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Since early May 2022, numerous cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) have been reported globally in non-endemic areas. However, despite numerous reports worldwide, the epidemiological and genomic information related to the 2022 multi-country outbreak remains scarce in South America. By late June 2022, the first Mpox cases were detected in Colombia. Cartagena is a Colombian Caribbean city with high domestic and international connectivity, and, therefore, is vulnerable to the introduction of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV). This report provides an in-depth description of the epidemiological, clinical, and virological characteristics of the first four cases detected in Cartagena including three cases with no history of recent travel and one imported case. Using various laboratory tools based on PCR, next-generation sequencing, and viral isolation and quantification methods, the MPXV clade IIB was detected and isolated. Importantly, infectious viral particles were identified in lesion swabs collected from all cases and in oropharyngeal swabs collected from two cases. Blood samples tested negative using PCR and isolation. In summary, our work contributes complete genomic, clinical, and epidemiological information that will be useful for a number of studies going forward, and it also documents local information that contributes to our understanding of Mpox at the local level.

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The reconstruction of pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a useful tool to evaluate the effectiveness of management actions. Cartagena Bay (Colombia, Caribbean Sea) is one of the most impacted coastal zones in Colombia by a wide variety of human activities. A sediment core was dated using 210Pb and used to reconstruct the historical input of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorinated pesticides to the bay. The highest pollutant concentrations were observed in the deeper core layers. The maximum mercury concentration (18.76 µg g-1) was observed at 61 cm depth, corresponding to 1967, when a chlor-alkali plant was operating. Since all pollutant concentrations have decreased due to better industrial management policies, their presence is a potential contamination risk through sediment remobilization and pollutant resuspension.

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BACKGROUND: Cartagena, Colombia's main port on the Caribbean Coast, reported an HIV incidence of 7.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2007 with 90.0% transmission by heterosexual contact and 70 identified as women with a stable partner. Studies across Colombia illustrate that HIV infection relates to social inequalities; most people with HIV live in poverty and have minimal access to health care, education, and secure jobs. The purpose of this article is to analyse the relationship between social inequalities, sexual tourism and HIV infection in Cartagena, Colombia. METHODS: Data come from a five-year participatory ethnography of HIV in Cartagena in the period 2004-2009, in which 96 citizens (30 of whom were living with HIV) participated in different data collection phases. Techniques included participant observation, in-depth interviews and thematic life histories. Out of this material, we selected three life histories of two women and a man living with HIV that are representative of the ways in which participants expressed how social inequalities make it virtually impossible to engage in safe sex practices. RESULTS: At stake is the exchange of condomless sex for goods within the widespread sexual tourism networks that promote an idealisation of dark-skinned men and women as better sexual performers. Our results illustrate the complex interplay of social inequalities based on class, skin colour, gender and sexual orientation. Furthermore, they suggest a synergistic effect between poverty, racialization, and gender inequalities in the historical maintenance of social dynamics for a fruitful growth of a sexual tourism industry that in turn increases vulnerability to HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Although the convergence of social inequalities has been thoroughly reported in the literature on social studies of HIV vulnerability; distinctive dynamics are occurring in Cartagena, including a clear link between the contemporary globalised sexual tourism industries and a racialised social structure - both having historical roots in the colonial past-.

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The Caribbean Coast of Colombia has a flourishing plastic industry with weak and insufficient waste management policies and practices, leading to plastic pollution along its touristic beaches. In this work, primary and secondary microplastics (MPs) were surveyed at four different locations along the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Primary microplastics, specifically white new plastic pellets, represented the largest amount of MPs found, with densities decreasing in the order Cartagena > Coveñas > Puerto Colombia > Riohacha. This distribution was connected to the vicinity of MPs sources, marine currents and wind direction. The presence of secondary MPs was associated with urban centers and proximity to river mouths. The FTIR characterization showed polyethylene as the predominant resin type, with different degrees of surface oxidation. Aqueous extracts from sampled MPs were tested on Caenorhabditis elegans. Secondary MPs elicited greater toxicological responses than pellets, especially those from Cartagena Bay, suggesting MPs act as carriers for biologically-active pollutants.

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Introducción: los accidentes en la población infantil constituyen una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad convirtiéndose hoy día en un problema de salud pública mundial, principalmente la población más afectada son los niños en etapa preescolar, por la vulnerabilidad y dependencia del cuidador. Objetivos: describir las prácticas para la prevención de accidentes en el hogar en cuidadores de niños de 1 a 5 años en un barrio de Cartagena (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: estudio cuantitativo descriptivo transversal. Constituido por 354 cuidadores de niños menores de 5 años, se utilizó la técnica de observación y la aplicación del instrumento con base a la práctica N° 15 de AIEPI (Atención Integrada a las Enfermedades Prevalentes de la Infancia). Resultados: socio demográficamente los cuidadores fueron principalmente de género femenino (87%), con 20 ­ 29 años de edad (44,9%), madres de los niños (61,3%), conviven en unión libre (54,2%), son bachilleres (50,3%), de estrato uno (91,8%), amas de casa (62,7%), con hijos (93,8%), residen en casas (54,5%). Los niños de 1 a 5 años fueron mayoritariamente de género masculino (51,7%), y han presentado accidentes (75,1%), sobre todo, caídas (61,9%). El nivel de riesgo de accidentes en el hogar fue bajo (85%), y las prácticas de prevención suelen ser regulares (55,1%). Conclusión: los niños enfrentan relativamente bajo riesgo de accidente en el hogar, sin embargo, las prácticas para prevenirlos resultan ser regulares..(AU)

Introduction: accidents in children are an important cause of morbidity and mortality,becoming today a global public health problem, mainly the most affected population are children in preschool, for the vulnerability and dependence of the caregiver. Objectives:to describe the practices for the prevention of accidents at home in caregivers of children from 1 to 5 years of age, in a neighborhood of Cartagena (Colombia). Materials and methods: quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Consisting of 354 caregivers of children under 5 years of age, the technique of observation and the application of the instrument was used based on practice No. 15 of IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness). Results: demographic partner caregivers were mainly female (87%), with 20 - 29 years of age (44.9%), mothers of children (61.3%), live together in a free union (54.2%), are high school graduates (50.3%), of stratum one (91.8%), housewives (62.7%), with children (93.8%), reside in houses (54.5%). Children from 1 to 5 years old were male (51.7%), and had accidents (75.1%), especially falls (61.9%). The level of accident risk in the home was low (85%), and prevention practices are usually regular (55.1%). Conclusion: children face relatively low risk of accident in the home, however, practices to prevent them turn out to be regular..(AU)

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Original San Basilio de Palenque population (North Colombia) fled from Spanish traders that carried them as slaves and they funded in nearby Maria Mountains a fortified town (Palenque). They started helping new Africans brought as slaves to flee and join them. Most of them spoke a Bantu-Congo language and nowadays they speak the only one extant Bantu-Spanish Creole language. Spanish Crown was forced to issue a decree declaring them free (1691 CE), more than 100 years before than Haiti Republic existed. HLA-A, -B, -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles were studied and further computer procedures were performed with Arlequin 3.5 software. No Amerindian or Europeans gene flow to this population was found. However, three specific HLA extended haplotypes are found in this population, which may reflect an isolation from other Africans or Afro-Americans also. This may be due to the maintenance of their own African culture, and even their unique Creole language.

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Resumen El presente trabajo de investigación muestra el diseño de un modelo de gestión de riegos para la comercialización internacional de mercancías en las Pymes de la ciudad de Cartagena-Colombia. La metodología utilizada fue de tipo aplicada y de estudio de casos, la cual permitió conocer los procedimientos y riesgos a los que están expuestas las empresas seleccionadas (81) en proceso de comercio exterior Los resultados muestran que las operaciones en el proceso de comercio exterior de las Pymes que presentaron mayor impacto fueron la entrada de nuevos competidores con 66%, los de mayor aversión, el riesgo de contaminación de la mercancía (85%) y de mediano impacto el riesgo de falta de mecanismos inadecuados para el seguimiento y control de los procesos y/u operaciones (74%). Códigos JEL: P28, G1, C14.

Abstract The present research shows a design of a risk management model for the international commercialization of merchandise in the Pymes in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. The methodology used was the applied type and case study, which allowed us to know the procedures and the risks to which the selected companies were exposed (8l) in the process of foreign trade. The results show that the operations in the foreign trade process of the Pymes that had the greatest impact were the entry of new competitors with a 66%, those of greater aversion, the risk of contamination of the merchandise (85%) and of medium impact the risk of inadequate mechanisms for monitoring and control of processes and or operation with 74%. JEL classification: P28, G1, C14.

Resumo O presente projeto de pesquisa mostra o desenho de um modelo de gerenciamento de riscos para a comercialização internacional de mercadorias nas PME da cidade de Cartagena-Colômbia. A metodologia utilizada foi do tipo aplicado e dos estudos de caso, o que permitiu conhecer os procedimentos e riscos a que as empresas selecionadas (8l) no processo de comércio exterior estão expostas. Os resultados mostram que as operações no processo de comércio exterior das PME que tiveram o maior impacto foram a entrada de novos concorrentes com 66%,o mais aversivo, o risco de contaminação da mercadoria (85%) e o impacto médio da risco de falta de mecanismos inadequados para monitorar e controlar processos e / ou operações (74%). Classificações JEL: P28, G1, C14.

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"New Breeding Techniques" (NBTs) are a group of recent innovations in plant breeding using molecular biology tools. It is becoming evident that NBTs can introduce advantageous traits for agriculture that could be commercially available very soon However, there is still a need of clarifying its regulatory status, particularly in regards to worldwide regulations on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). This article reviews the meaning of the NBTs concept, performs an overall regulatory analysis of these technologies and reports the first regulation in the world that is applied to these technologies, which was issued by the Argentine Government.

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The Caribbean region presents the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS worldwide after sub-Saharan Africa; leading to serious social, economic and health consequences at the local scale but also at the regional and global levels. In Colombia, a national plan to tackle the epidemic was formulated with little evidence that its implementation in the local context is effective. This study focused on Cartagena - one of Colombia's largest cities and an international touristic hub - that presents one of the highest HIV prevalences in the country, to investigate whether the national plan accounts for local specificities and what are the barriers to local implementation. Based on the Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT), this qualitative research relied upon 27 interviews and 13 life stories of local inhabitants and stakeholders, collected in a first fieldwork in 2006-2007. A follow-up data collection took place in 2013 with 10 participants: key policymakers and implementers, NGO representatives and local inhabitants. Barriers identified by the participants included: local population's understandings and beliefs on condom use; stigma and discrimination; lack of collaboration from the Church, the education sector and local politicians; corruption; high staff turnover; frequent changes in leadership; lack of economic and human resources; and barriers to health care access. The findings suggest that global influences also have an impact on the CIT framework (e.g. international organisations as a major financier in HIV prevention). The participants put forward several feasible solutions to implementation barriers. We discuss how several of the proposed solutions have been applied in other Latin American and Caribbean countries and yielded positive results. However, further research is needed to find possible ways of overcoming certain barriers identified by this study such as corruption, the lack of collaboration of the Church and barriers to health care access.

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En 2007, un grupo de especialistas en salud mental y neurociencias elaboró la Declaración de México para el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH), en la que se integra la información científica sobre el padecimiento. En 2009, durante el III Consenso Latinoamericano para el TDAH, se elaboró la Declaración de Cartagena para el TDAH; en ella, se actualiza la información científica y se promueven acciones contra el estigma del TDAH en la sociedad y en las escuelas. Previamente, se elaboró un borrador que fue evaluado por los participantes durante el Consenso y revisado posteriormente por veintiséis especialistas de diez países de la región. En este documento se enlistan veintisiete puntos de la declaración sobre los aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos y terapéuticos basados en la evidencia científica para el TDAH, y se enumeran diferentes aspectos contra el estigma en la sociedad y en las escuelas. La Declaración de Cartagena para el TDAH constituye el segundo llamado que los miembros de la Liga Latinoamericana para el Estudio del TDAH (LILAPETDAH) realizan de forma organizada y multinacional para la difusión de las manifestaciones clínicas y terapéuticas, y para la promoción de estrategias gremiales y sociales orientadas a la disminución del estigma de este padecimiento.

In 2007, the Declaration of Mexico for Attention Deficit Hyperactivivity Disorder (ADHD) was developed by a group of specialists in mental health and neuroscience. This statement summarizes the most recent scientific information about the disorder. In 2009, during the III Latin -American Consensus on De la Peña F, Palacio JD, Barragán E 96/Rev. Cienc. Salud. Bogotá (Colombia) 8 (1): 95-100, enero-abril 2010 ADHD, the Cartagena’s Declaration for ADHD was issued, which updates scientific information and promotes a campaign against ADHD stigma in society and schools. A draft document was developed before the meeting and reviewed by participants at the Consensus. This paper was checked by twenty-six experts from ten different countries from the region. Twenty-seven points of the statement about clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic topics were listed, based on newest scientific evidence for ADHD. The Cartagena Declaration for ADHD is the second call that Latino-America League for the Study of ADHD (LILAPETDAH) members performed as an organized and multinational group, to increase knowledge on clinical manifestations and treatment of ADHD and to promote joint efforts and social strategies aimed to reduce stigma of this disorder.

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Objetivos: Describir las características de la transmisión hereditaria de la enfermedad en familias de la ciudad de Cartagena (Colombia) y analizar algunos factores medioambientales del núcleo familiar de los pacientes que pudieran influir en la evolución y/o severidad de la patología. Materiales y métodos: Se estudiaron 22 pacientes, distribuidos en 16 familias, del “Programa de atención integral a pacientes con fibrosis quística” de la Universidad de Cartagena. Se recopiló información acerca de las condiciones de vivienda del grupo familiar y se evaluaron aspectos fenotípicos hereditarios, y se construyeron genealogías para esta enfermedad. Resultados: El análisis de pedigríes reveló lo siguiente: en ocho familias (67%), los individuos afectados presentan rasgos caucásicos; en cinco familias (42%) se reconoce existencia de ancestros europeos; en dos familias (17%) existe consaguinidad. En relación con el aspecto ambiental, se encontró que 33% de las familias estudiadas habitan viviendas en malas condiciones. Conclusiones: Entre las familias de los pacientes con fibrosis quística de la ciudad de Cartagena detectados en este estudio se verifica la transmisión hereditaria autosómica recesiva, se confirma el mestizaje de nuestras poblaciones. La reincidencia de enfermos y la consanguinidad en varias familias denota la falta de asesoramiento genético y el desconocimiento de la evolución de la enfermedad por su grupo familiar. Estos resultados pueden ser el punto de partida de estudios más amplios que sirvan de fundamento para la implementación de políticas tendientes a reducir la frecuencia y severidad de la enfermedad a nivel local y nacional...

Objective: Describe characteristics of hereditary transmissión diseases in families in Cartagena (Colombia) also analysing some environmental factors that might affect the evolution and or severity of this diseases. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients distributed into 16 families attending to the Universidad de Cartagena's Integral attention program for CF families were studied. Information about family house conditions was collected; some inherited phenotype aspects were evaluated, and genealogy trees were constructed for this disease. Results: Our pedigree analysis reveals the next issues: first, caucasian traits in affected individuals are present in eight families (67%); second, european ancestors are reported in five families (42%); third, inbreeding was detected in two families (17%). Thirty three percent of these families are living in bad housing conditions. Conclusions: Between relatives of cystic fibrosis patients from Cartagena it is verified the autosomal recessive hereditary transmission, it is confirmed the crossbreeding inside our population. The relapse of patients and the blood relationship in several families reveal the lack of genetic counseling and inadequate knowledge about the evolution of the disease between the members of the families. These results could be the starting point of larger studies that serve as a foundation of politics tending to reduce the frequency and severity of the disease in a local and national level...

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