Urban Care for Unpaid Caregivers: Community Voices in the Care Block Program, in Bogotá, Colombia.

The Care Block of Bogotá, Colombia, is an urban program that offers services for low-income unpaid caregivers. This study aimed to (i) characterize unpaid caregivers' subjective well-being, mental health symptoms, physical activity levels, and use of public spaces linked to the Care Block; (ii) identify caregivers' perceived built and social environment facilitators and barriers to accessing the Care Block facility; and (iii) document the community-led advocacy process to improve the Care Block program. The quantitative component included a subjective well-being and mental health symptoms survey, and the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) instrument.

Adaptation of the Recreovía During COVID-19 Lockdowns: Making Physical Activity Accessible to Older Adults in Bogotá, Colombia.

The community restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic adversely impacted older adults' physical activity levels. This convergent mixed-method study assessed the adaptation of the Recreovía, a community-based physical activity program in Bogotá, and characterized physical activity levels among older adult participants. Our results showed how the Recreovía adapted during the pandemic to continue promoting physical activity, through indoor and outdoor strategies, including virtual physical activity sessions and safety protocols.

"My Body, My Rhythm, My Voice": a community dance pilot intervention engaging breast cancer survivors in physical activity in a middle-income country.

Background: Interventions to promote physical activity among women breast cancer survivors (BCS) in low- to middle-income countries are limited. We assessed the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a theory-driven, group-based dance intervention for BCS delivered in Bogotá, Colombia.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study employing a mixed-methods approach to assess the 8-week, 3 times/week group dance intervention.

Cross-sector co-creation of a community-based physical activity program for breast cancer survivors in Colombia.

Benefits of physical activity (PA) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) are well established. However, programs to promote PA among BCS tailored to real-world contexts within low- to middle-income countries are limited. Cross-sector co-creation can be key to effective and scalable programs for BCS in these countries.

Innovative participatory evaluation methodologies to assess and sustain multilevel impacts of two community-based physical activity programs for women in Colombia.

Background: Community-based physical activity (PA) programs are appealing to women in Latin America and show potential for improving women's health. This study aimed to engage healthy middle-aged women, breast cancer survivors and local stakeholders participating in two publicly funded community-based PA programs in Bogotá, Colombia (Recreovía and My Body) to assess and visually map the perceived barriers, facilitators, and outcomes to promote programs' improvement, scaling and sustainability.

Methods: We used two participatory action research methods, the 1) Our Voice citizen science method to capture data and drive local change in built and social environmental facilitators and barriers that influence women's engagement in community-based PA; and 2) Ripple Effects Mapping to visually map the intended and unintended outcomes of PA programs.

Built environment in programs to promote physical activity among Latino children and youth living in the United States and in Latin America.

To prevent obesity among Latino youth in the United States and Latin America, it is necessary to understand the specific context and interplay of physical activity (PA) and the built environment (BE). This paper aims to advance the research agenda of BE and PA for obesity prevention in Latin America and among Latino youth in the United States by (1) identifying environmental indicators to inform the design of interventions and policy, (2) identifying interdisciplinary methodological approaches for the study of the complex association between BE and PA, and (3) presenting case studies of PA-promoting BE programs. A group of U.

Community-Based Approaches to Reducing Health Inequities and Fostering Environmental Justice through Global Youth-Engaged Citizen Science.

Growing socioeconomic and structural disparities within and between nations have created unprecedented health inequities that have been felt most keenly among the world's youth. While policy approaches can help to mitigate such inequities, they are often challenging to enact in under-resourced and marginalized communities. Community-engaged participatory action research provides an alternative or complementary means for addressing the physical and social environmental contexts that can impact health inequities.

Building healthy schools through technology-enabled citizen science: The case of the o participatory action model in schools from Bogotá, Colombia.

The physical and social environment of school settings are important for health promotion among children and adolescents. Efforts to create supportive environments at the school level can benefit from including community engagement and empowerment processes to advocate for health promotion. The model presents a unique opportunity for Latin American students to improve their school environments.

Engaging citizen scientists to build healthy park environments in Colombia.

Colombia's Recreovía program offers community-based free physical activity (PA) classes in parks. We evaluated built and social environmental factors influencing Recreovía local park environments, and facilitated a consensus-building and advocacy process among community members, policymakers and academic researchers aimed at improving uptake and impact of the Recreovía program. We used a mixed-methods approach, with individual and contextual PA measurements and a resident-enabled participatory approach (the Our Voice citizen science engagement model).

Synthesis and characterization of zeolite-based composites functionalized with nanoscale zero-valent iron for removing arsenic in the presence of selenium from water.

We studied the sorption of As(V) in single and multi-component (As(V)-Se(VI)) aqueous systems using nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and nZVI-functionalized zeolite (Z-nZVI) adsorbents. Morphological and physico-chemical characterization of the adsorbents was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area and electrophoretic mobility measurements. SEM and XRD analyses showed that Fe-nanoparticle size and crystallinity were better preserved in Z-nZVI than nZVI after As(V) sorption.

[Pediatric cardiology health brigades: from medical triage to social triage].

This article explores the sociocultural aspects of a program of pediatric cardiology health brigades that provides care to children from low-income populations in peripheral regions of Colombia. We analyzed the brigades as a humanitarian strategy to close the gaps of inequity in access to health care, and as a particular context of the medical encounter, the experience of heart disease and the definition of care trajectories. Based on ethnographic observation of brigades and interviews with families receiving care and with health personnel, carried out in 2016 in five different cities, we looked at the dynamics that shape the medical encounter and questioned the mechanisms (medical and social) through which it is evaluated and decided which families can access care in Bogota.

Challenges to the improvement of Colombian medical brigades aimed at the diagnosis of congenital heart disease: A qualitative approach.

Qualitative research of brigades and the family experience of congenital heart disease is of current interest and has been previously neglected. This study aimed to explore the social factors conditioning outcomes of paediatric cardiology care in the setting of Colombian medical brigades and to identify feasible strategies to improve the experience of the beneficiary populations. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling.

As(V) removal capacity of FeCu bimetallic nanoparticles in aqueous solutions: The influence of Cu content and morphologic changes in bimetallic nanoparticles.

In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) with different mass ratios of Cu and Fe were evaluated. The influence of the morphology on the removal of pollutants was explored through theoretical and experimental studies, which revealed the best structure for removing arsenate (As(V)) in aqueous systems. To evidence the surface characteristics and differences among BMNPs with different mass proportions of Fe and Cu, several characterization techniques were used.

Nanoscale zero valent supported by Zeolite and Montmorillonite: Template effect of the removal of lead ion from an aqueous solution.

In this work, we have studied the Pb(2+) sorption capacity of Zeolite (Z) and Montmorillonite (Mt) functionalized with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), at 50% w/w, obtained by means of an impregnating process with a solvent excess. The composites were characterized by several techniques including X-ray diffraction; scanning electron microscopy (SEM); BET area; isoelectric point (IEP); and, finally a magnetic response. Comparatively significant differences in terms of electrophoretic and magnetic characteristics were found between the pristine materials and the composites.

Kinetics of the Reaction of Pyrogallol Red, a Polyphenolic Dye, with Nitrous Acid: Role of ŸNO and ŸNO2.

In the present work we studied the reaction under gastric conditions of pyrogallol red (PGR), a polyphenolic dye, with nitrous acid (HONO). PGR has been used as a model polyphenol due to its strong UV-visible absorption and its high reactivity towards reactive species (radicals and non-radicals, RS). The reaction was followed by UV-visible spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Surface rearrangement of nanoscale zerovalent iron: the role of pH and its implications in the kinetics of arsenate sorption.

We consider the use of metallic iron nanoparticles for cleaning contaminated water, focusing our study in the sorption of arsenic compounds. In particular, we discuss the results of their sorption process on the surface of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) by performing a complete characterization of the surface modifications. Using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, spectroscopy diffraction measurements and elemental mapping, we typify the surface reconstruction during the sorption process of As(V) from aqueous solutions using nZVI when it goes into a crystalline parasymplesite structure.

Air pollution and hospitalization for acute complications of diabetes in Chile.

Exposure to air pollution has been shown to cause insulin resistance in mice. To determine the relevance to humans, we tested the association between daily air pollution concentrations and daily hospitalization for acute serious complications of diabetes, coma and ketoacidosis, in Santiago between 2001 and 2008, using generalized linear models with natural splines to control for long term trends. For an interquartile range (IQR) increase in air pollutant, the relative risks (95% CI) of hospitalization for diabetes were: 1.

Phenol and nitrophenols in the air and dew waters of Santiago de Chile.

Phenol, nitrophenols and dinitrophenols were measured in air and dews in downtown Santiago de Chile. In both systems, phenol, 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) were the compounds found in higher concentrations and with major frequency. Temporal profiles in air were compatible with a significant direct incorporation from mobile sources.

The risk of dying on days of higher air pollution among the socially disadvantaged elderly.

Rationale: The estimated mortality rate associated with ambient air pollution based on general population studies may not be applicable to certain subgroups.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of age, education, employment status and income on the risk of mortality associated with ambient air pollution.

Methods: Daily time-series analyses tested the association between daily air pollution and daily mortality in seven Chilean urban centers during the period January 1997-December 2007.

Modification in the soil and traffic-related sources of particle matter between 1998 and 2007 in Santiago de Chile.

Santiago de Chile is one of the most polluted South American cities, concentrating its pollution episodes during winter. Daily PM2.5 (particulate matter [PM] < or = 2.

Enhanced central thermal nociception in mildly depressed nonpatients and transiently sad healthy subjects.

Unlabelled: Evidence of support for sensory changes during minor depression and sadness is scarce and the neural mechanisms are unclear. We assessed central pain processing engaged in nociceptive C-fiber polymodal activity by examining the perception of a non-noxious unpleasant burning sensation induced by a thermal grill illusion, in 26 nonpatients with minor depression (19 females) and 28 healthy subjects (18 females), between 19 and 61 years old and pain free at the study. Controls were also subjected to induction of transient moods.

Components of particulate air pollution and emergency department visits in Chile.

The objective of the present study was to determine the association between several elements of particulates and Emergency Department (ED) visits in a general population sample. Daily time-series analyses tested the association between daily ED visit and air pollutants and components of particulates measured in Santiago Centro, a municipality, which includes downtown Santiago during the period from 2001 to 2006. The strongest individual effect was seen for elemental carbon.

Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations in Santiago de Chile associated with traffic emissions.

CO/CO(2) ratios have been measured in different locations of Santiago de Chile city. Measurements were carried out in a tunnel (prevailing emissions from cars with catalytic converter) and close to heavy traffic streets. Concentrations measured along the city traffic tunnel or temporal profiles of concentrations measured near heavy traffic streets allow an estimation of CO/CO(2) ratios emitted from mobile sources.

Carbon monoxide concentrations in Santiago City at street levels and their vertical gradient.

Carbon monoxide concentrations were measured at ground level (1 m) near heavy traffic streets in downtown Santiago de Chile in periods of low (November and December), intermediate (April) and high (May) ambient concentrations. Also, measurements were carried out at several heights (from 1 to 127 m) in Santiago's main street during winter time. Measurements carried out at ground level show maximum values during the morning rush hour, with values considerably higher than those reported by the urban air quality network, particularly in summer time.