Título del artículo:

Enhancing Selectivity and Inhibitory Effects of Chemotherapy Drugs Against Myelogenous Leukemia Cells with Lippia alba Essential Oil Enriched in Citral

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is one of the most lethal cancers, lacking a definitive curative therapy due to essential constraints related to the toxicity and efficacy of conventional treatments. This study explores the co-adjuvant potential of Lippia alba essential oils (EO) for enhancing the effectiveness and selectivity of two chemotherapy agents (cytarabine and clofarabine) against AML cells. EO derived from L. alba citral chemotype were produced using optimized and standardized environmental and extraction protocols. Rational fractionation techniques were employed to yield bioactive terpene-enriched fractions, guided by relative chemical composition and cytotoxic analysis. Pharmacological interactions were established between these fractions and cytarabine and clofarabine. The study comprehensively evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, oxidative stress, and cell death phenotypes induced by therapies across AML (DA-3ER/GM/EVI1+) cells. The fraction rich in citral (F2) exhibited synergistic pharmacological interactions with the studied chemotherapies, intensifying their selective cytotoxic, genotoxic, and pro-oxidant effects. This shift favored transitioning from necrosis to a programmed cell death phenotype (apoptotic). The F2-clofarabine combination demonstrated remarkable synergistic anti-leukemic performance while preserving cell integrity in healthy cells. The observed selective antiproliferative effects may be attributed to the potential dual prooxidant/antioxidant behavior of citral in L. alba EO.

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International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Título del artículo:

Comprehensive Analysis of Kisspeptin Signaling: Effects on Cellular Dynamics in Cervical Cancer

Kisspeptin, a key neuropeptide derived from the KISS1R gene, is renowned for its critical role in regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and reproductive hormone secretion. Beyond its primary function in reproductive biology, emerging research has illuminated its influence in various cancers, mediating significant effects through its interaction with the G protein-coupled receptor, kisspeptin receptor. This interaction has been implicated in modulating cellular processes such as proliferation and metastasis, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Our study initially screened ten kisspeptin-10 analogs through cytotoxic effects of kisspeptin-10 (KP10) and its analogs in several cancer types, including cervical, prostate, breast, and gastric cancers, with a particular focus on cervical cancer, where the most profound effects were observed. Further exploration using kinase array assays revealed that these analogs specifically alter key kinases involved in cancer progression. Migration assays demonstrated a substantial decrease in cell motility, and Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer assays confirmed these analogs’ strong interactions with the kisspeptin receptor. Overall, our results indicate that these KP10 analogs not only hinder cervical cancer cell proliferation but also curtail migration through targeted modulation of kinase signaling, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents in managing cervical cancer progression. This comprehensive approach underscores the therapeutic promise of exploiting kisspeptin signaling in cancer treatment strategies.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Biomolecules

Título del artículo:

Microstructure and First Hydrogenation Properties of Individual Phases in TiFe + 12 wt.% ZrV2 Alloy

This study investigates the microstructure and first hydrogenation properties of Fe52Ti40Zr3V5 and Fe37Ti44Zr9V10 alloys, which are individual phases present in the as-cast TiFe + 12 wt.% ZrV2 alloy (parent alloy). The parent alloy exhibited fast first hydrogenation kinetics due to the interplay of these two phases. Our objective is to study the hydrogen storage behavior of these individual phases. The samples were synthesized by arc melting and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that when these alloys are melted separately, they do not exhibit the same phase composition as in the parent alloy, indicating a metastable state under our synthesis conditions, which significantly impacts their hydrogen storage behavior. Hydrogenation capacity was measured using a homemade Sieverts apparatus. Both alloys demonstrated excellent first hydrogenation kinetics, with an absorption capacity of 0.9 wt.% for the Fe52Ti40Zr3V5 alloy and 2.3 wt.% for Fe37Ti44Zr9V10 alloy. Our key finding is that the final crystal structure of multi-element alloys is highly dependent on the synthesis method.

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ChemEngineering

Título del artículo:

Tracing the Scientific Legacy: Bibliometric Analysis of LATAM Research in Bariatric Surgery for 33 Years

Introduction: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has experienced considerable growth, addressing the challenges of obesity and its complications. The lack of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in Latin America motivates this study, highlighting the need to understand the evolution of research in this area and its impact on clinical decision-making and health policies. Methodology: A cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out using the Scopus database. A structured search strategy was designed to identify articles related to bariatric surgery with authors affiliated with Latin American countries. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, followed by a descriptive and bibliometric analysis of the scientific production found. Results: A total of 3553 documents published between 1991 and 2024 were included. There was an annual growth of 11%, with an average age of documents of 7.5 years. A concentration was observed in some countries, notably Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Although scientific output increased, the average number of citations per article showed a downward trend since 2003. Discussion: Despite the growth in scientific production, the quality and relevance of research is questioned, especially given the decrease in the impact received. It highlights the lack of meaningful regional collaboration, which could limit the sharing of knowledge and resources. Questions are raised about gaps in research capacity and the economic and development implications are discussed. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information to strengthen future research in bariatric surgery in Latin America. It highlights the importance of promoting regional and international collaboration and improving research training in countries with less participation. Clinical intervention strategies can benefit from better understanding research trends and adopting evidence-based practices in a more informed manner. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

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Obesity Surgery

Título del artículo:

Complications and adverse events in lymphadenectomy of the inguinal area: worldwide expert consensus

Background: Inguinal lymph node dissection plays an important role in the management of melanoma, penile and vulval cancer. Inguinal lymph node dissection is associated with various intraoperative and postoperative complications with significant heterogeneity in classification and reporting. This lack of standardization challenges efforts to study and report inguinal lymph node dissection outcomes. The aim of this study was to devise a system to standardize the classification and reporting of inguinal lymph node dissection perioperative complications by creating a worldwide collaborative, the complications and adverse events in lymphadenectomy of the inguinal area (CALI) group. Methods: A modified 3-round Delphi consensus approach surveyed a worldwide group of experts in inguinal lymph node dissection for melanoma, penile and vulval cancer. The group of experts included general surgeons, urologists and oncologists (gynaecological and surgical). The survey assessed expert agreement on inguinal lymph node dissection perioperative complications. Panel interrater agreement and consistency were assessed as the overall percentage agreement and Cronbach’s α. Results: Forty-seven experienced consultants were enrolled: 26 (55.3%) urologists, 11 (23.4%) surgical oncologists, 6 (12.8%) general surgeons and 4 (8.5%) gynaecology oncologists. Based on their expertise, 31 (66%), 10 (21.3%) and 22 (46.8%) of the participants treat penile cancer, vulval cancer and melanoma using inguinal lymph node dissection respectively; 89.4% (42 of 47) agreed with the definitions and inclusion as part of the inguinal lymph node dissection intraoperative complication group, while 93.6% (44 of 47) agreed that postoperative complications should be subclassified into five macrocategories. Unanimous agreement (100%, 37 of 37) was achieved with the final standardized classification system for reporting inguinal lymph node dissection complications in melanoma, vulval cancer and penile cancer. Conclusion: The complications and adverse events in lymphadenectomy of the inguinal area classification system has been developed as a tool to standardize the assessment and reporting of complications during inguinal lymph node dissection for the treatment of melanoma, vulval and penile cancer.

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BJS Open

Título del artículo:

Efficacy of Afoxolaner (NexGard®) in the treatment of furuncular myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis fly (Diptera: Cuterebridae) in naturally infested dogs

Furuncular myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis is the second most common skin diseases in dogs that live in tropical climates in Central and South America, causing discomfort and injuring in the connective tissue of the affected dog. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Afoxolaner (Nexgard®) in the treatment of canine furuncular myiasis. Twenty-five dogs naturally infested with D. hominis were selected and received a single oral dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight of Afoxolaner (NexGard®). Larval infestations were classified as light (< 2 larvae), moderate (2 to 5 larvae) and severe (> 5 larvae), according to the number of larvae found in the wound. Twenty-four hours post-treatment, infested lesions were inspected, and all larvae were mechanically removed from the lesion site. All removed larvae were identified as D. hominis larvae and were found dead within 24 h after treatment, demonstrating 100% larvicidal efficacy of Afoxolaner against D. hominis larvae.

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Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports

Título del artículo:

Deep-seated crustal faults and their role in the thermo-tectonic evolution of an active mountain belt: New evidence from the Northern Andes

Deep-seated structures can exhume deep crustal rocks (>20 km), transmitting the signal of geodynamic processes from the subduction zone to the interiors of the continents. The role of deep-seated structures can be analyzed with low-temperature thermochronological dating techniques. However, studies coupling low-temperature thermochronology with structural geological analyses of the deformational style are not common in the Northern Andes. In this contribution, we present new apatite (AFT) and zircon (ZFT) fission-track data coupled with meso- and microstructural analyses to reveal the deformational and exhumation history of the Santander Massif (SM; Northern Andes) and the related cortical Bucaramanga strike-slip fault (BF). Samples for thermochronological analyses were collected along an elevation profile with a significant elevation difference of 2.4 km across the western flank of the SM, crossing the BF. The time-temperature history modeling of ZFT data reveals phases of prolonged residence in the zircon partial annealing zone from ∼125 to 94 Ma and a cooling phase related to an exhumation episode at around 25 Ma based on samples collected near the BF. Inverse modeling of AFT data reveals structurally-controlled Pliocene exhumation rates of 0.6–0.7 km/Myr mediated by the action of secondary faults. A shift in the deformation style resulting from the oblique interaction of the SM and Mérida Andes domain is interpreted as the main driver of the Pliocene exhumation. This deformation phase is observed in the fault damage zone, where evidence of brittle-ductile deformation was exhumed. Finally, we discuss the geodynamic implications of our thermochronological and structural analyses, contrasting local and more regional competing hypotheses (Pamplona Indenter vs. slab break-off of the Caribbean plate), which may explain the tectonic evolution of the northern part of the Eastern Cordillera and the SM in the Colombian Northern Andes.

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Journal of Structural Geology

Título del artículo:

Single-pill combination for treatment of hypertension: Just a matter of practicality or is there a real clinical benefit?

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the largest contributor to the incident cardiovascular disease worldwide. Despite explicit guideline recommendations for the diagnosis and management of hypertension, a large proportion of patients remain undiagnosed, untreated, or treated but uncontrolled. Inadequate BP control is associated with many complex factors including patient preference, physician\'s inertia, health systems disparities, and poor adherence to prescribed antihypertensive drug treatment. The primary driver for reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is lowering of BP ‘‘per se’’ and not class effects of specific pharmacotherapies. The recent ESH guidelines recommend the use of four major classes of drugs including renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAS) blockers (angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)), calcium channel blockers (CCB), thiazide and thiazide‐like diuretics, and betablockers. Initiation of treatment for hypertension with a two-drug regimen, preferably in a single pill combination (SPC), is recommended for most patients. Preferred combinations should comprise a RAS blocker (either an ACEi or an ARB) with a CCB or thiazide/thiazide-like diuretic. These strategies are supported by robust evidence that combination therapy produces greater BP reductions than monotherapy, reduces side effects of the individual components, improves therapeutic adherence and long-term persistence on treatment, and permits achievement of earlier BP control.

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European Journal of Internal Medicine

Título del artículo:

SARS-CoV-2 Mu variant in dogs visiting veterinary clinics during the third pandemic peak in Eastern Colombia

The global presence of SARS-CoV-2 in household pets is acknowledged, yet documentation remains scarce, leaving many regions unexplored. Thus, our study sought to fill this gap by investigating SARS-CoV-2 presence in dogs visiting veterinary clinics during the third pandemic peak in eastern Colombia. We collected and analyzed 43 oropharyngeal and rectal swabs using real-time PCR assays targeting the Envelope Gene of SARS-CoV-2. Out of these, two dogs tested positive, indicating an infection rate of 4.7%. Further examination through complete sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed the lineage B.1.621 for the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Consequently, our study unveils the first documented cases of Canis lupus familiaris infected with the Mu variant of SARS‐CoV‐2, the variant with the most death burden during the whole pandemic in Colombia. Remarkably, these cases presented mild and reversible respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, or no clinical manifestations at all. This sheds light on the virus\'s interaction with our four-legged companions, offering valuable insights into its transmission dynamics and potential effects on animal health.

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Veterinary Research Communications

Título del artículo:

Biochar production from palm kernel shell, coffee husk and bovine rumen content via pyrolysis and its use in the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution

Introduction: The large amount of residual biomass derived from agricultural activity is an ongoing environmental issue that requires efficient strategies to transform these biowastes into value-added products within the framework of responsible production and consumption. Objective: In this study, biochar was produced by pyrolysis of a mixture of palm kernel shell (40%), coffee husk (40%), and bovine rumen content (20%) to evaluate its capacity to remove methylene blue from aqueous solution. Materials and Methods: The pyrolysis was carried out at a temperature of 750°C, with a heating rate of 15°C/min, for 2 h. The pyrolysis product, namely biochar FT-750, was characterized in terms of its elemental composition, ash content, and surface area. The biochar FT-750 was evaluated as adsorbent of methylene blue from aqueous solution (250 mg/L) at different pH values (2-10). Results and Discussion: The FT-750 biochar had a carbon content of 73.6%, an ash content of 16.1%, and a surface area of 0.88 m2/g. With these characteristics, a methylene blue removal of 37% (53.9 mg/g) was achieved at pH 10. The results from the adsorption process were correlated with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Fre-undlich isotherm. Conclusions: Pyrolysis is an effective strategy for the transformation of palm kernel shell, coffee husk, and bovine rumen content into a value-added biochar useful for the removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions.

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Innovaciencia

Título del artículo:

Performance of the First-Trimester Cervical Consistency Index to Predict Preterm Birth

Background/Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB) remains a significant global health challenge. Previous attempts to predict preterm birth in the first trimester using cervical length have been contradictory. The cervical consistency index (CCI) was introduced to quantify early cervical changes and has shown promise across various clinical scenarios in the mid-trimester, though testing in the first trimester is lacking. This study aims to assess the cervical consistency index performance in predicting preterm birth during the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, focused exclusively on research, women with singleton pregnancies, both with and without a history of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), were included. The primary outcome was sPTB before 37 weeks, with a secondary outcome of sPTB before 34 weeks. CCI measurements were taken between 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the optimal cut-off and for the 5th, 10th, and 15th percentile. Intraobserver and interobserver agreements were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Among the 667 patients analyzed, the rates of sPTB before 37 and 34 weeks were 9.2% (61/667) and 1.8% (12/667), respectively. The detection rates (DRs) for CCI predicting PTB before 37 and 34 weeks were 19.7% (12/61) and 33.3% (4/12). Negative predictive values were 91.8% (546/595) and 98.7% (588/596), while the areas under the curve (AUC) for sPTB before 37 and 34 weeks were 0.62 (95% CI: 0.54–0.69) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71–0.89), respectively. Of the 61 patients with preterm birth, 13 (21.3%) had a preterm birth history; in this group, the CCI percentile 10th identified 39% (5/13). Intraobserver ICC was 0.862 (95% CI: 0.769–0.920), and interobserver ICC was 0.833 (95% CI: 0.722–0.902). Conclusions: This study suggests that utilizing CCI in the first trimester of pregnancy could serve as a valuable tool for predicting preterm birth before 34 weeks of gestation, demonstrating robust intraobserver and interobserver reliability.

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Journal of Clinical Medicine

Título del artículo:

Association between bacterial community and cadmium distribution across Colombian cacao crops

Assessing the bacterial community composition across cacao crops is important to understand its potential role as a modulator of cadmium (Cd) translocation to plant tissues under fieldconditions; Cd mobility between soil and plants is a complex and multifactorial problem that cannot be captured only by experimentation. Although microbes have been shown to metabolize and drive the speciation of Cd under controlled conditions, regardless of the link between soil bacterial community (SBC) dynamics and Cd mobilization in the rhizosphere, only a few studies have addressed the relationship between soil bacterial community composition (SBCC) and Cd content in cacao seeds (Cdseed). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between SBCC and differentfactors influencingthe distribution of Cd across cacao crop systems. This study comprised 225 samples collected across fivefarms, where we used an amplicon sequencing approach to characterize the bacterial community composition. The soil Cd concentration alone (Cdsoil) was a poor predictor of Cdseed. Still, we found that this relationship was more apparent when the variation within farms was controlled, suggesting a role of heterogeneity within farms in modulating Cd translocation and, thus, seed Cd content. Our results provide evidence of the link between soil bacterial communities and the distribution of Cd across Colombian cacao crops, and highlight the importance of incorporating fine-spatial-scalestudies to advance the understanding of factors driving Cd uptake and accumulation in cacao plants.

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Microbiology Spectrum

Título del artículo:

Physical Activity and Obesity Risk in Adults in Colombia: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Study

O’DONOVAN, G., D. MARTÍNEZ, J. P. LÓPEZ-LÓPEZ, J. OTERO, M. URINA, T. VASQUEZ, M. NIÑO, C. NARVAEZ, M. C. CAMPO, M. PEREZ-MAYORGA, S. RODRÍGUEZ, E. ARCOS, G. SANCHEZ, H. GARCÍA, S. RANGARAJAN, S. YUSUF, and P. LÓPEZ-JARAMILLO. Physical Activity and Obesity Risk in Adults in Colombia: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Study. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 56, No. 7, pp. 1291- 1296, 2024. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate longitudinal associations between physical activity levels and obesity in adults in Colombia, where participation in large amounts of light-intensity physical activity is a necessity for many people. Methods: Participation in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity was assessed from 2005 to 2009, and obesity was assessed from 2011 to 2019 in men and women from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Total physical activity level was categorized as low (<600 MET·min·wk−1), medium (600–3000 MET·min·wk−1), or high (>3000 MET·min·wk−1; 600 MET·min·wk−1 is equivalent to 150 min of moderate activity or 75 min of vigorous activity per week). Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg·m−2. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, smoking, socioeconomic status, diet, alcohol, sedentary time, and sleep. Results: The main analysis included 3086 men and women aged 51 ± 9 yr at baseline (mean ± SD). Compared with the low physical activity group, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for obesity was 0.67 (0.53–0.85) in the medium physical activity group and 0.78 (0.62–0.98) in the high physical activity group after adjustment for potential confounders. Smoking is probably a major confounder, and it is noteworthy that similar associations were observed in participants who reported never smoking. Conclusions: The PURE study is the only prospective cohort study in Colombia. The present analysis is important because it suggests that even the busy people of Colombia could substantially reduce their risk of obesity by participating in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity.

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Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

Título del artículo:

Microclimate factors related to dengue virus burden clusters in two endemic towns of Mexico

In dengue-endemic areas, transmission control is limited by the difficulty of achieving sufficient coverage and sustainability of interventions. To maximize the effectiveness of interventions, areas with higher transmission could be identified and prioritized. The aim was to identify burden clusters of Dengue virus (DENV) infection and evaluate their association with microclimatic factors in two endemic towns from southern Mexico. Information from a prospective population cohort study (2·5 years of follow-up) was used, microclimatic variables were calculated from satellite information, and a cross-sectional design was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the outcome and microclimatic variables in the five surveys. Spatial clustering was observed in specific geographic areas at different periods. Both, land surface temperature (aPR 0·945; IC95% 0·895–0·996) and soil humidity (aPR 3·018; IC95% 1·013–8·994), were independently associated with DENV burden clusters. These findings can help health authorities design focused dengue surveillance and control activities in dengue endemic areas.

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PLoS ONE

Título del artículo:

Cost effectiveness analysis of a fixed dose combination pill for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease from an individual participant data meta-analysis

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to impart a large burden on the global population, especially in lower income countries where affordability limits the use of cardiovascular medicines. A fixed dose combination strategy of at least 2 blood pressure lowering medications and a statin with aspirin in a single pill has been shown to reduce the risk of incident CVD by 38% in primary prevention in a recent meta-analysis. We report the in-trial (median follow-up: 5 years) cost-effectiveness of a fixed dose combination (FDC) pill in different income groups based on data from that meta-analysis. Methods: Countries were categorized using World Bank economic groups: Lower Middle Income Countries (LMIC), Upper Middle Income Countries (UMIC) and High Income Countries (HIC). Country specific costs were obtained for hospitalized events, procedures, and non-study medications (2020 USD). FDC price was based on the cheapest equivalent substitute (CES) for each component. Findings: For the CES-FDC pill versus control the difference in cost was $346 (95% CI: $294–$398) per participant in Lower Middle Income Countries, $838 (95% CI: $781–$895) in Upper Middle Income Countries and $42 (95% CI: −$155 to $239) (cost-neutral) in High Income Countries. During the study period the CES-FDC pill was associated with incremental gain in quality-adjusted life years of 0.06 (95% CI: 0.04–0.08) resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $5767 (95% CI: 5735–$5799), $13,937 (95% CI: $13,893–$14,041) and $700 (95% CI: $662–$738) respectively. In subgroups analyses, the highest 10 years CVD risk subgroup had ICERs of $2033, $7322 and −$6000/QALY. Interpretation: A FDC pill produced at CES costs is cost-neutral in HIC. Governments of LMI and UMI countries should assess these results based on the ICER threshold accepted in their own country and own specific health care priorities but should consider prioritizing this strategy for patients with high 10 years CVD risk as a first step. Funding: Population Health Research Institute.

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eClinicalMedicine

Título del artículo:

CD8⁺T-cell response to mutated HLA-B*35-restricted Gag HY9 and HA9 epitopes from HIV-1 variants from Medellin, Colombia

The HLA-B*35 alleles have been associated with a slow or rapid progression of HIV-1 infection. However, the mechanisms related to HIV-1 progression have yet to be entirely understood. Several reports indicate that the binding affinity between the HLA-I molecule and peptides could be associated with an increased CD8+ T-cell response. Novel HLA-B*35-restricted mutated variants have been described from HSNQVSQNY (HY9) and HPVHAGPIA (HA9) epitopes. Bioinformatic analysis has indicated that these mutated epitopes show low and high binding affinity towards HLA-B*35, respectively. However, the polyfunctionality of CD8+ T-cells stimulated with these mutated and wild-type epitopes has yet to be reported. The results suggest that the low-binding affinity H124 N/S125 N/N126S mutated peptide in the HY9 epitope induced a lower percentage of CD107a+CD8+ T-cells than the wild-type epitope. Instead, the high-binding affinity peptides I223V and I223A in the HA9 epitope induced a significantly higher frequency of polyfunctional CD8+ T-cells. Also, a higher proportion of CD8+ T-cells with two functions, with Granzyme B+ Perforin+ being the predominant profile, was observed after stimulation with mutated peptides associated with high binding affinity in the HA9 epitope. These results suggest that the high-affinity mutated peptides induced a more polyfunctional CD8+ T-cell response, which could be related to the control of viral replication.

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Heliyon

Título del artículo:

Pooled lagged effect of runoff on leptospirosis cases in Colombia

Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The disease exhibits a notable incidence in tropical and developing countries, and in Colombia, environmental, economic, social, and cultural conditions favor disease transmission, directly impacting both mortality and morbidity rates. Our objective was to establish the pooled lagged effect of runoff on leptospirosis cases in Colombia. For our study, we included the top 20 Colombian municipalities with the highest number of leptospirosis cases. Monthly cases of leptospirosis, confirmed by laboratory tests and spanning from 2007 to 2022, were obtained from the National Public Health Surveillance System. Additionally, we collected monthly runoff and atmospheric and oceanic data from remote sensors. Multidimensional poverty index values for each municipality were sourced from the Terridata repository. We employed causal inference and distributed lag nonlinear models to estimate the lagged effect of runoff on leptospirosis cases. Municipality-specific estimates were combined through meta-analysis to derive a single estimate for all municipalities under study. The pooled results for the 20 municipalities suggest a lagged effect for the 0 to 2, and 0–3 months of runoff on leptospirosis when the runoff is < 120 g/m2. No effect was identified for longer lagged periods (0–1, 0 to 4, 0 to 5, and 0–6 months) or higher runoff values. Incorporation of the multidimensional poverty index into the meta-analysis of runoff contributed to the models for the lagged periods of 0–3, and 0–4 months.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Heliyon

Título del artículo:

Harnessing Graph Neural Networks to Predict International Trade Flows

In the realm of international trade and economic development, the prediction of trade flows between countries is crucial for identifying export opportunities. Commonly used log-linear regression models are constrained due to difficulties when dealing with extensive, high-cardinality datasets, and the utilization of machine learning techniques in predictions offers new possibilities. We examine the predictive power of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) in estimating the value of bilateral trade between countries. We work with detailed UN Comtrade data that represent annual bilateral trade in goods between any two countries in the world and more than 5000 product groups. We explore two different types of GNNs, namely Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) and Graph Attention Networks (GATs), by applying them to trade flow data. This study evaluates the effectiveness of GNNs relative to traditional machine learning techniques such as random forest and examines the possible effects of data drift on their performance. Our findings reveal the superior predictive capability of GNNs, suggesting their effectiveness in modeling complex trade relationships. The research presented in this work offers a data-driven foundation for decision-making and is relevant for business strategies and policymaking as it helps in identifying markets, products, and sectors with significant development potential.

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Big Data and Cognitive Computing

Título del artículo:

Prediction of Positive Patient Health Questionnaire-2 Screening Using Area Deprivation Index in Primary Care

Depression is recognized as a significant public health issue in the United States. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 21.0 million adults aged 18 or older had major depressive disorder in 2020, including 14.8 million experiencing a major depressive episode with severe impairment. The aim is to predict the positivity of Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) outcomes among patients in primary care settings by analyzing a range of variables, including socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and health behaviors, thereby identifying those at increased risk for depression. Employing a machine learning approach, the study utilizes retrospective data from electronic health records across 15 primary care clinics in South Florida to explore the relationship between social determinants of health (SDoH), including area of deprivation index (ADI) and PHQ-2 positivity. The study encompasses 15 primary care clinics located in South Florida, where a diverse patient population receives care. Analysis included 94,572 patient visits; 74,636 records were included in the study. If a zip+4 was not available or an ADI score did not exist, the visit was not included in the final analysis. Screening involved the PHQ-2, assessing depressed mood and anhedonia, with a cutoff >2 indicating positive screening. ADI was used to assess SDoH by matching patients’ residential postal codes to ADI national percentiles. Demographics, sexual history, tobacco use, caffeine intake, and community involvement were also evaluated in the study. Over 40 machine learning algorithms were explored for their accuracy in predicting PHQ-2 outcomes, using software tools including Scikit-learn and stats models in Python. Variables were normalized, scored, and then subjected to predictive regression models, with Random Forest showing outstanding performance. Feature engineering and correlation analysis identified ADI, age, education, visit type, coffee intake, and marital status as significant predictors of PHQ-2 positivity. The area under the curve and model accuracies varied across clinics, with specific clinics showing higher predictive accuracy and others (p >.05). The study concludes that the ADI, as a proxy for SDoH, alongside other individual factors, can predict PHQ-2 positivity. Health organizations can use this information to anticipate health needs and resource allocation.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Clinical Nursing Research

Título del artículo:

Pre-morbid sleep disturbance and its association with stroke severity: results from the international INTERSTROKE study

Background and purpose: Whilst sleep disturbances are associated with stroke, their association with stroke severity is less certain. In the INTERSTROKE study, the association of pre-morbid sleep disturbance with stroke severity and functional outcome following stroke was evaluated. Methods: INTERSTROKE is an international case–control study of first acute stroke. This analysis included cases who completed a standardized questionnaire concerning nine symptoms of sleep disturbance (sleep onset latency, duration, quality, nocturnal awakening, napping duration, whether a nap was planned, snoring, snorting and breathing cessation) in the month prior to stroke (n = 2361). Two indices were derived representing sleep disturbance (range 0–9) and obstructive sleep apnoea (range 0–3) symptoms. Logistic regression was used to estimate the magnitude of association between symptoms and stroke severity defined by the modified Rankin Score. Results: The mean age of participants was 62.9 years, and 42% were female. On multivariable analysis, there was a graded association between increasing number of sleep disturbance symptoms and initially severe stroke (2–3, odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.94; 4–5, OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.23–2.25; >5, OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.83–3.66). Having >5 sleep disturbance symptoms was associated with significantly increased odds of functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01–2.34). A higher obstructive sleep apnoea score was also associated with significantly increased odds of initially severe stroke (2–3, OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.20–1.83) but not functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.93–1.52). Conclusions: Sleep disturbance symptoms were common and associated with an increased odds of severe stroke and functional deterioration. Interventions to modify sleep disturbance may help prevent disabling stroke/improve functional outcomes and should be the subject of future research.

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European Journal of Neurology

Título del artículo:

Spatiotemporal hierarchical Bayesian analysis to identify factors associated with COVID-19 in suburban areas in Colombia

Introduction: The pandemic had a profound impact on the provision of health services in Cúcuta, Colombia where the neighbourhood-level risk of Covid-19 has not been investigated. Identifying the sociodemographic and environmental risk factors of Covid-19 in large cities is key to better estimate its morbidity risk and support health strategies targeting specific suburban areas. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with the risk of Covid-19 in Cúcuta considering inter -spatial and temporal variations of the disease in the city\'s neighbourhoods between 2020 and 2022. Methods: Age-adjusted rate of Covid-19 were calculated in each Cúcuta neighbourhood and each quarter between 2020 and 2022. A hierarchical spatial Bayesian model was used to estimate the risk of Covid-19 adjusting for socioenvironmental factors per neighbourhood across the study period. Two spatiotemporal specifications were compared (a nonparametric temporal trend; with and without space-time interaction). The posterior mean of the spatial and spatiotemporal effects was used to map the Covid-19 risk. Results: There were 65,949 Covid-19 cases in the study period with a varying standardized Covid-19 rate that peaked in October–December 2020 and April–June 2021. Both models identified an association of the poverty and stringency indexes, education level and PM10 with Covid-19 although the best fit model with a space-time interaction estimated a strong association with the number of high-traffic roads only. The highest risk of Covid-19 was found in neighbourhoods in west, central, and east Cúcuta. Conclusions: The number of high-traffic roads is the most important risk factor of Covid-19 infection in Cucuta. This indicator of mobility and connectivity overrules other socioenvironmental factors when Bayesian models include a space-time interaction. Bayesian spatial models are important tools to identify significant determinants of Covid-19 and identifying at-risk neighbourhoods in large cities. Further research is needed to establish causal links between these factors and Covid-19.

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Heliyon

Título del artículo:

“Research seedbeds” towards the consolidation of a research culture in the university context. Literature review 2017-2023.

The purpose of this study was to unveil the importance of SI research seedbeds and their impact on the achievement of a research culture in the university context through a systematic review during the years 2017-2023, the research sought to generate a theoretical approach that allows to give answers towards the promotion of a good practice of research culture and for this it is intended that this study allows to become a theoretical reference for the implementation of groups or research seedbeds in the UPEL-IPRGR, methodologically the research allowed, the review of 50 scientific articles published in journals indexed in SCOPUS, EBSCO, DIALNET, REDALYC, SCIELO in order to approach, analyze and explain the reality of the phenomenon under study, through the use of new research methods in the field of social sciences such as mixed methods, which allowed to deepen the study in its entirety from different perspectives and with the use of various techniques and instruments in a sequential manner, Among the main findings found, it is highlighted that there is currently a need to include research seedbeds as a formative extracurricular strategy, since they allow a significant exchange of scientific experiences with international projection, likewise the implementation of this strategy implies a synergy between the functions of teaching, research and extension that allows to articulate and develop a research culture within the university context and thus raise the rates of scientific productivity within the academic campus.

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Toward an integral educational management from the theory of complexity: Regular and extended educational days.

Institutional educational management should be immersed in a framework that involves dynamic and innovative actions to generate a productive and motivating process for its participants. In this context, the main objective of this work was to develop theoretical elements for educational management in both regular and extended school days, utilizing complexity as an emerging paradigm. The epistemological foundation was rooted in complexity theory, incorporating constructivist and cognitivist approaches. The chosen methodological approach was interpretative and qualitative, employing phenomenology as a method. Data collection techniques comprised interviews and observations, administered to seven key informants using a script. Analysis was conducted using grounded theory and the Constant Comparison technique, employing content analysis for coding and categorization, facilitating the transition from data to theory. Constitutive theoretical elements were identified, including the renewal of secondary education, the transformation of educational management, the updating of curricular orientation, motivation for community participation, the renewal of pedagogical praxis, the conception of innovative days, and research as a formative task.

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Social accounting and its effect on the corporate business model.

The background shows the positive evaluation in terms of social account, in terms of sustainable development in the economic, social and financial field, where aspects such as; the cost of labor, knowledge management, intellectual capital and environmental working conditions, adequate management of social and environmental accounting; with respect to economic profitability and added economic value. Other no less important jobs involve strategic management and the use of technology and robotics as tools for efficiency and productivity in processes. However, the current seed of interest seeks to determine the effect of Social Accounting on the corporate Business Model. through a qualitative analysis during the period 2019-2024. For this, the PICOT methodology was used under the following criteria: preparatory phase through the use of the Google Scholar, Dialnet, Scopus, Ryalnet and Scielo databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for articles related to Social Accounting, written in English or Spanish and published during the aforementioned period. The comparison level shows the relationship or qualification between variables or their effect on economic, productivity or efficiency results, and then show these results as an effect on the business models. In its application, 71 of 400 articles are selected that show the following findings: omission of non-monetized sections and reports in international standards, IFRS, use of the green economy and circular economy in the reuse of waste as raw material and, adoption of intelligence artificial and robotics as an improvement in business competitiveness. These findings have not been adopted on a massive scale by companies, even though they probably strengthen relationships with their consumers in terms of image, business reputation and income; due to the lack of formulas and mechanisms that demonstrate the benefit with respect to the amount invested.

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura following mRNA-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a case report

Introduction: Herein, it is presented a case report of a Colombian adult male patient, without any previous report of thrombocytopenia or hematological disorders, who developed a mild and chronic paucisymptomatic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare complication following SARS-CoV-2 m-RNA. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first documented case in Colombia of immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273), with a comprehensive 2-year clinical follow-up. Case Description: The patient received the initial and second doses of the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine in June 2021, the first booster dose in November 2021 (mRNA-1273), and the second booster dose (mRNA BNT162b2) in June 2022. Thrombocytopenia (<100 x109 platelets/L, which is the criterion to define immune thrombocytopenic purpura) was documented after the second vaccination dose and both boosters, and it improved after corticosteroid therapy. However, cycling thrombocytopenia persisted until the clinical follow-up in August 2023, with platelet count ranging from 57 to 191 x109 platelets/L (mean: 103 x109 platelets/L). Conclusion: Given that secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura can occur following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, systematic research to identify risk factors associated with immune thrombocytopenic purpura due to COVID-19 immunization should be conducted.

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Revista Cuidarte