the Harzianum clade. Peptaibol sequences were elucidated on the basis of their MS/MS fragmentation and extensive 2D NMR experiments. Amino acid configurations were determined by Marfey's analyses. The pentadecaibins are based on the sequences Ac-Aib1-Gly2-Ala3-Leu4-Aib/Iva5-Gln6-Aib/Iva7-Val/Leu8-Aib9-Ala10-Aib11-Aib12-Aib13-Gln14-Pheol15. Characteristic of the pentadecaibin sequences is the lack of the Aib-Pro motif commonly present in peptaibols produced by Trichoderma spp. Genome sequencing of Trichoderma sp. MMS1255 allowed the detection of a 15-module NRPS-encoding gene closely associated with pentadecaibin biosynthesis. Pentadecaibins were assessed for their potential antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities.

Human immune response to SARS-CoV-2: What is known? A scoping review / Respuesta inmune humana al SARS-CoV-2: ¿Qué se conoce? Una scoping review

Monitoring literature on the broad spectrum of the human immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is important to understand the mechanisms and progression of COVID-19. The present study undertakes a scoping review of the literature on human immune response to SARS-CoV-2 to determine the characteristics of innate and adaptive responses, as well as biomarkers and cells that play a role in the development of the infection. We searched papers in MEDLINE/PUBMED and EMBASE databases published since December 1st 2019 to to April 9th 2020 from which we selected 56 for this study. We found that the immune response is characterized by high levels of acute phase reactants, neutrophilia, low levels of NKs and eosinophils, lymphopenia, cytokine storm syndrome, exhausted T cells, impaired cytotoxic response, inadequate helper response and production of specific antibodies; concluding that immune dysregulation correlates with disease severity and high mortality.

El seguimiento de la literatura sobre la respuesta inmune humana al SARS-CoV-2 es importante para comprender los mecanismos y la progresión de COVID-19. En el presente estudio se realizó un Scoping Review de la literatura sobre la respuesta inmune humana al SARS-CoV-2 para determinar las características de la respuesta inmune innata y adaptativa, así como biomarcadores y células que juegan un papel en el desarrollo de la infección. Buscamos artículos en las bases de datos MEDLINE / PUBMED y EMBASE publicados desde el 1 de diciembre de 2019 hasta el 9 de abril de 2020, de los cuales seleccionamos 56 publicaciones para este estudio. Encontramos que la respuesta inmune se caracteriza por altos niveles de reactantes de fase aguda, neutrofilia, bajos niveles de NKs y eosinófilos, linfopenia, síndrome de tormenta de citoquinas, linfocitos T agotados, respuesta citotóxica alterada, respuesta T helper inadecuada y producción de anticuerpos específicos. En conclusión, el desequilibrio inmune se correlaciona con la severidad y la mortalidad de la enfermedad.

Synthesis and Antimycobacterial Activity of 2,5-Disubstituted and 1,2,5-Trisubstituted Benzimidazoles.

The appearance of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the dramatic increase in infection rates worldwide evidences the urgency of developing new and effective compounds for treating tuberculosis. Benzimidazoles represent one possible source of new compounds given that antimycobacterial activity has already been documented for some derivatives, such as those bearing electron-withdrawing groups. The aim of this study was to synthesize two series of benzimidazoles, di- and trisubstituted derivatives, and evaluate their antimycobacterial activity. Accordingly, 5a and 5b were synthesized from hydroxymoyl halides 3a and 3b, and nitro-substituted o-phenylenediamine 4. Compound 11 was synthesized from an aromatic nitro compound, 4-chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine 9, mixed with 3-nitrobenzaldehyde 10, and bentonite clay. Although the synthesis of 11 has already been reported, its antimycobacterial activity is herein examined for the first time. 1,2,5-trisubstituted benzimidazoles 7a, 7b, and 12 were obtained from N-alkylation of 5a, 5b, and 11. All benzimidazole derivatives were characterized by FT-IR, NMR, and HR-MS, and then screened for their in vitro antimycobacterial effect against the M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain. The N-alkylated molecules (7a, 7b, and 12) generated very limited in vitro inhibition of mycobacterial growth. The benzimidazoles (5a, 5b, and 11) showed in vitro potency against mycobacteria, reflected in minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 6.25-25 µg/mL. Consequently, only the 2,5-disubstituted benzimidazoles were assessed for biological activity on mouse macrophages infected with M. tuberculosis. A good effect was found for the three compounds. The cytotoxicity assay revealed very low toxicity for all the test compounds against the macrophage cell line. According to the docking study, 2,5-disubstituted benzimidazoles exhibit high affinity for an interdomain cleft that plays a key role in the GTP-dependent polymerization of the filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) protein. The ability of different benzimidazoles to impede FtsZ polymerization is reportedly related to their antimycobacterial activity. On the other hand, the 1,2,5-trisubstituted benzimidazoles docked to the N-terminal of the protein, close to the GTP binding domain, and did not show strong binding energies. Overall, 5a, 5b, and 11 proved to be good candidates for in vivo testing to determine their potential for treating tuberculosis.