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.

Seeking abortion medications online: experiences from a mystery client study in Colombia.

Objectives: While Colombians gained broad legal access to abortion in 2022, people still lack knowledge about its availability and face variable quality of care at health facilities. This study sought to understand whether online sellers provide the instructions and medication dosages necessary for effective medication abortions.

Design: The study design involved mystery clients contacting sellers identified across websites and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) to purchase abortion pills.

Estimating Wingbeat Frequency of Hummingbirds using a No-labeling Learning Computer Vision Approach.

Wingbeat frequency estimation is an important aspect for the study of avian flight, energetics, and behavioral patterns, among others. Hummingbirds, in particular, are ideal subjects to test a method for this estimation due to their fast wing motions and unique aerodynamics, which results from their ecological diversification, adaptation to high-altitude environments, and sexually selected displays. Traditionally, wingbeat frequency measurements have been done via "manual" image/sound processing.

Molecular detection of trypanosomatids among cave-dwelling bats from Colombia.

Bats play crucial roles in various ecosystems including caves. Although the presence of trypanosomatid species in bats has been documented in Colombia, their diversity in cave-dwelling bats remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the frequency and diversity of protists from the family Trypanosomatidae circulating in bats from the Macaregua cave ecosystem in Santander, Colombia.

Prevalence of Microsatellite Instability in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer patients from a Latin American Country.

Background: In Colombia, gastric cancer is fifth in incidence (12.8 cases per 100,000) and third in mortality (9.9 cases per 100,000).

Phylogenetic position of the subfamily Symphrasinae (Insecta: Neuroptera), its intergeneric relationships and evolution of the raptorial condition within Mantispoidea.

The superfamily Mantispoidea (Insecta: Neuroptera) includes the families Berothidae, Rhachiberothidae and Mantispidae. Among these taxa, the last two are collectively known as Raptorial Mantispoidea due to the presence of grasping forelegs for predatory habits. The Mantispidae classically included the subfamilies Symphrasinae, Drepanicinae, Calomantispinae and Mantispinae, yet recent research challenged this classification scheme as well as the monophyly of this family resulting in Symphrasinae being transferred to Rhachiberothidae.

Essential oil and furanosesquiterpenes from myrrh oleo-gum resin: a breakthrough in mosquito vector management.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are vectors of various pathogens of public health concern and replacing conventional insecticides remains a challenge. In this regard, natural products represent valuable sources of potential insecticidal compounds, thus increasingly attracting research interest. Commiphora myrrha (T.

Anatomical and morphological variations in the dorsal root ganglion: Technical implications for chronic pain treatment with neuromodulation-A systematic review.

Objectives: In the last 20 years, we have seen the flourishing of multiple treatments targeting the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for pain. However, there is concern regarding the variation in the location of the DRG, which could influence the long-term clinical outcomes. The aim of this work was to determine the exact position of the DRG in the spine and propose a pre-surgical planning.

Usefulness of immature platelet fraction measurement in predicting hematologic recovery in patients with acute leukemias undergoing high-intensity chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Background And Objectives: The immature platelet fraction (IPF) count is a parameter that quantifies young and reticulated platelets in peripheral blood, which reflects platelet production in the bone marrow. It has been used as a predictive model for bone marrow recovery in patients with acute leukemia after high-intensity chemotherapy and/or stem cell transplantation. This study aimed to evaluate IPF as a predictor of hematologic recovery in these patients.

Does Meaning in Life Mediate Associations Between Suffering and Subsequent Mental Well-Being? Longitudinal Evidence From Two Non-Western Samples.

Narrative accounts have documented the potential for suffering to degrade a person's well-being by undermining their sense of meaning in life, but few studies have investigated this among nonclinical samples living in non-Western contexts of the Global South. Leveraging data from a set of three-wave longitudinal studies with younger Indonesian (Study 1: Wave 1 [December 2020], Wave 2 [January 2021], Wave 3 [February 2021]; N = 620) and Colombian adults (Study 2: Wave 1 [August/September 2021], Wave 2 [October/November 2021], Wave 3 [February 2022]; N = 2626), the present research used causal mediation methods within a counterfactual framework to examine whether the associations between suffering (Wave 1) and subsequent anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and general mental health (Wave 3) are mediated by meaning in life (Wave 2). Mediation analyses in both studies provided some evidence indicating that overall suffering (Wave 1) is indirectly associated with worse subsequent mental well-being on all three outcomes (Wave 3) via lower meaning in life (Wave 2).

Hantavirus and Leptospira are important causes of nonspecific acute febrile syndrome, Meta, Colombia.

Introduction: Acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses are fevers lasting less than fourteen days without an evident focus of infection on the initial physical examination or with inconclusive laboratory tests.

Objective: Carry out epidemiological surveillance of the etiology of acute undifferentiated febrile syndrome in the Meta department.

Methods: A descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study was carried out between February 2021 and June 2023 in a first-level hospital in the department of Meta, Colombia.

Comparative lipidomic profiling in adolescents with obesity and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: Both adolescents with obesity and those with type 1 diabetes (T1D) exhibit alterations in lipid profiles, but direct comparisons are limited. Comparing lipidomic profiles between obese individuals and those with T1D is crucial for identifying specific metabolic markers, informing tailored interventions, and advancing precision medicine strategies for these distinct populations. The aim of the study was to compare lipidomic profiles between adolescents with obesity and those with T1D, and to analyze associations between metabolites and clinical parameters.