Preparation and characterization of a certified reference material of toxic elements in cannabis leaves.

The quantification of harmful elements in cannabis is a relevant analytical task that requires metrological tools to ensure the reliability of the measurement results. This work reports the preparation and characterization of a certified reference material (CRM) for toxic elements-arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)-in pulverized, lyophilized cannabis leaf tissue. To prepare the CRM INM-040-1, a portion of dried ground cannabis vegetal material was spiked with the elements at mass fraction values close to the levels of interest in relevant regulations for this kind of matrix: 0.

N-doped graphene quantum dots combined with Ag nanoparticles for luminescence based analytical sensing of gentamycin after solid-phase extraction in a molecularly-imprinted polymer.

A luminescence-based method was developed to detect gentamicin using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) associated with nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs). When gentamicin sulfate interacts with the AgNPs/N-GQDs system, the characteristic blue fluorescence of N-GQDs, which had been previously turned off by AgNPs, is restored. Under specific conditions (such as the amount of synthesis dispersion and pH), this AgNPs/N-GQDs probe enabled quantification of gentamicin ranging from 3.

A novel reassorted swine H3N2 influenza virus demonstrates an undetected human-to-swine spillover in Latin America and highlights zoonotic risks.

Influenza A virus (FLUAV) affects a wide range of hosts, including humans and animals, posing a threat to public health. In swine, H3N2 subtype is associated with human-to-swine spillovers of seasonal viruses. In Latin America, the molecular and antigenic characteristics of swine FLUAV H3N2, as well as its phylogenetic origin, are poorly understood.

Association Between Mortality and Detection of Respiratory Viruses in Children During the Peri-Liver Transplant Period.

Background: To evaluate the disease burden, risk of complications and mortality in children with viral detection during the peri-liver transplant period.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2023 at a tertiary university hospital. Children who underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing from 7 days before to 14 days after liver transplantation were included.

Management of high-surgical risk patients with acute cholecystitis following percutaneous cholecystostomy. results of an international Delphi consensus study.

Background: The management of high-surgical risk patients with moderate to severe acute cholecystitis is challenging in clinical practice. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for patients who do not respond to conservative treatment. However, for those unfit for surgery due to high-surgical risk, alternative treatment options such as percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) are available.

FeCo: Hysteresis, Pseudo-Critical, and Compensation Temperatures on Quasi-Spherical Nanoparticle.

We investigated the hysteresis, pseudo-critical, and compensation behaviors of a quasi-spherical FeCo alloy nanoparticle (2 nm in diameter) using Monte Carlo simulations with thermal bath-type algorithms and a 3D mixed Ising model. The nanostructure was modeled in a body-centered cubic lattice (BCC) through the following configurations: spin S=3/2 for Co and Q=2 for Fe. These simulations reveal that, under the influence of crystal and magnetic fields, the nanoparticle exhibits compensation phenomena, exchange bias, and pseudo-critical temperatures.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum Care in Middle-Resource Settings.

Management of the placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in resource-limited settings poses significant challenges. Traditional approaches, which often involve hysterectomy and extensive technology in all the patients are being replaced by individualized treatment plans considering each patient's specific clinical situation, available resources, and team expertise. Using ultrasonographic and surgical staging based on PAS topographic classification can help design tailored surgical plans and optimize resource use.

Dengue in patients with kidney transplant: a systematic review.

Introduction: The incidence of dengue and its complications increases globally, mainly in areas where it is endemic; however, little literature evaluates outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). The present analysis aimed to determine the incidence, signs and symptoms, and allograft dysfunction in dengue-infected KTR.

Methods: Systematic review of the literature following PRISMA 2020 indications with studies included until November 24, 2023.

Updates on HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Latin America: Available Drugs and Implementation Status.

Latin America has reported a 9% increase in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2023. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a crucial biomedical intervention for preventing HIV transmission. Currently, several antiretroviral drugs, in various forms of administration, have demonstrated high efficacy and effectiveness to protect against HIV.

Maternal and foetal outcomes in women with gestational Dengue: A systematic review.

Introduction: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease. It has been associated with high maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the outcomes of Dengue infection in pregnant women in terms of maternal bleeding, miscarriage, preterm delivery, severe Dengue, Dengue shock and maternal mortality, as well as foetal outcomes in terms of foetal distress, low birth weight and neonatal mortality.

Survey of West Nile virus infection in wildlife species in the Orinoquia region of Colombia.

Studies focused on the epidemiological surveillance of arboviruses that cause potentially zoonotic diseases, such as dengue, Zika, or emerging viruses like West Nile virus (WNV), are critical due to their significant impact on public health. Although research on these infectious agents is increasing in Colombia, regions remain where the presence of zoonotic agents is still unknown. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to investigate the current status of WNV circulation in wildlife in two municipalities of the department of Casanare (El Yopal and Paz de Ariporo) from the Colombian region of Orinoquia.

Implementation of the Community Component of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP): A Scoping Review.

Objectives: To identify implementation variables and justify the use of the community component of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).

Method: The search was carried out in Cochrane, PubMed, Emerald, Scopus, Scielo, Redalyc and Google Scholar databases. Studies that analyzed the implementation of the community component of mhGAP were included, excluding those focused solely on the clinical component of mhGAP.

NETosis: A key player in autoimmunity, COVID-19, and long COVID.

NETosis, the process through which neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), has emerged as a crucial mechanism in host defense and the pathogenesis of autoimmune responses. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this process received significant attention due to the central role of neutrophil recruitment and activation in infection control. However, elevated neutrophil levels and dysregulated NET formation have been linked to coagulopathy and endothelial damage, correlating with disease severity and poor prognosis in COVID-19.

Characterisation of the sexual and reproductive health of an Afro-Colombian community, 2021-2022.

Objective: Basurú, a community in Chocó, Colombia, has significant women's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems, including high rates of adolescent pregnancy and perinatal morbidity/mortality. This study aims to characterise SRH in Basurú in the context of social determinants of health from 2021 to 2022.

Methods: A descriptive, observational, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted, using the Pan American Health Organization's Community Information System for Primary Health Care for data collection.

Large bone defects in the tibia secondary to infection in open fractures: Report of two cases.

This paper reports on two cases of post-traumatic osteomyelitis (OM) caused by in immunocompetent patients, a rare but severe condition. , a gram-negative bacterium typically found in aquatic environments, is seldom reported as a cause of OM. The first case involved a 42-year-old male with a Gustilo-Anderson grade II open tibial fracture exposed to sewer water, leading to persistent infection despite initial treatment.

Impact of COVID-19 on key populations and people living with HIV: recommendations and sociopolitical responses from the EPIC community research program in Latin America.

Background: Health inequality in Latin America is particularly severe for individuals living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations, such as men who have sex with men, transgender women, people who use drugs, and sex workers. Despite regional programs aimed at reducing health inequalities, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas 2018-2030, the COVID-19 health crisis has exposed significant shortcomings in national healthcare systems for PLHIV and key populations. The multi-country, community-based research program, EPIC, was developed by Coalition PLUS within an network of community-based organizations engaged in the response to HIV and viral hepatitis.

Stakeholder perceptions of dementia in Colombia: a qualitative study.

Background: The global rise in dementia prevalence poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where resources for diagnosis, treatment, and support are constrained. Addressing this issue, the World Health Organization's 2017-2025 global action plan on dementia envisions a future where dementia is preventable, and individuals with dementia and their caregivers receive dignified support.

Methods: Using a qualitative research design, this study explores stakeholder perspectives on dementia in Colombia, framed by the World Health Organization's global action plan.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of atrial secondary mitral regurgitation positively influences atrial remodelling.

Background: Atrial secondary mitral valve regurgitation (ASMR) is a distinct anatomical subset of secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). Evidence of the effect of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) on left atrial (LA) anatomy and function, especially reverse remodelling (LARR), is still sparse.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive patients treated with TEER for mitral regurgitation (MR) in our centre between January 2013 and October 2023.

Technical implications of light greywater production and quality for decentralized treatment and reuse: A case study in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Decentralized light greywater (LGW) treatment and reuse can help mitigate urban water scarcity, yet data on its characteristics at the household level in Latin America remain scarce, limiting system design and implementation. This study assessed LGW quantity and quality in a representative household in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and analyzed its implications for decentralized treatment and reuse. Potable water consumption and LGW production from showers and hand basins were monitored over 98 and 124 days, respectively, with 27 LGW samples collected for quality analysis.

Towards an intelligent integrated methodology for accurate determination of volume percentages in three-phase flow systems.

Accurate determination of volume percentages in three-phase fluids is paramount for the success of various industrial processes, ranging from oil and gas production to chemical engineering. This study presents a comprehensive approach to this challenge by leveraging advanced signal processing techniques and machine learning paradigms. Our methodology integrates the time, frequency, and wavelet transform features extracted from X-ray-based measurement systems whose structure consists of an X-ray tube source, two sodium iodide detectors, and a test pipe, all of which were simulated using the Monte Carlo N Particle code.