"There Is Nothing I Cannot Achieve": Empowering Latin American Women Through Agricultural Education.

Higher education, a key driver of women's empowerment, is still segregated by gender across the world. Agricultural higher education is a field that is male-dominated, even though internationally women play a large role in agricultural production. The purpose of this study was to understand the experience, including challenges and coping strategies, of women from 10 Latin American countries attending an agricultural university in Latin America. The participants were 28 women students with a mean age of 20.9 ± 1.8 years. Following informed consent and assurance of confidentiality, four focus group sessions (one for each year of study with a mean duration of 81 min) were conducted in Spanish. The central question was, "what has been your experience at the university?" Sessions were recorded and transcribed. Thematic coding was performed independently by two teams of researchers (from Latin America and North America), with the resulting schemas combined through mutual discussion. Member checking, auditing, and reflexivity contributed to trustworthiness of the process. Students reported that the personal qualities needed for success included determination, persistence, and self-efficacy. Many described an empowerment process, including increased discipline and self-efficacy from the first to fourth year of study. University life encompassed six themes: university structure and discipline (part of the exosystem), two supportive microsystems (friends and classmates and institutional support) as well as three challenges (academics, peers, and machismo). Cultural influences instantiated in students' daily experiences included familism, machismo, and religious faith. Students anticipated futures involving further education and contributions to society. We conclude that higher education in agriculture can serve as an effective means of empowering women to feed the world.

Caracterización epidemiológica y clínica en menores de 13 años que viven con VIH en Colombia. 2018: un estudio de corte transversal / Epidemiological and clinical characterization in minors under 13 years living with HIV in Colombia. 2018: a crosssectional study

Resumen Objetivo: Describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los niños que viven con el VIH/sida, en Colombia. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de tipo corte transversal analitico, realizado en los menores de 13 años que viven con el VIH /sida y que fueron reportados a un organismo técnico colombiano en el 2018. Se estimó la prevalencia del VIH/sida y se caracterizaron los niños con VIH y niños con sida. Resultados: 655 niños tenían la infección. La prevalencia de VIH/sida fue de 0,05 (IC 95% 0,04 - 0,07) por 1.000 niños. El 50,08% pertenecían al sexo femenino y el 79,85% al régimen subsidiado. La transmisión materno infantil predominó en el 89,16%. El 83,21% usaban tratamiento antirretroviral. El 50,08% se encontraba indetectable. Las principales enfermedades que definieron el sida fueron la neumonía y el síndrome de desgaste. La región de residencia, el último conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ y el diagnóstico temprano de VIH mostraron diferencias estadísticas entre los grupos. Conclusión: La reducción de la transmisión materno infantil del VIH ha sido una meta mundial; sin embargo, fue el principal mecanismo de transmisión en los menores de 13 años en Colombia. Las acciones deben dirigirse a la prevención de la transmisión y al diagnóstico temprano del VIH.

Abstract Objective: To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children living with HIV / AIDS in Colombia. Methods: Retrospective observational study of analytical cross section, carried out in children under 13 years of age living with HIV / AIDS and who were reported to High Cost Diseases Fund in 2018. The prevalence of HIV / AIDS was estimated and children with HIV and children with AIDS were characterized. Results: 655 children had the infection. The HIV / AIDS prevalence was 0.05 (95% CI; 0.04 - 0.07) per 1,000 children. 50.08% were female and 79.85% to the subsidized insurance. Mother-to-child transmission predominated in 89.16%. 83.21% of children used antiretroviral treatment and 50.08% were undetectable. The main diseases that defined AIDS were pneumonia and wasting syndrome. The region of residence, the last CD4 T cells counts and early diagnosis of HIV showed statistical differences between the groups. Conclusion: Reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV has been a global goal; however, it was the main transmission mechanism in the children under 13 in Colombia. Actions should be directed to prevent transmission and early diagnosis of HIV.

Survivor and Caregiver Expectations and Preferences Regarding Lung Cancer Treatment.

PURPOSE: Treatment success in lung cancer is no longer restricted to objective measures of disease-specific outcomes and overall survival alone but now incorporates treatment morbidity and subjective quality of life (QoL). This study reports how lung cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers define treatment success and prioritize treatment decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey with both ranking and free-response questions was administered among lung cancer survivors and caregivers. Responses were used to evaluate treatment priorities, perceptions of treatment success based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status, and troublesomeness of treatment-related toxicities. RESULTS: Among 61 respondents (29 lung cancer survivors, 28 caregivers of survivors, and 4 who were both survivors and caregivers), cancer cure was the highest priority when making treatment decisions for 74.5% of respondents, with QoL during and after treatment ranking second and third. Seventy percent of respondents felt that treatment morbidity resulting in complete dependence on others and spending the entire day confined to bed or chair would represent unsuccessful treatment. Requiring oxygen use was ranked as a very or extremely troublesome treatment toxicity by 64%, followed by shortness of breath (62%), fatigue (49%), chronic cough (34%), and appetite loss (30%). Even with remission, a 3- to 7-day hospital admission for pneumonia during treatment was deemed an unsuccessful outcome by 30%. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of physicians discussing in detail with their lung cancer patients their desires and goals. Accounting for factors like expected performance status following treatment, troublesomeness of treatment toxicities, and hospitalization rates may help guide treatment decisions.

Scar and induction of follicles: an association worthy of greater awareness.

Alterations in the dermal connective tissue can sometimes induce epidermal changes with adnexal differentiation. Typically associated with dermatofibromas, such changes can also be seen in a wide range of reactive and neoplastic conditions. Scar is sometimes listed as an underlying cause of follicular induction, but this association seems to be poorly recognized and not widely discussed in the literature. In this article, the authors illustrate the spectrum of follicular induction, which may be associated with a dermal scar emphasizing on patterns, which can be mistaken for a basal cell carcinoma.

Rotura uterina espontánea durante el segundo trimestre asociado a placenta pércreta. Caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Spontaneous uterine rupture in the second trimester associated with placenta percreta: Case report and literature review

Caso de rotura uterina por placenta pércreta confirmado histológicamente a las 20 semanas de gestación y revisión bibliográfica de casos clínicos publicados de menos de 28 semanas (AU)

We report a case of histologically-confirmed uterine rupture due to placenta percreta at 20 weeks of gestation. We provide a review of case reports of this event occurring at less than 28 weeks of pregnancy (AU)

Efficacy of pneumococcal nontypable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) in young Latin American children: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between pneumococcal conjugate vaccine-induced antibody responses and protection against community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute otitis media (AOM) is unclear. This study assessed the impact of the ten-valent pneumococcal nontypable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) on these end points. The primary objective was to demonstrate vaccine efficacy (VE) in a per-protocol analysis against likely bacterial CAP (B-CAP: radiologically confirmed CAP with alveolar consolidation/pleural effusion on chest X-ray, or non-alveolar infiltrates and C-reactive protein ≥ 40 µg/ml); other protocol-specified outcomes were also assessed. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This phase III double-blind randomized controlled study was conducted between 28 June 2007 and 28 July 2011 in Argentine, Panamanian, and Colombian populations with good access to health care. Approximately 24,000 infants received PHiD-CV or hepatitis control vaccine (hepatitis B for primary vaccination, hepatitis A at booster) at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 mo of age. Interim analysis of the primary end point was planned when 535 first B-CAP episodes, occurring ≥2 wk after dose 3, were identified in the per-protocol cohort. After a mean follow-up of 23 mo (PHiD-CV, n = 10,295; control, n = 10,201), per-protocol VE was 22.0% (95% CI: 7.7, 34.2; one-sided p = 0.002) against B-CAP (conclusive for primary objective) and 25.7% (95% CI: 8.4%, 39.6%) against World Health Organization-defined consolidated CAP. Intent-to-treat VE was 18.2% (95% CI: 5.5%, 29.1%) against B-CAP and 23.4% (95% CI: 8.8%, 35.7%) against consolidated CAP. End-of-study per-protocol analyses were performed after a mean follow-up of 28-30 mo for CAP and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) (PHiD-CV, n = 10,211; control, n = 10,140) and AOM (n = 3,010 and 2,979, respectively). Per-protocol VE was 16.1% (95% CI: -1.1%, 30.4%; one-sided p = 0.032) against clinically confirmed AOM, 67.1% (95% CI: 17.0%, 86.9%) against vaccine serotype clinically confirmed AOM, 100% (95% CI: 74.3%, 100%) against vaccine serotype IPD, and 65.0% (95% CI: 11.1%, 86.2%) against any IPD. Results were consistent between intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. Serious adverse events were reported for 21.5% (95% CI: 20.7%, 22.2%) and 22.6% (95% CI: 21.9%, 23.4%) of PHiD-CV and control recipients, respectively. There were 19 deaths (n = 11,798; 0.16%) in the PHiD-CV group and 26 deaths (n = 11,799; 0.22%) in the control group. A significant study limitation was the lower than expected number of captured AOM cases. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy was demonstrated against a broad range of pneumococcal diseases commonly encountered in young children in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00466947.

Neumonitis intersticial linfoidea en niños infectados por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana-1 en zona de alta prevalencia de tuberculosis pulmonar / Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis in children infected with type 1 human immunodefi ciency virus from areas with high pulmonary tuberculosis prevalence

Antecedentes : Poco se sabe sobre la neumonitis intersticial linfoidea (NIL) en niños con infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana-1 (VIH-1) Objetivos: Describir las características clínicas y patológicas de NIL en niños infectados por VIH-1 en un centro de referencia para VIH pediátrico en Cali (Colombia). Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una descripción de serie de casos de NIL basados en revisión retrospectiva de historias clínicas de todos los casos de niños con enfermedad pulmonar crónica y LIP confirmada por biopsia entre los años 2001 y 2012. Resultados y conclusiones: Diez de 12 casos con NIL fueron confirmados por biopsia pulmonar. Se observó una respuesta clínica y de función respiratoria luego del tratamiento con prednisona, excepto en un caso que presentó tos persistente. No se encontraron casos de tuberculosis pulmonar (TP) en nuestra serie y el papel de la biopsia pulmonar fue crítico para alcanzar un diagnóstico preciso.

Background: Little is known about Lymphoid Interstitial Pneumonitis (LIP) in children with HIV infection. Aims: To describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of LIP in infected children in a referral center for pediatric HIV in Cali (Colombia). Methods: Case series based on retrospective analysis of clinical charts among HIV-infected children with chronic lung disease and lung-biopsy proven LIP between the years 2001 and 2012. Results and conclusions: 10 of 12 cases of LIP were confirmed by lung biopsy. Significant clinical and respiratory functional improvement was obtained in all cases after prednisone therapy, excepting one child who presented persistent cough. No case of pulmonary TB was detected in our cohort. Lung biopsy was critical to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Combined administration of MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 prepandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines: long-term antibody persistence and robust booster responses 1 year after a one-dose priming schedule.

Having previously demonstrated the feasibility of administering A/H5N1 and seasonal influenza vaccine antigens in an MF59-adjuvanted tetravalent formulation, we now report on long-term antibody persistence and responses to a booster dose of a combined seasonal-pandemic, tetravalent influenza vaccine in adults. The primary objective was the evaluation of responses to a booster dose of tetravalent influenza vaccine containing seasonal (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B) and avian (A/H5N1, clade 2) influenza virus strains administered to 265 healthy 18- to 40-year-old volunteers 1 year after priming with one or two clade 1 A/H5N1 doses. Secondary objectives were assessment of reactogenicity, safety, and antibody persistence 1 year after priming with a combined seasonal-pandemic, tetravalent vaccine. Responses to seasonal strains met all European licensure criteria; seroprotection rates were 94 to 100%, 100%, and 61 to 90% for A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B strains, respectively. Anamnestic responses were observed against homologous and heterologous A/H5N1 strains whether priming with one or two A/H5N1 doses, with a monovalent A/H5N1 vaccine, or with a tetravalent vaccine. A single dose of MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 vaccine given alone or as part of a fixed combination with a seasonal influenza vaccine was sufficient to prime adult subjects, resulting in robust antigen-specific and cross-reactive antibody responses to heterologous booster immunization 1 year later. These data support the feasibility of incorporating prepandemic priming into seasonal influenza vaccination programs. (This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov under registration no. NCT00481065.).

Keratin-based antimicrobial textiles, films, and nanofibers.

The combination of appealing structural properties, biocompatibility, and the availability of renewable and inexpensive raw materials, make keratin-based materials attractive for a variety of applications. In this paper, we report on the antimicrobial functionalization of keratin-based materials, including wool cloth and regenerated cellulose/keratin composite films and nanofibers. The functionalization of these materials was accomplished utilizing a facile chlorination reaction that converts the nitrogen-bearing moieties of keratin into halamine compounds. Halamine-charged wool cloth exhibited rapid and potent bactericidal activity against several species of bacteria and induced up to a 5.3 log (i.e., 99.9995%) reduction in the colony forming units of Bacillus thuringiensis spores within 10 min. Keratin-containing composites were prepared by the spin coating and coaxial electrospinning of extracted/oxidized alpha-keratin and cellulose acetate (CA) solubilized in formic acid, followed by CA deacetylation. Regenerated cellulose/keratin materials chlorinated to display halamines were also effective in killing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Electrospun core/shell nanofibers engineered to maximize keratin-Cl surface area displayed higher activity against S. aureus than films composed of the same materials. The halamine-based antimicrobial functionalization methods demonstrated for keratin-based materials in this paper are anticipated to translate to other protein biopolymers of interest to the biomaterials community.

Combined, concurrent, and sequential administration of seasonal influenza and MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 vaccines: a phase II randomized, controlled trial of immunogenicity and safety in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a phase II randomized, controlled, open-label, single-center study (Centros de Estudios de Infectología Pediátrica, Colombia) to examine the feasibility of combined administration of seasonal and MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 influenza vaccines using extemporaneous mixing or simultaneous administration. METHODS: The primary objective of the study was to assess the immunogenicity of seasonal influenza and A/H5N1 vaccines using European licensure criteria (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use [CHMP]); the secondary objective was to assess vaccine reactogenicity and safety. RESULTS: In 401 healthy 18-40-year-old subjects, both vaccines were immunogenic in all settings; the vaccine for seasonal influenza met all CHMP criteria, unaffected by coadministration of A/H5N1 vaccine in separate or mixed injections. Likewise, the immunogenicity of A/H5N1 vaccine was unaffected by seasonal influenza vaccination, with hemagglutination inhibition seroprotection rates of 28%-40% after 1 dose and 67%-80% after 2 doses, sufficient to meet CHMP criteria. Solicited local and systemic adverse events were mainly mild to moderate. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that seasonal and MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 influenza vaccines can be given as a mixed injection or by simultaneous separate injections without affecting immunogenicity or safety, supporting the feasibility of incorporating prepandemic MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 vaccines into seasonal influenza vaccination programs and the development of tetravalent influenza vaccines, including pandemic strains. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00481065.

Seroprevalencia del virus de la hepatitis A en niños de 1 a 15 años en un hospital universitario / Seroprevalence of the hepatitis A virus in children from 1 to 15 years old in a university hospital

Introducción. La hepatitis A es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa causada por un virus ARN no encapsulado de la familia Picornaviridae y del género Hepatovirus, que se trasmite por vía fecal-oral, bien sea de persona a persona o en epidemias originadas por una fuente común. Objetivo. Se estimo la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos de tipo IgG contra el virus de la hepatitis A en niños de 1 a 15 años, atendidos en un hospital universitario, como parte de un estudio cooperativo nacional. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo, entre junio y noviembre de 2007. Los niveles de anticuerpos se detectaron mediante un inmunoensayo enzimático de micropartículas. A cada participante del estudio se le hizo una encuesta de riesgo con las variables objeto del estudio. Resultados. Se estudiaron 422 niños. La prevalencia global de anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis A fue de 29,1%: 37,1% en el grupo de 5 a 9 años, 36,1%, en el de 10 a 15 y 13,8%, en el de 1 a 4 años. La mayor proporción de prevalencia de anticuerpos se encontró en los niños de estrato socioeconómico más bajo: 44,2% para el estrato 1 y 27,9% para el estrato 2. Discusión. En este estudio se encontró una seroprevalencia de anticuerpos para hepatitis A más baja en menores de 5 años, lo que puede indicar una transición del patrón epidemiológico hacia un nivel intermedio. La prevalencia fue mayor en los niños de estratos socioeconómicos bajos, lo que puede estar en relación con el hacinamiento y las malas prácticas de higiene.

Introduction: Hepatitis A is an infectious disease caused by a non-encapsulated RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family, classified as Hepatovirus. It is transmitted by a fecal-oral route, either from person to person or in common source epidemics. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against the hepatitis A virus in children aged 1-15 years, treated in a university hospital as part of a national collaborative study. Methods: A descriptive study was performed between June and November 2007. The antibody titers were detected by means of a Microparticle Capture Enzyme Immunoassay. A survey to identify risk factors was conducted for each participant, with additional variables under study. Results: We studied 422 children. The overall prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A was 29.1%, with 37.1% in the group of 5 to 9 years of age, 36.1% for 10 to 15, and 13.8% for 1 to 4. The highest proportion of antibody prevalence was found in children of the lowest socioeconomic status, 44.2% for the stratum 1 and 27.9% for the stratum 2. Conclusion: The seroprevalence to hepatitis A virus was lower in children with less than five years of age, which is an indication of a transition of the epidemiological profile to an intermediate one. The prevalence was higher in children of low socioeconomic levels, which may be related to overcrowding and poor hygiene practices.

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae as primary causes of acute otitis media in colombian children: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most frequently encountered bacterial infections in children aged < 5 years; Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) are historically identified as primary AOM causes. Nevertheless, recent data on bacterial pathogens causing AOM in Latin America are limited. This prospective study aimed to identify and characterize bacterial etiology and serotypes of AOM cases including antimicrobial susceptibility in < 5 year old Colombian children. METHODS: From February 2008 to January 2009, children ≥3 months and < 5 years of age presenting with AOM and for whom a middle ear fluid (MEF) sample was available were enrolled in two medical centers in Cali, Colombia. MEF samples were collected either by tympanocentesis procedure or spontaneous otorrhea swab sampling. Bacteria were identified using standard laboratory methods, and antimicrobial resistance testing was performed based on the 2009 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. Most of the cases included in the study were sporadic in nature. RESULTS: Of the 106 enrolled children, 99 were included in the analysis. Bacteria were cultured from 62/99 (63%) of samples with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, or S. pyogenes. The most commonly isolated bacteria were H. influenzae in 31/99 (31%) and S. pneumoniae in 30/99 (30%) of samples. The majority of H. influenzae episodes were NTHi (27/31; 87%). 19F was the most frequently isolated pneumococcal serotype (10/30; 33%). Of the 30 S. pneumoniae positive samples, 8/30 (27%) were resistant to tetracycline, 5/30 (17%) to erythromycin and 8/30 (27%) had intermediate resistance to penicillin. All H. influenzae isolates tested were negative to beta-lactamase. CONCLUSIONS: NTHi and S. pneumoniae are the leading causes of AOM in Colombian children. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that prevents both pathogens could be useful in maximizing protection against AOM.

Alteraciones metabólicas con terapia antirretroviral altamente efectiva en niños positivos para VIH, Cali, Colombia / Metabolic alterations with anti-retroviral highly effective therapy in positive children for VIH, Cali, Colombia

Objetivos: describir las alteraciones metabólicas en niños con diagnóstico de VIH y en tratamiento con terapia antirretroviral altamente efectiva (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, HAART). Métodos: se realizó una primera fase descriptiva de los valores de lípidos y glucemia en una cohorte de niños positivos para VIH. De una clínica pediátrica se reclutaron, entre junio de 2003 y junio de 2005, niños mayores de un mes y menores de 16 años en terapia HAART. Estos resultados se compararon con valores de la población. En una segunda fase, se estudió la densidad ósea en estos niños, utilizando DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) y antropometría, y se comparó la de controles sanos. Resultados: se incluyeron 38 niños positivos para VIH. En 59,5% de los niños se clasificaron con displidemia. Al compararlo con la población de referencia, el grupo positivo para VIH presentó una prevalencia mayor de hipertrigliceridemia y HDLc (highdensity lipoprotein) anormalmente bajo. Tomando en cuenta la variación por edad, los valores de colesterol total y LDLc (lowdensity lipoprotein), mostraron un aumento en el grupo que recibía inhibidores de proteasa (IP) contra el que no. La diferencia del puntaje Z de BMD (bone mineral density) entre los grupos fue de 0,56 (IC95%: 0,1- 1,0), teniendo un menor puntaje Z el grupo positivo para VIH. El puntaje Z de la densidad de masa ósea mostró un declive con el tiempo de exposición, que no fue evidente en el grupo control. Conclusiones: encontramos alteraciones en los lípidos similares a las descritas en el adulto seropositivo. En el grupo con IP se encontraron alteraciones del colesterol que cambiaban según la edad. Se encontró una pérdida de la densidad ósea, progresiva con el tiempo de exposición e independiente de la edad. Consideramos que esta relación podría ser de origen multifactorial, incluyendo los efectos de la infección y del tratamiento.

Objectives: our goal is to describe metabolic alterations in children with HIV and under highly effective anti-retroviral treatment (HAART). Methodology: a first descriptive phase of lipid levels and glucemia was carried out in a cohort of HIV positive children. In a paediatric hospital, children >1 month and <16 years old under HAART were recruited from June, 2003 to June, 2005. The results were compared to population values. During the second phase, bone density was studied in these children using DEXA and anthropometric values and compared to healthy control subjects. Results: thirty eight positive children were included. 59.5% of the children were classified as having dyslipidemia. Upon comparison to the reference population, the HIV(+) group showed larger hypertrigliceridemia prevalence and abnormally low cHDL. Taking into account age variations, total colesterol values and cLDL showed increase in the group that received PI against those that did not. The difference of the BMD Z-Score among the groups was 0,56 (CI95%: 0.1, 1.0), the HIV(+) group having a smaller Z-Score. The bone mass density Z-Score showed a decline according exposition time, which was not evident in the control group. Conclusions: alterations in lipids similar to those described in the seropositive adult were found. The group with PI showed cholesterol alterations that changed according to age. Progressive bone density loss according to exposition time was found regardless of age. It is considered that this relationship could have multifactorial origin, including infection and treatment effects.