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A positive relationship has been reported between advanced periodontitis and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurement. The aim of this study was to investigate this relationship with parameters for periodontitis, such as PISA and systemic inflammation biomarkers. An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A blood sample was collected from 75 subjects to analyze glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and cytokine values. Increased cIMT was found in 32% of the patients with fewer teeth. Patients with periodontitis had a larger periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) (p = 0.000) and had a 1.42-times-higher risk of having increased cIMT values compared to periodontally healthy individuals, though without a statistically significant association. Higher values in the left cIMT, IL-8, and TNF-α were found in men than in women with significant differences. In the multivariate analysis involving cytokines, age continues to be linked to increased cIMT values. INF-γ showed a trend towards a protective effect; as the IMT-M decreases, there is an increase in the expression of INF-γ, and a higher proportion of subjects with elevated INF-γ concentrations demonstrated normal IMT-C. This study did not find a statistically significant association between cIMT and periodontal disease, but the risk of having increased cIMT is 1.42-times higher for individuals with periodontitis.

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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Neck circumference (NC) is a useful anthropometric measure for predicting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Ethnicity and sex also influence obesity phenotypes. NC cut-offs for defining OSA have not been established for the Latin American population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate NC, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI) as predictors of OSA in the Colombian population and to determine optimal cut-off points. DESIGN AND SETTING: Diagnostic tests were conducted at the Javeriana University, Bogota. METHODS: Adults from three cities in Colombia were included. NC, WC, and BMI were measured, and a polysomnogram provided the reference standard. The discrimination capacity and best cut-off points for diagnosing OSA were calculated. RESULTS: 964 patients were included (57.7% men; median age, 58 years) and 43.4% had OSA. The discrimination capacity of NC was similar for men and women (area under curve, AUC 0.63 versus 0.66, P = 0.39) but better for women under 60 years old (AUC 0.69 versus 0.57, P < 0.05). WC had better discrimination capacity for women (AUC 0.69 versus 0.57, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in BMI. Optimal NC cut-off points were 36.5 cm for women (sensitivity [S]: 71.7%, specificity [E]: 55.3%) and 41 cm for men (S: 56%, E: 62%); and for WC, 97 cm for women (S: 65%, E: 69%) and 99 cm for men (S: 53%, E: 58%). CONCLUSIONS: NC and WC have moderate discrimination capacities for diagnosing OSA. The cut-off values suggest differences between Latin- and North American as well as Asian populations.

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BACKGROUND: Neck circumference (NC) is a useful anthropometric measure for predicting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Ethnicity and sex also influence obesity phenotypes. NC cut-offs for defining OSA have not been established for the Latin American population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate NC, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI) as predictors of OSA in the Colombian population and to determine optimal cut-off points. DESIGN AND SETTING: Diagnostic tests were conducted at the Javeriana University, Bogota. METHODS: Adults from three cities in Colombia were included. NC, WC, and BMI were measured, and a polysomnogram provided the reference standard. The discrimination capacity and best cut-off points for diagnosing OSA were calculated. RESULTS: 964 patients were included (57.7% men; median age, 58 years) and 43.4% had OSA. The discrimination capacity of NC was similar for men and women (area under curve, AUC 0.63 versus 0.66, P = 0.39) but better for women under 60 years old (AUC 0.69 versus 0.57, P < 0.05). WC had better discrimination capacity for women (AUC 0.69 versus 0.57, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in BMI. Optimal NC cut-off points were 36.5 cm for women (sensitivity [S]: 71.7%, specificity [E]: 55.3%) and 41 cm for men (S: 56%, E: 62%); and for WC, 97 cm for women (S: 65%, E: 69%) and 99 cm for men (S: 53%, E: 58%). CONCLUSIONS: NC and WC have moderate discrimination capacities for diagnosing OSA. The cut-off values suggest differences between Latin- and North American as well as Asian populations.

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Pig is one of the most consumed meats worldwide. One of the main conditions for pig production is Porcine Enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Among the effects of this disease is chronic mild diarrhea, which affects the weight gain of pigs, generating economic losses. Vaccines available to prevent this condition do not have the desired effect, but this limitation can be overcome using adjuvants. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 18 (IL-18), can improve an immune response, reducing the immune window of protection. In this study, recombinant porcine IL-18 was produced and expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. The protein's biological activity was assessed in vitro and in vivo, and we determined that the P. pastoris protein had better immunostimulatory activity. A vaccine candidate against L. intracellularis, formulated with and without IL-18, was used to determine the pigs' cellular and humoral immune responses. Animals injected with the candidate vaccine co-formulated with IL-18 showed a significant increase of Th1 immune response markers and an earlier increase of antibodies than those vaccinated without the cytokine. This suggests that IL-18 acts as an immunostimulant and vaccine adjuvant to boost the immune response against the antigens, reducing the therapeutic window of recombinant protein-based vaccines.

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Previously, we designed a subunit vaccine candidate based on three L. intracellularis antigens with promising results in pigs. In this study, antigens were produced individually to achieve an even antigen ratio in the formulation. The emulsion characterization included the drop size and the mechanical and thermal stability. Immune response was evaluated by indirect and sandwich ELISAs, qPCR, and flow cytometry. The vaccine candidate's safety was assessed by histopathology and monitoring the clinical behavior of animals. The average production yielded for the chimeric antigen as inclusion bodies was around 75 mg/L. The formulation showed mechanical and thermal stability, with a ratio Hu/Ho > 0.85 and a drop size under 0.15 nm. Antigens formulated at a ratio of 1:1:1 induced a significant immune response in inoculated pigs that persisted until the end of the experiment (week 14). The dose of 200 µg significantly activated cellular response measured by transcriptional and translational levels of cytokines. The cell proliferation assay revealed an increment of lymphocytes T CD4+ at the same dose. Animals gained weight constantly and showed proper clinical behavior during immunization assays. This research demonstrated the immunological robustness of the new subunit vaccine candidate against Porcine Proliferative Enteropathy evenly formulated with three chimeric antigens of L. intracellularis.

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Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis activity is evaluated based on a physical examination of each of the joints. However, the joint examination is not standardized, and the techniques are variable and difficult to reproduce due to disagreements among examiners. Objective: To recommend standardized joint examination techniques based on the modified RAND-UCLA appropriateness method. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted to determine the items to be included in the joint examination; subsequently, a consensus of rheumatologists was achieved with the modified RAND-UCLA methodology to issue the recommendations. The diagnosis of RA and differential diagnoses were excluded. Results: Two hundred fifteen rheumatologists were invited to participate. Five were included in the core group and 26 in the group of clinical experts. Clinical experience ranged between 2 and 25 years (mean 15.6 years; standard deviation 6.3 years). Most rheumatologists participated in all rounds (Round 1: 100%, Round 2: 61%, and Round 3: 61%). Of the 45 statements in the questionnaire assessing the examination techniques, 28 (62%) were retained. In addition, 6 other statements were included during the face-to-face meeting for a total of 34 final statements. Conclusion: Physical examination techniques for joints that determine RA activity are heterogeneous and differ markedly in terms of several characteristics. A list of recommendations is proposed as a guide to improve and standardize the method for the physical examination of the joints. This standardization will improve the diagnosis and results for patients with RA and help health caregivers provide better treatment.

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Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a great burden on healthcare workers worldwide. The aim of the present study was to assess sleep quality, insomnia, and perceived stress in healthcare workers of a high complexity hospital located in Bogota, Colombia. Methods Cross-sectional study in which 1,155 healthcare workers at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia were included, between September and October 2020. Using an online-based survey, self-reported variables were assessed including demographics, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and 10 item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Associations between these variables were evaluated. Results Fifty percent of the respondents were between 31 and 45 years old, and 76 percent were women. Most of the surveyed were the nursing staff. Poor sleep quality, insomnia, and high perceived stress was found in 74.9, 12.4, and 13.2%, respectively. Poor sleep quality was predominantly found in females, in the 31 to 45 years old group and in married personnel. Also, poor sleep quality was found in relation to a moderate to high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection by the family of the workers surveyed. Discussion Poor sleep quality, moderate rates of insomnia, and perceived stress were found among healthcare workers committed to COVID-19 infected patients in Colombia. The identification of workers at greater risk and the implementation of targeted interventions are called upon as the results.

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The limited delivery of cargoes at the cellular level is a significant challenge for therapeutic strategies due to the presence of numerous biological barriers. By immobilizing the Buforin II (BUF-II) peptide and the OmpA protein on magnetite nanoparticles, a new family of cell-penetrating nanobioconjugates was developed in a previous study. We propose in this study to extend this strategy to silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and silanized fullerenol (F) as nanostructured supports for conjugating these potent cell-penetrating agents. The same molecule conjugated to distinct nanomaterials may interact with subcellular compartments differently. On the obtained nanobioconjugates (OmpA-SNPs, BUF-II-PEG12-SNPs, OmpA-F, and BUF-II-PEG12-F), physicochemical characterization was performed to evaluate their properties and confirm the conjugation of these translocating agents on the nanomaterials. The biocompatibility, toxicity, and internalization capacity of nanobioconjugates in Vero cells and THP-1 cells were evaluated in vitro. Nanobioconjugates had a high internalization capacity in these cells without affecting their viability, according to the findings. In addition, the nanobioconjugates exhibited negligible hemolytic activity and a low tendency to induce platelet aggregation. In addition, the nanobioconjugates exhibited distinct intracellular trafficking and endosomal escape behavior in these cell lines, indicating their potential for addressing the challenges of cytoplasmic drug delivery and the development of therapeutics for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases. This study presents an innovative strategy for conjugating cell-penetrating agents using silica nanoparticles and silanized fullerenol as nanostructured supports, which has the potential to enhance the efficacy of cellular drug delivery.

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El síndrome de Loeffler consiste en una neumonía eosinofílica aguda consecuencia de una reacción inmunológica de tipo alérgico, principalmente secundario a la fase pulmonar de los ciclos de algunos parásitos. Los parásitos más frecuentemente asociados son los nemátodos, y, entre ellos, Ascaris lumbricoides que es el principal causante de Síndrome de Loeffler. Clínicamente puede cursar con tos, dificultad respiratoria de distinto grado, sibilancias y subcrepitantes en la auscultación y fiebre. Como hallazgos radiológicos suelen apreciarse infiltrados intersticiales y en los exámenes de laboratorio destaca la presencia de eosinofilia en el hemograma. Se trata de un síndrome con muy baja incidencia a nivel global, probablemente debido a su infradiagnóstico, por lo que presentamos el caso de un paciente de 14 años con diagnóstico de Síndrome de Loeffler asociado a Ascaris lumbricoides y a Strongyloides stercolaris. (provisto por Infomedic International)

Loeffler's syndrome consist of an acute eosinophilic pneumonia due to an immunnologic reaction, mainly owing to the pulmonary phase of the life's cycles of some parasites. Nematodes are the most common parasites related to the syndrome, and between them, Ascaris lumbricoides is the one that causes most of the Loeffler's Syndrome. Symptoms that can be caused by the syndrome are cough, breath difficulties of different grades, fever and wheezing and crackling on auscultation. Radiological findings are bilateral interstitial infiltrates and in laboratory test eosinophilia stands out in blood count. The global incidence of the syndrome is very low, maybe due to an underdiagnosis, so we present the case of a 14-year-old male child with Loeffler´s Syndrome caused by Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercolaris. (provided by Infomedic International)

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of sleep problems in low-income, urban pediatric populations in cities at different altitudes in Colombia. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional population-based observational study was conducted in children aged between 2 and 12 years in the low income, urban areas of three cities in Colombia (Santa Marta, Bucaramanga, and Bogotá) located at 15, 959, and 2640 m above sea level, respectively. Sociodemographic data were collected, and the Spanish version of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire was used. RESULTS: 1989 children were surveyed, distributed as follows: Santa Marta (32.0%), Bucaramanga (33.4%), and Bogotá (34.6%). The overall prevalence of sleep problems was 39.0%. Children from Santa Marta had the highest frequency of parasomnias (58.0%); those from Bucaramanga had the highest frequency of attention deficit symptoms (4.0%) and apneic pauses witnessed by parents or caregivers (5.7%). Finally, Bogotá, the only high-altitude location, had the highest frequency of sleep disordered breathing (17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The study found a high frequency of sleep problems in the pediatric population, especially at higher altitudes when compared to lower altitude settings. Sleep disorders warrant early detection and timely therapeutic intervention.

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ABSTRACT Introduction: The articular examination is an essential part of the physical examination of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis, since it gives information about the disease status at a given time and allows monitoring of its evolution over time. Despite the importance of the physical examination of the joints, it is noteworthy that there is no standardized technique. Methods: This paper aims to frame a discussion on whether standardization of the joint examination is justified, presenting arguments for and against. Results and discussion: The paper raises several arguments about diagnostic error as a scien-tific and ethical challenge in establishing the activity of rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: It is time to adopt a standardized physical joint examination technique that allows better assessment of the inflammatory activity status of the disease, avoids risks resultant from poor disease status classification, adheres to ethical principles and does not incur unnecessary expenses. Failure to do so would have scientific, economic, ethical, and public health implications.

R E S U M E N Introducción: El examen articular es una parte fundamental del examen físico del paciente con artritis reumatoide ya que permite obtener información sobre el estado de la enfermedad en un momento determinado, así como monitorizar su evolución en el tiempo. A pesar de la importancia del examen físico de las articulaciones, no existe una técnica estandarizada. Métodos: Este ensayo tiene como objetivo desarrollar una discusión sobre si la estandarización del examen conjunto está justificada, para lo cual se presentan argumentos a favor y en contra. Resultados y discusión: El ensayo plantea varios argumentos acerca del error diagnóstico como un desafío científico y ético cuando se trata de establecer la actividad de la artritis reumatoide. Conclusión: Es el momento de adoptar una técnica de exploración física conjunta y estandarizada, que permita una mejor valoración del estado de actividad inflamatoria de la artritis reumatoide, evite los riesgos derivados de una mala clasificación del estado de la enfermedad, respete los principios éticos y no incurra en gastos innecesarios. Dejar de hacerlo tendría implicaciones científicas, económicas, éticas y de salud pública.

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INTRODUCTION: Small-bowel involvement in patients with ovarian cancer has been strongly correlated with the possibility of cytoreduction and thus with survival. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of small-bowel involvement in patients undergoing optimal-complete interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). METHODS: We included a series of patients diagnosed with stage IIIC-IVA (pleural effusion) high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer and in whom CRS + HIPEC was indicated after neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NACT). The study period extended from January 2008 to January 2020, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months from the inclusion of the last patient. A multivariate analysis using Cox regression allowed us to identify the variables that were independently related to disease-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were selected, 13 (9%) of whom were excluded from the analysis, because their disease was considered unresectable. The study included a series of 131 patients with a median age of 62 years (34-79 years) and a median Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) calculated during surgery of 9 (1-35). The median PCI of bowel areas 9-12 (SB-PCI) was 3 (1-10). Performance of a CC-1 cytoreduction (HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.02-3.64, p = 0.042) and SB-PCI greater than 3 (HR: 2.25, 95%CI: 1.13-4.48, p = 0.21) were independent factors associated with shorter disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: Small-bowel involvement, even in patients with a macroscopically complete resection, showed a correlation with worse prognostic outcomes and could be considered as a variable in the postoperative management of these patients.

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BACKGROUND: Perioperative management of Tracheal Resection and Reconstruction (TRR) presents many challenges to the physicians involved in airway management. Factors related to postoperative outcomes can be identified as early as the preoperative setting and can even be linked to demographic characteristics of patients affected by tracheal stenosis. The primary aim of this study is to describe the experience of patients undergoing TRR at our hospital from an anesthesiology perspective, describing as a second aim demography, preoperative conditions, and postoperative complications. METHODS: This was a single institution retrospective review of patients who underwent TRR between 2009 and 2020. We did a post-hoc exploratory analysis to identify possible associations between perioperative complications and perioperative management. RESULTS: Forty-three ASA I-IV adult patients aged 18-72 years who underwent TRR were included. Prolonged intubation (72%) is the primary cause of tracheal stenosis. Intraoperative management: intravenous induction and laryngeal masks are now the most frequently used for airway management, especially in subglottic stenosis. Perioperative complications were vocal cord paralysis (25.6%), postoperative ventilatory support (20.9%), and need for surgical reintervention (20.9%). One patient (2%) died in the postoperative period due to anastomotic complication. After resection, dexmedetomidine is the preferred choice (48.8%) for sedoanalgesia in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative management of TRR at our hospital has a low mortality and high morbidity rate. We did not find an association between perioperative anesthetic interventions and postoperative complications. Further studies are needed to evaluate which anesthetic interventions may be associated with better outcomes.

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Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del índice UDT-65 para la estratificación del dolor torácico en urgencias en una población colombiana en la que se sospecha enfermedad coronaria. Método: Se condujo la validación externa del índice UDT-65 en una cohorte concurrente que incluyó pacientes que ingresaron a urgencias de una clínica cardiovascular en Bogotá con dolor torácico no traumático, y electrocardiograma normal o no diagnóstico. Se evaluaron 1320 pacientes de 18 o más años y se determinó la utilidad del índice en términos de calibración (uso de gráfico, ji al cuadrado para datos agrupados y prueba de bondad de ajuste de Hosmer-Lemeshow) y de capacidad de discriminación del modelo (curva de características operativas del receptor [ROC] y área bajo ella [AUC]). Resultados: El índice UDT-65 en esta población suministró evidencia de su utilidad en términos de calibración y capacidad de discriminación, para efectuar una buena aplicación de él en aquellos pacientes que consulten al servicio de urgencias de una clínica cardiovascular por dolor torácico no traumático de posible origen coronario. La capacidad de discriminación del índice UDT-65 fue adecuada, pues con un área bajo la curva ROC de 0.867 (IC 95% 0-847-0.885), que se acerca al valor obtenido (AUC 0.87) en la población española en que se desarrolló el índice. Conclusiones: Se necesitan más estudios similares en otras instituciones, dado el buen resultado, en beneficio de más pacientes.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness, in the emergency service, of the UDT-65 index for chest pain stratification in colombian population with suspected coronary disease. Method: The external validation of the UDT-65 index was conducted in a concurrent cohort that included patients admitted to the emergency service of the cardiovascular clinic in Bogotá with non-traumatic chest pain and normal or non-diagnostic electrocardiogram. 1320 patients were evaluated and the usefulness of this instrument was determined in terms of calibration (use of graph, Chi-square test for group data and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test) and discrimination capacity of the model (curve of receiver operating characteristics [ROC] and by finding the area under the curve [AUC]). Results: The UDT-65 index in the population under study, provided evidence of its usefulness in terms of calibration and discrimination capacity; this, in pursuance of a good application of the instrument in those patients who consult the Emergency Department of the cardiovascular clinic for non-traumatic chest pain of possible coronary origin. The discrimination capacity of the UDT65 index was adequate, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.867 (95 % CI 0.847-0.885), which is close in value to the one obtained (AUC 0.87) in the Spanish population where the original index was developed. Conclusions: More similar studies are needed in other institutions, due to the excellent and beneficial outcomes.

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Influenza A virus (IAV) was a neglected swine pathogen in South America before the 2009 H1N1 pandemic (A(H1N1)pdm2009). The A(H1N1)pdm2009 strain has widely spread among the Chilean swine population and co-circulates with endemic H1N2 and H3N2 viruses. The presence of IAV as a swine pathogen in Chilean swine before the 2009 pandemic is unknown. To understand the IAV in swine prior to 2009, aY retrospective study of samples from pigs affected with respiratory diseases was conducted. Ninety formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded lung tissues belonging to 21 intensive pig production companies located in five different administrative regions of Chile, collected between 2005 and 2008, were evaluated. The tissues were tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC), identifying that 9 out of 21 farms (42.8%) and 31 out of 90 (34.4%) samples were IAV positive. Only three out of the 31 IHC-positive samples were positive upon RNA extraction and rtRT-PCR analysis. Partial nucleotide sequences were obtained from one sample and characterized as an H3N2 subtype closely related to a human seasonal H3N2 IAVs that circulated globally in the mid-90s. These results indicate that IAV was circulating in swine before 2009 and highlight the value of conducting retrospective studies through genomic strategies to analyse historical samples.

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OBJECTIVES: Polysomnogram is the gold standard for the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB); a sensitive and specific alternative strategy would be ideal, due to its low availability, and screening patients at high risk of OSA is very important. This study aimed to determine the operating characteristics of screening tests in patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Berlin, STOP-bang and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were applied in adults with and without cardiovascular disease in three Colombian cities, as well as anthropometric measurements and a polysomnogram. Operating characteristics were calculated for each test and the best cut-off values in patients with and without CVD were obtained. RESULTS: 964 patients (median age: 58), 662 with and 302 without CVD were included. The prevalence for SDB (AHI =5) were 43.4 % (OSA), 16.2% (central apnea), and 12.4 % (other). In patients without CVD, the highest sensitivity for OSA and central apnea was for PSQI (80-85%). The highest specificity was for STOP-bang (68%) and Berlin (78.6%). In CVD the best sensitivity was for PSQI (81.9%) followed by Berlin (71.9%) and the best specificity for STOP-bang (82.1%). No isolated questionnaire showed good diagnostic performance (AUC=0.6) and the cut-off values had no variations except for ESS. CONCLUSION: Screening tests showed low operating characteristics for the diagnosis to SDB, but better performance in patients with CVD. They are not recommended as the only diagnostic test, but they can be useful to guide the initial diagnostic process.

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Resumen El mercurio (Hg) es considerado en la actualidad un contaminante a nivel mundial, que además impacta de manera negativa sobre la salud de las personas que están expuestas a este. Dentro de sus efectos más graves se encuentran afectaciones a nivel del sistema nervioso, por lo cual se considera un problema de salud pública que requiere la atención adecuada. El mercurio puede entrar al cuerpo a través de la ingesta, inhalación y absorción, por lo cual las poblaciones expuestas a actividades como la minería en pequeña escala representa un factor de riesgo importante sobre el cual se deben establecer estrategias para la mitigación de la exposición al mercurio. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, este artículo de revisión presenta los avances y tendencias significativas reportadas por bibliografía indexada, tanto a nivel nacional como latinoamericano e internacional. Las evidencias son claras: la intervención de estrategias de mayor escala es urgente para controlar la contaminación por mercurio de las fuentes de abastecimiento de agua y alimentos y prevenir afectaciones graves a la salud de los seres humanos.

Abstract Mercury (Hg) is currently considered a global pollutant, which also has a negative impact on the health of people who are exposed to it. Among its most serious effects are affectations at the level of the nervous system, which is why it is considered a public health problem that requires adequate attention. Mercury can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation and absorption, which is why populations exposed to activities such as small-scale mining represent an important risk factor on which strategies must be established to mitigate mercury exposure. Taking the foregoing into account, this review article presents the progress and trends of 50 articles consulted from different indexed journals, both nationally and at the Latin American and international level. The evidence is clear: the intervention of larger-scale strategies is urgent to control mercury contamination of food and water supplies and prevent serious damage to human health.

Resumo O mercúrio (Hg) é atualmente considerado um poluente global, que também tem um impacto negativo na saúde das pessoas que estão expostas a este. Entre seus efeitos de maior gravedade estão as afecções do sistema nervoso, por isso é considerado um problema de saúde pública que requer atenção adequada. O mercúrio pode entrar no corpo através da ingestão, inalação e absorção, razão pela qual populações expostas a atividades como a mineração em pequena escala representam um importante fator de risco sobre o qual estratégias devem ser estabelecidas para mitigar a exposição ao mercúrio. Tendo em conta o exposto, este artigo de revisão apresenta os avanços e tendências significativas relatadas pela bibliografia indexada, tanto no âmbito nacional, quanto latino-americano e internacional. A evidência é clara: a intervenção de estratégias em larga escala é urgente para controlar a contaminação por mercúrio das fontes de abastecimento de água e alimentos e prevenir sérios danos à saúde humana.

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Resumen Introducción: La hipercolesterolemia familiar homocigótica (HFHo) se caracteriza por niveles muy elevados de cLDL y por enfermedad aterosclerótica temprana. Aunque la frecuencia es baja (1/300.000), las complicaciones son muy severas y pueden ser evitadas. Encontrar y tratar esta población de manera temprana podría reducir la mortalidad. Se describen 36 casos en Colombia, en donde se calcula que haya entre 160 y 200 casos. Resultados: Un total de 36 pacientes con fenotipo sugestivo de HFHo fueron identificados y tratados en un período de observación de cuatro años. La media de edad fue 27 años (24 mujeres). 34 pacientes tuvieron un puntaje según la Red de Clínicas de Lípidos de Holanda (RCLH) mayor de 8 (diagnóstico definitivo) y los restantes 2 tenían puntaje equivalente a diagnóstico probable. Un cuarto de los casos procedían de la costa norte colombiana. En las pruebas genéticas, 14 fueron homocigóticos verdaderos para mutación del gen que codifica para el receptor de LDL (LDLR), 12 heterocigóticos compuestos, 2 heterocigóticos dobles y uno autosómico recesivo (LDLRAP1); 5 pacientes fueron heterocigóticos simples (LDLR) y 2 pacientes no autorizaron la prueba. En los homocigóticos verdaderos, la variante más frecuente encontrada fue la c.11G>A. 14 pacientes cursaron con enfermedad coronaria, 9 con estenosis carotídea, 8 con estenosis aórtica y 2 tuvieron ataques cerebrovasculares (ACV). 34 pacientes recibían estatinas (24 rosuvastatina), 30 recibían ezetimibe, 2 recibían evolocumab y 20 recibían lomitapide (dosis promedio 12,7mg). Ninguno recibió aféresis de cLDL. Los medicamentos, en general, fueron bien tolerados y la reducción promedio de cLDL con la terapia fue de 533,7mg/dl a 245,1mg/dl (54%). Conclusiones: Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento hipolipemiante y se encontraron alteraciones genéticas diagnósticas en todos aquellos que autorizaron el examen. Los niveles elevados de cLDL conllevan tanto riesgo que el tratamiento debe establecerse aún sin conocer el diagnóstico genético.

Abstract Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is characterized for very high levels of cLDL and early cardiovascular disease. Although incidence is low (1/300 000), complications are very severe and can be avoided. Finding and treating this population promptly could reduce mortality. We describe 36 cases in Colombia, where 160 to 200 cases are expected. Results: 36 patients with phenotype of HoHF were identified and treated in a follow-up of 4 years. The mean age was 27 years (24 women). 34 of them had at least 8 points in the FH Dutch Lipid Clinic Criteria (definitive diagnosis) and two had probable diagnosis. A quarter of the cases came from the Colombian North Coast. In molecular tests, 14 were true homozygous for LDLR, 12 were compound heterozygous for LDLR, 2 double heterozygous and one was autosomal recessive; 5 were heterozygous and 2 patients did not authorized genetic test. In true homozygous subjects, the most frequent variant was c.11G>A. 14 patients had coronary disease, 9 carotid stenosis, 8 aortic stenosis and 2 had stroke. 34 patients were on statins (25 rosuvastatin), 30 were receiving ezetimibe, 2 were receiving a PSCK9 inhibitor (evolocumab) and 20 were on lomitapide with mean doses of 12.7mg. None received lipoprotein apheresis. Medications were very well tolerated. Changes in cLDL after therapy was from 533.7 mg/dL to 245 mg/dL, (54%). Conclusions: Treatment was started in all patients. We found genetic mutations in all patients with genetic tests. The high levels of cLDL mean such a high risk that treatment must be started promptly, even without a genetic test.

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Polymeric nanoparticulate systems allow the encapsulation of bio-active substances, giving them protection against external agents and increasing the drug's bioavailability. The use of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers usually guarantees the harmless character of the formulation, and a controlled drug release is also assured. A relatively easy procedure to obtain polymeric formulations of bioactive agents is ionotropic gelation, which allows the synthesis of chitosan (CS) - sodium tri-polyphosphate nanoparticles (NPs) loading encapsulated proteins. In this work, Bovine serum albumin (BSA) model protein and a recombinant porcine alpha interferon variant were used to obtain nanoparticulate formulations. The internalization of the encapsulated material by cells was studied using a BSA-fluorescein system; the fluorescent conjugate was observable inside the cells after 20 h of incubation. The therapeutic CS-alpha interferon formulation showed a maximum of protein released in vitro at around 90 h. This system was found to be safe in a cytotoxicity assay, while biological activity experiments in vitro showed antiviral protection of cells in the presence of encapsulated porcine alpha interferon. In vivo experiments in pigs revealed a significant and sustained antiviral response through overexpression of the antiviral markers OAS2 and PKR. This proves the preservation of porcine alpha interferon biological activity, and also that a lasting response was obtained. This procedure is an effective and safe method to formulate drugs in nanoparticulate systems, representing a significant contribution to the search for more effective drug delivery strategies.

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RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Implementing evidence-based management of dyslipidaemia is a challenge worldwide. OBJECTIVES: To understand physician beliefs and behaviour and identify uncertainties in dyslipidaemia management across four world regions. METHODS: Web-based survey of 1758 physicians in Japan, Germany, Colombia and the Philippines who were selected randomly from existing databases. Key inclusion criteria were 1) for cardiologists and diabetes/endocrinology specialists: ≥50 dyslipidaemia patients examined in the last month; 2) for specialists in neurology/neurosurgery/stroke medicine: ≥50 dyslipidaemia patients and ≥ 20 patients with a history of ischaemic stroke examined in the last month; and 3) for specialists in nephrology and general medicine: based at centres with ≥20 beds and ≥ 50 dyslipidaemia patients examined in the last month. The self-report survey covered dyslipidaemia management, target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in different patient groups, and statin safety. All physicians gave voluntary consent and all data were anonymised. Analysis was solely descriptive. RESULTS: The survey highlighted key areas of uncertainty in dyslipidaemia management in the four countries. These related to LDL-C targets in different patient groups, the safety of low LDL-C levels, the safety of statins, especially for effects on cognitive, renal and hepatic function and for haemorrhagic stroke risk, and lipid management strategies in patients with chronic kidney disease, including those with concomitant hypertriglyceridaemia. CONCLUSIONS: This survey of physicians in Japan, Germany, Colombia and the Philippines has identified key gaps in knowledge about dyslipidaemia management. These relate to the safety of low LDL-C levels, the safety of statins, and lipid management of chronic kidney disease. The findings from this survey highlight the need for further education to improve the implementation of guideline recommendations for dyslipidaemia management.

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