Red flags to suspect inborn errors of immunity in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Inborn errors of immunity are monogenic disorders that predispose patients to immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, and infection. Some autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune cytopenias, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel diseases, are increasingly recognized as phenotypes of inborn errors of immunity. The objective of this article was to identify red flags or clinical/laboratory markers to suspect inborn errors of immunity in patients with autoimmune cytopenias, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel diseases through a systematic literature review.

[Características clínicas e inmunológicas de pacientes con déficit de anticuerpos específicos contra antígenos polisacáridos en un hospital pediátrico de Colombia].

Introducción. La deficiencia de anticuerpos específicos es un tipo de error innato de la inmunidad humoral, caracterizado por niveles normales de isotipos de inmunoglobulinas, infecciones recurrentes y reducción en la reacción vacunal ante antígenos polisacáridos. Objetivo.

[Análisis de genotipos, alelos y haplotipos de HLA en un grupo de pacientes con artritis psoriásica: poca frecuencia de alelos comunes].

Unlabelled: Introducción. La artritis psoriásica es una enfermedad compleja y los antígenos leucocitarios humanos (Human Leukocyte Antigen, HLA) son un factor clave en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. En Latinoamérica, hay pocos datos sobre dichos antígenos en pacientes con artritis psoriásica.

[Primer estudio piloto para el tamizaje neonatal de linfopenias T y B en Colombia].

Unlabelled: Introducción. La detección temprana de linfopenias congénitas facilitaría su tratamiento oportuno y la prevención de complicaciones serias, y optimizaría los recursos del sistema de salud.

Objetivo: Realizar un estudio piloto para el tamizaje neonatal de linfopenias mediante la cuantificación de los círculos de escisión (TREC y KREC) de los receptores de los linfocitos T y B en muestras de sangre periférica de neonatos de Medellín, Colombia.

Autoimmunity against cytokines: Double strike in autoimmune disease, a historical perspective.

Autoimmune responses are characterized by the development of antibodies and the activation of T lymphocytes against self-antigens. This leads to an effector immune response against tissues expressing antigens, which are later recognized by the host immune system. Host antigens attacked by antibodies are called "autoantigens" and are of different kinds, including receptors, enzymes, and channel proteins.

Understanding secondary hypogammaglobulinemia and its implications for cancer prognosis in children: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Immunodeficiencies are disturbances in the immune system that can affect cell function, quantity, or both. They can be either primary, associated with genetic defects, or secondary, linked to external factors such as hemato-oncological conditions. Secondary immunodeficiencies can lead to the initiation, reactivation, or acceleration of latent, residual, or active infections, which are the leading cause of mortality.

[Diez años del "Programa de evaluación de desempeño de laboratorios de inmunogenética" y su impacto en la "Red de donación y trasplantes"].

Introducción. El uso de las pruebas inmunológicas antes del trasplante de órganos sólidos es fundamental para disminuir el riesgo de rechazo y las complicaciones de los trasplantes. Los sistemas de control de calidad de los laboratorios que las realizan son, por tanto, necesarios para la práctica clínica.

Loss-of-function variant in MAGT1 leading to XMEN disease in a Colombian patient with a common variable immunodeficiency.

Introduction: Common variable immunodeficiency is a diagnosis of exclusion in immunodeficient patients with increased susceptibility to infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, deficient response to vaccination, or low percentages of switched memory B cells. In low- and middle-income countries, the elucidation and study of molecular defects in these patients may take decades.

Objective: To elucidate the genetic defect conferring impaired immunity in a patient diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency.

XopAE Effector from pv. Targets HSP20-Like p23 Cochaperone to Suppress Plant Basal Immunity.

Pathogenic bacteria use Type 3 effector proteins to manipulate host defenses and alter metabolism to favor their survival and spread. The non-model bacterial pathogen pv. () causes devastating disease in cassava.

Graphical Model Selection to Infer the Partial Correlation Network of Allelic Effects in Genomic Prediction With an Application in Dairy Cattle.

We addressed genomic prediction accounting for partial correlation of marker effects, which entails the estimation of the partial correlation network/graph (PCN) and the precision matrix of an unobservable m-dimensional random variable. To this end, we developed a set of statistical models and methods by extending the canonical model selection problem in Gaussian concentration, and directed acyclic graph models. Our frequentist formulations combined existing methods with the EM algorithm and were termed Glasso-EM, Concord-EM and CSCS-EM, whereas our Bayesian formulations corresponded to hierarchical models termed Bayes G-Sel and Bayes DAG-Sel.

Analysis of the economically justifiable price of mepolizumab in adults with asthma in Colombia.

Introduction: Asthma imposes a critical economic burden on health systems, especially with the incorporation of new drugs. Recently, mepolizumab has been approved to prevent exacerbations in patients with eosinophilic asthma, however their high cost constitutes a barrier for their use, especially in middle- and low-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the economically justifiable price of mepolizumab for preventing exacerbations in patients with severe asthma in Colombia.

Goniotomy for Childhood Glaucoma Secondary to Uveitis: Long-term Outcomes.

Precis: Goniotomy is effective in managing intraocular pressure in childhood glaucoma secondary to uveitis with cumulative probability of success 0.94 after 1 year and 0.77 after 5 years.

Evidence-Based Umbrella Review of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation in Chronic Neuropathic Pain.

Background And Objective: Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques (NIN), such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), have been extensively researched for their potential to alleviate pain by reversing neuroplastic changes associated with neuropathic pain (NP), a prevalent and complex condition. However, treating NP remains challenging due to the numerous variables involved, such as different techniques, dosages and aetiologies. It is necessary to provide insights for clinicians and public healthcare managers to support clinical decision-making.

Extracellular vesicles in ZIKV infection: Carriers and facilitators of viral pathogenesis?

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus of significant epidemiological importance, utilizing various transmission strategies and infecting "immune privileged tissues" during both the pre- and postnatal periods. One such transmission method may involve extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs can travel long distances without degrading, carrying complex messages that trigger different responses in recipient cells.

[Analysis of the surveillance system for adverse events following Immunization (AEFI) related to COVID-19 vaccines in Colombia, 2021-2023Análise do sistema de vigilância de ESAVI por vacinas contra a COVID-19 na Colômbia, 2021-2023].

Objective: To describe the functioning of the surveillance system for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) in Colombia using the evaluation tools proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Method: Descriptive study of the performance of the AEFI surveillance system for COVID-19 vaccines between 17 February 2021 and 30 September 2023. WHO indicators for structure, process, and results were adapted.

Deep cryptic diversity in the Species Group (Anura: Craugastoridae) of Isthmian Central America revealed by mitochondrial and nuclear data.

The Species Group contains eleven species of terraranan frogs distributed from eastern Honduras to eastern Panama. All species have remarkable color pattern polymorphisms, which may contribute to potential taxonomic problems. We performed exhaustive sampling throughout the geographic distribution of the group to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of all named species based on two mitochondrial markers and nuclear ddRAD loci.

Exploring Spatial Inequalities in COVID-19 Mortality and Their Association With Multidimensional Poverty in Colombia: A Spatial Analysis Study.

Objectives: The objective is to examine spatial inequalities in COVID-19 mortality rates in Colombia in relation to the spatial distribution of multidimensional poverty.

Methods: A retrospective spatial epidemiological study was conducted in Colombia from 2020 to 2022. Spatial statistics such as Moran's I index, LISA analysis, and simultaneous autoregressive conditional (SAC) regression models were used.

Marine actinobacteria metabolites: unlocking new treatments for acne vulgaris.

Marine-derived actinobacteria isolated from sponge and soft coral were screened for antibacterial activity against acne-related bacteria, specifically ATCC 14990, methicillin-resistant ATCC BAA44, and ATCC 6919. Cytotoxicity assays were performed on human dermal fibroblast (HDFa) and keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell lines to assess the safety profile of the extracts. Chemical characterization was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

Dysplasia and Colorectal Cancer Surveillance in Ulcerative Colitis Patients in Latin America: Real-World Data.

Background: The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is higher than in the general population, in Latin America there is a progressive increase of UC, and information about CRC screening in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the findings of endoscopic surveillance of CRC in patients with IBD according to available technology.

Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional, analytical study conducted in Latin American countries, in patients with UC, predominantly with more than 8 years of diagnosis and different degrees of disease activity.

Attacks on Humans by Neotropical Otters.

Neotropical otters (Carnivora, Mustelidae) are widely distributed in Central and South America. Studies on the behavior of this species are rare, resulting in the fact that its ethology is one of the lesser known among the mustelids. The Neotropical otter is considered solitary and territorial but not aggressive, and it generally shows a shy and elusive behavior.

Addressing unmet mental health needs of older adults in Turbo, Colombia: a multi-component psychosocial intervention feasibility study.

Background: Older adults have lived through extreme and stressful live events in Colombia, including during the armed conflict. Without adequate mental health resources in place, the aim of this study was to feasibility test a co-produced community-integrated intervention for older adults to improve their mental health and well-being in Turbo, Colombia.

Methods: Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based mental health interventions for older adults in LMICs, qualitative interviews with older adults and local stakeholders, as well as a mental health needs assessment survey of the local older adult population in Turbo, Colombia, we consulted older adults in the region to co-produce a community-based intervention.

Comparative analysis of bacterial microbiota in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): insights from field and laboratory populations in Colombia.

Comparative studies of the microbiota in whole-body mosquitoes from natural populations and laboratory-reared specimens are scarce, particularly in tropical countries like Colombia, where understanding microbial patterns is critical for effective disease control and vector management. This study examines the bacterial microbiota of Aedes aegypti by comparing field-collected mosquitoes from 3 Colombian regions (Southern Amazon, Central Andean region, and Northern Caribbean coast) with laboratory strains (Rockefeller, Otanche, and Tolima). These regions are highly endemic for dengue and are associated with lineage 1 of Ae.

What should be publicly funded in the Colombian health system? A mixed methods study of citizens' perceptions.

Background: In recent years, citizens have become more interested and willing to influence health policy decision-making, and governments worldwide are more prone to citizen engagement in such processes. Prioritising which health technologies should be publicly funded is one decision that requires prudence and consideration of the values and expectations of the people who will be affected by it.

Objective: To identify and understand the citizens' perceptions about which health technologies should be publicly funded in Colombia.