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Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder for which there are no therapeutics to date. Several mutations in presenilin 1 (PSEN 1), which is the catalytic component of γ-secretase complex, are causal of FAD. Recently, the p.Ile416Thr (I416T) PSEN 1 mutation has been reported in large kindred in Colombia. However, cell and molecular information from I416T mutation is scarce. Here, we demonstrate that menstrual stromal cells (MenSCs)-derived planar (2D) PSEN 1 I416T cholinergic-like cells (ChLNS) and (3D) cerebral spheroids (CSs) reproduce the typical neuropathological markers of FAD in 4 post-transdifferentiating or 11 days of transdifferentiating, respectively. The models produce intracellular aggregation of APPβ fragments (at day 4 and 11) and phosphorylated protein TAU at residue Ser202/Thr205 (at day 11) suggesting that iAPPβ fragments precede p-TAU. Mutant ChLNs and CSs displayed DJ-1 Cys106-SO3 (sulfonic acid), failure of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), and activation of transcription factor c-JUN and p53, expression of pro-apoptotic protein PUMA, and activation of executer protein caspase 3 (CASP3), all markers of cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, we found that both mutant ChLNs and CSs produced high amounts of extracellular eAβ42. The I416T ChLNs and CSs were irresponsive to acetylcholine induced Ca2+ influx compared to WT. The I416T PSEN 1 mutation might work as dominant-negative PSEN1 mutation. These findings might help to understanding the recurring failures of clinical trials of anti-eAβ42, and support the view that FAD is triggered by the accumulation of other intracellular AβPP metabolites, rather than eAβ42. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on Colombian journals in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). It highlights the importance of DOAJ for open access in Latin America and mentions other projects such as Redalyc and SciELO that collaborate with DOAJ. Currently, there are almost 20,000 peer-reviewed open access journals indexed in the directory, making DOAJ the most representative directory globally. Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico are the most represented Latin American countries in DOAJ, and Colombia has over 400 journals in the directory due to its high scientific production and institutional and financial support. The article also analyzes the characteristics of Colombian journals in DOAJ, highlighting that over half of them are also indexed in SciELO. Most of these journals belong to the field of Social Sciences and are geographically distributed throughout the country. Additionally, it is mentioned that peer review and the use of Creative Commons licenses are common practices in these journals. The study concludes that Colombia is the most represented Latin American country in DOAJ and that Colombian journals show diversity in disciplines and a low number of journals charging article processing fees. The importance of using persistent identifiers in journals and their impact on the visibility and circulation of works on the web is also highlighted. [Extracted from the article]

The escalating global energy demand, driven by heavy reliance on fossil fuels, worsens environmental degradation and triggers socio-economic shifts in extraction and refinery hubs. In Colombia, the energy matrix is predominantly fossil-based (76%), with hydroelectric power accounting for 70% of electricity generation. However, renewable energy sources only contribute 2% to the national energy mix. To reduce emissions by 20% by 2030, Colombia has presented an energy transition roadmap. The need for bioenergy production in Colombia arises from the residual biomass availability, the potential to provide sustainable energy access, and the potential to mitigate climate change impacts, while addressing energy poverty and enhancing energy security. This study presents an overview of biogas production in Colombia, emphasizing the need for financial resources to overcome barriers. Policy incentives, awareness campaigns, and research and development play a vital role in fostering social acceptance, technology adoption, and optimizing biogas production processes. Collaborative efforts among the government, private sector, and local communities are recommended to ensure wide-scale adoption of biogas, promoting economic, social, and environmental sustainability. By enabling informed decision-making, this research supports the transition to renewable energy sources and the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on bioenergy. The aim of this study is to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with biogas production in Colombia, including technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects, and provide recommendations for promoting its sustainable implementation and widespread adoption in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical basis of reactive oxygen species and their impact on health issues are relatively easy to understand by biomedical students. The detection of reactive oxygen species requires expensive equipment, the procedures are time consuming and costly, and the results are hard to interpret. Moreover, cause-and-effect relationships in the living system are not so evident. In this report, we adapted a two-step procedure to detect anion superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide generation in lymphocytes exposed to paraquat by using nitroblue tetrazolium salt and dihydrorhodamine, respectively. Also, a two-step assay was performed to evaluate lymphocyte viability and nuclei morphologic changes on paraquat exposure for 1 and 24 hours incubation time by using trypan blue exclusion assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining technique, respectively. Vitamin E was used as antioxidant to inhibit the deleterious effects of paraquat on cells. Students learned how to (i) design and perform experiments in the laboratory, (ii) read critical scientific literature, and (iii) discuss and contrast relevant information about reactive oxygen species as causative agents of cell death phenomenon. (Contains 3 figures and 1 table.)

Energy infrastructure projects in Colombia present contractual claims constantly. Traditionally, the project team and its director oversee handling these claims, without being experts in contractual, legal, or claim management issues. In the cases in which these claims are managed by the legal departments of the organizations, there is a lack of expertise regarding claims management, focused on the characteristics of the projects and the needs of the project teams. The objective of the article is to analyze the importance of setting up contractual claim management teams for energy infrastructure projects as a component of governance. In this exploratory research, we applied content analysis by the application of the software Maxqda Pro-2019 to representative cases of contractual claims, complemented by the review of articles from specialized journals. We located fortyeight cases in de-centralized related entities of the mining and energy sector in Colombia and reviewed seven documents in Science Direct, with the criteria of "Energy + Contracts", "Energy + Projects ", And" Projects + Claims ". As relevant results, it was generated a taxonomy of ten topics that show the importance of the proposal of the claims management team, and it was analyzed the relevance of the creation of the project claims management office (CPMO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we present the design of a model in dynamic systems for studying the socio-economic and sociodemographic characteristics of the population belonging to the early childhood (population between 0 to 5 years of age), children and adolescents in the city of Pereira, Colombia. The model allows to design programs and/or policies of care provided to the population-early childhood according to the patterns of vulnerability and future risks that are obtained with it. The structure of the model is based on a hybrid approach, and some socioeconomic components that are characteristic of the selected location and that have a large stake in the future of the population dynamics of this group. The results obtained from the simulation of the model were able to identify the main variables on which work is to be done, as well as the convergence of the same. In addition to these aspects, was able to build prospective analyzes that enable to consolidate a series of present actions to mitigate some evident future problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a Gram-negative diplococcus that normally colonizes the nasopharynx and rarely infects the urogenital tract. On Gram stain of urethral exudates, Nm can be misidentified as the more common sexually transmitted pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Methods. In response to a large increase in cases of Nm urethritis identified among men presenting for screening at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Columbus, Ohio, we investigated the epidemiologic characteristics of men with Nm urethritis and the molecular and phylogenetic characteristics of their Nm isolates. The study was conducted between 1 January and 18 November 2015. Results. Seventy-five Nm urethritis cases were confirmed by biochemical and polymerase chain reaction testing. Men with Nm urethritis were a median age of 31 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 24-38) and had a median of 2 sex partners in the last 3 months (IQR = 1-3). Nm cases were predominantly black (81%) and heterosexual (99%). Most had urethral discharge (91%), reported oral sex with a female in the last 12 months (96%), and were treated with a ceftriaxone-based regimen (95%). A minority (15%) also had urethral chlamydia coinfection. All urethral Nm isolates were nongroupable, ST-11 clonal complex (cc11), ET-15, and clustered together phylogenetically. Urethral Nm isolates were similar by fine typing (PorA P1.5-1,10-8, PorB 2-2, FetA F3-6), except 2, which had different PorB types (2-78 and 2-52). Conclusions. Between January and November 2015, 75 urethritis cases due to a distinct Nm clade occurred among primarily black, heterosexual men in Columbus, Ohio. Future urogenital Nm infection studies should focus on pathogenesis and modes of sexual transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper integrates peacebuilding components into sustainability impact assessment (SIA) for application in geographies vulnerable to, recovering from, or experiencing conflict. Based on the understanding that peace is a crucial pre-requisite for sustainable development and vice versa, it argues that integrating peacebuilding into SIA will enhance the development potential; particularly in conflict-affected countries. So far, SIA does not address this nexus of development and peace. Comprehensive SIA prior to implementation (i.e. ex-ante) facilitates reflections on outcomes (positive and negative), helping to design context-specific best-fit interventions. The objective of this study is to develop a set of peacebuilding indicators for future impact assessments. The study finds that existing SIA tools address many aspects, particularly economic and environmental impacts, but, although crucial to enhance societal relations and peace(building), these neglect societal aspects relating to social cohesion, agency, and transformation capacity. Thus, 17 indicators for assessing peacebuilding potential are proposed for integration in SIA in conflict-affected areas. The indicators are grouped into four components aligning with the key areas identified as missing in existing SIA frameworks but also crucial for positive peace: social cohesion, agency, negotiation capacities, and compensations. • Peacebuilding must be integrated into sustainability impact assessment (SIA). • Integrating peacebuilding into SIA will enhance development potentials. • SIA omits social cohesion, agency, transformation capacities, and restorations. • Peacebuilding indicators are developed for integration into SIA. • Applicability is tested via a project on sustainable land use in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a comprehensive diagnosis of the associated basins, islands, and wetlands of the coastal lagoon system of Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia, this work describes feasible options for the recovery of its ecosystem's health and ecological resilience. Firstly, the state of the coastal lagoon was assessed, finding that hydrology, wave climate, and the morphological changes of the coastline explain recent changes in the coastal wetlands. Key variables were used to describe the level of conservation or degradation of the coastal lagoon system and to identify measures to improve its ecological functions. Finally, to mimic some of these functions and improve connectivity of the ecosystems, green infrastructure alternatives were proposed for the short and medium term to recover the services of these ecosystems and restore their resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene are an important risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, most GBA genetic studies in PD have been performed in patients of European origin and very few data are available in other populations.Methods: We sequenced the entire GBA coding region in 602 PD patients and 319 controls from Colombia and Peru enrolled as part of the Latin American Research Consortium on the Genetics of Parkinson's disease (LARGE-PD).Results: We observed a significantly higher proportion of GBA mutation carriers in patients compared to healthy controls (5.5% vs 1.6%; OR = 4.3, p = 0.004). Interestingly, the frequency of mutations in Colombian patients (9.9%) was more than two-fold greater than in Peruvian patients (4.2%) and other European-derived populations reported in the literature (4-5%). This was primarily due to the presence of a population-specific mutation (p.K198E) found only in the Colombian cohort. We also observed that the age at onset was significantly earlier in GBA carriers when compared to non-carriers (47.1 ± 14.2 y vs. 55.9 ± 14.2 y; p = 0.0004).Conclusion: These findings suggest that GBA mutations are strongly associated with PD risk and earlier age at onset in Peru and Colombia. The high frequency of GBA carriers among Colombian PD patients (∼10%) makes this population especially well-suited for novel therapeutic approaches that target GBA-related PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the analysis of a study about hereditary hemochromatosis cases to family member patients in Antioquia, Northwest Colombia. Hereditary hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder portrayed by too much iron in body tissues. It clinically manifests diseases and is linked to H63D and C282Y mutations in the HFE gene. Genetics evidence showed that Antoquia inhabitants did not show symptoms of NH based on biochemical analysis and clinical evaluation by physicians.